Your regional voice and resource for building business success
Monthly News July 30, 2007
· Next Week
Tukwila Government and Community Affairs
Tuesday, August 7
8:00 am - 9:00 am
Chamber Office
14220 Interurban Ave S, #134, Tukwila
Register Now...
SeaTac
Business Committee
Thursday, August 9
8:30 am - 9:30 am
Dave's Diner - 2825 S. 188th St., SeaTac
Register Now...
Annual Get-Away Golf Tournament
Friday, August 10
8:00 am Shotgun start, BBQ lunch and silent auction to follow
Foster Golf Links
Register Now...
· From the Chairman
Greetings
Members!
The Chamber continues its busy summer schedule. A couple of months ago,
it was announced we would be offering medical insurance programs to
Chamber members. The Board has approved the hiring of a licensed medical
insurance salesperson to sell the programs as well sign up new Chamber
members. We are hoping to have this program underway in the next month
or two.
You can also look forward to a call from Dac Randall. Dac is with Lawton
Printing, the company that publishes our annual Business Directory and
Community Profile. Dac will provide you with an opportunity to buy an
advertisement in the 2008 Directory, which will be published and
distributed in December. The ads are also included on our Website during
the year.
With the planning of the new Directory comes your opportunity to update
your company information with the Chamber. Please help us keep our
database correct and insure your printed information on your company in
the 2008 Directory is correct by returning the Verification Form that
you will receive in the next few days. All Chamber members are listed in
the annual Directory.
Have a great August!
Chuck Cox
Chairman
· 2007 Get-Away Golf Tournament & Silent Auction
It's time
to get your foursomes together!
The annual Get-Away Golf Tournament is Friday, August 10 at Foster Golf
Links. This event includes a wonderful day of golf, great networking
opportunities, a barbeque lunch and silent auction! The fun begins with
a shotgun start at 8:00 am and continues with a BBQ lunch and auction
after the tournament.
Costs for participating are $400 per foursome, or $450 for a corporate
foursome. Single golfers can sign up for $100. This fee covers golf
fees, cart rental, and lunch for each golfer. Golfers will also receive
a small gift, courtesy of the Chamber.
This year's golf tournament is shaping up to be a fantastic event,
thanks to our wonderful sponsors!
Major Sponsors:
Baker Commodities
BBC Dodge
Hole-In-One Sponsor:
Downtown Harley - Buell
Tee Sponsors:
Bonney Watson Funeral Home
Hometown Lending
The Quincy Group
Corporate Foursomes:
Boysen & Boysen
Courtyard by Marriott at Southcenter
Farmers Career Center
Highline Medical Center
Sterling Savings Bank
Westfield Southcenter
· Golf Sponsorship and Silent Auction Items
Tournament sponsorship opportunities are still available and items are still being accepted for the silent auction. If you would like to be a sponsor of this event or donate an auction item, please contact the Chamber at 206.575.1633 or by email at dgearhiser@swkcc.org. To sign up a team, contact the Chamber at 206.575.1633.
· Downtown Harley to Sponsor Hole-In-One Contest
Downtown
Harley-Buell is this year's Hole-In-One Sponsor for the 2007 Get-Away
Golf Tournament.
The winner of this year's Hole-In-One Contest wins a brand new Harley
Davidson, courtesy of Downtown Harley-Buell!
Be sure to sign up your foursome today and be ready to try your luck at
the Hole-In-One Contest! For more information, contact the Chamber at
206.575.1633.
· SUCCESS Foundation Roche Harbor Raffle
The
SUCCESS Foundation kicked off its Roche Harbor Raffle at the July 13th
Membership Luncheon. The Roche Harbor Raffle winner will receive two
night's accommodations at Roche Harbor Seaside Village with a View; spa
treatments for two from the world class spa; and dinner for two at
McMilin's Dining Room. One ticket requires a $10 donation. There are 250
raffle tickets and the winner will be drawn at the September Membership
Luncheon. You need not be present to win.
The SUCCESS Foundation's Roche Harbor Raffle is the third in a series of
three raffles to raise money for the student scholarships. The first
raffle, for two unrestricted first class tickets anywhere Alaska
Airlines flies, was won by Tina Rogers with the City of SeaTac. The
Mexico Raffle, the second raffle, was won by George Lanegraff with
Renton Technical College.
