Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business -- March 2017 by Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business/Senior Times

March 2017

Volume 16 • Issue 3

Leadership Tri-Cities plans next class to groom future leaders BY KRISTINA LORD editor@tcjournal.biz

Insurance

Pet insurance helps reduce the cost of veterinary bills Page 11

Real Estate & Construction

Oasis Physical Therapy to open fourth clinic in south Richland Page 23

Hospitality

Legends Casino in Toppenish expands, adds 200-room hotel page 37

She Said It “If you can provide that awesome experience for a customer who walks through the door, more likely than not, they’re going to return and most likely tell their friends.” - Deb Heintz, executive director of the Prosser Economic Development Association

Page 40

There’s a joke among Leadership TriCities alumni that theirs was “the best class ever.” And when the organization’s board members talk about incoming classes, they refer to them as “the next best class ever.” The leadership group is now accepting applications for its “next best class” and planning an open house for those interested in learning more about the program that’s graduated 478 leaders since 1994. Over the course of a year, class members attend several sessions led by community experts focusing on the various sectors and industries shaping the region, including agriculture, human needs and services, economic development, law enforcement and the justice system, education, local and state government, medical and health services, arts and culture, and the Hanford site. “Every single speaker that you hear, they are — most of the time — the most established (authority) in the community. They give you handouts of all the speakers and their numbers and email addresses,” said Holley Sowards, a member of the Class of XVIII. Sowards recalled being told how Leadership Tri-Cities would be “life changing,” and at the time thought, “how canned.” But, she’s now a believer. “It was the best thing I ever did,” she said. “It really is an amazing experience. I have connections and I have met so many people. I would have worked so many years to meet those people,” she said. Class members also participate in a class retreat to focus on team-building, attend leadership development trainings and must complete a class project that benefits an organization within the community. Past projects have included relocating a children’s museum, remodeling a domestic violence safe house and installing a serenity garden at the Tri-Cities Cancer Center in Kennewick. uLEADERSHIP, Page 4

The $8.5 million Lodge at Columbia Point is under construction at 530 Columbia Point Drive in Richland and is expected to open in May.

Richland’s new waterfront hotel aims to provide unique hospitality experience BY KRISTINA LORD editor@tcjournal.biz

Walla Walla has the Marcus Whitman Hotel. Spokane has the Davenport. Portland boasts the Benson. Seattle has the Fairmont. The owner of The Lodge at Columbia Point in Richland hopes to add his boutique hotel to the list for the Tri-Cities. “The Tri-Cities has needed an identity boutique hotel,” said owner Tom Drumheller. The $8.5 million Lodge at Columbia Point has been nearly 10 years in the making and a labor of love for Drumheller.

Construction began in September and the opening is expected in May. Drumheller has driven from his home on the Oregon Coast to visit the hotel weekly for the past year, and while checking up on progress during a recent trip, he flipped through the photos of the hotel’s construction on his iPhone, a proud father familiar with each stage of the process. The 82-room hotel on the waterfront of Columbia Point is next door to Anthony’s, LU LU’s Craft + Bar & Kitchen and Budd’s Broiler. North-facing windows showcase riverfront views while the south-facing ones showcase the sweeping lines of Badger Mountain. uLODGE, Page 27

Bills would divert retail sales tax toward statewide tourism program BY JOHN STANG

for Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business

Washington is the only state without a statewide tourism marketing program. But that would change under two bills making their way throughout the Washington Legislature. So far the bills by Rep. Cary Condotta, R-Wenatchee, and Sen. Dean Takko, D-Longview, have easily sailed through their committee stages for eventual floor votes. The bills would create the Washington Tourism Marketing Authority, whose efforts would be paid by rerouting 0.1 percent of the retail sales taxes collected on lodging, car rentals and restaurants. The program would have an upper limit of $5 million. Kris Watkins, executive director of Visit Tri-Cities, said the proposed statewide mar-

keting effort would boost attracting tourists to the Mid-Columbia — from as close as Boise and Portland to as far away as China. “We don’t have the wherewithal to reach out to these places,” she said. Sports and wineries are prime attractions to bring out-of-staters to the Tri-Cities, she said. In 2015, the last year that data is available, Benton and Franklin counties boasted 5,900 tourism-related jobs, produced $432.9 million in tourism-related revenue, and produced $47.2 million in state and local taxes. The bills would create the marketing authority to manage the state revenue and the contracts for state tourism marketing efforts. It would be controlled by a 13-person board of four legislators and nine representatives from tourism-related businesses. Geography, business sizes, gender and ethnicity would be factors in making appointments to the board. uTOURISM, Page 40

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Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business • March 2017

Cab reigns as king in state’s record wine grape harvest Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay grape tonnage up, Riesling production continues to decline BY WINE NEWS SERVICE

for Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business

As expected, the Washington wine industry’s 2016 harvest for grapes was a record. The Washington State Wine Commission released statistics in early March, and the report showed a record crop of 270,000 tons harvested last fall, easily eclipsing 2014’s record of 227,000 tons. Leading the way was Cabernet Sauvignon at a stunning 71,100 tons, making it by far the king of Washington wine. “That’s a lot,” said Kevin Corliss, vice president of vineyard operations for Ste. Michelle Wine Estates. “I knew it was going to be big.” Cab now makes up 26 percent of the state’s total production and is the first grape to crack 70,000 tons in one season. That figure surpasses the state’s entire crop from 1999. Corliss has a good handle on the state’s grape crop because Ste. Michelle uses two out of every three wine grapes grown in Washington. He said Cab acreage increased a bit more than 5 percent last season. This doesn’t include vineyards coming into full production, something that takes up to four years after vines are planted. “What we see going forward is steady growth,” he said. “Cab is still king.” Intrinsic Wine Co., a new label from Ste. Michelle Wine Estates made at Columbia Crest in Paterson, focuses entirely on Cabernet Sauvignon. Demand for the wine has been so high, it already has exceeded 100,000 cases of production in its third vintage. That’s the equivalent of nearly 1,700 tons of fruit. Columbia Crest makes 370,000 cases of Cabernet Sauvignon, and 14 Hands in Prosser makes 500,000 cases of Cabernet Sauvignon. Chateau Ste. Michelle makes nearly a half-million cases of Cabernet Sauvignon at its Canoe Ridge facility west of Paterson.

Most of its Cab grapes come from the Horse Heaven Hills. Following Cab is Merlot, with 48,400 tons, up from 3,200 tons the previous year. Syrah is the No. 3 red grape in Washington, at 21,300 tons, up from 16,000 tons in 2015 Both Merlot and Syrah have been difficult sells on store shelves in recent years, so some might scratch their heads over this increase. Bob Bertheau, head winemaker for Chateau Ste. Michelle — the state’s largest and oldest winery — explained both of those grapes are useful in blends. “I view them as universal donors,” he said, indicating they help soften Cabernet Sauvignon, making it a better wine, a tradition going back to European winemaking. From a logistics standpoint, having a little Merlot and Syrah in each new vineyard planting is smart, Corliss said. Both grapes tend to ripen early in September, so getting them fermented and out of the way when the onslaught of Cabernet Sauvignon starts coming in is easier on the wineries. For white wines, Chardonnay reigns. Last fall, winemakers brought in 45,000 tons of Chardonnay compared with 42,000 the previous year. Meanwhile, Riesling continues to retreat, with 41,300 tons harvested last fall compared with 44,100 tons the previous year. Corliss said Chardonnay is growing at a slow, steady rate. The drop in Riesling, he said, is expected and he believes that the amount available in Washington is balanced with what consumer demands are. For the first time, Bertheau said, Chateau Ste. Michelle’s production of Columbia Valley Chardonnay is the same as his Columbia Valley Riesling production: around 900,000 cases. He said, “We’re on pace with consumer demand.” He added that red wine production at Ste. Michelle is keeping pace with the right wine production: about a 3-to-1 ratio. The growth is being led by plantings in

Chardonnay harvest in the Yakima Valley brought in 45,000 tons of Chardonnay this past fall compared with 42,000 the previous year. The state boasted a record crop of 270,000 tons harvested last fall, easily eclipsing 2014’s record of 227,000 tons. (Courtesy Niranjana Perdue)

the Horse Heaven Hills. Leading the way, of course, is Cabernet Sauvignon with nearly 6,700 acres in the Horse Heaven Hills having doubled since 2009. Where red wine acreage and Horse Heaven’s top 10,000 acres in 2016 for the first time, white wine acreage crept up to nearly 4,000 acres, led by Chardonnay. Part of Corliss’s job at Ste. Michelle used to keep his crystal ball clean. “We look at a 10-year supply-anddemand horizon,” he said. Based on his projections, Cab probably will not crack 10,000 tons next year.

He said winter damage from this year’s large amounts of snow in the Columbia Valley did not look too bad. Bud damage is slight and limited to young vines, which can easily be retrained. Corliss seems slightly surprised by the slow growth in Malbec, which jumped from 2,400 tons in 2015 to 2,700 tons last fall. He attributed that to the fact that most Malbec is in high-tier programs, therefore tonnage per acre is naturally lower. He expects Malbec to continue to rise in popularity in tonnage in years to come.

Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business • March 2017 LEADERSHIP, From page 1

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“It’s a big time commitment requiring attendance at all sessions,” said Danette Layne, an alum of the group’s Class of XIV. Layne will serve as the incoming class’ leadership development director, overseeing the slate of programs for the incoming members.

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DEPARTMENTS

Around Town................................... 55 Networking...................................... 25 Business Profiles........................ 46-47 Public Record.................................. 49

A LOOK BACK March 2002

• Negotiations were underway for a Krispy Kreme franchise to come to the Tri-Cities but no site had been secured. • Construction had just begun on Richland’s Villas at Meadow Springs, a $22.5 million project, and Shoreline Village, a $1.9 million project also in Richland.

UPCOMING April Focuses: • Going Green • Transportation

May Focuses: • Retirement • Tourism & Recreation The Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business, a publication of TriComp Inc., is published monthly and delivered at no charge to identifiable businesses in Pasco, Richland, West Richland, Kennewick, Prosser and Benton City. Subscriptions are $27.10 per year, prepayment required, no refunds. Contents of this publication are the sole property of TriComp Inc. and can not be reproduced in any form without expressed written consent. Opinions expressed by contributors and advertisers do not necessarily reflect the opinions of staff, other contributors or other advertisers, nor do they imply endorsement by staff, contributors or advertisers. Every effort will be made to assure information published is correct; however, we are not liable for any errors or omissions made despite these efforts.

The program’s time commitment can seem daunting. Each class member is required to attend a two-day trip to Wenatchee in early August, one weekday session (usually on a Wednesday) per month September through June, a two-anda-half day trip to Olympia in February, a required pre-learning session on a Saturday in May for the Hanford session, as well as additional meetings for the leadership skills development. One excused absence is allowed. Sowards said she underestimated the time the program would take when she applied. “It’s a bigger time commitment than I thought it was when I signed up. And there is more time that goes into it when you go into the planning of the projects. … It was a little stressful, and at the end, we were all glad we were done,” she said. “But the reward in the end is very much worth it.” Tawni Gama, client services coordinator at Conover Insurance in Pasco, a member of the current Leadership Tri-Cities class, Class XXII, said she wasn’t 100 percent what to expect from the experience. “I think the most I knew was I would learn a lot about the community and meet some new people. I never realized that right

Members of this year’s Leadership Tri-Cities class are building a third stall for TROT (Therapeutic Riding of Tri-Cities) for their community service project. Applications are being accepted for the next leadership group. An informational session about the program is planned from 6:30 to 8 p.m. March 30 at the Events Center at Sunset in Richland. (Courtesy Leadership Tri-Cities)

off the bat I would make 22 new amazing friends to share this experience with,” she said. Gama said the leadership development sessions and the community session days “are always so motivating, especially getting to go through them with such a motivated group of people. I would highly encourage those that have considered it in the past to apply; it’s well worth the investment.”

Tuition increase

Leadership Tri-Cities tuition is increasing this year for the first time in 23 years, from $800 to $1,000. It’ll be followed by staggered increases during the next three years to reach $1,400 in 2019-20. The organization reviewed leadership

programs in similarly sized cities before adjusting its rates. The tuition, which is subsidized by program sponsors, goes toward transportation, food and program costs. Each class member is responsible for personally paying at least $100 of the total cost. For the amount of time and money invested, the return is worth it, said Rick Redden, president of Leadership Tri-Cities and a member of Class XVII. The program provides more than 170 facilitated hours of training and 45 hours of leadership development training. The state’s chamber of commerce, Association of Washington Business, offers a nine-month leadership course with a tuition of $3,500. Participants are required to attend seven seminars at various locations throughout the state, including in the Tri-Cities, to learn about agriculture, immigration and food processing. Three Tri-Citians participated in the 2016 class: Austin Nielson from the TriCity Regional Chamber; Karen Blasdel from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory; and Marie Thomas from Energy Northwest. The inaugural 2015 class included Gordon Matlock, who was with PNNL at the time. Battelle, which manages and operates PNNL in Richland, is a founding sponsor of the statewide program, which began in 2015. The deadline for this program is June 1. Visit awbinstitute.org/leadership to apply. The Tri-Cities’ program offers a more localized approach. “We think we provide a unique and unparalleled immersive learning experience about our community and what goes on here and what makes us thrive,” Redden said. Layne said the “engaging program” provides leadership skills and knowledge to the Tri-Cities’ next crop of leaders. “Leadership Tri-Cities graduates are serving on boards and in other capacities and are looking forward. … We strengthen them to be better leaders and community members,” she said. The group’s ultimate goal is to give participants the tools they need to serve the community, whether on a city council or on a board for a nonprofit. People make more informed decisions when they better understand all aspects of their community, LTC officials said. uLEADERSHIP, Page 8

Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business • March 2017 uBUSINESS BRIEFS Job fair planned for teachers at Tri-Tech

Those interested in teaching career and technical education, or CTE, courses can learn more at a job fair at Tri-Tech Skills Center on March 22.   The job fair will be from 6 to 7 p.m. at Tri-Tech, 5929 W. Metaline Ave., in Kennewick. The CTE-focused program is looking for experts in a number of areas, including computer software applications; multimedia; American sign language; robotics and manufacturing; family and consumer science; and more.    Administrators will cover the opportunities for CTE teachers at Tri-Tech and go over the process for becoming a certificated teacher.

Input sought to plan Pasco’s future

Pasco area residents are invited to take a survey to share their priorities for Pasco’s future. The Port of Pasco, Franklin County, city of Pasco and partner organizations are embarking on an area-wide economic vision for the greater Pasco area as part of Somos Pasco. “The intent of this effort is to move forward with a singular vision for economic development that enables the region to set priorities and align resources accordingly,” said Gary Ballew, Port of Pasco director of economic development and marketing. Somos Pasco wants to hear from the community what’s working and what can

be improved. “We are asking everyone to take a few minutes to complete the community survey and enter their name in a drawing to receive a $25 gift card,” Ballew says. Take the survey at surveymonkey. com/r/somospasco.

Summer jobs available for Central Washington teens

The state Department of Ecology’s Central Regional Office in Union Gap plans to hire 72 teenagers throughout Central Washington this summer as part of the Ecology Youth Corps. In 2016, youth corps crews picked up 1.2 million pounds of litter and cleaned 5,445 miles of roads statewide. Teens chosen for the youth corps will work up to 35 hours per week, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. They will be assigned to one of six crews based in Ellensburg, Goldendale, Richland, Sunnyside, Toppenish or Yakima, and will work in one of two three-week sessions: July 5-26, or July 27 to Aug. 17. Participants will earn $11 an hour. Applicants must be ages 14-17 as of July 5. Applications are due by April 3 and are available through area school counselors and at ecy.wa.gov/programs/ swfa/eyc/cro.html. For more information, contact Rod Hankinson at rodney.hankinson@ecy.wa. gov or 509-454-7209.

Healthplanfinder boasts increase in users

More than 225,000 people used Washington Healthplanfinder to choose

qualified health plans in 2016, a 13 percent increase over 2015. The Washington Health Benefit Exchange also reported that along with the record-breaking number of individuals and families using Healthplanfinder, more than 60,000 added dental coverage, a new product offering. More than 500,000 unique visitors accessed the online marketplace through the final week of open enrollment, more than double the previous year.

Areva completes fuel delivery in Illinois

Areva NP has completed the delivery of its Atrium 10xm advanced boiling water reactor fuel at Exelon Generation’s Dresden Generating Station in Morris, Illinois. Manufactured at Areva’s Richland fuel fabrication facility, more than 1,900 Atrium 10xm fuel assemblies have operated reliably in five boiling water reactors in the U.S. Areva has been a longtime provider of fuel to the Dresden Generating Station. The facility’s two operating nuclear reactors have a generating capacity of 1,845 megawatts, enough to power about 1.5 million homes and businesses.

Business groups seek to toss I-1433

A lawsuit filed Feb. 15 in Kittitas County Superior Court calls for invalidation of Initiative 1433 because it covered multiple regulatory topics and failed to include vital language, according to the National Federation of Independent

Business, one of the business groups seeking to invalidate the initiative. Passed by voters last year, I-1433 calls for an increase in the state’s minimum wage rate and for unrelated changes to the state’s sick and family leave provisions. The lawsuit claims voters were put in a bind because the initiative contained more than a single subject and failed to adequately describe the measure’s content in its title. In operation for more than 70 years, NFIB aims to remind policymakers that small businesses are not smaller versions of bigger businesses; they have very different challenges and priorities.

Kennewick School District launches new jobs website

Kennewick School District recently launched a new employment website designed to show new teachers and others wanting to work in schools the benefits of choosing the the district. From highlighting employment opportunities, student enrollment growth and professional development opportunities to Kennewick’s affordable cost of living and community support, choosekennewick.org allows the district to better recruit passionate and highly trained educators to work with its students, according to the district, a release said Along with providing details on positions the district is hiring for, the site offers testimonials from those already working in the schools, information about the region and links to recreational and cultural offerings and resources in the community.

Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business • March 2017

Legislators work to hammer out compromise on family leave bills BY JOHN STANG

for Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business

A compromise is being worked on for two different family leave bills in Olympia. A Democratic bill is sailing through the Washington House, mainly because the Democrats are the majority party there. However, the Senate Republicans put their own family leave bill on hold, not even voting it out of a committee despite having the votes to do so. Instead, the Republican-controlled Senate has settled for moving a bipartisan bill that merely says having a law with reasonable family leave would be good for Washington. This means that family leave is in the negotiations stage in Olympia. Sen. Joe Fain, R-Auburn, is the sponsor of both the original Republican family leave bill and the follow-up “placeholder” bill. “We are negotiating, trying to figure out if there is path forward,” Fain said. Fain and Sen. Karen Keiser, D- Kent, said the both sides agree a family leave law is the goal of both sides, but details need to be hammered out. Keiser is a cosponsor of the “placeholder” bill and the prime sponsor of another stalled Senate family leave bill that is a clone of the House Democrats’ bill. “There are significant differences in the details, but not in the overall goal,” she said.

Both voiced optimism that the two sides can reach an agreement by midApril. “I’m encouraged because the business community has come forward in a positive way on this issue. … We’re not deadlocked. We are moving,” Keiser said.

“I’m encouraged because the business community has come forward in a positive way on this issue. … We’re not deadlocked. We are moving.” - Sen. Karen Keiser Keiser hoped the family leave negotiations will be resolve by mid-April so the issue won’t be overshadowed by the Legislature’s five years of trench warfare on funding schools to comply with a 2012 Washington Supreme court ruling to improve education in the state. The education issue dominates Olympia’s politics and is expected to be more or less deadlocked through special sessions extending into the summer. The family leave bills are prompted by 2016’s passage of Initiative 1143, which increases the state minimum wage to $13.50 an hour and mandates sick leave

for employees. The initiative passed by a 57-percent to 43-percent margin. The Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce has been monitoring the discussions, waiting to see what develops before taking a position on what the two sides offer, said Austin Neilson, government affairs director for the chamber. The chamber is using the Association of Washington Business for guidance, and the AWB has taken no position on these bills, other than seeking an exemption for businesses with extremely few employees. Keiser’s bill and the House Democrats’ bill by Rep. June Robinson, D-Everett, calls for: • Allowing 26 weeks of leave for birth or adoption of a child, a family member’s serious health problem or a militaryrelated absence. • Making a person eligible for sick leave after 340 hours of work. • Making the benefit amount to be 90 percent of the person’s average weekly salary during that person’s highest-paid six months of the person’s year of qualifying for sick leave. This applies if a person’s average weekly wage is less than under 50 percent of the average state weekly wage, which was $1.082 in 2015. A different formula is used if a person’s average weekly wage is more than 50 percent of the state average The maximum benefit is $1,000 a week. • Having employers pay a premium to a state fund for sick leave money of 0.255

percent of a person’s wages beginning in July 1, 2018 and then 0.51 percent on July 1, 2020, with annual adjustments later. The employer would be Sen. Karen Keiser allowed to deduct one half of the premium from a worker’s wages. Fain’s original bill, which is essentially the GOP’s beginning bargaining position, would have: • Covered 12 months of mother-newborn child bonding. • Starting Jan. 1, 2020, the sick leave would have an eight-week maximum per year. The payment would be 50 percent of the employee’s weekly salary, with the amount not to exceed 50 percent of the average state weekly salary. • On Jan. 1, 2021, the bill would have bumped sick leave up to a maximum of 10 weeks per year. It would be 55 percent of an employee’s weekly wage, but will not exceed 55 percent of the state’s average weekly wage. • On Jan. 1, 2022, the limit would have stayed at 10 weeks per year. but the sick leave wage would be 60 percent of the employee’s weekly salary, not to exceed 60 percent of the state’s average wage.

Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business • March 2017

DATEBOOK

VISIT TCJOURNAL.BIZ AND CLICK ON EVENT CALENDAR FOR MORE EVENTS MARCH 16

• Annual Fundraising Breakfast for Tri-Cities Cancer Center Foundation: 7:30 a.m., Three Rivers Convention Center, 7016 W. Grandridge Blvd., Kennewick. RSVP 509-737-3373.

MARCH 23

• K-LIFE Luncheon, Noon – 1 p.m., Meadow Springs Country Club, 700 Country Club Place, Richland. RSVP 509-942-2661.

• Personal Accountability to Achieve Organizational & Personal Success: 8 – 10 a.m., Tri-City Regional Chamber, 7130 W. Grandridge Blvd., Suite C, Kennewick. RSVP 509-736-0510. • Transportation Open House, hosted by BentonFranklin Council of Governments: 4 – 7 p.m., Mid-Columbia Libraries, 1620 S. Union St., Kennewick. Call 509-943-9185.

MARCH 21

MARCH 24

MARCH 17

• Foundation for the Future Breakfast, a benefit for the Boys & Girls Club: 7:30 – 8:30 a.m., Three Rivers Convention Center, 7016 W. Grandridge Blvd., Kennewick. RSVP 509-316-9612. • Tourism Tune-Up workshop: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Walter Clore Wine & Culinary Center, 2140A Wine Country Road, Prosser. RSVP theclorecenter.org.

MARCH 22

• Tri-City Regional Chamber Annual Meeting & Awards Luncheon: 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Three Rivers Convention Center, 7016 W. Grandridge Blvd., Kennewick. RSVP 509-736-0510.

MARCH 28

• PNNL in Our Daily Lives, hosted by Columbia Basin Badger Club: 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., Shilo Inn, 50 Comstock St., Richland. RSVP 509-628-6011.

• GSA 101 – Multiple Award Schedules Program, by Washington PTAC: 9 – 11 a.m., Tri-City Regional Chamber, 7130 W. Grandridge Blvd., Kennewick. RSVP 509-491-3231. • Transportation Open House, hosted by BentonFranklin Council of Governments: 4 – 7 p.m., Mid-Columbia Libraries, 1320 W. Hopkins St., Pasco. Contact 509-943-9185. • Partnering for Success, hosted by Administrative Professionals of the TriCities: 5 p.m., Mission Support Alliance auditorium, 2490 Garlick Drive, Richland. RSVP adminprofessionalstc. org.

MARCH 25

MARCH 31

• Blue Brigade Fun Run, a fundraiser for Meals on Wheels: 8:30 a.m., Howard Amon Park, 500 Amon Park Drive, Richland. Register 509-735-1911. • 2017 International Women’s Day Celebration, hosted by Center for Sharing: 5 – 7 p.m., Tierra Vida Gym, 2525 E. A St., Pasco. Tickets 509-627-8556.

• Pasco Chamber Annual Auction: 6 p.m., Red Lion Hotel, 2525 N. 20th Ave., Pasco. RSVP 509-547-9755.

APRIL 3

• Fans’ Night Out hosted by Soroptimist International of Pasco-Kennewick: 4:30 p.m., Three Rivers Convention Center, 7016 W. Grandridge Blvd., Kennewick. Tickets soroptimistpascokennewick. org.

APRIL 4

• WPC Legislative Lunch Box: Noon – 1 p.m., TriCities Home Builders Association, 10001 W. Clearwater Ave., Kennewick. RSVP washingtonpolicy.org. • Prosser Chamber Luncheon: Noon – 1 p.m., The Barn Restaurant, 490 Wine Country Road, Prosser. RSVP 509-786-3177.

