Monday, December 7, 2009

Greater Spokane Incorporated's Legislative Forum and Reception will take place at The Davenport Hotel, on Wednesday, December 9th featuring business and civic leaders from across the region. The Legislative Forum is from 3-5 pm and the Legislative Reception is from 5:15 to 7 pm. The afternoon will feature a panel discussion moderated by Retired TVW President, Danny Heck. Danny, who has moderated the panel for years expressed that this year's panel is "especially impressive." The panel includes Senate Majority Leader, Senator Lisa Brown; Legislative Director of the Governor's office, Marty Brown; Speaker of the House, Representative Frank Chopp; Republican Floor Leader, Representative Doug Eriksen; and Republican Caucus Chair, Senator Linda Evans Parlette. The Forum will provide an opportunity to preview our state agenda, make contact with elected officials, and learn about state issues that may affect you and your business. To register for this event visit www.greaterspokane.org and click on events. Tickets for the Forum are $50.00 per person for members, $80.00 per person for non-members and no charge for elected officials. Major Sponsors for this event include Washington State University Spokane, Pearson Packaging Systems, Kalispel Tribe of Indians and Northern Quest Resort & Casino.

Simply Northwest is the region’s most unique gift service. And it’s especially helpful for corporate gift giving during the holidays. They create elegant and original gourmet "gift baskets" suitable for any occasion and deliver them either in the Spokane area or anywhere in the world. They also offer a great selection of unique gifts and specialty items which truly convey the spirit of the Northwest. Simply Northwest’s large inventory of Northwest gifts, includes wines and gourmet food products. They have two retail locations, one at 11806 East Sprague in Spokane Valley (509-927-8206) and in downtown Spokane at N. 8 Post Street, just north of the Davenport Hotel (509-456-8206). The website is www.simplynorthwest.com. And as an added bonus, since 2002 Simply Northwest has donated over $107,000 to the Children's Home Society of Washington. When you purchase a gift from their Children's Gift Catalog, Simply Northwest will donate 15% to this worthy cause. Every purchase benefits thousands of children and their families across Washington State. You can order by going to www.simplynorthwest.com/childrenscatalog.

The south Perry neighborhood will have a new restaurant as South Perry Pizza Company is set to open soon at 1011 South Perry. Kristina Kautzman and her parents, Pat and Sue Kautzman, are renovating a 2,000 square foot building formerly owned by Bozo Construction. The restaurant, with 2 full-time and 8-part time employees, will offer a simple menu of appetizers, salads, pizzas and desserts. They have also applied for a license to serve beer and wine.

Meridian Construction General Contracting and Construction Management, has just completed a medical tenant improvement project at the Franklin Park Medical Building, 220 East Rowan, across from Holy Family Hospital. This medical remodel was for Spokane Neurology. The work consisted of building out exam rooms, patient registration area, doctor’s office space, medical administration space and back office support area. Meridian Construction has extensive experience in medical and dental construction in the Spokane area and around the country. Their offices are located at 12730 E. Mirabeau Pkwy, Suite 700, in Spokane Valley. The phone number is 509-443-0252 and the website is www.meridianco.com.

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Abstract expressionist painter Edward W. Gilmore will continue to display his art in the main floor of the Fernwell Building, 505 West Riverside through the holidays. For a private tour of that space, or his Spokane studio at Pacific and Browne, call 509-217-1621. You can see some of his paintings at his website www.isitagilmore.com.

Here’s an interesting gift idea. A Northwest MedStar membership makes a perfect holiday gift with money going to a non-profit organization providing critical care transport in our region. Whether it's a winter sports accident or a health emergency, NW MedStar's members and their families can now be shielded from air transport costs not covered by health insurance. Many health insurance policies pick up only a portion of the cost of air transport possibly costing the patient thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket cost. The cost for a family membership is only $59 per year or $150 for three years (savings of $27). Sign-up today for a gift or personal family membership online at www.nwmedstar.org or call 866- 478-0566.

