Monday, March 1, 2010

Personal trainer and group fitness instructor Michelle Levitch, who worked at the Spokane Club for 13 years, has moved to the lower level of the Bank of America building to open her own fitness business, WellBody Training Studio. In the quiet, private setting Michelle offers individual training and certified group fitness classes for every level, including children. March 12th she is conducting a 7 week class to help runners get ready for Bloomsday. She knows how to get people in shape: one of her clients is Kay LeClaire, the Spokane woman who summited Mount Everest last fall, her final peak in her quest to climb the seven highest mountains in the world. Michelle was Kay’s personal trainer for many of those climbs. WellBody Training Studio’s phone number is 509-270-0230 and the email is Levitchs@msn.com.

Here’s a chance to sample some of Spokane’s best food and help a good cause at the same time. "Taste Spokane" is a food, wine, and beer tasting event held at the Northern Quest Resort and Casino, Friday, March 5, from 6-10pm. Taste Spokane benefits Wishing Star, a nonprofit organization granting wishes to children ages 3 to 21 with life threatening illnesses. For just twenty dollars, you will receive five tickets exchangeable for a "taste" from various food and beverage vendors from around the Northwest. Each additional "taste" costs only two dollars. For more information go to tastespokane.com.

Head to Hillyard for lunch from 11 to 5 daily, at PJ's Cafe Express located at 5022 North Market St. It’s the Home of the "Hillyard Hobo Sandwich." PJ’s also serves deli sandwiches, hot dogs, hamburgers, chili, nachos, espresso, as well as old-fashioned ice cream served in cones, milk shakes, floats and sundaes. It’s like a step back in time with lots of nostalgia items displayed throughout the restaurant and music from the 50’s. PJ’s owner, Pam Farnsworth also publishes a newsletter called Hillyard’s Hobo Bulletin. You can get a printed copy at the restaurant or sign up by emailing pfarnsworth@juno.com.

Congratulations to Jennifer Boettcher, Senior Staffing Supervisor, Kelly Services, she recently earned certification as a Professional in Human Resources (PHR). The certification, awarded by the HR Certification Institute, signifies that Jennifer possesses the theoretical knowledge and practical experience in human resource management necessary to pass a rigorous examination demonstrating a mastery of the body of knowledge in the field. To become certified, an applicant must pass a comprehensive examination and demonstrate a strong background of professional human resource experience.

The Spokane Lilac Festival Association is now accepting applications for the 72nd annual Armed Forces Torchlight Parade, May 15 at 7:45 pm. The parade is open to all non profit organizations, subject to approval by the Spokane Lilac Festival Parade Committee. Businesses are encouraged to submit a commercial application for $1,250. Application deadline is April 1. The Spokane Lilac Festival website is under construction; therefore applications are available through the Spokane Lilac Festival office, 509-535-4554 or email office@spokanelilacfestival.org.

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On Wednesday, March 3rd, from 6 to 8:30 pm, Two Cooks with Love Catering will be teaching a cooking and mixology class at 11712 E. Boone Ave in the Spokane Valley. Participants will learn how to make drinks from around the world, like Singapore Slings, Sangria, and Jamaican Rum Punch. Owners Scott and Roxane Cook will also teach quick and easy appetizers, like lumpia, hummus, and olive tapenade, along with several specialty dishes like lemon Caesar salad, Haitian slaw and Asian sliders. Samples of all drinks and foods created will be offered to attendees. Students must be 21 years of age or older. The cost is $25 per person or $40 per couple. Class size is limited so RSVP to 509-891-5980 by March 1st. You can get more information about Two Cooks with Love Catering at their website: twocookswithlovecatering.com.

The Spokane Home Builder’s Association will reveal the area’s very first single-site Certified Built Green® Home Show. Featuring the finest in green construction, this show will set the standard for demonstrating to the public what it means to own a truly built green home in Spokane. A groundbreaking ceremony will be held on Thursday, March 4th at 10am in the River District to introduce 6 Built Green® Certified Homes by builders including George White Homes, Brent Peterson Homes, Greenstone Homes, & the Spokane Home Builders Association who will build homes sure to dazzle and impress the community in the beautiful setting the Greenstone Development of The River District in Liberty Lake. The Showcase of Homes, scheduled for June 18th through the 27th, will also provide education and speakers as well as vendors sharing their energy efficient products to the public. Contact marketing and events director Katherine Morgan for more information and to RSVP for this event.

