Business FYI

People

Michael Hwang has joined Everett-based Mountain Pacific Bank to manage its new Lynn­wood branch. Hwang is a vice president and will be manager of the branch, which is set to open in early 2008 at 196th Street SW and Highway 99. A graduate of the University of Missouri who most recently worked as a financial services manager for First Horizon Bank, Hwang has expertise in the Korean market.

Luigi Apurado has opened a State Farm Insurance agency at 7430 Evergreen Way, Suite 102, in Everett. Her agency offers a full line of State Farm services. A grand opening celebration is set for noon Saturday and an open house funs Dec. 10-14. For information, call 425-423-9800.

Seminars

Northwest Agricultural Business Center plans an educational interest meeting for Washington growers of tree fruit, berries and potatoes to discuss value-added distillation from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Dec. 17 at the Washington State University Northwestern Washington Research and Extension Center in Mount Vernon. Unused or damaged fruit and

potatoes can add up to the difference between profit and loss for Washington’s growers. Distillation of various Washington crops offers consumers new products. For more information about the free meeting, call 360-336-3727 or go to www.agbizcenter.org.

Scams and Phishing: Don’t Get Hooked is a fraud and identity theft seminar offered by the Bank of Everett and set for 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Port of Everett, 2911 Bond St., Everett. For information, call 425-740-2865 or e-mail ray.corwin@bankofeverett.com.

Events

Night of Stars annual dinner and awards gala by the Everett Area Chamber of Commerce, 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Edward D. Hansen Conference Center at the Everett Events Center, 2000 Hewitt Ave., Everett. Reservations required. Register online at www.everettchamber.com or call 425-257-3222, ext. 0

Greater Marysville Tulalip Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours, 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the chamber office, 8825 34th Ave. NE, Suite C, Tulalip. Register your plan to attend the festive event by calling 360-659-7700 or e-mailing billw@­marysvilletulalipchamber.com.

Everett Area Chamber of Commerce holiday open house, 2 to 6 p.m. Dec. 11, in the chamber office, 2000 Hewitt Ave., Suite 205, Everett. Bring a donation for a local food bank.

South Snohomish County Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours and mini trade show event, 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 12, Embassy Suites North, 20610 44th Ave. W., Lynnwood.

Good Morning, Everett! networking breakfast, 7 to 9 a.m. Dec. 14, Everett Golf and Country Club, 1500 52nd St. SE, Everett. Register by Dec. 10 for discount. Go to www.everettchamber.com and click on “Events” or call 425-257-3222, ext. 0.

Good Morning, South County! networking breakfast, 7:30 a.m. Dec. 21, Lynnwood Convention Center, 3711 196th St. SW, Lynnwood.

Meetings

Business Breakfast Club meeting, 7:30 a.m. Tuesdays, A.P. Barbara’s Restaurant, 4025 196th St. SW, Lynn­wood. Guests are welcome. For more information, contact Joseph Cunnane at 425-672-7100 or joe@cunnanelaw.com. The Everett BBC chapter meets at 8:30 a.m. Wednesdays at IHOP, 10301 Evergreen Way, Everett. Contact Dawn Robnett at 425-367-2121 or ­dawnrobnett@cbbain.com.

Women Business Owners after hours gathering, 5:30 p.m. Dec. 11, Pyramid Alehouse, 1201 First Ave. S., Seattle. WBO networking breakfast, 7:30 a.m. Dec. 13, 0/8 Seafood Grill, Hyatt Regency Hotel, 900 Bellevue Way, Belle­vue. Register for these events at www.­womenbusinessowners.org.

Volunteer with the Ambassadors of the Everett Area Chamber of Commerce and attend a meeting of the group, 7:30 a.m. Friday at Tailgater Joe’s, 1805 Hewitt Ave., Everett. For information, go to www.everettchamber.com and click on “Events” or call 425-257-3222, ext. 0.

Business news

The Everett Clinic’s Kemp Surgery Center is celebrating its 10th anniversary. The center opened in late 1997 and grew rapidly, providing care for 12,350 patients in 2001. A second facility, the Trask Surgery Center, opened in 2002. In 10 years of operation, the medical staff at the Kemp Surgery Center has cared for 110,188 patients. More than 135 people make up the medical team, including 50 surgeons. The Everett Clinic has been recognized nationally with grants and awards for providing high quality health care.

Best Western Alderwood in Lynnwood has won the Director’s Award from Best Western International. The award was given for the hotel’s high score of 989 points out of 1,000 possible during a recent quality assurance inspection. Special certificates of excellence were given to the business’s housekeeping and maintenance departments.

Integrated Rehabilitation Group has announced that Mark Boede of Murphy’s Corner Physical Therapy in Mill Creek is now certified in a specialized soft tissue rehabilitation therapy called ASTYM. For more information, call 425-316-8046 or go to www.irgpt.com.

Robin’s Billiards in Monroe is among the top 10 new billiard clubs in the United States and Canada, as named by Billiards Digest magazine. Robin’s was rated No. 6 in the Billiards Digest’s annual list and was featured in the November issue of the magazine, a national publication. The business is at 125 E. Main St., Monroe. More information is available at 360-794-7878 or www.robinsbilliards.com.

Good deeds

Alderwood mall sponsors a Sharing Tree offered by the Alderwood Terrace Rotary Club. The tree is at the mall’s center court.

Alderwood mall also has invited middle school and high school music students from throughout Snohomish County to come to the mall, perform and raise money for their school music programs. This event is set for 6 to 8 p.m. Friday and includes a competition for the best band, best choir and best costumes. For information, go to www.alderwoodmall.com.

Windermere Real Estate Snohomish plans to serve dinner, 4 p.m. to closing on Dec. 10, at The Repp, the restaurant formerly known as Sebastian’s, at the corner of First Street and Avenue A in Snohomish. The tips earned by Windermere staff will go to Snohomish families in need of help for the holidays. To reserve a place, call 360-568-3928.

Everett Wal-Mart store employees rang bells Tuesday to benefit the Red Kettle Campaign of the Salvation Army. The effort was part of a national program by the company to raise money for Salvation Army.

Lakeside Industries Monroe branch employees recently donated $5,400 to the Sky Valley Food Bank in Monroe. To donate to the food bank, call 360-794-7959 or go to www.svfoodbank.org.

Windermere Real Estate Everett recently raised $2,200 in tips that will be used to provide gifts and food to local families in need. Windermere agents served as the waitstaff at Buck’s American Cafe in Everett. About 100 meals were served during the fundraising event.

Community groups willing to share their musical talents this holiday season can support local food banks and the Salvation Army. The annual Sing from the Heart event is set for Dec. 14, 15 and 16 at all Haggen Food &Pharmacy and TOP Food &Drug stores. The stores plant to donate $50 for each hour a group presents holiday music. For more information, go to www.haggen.com or www.top-foods.com.

Send your Business FYI news and color photos to Mike Benbow, Business editor, The Herald, P.O. Box 930, Everett, WA 98206, by fax at 425-339-3435 or by e-mail at economy@heraldnet.com.