Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Almost $450,000 raised for Autism Services and Uncompensated Care at Seattle Children’s Hospital through Annual Gala and 38th Festival of Trees


The Partnership for a Spectrum of Care, a collaboration between Seattle Children’s Autism Center Guild and the Dr. Forrest L. Flashman Guild for uncompensated care, recently hosted their Annual Gala and kickoff of the 38th Festival of Trees. With former Seattle Sounder FC player and local celebrity Steve Zakuani as honoree, the event was a great success raising almost $450,000. Top auction items included two trips to Bali, the Seatown Christmas Tree (themed with Seattle sports teams) and two unique experiences donated by, and with, former Sounders players Steve Zakuani and Roger Levesque.

Monday, November 30, 2015

President Obama Signs Bill Recognizing Asteroid Resource Property Rights into Law

 Planetary Resources, the asteroid mining company, applauds President Obama who signed the U.S. Commercial Space Launch Competitiveness Act (H.R. 2262) into law. This law recognizes the right of U.S. citizens to own asteroid resources they obtain and encourages the commercial exploration and utilization of resources from asteroids.

Tickets for 2016 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Sahalee Country Club in Sammamish Now Available

Tickets for the 2016 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship to be held at Sahalee Country Club from June 7-12, 2016, are now on sale.
Ticket prices for the Championship range from $10 for each practice round (June 7 - 8) to $75 for a six-day weeklong pass.
Ticket options include:

Friday, September 11, 2015

Award-winning musical biography of Beatles comes to Kirkland stage on October 20

Musical retelling of Beatles story through the eyes of manager Brian Epstein featuring the live music of renowned tribute band Abbey Road performs at the Kirkland Performance Center

Almost everyone knows that The Beatles are one of the most acclaimed bands in rock and roll history because their music has the hypnotic qualities that make teenage girls scream and artists today and yesterday cite them as one of their influences.

Tuesday, August 4, 2015

GROUNDWORK LAID FOR NEW PIPELINE CONSTRUCTION

The groundwork is laid and construction plans are in progress for pump stations and pipelines to carry irrigation water from the Columbia Basin Project to those farmers--who are eligible--pumping ground water from the Odessa subarea. 

The work is being done by the East Columbia Basin Irrigation District (ECBID) as part of the Odessa Ground Water Replacement Program (OGWRP). Along with landowners, the program is a partnership with the Bureau of Reclamation, the Department of Ecology’s Office of Columbia (OCR), and ECBID, to reduce the depletion of the Odessa aquifer by moving 87,000 acres

Monday, August 3, 2015

Small Business: Get Gateway Pacific Project Done

Boon to economy will benefit every Washingtonian

OLYMPIA, Wash., July 31, 2015—Washington state’s voice of small business today urged the Army Corps of Engineers to complete its environmental impact statement on the proposed Gateway Pacific Terminal at Cherry Point in Whatcom County.

Thursday, July 30, 2015

Alexandria Nicole Cellars appears on HGTV Tiny House, Big Living

Monday, August 3 at 6pm or 9pm (depending on carrier & time zone)

Paterson, WA, July 30, 2015– Alexandria Nicole Cellars prides themselves on providing "cutting edge" experiences for their wine club members. This spring their cult style wine club following has been abuzz with excitement as the club will receive national coverage on HGTV Tiny House, Big Living. 

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Kirkland's Rightside Appoints Jason Silverstein as Vice President of Product and Engineering

Jason Silverstein Joins Domain Name Service Provider to Add Technology Experience and Expertise to Enrich Innovative Growth

Kirkland-based Rightside a provider of domain name services that advance the way businesses and consumers define and present themselves online, today announced that it has appointed Jason Silverstein as Vice President of Product and Engineering.

The move will help Rightside, which now owns more than 300,000 of the six million top-level domains (TLDs) currently available to the public, add technology experience and expertise to enrich and accelerate its innovative growth.

Kirkland's ATGStores.com Wins BBB's Washington Large Business of the Year!

BBB ANNOUNCES WASHINGTON BUSINESS OF THE YEAR RECIPIENTS FOR 2015
Torch Awards Honor Businesses That Demonstrate Excellence and Integrity

DuPont, Wash. — July 21, 2015 — Better Business Bureau serving Alaska, Oregon and Western Washington is proud to announce this year’s winners of the Washington Business of the Year Torch Awards:

2015 Washington Large Business of the Year: ATGStores.com (based in Kirkland)  It's interesting to note that ATGStores.com is a Lowes company.

