“We are incredibly proud of our ranking and honored to be in the company of such premier properties around the country,” said Les Utley, general manager for the Heathman Hotel in Kirkland. “The fact that this ranking is a result of guest reviews makes this recognition that much more rewarding.  This is a testament to our incredibly dedicated staff and our equally dedicated and supportive ownership group.  The recognition is a wonderful reflection of our core value message and motto: Where Service is Still an Art.”

On the TripAdvisor website, travelers rave about Heathman Kirkland’s upscale accommodations, its full-service spa Penterra, and top-notch staff. Many guests also mention the hotel’s critically acclaimed restaurant, Trellis, led by executive chef Brian Scheehser.

The Heathman Hotel, which recently celebrated its fourth anniversary, is also a member of the Preferred  Hotel Group.

TripAdvisor’s “2012 Travelers’ Choice Awards”

The 10^th annual awards revealed premier properties in the U.S. and around the world, in addition to winners in the categories of Best Luxury and Bargain, Best for Service, B&B and Inns, All-Inclusive, Spa and Trendiest. In total, 3,943 properties globally have been recognized this year with dedicated lists featured for 30 countries and eight regions worldwide. Unlike any other hotel honors, TripAdvisor Traveler’s Choice winners are based on millions of valuable reviews and opinions from travelers around the world.

About The Heathman Hotel in Kirkland

The Heathman Hotel in Kirkland located on Seattle’s eastside provides guests with the ultimate in gracious service in an ambience of understated elegance and comfort.  The property has garnered the AAA of Washington Four Diamond Award®, an indicator of excellence which promises travelers an unparalleled lodging experience and is also a member of the Preferred Hotel Boutique Group. The Heathman Hotel features 91 classic guest rooms and suites; the 5,000-square-foot Penterra Spa, complete with a sanctuary room, individualized treatment spaces and deluxe fitness center; 2,500 square-feet of meeting and event space; and Trellis, a 90-seat wine country inspired restaurant and bar helmed by Chef Brian Scheehser.  Trellis’ rustic, robust menu evolves with the seasons, often featuring items from Scheehser’s own five-acre farm.  For reservations and information, visit http://heathmankirkland.com/ or call (425) 284-5800 / (866) 997-5475.

“We are thrilled to have Angela on board at Penterra Spa,” said Les Utley, general manager of the Heathman Hotel in Kirkland. “Her background and passion for the spa industry provides a great addition to our team. We look forward to her leadership as she takes the spa experience to an even higher level of enjoyment for our customers.”

Prior to joining Penterra Spa, McClellan was spa manager at the Red Door Spa in Bellevue, Wash., where she spent two years after opening the first northwest location. Previously, she was the spa director for Steiner Transocean, working with yachts of Seaborn, Celebrity Cruises and Crystal Cruises. McClellan is also a licensed massage therapist.

Publisher’s Notes:  1) We would love to review this spa for BellevueBusinessJournal.com and LuxuryFitnessFun.com, 2)The Heathman Hotel, Penterra Spa and Trellis should all be on the Eastside Business Directory.

About The Heathman Hotel in Kirkland

The Heathman Hotel in Kirkland located on Seattle’s eastside provides guests with the ultimate in gracious service in an ambience of understated elegance and comfort.  The property has garnered the AAA of Washington Four Diamond Award, an indicator of excellence which promises travelers an unparalleled lodging experience. The Heathman Hotel features 91 classic guest rooms and suites; the 5,000-square-foot Penterra Spa, complete with a sanctuary room, individualized treatment spaces and deluxe fitness center; 2,500 square-feet of meeting and event space; and Trellis, a 90-seat wine country inspired restaurant and bar helmed by Chef Brian Scheehser.  Trellis’ rustic, robust menu evolves with the seasons, often featuring items from Scheehser’s own 10-acre farm.  For reservations and information, visit http://heathmankirkland.com/ or call (425) 284-5800 / (866) 997-5475.

Each year Girl Power Hour invites guests to bring a gift for the Jubilee Women’s Center, a transitional housing service provided for approximately 60 homeless women.  Jubilee also provides crisis intervention services, drop-in and referral services, technology classes and access to a free clothing boutique for another 500 women in crisis.

