BE Daily Blog

Mar. 11, 2010 at 10:35am

Center for Health Sciences to get under way in May

Construction of the Center for Health Sciences at the University of Puget Sound will begin in May. The 42,500-square-foot interdisciplinary center is expected to open in time for the fall 2011 school semester.

Key features of the center include outpatient clinics for the 300 patients referred for occupational and physical therapy services each year by local physicians. A 6,000-square-foot outdoor mobility park will allow patients to be assessed and rehabilitated in spaces fitted with ramps, curbs, stairs and other potential barriers. An indoor simulated apartment will give patients a place to practice the activities of daily living.

Mar. 10, 2010 at 12:49pm

Blog watch: City stuff, bike maps, legislature, big discount

Check out Exit 133 for the latest talk about Cheney Stadium, the Elks project and Tacoma's Stormwater Management Program.

Online navigation isn't just for four-wheeled, internal-combustion engine directions anymore. OlyBlog has an interesting post about the new bicycling layer on Google Maps.

Mar. 10, 2010 at 10:51am

I-5 squeezed down to one lane in Fife tonight

Drivers should expect delays tonight on southbound Interstate 5 when the Washington State Department of Transportation shifts traffic onto new pavement that will ultimately be the first I-5 HOV lanes in Pierce County. 



Striping and barrier removal will reduce southbound I-5 to a single lane beginning at the West Hylebos Creek Bridge. Crews will close two lanes of southbound I-5 beginning at 8 p.m. and will close three lanes by 10 p.m. All lanes will reopen by 5 a.m. Thursday, but drivers will encounter reduced lane and shoulder widths in the project limits.

Mar. 9, 2010 at 8:51am

Wedge: Historic or not?

Should the Wedge neighborhood become a historic district? The public will have an opportunity next week to provide feedback about the matter to the Tacoma Planning Commission.
 
The area of the proposed district extends from Division Avenue to South M Street to Sixth Avenue and to Sprague. The North Slope Historic District – established during 1994 and listed on the Tacoma, Washington and National registers of historic places – borders the proposed Wedge District.

Mar. 5, 2010 at 7:58am

Thurston EDC selects recognition award finalists

The Thurston Economic Development Council has selected finalists for its Business Recognition Award.

In the Small Business category are 94.5 Roxy - KRXY FM, Scott Home Inc. and Shea Carr Jewell. The New Business category includes Diamond Technologies Inc. Fosbre Academy of Hair Design and Olympia Systems Inc.

Mar. 3, 2010 at 8:01am

Private employment decline smallest since Feb. 2008

Nonfarm private employment decreased 20,000 from January to February on a seasonally adjusted basis, according to the ADP National Employment Report. The estimated change of employment from December to January was revised down, from a decline of 22,000 to a decline of 60,000.  

The February employment decline was the smallest since employment began falling during February 2008.

Mar. 2, 2010 at 1:18pm

Sneak peek at Cheney Stadium renovation

During today's Tacoma City Council study session, the Cheney Stadium Advisory Panel and design team Mortenson, Populous and Belay revealed details of Cheney Stadium's first full renovation in 51 years.

The $30 million, multi-party funded project is scheduled to be completed by opening day of 2011.

Feb. 25, 2010 at 10:43am

People on the Move

Promotions, hires and recognitions in South Sound

Brooke Johnson has joined Columbia Bank as a financial consultant with CB Financial Services. She has experience in investment and financial services, and previously was a registered client service associate at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney. Johnson has a master's degree in business administration from Seattle University and a bachelor's degree in business finance from the University of Washington. She also is the co-president of the Kids at Heart Guild, which benefits Seattle Children's Hospital.

Larry Gilliam has joined Coldwell Banker Commercial Real Estate in Olympia as an associate broker. He has worked in the real estate industry since 1986 and previously was a co-partner at Hodges, Gilliam & Dana Commercial Real Estate. He has a bachelor's degree in accounting from Oklahoma City University and has earned Certified Commercial Investment Member designation.

Feb. 24, 2010 at 8:13am

Mortgage rates tick higher

The 30-year fixed mortgage rate on Zillow Mortgage Marketplace is currently 4.84 percent, up five basis points from 4.79 percent compared to this same time last week.

The 30-year fixed mortgage peaked during the weekend at 4.95 percent – the highest rates have been in 30 days.

Feb. 22, 2010 at 12:19pm

Public garage design-build team selected

The City of Tacoma announced it has selected an award winning design-build team for the public garage, which will be constructed on property adjacent to the Elks Temple building in downtown.

GLY Construction and Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Architects was the team selected for the public garage project. ZGF will design the project and GLY Construction will provide general contracting and construction services.

Feb. 19, 2010 at 9:51am

Around the Sound

Business-related events in the South Sound

Individual help with foreclosure issues will be available to the public at a free foreclosure seminar scheduled for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 20 at the Evergreen College Tacoma campus, 1210 6th Ave. Attendees should plan to bring current photo identification and Social Security number, last two years of W-2's and the most current tax return, last two pay stubs and two months worth of bank statements, and complete file for first and/or second mortgage. More information is available at www.makinghomeaffordable.gov and www.mortgagehelpnow.org.

