Nov 21, 1995

West Coast Paper Company

Seattle-headquartered West Coast Paper Co., a locally-owned regional paper distributor, has hired David Spraul as sales manager of its Portland Printing Paper Division. Prior to joining West Coast Paper, Spraul served as marketing manager for Unisource's northern California Printing Paper Division for just over a year. At Unisource, he also served for three years as the Fine Paper Division manager in Seattle and as division manager in Spokane for another six years. During this time, he also was elected vice president of the Seattle and Spokane divisions.

Safeco Asset Management Co.

Leslie Eggerling has been appointed vice president of Safeco Asset Management Co. She is currently in charge of the Safeco mutual funds group retirement marketing division. Three others were promoted to assistant vice president: Lynette Sagvold, a senior analyst and portfolio manager in the managed business area; Kevin Breen, an institutional sales representative; and Tom Rath, manager of stock portfolios for Safeco's property and casualty insurance companies. And, Linda Mahaffey, currently in charge of mutual funds administration, has been named vice president of Safeco Securities and Safeco Services.

Seattle's Top Area Restaurants

Nine of Seattle's independent restaurants have formed an alliance named Seattle's Top Area Restaurants (S.T.A.R.S), in order to group market, and separate themselves from hotel and chain establishments. S.T.A.R.S. includes Canlis, Gerard's Relais de Lyon, The Herbfarm, Il Terrazzo Carmine, Kaspar's, Reiner's, Rover's Saleh al Lago and Szmania's. To qualify for membership, restaurants have to be owner-operated and have stood the test of time by being in business for at least five years.

The Hotel Group

Sara Dale has been named sales manager for the Holiday Inn Hotel & Conference Center--Everett. Dale's background includes positions with the Cucina Cucina Lake Union restaurant, and the Courtyard by Marriott, located in Bellevue. She also has served as flight attendant for MarkAir and Continental Airlines, and was a supervisor for Northwest Greeting and Tour Service Inc., in Seattle. The 251-room Holiday Inn & Conference Center--Everett is managed by The Hotel Group, a Seattle-based company in charge of more than 20 hotels and resorts throughout the country.

Cloud Public Relations

Cloud Public Relations Inc. has moved its office to 2107 Elliott Ave., Suite 304, in Seattle. The public relations and marketing firm manages communications programs for clients in professional and financial services, high-technology, commercial real estate, telecommunications, fashion, entertainment, health care, retail and nonprofit.

Graphic Associates

Lauren Dully Hubbard has been hired as marketing coordinator for Graphic Associates, a Bellevue-based graphic design firm providing marketing communications for business. Hubbard was most recently office manager and marketing assistant for Seattle's Ken Shafer Design. Prior to that, she developed public relations experience with One Reel, a special events company in Seattle.

Strand Hunt

Strand Hunt Construction has promoted Michael Lembke to vice president. He has 25 years of experience in the construction industry and has worked for Strand Hunt for the past six years as a project manager. His new responsibilities include overseeing the company's Washington operations.

Construction Associates

Heidi Brewer-Peters has joined Construction Associates Inc. of Lynnwood as a project engineer. Her current projects include the Mill Creek Shopping Center, a warehouse in Woodinville and a mini-storage in Seattle. She has over 12 years of experience in commercial construction and holds a degree in building construction from the University of Washington.

IAPMO

Brian Garvey, executive vice president of the Mechanical Contractors Association of Western Washington, has been named Industry Person of the Year by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials. Garvey's efforts to ensure state residents with safe plumbing installations were cited, including his appointment to Gov. Lowry's State Advisory Board for Plumbing. Garvey was also honored for his legislative work and assistance at the local level on several industry issues.

School construction workshop

A Dec. 1 workshop for school construction professionals is being held at the Embassy Suites (3225 158th Ave. S.E.) in Bellevue. Topics to be addressed will include change order pricing, scheduling, delays and time extensions, project completion and close-out, and unforeseen conditions. The program is jointly sponsored by the Associated General Contractors of Washington, the American Institute of Architects, the Council of Education Facility Planners and Washington State School Construction Alliance. The workshop will run from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Cost is $75. The deadline for registration is Nov. 28. For further information, contact workshop registrar Diane Stengle of Perkins Coie at (206) 583-8888, ext. 8233.

Construction Safety Council

The Seattle Vicinity Construction Safety Council is holding its monthly meeting Nov. 28 at Ivar's Salmon House (401 N.E. Northlake Way) in Seattle. The topic of the meeting will be OSHA's Region X training facility, which was recently designated for the University of Washington. Meeting facilitators will be Brad Prezant and Rick Gleason of Prezant Associates Inc. The evening kicks off with a 5 p.m. social hour, followed by dinner at 6 p.m. and the program at 7 p.m. RSVP to Gracia Macy at the AGC by calling (206) 284-0061 or (800) 562-2868 no later than noon Nov. 27.

