State insurance commissioner offers advice for understanding storm claims
January 31, 2012
The top insurance regulator in Washington offered some insurance-claim tips to residents cleaning up from recent snow and ice storms.
“We encourage people to start with their agent or insurer. But our staff can often help with denied claims, delayed payments and confusing policy language,” state Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler said in a statement.
Consumers call the Insurance Consumer Hotline at 1-800-562-6900 toll free or file a complaint at www.insurance.wa.gov.
Homeowners should check contractors before hiring for storm cleanup
January 31, 2012
The state Department of Labor & Industries reminded residents to check contractors’ credentials, as residents seek help to clean up from recent winter weather.
Whether the job requires residents to hire a tree-removal service to clean up a downed tree or a general contractor to repair damage to a roof and gutter, the agency said a little homework upfront can protect consumers against fraud, shoddy work or, simply, bad contractors.
Issaquah Chamber of Commerce seeks business, nonprofit innovators
January 31, 2012
Issaquah businesses and nonprofit organizations continue to innovate, despite a tough economy and other challenges.
In order to recognize local entrepreneurs’ accomplishments, the Issaquah Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominees for the Innovation in Issaquah contest, a showcase for local businesses offering unique services. Honorees demonstrate innovation in product development, services, systems or strategies.
The chamber launched the program last year. The initial honorees included Democracy Live, Restorix Health, Applied Precision and the nonprofit Eastside Baby Corner.
Nominate a business or nonprofit for the honor at www.issaquahchamber.com/form/innovation-in-issaquah by 5 p.m. Feb. 6.
Chamber leaders plan to recognize the 2012 honorees at a Feb. 22 luncheon.
Eastside business leaders outline priorities to state lawmakers
January 31, 2012
Eastside business leaders focused on economic development, education, taxation and transportation in a legislative agenda for state lawmakers in Olympia.
East King County Chambers of Commerce Legislative Coalition members urged legislators to foster job creation, shore up transportation funding, and adopt reforms to kindergarten through 12th-grade and higher education.
The coalition is comprised of 10 chambers from the region, including the Issaquah Chamber of Commerce.
“Our state is at an important crossroads and the Issaquah Chamber of Commerce is proud to work with the coalition to affect positive change for the Eastside business community in Olympia,” Issaquah Chamber of Commerce CEO Matthew Bott said in a statement.
Lawmakers face a bursting docket. Legislators must close a $1.5 billion budget gap. The state Supreme Court ruled legislators failed in funding basic education — a constitutional obligation. In addition, the Legislature is also considering a measure to legalize same-sex marriage in Washington.
The collation released a 10-part legislative agenda Jan. 5 at a breakfast attended by state lawmakers.
Hospital architect earns top interior design honor
January 31, 2012
Swedish/Issaquah architecture firm CollinsWoerman has earned the highest honor in healthcare interior design for the hospital.
The firm received the award from Contract magazine in a New York City ceremony Jan. 27.
“We’re honored to receive this prestigious award,” Sarah Reisenauer, CollinsWoerman senior interior designer, said in a statement. “By working closely with our client and extended design team, the space we created together enhances the patient journey, benefits the community, and achieves our design and aesthetic vision.”
The hospital spans 550,000 square feet, and includes a medical office building, cancer center and ambulatory care center. The project focused on the concept of a commons — a central, unifying and orienting public space. Special design features include 40- to 60-foot high LED back-lit metal sculptural grass blades on concrete shear walls and a winding tile trail embedded in the terrazzo floor.
“The interior elements combine poetry of color and nature to play off the building’s natural surroundings,” Reisenauer said. “We wanted to design the space from the perspective of the patient, so it was essential to include crisp aesthetics, material integrity, and a sense of warmth and familiarity.”
Ordinance faces test as marijuana collective applies for license
January 24, 2012
In the initial test for a landmark medical marijuana ordinance enacted last month, a patient-run collective at the center of discussions about changes to city rules applied for licenses to operate.
