Printer industry fighting ink cartridge refilling options
Published 12:49 pm Thursday, April 9, 2009
The current trend in the printer cartridge industry is price increases and the emergence of chipped cartridges to prevent refilling and recycling cartridges at lower prices to the public, said Mike Scanes, owner of Printer Ink Source in Everett, a cartridge refilling and recycling business.
Hewlett Packard has traditionally been the most friendly manufacture for refilling and recycling programs, he said. But recently HP began producing a new line of HP60 and HP901 cartridges with new chip technology that prevents refilled cartridges from working properly.
For people looking for new printers, Scanes offers advice on the best ones for using refillable cartridges. HP still ranks high at this time, since it has an extensive range of inks beyond the new “chip” cartridges but the more difficult brands for handling recycled ink cartridges include Dell, Lexmark, Epson and most Canon models, he said. For more information, visit www.printerinksource.com
Public comments invited on airport planning document
The public comment period remains open until Apr. 17 on the draft of the Long-Term Air Transportation Study (LATS) that will guide future development and priorities for Washington’s airport network.
The state’s Aviation Planning Council, supported by the Depar tment of Transportation, has developed the draft strategies over the past year.
The Aviation System Plan Summar y Report, which includes the LATS key findings and policies, is available for review at www.wsdot.wa.gov/aviation/ lats. The Aviation Planning Council will consider public comments at its next scheduled meeting on May 7 at the Museum of Flight in Seattle, the final meeting of the council. Its recommendations will be submitted to the Governor, Washington State Legislature, and Washington State Transportation Commission by July 1, 2009.
EDC reports state investments helped generate jobs, revenues
Two years ago, the State of Washington allocated $5 million for the 34 Economic Development Councils in the state. A recent report to the state showed the state’s contribution helped businesses create and retain 8,435 jobs, invest $700.94 million in private funds and generate $17.13 million in state and local tax dollars over the 24-month period. In an additional report covering Pierce, Clark, King, Kitsap, Snohomish and Spokane counties, those six communities attracted at least $852.9 million in business investment over that time.
New LeTip networking chapter formed in Marysville at Tulalip
A new LeTip chapter has opened in Marysville to promote business-growth networking among its members. Pat Oakes, secretary, provides leadership for the Tulalip Afternoon Chapter of LeTip along with Noah Belhumeur, president; Mark Liechty, vice president, and Troy Clark, tip master. The group meets at Bob’s Burgers &Brews on the Tulalip reservation, at the south entrance to Quil Ceda Village, near Wal-Mart. Membership allows only one member in each professional category. Presently there are openings for a CPA. The club already has a mechanic, handyman, home décor consultant, massage therapist, printer, stock marketer and an insurance agent. The regional coordinator for LeTip, Doug Elburn, said there are several chapters meeting in north Snohomish County. More information is available by calling 800-538-4711 or emailingelburn@ letip.com.
Boeing continues layoffs but plans steady production
For 2009, at least, the Boeing Co. expects to deliver around 480 aircraft, as planned, despite issuing nearly 1,000 layof f notices to IAM union members since January. Overall, the company anticipates reducing employment by 10,000 workers this year but some of the cuts are through attrition while the rest are primarily outside of aircraft production jobs, Boeing spokesman Tim Healy announced in mid-March. Although some aerospace industry analysts predict the global economy will force Boeing’s aircraft production levels to drop by 35 percent in 2010, Scott Carson, president of Boeing’s Commercial Airplanes Division, said recently he expects a production slowdown of only 10 percent next year.
United Way thanks top fundraisers in its 2009 Snohomish County campaign
United Way of Snohomish County has recognized donors and employers who ran the top fundraising campaigns for its Local Community Fund that supports $3 million annually in grants to 91 local nonprofit programs as well as programs in early learning, financial stability, the Volunteer Center and the 211 telephone help line for social services.
