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COVER STORY
Poulsbo couple making a difference…
one cup of coffee at a time
By Rodika Tollefson |
Stacy and Kelsey Marshall are coffee lovers. The Indianola couple don't drink just any coffee. They consume organically grown, Fair Trade Certified specialty coffee, and have been doing so for many years, along with trying to buy local produce and supporting sustainable agriculture.
For nearly three years now, they have been able to take their coffee love and their convictions one step further: They created a sustainable business catering to like-minded coffee lovers.
The name of the business, Grounds for Change, is symbolic: It embodies good coffee and positive change. The two have discussed the idea of owning a sustainable business for awhile. After traveling to Costa Rica in 2002 and meeting some of the coffee farmers, they learned how challenging it was to make the transition from conventionally grown to organic coffee. The seed for Grounds for Change had been planted.
“It was a perfect fit to couple our love for coffee with a sustainable business,” Stacy Marshall said... (Full Article) |
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Environmental
Gig Harbor foundation supports
environmental nonprofits
By Rodika Tollefson |
| Gig Harbor-based The Russell Family Foundation has supported various environmental groups ranging from the Great Peninsula Conservancy and the Puget Sound Action Team to the Washington Toxics Coalition and the Positive Futures Network... (Full Article) |
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State senators call on L&I
to halt planned rate increase
Governor should have agency undergo planned financial audit first, they say |
| The state Department of Labor and Industries should stop its plan to raise rates and charge employers approximately $56 million in additional premiums next year, Sens. Bill Finkbeiner and Linda Evans Parlette said recently... (Full Article) |
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Report says Washington still
worst for small-business
Some positive numbers show base economy sturdy |
| Washington is still dead last among 26 large-economy states in its overall business environment, according to the latest Washington Small-Business Conditions report recently released, but some underlying numbers show a potential for rapid improvement... (Full Article) |
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Kitsap business owner to become
Columbia Tower Club board chairman
By Rodika Tollefson |
| Kitsap resident Ray Norton will take the helm in January of the Columbia Tower Club Board of Governors. Norton, an 11-year club member who has served five years on the board, is the owner of Poulsbo-based The Impressions Group, Inc... (Full Article) |
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Business owners have mixed feelings
on new Wal-Mart, Home Depot
By Rodika Tollefson |
| The arrival of mega-chains Wal-Mart and Home Depot to Poulsbo is still months away, and so far many local business owners don't seem worried. Although for some the two power houses means a potential decrease of customers in the future, small retailers are gearing up for survival. Others are not paying attention... (Full Article) |
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Art Anderson Associates
to refit Tacoma fireboat |
| Bremerton-based Art Anderson Associates has finalized a contract with the City of Tacoma to provide naval architecture and engineering services for the complete renovation and refit of the Tacoma Fire Department's 30-knot SES (surface effect ship) fireboat Commencement... (Full Article) |
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The value of partnering
By Wendy Miles |
| Have you ever wondered where we would be if we did not have the help of others? You remember the saying, “it takes a village?” Well, it's not only true for raising a child, but also true for a successful business, effective community projects, or anything else where the desired result requires a variety of perspectives, skills and input... (Full Article) |
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Surprise, reward, and honors
for Carolyn Frame |
| Bainbridge Island-based CFA NW Mortgage Professionals recently announced the recognition of owner Carolyn Frame as a recipient of the prestigious Nellie Cashman Award for 2005. The award is presented by Woman's Business Owners of Puget Sound, the largest organization of female entrepreneurs in the state... (Full Article) |
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Pacific Northwest International
Trade Alliance luncheon announced |
| The Port of Bremerton and Kitsap Peninsula Business Journal are co-sponsoring a special luncheon focusing on the importance of world trade in Kitsap County and Washington State... (Full Article) |
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Environmental coalition brings
together area groups
By Rodika Tollefson |
| Several years ago, a group of people involved with different local environmental organizations that shared common ground realized they could achieve better results if they communicated and worked together. After months of discussions, bylaws writing and other details, the West Sound Conservation Council was born... (Full Article) |
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IslandWood offering corporate training |
| IslandWood recently announced that it now offers a suite of programs designed for area business leaders. Known nationally as a model for exceptional education, IslandWood's corporate programs combine leading-edge training approaches with powerful outdoor experiences to give individuals and organizations the opportunity to recognize and achieve their full potential... (Full Article) |
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Woodward certified as luxury specialist |
| Sonny Woodward of John L. Scott Real Estate's Kingston office has earned the prestigious Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist designation in recognition of his experience, knowledge and expertise in the luxury home market... (Full Article) |
