Monday, January 4, 2010

The board of directors of Rockwood Clinic just announced it has completed its merger with CHS Washington Holdings, LLC, a subsidiary of Community Health Systems. "Our team maintained an aggressive pace over the last few months as we completed our due diligence and reviewed this opportunity with our shareholders and internal audiences," said Craig Whiting, M.D., who has served as chief executive officer of Rockwood Clinic in 2009 and will now serve as chairman and president of the board of directors. "We’re pleased to have completed the transaction and look forward to working with Deaconess Medical Center and Valley Hospital and Medical Center on advancing a new level of health care throughout the region." With the completion of this transaction, Rockwood, Deaconess and Valley will now focus on developing an integrated health care delivery system that will encompass inpatient hospital care; primary care and specialty medicine physician practices; ambulatory surgery centers; urgent care facilities; outpatient physical therapy centers; and outpatient imaging, infusion and radiation therapy services. Future service expansions are anticipated. "This is an exciting time for health care providers and patients alike," added Kevin Sweeny, M.D., who rejoins Rockwood as chief executive officer of the Clinic. "Rockwood Clinic has been honored to care for Spokane area families for generations; we look forward to continuing – and expanding – upon that tradition for generations yet to come."

Parish Media LLC is celebrating its first anniversary this month. Started by veteran Spokane journalist Linn Parish, the company helps businesses build relationships with those they serve through effective use of the well-written word. Parish writes newsletters, e-newsletters, blog posts, Web-site content, and articles. He is the editor of the Entertainment Spokane e-newsletter that comes out on Wednesdays. In the past year, he's also done everything from ghost writing a book to writing funny one-liners for t-shirts. He previously worked as the editor of Inland Business Catalyst magazine,Prime magazine and BUILDING magazine, and served business owners for a number of years before that as a reporter at the Journal of Business. You can learn more about Parish Media at www.brightestideaever.com or contact him at linn@brightestideaever.com or 509-844-7382.

Northern Quest Resort & Casino’s new 250-room hotel and spa opened its doors on New Year’s Eve, December 31. The contemporary luxury hotel features sophisticated technology and a world-class spa experience in an urban lodge environment, making it one of the region’s most unique destination resorts. The Resort and related infrastructure represent an investment exceeding $200 million, creating an economic bright spot in the region. The hotel is the newest addition to the existing Northern Quest Casino, located in Airway Heights, minutes from downtown Spokane. The Resort includes a comprehensive suite of services typically only found in larger markets. A full-service spa, Masselow’s Restaurant and the Marketplace are seamlessly paired with the latest technology for guest convenience. The Resort is one of only a few properties in North America to install a total IP-based, high-definition solution for free-to-guest, and video-on-demand services that allows digital check-in and customized guest information delivered to in-room TVs. Guests can also access dedicated bandwidth for each room and a technology concierge service. The Resort now offers over 22,000 square feet of meeting room and special event space providing business travelers with the latest and most technologically advanced options and support staff in the region. The hotel’s opening is creating 325 new jobs, bringing Northern Quest Resort & Casino’s employment to approximately 1,675. The Resort spends over $800,000 monthly in goods and services. With a total of over 2,000 jobs across its government and business enterprises, the Kalispel Tribe is one of the top employers in the region. The 46,000 square foot casino offers over 2,000 slots and progressives and 46 table games, including poker. The Pend Oreille Pavilion event center features world-class entertainment and professional event and banquet services. More information is available at www.northernquest.com.

BeGin! the New Year at the MAC. This Friday January 8th is the second after-work party at the Northwest Museum of Art & Culture (MAC). 400 people showed up last month, making BeGin! an instant success. This Friday, you can listen to music from DJ Matt, enjoy appetizers, mingle, partake in local libations and peruse the Art exhibits. 21 & up. Free admission and no-host bar.

With the chilly temperatures in Spokane, it may take a leap of imagination to realize spring isn’t really that far off, and with it the 34th annual Lilac Bloomsday Run. But to help fortify New Year’s resolutions to get in shape, early bird registration for Bloomsday is now open at www.bloomsdayrun.org. Those who sign up by February 14th will have a chance to win a trip for two to one of Seattle’s most popular races, the St. Patrick’s Day Dash on March 14, 2010.

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With Banks and Mortgage companies around the country and here in Spokane experiencing very difficult times leading to layoffs, cutbacks and closures, Heritage Home Loans located here in Spokane is celebrating overall home loan business growth in 2009 over 2008, making this Heritage Home Loans’ best year in the company's history! Heritage Home Loans, a branch of Mann Mortgage, LLC also northwest based, has experienced most of their growth from their expertise in Government backed residential mortgages such as FHA, VA and USDA Rural Development that allow low to zero down payment for purchases and low equity positions for refinances. "Our success mostly comes from ‘word of mouth’ referrals by providing Mortgage Lending Services at the high level of quality so each of our customers will feel comfortable referring us to their family and friends". "It’s not easier to get a Home Loan these days, we just try to make it seem that way!"

