June

June 8th - Mt. Baker SHRM June 1/2 Day Workshop
Northwood Hall
7am -1pm
Wednesday, June 8th "Managing Organizational Change - HR's Greatest Opportunity in the 21st Century" - Presented by Monte E. Farrar, Express Employment Professionals Time: 7:00 - 8:30 a.m. Registration and networking breakfast. 8:30am - 1:00pm Workshop Full Buffet Breakfast will be served Event Location: Northwood Hall 3240 Northwest Avenue Bellingham, WA 98225 Click here to register for early bird prices by May 16th Sponsored by Express Employment Professionals  Join us for another opportunity to gather, share and learn with your HR colleagues! Our half day workshops are a great way to meet other local HR professionals and take time out for yourself during your busy day! "Managing Organizational Change - HR's Greatest Opportunity in the 21st Century" - Presented by Monte E. Farrar, Express Employment Professionals According to SHRM Workforce Forecast in 2006/07, 45% of HR Professionals believe that demonstrated skills in mergers, acquisitions and change management will have the greatest impact on human resource opportunities in the next decade. Fifty percent of all organizations are currently going through different phases of organizational change, and up to half are deemed as failures due to lack of leadership, communication and trust of senior management. Human resource professionals are increasingly given the opportunity to take a leadership role in the change process and become the company's change agent. We will discuss HR's opportunity to lead all five types of today's change initiatives. Company executives have now embraced HR's leadership skills to manage key objectives requiring positive and thorough communication such as: Mergers/Aquisitions Arrival of new CEOs Shaping of Company Culture Manage Executive Development and Succession Planning to Provide a Fresh Perspective on Company Politics In this workshop, we will discuss HR's nine required competencies to effectively lead organizational change, including effectively managing the ever important trust and communication issues. HR must identify which leaders have the greatest credibility for trust building and which are considered trust busters. This is HR's greatest opportunity to sit at the big table and lead their companies through organizational change. The door is open, but we must take an aggressive approach with senior management to drive these programs to successful outcomes. About the Presenter: Monte E. Farrar is an HR Consultant for the Express Employment Professionals International Headquarters' human resources department. He is a graduate from Oklahoma Christian University where he earned both his bachelor's degree in business administration and his master of business administration degree with an emphasis in organizational development. Monte began his HR career in 1989 at Gulfstream Aerospace Technologies in Oklahoma City. He has since worked as a Staffing Manager, Recruiter, Trainer and Coaching Consultant at The Hertz Corporation, Bank One Corporation and American Electric Power. An experienced human resource professional, Monte holds his SHRM designation as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), speaking several times each year on subjects such as: Equal Opportunity and EEO-1 Compliance, Recruitment and Retention, Harassment Prevention, Leadership and Organizational Development, Management Training, HR Audit. Monte joined Express in 2006 and provides daily support for nearly 600 Express Employment Professionals franchises throughout the United States and Canada. He also conducts several training sessions each year to Express's clients. This program has been pre-approved for Strategic recertification credit.

June 9 - Bellingham Technical College General Education Development Completion Ceremony & Reception
Bellingham
7pm
Recognize individuals who have worked hard and received their GED through BTC

June 18 & 19 Pioneer Swap Meet
Pioneer Park, Ferndale, Wa
Saturday 8am - 5pm, Sunday 9am - 3pm
Old fashioned Pioneer Swap Meet. Vendors of all types welcome! Sponsored by the Ferndale Heritage Society. Public admission is FREE. All proceeds go to maintaining the log cabin museums. Vendor forms available at www.ferndaleheritagesociety.com or call the event coordinator 360-671-3377

June 21 - BTC Graduation Commencement
Mount Baker Theatre
7pm
BTC 2011 graduates celebrate this milestone and commence a new chapter in their life

July

July 4, 2011 Haggen Family 4th of July Celebration
Zuanich Point Park, Bellingham
1-11 p.m.
Haggen Food & Pharmacy stores, in partnership with the Port of Bellingham and Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce & Industry, are presenting a day of entertainment, food and fun. Haggen has been the primary sponsor of the Bellingham fireworks display, one of the largest in the state, since 1995. Live music, children’s activities and vendor booths offering food, crafts and more – all introduced for the first time in 2009 – will be presented at Zuanich Point Park during the hours leading up to the fireworks show. All activities will be free, but vendors will charge for their wares. With the added features, the July 4 celebration has drawn an estimated average of 10,000 people the last two years to Zuanich Point Park. For more information, call the Chamber at (360) 734-1330 or visit www.bellingham.com.

August

Aug. 15, 2011 Northwest Washington Fair demo derby
Northwest Washington Fair, Lynden
1 and 7 p.m.
Demolition derby shows will be presented at 1 and 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 15, the opening day of the Northwest Washington Fair in Lynden. Reserved seats that include admission to the fair are $18 for the afternoon show and $23 for the evening show, which typically sells out. Fans can purchase tickets through the fair’s website, www.nwwafair.com, at the fair’s Lynden office, 1775 Front St., and by phone at (360) 354-7777. Tickets also are available for Trace Adkins on Aug. 16, Mercy Me on Aug. 17, Loretta Lynn on Aug. 18 and Creedence Clearwater Revisited on Aug. 19. This year’s Northwest Washington Fair is scheduled Aug. 15-20.