At the GPH Holiday Cocktail Party take your picture with Santa, win door prizes, network with influential business women, explore various vendors, try mini spa treatments from Penterra Spa, appetizers from Trellis Restaurant and everything that The Heathman Hotel has to offer.

The stunning guest room, located on the fourth floor of the hotel, has been redecorated to incorporate all pink items such as bed linens, towels, bathrobes, soaps, bathmats, as well as kitchen items such as the coffee maker and coffee-service display. The carpet, drapery and artwork have also been altered to incorporate the pink theme. When possible, the Heathman staff purchased items from the suite that benefit the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

“We are honored and excited to partner with the Komen Puget Sound Affiliate and to have the privilege of offering our all pink guest room to travelers from all over the world,” said Les Utley, general manager of the Heathman Hotel. “We hope that reservations will boost efforts to combat this disease here in the Seattle area.”

The pink guest room will be available to reserve from Oct. 1 through Oct. 31 and will be available to book online at www.heathmankirkland.com.  In addition, the Heathman Hotel will donate an additional $1 for each Facebook “like” that its page receives in October (up to 1,000 likes). To like the page on Facebook, visit facebook.com/heathmankirk.

The Heathman Kirkland thanks the following local vendors for their generous contributions of providing labor and furnishings to complete the room: Everlasting Floor Company, Allied Restoration, Pro-Source Seattle, Queen Anne Upholstery, Palettes and Pairings, and Fena Flowers.

The Penterra Spa inside the Heathman is also doing some specials this month to celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness. Here is the information about that:

“Think Pink” Services

Penterra Spa is thinking pink this month in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month by offering three “Think Pink” spa services. All proceeds from “Think Pink” services will benefit the Puget Sound Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Foundation for Breast Cancer Research.

• “Think Pink” Facial: A Phytomer facial begins with a skin analysis to determine exact skin needs. Expert Estheticians will then cleanse, exfoliate, nourish and hydrate skin. Service includes a choice of brow or lip wax and a paraffin hand treatment. (60 minutes/$99)

• “Think Pink” Body Bliss: Melt your troubles away in a unique hydrotherapy tub for 30 minutes with scented bath salts, then enjoy a relaxing 30-minute massage.  (60 minutes/$99)

• “Think Pink” Manicure and Pedicure: The real pink deal! Treatment includes foot soak, exfoliation, masque, nail shaping and a relaxing foot massage performed with pink Vanilla-Plum scented ingredients. Service concludes with signature Susan G. Komen “Pink of Hearts” shatter polish or “I think in Pink” by OPI.

Manicure (45 minutes/$40)

Pedicure (60 minutes/$55)

“Think Pink” specials will be available through Oct. 31, 2011.

About The Heathman Hotel in Kirkland

The Heathman Hotel in Kirkland located on Seattle’s eastside provides guests with the ultimate in gracious service in an ambience of understated elegance and comfort.  The property has garnered the AAA of Washington Four Diamond Award, an indicator of excellence which promises travelers an unparalleled lodging experience. The Heathman Hotel features 91 classic guest rooms and suites; the 5,000-square-foot Penterra Spa, complete with a sanctuary room, individualized treatment spaces and deluxe fitness center; 2,500 square-feet of meeting and event space; and Trellis, a 90-seat wine country inspired restaurant and bar helmed by Chef Brian Scheehser.  Trellis’ rustic, robust menu evolves with the seasons, often featuring items from Scheehser’s own 10-acre farm.  For reservations and information, visit http://heathmankirkland.com/ or call (425) 284-5800 / (866) 997-5475.

Guests began the celebration with a lively pre-dinner reception where they had the opportunity to mingle with the chefs, as well as executives from both Kirkland and Portland Heathman properties.

Although advertised as a five-course meal, The Heathman and its chefs found a way to sneak in a sixth.  The menu started with a potato apple glaze croquant paired with a 2009 Chehalem Pinot Gris, then came a roasted pear salad with a special kind of “mini pear” grown in Woodinville on Chef Scheehser’s farm and paired  with a 2010 Delile Cellars Chaleur Estate Blanc.  The third course was a very tasty Sole Dieppoise (please don’t ask for the pronunciation) – it was cooked to perfection with mussels, and bay shrimp in an apple cider cream sauce, paired with a 2010 Woodward Canyon Chardonnay.

