Dec 11, 2009

WeatherBug

WeatherBug, a provider of live, local weather information for consumers and professional users, said Christopher Backschies has returned to the advertising sales team as director of West Coast sales. Backschies is based in Seattle. He previously served as a senior account executive at WeatherBug from 2003 to 2007. Most recently, he was a senior account executive at IAC Advertising Solutions.

Pierce County

Julie Anderson has been sworn in as Pierce County auditor. Anderson won a special election in November to finish the term of auditor Pat McCarthy, who was elected county executive last fall. Anderson succeeds Jan Shabro, who was appointed to the post in January. Anderson spent six years as a member of the Tacoma City Council, including service as deputy mayor.

Third Floor Fish Cafe

Kirkland's Third Floor Fish Cafe will serve its last guests on Dec. 19 after 15 years in business. The slow economy and competition from new Bellevue dining establishments are factors in the decision. The owners will remodel the restaurant space, and evaluate options for it, perhaps as a private event area, which would accommodate up to 200 people.

Dec 10, 2009

City of Bothell

Michelle Gehlsen has been appointed presiding municipal court judge by the city of Bothell and will take the bench Jan. 1, 2010. Gehlsen was selected from a pool of 37 applicants following a four-month selection process. She will head the judicial branch of Bothell city government and recently worked in the Snohomish County Prosecuting Attorney's Office as deputy prosecuting attorney.

Federal Home Loan Bank of Seattle

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Seattle has elected new board members. Frederick Kiga was elected to a two-year term as independent director beginning Jan. 1, 2010. Cynthia Parker was re-elected to a four year term beginning the same day. Parker also serves as a public interest director. Kiga is vice president of state and local government relations and global corporate citizenship for The Boeing Co. Parker is a regional president of Mercy Housing.

David Lawrence

David Lawrence will open a new store at The Bravern in Bellevue. The store will be next to Masins on the second level at the 110th arrival court. David Lawrence is a multi-brand men's and women's designer specialty store. The shop will open next spring.

Museum of Flight

The Museum of Flight's has opened a holiday gift store in downtown Seattle on the second floor of City Centre Mall at 1420 Fifth Ave. It will be open through Dec. 24. The store sells aviation and space-related gifts including books, apparel, ornaments and calendars.

GVA Kidder Mathews

Mark Eshelman has joined the Bellevue office of GVA Kidder Mathews, where he will specialize in office leasing and sales in the brokerage division. Eshelman was a development manager for Panattoni Development.

Women's Council of Realtors

The South King County Chapter of the Women's Council of Realtors installed new officers for 2010. They are: President Pam Ranch, Keller Williams, Federal Way; President-elect Anne Hartman, Keller Williams, Federal Way; Vice President of Member Services Diane Froland, John L. Scott, Maple Valley; Secretary Angela Taylor Ford, Rainier Title, King County Sales Manager; Treasurer Scott Baker, Pillar to Post Inspections; and Immediate Past President Sheila Stanford, John L. Scott, Federal Way.

NAIOP Developing Leaders Group

NAIOP's Developing Leaders Group is holding its 4th annual holiday fundraiser Dec. 17 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Proceeds from a raffle and donated cans of food will be given to Northwest Harvest. The event will be at McKinstry, 5005 Third Ave. S. in Seattle. Cost is $20 for members and $25 for non-members. To register go to http://www.naiop.wa.org

CREW meeting today

The CREW meeting today is on the LEED version 3 rating system and its impacts. The speakers are Kathleen O'Brien of O'Brien & Co. and Theddi Wright Chappell of Cushman & Wakefield. They will talk about how the new version will affect projects and the certification process. The event will be at the Washington Athletic Club starting at 11:30 a.m. with registration. For information go to http://www.crewseattle.org.

NAIOP meets Dec. 16

The Dec. 16 meeting of NAIOP will give a national and global view on the economy, commercial real estate and development, with speakers Douglas Howe of Touchstone and Dr. Yoram Bauman, an environmental economist at the University of Washington. Bauman is also a stand-up comic and NAIOP says this is “a class you won't want to miss.” The event is at the Seattle Sheraton starting at 7:15 a.m. with registration. For information go to http://www.naiopwa.org.