APRIL 5

• National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association lunch meeting: 11:30 a.m., Red Lion Hotel, 1101 N. Columbia Center Blvd., Kennewick. Contact narfe1192.org. • West Richland Chamber Membership Luncheon: Noon – 1 p.m., Sandberg Event Center, 331 S. 41st Ave., West Richland. RSVP 509-967-0521.

APRIL 6

• Meet the Buyer: Doing Business with Local Transit Systems, presented by Washington PTAC: 9 – 11 a.m., Tri-City Regional Chamber, 7130 W. Grandridge Blvd., Suite C, Kennewick. RSVP 509-491-3231.

APRIL 8

• Viva Las Vegas Night, a benefit for Arc of Tri-Cities: 5 – 10 p.m., Red Lion Hotel, 2525 N. 20th Ave., Pasco. Tickets arcoftricities.com.

APRIL 11

• American Society for Quality Dinner Meeting: 5:30 p.m., Shilo Inn, 50 Comstock Blvd., Richland. RSVP asq614.org. • Historic Downtown Kennewick’s Downtowner Banquet: 6 p.m., Clover Island Inn, 435 N. Clover Island Drive, Kennewick. RSVP historickennewick.org.

APRIL 13

• Wine & Roses Fundraiser, a benefit for Communities in Schools: 6 – 8 p.m., Uptown Theater, 1300 Jadwin Ave., Richland. Tickets 509-967-6077.

APRIL 14

• Una Noche de Exitos – A Night of Achievements, presented by the Tri-Cities Hispanic Chamber: 6 – 9 p.m., Red Lion Hotel, 2525 N. 20th Ave., Pasco. Tickets 509-542-0933.

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Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business • March 2017

uBUSINESS BRIEFS Richland releases ‘cool’ video to promote city

The city of Richland recently released a new music video, “Where the Cool People Go.” Partnering with local band, Eclectic Approach, the two-and-a-half-minute video features the group’s song, “Cool” and highlights family-friendly events, local fare and some of the best recreational opportunities in the region. The video is one of four the city of Richland will release this year to promote the community and market to prospective businesses. Others will showcase industry in the region, land development opportunities and business resources. View the video at ci.richland.wa.us/explorerichland or on Richland’s Facebook page.

Community hosts sought for WSU medical students

Individual and family hosts in the TriCities are sought to welcome, support and orient Washington State University medical students to the community during six weeks over a two-year period beginning in September. While studying for their first two years at WSU Spokane, students will spend six individual weeks in the city where they will be during their third and fourth years: Sept. 3-9; Nov. 26-Dec. 2; March 25-31, 2018; Aug. 19-25, 2018; Nov. 11-17, 2018; and March 24-30, 2019. Hosts will be invited to participate in the college’s community nights, to be held on Wednesday each of the weeks at the respective WSU campuses. For more information, email community hosting coordinator Kyle Holbrook at kyle. holdbrook@wsu.edu.

Transportation open houses set for March 23 and 28

Benton-Franklin Council of Governments is hosting two open houses for the metropolitan/regional transportation plans for the Benton-Franklin county region. As growth continues, new efficient transportation options, policies and methods will be needed to ensure congestion does not increase. The plans are a federally-mandated evaluation of the area’s transportation needs and guide transportation development for 20 years/ It is updated every five years. The first open house is from 4 to 7 p.m. March 23 at the Mid-Columbia Libraries Kennewick branch, 1620 S. Union St. The second open house is March 28 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Mid-Columbia Libraries Pasco branch, 1320 S. Hopkins St. Call 509-943-9185 or email jgonzalez@ bfcog.us.

LEADERSHIP, From page 4 “We want them to get involved and obviously we ask a lot of them. We ask them to give back and dedicate a great amount of time,” Redden said. Ideal candidates for the program should reflect the community’s diversity, from a local business owner to an employee working for a bigger company or corporation to representatives from the various industries in Benton and Franklin counties, Redden said. “I think our history will show we’ve had great diversity. We’re always trying to develop and further develop a diverse set of skilled leaders.” Sowards agreed: “It’s super important to have a really diverse group so you can get all those connections. People who’ve been in work force for a while and worked their way into good positions and a certain amount of people who are up and coming leaders. I think they’ve done a good job with that,” she said.

Application deadline

The deadline for applications for Class XXIII is April 28. Applicant interviews will be scheduled in midMay. Visit leadershiptricities.com for details. Ideal class sizes range from 20 to 25, Layne said. To learn more about the program, attend an informational night from 6:30 to 8 p.m. March 30 at the Events Center at Sunset, 915 Bypass Highway in Richland. Attendees will hear from former class members and board members.

Life-changing experience

Sowards said Leadership Tri-Cities changed her career trajectory and helped her find her voice. She took the lead for her class’ fundraiser — raising $17,000 to remodel a transitional home for veterans — and her enthusiasm, talent and skills caught the eye of a board member of her current employer, ultimately leading to a career change. She manages the operations of Einan’s at Sunset funeral home and event center. “I made some major strides in my career path through that program,” she said. “Had I not gone through that, I don’t know I’d be in the career I am now. I went from marketing, sales, shipping and receiving in manufacturing to running an operation,” she said. Sowards said Leadership Tri-Cities was “a game changer for me and I think it would be a game changer for a lot of people.” “When you go to the ropes course on the first day, you meet everyone. They tell you that you will leave as friends and I thought that was insane. Starting out, I thought, ‘I can’t handle this person or that one,’ but then literally through that process, you get to know people and understand that some of those things don’t matter. … We literally left that day and it was like a new family,” she said.

Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business • March 2017

Longtime community supporters named Kennewick Man, Woman of the Year The 2016 Kennewick Man and Woman of the Year share a passion for bettering the community they live in and both have devoted countless hours to improve it. Dave Retter, 62, owner of Retter & Company Sotheby’s International Realty, was named Kennewick Man of the Year on Feb. 28. Joyce Kerr, 90, a widow with a heart for helping others, was named Kennewick Woman of the Year.

his core Dave is a grateful, giving, caring person who feels blessed to live in Kennewick. Here he has prospered and been happy. Giving back to the community is an essential part of who he is. Many know of his generous financial support of a score of nonprofits, his efforts to advance the quality of life in Kennewick, and his leadership in service organizations. Fewer know that he also quietly helps families and individuals as he becomes aware of their needs,” according to his nomination letter.

Kennewick Man of the Year

Kennewick Woman of the Year

BY TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS STAFF

Retter’s long list of community service work includes leadership roles with the Benton-Franklin Humane Society, Trios Foundation, Kennewick police’s Community Care Program, Please Don’t Quit program at Columbia Basin College, T r i - C i t y Development Council, Visit Tri-Cities and Home Builders Association of Dave Retter Tri-Cities. He’s a Veterans Day event sponsor, performing arts benefactor and recipient of the Boy Scout North Star Award. And the list goes on. “He lives the belief that being blessed means you must be a blessing to others. At

Rather than read about Kerr’s influence in her obituary, “I invite you, as her peers, to honor her now as Kennewick’s exemplary Woman of the Year,” her nomination letter stated.

uBUSINESS BRIEFS Emmaus Counseling Center raises $7,000

Emmaus Counseling Center’s ninth annual Friendraiser and celebration banquet, held in late January at Central Church, raised more than $7,000. Andy Miller, Benton County prosecuting attorney, spoke about the development of the Mental Health Court. Emmaus is one of the behavioral health providers that sees clients who are part of that program. Emmaus Center is a nonprofit agency providing behavioral and mental health services to those who prefer to receive them in a Christian environment, but will see clients

Kerr, a tireless servant-leader, “has contributed relentlessly to the Kennewick community since 1949; she has a matchless grace, empathy and service-ethic that would never seek accolades or awards. Yet she is the essence of a great Kennewick Woman of the Year,” the letter said. The letter Joyce Kerr includes a long list of the many ways she’s shown concern for others in Kennewick over the years. Among them are working as a trained reading tutor for Team Read in the Kennewick schools — she’s the program’s regardless of any faith background. For more information, visit theemmauscenter.org or call 509-946-1430.

Farm Credit Services reports earnings, dividends

Northwest Farm Credit Services, an $11-billion financial cooperative supporting agriculture, forestry, fisheries and rural communities, reported 2016 earnings of $247.2 million, compared to $255.6 million in 2015. Northwest FCS attributes the higher earnings in 2015 to larger credit loss reversals in that year. Total capital increased 7.2 percent during the year to $2.2 billion. As a cooperative, Northwest FCS returns a share of its net earnings to customer-members it the form of patronage dividends. FCS’

oldest and longest serving volunteer; serving as an guardian ad litem; sponsoring Laotian and Cambodian refugee families and teaching English to them; serving as a longtime member of Kennewick General Hospital Auxiliary; volunteering at nursing homes to teach crafts, entertain and visit the lonely; and serving as leader in community emergency preparedness during the Cold War. “Kerr is known for her cheerfulness, sincerity and zest, and is admired, appreciated and adored by a large circle of friends,” the letter said. She has been an active, contributing member of the community for 68 years and was involved in building Kennewick’s first hospital. A full list of past honorees is at kmwoy. com. board approved patronage of 1 percent of a customer-member’s eligible average daily loan balance. Cash patronage for 2016 totaled a record of $99.4 million compared to $91.9 million for 2015.

Lourdes to raise money for defibrillators

Donations collected at Lourdes Legacy’s complimentary luncheon April 19 at the Pasco Red Lion will raise money for the Foundation to buy new, state-of-the-art defibrillators, which are used to attempt to regulate heart rhythms that occur during a heart attack. RSVP to Wendee Bodnar at 509-543-2412 or wendee.bodnar@lourdesonline.org.

Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business • March 2017

uBUSINESS BRIEFS Ecology issues fourth quarter penalties

The Washington Department of Ecology issued $380,900 in penalties October 1 through December 2016, including two companies in Benton and Franklin counties: Perma-Fix Northwest in Richland and Freeze Pack in Pasco. Ecology assessed a $52,000 penalty to Perma-Fix for improperly handling mixed dangerous and radioactive waste. The company treats, stores and disposes of various types of dangerous waste at its north Richland plant. Ecology reduced the amount to $36,400 when Perma-Fix entered into an expedited settlement agreement, which requires the company to waive its right to appeal. Freeze Pack violated permit by releasing too much air pollution including carbon monoxide from natural gas boilers. The company

also was ordered to apply for the appropriate air permit. Ecology works with businesses and individuals to help them comply with state laws. Penalties are issued in cases where non-compliance continues after technical assistance or warnings have been given.

Meals on Wheels receives Subaru donation

Subaru’s 2016 Share the Love program, which allowed retailers to select charities that new Subaru owners could choose from to receive a $250 donation from Subaru of America, is expected to reach $90 million donated. McCurley Integrity Subaru chose MidColumbia Meals on Wheels as its hometown charity; the donation check presentation occurred during Meals on Wheels’ annual fundraising breakfast at TRAC in Pasco on March 7.

Kincaid to present at ASQ meeting

Matt Kincaid, author and co-founder of Blue Rudder, will present, “Permission to Speak Freely: How the Best Leaders Cultivate a Culture of Candor” at the April 11 American Society for Quality Section 0614 meeting. The meeting is at the Shilo Inn in Richland, with networking at 5:30 p.m., buffet dinner at 6 p.m. and a presentation at 6:45 p.m. Cost is $20 for ASQ members, $25 for others or $5 for the presentation only. Reservations are requested by April 6. Email panda_2@charter.net with contact information and type of reservation. Visit asq614.org for more information about ASQ 0614.

Kidz Dig Rigz sponsorships available

Kadlec Foundation’s Kidz Dig Rigz event is May 20-21 at the Lampson Pit area of

Columbia Park in Kennewick. The family-friendly event, which is expected to attract 5,500 attendees, allows kids to get close and personal with different types of big rigs, including monster trucks, fire trucks, tractors and tanks. Kidz Dig Rigz proceeds benefit pediatric patients and programs at Kadlec. Contact Anali Chavez at 509-942-2661 or anali.chavez@kadlec.org for sponsorship opportunities.

Downtown Kennewick seeking nominations

The Historic Downtown Kennewick Partnership is seeking nominations for the 2016 Downtowner of the Year award, which recognizes volunteer service that promotes and revitalizes downtown over a span of years. For more information, including eligibility requirements, call 509-582-7221 or visit historickennewick.org. The nomination deadline is March 31.

Charter expands CityView coverage

Charter Cable customers in Pasco and Richland can now view their neighboring city’s respective television programming because Pasco City Television is now available in Richland and Richland CityView is now available in Pasco. PSC-TV and CityView are government access channels that bring local government closer to the community by broadcasting live city council and board meetings, news programs, local events and other programming of interest to area residents. For more information, visit pasco-wa.gov or ci.richland.wa.us.

Grant helps redesign CBC’s new math center

Columbia Basin College opened its new Math Center last month. The new center is part of a five-year $2.6 million grant from the federal Title V Student Transitions and Achievement award to help its Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions program, to which CBC belongs. The grant allows CBC to redesign high-risk development math and gateway courses to improve student success and enhance infrastructure to improve student supports.

Insane Inflatable fitness run comes to Kennewick

The Insane Inflatable 5K, a fitness run series made up of 11 inflatable obstacles and taking place in more than 120 cities across the U.S. and Canada, is coming to the Benton County Fairgrounds on May 20. The 3.1-mile course is designed to be accessible to everyone. The event also features a “midway,” where participants and viewers can enjoy games, food, beverages and merchandise from local vendors and sponsors. Registration fees range from $49 to $100. For more information or to register, go to insaneinflatable5k.com.

Benton County lowers speed limit on Dallas Road

The speed limit on Dallas Road between the Badger Mountain Trailhead access and Arena Road has been reduced from 50 miles per hour to 35 mph. The Benton County Road Department evaluated the speed limit reduction at the request of area residents and business owners and found a reduction was justified due to an increase of traffic and new private roads, driveways and homes since the initial speed limit was set. The Benton County commissioners approved the reduction in January and new speed limit signs were posted in late February.

Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business • March 2017

INSURANCE

Pet health insurance could be money saver for furry friends

BY JESSICA HOEFER

for Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business

Three years ago, Perla Zepeda’s family lost a beloved family member. Their dog, Sandy, had swallowed an unknown object, causing internal damage. She was rushed to an emergency veterinary hospital in Yakima, but doctors couldn’t save her. “We grieved for about three months,” Zepeda said. They also faced more than $1,000 in veterinary bills. Shortly after their dog died, Farmers Insurance began offering pet insurance plans that could have defrayed the cost. Farmers joined forces with Pets Best to offer savings to those looking for health insurance for their cats and dogs in September 2014. The company recognized about 50 percent of the households in the United States are pet owners, and that the pet health insurance has grown into a $774 million industry since TV collie Lassie received the first pet insurance policy in the early 1980s. “A growing number of American pet owners are recognizing the financial and emotional benefits of insuring their four-

A growing number of pet owners are buying insurance policies for their furry friends and fueling a $774 million pet health insurance industry. Twelve companies currently offer plans.

legged family members,” said Jack Stephens, founder of Pets Best. Today, the pet insurance market has more than twelve companies offering plans, and many also market and underwrite co-branded products. The North American Pet Health Insurance Association reports that more than 1.6 million pets were insured in

2015, representing an average annual growth of 12 percent over the previous year. “We saw a need for it,” Zepeda said. She’s been a Farmers insurance agent for more than a decade. “We had questions from customers like, ‘What if something happens to my dog, does my homeowners’ insurance cover it?’ ”

A poll conducted by Farmers found that three out of 10 customers with pets expressed interest in adding pet insurance to their existing policies. Farmers pet policies are comprised of three levels, with various annual coverage and lifetime levels. The level one policy, for example, covers up to $5,000 a year and has a $100,000 lifetime coverage limit. The level three plan has a $20,000 annual limit and $200,000 lifetime cap. “All three will cover accidental illness and cancer,” Zepeda said. “We don’t see the importance of coverage until we lose our pets, but the coverage our plans offer are very good.” Plans do not cover pre-existing conditions, but do cover hereditary conditions, flea and tick treatment, and spay and neutering. There are also canceronly plans, or accident-only plans. Customers can tailor their plans to fit their needs, she said, explaining that you can pick your co-pay and deductible, which can range from zero to $1,000. “There’s also alternative therapy coverage, which will cover chiropractic and acupuncture therapy. We do cover pregnancy, but it excludes breeding and the reproductive process,” Zepeda said. uPET INSURANCE, Page 14

Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business • March 2017

Insurance

Irrevocable life insurance trust can be effective planning strategy for business owners BY BEAU RUFF

for Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business

Business owners are particularly sensitive to cash flow and liquidity needs. This can be especially true of the business owner’s estate after death. The estate needs cash to continue business operations and to pay potential estate taxes. Life insurance can be an effective planning strategy for business owners if properly structured. In some circumstances, life insurance is used to ensure funds for a successful business succession plan. In this case, however, the insurance is structured with the additional benefit of

reducing or eliminating the threat of the estate tax. As a reminder, both the state of Washington and the federal government impose an estate tax for estates larger than specified thresholds. Accordingly, when conducting a costbenefit analysis of whether the strategy works for the business owner, the tax impacts must be considered. If the insurance proceeds are taxed in the owner’s estate, then the net to the estate could be roughly half of the face value of the policy. A planning strategy that is commonly used to deal with the estate tax threat is the irrevocable life insurance trust, or ILIT. Let’s take a look at how an ILIT

functions. The key to the strategy is the ownership on the life insurance policy. As a general rule, everything you own at Beau Ruff death is part of Cornerstone your gross Wealth Strategies estate and potentially subject to tax. The ILIT addresses this issue by placing the ownership of the asset (the insurance) in a trust rather than in the business owner’s name. By doing so, it is possible to completely exclude the asset from the business owner’s estate. This means it can be structured so the full amount of the insurance will never be subject to estate or income tax. A person could use a similar strategy without the use of insurance. Indeed, some people may prefer to invest in marketable securities instead of life insurance. The problem is that trusts pay some of the highest levels of income tax. Thus, if the asset in the trust has income, then the value of the asset could be substantially reduced over time. The benefit of life insurance is that it has no income and thus is not subject to the high income taxes associated with trusts. And, this is why this estate planning strategy is specifically named the Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust. The process works by the business owner setting up an irrevocable trust. The fact that the trust is irrevocable means it cannot be changed. Once the trust is set up, then the business owner transfers into the trust either: (1) cash for the trust to buy life insurance on the business owner’s life; or (2) a preexisting life insurance policy. Typically, the business owner would appoint an independent trustee (professional) to administer the trust. The beneficiary of the trust would be whomever the business owner would like the estate to be distributed (usually his or her children). The business owner has thus created a mechanism to protect the assets from estate tax exposure with the same result that the kids get the life

insurance at the business owner’s death. Then, when the children are confronted with costs or taxes for the rest of the business or estate, they have the liquidity to continue operations as before. When the business owner transfers the life insurance or cash into the trust, it is treated as a gift. And, depending on the value of the transfer, the business owner may need to file a gift tax return. However, if the gift is under the applicable annual exclusion amount (currently $14,000 per year), then the gift need not be reported so long as it qualifies as a “present-interest” gift. To make it qualify as a present-interest gift, the trustee must send the beneficiaries Crummey letters which authorize the Crummey power (named after the court case of Crummey v. Commissioner from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals). A Crummey power is a provision in the trust that will give each beneficiary, for a limited period of time, the right to withdraw a portion of any contributions made to the trust. The mere existence of this right, even if not exercised, will convert the gift into a present-interest gift. So, the business owner transfers money to the trust, the trustee sends out Crummey letters, and the trust uses the money to pay the premiums on the life insurance. Of course, this is a simplistic overview (written in 750 words or less) of a sophisticated estate planning strategy. Be sure to consult your estate planning professional for more details. Attorney Beau Ruff works for Cornerstone Wealth Strategies, a fullservice independent investment management and financial planning firm in Kennewick, where he focuses on assisting clients with comprehensive planning.

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Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business • March 2017

INSURANCE

Homeowner’s insurance might not cover theft from storage units BY SEAN BASSINGER

for Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business

Belongings stashed inside self-storage units may not be covered by homeowner or renter insurance policies if anything gets stolen or damaged. Policies that cover items at off-site storage units may have limits in place as well, according to the state Office of the Insurance Commissioner. It’s good information to find out before moving high-value items into a storage unit. And people are using them more than ever, with nearly 10 percent of Americans renting a storage unit in 2015, according to Sparefoot.com, a storage unit comparison site. The self-storage industry was expected to generate $32.7 million last year. State officials advise against storing anything of high value, such as art, antiques, jewelry, collectibles, furniture or rugs. Unless renters have had the items appraised and insured for those amounts, it’s likely the dollar limits on your coverage will not be enough to pay to replace the possessions if they are damaged, according to the insurance commissioner’s office. Jeff Wenner, owner and operator of Queensgate Storage in Richland, said it’s uncommon for people to store goods of high value. “Those are far and few in between, in my opinion,” he said. Wenner and his wife have owned Queensgate Storage since 2011. Since then, they’ve seen five units auctioned off. “None of those units had anything of high-value individual items,” Wenner said. “Generally, it’s old (recliners) and photo albums.” Queensgate Storage currently has

about 215 tenants, a fraction of whom have inquired about possible insurance outside of their own homeowner’s or renter’s policies. Though the facility has security cameras, motion lights and gates that lock around 9:30 p.m., Wenner said customers should still be smart about what they store. Their units aren’t climate controlled, so Wenner also advised against storing electronics, such as televisions. “We take precautions to ensure the security of the folks that rent with us,” he said. If requested, Wenner can work with customers to get insurance. Plans typically start at an extra $10 a month for about $5,000 worth of coverage. He said plans could cover up to $15,000 worth of goods. These plans cover fire, flood or other damage related to climate, but Wenner said he’s uncertain if they cover theft. Wenner recommends anyone who rents a unit and stores goods should doublecheck their homeowner’s or renter’s insurance company. “Either renter’s insurance or homeowner’s insurance — both of those usually cover off-site storage,” Wenner said. Lisa Stump, office manager at TriCities’ Legacy One Insurance, said most homeowner insurance policies cover personal property while it is anywhere in the world. “There can be some limitations to personal property at a self-storage facility. Some insurance carriers limit coverage to property in self-storage to 10 percent of the personal property limit shown on the policy. For example, if there is a $100,000 personal property limit on the homeowner insurance policy, there would be up to $10,000 coverage for items in self-storage,” she said. The type of insurance coverage extended to items in self-storage would be the

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Tips to consider if renting storage units • Read your homeowner or renter insurance policy, or talk to your agent or insurer about covering any contents you are storing anywhere other than your home. • If your policy does cover offsite storage, there may be limits on: -The dollar amount of coverage. -How long items in storage will be covered – think temporary, not long-term or indefinite storage. -The types of losses that will be covered – theft likely is not covered. • Create an inventory of what you are keeping in storage. It can be as basic as taking photos with your phone, or download an app from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, your insurer or some other app. Or you can make a list that you store somewhere safe. Source: State Office of the Insurance Commissioner

same as listed for personal property on the policy. There usually is no additional charge, she said, adding that customers should ask their insurance agent if they’re contemplating putting personal property in storage. Officials at the state insurance commissioner’s office said consumers should shop around and talk to their agent, broker or insurer to see what their policy covers, said Kara Klotz, public affairs

and social media manager at the state insurance office. Coverage could depend on what people store and for how long, Klotz said. She said items of high value should be appraised so consumers can find the best coverage possible. “Items with higher dollar values may also exceed the limits of a standard policy,” Klotz said. uSTORAGE, Page 14

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Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business • March 2017

PET INSURANCE, From page 11 Farmers plans allow customers to visit any licensed veterinarian in the world. Reimbursements are calculated from the bill and claims are generally handled within two to five days. The insurance association reports that accident and illness plans are the main drivers in the pet health insurance market, with less than five percent of pets insured with accident-only plans. It’s most common for customers to fill out a claim form and submit a reimbursement claim to their insurance company. However, Banfield Pet Hospitals, which are inside PetSmart stores, offers its own type of insurance with three levels. Feline plans range from $19.95 per month to $32.95 a month, while canine

plans range from $25.95 to $42.95 per month. The basic plan includes two comprehensive exams per year, deworming, diagnostic testing and vaccinations. All three plans also offer discounted office visits from 10 percent to 20 percent based on the level. Zepeda said she has not sold a pet insurance policy that costs more than $50 a month. Plus, Farmers customers benefit from a 5 percent discount in policy pricing — although you don’t have to have a current Farmers policy to buy pet health insurance. Recently, Zepeda’s family adopted a Yorkie Chihuahua they named Joaquin, a puppy who’s wiggled his way into their hearts. “Coverage for him only costs me $20 a month. I waste more on coffee — this is

Insurance worth it. I love my furry friends,” she said, adding that even preventative care can be costly without insurance. “I can easily spend $300 in one (veterinary) visit with the shots they need. We have health insurance for ourselves, we should have it for our pets as well.” Farmers Insurance has an online form for people interested in coverage quotes, which can be found at: farmers.com/petinsurance. While Zepeda works out of her office in Chelan, she services clients throughout the Northwest. Larry Rindlisbacher, a Farmers Insurance agent in Richland, can also talk to potential clients about the various plans and coverage amounts. Banfield plan information can be found at banfield.com.

