Little Red School House gets $30,000 grant to upgrade computer equipment
Little Red School House has received a $30,000 grant from the Employees Community Fund of Boeing — Puget Sound to upgrade computer and technology equipment for the staff. The nonprofit organization provides services to children up through age three who have developmental disabilities, developmental delays, or who are at risk of falling behind their peers in learning.
The agency’s service team intends to use the grant money to become mobile by buying laptops with docking stations, plus cell phones and making upgrades to their technology infrastructure.
“We believe this IT project will allow us to match our technology and business infrastructure to our service model and become the most effective and efficient that we can possibly be,” said Executive Director Terry Clark.
Little Red School House is also leveraging a new collaborative partnership developed as a result of Leadership Snohomish County and The Boeing Company. The newly launched pilot program, Leading Change Volunteer Project, matches employees of Boeing’s largest young professional organization, REACH, with a local nonprofit to complete meaningful projects in Snohomish County. The new joint venture is intended to spearhead design and implementation of Little Red’s technology project.
Little Red School House has served Snohomish County for 46 years. The main office is in Everett with an additional office in Lynnwood.
Hotel occupancy down but Snohomish Co. ahead of King Co. in average daily rates
A Smith Travel Research report for August 2009 indicates that hotel occupancy for Snohomish County is down nine percent over the same period last year. Compared to other participating counties, Snohomish County is third in occupancy, which is up from the previous month. A year-to-date analysis through August showed the county also held a 62.8 percent overall occupancy rate, below 2008 levels.
By comparison, nearby tourism competitor King County was down 8.6 percent over last year but the average daily rate or ADR there was down 15.5 percent while in Snohomish County ADR is down just 12 percent. Smith Travel Research has been analyzing global tends in the lodging industry more than 25 years.
Providence Physician Group sleep health services now at three locations
Providence Physician Group Sleep Health Clinic, formerly located at Providence Regional Medical Center’s Pacific Avenue campus, will now see patients in North Everett, Mill Creek and Monroe. The clinic, which treats sleep disorders such as insomnia, snoring, sleep apnea, and narcolepsy, will still refer patients to the Sleep Health Institute at the Providence Regional Pacific Avenue campus.
Lori Asmus, clinic administrator for Monroe and Snohomish clinics, as well as the Sleep Health Institute and associated Sleep Clinics explained that the expansion would allow physicians to reach more patients.
The Sleep Health Institute’s new medical director, Gandis Mazeika, MD, said, “We are excited to see our sleep health services grow in Snohomish County. Poor sleep can contribute to many health issues, and can be easily diagnosed and treated in patients.”
According to Mazeika, 20 percent of adults suffer from sleep apnea, but only two percent are actually diagnosed. More information about the centers or about sleep disorders is available online at www.ProvPG.com. Providence Physician Group is a network of 23 medical clinics in six Snohomish County communities, with more than 80 physicians and mid-level providers.
New WorkSource Sky Valley office will serve eastern Snohomish County
WorkSource Sky Valley has opened in Monroe to serve eastern Snohomish County residents with services such as job search assistance, resume writing workshops, and skills upgrade and training opportunities.
“We’ve long wanted to find a way to bring WorkSource services to rural parts of Snohomish County,” explained Sue Ambler, CEO of Workforce Development Council Snohomish County. “WorkSource Sky Valley brings this goal into fruition.”
According to Bill Dehmer, head administrator at the Sky Valley Community Services Office, having WorkSource in the Sky Valley area will provide needed services for job seekers and businesses while strengthening collaboration with other agencies, such as the Monroe campus of Everett Community College, Take the Next Step, and Volunteers of America in Sultan. The office will be open Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Premera Blue Cross $100,000 grant supports heart attack education
The Cardiac Level I Network, a regional collaborative focused on improving both the quality and clinical outcomes for people experiencing a heart attack, recently received a $100,000 grant from Premera Blue Cross in support of the their regional cardiac community education and outreach program.
Premera’s grant will fund a part-time community educator for one year to develop strategies, messages, and materials to educate communities in Snohomish, Island, Skagit and San Juan counties regarding the Cardiac Level 1 Network.
