SKAGIT VALLEY HOSPITAL ADDS JOBS, EARNS FivE-STAR RATING
Skagit Valley Hospital in Mount Vernon has added more than 100 full-time-equivalent jobs in the past year, solidifying the hospital’s position as the leading employer in Skagit County. The hospital also earned a five-star rating for total hip replacement from HealthGrades, the nation’s leading independent healthcare ratings company.
Employment at Skagit Valley Hospital as of January 2008 was 770 full-time equivalents and a total of 1,208 employees, an increase of 102 employees from January 2007. According to Northwest Business Monthly, the hospital’s employment ranks the organization fifth among employers in Whatcom, Skagit, Island and San Juan counties. Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in Oak Harbor leads the way with 11,200 employees.
Additional positions at Skagit Valley Hospital were created when the regional facility more than doubled in size with the June 2007 opening of the hospital’s first major expansion in 20 years. Also in 2007, the hospital hired more than 80 registered nurses, including new positions and replacements, and assisted in recruiting 21 physicians to the community, ranging from pediatricians and primary care to interventional cardiologists and gastroenterologists. Recruitment efforts continue, with a goal of recruiting 26 more doctors to the community this year.
The Medical Group Management Association estimates that for every provider in a community, 4.5 to 4.9 support positions are created. Positions at Skagit Valley Hospital have an average wage of $28.74 per hour.
Skagit Valley Hospital is the only hospital north of Seattle to receive a five-star rating for total hip replacement.
“We are honored to have earned HealthGrades’ five-star rating,” CEO Gregg Davidson said. “This achievement acknowledges the outstanding level of care the physicians and staff of Skagit Valley Hospital provide to our total hip patients. We are very proud of this accomplishment and look to build on this success.”

NICHOLS BROS. BOAT BUILDERS SALE APPROVED
Puget Sound’s history of quality boat building and good-paying, family-wage jobs received an added boost via the sale of Nichols Bros. Boat Builders to Ice Floe LLC, backed by Treadstone Captial Management, L.P. of Dallas and Joseph E. Usibelli of Alaska.
Nichols Bros., a leading manufacturer of tug boats, ferries, aluminum vessels and commercial fishing boats since 1964, filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy in November 2007. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Seattle approved the sale.
“With the consummation of this transaction and the financial support of our new owner, we are ready to take Nichols Bros. to the next level and to make quality boats for another 40 years,” said Matt Nichols, CEO of Nichols Bros. “Our employees, customers and vendors are all excited about this transaction.”
Prior to filing for bankruptcy, Nichols Bros. employed 250 workers at its Langley and Freeland facilities. Operations ceased briefly in November before the facility recalled 60 of its workers to complete existing projects. The boatyard currently employs 50 workers.
“We intend to begin rehiring workers immediately and expect to employ about 150 workers as we ramp up production,” Nichols said. Michael Donohoe of Treadstone lauded Nichol Bros.’ reputation for building quality products and hiring a highly skilled workforce.
“The company has gone through a trying period as a result of litigation and capital constraints,” Donohoe said. “This sale allows the company to move forward free of those constraints. We are confident that the men and women here at Nichols Bros. will immediately exceed all customer expectations and reposition Nichols Bros. as the industry leader for production of high-quality aluminum and steel boats.”
Ice Floe is a company originally formed by Joseph Usibelli. In connection with this transaction, Treadstone Capital Management, L.P. has acquired a controlling interest in Ice Floe. Usibelli and his family have retained significant ownership and operational roles in the company. Treadstone Capital Management is a private equity firm.

SLUGGISH END-OF-YEAR HOUSING MARKET STILL YIELDS STABLE SALE PRICES
Members of Northwest MLS tallied more than $33.3 billion in sales of single-family homes and condominiums during 2007. The MLS also reported 18 of the 19 counties in its market area experienced increases in median prices compared to 2006, with one county matching the 2006 price.
In its year-end summary report, Northwest MLS, whose service area covers about 80 percent of the state’s population, logged more than 82,000 closed sales during 2007. Single-family homes accounted for nearly 82 percent of the number of sales and about 86 percent of the dollar volume, with condominiums making up the balance.
Last year’s volume, measured by number of units, decreased about 14.5 percent from 2006. The dollar volume, compared to the previous year, was down about 8.7 percent. Underscoring the “real estate is local” mantra, median price gains among the counties ranged from zero to nearly 16.1 percent.
The average sales price of all residential units sold in Whatcom County during 2007 rose 1.7 percent to $335,379, and the median price increased 2 percent to $290,000, according to Lylene Johnson of The Muljat Group South office in Fairhaven. The modest increase in the average sales price ended a four-year run of double-digit increases in Whatcom County since 2002, when the average price of a house sold in the county was $182,958.
The number of homes sold in Whatcom County during 2007 dropped 4.7 percent to 2,679. However, sales fell significantly in last year’s fourth quarter as problems with sub-prime loans became public and credit requirements tightened.
“While foreclosure rates in Whatcom County have remained low, the psychological impact of the national numbers certainly has been felt,” Johnson said. “On the local level, the number of houses for sale has been declining over the past three months at a faster rate than is usual for the fourth quarter. If this trend holds, it will help to keep prices stable.”