August 18,2011 - Stepping Out
Mt Baker Theatre
Hosted by Hoagland Pharmacy
730 pm
We will be hosting a stepping out event at the Mt. Baker Theatre. Our guest speaker will be Mike Serhan, product developer and vice president for Drive Medical (www.drivemedical.com). We will be talking about product development and the innovative changes with durable medical equipment. Boundary Bay will be catering and this will be a free event. RSVP is required: Molly Greenleaf at mgreenleaf@hoaglandpharmacy.com or (360) 685-5004.

Aug. 26-27, 2011 - Lynden PRCA Rodeo
Northwest Washington Fair & Event Center, Lynden
7:30 p.m. both nights
The Lynden PRCA Rodeo is expecting many of the country’s top professional cowboys and cowgirls for this year’s competition Aug. 26-27. Last year’s Lynden PRCA Rodeo drew 265 competitors, including 41 who advanced to the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. Performances start at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26 and Saturday, Aug. 27 at the Northwest Washington Fair and Event Center in Lynden. Rodeo events will include bull riding, bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, team roping and barrel racing. Advance tickets are now available for $12 at www.lyndenrodeo.com, at the fair office at 1775 Front St., Lynden, or by calling (360) 354-7777; tickets purchased the day of competition cost $14. Also, Silver Buckle VIP seating that includes preferred parking, seats next to bucking chutes, a catered meal and two drink tickets is available for $75 apiece.

• Tupperware consultant awarded Mustang convertible Stephanie Meester of Lynden just wanted some Tupperware freezer labels, but couldn’t find anyone in Whatcom County who sold them. She was even hesitant to host a Tupperware party to earn some incentives, but a friend volunteered to do so on her behalf. Meester has come a long way since then and her future journey will be quite pleasant – it will be in a 2012 Mustang convertible that she earned based on her percentage growth in team sales and recruitment over an 18-month period. Meester is among only 42 of more than 84,000 Tupperware independent consultants – 0.05 percent – in North America to be awarded the Mustang convertible for that time period. Read More... 

• Parking lot helps food bank The Haggen Fairhaven Market provided some much-needed parking while supporting a local food bank during the conclusion of this year’s Ski to Sea festivities. For the fourth consecutive year, the Haggen Fairhaven Market allocated some of its parking lot for people attending It All Ends in Fairhaven on May 29 and designated all of the proceeds for a local nonprofit organization. The parking arrangement raised $820 for the Southside Food Bank, which is based at Hillcrest Chapel and distributes food twice each month.  Read More...

• Bellingham man wins $35,000 in Haggen Monopoly game Kevin Swanda of Bellingham received a pleasant surprise when notified that his online entry had won a prize. He experienced a much bigger jolt after learning minutes later that he had won $35,000. Swanda received one of the largest prizes available in the Monopoly Collect & Win game presented by 27 Haggen Food & Pharmacy and TOP Food & Drug stores in Washington. The game started March 16 and Swanda won his prize after shopping at the Barkley Village Haggen in Bellingham. Haggen shoppers receive game tickets, each with a unique nine-digit code that can be submitted at the game’s website.  Read More...

• Network management firm 3D Corporation announces Jeff deLucia, 3D Network Engineer, has earned the Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP): Server Administrator 2008 certification, further enhancing the company’s range of professional certifications. MCITP: Server Administrator 2008 certification is awarded to network engineers who have demonstrated their leadership and problem-solving skills in working with Windows Server 2008, a server operating system produced by Microsoft for businesses of all types and sizes. Read More...

• Fair introduces MonsterCross MonsterCross, a fast-paced show featuring monster trucks, freestyle motocross and motocross racing, will be offered for the first time at the Northwest Washington Fair. MonsterCross will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20, the last day of this year’s fair in Lynden. The show will include four monster trucks, four freestyle motocross performances and motocross races for both professionals and local amateurs. "We’ve listened to fans of these events and combined them for a 90-minute show jam-packed with action,” said Jim Baron, general manager of the Northwest Washington Fair. Reserved seats that include admission to the fair are $23 for the adults and $12 for children 12 and younger. MonsterCross tickets will go on sale to the public at 9 a.m. Wednesday, May 11. Fans can purchase tickets through the fair’s website, www.nwwafair.com, at the fair’s Lynden office, 1775 Front St., and by phone at (360) 354-7777. Tickets also are available for the demolition derby, Aug. 15; Trace Adkins, Aug. 16, Mercy Me, Aug. 17, Loretta Lynn, Aug. 18; and Creedence Clearwater Revisited, Aug. 19. This year’s Northwest Washington Fair is scheduled Aug. 15-20.

• Wolfer joins Lakeway Inn John Wolfer has been appointed food and beverage manager at the Best Western PLUS Lakeway Inn & Conference Center in Bellingham. Wolfer’s responsibilities include food and beverages served at the Lakeway Inn’s two restaurants, Poppe’s Bistro & Lounge and The Oboe Café, plus the menus for more than 100 banquets a year. "I’m excited about joining a team of dedicated professionals who are passionate about exceptional service and who strive to exceed expectations when creating and delivering a memorable guest experience,” Wolfer said. Wolfer has extensive experience with fine-dining restaurants and banquet events at hotels throughout the West Coast and Hawaii. The Best Western PLUS Lakeway Inn & Conference Center, managed by Providence Hospitality Partners, is located at 714 Lakeway Drive. The Lakeway Inn is totally smoke-free throughout its 132 guest rooms, two restaurants, indoor pool, fitness area and 11,000 square feet of meeting-room space. For more information, call (360) 671-1011 or (888) 671-1011 or visit www.thelakewayinn.com.

