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Business and leisure travelers will soon have two new hotels to choose from when visiting Lakewood and neighboring Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM). This month, prep work began on a site located on Pacific Highway that will soon be home to both a Courtyard by Marriott and a TownePlace Suites by Marriott. The two properties together will provide more than 200 new rooms in an area that has traditionally been underserved by the hospitality industry. (more...)

Bring questions about any legislation you are interested in as well.  If the Senator cannot answer that morning, his staff will do the research and get back with you.

Complimentary Breakfast is generously being offered by the Casino if you RSVP no later than Monday, Feb. 6 at noon to the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce by calling 582-9400.

• 16 building permits for construction valued at $378,326.60
• 1 demolition permit valued at $2,500
• 1 mobile home permit permits valued at $3,500
• 34 mechanical permits
• 13 plumbing permits
• 5 sign permits valued at $34,200

“Over the last few years Emerging Leaders has helped expand opportunities for many promising small businesses in underserved communities – in particular those that have been most impacted by these tough economic times,” SBA Administrator Karen Mills said. “Graduates of the program have increased their revenue, created jobs and helped drive local economic growth in their communities. Continuing with this year’s lineup of new classes builds on this success and provides even more entrepreneurs in underserved communities with the support, resources and skills to succeed.”

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“Small businesses are the foundation of economic growth in Washington and in our nation” said Dr. Winslow Sargeant, Chief Counsel for Advocacy. “By supporting policies that promote innovation and entrepreneurship, we help small businesses tackle these challenging economic times. These statistics are a resource for a path to economic growth.”

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“Impostors hijack and exploit information from legitimate organizations to swindle unsuspecting consumers,” said Robert W.G. Andrew, CEO of BBB servingAlaska,OregonandWestern Washington.

Copycats often design similar-looking websites, advertisements and solicitations featuring real business names, logos and contact information to cheat consumers under false guise—and potentially ruin other businesses' reputations.

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Legitimate-looking websites and classified ads entice pet shoppers with cute puppy pictures, detailed descriptions, and below-average prices. When shoppers contact sellers and attempt to make purchases, they are directed to wire money—typically overseas—to complete paperwork and secure shipping. Buyers then receive emails that contain shipping receipts, animal crate numbers, flight numbers and times, and other seemingly genuine information.

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If you experienced damage, please fill out the ‘Economic Injury Worksheet’ form below, and email it to Hans Kueck at hkueck@co.pierce.wa.us.  This is NOT an application for funds or a loan.  It is meant only to determine how much damage the County’s business community suffered.

If your business has any questions, please contact 253-798-2335.

Economic Injury Worksheet

“SBA’s Small Business Development Centers give new and growing small businesses the resources they need throughout the year to grow and create jobs,” said SBA Administrator

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"Trust and patience are critical when searching for doctors," said Robert W.G. Andrew, CEO of BBB serving Alaska, Oregon and Western Washington. "Sensitive medical information should always be in competent, qualified hands."

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, there are approximately 97,820 family doctors—also known as general practitioners—operating in the United States, so finding a quality fit may seem like an overwhelming task. Save headaches by considering the following:

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The Lakewood United group meets at 7 AM every Thursday at Burs Restaurant, which is located at 6151 Steilacoom Boulevard SW in Lakewood. The events for the next four weeks are as follows:

• January 19, 2012 – Lakewood Police Department Update – Chief Bret Farrar (Andrea Litton – MC)
• January 26, 2012 – January 26, 2012 - The Suburban Times Update - Ben Sclair - Locally Owned and Operated OnLine Community Newspaper since 2005 (Pamela Maddess - MC)
• February 2, 2012 – “What is The Greater Tacoma Community Foundation” – Jeff Pritchard, Development Director (KC Carlson - MC)
• February 9, 2012 – “State of the City” – Doug Richardson, Mayor, City of Lakewood (Kristi Roy - MC)

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Due to the uncertain weather conditions, the Business After Hours slated for Wednesday, January 18 at Key Bank Lakewood has been cancelled. We plan to reschedule this event in March.

Take 4+ minutes to watch (then share) this video the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce produced promote Lakewood.

Story & Photos – Joseph Boyle

Friday morning I got the call we have all have been waiting for.

Our favorite Mountain Woman, Christine Curren, told me she and her Moon Rise Cafe crew; working night and day, were going to have their Grand Re-Opening on this coming, Monday, January 16, 2012 which is the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday. They will open at 7:30 a.m.

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Small businesses were hit particularly hard as many were forced to close during these disasters, causing economic injury to many that were already struggling. The factors that cause financial losses after a disaster, however, can be offset by having a recovery plan in place.

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Remember 2004 in The Town on the Sound?

That's the year the town commemorated its 150th birthday!

Besides the collectible sweatshirt--you can still see some of those being worn around town!--there was a historic trainride to Centralia from the Steilacoom depot, a special stamp cancellation, original musical, quilt, school district history book and more, including the famous My Home Town video.

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Story & Photo – Joseph Boyle

This morning on my way to work, I was just turning off Main Street into Starbucks when I spotted the ambulance transporting an elderly gentleman to the hospital.

Our favorite Moon Rise Café, located at 6020 Main Street SW inside the Lakewood Towne Center, had just experienced some bad luck and a whole lot of good luck.

Rather than have me tell the story, let me share with you what MoonRise Café customer, Clifford Benton, had to say.

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Lakewood, WA – At approximately 8:00 a.m. Tuesday morning, West Pierce Fire & Rescue responded to reports of car into a building at the Moon Rise Café, located at 6020 Main Street in the Lakewood Towne Center.  Upon responding, crews found one car in the front of the building.  One patient was transported to a local-area hospital with minor injuries.  The restaurant will be closed until further notice. (For updates on Moon Rise Cafe, stay tuned to their Facebook Fan page).

While on scene at the Moon Rise Café, crews were dispatched to a motor vehicle incident at 4500 Steilacoom Boulevard, where a truck rear-ended a Pierce Transit bus.  Five patients were transported to local-area hospitals with minor injuries.

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As you regret the excesses of the holidays, and make all sorts of resolutions to improve your health there is a great facility to help you, whatever your age or physical condition. In my group are several people, including me, who use canes, and we have and have had several people using walkers. The motto is: "Do what you can, but don't overdo and hurt yourself." When our leader introduces a new exercise, she always provides alternatives for those whose whose muscles won't cooperate. (For example: My right arm won't always cooperate in the exercises involving raising one's arms over one's head. There's an alternative for that.)

I just came back from the gym and I'm feeling great. I'm an old lady, trying to keep what little muscle and brain (or is that brain and brawn?) I have left. I've been working out at Vital Fitness, which is right next to the Goodwill, just off Bridgeport on Mt. Tacoma Dr. I've also been reading more and more articles about how aerobic and strength exercises can delay the progress of the debilitating conditions that affect us, including Alzheimer's and some of the digestive system disorders, and many other conditions, named and unnamed. Needless to say, I am not your typical "jock" (or is that "jockette?) and I feel very uncomfortable in most gyms.

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