News & Announcements

Member Announcements

Manpower Inc. is pleased to announce the opening of a new office in Burlington

Located at 180 Gilkey Road in Burlington. The new facility will operate as a satellite office to the long established Bellingham branch. “Skagit County has recently been identified by Business Week as one of America’s twenty-five next recovering job markets. With this positive feedback, we feel it is the right time to make this commitment.” states Dale Sprague, Branch Manager for Whatcom, Skagit and Island Counties. “As companies look once again towards expansion, we want to be poised to partner with area businesses and support their rebuilding.” “We are excited to bring the leadership and expertise of Manpower to Skagit/Island Counties and establish our presence there.” says Hanni Gould, Assistant Manager of the new Burlington office. “We are already in the process of building a pool of reliable and talented workers and contacting local businesses to let them know we are coming to the neighborhood. This way once we are officially open, we will hit the ground running.” Manpower – Burlington plans to open in mid February. Until that time any inquiries can be directed to the Bellingham office at 360-671-1977.

Junior Achievement programs send business people back to school

Across Skagit County, kids of all ages are preparing to head back to school after the winter break. At the same time, many business people are preparing to do the same, as Junior Achievement volunteers. Each year, more than 120 business professionals, parents, retirees and college students in Skagit County go into schools to teach JA classes. These volunteers use their personal experiences and JA’s curricula to teach students different aspects of economics including how a community works, how to manage personal finances or even how to run a business. Julie Speck, Program Coordinator for Junior Achievement in Skagit County, will be holding a Community Orientation and Training on Wednesday, January 13, 2010 from 9:30AM – 10:30AM or Friday January 22, 2010 from 3PM – 4PM at Foothills Auto Center, 1881 Bouslog Road, Burlington. We need more volunteers in our local classrooms. Come learn a brief history of Junior Achievement and become trained to be a classroom ready volunteer to present the short, activity based programs to elementary schools in Skagit County. Junior Achievement (JA) is the world’s largest and fastest growing, volunteer driven non-profit organization dedicated to educating and inspiring young people to value free enterprise, business and economics to improve the quality of their lives. By stressing the relevance of education to the workplace, JA helps students prepare for lifelong learning and the development of skills they will need to be successful adults. For more information please contact Julie at (206) 226-6756 or julies@jawashington.org. Visit our website at www.jawashington.org for more information.

EDASC Economic Forecast Dinner “Economic Outlook 2010”

Arun Raha, Ph.D. – Chief Economist for the State of Washington

Thursday, February 18, 2010 – 5:00 PM Social Hour / 6:30 PM Dinner & Program

Location: St. Joseph Center in Mount Vernon, 215 North 15th Street

Tickets: $62 each or $480 for a table of 8. Call EDASC to reserve your tickets at 336-6114 – or sign up on line at www.skagit.org

The Reed Advantage is beginning our Bring Your Own Laptop series of computer software training classes.

The concept is simple: we will supply the instructor, the topic and location; you bring your own laptop installed with the right software for that lesson. Thursday January 21st will be basic skill level classes. We will be offering Concepts of Windows: Using Word 2003 & the Internet, Excel 2003: Creating a Simple Worksheet and Excel 2003: Intro to Formulas and Functions. If you

would like more information or to sign up for a class, visit our website

www.thereedadvantage.com or call (360) 770-4295 or email us info@thereedadvantage.com

NW Plus CU had huge success in raising donations for local food banks this fall

NW Plus Credit Union would like to thank its members and the community for their involvement in its fall food drive. From mid-October through mid-January, donations were accepted at all branches of NW Plus CU for the local food banks. From these donations, NW Plus was able to donate approximately 800 pounds of food and $1500 in cash. This amount helped provide approximately 7,656 meals to hungry people from Everett to Burlington. NW Plus CU’s Everett and Smokey Point branches combined their efforts and were able to donate over 450 pounds of food and $1000 in cash for the Volunteers of America Food in Everett. The Stanwood NW Plus CU branch was able to donate nearly 200 pounds of food and $300 in cash donations which benefitted the Stanwood-Camano Food Bank. NW Plus CU’s Burlington branch was able to raise almost 200 pounds of food and $200 in cash for the Skagit County Community Action Agency’s food distribution center. While these numbers helped a lot of people and families, NW Plus CU would like to remind everyone that the shortage of food is not over. Times are still tough and there are still many people out of work. Please consider donating food or money to your local food banks. Even $1 can make the difference.