The medical servicves network is a collaboration of hospitals and emergency services providers who have developed streamlined processes to ensure that heart attack patients get the best coordinated care within the shortest amount of time. The education focuses on calling 911 at the first signs of a heart attack as every minute counts in preserving heart muscle.
“Premera’s grant reflects their overall commitment to funding important health care initiatives in our region,” said Mark Donaldson, CEO of the Northwest Cardiovascular Network, a founding sponsor of the Cardiac Level 1 Network. “It’s this kind of collaboration among healthcare providers and insurers that make our region the state’s leader in quality cardiac care.”
$1.5 milion awarded to county for aerospace training programs
Washington state has tagged $1.5 in federal Workforce Investment Act funds to support Washington state aerospace training programs. Out of that amount, $600,000 will go to developing aerospace centers in Snohomish County and Spokane for joint industry-college training programs. The rest will pay for training equipment, career guidance and other aerospace training programs.
Locally, the funds will support Everett Community College’s Aviation Maintenance Technology School at Paine Field and the Washington Aerospace Training and Research Center. Also, the Aerospace Futures Alliance (AFA) will lease part of a 30,000-square-foot facility at Paine Field to be operated as a centralized training center for new aerospace industry programs that don’t currently exist in the state and are needed to keep aerospace workers competitive with other areas. A similar center will be located at Spokane International Airport.
Boeing reports $1.6 billion loss due to delays on 787 and 747-8 programs
The Boeing Co.’s third-quarter loss reached $1.6 billion, higher than analysts had anticipated, after writing off losses on its delayed 787 and 747-8 programs. Boeing CEO Jim McNerney, noted the 787 Dreamliner’s long-delayed first test flight is planned before year’s end. Once the company completes its six-plane flight test program, it can begin delivery of aircraft to customers.
Also, Boeing announced Oct. 28 that it would build its second 787 production line at its Boeing Charleston plant in South Carolina. McNerney said the company’s second line would help bring in much needed cash much sooner as the company works to overcome more than two years of delay in the program. Boeing booked 96 orders for commercial jets in the first nine months of the year, with 17 cancellations, for a backlog of $320 billion in new planes.
EvCC’s Aviation Maintenance Technician School gets 747 jet engine
Students from Everett Community College’s Aviation Maintenance Technician School will train on a Pratt &Whitney JT-9D 747 freighter engine this fall thanks to a donation from Boeing. The engine is the foundation of all engines for modern wide-body jets today, providing an extremely valuable learning tool for students.
Everett Community College President David Beyer said, “Hands-on experience training with the technology that the aerospace industry is using to manufacture and maintain airplanes will better prepare our students for the workforce.”
Scott Carson, CEO and president of Boeing Commercial Airplanes said that a well-trained workforce is also vital for the future as local aerospace continues to face intense world competition. The engine was officially donated at a ceremony over the summer that was attended by Washington State Gov. Christine Gregoire among other dignitaries.The 2,040-hour, eight-quarter aviation maintenance technology program is FAA certified. More than 70 students are enrolled in the program that supplies graduates to the aviation industry both locally and abroad. The Aviation Maintenance Technician School has been in existence for 40 years.
Whidbey Island Bank gets superior rating for financial strength and stability
A 5-Star rating has been awarded to Whidbey Island Bank by Florida-based BauerFinancial, Inc., a leading independent bank and credit union rating and research firm. It is the 24th consecutive quarter that the local bank has earned this particular honor.
BauerFinancial, Inc. pointed to Whidbey Island Bank’s financial strength and stability when making the announcement. According to Karen L. Dorway, president of BauerFinancial, Inc., Whidbey Island Bank has avoided the lending and underwriting problems that have plagued much of the banking industry.
“It is clear that the staff of Whidbey Island Bank, under the direction of Mr. Jack L. Wagner, CEO, remains diligent in adhering to sound banking principles and standards,” Dorway said.
