Nautilus sees 3Q losses
Vancouver-based global fitness company Nautilus Inc. reported losses in its third quarter ending Sept. 30.
Loss from continuing operations was $35.4 million, or $1.15 per diluted share. In the same period for 2007, losses were $14.4 million.
Net sales from continuing operations for the quarter were $93.7 million, down 18.7 percent from $115.3 million at the same time last year.
Operating expenses were down by $23.5 million compared to third quarter 2007.
The company connected declines in direct business to low consumer confidence and the tight credit environment. The decline in commercial business was due to suspended sales of Nautilus’ Commercial TreadClimber product, according to the company.
Sylvan closes after 20-plus years
The Vancouver franchise of Sylvan Learning Centers closed the doors Nov. 7 at its Fishers Landing and Salmon Creek sites.
Voicemail greetings at both of Sylvan’s Vancouver sites announced that the company is facing bankruptcy and would no longer offer classes.
“The timing and manner of continuing our services is no longer in our control,” one greeting said. “We’ve been struggling for a while but the precipitous drop in volume has caused us to no longer stay open.”
The message was echoed in notices dated Nov. 6 on both centers’ doors.
The Vancouver franchise is owned by Patrick and Judi Yoes.
Railroad takes national BNSF award
The Columbia Basin/Portland-Vancouver Junction Railroad received the Short-Line Achievement Award in October from Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Co.
The local company operates Clark County’s rail line from Vancouver to Chelatchie Prairie, increasing freight shipments by 1,000 percent in three years. It is headquartered in Yakima and operates the Central Washington Railroad in Yakima and Benton counties and Columbia Basin Railroad in Grant, Adams and Franklin counties.
Tommy O’s plans expansion to East Vancouver
Tommy O’s Pacific Rim Bistro will open second location at 4101 S.E. 192nd Ave. in Vancouver.
Dubbed Tommy O’s Pacific Rim Grill, the second location will offer fresh seafood, Pan Asian cuisine and sushi made with food from local, organic growers, such as Ridgefield-based Millenium Farms.
General Manager Josh Owens will work with Executive Chef Joseph W. Anderson, who worked in the kitchen at Portland City Grill. Owner Tommy Owens anticipates a grand opening in early December.
County seeks clean water leaders
Clark County is accepting applications for three seats on its Clean Water Commission through Dec. 5.
Volunteers would serve three-year terms starting March 1. The group was established in 2000 to make recommendations to the Clark County Board of Commissioners about services, policies and funding for water quality, including stormwater management.
The nine-member commission meets monthly and in special meetings and work sessions.
Applicants can submit a letter of interest and resume to jennifer.clark@clark.wa.gov or Jennifer Clark, Board of Clark County Commissioners, P.O. Box 5000, Vancouver, WA, 98666.
GVCC launches holiday giving program
The Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce launched a giving campaign Nov. 3, in which it aims to raise $20,000 in member donations to benefit more than 40 nonprofits that are chamber members. The campaign ends Dec. 1 and will wrap up with a chamber breakfast at 7 a.m. Dec. 5 at the Red Lion Hotel at the Quay.
Spa changes ownership
Carrie and Will Ashworth are the new owners of Classic Touch Day Spa at 6403 N.E. 117th Ave., Suite 109, in Vancouver.
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SWWDC tapped to mentor workforce peers
The U.S. Department of Labor chose the Southwest Washington Workforce Development Council to serve as one of fifteen mentors for its national technical assistance and leadership development project, the National Business Learning Partnership.
The NBLP is a collaborative project that pairs local, regional and state workforce entities that have proven track records with those that are seeking assistance on particular issues. Through its peer-to-peer learning structure, workforce practitioners learn from one another and replicate best practices across the system. Last year, SWWDC teamed up with its Portland counterpart, Worksystems Inc., to mentor peers in North Carolina and Colorado.
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Scheffler lands $4M in ODOT projects
Vancouver-based Scheffler Northwest Inc. has landed contracts for three projects with the Oregon Department of Transportation totaling $4 million.
As a subcontractor for Woodburn, Ore.-based Kerr Contractors, Scheffler will install foundation infrastructure on Oregon Route 223 and build retaining walls on Oregon Route 6. The four-month projects will begin in February.
With Auburn, Wash.-based Rodarte Construction, Scheffler will install a foundation for the Oregon Route 223 undercrossing. The project will be phased in late 2008 and the third quarter of 2009.
Scheffler Northwest is a geotechnical construction firm with sister divisions in California, Nevada and Canada.
Voters OK tax for interchange
Ridgefield voters approved a 0.2 percent sales tax increase to fund the Interstate 5/state Route 501 Interchange replacement project.
The proposal earned more than 70 percent of the vote, and as much as $2 million could be generated for the project in 10 years.
The city set aside another $4 million for the $40 million project, and federal and state sources gave the project another $23 million. A construction-ready design should be complete next summer and construction will likely last 18 to 24 months.
Ridgefield is the first agency in the state to successfully enact a sales tax increase through a transportation benefit district, according to the city. The sales tax only will be incurred within the boundaries of a transportation benefit district created by the Ridgefield City Council.
Solid waste plan to get public review
A draft of Clark County’s updated solid waste management plan is up for public comment through Dec. 2. Updates include a ban on new landfills, improved controls on waste hauling and disposal and promotion of sustainable building techniques.
The Board of Clark County Commissioners will adopt a final plan Dec. 9.
The plan is available at www.clark.wa.gov/recycle/documents.html, 360-397-6118, ext. 4352, or solidwaste@clark.wa.gov.
Grant lights up Mill Plain
Installation of street lighting on Southeast Mill Plain Boulevard began in early November thanks to a grant from the Federal Highway Administration Intersection and Corridor Safety Program.
Mill Plain will get 12 new lamps between Southeast 148th and 160th avenues.
Two-way traffic will continue in that area, but with lane closures and possible delays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Completion is anticipated in early December, and the city of Vancouver estimates the project will cost $100,000.
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Hasson.com ranks in national top 10
The Hasson Co. was recognized as having one of the nation’s 10 best real estate web sites.
The Lake Oswego-based company was noted in a study by California-based 1000Watt Consulting in October.
Hasson.com was recognized for its search capabilities and authentic voice throughout its print and video content. It was the only site on the list from the Northwest.
The Hasson Co. has 32 Realtors and eight branches in Southwest Washington and Oregon, with one in Vancouver
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Allergy clinic relocates
AAIM Care relocated Nov. 3 to Pacific Crest Plaza, 601 S.E. 117th Ave., Suite 140, in Vancouver.
The allergy, asthma and immunology clinic is run by Dr. Joseph Hassett.
Weight loss consultant releases workshop CDs
Letha Brandenburg, owner of The Healthy Weigh, has released an eight-week series workshop on CD.
Brandenburg is a weight loss consultant and motivational speaker. She has owned the Vancouver-based company since 1990, and relocated Sept. 21 to 9120 N.E. Vancouver Mall Loop.