STORAGE, From page 13 A standalone storage unit policy will typically cover contents for a longer period of time than a homeowner or renter policy. “If you plan to store things for an extended period of time, you may want to look into a separate policy,” Klotz said. Shoppers should make sure any company or agent they work with are licensed to do business in Washington. The state office also recommends consumers ask their friends if they’re happy with an agent or company. In addition, consumers should read up on their policies and ask questions if they’re uncertain what’s covered. “We also recommend that people make an inventory of their contents, which is good advice whether your belongings are in storage or are in your home,” said Mike Kreidler, Washington insurance commissioner. “The claims process goes much more smoothly if you can prove to the insurance company what you lost.” Consumers can look into phone apps to help them manage their inventory with photos or via a spreadsheet. They also should let state officials know if they have any trouble with a policy, insurer or agent, Kreidler said. For more information, visit insurance. wa.gov.

uBUSINESS BRIEFS WorkSource hosting job fair

WorkSource Columbia Basin is hosting job fair and career expo events March 28-31 at 815 N. Kellogg St., Suite D in Kennewick. Certification for CPR and first aid is available in English from 9 a.m. to noon, or from 1 to 4 p.m. in Spanish on March 28. Workshops about how to get a dream job are from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. March 29-30. The job fair is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 31.

FSA urges timely damage, loss reports

The Franklin County Farm Service Agency office urges timely loss reports, particularly with damage and losses from the long severe winter weather and flooding. Loss reports should be reported no later than 30 days from the beginning of the weather disaster event or 30 days when damage becomes apparent. FSA recommends keeping good records of damage and/or losses by itemizing all repair and related costs, taking pictures of the damage and securing independent expert inspection reports. Also, damage to crops should be reported to FSA before abandoning or destroying the crop, so an inspection can be performed to verify the crop’s existence. For more information, call 509-545-8543 ext. 2 or visit fsa.usda.gov/wa.

Chamber annual meeting features Uber manager

Uber territory manager Alexander Diaz will present at the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce’s annual meetings and awards luncheon March 22 at the Three Rivers Convention Center. The event, which runs from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., starts with registration and a networking expo. The luncheon will include award presentations and highlight the chamber’s achievements over the past year. Tickets are $40 per person or $320 for a table of eight; reservations are required. Register at tricityregionalchamber.com or by calling 509-491-3242.

Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business • March 2017

INSURANCE

Special criminal investigations unit takes aim at insurance fraud BY ELSIE PUIG

for Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business

Ten percent of all insurance claims are fraudulent. And 10 percent of the cost of all premiums is due to fraud. This number is likely to increase as insurance fraud cases continue to grow, said Mark Couey, director of the Criminal Investigations Unit at the state Office of the Insurance Commissioner. Insurance fraud is the second mostcostly white-collar crime in the U.S., behind tax evasion. The total cost of non-health insurance fraud is estimated at more than $40 billion per year, meaning the average U.S. family pays between $400 and $700 per year in increased premiums. “It has gone up. We are seeing an increase,” Couey said. “Everybody has to buy insurance. If someone is stealing from an insurance company, the company is forced to raise insurance premiums and it affects all of us.” Calls to the state agency for service or referrals have increased by more than 16 percent in the past two years. In 2016, the office received 1,879 calls, up from 1,692 calls in 2015 and 1,611 calls in 2014. “We’re constantly triaging and trying to focus on the largest or most complicated cases,” Couey said. The CIU at the insurance commissionaires office is staffed by Couey, two prosecutors, two criminal analysts, a detective sergeant, an administrative assistant and a team of detectives. He links the increased fraud cases to several factors, including the state’s rapid population growth and the rise of “pay as you crash” cases, where an uninsured person buys an insurance policy at the time of a crash and submits a claim days later. “With the emergence of smartphones and with the ability to purchase insurance online on your smartphone, some people will not buy insurance until they have crashed their car. They will purchase it on the spot,” Couey said. “There is definitely a red flag that is raised, but due to the volume of claims and policies coming through, some don’t get caught or maybe they just don’t understand how it works, so they get away with it.” From January 2015 to December 2016, the Criminal Investigations Unit worked on

Criminal Investigations Unit detectives and analysts with the state Office of the Insurance Commissioner serve a search warrant at a business office. The CIU is staffed by two prosecutors, two criminal analysts, a detective sergeant, an administrative assistant and a team of detectives who identify and investigate insurance fraud by organizations and individuals, including medical fraud, staged auto collisions, property, inflated bodily injury claims and other types of fraud. (Courtesy state Office of the Insurance Commissioner)

more than 200 cases, resulting in 40 criminal charges and 37 adjudications. The special unit has a 95 percent success rate once a case is submitted to the prosecutor, Couey said. The unit even has a list of insurance fraud’s most wanted fugitives posted on its website. “Fraud runs a gamut. We see everything from a false stolen vehicle report or cars being driven into lakes or burned, exaggerated claims as a result of homeowner’s policy, like falsely claiming burglary of valuable possessions like diamond rings or TVs,” Couey said. “Or even medical providers falsely reporting medical services, or an insurance agent might collect premium funds but won’t actually process the policy. They’ll make up a fake document.” The unit identifies and investigates insurance fraud by organizations and individuals, including medical fraud, staged auto collisions, property and inflated bodily injury claims, and other types of fraud. “Greed, envy and jealousy are alive and well. We have investigated cases where a suspect was earning $30,000 a year in income, but we have also investigated and prosecuted cases where the suspect was an attorney and doctor. Greed isn’t determined by income level,” he said.

uncommon. Granberry, 43, of Kennewick, was found guilty in December 2016 in Benton County Superior Court for filing a false insurance claim. She was sentenced to 90 days in jail, starting in January and has to pay $800 in various court fees. Granberry had filed a claim with her insurance company, USAA, for damage to the back of her vehicle that occurred when her garage door hit her car while she was backing out of her garage on Aug. 14, 2015. She then asked for reimbursement of her medical bills by claiming to her insurance company that she had aggravated a previous back injury while trying to lift the garage

door off her car. She submitted medical bills from Kadlec Health System dated Aug. 7 totaling more than $13,000 for treating her back injury and then tampered the documents to make it seem like the injury happened Aug. 14, the day of her accident. Snider, a former Kennewick insurance agent with Terry L. Johnson Insurance, wrote an Allstate homeowner policy for himself for a house he was buying in early 2013. Three days after he bought the home on Feb. 15, the home underwent extensive water damage during renovation. That evening, Snider went into his office after it had closed for the day and lowered his homeowner policy deductible from $5,000 to $500. The next day, Snider filed a $37,000 claim with Allstate for the damage. Allstate ended up paying Snider $4,500 he was not entitled to because he fraudulently modified the deductible. Snider was charged in Benton County Superior Court with second-degree theft, a felony. In August, he pleaded guilty to a reduced gross misdemeanor charge of misrepresentation in application for insurance. “It’s called white-collar crime because it involves someone who is really thinking about what they’re doing and we have to prove knowledge or intent. This isn’t someone who made a mistake on a paper. This is someone who planned it, forged receipts and repeated lies,” Couey said. Consumers can report insurance fraud on the insurance commissioner’s website at insurance.wa.gov/complaints-and-fraud.

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Tri-City cases

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Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business • March 2017

Martial arts studios try to undo effects of recent retail sales tax increase Bill would reclassify studios as separate from larger fitness centers BY JOHN STANG

for Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business

The tax sort of snuck in there. A retail sales tax on small martial arts studios went into effect on Jan. 1, 2016. But martial arts studio owners statewide — including in the Tri-Cities — didn’t know about the new tax on physical fitness centers until late 2015. “We felt a bit caught off guard. We were given short notice,” said Erik Roach, owner of U.S. World Class Tae Kwon Do in Richland. Wes Lewalen of Pacific Kicks in Kennewick said: “When we found out about it, a lot of people were confused. A lot of martial arts schools are fighting this issue.” “There was no notification or engagement with the martial arts schools while the bill was in play (in 2015). The bill title didn’t communicate to anyone we were on the chopping block or under scrutiny. Therefore, we had no chance to make a case to argue against the legislation,” wrote Karl Kanthak, owner of Kanthak Karate of Vancouver in an email. In early 2016, martial arts, yoga and chi gong studios had to start paying Washington’s retail sale tax. “The problem is we got sort of sucked

into the definition of physical fitness (which must pay a 6.5 percent sales tax),” said Rep Cindy Ryu, D-Shoreline. These businesses were swept up in the 2015 legislative rewording of definitions for several types of businesses covered by retail sales taxes. “It was an unintended consequence,” said Andy Wilson, owner of Seattle’s MKG Martial Arts Academy. Ryu now has a bill in the Wa s h i n g t o n House Finance Committee that would remove the state martial arts, yoga and chi gong Rep. Cindy Ryu studios from having to pay sales tax. She introduced the same bill in the 2016 legislative session, which passed the House 96-0, but did not make it to a full Senate floor vote. Fitness centers with martial arts, yoga and chi gong previously have had to pay retail sales taxes. But the rewording in the 2015 legislation added that tax to independent businesses teaching those disciplines outside of fitness centers. “That put us in the same bracket as

Gold’s Gym,” said Megan Phillips of Legacy Jiu Jitsu in Richland. Lewalen pointed out there is a difference between a gym full of equipment and a martial arts studio consisting of a room and a floor mat. “We hit and punch the air. They put us in the same category as gyms with equipment,” he said. In 2016, all this rippled through Washington’s martial arts world — increasing fees charged to students which led to a drop in martial arts studio membership across the state. Profit margins were slim enough that the studios could not afford not to raise rates, they said. “When we first enacted it, a lot of people left,” Roach said. Roach and Phillips did not have figures on how much business they lost. Lewalen said his student enrollment dropped from the mid-200s to about 200. The MKG Academy in Seattle saw its membership drop from 202 students in February 2016 to 166 in May 2016. “We had a record number of cancellations,” said owner Andy Wilson. “Right off the bat, we lost 5 percent of our students who couldn’t afford the tax increase,” said Joni Sharrah, owner of the USA Karate Academy in Shoreline. Ultimately, the Shoreline studio lost about 25 of its 110 students in 2016. “We’re really coming close to the

edge,” she said. Families tend to enroll several members at the same time, meaning a rate increase hits a household several times simultaneously. “That can add up for a family,” Roach said. Scott Browning, owner of the Vancouver Tae Kwon Do Academy, noted that marital arts studios tend to be small businesses that frequently keep to themselves. This tax issues has “caused a lot of people from diverse backgrounds to get together,” he said The Tri-City studio owners have kept close track on the situation in Olympia, including talking with local legislators. However, Roach wondered about the political clout of Eastern Washington’s studios. “Unfortunately with the Tri-Cities … martial arts studios are a lot fewer and far in between over here,” Roach said. Browning is cautiously optimistic that removing the sales tax could lead to a rebound. “It’ll take time. It’s always easier to lose business than gain it back,” he said.

Send us your business news info@tcjournal.biz

Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business • March 2017

Red Mountain trail supporters forced to regroup as plan turns to dust BY JESSICA HOEFER

for Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business

Red Mountain has changed significantly in the past several decades, most notably with the number of wineries calling it home. Perhaps it’s the southwest slope that provides the vineyards with more hours of sunlight, or the proximity to the river providing a constant and natural cool air stream to stave off frost damage. Regardless, ever since Kiona Vineyards pioneered grape growing in the area in the 1970s, Red Mountain has grown in popularity—and investors have taken notice, much to the chagrin of some locals. Sarah Goedhart’s parents planted grapes on Red Mountain in 1990 for Hedges Family Estate, and she and her husband, Brent, run their own Red Mountain winery, Goedhart Family, on Sunset Lane, not too far from Hedges. Before calling Red Mountain home, Goedhart studied chemistry at the University of California, Santa Barbara, while managing the tasting room for a winery. She brought the experience she gained in Sonoma County when she moved back to Eastern Washington in 2005, as well as a passion for preserving the history of the mountain she loves. “In Sonoma, they were doing a Save the Ridgeline campaign, and when I moved out here and saw the houses on the ridgeline, I thought, ‘That’s happening here, too.’ And I thought it’d be a shame if they developed the top of Red Mountain,” she said. Goedhart got to work, writing letters to all of the Red Mountain landowners. During her legwork to find names and numbers, she learned Red Mountain Ridgeline owns almost 140 acres. And, as it turned out, one of the owners in the company was a family friend. “I tried to say, ‘Come down a little bit from the top of the ridge, and save the top of the mountain for community use.’ He was pretty open to that,” she said. But soon her hopes were dashed when her contact moved overseas, and Goedhart said she has not had the same response from principal owner, Cameron Myhrvold. “He doesn’t even live out here. He’s just developing it for profit,” she said of Myhrvold, who helped found Ignition Partners, in Bellevue. “(Red Mountain

Ridgeline has) put a big pump station on the mountain, and there’s a huge cyclone fence. It’s starting to look kind of ugly. Now out of my backyard, I see a Porta Potti.” Multiple attempts to reach Myhrvold for comment via email and phone were unsuccessful. Unwilling to lose hope, Goedhart reached out to the Friends of Badger Mountain, a group dedicated to preserving local ridges. Early this year, the group’s attorney, Shea Meehan, a partner at Walker Heye Meehan & Eisinger in Richland, drafted an agreement to establish public pedestrian access on Red Mountain’s ridgeline. The 20-mile trail would start at Antinori Road near Quintessence Vineyards in Benton City — which Goedhart noted was willing to donate an acre for parking — and it would end at the Yakima River. Meehan said the trail likely would have been four feet wide, but the easement proposed was wider. “This was not a purchase proposed. Instead, we hoped to rely on the combination of generosity and self-interest of the landowners,” he said, adding that they believed the landowners would be interested in attracting people to the Red Mountain area for recreation and tourism. The easement would be granted to Benton County and would not allow bicycles, horses or pets—with the exception of service animals. Red Mountain Ridgeline would not be obligated to maintain the easement or trails,

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Sarah Goedhart and her friends pose for a picture during Hike, Wine and Dine, which took place last June. Goedhart is helping to lead the charge to preserve the Red Mountain ridgeline and keep it accessible to the public. The proposed Red Mountain Trail would have started at Antinori Road and spanned 20 miles as it followed the ridgeline.

as that would be handled by Friends of Badger Mountain, Goedhart said. “The county said, ‘We’ll own it, but you will need to do the payments for the trail work and upkeep,’ and Friends of Badger Mountain and the Red Mountain AVA Alliance out here said, “ ‘We’re totally willing to do the work and pay for it,’ ” Goedhart said. Out of all of the landowners affected by the easement, one still refused. “Mr. Myhrvold simply stated that he “wasn’t interested” in granting an easement across the land,” said Meehan, who explained that Friends of Badger Mountain would have to determine if feasible alternatives exist. “And hope that Mr. Myhrvold will have a change of heart.”

Goedhart said the Red Mountain AVA Alliance and the wine industry are a tightknit community, which is why it surprised her that Myhrvold has planted vineyards but does not want to support the group’s master plan to create a community trail. “If he wants to utilize our community for his benefit, he should give back. We have vineyards, too, but we’ve also left some land for native species. If everything gets planted, you lose out on the native plants and wildlife that’s important here,” she said. “The ridgeline is the lifeblood of this community, and I think compromise is the way to go. We’re losing what the history of the region is all about.”

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Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business • March 2017

uBUSINESS BRIEFS Waste retrieval completed at Hanford Tank AY-102

The Department of Energy’s Office of River Protection has completed waste retrieval activities in accordance with a September 2014 settlement agreement between DOE-ORP and the Washington State Department of Ecology at Hanford’s double-shell Tank AY-102. Since waste retrieval operations at AY-102 began in March 2016, about 725,000 gallons of radioactive and chemical waste — 98 percent of the tank’s original waste volume — has been retrieved and moved to another double-shell tank. Preparing for retrieval took more than two years of infrastructure work on AY-102 and receipt Tank AP-102. DOE and Ecology will discuss the dispo-

sition of the remaining waste and an inspection of the tank will determine the cause of the leak. A determination will be made whether to repair or close the tank.

Revenue department’s tax guides provide tips

The Washington State Department of Revenue offers 49 tax guides to help aspiring business owners learn how certain taxes apply to businesses operating in the state or selling to Washington consumers. The guides consolidate general tax information; the most frequently used guides cover tax issues for the construction industry, nonprofits and out-of-state businesses. DOR advises companies to go to dor. wa.gov for information not covered by the guides or for changes to tax policy.

Virgil Boyle, from left, former Benton REA trustee of District 9, and Kyle Shinn, former Benton REA trustee of District 6, stand with Mike Freepons, president of the Benton REA Board of Trustees and trustee of District 2, after being honored for their service during Benton REA’s Feb. 11 annual meeting in Prosser. Boyle served as a trustee for 26 years and Shinn for 14 years. The two trustees retired in December after their electric service area was transferred to Yakama Power last fall. (Courtesy Benton REA)

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FUSE, From page 19 Each event will include a one-on-one conversation between a host and guest, but will consist of a “loose-ﬂowing” format or talk. The ﬁrst event guest is Dara Quinn, owner of Emerald of Siam in Richland, and the host is Tyler Soldat, a Fuse member and Wildland project manager. “As an advocate of education, especially outside of academia, I think it is extremely important for the general public to learn about the community that they live in, and to meet the people that make this community a great place,” Cozza said. “It is an opportunity for WSU stu-

Jennifer Robinson is the new chief executive officer for Tri-Cities Community Health.

cation; vision; pharmacy and translation services; care coordination and case management; and transportation. She joined Tri-Cities Community Health in May 2013 as the director of nursing, bringing with her a great deal of experience and a strong background in health care management. She previously served as director of nursing for Moses Lake Community Health Center and practice manager for Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland. Prior to her time spent in health care administration, she worked as an intensive care nurse. Most notably, she worked at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, for four years after completing a rigorous year-long fellowship training for intensive care nursing. In addition to her clinical and administrative experience, Robinson holds a bachelor’s of science in nursing degree from Montana State University and a master’s of business administration from Baker College in Michigan. The agency’s administration and support programs are expected to move into a new $1.8 million building at 800 W. Court St. by the end of March. The move of the non-clinical staff is expected to free up space in the medical clinic and provide more patient and staff parking. Tri-Cities Community Health is a private, nonprofit with offices in Pasco, Kennewick and Richland. It was incorporated in 1981.

dents to network, meet professionals in different ﬁelds, learn about different possibilities for careers, especially if they’re English majors or in liberal arts, it allows students to see the value in careers other than sciences.” The event was originally planned for February but had to be rescheduled due to weather conditions to April 12. It runs from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Fuse SPC, 710 George Washington Way, Richland. To stay up to date on the Fireside Chat series, follow Fuse SPC on Facebook or go to fusespc.com. To learn more, email jess@fusespc.com.

Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business • March 2017

Double Canyon hires winemaker for new West Richland winery BY WINE NEWS SERVICE

for Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business

Double Canyon plans to move into its new facility near Red Mountain in time for the 2017 harvest, and Kate Michaud will lead winemaking for the brand focused on Cabernet Sauvignon from Washington’s acclaimed Horse Heaven Hills. Michaud, 43, takes over the position previously held by Jason Ledbetter. “We’re delighted to have Kate join the team, especially at such an exciting time for Double Canyon,” said Will Beigthol, Double Canyon general manager and winegrower, in a news release. “I look forward to working with her as we continue to build our brand and strive to create best-in-class, distinctive Washington-grown Cabernet Sauvignon.”

“I’m excited about what the future holds for Double Canyon.” - Kate Michaud

Michaud, a University of Oregon graduate, has made wine in the Northwest since 2002, most recently as the first Washington winemaker to be

funded by Naked Wines, an online crowdsourcing wine retailer. “To have a hand in building a winery and a brand, that’s an enticing opportunity, to say the least,” Michaud said. “I look forward to working with Will and the rest of the team to build on the strong wine program they have created over the past six vintages. I have been following the project from its inception, and I’m excited about what the future holds for Double Canyon.” The new Double Canyon facility in West Richland near Pacific Rim Winemakers will span 47,000 square feet with a capacity to produce 50,000 cases. Michaud oversaw an annual production of 150,000 cases during her five years at Covey Run Winery from 2007 to 2012, spanning the brand’s ownership by Constellation and then Ascentia Wine Estates. At one point, no woman outside of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates produced more wine on an annual basis in Washington than Michaud. “I think it was true for a moment, and I loved that,” she said. However, Gallo didn’t retain Michaud when it bought Covey Run in June 2012. Soon after, Anthony von Mandl, owner of Mission Hill Family Estate near Kelowna, British Columbia, hired Michaud to set up his new CheckMate project along the Okanagan Valley’s Golden Mile. In 2013, Michaud began working

Kate Michaud is the new winemaker for Double Canyon in West Richland.

with Naked Wines as well as Rainier Wine Co. The Diversion 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon for Seattle-based negoçiant Damian Davis earned a spot in the lineup of wines poured at the Washington State Wine Commission tent during the 2015 U.S. Open Golf Championship. She’s worked on the Rainier and Naked wines in production facilities such as Pacific Rim in West Richland and the Wahluke Wine Co. in Mattawa. Prior to Covey Run, Michaud spent five years in Walla Walla at Canoe Ridge Vineyard, when the brand was owned by Diageo. Her motivation to explore wine began in 1998 when she worked for Randall Grahm’s Bonny Doon in Santa

Cruz, California. Her new position at Double Canyon for Crimson Wine Group has allowed Michaud to resign her full-time job as project manager for a software company in the Tri-Cities. It also means the commute from her home in Richland to her new winery in West Richland will take about 10 minutes. Her husband, Justin Michaud, is a winemaker for Coyote Canyon Winery, a Prosser winery that relies on Horse Heaven Hills fruit. The Mercer family sold the land for Double Canyon Vineyard to Crimson Wine Group in 2006. A year later, the Napa-based company began to plant Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Malbec, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc across its 90 acres. It launched the brand in 2010. Double Canyon’s Estate Cabernet Sauvignon ($65) is 100 percent Double Canyon fruit. The regular Cab ($24) uses grapes from Double Canyon, Champoux and Phinny Hill. The latter vineyard is near Double Canyon and is owned by Beightol’s parents. Last year, Crimson bought venerable Seven Hills Winery in Walla Walla from Casey McClellan, however the McClellan family vineyards were not part of that transaction. Crimson also owns Archery Summit in Oregon and operates a tasting room in Seattle’s Pioneer Square, a space that features all three of its Northwest brands.

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Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business • March 2017

Meet Leidos: MSA’s new parent company at Hanford BY TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS STAFF

There is a new presence at the Hanford site. Leidos merged with Lockheed Martin’s Information Systems & Global Solutions business unit, making it the new lead parent company for Mission Support Alliance, the infrastructure and site-services provider at Hanford since 2009. Leidos is a global science and technology solutions leader headquartered in Reston, Virginia, working in the defense, intelligence, homeland security, civil and health markets. The company’s 33,000 employees are in more than 30 countries

and support government and commercial customers. Leidos works with the Department of Defense, all branches of the military, and the intelligence community, providing systems and services for national security. On the civilian side, Leidos supports a majority of national agencies including the Department of Energy, NASA, Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of Homeland Security, as well as more than 500 utilities and the big three auto manufacturers. The company has a deep-seated performance history with customers which have energy- and environmentally-driven missions. In its tenure, Leidos has led or sup-

ported the management and operation of nearly $63 billion worth of DOE infrastructure, supported more than 20 DOE sites with National Environmental Policy Act compliance, and completed 8,300 environmental remediation projects. “Leidos is proud to lead the Mission Support Alliance team that manages and operates site-wide services at the Department of Energy’s Hanford site. The Leidos name may be new to some in the area, but we have supported the Hanford mission through our legacy businesses, including Lockheed Martin IS&GS and SAIC for decades, and the DOE itself since its inception in 1977. Our team continues to make a positive

impact on the DOE’s cleanup mission,” said Angie Heise, Leidos Civil Group president, in a statement. MSA, the site integrator at Hanford, coordinates activities with two local Department of Energy offices and multiple contractors, and it provides site-wide services to support the cleanup mission. MSA provides critical services in a variety of areas at Hanford including business operations, emergency services, engineering, environmental, safety and health, information management and public works. “MSA anticipates a strong partnership with Leidos,” said Bill Johnson, MSA president, in a release. “We look forward to working with our new parent company to make a positive impact at Hanford and in our community.” To learn more about MSA and Leidos, visit msa.hanford.gov and leidos.com/ DOE.

uBUSINESS BRIEFS Regional art exhibition kicks off April 27

Tri Art for Giving, a regional art exhibition and contest hosted by the Arts Foundation of the Mid-Columbia, will be April 27-May 25 at local venues. The kick-off for the event is from 6 to 8 p.m. April 27 at John Dam Plaza in Richland. The free event is open to the public; food and beverages will be available for purchase at food trucks, and a wine and beer garden is planned. Tri Art for Giving gives artists and businesses a chance to showcase art. The public and a jury will vote on their favorite art pieces as artists and participating venues vie for a grand prize of $1,000 each. Self-guided tour maps will be available at artsfoundationmc.org/ tri-art. Interested artists and venues may obtain more information and an application by visiting artsfoundationmc.org.

