BUILDING HEIGHTs Ok’d FOR FAIRHAVEN HARBOR, BELLWETHER GATE
Bellingham Planning & Community Development has approved, with conditions, a modified design review permit for Fairhaven Harbor by Ted Mischaikov for 8th & Harris Holdings LLC and three permits for the Bellwether Gate project by the Port of Bellingham.
The modified permit for Fairhaven Harbor, a mixed-use development proposed between 8th and 9th streets on Harris Avenue, limits the largest building to 85 feet in height at the corner of 9th Street and McKenzie Avenue. Mischaikov chose to modify his previously approved permit for a 102-foot building to conform with State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) limits.
The planning department received “numerous” public comments on the project, said Director Tim Stewart, who also noted his appreciation of Mischaikov’s “constructive and positive manner” in working through the project’s permit issues and the “valuable and important comments” of neighbors. He also said concerned parties appealed previous shoreline and design permits about the impact of the development on adjacent Padden Creek and on views and the character of the neighborhood.
“After carefully considering all of the facts, I have determined that the new design is more consistent with the character of Fairhaven than the previous approval, and that this development will meet the city’s goals for quality infill, without diminishing the character of the thriving Fairhaven neighborhood,” Stewart said.
Across the bay, the Port of Bellingham received approval to increase heights from 35 feet to 38 feet for three buildings and from 35 feet to 50 feet for a building just west of Anthony’s Restaurant. The port originally requested height increases across the entire site.
Besides the height allowance, the approval includes Shoreline Substantial Development, Planned, and Multi-family Design Review permits for the four buildings. Two buildings are mixed use and two are commercial, with over half of the associated parking located underground.

BROWN & COLE EXITS CHAPTER 11
Brown & Cole Stores LLC exited Chapter 11 following a confirmation hearing of its plan of reorganization on Dec. 20, 2007, in federal bankruptcy court and the sale of a majority of its shareholder status – $43 million – to Hancock Park Associates in Los Angeles.
Brown & Cole, operator of Food Pavilion and Cost Cutter supermarkets, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in November 2006.
“We are one of only a handful of retail companies who have successfully navigated the challenging bankruptcy process, and emerged mostly intact,” said Craig Cole, president/CEO, in a press release. “It’s kind of like making lemonade out of lemons.”
Cole cited the following as wins for Brown & Cole: no further layoffs or store closures planned; union contracts remain in place and employees retain all wages, benefits and seniority entitlements; Brown & Cole will remain headquartered in Bellingham as an independent grocery company; and new investment will provide capital funds for a program of store improvements.
Hancock Park Associates is a private equity investment firm.
“Hancock Park is a rational and ethical investor which focuses on building long-term value,” Cole said. He pointed out since filing for Chapter 11, company sales and customer counts have been strong, which made investing in the company an attractive proposition for Hancock Park.
Cole also hired Executives Kevin Weatherill and Ron Stevens in early 2006, whom he said were essential catalysts in turning company performance around. Weatherill heads up operations and marketing, and Stevens is in charge of finance and accounting.

MINIMUM WAGE INCREASES
Washington’s minimum wage increased 14 cents to $8.07 an hour on Jan. 1, 2008.
The minimum wage applies to workers in both agriculture and non-agricultural jobs, although 14- and 15-year olds may be paid 85 percent of the adult minimum wage, or $6.86 an hour.
The Department of Labor and Industries recalculates the state’s minimum wage each year in September as required by Initiative 688, which Washington state voters approved in 1998. The initiative requires the state to adjust the minimum wage according to the change in the federal “CPI-W,” which is a national index covering the cost of goods and services needed for day-to-day living. That index rose 1.8 percent during the 12 months ending Aug. 31, 2007.

Advanced Toys for Trucks opens second location
Advanced Toys For Trucks has opened a second location in Burlington. The Burlington Chamber of Commerce welcomed the new business with a ribbon cutting ceremony in November.
Advanced Toys For Trucks sells and installs a wide variety of products, including items such as step bars, bug shields and engine performance programs.

New company looking to franchise in Bellingham
Clean Air Lawn Care, an environmentally friendly lawn maintenance business, is looking to open franchises in progressive areas with environmentally responsible people. Bellingham fits this bill.
“This is our first year franchising and we selected Bellingham as one of the top 25 target areas in the country,” said CEO Kelly Giard. “The people of Bellingham care about their community, and this business is committed to improving air quality in our communities.”
The EPA estimates that 5 to 10 percent of all air pollution comes from lawn equipment. Clean Air Lawn Care is a lawn maintenance company that uses clean electric and biodiesel powered equipment.

