Civic Almanac

Published 6:23 pm Tuesday, December 28, 2010

IN PHOTO: Christmas for the dogs …

Joint alert system in place

The county’s Department of Emergency Management, in coordination with the county’s 911 Call Centers, is opening public enrollment in the county’s MyStateUSA Alert Sense System. Registered residents will periodically receive alerts of hazardous weather and other emergency situations.

Residents can choose to receive alerts by e-mail, text message and telephone calls. To subscribe, go to http://snohomishcountywa.mystateusa.com and click on the “Public Alert Sign Up” link in the top left corner.

Should a person come to a customer’s home or business claiming to be a PUD employee, ask to see the PUD identification.

Blood supply low

Western Washington’s blood supply of O-, A- and B- blood groups is critically low, with less than a two-day supply. A four-day inventory is considered operational.

Due to the recent snowstorm and icy weather, plus the holidays, the Puget Sound Blood Center has lost over 1,200 donations from those not able to donate.

The Puget Sound Blood Center asks donors to schedule an appointment by calling 1-800-398-7888. Walk-ins are also welcome. Visit www.psbc.org for donation center hours of operation and driving directions and a complete listing of blood drives throughout the region.

In South County the Lynnwood Center is at 19723 Highway 99, Suite F, and can be reached at 425-774-6366.

New lower fares for seniors, disabled

Starting Jan. 1, senior and disabled riders on Sound Transit buses and light rail trains will pay the same 75 cent flat fare for in-county bus and light rail trips.

Currently, Regional Reduced Fare Permit holders pay between 75 cents and $1.25 for bus and light rail travel.

Sound Transit is also shifting fares to match King County Metro Transit’s as of Jan. 1.

Fares for Sounder commuter rail and adult, youth, and inter-county reduced fare riders on Central Link and ST Express buses will remain unchanged.

Sound Transit budget adopted

The Sound Transit Board of Directors have adopted a 2011 budget that continues the momentum on major projects underway and set a long-term path for delivering the bulk of Sound Transit’s two expansions approved by voters in 2008. The Board will continually evaluate options for completing the voter-approved ST2 system in the wake of agency revenue impacts from the continuing national recession.

Sound Transit revenues, expected through 2023, are $3.9 billion. That is 25 percent lower than forecasted in 2008 when voters approved the ST2 expansion plan. The ST2 plan included flexible provisions for delivering the projects during economic downturns including reducing the scope or delaying projects.

Projects currently under construction or in final design stages will not be impacted because they are fully funded.

Budget details are available at www.soundtransit.org/Budget.

BUSINESS BRIEFS

• Sofeea Huffman’s Kafe Neo empire has expanded from the locations in Edmonds, Mill Creek and Marysville with a new concept in two new restaurants. Tablas Woodstone Taverna has opened in Mill Creek’s Town Center and Demetri’s Woodstone Taverna has opened in downtown Edmonds.

• Connie’s Massage Company has opened in Mountlake Terrace. The family-run company has two massage therapists and is led by Connie Robertson. For more information, visit conniesmassageco.vpweb.com.

• Purrfect Pals, a non-profit, no-kill cat shelter and sanctuary, will open a new adoption center inside the Aurora Village PETCO Store, 1241 N 205th St., Jan. 1.

• Lynnwood business owners will notice a boost in the fee per employee from $15.50 to $85. Business license renewals will be mailed the first part of January with the free listed. Questions can be directed to Debbie Hodgson at 425-670-5159.

• Eagle Home Mortgage, a full service mortgage banking firm with 46 offices in 10 western states, has announced that it will relocate to Lynnwood from Everett. The company will lease 5,000 square feet of office space at 3500 188th St. SW.

• Mill Creek’s the Petal and The Stem florist will be shuttered Dec. 31.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Mill Creek Rotary elects officers

Mill Creek Rotarians elected new officers at the Dec. 8 meeting. The new office holders include: Gerald Yorioka, president elect – 2012-2013; Bridget Barrington – secretary 2011-2012; Tom Fraioli – treasurer 2011-2012. Mike McGinness will serve as president through 2012.

Firefighters help Holiday Toy Shop

Lynnwood Firefighters collected $1,000 to purchase toys which were then donated to the Holiday Toy Shop. Toys were delivered by Lynnwood Firefighter’s Local 1984 Dec. 11 to the South Snohomish County Holiday Toy Shop.

Lynnwood gets safety grant

The city of Lynnwood has been awarded a $250,000 grant for sidewalks, crosswalks and bicycle safety education for students of Lynnwood Elementary School. The grant comes from the Washington State Department of Transportation as part of the city’s Safe Route to Schools initiative.

The grant application was ranked first in statewide competition. The grant will provide sidewalk and crosswalk improvements for 48th Avenue near the Lynnwood Elementary School.

