Here is what is happening in the lives of our members... If you are a chamber member and would like your event, seminar, open house, etc., posted please go to www.thechamberevents.com and create an account if you haven't already, and then submit an event there.
Corion Landscape Donates to Boys and Girls Club Ferndale, WA – On April 20, 2012, Corion Landscape Management participated in the PLANET (Professional Landcare Network) day of service. Corion Landscape donated landscape maintenance and installation services to the Boys and Girls Club of Ferndale, WA. 10 Corion Landscape employees volunteered to complete the project with the same goal in mind, to impact the quality of life in our community.
The PLANET day of service provides an opportunity for green industry professionals throughout the nation to unite and demonstrate stewardship and humanitarianism by giving back to the community (www.planetdayofservice.org).
David Arnold, President of Corion Landscape says, "It is an honor to give back to the community, specifically to an organization like the Boys and Girls Club who unconditionally support the kids.”
About Corion Landscape
Corion Landscape Management is located in Ferndale, WA. Owner, David Arnold, began a career in landscaping with Yardworks Landscaping, which merged with Four Seasons Landscaping in 2004. The name changed to Corion in 2010 to more accurately represent the professional, proactive, customer–centered service Corion offers.
Corion specializes in landscape maintenance and installation for muti-residential, health care facilities, condominiums, commercial and industrial facilities.
For more information, call (360) 312-8052 or visit www.corionlandscape.com Chazzzam Signs & Graphics, blending creativity with state-of-the-art equipment and local ownership, recently opened in downtown Bellingham. Brothers Chas and Sam Malich teamed up with Jerry Spraggins to open the business at 420 Ohio St. Chazzzam Signs & Graphics serves businesses, homeowners, schools and institutions. "We're more than just a sign shop," Spraggins said. "We strive to be Bellingham's visual communication hub." The company offers clients on-site graphic design services to fulfill any aesthetic or creative need. In addition to traditional signage such as banners, awnings, A-frames and real-estate signs, Chazzzam produces custom vehicle wraps, interior artwork, trade show displays and large-format digital print projects, including wall murals and window graphics. A key component of Chazzzam's capabilities is its state-of-the-art printer. Chazzzam is the only sign shop in the state with the new HP Designjet L26500 printer, which eliminates any volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions that could be harmful to customers and employees. The printer's use of liquid latex also results in recyclable products. Chazzzam is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. For more information, call (360) 389-5178 or visit www.chazzzam.com.
VSH CPAs Hires Business Relations Manager Scott Petersen VSH CPAs is pleased to announce Scott Petersen has joined the team as the Business Relations Manager, heading up the firm’s client relations.
Petersen has lived in Bellingham for the last 9 years after spending time in Colorado and Germany, he grew up in Renton, WA.
"I chose VSH because of the innovative problem solving approach, one that gets information to the client in a format that empowers people to make decisions that can change their business in a positive way.”
Petersen graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Western Washington University in 2001. The majority of his experience has been helping local businesses problem solve and grow. Having worked in the worlds of technology, banking, advertising, brand strategy and recruiting for over ten years has given Petersen an inside view of the difficult problems that businesses face. .
As an avid skier, mountain biker and hiker, Bellingham is a natural fit for Petersen and his family. Petersen lives with his wife Pam, daughter Tess and dog Lulu. As an avid traveler and explorer Scott’s goal is to ski all the major ski resorts in North America before he will need his knees replaced.
VSH is a dynamic and responsive full-service CPA firm located in the Barkley District of Bellingham. We look to proactively contribute ideas that cultivate the business success of our clients. For more information, contact us at 360-734-8715, or visit us at www.vshcpa.com.
Wright named director of catering and events for Bellingham venue Colin Wright, who has experience coordinating hundreds of events for up to 500 people, has been named catering and events director for Windows on the Bay Events of Bellingham. Wright plans catering menus and events for Windows on the Bay Events, a waterfront site for social and business gatherings. He also handles off-site catered events in Whatcom County for Hilltop Restaurant & Catering as well as weddings and receptions at Fountain Hill Events, an outdoor venue in Skagit County. "We help customers plan a wide variety of events, including weddings, business meetings, receptions and other special occasions, offering more than 40 different menus and a variety of cuisines," Wright 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.usor call (360) 220-0731.
