Monday, March 22, 2010

What a fabulous weekend it was in Spokane! NCAA March Madness filled the Spokane Arena with thousands of basketball fans from all over the region and the country, and Pacific Northwest Volleyball filled the Spokane Convention Center with thousands of fans as well; both bringing excitement, massive media coverage and a huge economic boost to local business. Thanks to the Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Spokane Sports Commission for getting those events here, and thanks to the Public Facilities District for doing such a great job in making it happen.

Congratulations to Barb Beddor on receiving the American Advertising Federation Lifetime Achievement Award! Barb and Toby Steward were instrumental in bringing to Spokane the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in 2007 and this past year, as well as Skate America. Barb is the first female and youngest to receive honor.

Congratulations to Susan Nielsen, owner of Strategic Niche Marketing, and formerly in marketing with Avista and Rockwood Clinic; she has been named editor of Inland Business Catalyst magazine. Her email is susan@strategicniche.com.

The Inlander’s "Best of the Inland Northwest" issue is on news stands all over the region listing the top people, places, businesses and more as voted on by their readers in the 17th annual readers poll. You’ll find all the best, from media, food, the arts, outdoors, shopping, nightlife and more. Congratulations to all the winners. Pick up a copy of this week’s Inlander for the "Best of the Inland Northwest."

Real Deals Home Decor, which celebrates two years in business next month, just moved in to a new location at 12305 E Trent Avenue, on the northeast corner of Trent and Pines. Owners Tracey and Kimberly Carlson say they feel like children on Christmas Eve with new merchandise arriving at the new store all the time...last week they received 2 pallets of new decor and 16 more are on the way. They accomplished the entire move and restyle in just a week. Real Deals is open Thursdays from 10 am to 5 pm and Saturdays from 10 am to 3 pm. The phone number is 509-922-4419.

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Prudential Builders Center of Spokane, at 3304 E. Ferry Avenue, hosts the TurboChef Mobile Culinary Institute with live cooking demonstrations on TurboChef’s residential and commercial rapid cook ovens, Tuesday, March 30th, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesday, March 31st, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. TurboChef, on a two-year tour of the United States, introduced its elegant residential double and single wall ovens in 2007 and has since been marketing and selling the product throughout the Spokane area. TurboChef’s world-leading commercial rapid-cook ovens will also be on display for restaurateurs and food and beverage professionals. With cooking speeds of up to twelve times faster than traditional ovens, TurboChef ovens can roast a three-pound chicken in thirteen minutes, potatoes in six minutes, and bake biscuits in two and a half minutes, all with chef-quality results. Throughout the day, demonstrations performed on each oven will highlight the benefits of using a rapid-cook oven in home or commercial applications. For more information call 509-535-2401. For more on TurboChef go to www.turbochef.com.

Sisters Tiffany Palmer, Natalie Palmer and Hillary Peil have opened Fringe Salon and Boutique at 2622 E. 29th Avenue, next to Rosauers and Scollard’s in Lincoln Heights on the South Hill. Salon services include dimensional cuts, creative color, extensions and eyebrow waxing. The boutique offers home décor, hot designers, boutique exclusives as well as designer and fashion jewelry and accessories. Fringe Salon and Boutique is open Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm. The phone number is 509-315-8138.

Terrence J. Pollard, an experienced YMCA executive, has been selected as the new CEO for the Inland Northwest chapter of the American Red Cross. Pollard starts today replacing former CEO Dawn Lindblom who left last fall after leading the chapter for the past two years. In his role with the Inland Northwest chapter, Pollard will oversee operations of all American Red Cross programs in the seven-county territory served by the Chapter based in Spokane and will also provide key leadership and support to the six other Red Cross community chapters of eastern Washington.

Inland Business Catalyst magazine is looking for nominations for their annual "20 Under 40" article in the upcoming issue. They’re also looking for nominations for Best Places to Work, so think about outstanding young professionals under 40 years of age you know in your workplace; and the best places to work in our region, and send your nominations to editor Susan Nielsen at susan@strategicniche.com.

The Gilmore Fine Art Gallery in Downtown Spokane is now open in the Fernwell Building. Come experience the intriguing art of Edward W. Gilmore in this new 2500 sq ft fully remodeled gallery which is open Daily 11-6 pm Monday through Friday, and private appointments during evenings or weekends. The gallery is located at 505 W. Riverside at Stevens. The art is ever changing and Giclees available for five exclusive paintings. For more on Edward Gilmore, visit www.isitagilmore.com.

SCORE Spokane has added another new workshop to its popular "Success Series for Entrepreneurs". Social Networking and Web Marketing 101 will be offered from 9am-1pm this Saturday, March 27, 2010 at 21950 E. Country Vista Drive, Suite 500, in Liberty Lake. Cost is $40. Check in is at 8:30am. Advance Online Registration is required at http://www.scorespokane.org/workshops.php. For directions, call 509-928-8500.