Help support the SUCCESS Foundation's student scholarship fundraising by
purchasing raffle tickets at the Chamber office or at Chamber membership
luncheons and networking breakfasts.
· A Member Benefit
Did you know that Chamber members can use the Chamber's Board Room
for business meetings? That's right. You can schedule a business meeting
(up to 4 hours) free of charge. The room is available Monday through
Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm. You will need to provide your own refreshments
and materials. The room seats 14-16 around the table.
Contact Brenna at the Chamber office if you would like to schedule the
Board Room. She can be reached at 206.575.1633 or
barnesen@swkcc.org.
· Help For Your Business: Growing Businesses Get Back-Up Help
During August, owners of more than 50 businesses are enjoying
support and advice at no cost from the Small Business Development Center
for Southwest King County. SBDC Advisor Zev Siegl says, "The SBDC
assists business owners with the things they don't always know about
from everyday experience: loan applications, business plans, financial
forecasting, buying a building or heavy equipment and developing new
marketing strategies to reach additional customers."
So far this year, clients of the SBDC have received bank loans and new
investment of more than $2 million. Among the SBDC's current clients are
four manufacturing companies, several retailers, five franchised
businesses, two publishers and 10 service providers. If your business
has a growth opportunity, contact the SBDC at
sbdc@highline.edu or 206.878.3710 Ext 5151.
· Call for Volunteers
The Southwest King County Chamber requires volunteers to help prepare large mailings, assemble membership folders, or assist with various events. Any time you can give is valuable and will be welcomed and appreciated. If you are a student and need community service hours for school, are retired and looking for something to do, or simply would like to be involved, please contact the Chamber at 206.575.1633 or staff@swkcc.org, and we will keep your name and contact information on our volunteer roster, and give you a call when we could use a hand! Thank you in advance!
· Port News: Third Runway Paving Begins
This
month, the paving of the new third runway and eight connecting taxiways,
which is scheduled to officially open in November 2008, commenced. When
completed, the new runway will allow landings on two runways at the same
time in all but the worst weather, reducing both delays and costs for
passengers and airlines.
The third runway will require 130,000 cubic yards of concrete and 35,000
tons of asphalt and is designed to last 40 years. Fly ash, a by-product
of burning coal and a cement substitute, is being used in the paving
concrete. By utilizing fly ash, a smaller amount of cement is needed
which means less energy is required during the cement production phase.
The Port estimates that by using fly ash, it is preventing greenhouse
gas emissions equal to what is produced by 100 households a year from
entering the atmosphere.
Paving is expected to be complete by this fall. Other work connected to
the third runway project is also continuing including the construction
by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of navigational aids
including the runway's approach lights.
· City Beats - Burien
Burien Town Square: Developer Urban Partners in July opened a sales office at
455 SW 152nd St., across the street from the Town Square site where
construction of Phase One of the development is well under way. More
than 50 of the 124 condos in Phase One were sold or reserved by July 25,
when the sales center was opened to the general public. Potential buyers
who had signed up on an interest list were given the first opportunity
to reserve a condominium. Residential units in Phase One will be ready
for occupancy in summer 2008. When completed in 2010, Town Square will
have more than 400 condominium homes and up to 70,000 square feet of
retail, including restaurants. Town Square will also feature a new
one-acre City park and a new joint King County Regional Library and
Burien City Hall.
New Recreation Center: The City is moving forward with plans for
a new community recreation center to replace the existing Burien
Community Center, a former elementary school built in the 1940s. A
public workshop was held July 12 during which citizens learned more
about the project and offered their ideas and suggestions. Additional
follow-up workshops for the public are being held on September 20 and
October 18. The feedback from these workshops, along with input from
focus groups and stakeholders, will be used by the City to develop
preliminary plans for a new community recreation center.
Hispanic Outreach: The City has contracted with an outreach
person to improve communication with Burien's Hispanic population. Mia
Piccagli is meeting with leaders of Hispanic organizations that serve
Burien to discuss ways the Hispanic community can be better informed
about City government and City affairs. Piccagli has Masters' degrees in
Education and Community-Oriented Public Health. The Hispanic community
is the largest minority group in Burien, accounting for more than 10
percent of the City's population. Spanish is the second most commonly
spoken language in Burien households.
