Monday, August 17, 2009

ScottGraphics, a local graphic design studio operated by designer Scott Kneeshaw, is turning twenty! Scott’s been in the graphics industry for over 28 years, offering high-level, award-winning design for business marketing and promotion. ScottGraphics studio services clients all along the west coast, as far south as San Diego. Locally they’ve done work for a variety of businesses, including Inland Power & Light, Northtown, Sacred Heart Medical Center, Washington Trust Bank, Eastern Washington and Gonzaga Universities, and Mt. Spokane, to name a few. Specializing in design for print and online visual communication, ScottGraphics’ services include complete logo and brand development, identity packages, brochures, packaging, direct mail, advertising campaigns and website development and implementation. For more information call 509-624-9339, or to view samples of ScottGraphics’ work go to scottgraphics.net.

Cheryl-Anne Millsap resigned as editor of Spokane Metro Magazine on August 5, but she's already hard at work on other projects. Cheryl-Anne will be joining the Spokesman-Review "Down to Earth" team where she will write for the quarterly newspaper magazine as well as a weekly online personal column called "Growing Green." In the new column, Cheryl-Anne will explore ways each of us can adopt a more environmentally responsible lifestyle while balancing the needs of a family and a busy schedule. The column will debut soon. In June, Cheryl-Anne also started the Spokane Writer's Studio. Each studio is a four-week intensive workshop where local writers come together for feedback and support as they work. The groups are growing as new writers join. New groups are forming for September. Anyone interested in the Spokane Writer's Studio can reach her at catmillsap@gmail.com or 509-999-5787. She is also the co-chair of this year's Christmas Tree Elegance at the Davenport Hotel.

Leland’s Barbershop, downtown at 217 North Wall, is celebrating 50 years in business today and tomorrow. Owner Claudia Kirkebo and her associate, Brandon Cape will be serving cake to customers both days. The barber shop’s namesake, Leland Kusske will be on hand to greet old customers. The phone number is 509-747-8860.

Congratulations to Kelly Hylton, the general manager of the new Chuck E. Cheese in Spokane Valley; she has been selected as the general manager of the year of all Chuck E. Cheese franchises within the organization’s U.S. and International operations. Kelly celebrated her 25th anniversary with Chuck E. Cheese Spokane in June. She started working with the company when she was in high school and now has one of her daughters working there part time.

DSW Shoes, which sells men's and women's footwear, opened last week in one of the main retail sites at Northtown Square, 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 10am to 9pm Monday through Saturday and 11am to 7pm Sundays.

SNAP Financial Access, a wholly owned subsidiary of SNAP, is seeking proposals from business consulting firms to generate leads, qualify them, and underwrite local, small business loans that result in job creation for low income people. SNAP Financial Access has been a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) since 2006. As a CDFI, Access is able to offer a broad array of financial services to low to moderate income people within Spokane County, including small business assistance and loans. More information can be found at www.snapaccess.org.

ILF Media, a video production company in Spokane, has completed its renovation of the old Spokane Art School building at 540 West Cataldo Avenue. Nearly a year after ILF's owners purchased the building, the second and third floors are completed. The employees, who have been temporarily on the first floor, will move into the offices upstairs and ILF will lease the first floor, which is about 3,300 square feet. The building, which was built in 1904, was originally used by a Refrigeration company. The Spokane Art School was located there for over 20 years and in 2008 decided to sell the building and move classes to the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture. The brick building sits on the corner of Cataldo Avenue and Howard Street near the Spokane Arena. Its three floors total over 11,000 square feet. The top two floors have been renovated to contain offices, a conference room and editing suites. On the first floor, the old pottery classroom has been transformed into a 1,500 square foot studio with a 14-foot cyclorama wall for green screen shoots, plus a hair/make-up area and an elevated lounge for clients. ILF Media was formed by Dave Holcomb, Jim Swoboda and Daro Walker in 2000. The company produces local and national television commercials, online media and long-format industrial videos. ILF consists of 13 employees with expertise in cinematography, producing, editing, graphic design, and animation. The phone number is 509-755-4536. Samples of ILF's work can be found at www.ilfmedia.com.

Katie Solinsky, Mary Brown and Jill Lempka have opened Pacific Park Children's Center, at 5421 W. Barnes Road, in the Sundance Shopping Plaza just off of Indian Trail Road. At just over 6,000 square feet, the building was designed specifically as a childcare facility and the owners have made sure that they have created a place where children feel welcome and comfortable. Pacific Park Children's Center is open Monday - Friday from 6:30am until 6:00pm, providing care for children ranging in age from 1 month through 12 years old. They also transport children to and from area schools. Plus they incorporate a preschool program into the full day program and provide 2 snacks and lunch at no additional charge. The staff is highly qualified with 5-20 years of classroom experience and/or educational experience each. Parents are welcome any time to tour the facility and get information about the programs. The phone number is 509-328-4595.

