Number of homeless rises from 2011

Early data collected during the recent Point in Time annual homeless count shows a slight increase over numbers collected during 2011.

During the count, volunteers gathered information about Snohomish County’s homeless population. This year’s total – still incomplete – shows 2,382 individuals in 1,401 households without a permanent place to stay.

This compares with last year’s final count of 2,273 individuals in 1,385 households. Of the individuals counted this year, an estimated 829 were homeless children younger than 18; 115 were homeless veterans; and 381 said they were victims of domestic violence.

County residents hit energy milestone

Customers of Snohomish County Public Utility District have hit an energy milestone: their combined solar energy production now stands at one megawatt, double their solar energy output of two years ago. More than 200 PUD customers now cover part of their electricity needs through their own renewable energy, including rooftop solar units.

The bulk of the small-scale solar energy production comes from customers participating in the PUD’s Solar Express program, which offers financial incentives and technical assistance for solar photovoltaic and solar hot water systems.

For more information, call the PUD Energy Hotline at 425-783-1700 or go to www.snopud.com/solarexpress.

BUSINESS NEWS

New location for MLT association

Mountlake Terrace Business Association will meet in a new location starting Feb. 15. The regular monthly networking events will be held at Merrill Gardens, 23303 58th Ave. W,, Mountlake Terrace. Merrill Gardens will provide lunches free of charge to members during networking events.

Meetings are held the third Wednesday of every month from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

New segment of nonprofit added

Sunshine 12 Step Shop has added a coffee cart-style service to its offerings.

The shop centers its efforts supporting and celebrating addiction recovery. It offers books, cards and jewelry in addition to the new coffee service. A seating area has also been added.

“The coffee service is another way we can reach out to the community, as well as our networking and counseling” said Ann Nordine, manager. “Working here keeps me sober.”

The shop recently moved to 4001 198th St. SW, Lynnwood.

For more information, call 425-673-8888.

Heartfelt hunt at Alderwood

Shoppers are challenged to use mobile devices in search for love-themed QR codes hidden throughout Alderwood mall, through Feb. 14. Find hearts, cupids and red lips embedded with QR codes in different areas of the mall, scan the code and be entered for a chance to win one of 30 $10 Shop Etc. Mall Gift Cards awarded daily.

One lucky winner of the The Where is the Love? sweepstakes will win a vacation to Kauai, Hawaii.

Go to www.alderwoodmall.com for details.

Direct mail workshop

The United States Postal Service is offering a “Grow Your Business Day” workshop for entrepreneurs and proprietors who want to learn how to promote their businesses using direct mail, without the cost of mailing lists or permits, using the new Every Door Direct Mail service.

A workshop will be held 10:30 a.m., Feb. 17 at the Lynnwood Library, 19200 44th Ave. W.

To register, go to usps.com/growyourbusinessdays.

COMMUNITY NEWS

Rotarians honor housing partners

The Rotary Club of Lynnwood and representatives from Edmonds School District and Everett Community College recently thanked the many partners who supported the building of House 37 in 2010-2011 donating materials, labor and cash totaling nearly $49,000. Partners were presented with the Dave Thomson Community Service Award, named after the Rotarian who founded the house project in 1974.

The project engages students enrolled in the Edmonds School District carpentry program in the hands-on experience of building a new house each school year.

Earling’s open door

Edmonds’ Mayor Dave Earling invites citizens, business owners and others from the Edmonds community to join him for a one-on-one meeting he is calling Office Hour. The meetings are designed to provide an opportunity for constituents to talk with the mayor about concerns related to the city. Meetings will be broken into 15 minute intervals to allow for four individual sessions within the hour.

The sessions are held on the second and fourth Fridays of every month from 8-9 a.m. in the mayor’s office located in City Hall, 121 Fifth Ave. N.

Those interested in scheduling an Office Hour time should call 425-771-0247 or email carolyn.lafave@edmondswa.gov.

Proper dog waste disposal fostered

New dog waste bag receptacles and bag dispensers will soon be appearing throughout Edmonds. Jerry Shuster, storm water engineer program manager, garnered a grant designated for storm water education. This enabled the city to purchase 4,000 “poo collector” bags. Shuster also convinced Custom Bioplastics to donate 10 dog dispensers to the city, saving $600.00.

Dispensers will be placed on Sunset Avenue, City Park, Yost Park, Pine Ridge Park, Interurban trail near Lake Ballinger and Mini Park near the restrooms at ferry holding lanes.