Volunteers sought for park cleaning, potluck

The Friends of Sacajawea State Park group is seeking volunteers for a park cleaning day starting at 9 a.m. April 1 at 2503 Sacajawea Park Road in Pasco. Tools will be provided, but volunteers are encouraged to bring gloves. Every participant is welcome to a potluck meal at 12:30 p.m. and is asked to bring a food item of their choice. For more information, visit friends ofsacajaweastatepark.org or call 509-547-4515.

Rotary donates $10,000 for shade structure

The Columbia Center International Rotary Club has donated $10,000 to provide a shade structure for the Washington State University Extension Master Gardener’s waterfall classroom at its demonstration garden at 1620 S. Union St. in Kennewick. The shade structure is expected to be ready for use by May. The waterfall classroom is used for educational events. Last year, WSU Master Gardener’s education programs reached more than 6,000 community members.

Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business • March 2017

REAL ESTATE

Oasis Physical Therapy to open fourth clinic in south Richland $1.3 million strip mall also will be home to Orangetheory Fitness Studio BY JEFF MORROW

for Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business

Oasis Physical Therapy has opened three offices built around the Tri-Cities in the past 15 years. The company’s executive director and owner Mindi Irvine now is adding a fourth location, a $1.3 million building at 1020 Queensgate Drive in south Richland. The new building will be between Keene Road and Columbia Park Trail, just south of Interstate 182. “It was last year when we decided,” she said. “We were looking at how much it has grown out there. And I realized there was no physical therapy clinic out there.” It was also time to expand, she said. “We’ve gotten to capacity at our existing locations,” she said. “And we’re getting people telling us, ‘You should open something closer to our house.’ A lot of people like to attend physical therapy closer to where they live. It’s not like going to the doctor or the dentist, once

every while. Physical therapy can be two or three times a week.” The new building is an 8,000-squarefoot strip mall with space for two other tenants. Orangetheory Fitness Studio has plans to open in one of the spaces, Irvine said. The fitness center franchise offers trainer-led 60-minute workouts broken into intervals of cardiovascular and strength training using a variety of equipment. More than 1,000 franchise licenses have been awarded and more than 500 studios are currently open. Irvine opened the first Oasis Physical Therapy in Pasco in 2002, next to what is the Lifequest building by TRAC. It has since moved to Burden Boulevard. Four years later, the next Oasis Physical Therapy building opened in north Richland. It took Irvine another eight years to build the third company office on 24th Avenue in Kennewick, near South Union Street, in 2014 Business has been good, Irvine said.

Mindi Irvine, owner of Oasis Physical Therapy, stands next to a sign announcing her clinic’s fourth location, opening this summer at 1020 Queensgate Drive in south Richland. The 3,000-square-foot clinic is under construction behind her.

“We saw a 20 percent increase in business in both 2015 and 2016,” she said. “We’re projecting the same increase this year.” The company is up to 40 employees, and the time is right for another location, she said. “The new building will be much like the others. We’ll have four physical thera-

pists there, and it’ll be 3,000 square feet,” Irvine said. “It will be focused on the sports-injured athlete.” Construction is a bit behind schedule. “We’re working on it,” Irvine said. “Winter held it back, but it’ll be ready by summer of this year.” More people than ever seek physical therapy, she said. uOASIS, Page 32

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Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business • March 2017

Real Estate & Construction

Planning underway for $141 million in Richland school construction projects BY TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS STAFF

Richland School District will see $141 million in construction projects in the coming years after passing a successful construction bond last month. District voters gave the green light for a $99 million bond with 61 percent approval, or 9,529 yes votes to 5,967 no votes. The district is now establishing timelines for the construction projects. “We thank district residents for their show of support,” district Superintendent Rick Schulte said. “It’s a positive result for the entire community.” The projects include $42 million in state matching money. The district expects to retire the bond debt in 15 years. “The citizens of Richland and West Richland realized there was a need to keep improving our facility and have responded in a big way,” said Rick Jansons, president of the Richland School Board. Planning for the following construction and renovations can now proceed. Here’s what’s planned: • Replace Badger Mountain Elementary School and Tapteal Elementary School in West Richland. Cost for both schools is $51.2 million. The 1978 buildings are too small, inefficient and electrical and mechanical systems are failing. The current 48,000square-foot buildings will grow to 65,000

square feet. • Build two new elementary schools, a $48 million combined project: a new elementary school on Belmont Boulevard in West Richland and a new elementary school in south Richland, at a site to be determined. • Make $8 million in auditorium improvements at Richland High School. Work includes replacing 1,500 seats, adding 800-square-feet of restrooms, adding a center aisle and replacing stage curtains, riggings, wood floor, sound and lighting systems. • Make $10 million in home-side improvements and install field turf at Fran Rish Stadium at Richland High School. The home side bleachers, locker rooms and restrooms don’t meet health and safety codes, the track needs resurfacing and the grass field can host about 10 varsity football gams per year and no playoff games. • Make $6 million in athletic field improvements, including installing bleachers, restrooms and field turf at Hanford High. • Build a new $10 million district teaching/learning/administrative center to replace a 70-year-old building that isn’t big enough to house the central administration departments. • The Jefferson Elementary 1982 wing will be repurposed into a $1.4 million preschool center. • Classroom additions and land purchases totaling $7 million.

Planning is underway for $141 million in Richland School District construction projects. Voters last month approved a bond for the work that includes a new elementary school near the intersection of Belmont Boulevard and Bluewood Street in West Richland, near the new Leona Libby Middle School, scheduled to open this August.

uBUSINESS BRIEFS Northwest Orthopaedic joins Kadlec

Richland’s Northwest Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine will be joining the Kadlec Health System on April 1. The clinic’s new name will be Kadlec Clinic Northwest Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine. “The change brings with it new and exciting resources for you and our team. One of the biggest changes is a new building located on Fowler Street,” Northwest Orthopaedic wrote in a letter to patients. The clinic said some patients’ physicians may be moving between three clinics: 1351 Fowler St., 875 Swift Blvd. and Kadlec Neuroscience Center. The new $12 million Fowler Street build-

ing is located in the Spaulding Business Park in Richland. A public ribbon cutting and open house for the new building is from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. March 30.

Quilters’ show set for March 24-25 in Kennewick

“Quilting Economics,” the 34th annual quilt show and merchant mall produced by the Tri-City Quilters’ Guild, is March 24-25 at the Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick. More than 35 sellers will offer quilting and fiber arts and seminars will teach about topics including market-savvy fabric design and manufacture. Admission is $8, good for both days; parking is free. For more information, visit tcquilters.org.

Real Estate & Construction

Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business • March 2017

Water rights bill faces tough road in Democratic-controlled House

uNETWORKING

Hirst decision affecting rural development; bill would give local governments more flexibility

PNNL, WSU researcher wins national award

BY JOHN STANG

for Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business

A bill to deal with a development-related fallout of last year’s state Supreme Court’s decision passed the Republican-dominated Washington Senate. However, the 28-21 vote on Feb. 28 mostly along party lines means that bill faces a tough road in the Democraticcontrolled House. The bill by Sen. Judy Warnick, R-Moses Lake, addresses the court’s October 2016 so-called Hirst ruling. Hirst came about from a lawsuit by the environmental organization Futurewise against Whatcom County over a complicated technical Washington Supreme Court ruling involving the Growth Management Act. In practical terms, the ruling means a landowner must prove a new well won’t threaten nearby stream levels needed for fish. “It got a lot people worried. … We agree that something needs to be done to address the situation,” Franklin County Administrator Keith Johnson said. Warnick’s bill would give county governments some bureaucratic flexibility in reviewing and granting permits for wells for building projects. It also would allow a builder or developer to mitigate impact to fish or water resources from digging new wells. Part of the bill’s extra flexibility would allow that mitigation to be something other than replacing stream water affected by a new well. Warnick said in her blog that the Hirst ruling translates to extensive studies for rural household wells before a building permit could be issued. “The Hirst decision effectively halts development in many of Washington’s 39

counties, hitting rural areas the hardest,” she wrote. “It would have a chilling effect on rural economic development by requiring local governments to make legal determinations of water availability – work already done by the state Department of Ecology – and sets up a situation where local jurisdictions and the state could be at odds issuing permits for small household wells.” Johnson said Franklin County has taken a “waitand-see” attitude, expecting the 2017 legislative session will produce Hirst-related legislation. Franklin Sen. Judy Warnick County has not done anything to change its well permitting process since October 2016. Meanwhile, the Benton County planning department is analyzing possible changes to its comprehensive plan due to the evolving Hirst situation. The changes will probably be locked down in a few months. “We’re kind of in a holding pattern,” said county planning manager Jerrod MacPherson. Also, permit applications and approvals haven’t wavered in numbers from previous October-to-February spans in Benton and Franklin counties, said Johnson and Steve Brown, head of Benton County’s building department. During the Feb. 28 Senate floor debate, Warnick cited the opinion of the three dissenting justices that read: “The practical result of this holding is to stop counties

from granting building permits that rely on permit-exempt wells. Not only is this contrary to the clear legislative purpose of RCW 19.27.097, it potentially puts counties at odds with the Department of Ecology and imposes impossible burdens on landowners.” This issue has split along political lines. Several county government officials and building interests supported Warnick’s bill in two Senate committee hearings. Native American tribes and environmental organizations opposed her bill in those hearings. However, the tribes and groups would have much more clout with the House Democrats when the bill hits that chamber. Testimony favoring the bill in hearings contended that the Legislature has always expected household wells to be exempt from this issue because of their insignificant impacts. And pro-bill supporters argued the Hirst ruling has brought construction in rural areas almost to a stop. Bill opponents argued that the bill would allow developers with more-junior water rights to take precedent over people with more-senior water rights. Opponents also argued that the bill would harm people relying on salmon for food, recreation and cultural uses. And opponents contended that the status quo requires counties to allow house construction only in areas where water is legally available. The two sides also disagreed on the extent of new household water wells actually has on river and stream flows.

Yong Wang, Washington State University professor and alumnus, has won the American Chemical Society’s annual Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Division fellow award. Wang, best known for his research in catalysis and reaction engineering for energy and renewable Yong Wang fuels and chemicals, holds a joint appointment with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. He has 256 issued patents and has won three R&D awards that annually recognize the 100 most significant and innovative new technologies introduced in the marketplace. Wang is a fellow of the American Association of the Advancement of Science and National Academy of Inventors and a member of the Washington State academy of Sciences. Wang will be recognized during the society’s national meeting in New Orleans this month.

Send us your business news info@tcjournal.biz

Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business • March 2017

REAL ESTATE & CONSTRUCTION

APOGEE LOGISTICS 1440 BATTELLE BLVD.• RICHLAND

Savage Logistics is changing its name and rebranding as it moves into a new building. The Richland-based company becomes Apogee Logistics in April, and the corporate rebranding is to align two companies, Savage Logistics and Apogee Group. The $2 million building is on six acres of land at 1440 Battelle Blvd., just off Stevens Drive in Richland. The land cost $240,000. Completion date is the end of March. The two-story Apogee building features about 40,000 square feet of space. A grand fireplace sits in the entry area. There is 10,000 square feet of office space for 36 offices, two conference rooms, two kitchens, four restrooms and a driver’s lounge. The building will house Savage Logistics/Apogee’s corporate office, warehouse and office rentals. The warehouse has been rented and office space is still available. There is 30,000 square feet of warehouse area that encompasses three individual warehouses, a driver’s lounge, restroom and shower area. Salina Savage and Barbara Stone, owners of Savage Logistics, are the general contractors. Savage, president of Savage Logistics, and her husband Tom are overseeing the construction project. Savage Logistics worked with Adam Hall of CRF Metal Works of Pasco to design the Nucor building and with Jim Money of Money Engineering on the

office layout and design. Employing only local contractors and small businesses was the target when the project started, and company owners have achieved their goal by 100 percent. Now with the completion around the corner, the company plans to support local businesses with their warehousing and storage needs, and to provide office space for future businesses in Richland. There will be 5,000 to 7,500 square feet of office space available for rent. Call Salina Savage at 509-

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430-5611 for pricing. Savage Logistics is a small woman-owned business that started with two trucks and three trailers, and has grown to 32 trucks and more than 100 trailers. A year ago, Salina Savage formed another business named Apogee Group with minority partner Northstar and won a multi-million contract support National Nuclear Security Administration globally and is now working in Romania.

Real Estate & Construction LODGE, From page 1 “This location is special and you need a very special building here,” Drumheller said. He’s CEO of Cannon Beach-based Escape Lodging, which also owns Cousin’s Restaurant, Tri-Cities, Cousin’s Country Inn and Restaurant, The Dalles, Oregon, The Ocean Lodge, Inn at Cannon Beach, Oregon and numerous other lodging properties and restaurants in Oregon and Washington. The new 62,773-square-foot hotel will feature a riverfront patio with a fire pit, pool, spa services and a cozy library overlooking the lobby. Room prices will range from $169 to $269 a night for deluxe rooms to $259 to $359 a night for the larger suites. A gourmet breakfast buffet is included in the room cost. Pets also will be welcome. The hotel will be unique enough to set it apart from other chain’s “cookie cutter hotels,” Drumheller said. “My goal is once you stay here, you’ll come back,” he said. “No one else is like us, so we’ll be our own niche.” The lodge will celebrate the region’s wines and winemakers, naming each of its rooms for an area winery, which will be promoted in a variety of ways, including winemaker dinners. Tom Drumheller, owner of The Lodge at Columbia Point, is being inducted into the School of Hospitality Business Management at Washington State University’s Hall of Fame. See story on page 41. The general manager of the new hotel, Wendy Higgins, served as general manager for The Ocean Lodge in Cannon Beach, Oregon for the past eight years. She was named Innkeeper of the Year by the Oregon Lodging Association in 2008. Vancouver-based Integrity Structures is the general contractor. Abbott Architecture ,based in Woodinville, is the architect. The hotel will employ 40 to 45 people. “This is the right hotel, with a perfect location, at just the right time in the evolution of the Tri-Cities. We are thrilled to be able to offer this level of hospitality to the Tri-Cities community,” said Drumheller, who grew up in Walla Walla. For more information, visit lodgeatco lumbiapoint.com, email info@lodgeatco lumbiapoint.com or call 509-713-7423. Pictured on page 1 in front of the new boutique hotel are, from left, Scott Congdon, general manager of The Ocean Lodge, Cannon Beach; Misty Kawasoe, marketing project manager for Escape Lodging; Kayla Pratt, sales ambassador for The Lodge at Columbia Point; Patrick Nofield, president of Escape Lodging; Troy Crowe, general manager of Fairfield Inn & Suites, The Dalles; Wendy Higgins, general manager of The Lodge at Columbia Point; and Tom Drumheller, CEO of Escape Lodging and owner of The Lodge at Columbia Point.

Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business • March 2017

Lisa Godwin, left, executive director of Tri-County Partners Habitat for Humanity, listens to Larry Merk, a longtime Habitat volunteer, during a March 4 ceremony to celebrate the 100th home built by the 22-year-old nonprofit. The owners of the home at 1414 E. Adelia Ct. in Pasco received their keys during the event. The Burmese natives are Naw Mu Do and her husband Ku Nay Paw. The Tri-City nonprofit works with low-income families, sponsors and communities to build and renovate affordable housing. (Courtesy Tri-County Partners Habitat for Humanity)

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Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business • March 2017

REAL ESTATE & CONSTRUCTION

ARGENT STORAGE 3302 N. ROAD 44• PASCO

A new self-storage business has opened to provide “much needed storage space to the rapidly growing community” in Pasco. Argent Storage at 3302 N. Road 44 is at the intersection of Argent and Road 44, near Columbia Basin College. The first phase of the $3 million project was completed Oct. 1, and the second is scheduled to be completed May 1. The business features outdoor, one-story storage units that are sand tan with brown roofs, as well as an on-site two-story office. Brick walls on the outer

units will form a wall at the fully gated site when completed. The facility will offer 100,000 square feet of storage space and 601 total units. Current monthly prices are: 5-by-10, $60; 10-by10, $90; 10-by-15, $120; 10-by-20, $150. In the spring, Argent Storage plans to add 12-by30 size units with power outlets for $250 a month. Croskrey Properties, a local real estate investment company with two twin brothers as owners, Nathan and David Croskrey, built Argent Storage. They have invested in commercial real estate in

the Tri-Cities for the past 25 years and have built many of the gray buildings with blue roofs in the Richland Airport industrial park. They also have built and sold two other storage unit projects. They are also currently building a new strip mall on Queensgate Drive near Keene Road. Dennis Hollis of Northwest Construction Services is the general contractor. Spink Engineering is the architect. For more information, visit argentstorage.com or call 509-579-1100.

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Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business • March 2017

Fairchild planning to open third cinema in Kennewick BY JEFF MORROW

for Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business

Fairchild Cinemas was expected to do well in its new Queensgate location in Richland when it opened in December 2015. But it did better than well, and now the company is planning a new 10-screen movie theater next to the Walmart store near the Canyon Lakes neighborhood in Kennewick. It will be in the 2900 block of South Quillan Street, between Quillan and Olsen streets. There is no set timeline for when construction will begin, said Fairchild Cinemas general manager Mamie Gale. “We have an idea, but we don’t want to say anything yet because things might change,” she said. The company said it’s in the design phase for the 8.6-acre site, and a ground-

“(Queensgate) has exceeded what we hoped it would do.” - Mamie Gale, Fairchild Cinemas general manager breaking date has not been set. But the goal is to have the Kennewick facility ready to go sometime in 2018. “That’s our hope,” Gale said. Gale expected the Kennewick theater to “be fairly similar to our one at Queensgate.” The new theater will feature “the premium sound experience of Dolby Atmos, an immersive technology wherein the sound moves around you in threedimensional space, that makes you feel you’re inside the action,” according to a company press release. In addition, premium large-format screens also will be installed. Like Queensgate, the Kennewick theater will offer reserved seating, in which customers can choose their seats online before arriving; luxury leather reclining seats; and entrée meals and locally

sourced beer and wine. The success at Queensgate gave the company confidence to move forward with the Kennewick project, Gale said. “Not having a premium theater in the Tri-Cities until then, it did what we thought it would,” said Gale, who has worked for the company for 10 years. “It has exceeded what we hoped it would do. We expected great things, and the public has embraced it.” People are still going to movies, Gale said. “I would say we haven’t noticed a change in trends,” she said. But there are more screens in the TriCities than ever before. There are 24 screens combined for the Pasco and Queensgate Fairchild theaters. There are 12 more at the Kennewick Carmike Cinemas, and another eight screens at Regal Cinemas at Columbia Center. That’s a total of 44. In the 1990s until around 2000, the Tri-Cities lost triplexes at the Uptown, Columbia Center, Columbia Center North and Clearwater Avenue, at a time when maybe there was an oversaturation of movie theaters. “I don’t know how the triplexes ever did it,” Gale said. “The studios require in their contracts with theaters to keep movies for a certain period.” But the population of the Tri-City region has grown enough during the past 15 to 20 years that the bigger multiplexes are handling the volume. In fact, the Pasco Fairchild operation could possibly see some changes too. “We are in talks right now about some slight modifications,” Gale said. “But nothing is set in stone.” Fairchild Cinemas was started by Jeff Fairchild. He has an eight-screen Fairchild Cinemas Theater in Moses Lake in addition to the 24 screens in Pasco and at Queensgate. Gale says the company has about 120 employees in the three locations. The new Kennewick theater would add another 40 employees, she said, in addition to giving the company 42 screens in four locations.

A new Fairchild Cinemas will be built in a vacant lot across from Walmart in Kennewick. Fairchild officials hope to have the 10-screen theater open in 2018.

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Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business • March 2017 Benton REA awards $40,000 in scholarships

uNETWORKING Evans recognized as ‘hidden scar’ surgeon

Dr. Laurie Evans with Lourdes Health Network has been recognized as a certified surgeon for “hidden scar” breast cancer surgery. The surgery uses a smaller incision that hides scars, minimizing the daily emotional reminder of a Dr. Laurie Evans breast cancer diagnosis. The procedure effectively treats the cancer while optimizing cosmetic results. Each year, 232,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer that requires surgery.

Benton REA awarded five local students $8,000 academic scholarships at its annual meeting in February. Recipients of the 2017 scholarship, all of whom reside in West Richland, are: Joshua Cahoon, son of Clifton and Tami Cahoon; James Carpenter, son of Bruce and Ann Carpenter; Akshay Krieg, son of David and Rebekah Krieg; Kara Shibley, daughter of Kim and Bill Shibley; and George Zhang, son of Fred Zhang and Juanli Wu. When unclaimed capital credit checks are returned to Benton REA, the cooperative uses those funds to provide up to $40,000 in scholarships each year to high school seniors whose parents are members of Benton REA. Applications are judged on quality of the applicant’s academic achievements and a 500word essay. To learn more about the application process

REAL ESTATE & CONSTRUCTION or read the winning essays, visit bentonrea. org/scholarships.

Kaelber receives excellence in agriculture award

Kara Kaelber, education director and facilitator of Franklin Conservation District’s ‘Wheat Week’ program, recently received an Individual/ Organization Category Excellence in Agriculture award from the AgriBusiness Kara Kaelber Council of Greater Spokane, in partnership with Spokane Ag Expo and Pacific Northwest Farm Forum. In its 10th year, Wheat Week teaches fourth-

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and fifth-grade students scientific concepts using wheat as the teaching tool. The program, delivered by its 16 educators, is a series of five, one-hour lessons promoting environmental stewardship emphasizing conservation practices of our natural resources.

Association of Realtors names officers

The Tri-City Association of Realtors recently announced its 2016 award winners and 2017 officers. The 2016 award winners are: Shawn Brown, Evergreen Home Loans, Affiliate of the Year; Karen Kirk-Brockman, My Friends Place, Citizen of the Year; Cindy HouseMiskho, Encore Realty, Community Service; and Ken Poletski, Community Real Estate Group, Realtor of the Year. The 2017 officers are: Mary Harris, Smart Realtors, president; Jeff Smart, Smart Realtors, president elect; Dave Shinabarger, Smart Realtors, vice president; Cindy House, Encore Realty, secretary/treasurer; and Mike Alvarez, Cypress Realty, immediate past president.

OASIS, From page 23 “People sit at their computers all day. People on their cellphones, they spend a lot of time looking down and they end up with posture problems,” Irvine said. “A lot of weekend athletes who don’t exercise during the week have problems. “Snow season didn’t help,” she said. “We’ve seen a lot of lumbar strains from shoveling snow. It only increases as we go. People suffer from injuries because they try to go as long as they can without treatment. And people get to that age and that point where they’re not bouncing back as fast.” Nowadays, some people use physical therapy even when they’re not injured. For someone who wants to improve their running technique, their golf swing or their throwing movement, physical therapy can be the answer. Oasis has technology that can break down a golf swing, and it has software for runners that analyzes stride length, when their foot touches the ground and if one foot is touching the ground harder than the other. It is advances like this that keeps Irvine and her company moving and expanding. “At Oasis, one of our missions is to educate people on how physical therapy can help them,” she said. “What’s amazing to me with the human body is you think it doesn’t change. But there are always new methods and techniques coming out to help people. “Our company believes in education and research,” she continued. “We apply what we learn. We’re able to apply that research and technology we learn to get patients better quicker.” Irvine said she doesn’t have a set plan for the future. None of the other locations, outside of the original Pasco office, were ever preconceived. But if the time is right, and she has the right people working for her, it could happen again. “We’re committed to developing leaders, people who might love to manage a clinic,” Irvine said. “I’d like to see physical therapy grow.”

Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business • March 2017

REAL ESTATE & CONSTRUCTION

Chaplaincy Health Care to open thrift store in downtown Kennewick BY TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS STAFF

A new thrift store will open in downtown Kennewick to benefit a nonprofit providing hospice, palliative and grief care. Chaplaincy Health Care will open Repeat Boutique on March 31. The store will feature gently-used clothing and accessories for men, women and children, household items, furniture, home décor and more. “Very often we have families who have items they’d like to donate after a loved one passes, and for the longest time, we just couldn’t take them. A year or so ago, we started having some serious conversations about opening a store; a location became available and things just started falling into place,” said Gary Castillo, executive director of Chaplaincy Health Care. Repeat Boutique will be in the former Purple Parasol store at 22 W. Kennewick Ave. The formal wear store’s owners retired last fall after 35 years in business. They donated a modest selection of new wedding gowns and formal wear — evening gowns and prom dresses — to the new store. Repeat Boutique customers can peruse the gowns by appointment only. “The store owners knew we were going to lease the space. They were

uNETWORKING

incredibly generous,” said Leslie Streeter, director of communications for Chaplaincy Health Care. Revenue from Repeat Boutique sales will be used to enhance and support hospice services, both in-home and at the hospice house in Kennewick. Customers who visit downtown Kennewick’s other thrift stores likely will add Repeat Boutique to their shopping circuit, Streeter said.

