THE INSIDER
Jan. 17, 2012

Inside this issue:
• CALENDAR 
• FROM THE EO’S CORNER 
• BUILT GREEN "after hours” FUNDRAISER – Jan. 19 
• EDUCATION THAT COUNTS – it’s tax time 
• HOME SHOW; MARCH 2-4! GET YOUR BOOTH AND MARKET YOUR COMPANY!
• MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY UPDATE
• BIAW 2012 EXCELLENCE IN REMODELING
• LAKE WATER STORMWATER / BIRCH BAY LID PILOT
• IS YOUR FIRST-AID CARD UP TO DATE?
• BIRCH EQUIPMENT CELEBRATES 40 YEARS
• HARDHAT TOUR TO SEE FASWAL® ICFs
• GREEN FRAMING SEMINAR

CALENDAR
Thursday, Jan. 19 – 11:30 a.m. Board of Directors
Thursday, Jan. 19 – 5:30-7 p.m. Built Green "after hours” fundraiser to support
       BIAWC Home Show presentations – at 20/20 Engineering, 814 Dupont St.
       (more below)
Tuesday, Jan. 24 – Tax & Accounting Issues for Contractors class
Wednesday, Jan. 25 – :00 p.m. Home Show Committee Meeting
Thursday, Jan. 26 – GAC meeting: Please watch for revised time
Friday, Jan. 27 – First-Aid/CPR class
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FROM THE EO’S CORNER
Welcome to 2012! 
      I participated in a NAHB webinar on Wednesday discussing the economic outlook for our industry.  We’re on our way back up!  It’s going to be slow and steady but we’re off the bottom and heading toward better days. It is the conclusion of the presenters that 2009 really was the bottom. Given the past two years that may be hard to swallow, but the numbers show that the worst is over. Hang in there. Have heart. Interest rates are historically low. People are coming back into the marketplace. We will see better numbers in 2012!
     Have you ever wondered how important homeownership is to your fellow Americans? On January 2-5 NAHB sponsored a survey that will make you smile. Most people still want to own their own home and still believe it is a great investment. Click here for details. 
     One of our association’s challenges this year will be to educate the Bellingham City Council on the above information and help them understand that most people still want to own a single family detached home on their own lot. (The current COB plan expects our future homeowners to live in multifamily highrises.)
     Another big challenge for the association is to make all of Whatcom County aware of our building and the spaces we offer for rent.  Have you been here? I invite you stop by anytime. Each of you can help us succeed by telling others about our facility.  As a member benefit you are entitled to a use these beautiful rooms at the deeply discounted member rates. Check it out … it’s your building.
      Don’t miss the "lunch and learn” series of classes. Quick, affordable and nourishing! See below for details.
      The staff and leadership are actively promoting the BIAWC on your behalf. Together, we are re-building our trade organization and fulfilling our role as the respected voice of the housing industry in Whatcom County. Be part of this resurgence. Encourage other businesses to join. Get involved with any of our committees or events. And don’t forget the Home Show – 33 years and counting! March 2-4. Be there!
     It’s a new day at BIA!
     Thanks for being a member.
     BAE
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BUILT GREEN "after hours” FUNDRAISER
Jan. 19, 5:30-7 p.m. at 20/20 Engineering
Show up after work for some good company and free beer and wine – we will be taking donations to support the BIAWC Home Show presentations.
Who:  BIAWC Members, BuiltGreen Members, Colleagues, and Other Interested Parties
Where: 2020 ENGINEERING, Inc., The Wellspring Building, 814 Dupont St., Bellingham, WA 98225
Why:  To help raise funds for the Built Green program, and upcoming events.
Event Sponsors:  2020 ENGINEERING, ASTAL Construction, Ecotech Energy Systems, Heating Green
This event has a Facebook page where you can find more information, click here to see it.
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EDUCATION THAT COUNTS – it’s tax time
Our first "lunch and learn” session was packed with information and drew extra participants. Make the most of your lunch break with these classes, taught by Stephanie Artino of Metcalf Hodges. You’re welcome to drop in and pay at the last minute, but if you want lunch, please pre-register!  The next is:
Tax & Accounting Issues for the Construction Industry
11:30- to 1:30, Tuesday Jan. 24
Are you ever asked to provide your profit & loss information to a 3rd party such as the bank, lenders or insurance agents? Do you know how much revenue to record on a contract in progress at the end of the month or year? Do you understand the differences and reasons for cash vs. accrual reporting for accounting and tax purposes?  This session will focus on the common tax and accounting issues that confuse contractors, including new proposed rules on how revenue should be recognized during a contract.
Cost: BIAWC members, $20.  Non-members, $35.  Lunch is provided for those who pre-register. To sign up, click here.
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HOME SHOW: MARCH 2-4! GET YOUR BOOTH AND MARKET YOUR COMPANY!
The 2012 Whatcom County Home & Garden Show is fast approaching and there are only a few booths remaining.  Don’t miss your chance to be a part of this Whatcom County institution—and, as many of our retuning exhibitors know—one of the most effective ways to reach a motivated audience.  We’ve begun our marketing efforts to promote the show and have a great lineup of seminars scheduled including Ciscoe Morris on Saturday, March 3.  This year’s giveaway is 3 prizes, one per day of the show, sponsored by DeWaard & Bode and KAFE 104.1FM.  Contact Sharon Kingston at sharonk@biawc.com to reserve your space.
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MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY
We appreciate everyone’s quick response to our request for updated directory information.  We’ll be completing the contact information update process in the next few weeks, so expect a confirmation e-mail if you changed any information or added categories.  And those of you we haven’t heard from — we’ll be working to get a response next week on your listing to ensure our directory is accurate and that consumers and members have the most current information in order to reach you.  Contact Sharon at sharonk@biawc.com if you have any questions.
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BIAW 2012 EXCELLENCE IN REMODELING
It’s not too soon to think about the 2012 EIR Awards. BIAW is now accepting nominations. To download a copy of the BIAW 2012 EIR Nominee Packet, Entry Form, or EIR Tips Sheet click here. BIAWC’s own Jacqueline Scott of Legacy Kitchen and Bath was a 2011 EIR recipient for her work on the Bachman Mansion kitchen. 
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LAKE WATER STORMWATER / BIRCH BAY LID PILOT
The Whatcom County Planning Commission is now in the process of going through two staff proposals, page by page, that are of interest to homebuilders. At 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 26, the Commission will work with planner Peter Gill, line-by-line, on the Birch Bay LID pilot plan.  At 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9, they will resume similar work on the proposed stormwater/land-use rules for the rural portion of the Lake Whatcom Watershed.  If you’re concerned or interested in either of these, these work sessions give you a good chance to view the proposals up close and personal.  To see Planning Commission agendas and links to the documents being considered, click here.
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IS YOUR FIRST-AID CARD UP TO DATE?
We’re offering a First-Aid/CPR class from 1 to 4:30 p.m. at BIAWC on Friday, Jan. 27
This class, taught by Safety First Co. of Lynden, meets or exceeds first-aid and CPR requirements set by Labor & Industries for the workplace. Cost:  $55/person for BIACW members; $65/person for non-members. PLEASE PRE-REGISTER ONLINE (click here) since there is a class size limit.  We can’t take walk-ins for this, but we can arrange extra sessions if your company is interested. Contact Linda Twitchell at lindat@biawc.com.
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BIRCH EQUIPMENT CELEBRATES 40 YEARS
This month, Birch Equipment is celebrating 40 years in business. Birch Equipment, with locations serving Washington State and SE Alaska, first opened its doors in 1972, outlasted hostile take-over efforts in the mid-90s and continues to thrive despite the last few years of economic turmoil. Birch is the leading independently-owned equipment rental and sales company in the Pacific Northwest and Southeast Alaska, with seasonal coverage from Western Alaska to Montana. In 2011, the company was ranked the 91st top rental firm nationally in a rental equipment pool of mostly internationally-owned companies. To celebrate and thank customers, Birch is offering a special 40% off selected one day rentals Tuesday – Thursday (9am) through the month of February. Plus, stop by any Washington location on Wednesday, January 18th for equipment demos, in-store specials and refreshments. Birch Equipment is based in Bellingham, with stores in Bellingham, Anacortes and Mount Vernon, Washington and Sitka, Alaska.

