Business Briefs

Moss Adams workers clear out blackberries

EVERETT — Twelve Moss Adams employees participated in United Way’s 17th annual Days of Caring event on Sept. 24. They helped to pick up litter and remove invasive vegetation such as blackberries along the creek that runs through the Housing Hope complex in Everett.

The creek area provides a natural habitat for the kids from the on-site day care to explore. Housing Hope is a nonprofit organization that provides safe, decent, affordable housing and necessary related services for low-income families of Snohomish County and Camano Island.

Mountain Pacific Bank raises $6.5M in capital

EVERETT — Mountain Pacific Bank has made public the addition of $6.5 million in capital which was acquired over the past year.

The money was raised through a private placement offering of $2 million and a rights offering of $3 million. Both offerings were successful and oversubscribed at $2.5 million and $4 million, respectively, for a total of $6.5 million.

With the addition of the new capital, Mountain Pacific Bank is said to be the best capitalized bank in Snohomish County. The funds provide the bank the opportunity and capacity to make additional loans.

Mountain Pacific Bank has branches in Everett and Lynnwood.

Auditors find more unpaid taxes in 2010

OLYMPIA — Employment Security auditors are identifying more unpaid unemployment taxes by placing added focus on industries that have been more likely to fail to report employees and wages.

Through September 2010, auditors identified 11,485 unreported workers and $196 million in unreported wages, compared to the 4,168 unreported workers and $76 million in wages found during the first nine months of 2009.

The auditors also found $2.12 million in unpaid taxes this year, compared to $1.35 million the over the same period in 2009.

Award for Snohomish Conservation District

The Snohomish Conservation District was honored by the Washington State Conservation Commission as Northwest Area Conservation District of the Year in Bellingham on Oct. 14.

The award recognizes the district for their ongoing efforts in watershed restoration, coordination of other Puget Sound conservation districts in natural resource issues and successful efforts to acquire stable funding.

Bobbi Lindemulder, who served as interim manager of the district for two years, was recognized as Northwest Manager of the Year. She has been honored twice before for outstanding leadership and is widely recognized as a leader in the conservation movement in Snohomish County.

Schack Art Center meets Kresge challenge

EVERETT — With just days remaining before their Sept. 30 deadline, the Arts Council of Snohomish County met the fundraising challenge from the Kresge Foundation and will receive $400,000 for the Schack Art Center capital campaign. The grant brings the campaign to $6 million toward its overall project goal of $6.4 million.

The challenge grant will support the costs for construction of the Schack Art Center. Targeted to open in spring 2011, the Schack Art Center will include a hot shop, cold-working shop, warm glass studio, professional and student exhibit space, gallery store and multipurpose classrooms.

The Arts Council of Snohomish County has hired Newland Construction Co. of Everett as the contractor for the Schack Art Center’s interior construction. The work will provide about 55 jobs for six months this winter, Newland Construction said.

UW-Bothell to get six EV charging stations

BOTHELL — The University of Washington’s Bothell campus will get six electric vehicle charging stations as part of the ChargePoint America Program.

ChargePoint America is sponsored by Coulomb Technologies to provide electric vehicle charging infrastructure to selected regions in the United States.

The six UW-Bothell stations will be inside two parking garages on campus. The electricity will be free, but there will be a charge for the parking space.

This project is in conjunction with the rollout of 4,700 Nissan Leaf all-electric sedans in the Northwest.

Alliance touts purchase of efficient electronics

As consumer purchases trend toward bigger and better electronics, the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance is joining with Northwest utilities and select retailers to promote technologically advanced televisions, desktop computers and monitors that also are especially energy efficient.

Participating retailers will display a bright orange Energy Forward button guiding shoppers to electronics that are at least 30 percent more efficient than the basic Energy Star specification.

More information is available at www.energyefficientelectronics.org.

Updated flood maps now ready for review

EVERETT — New official flood hazard maps created by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and administered by Snohomish County are now ready for public review.

Snohomish County will host two public meetings to give residents a look at newly updated FEMA flood maps and the changes they incorporate.

The updated maps, which are still considered preliminary, identify the location of frequently flooded areas and may affect mortgage loan requirements and flood insurance rates for those properties in areas proposed for adjustment.

