VanderMeulen Named Whidbey’s Market Manager

Joan VanderMeulen, owner of Java Jo Espresso and Café in Mount Vernon, has been named marketing manager for Whidbey’s Coffee, a company she’s worked for off and on for a number of years.

VanderMeulen is responsible for the Skagit customers of the Freeland-based coffee company, owned by Dan Ollis. Among the stores locally are the coffee cart at Skagit Valley Hospital, Caffé Mokas at the Cascade Mall and on Lila Lane in Burlington, and Java Jo’s on Riverside Drive.

“We’ve always used Whidbey’s coffee,” she says of her own restaurant. “Now we’re being a little more consistent.”

 

Patterson Joins Team at Gordon Nissan Suzuki

Chris Patterson is the newest member of the Gordon Nissan Suzuki team at I-5 Auto World in Burlington.

Patterson, who hails from Southern California and has 20 years of experience selling Nissan parts, will serve customers in automotive sales, service and parts at the Burlington dealership.

 

Riley, Hurtig Newest Realtors at Prudential

Bill Riley and Philip Hurtig have joined Skagit Prudential Realty in Mount Vernon as associates.

Riley, a graduate of the University of Nebraska, has been an active Realtor in this state since 1981 and was owner and administrator of Professional Real Estate Broker Consultants, a real estate school, before joining Prudential. He’s an associate broker.

Riley is experienced in land development, construction, land-use issues and instruction and brings more than 25 years of experience to the job.

Hurtig is a sales associate and offers 16 years of experience as founder/chief executive officer of a national commercial art business.

Hurtig lives in Mount Vernon with his wife, Lorraine.

Prudential is located at 300 E. College Way. Call 428-4111.

 

Jennings Welcomed at Destinations Travel

Nancy Jennings recently joined the staff of Destinations Travel and Cruise, Inc. of Mount Vernon.

Owners Mary McClung and Sherry Black say Jennings brings her knowledge of Africa, Fiji and Holland America Cruising to her new position.

Destinations is located at 111 S. 12th St., Suite C, Mount Vernon. Call 336-0947.

 

Perry a Civil Engineer at Skagit Surveyors

Jim Perry has been hired to head up the Civil Engineering Department at Skagit Surveyors and Engineers in Sedro-Woolley.

A licensed professional engineer (PE), Perry has 18 years of experience and master’s degrees from the California Institute of Technology in civil engineering and University of California in business administration.

His duties include supplementing the planning and surveying services provided by Skagit Surveyors in preparation of drainage plans and engineering design of streets, site-grading plans, storm-water control and water and sewer facilities. In addition, he will engage in creative problem solving, from project conception to completion, and keep development costs under control.

Perry and his wife, Diane, moved here from the Yakima area. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Burlington.

Skagit Surveyors is a full-service surveying, civil-engineering and land-use planning company, established 22 years ago.

 

Two Pet Consultants Join Walker’s Healthy Pet

Nicole Busch and Alicia Faubion have joined the staff at Walker’s Healthy Pet in downtown Mount Vernon.

Busch, a cat owner and Western Washington University student, has worked several years in pet retail and has a keen understanding of animals and multiple pet-product lines.

Faubion also a WWU student, trades her customer status for employee status.

“My dogs, cats and horses have benefited from the services offered by Walker’s Healthy Pet and I just wanted to be a part of it,” she says.

“Our customers have high expectations and I am confident that Nicole and Alicia will be able to meet them,” says owner Scott Price.

Walker’s Healthy Pet is located at 223 S. First St. and at 1208 - 13th St. in Bellingham.

 

Smiley to Organize SVC Golf Tourneys

Colleen Smiley, a long-time organizer of public and private events in Skagit County, has been hired to lead two major fundraisers for the Skagit Valley College Foundation.

As owner of Creative Celebrations for 17 years, Smiley has the experience and community involvement to do an exceptional job running the popular Skagit Valley College Golf Classic at Avalon Golf Club May 17 and the Whidbey Island/Skagit Valley College Golf Classic at Whidbey Golf and Country Club June 21, the foundation says.

She was given the new title of director of events.

For more information, call her at 428-5972.

 

Kennicott Retires as SVC Foundation Director

Patrick Kennicott, executive director of the Skagit Valley College Foundation for 10 years, has decided to retire, effective this April.