Thrive in a Recession: Free Marketing Workshops Offered

Entrepreneurs are the cornerstone of America’s economy, but now more than ever business owners face more challenges…. With competition from corporate Big Box Stores, stifling regulations, and a down economy. Yet select entrepreneurs are thriving because they are following the teachings of Business Luminary & Advertising Expert Blake Messer of Bold Moves

Consulting. Blake Messer has steered the marketing for some of the best businesses from across America and he’s coming to the Skagit Valley on February 8th, 9th & 10th to work with business leaders courtesy of the Chambers of Commerce in Burlington, La Conner, Sedro-Woolley, Mount Vernon and KAPS and KBRC radio. Blake Messer will take a hard-hitting look at your current business and marketing strategies. His entertaining and enlightening approach will save you money, help you get new customers

and recycle existing customers. These 75-minute workshops are free of charge as a part of a Skagit Valley area stronger business initiative but RSVP is required; to reserve your seat for this workshop at the Cotton Tree Inn & Convention Center in Mount Vernon February 8, 9th or 10th go to www.strongerbusiness.org for the Stronger Business Workshop or call KAPS radio at 360-424-0660

D&J Used Books to Host Kids Story Time

Beginning in February, on the last Friday of the month from 9:30 – 10:15 will be kid’s story time. We will have stories, crafts, and science or kitchen activity.

Haggen Food & Pharmacy Collecting Clothes for Children of Families in Need

Haggen Food & Pharmacy stores in Burlington and Mount Vernon are collecting donations for their Warm Clothes for Kids drive, which runs from Monday, Jan. 4 through Friday, Jan. 22. The Warm Clothes for Kids campaign is seeking new or gently worn coats, sweaters, hats, scarves, gloves and mittens. Donations of all sizes at the Haggen stores in Burlington and Mount Vernon will be distributed by the Oasis Teen Shelter, a Skagit Valley Family YMCA program that is an emergency shelter for runaway and homeless youth. “These donations will help young people stay warm and healthy this winter,” said Becky Skaggs, spokesperson for Haggen Food & Pharmacy stores.Participating Haggen stores include the following locations:

* 757 Haggen Drive, Burlington.

* 2601 E. Division St., Mount Vernon.

2010 United States Census

The Burlington Chamber would like to let our members know that the 2010 United States Census is about to begin. Questionnaires will be delivered to households in mid-March of 2010, but the census process be progressing through all of 2010 and into early 2011. The Census is important for many reasons. The information is used for decision making at many levels of government, it is used to attract new businesses to state and local areas and forecasting future transportation & housing needs for all segments of the population.

Burlington Parks and Recreation Winter Schedule – You can download a full schedule here.

Basic Cartooning Classes

“Pass the Peas Please” Manners and Etiquette Classes

Make ‘n Take Card Classes

Simply Scrappin’

Hatha Yoga-Class

Babysitting Basics

“I Can Do It”

Exclusive offer for Burlington Chamber Members -
Full Color Gloss Brochures
Burlington Chamber members are exclusively offered a very special price of $350 for 2500 full-color gloss brochures. This price INCLUDES 1-hour graphics compilation and brochures are folded and ready for display at SchmoozeFair. That is two-sides of beautiful, vibrant color to promote your business! Design must be finalized on or before April 1.
Wendy Krause
Manager, Commercial Printing Sales
Skagit Publishing
360.416.2142
www.goskagit.com

Pre-Season Sale- Deception Pass Tours- 10 Tickets for $100
Deception Pass Tours is once again offering Pre-Season Ticket Pack sales
that are discounted 60% over regular season rates. The Pre-Season Sale ends April 1, 2010. Pre-Season Ticket Packs have 10 tickets for $100. If you are interested in purchasing Pre-Season Ticket Packs for your employees andclients, please contact Terica Taylor at 360-333-3706. Tickets are validfrom April 1, 20 10 -September 30, 2010 . Deception Pass Tours acceptsCash, Check, American Express, Visa & MasterCard.
Terica Taylor – Director of Sales
Deception Pass Tours
PO Box 72
Anacortes, WA 98221
888-909-TOUR
www.DeceptionPassTours.com

Looking for local talent to sing or play two songs with Ted and Steve Weisberg, John Denver’s lead guitar player. Click here for flyer.

First Responders Emergency Extrication Program
Promoting efficient motor vehicle rescue procedures for emergency personnel at the scene of an accident.
On March 23rd (Kent), 24th (Bellevue), and 25th (Everett) 2010, Precision Collision Auto Body, a member of the National Auto Body Council (NABC), is delivering the latest in vehicle extrication technology to first responders across our community.