Birch Equipment Rental and Sales also announces it has received Federal DBE Certification under the US Department of Transportation’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program.

According to records maintained by Washington State’s Office of Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises, Birch Equipment is one of only two firms in the state with DBE Certification in the Construction Machinery and Equipment Merchant Wholesalers Industry (NAICS Code 423810). "DBE Certification allows Birch Equipment to participate in federally funded projects with both state and federal DOTs,” said Fleet Manager Jordan Mellich. "With DBE Certification, Birch will be able to help contractors and government agencies meet mandatory participation rates established for working with small and disadvantaged businesses on federally funded projects.”

The  DBE program was created to ensure nondiscrimination in the award and administration of DOT-assisted contracts in the Department’s highway, transit, airport, and highway safety financial assistance programs.
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HARDHAT TOUR TO SEE FASWAL® ICFs
Jan 27, Stanwood
Made in Oregon from mineralized wood waste, Faswall insulated concrete forms offer a recycled content alternative to polystyrene ICFs. Snohomish County's Sustainable Development Task Force is making available a rare opportunity to see them installed (pre-siding) on a custom home in Stanwood and hear comments from builder Dan Wickstrom and architect Dave Pelletier about working with them. Parking is limited, so RSVP by e-mail to Pam Worner, pam@greendogenterprises.com, for details and directions
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GREEN FRAMING SEMINAR
Feb. 7, Burlignton
NWAIA is presenting a two-hour Green Framing seminar in Burlington, 11-1 p.m. February 7, lunch provided. Tim Garrison, PE, of Garrison Engineering will teach fundamentals of advanced framing for light wood construction. Tim has more than 35 years’ experience as a professional engineer, builder and author.  Cost: NWAIA members $10, nonmembers $20. Registration deadline is Feb. 2. To register, contact Thomas Entrikin, 671-9555, director@nwaia.org.
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