Following a brief break came an apple sorbet, the fourth course was another highlight.  The Apple Wood Smoked Duckling was extremely flavorful well prepared with braised endive, watercress and a farm blackberry essence, complete with blackberries from the farm.  It was paired with a very nice 2009 Besoliel from Betz Family Winery.

The fifth course started winding down the meal with an artisan cheese plate with a variety of cheeses paired with a 2008 Francis Tannahill Passito.  The meal finished up with a very decadent rustic apple and quince tart with a Calvados caramel glaze.

Congratulations to Trellis and The Heathman Hotel Kirkland for a great first four years – and a most excellent Fall Harvest Dinner.  If you did not get a chance to attend, you might want to consider making early plans to attend the next Wine Dinner at Trellis, but in the mean time when you are looking for an excellent seasonal dining experience, venture into Trellis – you will be most happy that you did.

Up Next:  Check back soon to read all about the boutique hotel and award winning restaurant at The Heathman Hotel Portland, as well as the amazing dining and hotel options in Whistler, BC.

“We are committed to helping meet the growing community needs in this region,” said Jim Vella, president, Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services. “Ford Motor Company has been investing in our communities for decades, and we plan to expand our community engagement efforts in the Northwest.”

The Ford Women’s Health Initiative Mobile Breast Imaging Tour will launch in Seattle in October (National Breast Cancer Awareness Month), and travel throughout the Northwest. The tour will provide women with breast screening using a 40-foot, state-of-the-art mobile coach equipped with the latest technology in 3D breast cancer imaging from HealthFair.

The safe, comfortable ultrasound procedure provides consistent, accurate 3D images, regardless of breast density or implants. More than 40 percent of women have dense breasts, which increases their risk for breast cancer. Working with local health and community organizations, this service will be offered to participating women in need on a free or low-cost basis.

The first breast imaging session will take place on the Eastside on Saturday, Oct. 1, in an event presented by Ford of Kirkland.

Amy Walen, Kirkland City Council member and Ford of Kirkland controller, has a personal reason to get involved with the Ford Women’s Health Initiative Mobile Breast Imaging Tour: “As a breast cancer survivor, preventive care is a top priority for me, so we’re thrilled to help support the first stop of the tour and work with Hopelink to identify women who could benefit from this service.”

“We’re very pleased to provide this service to our Pacific Northwest community,” said Michael Doherty, chairman of the Northwest Ford Stores group. “Some of our local Ford members have been personally affected by breast cancer, so this effort is important to us.”

According to the Oregon Health Sciences University Knight Cancer Institute, breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women, and – although researchers do not yet know why – the Pacific Northwest has the highest rate of breast cancer in the United States.

While mammograms are instrumental in detecting breast cancer, studies suggest 15.5 million breast cancer cases go undetected or under-diagnosed every year.

Visit any of the six Metropolitan Market locations in Puget Sound from June 1 – July 2 to find fun for all ages.  Events include wine tasting with food pairings, Cupcake Royale Sprinkle Party for kids (and grown-ups, let’s be honest), cheese classes, cookbook signings and more than 700 tastings, culminating in an Independence Day BBQ at multiple locations on July 2. In addition to dispensing historical trivia and nightly giveaways, the team at Metropolitan Market has some top-secret surprises in store for unsuspecting shoppers and event-attendees.

“Metropolitan Market has always been centered around product leadership, our great customers and team members willing to do whatever it takes,” said Terry Halverson, Metropolitan Market chief executive officer. “We made it to 40 years by being relentless on finding the best tasting products, whether from local vendor partners, farms or going wherever – to the ends of the earth.”

The first grocer to introduce Copper River Salmon, locally baked artisan breads and just-picked luscious strawberries from Vashon Island to the region, Metropolitan Market continues to be the first to offer the best. By featuring fresh, local, organic and hard-to-find items, the award-winning market transforms everyday grocery shopping into an invigorating experience.

For locations and complete event information, visit  www.metropolitan-market.com. For the latest in 40^th birthday festivities, follow Metropolitan Market’s Twitter, hashtag #MetMarket40. For interviews, please contact Tamara Wilson at 206-409-6735 or Torie McIntyre at 206-838-8977.

