Business Briefs

Blazing Onion Burgers to open at Alderwood

LYNNWOOD — The Blazing Onion Burger Co., with restaurants in Mill Creek, Snohomish and Gig Harbor, is working to open its fourth eatery in the former Ruby’s Diner at Alderwood mall.

The restaurant will occupy 6,000 square feet at

the northwest corner of the mall, across from Loews Alderwood Mall 16 Cinema.

The newest Blazing Onion will feature a Coca-Cola Freestyle self-serve fountain drink dispenser that offers 100 flavor combinations available through a touch screen.

Owners David and Lorri Jones expect to hav

e the new restaurant open in early summer.

Fedelta Care Solutions comes to Snohomish County

EVERETT — Fedelta Care Solutions, a local, privately owned home care services company, has expanded into Snohomish County with a new branch office at 2707 Colby Ave., Suite 1118. Fe

delta also has offices in Seattle and Bellevue, and will open a new office in Tacoma in the spring of 2011.

According to Fedelta President and CEO Steve Meyer, the demand for home care services in Snohomish County has increased nearly 38 percent in the past 12 months. Fedelta’s expansion incl

udes the initial hiring of 22 additional care providers to serve clients in the county, plus four administrative staff members.

“While the economy in general is struggling, there is an increased demand for the particular services Fedelta offers,” Meyer said.

Fedelta Care Solutions employs registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and certified nurses’ assistants for in-home care. It also employs nonmedical companion caregivers.

For more information, go to www.fedeltacaresolutions.com.

The Everett Clinic is one of 100 best places to work

EVERETT — The Everett Clinic has been ranked among the 100 Best Companies to Work For by Fortune Magazine. The clinic is one of 13 health-care organizations nationally to make the list and one of the only medical groups on the West Coast.

It was ranked 91st overall. Fortune noted that the clinic pays 100 percent of employee health insurance premiums and provides 5 percent profit sharing.

Silvertips offer ticket discount to chambers

EVERETT — The Everett Silvertips hockey club offers a $6 discount to any chamber of commerce member for seats at four upcoming Western Hockey League games at Comcast Arena.

Chamber of commerce members can order tickets online get lower-level seats that are normally $20 (plus fees) for $14. Tickets must be ordered at least three days in advance of the game and are subject to prior sale.

The games dates are:

• Friday, Jan. 28 vs. Seattle;

• Friday, Feb. 11 vs. Spokane;

• Friday, Feb. 25 vs. Portland (Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County fundraiser; tickets regularly $19, with $5 going to help the DVS); and

• Saturday, March 12 vs. Portland.

Place a ticket order by going to www.everettsilvertips.com/chamber or call 425-609-2809 to order tickets for groups of 15 or more people.

Fred Meyer likes its new Lynnwood store

LYNNWOOD — The Northpointe Center, a new retail hub located at the corner of 164th Street SW and Alderwood Mall Parkway in north Lynnwood, is home to the new Fred Meyer, which celebrated its grand opening in September 2009.

This new shopping center is bucking the trend of the down economy. Northpointe Center is one of the only shopping centers under construction in the Puget Sound region and its tenants are doing quite well.

“This center has proven to be an outstanding location. We experienced one of our best grand openings at the Northpointe Center,” said Melinda Merrill, public relations director for Fred Meyer in Portland Ore.

“Although it’s been a difficult time to operate in the economic conditions of the region, we’ve been pleasantly surprised at the retail success of this center. While other developments’ leasing is lagging, that hasn’t been the case with the Northpointe Center,” said Mike Echelbarger, president of Echelbarger Investment and Northpointe developer.

Other Northpointe Center retailers include Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Great Clips and Subway. Five Guys Burgers and Fries is an East Coast chain with more than 700 locations. Their Northpointe Center store opened in September and is the sixth-highest U.S. store in terms of sales revenue.

Construction continues to expand Northpointe Center’s retail space, with completion forecast by the end of 2011.

