Senator Listens to Leaders Talk eBusiness

Sen. Maria Cantwell conferred with 14 civic, educational and private business leaders Aug. 14 to hear how Skagit County and Mount Vernon are making good on promises to become wired to attract more eCommerce to the area.

Dressed in a dark-blue pantsuit, the junior senator was greeted by Mayor Skye Richendrfer at the new eTech Center on Continental Place for a tour of the facility and conference that lasted for 1 1/2 hours.

Host for the affair was Paul Schweikert III, owner of WebEKG, the anchor eBusiness at the center, which he owns with Dan Mitzel and John Ellis. Organizer and facilitator was Don Wick, executive director of the Economic Development Association of Skagit County.

Krishna Fells Mathison, president of Independent Marketing Services (IMC), a company that relies heavily on fast telecommunications, and Schweikert, both representing the area’s major businesses requiring high-technology capabilities, told the senator how they had chosen the area because of the able and available workforce and city’s project of installing fiber-optic cable. “The city had the foresight to have an eTech Center,” Fells Mathison stated.

Skagit Valley College President Lydia Ledesma-Reese pointed out how SVC — “the 11th most wired community college in the nation” — is working hard to partner with the community and public sector and to provide education for companies like IMC and WebEKG.

Cantwell told the group: “It’s impressive to see that the community has been successful in pioneering high technology in this state” and added that, while “Washington is further ahead of other places in the nation,” much needs to be done in Congress to spearhead and streamline high-tech grants and to “put a little time into education” as well as equipment.

It’s more important to provide resources to the human side as well, the senator stated. “We need to look at how access to that human infrastructure is possible.”

“We deserve all the help we get and are happy with all the help we get,” said Skagit Valley Herald publisher Stedem Wood, a participant representing the college board.

The theme of the meeting was partnerships, and all those who participated lauded the way the public and private sectors were working together to make things happen.

“All these people around the table are partners,” Wick noted.

Other participants included: eTech Center co-owner Dan Mitzel, Realtor Jim Scott, Skagit Valley Medical Center administrator Don Schlichtmann, Gary Chrysler of Public Utility District #1, Mike Almvig of Skagit County and SVC’s vice president Marijo Olson, associate dean Mark Veljkov and dean Steve Bradley.

 

Anacortes Cinema Opens to Rave Reviews

The new Anacortes Cinemas held its invitation-only grand opening in July to thank many of those involved in getting the long-awaited theater completed as well as other local dignitaries and citizens. Last-minute details were being completed up to the ribbon-cutting time, but two of the three auditoriums were open and employees at the concession stand served the jovial crowd complimentary refreshments in a lobby decorated with movie posters.

Jessica Barnes, the 14-year-old Anacortes student who led a petition drive for theater approval, had the honor of cutting the green ribbon across the front door. The next day, when the theater opened to the general public, Barnes celebrated her 15th birthday by attending — what else? — a movie at the new theater.

Locally managed by Lillie Summerfield, the building at 415 O Ave., one block west of Commercial, was designed to blend with the city’s general style, complete with murals on the outside walls by local muralist Bill Mitchell. Sixteen employees have been hired. According to Summerfield, public attendance already has been excellent, with sellouts the first weekend.

The three auditoriums all feature digital Dolby sound systems and together seat 305 in comfortable rocker chairs with cup holders. Movies are shown daily, including matinees. Ticket prices are $7 for adults, $6.75 for students and military and $4.50 for matinees (before 6 p.m.), children under 12 and seniors. Box office opens at 1:15 p.m. A 24-hour, recorded information line, 293-7000, provides movie listings and show times.

The theater is owned by Five Star Entertainment partners Dave Fazende and Steve Lange. The company also operates theaters in Oak Harbor, Ocean Shores, Shelton, West Seattle and Post Falls, Idaho.

 

Performing Arts Center off Drawing Board

Architects have completed the first stage of a new performing-arts center in Skagit County when they recently presented plans calling for a 700-seat theater and up to a 400-seat conference area.

If all the approvals and funding come through, construction of the $18 million center could begin as early as next June at Skagit Valley College (SVC).

Among the participants are the Skagit Performing Arts Council, the county, the college, an elected body representing a new Public Facilities District and members of the McIntyre family, which donated $6 million to the project.

LMN Architects of Seattle recently released the proposed building plans, following three months of design work. SVC agreed to house the center and suggested it be built immediately south of the Annex building, next to the present tennis courts.