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Classes at Li'l Sprout Garden Center


Classes at Li'l Sprout Garden Center in Millcreek, WA

Hydroponic Gardening
August 8, 2015 
11:00 am • Free
Join our expert hydroponic gardener Mike as he discusses how to grow plants year round without soil. Great for growing organic vegetables in condos or small spaces. Mike will talk about the

Thursday, July 16, 2015

Planetary Resources’ First Spacecraft Successfully Deployed

Planetary Resources' Testing asteroid prospecting technology on orbit

Redmond, Washington – July 16, 2015 – Planetary Resources, Inc., the asteroid mining company, announced today that its Arkyd 3 Reflight (A3R) spacecraft deployed successfully from the International Space Station’s (ISS) Kibo airlock and has begun its 90-day mission.  The demonstration vehicle will validate several core technologies including the avionics, control systems and software, which the company will incorporate into future spacecraft that will venture into the Solar System and prospect for resource-rich near-Earth asteroids.

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

NEW SEASONS MARKET TO OPEN MERCER ISLAND NEIGHBORHOOD STORE

First Puget Sound Area Location for Pioneering Natural Grocer
Committed to Organics, Community, Local Sourcing and Friendly Staff

PORTLAND, Ore. – July 15, 2015 – A certified B Corporation with a reputation as the friendliest store in town, New Seasons Market today announced plans to bring its unique neighborhood grocery shopping experience to the Puget Sound region. Its first area store, at the former Albertsons Town Center location on Mercer Island, will feature the company's signature fresh, local produce, organic artisan breads, sustainably sourced meats and seafood, deli selections and chef-prepared specialties alongside everyday classic brands. New Seasons will remodel the building at 2755 77th Ave. S.E. and hire friendly, knowledgeable staff to welcome Mercer Island to its new store in fall 2016.

Discover the History of the Seattle Totems in New Book

Local author Jeff Obermeyer Releases New Book with Vintage Photos Telling Part of Seattle's Hockey History

Telling a story in pictures is Seattle Totems, the newest addition to Arcadia Publishing’s Images of Sports series. The book by local author Marian Rogers-Lindsay is set to release on August 24th, 2015. The book boasts 205 vintage images, many of which have never been published, and showcases memories of days gone by.

Before major-league professional sports came to the Northwest, Seattle had a rich minor-league sports history.

Monday, July 13, 2015

Guild Mortgage Hires Jordan Flowers As Manager of its Kirkland Branch

Jordan Flowers New Manager of Kirkland Office of Guild Mortgage


Guild Mortgage Co. has hired Jordan Flowers as branch manger for its Kirkland branch. A ten-year veteran of the mortgage industry, Flowers (NMLS: 453429) has strong experience in both wholesale and retail lending. Prior to Guild, he was branch manager for American Pacific Mortgage in Kirkland and previously served as the sales manager at imortgage. The Kirkland branch is located at 720 4th Ave. Suite 240, Kirkland, WA, 98033 (NMLS: 290080). 

Microsoft Windows 10 Launch on July 29 w Celebrations Around the Globe

Microsoft's Windows 10 to Launch July 29th

Microsoft has announced its plans to launch Windows 10 on July 29.  The Windows 10 launch will come with global fan celebrations, joint efforts with thousands of retailers, including all Microsoft store locations, a new global advertising campaign, and a new year-long initiative to celebrate people and organizations making a difference around the world. 

Friday, July 10, 2015

ANEW Wines Names K.D. Organ Winemaker

KD Organ New Winemaker at ANEW


Washington's ANEW wines recently named K.D. Organ as its new winemaker. Launched in 2013, ANEW features a Riesling, Pinot Grigio and Rosé from Washington state. ANEW wines are crafted by Chateau Ste. Michelle, Washington’s founding winery.

Organ has more than 10 years of winemaking experience in Washington state. She has been with Chateau Ste. Michelle since 2008 as Assistant Winemaker. K.D. will oversee the blending of the ANEW varietals.

Microsoft to Eliminate Close to 8,000 Jobs in Phone Division, Take $7.6B Write Off

Microsoft Taking Hits Due to It's Past Bet on Windows Phone, Acquisition of Nokia

Redmond-based Microsoft Corp. recently announced plans to restructure the company’s phone hardware business to better focus and align resources. Microsoft also announced the reduction of up to 7,800 positions, primarily in the phone business. As a result, the company will record an impairment charge of approximately $7.6 billion related to assets associated with the acquisition of the Nokia Devices and Services (NDS) business in addition to a restructuring charge of approximately $750 million to $850 million.

Award-winning musical biography of Beatles comes to Kirkland on October 20; Discount tickets offered through July 31

Musical retelling of Beatles story through the eyes of manager Brian Epstein features the live music of renowned tribute Abbey Road

Chris Paul Overall ("Paul"), Nate Bott ("John"), Axel Clarke ("Ringo") and Jesse Wilder ("George")

Almost everyone knows that The Beatles are one of the most acclaimed bands in rock and roll history because their music has the hypnotic qualities that made teenage girls scream and artists today and yesterday cite them as one of their influences.