Kirkland Event Schedule:

• 6/9       6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Metropolitan Market 40^th Birthday Wine Tasting Event
• 6/14     3 p.m. – 7 p.m.            Celebrity Cake Studio featuring Odette, owner
• 6/18     12 p.m. – 2 p.m.          Becky Selengut Good Fish Book Signing
• 6/23     3 p.m. – 7 p.m.            Dry Soda Taste Tour
• 6/24     11 a.m. – 6 p.m.          Deli Challenge hosted by Dietz & Watson
• 6/24     4 p.m. – 6 p.m.            Amy Pennington Urban Pantry Book Signing
• 6/25     12 p.m. – 2 p.m.          Cupcake Royale Sprinkle Party for Kids
• 6/30     6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Metropolitan Market 40^th Birthday Wine Tasting Event
• 7/2       11 a.m. – 6 p.m.          Independence Day BBQ

Áegis of Lodge ranked highest among all Áegis communities for shaping the company through innovations and influencing the community’s success.  Each year, the award is bestowed to the community which experienced the most positive significant.  This year, Aegis Lodge in Kirkland was honored for the innovations demonstrated through the opening of their secured memory care, Life’s Neighborhood, their Parkinson’s specialty program and the addition of the onsite Physical, Occupational and Speech therapies among with an educational series presented every month to families and providers in the community in need of senior care knowledge.

For its exceptional service, Aegis Lodge was presented with a plaque and a monetary incentive.

Chosen by peers, executive directors and employees from each Áegis community, as well as the executive management team, made the nominations.  Winners were selected by the Senior Executive management team lead by Aegis Living’s CEO and Chairman, Dwayne Clark.

Áegis Living provides an innovative approach to senior living that focuses on the individuality of each resident, special philosophy of care and unique amenities.  This approach has made Áegis Living a success story in the industry and a premier choice for those seeking senior living services.

About Aegis Lodge

Aegis Lodge is a retirement community offering senior living, assisted living, and memory care services, one of 34 senior residences owned and operated by Aegis Living.

The criteria for the five levels of trauma designations are set by the American College of Surgeons and are governed in Washington by the Department of Health. The higher the level, the more highly trained the staff is and the more advanced the facility. As a Level III hospital, Evergreen provides prompt assessment, resuscitation, emergency surgery and stabilization of trauma victims. The highest designation, Level 1, covers a region. Harborview Hospital in Seattle is the only Level 1 trauma center in Washington, Alaska, Montana and Idaho.

“With this designation we will be even better able to enrich the health and well-being of the people we serve at times of crisis when they most depend on us,” said Bob Malte, Evergreen’s chief executive officer.  “The designation, too, is a testament to the commitment and drive of our staff and physicians who did the hard work of earning it.”

Evergreen’s Emergency Department has four large trauma and resuscitation rooms close to the emergency entrance. State-of-the-art digital imaging is available in the ED, and a trauma team (emergency physicians and nurses, surgeons, anesthesiologists, respiratory therapists and imaging technicians, among many others) is always standing by and ready to go. Operating rooms with the latest tech­nology are ready 24 hours a day.

Evergreen is able to provide quality care for a patient from the scene of their injury through their treatment and rehabilitation.

“Tenant improvement and other costs are substantial when moving into an existing space; impact fees were a significant deterrence to choosing Kirkland,” notes Ellen Miller- Wolfe, Economic Development Manager. “The City has now removed a major hurdle for new ventures to locate here.”

The Council’s action was prompted partly from a “Competitive Assessment” conducted in 2010 by Berk & Associates which recommended ways for Kirkland to remain competitive and reduce vacancy rates during recessionary times.  One specific recommendation was to suspend transportation impact fees for changes in use that do not involve adding new square footage.

State law authorizes the collection of impact fees to help defray the costs of new transportation infrastructure.  Currently the City collects impact fees on all new development including development/redevelopment of an existing structure from one use (e.g. furniture store) to another use (e.g. auto parts store). The temporary suspension does not affect the collection of impact fees for new development or the enlargement of existing buildings.  The fee suspension, which automatically ends on December 31, 2013, will be reviewed when the City conducts an impact fee study in 2013.