Business Examiner

Dec. 1, 2008 at 2:24pm

Former WaMu employees eligible for assistance

Washington 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.

Leaders from the state Employment Security Department's mass-layoff unit and the Seattle-King County rapid-response team met recently with JPMorgan officials to plan informational sessions that will supplement the company's own severance and employee-assistance efforts.

A series of one-hour sessions will be held on Dec. 12 for Washington Mutual employees who are being laid off in the next few months.

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 Sound

Business-related events

Business 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.

The Lakewood Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring its annual Holly-Jolly Christmas Auction on Thursday between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at the Great American Casino. For $20 admission, guests can enjoy a lovely plated lunch, visit with Santa, enjoy holiday music, as well as take advantage of shopping for family, friends, co-workers and employees in a casual setting. Reservations are required, call (253) 582-9400.

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 conversation

Comment about the news

Visit 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.

Comments (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 BE

Streaming video covers business topics

The 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.

Comments (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 forecast

The 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.

Comments (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.

The two men were wearing ski masks when they entered the bar at the corner of Lakewood Drive and 74th Street at about 7:15 p.m. One of the men demanded that the bar patrons stand against the wall, where he then searched them for valuables to take. The second gunman pointed a sub machine gun pistol at the bartender's head and demanded that she open the cash register.

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 warriors

Tacoma'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.

Kevin Freitas writes about the filming of the Toyota Commercial in downtown Tacoma last week. He also has pictures of the filming.

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 worries

The 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?

Nov. 21, 2008 at 2:20pm

AG says federal used car rule needs a tune-up

The 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.

"Laws are like cars, they need regular maintenance to make sure they're operating effectively," Attorney General Rob McKenna said. "The federal 'Used Car Rule' is rusty and needs tuning to perform properly for consumers."

The current rule requires that Buyer's Guide notices be posted on used vehicles offered for sale at dealerships. The notices indicate whether a car is covered by a warranty or sold "as-is."

But the law doesn't require additional information about a vehicle's history to be printed on the guide, such as whether cars have been assigned titles that would indicate damage from a flood or crash or if the car was repurchased by a manufacturer under a state's Lemon Law.

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 fall

Economic 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.

"The credit crunch has knocked the wind out of an already weakening national economy," an economic forecast released today stated. "Consumer and business spending have stalled as access to credit has been choked off, and confidence has worsened."

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 tomorrow

Tobacco 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.

Comments (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 warriors

The 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 times

The weather is bad. The news about the local, state and national economy is bad. Retirement accounts are lighter.

The Business Examiner would like to know how you are feeling about your job and what you are doing to ease the stresses in your life.

To reply to the poll, send an e-mail to news@BusinessExaminer.com. Poll results will be published in Friday's BE Daily.

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.

The Business Examiner would like to know what were the biggest news stories in your world this year.

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 Examiner

Check out the stand locations near you

The 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:

-- One Business, One vote
-- Belay wins Olympia's city hall contest
-- Rainier Connect links to new home, new era
-- Owners: restaurant giveaway is no laughing matter

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 unexpected

Housing 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.

Comments (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 statement

Secretary of State Sam Reed has released a post-election statement to the state's voting public:

"Washington's voters were the big winners in this truly memorable watershed election. Following on the heels of the first-ever running of our voter-approved Top 2 Primary this summer, voters were fired up for the main event. They shattered the record for voter registrations, many signing up online for the first time, and then turned out in huge, possibly unprecedented numbers. They helped pick a president, voted their favorites in the closely watched rematch for governor and chose their new congressmen, legislators, judges and local elected officials who will deal with the critical issues facing our state and nation. I couldn't be prouder of our thoughtful and engaged voters, who endured a seemingly endless campaign season with good humor and great intelligence.

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 move

Promotions and recognitions

Despite 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.

Comments (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, chatter

Tech 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.

A Federal Way blog has a mention about the planned closure of the Circuit City.

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 move

Promotions and recognitions

Venture 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.

Washington State University entomologist and eco-toxicologist John Stark has been named the new director of the WSU Puyallup Research and Extension Center. Stark succeeds Jon Newkirk who has been director of the center for the past four years. Newkirk recently resigned as director at the historic Puyallup facility but will continue his affiliation with WSU as director of the WSU Extension Western Center for Risk Management Education in Spokane. WSU Dean of the College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences Dan Bernardo praised Newkirk for helping to set a new course for the 21st century at the facility that was established in 1894.

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 talk

The 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.

Crosscut.com has a chart of newspaper endorsements from around the state about key issues on the Nov. 4 ballot.

Olyblog.net has an ongoing roster of places to eat 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 issue

The 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?

To reply to the poll, send an e-mail to news@BusinessExaminer.com. Poll results will be published in Friday's BE Daily.

Oct. 27, 2008 at 11:15am

Correction: Heritage financial report

In 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 in

As 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.

Comments (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 reimbursement

Puget Sound Energy's residential and business customers can now take advantage of more than 80 money-saving, energy-efficiency rebate and grant programs.

Comments (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 record

With 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.

Comments (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.

Comments (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 roundup

The Association of Washington Business' Olympia Business Watch explains the reasoning behind the AWB's myriad endorsements.

Comments (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 stretch

With 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.

The Business Examiner wants to know who you're voting for and why. Which county council, gubernatorial and presidential candidate would best represent you and your business?

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.

Comments (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 suite

St. 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.