Paine Hamblen LLP recently hired William C. Schroeder as an associate in the Spokane office. His practice emphasis is in Civil Litigation. Schroerder earned his J.D. from University of Washington School of Law and his Bachelor of Arts in History of Philosophy from Gonzaga University. He is admitted to practice in the State of Washington. Paine Hamblen LLP, a full-service law firm, with four regional offices in Spokane and Tri-Cities, Washington, and Coeur d’Alene and Priest River, Idaho, has established itself as one of the premier firms in the Northwest. Founded in 1893, its practice groups offer a wide range of individual and corporate representation, from traditional businesses such as insurance, banking and real estate, to emerging fields, such as technology and intellectual property law. Paine Hamblen’s attorneys practice in the areas of energy and the environment, tax, estate planning and probate, commercial, labor and employment, healthcare, family, insurance and transportation, and litigation. The website is www.painehamblen.com and the Spokane office phone number is 509-455-6000.

The Montvale Hotel received high marks from international travel writer and Certified Travel Agent, Connie Motz in her blog, Travel Writer. She writes: "Art deco, romance, elegance, what more could a girl want! How about an in-room fireplace, French doors, and luxurious bedding?! The Montvale Hotel in Spokane, WA, is all that, and more. With its turn of the century charm, the Montvale Hotel is located in the vibrant heart of downtown Spokane, only mere minutes away from fantastic shopping, restaurants, theaters, and nightlife - everything that Spokane has to offer is at your doorstep. With only 36 intimate rooms and suites, the best bargain to be had, by far, is the Montvale Hotel’s Weekend Package rate at USD $169. Consisting of a one night’s stay in a deluxe room, dinner for two at Catacomb’s Pub ($30 value), two AMC Theater movie passes ($20 value), free valet parking ($15), and full Continental Breakfast ($20 value) – with $85 in value added services, this reduces the room to an amazing $84! For more information about "Spokane’s premier boutique hotel" or to make reservations, visit the Montvale Hotel or call 1-86-MONTVALE." For more information about the Montvale contact Doug Griepp at 509-998-0418. The website is www.montvalehotel.com.

CPA Wayne E. Vinson has moved his offices to a 3,000 square foot building at 2132 W. Northwest Boulevard, which he purchased for $230,000. He has also put approximately $150,000 worth of renovations into the building, working with Lilac City Construction, Inc. The firm has four full-time employees and four part-time employees, with up to eight part-timers working there during tax season.

As it has since 2000, STCU (Spokane Teachers Credit Union) is presenting free horse and carriage rides in downtown Spokane through Christmas Eve. Horse-drawn carriage rides create a fantastic view of downtown’s sparkling lights and holiday décor. You can even ride from one shopping area to another. Riders receive free candy canes and coupons for coffee or hot chocolate specials at participating coffeehouses in Downtown Spokane. The horse and carriage rides are offered Fridays from 3-8:00 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from 12-5:00 p.m., with a special Christmas Eve ride, 12-3:00 p.m. Hop aboard at the corner of Main and Wall, no reservations, rides are first come, first serve.

2nd Harvest Food Bank presents "Rock For Food" a benefit show 7pm, Saturday, December 19, at the Knitting Factory. Tickets are only $5 with a can of food and can be purchased at National Furniture Division & Sharp, Grind Central Station 8015 E. Trent, 2nd Harvest Inland Northwest 1234 E. Front. ALL of the proceeds goes to 2nd Harvest. Music entertainment includes: Character Flaw, In-Flux playing music from their newly released CD; Jimmy of London Get Down doing an acoustic set, Sandpoint’s Illusion 33, Spokane’s own Paid Under Envy. For more information call 2nd Harvest Food Bank at 509-534-6678.

Greater Spokane Incorporated announces that Sandra Jarrard has joined the staff as Public Policy Coordinator. She received her Masters in Public Administration from Eastern Washington University this August; she has experience as a Fellow for Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rogers and as a volunteer for the Northeast Community Center.

The Brick Wall Gallery, located at 530 W. Main on the skywalk just east of Macy's in the Bennett Block is featuring "China and More - photographs by Alice Garland" for the month of December. The phone number is 509-928-7721.

The business thought of the week is from Sam Walton: "There is only one boss. The customer. And that boss can fire everybody in the company from the chairman on down, simply by spending his or her money somewhere else."

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