New outdoors store opens on Camano
Camano Island – one of the Pacific Northwest’s camping destinations - has its own outdoor store. J.T. Buck and Company, an outdoor retailer, celebrated its grand opening in mid-December of 2007. The 1,100-square-foot location is located in the Camano Plaza shopping center off East Camano Drive. The outdoor store features fishing tackle, camping gear, hunting gear, dog products, and a line of twig furniture that is made locally, said Laurie Cook, co-owner. Cook and Beth Becker own the store and are presently its only employees.

Two Stanwood health clubs merge
Two Stanwood health clubs merged this fall, leading to a complete remodel of one. Port Susan Athletic Club, located on 270th in Stanwood and visible off State Route 532, will be the business duo’s namesake. The former Sports Club, located on 267th St. NW in Stanwood, has been renamed Port Susan Athletic Club Sport. A remodel of the renamed club was planned for completion at the end of January.
The now-120-employee company spans 65,000 square feet of combined club space, said Dan Lehr, President of Palestra Fitness Group, the managing company for both Stanwood clubs as well as Kiva Conditioning Club in Kirkland. Remodeling for PSAC-Sport will continue with upgrades to the pool, but that phase of the remodel is being saved for this spring, after local swim teams complete their seasons, Lehr said. A grand re-opening of Port Susan Athletic Club Sport is planned for the end of February, Lehr said.

Haggen and TOP Food now offering local sauerkraut
Local sauerkraut can now be found in Haggen Food & Pharmacy and TOP Food & Drug grocery stores.
Pleasant Valley Farms’ new line of sauerkraut product was recently introduced under the Cascade Acres brand, and promises increased profits and a new direction for area cabbage growers. The all-natural sauerkraut is fermented and made with cabbage grown in the Skagit Valley and is produced at Pleasant Valley Farms in Mount Vernon.
The product is merchandised in the refrigerated deli section of the store near packaged meats and cheeses. For third-generation farmer Craig Staffanson and his wife Jocelyn, the product’s introduction to the retail market is a welcome event.
“We are very proud of this product,” Staffanson said. “The label says ‘cabbage, natural cabbage juice and sea salt,’ and that’s all that’s in this kraut. We aren’t using any preservatives or chemicals to extend the shelf life of the product.”

Northwest Computer now offering Apple Computers
Northwest Computer has been selected by Apple Computers to be an authorized reseller for Apple computers and accessories. The Bellingham-based company will also offer complete diagnostic and repair services for Mac desktops and laptops and sell popular Apple devices such as iPods.
“We’re incredibly excited to be able to bring Apple products to downtown Bellingham,” company President John D’Onofrio said. “We’ve always respected the quality and lifestyle-centered market approach that Apple is famous for.”
Northwest Computer opened its Technology Solutions Center on Cornwall Avenue in August, a facility that features a retail showroom and service center. The move was predicated, in part, on the anticipated addition of the Apple line.

Microsoft video features Northwest Computer
Microsoft Corporation is featuring Bellingham’s Northwest Computer in a new promotional video for Windows Vista, the Redmond-based company’s recently released operating system. Part of Microsoft’s Buy Local program, which features successful independent computer manufacturers around the United States, the video was shot in September in the Northwest Computer’s retail store and corporate headquarters.
The video features Northwest Computer’s retail manager Chris Johnson and vice president for business development Ethan D’Onofrio, and is focused on the company’s Blue Mountain brand laptop computers.
Also featured in the video are Frank Muljat of the Muljat Group and Alicia Greenwood, a Realtor employed by the Bellingham-based real estate broker.

Litzia earns Microsoft’s Small Business Specialist designation
Bellingham-based Litzia LLC, a locally owned and operated business technology consulting firm, has demonstrated expertise in planning and building Microsoft-based solutions for small businesses, and has therefore earned Microsoft’s Small Business Specialist certification.
To attain this status, Litzia had to pass a test designed to assess the company’s knowledge of the unique needs of the small-business market and the value of several software solutions. In addition, at least one individual in the company had to pass a technical certification exam that measures the ability to design and implement solutions for small and medium-sized businesses using the Windows Server System.

