Monday, June 1, 2009

The Davenport Hotel announced its acquisition of the Hotel Lusso, in downtown Spokane at 1 North Post Street. The Davenport Hotel will now operate the historic Davenport Hotel, the new Davenport Hotel Tower and the newly acquired boutique Hotel Lusso. The Hotel Lusso property has 48 guest rooms and nearly 4,000 square feet of meeting space. The "360" restaurant will continue as a tenant, as will the "Cavallino Lounge." The Hotel Lusso spans two historic buildings which date to 1890 – the Miller building and the Whitten building. The two were combined to make the Hotel Lusso in the 1990s. The Lusso, which is the Italian word for "luxury," is decorated in Mediterranean style.

You’ve seen the Nosey Parker books all over town, it’s the ultimate woman’s guide to fantastic shopping and services in the Inland Northwest. But did you ever wonder what "Nosey Parker" means? It’s a British term that means "curious," as in (British accent) "Well aren’t you a little Nosey Parker." Margaret Croom is the inspiration behind Nosey Parker and her exclusive 170 page woman’s guidebook, as well as the online version to the best of Inland Northwest shopping. It is Croom’s ambition to present an avenue where women can benefit from frequenting locally-owned businesses, while also providing an opportunity for continued prosperity of the participating businesses that give the area its own special vibe. More than shopping, Nosey Parker is also a conduit for raising money for many local non-profits that focus on women and children, including the Sacred Heart Foundation’s Toni Marie’s Boutique that provides a variety of services to help patients whose appearance has been affected by disease or treatment. NoseyParkerGuide.com is the online partner to the Nosey Parker Guidebook where you can find a listing of locations where you can pick up one of these fun, valuable guide books.

Kuvera Financial Services, located on the second floor of the Banner Bank building at 101 West Cataldo, is a business that is named for the mythological Hindu god of wealth. And that’s just what they strive to do, build and maintain wealth for their clients. Owner Steve Larsen is a CPA who applies his tax and financial services like a personal trainer applies exercise, in a customized plan for the best results. They also design their financial plans to be sustainable over time for individuals. Kuvera offers cutting edge technology to enhance their professional expertise in tax, accounting, investments and insurance. The phone number is 509-325-2003 and the website is www.kuveracpa.com.

Skyline Inland Northwest helps businesses look their best at trade shows and other display events with state of the art exhibition products. Whether you participate in large exhibitions or small local events, Skyline has products to fit your needs. The company is having an Open House Celebration, tomorrow, Tuesday, June 2 from 4 to 7pm. The company, owned by Jeff Backstrom, is celebrating three years of assisting local businesses with exhibits and displays. You can meet the Skyline Inland Northwest team, tour their showroom, and check out the latest trends in exhibiting. Food and refreshments will be on hand. Skyline Inland Northwest is located at 9922 E. Montgomery, #33. For more information and directions call 509-892-5354.

Community-Minded Enterprises is organizing and hosting "Unity in the Community’s" first fundraiser, "Up on the Roof," 6-8 p.m., Thursday, June 4. The event will feature music by the Manito String Quartet, a silent auction, hors d’oeuvres and beverages in a unique setting – the rooftop of Isabella’s restaurant at the Saranac Building, 25 W. Main Avenue, downtown Spokane. Tickets for Up on the Roof are $20 per person, available through brown paper tickets at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/67464. Up on the Roof $250 sponsorships include four tickets to the event and special recognition that evening and throughout the Unity In the Community celebration. Silent auction donors will receive two free tickets. For more information, contact Community-Minded Enterprises, 509-444-3088.

Southwest Airlines Magazine will highlight the Spokane region as part of its business series in the August 2009 issue of its in-flight magazine, Southwest Spirit. The magazine reaches about 3.2 million affluent business and leisure travelers who use the airline to travel to more than 65 cities, 33 states and 3,400 flights a day. Pace Communications, which publishes the magazine, estimates that the business feature on the Spokane region will be approximately 20-30 pages in length. This will be the first time our region is highlighted in the magazine, and will be devoted to showcasing growth in economic development and commerce, revitalization of the urban cores, emerging technologies and innovation, academic institutions and healthcare advances. This special section will also promote the outstanding opportunities and quality of life that our region offers to businesses and individuals who call it home. Thanks Southwest Airlines!

Larry L. Lambeth, president of Employment Screening Services, Inc. has just stepped down as the chairman of the National Association of Professional Background Screeners (NAPBS) and has been elected to be on the first board of directors of the newly formed Background Screening Credentialing Council. This council will oversee the development and implementation of the new Background Screening Agency Accreditation Program. This program is the first of its kind to setup and oversee standards and accreditation for the background screening industry. Lambeth has owned and operated Employment Screening Services, Inc. in Spokane for 23 years representing over 6,000 clients in 13 countries. ESS is one of the oldest and largest privately owned employment screening companies in the country. The phone number is 800-473-7778 X 102, and the website is http://www.employscreen.com.

Leadership Spokane and Youth Leadership Spokane Class of 2009 will graduate Friday June 12 at the Commons building at Mukogawa Fort Wright Institute, 4000 W. Randolph Road. The event begins with a Reception and Volunteer Fair at 2:30pm, featuring an array of non-profit, civic and governmental organizations. You'll learn about leadership opportunities while enjoying refreshments and visiting with alumni and graduating students. At 4pm, the Graduation Ceremony will begin with a not-to-be-missed keynote address from Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker. He'll speak on leadership in the context of his 37 year career in the Foreign Service and his broad experience in the Middle East. RSVP to lsintern@leadershipspokane.org or 509-459-4116 by 5pm June 8 and attend the event free. $10 at the door.