The center would include a 700-seat auditorium, 236 lounge chairs in a balcony, as well as 350-seat conference center expandable to 400 seats, as well as lobby, dressing and make-up rooms, storage areas and wardrobe.

The stage can accommodate up to a 77-member symphony, while an orchestra pit can be raised to form a proscenium, enlarging the stage. The fly shaft in back of the stage rises 85 feet.

A performing-arts center for Skagit County has been on the books for many years. The local symphony orchestra, band, chorus and a variety of private groups and choirs have performed at Brodniak Hall in Anacortes, which seats more than 700 people, Bethany Covenant and Salem churches in Mount Vernon, some high school auditoriums and other venues over the years, but not in their own home. The convention center at the Best Western CottonTree Inn in Mount Vernon receives a large share of the conferences, business meetings and other gatherings.

Having a concert hall and theater stage that could accommodate 700 people and a convention center for up to 400 would be a boon to the valley, drawing a wider range of entertainment and conferences to the area.

Meanwhile, a separate, $10 million Community Arts Center is being proposed in Anacortes. One big difference would be space to teach art to children and adults of all ages.

 

Revered Burlington Coffee Shop Has New Look

Axelson’s Café in Burlington — “where the locals meet to eat” — recently took a giant, 50-year leap to the 21st century.

Owners Barry and Brenda Harter decided the venerable coffee shop needed a makeover — and they made it a major one.

Started by Clarence Axelson in 1953, the old-fashioned, counter-and-booth café has been a meeting place for locals ever since, with the Harters taking over in 1993. Only minor changes have occurred over the past eight years — until now.

Henson Construction was called in to renovate the café, installing new counter tops, adding a booth, sprucing it up front and back and slapping on a coat of paint. Another significant change is a spanking new espresso machine. Coffee has always been an important element to Axelson’s ambiance, and it still is — but now you can get lattes and mochas as well as a steaming cup of fresh brew.

Also, the restaurant is smoke free. Those who wish to smoke can take a seat at one of the sidewalk tables.

Although the Harters changed the menus to keep up with the times, they still offer the world-famous clam chowder and Barry’s Seafood Stew.

By the way, the murals of former Police Chief Floyd Louia, Fire Chief Ted Banta and founder Clarence Axelson, all now gone, were carefully removed last spring and taken by fire truck, sirens blaring, to their new home at the Burlington Fire Hall on Spruce Street.

One other thing that’s changed at Axelson’s is the hours. Now you can get that mocha and breakfast or lunch from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays. Other hours are 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

 

Polaris Finds Exposure at Brand-new Home

The world’s leading snowmobile manufacturer, Polaris, just got a little bigger with the recent move of its Mount Vernon dealership to new quarters along Interstate 5.

Dan Jantz, co-owner, says Skagit Valley Polaris’s new building at 2330 Freeway Drive is nearly four times the size of its old home off Anderson Road. “The building is 7,800 square feet, with 3,500 square feet of showroom space. The old building was 2,000,” Jantz notes.

Jantz, a former snowmobile racer who lives with his wife, Erin, and their two daughters in Arlington, started the Polaris franchise in April 2000 and quickly outgrew the location at 222 Anderson Road. He purchased the property, next to the freeway just south of Stewart Road, through another company he owns, LMC Properties, and hired Axthelm Construction Co. of Mount Vernon to put the gleaming new showroom-building together.

Skagit Valley Polaris not only sells the world’s number-one snowmobile, Polaris, but also the “world’s number-one-selling utility ATV (all-terrain vehicle),” the Polaris Ranger and Victory motorcycles, wholly made in the United States with 92-cubic-inch V-Twin engines, Jantz says. The store also offers enthusiasts sport watercraft and Sportsman 500 ATVs, as well as accessories for all of the outdoor machines it sells.

The business currently employs 7-9 full-time workers, he adds.

 

Tri-County Truss Expanding to Accommodate Growth

Tri-County Truss, located at Bayview Business and Industrial Park, hopes to add up to 40 new jobs to its payroll with completion of expansion plans next to its facility west of Burlington. The plans were recently approved by port commissioners.

The company, which builds trusses for various kinds of buildings, will lease the lot next to its present location, at 15599 Ashten Road, from the Port of Skagit County, which operates the business park. It also has taken out “first-refusal rights” on two other lots, for two years at no cost and the following two years for only 50 percent of the rental rate.

The lots will include new buildings of 10,000 and 2,000 square feet. Tri-County currently employs 50 persons.

