ISSAQUAH — Costco Wholesale shoppers who have been limited for years to American Express credit cards may be able to pluck a new option from their wallets or purses next year after an exclusivity deal between the companies expires.
American Express said last week that it hasn’t been able to come to an agreement with Costco on renewal terms. The current agreement covers U.S. stores and dates back 16 years.
It will end March 31, 2016.
Costco, which operates a warehouse outlet in Sequim, is the world’s second-largest retailer by revenue, according to the National Retail Federation.
2015 bureau board
PORT ANGELES — The Olympic Peninsula Visitor Bureau, the tourism marketing agency for unincorporated Clallam County, has announced its 2015 board of directors.
Board members reside or do business in the areas of Clallam County outside the city limits of Forks, Sequim and Port Angeles.
Returning board members are Linda Keen of Quillayute River Resort, Todd Gubler of Fort Worden, Robert J. Flood of View Vista Park, Craig Jaeger of GreenHouse Inn by the Bay and Ali Baker of Chito Beach Resort.
Returning board members representing three at-large positions are Margaret Owens of Joyce Depot Museum, Mary Wong of Nash’s Farm Store and Scott Nagel of Olympic Peninsula Celebrations.
Two new members to the board are Ed Bedford of Northwest Sodaworks and Craig Jaeger, owner/operator of Greenhouse Inn by the Bay.
Adviser at confab
SEQUIM — Bret Keehn of Strait Financial Advice attended a training session for financial planners in Los Angeles on Jan. 29.
This session, hosted by the Academy of Preferred Financial Advisors, consisted of a mix of tax planning, estate planning and practice management information that was shared by highly respected industry professionals.
The time Keehn spent at this session was focused on how to become more aware and informed of the most practical and important tax-laws techniques to share with clients and prospects.
Beausite president
CHIMACUM — Camp Beausite NW, located at 510 Beausite Lake Road, has elected David Christensen as the new board president.
Christensen has extensive experience working with nonprofits on various levels, including as a board member, business consultant and accountant.
In addition, he has hands-on experience working with people with disabilities through his volunteer work with equine therapy programs in the U.S. and other countries.
Training completed
SEQUIM — City Councilwoman Genaveve Starr recently received a Certificate of Municipal Leadership from the Association of Washington Cities.
Starr completed more than 30 hours of training credits to earn this distinction.
The leadership program is designed to enhance the ability of elected municipal officials by providing knowledge and skills to effectively operate within the law, plan for the future, secure and manage funds, and foster community and staff relationships.
To earn this certificate, Starr attended a variety of association-sponsored workshops.
Starr was first appointed to the City Council in January 2013 and then elected to a four-year term later that year.
Her current term expires Dec. 31, 2017.
Septic maintenance
SEQUIM — Those who are interested in learning more about septic maintenance are invited to two Septics 101 and two Septics 201 classes in March and April.
Clallam County Health and Human Services’ Environmental Health Section is providing overviews for homeowners on the what, why and how of septic system maintenance.
The free Septics 101 class will take place at the Dungeness River Audubon Center at Railroad Bridge Park, 2151 W. Hendrickson Road.
Classes are from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 3, and Wednesday, April 8.
As an alternate to this class, there is an online Septics 101 version available at www.clallam.net/Septics101.
For those interested in becoming certified to inspect their own septic systems, there’s a free Septics 201 do-it-yourself self-inspection class at the Audubon center.
Classes are from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 17, and Wednesday, April 22.
There is also an alternate to this class at www.clallam.net/Septics201DIY.
Septics 101 is a prerequisite for Septics 201.
Pre-registration for any class can be done at www.clallam.net under “Online Services” or by calling 360-417-2506.
KONP talk guests
PORT ANGELES — Here is this week’s schedule for the 1:05 p.m. to 2 p.m. local talk show segment on KONP radio, at 1450 AM, 101.7 FM and www.konp.com on the Internet outside the Port Angeles area.
Station General Manager Todd Ortloff hosts the Monday through Thursday segments.
This week’s scheduled lineup:
■ Monday: No show due to Presidents Day holiday.
■ Tuesday: Port Angeles School District.
■ Wednesday: In the first segment, Phil Morgan Ellis discusses the Sequim Community Orchestra’s upcoming event.
In the second segment, Nicole Blackburn, owner of Paw Prince, discusses Pet Dental Health Month.
■ Thursday: Clallam County commissioners.
