Vol. 22 No. 8
August 2014 County camel farm plods on [Page 10]
A month of retail weed
The Buzz Port continues talks with potential waterfront developers
High prices, high customers, and low supplies at Bellingham’s 2 pot shops
Port executive director Rob Fix expects to come to an agreement with Harcourt Developments of Dublin by the end of a second 120-day negotiation period.
BY OLIVER LAZENBY The Bellingham Business Journal Don Murphy, security guard at Top Shelf Cannabis, sees putting people at ease as part of his job. Some are nervous about entering the retail marijuana store at 3857 Hannegan Rd., in Bellingham. “You can’t come in here, you have more hair than me.” Murphy told a customer while checking his ID - buyers myst be 21. “I’ll give you a pass because you’re younger than me. I haven’t seen my hairline since I was 23.” Murphy keeps a list of all 50 states, and he crosses them off when he sees an ID from that state. So far, the only states not crossed off are Rhode Island, Connecticut, and West Virginia. As he checks IDs, a family of three filter into the store, followed by a father and daughter, a grayhaired woman, and a man in a cowboy hat. Murphy only lets five groups of people at a time into the store. While he’s not checking ID, he watches for suspicious cars in the parking lot. A car with Canadian plates pulls up. About 40 percent of Top Shelf ’s customers are Canadian, Murphy said. Pot shops in Washington finally opened on July 8, about 1.5 years after voters passed initiative 502. Apparently, the green buds had an eager market, and Bellingham’s two retailers could hardly keep product on the shelves. Like other shops in the state, both Top Shelf Cannabis and 2020 Solutions, at 2018 Iron Street, closed periodically throughout the month. Near the end of the July, Top Shelf Cannabis opened for the first time in four days and sold out of its 1.5 pound supply before
PAGE 3
Coffee roasting Local chain Woods Coffee is now roasting coffee for all its stores at its Lynden base. PAGE 6
WCC awarded healthcare program development grant With a $457,500 state grant, Whatcom Community College is developing curriculum to train health care workers for emerging professions. Don Murphy, right, checks IDs and enforces security at Top Shelf Cannabis at 3857 Hannegan Road in Bellingham. OLIVER LAZENBY PHOTO | THE BELLINGHAM BUSINESS JOURNAL closing time. If Top Shelf could There aren’t enough licensed “We could be making way get enough marijuana to allow growers to supply the state’s 10 more money but we want people each customer to buy the state stores. Blewett Pass Farms, which to know that we’re reliable,” he limit of 1 ounce, Zack Henifin, supplies 2020 Solutions on 2018 said. “We want people to know a store manager, said they could Iron Street, said five stores want they can come here and not have sell about 5 pounds a day. their weed for every one they can to unload their pockets just to To keep their doors open as supply. In mid-July, they were smoke a little dope.” long possible, Top Shelf rationed distributing 10 or 15 pounds of At Top Shelf Cannabis on July the amount each customer could marijuana a week. 24, 1 gram sold for $22. That’s buy. At times, they sold just 1 “Our phones are constantly about twice the street price. gram per customer - the smallest hammered,” said Colin Smith, a Prices at both Top Shelf Canamount available. But more weed grower at the Peshastin, Wash., nabis and 2020 Solutions varied was on the way. farm. “There’s just no way we can throughout the month, but usu“We have the shipments sched- meet the demand that’s out there.” ally they were at least twice the uled out,” Henifin said. “It’s just Top Shelf Cannabis didn’t raise street price. a matter of hoping the producers their prices because of the limited The state Liquor Control make it on time.” supply, Henifin said. WEED, PAGE 9
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NW Leaf magazine A Snohomsh county-based medical marijuana magazine that started small is now looking to expand to other states. PAGE 17
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Contents
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Guy Seeklus checks on one of his camels at his Sand Rd., farm where he breeds and trains the towering ungulates.
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[5] Airport expansion After years of construction the Bellingham International Airport’s expansion is complete.
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[9] Working in the marijuana industry Pot retail workers expect the industry to boom. The illegal market is stil going strong, according to one dealer, though retail stores opened less than a month ago.
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[4] WCC awarded $457,000 grant Whatcom Community College is developing training programs and curriculum to prepare health care workers for emerging positions. [14] Business Toolkit [7] Public Records
The Bellingham Business Journal A division of Sound Publishing Inc. 1909 Cornwall Ave., Bellingham, WA 98225 Phone (360) 647-8805 Fax (360) 647-0502 Visit us online at www.BBJToday.com Editorial Department: Oliver Lazenby, associate editor, olazenby@bbjtoday.com (Send press releases, story pitches and general inqueries to editor@bbjtoday.com) Advertising Department: Tony Bouchard, advertising sales manager, tbouchard@bbjtoday.com (Send general inqueries about advertising, for print and online, to sales@bbjtoday.com) Subscription information: (888) 838-3000, circulation@bbjtoday.com The Bellingham Business Journal, BBJToday.com (ISSN 21620997) is published monthly by Sound Publishing Inc. at 1909 Cornwall Ave., Bellingham, WA 98225. Periodicals Postage Paid at Bellingham, WA, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: BBJToday.com Circulation, PO Box 130, Kent, WA 98035.
August 2014 3
The Bellingham Business Journal
WATERFRONT
Port enters 2nd negotiation period with Irish developers
Port director expects “some sort of definitive agreement” by end of 2nd 120-day negotiation talks BY OLIVER LAZENBY The Bellingham Business Journal Port of Bellingham commissioners voted unanimously on July 15 to enter a second 120-day negotiation period with Harcourt Developments Limited over the future of the city’s central waterfront. The port is evaluating whether Dublin-based Harcourt will become the lead developer for a 10.8 acre slice of the 237-acre former industrial waterfront at the west edge of downtown. Rob Fix, Port of Bellingham executive director, said the port and Harcourt will likely sign “some sort of definitive agreement” by the end of the negotiation period. “We may not have all the The historic granary building is included in the 10.8-acre parcel that the port and Harcourt details ironed out by then Developments are negotiating for. Oliver Lazenby | The Bellingham Business Journal because it’s a complicated transaction,” Fix said. “But order to get to that second 10 acres, they have to perform we’ll know for certain whether we’re going to be going foron the first 10 acres,” Fix said. “They’d like to do a lot more ward with them.” than I think we’re comfortable letting them do at first.” The port and Harcourt would likely proceed with the Harcourt’s conceptual drawing for the initial 10.8-acre project as a joint-venture, but the details haven’t been redevelopment project include a mix of residential and worked out yet. The project is complicated because of commercial buildings, and 6 or 7 acres of parks, port offienvironmental contamination, underground structures cials said at the July 15 port meeting. and other factors, Fix said. Fix said he expects Harcourt representatives will visit Harcourt plans to partner with Bellingham-based Tin Bellingham late this summer. The port and Harcourt have Rock Developments Inc. at least one phone conversation about the project each During the second negotiation period, Fix said the week. port will make sure the city and Harcourt can agree on street alignment, get Western Washington University and Lawsuit Harcourt talking, and further discuss the historic granary Harcourt Developments is currently in a lawsuit over building, which is included in the initial 10.8-acre devela development project on the island of Jersey, a British opment. Currently, Harcourt intends to retain the original Crown Dependency in the English Channel. Harcourt is granary and the board mill buildings, Fix said. suing the Jersey Development Company, which is owned “They intend to make these very distinctive, iconic proj- by the States of Jersey, for money spent on work carried ects,” he said. out before its contract was terminated, according to the Also in the next 120 days, Harcourt and the port will Jersey Evening Post. negotiate a development schedule, a purchase price for the Fix said the port is aware of the lawsuit. The port gave land, and a performance criteria for Harcourt’s work. They Harcourt a list of questions about the conflict, and Harwill also discuss the possibility of Harcourt developing a court is compiling answers, Fix said.. “There’s not a develsecond 10-acre section of the waterfront. oper out there that hasn’t had a lawsuit,” Fix said. “We’re “One of the things we’ve told them all along is that in not going to go forward with a company that’s highly
litiguous. We don’t believe they are.” During the first 120-day negotiation period, which ended July 3, the port educated Harcourt on the timing of cleanup activities, the port and city’s masterplan for the waterfront, the city’s responsibility regarding roads and infrastructure, and Western Washington University’s presence on the waterfront, Fix said. The port and Harcourt began negotiating in February. The port and city have been discussing redeveloping the waterfront for more than a decade. “We’d love to see a building on the site in three years,” Fix said. “I think we’re going to be disappointed if we don’t see one on the site in five years.”
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Who is Harcourt Developments? Their work includes retail and residential developments, as well as award-winning hotels and offices in Ireland, London, Las Vegas and the Bahamas. The Titanic Quarter in Belfast is perhaps Harcourt’s most well-known project. The 300-acre project is a redevelopment of a former shipyard where the Titanic was built. The project is on land part-owned by Belfast Harbour Commissioners. The “Titanic Experience” museum is the project’s center piece, but the former shipyard also includes a mix of parks, and residential and commercial buildings.
Ken Hardesty, a Ferndale resident who worked at the former Georgia Pacific plant on the waterfront, visited the Titanic Quarter on vacation this year.
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“It’s all built around the waterway,” Hardesty said about the Titanic Quarter. “It’s a huge area, like the GP site. There’s a lot of open space and they’ve really developed it nice.” Harcourt submitted a proposal for the redevelopment project in July 2013 with its local partner, Tin Rock Developments Inc. Three other groups submitted proposals for the project. “[Harcourt] has done deals of this size before and they have the financial wherewithal to do this one,” said Rob Fix, Port of Bellingham executive director. “Not everybody who put a proposal forward has that.”
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Dublin-based Harcourt Developments Inc, the firm with the potential to develop 10.8 acres of Bellingham’s industrial waterfront, is a development, management, and investment company with a portfolio of international projects.