 

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Remodels at Prime Outlet

The Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory has added an ice-cream parlor during a recent remodel at the Prime Outlet Center in Burlington.

Owned by Ken and Cindi Rushane, the store features a wide variety of chocolate and other candy treats, candied apples, jelly beans and now several flavors of ice cream on waffle cones.

“The store was only 20 feet wide,” says Ken Rushane. “I approached the mall management about taking over the area behind us and they agreed to give it to us rent free if we paid for the renovations. It’s been the best move we’ve ever made.”

The add-on has expanded the store considerably and provided plenty of room for the ice-cream case and new displays.

“Since we opened a month and a half ago, we’ve sold hundreds and hundreds of gallons of ice green,” Rushane notes.

The remodeling project was handled by Tom Toepfer of Tower Pacific Construction of Mount Vernon.

The Rushanes also own The Country Rose gift and home-décor store nearby.

 

Diversint of Mount Vernon Acquires MicroAge

Diversint, a computer support services company based in Mount Vernon, has acquired MicroAge Infosystem Resources, a technology services integration firm.

President and chief executive officer Pete Vander Meulen says the merger allows Diversint — an acronym for Diversified Internet (Services Group) — to better serve customers in Skagit and Whatcom counties.

“Gaining a core group of committed technologists who have a proven success record with local customers allows Diversint to extend its services model with confidence,” Vander Meulen states. “I’ve invested the past five years working with Fortune 1,000 companies, providing them technology strategies, on-going maintenance services and top-notch engineering talent.

“Being able to offer these services locally is something I’ve worked to accomplish. This acquisition makes that opportunity a reality,” he adds.

The company, at 2105 Continental Place, manages computer networks, provides support services for maintaining and repairing technology devices, offers professional engineering and advisory staff for upgrading systems, and acquires computers for companies through its DirectAxxess services. Call 1-800-927-9289.

 

Skagit Speedway Has New Owners

Steve Beitler and Jim Cress are the new owners of Skagit Speedway near Alger. They purchased the 47-year-old sprint-car track last month from Jim and Kathy Burrow.

They became the ninth group to own the popular speedway since it was built in 1954. Previous owners included Harley Sutt to 1960, Elbert Lemley to 1964, Jim Raper to 1984, Dave Lemley to 1992, Alan Raper to 1994, Fred Brownfield to 1995, Paul Lemley to 1998 and the Burrows.

Beitler, who raced there from 1977 to 1988, owns Beitler Performance Center in Burlington. Cress is owner of SkipperCress Yacht Sales in Anacortes and Nordic Tugs at the Bayview Business and Industrial Park west of Burlington.

 

Language Exchange Wins DSHS Interpreting Contract

The Language Exchange of Burlington was recently awarded the contract to provide services in northwestern Washington for the state Department of Social and Health Services and Medical Assistance Administration through 2002.

The competitive bid covers interpreting for speakers of more than a dozen languages, according to owner Jaye Stover. Over 200 interpreters contract to fulfill requests for medical and social services.

The Language Exchange also now provides interpreter training at its facility on East Fairhaven Avenue. Courses include consecutive and simultaneous interpreting, sight translation, anatomy, mental health and legal interpreting. Previously, professionals and others had to train in Seattle.

For workshop listings, consult the Web site at www.langex.com, or call Irina Majougo, 755-9910.

 

Tulip Festival Hires Prime West for Web Site

The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival recently contracted Prime West, Inc. of Mount Vernon to redesign its official Web site and maintain it through June 2002.

“We are extremely excited that the Tulip Festival has chosen us to redesign and update their Web-site presence,” says Guy D. Corp, vice president of marketing for Prime West. “We look forward to working with the Tulip Festival and lending our artistic talents to this community event.”

Prime West, at 2203 Old Highway 99 S., is a full-service, graphic-design and advertising agency.

 

Minolta Names OASYS Western Dealer of the Year

OASYS, Inc. of Mount Vernon recently obtained an outstanding sales honor from the Minolta Corp., the 2000 Western Regional Dealer of the Year Award.

Allen Grenz, president of OASYS, accepted the award on behalf of the company during a banquet held June 4 at the Intercontinental Hotel in Paris, France. Presenting the award were Don Snowden and Steve Laughey, vice president and director of sales respectively.