Whidbey Island Bank was established in 1961. It currently operates through 18 offices in five counties and can also be found on the internet at www.wibank.com. The 5-Star rating indicates that Whidbey Island Bank is one of the strongest banks in the nation.
ITT Technical Institute offering new Paralegal Studies associate’s degree
ITT Technical Institute in Everett has a new associate’s degree program in Paralegal Studies in its School of Criminal Justice. Graduates can pursue career opportunities in a variety of entry-level positions such as corporate paralegal, real estate paralegal, contract administrator and legal assistant. Employment of paralegals is projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations from 2009 through 2016, according to figures from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
ITT Tech’s Paralegal Studies program is designed to help students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. It includes coursework in areas such as ethics, legal research, writing and law office technology. Instruction is also offered in specific areas of the law, including criminal law, corporate law and litigation.
ITT Educational Services, Inc. owns and operates more than 105 ITT Technical Institutes in 37 states across the country, including the school in Everett. The company offers career-focused, technology-oriented programs of study that have been designed to teach knowledge and skills used in industry.
New U-Haul location opens in Granite Falls
Just Tires in Granite Falls recently added U-Haul rentals. This is welcome news to customers along Highway 92 who previously had to go into Lake Stevens or Marysville to pick up or drop off U-Haul trucks and trailers. Just Tires has been owned and operated by husband and wife team Kenneth and Deanna Oliveira since 2003.
“Partnering with U-Haul is an opportunity to add to the services we offer our community,” the Oliveiras said in a prepared statement. “Anything we can do to bring more customers to the shop will only increase business.”
Just Tires and U-Haul of Granite Falls also carries other moving supplies such as boxes, furniture pads, appliance dollies, furniture dollies, tow dollies and auto transports. U-Haul has also recently added a second dealer in Lake Stevens and a new dealer in Marysville.
Global Spectrum at Comcast Arena partners with Everett Symphony
Global Spectrum, managers of the Comcast Arena in Everett has announced a partnership with the Everett Symphony in order to support arts in the local community. The company will provide marketing support to the Everett Symphony for their 2009-10 Family Together Concerts. Music for this popular series has featured The Magical Music of Walt Disney and will later include Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker, and Cirque de la Symphonie.
“We are pleased to help the Everett Symphony thrill children of all ages with music and to encourage them to become lifelong music lovers,” said Kim Bedier, Global Spectrum’s general manager. “These programs may change a child’s life by igniting a desire to become a musician, dancer, singer or even a circus performer!”
Dr. Paul-Elliott Cobbs, music director and conductor of the Everett Symphony said the symphony brings a Carnegie Hall level of music to the entire community. “Our Family Together Concerts are a wonderful addition to a remarkable season,” Cobb said.
Music Education Fairs are also to be held in conjunction with each of the events. The goal of the partnership is to introduce children and youth to the opportunities to access music either as promising musicians or as music lovers.
Global Spectrum is a fast growing firm in the public assembly facility management field. It has more than 70 facilities throughout the United States and Canada. The Everett Symphony has been inspiring Everett audiences for more than 70 years. It also performed throughout Europe and at Carnegie Hall.
Energy Management degree available at Edmonds Community College
Those looking for green career training can now take a new two-year Energy Management degree from Edmonds Community College. The degree is designed to teach individuals skills suited for working in the green industry. It is also beneficial for those who plan to take on new responsibilities in energy efficiency at their workplace.
According to Edmonds Community College, a recent study by the state’s Employment Security Department identified 47,000 green jobs in Washington State ranging from computer software engineers for the smart grid to power line workers, green building architects and weatherization technicians.
This means more job opportunities for qualified applicants. The Energy Management degree curriculum includes information about where the region’s energy comes from, what it is used for, and how to monitor energy programs. Students will learn how to manage and account for energy use as well as to lead projects, analyze data, and create reports.
Most classes for the Energy Management degree are offered in the evenings and online in order to serve those who are currently employed. Certificates can be completed in six months or less. More information is available online at www.edcc.edu/energy.