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4 August 2014
The Bellingham Business Journal
HEALTH CARE
WCC developing health care programs with $457,500 grant
Hospital Employee Education and Training (HEET) grant will go toward developing curriculum for emerging health care positions
“They help patients figure out where to go for care, what places will accept them, what kind of rehabilitative care they need,” Picture a patient talking to a doctor after Walker said. “They might go with the patient to visit the doctor and help tranbeing diagnosed with a serious illness. scribe what the doctor said, or even help As the doctor discusses treatment plans, [patients] fill out medicare forms.” prescriptions, and prognosis, the patient’s A study performed by Accenture at mind is reeling. Often, the patient’s eyes MetroHealth System in Cleveland, found glaze over and they don’t retain informathat its patient navigator program reduced tion about the illness or treatment plan. costs to the system by reducing cancellaTo combat this and other problems, the Affordable Care Act created a new category tions and no-shows, and reducing emergency room visits. of workers to guide patients through the So far, Whatcom Commuhealth care process. nity College representatives The emerging positions have met with and surveyed include outreach counselors, health care employers. This navigators, patient care coorprocess has reaffirmed that the dinators, and others who will industry needs navigators, and educate and guide consumers helped the college understand through all aspects of health what level of skill employers care coverage; from insurneed, Burman-Woods said. ance enrollment to facilitating The college is also bringing treatment and communication in a curriculum development between doctors and checking specialist to combine several up on patients after treatment. ELYA MOORE With about 164,000 new WHATCOM ALLIANCE FOR HEALTH currently existing programs. Some of the partners on the Washington residents enrolled ADVANCEMENT DEPUTY DIRECTOR grant, including Clark and in health insurance through Highline Colleges, already have the state’s health care exchange basic curriculum. as of the March 31 open enrollment dea“There are a lot of different groups doing line, new patient navigating positions are different things and we want to pull it in need, said Elya Moore, deputy directogether as a whole,” Burman-Woods said. tor for the Whatcom Alliance for Health “We don’t want employers to be confused Advancement. “We are in a crisis,” Moore said. “Naviga- by what different programs are offered. We want them to look at it as more of a stantors are essential. We can’t keep providing health care the way we’ve been providing it. dard curriculum.” When finished, the curriculum will be We’ll never meet the demand.” available to all community colleges in the To fill that need, Whatcom Community state, Burman-Woods said. College is developing programs to preWhatcom Community College has pare students and health care workers for worked on several HEET grants in the emerging careers in health care with the past, starting in 2008. The college develhelp of a $567,500 grant from the State oped a simulation to prepare students Board for Community and Technical Colfor the chaos of emergency rooms with a leges. The state board awarded the college HEET grant in 2012. the grant, called a Hospital Employee In simulations, health care workers pracEducation and Training (HEET) grant, last tice with mannequins in an environment month. that recreates the stress of treating multiple Whatcom Community College is the patients while phones ring,family members lead organization in the grant. Its partner interfere, and everything goes wrong. organizations include Edmonds CommuWhatcom Community College president nity College, Seattle Central College, HighKathi Hiyane-Brown said responding to line College in Des Moines, Wash., and what its community needs - in this case, Clark College in Vancouver, Wash. more health care workers - is part of the Kendra Hodgson, policy associate at the school’s mission. Washington State Board for Community “It really is about how we become more and Technical Colleges, said Whatcom responsive and supportive to students Community College received the grant as who need training, and industries that the lead institution because of the quality need skilled workers,” Hiyane-Brown said. of the proposal. “Grants really help give us the resources to “Whatcom’s proposal was very well be able to do it.” received by our panel,” she said. “We’re excited about what they’re looking to tackle.” The grant is geared toward training current health care workers for new and different rolls, said Cindy Burman-Woods, a workforce projects special director at Whatcom Community College. Patient navigators are the most urgent of those roles. Oliver Lazenby, associate editor of The Bellingham The navigator position is broad and Business Journal, can be reached at 360-647-8805, Ext. varied, said Janice Walker, director of 5052, or editror@bbjtoday.com. Whatcom Community College’s workforce education program, said BY OLIVER LAZENBY The Bellingham Business Journal
“We are in a crisis. We can’t keep providing health care the way we’ve been providing it. We’ll never meet the demand.“
Health care workers practice on a mannequin in a simulation that Whatcom Community College developed in 2012 with funds from a past Hospital Employee Education and Training (HEET) grant. COURTESY PHOTO
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August 2014 5
The Bellingham Business Journal AIRPORT
Four-year airport expansion project finished With bigger terminals and room to grow, airport will continue to court low cost airlines, officials say
After several years with plywood walls and temporary signs, construction is complete at the Bellingham International Airport. The $38.6 million construction project, which began in 2008, included updates and additions to the gate lobby, baggage handling and baggage claim areas, the terminal, and the ticket lobby. The airport paid for the project with airport revenue and passenger facility charges. The terminal grew from 27,000 square feet to 105,000 square feet and is now a quarter mile long, said Mark Leutwiler, airport manager. “A lot of times, people get through the door with their bags and they go, “Oh wow,” Leutwiler said about the additions to the airport. “It’s a true pleasure to hear that.” In the last 10 years, the low cost airport has seen a surge in traffic, largely due to picking up service from Allegiant Air, in 2004, Leutwiler said. An informal survey conducted by the port, found that 52 percent of passengers at the airport live in Canada. The majority of those Canadians travel to West Coast vaca-
tion destinations, said Emily Tuma, airport operations supervisor. Honolulu, Seattle, and Las Vegas are the airport’s most popular destinations. The expansion left room for continued growth in passengers. The ticket lobby can grow by 40 percent and the airport won’t need new runways anytime soon. Currently the runways are at 40 percent capacity, Leutwiler said. Their 20-year forecast predicts they’ll hit about 60 percent of runway capacity. Leutwiler said the updates to the airport are designed to keep the costs low. The airport now has nearly 100 screens with flight information and a restaurant serving hot food and drinks, but it doesn’t have jet bridges - the walkways that connect gates to planes at most major airports. Keeping operating costs low allows the airport to let airplanes park overnight for free. A lot of airports charge for overnight jet parking, airport director Daniel Zenk said. “We could charge but it goes against our philosophy of keeping costs low to our customers,” he said. “Think about it this way: The airlines bring in the customers.”
Oliver Lazenby, associate editor of The Bellingham Business Journal, can be reached at 360-647-8805, Ext. 5052, or editor@bbjtoday.com.
A TSA worker lifts luggage with a vacuum system at Bellingham International airport. OLIVER LAZENBY | THE BELLINGHAM BUSINESS JOURNAL
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BY OLIVER LAZENBY The Bellingham Business Journal
6 August 2014
COFFEE
The Bellingham Business Journal
In-house roasting ramps up at Woods Coffee Woods Coffee saw a 20 percent increase in sales after announcing May 29 that it’s roasting beans in-house
(Left) Woods Coffee roaster Chris Forsyth monitors roast temperature at Woods Coffee’s Lynden facility. (Above) Head roaster Shea Hagan has worked with coffee for 19 years, including a stint doing quality control for an Italian company in London. Oliver Lazenby | The Bellingham Business Journal BY OLIVER LAZENBY THE BELLINGHAM BUSINESS JOURNAL
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Standing beside a fire engine red, 7-foottall coffee roaster at Woods Coffee’s Lynden base, Shea Hagan describes coffee with terms like flavor profile, structure, acidity, and sweetness. He can taste a difference between regular and decaf coffee. He can even tell by taste which decaffeinating processes is used. As head roaster at Woods Coffee, having such a nuanced palette is part of Hagan’s job. For eight hours a day, he oversees the roasting process. Heat rises off the roaster, wafting with it the toasty aroma of browning beans. “Every coffee is a little different, and so is the roast,” Hagan said. “We’ll roast it to bring out things that are particular to a varietal; to make that varietal shine.” Last month, Hagan’s job got a lot busier. Woods Coffee started roasting all its beans in-house in January, and made the announcement at the end of May. Since the change, fresh roasted beans arrive daily from the distribution center to all 14 of Woods locations around the county. Since the announcement, sales have increased by about 20 percent, said Wes Herman, founder and owner of Woods Coffee. Herman said he waited six months make the roasting announcement so that he wouldn’t skew what people thought about the coffee. Those first six months allowed Herman to get feedback and perfect the roasting process. During that time, Herman said, they only heard positive comments about their coffee. “We shoot for a higher quality than we were releasing previously,” He said. “For the people who really pay close attention,
they know when something changes. Our goal is to produce something that gives them such a great experience that they actually notice.” The improved quality comes from fresher beans and better roasts, Herman said. Herman planned to eventually roast coffee from the beginning of Woods Coffee, 12 years ago. He wanted to control as much of the coffee serving process as he could, he said. His original plan for his coffee chain also included a bakery, which started up four years ago. Roasting got put off, partly because it costs more to start than baking, Herman said. “If I get flour, sugar, water, and I’ve got an oven and a mixer, I can produce baked goods pretty quickly,” He said. “Roasting at the level that we’re doing, we had to bring in more power, the equipment costs were greater, the inventory amounts were greater.” Herman’s investment in roasting equipment is paying off with an increase in sales, but also with a more efficient distribution process. Along with the warehouse space for roasting, Woods Coffee got a distribution center. Previously, paper goods came from one source, baked items came from another source, and roasted coffee came from yet more separate sources. Now, the distribution center delivers all that in one daily delivery. To keep up with increased demand and finish roasting beans before the hottest part of the summer day, Hagan, the head roaster, and co-roaster Chris Forsyth start
WOODS, PAGE 7
7 August 2014
The Bellingham Business Journal
COFFEE
WOODS, FROM 6
work at 4 or 5 a.m. Each 40-pound batch of beans takes about 15 minutes to go from green to brown in the 400 degree roaster. A roast starts when green beans drop into a preheated roaster atop the machine. The room temperature cool the roasting chamber by about 200 degrees. For the next 15 minutes, the temperature in the roaster has to rise constantly and consistently to get a good roast, Hagan said. “You have to be on it,” He said. “We constantly have to be aware of the time and what the temperature is. At any-
Public Records BUSINESS LICENSES