Aluminum Chambered Boats West opens in Anacortes
As part of Aluminum Chambered Boat’s quest to penetrate the recreational boating marketing, the company has opened a new location in Anacortes. Bill and Kaylene Sevieri are the new sales and service representatives for ACB’s Anacortes customers.
“We are proud to represent ACB and are looking forward to building relationships with our customers,” says Bill. “We have spent the past 22 years building high-end custom homes for customers that expect a superior product. ACB customers are no different.”
The new location is clearly visible and easily accessible as it’s located on Highway 20, a main thoroughfare to the San Juan Islands.

SSC receives recognition from WRRA
The Washington Refuse & Recycling Association recognized Sanitary Service Company’s sustainability efforts with its 2007 Sustainability Award. The award was presented at the association’s 60th annual Holiday Meeting, held Dec. 1 in Seattle.
“We appreciate the support we have received for these programs and services from our employees, customers, local government officials and business partners,” said SSC President Paul Razore.
SSC was recognized for its commitment to sustainable business practices and customer services including the company’s use of biodiesel in its fleet of garbage and recycling trucks and use of 100 percent green power. SSC is also a 5-star EnviroStars business, a regional program that promotes pollution prevention.

Sunset Music DJ partners with Melody Hall, Second Story Theatre
Sunset Music DJ of Bellingham has partnered with the Melody Hall & Second Story Theatre, agreeing to be its preferred provider of music, karaoke and public-address services.
The relationship gives Sunset Music DJ, owned by Eric and Randi Axelsson, access to a Bellingham facility with a capacity of 250 people (200 for events requiring tables) for weddings, corporate parties, school dances, business meetings and personal celebrations.
In exchange, the recently refurbished Melody Hall gains use of Sunset Music DJ’s expertise in sound technology and its extensive collection of music, including contemporary dance, classical, country and much more.

Moss Adams LLP introduces new service
Moss Adams LLP is pleased to introduce a new service called MA TrendWatch. This is a powerful service that offers an in-depth status report on the health of businesses.
MA TrendWatch is a quarterly analysis that helps business owners take control of their business by improving both the bottom line and the marketable value of the business. This is done by reviewing the businesses’ financial statements, establishing goals and objectives based on their goals, detailing the actions need to meet these goals, and quarterly evaluating progress toward the goals. The benefits from MA TrendWatch include accountability toward goal implementation while taking advantage of Moss Adams’ coaching and expertise.

Settlement reached by Washington, Lummi Nation and U.S.
Washington’s first-ever tribal-state-federal water rights settlement has received federal court approval in Seattle. U.S. District Court Judge Thomas Zilly signed a judgment and order approving the settlement, negotiated by the Washington State Department of Ecology, the Lummi Nation, the U.S. Government, and non-tribal water users.
The dispute centered on how water should be allocated on the Lummi Peninsula portion of the Lummi Reservation, northwest of Bellingham.

Whatcom County Guide adds local coupons
Whatcom County Guide has recently added local coupons. Registered businesses can add local coupons for free and these can be easily accessed by visitors to the Whatcom County Guide.
“We are excited to offer coupons, it is something we’ve been wanting to add for some time, and the local businesses listed really seem to like it,” says Gary Pickering of Whatcom Web LLC.

PORT OF SKAGIT COUNTY PURCHASES NEW BUILDING
The Port of Skagit County has signed a purchase and sale agreement for a 10,000-sqaure-foot building located in the privately owned Bayview Business and Industrial Park.
The port paid $600,000 for the building located in the 11000 block of Water Tank Road in Burlington. The building was previously owned by Classic A.R.T. Inc., and used for painting airplanes, boats and cars.
The port announced its goal in the purchase is to create opportunities for business that will bring jobs to the Skagit County community by making the building available to potential tenants in the near future.
“This purchase will enable us to open up a resource to potential tenants during a time our buildings are at capacity,” said Patsy Martin, port executive director.

SEMIAHMOO RESORT SHOWCASES BRIDAL OPEN HOUSE
Semiahmoo Resort in Blaine will present a bridal affair at its fourth annual Bridal Open House on Feb. 17.
The event will offer brides-to-be a first-hand look at the location and services provided by AAA Four-Diamond Semiahmoo Resort, which was named “Best Northwest Destination Wedding Site” for 2006 and again in 2007 by Seattle Bride magazine.
Local photographers, florists, wedding coordinators and other vendors also will be on site to showcase their services and to answer questions. Attendees also will have a chance to sample cake from different bakeries, receive wedding tips from bridal consultants, watch a bridal fashion show, enjoy live music and win prizes.
Seating is limited and reservations are required by Feb. 8.

