Monday, May 24, 2010

Chef Jeremy Hansen owner and chef of Sante Restaurant and Charcuterie, was the winner of a TEK infrared grill in Saturday's Restaurant Chef Grill Off contest at Pool World's Valley store, 13524 East Sprague. He competed with two other top restaurant owner chefs preparing their best barbecue recipes to win the new grill. Gary Swiss from Crazy G's was second and Bob Hemphil from Chicken and More came in third. It was a close contest with chefs scoring within 5 points of each other. The chefs used Weber grills and Traeger wood smokers to prepare their meat choices that were provided by Spencer's for Steaks and Chops.

Greater Spokane Inc. presents the 25th Annual AGORA Awards for Business Excellence Wednesday, June 2, 7:00 - 9:30 a.m. at The Davenport Hotel. Winners will be announced in these categories: Non-Profit Organization, Small Business, Medium Business, Large Business, Entrepreneurial Spirit and the C. Michael Archer Community Service award. Meet and greet the Finalists and Semi Finalists from 7:00-7:30am; program and breakfast 7:30-9:30am. cost for the event is $30 and you can register at www.greaterspokane.org.

Sue Bradley has announced that Tinman Gallery, 811 West Garland, will be making some major changes over the next few months. They will be making both physical changes by redecorating and also expanding their offerings of literature, art, and art education. Here's what will be happening over the next few months: First, The Ruby Slipper at 809 West Garland will be closed starting Saturday, May 29th for redecorating and refurbishing. It will reopen in early July as Tinman Too, a store whose mission is to provide the creative experience in literature and art for children. They will be moving and expanding their current children's section to include more books for babies, more read-to-me and interactive books, even more children's illustrated books, and exceptional books for early readers. Tinman Too will also offer regular storytelling times, dress up and puppet theater, and a wide variety of art activities and classes for children. These activities will range from one-day workshops (collage, painting) and seasonal projects (Halloween pumpkin painting, birdhouses) to regular classes in different art media such as printmaking, painting and drawing. Teachers are drawn from former Spokane Art School staff, local school district staff and area professional artists. By fall, they plan to have a different children's activity every day for a full week of learning and playing. The Tinman Gallery will close for remodelling on June 26th and reopen for the Artist's Reception for the Alice in Wonderland Invitational on Friday, July 30th. Over 30 artists will be exhibiting including Kay O'Rourke, Harold Balazs, Dick Ibach and Mel McCuddin. The phone number is 509-325-1500.

Brady Cass, Asuris Northwest Health's Director of Eastern Washington Operations, has a new title, and it's President of the Spokane-based health insurer. Cass joined the company in June of 2005 as Manager of New Sales and Renewals for Asuris and the four Regence BlueShield Eastern Washington service counties. He was named Director of Eastern Washington Operations in June of 2007. As president, Cass is responsible for the day-to-day operations of Asuris, which insures more than 60,000 people in 14 eastern Washington counties. He's also in charge of the company's bidding process, as well as consumer and Medicare sales for Regence and Asuris statewide. Cass has more than 20 years of employee benefits experience. His background includes several key leadership positions in sales, customer service and health plan operations with QualMed Washington Health Plan. Prior to joining Asuris, he was the Vice President of Sales for Marsh USA in Spokane.

Join Northwest Mediation Center for a basic forty hour Mediation training course taught by renowned New York mediator, Bob Collins. The course runs from June 7-11, 2010, 8:00am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday at Northwest Mediation Center, 35 W. Main downtown Spokane. Lawyers will receive 38 continued legal education (CLE) credits. Cost for this five day course is $395. Mediation is a voluntary process in which two or more parties involved in a dispute work with an impartial party, the mediator, to generate their own solutions in settling their conflict. Unlike a judge or an arbitrator whose decisions subject one party to win and the other party to lose, mediation is about finding a solution that works for both parties. For more information call Northwest Mediation Center at 509-456-0103 or visit their website at www.nwmediationcenter.com. You can also download a registration form from their website.