Listings, which feature both new and renewed licenses in Bellingham, include business name, licensee name and the business’s physical address. Records are obtained from the City of Bellingham.
Oltman| S&Vinsurance & Financial Services, Oltman Insurance Agency, Inc, 2417 Meridian St Bellingham, Wa 98225 Bank Of The Pacific, Bank Of The Pacific, 913 Lakeway Dr, Bellingham, WA 98229 Patrick Peyton Punteney, Patrick Peyton Punteney 2334 Huron St, Bellingham, WA 98229 United Way Of Whatcom County, United Way Of Whatcom County 1511 Cornwall Ave Bellingham, WA 98225 Gallery 1215, Rick T Alcantara, 1215 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225 Marcus M Johnson, Architects, Marcus M Johnson, 2020 Prospect Way, Bellingham, WA 98229 Ilene Sue Wailand, Ilene Sue Wailand, 1201 Railroad Ave Bellingham, WA 98225 Brandi Elaine Fairbanks, Brandi Elaine Fairbanks, 2527 Michigan St Bellingham, WA 98226 Chorvat Bookkeeping Service, Mary Kim Chorvat, 2614 St Paul St, Bellingham, WA 98226 Asset Data Services, Kelly Steven Rasset, 3633 W Rusley Dr, Bellingham, WA 98225 Weeks Custom Carpentry, Thomas Aaron Weeks, 1315 Old Samish Rd, Bellingham, WA 98229 Urban Arts Casting & Extras, Russell Lee Harris Jr, 211 Harbor View Dr, Bellingham, WA 98229 Lucky Concrete, Inc, Lucky Concrete, Inc, 3711 Donovan Ave, Bellingham, WA 98229 Rogoz L.M.P., Robert Rogoz ,215 W Holly St, Bellingham, WA 98225 Pegasus Corporation, Pegasus Corporation, 921 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225 Umpqua Bank, Umpqua Bank, 3111 Newmarket St Ste 101, Bellingham, WA 98226 Umpqua Bank, Umpqua Bank, 1128 Finnegan Way Ste 100, Bellingham, WA 98225 Habitat Store Of Bellingham, Habitat For Humanity In Whatcom County, 1825 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225 Rated R Glass, Kevin Allen Ziegler, 2106 Pacific St, Bellingham, WA 98229 Johnson Brothers Surfaces, Inc, Johnson Brothers Surfaces, Inc, 2800 Niagara St, Bellingham, WA 98226 Boyce Wilf, O.D., P.S., Boyce Wilf, O.D., 311 Telegraph Rd, Bellingham, WA 98226 O Skincare Studio, Erin Colleen O’reilly, 1208 Dupont St, Bellingham, WA 98225 Academy For The Healing, Northwest Academy For The Healing Northwest Arts Llc, 1106 Harris Ave Ste 205, Bellingham, WA 98225 Jd Flying Llc, Jd Flying Llc, 1520 Electric Ave, Bellingham, WA 98229 Cableshop Joinery, Peter Galen Hilleary, 2524 Fir St, Bellingham, WA 98226 Creative Stitches, Trudi Etta Rochon, 3035 Cottonwood Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225 CJ Construction, CJ Construction NW, Llc, 2309
time a roast can take off or start a fire.” Next to the roaster, a computer and a pair of screens plots the roaster’s temperature. Automation keeps each roast consistent, Hagan said. After roasting for 15 minutes, the batch of beans drops into a circular cooling bin, where a stainless steel paddle stirs them. This stops the beans from further roasting Hagan began his coffee career making espresso and steaming milk as a barista. After a stint doing quality control work for an Italian coffee company in London, he moved to Portland and learned to roast. When he moved to Bellingham, he started roasting at Moka Joe Coffee, before Moke Joe moved its roasting facility to Anacortes. Taste is Hagan’s passion, and not just for coffee. He also
Eldridge Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225 Scott Jones Apparel Llc, Scott Jones Apparel Llc, 130 S Forest St, Bellingham, WA 98225 Sonicas Perfect Look, Sonica Sharma, 214 Prince Ave, Bellingham, WA 98226 Skagit Valley Acupuncture And Herbs, Skagit Valley Acupuncture And Herbs Llc, 12 Bellwether Way Ste 219, Bellingham, WA 98225 Lindsey Moceri, Lindsey Moceri, 1201 11th St, Ste 101 Bellingham, WA 98225 Megatite Finishes, Ken C Berry, 3208 Peabody St, Bellingham, WA 98225 Whatcom Vape & Smoke Shop, Whatcom Investments Llc, 4220 Meridian St, Bellingham, WA 98226 WPJIM, James Henry Kastelic, 4229 Cedar Hills Ct, Bellingham, WA 98229 Diane Padys Photography, Diane M Padys, 1420 Kentucky St, Bellingham, WA 98229 Atl Industries Llc, Atl Industries Llc, 2018 Iron St Ste A, Bellingham, WA 98225 Bold I Media, Mitchell Douglas Britt, 2106 Harris Ave Apt 4, Bellingham, WA 98225 Ks Travel And Cruise, Katharine Swanson, 1200 Harris Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225 Meg Alexande,r Meg Alexander, 2423 Utter St, Bellingham, WA 98225 Pizza Time, H.A.T. Pie Inc, 505 32nd St, Bellingham, WA 98225 Amy Jensen, P.C., Amy Jensen, P.C., 1200 Lakeway Dr Ste 5, Bellingham, WA 98229 Declaring Zion, Deborah Sue Cohen, 508 Darby Dr, Bellingham, WA 98226 Daylight Bookkeeping, Tyler Owen Hamilton, 2690 Alderwood Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225 Red Barn Jewelry, Red Barn Jewelry Llc, 2 Prospect St, Bellingham, WA 98225 Elemental Massage NW, Shannon Marie Dickson, 2623 Humboldt St, Bellingham, WA 98225 VC Builder Llc, VC Builder Llc, 29 Spring Rd, Bellingham, WA 98229 Gtech, J Sinclair Inc, 456 W Horton Rd, Bellingham, WA 98226 Crisann Lie Trick, Crisann Lie Trick 1014 12thst, Bellingham, WA 98225 Crescendo Chocolate, Crescendo Chocolate Llc, 4055 Hammer Dr, Bellingham WA 98226 Duncan Robb Boatworks, Inc, Duncan Robb Boatworks Inc, 1001 C St, Bellingham, WA 98225 Mt. Baker Gardens, Mt. Baker Gardens Llc, 5497 Guide Meridian, Bellingham, WA 98226 Forge Your Life, Forge Your Life, 1512 Fairview St, Bellingham, WA 98229 O’Daniel’s Painting Services Llc, O’Daniel’s Painting Services Llc, 3255 Racine St, Bellingham, WA 98226 C & E Construction, C & E Construction Llc, 2618 Undine St, Bellingham, WA 98226 Coats Law, Pllc, Coats Law, Pllc, 114 W Magnolia St, Ste 433, Bellingham, WA 98225 Mad Batter Cupcakes and Confections Llc, Mad Batter Cupcakes and Confections Llc, 1005 Harris Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225 Bellhaven Yacht Sales And Charters, Inc,
Bellhaven Yacht Sales And Charters, Inc, 714 Coho Way, Bellingham, WA 98225 Palakika2 Llc, Palakika2 Llc, 4018 Northwest Ave, Bellingham, WA, 98226. Meridian Collision Bellingham Wa, Inc, Meridian Collision Bellingham Wa Inc, 2529 Meridian St, Bellingham, WA 98225 Campus Crest Construction, Inc. Campus Crest Construction, 800 Viking Cir, Bellingham, WA 98229 B&J Fiberglass Company, Jabberwocky Composites Llc, 1001 C St Bellingham, WA 98225 Theresa Waters, ARNP Pllc, Theresa Waters, ARNP, Pllc, 1108 11th St, Bellingham, WA 98225 Dynamic Insurance Services Inc, Dynamic Insurance Services Inc, 204 N Commercial St, Bellingham, WA 98225 GJB North Llc, GJB North Llc, 1540 E Maryland St, Bellingham, WA 98226 Original Light Llc, Original Light Llc, 1029 Slater Rd, Bellingham, WA 98226 Delta Forest Products U.S. Ltd, Delta Forest Products U.S. Ltd, 1200 Dupont St Ste 2-E, Bellingham, WA 98225 J.Ans. Smith Law Firm Llc, J.Ans. Smith Law Firm Llc, 1828 Franklin St, Bellingham, WA 98225 Great Horse Teas, Katrina Jeanzaiens Buckman, 1200 Harris Ave Ste 111, Bellingham, WA 98225 Collectibles Into Cash, Collectibles Into Cash Llc, 2505 Cedarwood Ave Ste B, Bellingham, WA 98225 Cannabis King Gardens Llc, Cannabis King Gardens Llc, 2134 Pacific St, Bellingham, WA 98229 Matthew Meyer, MC, Lmhc, Inc, Matthew Meyer, Mc, Lmhc, Inc, 1101 Harris Ave Ste 25, Bellingham, WA 98225 Indian Flavors, Rg Bahia Llc, 3930 Meridian St Ste 107, Bellingham, WA 98226 Stoked, Stoked Llc, 2093 Firelane Rd, Bellingham, WA 98229 Orca Oceanic Diving And Photography, Orca Oceanic Diving And Photography, 2821 Meridian St, Bellingham, WA 98225 Erin Norman, Erin Norman, 600 S State St, Bellingham, WA 98225 Julia Mullenix Massage Therapist, Julia Mullenix, 115 Unity St, Bellingham, WA 98225 Dupont Street Llc, Dupont Street Llc, 1001 Dupont St, Bellingham, WA 98225 Sarah Louise Batten, Sarah Louise Batten, 2632 Humboldt St, Bellingham, WA 98225 Cordata P.T.A., Cordata P.T.A., 4420 Aldrich Rd, Bellingham, WA 98226 The Koi Cafe, Kings Bakery And Brew Llc, 1203 N State St Bellingham, WA 98225 Fifty12 Design, Michael Andrew Bryant, 2516 Racine St, Bellingham,WA 98226 The Hive, Make Do Learn Llc, 219 Texas St, Bellingham, WA 98225 Plumage Apparel, Pat Tolton, 1411 Humboldt St, Bellingham, WA 98225 J.L.J Consulting, Wayne L Johnson, 2227 King S,t Bellingham, WA 98225 Maid To Shine, Reyna Munn, 1215 Texas St, Bellingham, WA 98229 Katherine R Kvamme, Katherine R Kvamme, 4260 Cordata Pkwy Bellingham, WA 98226
owns and works at the Redlight Bar on State Street. Herman said Hagan was a crucial element to roasting coffee in-house. “We felt we had to have a very strong team led by someone who really knew what they were doing,” Herman said. “We were fortunate to have someone like that right here in Bellingham. Herman said Woods Coffee will offer cupping and tasting courses soon, and he hopes to open a store in Skagit County this year. As for Herman’s original goal of controlling as much of the process as possible? “The only thing left for us is to own our own cows,” he jokes.
Left Field Organizing Llc, Left Field Organizing Llc, 2320 Williams St, Bellingham, WA 98225 TCI Investments Llc, TCI Investments Llc, 2009 Iron St, Bellingham, WA 98225 Zingo, Zingo Llc, 4631 Quinn Ct, Bellingham, WA 98226 Eco Bloom Llc, Eco Bloom Llc, 914 12th St, Bellingham, WA 98225 Summer Cushman, Summer Cushman, 2110 G S,t Bellingham, WA 98225 Eye Pilot Inc, Eye Pilot In,c 1132 19th St ,Bellingham, WA 98225 Powell Business Services Llc, Powell Business Solutions Llc, 809 Salmonberry Ln, Bellingham, WA 98229 Michelle Mitchell Photography, Michelle Marie Mitchell, 2635 Patton St, Bellingham, WA 98225 Editing And Writing By M. Shoup, Mary Kathleen Shoup, 2305 Douglas Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225 Cassandra Mary Devries, Cassandramary Devries, 1090 Van Wyck Rd, Bellingham, WA 98226 Goji 4260, Goji Corporation, Cordata Parkway #105, Bellingham, WA 98226 Marli Williams Consulting, Marli Williams Consulting, 1150 Franklin St, Bellingham, WA 98225 Ashley & Vance Engineering Inc, Ashley & Vance Engineering Inc, 2935 Madrona St, Bellingham, WA 98225 Mary Goit Consulting Inc, Mary Camille Goit, 336 36th St, Bellingham, WA 98225 Vacationland Developments Llc, Vacationland Developments Llc, 3127 Alderwood Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225 Harvey William Fox, Harvey William Fox, 1440 Lowe Ave, Bellingham, WA 98229 Ryan Wigg, Ryan Wigg, 3442 Abbott St, Bellingham, WA 98225 Amethyst Interactive, Kyle Renninger, 2097 Wildflower Ct, Bellingham, WA 98229 Strategic Insights of Washington Inc, Strategic Insights Inc, 1440 10th St, Bellingham, WA 98225 Kinder Theater Playhouse, King’s Castle Learning Center, 920 24th St Bellingham, WA 98225 Filp Painting, Filp Painting, 4520 Glen Meadows Pl, Bellingham, WA 98226 Stef’s Art House, Stef’s Art House, 14 Lost Fork Ln, Bellingham, WA 98229 Forget Me Not Salon And Spa Llc, Forget Me Not Salon And Spa Llc, 112 Ohio St Ste 202, Bellingham, WA 98225 Through Life Stages: Professional Counseling, Isabel Kaufman, 1805 Lakeside Services Ave, Bellingham, WA 98229 Balance Accounting Services, Rebecca Merris, 3030 Cascade Pl, Bellingham, WA 98229 Kell’s Cleaning Service, Kell’s Irish Cleaning Co, 1117 Ellis St, Bellingham, WA 98225 Eb Garden Services, Eliseo Bautista-Chavez, 119 N Samish Way, Bellingham, WA 98225 Wallace Repair Remodel Maintenance, Wallace Repair Remodel Maintenance llc, 3807 Spring Coulee Rd Bellingham, WA 98226 Nancy Leavitt Insurance Agency, Nancy Leavitt Insurance Agency Llc, 3031 Orleans St, Bellingham, WA 98226
Everlast Home Energy Solutions, Gdfriend Inc, 4120 Meridian St, Bellingham, WA 98226 Trifecta, Trifecta Llc, 263 Kline Rd, Bellingham, WA 98226 Sarah M Gammons-Reese, Sarah M GammonsReese, 1155 N State St, Bellingham, WA 98225 J’s Prime Painting, J’s Prime Painting Llc, 49 N Point Dr, Bellingham, WA 98229 Chris Grabber Construction, Christopher John Grabber, 1714 Grant St, Bellingham, WA 98225 Mandy’s Pet & Sit , Amanda Ruth Kost, 3868 Primrose Ln, Bellingham, WA 98226 University Landscape, Andrew Boyd Swisher, 1121 22nd St, Bellingham, WA 98225 BR Solutions Llc, BR Solutions Llc, 2623 James St, Bellingham, WA 98225 Jo’s Java Llc, Jo’s Java Llc, 1594 Hwy 99 N, Bellingham, WA 98229 Alive Potential, Tanya Rehder, 5390 Belfern Dr, Bellingham, WA 98226 Chanan Suarez, Chanan Suarez, 680 32nd St, Bellingham, WA 98225
BUILDING PERMITS Includes commercial building activity in Bellingham with an estimated valuation listed at $10,000 or more. Records are obtained from the City of Bellingham’s Permit Center.
