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Home   •   Archives   •   Spokane Edition   —   Monday, June 30, 2014

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Washington State Library partners with Microsoft to bridge tech skills gap



Ask any job seeker and they will tell you that the number one thing keeping them from getting the higher paying jobs they really want is experience and their level of digital literacy. Spokane Public Library can help.

Microsoft's IT Academy is now available in libraries statewide (it has been offered in WA schools since 2011). All you need is a library card to access these certification-level, online courses. There are three levels of technology courses: Basic digital literacy proficiencies, Microsoft Office training, and advanced skills for IT professionals.

Some of the courses offered are:
- Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint,
- Microsoft Office and Sharepoint
- Windows Server, Exchange Server, Lync Server, SQL Server
- Virtualization and Cloud Infrastructure,
- Visual Studio and Windows Phone

Certification is available following successful completion of a series of courses by testing at certification centers. Certification is at the participant's expense, while the courses are offered free of charge.

Library Director Andrew Chanse said, "The library's goal is to meet citizens where they are and help them get to where they want to be both personally and professionally. Microsoft IT Academy is a great tool for this and we hope many will come to the library, whether in person or through our website. "

Visit spokanelibrary.org or stop by any of the six Spokane Public Library locations (or your local library) to get started with free technology training.


COGO Capital, The Private Money Company, hosting Mid-Year Regional Economic event with Shaun Higgins on July 10

Recent economic reports have generated a lot of discussions about the national and local economy. These discussions are taking place in corporate board rooms, at the local coffee shops and around the dinner table. Most are asking, 'how do the recent economic data points affect me - both short term and long term?'

To better understand the current regional economy, COGO Capital, The Private Money Company, is holding a special presentation on mid-year economic facts July 10 at their 4610 N. Division, Spokane location. Sorting through the information and sharing its impact on local businesses will be Shaun O'L. Higgins. He has been pouring through the data and will be answering questions such as: How has the Spokane-Coeur d'Alene MSA economy performed for the first half of 2014? And, where is the local economy headed for the next 12 to 18 months?

Key data points Higgins will cover specific to the regional real estate market include: housing prices, unit sales trends, population growth, and commercial real estate growth trends. These are important factors real estate investors consider as they invest in the regional market.

COGO Capital is a private source of capital for real estate investors seeking funding for non-owner occupied residential and commercial projects. COGO Capital's model is built around peer-to-peer lending with a focus on helping real estate investors. Peer-to-peer lending continues to grow not only in popularity but also importance in the changing world of finance. These changes will also be presented and discussed during the special mid-year economic update.

In addition to the valuable information shared by Higgins, COGO Capital is hosting a BBQ where those interested can learn about private, peer-to-peer lending, a key part of the improving housing market. Those interested are invited to stop by starting at 4:30 pm. Greater Spokane Incorporated's Ambassadors will also be on hand for a special ribbon cutting at 5:00 pm to celebrate COGO Capital's nearly two-years of operations in Spokane.

The information session begins at 6:30 pm Thursday, July 10 at the COGO Capital's Spokane location, located at 4610 N. Division. All are welcome to attend the BBQ and economic update presentation but are asked to RSVP to Yvette at 509-882-2727 or via email at cs@cogocapital.com.


Join the Fight Against Breast Cancer and Paint for the Cure July 25



Join the Pink Tie Guys and Van Gogh & Merlot as they 'Paint for the Cure', a breast cancer awareness event. This fun event will take place Friday, July 25 at 6:30pm, held at the Kress Gallery at RiverPark Square, 3rd floor.

Tickets are $50 and your donation includes a painting class with instruction and materials, snacks, local wine, raffles and prizes.

Let your inner artist come out! Reserve your spot today. For more information and to register, email vangoghandmerlot@gmail.com or call 210-885-2441. Visit the website at www.vangoghandmerlot.com.

All proceeds benefit Susan G. Komen Eastern Washington Affiliate in the fight against breast cancer.


NAWBO Chapter meeting July 10

NAWBO (Northwest Association of Women Business Owners) will hold their July Chapter meeting Thursday, July 10 at the Lincoln Center, 1316 N Lincoln Rd. The focus on this meeting is customer retention. With rising customer acquisition costs, it seems customer retention has a new role - it's the NEW customer acquisition.

Networking begins at 5pm and dinner and presentation starts at 6. During the evening, the installation of the 2015 NAWBO Officers and Board will take place. To register, visit www.nawbonw.org/Register_Event.aspx?id=18&eid=169.


The Global Leadership Summit August 14-15

On August 14-15, 2014 over 190,000 church and business leaders will gather for The Global Leadership Summit broadcast live via satellite from the Willow Creek Community Church, Chicago to more than 300+ satellite sites across North America. Life Center Foursquare Church is one of those sites.