Light Doctor revenue grows 70 percent, clients save energy

MOUNTLAKE TERRACE — Light Doctor LLC recently announced that company revenues grew 70 percent during calendar 2010. Moreover, the company’s efforts in doing lighting upgrades reduced electrical consumption for client companies by 17.7 million kilowatt hours.

Light Doctor’s efforts, in energy savings, are the equivalent of saving more than 11,800 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year or removing 1,889 cars from the road for one year.

Light Doctor’s rapid growth allowed the company to hire throughout the year and to expand its geographical coverage to cover entire Pacific Northwest.

Established in 1980, Light Doctor is the Northwest’s largest independent lighting contractor offering lighting retrofits, maintenance services and lighting products. For more information, go to www.lightdoctor.com.

ATS gets Boeing’s gold performance award

EVERETT — Aviation Technical Services announced that it has received a 2010 Boeing Performance Excellence Award for work performed by its Component Services business unit.

The Boeing Co. issues the award annually to recognize suppliers who have achieved superior performance. ATS maintained a “gold” composite performance rating for each month of the 12-month performance period, of Oct. 1, 2009, to Sept. 30, 2010.

This year, Boeing recognized 558 suppliers who achieved either a gold or silver level Boeing Performance Excellence Award. ATS is one of only 141 suppliers to receive the gold level of recognition.

ATS is an aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul company providing comprehensive component services to Boeing for their 717, 737, 747, 757, 767, 777 and 787 aircraft.

Earn a civil engineering degree at University Center

EVERETT — St. Martin’s University will offer a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering through the University Center of North Puget Sound at Everett Community College with classes starting in June 2011.

University Center will host information sessions about the program at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 22, 5 p.m. March 2 and 10 a.m. March 24 in EvCC’s Gray Wolf Hall, 2000 Tower St., Everett. The deadline for priority application for summer semester is April 15. Applicants must have completed the first two years of engineering classes.

All classes will be taught at the University Center’s campus in the evening or online, with some labs held at St. Martin’s Lacey campus on Saturdays. The program provides evening classes and is nationally accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology.

For information about St. Martin’s engineering degrees or the University Center, go to www.uceverett.org or call 425-259-8900.

Bottega Fitness training studio opens in Clearview

SNOHOMISH — Bottega Fitness, a personal training studio in Clearview, is a new kind of training studio. It’s located at 16510 Highway 9 SE Suite D, Snohomish.

Bottega Fitness has a warm, friendly environment and top-notch customer service. Its trainers are knowledgeable, professional and work with health care professionals to help participants reach their fitness goals. Bottega Fitness offers private personal training, functional fitness workouts and training, group exercise classes and sport-specific training. Each training session is made specifically for the individual so that they can reach their own specific fitness goals.

For more information, call 425-232-6898.

Storm Aquatics team swims, parties for food

Storm Aquatics, a local nonprofit competitive swim team, hosted a community food drive and pool party on Jan. 7 to help replenish supplies after the holidays at the Lake Stevens and Snohomish Food Banks.

Storm members are from Lake Stevens and surrounding communities.

The outpouring of support from team swimmers and their many friends who attended the pool party was overwhelming. More than 500 pounds of food and cash was divided between the two food banks. Three Lake Stevens businesses also hosted food collection bins: All Smiles Dentistry, Papas & Beer and Summit Rehabilitation.

Go to www.StormAquatics.net for event photos and team information.

Final two Swift bus stations are open

EVERETT — The southbound Swift stations on Evergreen Way at Pecks Drive and on Highway 99 at 112th Street SW opened with the start of service on Jan. 25.

In the past several weeks, Community Transit has opened corresponding Swift stations northbound on Highway 99 at 112th Street SW and northbound on Evergreen Way at Madison Street.