Sensitive areas code class

The King County Department of Development and Environmental Services, in collaboration with the Master Builders of King and Snohomish Counties, is presenting an eight-hour class with basic information on the provisions of the King County Sensitive Areas Code. Changes incorporated in the new zoning effective this year are discussed, and the participants are also provided with an understanding of how specialists recognize sensitive areas. The Nov. 30 class will be held beginning at 8:30 a.m. at DDES in Bellevue (3600 136th Place S.E., Second Floor Conference Room). Cost is $79. Pre-registration is required. To register, call (206) 451-7920.

Dispute resolution seminar

The AGC of Washington Education Foundation is holding a Dec. 5 seminar on dispute resolution. Topics of the program include partnering, on-the-job negotiations, dispute review boards, mediation, arbitration, trial and effective presentation of claims. Instructors will be from the law firm of Stanislaw, Ashbaugh. They include David Ashbaugh, founding member, and William Striegel and Michael Corke, in-house construction consultants. Cost of the event is $75. It will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the second floor Education Center at the Seattle AGC Building (1200 Westlake Ave. N.). For further information, contact Alison McGuire at (206) 284-0061 or (800) 562-2868.

Environmental exchange seminar

The Air & Waste Management Association is holding its 20th Annual Environmental Information Exchange conference Dec. 5-6 at the Environmental Protection Agency's Environmental Research Center at Research Triangle Park, N.C. The free program will focus on the implementation of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments. A group of experts will lead the discussion on current issues related to the development of the rules and regulations affecting implementation of the act. Special emphasis will be placed on the effects of the amendments on the utility industry. Space is limited and registration is required. For further information, contact AWMA, One Gateway Center, Third Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222; (412) 232-3444; fax (412) 232-3450; e-mail info@awma.org.

First aid/CPR

AGC of Washington Safety & Loss Control Services> is offering several first aid/CPR classes during the month of December. Class will be held Dec. 2 in Tacoma (AGC Southern District Office, 3820 S. Pine) from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Dec. 5 and 7 in Everett (Everett Community College, 801 Wetmore Ave.) from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Dec. 9 in Seattle (AGC Seattle District Office, 1200 Westlake Ave. N.) from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; and Dec. 11-12 in Bellevue (Bellevue Community College, 3000 Landerholm Circle S.E.) from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Cost is $32 per person. Registration is limited to AGC members only. For further information, contact Gracia Macy at (206) 284-0061 or (800) 562-2868. is offering several first aid/CPR classes during the month of December. Class will be held Dec. 2 in Tacoma (AGC Southern District Office, 3820 S. Pine) from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Dec. 5 and 7 in Everett (Everett Community College, 801 Wetmore Ave.) from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Dec. 9 in Seattle (AGC Seattle District Office, 1200 Westlake Ave. N.) from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; and Dec. 11-12 in Bellevue (Bellevue Community College, 3000 Landerholm Circle S.E.) from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Cost is $32 per person. Registration is limited to AGC members only. For further information, contact Gracia Macy at (206) 284-0061 or (800) 562-2868.

Jack Miller seminars

Jack Miller will be on a national seminar tour beginning next month. Total quality management (Dec. 4-5) and marketing (Dec. 7-8) will be presented in Philadelphia; TQM (Jan. 15-16), marketing (Jan. 18-19) and design/build/lease/financing (Jan. 22-23) will be offered in Orlando, Fla.; TQM (Feb. 26-27) and marketing (Feb. 29-March 1) will be offered in Kansas City; TQM (March 18-19), marketing (March 21-22) and design/build/lease/financing (March 25-26) will be offered in Indianapolis; TQM (May 6-7), marketing (May 9-10) and design/build/lease/financing (May 13-14) will be presented in Atlanta; and TQM (June 10-11), marketing (June 13-14) and design/build/lease/finance (June 17-18) will be offered in Las Vegas. For further information, call (800) 231-3353.

Financial survey of environmental firms

Management consultants and publishers Zweig White & Associates has released its 1995 "Financial Performance Survey of Environmental Consulting Firms," giving companies a way to see how they stack up against a cross-section of peers from across the country at a time when a maturing market and increased competition are taking a toll on many. The 275-page report (July 1995, $225) is based on a confidential survey of 92 U.S. environmental consulting firms and provides benchmarks for virtually every relevant financial statistic. Each participant provided its most recent fiscal year-end balance sheet and income statement data, revenue and profit histories and projections, as well as information on contracts, liability insurance and more. Markets represented include: hazardous waste consulting, water resource/groundwater, water and wastewater treatment, air quality and pollution control, solid waste management, industrial hygiene, health & safety, laboratory analysis and testing, environmental remediation, and asbestos abatement. To order, call Zweig White & Associates Inc., Natick, MA, (508) 651-1559.

