MY EVERETT NEWS

A fundraiser is set for Friday night.

Our friends at MyEdmondsNews.com alerted us to a great story about two dancers who train in Everett and their attempt to raise funds in order to perform in front of the U.S. Olympic Committee. Eric Linder and Rickie Taylor have been seen on Dancing with the Stars, America’s Got Talent, Oprah and many other programs. The two, who have been dancing together since they were four years old, are now 12 and have a chance to be seen by the U.S. Olympic Committee. They are holding a fundraiser in Everett this Friday night. Click here to see the full story from MyEdmondsNews.com.

Let’s start the week off with some positive news…

Tom Gaffney and Deborah Wright in a photo provided by EvCC

Everett Community College has selected longtime Everett residents Tom Gaffney and Deborah Wright as the college’s 2013 Distinguished Alumni.

The two were honored at the Everett Community College Foundation breakfast April 23.

“These two alumni have done exactly what we want all of our graduates to do. We want the people who come through our doors to refine the talents they bring to us and move on to success in further education, in the workplace, and in their communities,” EvCC President David Beyer said.

Gaffney, a retired accountant, has served on the board of Providence Regional Medical Center, Evertrust Bank and the EverTrust Foundation, the Snohomish County Economic Development Council and the Everett Public Facilities district. He also was a member of EvCC’s Board of Trustees for 12 years.

“When it comes to economic development, quality health care, and first class education, there are few in this community who can match Tom’s record for community service,” Beyer said.

Wright is also known for her dedication to Everett. She works for the city of Everett as an executive administrator in the office of Neighborhoods and Community Services and is active in the Rotary Club of Everett.

“Throughout her career, Deborah has demonstrated the community involvement, compassion and commitment to service that we would like to recognize,” Beyer said.

This is the seventh year the Alumni Association has named distinguished alumni. The award is the highest honor given to Everett Community College and Everett Junior College alumni.

Past recipients include Everett Police Chief Kathy Atwood, Everett Firefighter Gary Parks, auto dealer Dwayne Lane, entertainer Stan Boreson, business owners Doug and Barbara Allan, former Herald publisher Larry Hanson, Dr. William Hummel and Doris Hummel, former Washington state Sen. Jean Berkey and businessman Joe Cooper.

CJ Fox doing what he did best…

Just learned this morning of the passing this weekend of Chuck “C.J.”Fox. He apparently suffered a heart attack this weekend in Newton, Iowa. For years he was the general manager of KRKO radio in Everett before leaving to open the Karaoke store on Evergreen Way, sponsoring singing competitions all over Everett and Snohomish County. He moved to Newton, Iowa several years ago and opened a similar business there. A memorial service will be held next Tuesday in Newton.

Everett Fire Department Battalion Chief Matt Keller thanks Peggy Ray for being a good samaritan

Peggy Ray and her husband Nathan with members of the Everett Firefighters Association

Members of the Everett Firefighters Association stopped by the Starbucks at the QFC on Evergreen Way this afternoon to say thanks to Peggy Ray. Ray, who works at the Starbucks, was one of a number of good samaritans who stopped by an accident scene on I-5 Saturday afternoon after an elderly couple crashed their car on I-5 in north Everett. While helping the couple, Ray had $900 stolen from inside her car. She had just taken the money out of a cash machine to pay her rent and hadn’t secured it when the crash happened right in front of her. In addition to saying thanks, members of the Everett Firefighters Association delivered envelopes containing cash and checks for Ray. Everett battalion chief Matt Keller said the money has come from all over the area as people reached out to replace the money taken from Ray while she helped total strangers in need. Donations included $750.00 from the Everett Firefighters Union and the Everett Firefighters Association, $350.00 from the Lynnwood Police Officers Association and well over a dozen other donations ranging from a $5.00 bill to hundreds of dollars that people have dropped off at Everett Fire stations for delivery to Ray.

While this was a fairly public donation by Everett Firefighters, it’s not the only time Firefighters have given money to help people in need. According to Eric Hicks, thru their association, each Everett firefighter gets $50.00 a year to use as they see fit to help people they find in distress. Everett Firefighters have purchased groceries, blankets, coats and other items that have helped people in a time of need. It’s not a program they talk about much, it’s just another thing Everett Firefighters do.

Nathan Ray, who is Peggy’s husband, says his wife is an amazing person. He was out-of-town when all of this occurred and said he’s not surprised by her jumping in to help a stranger. “It’s just who she is,” said Nathan. The two were married this summer and have six kids between them. He said they were concerned about where they would come up with replacement rent money and the community’s response has been mind-blowing. Nathan Ray is a community emergency response team volunteer in Everett and Peggy Ray is a member of the Rotary Club of Everett Port Gardner.

photo courtesy Everett Community College

There will be a new face at the table when the Everett Community College Board of Trustees meets Tuesday afternoon. Got this press release from Everett Community College…

Washington state Gov. Chris Gregoire has appointed Bob Bolerjack to Everett Community College’s Board of Trustees.

Bolerjack, of Lake Stevens, recently joined the Snohomish County PUD as a public relations and media liaison, after having spent nearly 25 years in leadership positions at The Daily Herald in Everett – the last 10 as editorial page editor.

“I’m thrilled about the opportunity to serve a great institution that plays such a pivotal role in our community,” Bolerjack said. “I look forward to working in support of the college’s mission, its staff and, most importantly, its students.”

Bolerjack replaces longtime trustee Gene Chase, who completed his term in October 2012 after serving on the board since 2000.

“Gene’s support for EvCC locally and in Olympia has made a real, lasting difference for our students, faculty and staff. We are thankful for his 12 years of leadership,” said EvCC President David Beyer. “I’m excited to welcome Bob to the board and believe our college will benefit from his exceptional understanding of our community.”

Bolerjack’s term is from October 2012 through September 2016.

As editorial page editor at The Daily Herald, Bolerjack led the editorial board for the paper. During his years at The Herald, Bolerjack also served as news editor and sports editor. Before joining The Herald in 1987, he worked as a news editor at The Post-Star in Glens Falls, N.Y., and as an assistant news editor at The Times-News in Twin Falls, Idaho.

He joined the Snohomish County PUD in June 2012. His responsibilities include internal and external communications, and developing and executing conservation marketing strategies.

Bolerjack earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism (with a minor in Political Science) at Western Washington University, and an Associate in Arts degree at Bellevue College.

EvCC’s Board of Trustees meets on the third Tuesday of each month in the college’s Henry M. Jackson Center.

Edna Jane Dart, 89, passed away peacefully October 31, 2012.

Born in October 1923 in Portland, OR to parents Ray and Jennie Spaulding. She had five siblings.

In 1948, Edna married Roger Dart and in 1952 moved to Everett, WA where they raised a family. Edna was preceded in death by husband Roger and son Robert.

She is survived by children Virginia Barriball, (New Mexico) Warren Dart, (Idaho) Leland Dart, (Everett) 8 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Edna enjoyed crossword puzzles, gardening, sewing and visiting with friends and family. She will be greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to Providence Hospice
and Home care of Snohomish County.

A celebration of her life will be held in Everett at Charter Club Apartments, Community Room, 1701 121st Street SE, Everett, WA 98208, Monday November 5, 2012 from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.