6/23/14 to 6/27/14 Issued permits 119 N Commercial St. (14th and 15th floor), $150,000 for commercial tenant improvement: remodel of old restaurant space into seven office suites. Permit No.: BLD2014-00184. 6/23/14. 241 W. Kellogg Road (Whatcom Community College), $3.615.544 for partial demolition, renovation and addition to Whatcom Community College gym, remove thru traffic from Kellogg to parking lot and install circular drop-off. Permit No.: BLD2014-00008. 6/23/14. 5096 Festival Blvd., $107,864 for multifamily: Building enclosure repairs to include siding, trim, flashing and repaint building. Permit No.: BLD201400312. 6/24/14. 5090 Festival Blvd., $106,937 for enclosure repairs to include siding, trim, flashing and repainting multifamily building. Permit No.: BLD2014-00311. 6/24/14. 5084 Festival Blvd., $98,946 for enclosure repairs to include siding, trim, flashing and repainting multifamily building. Permit No.: BLD2014-00310. 6/24/14. 5076 Festival Blvd., $97,328 for enclosure repairs to include siding, trim, flashing and repainting multifamily building. Permit No.: BLD2014-00309. 6/24/14. 5064 Festival Blvd., $82,522 for enclosure repairs to include siding, trim, flashing and repainting multifamily building. Permit No.: BLD2014-00308. 6/24/14. 5056 Festival Blvd., $54,436 for enclosure repairs to include siding, trim, flashing and repainting
RECORDS, PAGE 8
8 August 2014
RECORDS, FROM 7
multifamily building. Permit No.: BLD201400307. 6/24/14. 5050 Festival Blvd., [no valuation listed] for enclosure repairs to include siding, trim, flashing and repainting multifamily building. Permit No.: BLD2014-00306. 6/24/14. 5046 Festival Blvd., [no valuation listed] for enclosure repairs to include siding, trim, flashing and repainting multifamily building. Permit No.: BLD2014-00305. 6/24/14 5030 Festival Blvd., $107,864 for enclosure repairs to include siding, trim, flashing and repainting multifamily building. Permit No.: BLD2014-00304. 6/24/14. 5020 Festival Blvd., $107,864 for enclosure repairs to include siding, trim, flashing and repainting multifamily building. Permit No.: BLD2014-00303. 6/24/14. 5010 Festival Blvd. $107,864 for enclosure repairs to include siding, trim, flashing and repainting multifamily building. Permit No.: BLD2014-00301. 6/24/14. 1200 Harris Ave. 310, $75,000 for tenant improvement: Improvements to kitchen, infill half of double door and new finishes in kitchen area. Permit No.: BLD2014-00316. 6/25/14. 805 W. Orchard Dr. 6, $14,000 for tenant improvement: Remodel offices in tenant space: Terra Power Systems. Permit No.: BLD2014-00281. 6/25/14. 2900 Yew St. (Roosevelt Middle School), $20,000 for new portable classroom at Roosevelt Elementary School. Permit No.: BLD2014-00258. 6/25/14 . 3102 Newmarket St., $460,000 for tenant improvement: new retail bank and lending offices includes new partial 2nd floor. Permit No.: BLD201400216. 6/25/14. 1815 Ellis St., $87,451 for demolishing existing structure and installing new pre-fabricated bridge and chain link fence. Permit No.: BLD201400154. 6/25/14. 233 W. Kellogg Road, $540,000 for commercial: interior remodel of approximately 5,988 square feet in Baker Hall classrooms and lab space. Permit No.: BLD2014-00153. 6/25/14. 557 W. Bakerview Road, $75,000 for construction of concrete stormwater vault. Permit No.: BLD201400059. 6/26/14. 200 E Maple St. 103, $50,000 for tenant improvement: Complete shell space for offices. Permit No.: BLD2014-00319. 6/26/14. 1600 Cornwall Ave., $25,000 for commercial: repair water damaged plywood and framing maintenance and repair. Permit No.: BLD201400324. 6/27/14. Pending Applications 557 W. Bakerview Road, $2,776,759 for new mixed-use development with 42 unit apartment building and three commercial spaces. Permit No.: BLD2014-00057. 6/24/2014. 2020 Humboldt St., $34,500 for commercial addition: 576 square-foot one story addition to bakery facility. Permit No.: BLD2014-00318. 6/26/14. 2126 E. Bakerview Road, $200,000 for commercial: renovation and addition to existing industrial building. Permit No.: BLD2014 - 00118. 6/26/14. 2124 E. Bakerview Road, $200,000 for renocation and addition to existing industrial building: Arrow Marine Services. Permit No.: BLD2014-00117. 6/26/14. 2979 Squalicum Parkway 303, $350,000 for tenant improvement: remodel of existing medical office. Permit No.: BLD2014-00323. 6/27/2014. 3110 Woburn St. 103, $160,000 for tenant improvement: New partition walls, ceiling, and finishes for administration office: Peoples Bank. Permit No.: BLD2014-00321. 6/27/14. 1001 Squalicum Way, $54,540 to erect new premanufactured bleachers at Squalicum Creek park. Permit No.: BLD2014-00320. 6/27/14. 1 Bellis Fair Parkway 204, $10,000 for commercial: racking: Lane Bryant. Permit No. BLD2014-00220. 6/27/14. 4051 Meridian St., $29,876 to install new internally illuminated monument sign for Oxford Suites. Permit No.: BLD2014-0060. 6/27/14. 6/26/14 to 7/3/14.
The Bellingham Business Journal
Issued permits 104 E Maple St., $40,000 for commercial: Replace existing composite roof with new metal roof. Permit No.:BLD2014-00325. 6/30/14. 807 Harris Ave., $114,000 for Commercial: replace timber decking, bracing, bull rail, and pile caps. Install two new beams. Maintenance and structural upgrade on existing dock/pier. Contractor: Orion Marine Contractors. Permit No.:BLD2014-00266. 6/30/14. 3016 Lindbergh Ave, . $390,000 for tenant improvement: interior remodel of classroom to dental reception and waiting area. Addition of mechanical room and exterior doors: dental clinic. Contractor: Axthelm Construction. Permit No.: BLD2014-00148. 6/30/14. 6 Bellis Fair Parkway, $1,250,000 for tenant improvement: new restaurant tenant includes new storefront: Buffalo Wild Wings. Contractor: Hilbers Inc., Permit No.: BLD2014-00129. 6/30/14. 1001 Squalicum Way, $20,000 for commercial: install prefabricated metal shelter at dog off leash area. Contractor: Strider Construction Co. Inc. Permit No.: BLD2014-00297. 7/1/14. 1 Bellis Fair Parkway, $269,708 for tenant improvement: renovate space for new retail tenant: Kitchen Collection. Contractor: Quantum Construction Inc. Permit No.: BLD2014-00296. 7/1/14. 855 Viking Circle South Vault, $75,590 for new 50-by-20-foot detention vault for multifamily development. Contractor: Campus Crest Construction. Permit No.: BLD2014-00284. 7/3/14. 855 Viking Circle North Vault, $105,826 for new 70-by-20-foot detention vault for multifamily development, Contractor: Campus Crest Construction. Permit No.: BLD2014-00283. 7/3/14. Pending applications 1600 Birchwood Ave., $45,000 for commercial alterations: replace cladding over T-11 siding and stone veneer, replace aluminum window or infill. Permit No.: BLD2014-00327. 7/2/14. 107 Chuckanut Drive N., $31,000 for commercial: interior remodel and porch addition as well as parking modifications. Permit No.: BLD2014-00326. 7/2/14. 1001 Squalicum Way, $55,000 for: install unisex manufactured restroom building at Squalicum Creek Park phase 3 expansion. Permit No.: BLD2014-00262. 7/3/14. 1538 Kentucky St., $395,000 for tenant improvement: new brewery production and tasting room in existing warehouse building. Permit No.: BLD2014-00176. 7/3/14. 3825 Primrose Lane, $2,334,283 for new fourstory, 28-unit multifamily building. Permit No.: BLD2014-00330. 7/3/14. 4369 Meridian St., $ 309,837 for new commercial Shell building. Contractor: Com-Steel LLC. Permit No.: BLD2014-00364. 7/3/14. 7/7/14 to 7/11/14 Issued permits 2407 Princeton Court. $32,325, multifamily: remove and replace footings with new concrete piers and pin piles on east side decks. Contractor: Foundation Restoration LLC. Permit No.: BLD201400253. 7/7/14. 2400 Princeton Court. $34,025, multifamily: remove and replace footings with new concrete piers and pin piles for decks on east side. Contractor: Foundation Restoration LLC. Permit No.: BLD201400252. 7/7/14. 2018 Iron St., 101, [No calculated valuation], tenant improvement: divide building into two tenant spaces, minor changes to suite 101 for marijuana retail. Contractor: Dynamic Plumbing heating and electrical. Permit No.: BLD2014-00275. 7/8/14. 3505 Larrabee Ave., [No calculated valuation], final planning inspection on landscaping for expired permit. Permit No.: BLD2014-00342. 7/9/14. 607 E. Holly St., 108, [No calculated valuation], occupancy reciew: modifying studio apartment 108 into office space. All modifications will be done with temporarary partition walls. No modification to kitchen or bath. Contractor: Trico Contracting inc.. Permit No.: BLD2014-00092. 7/9/14. 516 High St., (Western Washington University), $245,000 for commercial: reroof portion of the performing arts center. Contractor: Dawson Construction Inc. Permit No.: BLD2014-00270. 7/10/14 311 Grand Ave., $850,000 for tenant improvement:
Office renovation on 2nd floor and court room and office renovations to fifth floor. Contractor: Faber Construction Corp. Permit No.: BLD2014-00067. 7/10/14 2837 W. Maplewood Ave., $650,025 for new four-unit townhouses building and surface parking. Contractor: Moceri Construction Inc. Permit No.: BLD2014-00355. 7/10/14 3110 Woburn St., 103, $160,000 for tenant improvement: New partition walls, ceilings, and finishes for administration office: Peoples Bank. Contractor: Pearson Construction Corp. Permit No.: BLD2014-00321. 7/11/14. 3815-21 Primrose Lane, $65,000 for construction of Allan block retaining wall between future buildings D 93821) and E (3815) of apartment complex. Contractor: Minergy Inc. Permit No.: BLD2014-00248. 7/11/14. 1511 Kentucky St., [No valuation listed] for commercial alteration: Enclose portion of existing mezzanine level for office and storage closet: X-fire. Contractor: X-Fire. BLD2014-00192. 7/11/14. 1122 Cornwall Ave., $3,997,555 for new fourstory, 42 unit affordable housing mixed use building. Contractor: Dawson Construction Inc. Permit No.: BLD2013-00309. 7/11/14. 3500 Meridian St. $30,000 for commercial: remove existing sign cabinets and replace with new EMC. Contractor: Signs Plus Inc. Permit No.: SGN2014-00059. 7/10/14. Pending applications 855 Viking Circle North Vault, $285,000 for new 110-by-40-foot detention vault for multifamily development. Permit No.: BLD2014-00337. 7/7/14. 855 Viking Circle North Vault, $165,000 for new 100-by-20-foot detention vault for multifamily development. Permit No.: BLD2014-00336. 7/7/14. 2720 W. Maplewood Ave., $460,509 for new two-story six-unit multifamily building. Contractor: Z Construction Inc. Permit No.: BLD2014-00334. 7/7/14. 2720 W. Maplewood Ave., $460,509 for new two-story six-unit multifamily building. Contractor: Z Construction Inc. Permit No.: BLD2014-00333. 7/7/14. 2720 W. Maplewood Ave., $460,509 for new two-story six-unit multifamily building. Contractor: Z Construction Inc. Permit No.: BLD2014-00332. 7/7/14. 2720 W. Maplewood Ave., $460,509 for new two-story six-unit multifamily building. Contractor: Z Construction Inc. Permit No.: BLD2014-00331. 7/7/14. 4131 Hannegan Road 101, $185,000 for tenant improvement: combine two spaces for new butcher shop with offices and retail storefront. Permit No.: BLD2014-00205. 7/8/14 2410 James St., $99,000 for tenant improvement: expansion to adjacent space for stock and employee break area. Permit No.: BLD2014-00339. 7/8/14. 2420 James St., $48,000 for commercial alteration: divide space in preparation for future tenant improvements. Contractor: The Franklin Corporation. Permit No.: BLD2014-00338. 7/8/14. 3963 Primrose Lane, $1,170,000for new threestory 15 unit apartment building including all site utilities and paving. Permit No.: BLD2014-00236. 7/9/14. 805 Home Lane, $80,000 for new hotel: construction of swimming pool and spa: Hilton. Permit No.: BLD2014-00163. 7/9/14. 516 High St. ( Western Washington University), $422,161 for commercial: 3,504 square foot addition to existing toilet room building comprised of locker rooms, storage and future restrooms. Permit No.: BLD2014-00345. 7/11/14. 2417 Meridian St. 104, $12,000 for replacing two wall signs and 1 building sign, same location as existing signs. Contractor: Meyer Sign/Advertising Company Inc. Permit No.: SGN2014-00063. 7/9/14. 7/14/14 to 7/18/14 Issued permits 1275 E. Sunset Drive, $4,058,213 for tenant improvement: exterior building facade modifications and interior remodel of grocery store for new tenant. Tenant: Safeway Inc. Contractor: Robertson and Olson Construction Inc. Permit No.:BLD2013-00600. 7/14/14. 916 Kentucky Street, [no listed valuation] for tenant improvement: construct restroom in existing warehouse. Contractor: Hunter Bay Construction LLC, Permit No.:BLD2014-00349.7/18/14.