Tacoma coping with smell tap water

TACOMA (AP) -- People in the northeast Tacoma area have complained to utility officials about foul-smelling and bad-tasting water. Tacoma City Water says there is no bacterial contamination evident, but is advising affected customers not to drink the water until the odors are gone. The complaints -- which describe the odor as smelling like diesel fuel, petroleum, chemicals or moth balls -- started Thursday, city officials said. The utility received about 150 calls Thursday and Friday, primarily from the Twin Lakes and Federal Way areas. "Right now our best guess is that the problem is related to a new 48-inch water main to Northeast Tacoma we put into service Wednesday night," said Tacoma City Water superintendent Ken Merry. "But we haven't been able to identify what is causing the problem or where it is coming from." The main was turned off Thursday. Merry said customers' descriptions of the odor suggest a solvent could be the problem. Water samples have been taken to a laboratory, and mains in the affected area are being flushed. City Water has advised the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department of the problem.

Hazardous waste conference

Reinventing Environmental Regulation, sponsored by the Northwestern School of Law of Lewis and Clark, will be the theme of the 12th annual Hazardous Waste Law and Management Conference, scheduled for Dec. 5-6 in the Washington Athletic Club in Seattle, and on Dec. 7-8 at Lewis & Clark College in Portland. Senior Environmental Protection Agency, Washington state Department of Ecology and Oregon Department of Environmental Quality officials will speak in a variety of forums to bring you up to date on Superfund reauthorization, RCRA, agency reorganization, 1995 case law, and technology and program developments. Discussion topics also include: brownfields development, environmental insurance coverage, environmental auditing, international trade requirements -- ISO 14000, new directions in hazardous waste law, pollution prevention, and alternatives to litigation. Managers sessions have been arranged by the Washington Environmental Industry Association and the Oregon Environmental Technology Association. According to the Environmental Law and Management Education Committee, 13.25 WA CLE credits are available for the Seattle conference and 14 OR CLE credits may be obtained for the Portland conference. For more information, contact Nancy Curran, Northwestern School of Law, at (503) 768-6672.

Loggers at risk in Warner Creek, state says

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) -- Federal plans to allow salvage logging in the Warner Creek fire area may pose an unacceptable safety risk to loggers, a state agency says. Unless U.S. Forest Service and state officials find a way to substantially reduce the risk of dead trees falling on loggers, worker-safety regulations may scuttle the project, which has been strongly opposed by environmentalists. "If you think you can walk through a badly burned area that's been standing for five years, rotting out, and not be in jeopardy, you're fooling yourself," said Terry DeForest, chief of safety enforcement for the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division. Even if tougher measures are taken to minimize the risk to loggers, the added cost of removing the timber may make the logging a money-loser, DeForest said. For the past two months, activists have been blocking a Forest Service road leading to the first area scheduled to be harvested. Environmentalists want to study how fire-burned areas recover naturally and have asked to preserve the 9,000 acres of forest torched by an unknown arsonist in October 1991. Forest Service officials say changes will have to be made in the salvage plan, which call for logging 9 million board feet of timber. "We may or may not be able to do what we wanted to do," said Mike Morris, spokesman for the Willamette National Forest. He said the Forest Service is awaiting written material from state safety officials. Logging is the most dangerous profession in Oregon, usually killing more than a dozen workers each year.

Mexico City may restrict driving

MEXICO CITY (AP) -- Pollution in the Mexican capital has gotten so high that authorities may prohibit residents from driving their cars two days a week, the official Notimex news agency reported. Mexico City residents already are supposed to leave their cars home one day a week. The city's Environment Secretary, Eduardo Palazuelos, warned earlier this month that the prohibition may be doubled because of dangerous levels of contaminants expected in December. Up to 80 percent of air pollution in the Mexico City basin comes from vehicle emissions, he said. During winter, cold air brings the brown layer of pollution hovering over the valley to ground level in what are called thermal inversions.

Fund-raising effort to preserve Tukwila Pond

The Tukwila Pond Park Committee on Tuesday kicked off a $2 million fund-raising effort to preserve a 25-acre site -- 19 of which are designated wetlands -- near Southcenter and convert it into a park. Plans for the site involve developing a 3-acre area on the west edge of the pond in order to build a central plaza with fountains, gardens and an interpretive center. Boardwalks and viewing platforms also would +be built to enjoy the pond without disturbing wildlife such as migratory waterfowl, fish and frogs that have called it home for years. The pond, formerly open pasture engulfed by dairy farms, was formed by increased runoff, rainfall and moisture squeezed from adjoining soil as the city began developing on surrounding properties. It was purchased by the city in 1993 for $1.2 million using a mix of grants from King County and Metro. The committee was formed last year to oversee development of the site and raise funds for construction, which could begin as early as next spring. Upon completion, Tukwila Pond would be the city's largest park, as well as its first in the Southcenter area.