Patients who are admitted to St. Clare Hospital benefit from the increased availability of these procedures because the need to transport patients to other facilities for these services has been eliminated.

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 providers

The 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 continue

A 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.

Comments (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.

Fastest Growing Companies are defined as having strong growth in revenue and wage expense from fiscal years 2005 through 2007. Results are collected, calculated and verified confidentially by Moss Adams, the 12th largest accounting and consulting firm in the United States.

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 conference

The 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.

"Brownfields and Land Revitalization Conference 2008" is scheduled Oct. 21 and 22 at the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center.

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 opinion

The Business Examiner would like you to take five minutes out of your day to help us grow and improve our BE Daily service.

It is our goal to provide timely and relevant news coverage, while making the BE Daily interesting and valuable for our readers and advertisers. The information you provide in the survey link below is invaluable in helping us reach that goal.

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 out

The 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.

To reply to the poll, send an e-mail to news@BusinessExaminer.com. Poll results will be published in Friday's BE Daily.

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, talk

The talk around the downtown Tacoma blog is all about planning for the future and the need to build its mix of offerings.

Andrew Fry has an update on the South Sound Technology conference shaping up for later this fall at the University of Washington Tacoma.

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 move

Promotions 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 increase

Washington'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 freeze

At 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.

"A lot of small businesses are struggling to cover their monthly expenses and still have something left to put into savings," said Stuart Robertson, general manager of ShareBuilder 401k. "Before this down economy set-in, the number of small businesses making regular contributions to their savings plan was actually on the rise. Today we're beginning to see a step backwards."

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 foreclosures

U.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.

Comments (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 held

View pictures from the BE's event

The 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.

Pictures of the event can be viewed here if you missed the event or want to relive it. The recognition program will also be the subject of next month's South Sound Business Report broadcast, which airs on a number of channels throughout the South Sound.

Sep. 25, 2008 at 10:42am

People on the move

Promotions and recognitions

St. 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 plant

Puget 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.

Comments (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 move

Promotions and recognitions

Harborstone 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 online

The 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 slightly

A 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.

Comments (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 percent

The 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.

Sep. 17, 2008 at 11:19am

COFFEE BREAK: investment worries

With 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 move

Promotions and recognitions

Venture 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 action

The 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.

Comments (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 talks

The 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 clarity

The 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 move

Promotions and recognitions

Woodstone 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 flat

A 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.

Comments (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 August

Today'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 areas

Wireless Internet access will no longer be available at Washington's highway safety rest areas due to a lack of consistent users.

Comments (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 act

With 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 move

Promotions and recognitions

ManorCare 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.

Comments (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 available

The Washington Drug Card program is now available to all Washington residents.

The program, which is free to all Washingtonians and provides savings of up to 75 percent on prescription drugs, can now be accessed by visiting any Safeway pharmacy location in Washington. Safeway has been named the preferred pharmacy for the statewide program, while the benefits are accepted at more than 50,000 national and regional pharmacies around the country.

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 Survey

Dear BE Daily Subscriber,

Please take five minutes to provide your feedback on the BE Daily.

The Reader Survey contains 28 questions that are about you, your business and the BE Daily. Your feedback will guide us in creating new features as well as ensuring the news and information we send you is relevant and easy to use.

Click here to take survey

Thank you for being a BE Daily reader and for your valuable feedback! If you have already submitted your questionnaire, thank you!

Emily West
General Manager
ewest@BusinessExaminer.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, 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 list

Cesarean 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.

Comments (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 CVB

Tacoma 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.

"Our new plan is designed to firmly position the TRCVB as the recognized regional leader in effective destination marketing," said Executive Director Tammy Blount. "We are focused on being the catalyst in community and tourism activities, developing local and state partnerships, delivering effective marketing programs and facilitating product development enhancements."

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 plan

The 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.

Comments (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 move

Promotions and recognitions

Rotary 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 down

Response 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 announced

The Business Examiner's 2008 Women of Influence honorees have been selected.

Women in the South Sound are first nominated and then asked to complete an extensive questionnaire about their business and community activities. Some 40 women qualified for consideration this year.

Judges review the materials and select the class of honorees. This year's class includes Dawn Lucien, a WOI alumnae from 2004 who was selected for the Lifetime Achievement award, while Rising Star awards for up-and-coming women business leaders go to Cecelia Loveless, director for Resource Development at Clover Park Technical College and Vicky Mohler for her work with Support America's Armed Forces.

Other honorees are: Cyndi Wikstrom, general manager of Tacoma's Click! Network; Kim Farnes, executive director of Communities in Schools of Orting, Rita Hutcheson fire chief of South East Thurston Fire and EMS; and Jill Kenly, director of Fund Development for Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity.

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 Sound

Business-related events

United 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 Sound

The high-pressure system over western Washington pushing temperatures into the 90s this week may also create unhealthful levels of air pollution.

Comments (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 move

Promotions and recognitions

Johnson, Stone & Pagano, P.S., a public accounting firm in Fircrest, has announces that Jessica Brozina has joined the company as a staff accountant.

Comments (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 July

With 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.

Comments (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 dreams

The Business Examiner would like to know how the recent downturn stock market paired with rising costs have changed your retirement plans.

Comments (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 up

Washington'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.

Aug. 5, 2008 at 11:27am

Locals selected for state boards

Gov. Chris Gregoire has announced South Sound appointments to the following boards and commissions:


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