Helicopter school closes, files for bankruptcy
A helicopter flight school at the Arlington Airport has closed, and local students are out tuition money after the school’s Nevada-based operator filed for bankruptcy.
The Silver State Helicopters school in Arlington, along with more than 30 other locations, shut down in February. The company also filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
One local student, Ken LeverÂington of Lake Stevens, said he paid more than $70,000 in tuition and was near graduation when the academy closed.
The academy, which required students to prepay their tuition in installments, had about 70 students enrolled in Arlington, according to former students and employees.
Employees were informed of the business’ demise via a letter e-mailed during the Feb. 3 Super Bowl from Silver State’s founder, Jerry Airola.
Airola blamed the impact of the credit crunch and its effect on student lending for Silver State’s woes, which included a sudden downturn in enrollment.
In its bankruptcy filing, Silver State claimed assets of less than $50,000 and liabilities ranging between $10 million and $50 million, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Students at some of Silver State’s schools have complained in recent years about not getting the training for which they paid handsomely. The company already has faced several lawsuits over such claims, and more are lining up to sue in wake of the bankruptcy.
Rob Putnam, manager of the Arlington Airport, said Silver State sublet its space at the airport, so the city wasn’t directly owed any money by the now-closed business. The flight school arrived at the airport in mid-2005.
TOP Food &Drug, Smart Chicken give to food bank
Snohomish TOP Food &Drug and Smart Chicken have partnered to donate 1,110 pounds of organic chicken breasts to the Snohomish Community Food Bank.
The organic chicken, which has a retail value of approximately $7,600, is an ideal source for protein for families who rely on the food bank, according to Daryl Bertholet, its executive director.
Snohomish TOP Food &Drug previously had raised $15,000 during the holiday season for the Snohomish Community Food Bank.
The donation of chicken breasts from MBA Poultry, producer of Smart Chicken products, is part of its Smart Giving program and was based on sales at TOP Food &Drug and Haggen Food &Pharmacy stores.
For information about the food bank, call (360) 568-7993 or visit www.SnohomishCommunityFoodBank.org.
Pilchuck Veterinary Hospital receives national accreditation
Pilchuck Veterinary Hospital of Snohomish has again received accreditation following a comprehensive evaluation by the American Animal Hospital Association. The evaluation includes a quality assessment review of the hospital’s facility, medical equipment, practice methods and pet health-care management.
Only 15 percent of all small animal veterinary practices in the United States have achieved accreditation by the American Animal Hospital Association. In order to maintain accredited status, Pilchuck Veterinary Hospital must continue to be evaluated regularly by the association’s consultants.
Pilchuck Veterinary Hospital, located at 11308 92nd Street SE, has been an accredited practice member of the association since 1979 and can be reached at 360-568-3113.
Kohl’s Department Stores hiring for new Snohomish store
Kohl’s Department Stores held a job fair in February at the Holiday Inn in downtown Everett as it gears up to open its Snohomish store in April.
In October, Kohl’s announced its five-year growth plan of operating more than 1,400 stores nationwide by 2012. Snohomish’s new location is part of that rapid expansion and will create about 150 full- and part-time positions.
The new store is hiring associates for cash register operation, department service, customer service, early-morning stocking, truck unloading, housekeeping and evening signage/pricing updates.
For more information, go online to www.kohlscareers.com or call 877-NEW-KOHLS.
Remember When Photography launches partner program
Remember When Photography of Snohomish has launched a partner program to increase its presence throughout King and Snohomish counties. Through the program, RWP will align itself with nonprofit and community organizations, small and medium-size retail businesses, and K-12 private, public and charter schools.
The RWP Partner Program mission is to serve as a focal point for bringing together local businesses, community and youth organizations, and educational institutions to promote family, community and youth activities, the company said.
Nastech to lay off 50 more workers
Nastech Pharmaceutical Co. is laying off 50 more employees as it tries to save money and refocus its research priorities.
The reduction in staff follows last November’s decision to lay off 72 employees after a major drug development partnership, potentially worth more than $500 million to Nastech, dissolved. Once both rounds of cuts are completed, the biotechnology company will operate with about 110 people — half the number of people it employed a few months ago.
Steven Quay, Nastech’s chairman and chief executive, said the company’s board also decided to devote more resources to RNA interference research. RNA interference is a cellular mechanism that can turn off the production of proteins critical to the expansion of viruses in the body. In November, Nastech set up a separate subsidiary, MDRNA Inc., to push forward with developing RNA interference into a marketable treatment.