Overall, more than 16,000 people have donated to the campaign, which ends June 30. The goal is to reach at least $9.85 million.
Que Le of Bothell won the United Way car sweepstakes, a campaign incentive that raised more than $250,000 in new donations. The Employees Community Fund of Boeing Puget Sound, the Boeing Co. and Premera Blue Cross were recognized as the three largest contributors, with gifts of $1.9 million, $800,000 and $395,000 respectively.
Cascade Bank and Mukilteo School District were recognized with the President’s Award for the most outstanding campaigns, one at a for-profit company and one a nonprofit. Cascade Bank donated $88,000, a 23 percent increase over last year, and Mukilteo School District employees increased their giving by 7 percent, with 77 percent of donations given to the Local Community Fund.
Chair Awards, for leadership by top management, went to James Yelle, chief executive officer of Royell Manufacturing Inc., and Scott Washburn, president and chief executive of YMCA of Snohomish County.
The Employee Campaign Manager of the Year Award winners were Angie Lamie of Royell Manufacturing and Tina Gilson of Providence Regional Medical Center Everett.
The Community Impact Partner Award went to UPS and the YMCA of Snohomish County and the Labor Partnership Award went to Teamsters Local 38.
Best New Campaign Awards were presented to Holiday Inn-Everett and Bridgeways; Premier Partners included the Employees Community Fund of Boeing Puget Sound, the Boeing Co. and Premera Blue Cross.
Best of Industry awards went to Agilent Technologies; AT&T Mobility; Cascade Bank; Coca-Cola Enterprises; Community Health Center of Snohomish County; Wilder Construction Co.; Mukilteo School District; Nordstrom Rack; Port of Everett; Providence Regional Medical Center Everett; Rodland Toyota/Scion; Royell Manufacturing; Rubatino Refuse Removal and State Farm Insurance-Bothell.
Live United Awards to companies that demonstrated giving, advocating and volunteering in their campaigns and year-round went to Best Buy for a campaign video; Cascade Bankfor campaign communications and Frontier Bank for overall best Live United campaign.
Worst jobless rate reported for Snohomish County since 1984
With more than 38,000 Snohomish County residents applying for unemployment, the jobless rate rose in February to 9.9 percent, up from 8.5 percent in January, without counting the Boeing Co.’s recently announced layoffs of hundreds of workers in the county. Current unemployment rates reported by the state Employment Security Depar tment in April 1984 have more than doubled since registering 4.3 percent in March 2008.
County government anticipates $6.7 million shortfall in budget
Declining sales tax revenues caused by the cooling economy in Snohomish County are expected to reach $4.5 million, the largest contributor to a $6.7 million decline in total revenues to finance the countrywide budget, according to County Executive Aaron Reardon in current budget discussions. So far, job losses at the county have reached 160 due to a $21 million budget shortage seen last fall when county councilmen approved the 2009 budget. Further cuts could pare another three percent off the $206 million expected in the county’s general operating fund.
Bajio Mexican buffet restaurant opens at Lakewood Crossing
Despite a troubled economy, the Bajio Mexican Grill opened its second Pacific Northwest location in March, featuring Mexican food buffet style. The new restaurant at Marysville’s Lakewood Crossing shopping center, west of the Smokey Point I-5 interchange, joins a Bajio in Klakamas, Ore., and 44 others in 10 states. Owners Steve and Jolene Bartek have decorated the large, colorful restaurant with large metal lanterns from Mexico, mosaic walls and a variety of paintings. The buffet choices include lime-marinated chicken, burritos, enchiladas and beef and pork options.
Everett Mall adds new rue21 teen specialty chain store
While some businesses in the county have closed in the wake of the slowed economy, the Everett Mall has announced the April 2 opening of a 4,500-square-foot rue21 store, a nationally dominant teen specialty value retailer. The chain will open seven stores in Washington and Oregon in the next few weeks. Bob Fisch, president and CEO of rue21, Inc., said the popular retail store has 450 locations in 41 states and continues its growth with the Everett Mall opening, part of the firm’s targeting of the Pacific Northwest market. Over the next five years, the store plans 60 new outlets in Washington and Oregon. The store offers teens apparel fashions and fragrances, a comprehensive line of accessories that include shoes, jewelry and handbags.
