Briefs (Sept. 21)

Marysville presents fire district awards

MARYSVILLE – The Marysville Fire District presented a Phoenix Award Sept. 20 to nine members in honor of their extraordinary actions to help save the life of a man who suffered a heart attack in his driveway.

The patient collapsed June 20. Family members called 9-1-1 and his wife began CPR until crews arrived minutes later. Firefighters and paramedics were able to use a defibrillator to restart the patient’s heart before transporting him to the hospital where he was released days later.

Chief Martin McFalls presented the Phoenix Award to: Battalion Chief Keith Taylor; Capts. John Milless and Sam Eagle; firefighter/paramedics Trevor Trueax, Kevin Schroeder, and Matthew Hickman; and firefighters Keoni Brown, Ryan Hardwick and Andrew Stebliy.

Also that day, the fire district honored several members who received promotions, service awards and other

recognition.

Firefighters Joe Ballif and Crystal Simpson-Stinchfield recently graduated as paramedics from the University of Washington – Medic One Program. Both Ballif and Simpson-Stinchfield spent roughly 10 months completing 2500 hours of classroom, laboratory, clinical and field training. They are the 22nd and 23rd Marysville firefighters trained by the program since 1995. Ryan Hardwick will be the 24th firefighter to go through the program, starting Sept. 24.

Firefighters Jonathan Glasson and Ricky Williamson also received recognition for promotions to driver/operators.

The district honored the recent retirement of firefighter Dan Allen, who served 18 years with the department.

•Receiving five-year certificates were: firefighters Christopher McAuliffe, Chad Solbakken, Jacob McConkey, Brenden Hancock and Crystal Simpson-Stinchfield, a

firefighter/paramedic.

•10 years: firefighters Susan Carver, Chris Mullen and Jacob Kuehn; accounting technician Kelsey Fox; firefighter-paramedic Brien Gronemyer; and Deputy Chief/Fire Marshal Tom Maloney.

•15 years: Josh Farnes, Fleet and Facilities lead; and Jeramie Strittmatter, firefighter/paramedic.

•Battalion Chief Rick Jesus was given a 20-year pin.

•25 years: Dave Fennell, firefighter; Capts. Jeff Bilow and Jeff Tucker

•30 Years: Fire Chief Martin McFalls; Lt./fire inspector Don McGhee

•35 Years: Deputy Chief Darryl Neuhoff

Free Small Business Summit coming up in Marysville

MARYSVILLE – A free Small Business Summit will take place Oct. 2 from 3-6 p.m. at the Marysville Opera House, 1225 3rd St.

The summit provides an opportunity for all small-business owners, managers and entrepreneurs in Marysville, Tulalip and Snohomish County to learn tools, strategies and best practices to compete in today’s market.

No cost registration will be available at the door.

At 3 p.m. attendees can visit booths, have refreshments and open networking. At 3:30 an hourlong discussion will take place on economic development in the county. At 4:30 there will be a presentation on social media do’s and don’ts. At 5 free Google services will be explained. And at 5:30 there will be another half-hour for networking.

For details call the Marysville-Tulalip Chamber at 360-659-7700 or online at MemberSupport@MarysvilleTulalipChamber.com.

4 Arlington Girl Scouts build music table for school

ARLINGTON – Four Girl Scouts – Devyn Britton, Baylee Wilkins and Maggie Smith, all ninth-graders at Arlington High School, and Hannah Fairbanks, an eighth-grader at Post Middle School, have been working for months building a mobile, music table for Pioneer Elementary School.

They planned to present the project to the school at a recent PTSA meeting. The girls proposed the idea to the principal and PTSA last spring as a way to add music exploration to the school’s Science Garden. They raised over $800 for the project by hosting a bake sale at Pioneer’s Talent Show in June, a skate night fundraiser on the last day of school, and doing yard work over the summer. They planned, designed, researched and shopped for all the components. The music wall includes: 6 drums, 8 hand bells, a xylophone, 7 Tibetan singing bowls and 2 talking tubes.