“On behalf of Minolta Corp., I’d like to congratulate everyone at OASYS, Inc. on an outstanding year,” Snowden stated. “Allen Grenz put together a great team that successfully solved the business challenges of hundreds of companies and organizations this past year alone. I thank them all for their efforts in 2000 and congratulate them again on their success.”

OASYS, at 1320 Riverside Drive, is a full-service provider of office equipment, including copiers, fax machines and laser-printing systems. Call 848-1282,

 

New Skate-Snowboard Shop Picks up Slack Left by Slant

Alliance Skateboard and Snowboard recently opened for business in downtown Mount Vernon to accommodate customers left without such a store when Slant closed in Burlington.

Owners Josh Kamphouse and Jason Snow, who have a similar store in Bellingham, saw an opportunity when Slant went out of business and, “with a few minor renovations and about five gallons of paint,” opened their new store at 501 S. First St.

“With a friendly and knowledgeable staff, we hope to be here for years to come,” says Kamphouse.

The business sells skateboards, snowboards, clothing, shoes and accessories, he adds. “No one gets left out at Alliance.”

Kamphouse and Snow also provide team and professional skate demonstrations at local skate parks. Call 336-5032.

 

Computer Upgrade, Repair Business Opens

Aaron Hagman has started In Home Networking, a local company that specializes in networking, PC upgrades and repairs.

“In Home Networking provides solutions for the home and business owner that make sense and are cost effective,” states Hagman, who has five years’ experience in the computer field.

“We provide a complete line of services, from cabling new constructions to existing network upgrades, PC repairs and tutoring,” he adds. “A simple network can save hundreds of dollars a year by sharing a printer and Internet access.”

Call 428-0916, or visit the Web site at www.valleycabinets.com/ihn.

 

Artist McCool Begins Gallery in Anacortes

Long-time Anacortes artist Anne Martin McCool has opened a studio and gallery at 711 Commercial Ave. to display her work and fine crafts by other artists.

McCool, who continues to maintain a studio in the Keystone Center down the street, has painted for 30 years and uses a wide range of media including oils, watercolor, acrylics and others. She moved to Anacortes in 1979.

“I wanted a place to display my own art and be more accessible,” McCool states.

Others featured at the new gallery include Jeremy Bosworth, who does glass art, and jeweler Kathleen Faulkner.

Hours are Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Sundays by appointment. Call 293-3577.

 

Contractor Sought for NCI’s New Learning Center

The new $8.9 million, multiuse North Cascades Environmental Learning Center is about to go from drawing board to reality, as bids from contractors are now being scrutinized.

The center, on Diablo Lake in the area of the old resort owned by Seattle City Light, will include 17 buildings, 16 of them new, all within the National Recreational Area. Also provided under contract will be entry roads, parking area, trails, outdoor amphitheater, sewer lines, utilities and shoreline restoration. The architect for the project is Henry Klein Partnership of Mount Vernon.

A provision of the relicensing agreement for the Skagit River dams, the center is a partnership project of Seattle City Light, the National Park Service and North Cascades Institute (NCI), currently in Sedro-Woolley.

“We have worked hard to bring this vision to life,” says Saul Weisberg, NCI’s executive director who has spearheaded the project. The partnership, he adds, “shows how public and private sectors can work together to achieve common goals. The learning center will have a tremendous impact on environmental education throughout the Northwest.”

The center will include multimedia classrooms and labs, a lakeside dining hall and overnight accommodations for youth and adult participants, as well as graduate students and staff.

 

Outpost Mall in Woolley Under Construction

The Outpost Retail Center, a new strip mall being built by developer John Ellis in Sedro-Woolley, will have a Subway restaurant and Papa Murphy’s pizza outlet when construction is completed next fall.

Ellis says a total of seven businesses, five yet to be named, will lease space in the 9,000-square-foot mini-mall on Highway 9, north of Highway 20.

The developer says he is having the mall constructed by old barn lumber imported from a friend’s business in Illinois. Ellis also is building the neighboring U.S. Forest Service administrative building in a separate partnership with Bill Lloyd.

 

Port of Anacortes Begins Pier 2 Renovation

The Port of Anacortes has begun a two-month, $1.9 million renovation project on Pier 2.

The project involves demolition and reconstruction of the fender system, modifications of the dolphins to which ships attach their lines, grinding and repaving about 3 acres of dock surface, adding trench drains for wastewater collection and improvements to the wheel wash.

Pier 2 is used to export coke produced at Puget Sound Refining Co. The coke is loaded aboard ships and barges and transported to aluminum smelters in Canada.