Swift now has 14 stops in each direction, plus terminals at Everett Station and Aurora Village. The four stations were part of the original plan for Swift, but were deferred due to funding. Everett Transit, which is responsible for funding Swift stations in the city, received a state grant to pay for the four new stations.

Swift is now Community Transit’s highest ridership route. It averages about 3,500 boardings daily, well above the 2,500 daily boardings that were projected after one year.

Hilton Garden Inn opens in Bothell

BOTHELL — The Hotel Group recently gathered at 22600 Bothell-Everett Highway to celebrate the grand opening of its Hilton Garden Inn Seattle/Bothell, the first Hilton brand hotel in the local market.

The new hotel officially opened its doors Oct. 14, 2010. The property features 128 guest rooms with 12 suites including three spa suites, an indoor pool and spa, fitness center, on-site Great American Grill and Lounge, complimentary and fully equipped 24-hour business center and wireless Internet access throughout the facility.

“With our corporate offices in Edmonds, we are extremely pleased to have the opportunity to manage a hotel in our back yard,” said Doug Dreher, THG president and CEO.

THG currently manages and/or owns 27 properties, representing 14 brands, in 10 states. For more information on the Hilton Garden Inn Seattle/Bothell, go to www.seattlebothell.hgi.com. For more information on THG, go to www.thehotelgroup.com.

Employers who hired select job seekers to get $43M tax break

OLYMPIA — Washington employers will save an estimated $43 million in federal taxes in 2010 because they hired certain hard-to-place job seekers.

The Work Opportunity Tax Credit provides up to $2,400 in tax savings per worker to businesses that hire veterans, the disabled, ex-inmates, food-stamp recipients and those who receive Supplemental Security Income.

The tax credit is obtained by submitting an application to the Washington State Employment Security Department, which works with other governmental agencies to certify the eligibility of hired workers.

The department received more than 47,000 applications for the 2010 credit from 3,800 Washington businesses, a 13 percent increase in participation from 2009. Additionally, some 16,800 workers were certified as eligible for the credit in 2010.

Businesses certified for the credit must complete IRS Form 5884 when submitting their federal income taxes.

Employers who want to participate in the program can call 800-669-9271 or go to www.worksource.wa.gov/taxcredits.

Trinity Lutheran adds cross country and golf

EVERETT — Trinity Lutheran College announced that it will add cross country and golf to its intercollegiate athletics program beginning in fall 2011.

Both programs will be open to men and women. Athletic talents awards are available. In addition to competing on a national level, the teams will emphasize leadership and service, two hallmarks of Trinity’s educational programs.

Team coaches are currently being recruited. Trinity hopes to name the coaches by late February.

The teams will compete as part of the National Christian College Athletic Association Division I. The new teams join Trinity’s men’s and women’s intercollegiate soccer teams, which were added in 2010.

Prospective student-athletes can contact the Office of Admissions at 800-843-5659 or athletics@tlc.edu. For more information about the college, go to www.tlc.edu.

Boeing, Ethiopian Airlines, Seattle Anesthesia Outreach partner for relief flight

SEATTLE — For the second time in less than two months, Boeing, Ethiopian Airlines and Seattle Anesthesia Outreach have partnered to deliver medical equipment to Black Lion Hospital, Ethiopia’s largest hospital. The first consignment was delivered in December.

Approximately 2,700 pounds of medical supplies were loaded into the cargo hold of a new Boeing 777-200LR (longer range) delivered to Ethiopian Airlines on Jan. 26. Some of the supplies, such as electrical converters and other power items, supplement the anesthesia equipment transported in December.

“Through collaborative efforts such as this, Boeing is able to help bring relief to people around the world. Black Lion Hospital provides free medical care to the poor and this equipment will improve capabilities there,” said Liz Warman, director of Boeing Global Corporate Citizenship for the Northwest region.

The supplies will prove vital when a group of 28 Seattle doctors, nurses and technicians travel to Ethiopia in February as part of ongoing humanitarian support to that region.