• Jones joins Windows on the Bay Events Monique Jones, a Western Washington University graduate with eight years of experience in the food and beverage industry, has been named catering and event coordinator for Windows on the Bay Events. Jones will plan catering menus and events for Windows on the Bay Events, a Bellingham waterfront site for social and business gatherings. She also will plan off-site catered events for its owner, Hilltop Restaurant & Catering. "We work with weddings, businesses, open houses and other special events, offering more than 40 different menus and a variety of cuisines,” Jones said. Windows on the Bay Events is located along Squalicum Harbor at 2625 Harbor Loop Drive in the Bellingham Yacht Club building. For more information, visit www.windowsonthebay.us or call (360) 595-7817.

• 3D hires to expand Client Services, Network Engineering, and Office Administration Bellingham, Washington – May 2011 – Network management firm 3D Corporation is pleased to announce the addition of Chris FitzGerald as Business Analyst, Ian Weydert as Systems Administrator, Heidi Metour as Service Coordinator, and Jeri Conard as Administrative Assistant. Their combined experience and expertise in their respective fields make them valuable assets to 3D and enhance our operations to allow for the continued growth and success of our company. Read More...

• Haggen Food & Pharmacy customer, employee and corporate contributions to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society are over $83,000 this year after results from April’s Walk MS were tallied. Haggen Food & Pharmacy and its sister TOP Food & Drug stores were presenting sponsors of Walk MS, which was conducted by the MS Society’s Greater Northwest Chapter on April 2-3 at eight sites through Washington. To spur awareness and contributions, Haggen and TOP Food stores offered paper MS Feet for $1 apiece at checkout stands March 2-15. Read More...

• Demo derby ticket sales start April 27 Ticket sales to the public for the Northwest Washington Fair’s popular demolition derby shows begin at 9 a.m. Wednesday, April 27. Demolition derby shows will be presented at 1 and 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 15, the opening day of the fair in Lynden. Reserved seats that include admission to the fair are $18 for the afternoon show and $23 for the evening show, which typically sells out. Fans can purchase tickets through the fair’s website, www.nwwafair.com, at the fair’s Lynden office, 1775 Front St., and by phone at (360) 354-7777.  Read More...

• Bands, vendors sought for July 4 celebration The Haggen Family 4th of July Celebration is seeking bands and vendors for this year’s festivities at Bellingham’s Zuanich Point Park. Haggen Food & Pharmacy stores, in partnership with the Port of Bellingham and Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce & Industry, are presenting a day of entertainment, food and fun. Haggen has been the primary sponsor of the Bellingham fireworks display, one of the largest in the state, since 1995.  Read More...

• Whatcom County housing sales sag in first quarter, but prices stabilize Sales of Whatcom County homes fell significantly in the first quarter this year, but prices actually rose as buyers find fewer choices available. The number of homes sold in the county rose dropped 21.1 percent in the first quarter in comparison to the same period in 2010, according to Lylene Johnson of The Muljat Group. Read More...

• Local Photographer Earns Certification Mark Turner of Turner Photographics in Bellingham has earned the Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) designation from the Professional Photographic Certification Commission. Turner earned this designation after meeting rigorous requirements measuring his artistic and technical competence. The Professional Photographic Certification Commission currently recognizes less than 2,000 Certified Professional Photographers in the United State, and only four working in Whatcom County.  Read More...

• McMahon named banquet manager at Best Western PLUS Lakeway Inn John McMahon has been appointed banquet manager at the Best Western PLUS Lakeway Inn & Conference Center in Bellingham. McMahon has more than 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, including 10 years as a manager at an award-winning private golf club in Arizona.  Read More...

• David Elton of Langley, B.C., recently opened an office in the Loomis Hall building in Blaine at 288 Martin Street, Suite 203. David has more than 20 years experience in the investment and life and health insurance industry. He is a member of the Canadian Financial Advisors Association and the International Association of Registered Financial Consultants. He currently owns and operates Financial Benefit, Inc. in Langley, BC, where he is a licensed investment and securities representative. In Washington, he is licensed in annuities and life, disability and long-term care insurance, as well as individual and group health insurance. His dual licensing helps him serve cross-border residents and business owners with insurance and investment needs on both sides of the border. David Elton can be reached at (360) 603-4126 or toll-free (888) 493-0713. His website is www.davideltonusa.com.

• Network management firm 3D Corporation announces Mike McGlothern, Network Engineer & Help Desk Lead, has earned Cisco Certified Network Associate Wireless (CCNA® Wireless) certification, thereby validating competency in configuring, implementing and supporting wireless LAN networks, specifically networks using Cisco equipment. Cisco Systems, Inc., a corporation that designs and sells business electronics, networking and communications technologies, awards CCNA® Wireless certification to network professionals that exhibit the skills required to support a wireless network on small and medium business (SMB) and enterprise Cisco WLAN networks. Read More...

• Network management firm 3D Corporation is pleased to announce that Jon Duryee has joined the company to assume the role of Network Administrator. As Network Administrator, Duryee’s responsibilities involve providing clients with remote and onsite network assistance and will eventually evolve into providing project management and emergency network problem resolution services. Read More...

• Susan Stecher joins John L. Scott Real Estate Susan Stecher, a longtime Whatcom County real-estate agent, has joined the Bellingham office of John L. Scott Real Estate. "Today’s marketplace requires innovative marketing techniques to help both buyers and sellers be successful,” Stecher said. "John L. Scott Real Estate provides me the best platform to help my clients.” Stecher has more than 25 years of experience in real estate, marketing, investing and financial planning.  Read More...

