Civic Almanac

MLS reports more home sales

More homes sold in South County in June – and for more money – compared with the same month a year earlier, according to recent figures from Northwest Multiple Listing Service.

The number of closed sales in June 2012 was up by nearly 10 percent with a median sales price of $259,950, about 6 percent higher than the median in June 2011. Across all of Snohomish County, the number of closed sales was up more than 18 percent with sales prices up nearly 4 percent.

Brokers say sellers are showing more confidence in a recovering market, while buyers are trying to take advantage of low interest rates – even if they’re frustrated by fewer options.

BUSINESS NEWS

Business group seeks to help nonprofits

Participants in Leadership Snohomish County’s “Signature Leadership” class and its “Young Leaders Challenge” are looking for community projects and events to take on this fall. Community-based nonprofits and social service agencies are encouraged to submit ideas for projects or events through Aug. 20.

A one-hour information session is planned for 10:30 a.m. July 18 at 3120 McDougall Ave., Everett.

For more information or an application, go to www.leadershipsc.org. Applications are due by 5 p.m. Aug. 20.

Business briefs

• Stroller Strides of Mill Creek and Lynnwood on July 10 celebrated a grand opening for its new location at the Lynnwood Recreation Center, 18900 44th Ave. W. Owner and instructor Jami Ray leads classes at 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Learn more at www.stroller strides.net/millcreek or call 800-524-0279.

• The Lynnwood Chamber’s After Hours event from 5-7 p.m. July 18 is to be hosted in part by the Edmonds Petanque Club at Edmonds Civic Center Playfield, Sixth Avenue N and Bell Street.

• FS Bancorp Inc. is now the holding company for Mountlake Terrace-based 1st Security Bank of Washington in connection with the completion of 1st Security’s conversion from the mutual to stock form of organization.

• John Zipper recently formed Zipper Geo Associates LLC at 19023 36th Ave. W, Suite D, Lynnwood. More info: www.zippergeo.com

CIVIC NEWS

Find MLT on YouTube

Nearly one year after launching its Facebook and Twitter pages, the city of Mountlake Terrace has added another option for those in the community who prefer to stay informed electronically. A YouTube channel, “City ofMLT,” provides educational videos about the city, promotes community pride and markets the city to potential investors, businesses and shoppers.

Find a link on the city’s website at www.cityofmlt.com.

Learn more about Lynnwood light rail

Sound Transit will have project information booths at several events this summer to share information and answer questions about the Lynnwood Link Extension:

• Edmonds Summer Market, July 14

• Shoreline Swing Summer’s Eve, July 18

• Tour de Terrace, July 28-29

• Celebrate Shoreline, Aug. 18

• Shoreline Farmer’s Market, Aug. 25

• Mountlake Terrace Farmer’s Market, Sept. 7

The Lynnwood Link Extension is part of the voter-approved “Sound Transit 2 Plan” to extend mass transit throughout the region.

Go to the project website to learn more: www.soundtransit.org/LLE.

Civic briefs

• Edmonds Mayor David Earling will proclaim July as Parks and Recreation month in Edmonds at the July 17 City Council meeting. Learn more about local opportunities at www.reczone.org.

• Snohomish County’s Solid Waste Division will temporarily close a portion of the Southwest Recycling and Transfer Station in Mountlake Terrace from July 28 through Aug. 17 for repairs to the tipping floor. The recycle area will remain open, but customers with hydraulic vehicles should use the Cathcart Transfer Station (8915 Cathcart Way, Snohomish).

• Housing Hope, an Everett-based nonprofit that provides housing opportunities to low-income families in Snohomish County, is a finalist in Toyota’s “100 Cars for Good” competition and will compete for votes July 14 to win a truck. Go to www.housinghope.org/toyota.html for more information.