Business briefly

Kent business receives award

A Kent-based business was one of three statewide to receive the 2008 Associate of the Year honor from the Utility Contractors Association of Washington.

Pape Machinery, located on the West Valley Highway, provides construction equipment to the utility industry. They were honored for their commitment to UCAW through committee involvement, contributions and event sponsorship, specifically the UCAW’s mini-auction.

Other honorees included Parker, Smith and Feek and H.D. Fowler Company, both of Bellevue.

Companies and individuals who have contributed significantly to the UCAW are nominated for Associate of the Year awards and elected by the UCAW board.

Downtown shop marks 20 years

Children’s Bookshop and Teaching Supplies will be celebrating its 20th anniversary in Kent on Nov. 20.

The public is welcome to stop in to do a little Christmas shopping or just have a cookie with the staff.

The store will be open until 8 p.m. to mark the anniversary.

Holiday Biz Fair set for Nov. 26

The South King County Business and Professional Women’s Group’s Holiday Business Fair will take place 3 to 7 p.m. Nov. 26 at the Kent Memorial Building, 850 Central Ave. N.

This is the second year the group has hosted the fair and the hope is it will become an annual event.

Vendors for the fair include clothing booths, a manicure station, a chair massage, perfume, “pink” tools for women, jewelery and more.

The cost of the event is $5 and a portion of the proceeds will go to the HopeChest, which collects furniture and other household items for those in need.

For advance tickets, visit www.southkingcountybpw.com.

Chamber plans birthday bash

The Kent Chamber of Commerce is planning a celebration for its 60th birthday at 4 p.m. Dec. 9 at the chamber offices, 524 West Meeker St.

Plans include hors d’oeuvres, birthday cake, beer, wine and fun and games. The birthday party event will be combined with a coat and blanket drive to benefit St. Vincent de Paul. The cost of the event is $20 but drops to $10 with the donation of a blanket or coat.

The chamber also is looking for 60 sponsors of $60 each, to celebrate the anniversary.

For more information or to purchase a ticket, call the chamber at 253-854-1770.

Two new stores at Southcenter mall

The Westfield Southcenter mall in Tukwila is welcoming two more stores as it continues to add services following its remodel and July re-opening.

This past month, Spokane-based NW Beauty opened a new store, operating under the name Beautyworks, its fifth store in the Seattle area. Beautyworks is a salon and supply store with other locations in Bellevue, Tacoma, University Village and the Alderwood Mall.

Also opening this week is Solstice Sunglasses Boutique. Specializing in upscale and high-end, designer sunglasses, the new store features a European-style setting and a “hands-on” approach encouraging customers to try on glasses.

The new store was scheduled to open Nov. 14.

Highline Medical Services customers to get more options

UnitedHealthcare has reached a new, long-term agreement that will enable participants in its SecureHorizons Medicare Advantage Plans in King County to access medical care from physicians of Highline Medical Services Organization and Highline Medical Center.

The agreement will begin Jan. 1, and adds more than 200 primary and specialty care physicians to the SecureHorizons network in the Burien community and the South King County area.

SecureHorizons is a division of UnitedHealthcare that is focused on the health and well-being of senior citizens. It is the longest-tenured Medicare Advantage business in the United States.

“We are excited to partner with SecureHorizons to offer the Medicare beneficiaries in our community expanded coverage options”, said Karen Lee, HMSP president. “Our new long-term agreement with SecureHorizons ensures that patients will continue to have access to quality care and enable them to maintain the relationship with their local hospital and providers that they have enjoyed for more than thirteen years.”

“It is our hope that this long term agreement demonstrates that both organizations are committed to servicing Medicare beneficiaries in this community,” said Jeff Underwood, SecureHorizons by UnitedHealthcare Executive Director in Washington.

Kent farm gets PLU plaudit

Pacific Lutheran University on Nov. 14 named Kent’s Medosweet Farms the medium-sized Family Business of the Year for 2008.

Firms were judged on their innovative business strategies and practices, performance, family and business links, contributions to community and industry, multi-generation family business involvement, and longevity.

Medosweet was founded in 1975 as a small milk delivery business and has grown into a $40 million per year company that specializes in delivering locally-sourced daily products to customers around the Pacific Northwest.