• Gisvold joins Windows on the Bay Events Tina Gisvold, a Whatcom County native with 10 years of experience in the food and beverage industry, has been named director of catering for Windows on the Bay Events. Gisvold will manage catering and event planning for Windows on the Bay Events, a Bellingham waterfront site for social and business gatherings. She also will oversee off-site events for Hilltop Restaurant & Catering. "People can bring their event to us or we can organize and cater the event at the place of their choice,” Gisvold said.  Read More...

• Coat drive helps hundreds Operation Winter Warmth, a drive to provide warm winter clothes for children and adults in northwest Washington, collected nearly 1,600 new and gently used coats in Whatcom County. The drive, conducted Jan. 3-31 by Haggen Food & Pharmacy stores and KAFE 104.1 FM, also collected numerous donations of hats, scarves and gloves. Sparkle Dry Cleaners donated cleaning services for the 1,596 coats. The Opportunity Council is distributing the clothes to those in need of them. "We’re again amazed by the tremendous generosity of Whatcom County residents,” said Becky Skaggs, spokesperson for Haggen stores. "These clothes will help many in our community stay warm and healthy.”

• Trace Adkins performing at fair Country music star Trace Adkins, whose commanding presence and once-in-a-generation baritone have made him a pillar of the contemporary Nashville sound, will perform Tuesday, Aug. 16 at the Northwest Washington Fair in Lynden. Adkins made his debut in the country-music world 15 years ago with a platinum-selling album and has had 14 singles break into the top 10 of Billboard’s country chart. Read More...

• Lakeway Inn GM appointed to BWCT board David Norbut, general manager of the Best Western PLUS Lakeway Inn & Conference Center in Bellingham, has been appointed to the board of Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism. Norbut will fill a BWCT board vacancy with a term expiring in May 2012. Read More...

•  Bellingham Mediation offers alternative to litigation Sheri Russell, J.D., recently launched Bellingham Mediation, offering private and commercial mediation, facilitation and consulting on a broad spectrum of issues, including divorces, parenting plans, parent-teen mediation, workplace issues/conflicts and contract disputes. Russell has over 16 years of experience as a professional mediator, attorney, employment law/workplace consultant and facilitator. "I help parties resolve issues and create agreements in a collaborative, interest-based manner, without the high financial and emotional costs and lengthy time frame associated with litigation.” Russell said. Read More...

•  Local couple launches Bellingham Office Products Jon and Stephanie Strong recently launched Bellingham Office Products, offering more than 25,000 choices of everything from folders to furniture to meet needs within business environments. The Strongs, a Bellingham couple, have more than 30 years of experience in the office products industry in sales, management and business ownership. Customers may place orders online at www.BellinghamOfficeProducts.com or fax or e-mail orders. Read More...

• The Best Western PLUS Lakeway Inn & Conference Center is the new name of the 132-room hotel located in the center of Bellingham with easy access from Interstate 5. Best Western International, the world’s largest hotel chain, rolled out this week two additional categories to its brand: Best Western PLUS and Best Western PREMIER Read More...

• Network management firm 3D Corporation is pleased to announce that Brandon Bjarnason has joined the company to assume the role of Network Administrator. As Network Administrator, Bjarnason’s responsibilities involve providing 3D’s diverse client base with comprehensive remote and onsite network troubleshooting, problem resolution and maintenance as well as configuring and implementing best-in-class data backup and security products. Read More...

• Louws joins SSK Insurance Jack Louws, a longtime Whatcom County businessman and public official, has joined Snapper Shuler Kenner Insurance as a commercial insurance producer. Louws recently stepped down as president at Louws Truss so he could accept this full-time position. Louws, who also was mayor of Lynden for eight years, will focus on serving clients with commercial insurance needs. "SSK has been my insurance broker for the last 28 years as owner of Louws Truss, always providing me top-notch, competitive and timely service,”  Read More...

• Longtime local contractor Ron Faber has become owner of DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen in Bellingham. Faber acquired the business, which focuses on bathroom and kitchen remodels, late last year. He previously was a co-owner of Lynden-based Faber Brothers Construction for 23 years, specializing in design-build projects. "I enjoy the creativity that design-build allows,” Faber said. "It’s very satisfying to draw on our broad range of in-house talent and capacities to handle projects from design to completion.”  Read More...

• Norbut named Lakeway Inn's GM David Norbut, who has more than 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, has been appointed general manager of the Lakeway Inn & Conference Center in Bellingham. Norbut has been a hotel general manager for 16 years, most recently at the Inn at Cherry Creek in Denver, Colo. Read More...

• Network management firm 3D Corporation announces Scott VanderWoude, 3D Network Engineer, has earned CompTIA A+, Security+, and Server+ certifications, further enhancing the company’s range of professional certifications. The Computing Technology Industry Association’s (CompTIA) certifications are recognized worldwide as a trusted indicator of qualified and competent professionals in the IT industry. By achieving A+, Security+, and Server+ certifications, CompTIA recognizes VanderWoude’s high level of proficiency in providing preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, system security and support for a wide range of server hardware and software technologies. Read More...

• Keller Automotive expands Keller Automotive has moved to a larger Ferndale location, enabling it to add body-shop services in addition a complete array of maintenance, repair and detailing services. Keller Automotive opened Wednesday, Jan. 5 at 6397 Portal Way (formerly Wayne’s Custom Detailing & Auto Body), just off Interstate 5’s Exit 263. Owner Scott Keller, who opened Keller Automotive in March, said the Ferndale site has nine bays in comparison to the three bays he had in Bellingham. Read More...