The county is notifying all affected households of the changes by mail.

Meetings are from 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 3 in the Arlington City Council chambers and from 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 9 at Park Place Middle School in Monroe.

The preliminary maps also can be viewed online at www.snoco.org by searching for “DFIRMS.”

Regional construction salary guide released

EVERETT — Moss Adams announced the release of its eighth annual Idaho, Oregon and Washington Construction Industry Salary Guide.

The latest guide compiles comprehensive salary and benefits data for executives, management, financial, administrative and field personnel. Differentials in salaries based on companies’ revenue, size, specialty, and geographic location are provided to maximize relevance across business types.

Moss Adams has conducted the Idaho, Oregon and Washington Salary Guide since 2004. The results provide fundamental information of interest to all construction-industry professionals.

Centex Homes’ new community to open

LYNNWOOD — Centex Homes has broken ground on a new community in the east Lynnwood area that will open for sales to the public this December.

Vintage by Centex will offer 17 new home sites amid established neighborhoods near Bothell’s city limits.

The two-story homes are near I-5, I-405 and Bothell-Everett Highway and range from 1,670 to 2,023 square feet. They feature slab granite countertops, five-fixture baths, nine-foot main floor ceilings and hardwood floors.

More information is available at www.centex.com/seattle or 877-718-6821.

AWB ‘green’ award for Canyon Creek Cabinet Co.

MONROE — Canyon Creek Cabinet Co. of Monroe was recently presented with the Association of Washington Business 2010 Green Manufacturing Award at a ceremony in Blaine.

The event recognized 11 Washington state companies for their contributions to the state’s economy in the areas of operational excellence, innovation and commitment to green manufacturing.

In 2009, Canyon Creek won an AWB Better Workplace Award in the category of safety and was also chosen for the 2008 Governor’s Award for Sustainable Practices.

United Arab Emirates aviation authority certifies ATS

EVERETT — Aviation Technical Services, a provider of maintenance, repair and overhaul services for commercial and military aircraft, has been awarded the United Arab Emirates General Civil Aviation Authority CAR 145 certification.

The certification was granted as a pre-requisite to ATS performing work installing the Lumexis FTTS Inflight Entertainment System on 44 flydubai post-delivery modification 737-800 aircraft.

ATS vice president of operations Landon Nitschke said this, in addition to the China CAAC certification the company received earlier this year, demonstrates ATS’ commitment in supporting a worldwide market place.

ATS is located adjacent to Boeing’s widebody production facility on Paine Field in Everett.

Coast | Sperry Van Ness arranges Everett land sale for Bob’s Burgers

EVERETT — Coast | Sperry Van Ness senior adviser Rick Graff arranged the sale of land on the northeast corner of the Top Food grocery store on Everett Mall Way to Bob’s Burger &Brew.

Everett-based Coast | Sperry Van Ness is the largest commercial real estate firm in the North Puget Sound. This particular site was not listed for sale when Graff identified it as a perfect fit and approached the landowner.

“Off-market transactions like this are about 50 percent of our business,” said Tom Hoban, CEO of Coast | Sperry Van Ness. “Bob’s is a well-run restaurant chain with 11 locations offering an affordable family-friendly atmosphere and menu. We are proud of Rick and proud that our firm was instrumental in bringing them to Everett.”

EverTrust Foundation gives $16K to Bethany

EVERETT — EverTrust Foundation has demonstrated its commitment to the Snohomish County community with a $16,000 donation to Bethany of the Northwest Foundation’s Dignity Project.

This donation will allow Bethany to purchase new mattresses for one full floor for Bethany at Pacific residents. New mattresses should help residents sleep better, reduce skin issues and can decrease the need for medication. The increased comfort provided by the new mattresses should enhance the quality and dignity of life for Bethany residents.

Bethany of the Northwest, a skilled nursing facility, has been serving the community since 1931. One hundred percent of donations to the Dignity Project go toward purchasing items from the list, with some starting at $30.

County’s early childhood education program is honored

SEATTLE — Local nonprofit Committee for Children recently honored Snohomish County Human Services Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program and three other groups with Visionary Leadership Awards for their outstanding work.