The girls also built a PVC pipe xylophone that is played by hitting the tops of the tubes with flip-flops.

Each Scout logged more than 50 hours on the project.

Scouts help dog park, start free library

ARLINGTON – Girl Scouts have completed projects, including a Little Free Library and improvements at a dog park.

Ivy Heart, Riliegh Carr, Patience Hartman and Abby Stevenson designed, built and installed the library on Third Street just west of President’s Elementary. They also refurbished the Little Free Library that was formerly at Haller Park, which was vandalized. It is now located at Terrace Park on Fifth Street. Annabelle Smith, Grace Lish, Genevieve Stoeckel and Ashley Vogel wanted to let people know about the dog agility course in the Stormwater Wetlands Park. They decided to add signs at the entrance to Eagle Trail and at the park, and requested that the city update the maps at the park kiosk station and on the website. The girls added a pet waste station.

Both groups applied for a grant from the Arlington Rotary Club and received $350.

Marysville class gives tips on improving speaking skills

MARYSVILLE – Would you like to become a more confident, credible and compelling speaker? If so plan to take the free class Business Pros: Powerful Presentations 101 Oct. 16 at 6 p.m. at the Marysville Library, 6120 Grove St. Register by calling 360-658-5000.

Learn how to:

•Organize thoughts quickly

•Speak clearly, concisely and confidently

•Identify and ditch distracting mannerisms

•Minimize dependence upon notes, technology and memorization

•Create original and exciting material

•Maximize interaction and your impact on your audience

Classes give young Arlington people tips on dealing with issues

ARLINGTON – Classes about how to help tweens and teens as they grow and develop are taught by Cocoon House staff members and available at various Sno-Isle Libraries community libraries, including Arlington.

On Oct. 3, from 6-7:15 p.m., a class will take place called, “Understanding and Preventing Substance Abuse in Teens.” The other one is called, “Who Am I? Your Teen’s Quest for Identity.” It will take place at the Arlington Library Oct. 24 at that same time.

M-P graduate helps connect people with disabilities to jobs

MARYSVILLE – Preston Dwoskin, a Marysville-Pilchuck High School graduate and longtime local and state advocate for people with disabilities, is mentioned in a resolution that will be submitted to the Snohomish County Council Oct. 10.

The resolution honors Dwoskin for his new part-time job with the Marysville School District. He will be working with businesses to try and connect them with individuals with disabilities who could make good employees.

Graduate of Marysville NJROTC program honors ex-teachers

MARYSVILLE – The two leaders of the Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps at Marysville-Pilchuck High School must be beaming.

Both retired Cmdr. Randolph Brasfield and Naval science instructor Chief Kathy Wilde were honored by a former student last week.

On Sept. 9 at Naval Station Everett, Leighton Flores, a 2013 graduate of Marysville Getchell High School, accepted his commissioning to the rank of Ensign in the U.S. Navy. He recently graduated from the Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY. He chose to be commissioned by Brasfield. Flores said it was the best way he could think of to express his gratitude for everything he learned from his NJROTC instructors. Also, the first salute is a 19th century tradition that requires newly commissioned officers to give a silver dollar to the recipient of their first salute. The first salute is considered a way to show respect for those superior enlisted personnel who helped the officer achieve commissioned status. Flores extended the request of his first salute to Wilde.

Business helps Arlington family whose daughter has rare disease

MARYSVILLE – An Arlington family of four, including a daughter with a rare disease, is receiving a free Daikin Ductless Heat Pump installed at their home from Barron Heating & Air Conditioning.

Dana and Jill Ford and their 4-year-old daughter with Pitt-Hopkins syndrome were nominated by multiple people during Barron Heating’s Christmas in July giving event. Ductless heat pumps, which provide energy-efficient heating and cooling, were also donated to two other families in Western Washington.

Barron Heating will later this year be seeking more recommendations for families in need. Three more families will be selected to receive a new furnace before winter hits.