General contractor on the project is Quantum Construction of Anacortes.

 

Sound Craft Marine Delivers Charter Boat

Sound Craft Marine of Burlington recently delivered a 46-foot aluminum boat to a charter company in Sitka, Alaska.

“It’s fully equipped with showers, washer and dryer, TV and VCR, and a complete galley to ensure luxury accommodations for fishing parties of up to six anglers,” says a Sound Craft spokesperson.

The boat has a 14-foot beam and weighs 20 tons. It’s powered by two Volvo diesel engines and can run up to 27 knots. The pilothouse is complete with computer and printer and satellite navigation and communication systems.

The buyer was Capt. Jim Kirkness of Sea Buggy Charters in Sitka. Sound Craft is located at 856 N. Hill Blvd., Burlington. Call 757-0999 or e-mail to scmarine@nwlink.com.

 

Picketts Honored by MV Rotary Noon Club

Modern Cleaners, a Mount Vernon dry-cleaning company owned by Brad and Linda Pickett, was honored recently as Business of the Month by the Rotary Club of Mount Vernon.

The club chapter, which meets at noon Tuesdays, singled out the Picketts for their contributions to the community and their business for its outstanding customer service.

“They have always shown a willingness to go the extra distance to help their customers and lend their support to various civic and charitable groups,” the club says.

Modern Cleaners has two locations: 714 W. Division St. on the Westside and at 2323 E. Section St. in east Mount Vernon.

 

Mount Vernon Gives Award to Boatman’s Coffee

The City of Mount Vernon recently awarded Boatman’s Coffee its Community Improvement Award for the last two years.

DeLisa Boatman, who with her husband Blake owns the drive-up coffee stand, says the city made the award for developing property that “once was a dirt pile” into an “eye-catching, nicely built” small business. Boatman’s is an actual tugboat, or at least the pilothouse, with smoke stack and all.

“It was built by a boat builder,” DeLisa Boatman says. “It won’t float, but it’s a real boat.”

The former site of a service station on the southwest corner of East College Way and Riverside Drive sat idle for several years before the Boatmans, from Bellingham, purchased the property and improved the site. The coffee stand, which has two drive-up windows as well as a walk-up area, appears to be tied to a pier, with lashings and other dock effects. Fake smoke can be seen emanating from the smokestack.

Boatman’s offers a wide range of coffee, tea and frozen drinks, as well as snacks, and roasts its own coffee, Boatman says.

 

Realtors Golf Tourney Aids Habitat Fund

The 2001 North Puget Sound Association of Realtors Charity Golf Tournament early last month raised $15,101 after expenses, $6,127 of which went to Habitat for Humanity, according to organizers.

The Aug. 3 tourney sponsored by Homestead Homes and Skagit Valley Publishing Co. involved 140 players. Several church and real estate organizations benefited from the match, and the Brandon Koetje Memorial Scholarship garnered $2,052 of the net proceeds.

 

Eaglemont Development Exceeds Coldwell Sales

Sales at Coldwell Banker Eaglemont have exceeded sales for the real estate chain’s Western Region, according to the area’s corporate account executive, John Musgrave.

Musgrave, on a visit to the east Mount Vernon residential development planned around one of the region’s premier golf courses, congratulated the team at Coldwell Banker Eaglemont on their efforts.

He also reported that Coldwell Banker has 42 percent of the million-dollar-plus homes listed nationwide. Eaglemont homes are listed in the $250,000-300,000 range, according to the company.

 

Three Local Businesses Contribute to Secret Harbor

Tesoro Northwest, Inc., Whidbey Island Bank and Sheely’s Floral have contributed to Secret Harbor School’s Summer Work Experience Program, a training program designed to help students learn marketable employment skills.

The program, in its 10th year at the school for at-risk youth on Cypress Island near Anacortes, is held in collaboration with Northwest Workforce Development Council, Deception Pass State park, Anacortes Community Forest Lands, corporate donors and the school.

Meanwhile, the school and its Foster Care Resources division received a $5,900 capital project grant from The Janson Foundation. The family foundation funds only nonprofit organizations in Skagit County.

The grant will assist in the implementation of a comprehensive solid-waste management project at the school’s residential treatment center and provide educational opportunities for students through the environmental science curriculum.

“We believe that developing a conservation ethic is an important part of that education,” says Brian Carroll, executive director of Secret Harbor School.

For more information, call 293-5151.