ECEAP director Ken Stark and program manager Joe Varano accepted the award on the program’s behalf. ECEAP, which believes that quality early learning requires lessons in social and emotional competence, implements and tracks the impact of the Talking About Touching and Second Step programs and has taken the step of presenting their positive results in a simple, well-designed report.

Other award winners were the Denise Louie Education Center, Highline Public Schools and the Lake Washington School District.

Forum to offer answers, resources about aging

Snohomish County Long Term Care &Aging and the Snohomish County Council on Aging will sponsor a specialty forum on Nov. 5. Understanding Mental Health As We Age: What to Look For and Where to Find Help, is a free community event designed to answer commonly asked questions and directions to resources about aging.

The event will emphasize that mental illness is not a normal part of aging. Keynote speaker and geropsychologist David Powers, Ph.D., Seattle University Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, will explain how normal aging differs from mental illness and what signs and symptoms indicate mental health issues.

A panel of experts will discuss further how to distinguish between mental health problems, physical illnesses and medication problems among older adults. After the presentations, attendees will be able to visit with local agencies that provide mental health services to older adults.

Pre-registration is required. For more information or to reserve a space, call 425-388-7019 or e-mail s.novacek@snoco.org.

Edward Jones advisers rate their firm well

Financial advisers with Edward Jones gave the highest satisfaction ratings in six of the eight study factors, which placed the firm 193 points above the industry average.

Edward Jones also ranked highest in the 2007 study and tied for the highest ranking in 2008. The study was not conducted in 2009.

Edward Jones provides financial services for individual investors in the United States and, through its affiliate, in Canada.

Edward Jones, which ranked No. 2 on Fortune magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” in 2010, is headquartered in St. Louis.

UW-Bothell reports record enrollment growth

BOTHELL — University of Washington-Bothell reports record enrollment growth.

The campus reported a headcount of 3,272 students with 2,850 of those as full-time equivalent students. This compares to a full-time equivalent of 2,374 in 2009, an increase of 20 percent.

Of the total student population, the top counties of residence are King at 59 percent and Snohomish at 28 percent. Students represent a record 23 states and 21 countries. By comparison, the fall 2009 class represented 12 states and 17 countries.

In the 2010-11 academic year, UW Bothell debuted a bachelor of science in biology. It also launched its bachelor of science in nursing at a new Everett location (University Center of North Puget Sound) and a bachelor of arts in business administration at its Bellevue-based Eastside Leadership Center.

Fluke announces Super Bowl sweepstakes for customers

EVERETT — Fluke Corp., a global leader in portable electronic test and measurement technology, will send a lucky professional and his or her companion to Arlington, Texas, for the Super Bowl.

The prize is a reward for learning about the innovative new tools introduced by Fluke.

Recently, Fluke announced a new family of high-performance clamp meters. Other recent introductions include the Fluke 233 Remote Display Multimeter, the first of its kind in the industry; the Fluke 28 II Industrial Multimeter for ultra rugged conditions; and the Fluke Ti32 Thermal Imager with a powerful 320 x 240 sensor.

To enter the Fluke football Big Game Sweeps, customers choose a featured product online at www.fluke.com/footballsweeps, read a short description and then complete a registration form before Dec. 31 for a chance to win. Contestants are limited to one entry per person. No purchase is required.

Participation in the Fluke football Big Game Sweeps is limited to licensed contractors or individuals in a professional trade who are residents of the U.S. and age 21 or older.

The winner of the Fluke football Big Game Sweeps will receive two tickets to attend Super Bowl XLV on Feb. 6, 2011.

The sweepstakes package includes airfare, three nights of lodging and a rental car. The winner will be selected by random drawing and announced the first week of January 2011.

United Way of Snohomish County now accepting outreach grant applications

EVERETT — United Way of Snohomish County is accepting applications through Nov. 10 for Outreach Grants from its Kids Matter Vision Council. The purpose of outreach grants is to support groups that are working in human services at a grassroots level and, as such, may have difficulty getting funding from typical sources.

Proposals must support the outcome of achieving optimal development of infants, children and youth. Specifically, projects should promote the physical, developmental and/or social well being of children and their families with focus on opportunity to develop potential.

The maximum award for an outreach grant is $5,000. Organizations currently receiving United Way multiyear program grants are not eligible. Grant applicants must either have their 501(c)3 nonprofit status or partner with a tax-exempt nonprofit agency that will serve as their fiscal agent.