WINERY PRESENTS WINE AND CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL
Carpenter Creek Winery will present its third annual Red Wine & Chocolate Festival Feb. 8-10 in Mount Vernon.
Festivities will include complimentary tasting of Carpenter Creek wines, barrel tastes of new releases and a cornucopia of sinfully good sweets. Attendees also will have the opportunity to help decide the winner of the annual chocolate cook off.
Festival hours will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Mt. Baker PMI Chapter seminars, Award Dinner on Feb. 11
The Mt. Baker Project Management Institute Chapter will hold two seminars and an awards dinner on Feb. 11, at the Lakeway Best Western Inn.
Brian Turner of PointB Solutions Group will conduct a seminar on “Strategies for Tackling the High Risk/High Profile Project.” This is a presentation that was recently given in Atlanta at the PMI North American Global Congress.
The second seminar will be led by John Harmon, Bellingham/Whatcom Housing Authority director. Harmon will present on “Managing Public/Private Partnerships.”
At the awards dinner, CH2M Hill will be presented with the Chapter of the Year (2007) award for its project management leadership in Northwest Washington. Michael Greene will be awarded the Gordon Stevens Volunteer of the Year award for his service as chapter president and the manager of the chapter’s new Web site. Outgoing officers to be recognized include Jeff Reppun, vice president of finance; Helmer Seiber, vice president of marketing; and Michael Greene, president.
Beginning in February, Dr. Bill Warner, PMP, will conduct 10 three-hour sessions of project management certification training Thursday evenings at CH2M Hill in downtown Bellingham.
Project managers attending work in businesses and agencies in Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish and San Juan counties.

WCC OFFERS MARKETING SESSION THIS MONTH
Discover the 10 steps in creating your own marketing plan, starting with a mission statement and ending with a marketing calendar, during a marketing session Feb. 21 at Whatcom Community College.
Taimi Dunn Gorman of Gorman Publicity will cover various topics, including identifying competition, business strengths and weaknesses, target market(s) and the media. Dunn Gorman has created and marketed several businesses in Bellingham, including The Colophon Cafe and The Doggie Diner.

INVESTOR WORKSHOP SLATED FOR MARCH
An advanced investor workshop, titled “Due Diligence and Valuation,” will be presented March 10 in downtown Vancouver, B.C.
Workshop leader Bill Payne, who is an active private investor, board member and adviser to entrepreneurs, will present the key risks investors conduct on “Due Diligence” and information on how a company is valued. Payne also has successfully founded or invested in 41 start-up companies.
The workshop is designed for anyone planning to raise equity in the next six to 12 months and experienced CEO or CFOs of investor-centered companies that are growing quickly and are seriously looking for multiple angel or VC investors. Investors and service providers are welcome. All attendees must have a basic understanding of venture capital finance having raised equity from at least friends.
PricewaterhouseCoopers, TSX Venture Exchange, National Research Council and Province of B.C. support the workshop. There is a registration fee, and space is limited. Register online at www.ANGELforum.org.

BANK OF THE PACIFIC PAYS DIVIDENDS TO STOCKHOLDERS
The Board of Directors of Pacific Financial Corp. paid cash dividends last month of 75 cents per share to all Stockholders on record as of Dec. 31, 2007.
“Although we experienced a difficult interest rate environment this year, due to a flat and sometimes inverted yield curve, we have still recorded good financial results,” said President and CEO Dennis Long. “As a result, we are able to provide stockholders with a cash dividend that equates to a yield of 5.4 percent based on the closing share price on Dec. 19, 2007.”
Pacific Financial Corp. is the holding company of The Bank of the Pacific, which has branches in Skagit and Whatcom counties.

BEST WESTERN LAKEWAY INN WINS Director’s AWARD
The Best Western Lakeway Inn in Bellingham received the Best Western Director’s Award for achieving outstanding quality standards for the seventh consecutive year.
The award recognizes the 132-room Lakeway Inn for scoring in the top 20 percent of the hotel chain’s 2,400 North American properties during inspections measuring cleanliness and maintenance. Hotels also must meet Best Western’s requirements for design and high customer-service scores to qualify for this distinction.
“The Director’s Award is an important symbol of success,” said General Manager Steve Brenk. “It confirms the Lakeway Inn’s commitment to providing quality accommodations for our guests. Our housekeeping and maintenance departments have worked hard to achieve this level of excellence, which was especially challenging during this year’s $1.5 million renovation of the hotel.”