BUSINESSES GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO BENCHMARK THEIR EMPLOYEE BENEFITS AGAINST OTHER NORTHWEST WASHINGTON COMPANIES How Does Your Employee Benefits Package Measure Up? With the cost of healthcare skyrocketing, employers are faced with evaluating their employee benefits packages on a regular basis. If an organization has ever wondered how the benefits package they offer their employees measures up to other Western Washington companies, The Unity Group is offering an opportunity for them to find out at no cost. The Unity Group is partnering with a national actuarial firm to conduct the 2012 Washington Health Benefits Benchmarking Survey. By participating in this survey employers will receive customized benchmarking - a comparison of their unique plan(s) to others in their industry, of similar size, and all from Northwest Washington. With this data, organizations can assess their ability to attract and retain their most valuable asset, employees. All information remains private and confidential. Employers with 50 or more employees are encouraged to participate. The more surveys completed, the better the data will be for all participants. Those who complete the survey will receive an individual custom report and an invitation to a seminar this Fall, which will include an interactive discussion and review of regional and national results. To learn more about this survey and how to participate, please visit The Unity Group's website at www.theunitygroup.comor call 360.734.8025 x229. The Unity Group is an independent, employee‐owned insurance agency that has been in business since 1929. The services offered by Unity include, Personal Insurance such as home and auto, Business Insurance, Life Insurance, Employee Benefits, Sales & Marketing Training, and HR Training.
THE UNITY GROUP SUPPORTS JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT'S ANNUAL FUNDRAISER Every year, The Unity Group (TUG) participates in Junior Achievement's Bowling Classic. This event is JA's largest fundraiser and the funds support their efforts to provide a series of business, economics and life-skills programs to enhance the education of young people in Whatcom County. Several of TUG team members volunteer to teach the programs and have really enjoyed seeing their lessons positively impact the live's of local youth. On March 16th, internal campaign coordinator Amanda Brock and JA's Regional Director Gretchen Pfluegar rallied employees at the annual kick-off meeting. Six team members volunteered to represent Unity at the JA Bowling Classic which is scheduled for May 11th. Interested in supporting TUG's team? You can make a monetary donation on JA's website in support of TUG's team. To learn more about Junior Achievement, how to participate, or about event sponsorship opportunities, please visit JA's website at www.jawashington.org. The Unity Group is an independent, employee-owned insurance agency that has been in business since 1929. The services offered by Unity include, Personal Insurance such as home, auto and life; business Insurance; Employee Benefits; Sales & Marketing Training; and HR Training.
Larry MacDonald, who has 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, has been appointed general manager of the Lakeway Inn & Conference Center in Bellingham. MacDonald, a Western Washington native, has been a hotel general manager for 14 years, most recently at The Historic Plains Hotel in Cheyenne, Wyo. His appointment was made by Providence Hospitality Partners, which manages the Lakeway Inn & Conference Center and hotels in Colorado, California and Wyoming. MacDonald said one of his first tasks is overseeing the renovation this spring of Poppe's Bistro & Lounge. Improvements will include enhancements to the sound system, light and exterior patio. "We want to make it more of a local establishment," MacDonald said. "We'll be offering entertainment every night and introducing new food and beverage menus." Located at 714 Lakeway Drive, the Lakeway Inn is totally smoke-free throughout its 132 guest rooms, two restaurants (The Oboe Café and Poppe's Bistro & Lounge), 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.