2417 Meridian St. 104, $12,000 for replacing two wall signs and one blade sign, same location as existing signs. Contractor: Meyer Sign/Advertising Company Inc. Permit No.: SGN2014-00063. 7/15/14. Pending Applications 355 Harris Ave., $232,000 for commercial: repair/ replace steel and hoisting components to the passenger ramp and repair concrete counter weight on vehicle ramp. Permit No.: BLD2014-00352. /17/14. 2202 Electric Ave., $185,101 for commercial: new unheated storage building for Whatcom Rowing Association. Permit No.: BLD2013-00460. 7/17/14. 1407 Commercial St., $190,000 for tenant improvement: remodel of second floor interior for ADA upgrades and space modifications for additional offices. Permit No.: BLD2014-00356. 7/18/14. 2117 Walnut St., $159,000 for commercial: New terrace and columbarium walls and landscaping. Permit No.: BLD2014-00227. 7/18/14. 1120 13th St., $442,000 for new duplex (deferred system development charges). Permit No.: CMB201400180. 7/14/14. 1804 Iowa St. $25,000 for commercial: Install three wall signs and one pole sign. Contractor: Meyer Sign/Advertising Company Inc. Permit No.: SGN201400067. 7/17/14.
LIQUOR/MARIJUANA LICENSES
Records include license activity in Whatcom County. They are obtained from the Washington State Liquor Control Board. 6/19/14 to 7/15/14. New license applications Milano’s, Milano’s Inc; David M. Reera applied for an assumption of an existing license to sell beer and wine in a restaurant and off premises, and also to operate as a direct shipment receiver. 9990 Mount Baker Highway, Glacier, WA 98224. License No.: 076246. 7/15/14. Taquiria Tecalitan, Juan and Olivia Carrillo applied for a new license to serve beer/wine in a restaurant. 1263 Barkley blvd. Suite 101, Bellingham, WA 98226. License No.: 409866. 7/11/14. Pho & More, JS Gold Monkey Inc., Jin Won Soung applied for a new license to serve beer/wine in a restaurant. 4285 Meridian St. Suite 102d, Bellingham, WA 98226. License No.: 404311. 7/8/14. Indi Thai Restaurant, Indi Thai Inc; Dilawar Singh applied for a new license to serve spirits/beer/wine in a restaurant and lounge. 505 32nd St., Bellingham, WA 98225. License No.: 418264. 7/8/14. Indian Flavors, RG Bahia LLC.; Gurdeep Kaur and Rurh Singh applied for a new license to serve spirits/beer/wine in a restaurant and loundge. 3930 Meridian St. Suite 107, Bellingham, WA 98226. License No.: 072758. 6/27/14. Portal Way Station, MSJM Enterprises Inc.; Lakhwinder S. Mahli and Rajvinder Kaur Mahli applied for a change to the privilege of a current liquor license to serve beer/wine in a restaurant and off premises. 6000 Portal Way, Ferndale, WA 98249. License No.: 350248. 6/26/14. Quick E Mart, Ferndale Quick E Mart LLC; Amritpal Singh Sidhu, applied for a new license to serve beer/ wine and refill growlers in a specialty shop. 6105 Portal Way, Ferndale WA 98248. License No.: 402841. 6/25/14. Fanatik Bike, Fanatik Bike Co.; Kathy and Mark Salisbury applied for a new license to sell candy containing liquor in a snack bar. 1812 N. State St.k Bellingham, WA 98225. License No.: 418199. 6/24/14. Recently approved applications Beach Store Cafe, 2200 Nugent Road, Lummi Island, WA 98262, received approval to change privileges to an existing license to sell beer/wine/ spirits in a restaurant lounge. License No.: 076795. 7/15/14/ Quick E Mart, 6105 Portal Way, Ferndale, WA 98248, received approval for an assumption to an existing license to sell beer/wine in a grocery store. License No.: 402841. 7/15/14. Liquor and Tobacco, 1873 Main St. suite 5, Ferndale WA 98248 received approval for a change of corporate officer to an existing license. License No.: 410023. 7/9/14. The Local, 1427 Railroad Ave., Bellingham, WA 98225, received approval for an addition and change to the current privileges of an existing license to sell beer/wine in a restaurant. License No.:400974.
7/9/14. 2020 Solutions, 2018 Iron St. Suite A, Bellingham, WA 98226, received approval on a new application to operate as a marijuana retailer. License No. 415470. 7/6/14. Top Shelf Cannabis, 3863 Hannegan Road, Bellingham, WA 98226, received approval on a new application to operate as a marijuana retailer. License No. 414256. 7/6/14. Hannegan Speedway, 4212 Hannegan Road, Bellingham, WA 98226, received approval on a sports/entertainment facility license. License No. 359573. 7/2/14. Discontinued licenses El Alazan y el Rocio, 1538 Birchwood Ave., Suite B, Bellingham, WA 98225, had a license to sell spirits/beer/wine in a restaurant and service bar discontinued. License No.: 078921. 7/11/14. Shrimp Shack, 1200 Cornwall Ave., Bellingham, WA 98225, had a license to sell beer/wine in a restaurant discontinued. License No.: 084811. 7/11/14. Smokin’ Sam’s, 300 Sunset Dr. E., Bellingham, WA 98225, had a license to sell beer/wine in a grocery store discontinued. License No.: 352701. 7/714. Dashi Noodle Bar, 1311 N. State St. Bellingham, WA 98225, had a license to sell beer/wine in a restaurant discontinued. License No. 410072. 6/19/14. The Market at Lakeway, 1030 Lakeway Dr., Bellingham, WA 98229, had a license to sell beer/ wine in a grocery store discontinued. License No.: 358743. 6/19/2014
BANKRUPTCIES No business bankruptcies from Whatcom County were reported last month.
FEDERAL TAX LIENS Liens of $5,000 or more issued by the Internal Revenue Service. Listings include business name, lien amount, document number and filing date. Records are obtained locally from the Whatcom County Auditor’s Office. Copper Hog LLC, $401,631.51, 2140602161, 6/23/14. Lori A. Erickson, $28,313, 2140602160, 6/23/14. Paul J. Nelson $32,292.13, 2140603037, 6/30/14. Harley M. Steven, $38,153.79, 2140603038, 6/30/14. NY Holding Inc, $279,213.52, 2140603040, 6.30.14.
STATE TAX JUDGMENTS Judgments of $5,000 or more issued by Washington state government agencies and filed locally in Whatcom County Superior Court. Listings include business name, judgment amount, the state agency filing the judgment, originating case number and filing date. Judgments can later be paid and lifted. Listings are only current as of their filing dates. Records are obtained from the Whatcom County Superior Court Clerk’s Office. CFH Investments Llc, $20,167.87, Vision Landscape and Irrigation, $6,998.40, Revenue, 14-9-01805-5, 7/9/14. Diller Construction Enterprises, $8,328.26, Revenue, 14-9-017777-6, 7/8/14. Heritage Building Company, $26,278.69, L&I, 14-9-01787-3, 7/8/14. Walkers Flooring and Interiors, $41,639.68, L&I, 14-9-01789-0, 7/8/14. Brian’s Underground Inc, $6,833.90, Revenue, 14-9-01758-0, 7/3/14. The Royal Inn Inc, $9,194.75, Revenue, 14-901763-6, 7/3/14. Milt’s Pizza Place LLC, $18,681.53, Revenue, 14-901765-2, 7/3/14. Platinum Builders, $6,545.24, Employment Security Department, 14-0-01730-0, 6/27/14. Dan’s Automotive LLC, $10,783.03, Revenue, 14-2-011551, 5/19/14.
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Board, which regulates marijuana, has approved more then 40 producer and processor licenses since July 8. In that time, the board has approved five retailer applications, according to its website. Despite the cost, Lauren Christensen said she prefers buying legally. The Bellingham mother of three said buying on the black market makes her feel anxious. “That’s why I’m here buying it today,” Christensen said outside of Top Shelf Cannabis. “I respect what these folks have done and I respect the law. They’ve provided us with a safe, legal market even though the prices are a little high.” Christensen was also impressed with the information available about Top Shelf ’s products. The back of each package details when the plant was harvested and tested, where it grew, the percentage of THC and CBD, and the moisture content. “On the street, I don’t know what it’s laced with,” Christensen said. “I know that this stuff is pure.” For Richy Prason a Bellingham resident who is already a regular at Top Shelf Cannabis, not having to look over his shoulder while buying is one benefit to retail marijuana, he said. But more importantly for him, retail shops provide a choice of strains. One day when he visited Top Shelf, he had a choice between 11 strains, including Strawberry Sour Diesel, Grape Ape, and Platinum Girl Scout Cookies. At 2020 Solutions, customers also said they preferred buying legally. “We definitely feel more comfortable coming into the store and having everything be legal,” Maria Grenwood said. James Atwell browsed 2020 Solutions for a minute before leaving empty-handed. He told an employee that the store’s marijuana was out of his price range. “I’d definitely rather buy it legally, but it’s just a little pricey,” he said. The fee for a marijuana retailer, producer, or processor license is $250, and they cost $1,000 to renew. Each transaction during the production process - producer to processor, processor to retailer, and retailer to customer - is taxed 25 percent. As of July 24, the state was slated to collect $403,008 from I-502, according to Mikhail Car-
penter, spokesperson for the state Liquor Control Board. That money goes into a dedicated fund. Every three months, $1,250,000 will go to the state Liquor Control Board for administrative costs. The rest will go to a variety of state agencies, including the University of Washington Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute, the state Department of Social and Health Services, and the state Department of Health. The state Liquor Control Board is reviewing the first legal edibles, said Brian Smith, agency spokesperson. The state board released rules July 18 that alow retailers to sell marijuana in cookies, brownies and other approved baked goods, but not in candy or items that might appeal to children. Top Shelf expects to stock edibles soon. “We have an exciting announcement in the next little while regarding edibles,” Henifin, the store manager said. “We don’t know when but it will be soon.”
Working with marijuana
The legal business: expecting a boom
The Illegal business: still strong
BY OLIVER LAZENBY
BY OLIVER LAZENBY
THE BELLINGHAM BUSINESS JOURNAL
THE BELLINGHAM BUSINESS JOURNAL
In June, Sigrid Williams’ job would have made her a felon. Williams, a store manager at Top Shelf Cannabis, said she worried people would judge her for working at a marijuana store. But her friends and family have been supportive of her new career, she said. “It’s been totally fine,” she said. “My grandpa is even fine with it.” A former teacher called to congratulate her on the job after seeing her name in the news. Zack Henifin, another manager at Top Shelf Cannabis, got into selling legal weed because he thinks the industry has a bright future. The 2012 Western Washington University graduate isn’t afraid of unusual career choices. He played in professional basketball leagues in Romania and Australia after graduating. “I didn’t know a single person there,” Henifin said. “I found out about [the league], I packed my bag, and I was gone two weeks later.” Working in the legal weed industry gives Henifin a similar feeling of nervousness and excitement, he said. “The reason I wanted to work here is because I knew this was going to be a booming industry,” he said. “It’s possibly the dot-com of our era.”
