The Puyallup-Sumner Chamber of Commerce expects to name a new executive director within two weeks, the chamber's president said today.

Ethan Offenbecher, the chamber president, said the civic organization has received half-a-dozen applications from applicants qualified to do the job. That number will be winnowed to three from which the chamber's board will select a new executive director.

The new director will replace George Chappell who will retire from his chamber post on June 30.

"George was a very good fit for the chamber," said Offenbecher. "He injected new life and energy into the organization."

During Chappell's tenure, the organization successfully changed its name from the East Pierce County Chamber of Commerce to the Puyallup/Sumner Chamber of Commerce.

Chappell is moving to Minnesota, said Offenbecher, to be closer to his extended family. Chappell had been at the chamber for about two years.

A farewell reception for Chappell is scheduled for June 19 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Liberty Theater.

Offenbecher said he expects the new executive director will start on or before July 15.

Hotel occupancy in the Tacoma area fell 1.9 percent in April, compared to a year before, while the rate statewide rose 4.2 percent. In the Tacoma area, 66.2 percent of rooms were occupied. The Everett area was the only other region in the state to show a decrease in occupancy, at 8.7 percent, said Bellevue hospitality consultant Wolfgang Rood on Monday.

Statewide, 70.8 percent of rooms were occupied.

The average daily cost of a room rose 8.2 percent – to $71.44, the state's lowest average cost – in April, compared to a year before, while hotels statewide saw a 9.7 percent increase – to $123.26. All state regions reported increases in price, Rood said.

Downtown Seattle saw the highest increase, at 11.1 percent, to $164.49, while the Spokane area marked the state's lowest increase at 5.2 percent, to $94.98.

Air France debuted it's newest connection to North America today with the inauguration Paris-Sea-Tac service.

Air France will the route daily departing Sea-Tac Airport at 4:55 p.m. and arriving in Paris the next day at 11:40 the next morning.

The return flight leaves Paris' Charles de Gaulle Airport at 1:20 p.m. and arrives in Seattle at 2:35 p.m. the same day.

Air France will fly the route with a 219-seat Airbus A-330-200 aircraft.
Seattle is Air France's 13th U.S. gateway. The Port of Seattle, Sea-Tac's owner, worked for years to entice Air France to begin service.

The airline offered Air France substantial discounts on fees and monetary help with promotional activities as an incentive to bring the airline to the Northwest.

Air France is Sea-Tac's fourth carrier serving Europe non-stop. British Airways flies from here to London; Northwest has non-stop service to Amsterdam. SAS provides a daily flight to Copenhagen.

Candidate filing week – which ended Friday – yielded nine candidates for the two port commission seats.

Seven people are vying for the seat to be vacated by long-time port commissioner Jack Fabulich. And downtown cafe owner Bernard Tuma has challenged incumbent commission Clare Petrich for her spot.

Among the seven are a few names that I haven't announced in the paper: Don Johnson, vice president and general manager of Simpson Tacoma Kraft; Jerry Thorpe, a former Metro Parks and Port of Tacoma commissioner; and Paul Carroll.

The latter I couldn't find any information about.
The heightened interest in port seats is a marked difference from the last election I covered. Then commissioners Ted Bottiger and Dick Marzano each had one challenger and commissioner Connie Bacon ran unchallenged.

One reason for the heightened interest is that this is the first open seat the port commission has had in years. But I'm curious what else might be prompting so many to run .... We'll soon find out.

The LeMay Automobile Museum appointed Sandra Kasky Button to its steering committee at the June 2007 board meeting. Button serves as chairman of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, one of the most prestigious concours in the world.

Button has played an important role in coordinating the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance for over two decades and served as the event’s first full-time Executive Director until 2002 when she was named Concours Chairman. She has also been involved in the creation and growth of related events such as the Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance, Pebble Beach RetroAuto, and the Pebble Beach Motoring Classic.

The latter event is an exclusive tour for classic cars which begins in Kirkland and ends at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. The Museum is a key sponsor of the Motoring Classic.

David Madeira, president & CEO of the LeMay Museum, said “Sandra is a true enthusiast and her important role in the classic car community, her commitment to excellence, her fundraising abilities and network of contacts make her an invaluable addition to our steering committee.” said Madeira.

Button and her husband are car collectors and participate in automotive events around the globe, including the Mille Miglia, the 100 Millas Sport Argentina, and the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run. She also attends and often officiates at numerous car shows, rallies.