 

NCI Wins Significant REI Donation

North Cascades Institute (NCI) recently received a $20,000 grant from Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI), the nation’s leading retailer of outdoor gear, as part of its nationwide “Great Places” campaign.

NCI, located in Sedro-Woolley, is the Northwest’s premier natural history education organization. Founded in 1986, the institute has served more than 50,000 children and adults in natural-history field seminars, school programs, teacher workshops, internships and graduate programs.

“It’s a pleasure to help people who protect the wonderful places that are important to all of us,” says Dennis Madsen, REI president and chief executive officer. “Our employees and customers can be proud of the consistent contributions REI grants and community-service programs are making to grassroots efforts across the country.”

“We are honored that REI supports our work,” says NCI’s executive director, Saul Weisberg. “The Great Places grant is earmarked for our North Cascades Discovery Program that takes children and adults into wild places to find challenge and inspiration.”

To learn more about NCI’s programs, call 856-5700, ext. 209.

 

Environmental Award for Puget Sound Refining

Equilon, the Houston-based parent of Puget Sound Refining Co. of Anacortes, recently presented the company with an Environmental Leadership Award for maintaining an outstanding record for its wastewater treatment facility.

The company-wide award was presented by Equilon’s president, Rob Routs, during a personal tour of the refinery and effluent plant.

The plant has the best compliance record of any refinery in the alliance — a group of companies that consists of eight refineries and other oil-industry facilities throughout the United States, according to Routs. The original facility was built to manage volumes considerably lower than the 140,000 barrels a day that PSRC currently processes. A new $10.8 million facility came on line in the late ’90s.

“We live in one of the most pristine environments anywhere,” comments PSRC plant manager Tom Smith, “and protecting that environment while producing needed fuel products is one of our highest priorities. I’m proud of the investment that was made (and) the commitment of our employees to full compliance. . . .”

 

Homes Costing More This Summer

The average cost of a home in Skagit County leaped by nearly $9,000 between June and July, while the number of listings fell by more than 10 percent, according to the Northwest Multiple Listing Service.

NWMLS figures show the average home cost $189,991 in July with 133 total sold. In June, the average cost was $181,067. The median price — midway point between highest and lowest figures of houses sold — was $162,000 in July, compared to $151.500 in June and $156,000 in July 2000. Houses sold were on the market for 80 days, NWMLS adds.

New listings for July in the county were 234, down from 261 in June and 251 a year ago, bringing to 1,017 the total homes and condominiums in the inventory. A total of 136 sales were pending, up from 130 in June but down from 141 in July 2000.

Throughout the Puget Sound Area, according to NWMLS, home sales increased 11 percent in July. In 11 of the 13 counties handled by the Kirkland-based service, the largest number of homes on the block was in the $250,000-$350,000 range — nearly 5,000, or 18.25 percent, of them — with a strong inventory in the three price-range categories from $120,000 to $250,000

Meanwhile, in the last reporting month of June, sales nationwide continued strong at 5.33 million homes sold, although this was a drop of 0.6 percent over the previous month, it still matched the fifth-highest level on record.

 

Skagit County’s Jobless Rate Down

Unemployment in Skagit County dropped six-tenths of a percentage point to close in July at 6.2 percent, still four-tenths off from a year ago. The decrease was part of a trend throughout the state because of what the Employment Security Department says is a normal increase in summer jobs.

Skagit’s work force stood at a high 52,330, with only 3,260 out of work.

The state unemployment rate closed at 5.6 percent, down three-tenths of a point from June but up from the 5.2 percent in July 2000.

Neighboring counties also saw downturns in jobless rates. Whatcom ended July at 6.2 percent, down 0.4 from June but up 0.7 from a year before, while Snohomish was down a tenth of a point to 4.7, Island also a tenth to 4.2 and San Juan eight-tenths to 2.3 percent.

 

Olympic Partners Sue Each Other over Responsibility

Two companies that were partnered when the Olympic pipeline explosion occurred two years ago filed separate and competing suits recently over who was responsible for the fire storm that killed three youths in Bellingham.

Olympic Pipe Line Co., operated since the tragedy by BP Amoco, contends Equilon Pipeline, subsidiary of the company that owns Puget Sound Refining Co. in Anacortes, was in charge of the 400-mile pipeline at the time of the blast. Equilon has countersued, saying Renton-based Olympic was the culprit.

Civil actions in the case could result in damages as high as $500 million when all is said and done, says Olympic in court papers.

Olympic Pipe Line alleges Equilon took over operations in July 1998 when it merged with Texaco Pipeline.