Get an overview of social media and how it can be used to promote your business. The presenters will show several types of social media sites and resources, including: LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, LaunchpadINW, NetworkIN CDA, YouTube, and various blogging platforms. In addition, you’ll learn the 4 phases of marketing your business on the Internet: Determining whether people will buy your product or service, the three strategies of attracting visitors to your website, the single most important factor when designing your website, and maximizing your profit on the Internet. Presented by SCORE Members Jamie Lynn Morgan and Dennis Isip.

KLEW-TV, a CBS affiliate in Lewiston, Idaho announced that as a result of being picked up on both Dish and Direct TV, they now reach a potential of over 214,000 households in the Spokane Designated Market Area (DMA). Their expanded reach extends from Riggins to the south, the Canadian border to the north, east to the Montana border and west to the Columbia River. In addition, Dan Stellmon, KLEW-TV sales manager, has announced the hiring of television advertising sales veteran Susan Villelli to coordinate sales efforts in the Spokane/CdA corridor. Susan can be reached at 509-979-2242 or at svillelli@gmail.com.

Spokane’s Clear Channel FM stations are now available through the free iheartradio application for smart phones. Kosta Panidis, vice president and general manager of Clear Channel Spokane, reports this free download allows you to listen to the stations live, whether or not they are in range of the broadcast signal. The local Clear Channel FM stations available are KKZX-FM, KISC-FM, KCDA-FM and KIXZ-FM.

The Alzheimer's Association Inland Northwest Chapter presents "An Evening of Elegance" at The Davenport Hotel on April 9, with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $100 per person/a table for 10 is $1,000. This black tie optional 10th Annual Nancy Rockwell Dinner and Auction is the major fundraiser for the Alzheimer's Association Inland Northwest Chapter, which serves 25 counties in Eastern Washington & Northern Idaho with free programs, free support groups, free educational and basic information, free 24 hour Helpline, special conferences and training, as well as research. They also advocate at the State and Federal levels. The organization’s dream is a world without Alzheimer's disease. For more information call Sandi Druffel at 509-473-3390 or email sandra.druffel@alz.org.

Sonderen Packaging has been recognized by the American Institute of Baking (AIB) as a "Superior Facility". They received a score of 960 out of 1000 in an audit performed last year. Sonderen also received a “Superior” rating in 2008.

The Health Sciences & Services Authority (HSSA) of Spokane County recently announced the following appointments to serve on its Board of Directors. Mike Wilson, former President and CEO of Sacred Heart Medical Center and Children’s Hospital and Holy Family Hospital. Jason Thackston, Vice President, Finance for Avista Corporation. Dr. Kelsey Gray, Managing Partner, Spectrum Group LLC. Also reappointed was Mari Thomas, a former researcher and wife of Fairchild Air Force Base Commander Bob Thomas. In addition to these appointees, other HSSA Board members are Nancy L. Isserlis, Partner, Winston & Cashatt and Board Chair; Dr. Patricia Butterfield, Dean of the WSU School of Nursing; Dr. Jeff Collins, Chief Medical Office, Providence Sacred Heart and Holy Family; Dr. Earl "Marty" Martin, Acting Academic Vice President, Gonzaga University; and Alethea McCann, Owner Spherion Staffing and Recruiting. For more information go to www.hssaspokane.org.

Whitworth University has appointed Dr. Bob Beatty dean of the university's School of Global Commerce and Management. Beatty brings significant academic, business and military leadership experience to the position overseeing Whitworth's undergraduate, graduate and non-traditional business programs. He will begin on June 14.

Synergy Healthcare, located just west of Pines on Mission at 12012 East Mission Avenue presents "Acupuncture and Depression" with Coleen Smith, RN, Thursday, April 1, 6 p.m., discussing types of depression, physical symptoms and neuro-chemical changes, major, chronic, postpartum, seasonal bipolar and psychotic. She will share studies about acupuncture and depression, benefits of acupuncture, traditional medicine diagnosis for types of depression, herbal remedies for depression and a new study for pregnancy and depression. The presentation is part of synergy Healthcare’s ongoing health information series on the first Thursday of every month. 6:00 - 7:00 pm Presentation, 7:00 - 7:30 pm Questions & Answers. Cost: $10 per Workshop. Pre-Registration Required: Call 509-413-1630 or email RSVP@SynergySpokane.com. The website is www.SynergySpokane.com.

Western States Insurance has hired Josh Richard as a personal lines sales executive. He is a graduate of EWU and previously worked at Safeco Insurance Company.

Ben & Jerry’s annual FREE CONE day is this Tuesday, March 23rd from noon-8pm. That’s right – FREE! Ben & Jerry’s scoop shop is located on the 3rd floor of Riverpark Square (808 West Main Street) in downtown Spokane. Ben & Jerry’s Inc., is proud to celebrate its 32nd annual Free Cone Day nationally. Guest celebrity scoopers will be on hand, with music and other entertainment happening throughout the day. Spokane Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shop owners, Steve and Kari Conner enjoy this tradition with this year’s recipient for Spokane Ben & Jerry’s being the ZZU Christmas Wish Fund with Dave, Ken & Molly, who will also take their shifts as celebrity scoopers.

The business thought of the week is from basketball great Bill Russell: "Concentration and mental toughness are the margins of victory."

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