One unregulated pot dealer who wanted to remain anonymous said retail stores haven’t cut into his business. “I’m still selling faster than I can dry it,” he said. “Right now the reason people come over to my place is because it’s less expensive.” He said he has more experience growing and selling the plant than most in the legal industry. “I find it interesting that there are people in the business who have never smoked a bowl,” he said. “They have no business selling it.” Brian Smith, spokesperson for the state Liquor Control Board, said he expects regulated marijuana sales to supplant most of the black market. “The street market has been in place for 100 years,” he said. “We can’t expect it to disappear in three weeks.” What Smith calls the gray market - medical patients selling legally obtained marijuana to people who aren’t medical patients - might be more challenging to eliminate. Gray market growers and dealers have little of the risk that black market producers do, and they don’t pay taxes on their product. “The gray market is certainly an issue the legislature is going to address,” Smith said.
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WEED, FROM 1
10 August 2014
The Bellingham Business Journal
Camel Safari: breeding and training camels in Whatcom County BY OLIVER LAZENBY THE BELLINGHAM BUSINESS JOURNAL
Camel Safari owner Guy Seeklus pets a Bactrian camel named Doha. Doha is one of 25 camels at the Whatcom County farm. OLIVER LAZENBY | THE BELLINGHAM BUSINESS JOURNAL
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There’s two ways to make it in the business world, according to Guy Seeklus’ philosophy. Either produce something common at a lower price than anyone else, or do something different; something with no competition. Seeklus, the energetic owner of a 105-acre camel farm northeast of Bellingham, chose the latter. Seeklus raises and breeds camels at Camel Safari on 5435 Sand Road. Farm guests can ride camels and tour the farm and facility which includes 25 camels and several alpacas, horses, goats, and farm dogs. Camel Safari also hosts business retreats andoffers Segway rides and tours. Families come daily for tours, even though Seeklus hasn’t spent a dollar on advertising since opening in June 2013. Seeklus is shopping for a ranch outside of Las Vegas, where he wants to move half his camel herd by this winter. There, he’ll shuttle Las Vegas tourists to his property to ride and learn about the enormous ungulates. “Frankly, I would have never dreamt this was even achievable,” Seeklus said. “I just couldn’t believe how these animals were so giant, and yet so passive and mellow.” Seeklus’ electric golf cart
Camel Safari
Where: 5435 Sand Road, Bell-
ingham
What: Camel encounters, camel
rides, and segway tours When: Everyday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cost: Cost for visiting the farm ranges from $25 per person for a camel encounter to $99 per person for a standard camel ride, to $175 per person for a premium camel encounter and segway tour. More information: at camelsafari.com
buzzes as he drives around his farm in a tan safari shirt. He stops to kiss and scratch his camels. He knows all 25 by name, and some even come when he calls, their powerful legs moving in long, slow strides. Seeklus raises both Bactrian and dromedary camels. Dromedaries have one hump and are native to India, Africa and the Middle East. Bactrian camels are sturdier, with two humps. They’re native to the rocky deserts of Central and East Asia, which have more extreme temperatures than the dromedaries’ native habitat. Seeklus’ Bactrian camels will live to be 40 or 50 years old, and can reach 7.5 feet tall at their humps. They tromp around the
CAMELS, PAGE 15
The Bellingham Business Journal
August 2014 11
The Bellingham Business Journal
August 2014
PORT NEWS Port Awarded Industrial Redevelopment Grant Sponsored content provided by Port of Bellingham
Grant Will Fund Waterfront District Market Study to Target Job-Creating Industries
A
s the Port plans for the future of the former Georgia Pacific Mill site, now known as the Waterfront District, it can do so with the help of a $150,000 grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce. The 237-acre Waterfront District has been divided into five unique areas, with the Shipping Terminal and Log Pond areas designated for marine trades and light industrial uses. This grant will fund a market study to identify viable industry clusters, develop a marketing and recruitment strategy, and perform outreach to attract high-wage employers. The market study will include an analysis of the clean energy sec-
tor, where there are several opportunities for renewable energy development that are aligned with the community’s vision for the site. The Port and City are currently evaluating the feasibility of district-specific utility systems, including the development of a microhydro power generation plant which would use a surplus 48” water main that was historically used for pulp mill operations. Another potential clean energy resource is waste heat from the 165 megawatt Puget Sound Energy Encogen Plant, which could potentially be used to supplement the energy requirements of new development in the Waterfront District. The market
study will examine clean energy and other viable industry clusters which could take advantage of a combined 77 acres of waterfront property in the Log Pond and Shipping Terminal areas. This grant funding comes from the Washington State Department of Commerce Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund, created 15 years ago with a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help local and regional governments, nonprofit agencies and private entities clean up and redevelop such sites. Brownfields are properties where real or perceived environmental contamination hinders their use, sale or re-use.
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MEETINGS: 3 p.m. on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month. Agendas are on the Port website. THE PORT OPERATES: Bellingham International Airport Bellingham Cruise Terminal Squalicum Harbor Blaine Harbor Fairhaven Marine Industrial Park Bellwether on the Bay Shipping Terminal Airport Industrial Park Sumas Industrial Park
12 August 2014
The Bellingham Business Journal
Summertime in Whatcom County
Sponsored content provided by Loni Rahm, and Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism.
I love the beach. Pretty much any beach in any kind of weather. But I especially like salt water beaches in the summer, Luckily for me and thousands of other like-minded people, Whatcom County has lots of delightful beaches to choose from. In fact, Whatcom County boasts over 130 miles of meandering marine shoreline...dotted with public parks and
through our photo contests on Bellingham.org Like points on a compass, Point Roberts is anchored in all four corners by parks, including the recently improved Lily Point Marine Reserve offering dramatic vistas from a bluff top towering above the cobble beach. Lighthouse Marine Park, Maple Beach and Monument Park round out the Point’s park quartet.
shells. So it’s no surprise I’ve been smitten with Birch Bay since I was a toddler. I especially love the sand castle competition and low, low, low tides when I feel like I can walk a mile and still be wet barely above my knees. Point Whitehorn Marine Park is a new discovery for me. After following a fully accessible trail through ferns and lush trees, one arrives at a spectacular dilemma:
inch of trail and pathway from Squalicum Harbor to Marine Park in Fairhaven (and beyond). I encourage you to do the same. I find the entire Chuckanut Drive beach access fascinating…but the winner of this stretch of beach must be
Larrabee, the first designated State Park in Washington (est 1915). I love tidepools. They offer a fascinating microcosm of sea life in a cup or two of water. I’m also awed by the honeycomb, otherworld look of the rocks. As an adult, I’ve learned some of the strati-
graphic detail of their geology. And that the Chuckanut Mountains are the only place where a finger of the Cascade Mountains “kiss” the sea. Gotta go. The sun is out, and somewhere, there’s a beach in Whatcom County calling my name.
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beaches, campgrounds, trails, and piers. Although the beaches and bays have distinct personalities, they share a common lineage: they are all part of the Salish Sea. This intricate network of coastal waterways, shared by the United States and Canada, is one of the world’s largest and most biologically rich inland seas. Entire guidebooks have been devoted to the diversity of these shorelines. And after nearly 4 decades of exploring them myself, I realize I've barely begun to understand and appreciate the natural science lab and culinary bounty sitting just steps away. So I will limit myself to a brief overview of some of my favorites and encourage you to share stories and pictures on our Facebook page: Bellingham Experience, and
Semiahmoo Spit offers arguably the best water and mountain views in the county – with a perspective that starts with sunrise over Mt. Baker and concludes as the sun quenches its thirst on the western horizon. Often overlooked, and worth a stop, is the APA Museum – a historical look at the Alaska Packers Association - open Fri-Sun afternoons, June thru September. Drayton Harbor, between Blaine and Semiahmoo, is one of the premier coastal birding sites in Washington. Armed with a bird book and binoculars (or just the naked eye) you can easily spot dozens of resident bird species as well as those “vacationing” along their migratory trail. I love sloshing through warm, shallow water in search of pretty rocks and
lounge in comfort and stare at the expanse of water in front of you? Or take the switchback trail to the beach. I choose both. Lummi Island has limited public beach access, but I’ve discovered a fabulous way to experience (at least temporarily) the well-documented health benefits of island life is by renting a room or house with a private beach or by accessing one of the mostly DNR water-accessible sites around the island. Don’t miss Reefnet Festival on August 9th – a showcase of the longest continuously operating reef net fisheries in the world. Bellingham Bay: Wow! Where to start? So much waterfront surrounded by so many great food and beverage stops along the way. I’ve walked and enjoyed every
This is your chance to promote your company and win Best of the Northwest! Businesses from Whatcom, Skagit and San Juan Counties are eligible. Winners announced in the October/November issue of Bellingham Alive and North Sound Life.
Direct your customers to vote at www.NorthSoundLife.com or www.kafe.com
August 2014 13
The Bellingham Business Journal
One of the largest Jewelry, Diamond, Watch and Silver Buyers is coming to your neighborhood!!!
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14 August 2014
The Bellingham Business Journal
BUSINESS TOOLKIT
Want higher profits? Reduce management, not employees Do you ever wonder, when you hear stories about workforce reductions followed shortly by record earnings and generous management bonuses why some people get rewarded for failing and stay employed and others seemingly get penalized for doing exactly what was expected of them? Me too! Do you ever wonder why you couldn’t make a decision to spend $500 in company money without getting a manager’s approval but you can apply for a mortgage without asking anybody? Me Too! Do you ever wonder why we give managers an office with a door, maybe even a window, and everyone reporting to them sits in an 8-foot-by-8-foot, sound muffling half-walled enclosure? Me too! Do you ever wonder whether management necessarily means managers? Me Too! I was once again reminded of all these questions, and more, when I made a visit to a small business in Bellingham where one of my friends is helping the owners establish work practices…that don’t require managers! Fortunately for me when I was a business owner, I was able to arrange to bring a top-notch manager in as a partner and he took care of all our management needs. One thing I had been clear about from my time as an employee was that I preferred as much autonomy as possible while pursuing my objectives so I sought to attract employees who liked operating in the same fashion. In fact I told several of them on more than one occasion that if they needed to be managed they were not the kind of people we were looking for. I would much prefer paying them more to manage themselves. As for my friend and her employers, since her arrival she has reduced labor costs by around $20,000 per month. That’s a tidy sum that drops right to the bottom line for the owners and it has been achieved while improving service overall and reducing errors. Her first recommendation? Eliminate one of the management positions and
begin to allow the employees to step up to greater levels of freedom and responsibility. What quickly followed was the recognition that there were too many employees for the work that needed to be done. Too many employees meant people with time on their hands; idle hands are the devil’s workshop, etc., etc. Within a short time after elimiMike nating the manager, the “keepers” made themselves known and Cook those who needed to be managed moved on. On Over the years a great deal has Managers & been written about the need for more leadership, engagement Employees and innovation in the workplace. Only recently have management experts begun to recognize that some of the greatest barriers to these capabilities developing naturally are manager’s need to have something or somebody to manage. The purpose of the business is to create a customer and generate a profit. While that may seem obvious to the casual observer of many businesses, what is often found in practice are managers who work hard to create a reason to be part of the business. Keep in mind these are not bad folks, just folks who recognize that without something of value to do they show up as excess baggage and become expendable. In the mind of at least one prominent management thinker, Gary Hamel, too many managers is emblematic of too much bureaucracy and too much bureaucracy creates a tax on the future of an organization. In an article earlier this year he cited the following examples of bureaucratic taxation:
Adds overhead—by creating multi-tiered structures where hundreds of managers spend their time managing other managers. Creates friction—by forcing new ideas to run a multilevel gauntlet of approval that creates significant lag between “sense” and “respond.” Distorts decisions—by giving too much power to managers who often have much of their emotional equity invested in the past. Misallocates power—by rewarding those who are the most politically adept rather than those who are the most capable leaders. Discourages dissent—by creating asymmetric power relationships that make it difficult for subordinates to speak up. Misdirects competition—by encouraging individuals to compete for promotion and political advantage. Thwarts innovation—by over-weighting experience and under-weighting unconventional thinking. Hobbles initiative—by throwing up barriers to risktaking. Obliterates nuance—by centralizing too many decisions and demanding compliance with uniform rules and procedures. It isn’t that Hamel believes that all management is bad; he’s out to reduce the “management for the sake of management” that has characterized bureaucracies for many years. Don’t think you have any bureaucracy? How much company money can an employee spend before coming to you? If an expenditure of any amount must be approved you are paying a pretty high management tax.