Edmonds Cascade Symphony reveals season’s premier sponsor
Edmonds’ Cascade Symphony Orchestra has announced that Comprehensive Wealth Management of Lynnwood will serve as the group’s premier sponsor for the 2009-2010 concert season that opens on Nov. 2.The company has been very supportive of local community programs, particularly those that benefit youth.
Sno-Isle Library’s free tools and resources help local residents in tough economic times
Sno-Isle Library system has introduced a new Web page dedicated to making life easier for Snohomish County residents who want to search for a job, get small business help, stay on a budget, do-it-yourself home repair, plan free activities for the family, and more.
The Web page entitled “Tools for Tough Times: We Have What You Need” contains a comprehensive selection of recommended books and Web sites selected by Sno-Isle’s reference librarians.
While people can do searches for themselves online, Sno-Isle’s premium content comes from known and trusted sources that have been vetted by professional librarians. It saves a lot of wasted time by weeding out bogus sites.
Sno-Isle Libraries also offer programs designed to provide professional guidance to the community such as workshops led by a job search strategist, a financial advisor, or worker retraining representatives from area community colleges. More information is available online at www.sno-isle.org
Calyptix Security and IntegrIT Network Solutions, Inc. set up partnership agreement
Internet Security firm, Calyptix Security, has partnered with IntegrIT Network Solutions, Inc., a leading provider of IT support services for Small Businesses in Snohomish and King Counties.
The partners will offer comprehensive security, services, resources, and expertise to area businesses. They will also integrate the AccessEnforcer™ Internet security product into their clients’ networks with Microsoft’s Small Business Server, Essential Business Server and other technology solutions. This should provide a more efficient alternative to traditional vendor support.
“We’re excited about the opportunity this partnership presents to deliver a solution purposely built for small and medium businesses and the network infrastructure they depend on,” said Larry Owens, President of IntegrIT Network Solutions, Inc.
Judd &Black golf tournament donation to benefit Christmas House
Bob Long of Judd &Black has presented a $2,000 check to Jeremy Oshie, Unit Director of North Everett Boys &Girls Club in support of its involvement with Christmas House. The presentation came at the conclusion of the company’s annual charity golf tournament, held at Battle Creek Golf Course in Marysville. Christmas House is a growing non-profit charity that was formed in 1981. Last year it provided holiday gifts to 9,511 children and more than 3,302 low-income families throughout Snohomish County.
Town Center Toys opens in Mill Creek Town Center
Just in time for holiday shopping, a new toy store has opened in Mill Creek Town Center. Town Center Toys is owned by Chris and Carrie Kuehn.
“We always thought that Town Center would be a great place for a toy store. We love shopping and eating here with our five-year-old daughter, and we see so many families with children. A specialty toy store seemed like a natural fit,” Carrie Kuehn said.
The company will feature unique, high-quality, and award-winning toys from companies such as Haba, Plan Toys, Mudpuppy, Sevi, and many other quality brands. The Kuehns plan to offer toys designed for open-ended, intelligent play that can encourage creative thinking. Town Center Toys is located inside Lil Lads ‘n Lasses at Mill Creek Town Center on Main Street.
Lynnwood seeks identity, launches citywide branding project
Lynnwood has launched an intensive nine-month branding program designed to define what Lynnwood means to residents, businesses and visitors and to promote the city’s identity so it can stand out in the local marketplace. The city partnered with North Star Destination Strategies on the project.
“Your brand is what people say about you when you’re not around. In other words, your reputation,” said Don McEachern, CEO of North Star. “People and business define a city without ever visiting based wholly on the word-of-mouth about it. Branding is what you do to change or refine that message. We are delighted to be working with Lynnwood in this capacity.”
Lynnwood Mayor Don Gough said he has every confidence in North Star’s ability to guide the community through the branding effort. The company has already has helped develop community brands for more than 100 cities in 25 states nationwide.
“We have a lot to be proud of here in Lynnwood,” Gough said. “We just need to let everyone know that.”
More information about Lynnwood’s branding project is available online at www.brandlynnwood.com.