Eastern Washington University’s new Recreation Center has been recognized as the winner of the Innovative Architecture Design Award in the May 2009 issue of Recreation Management. The facility, which opened last spring, is considered the hub of health and wellness activities for students, faculty, staff and the surrounding community. In addition to an ice rink and restaurant, the center is equipped with a climbing wall, basketball court, running track and gym. It is also home to EPIC Adventures, the University’s outdoor program. The Recreation Center has already been awarded the LEED Gold certification for its environmentally friendly construction. The Recreation Center was designed by Sink Combs Dethlefs of Denver and built by Lydig Construction of Spokane.

The annual Farm Chicks Show is this weekend, Saturday 10-6 and Sunday 10-4 at the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center, Broadway at Havana. In the summer of 2002, The Farm Chicks® orchestrated their first Antique Show in a friend's barn. What began as a fun little show with good finds, has become a major event with antiques, vintage objects, handmade goods, and a variety of vendors. As the show has grown, the Farm Chicks have stayed true to their rural roots, but have expanded their event and moved it to the fairgrounds. Admission is $6 per person, children admitted free. They will be signing copies of their new book, "The Farm Chicks in the Kitchen: Live Well, Laugh Often, Cook Much," on Saturday at the show, from 1-2pm. You can get more information at www.thefarmchicks.com and you can find their featured recipes at www.yokesfoods.com.

Indiana Jones, Darth Vader, the Terminator, Captain Jean-Luc Picard, Ghostbusters and Batman are invading Spokane this summer! Not the characters – their famous costumes! The Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture (MAC) is proud to bring "Out of This World: Extraordinary Costumes from Film and Television to the Inland Northwest" June 6 through September 6. The exhibition features more than 30 costumes and related objects from science fiction films and television shows, including Star Wars, Blade Runner, Terminator, Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica and Batman. Visitors will "feel the force" as they examine how costume design incorporates color, style, scale, materials, historical traditions and cultural cues to help performers and audiences engage with the characters being portrayed. The Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture (MAC) is located in historic Browne’s Addition, 2316 West First. The Museum is open Tuesday – Sunday, 11am to 5pm and is closed on Mondays and major holidays. Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for seniors and students. Children 5 and under and Museum members are admitted free. Information about on-going Museum exhibits, programs and events are available by calling 509-456-3931 weekdays, the 24-hour hotline at 509-363-5315 or visit the Museum website at www.northwestmuseum.org.

Hell's Canyon Raft, a small, owner-operated river company headquartered in McCall, Idaho, is waiting to take you and your family on an adventure on the Snake or Salmon River you’ll never forget. Simply show up with your clothes and toothbrushes and they provide the rest. All camping gear is included, as is all food; in fact, they'll even set up the campsites and prepare your meals as well. As you make your way down the river, a gear boat is ahead of you, having camp fully set up before you arrive. Safety is also fully addressed. Hell’s Canyon Raft’s guides are some of the most trained, competent and experienced in the business. Their guest-to-guide ratio is 3-to-1, and everyone is taken care of. They also have guides specializing in activities for kids. Hell's Canyon Raft has been providing real family adventures since 1983. To find out more go to www.hellscanyonraft.com or call 800-523-6502.

Valleyfest 2009 is having a 20th Anniversary celebration and fundraiser with a dinner and auction, "The Sky is the Limit" on Friday, June 19 from 5:30-10pm. The dinner will be catered by Beacon Hill Catering, and held in the Great Room at CenterPlace located at Mirabeau Point Park. All proceeds go to support Valleyfest 2009. Tickets are $35 per person and $350 to sponsor a table of 8. You can join in by donating auction items, gifts and/or services for both the silent and live auction, and you or your business will be recognized for your contribution in the auction catalog and program and be acknowledged during the live auction. The procurement deadline is June 15. All funds raised through "The Sky is the Limit" dinner and auction will assist in the continuing effort to provide Valleyfest’s free premier event to the city of Spokane Valley and surrounding Inland Northwest. Tickets are available by calling 509-922-3299 or visit their website at www.valleyfest.org.

Aqua Asian Bistro closed their doors over 4 weeks ago and a new restaurant will be going into that prime location that was initially remodeled by Cuisine Northwest just three years ago as Bluefish. This new restaurant has a partnership of experienced, local restauranteurs. It will have a new cuisine and will be re-branded with a new name. More info will be released soon.

The business thought of the week is from Liz Sawyer: "Don’t be pushed by your problems. Instead, be led by your dreams."

For more information about advertising on this newsletter, which is read by over 5,000 business people each week, please call 509-838-4080 or e-mail us at info@clarkadspr.com.

If this "How’s Business?" report was forwarded to you, and you would like to have your own copy e-mailed every Monday morning, please sign up at the bottom of this newsletter or go to www.clarkadspr.com, and click on How’s Business? Thanks for reading and have a great week!

Be sure to catch “How’s Business?” Friday mornings at 8:55 on KXLY News Radio 920 and Sunday mornings at 7:30 on KXLY TV News 4’s Good Morning Northwest Sunday.