• Pacific Party Canopies adding Bellingham store Pacific Party Canopies, a comprehensive event-rental company that has served Whatcom County residents for more than 20 years, has added a downtown Bellingham store that is opening Jan. 17. The Bellingham store of Pacific Party Canopies is in a 7,000-square-foot building at 2007 N. State St. that formerly was occupied by Walker’s Carpet One. Pacific Party Canopies, founded by owner Greg Greenfield in 1987, provides a wide range of clean, quality event-rental equipment. Read More...

• Jerns Funeral Chapel expands to Ferndale A fourth Jerns Funeral Chapel & Cremation Services location opens Monday, Jan. 3 in downtown Ferndale at 5706 4th Ave., located between Main Street and Vista Drive. Owner Brad Bytnar said the Ferndale office, when combined with Jerns Funeral Chapel locations in Bellingham, Blaine and Lynden, will make it more convenient for families throughout Whatcom County to make arrangements. Read More...

• Birch Equipment Offers Toy Match Program to Area Businesses BELLINGHAM, WA) – Time-strapped shoppers can complete their holiday shopping and do a good deed this season when they shop at Birch Equipment Rental and Sales. Birch just introduced new gift cards for equipment rentals and retail purchases at any location – perfect for the "Do-it-Yourselfer” in the family. Plus, there are hundreds of fabulous toys for the little ones including construction-themed, educational and recreational toys and art and gardening supplies. Read More...

• Creedence Clearwater Revisited returning to Northwest Washington Fair Creedence Clearwater Revisited, still featuring the bass player and drummer from the legendary Creedence Clearwater Revival, will return to the Northwest Washington Fair in Lynden on Friday, Aug. 19, 2011. Creedence Clearwater Revisited sold out the fair’s grandstand in 2005, generating requests for its return. "They put on a great show here and haven’t slowed down since then,” said Jim Baron, general manager of the Northwest Washington Fair. Tickets for Creedence Clearwater Revisited’s performance in Lynden, which include admission to the fair, are $38 apiece for reserved grandstand seats and $48 for preferred seats. Read More...

• Loretta Lynn performing at fair Loretta Lynn, a country music legend with strong ties to Whatcom County, will perform Thursday, Aug. 18, 2011 at the Northwest Washington Fair in Lynden. Lynn, a former Custer resident, previously performed at the Northwest Washington Fair in 1974, 1982 and 1998. "Loretta Lynn has the strongest connection to our area of any superstar in the entertainment field," said Jim Baron, general manager of the Northwest Washington Fair. Read More...

• Network management firm 3D Corporation is pleased to announce its continued support for Whatcom County’s Toys for Tots program. This is 3D’s second year of providing equipment and engineering support to the local drive’s computer network. In addition to providing various network components, 3D Network Engineer Shaun Conley has donated both work and personal time to configure, troubleshoot and support these systems during the drive, thereby helping volunteers track toy distribution. Read More...

• Northwest Washington Fair receives international association awards The Northwest Washington Fair's agricultural exhibits this year recently were judged to be the best of all 1,300 fairs that are members of the International Association of Fairs and Expositions. The Northwest Washington Fair in Lynden won the Sweepstakes Award in the 2010 IAFE Agricultural Awards Contest, which was sponsored by John Deere. The sweepstakes award covers fairs of all sizes, including some with more than 1 million visitors annually. Read More...

• Network management firm 3D Corporation announces Anthony Esposito, 3D’s newly-hired Technical Analyst, has earned the WatchGuard Certified System Professional Certification, further enhancing the company’s range of professional certifications. WatchGuard Technologies awards this certification to individuals that prove competency in the installation, configuration, and management of WatchGuard’s best-in-class extensible threat management and content security appliances. As a 3D Technical Analyst, Esposito assists in recommending and implementing WatchGuard’s products to provide clients with dependable security solutions that best fit their business’ technology needs. Read More...

• Pioneer Ford appoints Croney general manager Pioneer Ford in Lynden recently named Duke Croney its general manager, responsible for overseeing the dealership’s sales, parts and service departments. Croney has more than 30 years of experience with auto dealerships in northwest Washington. He now manages Pioneer Ford’s extensive inventory of new and pre-owned vehicles. "I see Pioneer Ford as a ‘quiet giant’ with deep historical roots that wants to show the community how well it serves customers,” Croney said. "I am personally impressed with the countless contributions in money, time and resources that owners Andy Clay and her son. Read More...

• Sue Hilton honored Sue Hilton of Bellingham has been named among the best real estate agents in Puget Sound for the fourth time. Hilton, an agent with Windermere Real Estate, was honored as a "2010 Five Star Real Estate Agent: Best in Client Satisfaction” by Seattle magazine’s. Hilton was the only agent in Whatcom County to receive the award. The complete list will be in the magazine’s December issue. Read More...

• Local Remodeler Receives Training at National Business Summit Charlie Hudson, owner of Hudson Remodeling, recently attended The Remodeling Advantage Business Summit in Kohler, Wisconsin, a three-day educational conference for owners and key managers of successful remodeling companies. Participants received training on increasing project efficiency, creating customer delight, delivering top quality service and hiring the best people for every job. Read More...

• TOYS FOR TOTS PROGRAM RETURNS TO BIRCH EQUIPMENT RENTAL AND SALES Avoid the crowds, get good deals and do an amazing good deed this season – all from the comfort of your home computer. Birch Equipment Rental and Sales is giving customers an easy way to donate to Toys for Tots and is offering special incentive programs for helping the Whatcom, Skagit and Island County communities. Customers will have two chances to earn a $10 Birch Equipment Gift Card for their generosity Read More...