Vendor fair promotes doing business with public agencies
Companies that want to do business with local agencies and entities are invited to the 2008 Regional Vendor Fair Friday, March 28, in Bellingham. Learn the process for signing up for small works rosters and bid lists, learn about upcoming contracts and procurement opportunities throughout the region, and make face-to-face contact with agency representatives.
Participating agencies will include: the City of Bellingham, Whatcom County, EDASC/Procurement Technical Assistance Center, Bellingham Whatcom Economic Development Council, Skagit County, Washington State Department of Transportation, Western Washington University, the City of Lynden, the Port of Bellingham, Bellingham Technical College, Washington State General Administration, Army Corps of Engineers, State of Washington Office of Procurement, State of Washington Office of MWBE and the U.S. Small Business Administration.
The fair takes place at the Squalicum Boathouse, 2600 S. Harbor Loop, Bellingham, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event is free and registration is not required.

MOTHER BABY CENTER OPENS ONLINE STORE
Mother Baby Center has expanded its retail business by opening an online store at www.motherbabycenter.org.
The store offers a variety of high-quality and specialty products for babies and their parents – also available at the center’s Bellingham location. Items are oriented to support breastfeeding and promote parent-child bonding and are environmentally sensitive when possible. Proceeds from the store go to support Mother Baby Center services.
The nonprofit organization hopes that the new online store will not only attract clients in Whatcom County, but throughout the United States and Canada.

LOCAL STONE COMPANY CELEBRATES 15TH ANNIVERSARY
StonWest – the first granite and marble facility in Whatcom County – celebrates its 15th anniversary this year.
The company began operations in 1993 in Bellingham and has provided its knowledge and experience in many community projects, including Memorial Park near East Maryland and King streets and the Roosevelt Park renewal project. StonWest also is an avid supporter of youth groups, providing material donations for their community projects.
StonWest participated in the annual Whatcom Home & Garden Show earlier this month, providing continuing education to the public on granite, marble and other natural stones.

CHARTER SERVICE ADDS DISABILTY ACCESS
Bellingham-based Waypoint Charter Services has added yachts and sailboats with access for people with disabilities to its worldwide roster of luxury vacation vessels.
By using Waypoint to book custom charters, travelers with disabilities can now explore the world aboard vessels outfitted for their special needs at no additional cost.
“Whether our client’s disability is physical or cognitive, whether mild or severe, we can find a yacht or sailboat vacation suited to their unique situation,” said company owner Sherri Backstrom.
An independent charter broker representing thousands of luxury vessels around the world, Waypoint has begun brokering accessible charters for people with disabilities in part due to Backstrom’s own physical challenges. Backstrom, who has experienced a gradual loss of fine motor skills from Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, started her company with the mission of helping people of all ability levels to travel the world’s waterways.
Additionally, Waypoint is pleased to announce the launch of key new services and an upgraded Web site.
New services include pairing travelers with custom adventure charters that feature diving, sailing and kayaking opportunities in addition to yacht charters in the Mediterranean and along the European canals.
These services are integrated into Waypoint’s upgraded Web site, www.waypointcharter.com, which features an extensive database of vessels that clients use to plan their dream vacation.

CONTRACTORS HONORED FOR TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS
IMCO General Construction Inc. Project Manager Tim Whiteis and Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) project engineer Chris Damitio were selected as winners of 2007 Excellence in Contract Administration Awards by WSDOT.
WSDOT awarded eight transportation construction projects during a ceremony Jan. 3. For each of these projects, awards were presented to the administrative team, including the construction firm, its project manager and the WSDOT project engineer. Whiteis and Damitio won Honorable Mention in the category of Western Washington Projects Greater than $2 Million for their Nooksack Road project, Vic to Cherry Street.
The administrative teams were honored for delivering transportation projects in a timely, professional and responsive manner while also considering the needs of others who are affected by the project.
IMCO General Construction is based in Bellingham.