Kennicott, 61, took over the role of director in 1991. The foundation is the lead fundraising organization for college programs and provides scholarships and other support to students and faculty.

Foundation president Colonel Betz says his departure comes at a difficult time with construction soon to commence on a new, $18 million performing-arts and conference center at the college.

 

College Board Supports President in Squabble

The Skagit Valley College Board of Trustees has found allegations against President Lydia Ledesma-Reese by the Skagit Valley College Federation of Teachers “without merit” and declined to take action against her.

The squabble arose recently when the federation listed five principal points in a Declaration of No Confidence against the six-year college administrator. The board met with Ledesma-Reese to hear her side of the story and ruled against each item in the declaration in turn.

A report on the findings from the college’s Public Information Office states: “There is clearly a significant problem in regard to perception of internal college communication and how decisions are formulated and communicated. The Board of Trustees is committed to its statement on dignity. The Board offers and expects honest, respectful dialogue at all levels.”

The federation issued its declaration in November, listing as the five main points: financial mismanagement, lack of local and state representation, poor decision-making based on collaborative relationships, and need for open communications with both internal and external constituencies.

 

Dr. Lang Retires after 39 Years in Orthopaedics

K. Robert Lang, M.D., who has practiced medicine in Skagit County since 1977, announced his retirement in mid-December. He has been a physician for 39 years.

Dr. Lang originally had an office next to United General Hospital in Sedro-Woolley but more recently practiced at the new, state-of-the-art surgery center, Northwest Orthopaedics Surgeons, on Roosevelt Avenue and Continental Place in north Mount Vernon. He was head of the Orthopaedics Department for United General and chief of surgery for Affiliated Health Services.

“My goal has always been to provide compassionate and competent technical care for all our patients,” Lang states. “I am grateful to have known and served so many of you. I feel fortunate to have practiced in this community and I would like to thank you all for your support over the years.”

A graduate of Loma Linda University in California, Lang started a family practice in 1962 and went into orthopaedic surgery in 1977. His daughter, Dr. Kärsten R. Lang, joined him in 1994.

 

Yousling Now a Certified Specialist at A.G. Edwards

Charles C. Yousling, a financial consultant with A.G. Edwards and Sons of Mount Vernon, recently became an accredited asset-management specialist, following extensive training.

Yousling, a jeweler by trade, joined A.G. Edwards last February.

“Financial consultants who are awarded the accredited asset-management specialist title are not only prepared to identify opportunities in investments but also in such areas as insurance, tax savings, retirement and estate planning,” says Art Larvie, branch manager for A.G. Edwards, located at 1301 Riverside Drive, Suite D.

Yousling completed 120 hours of training on such subjects as asset allocation, retirement planning and risk management to reach this level.

A.G. Edwards & Sons has 7,255 financial consultants in 699 offices throughout 49 states, the District of Columbia and London.

 

Meyers Attends Institute on Elder Law

Barry M. Meyers of Mount Vernon recently attended the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) annual advanced institute in St. Louis, Mo.

Meyers, a state chapter president of NAELA, practices in Mount Vernon with emphasis on long-term care, asset preservation, Medicaid, guardianships, estate and disability planning, probate and issues concerning vulnerable adults.

The institute, held in November, was titled “Tracks to the Future of Elder Law.”

NAELA was formed in 1986 to enhance the quality of legal services available to older persons here and aboard.

 

Local Clowns Participate at Laughter School

Alyse Axford and Cameron Stewart — AKA Zig Zag and Ragz, clowns who perform throughout northwest Washington — recently attended Clown School at the Northwest Festival of Clowns Convention, held in Portland, Ore.

“We attended workshops titled: ‘The Healing Power of Laughter’ and improved ‘Caring’ clown skills for hospitals and health-care facilities (at the school),” says Axford.

She and Stewart, both with 14 years of experience and trained by Ringling Bros., perform for birthday parties, company picnics and public events, including a recent gig for the Mount Vernon Parks and Recreation Department.

For more information, call 336-1089

 

Azure Takes in Yoga Conference

Darlene Azure, co-owner of AzurYoga at 315 Main St., Mount Vernon, recently attended the Southwestern Yoga Conference in Palm Springs, Calf.

She participated in several workshops each day, working with yoga masters Rod Stryker, Tim Miller, Shiva Rea, David Swenson, Doug Swenson, David Life and Sharon Gannon.

For more information, call the studio at 336-5163.