• Whatcom Lawns, Inc., which has provided lawn and landscape maintenance since 2000, recently added seasonal lighting to the services it provides Whatcom Lawns offers many options for making seasonal lighting displays easier and safer, both for homes and businesses. Read More...

• Complete take-home holiday meals offered Many families and friends gathering for the holidays have discovered a delicious alternative to cooking for hours or leaving their home to head to a restaurant. Complete turkey, ham and prime-rib dinners are available through December from Market Street Catering, a division of Haggen Food & Pharmacy stores in Whatcom, Skagit and Snohomish counties. Read More...

• Sehome Village Haggen remodeled Haggen Foods in Bellingham’s Sehome Village has completed a major store remodel and will unveil new features at a grand reopening Wednesday, Nov. 10. Work began in October but the store, located at 210 36th St. near the intersection of Samish Way and Bill McDonald Parkway, remained open during the renovation project. Celebration of the grand reopening will include storewide product tastings as well as free cake servings for customers from noon to 4 p.m Read More...

• Birch Equipment will honor both employees and customers this month for their service in the U.S. Military. Birch employees will be granted a paid day off on Veteran’s Day if they can still fit in their uniform. The offer has been on the table for the past 16 years. The first time a Birch team member qualified was two years ago, when Mechanic Frank Doering marched into work sporting his dress blues from his service in the U.S. Navy. Birch Equipment is proud to recognize employees and customers that have served in the U.S. Military. Read More...

• Jerns Funeral Chapel expands to Lynden A third Jerns Funeral Chapel location recently opened near Lynden, increasing the locally owned funeral home’s ability to serve north Whatcom County residents. Jerns Funeral Chapel & Cremation Services is located at 6521 Guide Meridian, just north of East King Tut Road and four miles south of Lynden.  Read More...

• Local Business Encourages Others to Forego Traditional Holiday Gifts Home Attendant Care, Inc. is inviting local businesses to join their 3rd Annual Spirit of the Holidays program. Debbie Gann, director of Home Attendant Care founded the program in 2008 as a way to support charities during the holiday season. The program to date has donated nearly $2000 to organizations in both Whatcom and Skagit County. "In tough economic times charities are often the hardest hit, including local food banks and non-profit organizations that rely on contributions to survive.  Read More...

• Waddell & Reed’s Keith Atneosen becomes Certified Financial Planner Keith Atneosen, a financial advisor with Waddell & Reed in Bellingham, recently passed an examination to become a Certified Financial Planner professional. Atneosen, who has five years of experience in financial services and is a Western Washington University graduate, offers financial planning and investment management services through Waddell & Reed. Read More...

• Community Food Drive breaks record Whatcom County residents and businesses responded to rising requests for assistance at food banks by donating a record total of 255,000 pounds of food and basic household items during the 16th-annual Community Food Drive, conducted Oct. 18-22. The donations surpassed last year’s record of 220,000 pounds and brought the Community Food Drive’s cumulative total to nearly 1.5 million pounds.  Read More...

• Network management firm 3D Corporation is pleased to announce the hiring of Anthony Esposito as Technical Analyst and Jason Tosland as Network Technician. As 3D’s Technical Analyst, Esposito acts as a liaison between 3D’s Client Services and Engineering Teams to provide 3D’s clients with a comprehensive combination of sales and engineering support. Esposito’s primary responsibilities include facilitating technology assessments, planning and design as well as assisting both teams with many other customer service and technical support functions. Read More...

• Corion Landscape Management supervisors earn certifications A pair of Corion Landscape Management crew supervisors recently earned certifications from the Professional Landcare Network. Devin Dolan gained the Lawn Care Technician certification after passing two proctored exams covering all aspects of caring for variety of turf used in cool-season lawns. Read More...

• Successful diaper drive! A diaper drive conducted Oct. 2-7 at all five Haggen stores in Whatcom County surpassed expectations, collecting 9,000 disposable diapers and $800 in cash to help families in need. The drive supported the Bellingham Diaper Bank, a volunteer-run organization that seeks diapers for Whatcom County families in need.  Read More...

• Security Solutions NW adds electronic security technicians Security Solutions NW of Bellingham recently expanded by adding two electronic security technicians, Dean Lambert and Dwight Boots. Read More...

• David Mireault of Bellingham Plumbing & Heating, Inc. recently received his Aerco Boiler Certification. This certification was obtained after receiving sponsorship and attending a specialized weeklong training class in New York City. The Aerco boiler certification allows Mireault to install, start up, repair, and maintain Aerco brand boilers. Read More...

• Signs by Tomorrow implements environmentally friendly printer Signs by Tomorrow has become the first company in Whatcom County to implement a large-format printer using water-based latex inks, substantially reducing the environmental impacts of production. Marc Youngberg, local owner/operator of Signs by Tomorrow in Bellingham, said the new HP printer is much more environmentally friendly than eco-solvent and low-solvent printing systems Read More...

• Haggen stores supporting breast cancer awareness with information, fundraisers Haggen Food & Pharmacy stores in Whatcom County are supporting the 25th anniversary of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October with presentations and fundraisers. Read More...

• IRS change leads to expansion of payroll services A Bellingham firm is expanding its payroll services to aid small businesses that will be affected by an IRS change in 2011. Starting in January, the IRS will no longer accept paper tax deposits or checks from employers with more than $2,500 in quarterly liability. Read More...

