GODDULANGLIE Acquires Eaton Law Practice

(Don & Shyrl with Margaret Langlie & Pete Goddu)

When longtime San Juan County lawyer Don Eaton became San Juan County’s Superior Court Judge, he and his wife Shyrl (his legal assistant/ office manager) began the complicated process of closing his law practice after 31 years. At the same time, lawyers Peter (“Pete”) Goddu and Margaret Langlie were winding up a month-long commute (via West Wind Aviation) to Sequim (where they were covering the law practice of a colleague on medical leave) and pondering their next professional move.

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The Bean Café

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(L to R:Jenny Anderson, Lori Petersen, Lori Guard, and Angie Raub)

The Bean Café (370-5858) opened their doors last week after a brief remodel. The new business is in the space that was last occupied by Pelindaba Lavender, in the alleyway on 1st Street. The Lavender shop recently downsized leaving an opportunity for the new owners, Gordy & Lori Petersen, to continue the tradition of serving coffee, teas, and delicious food in this popular gathering place in downtown Friday Harbor.

Lori Guard and Angie Raub (former owner of the Cannery House) are serving up fresh baked goods and delicious specialty sandwiches 7 days a week. The espresso, coffee drinks, and teas are still the best quality and served in the traditional way.

“We offer a true café experience,” Said the owners, Gordy and Lori Petersen. “We have taken this café to a higher level. Our goal is to offer the best quality products, give our customers friendly and efficient service, at affordable prices.”

This is not the first business of this type for the Petersen’s. They have owned grocery stores in the past with service delis. Their experience in sandwich making is extensive. “We have made hundreds of thousands of sandwiches in our former shops and if you count the number Angie has made in her long career, we could be close to a million served.” Now they are at it again.

The Bean is now open from 7am until 6pm everyday. Look for special events in the evenings on Friday and Saturday’s.

Flea Market & Craft Fair

The San Juan County Fair will host a giant Flea Market and Craft Fair, Saturdays, October 10, November 14 and December 12, 2009.

The events are open to all sellers, artists, crafts people and buyers and will run from
9:00a.m. until 1:00p.m. in the Main Building at the fairgrounds.

Applications for a vendor booth space are available on-line at www.sanjuancountyfair.org Interested persons may also contact the Fair office at 378-4310 or email info@sanjuancountyfair.org for information or an application to reserve a vendor booth space. There is a discount to vendors for reserving booth space on multiple dates.

How The Economic Stimulus Bill Will Affect Business

By Kristen Whitener

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has far-reaching effects for the economy, but how does it directly affect businesses that aren’t in the renewable energy or construction fields? Here are highlights from the Recovery Act.
• $255 million in loans to pay debt service on qualified business loans: The SBA will loan up to $35,000 to viable small businesses to make payments on existing, qualifying loans for up to six months. Repayment begins 12 months after the loan is fully disbursed.
• Increase in SBA 7(a) loan guarantee up to 90% of the loan and reduction or elimination of SBA loan fees.
• $30 million additional loan funds available through SBA-approved microlenders. Microlenders can loan up to $35,000 for start-up and small businesses.
• Immediate tax write-off of equipment purchases up to $250,000 (Section 179 depreciation write-off).
• Tax credits for hiring unemployed veterans and disaffected youth. These workers were added to the federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit program.
• Ability for companies that produce intangible property to finance their facility using industrial development bonds. An example is a business that develops new processes or technology.
• Ability for employees of service businesses and farms that are experiencing downsizing because of international competition to participate in the federal Trade Adjustment Assistance program.
• Creation of Recovery Zones where businesses are eligible for tax credits. This is similar to an enterprise zone, but it is based on areas with declining employment.
• 5 year operating loss carry-back for 2008 business losses for federal taxes. If you had a business loss in 2008, but paid taxes in prior years, you can get a refund.
• Withholding changes: There will be a new federal withholding schedule that gives employees more take-home pay and the 3% withholding from government contractors has been delayed until 2011.
• Increase in the SBA surety program for job completion to help small businesses compete for public works projects.

Businesses can find resources for surviving this economic downturn on Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce’s Tools for Business Success website at www.mountvernonchamber.toolsforbusiness.info.

Hard Rock Slows Progress

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Debbie Pigman, Executive Director of the SJI Chamber of Commerce sent out word that "Using the expansive agent rather than explosives makes for a slower process to begin with.....then, add to that, the fact that the workers found extremely difficult rock to excavate.....gives us the result that the First Street portion is about 2 weeks behind schedule.

And the old oil lines left over from the days of the cannery have not helped either.

"Due to the issues with the oil found in the beginning of this portion of the project, a new game plan has been developed. A meeting was held with for all stakeholders to discuss the issues and options. Permission was given to extend hours of working," Pigman added

As for the good news, the The Front Street part of the project is not only moving forward well, it is a week ahead of the contractor's projections.

SAN JUAN COUNTY CAREER CENTER

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Rock Island T-Mobile® Dealership

Rock Island Technology Solutions announced the launch of their T-Mobile dealership status, calling it “the perfect complement to their broadband and technology solutions. T-Mobile @Home and T-Mobile Hotspot fills a niche market in the islands and enables T-Mobile users to utilize a WiFi signal in addition to traditional cellular signals to make and receive calls.

Rock Island can now transfer existing wireless and local land line phone numbers to T-Mobile cellular service for no additional cost.

Rock Island stocks several HotSpot capable cellular phones and a variety of hands free cellular accessories at their Friday Harbor retail store.

To learn more about T-Mobile service call Rock Island at 378-5884 or visit their retail store located at 345 Court Street, Friday Harbor.