Mike Cook is a management developer who lives in Anacortes, Wash. He publishes a weekly blog at www.heartofengagement.com.
Business Briefing Scott named as physician VP for peace health Dr. Maryanne Scott has been selected as physician vice president for PeaceHealth Medical Group. Scott, an allergist, has been in the position on an interim basis since September. She will partner with Deb Taylor, the director of PeaceHealth clinic operations, and sit on the Medical Group leadership team. She continues to see patients in her specialty of allergy and immunology on a part-time basis.
Bellingham, Everett mental health clinics to merge Whatcom Counseling and Psychiatric Clinic merged with Everett-based Compass Health, effective July 1. The Whatcom Countybased clinic’s 120 employ-
ees will become Compass Health employees, increasing the staff size to approximately 650 full-time and part-time employees. The new organization will provide mental health and chemical dependency services to Snohomish, Skagit, Island, San Juan, and Whatcom County residents. “Compass Health has been able to adapt our model to the various communities that we serve,” said Tom Sebastian, president and CEO of Compass Health, in a press release. Sebastian will continue to lead the nonprofit organization. Dave Kleiber, board president of Whatcom Counseling and Psychiatric Clinic, joined the Compass Health board of directors. After the merger, the organization has a budget of about $50 million for the fiscal year starting July 1. “We feel strongly that this merger of like organi-
zations will result in better care for our clients, greater career opportunities for our employees, and continued financial stability for the new organization,” Sebastian said in the release.
ter and business equipment, Colliver said.
The Archives music and movie store closes
Starting in December, Washington State Ferries will be taking reservations for its popular San Juan Islands ferry runs from Anacortes. The first day of service including reservations will be Jan. 5. Now San Juan Island Visitors Bureau is sending out notices for locals to “tell all of this year’s guests that travel to the San Juans will be much easier next year!” Brian Churchwell of the state ferry system says the San Juan Islands are “our largest tourist route.” Ridership over this past Fourth of July “was higher this summer than in past summers,” he said. “More people are going to the San
The Archives in Fairhaven is closed on July 27 after more than 10 years in business. The store sells CDs, DVDs, records, Blu-rays and posters. Store owner Lynda Colliver said online streaming hurt the business in recent years and is a big factor in the decision to close the store at 1216 Harris Ave. “There’s just not the demand for what we’re trying to sell,” she said. Starting Saturday, July 5, all items were half-price. Everything was for sale including the store’s coun-
State ferry system plans to start reservations for San Juan ferries
Juan Islands than in previous years.” As for ferry lines and reservations, Churchwell says there is no fee for making reservations, although they take your credit card number. Once you get through the toll booth line your car will be put in a proximity holding area.
Bill Coats opens new law firm After 20 years practicing law in Bellingham, Bill Coats opened his own firm this month. Coats Law PLLC, is located in downtown Bellingham at 114 W. Magnolia St. Coats will continue helping people who have been injured through no fault of their own, he said. Auto accidents, wrongful death, and personal injury cases are the majority of his practice. Previously, Coats was a
partner at Brett Murphy Coats Knapp McCandlis & Brown PLCC. Parelegal Nichole Finkbonner joined Coats’ firm. Finkbonner has 10 years of experience, and previously worked with Coats at Brett Murphy Coats Knapp McCandlis & Brown PLLC.
WWU named “great college to work for” A survey by the Chronicle of Higher Education ranked Western Washington University as one of the best colleges in the nation to work for. The results are based on a survey of more than 43,500 faculty and staff at 278 colleges and universities, according to a press release. Western has been recognized with the award for four years in a row. This year, they are one of 92 institutions to achieve the recognition. The college
BRIEFING, PAGE 15
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CAMELS, FROM 10 farm munching grasses on the organic pasture and leaving eight-inch long tracks in the dusty barn with their round padded feet. Camel Safari, with its view of Mount Baker’s icy slopes in the background and a salmon-bearing stream flowing near the pasture, may be a strange place for camels. But the desert dwellers seem to thrive in Whatcom County, Seeklus said. Whatcom County’s only camel herd grew slowly. Seeklus bought his first camel, a 6-month-old Bactrian named Lexi, in 2010. He bought the farm a few months earlier because he liked the land and the lifestyle, and he planned to board horses and run his background check business from a home office. Seeklus grew up riding horses on the Canadian plains. He owns three former Royal Canadian Mounted Police horses which he calls “the holy grail of horses.” But camels are easier to deal with, Seeklus said. “Simply put, the big difference between camels and horses is that camels are smarter, they’re more affectionate, and they’re easier to train,” he said. “They’re much hardier animals.” Seeklus got his second camel, Norman, later in 2010. He didn’t yet plan to make a business out of his new. Then he noticed how interested people were in them. “When people would come over they would just stand there and stare at the camels with their mouths open,” Seeklus said. “It’s not a great leap from there to thinking, “maybe this is something I could do.”” His plan to board horses went out the window. During the next few years, Seeklus slowly accumulated camels from all over the country, and then started breeding them. Within a couple years, Seeklus said he’ll have four Bactrian cows that can breed with the farm’s Bactrian bull, Doha, a towering creature with fat-filled humps and woolly fur that’s falling off in the summer heat. (Camels’
legendary water storing ability has to do with the shape of their red blood cells. Their humps store body fat.) Because camels come from harsh environments with few natural predators, they are not skittish, and much of their actions are geared toward saving energy. They sit in line with the direction of the sun to minimize the surface area of their bodies exposed to direct sun. After going out to eat in the morning, most of the camels rest in a 100-year-old barn. One morning last month, a 7-foot-tall bull camel roamed free in a fenceless pasture, uttering the occasional chewbacca-like call. Seeklus didn’t worry about him escaping. “They don’t run just because,” Seeklus said. “They don’t even stand up unless there’s a reason to.” The bull in the pasture had food and, therefore, no reason to venture farther. Camel Safari has about eight employees, Seeklus said. Carlynn Segerman, a camel trainer and tour guide, grew up riding horses in rodeo competitions.Horses are her first love, but camels are winning her over. “They’re super sweet and they all have different personalities,” she said. Currently, Seeklus is working with Sidi-Amar Taoua, a Toureg camel trainer who grew up in the Sahara Desert. Taoua has lived in the United States for about 12 years. He met Seeklus at a camel clinic in Pipe Creek, Texas. If all goes according to plan, this winter Taoua will go to Nevada to work with Seeklus’ camels and run the Las Vegas branch of Camel Safari. Seeklus plans to stay in Bellingham with half his herd to run the administrative side of the business. Seeklus’ camels also attend several fairs around the county. They’ll be at the Northwest Washington Fair from August 11 to 16 in Lynden.
Oliver Lazenby, associate editor of The Bellingham Business Journal, can be reached at 360-647-8805, Ext. 5052, or editor@bbjtoday.com.
BRIEFING, FROM 14 wonhonors in four categories: collaborative governance, confidence and senior leadership, supervisor or department-chair relationship, and tenure clarity and process.
Village Books awarded a $7,500 grant Bestselling author James Patterson awarded Village Books in Fairhaven a $7,500 grant as part of his pledge to donate $1 million to independent bookstores. The grant will support the store’s children’s programs and help create a new kids programming director position, according to a press release. Longtime Village Books employee Claire McElroyChesson holds the new position. McElroy-Chesson will work with schools to plan author visits, book fairs, and other events at the store. “We were thrilled to be included in James Patterson’s million dollar support of indie bookstores,” Chuck Robinson, co-owner of Village Books said in
the release. “His grant will make it possible to launch the new kids programming director position in a much bigger way than we would otherwise have been able to do.” So far, Patterson has given away more than half a million dollars to about 100 book stores across the country, according to his website.
Three philanthropic organizations move to shared space Three Whatcom County philanthropic organizations will co-locate in Washington Federal Bank’s regional headquarters this Fall. United Way of Whatcom County, Chuckanut Health Foundation, and Whatcom Community Foundation will move into a space on the second story of Washington Federal Bank’s building at 1500 Cornwall Ave. “They’re giving us a very reduced rate,” Whatcom
BRIEFING, PAGE 19
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16 August 2014
The Bellingham Business Journal
August 2014
Sponsored content by BIAWC
Building Fore Tomorrow
The Building Industry Association of Whatcom County’s Annual Golf Classic Benefits the BIAWC Construction Scholarship Fund and the Construction Careers Academy
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he BIAWC holds an annual Golf Classic to benefit the BIAWC Construction Scholarship Fund and the Construction Careers Academy. The Construction Careers Academy is an interdistrict program offered to Whatcom County high school students. It is designed to prepare students for careers in the construction industry through hands-on projects, presentations, job shadowing and worksite tours. The funds raised help provide needed support materials for this program. The BIAWC Scholarship Fund provides scholarships toemployees and family of BIAWC members. This years scholarship recipients are Paige Hauter, Taryn Knutson, Makalee Latta, Holly McKinley, Jessie Pemble, and Leslie Siebring. The 2014 BIAWC Golf Classic will take place on August 22nd at Shuksan Golf Course. This 2014 tournament is sponsored by Nolans Roofing and Peoples Bank. To sign up please contact us for more information at (360) 672-4247 or visit us at our website www.biawc.com.
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August 2014 17
The Bellingham Business Journal
Snohomish County mag takes a nuanced look at marijuana Northwest Leaf plans new regional magazines throughout the West BY QUINN RUSSELL BROWN FOR THE BELLINGHAM BUSINESS JOURNAL
Northwest Leaf editor Wes Abney (left) and Daniel Berman, photo editor and designer, look at a recent edition of their magazine. QUINN RUSSELL BROWN | FOR THE BELLINGHAM BUSINESS JOURNAL It was around that time that Berman, who had transferred to Western Washington University for a photojournalism degree, took over as lead designer. “In the beginning it was basically just us,” Abney said. “Honestly, it felt like we were making a pot issue of our old college paper.” Four years and 44 issues later, Northwest Leaf now hires a dozen regular freelancers. They’re paid anywhere from $50 to $250 for articles. “If I’m sending someone to an event and they’re just getting high and sending me back a synopsis, I’m paying them 10 to 20 cents a word,” Abney said. “An investigative piece or a naturopath who writes for me, they’re getting paid 25 to 30 cents a word.” The medicinal focus of Northwest Leaf separates it from socalled “stoner mags.” The magazine offers what Berman calls “a nuanced look at cannabis,” with local and national news, personality profiles, shop reviews and grow techniques. “We really try to take a consumer reporting role,” Abney said. “We’re here for anyone who wants to use cannabis medicinally, and who wants to treat it with respect and learn about it in a more indepth way.” What’s there to learn about cannabis? For one, many people associate being on marijuana with a glazed look and a decrease in motor skills — getting “stoned” — but Abney says that the sativa strand can function as an energy supplement, similar to a Red Bull. Another strand, known as indica, gives you a body high.