Taste Washington! Spokane returns to the Davenport Hotel on Sunday, June 6 with more than 100 Washington wineries and many of the region's top restaurants. Attendees will have the opportunity to taste the current vintages from their favorite local wineries plus find some new favorite wineries from around the state. Spokane-area restaurants including Clinkerdagger, Latah Bistro, Luna, Moxie, and more will provide scrumptious bites to entice food-lovers as well. Anthony's at Spokane Falls will return with their famed Oyster & Shellfish Bar situated next to the "White Out" bar, featuring seafood-friendly white wines that will make for the ultimate pairing experience. Cheese provided by Cheeseland Inc. and Saunders Cheese Market and dessert from The Melting Pot and Just American Desserts will provide more fun pairing opportunities. Attendees will also be able to sip coffee and espresso provided by 4 Seasons Coffee Co. and Craven's Coffee. In addition, a silent auction to benefit Washington State University's Wine Business and Wine Science programs will feature large-format bottles from top-notch Washington wineries. Tickets are available through brownpapertickets.com and five Spokane-area retailers: Arbor Crest Winery at River Park Square, Latah Creek Winery, Vino! Wine Shop, William's Seafood & Wine Market and The Davenport Hotel. For additional information about Taste Washington! Spokane, visit www.tastewashington.org.

Cyrus O'Leary's Pies announces another successful championship season at the American Pie Council's 2010 National Pie Championships with 10 First Place Awards. Bakers and bakeries from around the United States gather every spring in Celebration, Florida to compete with each other in various categories. The American Pie Council has established rigorous professional standards for judging the commercial competition, ensuring that scoring is non-biased and independent. This year Spokane's local pie company, Cyrus O'Leary's American Classic Pies, earned 7 first place awards plus 3 first place awards for pies produced for other companies. 7 First Place Award Winners are: 8” Dutch Apple, 8” Kahlua Cream, 8” Marionberry, 9” Kahlua Cream, 9” Pecan, 9” Cherry Cheesecake, and 9” Fruit Juice Sweetened Apple. In business for over 27 years, Cyrus O'Leary's Pies, is owned by Cyrus Vaughn, Barclay Klingel and Dennis Dipo, features a complete line of more than 50 gourmet pies. Most ingredients are purchased locally and the pies are produced in Airway Heights, then distributed fresh, in the Spokane and Coeur D'Alene area as well as frozen throughout the United States including the East Coast and Hawaii. Cyrus O'Leary's American Classic Pies employs over 100 people. Look for the winning pies with the bright yellow sticker on the package in the bakery of your local grocery store. For more information visit the following web sites: www.piecouncil.org or cyruspies.com.

Allyson Shoshana is the Spokane Civic Theatre's new communications director. She was formerly the manager of the Fernwell Building and Executive Suites.

Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland announced that Brian Staley, M.D. is the winner of this year's Spirit of Planetree Physician Champion Award, which recognizes a physician who champions the Planetree model of patient-centered care and whose actions demonstrate her or him to be a role model for other medical staff members. Dr. Staley has been a pathologist at InCyte Pathology assigned to Kadlec Medical Center since 2006 and is board certified in anatomic and clinical pathology. He graduated from the University of Utah Medical School and completed his residency at the University of Utah Health Sciences Center, ARUP Laboratories and affiliated hospitals. His subspecialty interests include cytology, gynecologic and gastrointestinal pathology. The Planetree model of care is a patient-centered, holistic approach to healthcare, promoting mental, emotional, spiritual, social, and physical healing.

There is a four year medical school on the horizon for Spokane. You already know health care is our region's number one industry. But did you know that our state turns away 80% of our aspiring medical students? And at the same time, we import 80% of our physicians from other states? Exciting change is underway. The University of Washington and Washington State University are partners in expanding medical education and research on the Riverpoint Campus in Spokane's University District. The vision includes having a four-year medical school here in Spokane by 2013. GSI's Good Morning Greater Spokane presents "Investing in a Healthier Washington: There is a four-year Medical School in our Future!" with Paul Umbach, Friday, June 11, 7:00 - 9:00 a.m., at The Lincoln Center, 1316 N Lincoln Street. Cost is $25 for GSI members, $55 for non-members. Register at www.greaterspokane.org.