MountainCrest Credit Union announces participation in the CO-OP Network
MountainCrest Credit Union announced that it is now part of the CO-OP Financial Services Network, making more than 28,000 sur-charge free ATMs available to its membership. The network ATMs are located at credit unions and at selected Seven Elevens, benefitting members who will no longer be limited to only choosing MountainCrest Credit Union ATMs in order to save on ATM surcharges.
CO-OP Financial Services Network2 is the nation’s largest credit union-owned EFT network and processor.
“By taking greater advantage of CO-OP Financial Services, we’ve added an enormous number of CO-OP ATMs to our service network. We were already participating in the Shared Branching Network but this enhancement is just another example of a growing list of improved services we’re offering to our membership and the surrounding community. We want Snohomish County to know, MountianCrest Credit Union is safe, sound and well-rooted in the community; and we have money to lend. In fact, we just celebrated our 75th Anniversary,” said Bob Schumacher, President and CEO.
MountainCrest Credit Union retains the original charter number of Snohomish County PUD Credit Union and provides a full spectrum of financial products and services. The credit union returns profits to members in the form of lower loan rates and higher savings rates, low fees, and innovative products and services.
Columbia College announces 50 percent tuition support for Coast Guard spouses
Columbia College has announced a new program modeled after the Department of Defense’s spouse tuition scholarship program. The Coast Guard Spouse Grant offers a 50 percent tuition reduction to spouses of Coast Guard service members.
“The Department of Defense’s Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts program represents a unique educational opportunity for spouses in every other branch of the military,” said Ramona McAfee, assistant dean for military services at Columbia College. “As a premier military-education provider, it’s important to offer financial support to Coast Guard spouses as well.”
Offered support is equivalent to a 50 percent reduction per credit hour for a maximum amount of up to $6,000 per spouse. Coast Guard spouses are not restricted to attending any particular Columbia College campus. The college currently has one campus on a California Coast Guard base and 17 other campuses located on military bases. There is a Columbia College campus in Snohomish County at Marysville. Columbia College is consistently ranked as one of the top military-friendly colleges in the nation.
Cuts and furloughs announced for Snohomish Health District
The Snohomish County Health Board recently enacted a new round of reductions in local public health programs and staffing. Three programs closed, others were reduced and over 25 staff were laid off in October, representing the equivalent of 20.3 full-time positions. In addition, emergency preparedness funds totalling $150,000 were also eliminated. It is the third reduction to hit the cash-strapped Snohomish Health District in seven months.
Washington unemployment rate increases
Washington state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to an estimated 9.3 percent in September. This is up from a revised rate of 9 percent in August, according to the state Employment Security Department.
The estimated rate for August had been reported as 9.2 percent last month, but it was later revised downward after more analysis revealed the error.
The state lost an estimated 16,000 non-agricultural jobs in September, seasonally adjusted, after an estimated loss of nearly 12,000 jobs in August.
K-12 schools were a significant portion of both the August job growth and the September job losses. Employment Security economists attribute the large swings to seasonal-adjustment calculations, which tend to smooth out normal, seasonal changes and amplify unexpected growth or losses.
Industries that lost the most jobs last month included the government, which cut 7,100 jobs, mostly in K-12 education, manufacturing which was down 2,700, and construction, which lost 2,300 jobs.
Industries that added jobs in September include retail trade, with 300 new jobs, transportation, warehousing and utilities, up 100, and information, up 100.
Year over year, Washington had 131,200 fewer jobs last month than in Sept. 2008, a 4.4 percent decrease.
Nationally, employment declined by 4.2 percent over the past year.
An estimated 312,692 people (not seasonally adjusted) in Washington were unemployed and looking for work in September.
SBA launches new online training course for women entrepreneurs
Women who own small businesses are now able to use a new online U.S. Small Business Administration training course to learn how to identify and utilize federal contracting opportunities.
The new training course, Winning Federal Contracts: A Guide for Women Entrepreneurs, is part of a government-wide initiative to promote opportunities for women-owned businesses in the area of government contracting.
This free online tutorial is a practical and easy to use guide that walks a woman-owned small business through the contracting process. SBA is committed to ensuring that women-owned businesses receive at least 5 percent of federal contracts and believes better training opportunities are central to meeting this government-wide goal.