Wilson Motors of Bellingham receives Toyota's top award for dealerships Wilson Motors of Bellingham has earned the 2011 President's Award from Toyota Motor Sales, an honor bestowed to a small percentage of Toyota dealerships in the country. In order to qualify as a President's Award winner, Toyota dealerships must excel in each of a series of categories, including Sales Satisfaction, Service Satisfaction, Market Share Attainment, Vehicle Delivery Excellence and Employee Training and Certification. This is the third time in the last four years that Wilson Motors has earned the President's Award. "It's an honor to have been selected for this prestigious award," said dealer Rick Wilson. "In 2011, within a difficult economic year and with many challenges such as the disastrous tsunami in Japan, our team rose to meet the challenges we faced - and our dealership thrived. "Our ability to demonstrate operational excellence in all departments and meet the high standards of the President's Award demonstrates our staff's commitment to quality," Wilson added. "This award exemplifies the Wilson Way of doing things." Wilson Motors, a family owned business since 1960, is Whatcom County's largest dealership of new and pre-owned vehicles. In addition to being a Toyota, Scion and Mercedes-Benz dealership, Wilson Motors is now introducing the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van line of personal and commercial vehicles. The dealership, which also includes a large service department, is located at 1100 Iowa St., along Bellingham's Auto Row and just east of Interstate 5's Iowa Street/State Street interchange. Wilson Motors is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. For more information or service appointments, call (360) 676-0600 or visit www.wilsonmotors.com.
Assistance League of Bellingham has openings on their Advisory Council and is now interviewing candidates with professional backgrounds who can provide guidance in areas of law, accounting, education, retail, real estate, fundraising, etc. The Advisory Council meets quarterly. Assistance League has a long history of caring and commitment in the community through five philanthropic programs. It is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization that relies on revenue from its Thrift & Gift Shop in downtown Bellingham as well as grants and donations to support their programs. Interested parties may respond to Mrs. Patricia Lee at P.O. Box 2998, Bellingham, WA, 98227 or by calling 360-380-5877. Fountain Hill Events offers outdoor setting for weddings Fountain Hill Events, offering a scenic 52-acre Skagit County site for outdoor wedding ceremonies and receptions, will be operational this summer and is now accepting reservations.
The new venue features panoramic views of Skagit Valley, Chuckanut Mountains and Olympic Mountains. A pond that includes swans and a fountain provides an ideal background for photos, said Tom Kilpatrick, owner of Fountain Hill Events.
A sophisticated party tent pavilion, including a bar, chandeliers and a dance floor, can accommodate up to 300 guests. Private dressing room/lounge spaces are provided for the bride, groom and their attendants. Full-service catering is provided by Hilltop Catering of Bellingham.
"This beautiful setting provides another option for clients,” Kilpatrick said. "The new Skagit summertime venue is an outdoor alternative to our established venue, Windows on the Bay Events, a year-round facility in the Bellingham Yacht Club building at Squalicum Harbor.”
Fountain Hill Events is located at 8002 Union Road, Sedro-Woolley, approximately 10 minutes east of the Interstate 5 Cook Road interchange and 30 minutes from Bellingham.
For more information, call (360) 441-6615 or visit www.fountainhillevents.com. Fountain Hill Events, offering a scenic 52-acre Skagit County site for outdoor wedding ceremonies and receptions, will be operational this summer and is now accepting reservations. The new venue features panoramic views of Skagit Valley, Chuckanut Mountains and Olympic Mountains. A pond that includes swans and a fountain provides an ideal background for photos, said Tom Kilpatrick, owner of Fountain Hill Events. A sophisticated party tent pavilion, including a bar, chandeliers and a dance floor, can accommodate up to 300 guests. Private dressing room/lounge spaces are provided for the bride, groom and their attendants. Full-service catering is provided by Hilltop Catering of Bellingham. "This beautiful setting provides another option for clients," Kilpatrick said. "The new Skagit summertime venue is an outdoor alternative to our established venue, Windows on the Bay Events, a year-round facility in the Bellingham Yacht Club building at Squalicum Harbor." Fountain Hill Events is located at 8002 Union Road, Sedro-Woolley, approximately 10 minutes east of the Interstate 5 Cook Road interchange and 30 minutes from Bellingham. For more information, call (360) 441-6615 or visit www.fountainhillevents.com.