And, if your New Year’s resolutions include eating right, be at the Kitchen Engine in the Flour Mill Thursday, January 7 at 6 p.m. Wild Thyme Kitchen presents "New Year, New You!" Moria Felber, a certified health counselor and living food chef will demonstrate delicious, cleansing and nourishing recipes that boost your metabolism and kick-start your best year ever. Cost: $35. (Presentation Style). Go to kitchenengine.com for more information or call 509-328-3235.

If you resolved to eat more chocolate in 2010, this is for you: "The Best Little Chocolate Show – EVER." Fans of chocolate everywhere are specially invited to attend the first annual Chocolate Experience, January 18 and 19. Spokane’s Chocolate Apothecary brings together chocolatiers and chocolate products for this one-of-a-kind, delicious event at The Lincoln Center. Attendees will receive 15 samples of ahhh-mazing chocolates from premiere chocolatiers and access to all things chocolate including tastings from which the fan favorite will be crowned, spa products, sculpting, book signing, lectures, samples guaranteed to create a special moment for everyone -- even a team building competition! Fans can buy tickets through local partner TicketsWest and host Chocolate Apothecary. ($35 for the VIP ticket and $15 for an all day pass ticket) The website is www.ChocolateExperience.org.

AAA Signs is installing the new signs on the building and pylons at the new Hampton Inn & Suites at 16418 E. Indiana just east of Sullivan Road in Spokane Valley, which is due to open in April. In addition to installations, AAA Signs services all lighted signs and faces, and offers complete sign lighting, message center work, and neon repair. The company also has a graphics department that offers graphic design, signs, banners, business cards, magnetic signs and truck lettering. AAA Signs is located at 4102 E. 12th. The phone number is 509-532-9050.

Thinking about starting a business in 2010? The Spokane Chapter of SCORE "Counselors to America's Small Business" is part of a national nonprofit association dedicated to entrepreneur education and the formation, growth and success of the nation’s small businesses. There are lots of opportunities to learn at www.score.org. Classes are weekly. SCORE Spokane provides free and confidential business counseling tailored to meet the needs of your small business and your personal objectives. SCORE Spokane also offers workshops for a modest fee, for both start-up entrepreneurs and in-business small business owners. Get your questions answered about starting a business, writing a business plan and making it a success at weekly workshops. SCORE Spokane also offers "Starting a Business" Class free for all Veterans beginning Wednesday, January 6. This workshop is offered from 8:30am - 12:30pm on the first Wednesday of every month at the Spokane Regional Business Center in Suite 444, 801 W. Riverside Avenue, Spokane. Pre-registration is required. Normal cost of the workshop is $35. For additional information on score workshops or counseling, go to www.scorespokane.org, call 509-353-2821, or e-mail info@scorespokane.org.

The Fernwell Executive Suites, located in Suite 500 in the Fernwell Building at 505 West Riverside offers an innovative approach to office rental. By sharing overhead and services with other businesses, The Fernwell Office Suites provide you with the opportunity to occupy an executive office at a savings of up to 70%. Three plans are offered: The Office Plan, which includes a private office suite with personalized telephone answering, reception and other services. The Phone and Mail Plan, which includes a fulltime telephone receptionist with mail processing, personalized telephone answering and voice mail as well as access to other business services and meeting, meeting, conference and video conferencing facilities. And the Mail Plan, which provides you with a downtown Spokane mailing address, mail processing, delivery to the address of your choice, as well as access to other business services and meeting, meeting, conference and video conferencing facilities. For more information call 509-624-5664 or go to www.fernwell.com.

Captain Kyle Smith, the leader of The Salvation Army in Spokane, reports that their annual Red Kettle fund-raising effort reached its critical goal. However, although the Red Kettle Campaign funds are up, the overall Holiday fundraising is down. While the Red Kettle campaign is the most visible fund-raiser conducted by The Salvation Army it raises less than 9% of the charities annual needs. At this point The Salvation Army’s mail and on-line donations appear to be markedly less than last year. Captain Smith is optimistic that the support Spokane has shown will continue year round so that The Salvation Army can help feed, clothe and shelter all who need it through out the entire year. Thanks to all who donated!

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Tickets for "Suds for Scholarships; An Evening Out to Keep Local Talent In," PRSA (Public Relations Society of America) Spokane’s annual fundraiser for local scholarships are on sale! Mark your calendar for 4-6 p.m. on February 18, at the Steam Plant Grill for this fundraising event that will support local communication students. KXLY’s Mark Peterson will play host to an evening of beer tasting, auction, food, fun and networking. Rich Hadley from Greater Spokane Incorporated will be talking about the importance of grooming and retaining local talent. Tickets are currently on sale for $35 per ticket, or $55 for a pair! Contact Nick Lawhead (509.444.2350, nickl@desautelhege.com) or Renee Parkins (509.293.0505, renee.parkins@email.wsu.edu) for further information or to purchase tickets.

The business thought of the week is from cycling champion Lance Armstrong, 7 time Tour de France winner and cancer survivor: "Time is limited, so I better wake up every morning fresh and know that I have just one chance to live this particular day right, and to string my days together into a life of action, and purpose.

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