Julie Tennyson, marketing director at the mall, said rue21 will join other strong teen retailers in the shopping complex, including Old Navy, Wet Seal, PacSun, Aeropostale, Hot Topic, Zumiez, Finish Line and Journeys. Also, earlier this year, Famous Dave’s Barbecue opened in a new facility, offering ribs, steaks, chicken, fish, salads and a kids’ menu. Other attractions at the Everett Mall include a 16-screen Regal Cinemas and such national tenants as Bath &Body Works, Victoria’s Secret, Christopher &Banks, Borders, Macy’s and Sears.
Balefire Bar opens in Everett opposite Comcast Events Center
One of the city’s newest businesses, Balefire, at 1801 Hewitt Ave., opposite the Comcast Events Center, specializes in “fine fermentables,” providing both a beer bar and a wine bar by offering products from both realms, set in a comfortable environment that includes a fireplace — a symbolic link to the definition of “balefire,” a large fire lighted as a beacon or for a celebration. There are 10 brews and 24 wines on tap as well as fermented refreshments from around the world, plus a bottle shop for retail sales, plus meals that complement the drinks in an atmosphere portraying an upscale pub suited to women as well as men. Throughout the week, Balefire offers a variety of themes, from Happy Hours to “open mike,” live Irish music, blues and Indie Rock, said owner Jon Tobey, who was the ale house columnist for Northwest Brewing News and a longtime home brewer. Visit www.balefirebar.com for menus, directions, calendar, and the full Balefire story.
Everett Community College celebrates Gray Wolf Hall opening
Everett Community College celebrated the opening of Gray Wolf Hall Apr. 3, the second of five new buildings planned in a $200 million upgrade to meet the growing need for higher education in Snohomish County. The 77,000-square-foot building is home to classes in the humanities, social sciences and communications, as well as being the new home of the University Center of North Puget Sound. Previously in offices at the Everett Center. University Center offers 24 bachelors and masters degrees from six partner universities: Western Washington, Central Washington, Washington State, Eastern Washington, Evergreen State College and Hope International University. Bringing a wide range of bachelors degree options to Snohomish County is a top priority for the University Center. said Everett Community College President David Beyer.
Gray Wolf Hall is EvCC’s first green building, designed to meet the U.S. Green Building Councils Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver Rating. Facilities Director Larry Price expects the college will save in energy costs for decades. Faculty and staff offices occupy the glass-sided north wing, and classrooms fill the brick-covered south wing. Some of the features include four video conference rooms for University Center, artwork suspended over the second floor bridge student lounge and a rain garden in the courtyard.
Three Snohomish County cities celebrate anniversaries in 2009
Milestone celebrations and events planned across Snohomich County this year include the City of Lynnwood, celebrating its 50-year anniversary; the City of Snohomish celebrating 150 years and the City of Bothell, celebrating its centennial anniversary, according to the Snohomish County Tourism Bureau (www.snohomish.org).
Volunteers of America announces new board of directors leadership
At Volunteers of America Western Washington, based in Everett, new leadership is at the forefront of change. Not only did 2009 welcome Phil Smith as the new president/CEO, but the board of directors also saw a shift in leadership. Barbara Earl of BETS Consulting is the new chair of the board. She’s been with VOA’s board since since 2002 and served as vice-chair for three years. Her background is in business planning and development. Well known in the community, she serves on several boards throughout the region.
“During this (economic) down turn, the services provided by Volunteers of America are more critical than ever to our communities. Our focus this year is to engage the community in helping families in crisis. People in our community need help now and that’s what Volunteers of America is positioned to do. We provide hope.” said Earl.