The value of the heat pumps and furnaces with installation is estimated at more than $25,000. “People told us how much the Ford family could use a ductless heat pump,” said John Barron, owner of Barron Heating. “The child with Pitt-Hopkins syndrome, which affects approximately 500 people in the world, is greatly affected by temperature fluctuations, so we’re happy we can make their lives healthier and more comfortable.”

The ductless heat pumps dramatically cut energy costs.

Meanwhile, Barron Heating & Air Conditioning, seeking qualified candidates in a tight job market to fill positions at its three Northwest Washington locations including Marysville, recently launched Barron Technician School.

“Our team is seeking exceptional apprentice and journey-level HVAC, electrical, and plumbing candidates that are career-oriented, exhibit a positive attitude, and have a strong desire to help others,” Barron said. “Our campus is now equipped with fully functioning service and installation labs, with classes taught by industry leaders.”

Job candidates accepted are paid for their classroom, lab and on-the-job training. Employees are reimbursed for continuing education units and fees for trade-specific licensure. Entry-level apprentice HVAC wages begin around $16 per hour. Journey-level technician, electrician and plumbing wages can reach the $35-$45 per hour range for full-time, year-round positions.

The Marysville location is at 1062 State Ave. For details, go to www.barronheating.com.

Artistic benches sought in Arlington

ARLINGTON – The Arlington Arts Council is seeking artistic benches for Arlington Valley Road.

The benches would be used on the road that is under construction through the city’s industrial zone. More benches could be used in other areas, such as on Airport Boulevard.

The bench designs will be presented at AAC’s Fall into Art Auction October. The competition is open to all Puget Sound artists.

Designs should connect the industrial nature of the location with a nod toward the city’s past, present and or future. The road passes behind the former Northwest Hardwoods Mill which is being redeveloped. Artistic quality and strength of work is also important. Benches should be durable for outdoor use, vandal resistant, and should pose no safety threats. The budget is $2,500 per bench.

Bench proposals are due Oct.10 and should include a resume, a sketch or image of concept with dimensions and materials labeled, up to 5 digital images (jpg) of relevant work, and website (if available).

Send or deliver entries to: Sarah Arney, saraharney4@aol.com, 29709 203rd Ave. NE, Arlington, WA 98223 or to Sarah Lopez at slopez@arlingtonwa.gov. For details, call Arney 360-435-3778.

Quilt goes up at Arlington’s visitor center

ARLINGTON – The city participated in the Stillaguamish Barn Quilt Trail project by placing a barn quilt on the back of the Depot Visitor Information Center at Legion Park.

The square depicts the railroad history of the site.

The Quilt Trail was launched this year by volunteers. The first quilt was placed on Biringer Berry Farm’s barn in June. Another quilt was placed on the Jensen/Grimm Barn at Island Crossing. The goal is to establish a driving tour of barn quilts around the Stillaguamish Valley. The project will incorporate interactive audio and video about the history and culture of the farms, barns and of quilting. The barn quilt often depicts or reflects the farm or family history.

Owners of barns are encouraged to participate. To find out how to apply for a free quilt provided by a historic grant, email stillybarnquilts@gmail.com.

Arlington treatment plant among state’s best

ARLINGTON – The cit’s Wastewater Treatment Plant was recently awarded the Outstanding Wastewater Treatment Plant Award for 2017. The Department of Ecology’s Northwest Regional Office commended the city for superior performance of its wastewater treatment plant and noted the award places Arlington among the top city treatment plants in Washington, based on effluent limits, submittals and overall plant compliance.

Marysville woman who died in crash ID’d

STANWOOD — A woman who died last week in a fiery crash near Stanwood has been identified as Patti S. Roodzant, 60, of Marysville.

Her Toyota RAV4 collided with a Subaru Outback around 11 a.m. on Sept. 12. The crash happened at 28th Avenue NW and 268th Street NW.

Roodzant’s SUV caught fire after it rolled off the road and into some trees.

The other driver had injuries that were not life-threatening.

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