Previously, Nastech has concentrated mostly on developing nasal spray forms of drugs, including potential treatments for obesity, diabetes and other conditions.
“The work-force reduction of approximately 50 employees will enable us to drive our key clinical development and RNA (interference) programs forward in a more efficient manner for the benefit of our shareholders,” Quay said in a written statement. He added that the new focus and staff reductions should save the company at least $11 million this year.
Scottrade opens Everett branch
Scottrade, a leading branch-supported online investment firm based in St. Louis, Mo., has opened a branch office at 305 SE Everett Mall Way, in the Greentree Plaza Shopping Center, in Everett.
“Our location in a high-traffic area will provide a convenient local office for our customers in the area,” said Tom Toves, Scottrade branch manager. “With so many other businesses nearby, the new office will be easily accessible for online investors if they have questions or need assistance with their accounts.”
Scottrade is an online stock brokerage that provides the tools and research for customers to make their own investment decisions. Scottrade does not provide investment advice, but stock brokers are available at branch offices to answer account-related questions, provide customer service and offer tutorials on Scottrade’s online trading services.
Scottrade’s presence in the greater Puget Sound area includes offices in Seattle, Tacoma, Bellevue, Auburn, Bellingham, Redmond, Renton and Lynnwood.
Scottrade’s Everett branch office is open Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. and can be reached at 425-355-2526.
Kimberly-Clark fined $235,000 for slow-burning fire
The Kimberly-Clark pulp and paper mill has been fined $235,000 for allowing a pile of wood chips to smolder and smoke for six months near the Riverside neighborhood in Everett.
The fine, issued by the state Department of Ecology, is the largest ever levied on a pulp mill in the state.
“It’s a serious penalty because it was a serious problem,” said Carol Kraege, supervisor of the state Department of Ecology’s industrial section. “This fire burned long enough that it had the potential to really impact people with respiratory problems.”
The fire smoldered from July to December, Kraege said. It became a health threat for 15 days between Sept. 27 and Nov. 15, during a period of stagnant air. On those days the state received numerous complaints from people who live in the Riverside neighborhood. They reported a strong, pervasive odor of wood smoke, she said, like smoke from a campfire.
A statement issued by the Ecology Department quoted Mill Manager Chris Isenberg expressing regret over the fire.
In the press release, Isenberg called the circumstances “unusual” and said the company has taken steps to make sure similarly extensive wood-chip fires don’t happen again.
Kimberly-Clark has about 850 employees in Everett and produces about a million rolls of toilet paper and other paper products a day.
Intermec ends 2007 with record revenue
Everett-based Intermec Inc. has started the new year with convincing signs that the maker of handheld computers and inventory-tracking technology is back on track.
While Intermec ended 2006 with a 50 percent plunge in earnings, declining sales and layoffs, the tech company ended 2007 on a decidedly promising note, Intermec’s executives reported in February. In the fourth quarter, revenue rose to a record $253 million, 16 percent higher than the same quarter in 2006.
That produced earnings of $16.4 million, or 27 cents a share, more than 200 percent better than the $5.2 million profit reported in the prior-year quarter.
Patrick Byrne, who took over last summer as Intermec’s chief executive officer, said the company has moved closer to its goal of increasing revenue and profit by leaps and bounds.
In the fourth quarter last year, sales of Intermec’s newest handheld computer models boosted sales across the globe. For the first time in a year and a half, sales in North America bounced upward, by 7 percent, Byrne said.
In the rest of the world, sales grew by an average of 25 percent, the company reported.
Michael Wills, Intermec’s senior vice president of global sales, noted that Intermec realigned its sales teams to aggressively improve sales.
For the entirety of 2007, the rebound in the second half helped Intermec end up with revenue nearly equal to 2006 — $849 million compared to $850 the prior year. Earnings were down, however, from $35 million in 2006 to $24.3 million.
Sea-Lect Plastics recognized for its work with people with disabilities
Everett-based Sea-Lect Plastics Corp.’s ongoing commitment to working with area agencies to employ and help people with disabilities develop solid job skills was honored with the Washington State Business Leadership Network’s Governor’s Award.
The WSBLN is a group of employers who educate and support businesses to hire, retain and improve customer service for people with disabilities.
Named as the state’s top Small Private Employer, Sea-Lect joins seven other companies and agencies recognized with this prestigious award, which is presented in conjunction with the Governor’s Committee on Disability Issues and Employment.