Since 1992, Boeing and airline partners as well as non-profit partners in the Humanitarian Delivery Flights program have collaborated on many humanitarian missions.

Ethiopian Airlines is committed to support worthy social activities, which are designed to help build sustainable livelihoods for individuals and the community.

Meyers and Avery can practice before VA

EVERETT — Attorneys Barry Meyers and Steven Avery of the Elder Law Offices of Meyers & Avery have received accreditation by the Department of Veterans Affairs to represent veterans and their spouses with claims for veteran’s benefits. Accredited attorneys with the federal agency are required to be certified annually and to complete continuing legal education courses.

Meyers and Avery will counsel clients regarding eligibility for the Aid and Attendance Pension. This program provides cash assistance to veterans and their spouses to help with the expenses of long-term care. Eligibility includes criteria regarding the date of military service and financial considerations such as income and assets. Veterans and their spouses must weigh the benefits of this program with other assistance programs such as Medicaid.

ACI Lynnwood Clinic sets grand opening

LYNNWOOD — ACI Clinic & Wellness Center will celebrate its grand opening on Jan. 29, just before the lunar New Year, the Year of the Rabbit.

Formerly named Acupuncture & Chiropractic Integrative Clinic, ACI Clinic has concentrated on high quality family care and holistic solutions. ACI Clinic specializes in pain relief, weight loss, fertility and anti-cancer and longevity medicine by providing multiple alternative treatments including acupuncture, chiropractic, therapeutic exercise, Chinese herbal medicine, supplements, Chinese massage and foot reflexology.

In 2010, ACI expanded its business and set up its second wellness center in Lynnwood. The owners, Dr. Ke Zang and his wife Dr. Allison Zang-Greene, found experienced practitioners to join the ACI Team, including Dr. Jason Silliker, Dr. Satomi Sunaga and Summer Nemri. Additionally, ACI Clinic added more affordable services, such as community acupuncture ($25 per session), foot reflexology ($25 per hour) and acupressure and massage ($50 per hour).

For more information, go to www.aciclinic.com or call 425-778-1188.

United Way offers free tax preparation

United Way of Snohomish County will expand free tax preparation and electronic filing services, seeking to help more individuals and families claim tax refunds and credits.

Certified volunteers prepared 1,657 tax returns in 2010 at United Way tax preparation sites for a total of $2.9 million in refunds.

United Way hopes to increase its reach by operating five preparation sites countywide this year. The sites opened Jan. 25. Trained and certified volunteers will be on hand to complete basic income tax returns through April 15. No appointment is necessary. Free tax preparation services will be available at:

• Cedar Valley Community School, 19200 56th Ave. W., Lynnwood: 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays through April 14;

• Frank Wagner Elementary, 115 Dickinson Road, Monroe: 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays through April 14;

• Marysville Middle School, 4923 67th St. NE, Marysville: 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays through April 13;

• North Middle School, 2514 Rainier Ave., Everett: 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays through April 13; and

• South Everett Foursquare, 14 E. Casino Road, Everett: 2 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays through April 15.

Tax clients must bring:

• A valid picture ID;

• W-2 and 1099 forms showing all income;

• Social Security cards(s) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITIN) for you, your spouse, children and other dependents; and

• Bank account information for a direct deposit or tax return — a copy of a valid check (a bank account is not needed to get a refund).

This campaign prepares basic and limited Schedule Cs. United Way has volunteers who speak a number of languages. Call 211 for more information.

Choice & Consequence gets grants for youth

MOUNT VERNON — Nonprofit organization Choice & Consequence has received grants from the Tulalip Tribe Charitable Fund, the Nysether Family Foundation and The Everett Clinic Foundation for The Real Inside Story (for grades 4-12) and new Body Buddy (for grades K-3) programs to be delivered to 16 Snohomish County low-income schools.