Sno-Isle receives clean audit

The Washington state auditor has given Sno-Isle Libraries a clean bill of financial health. This is the 25th consecutive year Sno-Isle has achieved a clean audit from the state.

Traffic grant comes to MLT

The city of Mountlake Terrace has been awarded a $7,400 grant for installing two school speed zone flashing beacons near Mountlake Terrace Elementary School.

Funded by the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, the solar powered beacons will be installed on 52nd Avenue West for southbound traffic and on 220th Street Southwest for eastbound traffic. “Speed Limit 20” signs and “when flashing” placards will flash in coordination with the arrival and departure times of the elementary students.

Installation by the city’s Public Works Department is scheduled for April.

Coffee with the city

The next coffee with the city will be 8-9 a.m., Jan. 12 at the Recreation Pavilion. Citizens, business owners and others from the community are invited for casual conversation with city officials.

Grant awarded to MSHH

For the ninth consecutive year, the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation has awarded a $5,000 grant to MS Helping Hands-MSHH headquartered in Edmonds. The grant will be used to help the MSHH Donor Closet provide durable medical equipment and mobility equipment to people with Multiple Sclerosis.

New addition to historic register

Edmonds mayor and former fire fighter Mike Cooper received a very special early holiday gift this year: a shiny bronze plaque officially recognizing his home as the newest addition to the Edmonds Register of Historic Places.

The home, known as The Palmer House, was built in 1895 for local dentist Dr. W. C. Palmer. It became the Cooper family home in 1965 when it was purchased by Jack and Betty Cooper, the mayor’s parents. Jack was fire chief of Edmonds.

CIVIC SERVICE

• The Greater Edmonds Chamber of Commerce is looking for volunteers at the Log Cabin Visitor’s Bureau in downtown Edmonds. The Log Cabin is open from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and Saturdays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. For more information, call 425-776-6711.

• The city of Edmonds Library Board is seeking a volunteer to fill one vacancy on the Board starting in February 2011. Applicants need not be residents of the City of Edmonds. Applications are available at City Hall, 121 fifth Ave. N, or via email at cole@ci.edmonds.wa.us or online at www.ci.edmonds.wa.us. Application deadline is 4:30 p.m. Jan. 27.

PUBLIC MEETINGS

SOUTH COUNTY

Community Transit Board of Directors, 3 p.m. Jan. 6 , 7100 Hardeson Rd., Everett.

Alderwood Water District Board of Commissioners, 5 p.m. Jan. 3, 3626 156 St. SW, Lynnwood.

Snohomish County Fire District 1 Board of Commissioners, 7 p.m. Jan. 4, 12425 Meridian Ave., Everett.

Snohomish County Public Utility District, Commission Meeting, 9 a.m. Jan 4, 2320 California St., Everett.

EDMONDS

www.ci.edmonds.wa.us

City Council, 7 p.m. Jan. 4, Council Chambers, 250 Fifth Ave. N. On the agenda: Public hearing on home occupations; discussion on a regional fire authority. Broadcast on Channel 21 at noon and 7 p.m. the following Wednesday, noon on Friday and Monday. Recent actions:

LYNNWOOD

www.ci.lynnwood.wa.us

City Council, 7 p.m. Jan. 10, Council Chambers, 19100 44th Ave. W. Business meetings are videotaped for broadcast on Comcast Channel 21, 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and 7 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sundays. Agendas and audio available at www.ci.lynnwood.wa.us/CouncilAgendas/AgendaSelect.aspx.

Parks &Recreation Board, 7 p.m. Jan. 4, Wickers Building at Heritage Park, 19921 Poplar Way.

MOUNTLAKE TERRACE

www.ci.mountlake-terrace.wa.us

City Council, 7 p.m. Jan. 3, Council Chambers, 6100 219th St. SW, Suite 200. Audio available at www.cityofmlt.com/cityServices/cityCouncil/councilMeetings.htm.

MILL CREEK

www.ci.cityofmillcreek.wa.us

City Council, 6 p.m. Jan. 4, City Hall, 15728 Main St.

Parks &Recreation, 5 p.m. Jan. 5, City Hall, 15728 Main St.

Youth Advisory Board, 3:30 p.m. Jan. 5, City Hall, 15728 Main St.

BRIER

www.ci.brier.wa.us

City Council, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 11, City Hall, 2901 228th St. SW.

Civil Service Commission, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 5, Council Chambers, 2901 228th St. SW.

WOODWAY

http://townofwoodway.com/

Town Council, 7 p.m. Jan. 5, Town Hall, 23920 113th Place W.

Planning Commission, 7 p.m. Jan. 5, Town Hall, 23920 113th Place W.