Already, the state Department of Ecology has fined Equilon, Olympic and another company, IMCO, a record $7.8 million in fines. IMCO had excavated around the pipeline prior to the gasoline spill that resulted in the fire storm, which raced down Whatcom Creek on June 10, 1999.

Olympic has agreed to pay $10 million to DOE and the federal government in the case, while Equilon and IMCO have challenged the fines.

 

Fidalgo Resort Considers Options

Although the Anacortes Planning Commission has recommended a shoreline permit be granted to developers of a new five-acre resort at Skyline, architects are concerned too many restrictions may force the owners to reconsider their $10 million project.

The commission in late July voted 4-1 in favor of a Shoreline Substantial Development Permit, as well as a separate conditional-use permit, for West Coast Land Investments and sent its recommendations to the City Council.

A representative of Henry Architects of Seattle, which designed the condominium resort, feared restrictions on construction of the 159-unit resort would make it not cost effective enough to build. Among the pending restrictions are the parking question and height of the buildings, which can be no taller than 35 feet but also not block the views of neighboring homes.

The City Council asked West Coast for a new parking plan, while the planning commission requested a review of the final design.

 

La Conner Associates Forced to Refile Lawsuit

The ongoing dispute between the Town of La Conner and La Conner Associates over whether to rezone the old Moore-Clark property to multiuse continues unabated. The latest development is over whom the development company can sue.

A federal district court in Seattle ruled against La Conner Associates, headed by Vaughn Jolley, saying it couldn’t sue individuals — in this case Mayor Eron Berg and Town Council members Joan Cross, Mary Lam, Dan O’Donnell and John Stephens. The developers claim the five town leaders were not negotiating in good faith over the issue.

Jolley says the suit, originally $5 million, isn’t over, since the town itself was added as a defendant.

The partnership wants the industrial land rezoned multiuse so it can build a possible hotel, convention center, retail outlet and other amenities on the 3.02-acre site, once used as a cannery.

 

Consultant Hired to Study Northern State Plans

The ongoing debate over whether to turn hundreds of acres of property east of Sedro-Woolley into a multiuse recreational facility has resulted in the hiring of outside help to study the feasibility of the plan.

The county Parks and Recreation Department recently signed a $5,000 contract with a Chicago consulting firm to look into a project that involves turning about 200 acres of the former Northern State Hospital grounds into an area for outdoor sports, RV camping and equestrian activities and include an, environmental museum and heritage displays, both for local and outside visitors.

The project has been under way for several years, has its own task force to administer it and even has successfully solicited county money to support it. But roadblocks have gone up, the latest involving extensive wetland areas that would preclude planned development.

The consultant, Richard Starr of Economics Research Associates of Chicago, is studying the economic feasibility of building the center. His goal, by the end of this month, was to determine whether the various proposals had the potential of bringing in enough money to the area to make the project worthwhile.

 

S-W Chamber Going Directorless for a While

The Sedro-Woolley Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors has decided to make a go of it without a director, following the recent firing of Ken Cornett.

Cornett was asked to turn in his key in mid-July, the only reason provided being financial; Cornett was being paid a little less than $30,000 a year in the position.

According to members, the board decided to wait until the chamber was more financially stable before hiring a new executive director. In the meanwhile, members will handle the various jobs, including organization of meetings and events and dealing with the city, county and local businesses. Four employees remain on the payroll, including two full-time workers.

Nearly two-thirds of the chamber’s $100,000-a-year budget comes from fundraisers and licensing fees, while a quarter comes from membership dues. The remaining 10 percent is derived from hotel-motel tax.

 

‘Timber, Trains & Tabitha’ Skagit Museum Theme

The latest exhibit at the Skagit County Historical Museum features magnificent Northwest logging, landscape and studio photography by former Sedro-Woolley resident Darius Kinsey.

“Timber, Trains and Tabitha” tells the story of Kinsey’s life and work, particular his vision and tenacity for acquiring the perfect image combined with the darkroom work of his loving wife, Tabitha.

The exhibit consists of images and documents from 4,700 negatives and 600 prints in the Darius Kinsey Collection at the Whatcom Museum of History and Art.

The Skagit museum is located at 501 S. Fourth St., La Conner, and has a nominal entry fee. For more information, call 466-3365.

 

Farm Festival Treat for Whole Family

For two days this fall, 13 Skagit County farms will open their gates to the public for farm tours, food and fun.