WHIDBEY ISLAND BIKE SHOP EXPANDS INTO NEW SPACE
Growing business and the need for additional space finds the Half Link Bicycle Shop moving into the former Bayview Arts building, located next to the Bayview Cash Store on South Whidbey Island.
Owners David and Melinda Gardiner debuted their new space in January. They opened Half Link in 2002, offering South Whidbey’s only full-service bicycle sales, supply and servicing shop.

EXIT REALTY MOVES TO LARGER OFFICE SPACE
EXIT Realty Associates owners Mike Hays, broker, and Andy Rogers have moved their business from North State Street to the 1400 block of Cornwall Avenue in Bellingham to increase office space.
The owners cite fast agent growth for the move to the new location, following remodel and improvement projects.
“Being part of downtown Bellingham’s cultural environment and revitalization will be a great position in the community for EXIT Realty,” Hays said.
EXIT Realty Associates’ new two-story office is just under 8,000 sqaure feet.

QUICKTECH MERGES WITH BURLINGTON COMPANY
QuickTech Accounting, a Mount Vernon-based accounting firm specializing in technology solutions, has merged with Hilsinger & Co. CPAs of Burlington.
Hilsinger & Co. owner Bob Hilsinger has more than 20 years of experience as a certified public accountant (CPA) and certified valuation analyst. CPA Karla Gulke of QuickTech Accounting has extensive training and certification in a variety of QuickBooks and other accounting technology, applications and program integration.
Together, the companies will offer a complete range of accounting and consulting services, providing clients the tools they need to grow their businesses from startup through maturity. The merger also will provide a higher level of service to existing clients and will position the firm for continued growth. The firm will be titled Hilsinger & Co. CPAs.
Hilsinger & Co. CPAs serves businesses and individuals in Skagit, Whatcom, Island, San Juan and northern Snohomish counties.

FAIRHAVEN CANDY INC. GOES KOSHER
Fairhaven Candy Inc. in Ferndale has received Kosher certification for all flavors of its peanut butter-based confection, CRUMBLZ!
Part of the certification process includes inspection of the manufacturing plant for cleanliness and ingredient purity. Also, the candy contains ingredients that comply with the federal and state definitions of “all natural” and ingredients that are Certified Organic.
Currently, there are four flavors of Crumblz! with the designation: peanut, chocolate peanut, chocolate almond and chocolate macadamia coconut. The specific Kosher label includes the term “Parve,” which designates CRUMBLZ! as a completely dairy-free product.

FURNITURE STORE CELEBRATES SECOND YEAR
Left Coast Furnishings in Bellingham celebrated its second anniversary in January.
Tom and Lisa Esia opened the custom modern and contemporary furniture store downtown shortly after moving to northwest Washington.
The Esia’s future plans include expanding furniture lines to include some classic modern designs and launching a new Web site.

WOODS COFFEE HOUSE WINS BRAND AWARD, Announces new location
The Woods Coffee House, located in Bellingham and Lynden, received the 2007 Hottest Brand in North America Award in the specialty coffee category from The Brand Coaches, international brand marketing consultants, in January.
The Woods, owned by Wes and Diane Herman and family, earned the award in the “10 Locations or Less” category.
Award recipients were selected based on a list of criteria and analysis of the best brands in 2007 among Dillanos Coffee Roasters’ 1,400 customers nationwide. Contest criteria included imagining the removal of all logos from the retail store but still maintaining customer recognition of the store. The Woods has 16 branding touch points beyond their logo, clearly communicating who they are to their customers, said Lon LaFlamme, Brand Coach co-founder.
The Woods will expand its brand to a downtown Bellingham location in May.

WILDCATCH LAUNCHES NEW SUSTAINABLE SALMON WEBSITE
Wildcatch sustainable seafood products are now available online at www.wildcatch.com.
The Web site offers many of the products offered in retail stores throughout the United States and ships overnight direct to customers. Fisher co-founder Jon Saarheim said the Web site was created based on the demand of current customers who were unable to buy Wildcatch products in their area.
Wildcatch is based in Bellingham and seasonally in Anchorage and Western Alaska.

