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Dec. 1, 2008 at 2:24pm Former WaMu employees eligible for assistanceWashington Mutual employees who are receiving layoff notices from JPMorgan Chase are also receiving information from state and local layoff-response officials about unemployment benefits and job-search assistance that are available to them. Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Human Resources , Lacey, Lakewood, Lewis County, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tumwater, Workforce by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne Dec. 1, 2008 at 10:30am Around the SoundBusiness-related eventsBusiness owners not previously able to afford health insurance for
their employees have a new tool available to them – government
subsidies for employee health insurance. The state's Health Insurance
Partnership combines public and private resources to help small
employers and their employees purchase health insurance in the
marketplace. A free educational workshop on HIP is being offered
Thursday between 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. at the Phoenix Inn Suites in
Olympia. Employers eligible for the subsidies are those: not currently
offering health insurance; have between two and 50 employees; and have
workforces that have half of their workers earning less than $10 an
hour. The workshop is being sponsored by the Thurston County Chamber
affiliated Chamber Benefit Services Fund, a leader in small business
health insurance solutions. The event is held in cooperation with the
Washington Health Care Authority and Choice Regional Health Network.
Reservations are requested at (360) 357-3362 or www.ThurstonChamber.com. Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, BE on the road, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Health care, Human Resources , Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Military/Security, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve Dec. 1, 2008 at 10:18am BE part of the conversationComment about the newsVisit BusinessExaminer.com and voice your thoughts on today's news and read comments from other people in the South Sound's business community. The BE blog also offers RSS functions so you can see only the local or industry business news that you want, as it happens. Read moreComments (1) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, BE on the road, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Health care, Human Resources , Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve Nov. 28, 2008 at 8:30am Business school is now in session at BEStreaming video covers business topicsThe Business Examiner has added a feature to its Web site that features expert advice from the PBS show Small Business School as well as links to gain free access to full shows featuring a range of business topics. New tips will be added each business day. Read moreComments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Health care, Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve Nov. 26, 2008 at 11:26am WACE releases labor report, state budget forecastThe Washington Alliance for a Competitive Economy has published its report on the labor-related expenses of operating a business in Washington compared to other states. Read moreComments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Charities/Non-profits, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve Nov. 26, 2008 at 10:12am Investigation steps up in bar holdup
Lakewood police detectives are looking for two men who robbed Oh! Gallagher's Sports Pub at gunpoint on Nov. 14. The crime was recorded on the tavern's surveillance system. Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Pierce County, Tacoma, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve Nov. 26, 2008 at 10:07am Blog Watch: road warriorsTacoma's downtown blog has an item about the Dome District's thoughts about Sound Transit's plans for the train extension through the area. It makes for interesting reading about this changing neighborhood. Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, BE on the road, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Health care, Human Resources , Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve Nov. 26, 2008 at 10:06am COFFEE BREAK: Holiday blessings or worriesThe Business Examiner would like to know your thoughts about the upcoming holiday season. Are your primed for the deep discounts you will likely find in stores or are you wondering if you will have a paycheck by the time the credit card bill comes due? Are you trimming back on gift giving this year? Read moreComments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, BE on the road, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Health care, Human Resources , Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Military/Security, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve Nov. 21, 2008 at 2:20pm AG says federal used car rule needs a tune-upThe federal "Used Car Rule" needs a tune-up. Almost two dozen attorneys general are asking the Federal Trade Commission to add additional disclosures about a vehicle's history to the "Buyer's Guide" notice displayed on cars available for purchase from dealers. Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Lakewood, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve Nov. 19, 2008 at 12:23pm State revenue forecast continues to fallEconomic conditions in both the nation and the state have deteriorated sharply since the last Revenue Forecast in September, according to the state Economic and Revenue Forecast Council. Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Lacey, Lakewood, Lewis County, Mason County, Olympia, Tacoma, Thurston County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve Nov. 19, 2008 at 12:21pm Great American Smokeout set for tomorrowTobacco Quit Line (1-800-QUIT-NOW)Tomorrow is the 33rd annual Great American Smokeout as a way to provide an opportunity for people to take the first step toward quitting smoking and improving their health. Read moreComments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Mason County, Olympia, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve Nov. 19, 2008 at 12:19pm Blog Watch: road warriorsThe RAMP blog has an item about the state's congestion map that charts congestion around the South Sound bottlenecks. The map isn't pretty. Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Lakewood, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve Nov. 19, 2008 at 12:18pm COFFEE BREAK: down timesThe weather is bad. The news about the local, state and national economy is bad. Retirement accounts are lighter. Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, BE on the road, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Health care, Human Resources , Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve Nov. 17, 2008 at 10:22am Big news of the year?There has been a lot of big news stories this year, particularly in the last few weeks. Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Health care, Lacey, Lakewood, Pierce County, Tumwater by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve Nov. 10, 2008 at 8:27am In this issue of the Business ExaminerCheck out the stand locations near youThe current issue of the Business Examiner is in newstands now, if you do not have a subscription sent to your home or office. In this issue, you will find: Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Lacey, Lakewood, Lewis County, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne Nov. 6, 2008 at 12:00pm October housing: disappointing, but not unexpectedHousing activity for Northwest Multiple Listing Service members was disappointing last month, but not surprising, according to one industry executive. He and other representatives of the Northwest's largest MLS believe the situation is improving. Read moreComments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Building, Lacey, Lakewood, Lewis County, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tumwater by Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary Nov. 6, 2008 at 11:48am Reed issues post-election statementSecretary of State Sam Reed has released a post-election statement to the state's voting public: Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tumwater by Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary Nov. 6, 2008 at 11:20am People on the movePromotions and recognitionsDespite fierce competition and all the economic uncertainties, Tacoma's own Chuckals Office Products is enjoying one of its best years ever and adding new sales and customer service staff to bring its unique "small business service with big business prices" proposition to a growing number of businesses in the Tacoma market. Read moreComments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Building, Lakewood, Pierce County, Tacoma, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne Nov. 5, 2008 at 12:24pm Blog Watch: chitter, chatterTech blogger Andrew Fry has a note about the fate of daily newspapers and mentions some details about TNT blogmeister Mark Briggs, who is leaving the Tacoma daily for work in the private sectors. He will be the CEO of Serra Media, a provider of Web solutions for media companies. Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Pierce County, Technology, Thurston County by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve Nov. 4, 2008 at 11:59am People on the movePromotions and recognitionsVenture Bank recently hired Tasha Wilkinson as a customer service representative at the bank's Eatonville Financial Center. Venture Bank also hired Jennifer Stanley as a customer service representative at the bank's Fircrest Financial Center. Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Education, Health care, Human Resources , Lacey, Lakewood, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve Oct. 29, 2008 at 11:55am Blog Watch: street talkThe BIA blog for downtown Tacoma has a string about a national movement for "complete streets" that are designed for all types of users of all ages and abilities, pedestrians, cyclists, transit, trucks, cars, wheelchairs, skateboarders and other users. The post has specific examples of proposed changes for main streets around the city. Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Health care, Human Resources , Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve Oct. 29, 2008 at 11:53am COFFEE BREAK: Key election issueThe election is almost here. Many people have already voted thanks to the expansion of vote-by-mail programs. The Business Examiner would like to know what issue drove you to vote the way you did this election? Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Health care, Human Resources , Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve Oct. 27, 2008 at 11:15am Correction: Heritage financial reportIn Friday's BE Daily, it was mistakenly reported that Heritage Financial Corp.'s total assets had dropped significantly from one year ago. The correct figure is $500,000, much less than the amount mentioned in the news item. Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Lacey, Lakewood, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tumwater by Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary Oct. 24, 2008 at 1:38pm Election results pouring inAs of this morning, the Secretary of State's Office is reporting that ballots received in the seven Washington counties that show counts online total roughly 298,000 so far. Those counties – King, Pierce, Snohomish, Spokane, Clark, Yakima and Kittitas – represent 65 percent of all the voters in the state. Read moreComments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma by Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary Oct. 23, 2008 at 11:12am Businesses eligible for upgrade reimbursementPuget Sound Energy's residential and business customers can now take advantage of more than 80 money-saving, energy-efficiency rebate and grant programs. Read moreComments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Building, Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tumwater by Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary Oct. 22, 2008 at 10:27am State sets voter recordWith the election two weeks away, Washington has just surpassed the 3.6 million mark for registered voters for the first time in state history, according to David Ammons, communications director for the Office of the Secretary of State. Read moreComments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Tumwater by Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary Oct. 22, 2008 at 10:23am Papa Murphy's awarded 'Best Pizza Chain in America'Vancouver-based Papa Murphy's Take 'N' Bake Pizza has been named the "Best Pizza Chain in America," according to consumers. Read moreComments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Lacey, Lakewood, Lewis County, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater by Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary Oct. 22, 2008 at 9:59am Blog Watch: Political roundupThe Association of Washington Business' Olympia Business Watch explains the reasoning behind the AWB's myriad endorsements. Read moreComments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County by Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary Oct. 22, 2008 at 9:44am Coffee Break: The home stretchWith just two weeks remaining in the election season, politicians across the board are stepping up their efforts to get your vote. Both the federal and local races are heating up, particularly surrounding issues that affect the nation's business communities. Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Health care, Human Resources , Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary Oct. 14, 2008 at 10:25am Navy Federal opens McChord branch
