Weyerhaeuser’s Quadrant Homes has laid off 6 percent of its workforce – or 15 people – from operations in Bellevue, Lacey and Portland, Ore.

The employees were notified of the move last Thursday, said Quadrant vice president Bonnie Geers earlier today.

The employees had been employed over a cross-section of the company and included both field personnel and office workers, Geers said.

The decision was “in response to the current economic times and the pressures on our market in homebuilding,” she said.

Although no other layoffs were immediately planned at Quadrant, Geers said, “We’re always looking at our resources in the market. We’re always assessing that.”

Whatever happened to making sure the stove was turned off, loading the kids into the station wagon and setting off into a world without worries? For those who work, vacations just aren't what they used to be.

CareerBuilder.com (www.careerbuilder.com) is out today with its annual vacation survey.

The results:

• 25 percent of workers (up from 20 percent in 2007) said they plan to stay in contact with work while on vacation;
• 9 percent said their bosses expect them to be working or at least checking voicemail/e-mail while on vacation;
• 15 percent of workers said they gave up vacation days in 2007 because they didn’t have time to use them;
• 9 percent gave up four or more days.

Comparing industries:
• Sales workers (50 percent) lead the industries surveyed in the number of workers planning to check in while away on vacation;
• 37 percent of both financial services workers and IT workers concurred;
• 19 percent of IT workers said working, checking voicemail and/or e-mail while on vacation is required by their employers, compared to 17 percent of sales workers, 14 percent of workers in the financial industry and 12 percent of those in professional and business services.

One sure way to avoid calling the office:
• 7 percent workers said they have lied to their employers, claiming they couldn’t be reached on vacation.

What’s the use?
• 12 percent of workers said they feel guilty when they are on vacation;
• 6 percent felt that a vacation could lead to the loss of a job.

What they’ll be doing:
• Traveling (36 percent)
• Visiting family and friends (24 percent)
• Resting (20 Percent)
• Catching up on housework (8 percent)
• Running errands (3 percent)

Because we’re about to be known as a town that cares about cars – what with the LeMay Museum and all – I thought you might be interested in a story from today’s Sports Car Market (www.sportscarmarket.com) newsletter.

The publication reports on the world-record price gaveled Sunday for a 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder.

The price: $10,894,900, which beat the previous record of $10,756,000 for the sale of a 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO.

The buyer: British television and radio personality Chris Evans.

The event: RM Auctions’s second annual “Ferrar Leggenda e Passione” in the home of Ferrari, Maranello, Italy.

While Boeing's new 747-8 has sold well in its passenger version, passenger versions of the revamped airliner have sold slowly.

Only Germany's Lufthansa until this week had announced orders for the 747-8 Intercontinental, the passenger model in the new line.

Now, while the order isn't official, Nigeria's Arik Air appears ready to order three of the jumbo jets. Arik mentioned the 747 in a ceremony where it took delivery of two 737s.

Sea-Tac Airport is making real-time flight information to passengers via cell phone.

Here's how the airport explains the specifics:

The service uses a simple text message request that returns updated flight information back to the phone via text message and is compatible with most cell phone brands.

Users get real-time flight information including current departure or arrival times, gate numbers, and additional flight status updates.

Here's how it works:

Text "FlySEA" (359732)
Text the name of your airline and flight number. For example: Alaska 1234
Within seconds, you'll receive the latest real-time information, including the flight number, departure or arrival time, gate number and flight status.

Cell phone updates are a one-time, passenger activated service. In order to receive another update you must text the address again. Your cell phone carrier's standard

Las Vegas-based Allegiant Air's efforts to get air service started from Everett's Paine Field have met resistance from Snohomish County officials who control the air field.

Allegiant wants to start service from the former Air Force base that is home to Boeing's wide-body production plant.

The airline, which now serves Bellingham with 10 flights a week to California, Nevada and Arizona, wants to tap the Snohomish County market.

Allegiant specializes in serving out-of-the-way airports with service to Las Vegas and Florida destinations on a less-than-daily basis.

Allegiant was one of the few airlines that made money in this year's first quarter despite high fuel costs. The airline caters to leisure travelers. It typically operates its fleet of MD-80 aircraft near capacity.

Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon said he won't support Allegiant's bid to start service, and a group of local residents have pledged to fight. Another business-oriented group, however, has been trying to generate airline business at the airport for more than two years.

The airport has a small, outmoded terminal that would have to be remodeled to accomodate modern security requirements.

SeaGlass Interiors

SeaGlass Cottage in Gig Harbor has changed its name, and will be celebrating a "Grand Re-opening” throughout May. Today, owner Randi Kokonaski answers a few questions about small business in our regular
feature, “A Few Questions for a small business owner.”

What’s up?
SeaGlass Cottage is now SeaGlass Interiors. Along with adding stock, the business has changed its structure from a sole proprietorship to a limited liability company.

With Costco opening up the hill, and the new mall, I’ve heard that some downtown Gig Harbor stores are losing business. Have you felt the same effects?
“I think when it first opened, there was a big surge. I think folks are starting to come back. Things are picking up with a lot of the boaters coming in.”

What kind of ‘added stock’ are you getting in?
“We’re gearing our products more towards interiors – with gifts, pillows, lamps, with a coastal theme. Lamps with shells on them, pillows with anchors and boats. We have new table linens, tableware and gifts."

Anything else?
People coming to the re-opening are asked to bring a donation of two canned food items or to make a $5.00 (or more) contribution to the Gig Harbor F.I.S.H. Food Bank. Contributors will receive a 20 percent discount on any store item through May.

Getting there and getting in touch:
SeaGlass is at 3115 Harborview Dr. in downtown Gig Harbor. Hours go from 10:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon to 5:00 p.m. on Sundays. The phone is 253-858-7184. Web address is www.seaglassinteriors.com.