The Global Leadership Summit is designed for business and community leaders, board members, pastors, teachers, civil servants, politicians, anyone who has the opportunity of influence and the desire to positively impact their world. This event will offer insights, developmental tools and inspiring perspectives from leaders all over the world who are committed to making lasting, positive change in the spheres they influence.

Among this year's speakers will be: Bill Hybels, Founder & Sr. Pastor, Willow Creek; Cary Fiorina, Former CEO of Hewlett-Packard; Tyler Perry, Filmmaker, Actor & Philanthropist; Patrick Lencioni, Founder & President, The Table Group; Jeffrey Immelt, President & CEO, General Electric; Wilfredo De Jesus, Pastor, TIME's 100 Most Influential People 2013; Erica Ariel Fox, New York Times Best-selling Author, President Mobius Executive Leadership, and many more.

Life Center Foursquare Church is located at 1202 N. Government Way. Register at www.willowcreek.com/summit. Special Pricing Available for Military, Students and Groups of 25+.


Eldonna Shaw leaving Valley Chamber

Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce CEO Eldonna Shaw has announced that she will leave the Chamber at the end of July, ending 13 years of service. Shaw also owns a consulting practice with her husband Larry Davis and will work full time in that business. She says she will also be an active Chamber member.

Ron Wachter, appointed new director at RiverBank

RiverBank CEO Daniel Byrne has announced that RiverBank has appointed Ron Wachter as a new Director to its Board. Wachter comes to RiverBank with a great deal of experience as a successful business owner and manager as well as extensive experience in community leadership. He also has served previously as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Bank of Pullman which helped expand his contacts in Whitman County and the Inland Northwest region.

Wachter is currently active as the Manager of Helena Chemical (formerly NuChem), the President of NuChem LTD (entity purchased by Helena Chemical), a Managing Member of Eagle Fish Associates, Co-Manager of Pullman Inn-Vestments and the President of Hilltop Development Co.

Wachter graduated from Oregon State University in 1960 with a B.S. in Business and Technology as well as in Agriculture Economics.

Community Colleges of Spokane welcomes two new employees

Following a national search, Carolyn Casey, former director of external affairs for the Port of Bellingham, Washington from 2011 to present, was named as the community colleges' PIO, CCS starting tomorrow, July 1, 2014.

Prior to her appointment as director of external affairs, Casey was communications manager for the Port of Bellingham (2000-11), vice president and co-owner of Casey & Waidelich Communications (1992-2000) and a reporter for the Bellingham Herald and Seattle Times (1984-1992).

A graduate of Western Washington University, Casey has a bachelor's degree in political science. She also has a master's degree in public administration from the Daniel J. Evans School of Public Affairs at the University of Washington.

Also, Community Colleges of Spokane's acting Chief Financial Officer, Lisa Hjaltalin, will serve as the community colleges' permanent CFO after an open, competitive search.

Hjaltalin has served as CCS' acting Chief Financial Officer since fall 2013. Previously, she was the community colleges' district director of fiscal services (2011-2013). Prior to joining CCS, Hjaltalin established Hjaltalin Consulting Services (2008-present). She also was a senior accountant at Relion, Inc. (2007-08); financial analyst, Northwest Consulting Group (2007); director of internal audit (2003-04) and student financial services (2004-06), Eastern Washington University; and senior auditor, Williams & Webster, PS (2001-03).

Hjaltalin has a bachelor's degree in business management from Lewis-Clark State College, Lewiston, Idaho, and is a certified public accountant.

Rocker Room Rock 'n' Roll Sports Bar opens in Coeur d'Alene

The Rocker Room Rock 'n' Roll Sports Bar opened last weekend at 216 E. Coeur d'Alene Avenue in the former The Country Bar location. Chef Jason Rex, formerly at Scratch, has developed a sports bar menu that includes kids' items. They offer 20 beers on tap as well as a season drink menu. True to its sports bar theme, The Rocker Room Rock 'n' Roll Sports Bar has giant HCTVs, pool, darts and shuffleboard. It is open from 4pm to close daily. The phone number is 208-676-2582.

Trindera Engineering announces two hires Andy Nebrigich as Finance Coordinator

Trindera Engineering, an electrical and control systems engineering and consulting firm with offices in Coeur d'Alene and Spokane announces the recent hiring of Andy Nebrigich as Finance Coordinator and Scott Jacobson, P.E. as Electrical Project Engineer.

Andy Nebrigich holds a degree in Accounting from Lewis-Clark State College. He brings two years of experience with him to Trindera Engineering. Most recently he was an Accountant with Global Drug Testing Labs.

Scott Jacobson holds a Bachelors of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Ohio Northern University. He has experience in Electrical Power Design & Drafting, and Lighting Designs & Control Systems. Most recently he was an Electrical Engineer with DEI Electrical Consultants.

The Business Thought of the Week

"There is only one success, to be able to spend your life in your own way." Christopher Morley

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