Greenstone Corporation has reached agreement to buy the Agilent Technologies building and property in Liberty Lake. Greenstone plans to develop the property as a multi-building office and technology campus to be called the Meadowwood Technology Office Park. Such a campus would attract companies relocating and expanding to the region and accommodate existing regional employers looking to grow locally. Agilent is selling its 70 acres of land, 250,000 square-foot building and 1,000-space parking lot. The transaction is expected to close next month. Terms were not disclosed. Full development of the campus will allow up to 700,000 square feet of office and manufacturing uses with up to 4,000 jobs. The existing building includes about 65,000 square feet of upper-level office space that could accommodate a large employer or be divided into smaller office spaces. The main level has approximately 80,000 square feet of space suitable for manufacturing, research and development, distribution or warehouse use. Redundant fiber broadband capacity suitable for a full range of technology, manufacturing and office uses runs throughout the existing building, which also has high-quality electrical and HVAC operating systems. An annex for a 20,000-square-foot conference center and full-service commercial kitchen are also among its offerings. Campus amenities include a fitness center, walking trails, basketball and tennis courts, picnic shelter, and outdoor amphitheatre. Approximately 40 acres of the property could be developed for additional office and manufacturing space. The purchase includes sewer and water capacity for the full development of the site. Mike Livingstone of Kiemle & Hagood was the broker for the acquisition.

Summer swimming season is nearly here, and a group of citizens is hoping to make a splash in the lives of our kids who can't afford to pay for swimming. The Make A Splash in a Kid's Life Committee, working with the Spokane Parks Foundation, is collecting donations for scholarships that would cover swim fees at City of Spokane, City of Spokane Valley, and Spokane County pools. In the City of Spokane, the daily fee for children aged 4 to 18 is $1, and a youth season pass costs $30. The Committee's initial goal is to distribute up to 2,000 summer passes to low-income youth. The City's pools open for the season June 14. Individuals, businesses, and organizations are being asked to consider a donation to the fund, according to the Make A Splash Committee. The Spokane Hillyard Lions Club has provided $500 to the effort and is challenging other Spokane area Lions, Kiwanis, and Rotary Clubs, along with local businesses, to meet or beat its donation. For more information on the Make a Splash in a Kid's Life campaign or to make a donation, go to www.spokaneparksfoundation.org/MakeASplash.htm. Citizens also can send a check to the Spokane Parks Foundation, PO Box 2021, Spokane, WA, 99210. Mark your check with the words, "Make a Splash."

The Park Bench Cafe at Manito Park opened for the season this past weekend. Current hours will be 9am to 3pm daily, and starting mid June they'll be open 8am to 7pm daily. Stop by for a great lunch or espresso drink...they have everything from great sandwiches, breakfast items and ice cream for those hot summer days ahead. There will also be live music on Fridays starting in June. What a great place for breakfast, lunch, dinner or anytime of the day, since you can enjoy beautiful Manito park at the same time.

Here's a way your company can help to fight diabetes. The American Diabetes Association is having a recruitment party for their "Step Out" walk to fight diabetes. Find out how your company can get involved. Spokane County Commissioner Todd Mielke invites companies to this fun evening, this Wednesday, May 26 from 5:30-6:30pm at the Rooftop of Isabella's Restaurant and Gin Joint, 21 W Main. So join the American Diabetes Association in the fight again diabetes. To RSVP or for more information, contact Ted Duncan, 509-624-7478 or tduncan@diabetes.org.

Spokane's Public Market has found a new home and plans are to open it this fall. Chris Batten of BR3 Development Group says his firm is in the process of renovating an old warehouse north of Second Avenue between Browne and State Streets. The proposed year round market already had 50 interested vendors. Go to spokanepublicmarket.org for more information. You can also join the Spokane Public Market facebook page for news updates and information about upcoming events.

Area employers have received a "My Boss is a Patriot Award". Nominated by their staff members who are also in the National Guard or Reserves, employers were awarded for their support of the military member's service. Dr Ted Yoshio Toribara of Eastern State Hospital; Kyle Nolte, Attorney at Law, PLLC; Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich all received a "Patriot Award." Sheriff Knezovich was also given the "Above and Beyond Award" by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) organization. The Sheriff's department had numerous corrections officers and deputies deployed over recent years and the sheriff has been extremely supportive of their military service.

Paul Oleniacz has joined St. Joseph Family Center as the Director of Development and Communications. St. Joseph Family Center provides outpatient counseling, spirituality, retreat and a healing arts center that focuses on the development of the whole person. The Center is a non-profit organization in the Spokane community that directly serves insured and under-insured clients alike. St. Joseph Family Center has been a presence in the Spokane community since 1890 and continues to be an active part of healing and enhancing the lives of the citizens of Spokane. The website is www.sjfconline.org and the phone number is 509-483-6495.

The business thought of the week is from Roman emperor and philosopher Marcus Aurelius: "Perfection of character is this: to live each day as if it were your last, without frenzy, without apathy, without pretense."

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