HOTEL BELLWETHER JOINS ELITE GROUP
The Hotel Bellwether is now a member of the Preferred Hotels & Resorts Group, a collection of the world’s finest independent luxury hotels.
The inclusion of the Hotel Bellwether brings the total number of Preferred Hotels to four in Washington state.
Preferred Hotels & Resorts are exceptional four- and five-star properties located in the world’s most desirable cities and resort destinations. They range in design from the classic and historic to more modern and contemporary, and each hotel caters to both business and leisure travelers looking to experience the finest in modern luxury travel and hospitality. Preferred hotels and resorts meet and exceed the award-winning, 1,600-point Preferred Standards of Excellence Quality Assurance criteria.

WWU JUMPS 10 SPOTS ON KIPLINGER’S LIST
Western Washington University improved by 10 spots to rank 38th among the 100 Best Values in Public Colleges in the United States listed in the February issue of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine.
The institutions on the list offer “a combination of outstanding academic quality plus an affordable price tag,” according to Kiplinger’s. The rankings are based on data provided by more than 500 public four-year colleges and universities. The magazine ranked Western 48th in 2007.
Only four other institutions within the Carnegie classification – a system used in higher education to group institutions by size and degrees offered – finished higher than Western, and Western’s ranking among those institutions of similar size and degrees offered was highest in the West.

New Meeting Facility Provides Room2Think
Room2Think, Ltd. is a creative meeting services company specializing in small- to mid-sized group meetings. Co-owners Kristi Birkeland and Wendy Keneipp saw a need for a full-service meeting facility in the area and combined their years of industry experience to design a space that addresses the specific needs of the business community.
If you think the name Room2Think sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Keneipp and Birkeland purchased the business after it shut its doors in 2006. They have recently relocated within downtown Bellingham and expanded the services to include meeting planning, preparation and facilitation as well as options for catering, workshops and corporate retreats.
“We wanted to create a total meeting experience for our clients,” says Keneipp. “Technology is a big part of the picture, but we also paid a lot of attention to functionality and all of the little details that make off-site meetings successful.”
Room2Think provides two meeting room options. The Think Big room has more than 1,000 square feet of meeting space and dual projection screens, and is perfect for groups of 12 and up. The Focus room is designed to comfortably accommodate smaller groups of 12 or fewer. Standard room rental fees include access to all technology and office supplies, unlimited snacks and beverages and a complementary meeting feedback service.

Stanwood business combines coffee and cash
A bank in Stanwood will soon give customers the ability to combine banking and a coffee break. The approximately 2,500-square-foot building, currently under construction on State Route 532, behind the American Legion hall, will include a coffee drive-up, run by Camano Island Coffee Roasters. The building is expected to be completed by June 2008, said Laura Byers, senior vice president and branch administrator for Coastal Community Bank. The new building will replace the bank’s drive-up location on 271st in Stanwood, Byers said, and will be Coastal’s seventh branch. Coastal Community Bank has branches in Everett, Darrington, Sultan, Monroe, Stanwood, Freeland and Camano. Its newest branch will bring four to five jobs to the Stanwood-Camano area. Those employed by the new bank will be paid a rate that is competitive with other banking jobs, Byers said.

Established quilting store buys itself a home
Cotton Pickins, a quilting retailer in Stanwood, is soon to have a new home. A 5,600-square-foot building is currently under construction on 270th Street NW, Stanwood. The retailer will move from its 2,500-square-foot, rented space on 267th Street NW in Stanwood. The company will own the new building, said owner Kathy Blank. Cotton Pickins is a fabric and sewing store that sells quilting fabrics and Bernina sewing machines. It has been operating in Stanwood for eight years, Blank said. She said the business plans to move to its new building this month.

HORIZON FINANCIAL EXPERIENCES EARNINGS LOSS, LOAN GROWTH
Horizon Financial Corp., headquartered in Bellingham, reported a slight loss in earnings and loan portfolio growth in the third quarter of fiscal 2008, ending Dec. 31, 2007.
Earnings were $4.7 million (or 39 cents per diluted share), down from $4.9 million (or 40 cents per diluted share) in the immediate prior quarter. Although down during the third quarter, Horizon also reported earnings for the nine months ending Dec. 31, 2007, increased 4 percent to 14.6 million (or $1.19 per diluted share) compared to $14.1 million (or $1.14 per diluted share) for the first nine months of fiscal 2007.
Additional third-quarter highlights (for the quarter ending Dec. 31, 2007, compared to Dec. 31, 2006):
• Deposits topped the $1 billion mark ending the quarter at $1.01 billion.
• Earnings per share benefited from an active share repurchase program.
• Net interest income grew 3 percent to $13.8 million from $13.4 million.
• Tangible book value per share grew 8 percent to $10.60 from $9.81.
Horizon Financial also reported residential mortgage originations increased both in the quarter and year-to-date and account for 13 percent of the total loan portfolio.