The event, “Celebrating Skagit Harvest: A Festival of Family Farms,” will be held Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 6-7, from 10 a.m. Admission is free.

The event is organized by the Washington State University/Skagit County Cooperative Extension in partnership with Skagitonians to Preserve Farmland, the Skagit Valley Herald and Skagit County Farm Bureau.

Visitors will learn how crops are grown, alpaca fiber is produced and shellfish and trees are farmed. Activities include field and barn tours, hayrides, food stands, music, oyster-shucking demonstrations, educational videos and displays, old-time tractors, pumpkin picking, composting demos and more.

To learn more, call 428-4270 or visit the Web site at www.skagitcounty.net/familyfarms.htm.

 

PSRC Plans Community Appreciation Day

Puget Sound Refining Co. (PSRC) holds its Community Appreciation Day at the refinery campus Sept. 15.

Events include bus tours around the refinery grounds, displays, activities for children, presentations and prizes.

Plenty of free food also will be provided by two Rotary clubs of Anacortes, with donations gladly accepted.

Tours begin at 11 a.m. and end at 5 p.m. Food will be served from noon to 4 p.m.

For more information, consult PSRC’s Web site at www.pugetsoundrefining.com.

 

Alzheimer’s Fundraiser Slated for Sept. 15

The 4th-annual North Counties Memory Walk for Alzheimer’s takes place at Hillcrest Park in Mount Vernon Saturday, Sept. 15.

Organizers from the national Alzheimer’s association hope to raise funds to educate, support and advocate for individuals, families and communities affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders.

“More than 4 million Americans have AD with nearly 100,000 living in Washington state,” says the association. “There is no cure, no known prevention.”

For more information on how to participate or sponsor the event, call Linda Whiteside, coordinator, at 1-800-848-7097 or e-mail her at linda.whiteside@alz.org.

 

Twin Bridges Marina Refutes DOE Claim

Owners of Twin Bridges Marina on Swinomish Channel have refuted allegations from the state Department of Ecology they didn’t obtain the appropriate permits, which has resulted in a number of disputed fines.

“Agents within Ecology are purposely misrepresenting the facts with respect to Twin Bridges Marina,” says Bill Youngsman, managing partner of Twin Bridges. “They are fully aware that we have valid permits for our project, including the construction and operation of our business, yet they refuse to honor the fact.”

The indoor, heated dry-stack moorage facility can store up to 350 boats when full and offers launching and retrieval of those boats for its customers.

DOE issued a press release in June announcing a $25,000 fine issued to Twin Bridges for allegedly not obtaining three separate shoreline permits for site development and operation of the property. Twin Bridges, however, says it was issued building permits and overall site-plan approval and prepared an environmental impact study that was adopted by the county in issuing the permits. It also obtained permits from the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers and state Department of Fisheries for construction, Youngsman says.

“. . . Ecology has been trying to get us to voluntarily go out of business and, of course, we will not do that,” he adds. “It is truly unbelievable what they are trying to do.”

 

Etera Files for Chapter 11

Etera, an eCommerce horticultural firm founded by local nurseryman Carl Loeb in 1997, recently shutdown operations in three growing centers, laid off most of its workers and filed for bankruptcy under Chapter 11 protection.

Loeb, who developed the patented bottomless fiber pot, was taken out of his role as chief executive officer during a massive downsizing that started in June and ended in late July with nearly all of its full-time workers laid off.

In addition, records show that Etera is $69,534 in arrears to state Labor & Industries for workers’ compensation taxes and liens have been placed on the company by Skagit Ready Mix of Sedro-Woolley for $2,413 and by Blythe Plumbing and Heating of Bellingham for $10,434.

The Seattle Times reports that more than $1 million is also owed to two trucking companies in Ohio and Pennsylvania.

About 180 workers were laid off in the Burlington and Mount Vernon greenhouses and another 140 in a similar operation in Mabton, Eastern Washington. One report says only 40 workers remain to keep plants watered and cared for. The company has 23 acres of greenhouses in Mount Vernon alone.

A Kirkland venture-capital firm, OVP Venture Partners, has taken over operations and says it plans to restructure the company.

Loeb, who also owns Summersun Greenhouse in Mount Vernon, started Etera with the plan of selling his patented plants over the Internet. In an interview for a cover story in The Skagit County Business Monthly magazine last February, Loeb estimated his newest company was producing 10 million plants a year. He was not immediately available for comment on the latest development, however.