“There are a number of thrift stores and repurposed furniture stores (in downtown Kennewick), but we see that as a positive. We think they’ll shop among the different shops.” - Leslie Streeter,

director of communications for Chaplaincy Health Care

“Hospice thrift stores are pretty prevalent in other markets. I think hospice is one of those things people feel drawn to support and donate to. I think that’s going to give us a leg up, especially in that downtown Kennewick area. There are a number of thrift stores and repur-

Repeat Boutique, a new thrift store operated by Chaplaincy Health Care, will open March 31 in downtown Kennewick. Proceeds will benefit hospice services, both in-home and at the hospice house in Kennewick.

posed furniture stores, but we see that as a positive. We think they’ll shop among the different shops,” she said. Chaplaincy volunteers also plan on holding arts and craft events at the store. Repeat Boutique will be staffed by volunteers and one part-time employee. The ribbon-cutting is at 11:30 a.m. Friday, March 31. Shopping hours will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday beginning Friday, March 31.

Donations will be accepted 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday once the store opens. For more information about volunteering at the store, call Greta Dority at 509783-7416. The store’s phone number is 509-6190600. Look for more information about the store online or on Facebook.

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Novakovich expands role at Cancer Center

Michael Novakovich’s role with the TriCities Cancer Center has expanded from director of business development to director of strategy and business development. In addition to continuing to oversee all business development, Novakovich will work with fellow Michael Novakovich directors to create, draft and implement strategic plans to meet the growing needs of the community. His primary focus will be growing the center’s prevention and early detection programs.

Trios Foundation honors Dr. Wannarachue

The Trios Foundation honored Dr. Nikom Wannarachue with the Jim Mokler Leadership and Service Award at its annual breakfast held Feb. 22 at the Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick. More than 330 guests attended and raised $24,000 to support hospital programs and services. Wannarachue, a longtime Tri-City pediatrician and pediatric endocrinologist, was recognized for his steadfast commitment to philanthropy and community service locally and abroad. He was commended for his years of leading by example, paving the way for many local physicians in the adoption of new programs and services and philanthropic giving in the community.

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Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business • March 2017

New café opens to serve seniors with extended meal options, hours BY KRISTINA LORD editor@tcjournal.biz

Red carnations decorated the tables in the bright dining area as two volunteers learned how to prepare food behind the counter of the new Senior Dining Café in Richland. Meals on Wheels, a program of Senior Life Resources Northwest, operates the cheery eatery at 1834 Fowler St. The café is the eighth dining center option for seniors and the only one to offer menu choices, extended lunch hours and no-reservation requirements. It opened Jan. 30. Menu options include traditional senior meals — the same foods prepared for noontime crowds at seven dining sites around Benton and Franklin counties — as well as a soup, salad and sandwich combination, or a chef salad meal. Also available are ala carte items, including soup, salads and sandwiches. The new café has welcomed between 12 to 15 customers each week since opening, said Shannon Rhodes, the café manager. “We’ve had a slow start because of the

weather,” said Marcee Woffinden, nutrition services director for Senior Life Resources Northwest. The Meals on Wheels kitchen was closed for nine days this winter, which is “impactful on our staff, volunteers and the seniors we serve,” she said. It’s also the most closures in the 16 years that Woffinden’s been with the agency. But the new eatery is already starting to see regulars. “I think people are enjoying the café and enjoying having choices and just being able to drop by and not make a reservation,” Rhodes said. Woffinden said a Connell couple who frequently eat meals at the Connell Community Center recently dropped by while in town for a doctor’s appointment. Rhodes said she hopes to see attendance grow as the snow melts and weather improves. Outdoor tables also will be added. Woffinden said it’ll take a while to determine how popular the café will be. “We’re on a huge learning curve,” she said. Two new volunteers — Nadine Highland

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Shannon Rhodes, center, squeezes mayonnaise onto a sandwich for a customer at the Senior Dining Café in Richland. New volunteers Beverly Beattie of Richland, left, and Nadine Highland recently learned how to prepare food in the new café at 1834 Fowler St.

and Beverly Beattie, both of Richland — learned how to serve the meals at the café during a recent lunch. Highland said she heard about the café’s opening and wanted to help. “This sounded like fun,” she said. Beattie agreed: “I totally believe in Meals on Wheels. This is my time to volunteer and it is my No. 1 priority.”

Demand, rising costs

All meals are offered by donation, and no seniors are denied food if they are unable to pay. Those under 60 years old are asked to make a donation to support the Meals on Wheels program, which is always in need of donations, Woffinden said. The cost of the traditional senior meal is $7.15 for those under age 60. The café takes cash or checks only. Senior Life Resources Northwest has a $17 million annual budget, with $1.2 million earmarked for nutrition services. The rest goes toward its home care services program. Meals on Wheels collected $175,000 in donations last year, which isn’t enough to support it. Senior demand for meals increases every year, following rising senior demographic trends, Woffinden said. Last year, 173,000 meals were served. The program had budgeted for 157,000 meals; this year’s budget includes 172,000 meals. “If we keep growing every year, we’ll

have to start a waiting list,” Woffinden said. “We’ll have to reduce or control the dining center meals. The board doesn’t want to do that and I don’t want to do that, but government funding has been flat for many, many years and I don’t see that changing.”

March fundraisers

Despite the challenges, Woffinden said the community has been a great supporter for Meals on Wheels. She hopes the support continues with the launch of a new fundraiser, Blue Brigade Fun Run, planned for March 25. Participants will wear the same bib number, 1974, which is the year Meals on Wheels began in the community, and are encouraged to wear a blue shirt. Those who register can participate any way they want — even if it means staying at home or participating from a remote location. They’re encouraged to share photos regardless of where they are. Registration is $20 per person, plus $10 per shirt. The cost for groups or teams of four or more is $15 per person, plus $10 per shirt. Children 10 and under who participate with a registered adult do not have to pay a registration fee. The “fun-raiser” run/walk begins at 9 a.m. at Howard Amon Park in Richland. The kids’ dash starts at 8:30 a.m. The new fundraiser is part of a monthlong celebration of the national nutrition program for seniors, which was signed into law in 1972. Community members are invited to ride along a meal delivery route to learn more about Meals on Wheels from March 20-24. From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 29, celebrate the Blue Brigade Senior Dining Day at the new café with complimentary soup, sandwich and a blue Icee.

How to help, volunteer

Those interested in volunteering for Meals on Wheels and current volunteers are invited to stop into the new café for lunch. The café is open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information about the fundraisers and Meals on Wheels, visit seniorliferesources.org or call 509-7351911.

Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business • March 2017

Volunteers breathe new life into Kennewick historical museum BY KRISTINA LORD editor@tcjournal.biz

A quarter-scale model of a Tyrannosaurus rex. A local radio station’s vinyl record collection. Homesteading farming tools. The bell from the old Finley school south of town. Old yearbooks and framed Kennewick High class photos formerly on display at O’Henry’s Go Go restaurant. An extensive arrowhead collection. An elaborate wreath woven from the hair of multiple people. They’re among the 10,000 items on display at the East Benton County Historical Museum, located just east of Keewaydin Park. The museum re-opened March 4 after being closed for a month to redesign several of the exhibits in the 5,000-squarefoot gallery. Built in 1982, the museum is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year. “Our collection is immense. We have so many items that rather than overwhelm you, we wanted to edit the items on display,” said Stephanie Button, the museum’s administrative director. East Benton County Historical Society members and volunteers have been working hard on the redesign, putting in more than 700 hours since the beginning of the year, Button said. “It’s going to feel less overwhelming. I like things that we can do differently to give the museum a new, fresh perspective

Allan Simmelink, president of the East Benton County Museum Society, installs the framework to display the musuem’s agricultural tool collection. The Kennewick museum closed for a month to redesign several of the exhibits in the 5,000-square-foot gallery. Built in 1982, the museum celebrates its 35th anniversary this year.

and maybe add to the enthusiasm of new people coming to the museum,” said Gale Metcalf, secretary of the society’s board of directors. The museum will be divided into zones to tell new rotating stories and showcase the Tri-Cities’ diverse and rich history, Button said. One of the zones will feature open space for community lectures and activities. Another will focus on the region’s earliest newspapers. Visitors can choose a vinyl record from the large collection donated by KONA radio, place it on a working turntable and

listen to it in the radio lounge area. “The Tri-Cities has a pretty awesome history of music,” Button said. A community gallery is the museum’s first step toward inviting guest curators inside. Button said it’s critical to make sure the community “hears their own voices in the museum.” The gallery will be used to host shows, from solo exhibitions by local artists to specially curated shows by guest historians and to featured exhibits produced by teachers. She’d also like to invite the refugee community to display artwork.

“It’s great to explore different cultures that come to the Tri-Cities,” she said, adding that she’d love to have a Latino companion exhibit when the Port of Kennewick’s wine village opens later this year on ColumStephanie Button bia Drive. The wine village will feature a mural to celebrate the Latino community’s contributions to the Tri-City region, including the wine and agricultural industries. Community exhibits will be rotated every two months. “This is our way of saying, ‘Your stories are meaningful’ to the community,” Button said, explaining that museums become more relevant “when you abandon the idea that history happened a long time ago.” Tri-City artist Ray Lechelt will debut a mixed media collection exploring memory and nostalgia in the space this month. Other zones include the “nostalgia rooms,” a living room, dentist office and “curious classroom.” A veterans’ section pays tribute to those who served in the military in Benton County. “We have a fantastic military collection and we definitely want to display and honor them,” Button said. uMUSEUM, Page 36

Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business • March 2017

uNETWORKING Rheinschmidt named educator of the year

Julie Rheinschmidt, who teaches middle school math and science at MidColumbia Partnership, was named secondary educator of the year by the Washington Association for Learning Julie Rheinschmidt Alternatives. The award recognizes middle and high school teachers in alternative learning programs who stand out for their contributions to educating students and helping make their school or program be

successful. MCP is the Kennewick School District’s parent-partnership program that provides quality educational opportunities and resources for students in kindergarten through 12th grade whose education is largely guided and provided by their parents. Rheinschmidt began teaching in the program 13 years ago.

Thornton to return as interim president of CBC

Former Columbia Basin College president, Lee Thornton, will take over the president position in April on an interim basis when current president Rich Cummins leaves the school on March 30 to become the Washington chancellor for Western Governors University. Thornton served as CBC’s president from 1995 to 2008. After retiring from CBC, he has worked as a higher education consultant. He currently lives in Missoula, Montana.

CBC will conduct a nationwide search to find Cummins’ permanent replacement.

State and a bachelor’s degree from James Madison.

Watkins named director of CBC Foundation

Communities in Schools names executive director

Alissa Watkins has been named executive director of the Columbia Basin College Foundation. She was previously the foundation’s director of philanthropy. In her new role, Watkins will lead efforts to seek partnerships with community constituencies to raise Alissa Watkins money for student scholarships and programs at CBC. Watkins has a master’s degree from Penn

Lupe Mares is the new executive director of Communities in Schools of Benton-Franklin. She began work with the nonprofit as a site coordinator at Marcus Whitman Elementary, bringing with her experience in community outreach and case management. She was one of the original nine site coordinators hired in December 2014 when Communities in Schools of Benton-Franklin was implemented by the Richland School District. Mares holds a master’s in social work from Walla Walla University. Communities in Schools of Benton-Franklin is part of the nation’s largest dropout prevention program providing school-based integrated student supports to children and youth most at risk of school failure.

MUSEUM, From page 35 Button, who has a degree in anthropology, is a self-described “museum nerd.” She worked at the Reach museum in Richland for six years, focusing on building the education department and spearheading the shrub steppe ecology display. She was laid off when the Reach museum faced financial difficulties, and joined the Kennewick museum in June. She’s hoping to create a sense of “place-esteem” at the museum. “We’re adapting to become more accessible to a newer audience and creating more handson opportunities,” she said. Allan Simmelink, the society’s board president, appreciates her enthusiasm. “Stephanie has us fired up to get more volunteers. I think she’s going to be a real boost to the museum,” he said. Closing the museum in winter to “breathe new life into the space” might even become an annual event, Button said. “A great way to pay attention to things you didn’t notice before is to change their position,” she said. Her goal is a simple one: to make the museum a cool place to be. “Museums don’t have to be stodgy and boring. The best museums are a little bit funky,” she said.

If you go

Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and veterans, and $1 for youth, kids under 5 are free. East Benton County Historical Society members are free. Annual membership is $35 a year per person, or $50 for a family or couple. Musuem hours are noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. For more information, call 509-582-7704, visit ebchs.org or find the museum on Facebook or Twitter.

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Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business • March 2017

HOSPITALITY

Six-story hotel opens at Legends Casino in Toppenish

seat eight, as well as a catering kitchen. It connects with a conference room. Pet-friendly rooms are available on the first floor. Free shuttle buses leave from the TriCities to the casino seven days a week from the Pasco Walmart, Kennewick Sports Authority, Richland Community Center and Benton City Conoco.

Casino attracts thousands of Tri-Citians annually BY KRISTINA LORD editor@tcjournal.biz

The 7,000 people who hop aboard the free shuttle buses in the Tri-Cities to travel to Legends Casino in Toppenish each year won’t have to rush back home that same day. They now have the option of staying overnight with the opening of a six-story, 200-room hotel and conference center. “There’s a lot going on in the area with agritourism,” said Letisha Peterson, general manager of Legends Casino and Hotel. She said many travelers weigh the costs of a Vegas vacation against a more affordable staycation, and believes it’s a “good time for us” to open the hotel. Peterson, who has worked at Legends for 14 years, grew up in Toppenish and is a member of the Yakama Nation. She said the hotel prides itself on honoring tribal culture and pointed to the artwork in the hotel’s rooms and lobby featuring historical Yakama Nation photographs, as well as the huckleberry-scented soaps and

Casino expansion

The Legends Hotel lobby features an intricate light fixture with cascading glass leaves. The Toppenish hotel prides itself on honoring tribal culture and soon will open a mini museum featuring items from the Yakama Nation Museum. The new 200-room Toppenish hotel opened Feb. 25.

shampoos. The huckleberry has been valued by tribal people for centuries. The Legends Hotel, which opened Feb. 25, features valet parking, WiFi, an indoor pool and hot tub, and a fitness center, and soon will open a mini museum featuring items from the Yakama Nation Museum. The hotel is offering a $99 introductory room rate over the next few months. Hotel

officials could not provide a price range for the rooms after the special expires. The 11 Cedar and six Huckleberry suites are named after culturally important items to the Yakama Nation. They feature 52-inch HDTVs, king-size beds in separate rooms and soaking tubs. The grandest guest room, the Celilo Suite, features more than 800 square feet of space with a dining area to

The construction of the hotel anchors a $90 million Legends campus expansion. The expansion, expected to be completed later this year, is expected to add 200 new jobs to the current work force of 745 employees, Peterson said. When completed, the casino’s gaming floor will be expanded by more than 50,000 square feet. The casino features nearly 1,500 of the newest, most popular slots with 18 tables for guests who prefer blackjack, Spanish 21, roulette or craps. Keno and a poker room also are available. The newly revamped Legends Rewards Club offers special offers and discounts. About half of the club’s members are from the Tri-Cities. uLEGENDS, Page 43

Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business â&#x20AC;˘ March 2017

Hospitality

Eat, drink, sleep and be merry Wineries, brewery offer plenty of incentives for visitors to stay longer BY JESSICA HOEFER

for Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business

The owners of Prosser’s Horse Heaven Saloon are breaking into the overnight business, fulfilling a longstanding vision to provide an all-inclusive experience for guests. “We wanted to diversify beyond the brewery and tasting room,” said Gary Vegar, who owns Horse Heaven Saloon, as well as Horse Heaven Brewery, with his wife Carol. “The guest industry in Prosser through the Tri-Cities and Walla Walla is rapidly becoming a destination for visitors from the greater Northwest and across the country. We are pleased to be part of the growth.” And the Vegars aren’t alone. Wineries offering overnight accommodations to entice visitors to stay longer is a growing trend in the region. The space above the downtown Prosser restaurant has been transformed to create a 1,000-square-foot Parlor Meeting Room along with two guest rooms, each with a private bathroom. “The parlor is decorated like an opulent hotel lobby — some may say a very upscale bordello far beyond what existed in historic Northwest towns. The guest rooms are named after their wallpaper — the black room is the Naughty Noir Room, and the red room is the Bordeaux Bordello Room. Of course, the room names are all in good fun,” he explained. “We remain a family-friendly business in a small town.” Other décor includes chandeliers, faux copper tin ceilings, oak floors, deep red wall paint and gold window treatments. A full kitchen and two large dining room tables can accommodate large groups. “The parlor is set up for special events in a classy, dressed up room,” he said. A baby grand piano sits in a corner of the parlor, and Vegar said they plan to have a jazz activity once a month with local artist, Ben Macy. “Guests will have the option of hiring the piano player to add to their private experience,” he said. Patrons who stay in one of the two 14-by-14 foot rooms — which feature king-size Davenport beds — will have access to the parlor, providing there are no private events. The meeting room can be rented by the hour for private parties, and the space includes a murphy bed for guests who would like to add overnight accommodations to their private parlor experience. Hourly parlor room and guest room rates have not been set, but Vegar expects to be fully up and running in April. Further south in Paterson, Alexandria Nicole Cellars is waiting for Benton County to give the thumbs up so it can provide guests with a fifth overnight option. Two years ago, the winery removed the 14-by-20 foot canvas tents that were used

for glamorous camping, or glamping. “People are looking for a unique experience and getaway. We decided to … build a more permanent structure to expand the season and accommodate for the climate,” said Ali Boyle, co-owner of Alexandria Nicole with her husband, Jarrod. The winery built four tiny houses, all with less than 400 square feet of space. Each has a queen bed, private bathroom and wine fridges. HGTV featured the construction of two of the houses while Northwest companies competed to create a unique design using minimal space. “Finishing Touches out of Seattle won on HGTV, and our wine club members voted for Elite Construction out of the Tri-Cities,” she said, adding that the tiny houses featured in the competition tend to be the most requested by guests. The structures are surrounded by the winery’s vineyards and can accommodate two people, and the overnight stay includes wine tasting at Alexandria Nicole Cellars. Reservations run from May through October, and Boyle said they’ll begin scheduling guests for the 2017 season this month. “We have 4,000 wine club members, so they book it pretty quickly,” she said, adding that last year, 82 percent of the reservation spots were filled. Although it likely won’t be available this year, the newest option for guests will be a container house. “There’s a narrower field of builders doing container houses. As soon as we get the OK from the county, we’ll get different bids,” she said. “HGTV wants to come film it when we do.” Room rates for the existing tiny houses are $250 for weekends and $200 for weekdays, with a discount added for wine club members. One of the houses is a bit smaller than the others, and that rate is $150 for weekends and $100 for midweek. Desert Wind Winery also has rooms to meet the needs of guests wanting to stay overnight in the heart of wine country. The Inn and Desert Wind, off of Wine Country Road in Prosser, has a small restaurant area, banquet room and massage rooms, among its plethora of amenities. While wedding and anniversary parties often take advantage of the large event space, the four luxury suites attract guests who are just passing through as well. “The main reason for opening the suites was to provide accommodations for people visiting the Yakima Valley Wine Country,” said Cecilia Pleake, Desert Wind Winery’s tasting room lead. “Weddings are a staple at Desert Wind, and our suites are often used for wedding nights and romantic getaways. However, we welcome all those looking for something special during their visit.” uVACATION, Page 45

Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business • March 2017

Carol and Gary Vegar sit in the Parlor Meeting Room upstairs from the Horse Heaven Saloon restaurant in downtown Prosser. The 1,000-squarefoot meeting space can be rented by the hour and features a complete kitchen, dining tables and a flat screen TV.

Four tiny houses are available for rent at Alexandria Nicole Cellars in Paterson. They are all less than 400 square feet.

Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business • March 2017

HOSPITALITY

Customer service workshop aims to provide tune-up for those on front lines BY KRISTINA LORD editor@tcjournal.biz

Developing good customer service skills is critical to businesses’ success and why four Prosser nonprofits are offering a one-day workshop to help hone them. “The audience will walk away with a variety of different things focused on customer service and tricks of trade to promote return visits so customers will come back through doors. The training will raise the bar and level of service,” said Deb Heintz, executive director of the Prosser Economic Development Association. Called Tourism Tune-Up, the March 21 event includes three tracks: boosting business through sales, how to wow under any circumstance, and using technology to build loyalty. The keynote speaker is chef and restauranteur Tom Douglas, who bought a farm in Prosser about 10 years ago to supply his Tom Douglas Seattle Kitchen chefs with organically-grown produce. On a weekly basis, 2,400 pounds of produce is trucked from the farm to his Seattle-based restaurants. Douglas has opened 18 restaurants since 1989, including Lola, Seatown Seabar and Rotisserie, Serious Pie (three locations), Serious Biscuit, Cuoco, Brave Horse Tavern and Palace Kitchen. He also runs a catering business, event space, product line of spices and sauces,

and a cooking school. He’s the author of four cookbooks. He will talk about how to provide every customer an exceptional experience. Tom Douglas The hospiChef and tality-focused restauranteur conference has been developed to educate owners, top level managers and employees who connect with company customers and the general public. Focused invitations were sent to the several industries, including hotel, restaurant, retail, ag-tourism, service, wineries and breweries. But the word is getting out and others have signed up, Heintz said. “We’ve got 22 people from the Prosser hospital (PMH Medical Center) who want to come,” she said. And Heintz thinks that’s great as customer service is a key component in any business. “It only takes a bad experience once and customers won’t come back. The return visits are huge to businesses. If you can provide that awesome experience for a customer who walks through the door, more likely than not, they’re going to return and most likely tell their

friends,” Heintz said. Last year’s event was so successful with 85 people attending and providing positive feedback that Heintz knew it needed to be offered again. The panel discussions feature regional business experts from Goose Ridge Estate Winery, Sister to Sister, Chukar Cherries, Wine O’Clock, Bill’s Berry Farm and Castle Catering. It will be held at the Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center, 2140 Wine Country Road, Prosser, beginning with check in and a continental breakfast from 8 to 9 a.m., and ending with a social hour to provide time for networking from 4 to 5 p.m.

TOURISM, From page 1 If passed, the law would go into effect July 1. A progress report to the governor and Legislature would be due by Dec. 1, 2018. Recent testimony before the appropriate House and Senate committees showed wide support and no opposition to the bills. “This is to get people to come here, not recycling people who are already here, but bringing in people from outside the state,” said Becky Bogard of the Washington Tourism Alliance. She added that it is important that Washington’s rural areas be included in marketing efforts. Deb Heintz, executive director of the Prosser Economic Development Association, said she hopes such a statewide effort wouldn’t negatively affect her Lower Valley city. “We’re small rural Prosser. My only concern is if this would take away our dollars that are already allocated from the state that flow into the city and then the chamber,” she said.

Cost is $45 per person and $35 per person for groups registering five or more employees. The price includes the panel seminars, keynote session, breakfast, lunch and networking. Register for the workshop at theclorecenter.org. For more information, email info@ prosser.org or call 509-786-3600. This training is offered by the Prosser Economic Development Association, Prosser Chamber of Commerce, Historic Downtown Prosser and Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center.

Heintz said she’s in favor of a statewide tourism department as long as it’s “fair across the board” and doesn’t impact her city’s current marketing efforts and funding. Ron Peck, director of tourism for the Port of Seattle, said for every $1 that New Mexico has spent on tourism marketing, it has resulted in $3 in tourismrelated taxes going to that state’s coffers. When Colorado cut its tourism marketing program in 1993, that state saw a 30 percent drop in tourism revenue, which rapidly climbed when the program was reinstated in 2000, he said. “We must invest to get that return,” said Morgan Hickel of the Washington Hospitality Association. Other testimony contended tourism in British Columbia, Oregon and Idaho is growing at faster rates than in Washington. “We need a unified approach to state marketing,” Watkins said.

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Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business • March 2017

Hospitality

Richland hotel owner among those inducted into hospitality program’s hall of fame BY TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS STAFF

The School of Hospitality Business Management at Washington State University celebrates its 85th anniversary with the induction of several people — including a Tri-City hotel owner — into its inaugural hall of fame. Tom Drumheller, chief executive officer of Escape Lodging, which is building The Lodge at Columbia Point in Richland, graduated from the Washington State University program with a degree in hotel and restaurant administration in 1975.

“As students are about to start their careers, I suggest they identify and become friends with key mentors who are the best at what they do.” - Tom Drumheller, CEO of Escape Lodging He then was recruited and accepted into the Hyatt Hotel Management Training Program before venturing out on his own to establish Escape Lodging. Drumheller serves on the col-

lege’s National Board of Advisors and loves to share what he has learned in the hotel industry with business students, according to a WSU alumni spotlight Tom Drumheller story. Escape Lodging “As students are about to start their careers, I suggest they identify and become friends with key mentors who are the best at what they do,” he said. “I also encourage students to not worry about the money as much as doing what they really enjoy. If they do this, the money will take care of itself.” This month’s anniversary celebration includes dinner, dancing, a fundraiser and the recognition of hospitality school alumni and former professors. It starts at 5:30 p.m. March 24 in the Compton Union Building senior ballroom in Pullman. The public is invited. “The event celebrates the School of Hospitality Business Management’s successful programs over the last 85 years and will raise funds to support current programs,” said Nancy Swanger, the hospitality school’s director and Carson College of Business associate dean.