STUDIO CELEBRATES LIFE, HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Rhythms of Life Wellness Studio of Bellingham will celebrate life, health and wellness during a free open house from 4 to 8 p.m. March 20.
The event will highlight the multidisciplinary healing services offered by eight practitioners and will include an opportunity to meet and talk with the practitioners, tour the studio and enjoy healthy refreshments and live music. There also will be drawings for free massages, spinal care and Reiki treatments, a one-hour meditation and relaxation session, a one-hour hypnosis session and more.

NOOKSACK VALLEY DISPOSAL TRASHES MILESTONE FOR RECYCLED MATERIALS
Nooksack Valley Disposal & Recycling reached a significant milestone in 2007 by collecting more than 3 million pounds of recyclable materials such as newspaper, glass and metals.
The facility recycled 3,079,971 pounds of newspaper, mixed paper, cardboard, glass, scrap metal, plastic, aluminum cans and tin cans in 2007 – a 4.4 percent increase compared to 2006. Nooksack Valley Disposal customers also recycled approximately 1,342 tons of yard waste – an increase of 11.8 percent. Last year was the first time customers could place food scraps and food-soiled papers in their yard-waste containers, according to General Manager Calvin Den Hartog.
Customers in the cities of Lynden, Everson, Nooksack and Sumas may arrange for regular pickup of yard-waste containers. The material is taken to Green Earth Technologies of Lynden, which produces compost from the yard and food waste. Yard waste also may be taken to Nooksack Valley Disposal’s transfer station in the 200 block of Birch Bay-Lynden Road in Lynden.
Nooksack Valley Disposal enhanced its recycling services on Dec. 1, 2007, by launching 354-JUNK. Customers may arrange for a one-time pickup of appliances, furniture, televisions, tires, hot-water tanks and much more from their properties. Appliances in working condition will be donated to ReUse Works in Bellingham and/or the Second Chance Thrift Store in Lynden. Also, all recyclable materials will be diverted from landfills.

ALL AMERICAN MARINE LAUNCHES INTO 2008 WITH BUSY FIRST QUARTER
All American Marine, Inc. (AAM) is staying extremely busy with new contracts, repeat business, several awards from the U.S. government and the splashing of its first boat of 2008 on Jan. 15.
The crew of All American Marine launched an 82-foot, 8-inch by 30-footTeknicraft Design hydrofoil-assisted catamaran research vessel built under a contract awarded by N.O.A.A.’s National Marine Sanctuary program. The new vessel, to be christened R/V Manta, marks the fifth Teknicraft catamaran that AAM has built for the sanctuary program.
All American Marine recently signed another eco-tour boat contract with Kenai Fjord Tours. The Seward, Alaska-based tour operator placed a repeat order of the 82-foot, 7-inch by 29-foot, 2-inch, 149-passenger Teknicraft catamaran. The advanced technology of the Teknicraft catamaran saved the operator 50 percent in fuel expenses compared to operating their 90-foot monohulls, which easily justified adding another vessel to their fleet. The operator plans to order additional AAM catamarans as part of their fleet replacement program.
The latest Kenai Fjord Tours contract is in addition to the three boats AAM currently has under construction. The next two vessel deliveries scheduled this month will include two survey launch boats built under a General Services Administration contract awarded by N.O.A.A.’s Office of Coast Survey. Later this spring, AAM will roll out a high-speed tour catamaran that was ordered by the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga. The 65-foot vessel will carry 70 passengers through the Tennessee River Gorge at speeds topping 50 mph.
The future for AAM, based in Bellingham, looks bright as Teknicraft and AAM are already working on a new ultra-low-wake energy hull design that will be constructed later this year and will enter into service as a Puget Sound passenger-only ferry early in 2009.