Navy Federal Credit Union recently opened its newest branch in Lakewood – its fifth branch in the state. The McChord Branch has the potential to serve more than 100,000 Department of Defense personnel and their families assigned to McChord Air Force Base and Fort Lewis. Read moreComments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Lakewood, Military/Security by Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary Oct. 14, 2008 at 10:24am St. Clare opens radiology suiteSt. Clare Hospital in Lakewood has expanded its services with the addition of a state-of-the-art Interventional radiology suite. Advanced technology in the IR suite aids physicians in providing enhanced diagnosis, treatment planning, and therapeutic intervention without major surgery. Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Health care, Lakewood, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve Oct. 13, 2008 at 11:22am In this issue of the Business Examiner
The latest print edition of the Business Examiner is now in mail boxes and newsstands around the South Sound. Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Health care, Human Resources , Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Mason County, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve Oct. 13, 2008 at 9:43am State disciplines local health care providersThe Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in the South Sound. Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Lakewood, Mason County, Pierce County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve Oct. 8, 2008 at 12:50pm Fire damages CPTC, classes continueA fire broke out at Clover Park Technical College in Lakewood at 4:30 a.m. today. The fire was in Building 39, a portable for the Early Care and Education job training program on the west side of the campus. The building was vacant at the time of the fire, and no injuries were reported. The other portable buildings in the area did not suffer any damage. Read moreComments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Education, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Pierce County by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve Oct. 8, 2008 at 6:05am Are you a Fastest Growing Company?Nominations are now being accepted online for the South Sound's annual Fastest Growing Companies recognition program. Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Education, Human Resources , Lacey, Lakewood, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve Oct. 3, 2008 at 11:21am Tacoma site of clean up conferenceThe Washington Department of Ecology will host the state's first-ever
conference focusing on efforts to clean up sites that can be used to
produce economic benefits. Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Building, Lakewood, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Tacoma by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve Oct. 3, 2008 at 8:31am Speak up: BE wants your opinionThe Business Examiner would like you to take five minutes out of your day to help us grow and improve our BE Daily service. Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, BE on the road, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Health care, Human Resources , Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve Oct. 1, 2008 at 11:55am COFFEE BREAK: bail outThe Business Examiner would like to know what you think about the bailout proposal currently under debate and what its passage – or failure – means to small businesses. Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Lakewood, Lewis County, Mason County, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, Thurston County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve Oct. 1, 2008 at 11:53am Blog Watch: talk, technology, talkThe talk around the downtown Tacoma blog is all about planning for the future and the need to build its mix of offerings. Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Lakewood, Lewis County, Mason County, Military/Security, Pierce County, South King County, Technology, Thurston County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve Sep. 30, 2008 at 2:34pm People on the movePromotions and recognitions St. Joseph Medical Center has received the prestigious Consumer Choice Award for the 10th straight year for being identified as a preferred hospital in Tacoma by an independent survey of area residents by National Research Corp. Winners of the Consumer Choice Award from 190 markets across the U.S. were announced Sept. 29 by National Research Corp., an independent company that measures health care performance and improvement. The list of winners also was published in the current edition of Modern Healthcare, an industry publication. Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, BE on the road, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Human Resources , Lacey, Lakewood, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve Sep. 30, 2008 at 1:48pm State's minimum wage will increaseWashington's minimum wage will jump 48 cents to $8.55 an hour beginning Jan. 1, an increase required by a voter initiative passed 10 years ago that set the minimum wage to the Consumer Price Index for the greater Seattle area. Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Human Resources , Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne Sep. 30, 2008 at 10:48am Small biz owners fear credit freezeAt a time when many of the nation's largest companies are struggling to survive, a growing number of small businesses are also feeling the stress that comes from making and saving money in a tough economy, according to the results of a new survey conducted by Harris Interactive for ING DIRECT's ShareBuilder 401k. Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Lacey, Lakewood, Lewis County, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Thurston County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve Sep. 26, 2008 at 10:25am State gets $28 million to stabilize foreclosuresU.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Steve Preston today allocated a total of $3.92 billion to all states and particularly hard-hit areas trying to respond to the effects of high foreclosures. The state of Washington will receive an allocation of $28,159,293, while Alaska, Idaho and Oregon will each receive allocations of $19.6 million. Read moreComments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Lacey, Lakewood, Lewis County, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tumwater by Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary Sep. 25, 2008 at 10:58am Women of Influence event heldView pictures from the BE's eventThe Business Examiner celebrated its sixth annual Women of Influence class last night at Clover Park Technical College's Sharon McGavick Student and Conference Center. The program recognized outstanding female leaders in the South Puget Sound. Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Health care, Human Resources , Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve Sep. 25, 2008 at 10:42am People on the movePromotions and recognitionsSt. Mary's Vestry, the Lakewood church's governing body, recently announced the call of a new rector, the Rev. Kendall Haynes. Haynes will begin his duties on Oct. 1. For the past 22 years, the Rev. Kent McCulloch served St. Mary's as its rector. Fr. McCulloch retired in September 2007. Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Building, Human Resources , Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Pierce County, Tacoma by Breanne Coats | Email Breanne Sep. 25, 2008 at 10:09am PSE to buy Longview plantPuget Sound has announced plans to buy a natural-gas-fired power plant in Longview, Wash. as part of the utility's long-range initiative for meeting customers' growing electricity needs. Read moreComments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Lacey, Lakewood, Lewis County, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County by Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary Sep. 23, 2008 at 9:25am People on the movePromotions and recognitionsHarborstone Credit Union employees started their summer on a healthy note and won the 10k-A-Day Challenge. This was Harborstone's first year in the program, which challenges participating credit unions to walk the most steps over a six-week period. Harborstone was joined by employees from Peninsula Credit Union, O'Bee Credit Union, TwinStar, Generations Credit Union and WSECU. The challenge is a fitness effort that seeks to build on the health benefits of walking 10,000 steps a day. Harborstone's top walker was Wendy Whitney, an employee at Harborstone's Spanaway location. During the course of six weeks, she covered 869,358 steps and lost 15 pounds. The competition also raised $900 for the Credit Unions for Kids charitable organization. The 10k-A-Day Challenge was coordinated by Melanie Ransom, human resources manager, O'Bee Credit Union. Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Charities/Non-profits, Health care, Lacey, Lakewood, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve Sep. 19, 2008 at 10:25am Business Guide now onlineThe Business Examiner's Small Business Resource Guide can now be downloaded for free. Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Mason County, Military/Security, Olympia, Tacoma, Thurston County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve Sep. 18, 2008 at 10:46am Adult smoking drops slightlyA new state survey shows the adult smoking rate in Washington is continuing to go down, yet the decline is slowing. When the Department of Health began its comprehensive Tobacco Prevention and Control Program in 2000, the adult smoking rate was 22.4 percent. The most recent survey shows the smoking rate has decreased slightly from 17 percent in 2006 to a new low of 16.5 percent in 2007. At the same time, rates remain higher among people with low-income and low education. Read moreComments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Lakewood, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve Sep. 17, 2008 at 2:11pm L&I plan calls for comp hike of 3 percentThe Department of Labor & Industries today proposed a 3 percent increase in 2009 workers' compensation rates. Average premiums would go up by just under 2 cents per hour worked. Read moreComments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Health care, Human Resources , Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve Sep. 17, 2008 at 11:19am COFFEE BREAK: investment worriesWith all the bad news from Wall Street these days about billion dollar firms going into bankruptcy or falling into governmental receivership, the Business Examiner would like to know how comfortable you feel about your own financial situation. Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, BE on the road, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Health care, Human Resources , Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve Sep. 16, 2008 at 10:35am People on the movePromotions and recognitionsVenture Bank recently hired Cheryl Johnson as a proof operator at the bank's DuPont Financial Center. She has six years of banking experience. Venture Bank also recently hired Amber Hutchings as a customer service representative at the bank's Tumwater Financial Center and hired Dana Gibson as a customer service representative at the bank's Yelm Financial Center. Venture Bank now has assets worth more than $1 billion with 19 financial centers in four western Washington counties. Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Lakewood, Pierce County, Tacoma by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve Sep. 10, 2008 at 9:58am Blog Watch: legal actionThe AWB's site has an item about the Supreme Court case surrounding the constitutionality of the super majority requirement for raising taxes that is part of Initiative 601. Read moreComments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Building, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Pierce County, Thurston County, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve Sep. 10, 2008 at 9:57am COFFEE BREAK: strike talksThe Business Examiner would like to know what you think about the strike by Boeing machinists. Whose side are you on? Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Building, Lacey, Lakewood, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Technology, Thurston County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve Sep. 9, 2008 at 10:34am AGC get L&I commuter clarityThe Associated General Contractors of Washington endorsed last week's release of an administrative policy by the Department of Labor and Industries regarding commute time in company vehicles. Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve Sep. 9, 2008 at 10:26am People on the movePromotions and recognitionsWoodstone Credit Union has announced it is making a donation of $1,700 to the Mike McIntosh Memorial Scholarship Fund. This is the second year that Woodstone has raised funds to honor Pastor McIntosh and his place in the south King County community. The moneys raised are enough to pay tuition costs for two qualified applicants to attend Advancing Leadership, an affiliate of the Federal Way Chamber of Commerce. The donation came about when Woodstone recently made a pledge to donate $20 for each member of the Federal Way Chamber of Commerce who attended the August "Business After Hours" meeting hosted at Woodstone's headquarters. Pastor McIntosh was a founding member of Advancing Leadership. Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Health care, Human Resources , Lakewood, Law and Legislation, South King County, Tacoma, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve Sep. 4, 2008 at 11:08am Accounting, IT hiring to be flatA net 1 percent of chief financial officers in the Puget Sound expect to add accounting and finance staff during the fourth quarter of 2008, according to a recent Robert Half International Financial Hiring Index. While 7 percent of executives surveyed plan to add staff during the quarter, another 6 percent anticipate reductions in personnel. The majority of respondents, 85 percent, foresee no change in hiring. Read moreComments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Building, Education, Human Resources , Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Technology, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve Sep. 4, 2008 at 11:06am Jobs was mixed picture in AugustToday's National Employment Report from Automatic Data Processing shows employment decreased by 33,000 in August. The report is based on actual payroll data and measures the change in total nonfarm private employment each month. Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Human Resources , Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Military/Security, Olympia, Retirement and Investing, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve Aug. 29, 2008 at 10:16am Wireless Internet ends at rest areasWireless Internet access will no longer be available at Washington's highway safety rest areas due to a lack of consistent users. Read moreComments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Building, Lacey, Lakewood, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve Aug. 27, 2008 at 1:08pm COFFEE BREAK: Class actWith students heading back to school, the Business Examiner would like you to think back to your own classroom days and come up with the best lesson you ever learned during those years. Was it to be organized and do the work? Was it that cheaters prosper? Was it that geometry is applicable to everyday life? Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, BE on the road, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Health care, Human Resources , Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve Aug. 26, 2008 at 1:33pm People on the movePromotions and recognitionsManorCare of Tacoma has announced the three new employees at its facility: Tina Irwin, administrator; Eric Dobry, director of nursing; and Janice Suarez-Pena, human resources director. Each of these individuals comes with a wealth of knowledge, experience and solid leadership abilities. Read moreComments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Building, Health care, Lakewood, Olympia, Pierce County, Tacoma, Technology, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve Aug. 25, 2008 at 2:50pm Free drug cards are now availableThe Washington Drug Card program is now available to all Washington residents. Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Charities/Non-profits, Health care, Lakewood, Lewis County, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve Aug. 25, 2008 at 11:04am BE Reader SurveyDear BE Daily Subscriber, Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, BE on the road, Building, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Health care, Human Resources , Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Startups/Minority Businesses, Tacoma, Technology, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater, Workforce by Emily West | Email Emily Aug. 21, 2008 at 12:08pm Puget Sound tops C-section listCesarean sections, or more commonly known as C-sections, have increased 60 percent in low-risk births between 1997 and 2005 in Washington — similar to national trends. C-section rates are higher in the Puget Sound region than in the rest of the state. Read moreComments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Lacey, Lakewood, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County by Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary Aug. 21, 2008 at 11:55am 'New day' dawns at CVBTacoma Regional Convention & Visitor Bureau
formally unveiled its vision for the future of tourism in Pierce County
and the region at a breakfast program this morning at the Landmark
Convention Center. Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Charities/Non-profits, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Olympia, Pierce County, Tacoma, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve Aug. 20, 2008 at 10:17am Council approves cost-cutting planThe Pierce County Council approved a set of initiatives yesterday intended to reduce unnecessary county expenses. The government cost-cutting measures take aim at Pierce County's slowing job market and declining tax receipts. Read moreComments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Pierce County, Tacoma, Workforce by News Room | Email News Aug. 19, 2008 at 10:51am People on the movePromotions and recognitionsRotary Club of Tacoma #8 recently awarded $35,500 in community service grants to eight area non-profit organizations. The recipient organizations were: Ark Institute of Learning, Northwest Leadership Foundation, Zee Speed, Merle Palmer Foundation, REACH Camp, Sound Youth Counseling, Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation, Peace Community Center and YWCA.
