Monday, August 10, 2009

WE APOLOGIZE FOR TODAY'S TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES

Earlier today we experienced some technical difficulties which caused some people to have trouble accessing the email. This problem has been taken care of and further action is being taken by our web host to ensure that outages like this don't happen again in the future. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Jennifer Wirz loves animals, and she’s making a business of it. Jennifer’s company, Spokane Pet Sitting, provides professional in-home pet care for when you’re on vacation, over holidays, working late or unable to get home. And Jennifer knows what she’s doing; she has experience as a veterinary assistant, she’s a professional dog bather and an accredited pet trainer. Spokane Pet Sitting also offers a Pet Taxi Service to get your pet to and from the groomer, vet, pet day care, or wherever they need to go when you can’t take them. Their vehicles are equipped with state of the art features to insure your pet travels in comfort and safety, providing a fleece bed and various sizes of harnesses as a pet seat belt. You can get more information at spokanepetsitting.com or by calling 509-536-1803.

The Bike Hub is a new bicycle sales and service shop that just opened at 12505 East Sprague. Owner, Chris Andreasen, was formerly the manager of Wheelsport East bike shop in the valley for 12 years before opening his own business. The Bike Hub has 4,400 square feet of retail space where they offer new bicycles including Trek and Diamondback brands, used bicycles and accessories and parts. The business also provides service for all makes and models of bikes. And this winter they plan to offer stationary bike classes so bicyclists can stay in shape. The Bike Hub is open seven days a week. The phone number is 509-443-4005.

John Lee is back at D.A Davidson as a vice president and financial consultant. He was previously with the firm from 1995 to 1998. He most recently was with the Spokane office of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney.

The Cobra Roofing Polo Classic, benefitting the Ronald McDonald House, is looking for items from local businesses to fill 1,000 swag bags for the September 13 event. There is no charge to put items in the bags, but they are subject to approval. All interested businesses can call 509-990-1370 or e-mail erin@tptglobal.com to discuss swag bag possibilities. For more information go to http://spokanepoloclassic.com/swag.html.

Saturday, August 15th, 2009 will mark the 7th Annual Garland Street Fair—an all day family event featuring food, live music and entertainment, art, crafts, and activities for all ages. Per tradition, the Garland Street Fair will be a tribute to Judy Garland and The Wizard of Oz. Over 10,000 people attended the Garland Street Fair in both 2007 and 2008. This turnout is expected to increase in 2009. Spread over two blocks of the historic Garland District, the Street Fair is able to boast everything from merchants and vendors, face painting, and live comedy acts, to arts and crafts, kids’ activities, and food vendors. There will also be three stages with live music performances throughout the day, including a performance by Ruby Devine, singing traditional songs from the world over. In line with the Wizard of Oz theme, a Judy Garland impersonation contest will be held on stage during the event. Start preparing your costumes and singing voices! Of course, the contest would not be complete without Toto look-alikes. So bring your kids, and your dog!

Elements Therapeutic Massage opens this week at 325 south Sullivan Road, Suite E, in Spokane Valley. The business, owned by Anthony and Dani Giardino, is a Colorado-based franchise offering massage services. The company also has locations at Wandermere and on the south hill.

Ken Murphy, AIA, LEED AP, has been promoted to principal at ALSC Architects. Since joining ALSC in 1993, Murphy has worked on a variety of projects including K-12 schools, higher education buildings and sports and recreation facilities. His current assignments include the Central Spokane YMCA/YWCA, the North Spokane YMCA and six new pools for the City of Spokane. A LEED Accredited Professional, Murphy earned his Bachelor of Architecture from Montana State University in 1987.

A new law requires retail establishments to provide access to employee restrooms for customers with eligible medical conditions. These include Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis or any other inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, any condition requiring use of an ostomy device, or any permanent or temporary medical condition requiring immediate access to a restroom. The law stipulates that this access cannot pose a security threat to the retail establishment or the employees, or a safety threat to the customer. The customer must have a signed form or an identification card issued by a nonprofit organization that serves people with an eligible medical condition. The law is Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1138, Retail Restroom Access – Customers with Medical Condition and it went info effect July 26, 2009. For more info, including details on your rights and responsibilities as a business owner and which businesses are exempt from this law, go to http://www.doh.wa.gov/hsqa/RestroomAccess.

