People
Coast|Sperry Van Ness of Everett announced that Zach Schwarzmiller has joined the firm as an advisor. He will specialize in working with buyers and sellers of apartment properties under 25 units in size in south Snohomish County.
Matthew Weston, owner of Fowler Portraits in Edmonds, won a Grand Imaging Award last week in the Professional Photographers of America international photographic competition in New Orleans. Weston was second in of a field of 4,000 entries, and two of his photographs were selected to be part of the prestigious Loan Collection. Weston has worked at Fowler Portraits since 1986 and has owned the studio since 1991.
Lorry Green, Brittani Pruett and Hollie Leach of Snohomish County’s Elle Marie Hair Studios are now Redken-certified hair colorists, recognized for their color expertise and commitment to excellence. They have the latest information on hair-color products, trends and techniques. The three traveled to Los Angeles last October for testing and learned the results in January. They are now taking appointments.
Events
Community members who serve on nonprofit boards are invited to attend the Leadership Snohomish County Community Board Training Event on Feb. 28 from 4-8 p.m. The event is offered once a year to provide community members with tips and tools to serve as effective board members. It is also an opportunity to meet members of the Leadership Snohomish County Class and recruit them as board members for your organization. Seating is limited. Cost is $65. Register online www.leadershipsc.org.
Good Morning, Snohomish County! will meet at 7:30 a.m. Feb. 10 at the Everett Golf &Country Club. Online registration is available until Feb. 8. The event is presented by Firestone Complete Auto Care and T-Mobile. Bring at least 40 business cards for networking and be prepared to talk about your business. For more information, go online at www.economicalliancesc.org or email KellieS@economicalliancesc.org.
The Washington State Floor Covering Association will return to the Lynnwood Convention Center on Feb. 29 with the Market-NW Design Showcase of Interior Solutions. The trade show showcases interior finish solutions with a focus on floor covering. The no-cost event is open to designers, flooring sales people and business owners, installers, architects, builders and inspectors. For more information, visit www.wsfca.org or call 425-885-0012.
The Department of Labor &Industries is holding four public hearings seeking comment on rules related to structured settlement agreements for worker-compensation claims. A structured settlement is an agreement between the worker, the employer and L&I to resolve future non-medical benefits on a claim. The hearings will be Feb. 21-22 in Vancouver, Tukwila, Tumwater and Spokane. For times and locations, please visit www.lni.wa.gov.
Snohomish County Business Watch, a group of business owners and representatives who plan to meet regularly with police to discuss crime prevention, will have its first general meeting Feb. 7 at the Port of Everett offices from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The first topic is “Crime Prevention through Environmental Design.” Lunch is provided by Scuttlebutt Brewing Company. Cost is $5 per person. For more information or to RSVP, go to www.TheSCBW.org.
Rich Barton, founder of Expedia.com and co-founder of Zillow, is the keynote speaker at the Startup Conference Seattle at the Westin Seattle on Feb 16. The Startup Conference is dedicated to spreading entrepreneurship and helps founders learn how to launch their startup, attract press attention and raise money. Cost is $100. For more information, go to thestartupconference.com/seattle, email info@foundrs.com or call 408-667-5118.
The Brides on a Budget bridal expo had been rescheduled for Feb. 11-12 from noon to 6 p.m. It will coincide with the first annual Gifts for Your Gal gift fair. The event is at The Landing at Arlington Airport, 19010 59th Drive NE, Arlington. Vendor spaces are available for $150 for a double space or $75 for a single. For more information about upcoming events or rental information, call Shannon at B-Ink Events, 360-386-8742, or email ShannonB-ink@hotmail.com.
Classes
Sultan Mayor Carolyn Eslick and the Sky Valley Chamber of Commerce are hosting a free workshop on business finance and taxes. Presented by the state Department of Revenue and Employment Security Department, the event will be held at the Sultan Community Center, 319 Main St., from 1-4 p.m. Thursday. Space is limited. Contact the Sky Valley Chamber of Commerce at 360-793-0983 or email debbie@skyvalleyvic.net by Feb. 8 for more information.