Sea-Lect is the only Snohomish County-based honoree and was nominated for the award by Washington Vocational Services.
“As an employment specialist at Washington Vocational Services, it is my pleasure to assist individuals in our community with finding meaningful employment,” Elspeth Campbell said. “I can honestly say that working with Matt Poischbeg and Sea-Lect Plastics has been a tremendously positive experience for the employee and employer.”
Poischbeg, Sea-Lect’s vice president and general manager, said his company is always on the lookout for ways to open opportunities for those with disabilities.
Sea-Lect also has partnered with other local agencies to aid in developing work skills for their clients, including Work Opportunities of Lynnwood, Sherwood Community Services of Lake Stevens, and Mukilteo-based organizations Work Force Development Center and Diversified.
Village Theatre reaches record 18,000 subscribers
Village Theatre has held strong this season, resisting the general trend of theater subscriber decline throughout the nation, and dramatically breaking its own previous record, the organization said.
Last year, Village Theatre ended the season with a total of 16,430 subscribers, with 10,877 in Issaquah and 5,553 in Everett. Today, the organization has surpassed 18,000 subscribers total, with more than 11,700 in Issaquah and more than 6,300 in Everett.
The Issaquah community has always had a significant impact on the increase in subscriber numbers each season, the group said. But this year, Village Theatre is thrilled to see the considerable rise in Everett subscribers.
“We are excited to announce that due to the excellent audience growth in Everett, we will be extending our runs there to four weeks, giving subscribers even more flexibility in scheduling,” Executive Producer Robb Hunt said. “That gives Mainstage shows a 10-week minimum run between both of our locations, which is extraordinary in this industry.”
In the past, Village Theatre Mainstage shows in Everett have had a three-week run.
Everett seeks volunteers for advisory boards
The city of Everett is seeking volunteers for the following advisory boards:
* Historical Commission — advises the city on matters of history, heritage and historic preservation. The commission also nominates property to be included on the Everett Register of Historic Places, approves restoration tax benefits, provides design review in Historical Overlay Zones and publishes information about Everett heritage. It meets at 7 p.m. the second Wednesday of the month in the eighth-floor hearing room at the Wall Street Building, 2930 Wetmore Ave.
* Transportation Advisory Board — provides input and advisory direction to city staff and administration on traffic issues, traffic safety, transit service and transportation planning. The items discussed and considered range from routine traffic concerns to long-term transportation plans. The board meets at 8:15 a.m. the third Thursday of the month at the Everett Public Works, 3200 Cedar St.
* Animal Shelter Advisory Committee — functions in an advisory capacity to the personnel of the animal shelter, the police department and city administrative staff on issues concerning animal control within the city and the operation of the animal shelter. It meets at 6:30 p.m. the fourth Wednesday of the month at the Everett Animal Shelter, 2732 36th St.
Request applications from Deborah Wright by calling 425 257-7102 or sending e-mail to dwright@ci.everett.wa.us.
Washington Vocational Services buys second pretzel franchise
Mountlake Terrace-based Washington Vocational Services has expanded its social enterprise operations with the acquisition of its second Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, located at the Bellis Fair Mall in Bellingham.
WVS, a nonprofit provider of employment services to persons with disabilities, provides employment and training to persons with disabilities in each of its stores. The organization already owns an Auntie Anne’s Pretzels franchise at Seattle Premium Outlets in Tulalip.
SBA renews alliance with Minority Business RoundTable
The U.S. Small Business Administration recently moved to broaden its outreach to minority entrepreneurs by signing a partnership with the Minority Business RoundTable.
The strategic alliance is part of SBA Administrator Steve Preston’s ongoing effort to support small-business development initiatives in underserved communities, the agency said. It will allow the organizations to share resources and educate minority entrepreneurs on how to use SBA products and services to establish and grow their businesses.
SBA will provide MBRT with timely information on the agency’s programs, services and resource partners, and advise them on events that will impact its mission.
As part of the resource pooling, MBRT will cooperate with SBA and its resource partners to provide information to members about its business development programs and services, and share current SBA news and information.
The two-year agreement is a renewal of the partnership between the SBA and MBRT and was implemented Feb. 2.
Clothes for Kids expands program to business community
Clothes for Kids has expanded its popular Coins for Kids program by including participation from the business community, the nonprofit group said.
