FrontStream Payments Inc. has acquired Olympia-based Fast Transact Inc.  

Founded during 2002, Fast Transact, provides retail and Internet merchant account services throughout the United States and Canada, payment gateways and software integration for processing credit cards and debit bankcards, ACH check services, affiliate partnership programs and gift card/loyalty card programs.

Unemployment rates were higher during January than a year earlier in 363 of the 372 metropolitan areas, lower in seven areas, and unchanged in two areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Thirty-five areas recorded jobless rates of at least 15 percent, while 2 areas registered rates below 5 percent.

The national unemployment rate during January was 10.6 percent, not seasonally adjusted, up from  8.5 percent a year earlier. For Tacoma, the rate was 10.7 percent, up from 8.3 percent during January of 2009 and 9.5 percent during December.

WashACE Blog leads off today with a report about chamber of commerce leaders in Everett warning about the consequences of higher taxes.

The Live Wire has a wrap-up of last night's first on-the-road outreach by the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber's Shorelines Task Force and a link for Tahoma Business Environmental Award nominations.

The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities has awarded a three year endorsement to Providence St. Peter Hospital's Stroke Specialty Program.

This achievement distinguishes Providence St. Peter Hospital's Stroke Specialty Program as the only endorsed stroke treatment services available in the South Puget Sound.

The Thurston County Chamber of Commerce and the Seattle District Small Business Administration are presenting free bi-monthly business loan briefings for anyone interested in knowing how to get a loan to start, expand or buy a small business. The next session, from 1 to 2 p.m. March 16 at 809 Legion Way SE, Olympia, conducted by Carol Andersen from the Seattle SBA District Office. Topics covered include how the SBA loan program works, the eligibility and credit requirements, what lenders are looking for when approving loans, who can help you with a business plan or a loan proposal, what other financing options are available and  the enhancements to the SBA lending programs under the federal Recovery Act. Space is limited. For more information, call Tammy (360) 357-3362 or  Carol at (206) 553-7315.

Small businesses make up 90 percent of the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber's membership base. Join other small business owners to brainstorm and have open discussion about issues facing small businesses during the Small Business Committee meeting at noon March 16 at the Adriatic Grill Italian Cuisine & Wine Bar, near The Tacoma Mall. Lunch cost on your own. For more information or to RSVP, contact Judy Singley at (253) 627.2175.

Temporary, part-time jobs remain available at numerous census offices in Washington, including Pierce and Thurston counties.

2010 census questionnaires are scheduled to begin arriving in the mail March 15. The U.S. Census Bureau has asked that each household fill out the form and mail it back in the postage-paid envelope as soon as it arrives, ensuring that the nationwide headcount is accurate.

The Washington State Transportation Commission will meet in Olympia next week to discuss possible action on toll rates for the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, toll setting for the SR 520 Bridge and to work on the state's 20-year transportation plan.

The two-day meeting will be held March 16-17, at the Transportation Building, 310 Maple Park Ave. SE and will begin at 9 a.m. both days.

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

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

Allen Realtors will be conducting free home buying seminars at 7 p.m. tomorrow and 1 p.m. March 14 at their office in Lakewood. Information will be available about the local real estate market, the home search and buying processes, and financing. Call 582-6111 for more information.

Nonprofit organizations will be shown how to effectively use the rapidly growing Internet social media to benefit their organizations in a special workshop from 9 a.m. to noon March 10 at Thurston County Community Television, 440 Yauger Way SW, Olympia. The South Sound Partners for Philanthropy will host the workshop, "There's An App for That: Social Media and Community Development" presented by Laurie Cirivello. Seating is limited.  Call TCTV at (360) 956-3100 to purchase tickets. The training is free to South Sound Partners for Philanthropy member representatives. Member organizations can send additional staff for $12.50 each. Non-member tickets are $25. Click here for more information.

The February Washington Economic and Revenue Forecast is similar to the November forecast, reiterating that the recession in Washington probably ended during the third quarter of 2009, about the same time as the likely turning point in the U.S. economy.

However, the end of the recession does not mean the good times are back, only that the decline in the economy has stopped. A full recovery is a long way off and will be slow, the report said.

There's an interesting equation on Exit 133 this week: Running + Beer + Friends = The Tacoma Runners.

Check out the BIA Blog for more information about the City of Tacoma seeking advice about paid on-street parking.

Former Olympia Mayor Mark Foutch will be honored during tomorrow's City Council meeting with a Washington State Department of Natural Resources Urban Forest Stewardship Award.
 