“First responders, such as police and firemen, require the most current vehicle information to be effective and save lives at the scene of an accident. FREE helps keep them up to date. The 4 hour course incorporates both classroom and hands-on instruction, including demonstrations in vehicle cutting techniques,” stated Mark Lovell, marketing director. “This kind of class is more important than ever given the rapid onslaught of advancements in vehicle design, including high-strength steels, advanced restraint systems, multiple air bags and the growing popularity of high-voltage hybrid vehicles” added Lovell.

“We are honored to be able to deliver this information to our local first responders. When we heard about this program offered by the NABC we knew it would be a perfect fit for our community. Local fire departments and law enforcement have indicated that this type of information is much needed,” stated Lovell.
Mark Lovell
(425) 923-3555 or
mlovell@precisioncollisionautobody.com

Meals on Wheels Fundraising Event at Applebee’s
Invite all of your friends & Family to dine with us. Applebee’s will donate 15% of the proceeds to Meal On Wheels on the following Wednesdays, March 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31st all day. You can pickup your special invite flyer at the Burlington Chamber of Commerce. Only at Burlington Applebee’s located at 188 Cascade Mall Dr, Burlington WA 98233
(To go and carside to go orders will be applied)

SICBA Announces First Annual Playhouse Competition
The members of Skagit/Island Counties Builders Association (SICBA) are at it again, and once more, the beneficiaries will be local charities and community service organizations in Skagit and Island Counties. In conjunction with the SICBA Home & Garden Show, which takes place on March 19th, 20th, and 21st at the Skagit County Fairgrounds in Mount Vernon, six teams made up of SICBA members have come forward to participate in the association’s first annual Playhouse Competition. These teams have donated their creativity, time, knowledge and materials to construct a unique playhouse and have partnered with a charity of their choice to raffle these playhouses off during the SICBA Home & Garden Show. All proceeds will go to the charity conducting the raffle for each playhouse. Members of the public may enter to win one of the unique playhouses by purchasing tickets from one of the charity partners listed above. Tickets may be purchased directly from the charity during the 2010 SICBA Home & Garden Show and while you are there, we ask that you place a vote for your favorite design. The team earning the most votes for favorite design will be awarded the “Best of Show” trophy. For more information about the Playhouse Competition or the SICBA Home & Garden Show, please contact SICBA Event Coordinator Brenda Harter at (360) 757-6916 or brenda@sicba.org

Chili, Chowdah and Chocolate Cook-off at Creekside Retirement Community
Saturday, April 17, 11am–2pm. Seniors free, Adults $5, kids $2, 5 & under free. Judges & People’s Choice Awards – Download flyer.
400 Gilkey Road, Burlington
(360) 755-5550 www.creeksideretirement.com

Burlington Hampton Inn & Suites Team Member Honored with Award Recognized as Spirit of Hampton
The Burlington Hampton Inn & Suites, located at 1860 S. Burlington Boulevard, today announced the special recognition of one of its own team members. Mary Sylvester was recently awarded with the Spirit of Hampton, which is Hampton’s most prestigious award. The award is not easily earned. Team members throughout the Hilton family are nominated and these are narrowed down to a select group of individuals who demonstrate the kind of pride and dedication to guests that Hilton aspires to achieve. Winners are announced quarterly. “We are incredibly excited for one of our own team members to be so highly recognized,” said Lennart Bentsen, general manager of the Burlington Hampton Inn & Suites. “Mary is an invaluable member of our team and this award is further proof of the friendly service and top notch work she provides for our guests and hotel each and every day.” For further information or to make reservations for the Burlington Hampton Inn & Suites, please visit burlingtonsuites.hamptoninn.com or www.Hampton.com. Or, call (360) 757-7100, or 1-800-HAMPTON.

Double Barrel BBQ Catering has relaunched their website.
To celebrate their new on-line look they are giving away $100 worth of BBQ. Just go to www.DoubleBarrelBBQ.com to check out the new site and enter for a chance to win!

EDASC is pleased to announce their 2010 Board of Directors:
Keith Sorestad, State Farm Insurance, President
Stephanie Wood, Fisher and Sons, Vice President
Alice Takehara, Peoples Bank, Treasurer
Tim Holloran, Skagit County Administrator, Secretary
Duncan Frazier, Anacortes Financial Associates, Past President
Mary Anstensen, Construction Unlimited
Bob Hyde, Port of Anacortes
Lisa Janicki, Janicki Industries
Dave Johnson, PUD #1 of Skagit County
Sue Krienen, Puget Sound Shell Refinery
Tim Lewis, Corporate Air Center
Patsy Martin, Port of Skagit County
Greg Reed, United General Hospital
Dave Rice, Haggen Inc.
Ryan Sakuma, Sakuma Bros Farms
Gary Tollefson, Skagit Valley College
John Voth, Washington Federal Savings
Brian Wolfe, TRICO Contracting Inc.
Thank you to outgoing board members Sue Christianson, Gregg Davidson and Dave Rytand for your years of service on the EDASC Board of Directors.