Spokane Central Lions will host an open house on Tuesday, March 30th at noon at the Red Lion Inn at the Park. This is a chance to learn about the activities the Spokane Central Lions Club is involved in as well as meet some of the individuals Spokane Central Lions have helped. Mayor Mary Verner will be the speaker. RSVP to Spokane Central Lions office at 509-328-6900.

Gilmore Fine Arts gallery is now open at the Fernwell Building (1st & Stevens). Edward W Gilmore, an engaging abstract expressionist is unveiling never before shown art from his varied collection. Edward's work has layers, stories, and reflections with vast colors and textures in which he leaves a part of him within every canvas. Come meet Edward, experience his art and the opening of the Gilmore Fine Arts gallery. Gallery hours are Mon-Friday, 11am-6 pm; Saturday, 11am-5pm, or by appointment. View Gilmore’s art at www.isitagilmore.com.

A mother-daughter team has formed a new mental health counseling partnership. Jo LeVan, MS, LMHC and Erin LeVan, M.Ed, LMHC now have their combined offices at the Valley Professional Center, 112 N. University Rd., in the Spokane Valley. Jo primarily works with adults on relationship issues, difficulties with boundaries and communication, depression, anxiety and attention deficit disorders. Erin is a child mental health specialist. She works with children and adolescents who are depressed, anxious and/or are experiencing behavior problems at home or in school settings. For more information, visit www.jolevancounseling.com and www.erinlevancounseling.com. For appointments or information, Jo LeVan at 509- 999-3413 or Erin LeVan at 509-953-5134.

Jim Custer Enterprises presents Custer’s 33rd Annual Spring Arts & Crafts Show is this weekend, Friday through Sunday, March 5-7 at the Spokane Fair and Expo Center. This year’s show features 300 professional artists and crafters from across the country, with over 25 new artists this year. Show hours are Friday, 10am,-9pm; Saturday, 10am-7pm; Sunday 10am-5pm. Admission is $6 for adults (good all weekend), Children 12 and under, free.

The Susan G. Komen Eastern Washington Affiliate is pleased to announce Claudia Bell as Executive Director. Bell has been promoted from Affiliate Administrator to her new role as Executive Director. She has been with the Affiliate since January 2009.

The 16th annual CFA Society of Spokane Economic Forecast Dinner is this Thursday, March 4, at the Davenport Hotel. Guest speakers are Daniel J. Fuss, CFA Vice Chairman, Portfolio Manager Loomis, Sayles & Company and Fred Dickson, CMT Senior Vice President, Chief Market Strategist D.A. Davidson & Co. The cocktail reception will begin at 5:30 pm with dinner at 6:00 pm. Seats are $50 per person or $400 for a table of 8. Seating is limited. To RSVP for this event please contact Karen Oeser, CFA @ karen@hartcap.com.

Major League Baseball Pitching Legend Jim Abbott comes to Spokane to raise money for Kids. The Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital will feature former Major League Pitcher Jim Abbott at the Kids at Heart luncheon on Thursday, March 4th, 11:30am – 1pm at the Spokane Convention Center. Jim was born with only one hand. But he beat the odds and became an amazing professional baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels and the New York Yankees, and a Gold Medal Olympian for the American baseball team. The Kids at Heart Charity Lunch is an annual event benefiting the Children’s Hospital. Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital is the only pediatric hospital in the region. For more information, visit www.kidsatheartcharitylunch.org.

Tom Fritz, chief executive officer for Inland Northwest Health Services (INHS), has received the "Outstanding Health Care Executive – Beyond Puget Sound" award from the Seattle Business magazine. The magazine’s annual Leaders in Health Care event, held last week in Seattle, honored the dedication, leadership and innovation of Washington’s world-class health care industry. Tom received the recognition within the presence of executives from health providers across the state of Washington. For more information on INHS, visit their website, www.inhs.org.

Louise Fendrich has been hired as director of constituent relations for U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers’ Spokane office. Fendrich previously worked for Greater Spokane Inc. and served as manager at the Eastern Washington Procurement Technical Assistance Center.

Blue Water Technologies Inc. of Hayden, ID has hired former Spokane Mayor Dennis Hession as director of special projects. Hession will lead a group working on renewable energy from municipal wastewater treatment plants. Blue Water Technologies offers a broad platform of water treatment technology products. Visit the website for more information on Blue Water Technologies, http://www.blueh2o.net.

Vince Bozzi, publisher of Spokane Coeur d’Alene Living Magazine, has purchased Spokane Family Magazine, a bi-monthly publication focused on family activities, health and education. Other Bozzi Media publications are Inland Business Catalyst, Prime and Washington Magazines.

The business thought of the week is from Muhammad Ali: "The person who has no imagination has no wings."

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