Annexation: The Central Puget Sound Growth Management Hearings
Board issued rulings in July relating to efforts by the cities of Burien
and Seattle to potentially annex North Highline. Both cities had
declared North Highline as Potential Annexation Areas. The hearings
board rejected complaints filed by each city against the other over the
PAA designation. The Burien City Council has reviewed a recent financial
study of the impacts from the annexation. The Council has not determined
how to proceed with the annexation proposal.
· City Beats - SeaTac
Military
Road South, Construction Work on Saturdays through August 25:
The construction contractor, Tucci & Sons, Inc., began
working Saturdays on July 14, 2007 and will continue this schedule
change through August 25, 2007. This change in the work schedule is
necessary to expedite the work and allow the first lift of paving to be
placed prior to the beginning of the 2007/2008 school year.
The City regrets the inconvenience to the area residents, and the
general traveling public. We are asking that the public be patient, bear
with the temporary inconvenience, and focus on the goal of a new,
improved roadway. For additional information, contact the City's Project
Manager, Susan Sanderson, at 206.973.4742.
Red Light Traffic Enforcement Update: Statistics for the month of
June 2007 are as follows: 454 recorded violations at South 188th Street
& International Boulevard South; 67 rejections (i.e. plate obstruction,
registration issues, emergency vehicles, etc.); 387 red light traffic
tickets issued.
We anticipate the installation of cameras this summer at two additional
locations: South 188th Street & Military Road South and South 200th
Street & International Boulevard South.
International Festival Wrap Up:
Scattered
clouds did not keep people away from the 2007 International Festival.
Estimated attendance during the three-day event was approximately 4,000
people. Festival goers were treated to outstanding entertainment, craft
booths and a variety of food. As always, kids had a fun time riding the
train through Angle Lake Park.
The place to be on Friday, June 22, was the annual "Under the Lights"
skateboard competition at Valley Ridge Park. Teens displayed their
skateboarding talents for an enthusiastic crowd. On Saturday morning
Family Fun Run participants enjoyed running on the 1+ mile parade route
from Valley Ridge Park to Angle Lake Park.
There were 49 entries in this year's parade ranging from drill teams,
local businesses, vintage cars and our own Fire Department vehicles.
SeaTac Parks & Recreation had two entries in this year's parade. They
included a float that highlighted the diversity of the Teen Program and
the ASC (Another Step Creation) Domination Step Team. The annual "Pride
in Your Ride" car show brought in beautiful cars that were displayed at
Angle Lake Park. On Sunday, the electric model hydroplanes entertained a
large crowd by having hydroplane races throughout the afternoon on Angle
Lake.
Cisco Morris Visits SeaTac's Gardens: Northwest gardening expert
Cisco Morris visited the Highline SeaTac Botanical Garden and the SeaTac
Japanese Garden. He had toured the gardens previously with the grounds
crew from Seattle University. They were quite impressed with the garden
and thought it would be a great place to tape footage for upcoming
episodes of Cisco's show. Thanks to Greg Butler for his persistence in
convincing Cisco to visit the gardens and see the improvements in the
last few years. The publicity that will come from a visit like this will
continue to help make these gardens a destination point for both SeaTac
residents and visitors alike.
· City Beats - Tukwila
City of Tukwila Centennial:
The City of Tukwila incorporated in 1908 and will celebrate its
centennial next year. If you are interested in getting your business
involved with the celebration, please send your interests, ideas, and
contact information to
ljue@ci.tukwila.wa.us or call the Volunteer and Special Events
Coordinator at 206.768.2822.
Sales Tax Increase: As of April 1, 2007 the sales and use tax
within all of King County increased by 1/10th of one percent (.001). The
new rate of sales tax in Tukwila is 8.9%. The increase is dedicated for
transportation improvements. If your business is located within
Tukwila's city limits (even if you use "Seattle" in your address instead
of "Tukwila"), please use sales tax code 1729 when reporting sales and
use tax. If you have questions, please contact Lily Jue at
ljue@ci.tukwila.wa.us or 206.433.1835.