FARMERS INSURANCE AGENTS MOVE INTO JOINT OFFICES
Farmers insurance agents Christina Abundis (Abundis Insurance Agency) and Andy Jewell (Jewell Insurance Agency) are now conducting business from larger offices in the Fairway Center in Lynden.
The agents will be adding additional staff to accommodate their expanding client base.
“In addition to more spacious offices, we can also offer our clients ample parking in a more convenient location,” Abundis said.
As Farmers Insurance agents, Abundis and Jewell are based in Lynden but serve clients throughout Whatcom County. They provide a wide array of Farmers products, including homeowners, auto and life insurance and insurance products for small businesses. Striving to meet the needs of all county residents, the agents have a specialty in serving the area’s Hispanic and Russian population with the help of bilingual sales associates.

WELLS FARGO EXPANDS IN FAIRHAVEN
Wells Fargo will open a new Wealth Management Center and expand its business banking office in Fairhaven.
Bellingham Business Banking Manager Todd Sewell and Wealth Management Group Regional Manager Peggy Zoro will lead teams of wealth management specialists and business bankers.
“Bellingham, and particularly Fairhaven, are growing, and we are excited to expand our services here,” Zoro said. “This partnership between the Wealth Management Group and Business Banking provides our customers with access to a group of highly experienced financial services experts in one location. We can help our customers succeed financially by collaborating and working together in one office.”
Wells Fargo plans to expand its office size by adding 1,800 square feet to its business banking offices at the Harris Square Building. Construction should be completed by early April.

FERNDALE’S VOLVO RENTS EARNS EXCELLENCE AWARD
Volvo Rents of Ferndale was one of 10 Volvo Rents stores to receive Circle of Excellence Awards in January during Volvo Rents’ annual franchise convention in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
Sarah, Bruce, Brian and Paula Martin-Zender own the Ferndale store. The award recognizes outstanding performance.

GOIT HOUSE NATURAL FOODS ENTERS THE BIG LEAGUE
Bellingham native Mary Goit has turned her four-year-old company, Goit House Natural Foods LLC, from a startup to a mature business, having received orders from United Natural Foods Inc., the largest natural foods distributor in the United States.
Goit creates her gourmet survival bars, Belly Timber, in her own commercial bakery located on National Wildlife Federation-certified wildlife habitat property along side her home.
Though finding success in the marketplace, Goit House Natural Foods remains a family business, operated by Goit’s husband Dave, daughter Isabelle and friends Nancy Schubeck, Kenya Sky and Erin Tripp. The secret to her success: a balance between local and organic ingredients.
“I am a consumer first,” Goit said. “Although our bars are made with over 80 percent organic ingredients, there are other important considerations. We are deliberate in choosing Jerry Guilmette’s local Nooksack River Wild Flower Honey rather than the organic honey from South America or Africa. We choose Moka Joe’s organic Samish Island blend coffee, Bainbridge Island’s Wax Orchard pear juice concentrate and organic soy flour milled at Fairhaven Flour.”
Belly Timber bars can soon be found in the energy bar department of your favorite natural market, food co-op or grocery store in the Northwest. Outdoor enthusiasts and extreme sportsmen and women will find Belly Timber Bars at Bellingham’s REI and Sturtevant’s Mountain Outfitters in Idaho.

WCC JOINs LARGEST TEACH-IN IN U.S. HISTORY
Whatcom Community College participated in the nationwide celebration Focus the Nation Week, an unprecedented teach-in on global warming solutions and sustainability, Jan. 28-Feb. 1.
Events included educational and awareness raising presentations, a film festival, an interactive Webcast, and a speech and Q&A session by newly elected Bellingham Mayor Dan Pike.
Focus the Nation is a national teach-in engaging millions of students and citizens with political leaders and decision makers about global warming solutions.

WAGE & HOUR HANDBOOK AND CD AVAILABLE
The Association of Washington Business (AWB) recently published a comprehensive guide designed to assist employers in deciphering Washington’s complex labor laws. The 5th Edition Wage & Hour Handbook and CD provides companies with the latest information on key issues that are pivotal to a company’s success and will help maintain a positive rapport with employees.
AWB worked closely with employment law attorneys at Lane Powell PC to make sure the guide summarizes the law governing employee wages and hours of work. Business owners can purchase this publication for $85 plus shipping and handling. Visit awb.org for details.