• Third-quarter home sales in Whatcom County showed stability in price, but one-third fewer houses sold in the three months ending Sept. 30 in comparison to last year. The total number of Whatcom County residential units sold in the third quarter plunged 33.2 percent to 410, according to Lylene Johnson of The Muljat Group. Bellingham, which accounts for nearly half of the county’s home sales, had 28.2 percent fewer sales while most of the other area of the county experienced drops of 35 percent or more. Read More...

• Profound Impact’s Chris McGee recognized for providing integrated solutions for business users of QuickBooks Chris McGee of Profound Impact has been recognized as an official Intuit Solution Provider, assisting small- to mid-sized business clients through the implementation of integrated solutions involving Intuit’s QuickBooks Enterprise with add-on system software. Read More...

• Workshop Discusses Elder Care Services and Living Options Community members are invited to join Debbie Gann, director of Home Attendant Care, Inc. for an informational workshop focusing on care options available for the elder population. "Many of us will one day need to care for ourselves or a loved one. This workshop brings clarity to the maze of support services available and is beneficial to seniors or family members wishing to explore options,” says Gann.  Read More...

• Umbrella sales support local high schools Local residents can stay dry this fall and support some local high schools at the same time. Starting Friday, Sept. 17, Haggen stores in Bellingham and Ferndale are selling golf umbrellas with logos of high schools in their communities. The large umbrellas retail for $12.99 and $3 from each sale will be donated to the high school whose logo is on them Read More...

• Mt Baker Harley-Davidson, Boston’s Restaurant and Sports bar and Corvettes Unlimited Support Communities in Schools Whatcom County With their 1st annual Show N’ Shine Car and Bike show, Mt. Baker Harley-Davidson, Boston’s Restaurant and Sports Bar and Corvettes Unlimited have joined forces to support Communities in Schools in Whatcom County Read More...

• Sharon Yonally joins Wells Fargo Longtime Whatcom County mortgage consultant Sharon Yonally has joined the Bellingham office of Wells Fargo Home Mortgage. Yonally has more than 20 years of experience in the mortgage industry and has assisted hundreds of clients with home financing, including many first-time homebuyers Read More...

• CHENG Concrete is proud to announce expansion of its Training Academy to include their newest Authorized Trainer, Mike Moncrieff of New Edge Design located in the Seattle-Tacoma area. CHENG Concrete’s innovative 2-day Professional Decorative Fiber Reinforced Concrete (D-FRC) Training will now be featured in the Northwest Pacific Region providing easy access from western Canada, Alaska, Montana, Idaho, Oregon and Washington state. Moncrieff, a passionate artisan, has over 15 years of construction experience and nearly a decade experimenting, developing and creating with decorative concrete. Read More...

• Security Solutions NW honored for work at new Peace Arch Port of Entry Security Solutions NW of Bellingham recently was honored for its work on the largest project in the company’s 106-year history: the new Peace Arch Port of Entry in Blaine. Security Solutions NW provided design, installation and programming services for the building, primary inspection lanes and secondary inspection lanes at the Peace Arch Port of Entry, the third-busiest border crossing along the entire northern border of the United States.Read More...

• Credo Construction receives national award for top commercial building Bellingham-based Credo Construction, Inc. recently received a first-place national award for design and construction in the category of commercial buildings. Credo Construction was honored by Metallic Building Co. for its work on the 8,708-square-foot Deltalok building in Ferndale. The Deltalok office facility and warehouse features facades and canopies with two different types of metal wall panels applied horizontally and a third type applied vertically to match the look of an existing building on the project site. Read More...

• Northwest Washington Fair caps successful centennial year by surpassing 216,000 visitors The Northwest Washington Fair in Lynden concluded its centennial celebration Saturday, Aug. 21 by drawing 41,725 visitors, the highest daily attendance of the six-day fair. The Northwest Washington Fair ended with a total attendance of 216,507, about 1 percent higher than last year. The carnival and food concessions reported similar increases, fair manager Jim Baron said. Read More...

• Now Accepting Peace Builder Award Nominations Bellingham, WA---The Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center (WDRC) is seeking nominations for the Eighth Annual Peace Builder Awards. The WDRC invites the general public to nominate an individual, group or business to receive a Whatcom County Peace Builder Award, which recognizes community members and organizations that have contributed to local peaceful conflict resolution within the past year. The deadline is September 18th, 2010. Nomination and sponsorship forms are available online at www.whatcomdrc.org and at the Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center located at 13 Prospect St, Suite 201 in Bellingham. Read More...

• Golf tourney, related events raise $130,000 for burned children charity The recent Ryan Stiles Celebrity Golf Classic and related events raised $130,000 for the Burned Children Recovery Foundation. Stiles, a nationally renowned actor and improv comedian, lives in Bellingham and owns The Upfront Theatre comedy club in downtown Bellingham. Stiles participated in the golf tourney at the Bellingham Golf & Country Club, led a comedy performance at the Mount Baker Theatre and also spearheaded a celebrity gala and auction at the Silver Reef Hotel Casino and Spa in Ferndale, title partner of the July 16-18 fundraisers Read More...

• Corion Landscape Management names Dave Charbonneau sales director Corion Landscape Management recently appointed Dave Charbonneau as sales director of the Ferndale-based business. Charbonneau has more than 20 years of experience in developing long-term customer relationships. He is spearheading Corion Landscape Management’s expansion into Skagit and Snohomish counties. "We’re ideal for clients seeking year-round quality and efficiency,” Charbonneau said. Read More...