The focus of all grants is on youth and families with special emphasis
on providing for basic needs such as food, shelter and clothing;
enhance life skills; crisis intervention; promoting healthy lifestyles
and education. Rotary #8 has awarded 25 non-profit organizations with
community service grants and a total of $93,000 during the last year. Comments (0) | Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Lakewood, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, Tacoma by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve Aug. 19, 2008 at 10:33am Oil spill clean up winding downResponse by emergency teams helped contain what remained of 100 gallons
of diesel that spilled into the Foss Waterway yesterday morning. By the
time responders arrived, most of the spilled diesel had already
dissipated and could not be recovered, according to reports by the
state Department of Ecology. As a precaution, responders laid out 800
feet of containment boom and placed absorbent materials in the water to
capture any pockets of diesel. Ecology’s responders say the sheen will
continue to break down today but may still be visible. Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Building, Lakewood, Lewis County, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve Aug. 18, 2008 at 2:06pm Women of Influence announcedThe Business Examiner's 2008 Women of Influence honorees have been selected. Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Lakewood, Mason County, Olympia, South King County, Tacoma, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve Aug. 18, 2008 at 11:03am Around the SoundBusiness-related eventsUnited Way of Lewis County's Power of the Purse is an opportunity for the women of Lewis County to mingle with other extraordinary women and to draw on diverse women's knowledge, vision and commitment to help transform our community. This year's event will be held at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Gibson House Event Center in downtown Centralia. RSVP by calling United Way at (360) 748-8100. Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Charities/Non-profits, Lakewood, Tacoma, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve Aug. 15, 2008 at 9:07am Smog expected to hit South SoundThe high-pressure system over western Washington pushing temperatures into the 90s this week may also create unhealthful levels of air pollution. Read moreComments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Health care, Lacey, Lakewood, Lewis County, Manufacturing/Trade/Transportation, Mason County, Military/Security, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve Aug. 14, 2008 at 11:47am People on the movePromotions and recognitionsJohnson, Stone & Pagano, P.S., a public accounting firm in Fircrest, has announces that Jessica Brozina has joined the company as a staff accountant. Read moreComments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Lacey, Lakewood, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve Aug. 13, 2008 at 9:46am Retail sales slightly up in JulyWith some help from the last of the tax rebate checks making their way into consumers' hands, retailers were able to achieve an increase in sales last month. Read moreComments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Lacey, Lakewood, Lewis County, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tourism, Retail and Hospitality, Tumwater by News Room | Email News Aug. 13, 2008 at 9:39am COFFEE BREAK: Retirement dreamsThe Business Examiner would like to know how the recent downturn stock market paired with rising costs have changed your retirement plans. Read moreComments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Lacey, Lakewood, Lewis County, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, Retirement and Investing, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tumwater by News Room | Email News Aug. 12, 2008 at 10:50am Unemployment rate inches upWashington's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 5.7 percent in July, up from June's revised rate of 5.4 percent, according to the state Employment Security Department. Comments (0) | Posted in BE Daily, Lacey, Lakewood, Law and Legislation, Lewis County, Mason County, Olympia, Pierce County, South King County, Tacoma, Thurston County, Tumwater, Workforce by Steve Dunkelberger | Email Steve Aug. 5, 2008 at 11:27am Locals selected for state boardsGov. Chris Gregoire has announced South Sound appointments to the following boards and commissions: Read more |