Social Media Conference NW, Evolving Marketing Conversations 2010
Building on the success of the Social Media Conference NW 2008, the Center for Economic Vitality and Technology Alliance group brings to you Social Media Conference NW, Evolving Marketing Conversations 2010. The event will be held on March 25, 2010 at McIntyre Performing Arts Hall and Conference Center, Mount Vernon, WA. For more information, please visit www.socialmediaconferencenw.com, or follow this link: Social Media Conference NW, Evolving Marketing Conversations 2010 .

The Reed Advantage is beginning our Bring Your Own Laptop series of computer software training classes.
Fun, affordable way to learn new technology is simple. We will supply the instructor, the topic and location. You “Bring Your Own Laptop” installed with the right software for that lesson.

Each class is 2 hours and includes 15 minutes of Q&A.
$35.00 per class. Classes held at
The Reed Advantage
320 E. Fairhaven Ave., Suite 209, Burlington, WA
(360) 770-4295
Info@TheReedAdvantage.com
To register or be added to our email list visit our website, www.thereedadvantage.com/classes.php

Burlington Parks and Recreation Spring Schedule.
Click here for schedule.
Parks Dept. at (360) 755-9649

Mount Vernon Express Employment Professionals Franchisee Named Franchisee of the Year
Mark and Sandy Hagen, owners of the Mount Vernon and Bellingham, Wash., Express Employment Professionals offices, have been named the 2010 Express Franchisee of the Year award winner. Each year, this award recognizes and honors a franchisee who excels in building brand equity and a distinguished company reputation.

A panel of executives at the international Express headquarters in Oklahoma City selected the Hagens to represent Express because of their dedication to the Express spirit, commitment to their clients, and their strong marketing and sales efforts.

“Mark and Sandy Hagen live the Express vision of helping people succeed every day,” said Express Founder and CEO Robert A. Funk. “They are great role models for other Express owners, always willing to share coaching advice, and lend a helping hand whenever possible. They have grown their business through building trust, diligence, dedication and persistence. I’m honored to have them as Express franchisees and as our franchisees of the year.”

“We are thrilled to be named as the 2010 Express Franchisees of the Year,” Mark Hagen said. “Sandy and I have a great team, and as a team, we’ve been able to accomplish some big goals and better our community.”

Express Employment Professionals offers a full range of employment solutions including evaluation hire, temporary staffing, professional search and human resources. Express has over 550 offices in four countries. For more information, visit www.expresspros.com.

For More Information:
Mark and Sandy Hagen, franchisees
Express Employment Professionals
525 East College Way, Suite F
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
(360) 336-1980 mark.hagen@expresspros.com

March 18 Awards Banquet Honoring Skagit Businesses, Entrepreneurs. An awards banquet to honor some of Skagit County’s top businesses and entrepreneurs will be presented Thursday, March 18 at McIntyre Hall in Mount Vernon.

The second-annual Skagit County Business Person of the Year awards banquet will honor finalists for Business Person of the Year, Small Business of the Year and Start-up Business of the Year. Also, John Piazza of Piazza Construction will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award and Don Wick, executive director of the Economic Development Association of Skagit County, will accept the Leadership Award.

A social hour starts at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. Individual tickets are on sale for $55 apiece and eight-person tables are available. To purchase tickets, call event organizer Northwest Business Monthly Magazine at (360) 746-0418 by March 16.

“The award finalists represent some of Skagit County’s most successful companies and business leaders,” said Tony Larson, Northwest Business Monthly’s publisher. “Their contributions to our local economy and numerous nonprofit organizations are among the top reasons this is such a wonderful place to live.”

Finalists for the awards that will be announced at the March 18 banquet are:

Business Person of the Year – Jay Follman, president, Industrial Resources, Clear Lake; Jackie Heinricher, owner, Booshoot Gardens, Mount Vernon; Greg Reed, superintendent/CEO, United General Hospital, Sedro-Woolley.

Small Business of the Year – Arrow Pest Control, Mount Vernon; BBC Biochemical, Mount Vernon; The Holloman Group, Burlington.

Start-up Business of the Year – Highland Energy Systems, Sakura Japanese Steakhouse & Sushi Bar and Skagit Arms, all of Burlington.

Northwest Business Monthly provides regional business coverage for an estimated 65,000 readers in Skagit, Whatcom, Island and San Juan counties. For more information, visit www.nwbmonline.com.

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