The award is given by the Washington Community Forestry Council four times per year to an individual who has made significant contributions to the community through the planting, care and stewardship of trees.

The Arts Commission of the City of Olympia invites local artists and arts organizations to join a free monthly community arts roundtable that will give participants the opportunity to exchange ideas, share experiences and create strong local support for their work.  The next meeting is at 6 p.m. March 1 in the Olympia Timberland Library meeting room, 313 8th Ave SE.  The topic is Costume Design and the guest speaker is Mishka Navarre-Huff, costume shop manager at the University of Puget Sound. 

Saint Martin's University is hosting a Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges – Army Department on March 2 at the University's Norman Worthington Conference Center. The one-day workshop will discuss elements of degree networks, outreach, recruiting, and "after service" opportunities. The workshop will be limited to 70 institutional attendees so advance registration is recommended. For more information, or to sign up,  contact Judith Loomer or Cruz Arroyo.

Chef Bill Trudnowski and wife, Monique, owners of Tacoma's Adriatic Grill, Italian Cuisine & Wine Bar, have established a scholarship endowment that will help fund Clover Park's Culinary Arts Program.  To launch the endowment, the eatery is having a "Party for Culinary Arts Education" from 6:30 to 11 p.m. Feb. 27 at  4201 South Steele St. The event includes food stations, hand-passed appetizers, a selection of complimentary wine, beer and nonalcoholic beverages. Guests must be 21 to attend. Tickets to the event are $100/per guest. Call:  (253) 475-6000 (RSVP is required). A no-host full bar will also be available for guests.

The Arts Commission of the City of Olympia invites local artists and arts organizations to join a free monthly community arts roundtable that will have participants exchanging ideas, sharing experiences and creating strong local support for their work. The next meeting is at 6 p.m. March 1 in the Olympia Timberland Library meeting room, 313 8th Ave SE.  The topic is Costume Design and the guest speaker is Mishka Navarre-Huff, costume shop manager at the University of Puget Sound.

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

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

If you live in Pierce County District 4 (that would mean Tim Farrell is your council member) and you're interested in the arts, check out Exit 133 for information about serving on the Pierce County Arts Commission.

Check out Olyblog for some reflections and explanations on the Evergreen HCC occupation and "The real damage done by Mr. Hyer."

The Liquor Control Board will hear public comments regarding its proposed and revised alcohol advertising rules at 10 a.m. Feb. 24  at 3000 Pacific Ave. SE in Olympia.
 
Highlights of the new or revised rules include:

• Limiting to four the number of signs advertising alcohol, brand names and manufacturers that are visible from the outside of a retail licensed premises;
• Restricting the size of alcohol signs visible from the outside of a retail licensed premises to 1,600 square inches; and
• Clarifying state law regarding sponsorship of public and civic events.

Washington Business Bank posted a profit during the fourth quarter of 2009, but it wasn't enough to push the bank into the black for the year.

The company reported a net income of $55,113 for the quarter ended Dec. 31, up from $35,193 during the fourth quarter of 2008. For all 2009, the bank had a net loss of $361,724, compared to net income of $148,000 at the end of 2008.

Gateway GMAC Puyallup and Bank of America Home Loans are sponsoring a free foreclosure prevention seminar from 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 23 at the Gateway office, 850 39th Ave. SW. Information will be available about alternatives to foreclosure, including loan modification, refinancing, renting your home and short sales. For more information, or to register, contact Kym Knudson at (253) 227-5966 or Kristopher Shook at (253) 651-6160.

With diabetes, your eyes can be very susceptible to health issues. Monica Vuong M.D., a board-certified ophthalmologist, will be the speaker at Mason General Hospital's Allyn Diabetes Support Group meeting from 1 to 2 p.m. Feb. 25 in the downstairs meeting room at the Port of Allyn building. Vuong will discuss the importance of eye care and diabetes, "Are You Seeing Clearly? Up-to-date Information on Eye Care." The meeting is free and open to people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, their friends and family. For more information call Sue Barwick R.N., CDE, at (360) 275-8614.

The SHIFT Awards, which premieres Wednesday, March 10, 2010, has announced its 2010 nominees.

The event will include focused stories from innovators spanning the South Sound. Businesses from around the region will share their approach to technology application that opened up new possibilities for service and success.

"This event springs from the refrain that was often heard at the South Sound Technology Conference about how we in the South Sound need to get together and create events around technology and collaboration," said SiteCrafting President, Brian Forth. "The reality is that there is a ton of great stuff going on in the South Sound relating to technology, and it's about time we look around and say, 'Hey this is a pretty great place to live, work, and innovate.'"