April is Disaster Preparedness Month

As part of the state’s Disaster Preparedness month, folks are reminded to review their response plans and procedures for such emergencies as earthquakes.

Everyone is vulnerable to disasters and should prepare to be self-sufficient for at least three days following a disaster, according to staff at the city of Mountlake Terrace.

Disaster Preparedness Month activities will include a statewide earthquake drill 9:45-10 a.m. April 25. A regular monthly test of the Emergency Alert System will initiate the statewide “drop, cover and hold” earthquake drill.

As part of the campaign, emergency preparedness information will be sent to schools across Washington. Preparedness information for schools, businesses and homes also will be available in the “In Focus” section on the Washington Emergency Management Division’s website under “Preparedness” at www.emd.wa.gov.

During the month of April, the city of Mountlake Terrace will be participating in a performance-level training exercise with the Emergency Service Coordinating Agency (ESCA) in preparation for a full-scale earthquake exercise in June.

More information on preparing for emergencies is available at www.cityofmlt.com under “For Residents,” “Emergency Preparedness.”

Signal set to four-way flashing red

The traffic signal at the intersection of 228th Street SW and 44th Avenue W in Mountlake Terrace is now set to four-way flashing red from 1-5 a.m. instead of the usual red, yellow or green light. This means that motorists must come to a complete stop, the same as at a stop sign, then yield to traffic as if it were a four-way stop.

This temporary traffic signal adjustment is necessary because deteriorated pavement at the intersection caused some of the vehicle detection loops to break and fail, city staff said. These loops are now beyond repair. The failed loops left motorists waiting at a red light when there were no cars approaching the green light. This was most evident in the early morning hours when there is little traffic.

The in-pavement loop detection system will be replaced with a new video detection system provided by cameras mounted on the mast arms above the street. The new system will be installed and operating by the end of July 2012. At that time the signal will be placed back into normal operation and no longer have the flashing red during early morning hours.

More information is available by calling Traffic Engineer Janet Hall at 425-744-6275.

Send your books to the Friends

The Friends of the Edmonds Library requests books, CDs, videos, talking books, DVDs, sheet music and computer software that are clean and in good condition for its ongoing book sales.

Inventory is currently low for the popular library fundraiser. Proceeds from book sales benefit the Edmonds Library and the Friends of the Edmonds Library Scholarship Fund. The scholarship fund will be used to help a worthy graduate student in library science at the University of Washington School of Information.

Books and other donations are accepted in the drop box located in the foyer of the library, 650 Main St. Magazine donations are limited to magazines published this year and last year only. No textbooks, encyclopedias, Reader’s Digest condensed books, or computer books more than 10 years old.

To arrange for pick-up of four or more boxes or for more information, call Darla Lane at 425-697-3844.

Homeless vets to get help

Seventy-five homeless veterans in Snohomish County will receive permanent housing through a grant recently announced by Democrat U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen. The 75 housing vouchers totaling $585,873 are awarded through the Department of Housing and Urban Development Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program (HUD-VASH). The Housing Authority of Snohomish County will administer the vouchers.

“Too many local veterans are struggling with homelessness,” Larsen said in a statement. “… These grants will help 75 Snohomish County veterans get permanent housing and on the path to independence.”

Eligible veterans are identified through Veterans Affairs Medical Facilities (VAMC) based on the duration of homelessness and their need for longer term intensive support. The HUD-VASH program includes rental assistance and comprehensive case management through the VAMC. Veterans who participate in the HUD-VASH program rent privately owned housing and contribute no more than 30 percent of their own income toward rent.

BUSINESS NEWS

Owner of local sub shop honored

Charley’s Grilled Subs has named Ray Park, owner of four franchise locations, including one at Alderwood mall, the recipient of the company’s 2011 Brotherly Love Award for going above and beyond the call of duty to create positive change in the community.

Park, of Bellevue, regularly hires hearing- and speech-impaired workers to perform such duties as cleaning, prepping food and sampling, according to a press release. Over the years, he has donated his own furniture to employees in need and helped them move when they needed it most. Park also mentors new owners and helps with supplies and staffing needs when resources are in short order.

Park also owns Charley’s Grilled Subs restaurants in Seattle, Silverdale and Tukwila.

Cabela’s to open April 19

Cabela’s Inc. will open its latest hunting, fishing and outdoor gear store in Tulalip at 11 a.m. April 19. There will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10:45 a.m. Opening day will be part of a weekend-long celebration featuring outdoor celebrities, special guests, giveaways and more. The store is located within Quil Ceda Village along I-5 at exit 202. The Tulalip store will be the second Cabela’s in Washington, joining the Lacey location opened in 2007.