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Franciscan opens sleep disorders
treatment program in G.H. |
| Franciscan Health System has added its third sleep disorders treatment and study program with the opening of the St. Anthony Sleep Disorders Center on Pt. Fosdick. It is the only treatment program of its kind in Gig Harbor... (Full Article) |
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Kitsap Bank makes
American Red Cross Donation |
| Janet Mayberry, area director for the American Red Cross, was recently presented a donation of $26,532.82 by Kitsap Bank President/CEO James Carmichael and Senior Vice President/Marketing Director Shannon Childs... (Full Article) |
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Kitsap Bank employees celebrate 25 years |
| Kitsap Bank employees Margaret Eddy and Barbara Walters each recently celebrated 25 years of employment with the locally-owned bank... (Full Article) |
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Oil Spill May Harm Shellfish at Port Gamble |
| A spill of as much as 200 gallons of red marine diesel fuel leaked from a 91-foot tugboat that sank in Gamble Bay, at one of the piers near the old Port Gamble mill site on October 17 may have contaminated shellfish in Port Gamble Bay... (Full Article) |
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Shade grown coffee |
| The method of shade growing coffee returns farmers to the original roots of the coffee agriculture. Originally, coffee was shade grown in the underlayer of rainforests, but the farms were eventually converted to full-sun cultivation... (Full Article) |
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Rushton promoted at First Federal
Savings & Loan |
| First Federal Savings & Loan Association recently announced the promotion of Laura Rushton to loan operations manager at the Port Angeles Administration Center... (Full Article) |
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At Your Service, a personal concierge,
opens in Silverdale |
| At Your Service is a new personal concierge firm created to help individuals balance a busy life with the day-to-day requirements that never seem to get removed from the to-do list. Many people in Europe and on the East Coast have solved this problem with the use of a personal concierge as a way of life... (Full Article) |
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AWB named nation's top state
Chamber of Commerce |
The Association of Washington Business (AWB) received the President's Award from the Association of State Chamber Professionals, recognizing AWB as the nation's top state chamber of commerce for 2005.
“This award is like winning college football's national championship,” AWB President Don Brunell said. “It is the highest honor a state chamber can achieve.”
ASCP also honored AWB for its second-highest membership growth in the nation — the second time AWB received this recognition. The last time was in 2000, when it received the highest membership growth award. |
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Gig Harbor executive honored for work |
Life Care Centers of America honored Annette Crawford, executive director of Cottesmore Life Care in Gig Harbor, during the company's annual management meeting awards dinner.
Crawford received one of 15 annual President's Awards for distinguished service in long-term health care management. |
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Sprint names Dennison as new PR manager |
Sprint Corporation has hired Jeffrey Dennison as its public and external affairs manager for Washington State. Dennison is new to the area and previously worked in California as the director of public affairs for the California Apartment Association. He will be primarily located in Poulsbo
Reach Dennison at (360) 697-5282 or jeffrey.m.dennison@sprint.com. |
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Gig Harbor cleaning firm celebrates 25 years |
Jerry and Rickie Orchard run the J & R Cleaning Services business from their home in Gig Harbor and recently celebrated its 25th year in operation by hosting a barbeque.
J & R Cleaning Services include pressure washing, carpet and ceiling cleaning, gutter and janitorial services, and window cleaning.
Reach J & R Cleaning at (253) 858-3352 or (360) 870-2973. |
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Local firm featured in
“This Old House” magazine |
Whitehead Landscape and Design, located on Bainbridge Island, was featured in the Oct. 2005 issue of “This Old House” magazine in an article titled “How to hire them,” which offers a six-point plan on how to find and hire “the best.”
Reach the firm at (206) 842-5267. |
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Dr. Hyde elected to KMHS Board of Directors |
| Dr. Thomas Hyde of Bremerton has been elected to the Kitsap Mental Health Services (KMHS) Board of Directors. Dr. Hyde completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Washington, received his Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Minnesota, and held postdoctoral internships with both the University of Minnesota and the University of Washington Schools of Medicine. He has held the position of School Psychologist with a number of school districts in Washington and he currently works in that capacity with North Kitsap School District |
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Twiss Analytical adds to its technical staff |
Twiss Analytical Laboratories has added Christopher Piercy to its technical staff. Piercy graduated from Western Washington University Huxley College of the Environment in June with a major in environmental science and minor in chemistry. He did undergraduate research on heavy metals joint-action toxicity to D.magna in varying water chemistry. He also interned with the Kitsap County Public Works Storm and Surface Water Monitoring program from 2001 through 2004.
