Monday, February 22, 2010

The Partnership in Employment Career Fair is Wednesday, February 24th from 2-6pm at the Spokane Convention Center, put on by our four local universities. Internship opportunities are available to students and alumni in diverse disciplines including Business, Computer Information Systems, Arts, Science, and Medical Services. For more information, visit partnershipfair.com.

The Law Office of Alan H. Green has moved into The Fernwell Executive Suites at 505 West Riverside. Green opened his new office after having practiced with a local insurance defense law firm for two and a half years.

All this great spring weather has people thinking about their homes and yards, and luckily, Spokane’s 32nd annual Home and Yard Show is coming up this Thursday through Sunday at the Spokane Fair and Expo Center. Jim Custer Enterprises brings together over 250 exhibits of home improvement products and services all in one location. Spring doesn’t officially arrive until March, but you can experience it this weekend by stepping into the beautiful landscape attractions at the show, featuring flowers, trees, water features and trees. Go to CusterShows.com for all the details.

Latah Bistro was featured in January in two national publications. Their recipe for Pear Panna Cotta was highlighted in the Best of the Year edition of Bon Appétit. Also, Chef David Blaine was interviewed in Bicycling magazine for his dual passions of riding and creating culinary masterpieces. The restaurant just a few minutes south of downtown in Latah Valley, has recently expanded.

Fabian Medina has joined Nosey Parker, LLC, as their Sales Manager. Medina, having worked in sales and networking in the Northwest for over 14 years, was recently with Spokane Metro and PRIME magazines. Nosey Parker is a character created as a sleuth to find the best shopping and services for women. The guidebook, membership card in conjunction with their website/blog/twitter/facebook, are tools used to get information directly to subscribers, fans and followers. The Nosey Parker Experience began in the Inland Northwest and continues in other medium markets like Oklahoma City. You can find more information on Nosey Parker at www.noseyparker.net, Facebook and Twitter: NoseyParkerINW.

SNAP reports record levels of assistance in 2009, by aiding nearly 50,000 Spokane County residents. The increase amounted to 33% more people served over the previous year. SNAP (Spokane Neighborhood Action Program) receives donations from the community that allows them to sustain this kind of growth, according to SNAP Executive Director Larry Stuckart and he reports that funding from sources, like stimulus money, has also been a major factor. Significant increases occurred in the areas of energy assistance, weatherization, people sheltered, mortgage counseling, default counseling and microenterprise training. The increase of needed assistance reflects a growing need due to job loss, illness and economic challenges and the SNAP staff has done an excellent job in keeping up with the large number of clients. SNAP connects and provides access to resources which creates opportunities, with dignity, for low income people. If SNAP is to continue to grow, contributions from individual and corporate donors must increase. For each dollar donated, only about 10% is spent on administrative expenses. For more information, visit www.snapwa.org.

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McDirmid, Mikkelsen and Secrest, P.S., has hired Brianne Sorensen as a staff accountant. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business accounting from Minnesota State University.

Manic Mondays is a monthly networking event, put on by Northwest Woman magazine, to toast what's hot and sassy in the Northwest. If you would like to be involved, distribute product samples, or donate door prizes they would like to hear from you. Join them today from 5-7:30pm at the Montvale Hotel, W. 1005 1st Avenue, Catered by Catacombs. For more information contact Charity by email at Editor@northwestwoman.com.

Skyline Inland NW is hosting a free lunch seminar on Wednesday March 3, from 12:00–1:00pm on 60 Trade Show Tips in 60 Minutes. The premise of the seminar is to take some of the topics that were discussed at their recent seminar and translate those into actual tips any organization can use in their trade show program. Some of the topics are from real life experiences Skyline INW clients have faced on the trade show floor. Everything from promotional techniques, budgeting guidelines, to shipping tips and ways to minimize those dreaded drayage fees will be covered. Skyline Inland Northwest is located at 9922 E. Montgomery, #33 in Spokane Valley. You can register by going to their website, www.skyline.com or contacting Crystal Schaeffer at 509-892-5354.

The Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce presents "Win in 2010, Better Than We've Ever Been! How to Achieve Your Personal and Professional Best!" Tuesday, February 23rd at CenterPlace Regional Event Center, 2426 N Discovery Place. 7:30am Doors Open & Continental Breakfast; 8:00am - 11:30am Program. Cost is $20.00 per person; $50.00 Display table includes 1 registration. RSVP's NEEDED TODAY Monday, no later than NOON. Call 509-924-4994 or register on-line under chamber events at www.spokanevalleychamber.org.

Antony Chiang has joined Empire Health Foundation as president. He previously served as vice president of institutional services for San Francisco-based TechSoup Global. Chiang is a graduate of Stanford Law School and has 15 years of executive leadership experience.

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Inland Northwest Chapter of National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO-NW) is hosting an Entrepreneurial Program Series with featured speaker Cheryl-Anne Millsap, "The Importance of Deepening Your Community," March 11, 2010, at the Doubletree Hotel. Social networking has changed the game. It has shortened the distance between you and your prospective clients, customers and even employers. The secret to employing this communication medium in your business and/or marketing strategy is to practice the art of building relationships and not just gathering page fans or friends. The featured speaker is Cheryl-Anne Millsap, local author and columnist. Millsap is a freelance writer living in Spokane. Her essays can be heard on Spokane Public Radio and on public radio stations across the country. She is the author of "Home Planet: A Life in Four Seasons," a compilation of reader-favorite essays from her Spokesman-Review "Home Planet" column. For nearly 15 years, members of the Inland Northwest Chapter of NAWBO have worked to propel women entrepreneurs into economic, social and political spheres of power worldwide. The Entrepreneurial Program Series is designed to help women in business meet the challenges of starting, running and maintaining a business in today’s marketplace, and the Series is presented during NAWBO-NW monthly chapter meetings. NAWBO-NW meeting is open to all women business owners. Networking begins at 5:30 pm, dinner and presentation to follow at 6:00 pm. Cost is $35 with RSVP prior to noon March 9; $40 after noon March 9. Walk-ins welcome. For more information or to register, visit www.NawboNW.org or call Karin Kasinger at 509-481-3357.

Randall Danskin, P.S., has promoted William Buckholdt to managing principal. He has been with the law firm since 2008.

The Spokane Society of Young Professionals (SSYP) announces the appointment of Melissa Dettmer to the SSYP Board of Directors. Melissa will serve as the Events Chair, planning monthly networking and social events for the organization. Melissa is the Owner of Momentum Admin Services. SSYP is a non-profit organization that connects young professionals to make Spokane a better place to live, work and play. Founded in 2004, SSYP seeks to connect the next generation of leaders by providing an atmosphere where individuals can network with one another. By building an encouraging environment for young professionals, SSYP hopes to keep young talent in the Spokane area and stimulate business relationships, careers, the community and the economy. For more information on SSYP, visit www.ssyp.org.

Moss Adams LLP has hired Elena Samylkina to join its Spokane office tax staff. She holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Eastern Washington University and previously worked for Stewart and Associates, P.S. CPA.

Ben Lyman has joined Fidelity Associates Insurance Brokers as Account Executive. Lyman is a licensed insurance producer in both personal and commercial lines. He joins Fidelity after working for US Bank and graduating from Washington State University in 2007.

Bill Kalivas has invited you to the event 'Clean and Green Energy Community Event' on LaunchPad – INW, this Thursday, February 25, from 5:30 to 8pm at the LaunchPad Lounge - 5th Floor, Holly Mason Building. Meet members of the Clean and Green Energy Community and other members of the site. Featured speakers will be David Holmes from Avista and Jayson Hunnel with Greenstone Homes. In this “fireside chat” discussions about the initiatives these companies are taking stimulate the local Clean and Green economy and how our region is benefiting as a result. Cost of the event $10. Includes catering by Catacombs and a no-host bar. See more details and RSVP on LaunchPad - INW: http://www.launchpadinw.com/events/event/show?id=2099308%3AEvent%3A133759&xgi=2DH2ihhpmEa32q&xg_source=msg_invite_event

The business thought of the week is from Mike Dooley: "Sometimes, when things take longer than you thought they would, it's just a gentle reminder that you have more time than you thought, and that there's a journey to enjoy."

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