The Tulalip location will feature two 7,000-gallon aquariums, a boat shop, Gun Library and Bargain Cave, which offers discounts on select merchandise. It will also include a deli called Eagle’s Nest.

Energy-saving tips from PUD

The Snohomish County PUD offers its business customers tips to save energy and money.

Businesses can save money by using more natural light and task lighting, installing programmable thermostats and upgrading to more energy efficient lighting using PUD business lighting rebates. For other energy-saving tips and more information about PUD conservation programs, go to www.snopud.com or call the PUD Energy Hotline at 425-783-1700.

Unclaimed cash? Seminar details obligations

Businesses holding unclaimed property can learn about their obligation to report it to the state through free workshops being offered around the state by the Washington State Department of Revenue. Find a schedule and register online at http://dor.wa.gov and click on the workshops and education link on the left.

Unclaimed property includes unclaimed paychecks, utility deposits, bank accounts, refunds, life insurance proceeds, stocks and bonds and contents of safe deposit boxes. Businesses have to report unclaimed property after losing contact with owners for an extended period, generally three years.

Businesses and individuals can search http://claimyourcash.org to see if they have any assets to claim.

For more information, contact UCP@dor.wa.gov.

Business briefs

• The Economic Alliance Snohomish County with presenting sponsor T-Mobile invite local businesses to the “Good Morning, Snohomish County!” networking event April 13 at the Everett Golf and Country Club, 1500 52nd St., Everett. Registration opens at 7 a.m.; breakfast buffet starts at 7:15 a.m. and programming starts at 7:30 a.m. More info: www.economicalliancesc.com.

• Group Health Cooperative, which has a medical center in Lynnwood, has earned a “Best Places to Work” designation from the Human Rights Campaign after receiving a 100 percent rating on the 2012 Corporate Equity Index. The index measures how equitably large, private-sector businesses in the United States treat their lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) employees, consumers and investors.

CIVIC NEWS

Miller Foundation awards $37K

In the first cycle of 2012, the Hazel Miller Foundation approved grants for public education assistance to the Edmonds Public Schools Foundation ($25,000). They also approved grants supporting youth activities through the Cascade Bicycle Club Education Foundation ($7,000), and the Rotary Club of Edmonds’ Daybreakers Foundation ($5,000) for another year of Jazz Connection, a free annual event featuring musicians from the Edmonds School District and Edmonds Community College.

For more information, go to http://hazelmillerfoundation.org.

Engineering tech earns rare certification

The city of Mountlake Terrace congratulated engineering technician Thad Newport at the March 19 City Council meeting. Newport recently received professional certification in AutoCAD “Civil 3D” 2012 software, distinguishing him as only the third individual in Washington state and one of 71 nationally with this certification.

Newport’s pursuit of this professional certification was by his own initiative, on his own time and at his own expense.

“We congratulate Thad on this accomplishment, applaud his initiative and thank him for his hard work in developing skills that will benefit the city,” Engineering Services Director Will Van Ry said.

Civic briefs

• The Snohomish County Republican Women’s Club meets at 11 a.m. the second Thursday of each month at Shawn O’Donnell’s restaurant, 122 128th St SE, Everett. Joseph Backholm of the Family Policy Institute of Washington is scheduled to speak this month, April 12. To RSVP, call Dorothy at 360-658-0479.

• The American Public Transportation Association recently awarded Seattle-based Sound Transit “Gold” signatory status level for its commitment to sustainability, an upgrade from its “Silver” status in 2010.

• Coffee with the City, where the public and chat with Mountlake Terrace city officials about city happenings, is slated for 6 p.m. April 11 at the Recreation Pavilion Center Court, 5303 228th St. SW. Mayor Pro Tem Laura Sonmore and council members Doug McCardle, Seaun Richards and Rick Ryan will join in. For more information, go to www.cityofmlt.com or call 425-744-6206.

Opportunities

• Fabric of Life Foundation is looking for volunteers in the following time slots at its boutique: 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Tuesdays, 1:30-5 p.m. Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Thursdays and 1-5 p.m. the first and third Sundays of each month. New volunteers will be paired with an experienced volunteer. Orientation is at 5:30 p.m. April 11 for new volunteers; 6:15 p.m. for current volunteers. Training will include cash register procedures, gift certificates, donations and exchange and return procedures. RSVP to ari@fabricoflife.org.