Nurse Colleen Williams “The Organ Lady” uses healthy and damaged human organs to inspire hope in children to build a healthy life. The organs, scientific facts, humor, storytelling, interactive activities and an unforgettable hands-on component combine to empower youth to make better choices. The organization served 19,000 youth last year and is targeting low income schools to help reduce the health disparities in these high-risk groups.

Teachers in Snohomish County schools with free or reduced price meal rates of greater than 50 percent may schedule TRIS and/or BB at their school for no charge by calling 360-422-5704. Funding is based on a first-come, first-served basis. Visit the web site for more information about the organization or to make a tax-deductible donation to help educate youth about building healthy futures. www.choiceandconsequence.org

Community Transit has new storytelling project

EVERETT — She said, “If Community Transit doesn’t go there, then neither do I.”

She was an elegant senior who never learned to drive. She had used public transit for her entire life, expressing in her own words what Community Transit meant to her.

She was sharing her story.

While this story happened a few years ago and wasn’t officially recorded, it was passed from employee to employee and an idea was born: Community Transit impacts so many lives; those stories should be collected.

The agency has launched a project to gather and share stories that express the importance of public transportation to individuals, in their own words.

Some stories are posted at www.communitytransit.org/storytelling and www.youtube.com/communitytransit. If you have a good transit story, or know someone who does, send an e-mail to storytelling@commtrans.org with your anecdote. Staff can arrange to meet you and videotape your story for the agency’s storytelling testimonial page.

Kidder Mathews creates new brand

SEATTLE — Kidder Mathews, a West Coast commercial real estate services firm, and the largest independent firm in the Northwest, has changed its name from GVA Kidder Mathews to Kidder Mathews and created a new branded look and website.

The firm has also dropped its affiliation with the GVA Worldwide network, which has diminished significantly in North America over the last 18 months.

Kidder Mathews has five offices in the greater Seattle area, one in Portland, Ore., and three in the greater San Francisco Bay Area.

SBA announces mentor program for businesses

The U.S. Small Business Administration is accepting grant funding proposals from eligible and well-established national organizations interested in providing training, guidance, counseling, mentoring and procurement assistance to small businesses in teaming arrangements, which may be in the form of a joint venture or prime and subcontractor relationship, under its new Small Business Teaming Pilot program.

The Small Business Teaming Pilot program was established by Congress under the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010. Under this new program, the SBA expects to make 10 to 20 grant awards of $250,000 to $500,000 totaling up to $5 million for fiscal year 2011.

To be eligible for these grant awards, an applicant must:

• Be a private, nonprofit or for-profit entity;

• Have been in existence continually for the past three years;

• Have experience dealing with issues relating to small business on a national level; and

• Demonstrate that it has the capacity to provide assistance to small businesses.

Applicant organizations selected for these awards must leverage the funding received by the SBA by working in conjunction with SBA’s district offices and other federal, state, local and tribal government small-business development programs, including: Procurement Technical Assistance Centers, SBA resource partners such as SCORE, Small Business Development Centers, Women’s Business Centers, Veterans Business Outreach Centers, 7(j) technical assistance providers, universities and private organizations such as chambers of commerce and trade and industry groups and associations.

All proposals must be submitted electronically at www.grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. Feb. 25. For more information, go to www.sba.gov/teaming.

Stealth endorse Top Pot Doughnuts

EVERETT — Global Spectrum, management for Comcast Arena at Everett, announced that Top Pot Doughnuts has been named the official coffee and doughnut for the Washington Stealth.

Top Pot Doughnuts are now sold at Comcast Arena at Everett at every game and are available in Snohomish County at the University Book Store at Mill Creek Town Center.

Washington Stealth tickets are available by calling 877-MY-75-TIX.

Dress Dash raises $11,000 for charity

Global Spectrum and MOViN 92.5 FM hosted the fourth annual Dress Dash at the Comcast Arena at Everett on Jan. 15, an event that gives brides the opportunity to find the dress of their dreams for only $150.