Piercy can be reached at (360) 779-5141. |
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Puget Sound Wine Cellar announces
new Port Orchard Fat Cat wines |
Puget Sound Wine Cellar and Custom Picture Framing on Bay Street have teamed up to create Fat Cat Wines, a privately selected Washington Merlot and Chardonnay, available only at Puget Sound Wine Cellar in Port Orchard.
The wines, vinted and bottled by St. Hilaire Wines in Outlook, Wash., features a photo of Squirt Jackson, Custom Picture Framing’s owner Mallory Jackson’s big, red cat on the label. As regular customers know, Squirt is fixture at the downtown shop.
Puget Sound Wine Cellar, located at 120 Harrison Avenue in Port Orchard is open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and can be reached at (360) 895-7717. |
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Angela G. Wolfe joins Timberland Bank |
| Timberland Bank recently announced the addition of Angela G. Wolfe as loan officer at the bank's Poulsbo branch. She has over eight years of lending experience, most recently with Countrywide Home Loans, Inc. Wolfe attended Pierce Community College and Olympic Community College and is a member of Kitsap Home Builders Association and the Poulsbo Chamber of Commerce. |
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Washington Fed's annual
earnings increase 11% |
Washington Federal, Inc., parent company of Washington Federal Savings, announced earnings of $145,889,000 or $1.67 per diluted share for the year ended Sept. 30 compared to $131,868,000 or $1.51 per diluted share for the same period one year ago, an 11 percent increase.
Earnings for the fourth fiscal quarter amounted to $34,389,000 or $.39 per diluted share compared to $31,493,000 or $.36 per diluted share for the same period one year ago, a nine percent increase. |
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Bremerton featured in PSBJ
and Seattle Magazine |
Bremerton was recognized by a major regional news source for its revitalization program. The Puget Sound Business Journal featured Bremerton on the cover of its September 16th edition and devoted another full-page to the City's development activities and strategies.
Bremerton Harborside, Manette and the Arts District were also features in a two-page spread for the September Urban Safari section of Seattle Magazine. |
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Freed establishes Action!
Financial Solutions Group |
Justin Freed recently announced the establishment of Action! Financial Solutions Group, a financial advisory and asset management firm. Freed, who is a certified financial planner and chartered retirement planning counselor, explains that “the cornerstone of this business is to have a singular focus on delivering measurable value to the client using a planning-based approach with knowledge, trust and full disclosure.”
Action! Financial Solutions Group can be reached at (360) 616-2771 or toll free at (866) 689-2705. |
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Luxury Nail & Spa now open in Port Orchard |
Luxury Nail & Spa, located at 1541 SE Piper Berry Way Suite 103, in Port Orchard is now open.
Luxury offers the most advanced products in nail care available which includes: Manicures; Diamond Nails, a lighter process as an alternative to a silk wrap; OPI Acrylics; Pink & White; as well as a Spa Pedicure which includes a vibrating spa chair, complete paraffin wrap. Facial waxing is also available.
The hours of operation are Mon. - Sat. from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sun. from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and can be reached at (360) 895-3873. |
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Chiropractors Clinic names Smelser
director of massage therapy |
The Chiropractors Clinic and Massage Therapy Center recently announced that Maria Smelser has been appointed as the new director for massage therapy. She is experienced in a wide range or techniques including sports injury massage, Japanese Reiki, acupressure, pregnancy massage and orthopedic massage.
Smelser can be reached at (206) 227-5807 or (360) 698-3140. |
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Kitsap Bank upgrades all its ATM machines |
Kitsap Bank's ATMs have recently undergone a complete upgrade. Customers using these ATMs can expect new, state-of-the-art technology with customer-friendly banking features.
The upgraded ATMs offer security enhancements for customer security and fraud prevention. New ATM surrounds also make the ATMs easier to locate.
Kitsap Bank President & CEO James Carmichael stated, “We realize that our customers are not always able to bank with us face to face during regular banking hours, and rely on our ATMs to meet their banking needs. Our customers have come to expect a high level of service from us, and we're confident that our upgraded ATMs will exceed their expectations.” |
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Anderson & Associates Insurance
sells to G.H. firm |
After 18 years in Port Orchard, Elmer Anderson, owner of Anderson & Associates Insurance, has closed the doors, selling out to Berg Andonian Insurance of Gig Harbor. The firm has moved all marketing and service functions to its Gig Harbor office at 4423 Point Fosdick Dr. N.W. #306. The firm can be reached at (888) 858-5115.
Sue Server and Christina Shrewsberry were retained by Berg Andonian and will continue to service all of Anderson & Associates' group and individual health insurance customers from the new location. |
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