NEW NAME, WEB SITE FOR PHOTOGRAHER
Amy Stauffer Photography is now Amy Parsons Photography and has a new Web site to reflect the business name change: www.amyparsons.com.
The business serves Whatcom and Skagit counties and the greater Seattle area.

HOTEL CHAIN RELAUNCHES BREAKFAST HOT BAR
Visitors to Burlington are now enjoying the newest hot bar in town – the Express Start Breakfast Bar – relaunched by Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites.
The $15 million upgrade – to be implemented at more than 1,500 properties in North America by Jan. 31, 2008 – is the result of feedback by guests wanting hot menu items designed around a variety of dietary and taste choices.
“Based on preliminary guest feedback, we anticipate the refreshed breakfast bar will be a truly valuable enhancement to our guests’ stay experience,” said Danielle Callendar, general manager, Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, Burlington. “As a hotel general manager, I am happy to be part of a brand that is continually looking at guests’ needs and working to exceed them.”

BELLINGHAM’S COMFORT INN WINS 2007 HOSPITALITY AWARD
The Comfort Inn in Bellingham received a 2007 Gold Hospitality Award in November from Choice Hotels International Inc., one of the world’s largest lodging chains.
Winners of this award exceed Choice Hotels’ quality standards for Customer Service, Housekeeping and Product Quality. While Choice Hotels International has more than 5,000 properties worldwide, Comfort Inn Bellingham was one of less than 400 hotels to earn this prestigious award and was the only hotel in Washington state to win the award last year.
“The Comfort Inn Bellingham won this award because of their attention and dedication to providing the highest level of guest service,” said Chuck Ledsinger, vice chairman and CEO of Choice Hotels. “They should feel very proud of reaching this milestone.”
The Comfort Inn is owned and operated by Sid Baron and son Alan Baron, both of Lynden.

WWU’S COLLEGE OF BUSINESS RECEIVES REACCREDITATION
Western Washington University’s College of Business and Economics has received full accreditation from AACSB International, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
“AACSB accreditation is the highest distinction a college of business can achieve, but for CBE it is well deserved, given the quality of faculty, staff, and students in the college,” said Brian Burton, the dean of the college.
AASCB is an international accrediting body for schools, colleges and departments of business, as authorized by the U.S. Department of Education. Only 554 business schools worldwide have achieved AACSB accreditation.

PACIFIC COMMERCE CENTER READY FOR OCCUPANCY
Northwest Hot Springs Spas will be one of the first occupants to settle in at the recently completed Pacific Commerce Center in Ferndale.
Bayfield Development Group LLC of Lynden announced units are now available for either ownership or leasing at the facility, located just off Interstate 5 on Highway 99. The center, designed by Faber Brothers Construction, provides 30,000 square feet of prime condo retail space to potential owners/tenants and features five individual suites, ranging from 3,500- to 15,900 square feet.
“With the relocation of Wilson Furniture, also developed by Bayfield and designed/built by Faber Brothers, we saw an excellent opportunity to bring a new concept to the area by creating a ‘condo’ retail center right here in Whatcom County,” said Dan Hyatt, owner of Northwest Hot Spring Spas.
The center’s concept allows smaller business owners to own their own space in a strip-center-type environment, saving them thousands in overall development costs, says David Vargo of Faber Brothers Construction.

PFD SELLS $10 MILLION IN BONDS
The Bellingham-Whatcom Public Facilities District approved the sale of $9.9 million in PFD bonds to Morgan Keegan & Co. Inc., of Memphis, Tenn., during a special meeting on Dec. 11, 2007.
Bond proceeds will help fund construction of the new Art Museum and Children’s Museum now under way at the corner of Grand Avenue and Flora Street. These funds also will be applied to the second phase of renovations to the Mount Baker Theatre, scheduled to begin in this spring.
The PFD bonds were sold at a rate slightly better than anticipated and are backed by a Contingent Loan Agreement with the City of Bellingham.

NEW MARINA OPENS AT PORT OF APIA, SAMOA
An evening full of celebration and festivities in December 2007 marked the opening of Apia’s new marina and floating restaurant – a first for Samoa – designed and built by Bellingham Marine New Zealand.
Apia Marina features Bellingham Marine’s modern concrete floating dock system and affords deep-water access and secure moorage, which up until now was limited around the island.