The line began forming at 11 the night before. When doors opened at 8 a.m., nearly 350 people were lined up and ready to sprint in search of the perfect dress. Sixty-four gowns were sold, raising $11,340 for the Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation.

The Dress Dash is held in association with the Northwest Bridal Showcase in the Edward D. Hansen Conference Center, with these two events forming one of the largest bridal showcases in the Northwest.

Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to granting wishes, including memory-making events, for stage IV breast cancer patients. For more information about the Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation, go to www.makingmemories.org.

PUD launches Time to Play! online campaign

EVERETT — It’s Time to Play! Snohomish County Public Utility District has launched a lively new campaign to alert customers to a broad range of programs and resources for energy-savings, electrical safety, storm preparedness and other valuable information.

The yearlong Time to Play! campaign features games, puzzles, contests and other fun, interactive activities for PUD customers. Go to www.snopud.com/fun for games, riddles, quarterly prize drawings and a free activity calendar.

Highlights in the coming months:

• Visit the PUD website on Jan. 28, April 14, July 13 and Oct. 12 to enter a drawing for a basket of energy-saving goodies.

• Download and print the PUD Conservation Sensation boy from the PUD website and then send the utility a creative photo of him in a unique or faraway location. All entrants will receive a deck of conservation playing cards. Look for the best photos online.

• Help the PUD name its newest recreation site at Spada Lake, site of the Jackson Hydro Project. Vote online, by March 31, at www.snopud.com/jhp.

Throughout the year, the PUD will engage customers in interactive games, puzzles, riddles and more.

For more information, go to www.snopud.com/fun.

Compass Health unveils new website

EVERETT — Compass Health has launched a new website for its agency, www.compasshealth.org.

The new website complements the agency’s mission of championing the quest for well-being through our communities as users are able to find out information about Compass as an organization, learn about and apply for job opportunities, register for training classes and participate in our development activities.

The development of the website was conducted by a dedicated team of Compass Health staff along with the local consulting firm of Dykeman.

Compass Health serves individuals and families in Snohomish, Island, Skagit and San Juan counties. For more information, call 425-349-6200 or go to www.compasshealth.org.

Bethany gets grant from The Everett Clinic Foundation

EVERETT — The Everett Clinic Foundation has awarded Bethany of the Northwest a $12,000 grant for its Dignity Project, which provides goods and services that honor, respect and provide for the quality of life of Bethany residents.

The funds will be used to purchase mattresses for one floor at Bethany at Pacific.

The Everett Clinic Foundation was established in 1994 by clinic staff and physicians. The goal of the foundation is to provide ongoing philanthropic support to charitable organizations in Snohomish County.

For more information about Bethany’s Dignity Project, call 425-551-6403.

Edward Jones named to Fortune Magazine’s ‘Best Companies to Work For’ list again

The financial-services firm Edward Jones ranked No. 11 on Fortune magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For 2011” list in its 12th appearance on the prestigious list, according to Edward Jones financial adviser James Kellett.

Edward Jones also ranked No. 2 for large-sized companies and No. 9 for work-life balance. The firm was the highest ranking financial services firm on the list.

Edward Jones’ 12 Fortune rankings include top 10 finishes for eight years and consecutive No. 1 rankings in 2002 and 2003 and consecutive No. 2 rankings in 2009 and 2010.

To pick the 100 Best Companies to Work For, Fortune partners with the Great Place to Work Institute to conduct the most extensive employee survey in corporate America. A total of 311 companies participated in this year’s survey. Two-thirds of a company’s score is based on the results of the institute’s Trust Index survey, which is sent to a random sample of employees from each company. The survey asks questions related to their attitudes about management’s credibility, job satisfaction and camaraderie. The other third of the scoring is based on the company’s responses to the institute’s Culture Audit, which includes detailed questions about pay and benefit programs and a series of open-ended questions about hiring practices, internal communications, training, recognition programs and diversity efforts.

From SCBJ news services