Northwest Certified Forestry is hosting an afternoon seminar that will introduce forest owners to the theories, principles and applications of managing second growth forests for old-growth characteristics from noon to 5 p.m. Feb. 20 at the Ohop Grange in Eatonville. Click here for more information.


Feb. 18, 2010 at 3:16pm

Federal Way looks to possible skyscraper

Community leaders in Federal Way are still digesting plans announced for a mixed-use multi-story construction project in their downtown.

The project will leverage the "Regional Center" designation successfully secured by the developer with support from the City of Federal Way, to tap into international revenue sources in order to stimulate the local economy and create jobs in the area.

Feb. 18, 2010 at 3:05pm

'Green' buildings healthier?

A new study found that tenants in green buildings experience increased productivity and fewer sick days. The research also found that that green buildings have lower vacancy rates and higher rents than non-green counterparts.

The study, conducted by the University of San Diego and commercial real estate broker CB Richard Ellis Group, found that tenants in green buildings are more productive based on two measures: number of tenant sick days and productivity.


Feb. 18, 2010 at 2:54pm

People on the move

Promotions, hires and kudos in South Sound

Greg Jones has been promoted to executive vice president/credit administrator of Valley Bank. He has been with the bank for 19 years and has 32 years of banking experience.

Valley Bank has also promoted Leo Dreith to executive vice president managing wholesale operations in South King and Pierce counties. He has been with the bank for 18 years.

Brooke Johnson has joined Columbia Bank as a financial consultant with CB Financial Services. She previously was a registered client service associate at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney.

Feb. 17, 2010 at 8:06am

Shea Carr Jewell earns national recognition

Shea Carr Jewell Inc. has been recognized as one of the best civil engineering companies to work for in the nation.

Civil Engineering News ranked the Olympia-based firm 16th in the small firms' category (fewer than 100 employees) and 33rd overall in the 2009 Best Civil Engineering Firms to Work For.

Feb. 9, 2010 at 2:52pm

Detray's Custom Housing honored for customer satisfaction

Detray's Custom Housing LLC of Puyallup has received the Clayton Homes Five Star Customer Service Award.

Clayton Homes, a manufactured housing company, has more than 1,100 independent retailers throughout the United States.

Feb. 9, 2010 at 12:36pm

People on the Move

Promotions, hires and recognitions in South Sound

Terry Nelson has been named executive director of the Tacoma Concert Band. He served for 32 years in the U.S. Air Force, as a command pilot and in additional leadership positions. He earned a bachelor's degree in international relations from the University of St. Thomas and a master's degree in human resource management from Chapman University. Nelson succeeds Mark Reutlinger, who served as president of the board from 1997 to 2002, and then as executive director.

Russell Investments has formalized its Global Knowledge Management Group by naming Don Ezra chair. He has been with Russell for more than 25 years, and will also continue as co-chair of Russell Global Consulting and Advisory Services. Last year, Ezra co-authored "The Retirement Plan Solution: The Reinvention of Defined Contribution," a book examining the defined contribution system and outlining improvements that would help DC plan participants achieve financial security throughout retirement. In addition to numerous articles and papers, his other books include Understanding Pension Fund Finance and Investment (1979), The Struggle for Pension Fund Wealth (1983) and Pension Fund Excellence (1998).

Feb. 8, 2010 at 3:04pm

Around the Sound

Business-related events in the South Sound

Saint Martin's University will host Dr. E. Gerald Meyer, professor emeritus of chemistry at the University of Wyoming, at 7  p.m. today in Harned Hall Room 110 in Lacey for a presentation about "The Hydrogen Economy: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly." For more information, contact Arwyn Smalley at asmalley@stmartin.edu.

The Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance is hosting the ninth Annual Aerospace Conference in Lynnwood tomorrow and Feb. 10. The event will feature speakers from Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, EADS, G2 Solutions, Holder Aerospace, Leeham Co, Lockheed Martin, Moss Adams and Vaupell. Click here for more information.

Feb. 5, 2010 at 2:07pm

Around the Sound

Business-related events in the South Sound

Tacoma Goodwill Industries is hosting a Super Refund Refund event that will provide free tax preparation for qualified taxpayers, including eligibility for a tax refund through the Earned Income Tax Credit from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 6 at the Milgard Work Opportunity Center, 714 S. 27th St. Call Kim Houg (253) 573-6813 for information or an appointment. Child care is available.

Savor the sights and sounds of the world without leaving the state during the Ethnic Celebration from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Feb. 6 at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts, 512 Washington St SE, Olympia.  The event is free and will include music and dance presentations on two stages by 24 local and regional performing arts groups. Click here for a complete schedule of events.

Feb. 4, 2010 at 3:01pm

Multicare Steam Plant earns energy award

MultiCare's Steam Plant has been honored with a Silver Award in the energy category from the American Council of Engineering Companies of Washington.

The award was presented to Wood Harbinger Inc., an engineering company in Seattle that designed the mechanical and electrical systems for the facility.

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