The Glen Dow Academy of Hair Design, Inc has just launched a new Community Contribution Program. The program encourages non-profit organizations to recommend to their guests who are attending their upcoming fundraising galas and events to pamper themselves at the Glen Dow Academy for spa and salon services. In return the Glen Dow Academy will donate 20% of the service sales back to the non-profit organization and/or event. To qualify guests would have to show a copy of their invitation or ticket at the time of service, which is good for one week prior to the event. Services Available are haircutting and coloring, spa facials, manicures and pedicures, artificial nails, make up waxing and more. For additional information contact Martin Dow, president of the Glen Dow Academy of Hair Design 509-624-3244 or martindow@hotmail.com. For more information about Glen Dow Academy of Hair Design's programs and services visit www.glendow.com.

Here's a number worth putting in your cell phone, or your home phone speed dial: 1-800-goog411. This is a free nationwide service from Google, especially valuable when you are on the road. When you dial the number there are a series of prompts to choose the business and city/state location you want to call, then it connects you at no charge. Go to http://www.google.com/goog411/ and watch the short clip for a quick demonstration.

The Armed Forces and Aerospace Museum Society has elected new officers and board members. Catherine Brazil, the director or public affairs for the Cowles Company, has been elected president; Fred Zitterkopf is the new vice president; Tony Delateur, senior VP of Morgan Stanley in Spokane, is treasurer; board members are John Ryan, Strategic Research Associates; Tobby Hatley, Tobby Hatley & Associates; Ro Lisk; John Hale, XN Air, LLC; and Mo Copeland, St. George’s School.

Rockwood Retirement Communities is planning to begin a $90 million expansion project at its south hill location in the near future, depending on potential buyer interest. The plans include a second tower, called The Summit, which will have 93 independent living units, an exercise area and pool, a dining room, common areas and underground parking. NAC Architecture and Walker Construction have designed the project, which needs to be 70 percent sold in order for construction to begin.

Northtown Square has a new tenant. DSW Shoes, which sells men’s and women’s footwear, opened last week in one of the main retail sites at the new center, which occupies the former Wendle Ford location at 4727 North Division. The 14,000 square foot store is the first DSW Shoes location in Spokane, and the ninth store the Ohio-based retailer has opened this year. The store is open 10 am to 9 pm Monday through Saturday and 11 am to 7 pm Sundays.

Karene Simchuck has officially assumed ownership of Hidden Acres Orchard in Greenbluff after the death of her father, George Conniss, the founder of the business, who passed away at age 96 last month. Conniss started the orchard business in 1971 and worked there until he retired at 89, when Simchuck began the day to day operation of the company. Hidden Acres is on 34 total acres of land that includes 32 acres of orchards, producing a variety of high quality fruit and berries which are used to make jams and jellies, syrups and butters. They sell their products retail at their location and wholesale to companies like Yokes Fresh Markets and Made in Washington, Inc. You can also buy their products at their website, www.hiddenacreswa.com.

Backup Training, LLC in Coeur d’Alene, one of the nation’s leading technology-based training providers for law enforcement, has announced the introduction of a new Workplace Threats training course. Designed for both employers and employees, the 4-hour computer-based course provides a wealth of practical information and expert instruction that could make the difference between life or death for individuals who are caught up in a violent episode in their workplace or other public space. The course provides insight and training for understanding behavioral characteristics, basic threat assessment, prevention and deterrence methods, and most importantly, proper responses to a variety of scenarios. It also offers employers suggestions on proper reporting, documenting and discipline for their employment policies. The goal of the course is twofold: to provide employers with some effective tools to help manage this risk in the workplace and also, to provide individuals with the techniques and understanding to maximize their chances to survive if they are suddenly faced with the unthinkable. The course carries a $50 suggested retail price. More information can be found at http://www.thebackup.com/Workplace-Threats-P134.aspx.

Gritman Medical Center has transferred its Home Health and Hospice services to Family Home Care & Hospice of Spokane, effective August 1. Mike Nowling, CEO of Family Home Care and Hospice is the former president of the Heart Institute of Spokane, who purchased Family Home Care & Hospice from Deaconess Medical Center in 2001. For each of the past three years, Family Home Care & Hospice has been recognized as a member of the “Home Care Elite” – home health agencies with outcomes in the top 25 percent of all agencies in the United States.

Kakela (Kela) Hall has been promoted to the post of enrollment manager for the University of Phoenix Tri-Cities Campus. Hall was previously an enrollment advisor, guiding new students through the enrollment process, for the University of Phoenix campus in Spokane. In her new capacity as enrollment manager, Hall is now responsible for managing the enrollment staff, comprised of four enrollment advisors, at the Tri-Cities campus.

The business thought of the week, is from Colin Powell: "Don't let your ego get too close to your position, so that if your position gets shot down, your ego doesn't go with it."

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