Application instructions and forms are available on United Way’s website www.uwsc.org. For more information, contact Barbara Davis, vice president of impact and community investment, at 425-374-5502 or Barbara.davis@uwsc.org.

Lynnwood Rotary gives $3,000 for Women of Wisdom

LYNNWOOD — Lynnwood Rotary recently awarded a $3,000 grant to allow the Women of Wisdom program to implement an anti-bullying program for girls at College Place Middle School.

During 2004-2005, Scriber Lake High School piloted the Women of Wisdom (WOW) program with a group of five to seven girls to address the issue of female bullying in the form of relational aggression.

Relational aggression is not traditional physical or verbal bullying, but a more subtle form of aggression that uses relationships to damage or manipulate others.

During 2005-2006, the WOW pilot program was expanded to 38 girls. Due to the widespread impact of relational aggression and the success of this intervention, Scriber Lake High School sought to continue WOW, expanding the program to include 100 girls. The $3,000 from Lynnwood Rotary will allow WOW to install a program coordinator at College Place Middle School.

For more information, visit www.lynnwoodrotary.org.

Added incentive in PUD recycling program

EVERETT — Homeowners who recycle an old, energy-wasting refrigerator or freezer through the Snohomish County PUD recycling program by Dec. 31 can be entered into a drawing for a $300 Visa gift card from JACO Environmental, PUD’s appliance recycler.

The program already offers a $30 incentive to all customers who recycle qualifying units. Since the program’s inception in 2004, the utility has collected more than 25,000 energy-wasting units, which can use up to three times the energy of newer models.

JACO picks up units right from customers’ homes when they call for a collection. More than 90 percent of each refrigerator or freezer is recycled.

For complete rules on the drawing, go to www.snopud.com or call 425-783-1700.

Verizon Wireless customers can manage accounts online

Last month, Verizon Wireless customers were given the ability to manage their account at home or on the go with Express Services.

Express Services are Verizon Wireless’ easy-to-use tools that enable customers to quickly and conveniently manage their accounts.

Customers can use My Verizon online or access My Verizon Mobile from any Android device to see a list of transactions involving bills, plans and devices.

Later this year, Verizon Wireless plans to implement changes consistent with Express Services for use on additional phones and smartphones and on the voice response system that customers use when they call customer service.

For a list of compatible devices or more information, go to www.verizonwireless.com.

PUD Planet Power program sign ups help needy children

EVERETT — Customers who sign up for a monthly subscription to Snohomish County PUD’s Planet Power green energy program can help give a coat to a needy child.

Enrollment in the program involves contributing $3 or more each month as part of a utility bill payment. Every dollar goes directly to operate the program, educate the community and increase the level of energy that is produced from renewable sources.

The program funds local renewable energy projects, such as solar, at schools and other public buildings throughout the PUD’s service territory.

To participate, sign up by Jan. 31 at www.snopud.com/planetpower or 425-783-1700. This promotion is for new subscriptions only.

Cascadia College to launch social network for ridesharing

BOTHELL — Cascadia Community College and University of Washington-Bothell announced they’ve partnered with Zimride to launch a social network for ridesharing.

The Zimride platform uses Facebook integration to create a way to find friends to share commutes or one-time rides.

“This is a great opportunity for both Bothell campuses that will have a positive impact on the entire community,” said Cascadia Community College President Eric Murray. “Zimride’s innovative rideshare solution is appealing to our students, faculty and staff, which will enable us to reduce campus congestion and provide options for one-time trips out of town.”

Zimride has developed a custom rideshare solution to serve the Bothell campus population. Through Zimride’s Web-based interface, faculty, staff and students can find others with similar commuting patterns or one-time rides. Just like with Facebook, Zimriders can view profiles for common networks, interests and friends before deciding to share a ride.

All Cascadia Community College and UW-Bothell students, faculty and staff with a UW NetID can access the system at www.zimride.com/bothellcampus.

Zimride is the largest online social rideshare community in North America with more than 350,000 users. Zimride has implemented private rideshare communities for more than 50 of the nation’s leading universities and companies including Stanford, UCLA, University of Michigan, Cornell University, Wal-Mart and CIGNA.