“External support benefits students in the classroom and prepares them for a competitive, global business environment in the hospitality industry.” The school was established in 1932 and ranks eighth among hospitality programs nationwide. TheBestSchools.org ranked the school No. 1 for best online hospitality programs in the U.S. in 2017. Inductees include: • John Ascuaga, former owner and emeritus chairman, Nugget HotelCasino. • Stan Boyd, owner/winemaker, Boyd Family Winery. • Chris Burdett, senior vice president, CBRE Hotels. • Jerry Burtenshaw, chairman, ABC Services. • Dwight Call, retired president, Westin Hotels and Resorts. • Larry Culver, retired chairman/chief executive officer, Inn Ventures. • Tom Drumheller, chief executive officer, Escape Lodging. • Jerry Jaeger, president, Hagadone Hospitality Corporation. • Craig Schafer, owner, Hotel Andra & Inn at the Market. • Lothar Kreck, professor emeritus. • Don Smith, professor emeritus, deceased. Registration is $85. Email Darcie Bagott at darcie.bagott@wsu.edu or call 509-335-5766.

uNETWORKING Senske participating in ‘safe company’ program

Senske Services has joined the National Association of Landscape Professionals “Safe Company” program, a new safety initiative developed to assist landscape and lawn care companies in their efforts to provide a safe work environment. Participants commit to maintaining an active safety program within their company, and take an active role through safety training and investigation and documentation of job-related injuries. They also commit to participating in the NALP Safety Recognition Awards program and are asked to comply with regulatory requirements.

United Way’s names new manager

Alix Hilton has been named United Way of Benton and Franklin Counties’ manager of community engagement. Hilton relocated from Boise and manages United Way’s marketing, comAlix Hilton munications and community engagement functions. She holds three bachelor’s degrees from the University of Idaho and has a strong record of volunteerism.

Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business • March 2017

uNETWORKING KVEW’s Phase 3 Digital adds staff

Mike Crow and Jan Mennenga have joined KVEW TV’s Phase 3 Digital division. Crow is an account executive-digital specialist with experience in hardware repair and Mike Crow diagnostics; web page design; analytics and digital advertising; and graphic design; and radio communication/broadcasting education. Mennenga is a digital sales specialist. He has Jan Mennenga experience in graphic design, web design, search engine marketing, digital marketing and analytics.

Neurologist joins Trios Medical Group

Dr. Samuel Coor has joined Trios Medical Group-Neurology and is accepting new patients to his practice at Trios Care Center at Southridge. Coor has worked in private practice since 1991, has served Dr. Samuel Coor as a consultant

for medical organizations, clinical investigator for pharmaceutical trials and is a published speaker. He was a governor appointee to the Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery in 2014. Coor received his doctor of osteopathic medicine degree from the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine in Old Westbury, New York. He is board certified in neurology. Trios Health is Kennewick Public Hospital District’s system of care serving the greater Tri-Cities.

Cmdr. Littrell awarded Boy Scouts North Star

Hospitality

Hampton Inn Richland now offering smartphone key service BY TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS STAFF

Hampton Inn Richland is offering access to its room via a digital app, a high-tech benefit available to Hilton Honors members. The so-called digital key is a new feature of the Hilton Honors app, providing the loyalty program’s members more choice and control over their travel experience. It allows guests the option to bypass the hotel check-in counter and access their room, as well as any other area of the hotel that requires a key, directly via the app on their smartphones. The digital key is also available at the Hampton Inn Spokane Airport and Hilton Garden Inn Spokane Airport properties. The Hilton Honors loyalty program is open to all guests and free to join. Hampton Inn Richland is at 486 Bradley Blvd.

Cmdr. Craig Littrell of the Kennewick Police Department was honored with the Boy Scouts North Star award March 9. The award recognizes individuals who make significant contributions to the community, especially in the lives of youth, both Cmdr. Craig Littrell in and out of scouting. In addition to 29 years of service with the police department, Littrell has served in numerous nonprofit board roles and has volunteered in programs, including South Hills Church and National Night Out.

Melissa Montgomery; Robert Olson, executive director; and Pat Lacy, administrative director.

Emmaus Counseling Center names board

Hazel joins PMH Surgical Group in Prosser

Emmaus Counseling Center’s board of directors recently elected its officers: Mistee Verhulp, president; Joe Bellanti, vice president; Ryan Bickford, secretary; and Kyle Edberg, treasurer. Other directors include Barb Debban, Bruce Debban, Melissa Edberg, Grant McCallum and

Dr. James Hazel has joined the team at PMH Surgical Group in Prosser. Board certified since 1991, Hazel brings almost 30 years of experience in orthopaedic surgery to the practice. Hazel received his medical degree from Oregon Health Sciences University. He is a

Hilton Honors members can now use an app to enter their hotel room at the Hampton Inn Richland. (Courtesy Hampton Inn)

longtime area resident, serving as staff surgeon at Yakima Orthopaedic Clinic from 1989-91 and at Northwest Orthopaedics in Richland from 1991-92. He is the founding surgeon of Tri-City Orthopaedic clinic and worked there Dr. James Hazel from 1992 to 2016.

Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business • March 2017

HOSPITALITY

More hotel rooms mean more money to fuel region’s tourism industry Area to boast 4,191 rooms by year’s end BY SEAN BASSINGER

for Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business

The region’s hotels and motels continue to expand as more Tri-City visitors check in for overnight stays. The increase in the number of guest rooms has been constant in the past four years, rising 25 percent, from 3,358 rooms in 2014 to an anticipated 4,191 rooms by the end of 2017, said Kris Watkins, president and CEO of Visit Tri-Cities. With the increase in rooms comes the increase in the amount of hotel and motel taxes collected. The Tri-Cities has seen an increase of 3.4 percent in motel and hotel taxes in 2016 from the previous year. Each of the cities receives about 2 percent or a little more, depending on the area. “It’s quite large when you bring in 1,200 to 1,500 people in a 40- to 50-day period,” Watkins said. Tourism generated $16.5 million in taxes for local use and 5,900 tourismrelated jobs in 2015. “It’s a very good indicator that the revenues are growing in terms of the hotel lodging industry in the Tri-Cities,” she said. “It’s something that we follow because it’s a good indicator, as well as the actual room nights that are picked up.” Money received from motel and hotel tax collections are required to go toward tourism-related activities, operations or expenditures. Hotels see most traffic around Memorial Day and Labor Day. They also welcome several businesses or agricultural groups in LEGENDS, From page 37 Improvements to the Legends buffet also were part of the expansion project. Seating was expanded from 230 to 375 seats. With the expansion of the buffet, additional stations can be offered — including Mexican, Italian, American and salads — in addition to the theme of the day. Lucky Shots espresso bar also was expanded for those seeking a specialty drink or baked goods. Because the casino and hotel are on the Yakama Nation reservation, no alcohol is served. Smoking is allowed inside the casino in designated areas. Peterson said the expansion project also is expected to improve air quality. The project’s architect is Bergman, Walls and Associates of Las Vegas. Seattle-based Swinerton Builders is the general contractor for the project. As part of the casino’s ongoing commitment to support economic development in the local community, RJS Construction, based in Zillah, joined the expansion project as well.

Grants benefit Tri-Cities

Legends Casino awarded almost $30,000 in grants throughout the Tri-Cities in 2016 to nonprofits like the YMCA, Pet Over Population Prevention and the Tri-Cities Cancer Center Foundation as part of its Yakama Cares program. The casino donates 2 percent from some of its table games to

the first quarter, such as the Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers’ and the Washington-Oregon Potato Conference. “Those agricultural groups are usually meeting the first quarter of every year, because it’s spring time, that’s when they start work,” Watkins said. Convention groups are a very important and sought-after part of the Tri-City tourism portfolio since business and leisure travel slows in the winter. The Tri-Cities welcomed 214 conventions and sporting events that brought in 128,866 visitors and an estimated $38 million in visitor spending last year. And Watkins said the area is seeing more travelers come for the region’s awardwinning wines, as well as the Manhattan Project National Park. “That is an area that’s really starting to grow,” she said. She said the Tri-City region competes with Seattle, Spokane, Yakima, Wenatchee and Vancouver for visitors. Spokane had a recent expansion to its convention center, a project Watkins said is needed in the Tri-Cities at the Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick. She said local growers, agricultural groups and businesses who visit have been very loyal, but that their own group numbers continue to grow. “We need to be able to sustain them for the Tri-Cities region,” Watkins said. “I’m fearful that if we don’t expand that convention center, we’re going to lose that business we already have.” The end of the year appears to be the most challenging overall, though the area

Legends Casino’s free shuttle service u Pasco Walmart, 4820 N. Road 68: pick up 10:30 a.m., drop off 6:55 p.m. u Former Kennewick Sports Authority, 908 N. Colorado St.: pick up 10:55 a.m., drop off 6:40 p.m. u Richland Community Center, 500 Amon Park Drive: pick up 11:15 a.m., drop off 6:25 p.m. u Benton City Conoco, 10806 E. Kennedy Road NE: pick up 11:30 a.m., drop off 6 p.m. Must be 18 or older to board shuttle. Food, drinks and pets are not allowed.

this community impact fund and distributes the money each May. The contributions have increased annually since the program started in 2008. Additionally, grants awarded in the Tri-City area have increased each year as well. TriCity nonprofits are encouraged to apply for this year’s grant distribution. The deadline is Friday, March 31. To apply, visit legendscasino.com/community. For more information about the casino and hotel, call 877-7-COME-11 or visit legendscasino.com.

The $9 million Home2 Suites by Hilton Richland opened last month with 120 rooms next door to the Queensgate 12 Cinema in south Richland. The increase in the number of guest rooms in the Tri-Cities has been constant in the past four years, rising 25 percent.

welcomes several convention groups and sports teams, Watkins said. At least 202 guest rooms will be added to the area in 2017, up from 121 in 2016. This contributes to 833 guest rooms added since 2015, Watkins said. One of the newest hotels, Home2 Suites in south Richland, opened Feb. 3. Each room at the extend-stay hotel has a full kitchenette, HDTV and sleeper sofa, said Berenice Trevino, sales manager at Home2 Suites. Richland Hotel Partners owns the 18,561-square-foot site, while Western States Lodging and Management runs it. The whole project cost $9 million to build,

with land costs around $1.4 million. “It’s geared toward the sophisticated, thrifty traveler of today,” Trevino said. “It’s such a new product — it’s fresh, innovative, versatile. There really isn’t a hotel like ours in the area.” The company is partnering with government agencies, local wineries and anyone wanting to stay in the Tri-Cities long term to promote local tourism, Trevino said, noting that they are members of the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce and West Richland Chamber of Commerce. “As members, we are promoting TriCity tourism and making sure those tourism dollars are spent well,” she said.

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Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business • March 2017

Sandstone Café soup fans can now enjoy them at Atomic Bowl in Richland BY KRISTINA LORD editor@tcjournal.biz

James Ortega, owner of the former Sandstone Café in Kennewick, recently shared his award-winning soup recipes with Stephanie Hall, food manager at Atomic Bowl in Richland. Hall now serves Ortega’s soups throughout the week. (Courtesy Atomic Bowl)

Fans of the soups served up at the defunct Sandstone Café in Kennewick can spoon up their favorites again at Atomic Bowl in Richland. The bowling center recently paid for the rights to ladle them out, and its customers are delighted, said Max Faulkner, co-owner and managing partner at Atomic Bowl. James Ortega, who used to own Sandstone Café, recently shared with Atomic Bowl food manager Stephanie Hall the recipes and techniques for six of his popular soups. “They are fully consistent with the

award-winning soups he offered at the Sandstone Café,” Faulkner said. Hall plans to rotate the soups — reuben, cream of asparagus, Italian sausage and kale, clam chowder, potato and bacon, and cheddar broccoli — at Atomic Bowl throughout the week, offering one kind per day. Faulkner said he always enjoyed Sandstone’s soups, so he contacted Ortega, hoping the soups would increase traffic at Atomic Bowl. “My mom always thought that good soup was one of the most important things in a restaurant. Also one of my old partners thought that every restaurant should have at least one special item to try to become famous for. We already had great prime rib, but nobody else has Sandstone soups,” he said. Ortega’s soups earned awards for several years at the Beggars’ Banquet, an annual fundraiser for Safe Harbor Crisis Nursery and My Friends Place. Ortega, who now works as a cook at Jake’s Café in Kennewick, was the proprietor of Sandstone Café in Kennewick for 11 years. The downtown restaurant closed in 2013, and the Columbia Drive location shut down the following year amid financial difficulties. Ortega said he’s pleased his soups are back in rotation. “I get calls from my friends congratulating me on it. They’re excited, especially the customers who live in Richland who came all the way to Kennewick to get the soup,” he said. Ortega doesn’t make the soups much anymore, only occasionally for large group gatherings. “I made soup here the other day at the house for my roommates and it lasted all of about two hours. They devoured a gallon and half of soup,” he said. Ortega was pleased Faulkner reached out to him. “It’s working out well. I will go in once a month to check on quality control, as per our contract, for the next year,” he said. Atomic Bowl, at 624 Wellsian Way in Richland, features a full service snack bar and is open 10 a.m. until midnight Sunday through Wednesday and 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. Thursday through Saturday.

uNETWORKING McAleer joins statewide business association

Environmental policy expert Mary Catherine McAleer has joined the Association of Washington Business as its new government affairs director for environmental policy, climate and water policy. McAleer received an undergraduate Mary Catherine degree in biology McAleer and minor in economics from Gonzaga University. She also completed coursework in Middle East global politics at the London School of Economics.

Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business • March 2017

WSU researchers find new clues for nuclear waste cleanup BY TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS STAFF

A Washington State University study of the chemistry of technetium-99 has improved understanding of the challenging nuclear waste and could lead to better cleanup methods. The work is reported in the journal Inorganic Chemistry and was led by John McCloy, associate professor in the School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, and chemistry graduate student Jamie Weaver. Researchers from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and the Office of River Protection in Richland and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California collaborated. Technetium-99 is a byproduct of plutonium weapons production and is considered a major U.S. challenge for environmental cleanup. At the Hanford nuclear site, there are about 2,000 pounds of the element dispersed within about 56 million gallons of nuclear waste in 177 storage tanks. The U.S. Department of Energy is in the process of building a waste treatment plant at Hanford to immobilize hazardous nuclear waste in glass. But researchers have been stymied because not all of the technetium-99 is incorporated into the glass, and volatilized gas must be recycled back into VACATION, From page 39 The largest room, Sacagawea, features a jetted soaking tub. All of the suites come with a fireplace, private balcony, breakfast delivered fresh to the door, a complimentary bottle of wine and complimentary tasting downstairs. “We fill up quickly on weekends throughout the year. However, late spring through harvest is when we see occupancy at 100 percent throughout the week. Our availability is on our website, and guests can call the tasting room to check as well,” Pleake said. A little further west in Grandview is Cowan Estates Vacation House, offering views of Mount Rainer, Mount Adams, Horse Heaven Hills and Rattlesnake Hills. After much deliberation, the home, which sits on 65 acres of farmable land, was transformed by the owners, David and Susan Cowan, to serve as a vacation house for people visiting wine country. In spring 2008, Cowan Estates Vacation House opened for business. “It was the perfect setup … a private country setting with a large house so groups could stay together without having to pay for several hotel rooms,” said Tracy Stroud, who handles the marketing and reservations for her parents’ business. “There is a huge lawn to enjoy an in-ground pool that is perfect to cool off in during the hot summer days.” With its proximity between Yakima and the Tri-Cities, the house is surrounded by hundreds of wineries, breweries and restaurants, she said. And at 3,600 square feet, the home can accommodate groups of up to 10 people with four bedrooms and 3.5 baths. “There is a fully stocked kitchen, a large living room and the walk-out basement is

the melter system. The element can be very soluble in water and moves easily through the environment when in certain forms, so it is considered a significant environmental hazard. Because technetium compounds are challenging to work with, earlier research has used less volatile substitutes to try to understand the material’s behavior. Some of the compounds themselves have not been studied for 50 years, McCloy said. “The logistics are very challenging,” he said. The WSU work was done in PNNL’s highly specialized Radiochemical Processing Laboratory and the radiological annex of its Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory. The researchers conducted fundamental chemistry tests to better understand technetium-99 and its unique challenges for storage. They determined that the sodium forms of the element behave much differently than other alkalis, which possibly is related to its volatility and to why it may be so reactive with water. “The structure and spectral signatures of these compounds will aid in refining the understanding of technetium incorporation into nuclear waste glasses,” said McCloy. The researchers also hope the work will contribute to the study of other poorly understood chemical compounds.

Jamie Weaver, a Washington State University chemistry graduate student, helped lead a study to better understand technetium-99, a byproduct of plutonium weapons production, which could lead to better cleanup methods at the Hanford nuclear site. (Courtesy WSU)

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For more information about rates and overnight packages visit: uHorse Heaven Saloon: face book.com/Horseheavensaloon/ uAlexandria Nicole Cellars: anctinyhouses.com uDesert Wind Winery: desertwindwinery.com/inn uCowan Estates Vacations: facebook.com/Cowan-EstateVacation-House-114446471086/ set up as a huge game room with a pool table, bar and lots of seating,” she said. “When we first started, our clientele was definitely wine tasting groups visiting from outside the area. Now we have a large range of groups — families coming together from opposite sides of the states or just wanting to get away.”

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Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business • March 2017

Business Profile

New Kennewick steakhouse aims to fill missing niche BY JEFF MORROW

for Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business

When a food lover takes a hard look at the Tri-City restaurant scene, a glaring omission in the region is a lack of steakhouses. Jeremy Thelin, Wayne Walton and Jeff Ballard wanted to change that. They opened Fredy’s Steakhouse on Feb. 3 at 3617 Plaza Way in south Kennewick. Thelin and Walton are the owners, while Ballard is the general manager. The location marks the fourth time a restaurant has operated in that location since 2011. The three previous restaurants were Picazo 717, Fujiyama Steak House & Bar, and Mai House. So far, the new restaurant is doing well, Ballard said. “A lot of people have told me it’s nice to have a steakhouse at this end of town,” he said. “They’re happy with the size and flavor of our steaks.” Thelin and Walton are Tri-Citians who once owned the Folded Pie in Richland before selling it. In the past few years, they have bought two restaurants in Spokane, Wasabi and Ginger – both Asian sushi restaurants. “They like running restaurants, and they live here in the Tri-Cities,” Ballard said. “The location seemed to work out, especially with the planned (Fairchild Cinemas) coming near Walmart on 27th.” Ballard, whose restaurant background has been working at country clubs and

consulting on food safety, took over as general manager when Thelin and Walton bought Mai House in October. The plan was to run it as a seafood restaurant until January to honor all restaurant gift certificates, then convert it into a steakhouse. The closure happened Jan. 15. “We took a look at the inventory, then made some changes,” Ballard said. “We changed every light fixture, redesigned the bar, changed the tables.” Since the early February soft opening, Ballard has been tweaking the menu. The restaurant will have a grand opening sometime this month. It’s been an exciting adventure for Ballard. “What helped me come back to the restaurant business is everything is made fresh here,” he said. “Our full-size steaks are big — 18 to 24 ounces. We sell half size of everything, especially ribeye and New York steaks. We hand-cut all steaks at one and a half inches. It’s been going well. We sold 60 pounds of ribeye last Saturday night.” There have been some growing pains, too. “It didn’t take us long before we knew we needed a bigger grill,” Ballard said. “We couldn’t get everything out to our customers in time because there wasn’t enough room for all of the steaks. It needs to be 30 minutes or less.” Ballard said the bar has improved, too. “The whole liquor display was changed with the top shelf being more expensive,”

Jeff Ballard, general manager of the new Fredy’s Steakhouse at 3617 Plaza Way in Kennewick, said the new restaurant serves full-size 18- to 24-ounce steaks as well as half-size portions. The steakhouse has been open since Feb. 3, and a grand opening is planned later this month.

he said. “There is more bourbon and whiskey, which goes with steaks well, as well as wine.” The restaurant’s menu has been put together by Thelin, Walton, Ballard and head chef Phouty Vongsaly. But Fredy Martinez, a part-owner of Fredy’s and head chef at Wasabi, also has had his hand in it. And the restaurant is named after him. “We needed something catchy, especially as we were sitting next to Bob’s (Burgers and Brew),” Ballard said. “So we named it after Fredy. He comes down here part of the week from Spokane.” Ballard says they have 25 employees, “but we’re looking to hire about six more.” The restaurant opens for lunch at 11:30 a.m. and closes each night depending on customer traffic. “We closed at 1 a.m. Friday, midnight

on Saturday, and then 8 p.m. Sunday,” Ballard said. “We will never close before 8 p.m.” He strongly suggests getting reservations for Fridays and Saturdays. Call 509491-1304. Ballard said the Tri-Cities is ready for a good local steakhouse. “I don’t know why it is, but a lot of Tri-Citians have always liked chain restaurants,” Ballard said. “We’re just starting to get the word out. Commercials on TV started last Thursday, and we’ve used Facebook. But word-of-mouth has been traveling fast. Things have been going well.” He says it’s because the people at Fredy’s have high expectations. “Our biggest thing right now is providing good food and service,” Ballard said. “The whole dining experience has to be great.”

Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business • March 2017

BUSINESS PROFILE

Pasco man trades banking job for comedy circuit BY KRISTINA LORD editor@tcjournal.biz

When Adam Kessler’s kids want to wish him well before a performance, they tell him to “break a hip.” That’s what the 40-year-old Pasco comedian told his senior citizen audience during a recent show. The joke got laughs around the room. Kessler specializes in clean standup comedy routines with lots of age-appropriate material for the senior center and retirement community crowds. He also performs at corporate and private parties, as well as trade shows, wineries, auctions and church events. The father of three children, ages 7, 3 and 1, has been telling jokes since he was 5 years old and hit the comedy club circuit in 2003. Last year, he quit his banking job of 12 years to pursue comedy full time. He said he did his financial homework before taking the leap of faith. “Even small amounts saved as a nest egg definitely helps when making a change to a new career. I always invested in a 401K if the company matched a percentage or not. I started with 6 percent and increased it each year,” he said. He also shopped around for the best health insurance options for his family. “But I also feel like people who are waiting to save enough to pursue their dreams will never be ready. Sometimes you’ve just got to make the leap,” he said. Since pursuing comedy full time, his income varies. “Some months are constant work. Some months, I’m at home for two weeks watching Netflix with my kids. I use my down time in any given month to try to generate more business,” he said. And he isn’t looking back. “I never regret the decision. I regret a few moves I’ve made while pursuing stand-up comedy full time, but I’ve learned from those mistakes and I’m thankful that they happened during my first year. My long-term goals are to continue to do stand-up comedy as much as I can. Being on TV and getting some level of fame would be nice simply because in the world of stand-up comedy, if you’re a ‘name’ people will come to see you, and if people will pay

Comedian Adam Kessler of Pasco performs recently at the Hawthorne Court retirement community in Kennewick. He bills himself as a clean standup comedian. Kessler quit his full-time job at a bank last year to pursue his comedy business full time.

to come see you, then your calendar stays full,” he said. Until that happens, he’ll focus on his local gigs, which includes performing at retirement homes. “I feel like since my grandparents have passed on, this is my only interaction with this age group,” he said. A lot of his jokes and material come from his previous shows and travels around the Northwest. “I talk with them about other retirement communities I’ve been in. They seem to like it,” he said. He keeps track of his jokes in notebooks and on his phone. “Sometimes jokes pop into your mind while you’re driving or at a restaurant, so you grab a napkin or a paper sack and get it down. It’s not a good feeling when you let a funny joke slip away. Sometimes it’s hard to find material, sometimes it pours out. Writing material is pretty easy — molding it into good or great comedy is the part that takes time and takes work,” he said. A recent show at Hawthorne Court in Kennewick included an audience of about 25 people, many of whom were sipping wine, beer and sparkling juices and nibbling on sandwiches. Kessler knew his audience and got a

lot of mileage out of jokes about seniors and topics of interest to them. He told a joke about Americans being so obese they were too big to fit inside crematoriums. He said the solution would be installing bigger burners called “crispy crematoriums.” He talked about a “Do not move this piano” sign he saw at another assisted living facility, which had a grand piano in the lobby. He looked at the crowd of seniors and said moving it might be a

funny prank, never mind that it probably weighed 2,000 pounds. He shared an idea for a new reality show: gathering up all the politicians and putting them on an island. “Sounds good to me,” piped one man in the audience. When a joke fell flat, he teased the audience about maybe not hearing it. Bobbe Burnside, 75, who has lived at Hawthorne Court for about three years, and her friend Loren Taylor, said they appreciate all the facility’s events. She said she loved Kessler’s shtick. “I really love the many people who come in here and entertain us,” she said. “We go to everything they have here.” It’s the first time Hawthorne Court has hired a comedian, said Heather Davie, activities director for the senior living community that offers independent and assisted living services. “He did great. If you get laughs out of people, you’ve done one heck of a job,” she said. Davie said it’s hard to book quality entertainment at affordable prices, but tries “to provide something for everyone.” For more information about Kessler’s shows, visit kesslercomedy.com or call 509-205-1516.

