Business - Business News

POSTED: Sunday, Nov. 15, 2009

Moles' Flowers appointed to national 'green burial' board

Brian Flowers of Moles Family Funeral Homes has been appointed to the Green Burial Council's National Advisory Board.

In this role, Flowers will help develop green burial options around the country and assist with setting the standards for this emerging practice.

Green burial is a natural process whereby the deceased are buried without the use of toxic embalming chemicals in 100 percent biodegradable, non-hazardous caskets or shrouds. Because of the environmentally sound nature of this practice, green burial can also facilitate ecological restoration and conservation.

Earlier this year, Moles Family Funeral Homes and Greenacres Memorial Park established The Meadow Natural Burial Ground, the nation's first Natural Burial ground in an existing traditional cemetery to be certified by the Green Burial Council. In addition, The Meadow is Western Washington's only certified Natural Burial Ground.

For more information, call 384-3401, or visit MolesFamilyFuneralHomes.com.

BAJEMA EARNS FEE APPRAISER DESIGNATION

Benjamin Bayma of Gustafson and Associates Real Estate Appraisers & Consultants, has earned the designation of Independent Fee Appraiser, Senior.

The designation was awarded by the National Association of Independent Fee Appraisers in Chicago. To earn the designation, Bayma had to complete a variety of tasks, including more than 360 hours of real estate appraisal courses.

Bayma is an appraiser associate at Gustafson and Associates. He can appraise commercial, industrial and multi-family properties in Whatcom, Skagit, Island, Snohomish and San Juan counties. For details, call 733-8101.

RE/MAX'S WEITZEL RANKED TOP 'CLOSER' IN WHATCOM COUNTY

Chris Weitzel, a Realtor with RE/MAX Whatcom County, Inc. was recently ranked the number one real estate agent in Whatcom County in terms of closed transactions through October.

The Northwest Multiple Listing Service Report featured the top 50 agents of over 800 who have sold real estate in Whatcom County this year. Weitzel closed 46 deals during this time, representing 1.1 percent of the entire market, with a total sales volume of more than $11 million.

Chris Weitzel & Associates can be reached at 312-5151 or visit ChrisWeitzel.com.

GUSTAFSON JOINS PEOPLES BANK AS REAL ESTATE LENDER

Kelly Gustafson has joined Peoples Bank as real estate loan representative at the bank's Lynden office at 418 Grover St.

Gustafson has been in the financial services industry for eight years, six of which she has spent in real estate lending.

In her new position, she will continue to offer financing options to customers in Lynden who are preparing to purchase a new home or refinance their current mortgage. At Peoples, Gustafson will have a broad range of products available to offer her customers, including financing options for custom construction, second homes, and investment properties.