Also, Richard Toyer of Toyer &Associates serves as treasurer. With a background in finance, he has been active on the VOA board since 1998. Betty Cobbs, director of human resources at the Everett School District, serves as secretary, bringing an education background to the board since 2004. Volunteers of America Western Washington is one of region’s most comprehensive social service organizations. With the help of over 500 employees, 450 volunteers and 1,300 donors we are able to respond to over 350,000 requests for assistance each year from families in crisis, children at risk, seniors, and adults with disabilities. For more information, visit www.voaww.org.
Snohomish County secures Granite Falls bypass funds
With the recent passage of the federal Fiscal Year 2009 Omnibus Bill and final adoption of the Puget Sound Regional Council’s (PSRC) federal economic recovery project list, Snohomish County has secured the remaining $6 million needed to complete the long-awaited Granite Falls Alternate Route project. The two-lane, two-mile alternate freight route for gravel and logging trucks will bypass the downtown area where trucks cause congestion and afety hazards. “Not only does this $26.8 milllion project provide a solution to traffic congestion problems, it also creates work during tough economic times,” said Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon.
Snohomish County’s $15 million recovery funds have wider impact
The Snohomish County region, including its cities and transit agencies, will receive nearly $15 million in economic recovery funding for public works projects as a result of a selection process headed by the Puget Sound Regional Council. When leveraged with other funding sources, such as state grants and developer mitigation fees, these projects will provide more than $54 million in countywide improvements. Projects include fish passage culvert improvements at 116th and 34th Avenue Northeast, pedestrian and bikeway safety improvements at West Marine View Drive as well as the construction of a pedestrian bridge over Interstate 5 at 196th Street Southwest and $2 million for Highway 2 safety improvements.
Quil Ceda Family Dentistry joins Marysville Tulalip Chamber
One of the Marysville Tulalip Chamber of Commerce’s newest members is Quil Ceda Family Dentistry in the Quil Ceda Village shopping center next to UPS and close to the chamber offices. The business, owned by Dr. Ron Sebastian, is at 8825 34th Ave. NE, Ste. M.
McEachern Charitable Trust donates $75,000 to Camp Fire USA
The D.V. &Ida McEachern Charitable Trust made a $75,000 donation to Camp Fire USA Snohomish County Council’s Camp Fire Delivers Capital Campaign. “Many of the advisors to the McEachern Charitable Trust have a long standing relationship with Camp Fire, as Bluebirds and as leaders of groups for our own children as well as serving on boards in our communities,” said Joan McEachern Cooley, senior member of the McEachern charitable trust team. The McEachern Trust donation will go toward meeting the $100,000 “TopOff” challenge from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust.
To meet the goals of the campaign, Camp Fire has raised $2,140,350. With the McEachern contribution Camp fire only needs to raise $459,650 to complete its $2.7 million campaign goal. With funds received so far, Camp Fire has already completed construction of the Multi-Purpose Pavilion, Boys Shower House and the Welcome Center that will host Legacy Square at Camp Killoqua.
During the next 14 weeks Camp fire is working to raise $182,000 to build the new Tyee Unit, the fourth of five new structures at camp, with 200 additional youths. The overall capital campaign will increase Camp Fire’s youth services by 4,000 youths each year.
For information on making a donation to help Camp Fire meet its fundraising challenge call 425-258-Kids or visit www. CampFireUSASnohomish.org/capital.