I-405 Widening Starts Soon: This summer, the Washington State
Department of Transportation (WSDOT) will begin construction on I-405
between I-5 and SR-167. This will add one new I-405 lane in each
direction plus a new SR 167 Southbound lane to S. 180th Street. You may
see some shoulder closures this summer but we do not expect lane
closures until 2008. You can find more information on this project and
its traffic impacts at:
www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/i405/i5tosr169/.
Business and The Law Class: On August 16, 2007 the Small Business
Development Center at Highline Community College is offering a two hour
session with an attorney who specializes in small business law. To
reserve your spot call 206.870.3785.
Tukwila Car Show: The annual car show is back and will be held
Saturday, August 18th from 10:00 am to 2:00 p.m. in the parking lot near
Cascade View Park and Bartell Drugs. Registration is free! If you would
like to show your classic, snazzy or souped-up car, truck or
motorcycle, contact 206.768.2822 for a registration form.
· Education Corner
Highline's Deputy Superintendent Recognized
The Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA) has
recognized Highline Public Schools Deputy Superintendent Carla Jackson
with a Student Achievement Leadership Award.
The award is presented regionally to selected WASA members who have
provided leadership for the implementation of an innovation that has
resulted in measurable growth in student achievement. The recognized
innovations are to be tools for modeling new programs.
Save the
Date Highline Public Schools is excited to announce a public
grand opening celebration for the new Mount Rainier High School. The
event is scheduled for Monday, September 10 from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. Come
tour the new school located at 22450 - 19th Avenue South in Des Moines.
The first thing you will notice is how quiet it is inside the
classrooms. This school has been built with sound mitigation components.
The abundance of natural light resulting from the design will be an
added bonus.
The opening culminates a two-year construction project - during which
time the students have attended classes at an interim site. The new
school features technology integration to support and enable student
learning in a world of rapidly changing teaching methods and systems.
· Opportunity: Thank You
The
Southwest King County Chamber is in need of your help! Currently needed
are promotional items to be distributed among the Chamber's new and
renewing members via the "Opportunity: Thank You" gift bags.
Each month, Chamber Ambassadors visit the workplaces of our new and
renewing members and thank them in-person for their support of the SWKCC.
During this visit, the Ambassadors give a gift bag full of goodies from
our Chamber members.
Unfortunately, the supply of items is running dangerously low, and any
donation you can provide would be greatly appreciated! Items previously
donated include sticky pads, pens, coffee mugs, mouse pads, and gift
cards. This is an excellent opportunity for your business to support the
SWKCC and its members - and it's a great source of free advertising!
If you have items you would like to donate, please bring them to the
Chamber office or to a Chamber event. If you have questions, please
contact Dianna at 206.575.7767.
· 84th Annual Burien Independence Day Parade a Success
A
fantastic line-up of parade participants helped contribute to the great
success of Burien's 84th Annual Independence Day Parade this year! This
year's sponsors of parade were Watermark Credit Union, the City of
Burien, and the Southwest King County Chamber of Commerce.
The Burien Independence Day Parade is not only a long time community
tradition in Burien, but also one of the most spirited parades in the
region! If you or your group are interested in participating in next
year's parade, please contact the Chamber.
Thanks to everyone who helped to make this year's parade the best!
· New Member
Air-Sea
Forwarders
1200 S. 192nd St., Ste 201
SeaTac, WA 98148
206.243.9802
Facsimile: 206.243.9736
Freight Forwarding
· Renewed Members
The Southwest King County Chamber extends its
gratitude to renewing members for their continued support.
1-5 Years
ACME Bowling, Billiards & Events
Adult & Pediatric Medicine of Burien, LLC
Amicable Healthcare, Inc.
Discovery Landing
Gaco Western
Int'l Academy of Design & Technology
Joe Purcell Company
Optimal Health Chiropractic & Wellness Clinic
Puget Sound Access
SKC Building and Construction Trades Council
Washington Memorial Park & Mortuary, Inc.
Wells Fargo Business Banking
6-10 Years
Albrecht & Co.
Executive Support Center
Seattle Express
Tradewinds Freight Forwarding
Valley View Sewer District
11-15 Years
Coleman, Jim D.D.S.
King County Library System - Burien
Seattle Christian School
16-20 Years
Available Personnel Services, Inc.
20+ Years
The Andover Company
Ben Bridge Jeweler