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Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business • March 2017

uNETWORKING Richland Rotary Club honors entrepreneurs

Several business leaders and businesses were honored for showing an exemplary spirit of entrepreneurial success during the annual Richland Rotary Club’s entrepreneurial awards luncheon Feb. 28 at the Richland Scott Keller Red Lion. Scott Keller, executive director for the Port of Benton, received the Sam Volpentest Entrepreneurial Leadership Award — known as the Sammy. The award honors Keller for showing true entrepreneurial leadership and for

significantly contributing to the success of this region. Entrepreneurial awards also were presented to: • PorterKinney PC: nominated by Tri-City Development Council. • Mama Too’s: nominated by TRIDEC. • Fuse SPC: nominated by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. • GAA Custom Electronics: nominated by PNNL. • Foodies Brick & Mortar: nominated by Tri-Cities Regional Chamber of Commerce. • Local Pumpkin: nominated by the regional chamber. • Wit Cellars: nominated by the Port of Benton. • Bombing Range Brewing: nominated by the Port of Benton. The Entrepreneurial Awards are sponsored by the Richland Rotary Club, Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce, TRIDEC, PNNL and the Port of Benton.

PNNL researchers elected to national academy

Ruby Leung and Johannes Lercher, researchers at the Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, are two of 106 members elected to the 2017 class of the National Academy of Engineering. Ruby Leung Leung is an atmospheric scientist at PNNL and an affiliate scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research. She was elected based on her leadership in regional and global computer modeling of the Earth’s climate and water cycles. Lercher is a chemist and holds a joint

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appointment at PNNL and the Technische Universitat Munchen in Germany. At PNNL, he serves as the director of the Institute for Integrated Catalysis, and at TUM, he is a professor in the Department of Johannes Lercher Chemistry and holds the chair for the Institute for Technische Chemie. He was elected based on his catalysis research, which focuses on the details of how catalysts work at the elementary level and using that insight to design and build better catalysts for industrial applications.

Pediatric hospitalist joins Trios Medical Group

Valerie Rasey, an advanced registered nurse practioner, has joined Trios Medical Group as a pediatric hospitalist. She will provide inpatient pediatric care primarily at Trios Women’s and Children’s Hospital in the Valerie Rasey facility’s Family Birthing Center and Special Care Nursery, at 900 S. Auburn St. in Kennewick. Rasey has more than 21 years of experience working in neonatal intensive care units and caring for high-risk infants. She received a master’s of science, neonatal nurse practitioner degree from University of Washington and a bachelor’s degree from the Washington State University Tri-Cities in Richland. She is certified as a neonatal nurse practitioner. Trios Health is Kennewick Public Hospital District’s system of care serving the greater Tri-Cities.

WRPS wins national safety award

Washington River Protection Solutions received the 2017 Campbell Innovation Challenge award for developing a physiological monitoring program that has eliminated heat stress cases in the past two years at the Hanford tank farms. The Innovation Challenge, which is awarded by the Campbell Institute at the National Safety Council, recognizes organizations for their achievement in the planning or implementation of an innovative program addressing critical environmental, health and safety topics in a way that demonstrates creative thinking, strategic implementation and significant impact. The physiological monitoring program involves monitoring employees’ heart rates using a chest-mounted heart rate monitor that allows for remote, real-time assessment of heat strain and core body temperature.

Fiction @ J. Bookwalter ranked among best

Fiction @ J. Bookwalter, the onsite restaurant at the J. Bookwalter Winery in Richland, has been named one of the best winery restaurants in the U.S. by the editors of Food and Wine magazine. Fiction @ J. Bookwalter is one of 17 onsite winery restaurants and the only winery restaurant in Washington state to receive the honor.

Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business • March 2017

PUBLIC RECORD uBANKRUPTCIES Bankruptcies are filed under the following chapter headings: Chapter 7 — Straight Bankruptcy: debtor gives up non-exempt property and debt is charged. Chapter 11 — Allows companies and individuals to restructure debts to repay them. Chapter 12 — Allows family farmers to restructure finances to avoid liquidation for foreclosure. Chapter 13 — Plan is devised by the individual to pay a percentage of debt based on ability to pay. All disposable income must be used to pay debts. Information provided by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Spokane.

CHAPTER 7 Helen Marie DeConinck, 6102 N. Road 69, Apt. D104, Pasco. Nicole Scott, 5501 W. Hildebrand A-350, Kennewick. Tammy Cushman, 5715 Saddle Creek, Pasco. Maria Imelda Salinas, 137 W. Diamond, Pasco. Rosario R. Lewis, PO Box 4870, Pasco. Nicole M. Black, 31606 S. Gerards Road, Kennewick. Mario Mendez Salas and Maria Esther Salas-Portillo, PO Box 4081, Pasco. Erasmo S. and Ethel Godinez, 1729 W. Henry St., Pasco. Stephanie Lynn Wikstrom, 615 Berkshire Place, Apt. H, Richland. Jonathan Andrew Boleware, 903

Torbett St., Richland. Daniel Ray Abbott, III and Alicia Heaven Freier, 2113 Tinkle St., Richland. Uriel and Jessica A. Gonzalez, 1931 Benson Ave., Prosser. Jennifer Mulhollan, 2105 S. Jefferson St., Kennewick. Philip Edward and Janice Kay Norman, 1308 Cottonwood Drive, Richland. Shirley A. Weyers, 9202 W. Gage Blvd, #K-101, Kennewick. Marijan Bosnar, 771 Shockley Road, Richland. Joel Patric Lockard, 3528 W. Hood Ave., Kennewick. Santos Martinez, 2200 W. Shoshone St., Apt. B-19, Pasco. Kelsey A. Harris, 6305 Chapel Hill Blvd., Apt. H202, Pasco. Francis and Elicia Ganton, 1611 Stevens Drive, Richland. Dustin L. and Osha I. Roberts, 29504 S. Gerards Road, Kennewick. Carol L. and Mary L. Adcock, 1320 Wright Ave., Richland. Maria Adelina Cervantes, 331 N. Washington Palce, Kennewick. Stuart Allen Davis, 604 McMurray St., Richland. Adelle Yvette Bermudez, 3003 S. Grant St., Kennewick. Fernando Alvarado-Cortes and Martha Alvardo, 4903 Sinai Drive,

Pasco. Anthony L. and Nicole J. Byrant, 2680 Dornoch Place, Richland. Amy Lynn Burnes, 1036 Wright Ave., Richland. Mary L. Hubbard, 509 S. Ivy St., Kennewick. Eric James Saueressig, 1303 Woodbury St., Richland. Trinity Hanley Louise Topp, 1212 W. 10th Ave., Apt. K-104, Kennewick. Evelyn Gay Maners, 635 S. Auburn St., Apt. 515, Kennewick. Cristina E. Villa Rangel, 500 N. 24th Ave., Apt. D-28, Pasco. Leticia and Juan Cortez, 1304 W. Yakima St., Pasco. Richard A. and Constance Marie Edwards, 5406 W. Marie St., Pasco. Timothy M. and Diane J. Plumb, 8311 Lummi Drive, Pasco. Jessica Cuello, 3605 W. Sixth Ave., Apt. A, Kennewick. Amy Ann Bechtol, 7803 W. Deschutes Ave., Apt. W189, Kennewick. CHAPTER 11 Golden Home Builders Inc, PO Box 984, Edmonds. CHAPTER 13 Heather Lin-Sweet Dunton, 6114

Westmorland Lane, Pasco. Chams Ali, 505 S. Olympia St., #S5, Kennewick. Alan Scott Sessanna, 6212 N. Road 68, #38A, Pasco. Michael Peter Spitzauer, 13708 240th Ave. SE, Issaquah. Paula Jeanette Greene, 100503 W. Hess Road, Prosser. Giraldo Gilberto Betancourt, 1113 Astor Way, Pasco. Mayra R. Sosa, 1108 S. Olympia Place #D, Kennewick. Larry Warren Menter and Marjorie Lillian Price-Menter, 3404 S. Bermuda Road, Kennewick.

uTOP PROPERTIES

Top property values have been rounded to the nearest hundred figure. At press time Benton County top properties were not available.

FRANKLIN COUNTY Description: 3,659-square-foot, single-family home on 19 acres, 1530 Falls Road, Pasco. Price: $575,000. Buyer: Gary B. Genske (Trustee-Etal). Seller: Mike Hatch. Description: One lot for single-family home, 8110 Bayberry Drive, Pasco. Price: $475,500. Buyer: Richard A. and Tamara L. Carlson. Seller: Lott’s Better Built Homes.

uPUBLIC RECORD, Page 50

Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business • March 2017

PUBLIC RECORD, From page 49 Description: 5 acres of agricultural land, 251 Orchard Road, Pasco. Price: $441,500. Buyer: Adan G. & Tanya M. Suarez. Seller: Olin Homes. Description: 102.72 acres of agricultural land, undisclosed location. Price: $4,229,400. Buyer: William & Rosa Rupp. Seller: Department of Natural Resources.

uBUILDING PERMITS

Building permit values have been rounded to the nearest hundred figure.

BENTON COUNTY Washington State, 64899 Bofer Canyon Road, $50,000 for telecommunication equipment. Contractor: Excel

Construction. Coventry Vale Winery, 51705 N. Wilgus Road, $2,840,700 for new commercial construction. Contractor: Mountain States Construction. BENTON CITY Highlands East LLC, 1580 Dale Ave., $6,800 for a heat pump/HVAC. Contractor: Campbell & Company. FRANKLIN COUNTY AT&T, 2823 E. Vineyard Drive, $15,000 for an antenna. Contractor: General Dynamics Information Technology. KENNEWICK Benton County, 7122 W. Okanogan

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Place, $1,842,300 for commercial remodel, $40,000 for plumbing and $160,000 for a heat pump/HVAC. Contractors: Booth & Sons Construction, McGee Plumbing Co. and Apollo Inc. Scott Howell, 10121 W. Clearwater Ave., $18,600 for commercial remodel and $6,500 for plumbing. Contractors: owner and Silverline Electric/Plumbing. PLG NW LLC, 1313 N. Young St., $20,000 for tenant improvements. Contractors: TTAP Construction. FC4 LLC, 2909 S. Quillan St., $50,000 for tenant improvements. Contractors: owner. Circle K Stores, 4201 W. 27th Ave., $15,000 for a sign, $15,000 for commercial remodel and $15,000 for plumbing. Contractors: Hughes Nelson/ Apex Imaging and TLM Petro Labor Force. Circle K Stores, 1002 S. Washington St., $15,000 for a sign, $15,000 for commercial remodel and $15,000 for plumbing. Contractors: Hughes Nelson/ Apex Imaging and TLM Petro Labor Force. Circle K Stores, 2105 W. Fourth Ave., $15,000 for a sign. Contractor: Hughes Nelson/Apex Imaging. Circle K Stores, 7707 W. Deschutes Ave., $15,000 for a sign, $15,000 for commercial remodel and $15,000 for plumbing. Contractors: Hughes Nelson/ Apex Imaging and TLM Petro Labor Force. Circle K Stores, 6006 W. Clearwater Ave., $15,000 for a sign, $15,000 for commercial remodel and $15,000 for plumbing. Contractors: Hughes Nelson/ Apex Imaging and TLM Petro Labor Force. Circle K Stores, 5301 W. Canal Drive, $15,000 for a sign, $15,000 for commercial remodel and $15,000 for plumbing. Contractors: Hughes Nelson/ Apex Imaging and TLM Petro Labor Force. Circle K Stores, 4410 W. 10th Ave., $15,000 for a sign, $15,000 for commercial remodel and $15,000 for plumbing. Contractors: Hughes Nelson/ Apex Imaging and TLM Petro Labor Force. Circle K Stores, 12231 W. Clearwater Ave., $15,000 for commercial remodel and $15,000 for plumbing. Contractor: TLM Petro Labor Force. Circle K Stores, 104 S. Washington St., $15,000 for commercial remodel and $15,000 for plumbing. Contractor: TLM Petro Labor Force. Badgett Trustee, 108 N. Conway St., $15,000 for commercial reroof. Contractor: All City Roofing. CIBB Properties LLC, 5453 Ridgeline Drive, $38,000 for tenant improvements and $5,100 for a heat pump/ HVAC. Contractors: Bagley Landscape Construction and A-One Refrigeration. Fortunato, Inc., 6500 W. Clearwater Ave., $15,000 for commercial construction. Contractor: Excel Construction. Elysium Properties, 8127 W. Grandridge Blvd., $145,000 for commercial remodel, $30,000 for a heat pump/HVAC and $12,900 for plumbing. Contractors: Walker Construction, Apollo Inc and Columbia River Plumbing & Mechanical. Johnson Properties, 8486 W. Gage Blvd., $5,400 for tenant improvements. Contractor: Haugen Consult & Construction.

Highlands Center, 131 N. Ely St., $20,000 for plumbing. Contractor: Campbell & Company. Erwin L&L, 3801 Plaza Way, $10,000 for a sign. Contractor: Quality Signs. Pioneer Building, 3315 W. Clearwater Ave., $5,000 for a sign. Contractor: Quality Signs. Bertelsen Commercial, 4212 W. 27th Ave., $64,300 for a sign. Contractor: Quality Signs. Tri-City Country Club, 314 N. Underwood St., $50,000 for tenant improvements and $10,000 for plumbing. Contractors: Chervenell Construction and BNB Mechanical. Manuel Chavallo, 5215 W. Clearwater Ave., $6,000 for a sign. Contractor: Cascade Sign & Fabrication. Kunpeng, LLC, 3617 Plaza Way, $28,000 for a sign. Contractor: YESCO. Waverly Apartments, 184 N. Waverly Place, $10,900 for a heat pump/HVAC. Contractor: Campbell & Company. HAPO Community Credit Union, 7601 W. Clearwater Ave., $29,600 for a heat pump/HVAC. Contractor: Apollo Sheet Metal. Kennewick School District, 6011 W. 10th Place, $63,400 for demolition. Contractor: Andrist Enterprises. KRG Building LLC, 660 E. Bruneau Ave., $650,000 for new commercial. Contractor: W McKay Construction. Benton County, 1500 S. Oak St., $1,800,000 for commercial remodel, $245,000 for a heat pump/HVAC and $21,000 for plumbing. Contractors: G2 Construction, Bruce Heating & Air and Riggle Plumbing. PM2 West Limited Partnership, 8911 W. Grandridge Blvd., $380,000 for tenant improvements and $18,000 for a heat pump/HVAC. Contractor: Pearce Moody Construction and Apollo Sheet Metal. Kennewick Hospital, 701 N. Young St., $9,000 for plumbing. Contractor: Savion Mechanical. Fruitland Office Center, 100 N. Fruitland St., $37,500 for tenant improvements and $10,000 for plumbing. Contractors: Banlin Construction Co. and Columbia River Plumbing & Mechanical. Clearwater Professional, 5211 W. Clearwater Ave., $5,500 for a heat pump/HVAC. Contractor: Integrity Three Heating. PASCO Weber Properties, 2411 W. Court St., $113,700 for commercial remodel. Contractor: to be determined. Paterson Family, 5238 Outlet Drive, $82,400 for commercial reroof. Contractor: JR Swigart Co. Corwin Family Ford, 1225 Autoplex Way, $8,000 for a sign and $35,000 for a fire alarm/system. Contractors: Eagle Signs and Fire Control Sprinkler Systems. City of Pasco, 1025 S. Gray Ave., $8,000 for tenant improvements. Contractor: owner. Wine Country Furniture, 2019 W. Court St., $15,000 for a sign. Contractor: Quality Signs. Harman Management Corp., 2210 W. Court St., $20,000 for a sign. Contractor: Quality Signs.

uPUBLIC RECORD, Page 51

Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business • March 2017 PUBLIC RECORD, From page 50 Columbia Basin LLC, 2021 N. Commercial Ave., $200,000 for new commercial construction. Contractor: Apollo Sheet Metal. C&J Coleman Properties, 8823 Sandifur Parkway, $37,100 for commercial remodel. Contractor: Vincent Construction. Wilbur-Ellis Co, 150 Burlington St., $98,800 for commercial construction. Contractor: Total Scale Service. J&V Property, 1212 N. Fourth Ave., $5,800 for a sign. Contractor: Pro Sign. Columbia Basin College, 2600 N. 20th Ave., $73,800 for a fire alarm/system. Contractor: Cascade Fire Protection. Twin City Foods, 5405 Industrial Way, $129,700 for a fire alarm/system. Contractors: McKinstry Co. and Fire Protection Specialists. Northwest Farm Credit, 9915 St. Thomas Drive, $12,000 for a fire alarm/system. Contractor: Moon Security. Maiers Enterprises, 1708 E. James St., $84,200 for tenant improvements. Contractor: North Central Construction. RICHLAND William Scott, 1209 George Washington Way, $12,000 for commercial reroof. Contractor: All City Roofing. William Scott, 1211 George Washington Way, $12,000 for commercial reroof. Contractor: All City Roofing. William Scott, 1213 George Washington Way, $12,000 for commercial reroof. Contractor: All City Roofing. Notus Holdings LLC, 3320 Innovation Blvd., $10,000 for tenant improvements. Contractor: Sigma Management. Aim San Dimas LLC, 785 Canyon St., $12,500 for tenant improvements. Contractor: 1st Choice Restoration. Richland School District, 930 Long Ave. #1, $3,264,000 for modular classrooms. Contractor: Pacific Mobile Structures. Washington Square Apartments, 2455 George Washington Way, $40,000 for siding/windows. Contractor: Roberts Construction. Columbia Valley Medical Associates, 900 Stevens Drive, Suite 103, $12,000 for tenant improvements. Contractor: Don Pratt Construction. Mallard Lake Properties, 2165 Henderson Loop, $284,100 for tenant improvements. Contractor: Fowler General Construction. Columbia Basin Racquet Club, 1776 Terminal Drive, $850,000 for tenant improvements. Contractor: DGR Grant Construction. 286833 LLC, 2463 Battelle Blvd., $60,000 for tenant improvements. Contractor: Fisher Construction Group. Port of Benton, 2000 Logston Blvd., #101, $70,000 for tenant improvements. Contractor: MP Construction. AREVA, 2325 Horn Rapids Road, $200,000 for tenant improvements. Contractor: CH2MHill Plateau Rem. Port of Benton, 2000 Logston Blvd., #125, $7,200 for commercial remodel. Contractor: Superior Glass. Jack Zinn, 616 The Parkway, $9,200 for a heat pump/HVAC. Contractor: Campbell & Company. DSHS Lands & Building, 605

McMurray St., $243,500 for tenant improvements. Contractor: M Sevigny Construction.

uBUSINESS LICENSES RICHLAND The Growler Guys, 9329 N. Newport Highway, Spokane. PNW Unique Perspectives, 1937 McPherson Ave. Tap That Beverage, 2513 Duportail St., Apt. D128. Top Quality Woodworks, 3131 W. Hood Ave., Apt. A105, Kennewick. Cash Crop, 710 George Washington Way, Suite A. Frans Construction, 2364 N. Corsey Way, Eagle, Idaho. DLN Solutions, 1151 Pinto Loop. Cabi, 658 Punkie Lane. QT Judy Investments, 1830 Ninth St. NE, East Wenatchee. Federal Network Systems, 591 Columbia Point Drive. Bookkeeping by Tosha, 1850 Stevens Drive, Apt. 209. Morelia’s Lawn services, 1728 W. Henry St., Pasco. River Road Media, 467 Cherry Blossom Loop. Auburn Games, 1115 Birch Ave. Strickland Exteriors, 11839 Road 5.6 NE, Moses Lake. Once Upon a Dime, 1209 Torbett St. S&K Mountain Construction, 822 W. Main St., Suite C, Walla Walla. Sparkling Homes Cleaning, 1934 W. Jay St., Pasco. Priest Industries, 3770 W. 10th Ave., Kennewick. Tri-Cities PSRW Committee, 309 Bradley Blvd., Suite 201. Crystal Clarity Media, 750 Swift Blvd., Suite 17. ABM Industry Groups, 16 E. Columbia Drive, Kennewick. Vivid Imaginations, 603 Lonetree Lane. Northwest Custom Exteriors, 5215 W. Clearwater Ave., Suite 102, Kennewick. Shifted Paradygms, 2872 Hawkstone Court. Jayel Diane Carlson, 123 Gage Blvd. Irma Meyer Professional Guardian Ad Litem Services, 3019 Duportail St., #140. Northeast Electric, 1780 Down River Drive, Woodland. Renow Body Rehab, 750 Swift Blvd., Suite 20. G&T Construction1, 24705 S. Ruff PRSE, Kennewick.

Riverside Exteriors, 400 S. Rabbit Trail, Post Falls, Idaho. H&R Block, 472 Keene Road. SAC Wireless, 2018 156th Ave. SE, Suite 111, Bellevue. Country Charms & Treasures, 6308 W. Yellowstone Ave., Kennewick. Carla’s Cleaning Services, 707 Thayer Drive. Alpha Ecological Pest Control, 1200 NE 112th Ave., Vancouver. Juan Fonseca, 1216 12th St., Benton City. Bonafide Landscaping, 179 Main St., Burbank. Jennica Rene Johnson, 696 Gage Blvd. Data Dharma, 8211 W. Fourth Place, Kennewick. RXsafe, 2453 Cades Way, Building A, Vista, California. Quickserve, 41 Dottie Drive, Selah. MC Construction Management, 38012 N. Linda Drive, Cave Creek, Arizona. PASCO Williams Inland Distributors, 3904 Stinson Ave. Sky Glass Services, 1304 E. Marvin St. Genesis Construction, 1505 S. Road 40 E., #601. Taxes Y Mas, 202 N. Third St. Crew R Construction, 4202 Palmyra Drive. Pasco Wireless, 1212 N. Fourth Ave., # B. Vaquero Elegante, 1901 N. Fourth Ave. Inland Empire Fire Protection, 3832 E. Bonnie Ave., Spokane. Phoenix Industrial, 2111 SE Columbia 7-120 Way, Vancouver. A&A Roofing Services, 222 Columbia Road, Burbank. New Era Landscaping, 310 S. Date, Kennewick. Amigo Cell Phone Repair, 402 W. Lewis St. KDS Electric, 1210 N. Main St., Prineville, Oregon. Performance Plane, 511 SW 332nd Court, Federal Way. Blue Mountain Backflow Testing, 1120 S. Morain St., Kennewick. Weston Mountian Onions, 1801 N. Commercial Ave. Dream Builders, 1828 Lexy Court, Richland. EA Engineering Science and Technology, 225 Schilling Circle, Suite 400, Hunt Valley, Maryland.

Cabinet Guy’s Install & Millwork, 3807 Webster Ave., #E, Yakima. Lybbert Fielding Real Estate, 6119 Burden Blvd, Suite C. Custom Window Tint/Graphics, 912 E. Terrace Heights Way, Yakima. Atomic Plumbing and Mechanical, 5020 Hershey Lane, West Richland. C&M Plumbing, 99507 E. Ridgeview Drive, Kennewick. Meyer Sign Co of Oregon, 15205 SW 74th Ave., Tigard, Oregon. Henderson Enterprises, 4403 Russell Road, #103, Mukilteo. John P Kenney Insurance, 5215 Madrid Lane. Total Scale Service, 6555 Supply Way, Boise, Idaho. Division Eight, 117 N. Scott, Post Falls, Idaho. Apex Painting Company, 720 Indigo Court, Pomona, California. Renaisannce Homes, 2919 Troon Court, Richland. Horizon Plumbing, 504 Wisteria St., Richland. Magnum Power, 3458 N. Pacific Ave., Kelso. Extreme Tree Services, 210605 E. Perkins Road, Kennewick. Master Network Solutions, 22263 68th Ave. S., Kent. KENNEWICK Highland Commercial, 1030 N. Center Parkway, Suite V128. Franchino’s Stone, 223 N. Benton St. The Legging Lounge, 1108 S. Yelm Place, Unite B. CCL Company, 2839 W. Kennewick Ave. #121.

uPUBLIC RECORD, Page 52

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Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business • March 2017

PUBLIC RECORD, From page 51 Columbia River Chiropractic, 7101 W. Hood Place, Suite A-101. The Valley Alcohol Council, 7510 W. Deschutes Place. Cheyenne Robison, 8905 W. Gage Blvd., Suite 205. Olson Family Holdings, 612 S. Nelson St. Chloe Yvon Westphal, 1206 S. Conway St. Center for Massage Therapy, 201 N. Edison St., Suite 233. Rancho Bakery, 420 S. Vancouver St. KickerControls, 606 S. Harrison St. Two Wicked Geese, 2714 W. John Day Ave. Leone & Keeble, 108 W. Boone Ave., Spokane. QT Judy Investments, 1830 Ninth St. NE, East Wenatchee.