Coins for Kids is a way for students in the Edmonds School District to raise funds to support their peers in the Clothes for Kids program by donating coins at their school. The program has been so well received that this year it is being expanded to the business community. Local businesses may participate in the following ways:
* Encourage customers and staff to place their spare change in a jar.
* Ask customers if they would like to add a dollar to their purchase to support Clothes For Kids.
* Consider donating a percentage of each purchase made during the Coins Drive to Clothes For Kids.
* Consider sponsoring/partnering with a local elementary school to match funds raised by the kids.
Since 1984, Clothes for Kids has helped to enhance the learning environment by meeting the clothing needs of low-income children in Snohomish County.
Contact Mark Smith or Nancy Laird at 425-741-6500 for more information on the Coins for Kids program.
Health District honors members of food-service industry
The Snohomish Health District’s Board of Health recognized six Snohomish County food-service establishments during its Feb. 12 meeting. Judged by their industry peers, the organizations received Excellence Award plaques for their outstanding food safety practices.
A 24-member food advisory committee considered 29 food service establishments that had been nominated by Snohomish Health District sanitarians. The committee includes food-service establishment owners, operators and chefs.
Rick Zahalka, manager of the Food and Living Environment Section of the Health District, said that the number of food-service businesses grew from 2,600 in 2002 to 3,250 in 2007 — an increase of 20 percent in five years.
Excellence Award categories and winners for this year are:
* Full Menu Establishment — Bistro San Martin, 231 N. Olympic Ave., Arlington; Martin Estrada-Perez and Steven W. Van Matre, owners.
* Fast Service Establishment — That Burger Place, 9414 State Ave., Suite B, Marysville; Beata B. Maziarz, owner.
* Limited Menu Establishment — L’Artisan French Bakery Café, 11419 19th Ave. SE, Suite B-103, Everett; Jacky and Rosanna Lichtenthaler, owners.
* Grocery Store — Granite Falls Red Apple Market, 115 N. Granite Ave., Granite Falls; Mike Trask, owner.
* School/Industry/Institution — Northshore School District Fernwood Elementary, 3933 Jewell Road, Bothell; Lucy Brumfield, kitchen manager.
* Temporary Food Establishment — Nile Temple Drum and Bugle Corps, Evergreen State Fair; Nile Temple of Mountlake Terrace, owner.
Christmas House serves record number of families
Its biggest event comes only once a year, but preparing for it successfully throughout the year is a goal Christmas House accomplishes with help from volunteers and businesses in Snohomish County.
Christmas House is a place where low-income families that qualify can select free toys and clothing in an atmosphere of dignity, offering gifts to make Christmas a happier time for families, and especially their children.
Since 1981, Christmas House has been providing these gifts to needy families. The first year, some 400 families were helped, but with community support, the number of families served continues to grow.
This past year, Christmas House served a record number of families. Over 650 volunteers helped board members in serving 2,900 families and 8,300 children with new toys, bicycles, warm winter clothing and household gifts donated through the generosity of volunteers, grants and community contributions.
For the last five years, the North Everett Boys &Girls Club has donated the use of one of its gymnasiums — which is converted into Christmas House’s home during the month of December.
For information about donating to Christmas House, including needed items for this year’s holiday season; making a cash donation; or volunteering, go online to www.christmas-house.org or call 425-338-2273.
YMCA kicks off annual Invest in Youth campaign
The YMCA of Snohomish County’s annual Invest in Youth “Helping Kids Grow” campaign is under way with a 2008 campaign goal of $1 million to support the Everett, Marysville/North County, Monroe/Sky Valley, Mukilteo and Southeast Family YMCAs and the Big Brothers Big Sisters branch.
Gifts to the YMCA provide financial assistance to low-income families and support programs such as child care, youth development, teen services, water safety, mentoring and summer camp. These funds, together with grants from the United Way of Snohomish County, corporations and foundations also will help subsidize varied programs for individuals of all ages.
During 2007, the YMCA provided about $1.7 million in direct financial assistance to more than 4,100 individuals and more than $2.3 million in program subsidy to keep child care, youth sports, teen and family programs affordable and accessible to all.
Invest in Youth branch campaigns began launching Feb. 5 and will conclude March 11 with a combined victory/volunteer recognition celebration.
To make a donation, contact a local YMCA of Snohomish County family branch or donate online at www.ymca-snoco.org/donate.
Work-force group receives grant to increase graduation rates
Workforce Development Council Snohomish County was one of 15 applicants selected to receive a grant from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction for the Building Bridges — Dropout Prevention, Intervention and Retrieval grant program.