The 5th annual Fall Festival of Homes Tour scheduled for the last weekend of September and the first weekend in October is already underway. Boasting as the largest show in Washington in 2008, homes valued at any price range and in every neighborhood will be featured at this year’s free event featuring 37 new homes from 21 of Spokane’s finest builders. Presented by Pro-Build, the Fall Festival of Homes is a tour that features new home construction in Spokane where the public can view the newest in building techniques and styles. The festival committee is led by Lori Henriksen of Eagle Ridge and Jayson Hunnel of Greenstone. Among the many homes being featured will also be homes that are Built Green certified. All featured homes will be open to public viewing the weekends of September 25-27 and October 2-4 from 10am-5pm. Those interested in viewing this exciting and impressive event can choose from several host sites developments including: Eagle Ridge, The River District, Crystal Meadows, & 5-Mile Heights to begin their tour and pick up home profiles and maps to each of the featured homes. To locate the host site nearest you, simply visit www.spokanefestivalofhomes.com for more information.

Spokane Public Schools’ Board of Directors has approved four Spokane-based architecture firms to design the first projects to be funded by the 2009 facilities improvement bond: NAC|Architecture was chosen for the Ferris High School modernization; Madsen, Mitchell, Evenson and Conrad (MMEC) Architecture was chosen for the renovations of Finch and Jefferson elementaries; ALSC Architects was chosen for the Westview Elementary replacement; and Bernardo-Wills Architects was chosen for the HVAC/roofing replacement projects at Audubon, Cooper, Holmes, Mullan Road, Roosevelt, Whitman and Woodridge elementary schools. An interview team consisting of school principals; facilities, purchasing and safety staff; the associate superintendent and a school board member reviewed and scored 25 qualifications packets. Roen Associates of Spokane independently assisted in monitoring the process. Each of these architecture firms has experience designing buildings for Spokane Public Schools. MMEC designed Lidgerwood Elementary; ALSC Architects designed Ridgeview and Browne elementary schools; NAC|Architecture designed the Ferris gymnasium/fitness center and the modernization projects at Shadle Park, Rogers and Lewis and Clark high schools; and Bernardo-Wills designed the HVAC/roofing upgrades completed at eight SPS elementary schools from the 2003 bond.

Spokane residents can experience science at their fingertips for free at MobiusLab in NorthTown Mall which will be on display through September. The temporary exhibit is a preview of what will be available at the Mobius Science Center, set to break ground in 2011. Designed for everyone ages 8 to 108, MobiusLab will house brand new technology, called the "PassPort to Discovery™" System, an innovative interactive exhibit system designed to customize the visitor experience. Onscreen talking avatars greet visitors by name and can paraphrase the exhibit content. MobiusLab will feature exhibits focused on sound, energy, magnets and much more. Each exhibit requires users to interact with the lab to see how science really works. These exhibits are similar to the type of displays that will be available at Mobius Science Center, which will be located on the north bank of the Spokane River in the heart of the city. To learn more, go to www.mobiuslab.org.

United Way has announced leaders for the 2009 campaign. Scott Morris, president and CEO of Avista Corp., will lead the campaign. Mike Covey of Potlatch will serve as vice chairman. Other campaign cabinet members include: Kurt Walsdorf of Bank of America; Tom Stevenson of Moss Adams; Eric Cremers of Potlatch; Jeff Philipps of Rosauers; Roger Flint of CH2M Hill; Jeff Thomas of Family Service Spokane; Jamie Aitken of KREM 2; Rick Robinson of Kim Hotstart; Bob Wigren of US Bank; Rob Higgins of Spokane Realtors Association; Kris Mikkelsen of Inland Power and Light; Jeff Severs of Greater Spokane Incorporated; and Greg Tenold of Spokane Industries.

If you’re looking for a more affordable heath care option, Freedom Health Group is a local, membership based clinic providing businesses and individuals access to high quality health care for a low annual fee. Located in the Spokane Valley at 924 S Pines Rd, FHG charges less than $700 yearly for an individual membership, giving members access to a clinic of highly-trained staff able to write prescriptions, diagnose and treat illnesses, and provide preventative, primary and urgent care health benefits. With membership, you pay-as-you-go and only pay for the health care services you need. As membership grows, the more services FHG will offer, such as diagnostic imaging, vision, hearing, general dentistry and physical therapy. For more information on Freedom Health Group, call 509-892-3113 or visit www.freedomhealthgroup.com.

Agave Latin Bistro, on the corner of Sprague at Lincoln recently has opened. Formerly BlueFish and Aqua Restaurants, Agave Latin Bistro, owned by Ian Wingate of Moxie and Sergio De Leon of De Leon Foods and Heroes & Legends, specializes in Latin American Cuisine. With starters like Wild Boar Ribs with Chipotle BBQ Sauce and entrees like Paella, Agave Latin Bistro gives Spokane diners their first true Latin American cuisine experience. For those 21 and over, Agave's bar features over 20 brands of Tequilas. Agave Latin Bistro is now open and accepts reservations. Hours are Tuesday to Saturday 5pm to 11pm. Address is 830 W. Sprague Avenue.

The Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce presents its 13th Annual Golf Tournament tomorrow, Tuesday, August 18th at Meadowwood Golf Course. There will be a Shotgun Start at 1pm. The $100 entry fee includes greens fees and steak and chicken dinner from Outback Steak House and a chance to win a new Ford, sponsored by Gus Johnson Ford, with a hole in one! Call 509-924-4994 for more information or register on-line under Chamber Events at www.spokanevalleychamber.org.

The business thought of the week is from Mother Teresa: "Life is a challenge. Meet it."

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