Alliance Management & Construction Services, 59009 E. Main PR SE, Benton City. Sahal Transportation, 601 S. Kent St., Apt. K102. TLC Landscape Management, 2717 S. Jean St. Branded by M, 312 S. Columbia Center Blvd., Unit 64. Smart Law Offices, 501 N. Second St., Yakima. Delgar Construction and Remodeling, 7811 Vendovi Drive, Pasco. Florascapes West, 521 Dogwood Road, Pasco. Tri Business Solutions, 8608 W. Imnaha Ave. In4ormed Benefits, 7105 W. Hood Place, Suite B202. Homes by Retter, 329 N. Kellogg St. Priest Industries, 3770 W. 10th Ave.

Devo Bats, 2712 W. Klamath Ave. Tucker Transport, 9129 W. Yellowstone Ave. Tri-Cities Mattress & More, 1328 E. Third Ave., Suite 3. Trendsetters Barbershop, 308 S. Olympia St. CGHousekeeping, 4509 W. Klamath Ave., #8. Shilowe Ensminger, 5601 W. Clearwater Ave., Suite 108. Because of Sophie, 3502 S. Keller St. Sparkling Home Cleaning, 1934 W. Jay St., Pasco. AK Maintenance, 4502 Sinai Drive, Pasco. ABM Industry Groups, 16 E. Columbia Drive. Holiday AL Management Sub, 8264 W. Grandridge Blvd. Northwest Traffic Control, 11497 N. Reed Road, Hayden, Idaho. Paid Advertising

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Spring is in the air, even if it’s not quite there on the calendar. This year, as you shake off the cobwebs from winter and start tidying up around your home and yard, why not also do some financial spring cleaning? Actually, you can apply several traditional spring cleaning techniques to your financial situation. Here are a few ideas: • Look for damage. Damage to your home’s siding, shingles and foundation can eventually degrade the structure of your home. Your investment portfolio is also a structure of a sort, and it, too, can be damaged. Specifically, you may have deliberately constructed your portfolio with an investment mix – stocks, fixed-income vehicles, cash instruments, etc. – that’s appropriate for your JAY FREEMAN goals and risk tolerance. But over time, your portfolio can evolve in unexpected ways. For examFinancial Advisor ple, your stocks may have grown so much in value that they now take up a larger percentage of (509) 783-2041 your holdings than you had intended, possibly subjecting you to a higher degree of risk. If this happens, you may need to rebalance your portfolio. • Get rid of “clutter.” As you look around your home, do you see three mops or four nonfunctional televisions or a stack of magazines from the 1990s? If these items no longer have value, you could get rid of them and clear up some living space. As an investor, you also might have “clutter” – in the form of investments that no longer meet your needs. If you sold these investments, you could use the proceeds to fill gaps in your portfolio. • Consolidate. Do you keep your lawnmower in a shed, a rake in your garage, and your gardening tools in the basement? When working on your outdoor tasks, you might find it more efficient to have all these items in one location. You could also have your investments scattered about – an IRA here, a new 401(k) there, and an older 401(k) someplace else. But if you consolidated all your investments in one place, you might cut down on paperwork and fees, and you wouldn’t risk losing track of an asset (which actually happens more than you might think). Even more importantly, when you have all your investments with one provider, you’ll be better positioned to follow a single, centralized investment strategy. • Prepare for a rainy day. As part of your outdoor spring cleaning, you may want to look at your gutters and downspouts to make sure they are clear and in good repair, so that they can move rainwater away from your home. Your financial goals need protection, too, so you’ll want to ensure you have adequate life and disability insurance. • Seal leaks. In your home inspection this spring, you may want to investigate doors and windows for leaks and drafts. Your investment portfolio might have some “leaks” also. Are investment-related taxes siphoning off more of your earnings than you realize? A financial professional can offer you recommendations for appropriate tax-advantaged investments. This spring, when you’re cleaning your physical surroundings, take some time to also tidy up your financial environment. You may be pleased with the results. Member SIPC

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Holly M. Mejia, 8236 W. Gage Blvd., Suite B. Vex Pest Control, 206 S. Quincy St. Boho Baby, 1108 S. Sharron St. Cooper Consulting Services, 721 S. Penn Place. AutoZone #3376, 1220 W. Fourth Ave. Massage by Miguel, 8382 W. Gage Blvd., Suite O. Gabriela Miller Photography, 9305 W. Ninth Place. Alpha L. Eden, 1200 NE 112th Ave., Vancouver. Top Drawer Development, 25252 SW McConnell Road, Sherwood, Oregon. Shifted Paradygms, 2872 Hawkstone Court, Richland. Craig Estate Sale Service, 7007 W. 15th Ave. G&T Construction, 24705 S. Ruff PRSE. Waterland Fashions, 301 N. Hawaii St. AutoZone #3727, 4911 W. Clearwater Ave. Country Charms & Treasures, 6308 W. Yellowstone Ave. Orlawndos, 1318 N. 41st Place, Pasco. Clean Corner, 191 Bitterroot Drive, Richland. Absolute Performance, 1610 S. Hartford Place. Quality Finish, 5107 Lyon Loop, Yakima. Warner Auto Center, 4816 W. Clearwater Ave. Rogers Surveying, 1455 Columbia Park Trail, Suite 2, Richland. Ad One, 30833 Pacific Highway S, Federal Way. Bonafide Landscaping, 179 Main St., Burbank. Terry Pooler, 520 N. Edison St. Erotic Live, 425 S. Olympia St., Apt. A106. NewEdge Wellness Center, 7403 W. Arrowhead Ave., #B. Pacific Mini Mart, 18 S. Washington St. Securus Technologies, 14651 Dallas Parkway, Suite 600, Dallas, Texas. Juan Fonseca, 1216 12th St., Benton City. Glissmeyer Environmental, 2275 W. 49th Ave. Margyl Drywall, 4004 W. Dusty Lane, Benton City. The Three Little Bears, 1828 W. Margaret St., Pasco. David R. Kobus, 1385 Cortland Ave., Richland. Rangel Construction, 1425 Riche Court, Richland. FFB Voip Services, 5814 W. 37th Place, Kennewick. Mitrac Construction, 65329 Hunter Road, La Grande, Oregon. Columbia Center Sbux, 1321 N. Columbia Center Blvd. Reinig, Barber & Henry, 114-A Vista Way. Stephanie R. Walker, 2411 S. Union St., Suite D. Parkade Hobbies, 23 N. Cascades St. Slack Palace Housekeeping and Janitorial, 302 S. Reed St. Data Dharma, 8211 W. Fourth Place. 424 Mechanical, 725 N. Edison St., #406. Vital Link Case Management, 18112 NW 19th St., Pembroke Pines, Florida. McClellan Construction, 71 Burlington Loop, Goldendale. Pacific Food Mart, 3419 W. Clearwater Ave.

uPUBLIC RECORD, Page 53

Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business • March 2017 PUBLIC RECORD, From page 52 Quickserve, 41 Dottie Drive, Selah. Jake Meier Construction, 16804 S. Clodfelter Road. Bi-State Siding & Window, 1310 N. Road 36, Pasco. Bianca’s Beauty, 2067 S. Edison Court. Columbia Ready Mix, 377 Parker Bridge Road, Wapato. Orion Pediatric Clinic, 4209 W. 34th Ave. Shawny K. McCormack, 5031 W. Clearwater Ave., Apt. 60. WEST RICHLAND Phoenix Excavating, 5003 Teruel Lane, Pasco. Red Mountain Design, 5425 W. Van Giesen St. Superior Walls, 591 Morning View Circle, East Wenatchee. Say I Do: Bridal Beauty, 3889 Hazelwood Drive. Tri-Rivers Construction Services, 4109 S. Green St., Kennewick. Country Charms & Treasures, 6308 W. Yellowstone Ave., Kennewick. D-Fence Fencing Company, 131 Heysman Road, Selah. ABM Industry Groups, 16 E. Columbia Drive, Kennewick. Traffic Management, 1355 Dakota Ave., Richland. Delgar Construction and Remodeling, 7811 Vendovi Drive, Pasco. S&K Mountain Construction, 822 W. Main St., Suite C, Walla Walla. Clean Corner, 191 Bitterroot Drive, Richland. Sparkling Homes Cleaning, 1934 W. Jay St., Pasco. G&T Construction1, 24705 S. Ruff PRSE, Kennewick. Data Dharma, 8211 W. Fourth Place, Kennewick.

uJUDGMENTS The state can file lawsuits against people or businesses that do not pay taxes and then get a judgment against property that person or business owns. Judgments are filed in Benton and Franklin Superior Court. The following is from the Franklin County Superior Court Clerk’s Office.

Blue Sky Painting, unpaid Department of Labor and Industries taxes, filed Feb. 6. Baan Khun Ya LLC, unpaid Employment Security Department taxes, filed Feb. 6. Lucia Montes, unpaid Employment Security Department taxes, filed Feb. 6. Alexa D. Huizar, unpaid Employment Security Department taxes, filed Feb. 6. Victor M. Gonzalez, unpaid Employment Security Department taxes, filed Feb. 6. Erika L. Martinez, unpaid Employment Security Department taxes, filed Feb. 6. Jose L. Chavez, unpaid Employment Security Department taxes, filed Feb. 6. Gary W. Register, unpaid Employment Security Department taxes, filed Feb. 6. Eric J. Garcia, unpaid Employment Security Department taxes, filed Feb. 6. Tia Flores, unpaid Employment Security Department taxes, filed Feb. 6. Warren R. Alexander, unpaid Employment Security Department taxes, filed Feb. 6. Danny T. Groce, unpaid Employment Security Department taxes, filed Feb. 6. Jeannie L. Luevanos, unpaid Employment Security Department taxes,

filed Feb. 6. Kyle R. Devoir, unpaid Employment Security Department taxes, filed Feb. 6. Alvaro Savedra, unpaid Employment Security Department taxes, filed Feb. 6. Yolinda G. Delgado, unpaid Employment Security Department taxes, filed Feb. 6. Rubi M. Garza, unpaid Employment Security Department taxes, filed Feb. 6. Ann-Erica O. Whitemarsh, unpaid Employment Security Department taxes, filed Feb. 6. Freddy Garcia, unpaid Employment Security Department taxes, filed Feb. 6. Pedro J. Vasquez, unpaid Employment Security Department taxes, filed Feb. 6. Isaac Tapia, unpaid Employment Security Department taxes, filed Feb. 6. Enrique D. Castro, unpaid Employment Security Department taxes, filed Feb. 6. Alfredo E. Chavez, unpaid Employment Security Department taxes, filed Feb. 6. Angelica M. Segovia, unpaid Employment Security Department taxes, filed Feb. 6. Leticia Macias-Gonzalez, unpaid Employment Security Department taxes, filed Feb. 6. Julio C. Hernandez, unpaid Employment Security Department taxes, filed Feb. 6. Larramie D. Swett, unpaid Employment Security Department taxes, filed Feb. 6. Juan C. Ramirez, unpaid Employment Security Department taxes, filed Feb. 6. Raymond Farris, unpaid Employment Security Department taxes, filed Feb. 6. Pay My Cell LLC, unpaid Department of Revenue taxes, filed Feb. 8. Rojas Builders LLC, unpaid Department of Revenue taxes, filed Feb. 8. CLT Lawn Care LLC, unpaid Department of Revenue taxes, filed Feb. 10. Mayos Pallets LLC, unpaid Department of Labor and Industries taxes, filed Feb. 13. Ruperto A. Magallon, unpaid Department of Labor and Industries taxes, filed Feb. 13. Juventino Casillas Verdin, unpaid Department of Labor and Industries taxes, filed Feb. 13. Frontier Trading LLC, unpaid Department of Labor and Industries taxes, filed Feb. 13. Perkins Building Solutions LLC, unpaid Department of Revenue taxes, filed Feb. 21. PJR Construction, Inc, unpaid Department of Labor and Industries taxes, filed Feb. 21. Maria del R Morales, unpaid Department of Labor and Industries taxes, filed Feb. 21. Mi Taguara Inc, unpaid Department of Licensing taxes, filed Feb. 21. Elmer Amaya et al, unpaid Department of Licensing taxes, filed Feb. 21. Maria del R Morales, unpaid Department of Revenue taxes, filed Feb. 24. JCS Concrete Construction Corp, unpaid Department of Revenue taxes, filed Feb. 24. Low Tech Construction LLC, unpaid Department of Revenue taxes, filed Feb. 24. Emanuel Cardenas, unpaid

Employment Security Department taxes, filed Feb. 27. Leticia Macias-Gonzalez, unpaid Employment Security Department taxes, filed Feb. 27. Jose Chavez, unpaid Employment Security Department taxes, filed Feb. 27. Alejandro Rodriguez, unpaid Employment Security Department taxes, filed Feb. 27. Melissa J. Turner, unpaid Employment Security Department taxes, filed Feb. 27. Speedy Angels Concrete LLC, unpaid Department of Labor and Industries taxes, filed Feb. 27.

uLiquor Licenses BENTON COUNTY NEW APPLICATIONS Ms. Rhodas Wine Garden, 702 Jadwin Ave., Suite B, Richland, has applied for a direct shipment receiver in Washington only, tavern wine and off premises license. Holiday Inn Express, 680 Wine Country Road, Prosser, has applied for a beer/wine specialty shop license. Ethos Bakery & Café, 2150 Keene Road, Richland, has applied for a spirits/beer/wine restaurant lounge license. Letendre Family Wines, 39893 W. Knox Road, Benton City, has applied for a direct shipment receiver in Washington only and beer/wine specialty shop license. Wautoma Wines, 3100 Lee Road, Prosser, has applied for a domestic winery <250,000 liters application.

APPROVED Carniceria La Cabana #3, 4311 W. Clearwater Ave., #110, Kennewick, has been approved for a direct shipment receiver in Washington only license. Gang Nam Style Korean BBQ, 7903 W. Grandridge Blvd, Suite T, Kennewick, has been approved for a spirits/wine/beer restaurant bar license. Emerald of Siam, 1314 Jadwin Ave., Richland, has been approved for a spirits/beer/wine restaurant lounge and catering change of class license. Rockabilly Roasting Co., 101 W. Kennewick Ave., Suite A, Kennewick, has been approved for a direct shipment receiver in Washington only license. The Landing Bistro and Lounge, 430 George Washington Way, Richland, has been approved for a spirits/beer/ wine restaurant lounge license. 4th Base Pizza, 20 S. Auburn St., Kennewick, has been approved for a beer/wine restaurant license. Col Solare Winery, 50207 Antinori Road, Benton City has been approved for a domestic winery >249,999 liters alcohol permit. Upchurch Vineyard, 32901 N. Vineyard View PR, Benton City, has been approved for a domestic winery <250,000 liters alcohol permit. FRANKLIN COUNTY NEW APPLICATIONS Best Western Plus Pasco Inn & Suites, 2811 N. 20th Ave., Pasco, has applied for a beer/wine restaurant and off premises license.

uPUBLIC RECORD, Page 54

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Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business • March 2017

Tesoro official touts benefits of Vancouver oil terminal to region, state at Pasco chamber meeting BY TRI-CITIES AREA JOURNAL OF BUSINESS STAFF

A Tesoro official updated the TriCities on plans to build an oil transfer terminal in Vancouver, Washington, during a recent Pasco Chamber of Commerce meeting. Dan Riley, vice president of government affairs for Tesoro, told those in attendance — employers, community leaders and elected officials — how the project would benefit the Inland Northwest and the entire state’s economy. Riley said the transfer facility at the Port of Vancouver would receive, but not process or refine, crude oil by rail and load it onto ships bound for refineries in Washington and along the West Coast. The project is a joint effort between Tesoro Refining and Marketing Company LLC and Savage Companies. The facility would handle 360,000 barrels of crude oil per day by rail. “This is an exciting project, one that will enhance the energy independence of our state and our region, by displacing the need for foreign crude oil,” Riley said. “We believe we can operate this facility safely and in an environmentally responsible way. Our partners, like BNSF Railway, are also committed to providing the necessary upgrades that will benefit everyone in the Tri-Cities, particularly those in agriculture who depend on safe, efficient and reliable freight rail service.”

Colin Hastings, president of the Pasco Chamber of Commerce, said the Vancouver Energy project is an important economic driver that would help increase rail infrastructure capacity through the Tri-Cities. “The Inland Northwest would benefit from the investments Vancouver Energy would bring from partners like BNSF. Those rail line upgrades directly affect our ability to ship wheat and other commodities to foreign markets,” he said. “This is not just about Southwest Washington. All of Washington needs

private investors like Tesoro, Savage and Vancouver Energy to help fund improvements to our port and rail infrastructure. Every aspect of our state’s economy, from manufacturing to trade, agriculture and aerospace needs this fuel. Vancouver Energy would provide an important role in meeting those needs, while also boosting our state’s trade and infrastructure capacity.” Hastings said the Riley “helped people better understand our energy needs, and the way we are all connected in our state.”

PUBLIC RECORD, From page 53

ubusiness UPDATES

uMARIJUANA Licenses

NEW BUSINESSES

BENTON COUNTY NEW APPLICATIONS

A to Z Rentals has opened at 2901 W. Second Ave., Kennewick. The store rents large and small equipment and party supplies. Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Contact: 509579-0300, rentatoz.com, Facebook. Badder Ink has opened at 7520 W. Clearwater Ave., Kennewick. The tattoo shop does custom tattoo designs, henna and piercings. Contact: 509579-0889, badderink.com, Facebook. Belu Salon has opened at 4504 W. 26th Ave., Suite 140, Kennewick. The salon is a Paul Mitchell Focus Salon that offers haircuts, style and colors for women, men and children. Hours: noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, Noon to 6 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Contact: 509-820-3848, belusalon.com, Facebook. Dance Images West has opened at 4415 W. Clearwater Ave., Kennewick. The studio offers various styles of dance classes for all ages. Hours: 3:30 – 6 p.m. and 7:30 – 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Contact: 509-2926636, danceimages1.com, Facebook. Home2 Suites by Hilton has opened at 2861 Lincoln Landing,

Richland. The hotel offers studio and one-bedroom suites for short or extended stays. Contact: 509-4604040, home2.hilton.com, Facebook. Huntwood Custom Cabinets has opened at 627 N. Kellogg St., Suite A120, Kennewick. The business offers custom cabinet solutions for the entire home. Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and Saturday by appointment. Contact: 509-579-0800, tricities.huntwood.com. Tri-Cities Delivered Goods has opened in Richland. The business offers delivery services for grocery and restaurant orders in the Tri-Cities area. Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week. Contact: 888-403-5337, tricitiesdeliveredgoods.com, Facebook. Two Wicked Geese has opened in Kennewick. The business provides web design, SEO, social media/email/ internet marketing for small businesses. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Contact: 509-596-0976, twowickedgeese.com, Facebook. UpAngle Drone Services has opened at 515 Lee Blvd., Richland. The business offers full video productions, agricultural imaging and have the capability for mapping and inspection imaging. Contact: 509-713-7889, upangle.com, Facebook.

Three G Farms, 15505 N. Webber Canyon Road, Benton City, has applied for a change of location marijuana producer tier 3 and marijuana processor license. BLF North, 46415 E. Badger Road, Ste B, Benton City, has applied for a marijuana producer tier 3 and marijuana processor change of class license. 12 Logistics, 216103 E. Pidcock Road # 1, Kennewick, has applied for a marijuana transporter license. Biggest Little Shop of Fun, 233757 E. SR 397, Kennewick has applied for a marijuana producer tier 3 and marijuana processor change of class license. Wonder West Group, 15505 Webber Canyon Road, Suite A, Benton City, has applied for a marijuana producer tier 3 and marijuana processor license. APPROVED Dennis Farm, 89301 N. 134 PRNW, Suite A, Prosser, has been approved for a marijuana producer tier 2 change of officer license.

Dan Riley, vice president of government affairs for Tesoro, talks during a Feb. 13 Pasco Chamber of Commerce meeting about the proposed terminal at the Port of Vancouver that would receive crude oil by rail and unload it onto ships.

uNETWORKING Rendon joins Trios Medical Group

Julie Peck Rendon, an acute care nurse practitioner, has joined the Trios Medical Group Hospital Medical team to provide care to patients admitted to Trios Southridge Hospital and Trios Women’s and Children’s Hospital. Peck Rendon received a Julie Peck Rendon bachelor of science degree in nursing from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and completed the Doctorate Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program at Duke University. Trios Health is the Kennewick Public Hospital District’s system of care serving the greater Tri-Cities.

Yearsley image represented U.S. at world photography competition

Sonja Yearsley of Sonja Photography, in West Richland, “Mother Nature” represented the U.S. in the World Photographic Cup, Illustrative Category in late February in Tokyo, Japan. Her image was one of three U.S. photoSonja Yearsley graphs in the competition. The Professional Photographers of America and the Federation of European Photographers co-founded the World Photographic Cup in 2013.

NAME CHANGE Holy Mac and Deli is now Holy Mac, Steaks & Spirits, 3901 S. Zintel Way, Suite 110, Kennewick. Contact: 509491-1774, holymacanddeli.com, Facebook. Oil Can Henry’s is now Valvoline Instant Oil Change, 25 Columbia Point Drive, Richland. Contact: 509420-5068, vioc.com. ADDITIONAL LOCATION Bruchi’s Cheesesteaks & Subs has opened a new location at 5209 W. Okanogan Place, Kennewick. Contact: 509-491-3330, bruchis.com, Facebook. MOVED Victory Medical Solutions has moved to 969 Stevens Drive, Suite 2B, Richland. Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Contact: 509202-4292, vmshh.com. CLOSED Albertstons at 1320 Lee Blvd., Richland has closed. New York Richie’s at 5011 W. Clearwater Ave., Kennewick has closed. West Richland Barber Shop at 3960 W. Van Giesen St., West Richland has closed.

Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business • March 2017

AROUND TOWN

Baylee Easterday, secretary of the Chiawana High School Future Farmers of America, visited with second-graders during the Feb. 21 Agricultural Literacy Day at Livingston Elementary. The younger students were divided into four groups and spent 30 minutes at four different hands-on learning stations led by FFA students centered around agricultural robotics, floral design, animal husbandry and DNA extraction. (Courtesy Pasco School District)

The Department of Energy’s Richland Operations Office, with support from Hanford site contractor Mission Support Alliance, donated more than 150 pieces of clothing, including pants, shirts, vests, jackets, coveralls and bib overalls to the Columbia Basin Veterans Coalition, which provides a variety of services to local veterans. The clothing, valued at more than $11,000, was donated March 2. (Courtesy MSA) Mauri Morgan of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory hippity-hops and bowls to win a ticket for the prize table at the 21st annual Bowling Classic, which ran from Feb. 27 to March 4 at Atomic Bowl in Richland. More than 2,000 Junior Achievement supporters raised nearly $300,000 to prepare 12,060 students with the skills they need to succeed in school and in life. (Courtesy Amy Purvis Photography)

Brad Barker of U.S. Cellular shows students how to make straw rockets during a visit to the Boys & Girls Club of Benton and Franklin Counties in Pasco on Feb. 22 to teach youth about careers in engineering and technology as part of National Engineers Week. Engineering associates from U.S. Cellular conducted an “Ask an Engineer” session to engage students and demonstrate how science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) affect their daily lives. (Courtesy U.S. Cellular)

Gesa Credit Union and the Pasco School District have teamed up to raise money for students using a special Gesa Visa debit card. The new program earns money for high school student activities in the Pasco School District each time a cardholder swipes their card. Cards are available for Chiawana, Pasco and New Horizons high schools. The co-branded debit cards are free to Gesa members with a checking account. A similar partnership with the Kennewick, Richland and College Place school districts has raised over $10,000 for local students. Pictured, from left, are John Wallwork, Chiawana High principal; Michelle Whitney, Pasco School District superintendent; Maribel Alvares, Chiawana High School campus branch manager; Bonnie Wyrobek, Pasco High banking and financial services adviser; Andy Mendoza, Pasco High campus branch manager; Jesus Mendoza, New Horizons and district student board representative; Seth Johnson, New Horizons High principal; and Don Miller, Gesa president and CEO. (Courtesy Gesa Credit Union)

Brian Griffith, assistant vice president of marketing for Gesa Credit Union, presents a $285 check to students Anisa Rodriguez, left, and Esperanza Fuentes of Somos Designs, the winner of the Pasco SOUP event on Feb. 23. Somos Designs is a T-shirt design project which aims to teach design and business concepts to Pasco High chool students. A total of $820 was awarded. Jacob Gonzalez, president of the Downtown Pasco Development Authority Board, is also pictured. Pasco SOUP is the development authority’s micro-financing program in which presenters pitch their proposals over a soup dinner for new business, nonprofit or community art projects. Attendees vote for the project they want to fund. (Photo courtesy Faith Hovde of Emerald Studios)

Email Around Town photo submissions with captions to editor@tcjournal.biz

Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business â&#x20AC;¢ March 2017