BROWN & COLE STORES OFFER BAG REBATES
Brown & Cole’s stores are offering a bag rebate of 5 cents for each bag customers provide when shopping.
The nickel rebates are either returned to customers or customers may choose to donate their rebates to either ReSources in Whatcom County or Skagitonians to Preserve Farmlands in Skagit County. In other communities where Brown & Cole has stores, different environmentally focused nonprofit organizations will be selected for the rebates.
“We started the bag rebate 29 years ago (2-cent rebate), and today we’re more committed than ever to reducing our reliance on plastics and paper,” said Sue Cole, public affairs director. She added the company is working on additional sustainability measures to complement the bag rebate.
Whatcom stores include Cost Cutter in Bellingham, Blaine and Ferndale, Everson Red Apple, and Lynden and Southside Food Pavilions. Skagit stores are Food Pavilion in Mount Vernon, Sedro-Woolley and Anacortes, plus Burlington Cost Cutter.

FUNDS APPROPRIATED TO DREDGE SWINOMISH CHANNEL
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been awarded $467,000 to dredge the high spots in the Swinomish Channel in Burlington.
Sen. Patty Murray, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, included increased funding to keep ports and marinas open in Skagit County on the Swinomish Channel.
The Swinomish Channel needs to be dredged every three to four years to prevent groundings. It is dredged by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to a depth of -12 feet. The channel is used by boat builders, log-tow companies, fishermen, dry-boat operators and boaters on their way from Puget Sound to the San Juan Islands.
Approximately 340 jobs depend on a properly maintained channel. Based on recent studies, the Port of Skagit County estimates that the annual direct revenues associated with the existing La Conner-area fleet is approximately $11.7 million per year.
Pacific Northwest Waterways Association assisted in the appropriation process. Dredging is scheduled to begin in July.

LYNDEN DOOR ACHIEVES FORESTRY CERTIFICATIONS
Lynden Door Inc., a manufacturer of wood flush interior doors, is now third-party certified for Forest Stewardship Council Chain of Custody (FSC COC).
The FSC COC audit report found the Lynden plant to be a safe, efficient and progressive manufacturing operation. “Chain of custody” is the path taken by wood from the forest floor to the marketplace. Lynden Door’s compliance with this standard means that Lynden Door Inc. has passed an initial audit by FSC-approved auditors and is subject to future audits. The certification affirms that the Lynden plant procures wood from responsibly managed forests.
Achieving FSC COC certification is consistent with Lynden Door Inc.’s wood procurement policies and guidelines.
“Sustainability, reinforced through FSC and their leadership in promoting well-managed forests makes our wood doors even more appealing from an environmental perspective and adds to our ability to contribute to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design),” said Dick Moreno, technical administrator.
The facility also was certified by SGS under the protocols of Sustainable Forestry Initiative, an independent third-party certification. Sustainable Forestry Initiative is a single standard covering 135 million acres of certified forestland across North America.

HAMPTON INN & SUITES BURLINGTON EARNS LIGHTHOUSE AWARD
Hampton Inn & Suites Burlington has earned a Lighthouse Award, designating it as one of the hotel chain’s top performing hotels among more than 1,400 Hampton properties.
The Burlington location was recognized for its high rankings in quality, guest satisfaction and business performance. The award criteria are based on customer feedback measured through guest satisfaction surveys, as well as product quality and service scores measured quarterly by the company. The prestigious award is given only to the top 5 percent of all Hampton hotels.
“The competition to be among the elite group of Hampton Lighthouse Award winners becomes stronger each year as the Hampton brand continues to add more hotels, making us especially proud this year to receive the honor,” said David Weston, hotel general manager.

AREA CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE MEET WITH LEGISLATORS
Representatives from the Mount Vernon, Burlington, Sedro-Woolley, Anacortes and La Conner chambers of commerce met with legislators in Olympia for Chamber Day on Jan. 30. Gov. Christine Gregoire addressed chambers of commerce from throughout Washington state before the meetings with each legislator.
“It was rewarding in that the senators and representatives were receptive to our concerns,” said Stephanie Hooper of Bayside Specialties. “We had five chambers represented, and I think that really speaks strongly to them.”
The chief issues the local chambers presented to Reps. Jeff Morris, Dan Kristiansen, Kirk Pearson, Dave Quall, Barbara Bailey and Norma Smith and Sens. Harriet Spanel, Val Stevens and Mary Margaret Haugen included healthcare and the FEMA flood mapping. Several bills have been dropped this session that push toward a single payer, or state-run, health insurance system with the burden of cost placed heavily on the employer. The chambers asked the legislators to work to keep costs down for business owners and employers and to keep the economy strong.
The Mount Vernon and Burlington chambers also sought support from legislators as the cities of Mount Vernon and Burlington and Skagit County enter into appeals with FEMA over the revised Base Flood Elevations. Though this issue is largely federal, the state government could see major ramifications in transportation projects, especially if FEMA’s current flood maps go into effect. The cities and the county will appeal to FEMA to have a scientific panel review the data that led to the maps, and the chambers asked for our legislators’ support in garnering this scientific panel.
“We spoke with our legislators about a variety of items, and we were pleased to get a positive reception,” said Mark Hulst of Dally’s Auto Body and the Government Affairs chairman for the Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce. “We got the support from a number of the legislators on our appeal to FEMA to allow a scientific panel to review the base flood elevations and the methodology for creating those numbers.”