• 3D Corporation Network Engineer Jeff deLucia achieves Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator Certification - 3D Corporation is pleased to announce that Jeff deLucia, Level 2 Help Desk Network Engineer, has earned Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) certification, further enhancing the company’s range of professional certifications. MCSA certification is awarded to network engineers that prove their expertise in effectively managing and troubleshooting network environments using Windows Server 2003, a server operating system produced by Microsoft for businesses of all types and sizes. The MCSA certification validates deLucia’s ability to provide efficient and effective technical support to 3D clients Read More...

• Lynden Sheet Metal celebrating 70th anniversary Lynden Sheet Metal is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, having recently ensured a seamless transition to its next generation of local ownership. Founded in 1940, Lynden Sheet Metal sells and services heating, air-conditioning, plumbing and refrigeration systems for residential and commercial clients. The company also is a leading retailer of gas fireplaces and provides metal fabrication and welding services. Bob and Rose Crabtree became co-owners of Lynden Sheet Metal in 1977. The Crabtrees were sole owners from 2000 to this year, when they announced Bobbi and Cory Kreider, their daughter and son-in-law, had become co-owners. Grateful for widespread community support, Lynden Sheet Metal contributes to many nonprofit organizations, including Habitat for Humanity in Whatcom County, Relay for Life and Dollars for Scholars. The company recently installed and donated a fireplace for the new Hospice House in Bellingham. Lynden Sheet Metal is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays at 837 Evergreen, near the intersection of the Guide Meridian and Main Street in Lynden. For more information, call (360) 354-3991 or visit www.LyndenSheetMetal.com.

• Corion Landscape Management becomes new name of expanding company Corion Landscape Management, a new Bellingham Chamber member, is the new name of a Ferndale-based business that is expanding into Skagit and Snohomish counties. Corion Landscape Management, founded in 2001, provides comprehensive maintenance services for businesses, condominium associations, assisted-living facilities and multi-family residential properties.Read More...

• Neighborhood Mortgage’s Anny Havland ranked among 25 Most Connected Mortgage Professionals Anny Havland, co-owner and licensed mortgage advisor at Neighborhood Mortgage in Bellingham, recently was named among the 25 Most Connected Mortgage Professionals in the country. Havland was honored by National Mortgage Professional Magazine for having more than 1,400 Facebook friends and 700 Twitter followers. She also writes a blog on Neighborhood Mortgage’s website and is executive producer and co-host of a new website show at www.TalkItUpTV.com that focuses on positive news in Whatcom County. Read More...

• Despite the poor economy, Birch Equipment continues to join other local businesses in support of community causes. The company has contributed over $20,000 collectively to nearly 40-organizations in Whatcom and Skagit Counties and in Sitka, Alaska this year. Birch primarily aids groups focused on education and the health and well being of communities. This includes the Skagit Valley College Foundation, Skagit Valley Hospital, Whatcom Hospice, many school PTAs, the creation of a fabulous playground at Freedom Park on Camano Island and this weekend, the Burned Children Recovery Foundation, the beneficiary of proceeds from the Ryan Stiles Celebrity Golf Tournament.  Read More...

• Susan Stecher earns designation as Residential Finance Consultant Susan Stecher, an agent with RE/MAX Whatcom County, recently earned the Residential Finance Consultant designation, signifying her ability in helping buyers and sellers understand the tax advantages, financing alternatives and investment aspects of home ownership. Stecher completed training and gained a series of finance applications that present information in a logical and easily understood manner Read More...

• Matt Weaver joins 3D Corporation as Purchasing & Logistics Manager Network management firm 3D Corporation is pleased to announce Matt Weaver has joined the company to assume the role of Purchasing & Logistics Manager. Weaver will further the company’s efforts to continuously provide businesses with the most up-to-date technology products that enhance network security, performance and reliability to the highest possible level.Read More...

• Company honors Lakeway Inn supervisor for exemplary customer service, leadership A front-desk supervisor at Lakeway Inn & Conference Center in Bellingham recently was honored for providing outstanding service and care to guests. Providence Hospitality Partners presented its first 212 Award to Dwayne Wynne. He was selected out of all employees at hotels managed by PHP in Washington, Colorado, California and Wyoming. Wynne received the award June 24 during a PHP management meeting at the Lakeway Inn. Read More...

• Backpack drive starts July 10 Haggen Food & Pharmacy stores are partnering with their customers to provide Whatcom County children in need with backpacks and supplies for the start of school. Starting Saturday, July 10 while supplies last, customers can buy and donate a specially designated backpack at a Haggen store for $9.99 that is filled with school supplies, including a notebook, paper, pencils, erasers, crayons, glue sticks and a ruler. Read More...

• Bellingham Plumbing and Heating's David Mireault is now a certified trained professional by the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association. Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) systems are a modern, cost-efficient and environmentally-friendly heating and cooling technology that pumps heat to and from the ground, using the earth as a heat source in the winter, and a heat sink in the summer. The Bellingham community now has the opportunity to benefit from Mireault's accomplishment. Read More...

• Hotel managers make improvements to new Bellingham trail Hotel managers of Providence Hospitality Partners took a break from a recent four-day conference to make improvements to a new Bellingham trail. Providence Hospitality Partners manages the Lakeway Inn & Conference Center in Bellingham and hotels in Colorado, California and Wyoming. During its management meeting at the Lakeway Inn, approximately 30 general managers, directors of sales and company executives participated in a community-service project June 23. Read More...

• Darren Reddin recently launched Express Delivery Courier Services, featuring same-day delivery to cities along Interstate 5 between Bellingham and Seattle. Express Delivery Courier Services, a new Bellingham Chamber member, is fully insured and bonded, capable of handling packages up to 50 pounds. Service is available Monday through Saturday. Read More...