The contracting community can find out more about Washington Procurement Technical Assistance Center classes and other events in the region by going to www.washingtonptac.org. Upcoming classes include Completing Your CCR, DSBS &ORCA Prep at Economic Alliance Snohomish County in Everett on Feb. 21. Register at www.ptassist.com.
Kudos
Cascade Companion Care of Arlington has announced that it has been recognized with Home Care Pulse’s “Best of Home Care” distinction. The award identifies those agencies in private duty home care that demonstrated a passion for client and employee satisfaction. Founded in 2010, Cascade Companion Care allows elderly clients to maintain as much independence as possible through personalized home care services.
Through an innovative approach to recycling, food donations and composting, four Albertsons stores in the greater Seattle area have achieved a significant waste reduction milestone. The stores located in Kirkland/Juanita, Milton, Mountlake Terrace and Woodinville join a handful of others nationwide to achieve a total waste diversion rate of over 90 percent. As a result, these businesses have combined to divert a total of 2.6 million pounds of waste annually from landfills.
Local business owner Rani Bal recently celebrated the third anniversary of her Signs Now center, at 18002 Bothell-Everett Highway, Suite 6. As part of the company’s three-year anniversary celebration, the team at Signs Now Mill Creek ran a social media campaign and have hit 3,000 fans on Facebook. For more information, call (425) 481-4900, e-mail lobby@signsnowmillcreek.com or visit the company website at www.SignsNowMillCreek.com.
The Future of Flight Aviation Center &Boeing Tour enjoyed a record year in 2011. The attraction welcomed 207,020 visitors from around the world, a 10.6 percent increase in attendance over the previous year. It also generated a 28 percent increase in revenues. Gross revenues have exceeded the original business plan by $426,000.
Washington successfully executed the country’s largest tax-exempt competitive bond sale since the economic collapse in 2008. The $978 million bond sale marked the state’s largest refunding in history. Savings exceeded $154 million, a major milestone for Washington taxpayers. State treasurer James McIntire said the savings is a reminder that strong financial management has a real dollar value to taxpayers.
Announcements
Maggie Torza, owner of Miss Maggie’s Desserts in Snohomish, is testing a virtual shopping cart on her website so customers can order her sweets online. She is also looking for a commercial kitchen to rent in Sultan. Torza is a member of GROW Washington, a retail outlet business incubator in Snohomish, founded by Sultan Mayor Carolyn Eslick.
Edmonds Public Facilities District’s Edmonds Center for the Arts is seeking proposals from qualified consultants or consultant teams to develop a three to five-year strategic and business plan. The deadline for submission is 5 p.m. on Feb. 29. Submit proposals to: Edmonds Public Facilities District/Edmonds Center for the Arts Strategic and Business Planning Committee, 410 4th Ave. N., Edmonds, WA, 98020.
The state Department of Revenue has published online the 2012 edition of its compilation of tax exemptions, credits and preferential tax rates. The report, which the department is required by law to release every four years, presents a detailed listing of tax exemptions for state and local taxes. It lists 640 exemptions but focuses on 452 that would likely increase state revenue if eliminated.
Farmers in Snohomish, Skagit, Whatcom, San Juan and Island counties are eligible to apply for federal disaster support, according to Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Wash. The counties are included in a list designated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as primary natural disaster areas due to agriculture losses caused by excessive rain, flooding, below-normal temperatures, high winds, frosts and freezes in 2011. Farmers who need guidance or assistance can contact their local Farm Service Agency or call Larsen’s office at 425-252-3188.
The Smith Travel Research Report for December 2011 shows Snohomish County on a slight up trend. The county was up 0.4 percent in occupancy over the previous year, finishing at 48.2 percent.
Good deeds
Windermere Property Management/Lori Gill &Associates helped celebrate the holiday season by donating $9,400 to local service organizations via the Windermere Foundation. Recipients included Sultan Boys and Girls Club. The office is currently holding a clothing and household goods drive to benefit the Northwest Center.
Send your Biz Bits news and color photos by email to economy@heraldnet.com or by mail to The Herald, P.O. Box 930, Everett, WA 98206.
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