Bank of Pacific relocates Barkley branch
On Monday, March 3, The Bank of the Pacific relocated their Barkley branch to the 4100 block of Hannegan Road in Bellingham. Its new spacious location provides convenient parking, drive up banking including ATM and night drop services. In addition to the current branch staff, this location will house a commercial lending team and a home loan representative. A ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled for April 2 at 9 a.m.

PORT OF SKAGIT ADDS AVIATION FACILITIES TO AIRPORT
The Port of Skagit County has purchased several aviation buildings, including an aviation business terminal, cargo hanger, aviation offices and more than 12,000 square feet of hangar space, all located on port property but privately owned.
The port paid $2.5 million for the properties, with the facilities located at the eastern end of Skagit Regional Airport and house Corporate Air Center, Federal Express and Glacier Helicopters flight school. A portion of the facility was formerly home to Crosswinds restaurant.
In keeping with its economic development mission, the port’s goal in this purchase is to create opportunities for business that will bring jobs and commerce to the Skagit County community. The port plans to work closely with existing tenants Corporate Air Center and Federal Express to support and enhance their service capacity.
To develop additional aviation business, the port has approved a new lease with Concorde Group Aviation for property at the north end of the runway.

WWU AND KITSAP TRANSIT DEVELOPING HYBRID BUS
Western Washington University’s Vehicle Research Institute (VRI) is working with Bremerton-based Kitsap Transit to produce a prototype hybrid passenger bus that will double the miles-per-gallon of its existing buses.
The prototype will be used to construct a fleet of up to six buses that will be purchased by Kitsap Transit.
“Kitsap’s 15-passenger buses are now getting about eight or nine miles per gallon,” said Eric Leonhardt, VRI director. “What we hope to produce is a hybrid vehicle that will get at least 20 miles per gallon – and we’re shooting for 30.”
Kitsap Transit Executive Director Dick Hayes said the genesis for this project lies in a tripling of wholesale diesel-fuel prices during the past three years.
Hayes said that while Kitsap Transit is taking the lead on this project, 10 or 11 other regional transit systems will pay close attention to its progress.
Leonhardt says he envisions the project taking about three years, depending on the funding that is available. The VRI has applied for a grant from the Washington Technology Center and will apply for more funding from a number of the regional transportation authorities.
The VRI is WWU’s award-winning, cutting-edge vehicle-design laboratory, producing everything from solar-powered vehicles to a rebuilt, fully operational General Motors EV-1 electric car.

BOB WALLIN INSURANCE REPRESENTS GRANGE INSURANCE GROUP
Bob Wallin Insurance has been appointed to represent the Grange Insurance Group.
Grange has represented area farmers since 1894.
“We wanted to expand our farm insurance offerings to our customers and prospects,” said Von Smith, Bob Wallin Insurance president and partner. “Grange offers an excellent array of farm insurance programs for the small family farm to the large commercial operation.”
Bob Wallin Insurance has served Whatcom County insurance clients as a family owned agency for more than 40 years.

COLUMBIA BANK OPENS NEWEST BRANCH IN BELLINGHAM
Columbia Bank celebrated the official grand opening of its first Whatcom County branch office on Jan. 30.
The Bellingham office, located on West Kellogg Road, is a full-service banking center. Tamara Madsen serves as the branch manager. She has 29 years of banking experience.
Madsen also hand picked her staff, many of whom have worked at financial institutions in the Bellingham area. They include: Karen Parker, vice president and commercial loan officer; Maria Hansen, branch officer; and Liliana Garcia and Gerri Dale, customer service representatives.
Columbia Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of Columbia Banking System, Inc. (NASDAQ: COLB), is a Washington state-chartered, full-service commercial bank based in Tacoma.