Seattle culinary society gives $10,000 to EdCC Culinary Arts
The Seattle chapter of The Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, an international gastronomic society, has donated $10,000 to the Edmonds Community College Foundation to support the college’s Culinary Arts program. The Culinary Arts program recently opened its remodeled commercial kitchens, one for cooking and one for baking, and a fine-dining restaurant in Brier Hall. Currently, 60 students are enrolled in the program, which graduated its first class in 1987. The training prepares students for positions as cooks, kitchen managers, caterers, servers, and hosts in the food service industry and gives them the skills needed to enter management training positions in fine dining, fast food, and institutional food service. Graduates of the program have found work with restaurants, catering companies, independent bakeries, and the bakeshops in major grocery stores, including Ray’s Boathouse, Canlis, Woodfire Pizza, Bon Appetit at the Seattle Art Museum, Roadhouse Grill and Theo Chocolate, as well as operating their own restaurants and catering businesses.
Verizon Hub adds entertainment and lifestyle channels
Verizon Wireless has announced two new partnerships, Clear Channel Radio and Scripps Networks, to bring a broader set of top entertainment and lifestyle content choices to Verizon Hub users. Clear Channel’s stations range from music, sports, and talk as well as programming from HGTV and Food Network, a part of the Scripps brand. The Verizon Hub, which was made available nationwide last month, puts a communications command center in your home. In addition the recently added entertainment and lifestyle content, Verizon Wireless customers can also use the Hub to access local weather, traffic, news, directions and movie information.
ByteSlaves increases computer services and sales
Sven Mogelgaard’s computer business in Mill Creek is seeing increased activity this year, despite stories from customers, chamber of commerce members and in the news about the severity of the economic downturn. “Our business was off more than 50 percent in December, but that can easily be attributed to both the holidays and the bad weather,” he said. “Once we rang in the new year and the snow melted we had a surge in business. Our sales and service revenue were still below our November 2008 levels in January, but significantly higher than December’s activity. As of mid-February we are on track for meeting our financial goals.”
Service and repair businesses like his seem to be doing well, he said, noting he’s also talked to dentists, auto maintenance shops and chiropractors who have all said business is as good or better than it was before economic “gloom and doom” was the lead topic in the news.
“Just as people are maintaining their cars better rather than buying new ones, technology is experiencing the same thing,” he said. “In the last six months Dell stock has dropped from over $25 per share to under $9. Hewlett-Packard and Intel have also shown steep declines in share prices over the last six months. This tells us that consumers are trying to keep their computers running longer rather than replacing them when relatively minor problems arise.”
He said his technicians are working at full capacity, noting he could easily hire at least one or two new technicians to meet his business demands. For more information, visit www. byteslaves.com.
Everett’s ITT Technical Institute offers project management program
ITT Technical Institute’s School of Information Technology in Everett is enrolling students for a new study program in project management that leads to a Bachelor of Science degree. “We are excited to expand our program offerings,” said Dean Kempter, director of the institute. The program’s next classes begin in June. Established in 2003, the Everett ITT Technical Institute offers educational programs in Computer and Electronics Engineering Technology, Computer Drafting and Design, Computer Networking Systems, Criminal Justice, Visual Communications and other technology fields. For more information, call 425-583-200.
USDA farm census shows county ag business rising
The number of farmers working and living in Snohomish County increased 6 percent while land farmed increased 12 percent, according to the recent agriculture census conducted by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Between 2002 and 2007, the period profiled in the latest national agriculture census, nearly 100 new farms were added to the more than 1,500 already operating in Snohomish County. An additional 8,200 new acres of land was placed in production, bringing the total in 2007 to almost 77,000 acres. The average size of farms also increased 6 percent from 44 to 46 acres each. “These increases are the positive results of collaboration between Snohomish County government and local farmers during the past few years,” Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon said noting that ensuring that farming remains an economically viable livelihood is one of his top priorities. For more information, visit www.agcensus.usda.gov.