The application from the nonprofit medical marijuana operation, GreenLink Collective, came after planners, officials and residents crafted a medical marijuana ordinance designed to balance public safety concerns and patients’ access to the drug.
GreenLink organizers applied to occupy units E, F and G in a commercial building at 160 N.W. Gilman Blvd. The organization does not intend to grow marijuana in the space. GreenLink founders Jake and Lydia George applied for the license on behalf of the organization Dec. 19, the day the ordinance took effect.
Diners share storm stories at 12th Ave. Café
January 24, 2012
As of about 11 a.m. Jan. 21, the 12th Ave. Café in the Issaquah Commons was packed. Every table was filled and a dozen or so people waited in the small area in the front of the eatery for their chance to sit down.
A hostess for the café, Ashley Hutchinson, was one of the several employees rushing around the very busy restaurant. During a brief respite after taking a to-go order, Hutchinson said the café had reopened the morning of Jan. 20 after closing early the morning of the day before due to a loss of power brought on by the storms that hit Jan. 18.
While the café was open Jan. 20, most of Northwest Gilman Boulevard still seemed dark and oddly deserted that afternoon. The only store obviously up and running was QFC supermarket, open thanks to a generator and seemingly doing a very brisk business.
Signal comes online along Interstate 90 Undercrossing
January 24, 2012
Crews installed a traffic signal to facilitate access to the almost-completed Issaquah Medical Building.
The complex, 1301 Fourth Ave. N.W., is along the Interstate 90 Undercrossing. The building is due to open to the public next month.
Pedestrians using the Pickering Trail can use a button to activate the signal for safer crossings.
The undercrossing is a north-south road linking Northwest Gilman Boulevard to East Lake Sammamish Parkway Southeast. Officials opened the connector to traffic in late 2010.
Excedrin, NoDoz lead recall
January 24, 2012
The makers of Excedrin brand pain reliever and other products, Novartis Consumer Health Inc., has announced a voluntarily recall of select bottles of Excedrin and NoDoz products with expiration dates of Dec. 20, 2014, or earlier.
Bufferin and Gas-X Prevention products with expiration dates of December 2013 or earlier also are part of the recall.
According to a release from Novartis, the items are being recalled as a precautionary measure because the products may contain stray tablets, capsules or caplets from other Novartis products or could contain broken or chipped tablets.
Also according to Novartis, the company is not aware of any adverse health events related to problems with the products. If you have any questions or believe you are experiencing an adverse event, you should contact your physician or healthcare provider.
Consumers should also report the adverse event to Novartis Consumer Relationship Center by calling 888-477-2403 toll free, Monday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern Time.
Learn more about the voluntary recall or how to obtain a refund from Novartis Consumer Health at www.novartisotc.com.
Some of the items being recalled may have been sold at local Costco outlets. Consumers who purchased recalled items from Costco can return those items to a Costco Warehouse or Novartis Consumer Health for a full refund.
Morningstar names former Costco leader Jim Sinegal as CEO of the Year
January 17, 2012
Costco cofounder and former leader Jim Sinegal is Morningstar’s 2011 CEO of the Year, executives at the Chicago-based financial data provider announced Jan. 4.
Jim Sinegal
Sinegal stepped down as CEO of the Issaquah-based warehouse chain Jan. 1. Craig Jelinek, president and former chief operating officer at the No. 3 retailer in the United States and the largest employer in Issaquah, succeeded Sinegal.
Morningstar recognizes a chief executive each year for showing exemplary corporate stewardship, independent thinking and lasting value for shareholders, and for leaving a legacy in his or her industry.
“James Sinegal, who has served as CEO since co-founding Costco in 1983, has created and maintained value for all company stakeholders during his tenure,” Paul Larson, chief equities strategist and editor of Morningstar StockInvestor, said in a statement. “The average Costco employee is attractively compensated relative to other retail workers, keeping employee turnover low and productivity high. Although its top-notch benefits package and superior wages are costly on the surface, the firm is reimbursed handsomely, generating more than $500,000 in sales per employee.”