“Federal contracts can provide unique opportunities for women entrepreneurs and small business owners to grow their businesses and create jobs, particularly during these tough economic times,” Administrator Karen Mills said.
The SBA’s Office of Women’s Business Ownership oversees a national network of more than 100 Women’s Business Centers (WBCs) that provide education and training to help women start and grow small businesses. In addition, the SBA has 68 district offices and other resource partners throughout the country available to train and counsel women-owned businesses and entrepreneurs seeking government contracts.
“This online training course makes critical information and training available to an even wider array of women entrepreneurs and small business owners,” said Ana Harvey, assistant administrator for SBA’s Office of Women’s Business Ownership. “SBA wants to help ensure they have the tools and resources they need to compete for and win federal contracts.”
The Winning Federal Contracts course is designed to help women entrepreneurs learn about the federal procurement process and to prepare them to compete for contracting opportunities. The self-paced guide uses audio and script to provide information about contract rules, how to sell to the government and where to find contracts.
The Winning Federal Contracts course is available on SBA’s Web site at www.sba.gov or directly at www.sba.gov/fedcontractingtraining. It is indexed by subject matter, and includes direct links to additional contracting resources.
Tax Foundation releases updated combined state and local sales tax rates
Tennessee, California, Washington state, Oklahoma and Louisiana have the highest combined state and average local sales tax rates, according to updated information released recently by the nonpartisan Tax Foundation. On the other end of the scale, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon all have the lowest combined rates of 0 percent.
“Sales taxes are at the same time transparent and opaque,” said Tax Foundation Staff Economist Kail Padgitt, Ph.D., who authored Tax Foundation Fiscal Fact No. 196, “Updated State and Local Option Sales Tax.” “Taxpayers can easily see sales tax rates by looking at the receipt for any purchase, but depending on the locality in a specific state, there may be a variety of local option sales taxes in addition to the state rate.”
Washington had the third highest combined state-local rates at 8.78 percent. The state with the lowest non-zero combined rate is Alaska at 1.61 percent.
Four localities in central Alabama have the dubious distinction of having the highest combined sales tax: Brookwood, Coaling, Coker and Vance all have a total sales tax rate of 11 percent, with 4 percent going to the state, 5 percent going to Tuscaloosa County and 2 percent to the city.
California has the highest statewide general sales tax rate of 8.25 percent (including a 1 percent mandatory “local” add-on rate), and six states tie for the second-highest rate of 7 percent. The Tax Foundation is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that has monitored fiscal policy at the federal, state and local levels since 1937.
Canyon Creek Cabinet Company visit is the highlight of industry’s 2009 tour
The Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association’s (KCMA) annual tour of cabinet manufacturing facilities made a stop at Canyon Creek Cabinet Company in Monroe in October. The tour at Canyon Creek followed a weekend management conference and suppliers’ exposition in Bellevue.
The Canyon Creek plant was previously on the 2002 KCMA plant tour. Over 160 industry professionals toured the award winning local firm’s premises. The tour is an opportunity for participants to see various technologies and processes as they are applied in real time.
According to Bill Weaver, Canyon Creek president and CEO, “The plant tours are a great way for KCMA members to see firsthand what equipment and processes other plants are using and exchange technical information and ideas. I’m proud of how our plant looked, and I feel we presented ourselves well in demonstrating our versatility and our equipment. These tours are a great way for members to learn from each other.”
In 2006, Canyon Creek was the first cabinet company to be awarded the KCMA’s ESP certificate. ESP certification is awarded annually and is the only nationally accredited environmental certification program that specifically focuses on kitchen and bath cabinets.
Canyon Creek has been a recognized leader in the kitchen and bath industry since 1981 and has won many industry awards for its cabinetry and environmental practices. Canyon Creek was also chosen for the 2008 Governor’s Award for Sustainable Practices.
The company recently introduced a line of closet and storage products—Canyon Creek Cabinet Company Closets Plus—creating one of the most extensive lines of custom cabinetry and closet storage systems available.
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