“It’s not a highfalutin view of cannabis. Whether you’ve used cannabis for years or never taken a hit before, you’re going to learn something from Northwest Leaf.” DANIEL BERMAN PHOTO EDITOR AND DESIGNER NORTHWEST LEAF
360.734.6140
The cover story of the July issue was “Tannins & Terpenes,” a guide to mixing alcohol and weed. “Everyone knows that there are thousands of types of wines, but people think that pot is just pot,” Abney said. “And that’s not the case.” Northwest Leaf reviews local medical marijuana shops and the products they sell. Abney pays writers to do “blind buys,” which means they don’t inform the shop that a review will be written. The samples are brought to Analytical 360, a marijuana testing lab in Seattle, and then photographed by Berman. Finally, the writers go home and try it out. They’ve given bad reviews to marijuana edibles — “medibles” — for being far more potent than the labels warned. Abney said
NW LEAF, PAGE 19
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Wes Abney sinks into a couch at his home office near Martha Lake in Snohomish County. On the floor nearby are zip-tied stacks of Northwest Leaf, the 100page medical marijuana magazine he publishes each month. Framed covers of past issues hang on the wall behind him. Abney, 26, is a cannabis journalist. For the past four years, he’s been on the front lines of weed in Washington. “We look at this as something we’re covering as an industry,” he said. “It’s like pot is our beat.” Wearing a shirt that says “Marijuana is Safer than Alcohol,” he talks effortlessly and at length about medicinal cannabis — the benefits, the politics, the legalese. Next to him is long-time friend Daniel Berman, also 26, the photo editor and designer of Northwest Leaf. He occasionally chimes in to explain a style decision or point out something innovative about the magazine. “It’s not a highfalutin view of cannabis,” Berman said. “Whether you’ve used cannabis for years or never taken a hit before, you’re going to learn something from Northwest Leaf.” The magazine has a monthly circulation of 20,000, distributed free of charge to about 300 medical marijuana dispensaries, as well as to doctor’s offices and glass shops. Advertisers pay anywhere from $800 to $5,000 for a spot inside, putting Northwest Leaf on track to gross around $500,000 in revenue in 2014. Abney is a full-time employee of the magazine, Berman a “busy freelancer.” The two met in middle school, went to the same high school and worked side-byside on the student newspaper at Shoreline Community College. The idea for a pot publication came in 2010. Abney saw some of the medical marijuana magazines being made in California and felt like he could do a better job. A few months later, he designed the first edition on 16 pages of newsprint, borrowing $1,600 to put out 10,000 copies. “My dad called me stupid. My mom was really nervous,” he said. “At the time medical marijuana wasn’t a thing yet, as brick-andmortar businesses. A lot of them would open up for a few months and then shut down.” Northwest Leaf declared itself “the patient’s voice.” Abney started selling ads and switched over to a magazine format to hold more content. He made a profit by the third issue.
that while he personally prefers medibles with 25 milligrams of THC, there are products ranging from 15 to 1,000 milligrams. “No, you’re not going to die. No, there won’t be any lasting effects,” Abney said. “But it can be the most miserable six, seven, eight hours of your life.” He likens taking a medible without researching it first to using a power tool without reading the instruction manual. The hard-news side of Northwest Leaf is telling patient stories. They’ve written about an Everett attorney who defends parents fighting to get medical marijuana for their children’s seizures; an 88-year-old woman who was pulled over for a marijuana DUI in Ocean Shores and forced to sit on the ground until she wet herself; five medical cannabis patients in Eastern Washington who face 10 years to life in prison; a grower in Bellingham charged with 14 felonies. Berman once traveled to Wennatchee to do a story about a young man who lost his job because he had to miss work for a marijuana court date. “We were driving down an abandoned orchard, there wasn’t a person for miles,” he said. “And we showed up at this mobile home in the middle of nowhere to tell this one kid’s story, and to do it right. His charges ended up getting dropped soon after.” Northwest Leaf doesn’t shy away from being political. In February, when there were 25 medical marijuana bills in the Washington Legislature, Abney paid a graphic artist to design a cover in the style of “Schoolhouse Rock,” with a bill rolled up into a joint and the words “For medical marijuana patients, every bill is a bad bill.”
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18 August 2014
The Bellingham Business Journal
Grant allows WCC to lead new healthcare training By: Alex Peterson Whatcom Community College will be at the forefront of developing new training of professionals in the healthcare industry, thanks to the $567,500 Hospital Employee Education and Training (HEET) Innovation grant it was awarded in June. The HEET grant is funded by the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges. WCC will lead a group of colleges and institutions to develop new curriculum to prepare students for new healthcare careers and job opportunities created by the Affordable Care Act. The group will develop a set of common courses and credit-bearing certificates that will ensure current and future healthcare professionals are prepared for the new requirements of the Affordable Care Act, while also addressing the new and changing needs of patients. “Our key goal is to create a 15credit Patient Navigator Certificate, which we’ll develop in modular format so students can achieve specific goals in the training that they think they’ll need,” said WCC’s Workforce Education Director Janice Walker. “If they feel they only need the patient coaching aspect then they may only need to take one class.” Patient Navigator is one of the new
ing at four different curricula possibilities and consulting healthcare industry leaders throughout the state to see what skills they hope their employees can add through the program.
positions created to help teach patients about the new healthcare system and steer them through some of the more confusing parts. Some of these jobs may be combined with already existing jobs, such as Medical Assistant, and the new program can provide the training that current Medical Assistants need. “The Affordable Care Act is predicting that with all of the new people receiving healthcare, and changes in terms of efficiency, that they will need these new positions and skills to help new patients navigate the healthcare system,” said WCC’s HEET project manager Cindy Burman -Woods. “Local employers have told us that if everything on two resumes was equal, they would prefer a Medical Assistant with the skills this program will provide.” The new program will be a hybrid of in-person and online classes, similar to a pilot program WCC ran earlier this year. The program was heavily centered on online classes, but every other Saturday the class had to attend an in-person class. “Patient Navigators would be part of a care team to help patients find success in health,” Burman-Woods said. “They would identify barriers that prevent patients from receiving medical care, so they can get medication if they need it, or what barriers are preventing them from getting
to doctor appointments. They’re like health coaches for patient-centered care.” WCC will work locally with the Northwest Workforce Council to connect with local healthcare professionals, and statewide it will work with Edmonds Community College, Highline College, Seattle Central College, Clark College, UW Medical Center, Group Health, other regional workforce councils and the SEIU Healthcare 1199NW Multi-Employer Training and Education Fund. Those institutions together make up the North to South Consortium Improving Pathways to Healthcare Careers. “Cindy has been involved in numerous meetings with community organizations that hope to be active in the project, such as Washington Alliance for Healthcare Advancement,” Walker said. “We have a unique community that allows us to be a leader in the healthcare field.” The North to South Consortium is look-
The grant will last for one year, with a possible oneyear extension in 2015. Healthcare professionals from across the state will be asked to help WCC develop the curriculum, make sure the program meets industry standards and meets the new requirements of the Affordable Care Act. WCC has worked in the past on HEETfunded projects with Bellingham Technical College and Skagit Valley College. In 2012 and 2013 the colleges worked to create a program that simulated situations for nurses in training. They created surgery simulations, simulations for inserting an IV or catheter, and a simulation for managing multiple patients with multiple ongoing distractions to teach nurses how to prioritize and delegate. WCC currently offers a variety of Health Professions Programs, including a Nursing Program, Nursing Assistant courses and a Medical Assistant program. In the Medical Assistant program, students can choose to pursue an Associate of Science degree or a Medical Assistant Certificate. Either way, students may take the exam to become Certified Medical Assistants at the end of their coursework. Since 2008 the state has invested more than $12 million in over 20 HEET projects in the state and worked with 16 colleges, according to the Western Washington Area Health Education Center’s website. HEET was created by the Washington state legislature to help current healthcare professionals advance in the industry by funding labor, management and college partnerships. •
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The Bellingham Business Journal
NW LEAF, FROM 17 They opposed Initiative 502, the 2012 ballot measure that legalized recreational marijuana, because it didn’t acknowledge the medicinal benefits of cannabis nor permit any home growing. On top of that, they say the recreational pot shops that have opened are two to three times more expensive than medical dispensaries. “We’re just hoping to protect medical,” Abney said. “We want the state to be successful, but not at the cost of patients.” Still, Abney and Berman support I-502 shops now that they’re open and even ran an ad for one (the state doesn’t allow recreational businesses to do any public advertising). “We’re going to give a fair shake to recreational marijuana,” Berman said. “Because we want people to have the right information — good, accurate information about what’s in their neighborhood.” The New York Times recently hired Berman to shoot a series on I-502. Still, pot stories make up only about half of the assignments he takes on. He photographed Bill Gates for an Italian publication in May.
“I said, ‘Should I refer to him as Mr. Gates? Bill?’” Berman recalled. “They said, ‘Don’t worry, you won’t be talking to him.’” Since marijuana is illegal under federal law, banks do not explicitly deal with potrelated businesses. Abney said he’s been bumped from accounts in the past. “All it takes is them Googling your business and you’re kind of screwed,” he said. Some of Northwest Leaf ’s advertisers switch bank accounts as often as every three months, but most of them avoid banks altogether. As a result, Abney spends four to five days a week traveling around the state to pick up cash payments and drop off magazines. The time on the road is his biggest complaint about the business, but it hasn’t stopped the magazine from expanding. In July, they launched Oregon Leaf with 5,000 copies, and the Colorado Leaf is on deck. Then there are plans for Nevada, Arizona, Hawaii, Florida. Abney envisions a bureau chief in every state. “We’re always going to be pushing, till everyone can grow this plant safely and everyone can have access to medicinal or recreational cannabis,” he said.
BRIEFING, FROM 15 Community Foundation CEO Mauri Ingram said. “They’ll also be making some upgrades to the building. They’re making it very affordable for us.” Ingram said the three organizations were talking about finding a space together. Tom Kenney, Washington Federal Bank’s regional president for northern Washington, heard that through the grapevine, Ingram said. Kenney offered the three groups the space at a reduced rate after getting approval from the bank’s corporate office in Seattle. The philanthropic organizations will remain distinct, but they will benefit from sharing a space, according to a press release. “We already work closely as funders,” Chuckanut Health Foundation Executive Director Sue Sharpe said. “This is an extraordinary opportunity to build on our existing efforts and leverage our resources to best support the health needs of Whatcom County. The community will benefit from the center in ways we haven’t even considered yet.” Renovations to the space will begin soon.
Real estate agent named “Innovator of the year” Inman News selected Bellingham-based real estate agent Ben Kinney as their 2014 Innovator of the
year. Earlier this month, Real Trends ranked Kinney 25th on their list of real estate agents with the most transactions in 2013. Inman news named Ben Kinney Innovator of the Year after he founded two startups, Brivity and Blossor. Brevity is a customer relationship management software program for marketing and communication between agents and their clients. Blossor is a searchable real estate database similar to Zillow. “We want to create a place for consumers where we can nurture them over time until they are ready for an actual transaction,” Kinney said in a news release.
Job training program for at-risk youth opens retail store We Creations, a youth job training program by Northwest Youth Services, is opening a retail store at 929A N. State St. The store will sell sewn and screenprinted creations, according to a press release. We Creations provides vocational training and skill development activities to homeless and at-risk youth and young adults in Whatcom County. Staff and volunteers teach regular workshops on screen printing and using sewing machines to repurpose dis-
carded materials. The retail space will be open to the public from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday, starting July 29.
City accepting tourism grant applications The City of Bellingham is accepting applications for its 2015 tourism promotion grant program. The program’s goal is to fund projects and events that bring tourists to Bellingham. The last day to turn in applications is 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 12 2014. The city awarded 21 grants totaling $251,174 in 2014. Programs and events that received funding included LinuxFest NW, Northwest Ballet Theater, Sustainable Connections, Bellingham Music Festival and the Community Boating Center. According to the city’s press release, special consideration is given to events that occur during the offseason (October to May). Agencies and events that partner together to reduce duplication of activities also get special consideration. Applications are available at City Hall or on the city website: http://www. cob.org/services/business/ tourism-grants.aspx
20 August 2014
The Bellingham Business Journal
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