Workforce Development Council Snohomish County applied for the grant in partnership with Everett Public Schools, Marysville School District, the Stanwood-Camano School District and Northwest Educational Service District 189. Funds from the grant will be used to engage schools, families and communities in the expansion of Everett Public Schools’ successful dropout prevention, intervention and retrieval system into alternative learning environments in each partnering district, the council said.
Services provided with grant funds will support dropout prevention, retention and retrieval services at Sequoia High School (Everett), Heritage High School (Marysville), Mountain View High School (Marysville), SOAR Smaller Learning Community in the Marysville Pilchuck High School (Marysville), and Lincoln Hill High School (Stanwood-Camano). Specific activities include proactive services to increase student attendance and performance, targeted group and individual interventions to increase credit retrieval and on-time graduation and, for those students who have already dropped out of high school, retrieval services designed to enhance holistic youth development.
Building Bridges will be the second dropout prevention services program offered by WDCSC in partnership with Snohomish County school districts. The first such program, created in partnership with Everett Public Schools in 2004, was funded by a grant from the Washington state Employment Security Department that leveraged the resources of local work-force development boards in order to address issues of low on-time graduation rates.
Coastal Community Bank giving fund benefits 8 nonprofits
The employees at Coastal Community Bank created an employee giving fund at the Greater Everett Community Foundation in 2002 to benefit charitable causes in Snohomish and Island counties. This winter grants were awarded to the following organizations: EquiFriends, Housing Hope, Northwest Burn Foundation, Open Door Theatre, Readiness to Learn, Sharing Wheels Community Bike Shop, St. Vincent de Paul of Snohomish County and Sunshine Physically Challenged.
The Coastal Community Bank Employee Giving Fund is supported entirely by personal donations contributed by Coastal Community Bank employees — with 100 percent employee participation. The fund enables them to pool their donations for the greatest impact. Employees have a direct say in the grants that are made from the fund by serving on a grant advisory committee formed by employees.
Since it’s inception, the fund has granted more than $110,000 to nonprofit organizations in our community.
S&P, Moody’s affirm strong ratings for BPA-backed bonds
Two major financial rating agencies have affirmed their strong ratings on Energy Northwest bonds and all other nonfederal debt backed by the Bonneville Power Administration. This will mean continued economical financings in support of BPA’s efforts to provide safe, reliable power to the Northwest at a reasonable price, the federal electric utility said.
Standard &Poor’s affirmed its “AA-” rating, and Moody’s affirmed its “Aaa” rating for EN bonds backed by BPA. Both rating agencies highlighted BPA’s strong business fundamentals and made specific mention of the benefits of its federal hydroelectric power system and seniority of EN debt. The Moody’s rating also reaffirmed its strong “Aaa” issuer rating on BPA.
“Strong bond ratings mean BPA pays lower interest costs, and those lower interest costs mean lower electricity rates for customers in the long run,” said Steve Wright, BPA administrator.
BPA currently backs $6.2 billion in bonds issued by EN for construction of nuclear generating projects in the Northwest. EN owns and operates the Columbia Generating Station near Richland. BPA and EN have worked together for many years to refinance bonds at lower interest rates and help keep power rates low.
Work Opportunity Tax Credit employers to receive $40 million break
Washington state employers who applied for the federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit in 2007 for hiring certain hard-to-place job seekers will get an estimated $40 million tax break from Uncle Sam, according to the state’s Employment Security Department.
The tax-credit program provides up to $2,400 in tax savings per worker to businesses that hire veterans, the disabled, ex-inmates, high-risk teens and young adults, food-stamp recipients and those who receive Supplemental Security Income. Additionally, businesses that hire long-term welfare recipients can save as much as $9,000 per person over two years, the state agency said.
“Everybody deserves a chance to earn a living,” Employment Security Commissioner Karen Lee said. “The Work Opportunity Tax Credit rewards businesses that give disadvantaged people an opportunity to achieve their dreams.”
The Work Opportunity Tax Credit is obtained by submitting an application to state Employment Security Department, which works with other governmental agencies to certify the eligibility of hired workers.
In 2007, the department received more than 30,000 applications for the credit from 3,300 Washington businesses. Some 16,560 workers were certified as eligible for the credit.
Businesses certified for the credit must complete IRS Form 5884 when submitting their federal income taxes.
Employers that may want to participate in the program in 2008 should visit their local WorkSource office or call 800-669-9271.
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