The Everett Clinic welcomes WWMG’s Oncology Group
The Everett Clinic has announced the oncology division of Western Washington Medical Group (WWMG) will be joining the clinic by mid-August. WWMG initiated the move to consolidate expenses and ensure that the group’s four doctors, who already have a long-term relationship with the Clinic, can operate more economically viable in changing times. Both the Clinic and the WWMG oncology physicians are worked together already through their joint participation in the Providence Regional Cancer Partnership in Everett. “We have shared the same electronic health records, covered for each other’s patients and worked together side by side for the past year and a half,” said Dr. Mark Coughenour, an oncologist with WWMG who will be joining the Clinic. “During that time, patient volumes have grown and the new Cancer Partnership has established itself as a patient centered, comprehensive organization for cancer care in the Puget Sound region,” Coughenour added.
Stroller Strides stays in sync with top 2009 fitness trends
Exercise classes for mothers and their babies, using strollers, is the core theme of Stroller Strides, Everett &Mukilteo in the Everett Mall, owned by Camille Schwindt. The hour-long sessions emphasize cardiovascular activities and musclestrengthening exercises using resistance bands and strollers, allowing mothers to interact with their babies throughout their workout. Nationally, there are more than 800 of the Stroller Strides franchises. For more information, contact Schwindt at 800-961-9078. For the Alderwood mall program in Lynnwood, contact owner Bambee Haddock, 888-225-0653.
“Recession Tune-Up” tips offered by Brunner Construction
At a recent meeting of the South Snohomish County Chamber of Commerce, Todd Brunner, president of Brunner Construction in Lynnwood, offered a “Recession Tune-up” exercise for adapting to the new economic realities of a slumping economy: (1) Evaluate results from last year. (2) Determine realistic expectations for this year. (3) Retain important clients. (4) Add value to marketing materials. (5) Evaluate internal performance. (6) Execute your company’s core values and mission Businesses prosper, even in tough economic times.
Those that do have found ways to tighten their operations and adjust to meet increased pressure and competition, he said.
Bizinfo24x7 Web site supports small businesses
The South Snohomish County Chamber of Commerce’s Web site features a one-stop location for quality information designed specifically to support small business owners. Visit www.bizinfo24x7.com for a portal to a variety of assistance for existing and start-up busineses, sponsored by South Snohomish County Chamber of Commerce, City of Lynnwood, Edmonds Community College’s Small Business Advisory Center, Economic Development Council of Snohomish County and the Workforce Development Council of Snohomish County.
New Web site supports legal American workers
New support for American workers legally qualified for employment in the U.S. is online at www.supportamericanworkers.com. It’s a new online directory for companies that commit to hiring only people who are legally allowed to work in this country. The site is free to use for people who want to do business with companies that are determined to always hire workers legally. Since the year 2000, 51 percent of all new jobs in America have gone to illegal aliens, according to research from Northeastern University in Boston.
Richard Thomas, founder of the Web site, financed with his own funds, said fraud in the workplace is the major reason for the chaos on our borders as these dishonest employers abuse the workplace to gain illicit profits. For further information contact Richard Thomas at 360-241-5228.
Golf Savings Bank announces lending incentive for home buyers
Mountlake Terrace-based Golf Savings Bank, a leading originator of residential home loans, has announced a lending incentive plan that provides borrowers a lending credit of 3 percent of the sales price of a home up to a maximum of $20,000, which can be applied against closing costs or seller concessions.
“As a result of our participation in the U.S Treasury’s Capital Purchase Program through our parent company, Sterling Financial Corp., Golf is increasing lending incentives to help stimulate demand for and facilitate financing of single family homes in the Pacific Northwest,” said Donn Costa, executive vice president of Golf Savings Bank, which opened its sixth mortage office recently in Bellevue.
He said the program has been received well by both buyers and builders because it applies to all new construction property in any locations financed by Golf. In the first three weeks of the program, Golf approved $30 million in loan originations associated with $800,000 in lender credits.
Health Integrated opens Lynnwood office
Health Integrated, the leading targeted population health management company, has opened a new office in Lynnwood, its third in the nation, at the Northview Corporate Center, 20816 44th Ave. West. The Tampa., Fla., company specializes in a variety of health care programs. For information, call 800-3230286 or visit www.healthintegrated.com.