Thursday, July 9, 2015

FUJIFILM SonoSite Announces New Healthcare Leadership

Masayuki Higuchi named President & CEO and Naohiro Fujitani named Chairman


BOTHELL, WA., July 9, 2015 FUJIFILM SonoSite Inc.,  specialists in designing cutting-edge ultrasound tools and world-leading education for access to point-of-care visualization, today announced changes in its executive leadership, effective July 1, 2015: Naohiro Fujitani was named Chairman; and Masayuki Higuchi was named President and CEO, succeeding Mr. Fujitani in this position.  Both Mr. Fujitani and Mr. Higuchi have also been appointed to the FUJIFILM SonoSite, Inc. Board of Directors.

WA State Legislature, King County Sheriff and Prosecutor Team Up to Slap Voters in the Face

WA Lawmakers, King County Sheriff John Urquhart and King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg Disregard Will of Voters, Attempt to Shut Down Medical Marijuana Dispensaries

Over at The Joint Blog, there was a post last night about King County Sheriff John Urquhart and King County Prosecutor Dan Satterberg holding a press conference where they are threatening to shut down medical marijuana dispensaries.

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

EagleView Announces Gold Status within Esri Partner Network

EagleView's Pictometry Earns Gold from Esri Partner Network

EagleView Technology Corporation, a technology provider of aerial imagery, data analytics and GIS solutions, announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Pictometry International Corp., has obtained  gold status within the Esri Partner Network.  As a gold member, Pictometry’s strong, long-term, joint relationship with Esri will be strengthened within the community of like-minded organizations with the contribution of key content, namely high-resolution imagery, 3D models and data.

Monday, June 29, 2015

Select a Head Named Partner of Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival

Select A Head Mayhem FestivalExclusive Select A Head Mayhem Drum Displays to be Available at Mayhem Shows


Select a Head, has announced their official partnership with this year’s Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival. Celebrating their 8th year as the world’s biggest traveling heavy metal music festival, Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival lineup includes Slayer, King Diamond, HellYeah, The Devil Wears Prada, WhiteChapel, Thy Art is Murder, Jungle Rot, Sister Sin, Sworn In, Shattered Sun, Feed Her to the Sharks, Code Orange and Kissing Candice and will include 26 cities throughout US and Canada.


Offering patent-pending Drum Displays, Select a Head’s partnership with the upcoming Mayhem Festival will include exclusive Mayhem Drum Displays which are a must-have for every fan. As a Mayhem sponsor, Select a Head will be offering Mayhem festival goers the opportunity to purchase the exclusive Mayhem heads on-site for a discounted rate. Those who are not able to attend can still purchase the Drum Displays from Select a Head online.


Additionally, two Mayhem Festival Drum Displays will be signed by the bands playing Mayhem and given away at the end of the festival to two lucky winners. Attendees can register to win at the Select a Head booth at each show OR on Facebook.


Select a Head will also offer additional Logo Drum Displays at their Mayhem booth including from Korn, Queensryche, Stryper, World Gone, Within Reason, George Lynch, Jeff LaBar of Cinderella, Lynch Mob,  Metal Church and Metal Cowboy.


Ray Luzier from Korn touts Select a Head as “"One of the ultimate souvenirs that you could own by your favorite band. It looks so bad ass hangin' in my studio, like a kick drums literally busting out of the wall!! My friends all trip out when they come over & rant over it. Sticks, picks & photos are cool, but get yourself a Select a Head, truly a unique display & support of your fav band!!”


“Mayhem is a perfect festival to showcase Select a Head and the various artists we work with,” commented Steve Kenkman, founder of Select a Head. “People must see and hold our displays in order to really appreciate them and understand that they’re not just drum heads, but works of art that literally pop off your wall.”

Jupiter Hotel in Portland Re-Launches Website with All New Innovative Hospitality Features

Jupiter Hotel Portland OregonJupiter Hotel Newly Redesigned JupiterHotel.com includes Twitter friendly content, custom interactive map, and Portland, Oregon artisan trip planner features.


Jupiter Hotel, a mid-century modern boutique property in Portland, Oregon, today announced the re-launch of its website, www.jupiterhotel.com, showcasing a refreshed look and feel, as well as a new user-friendly layout. The new site's fully responsive design continues to highlight the hotel’s innovative, customer and community-focused approach to hospitality.


“The Jupiter Hotel is considered the epicenter of Portland, Oregon’s Southeast Cultural District. Offline, we have worked hard to create a place that has a sense of community for Jupiter’s tribe. The goal with our new website, JupiterHotel.com, is to do the same thing online,” explains hotel General Manager, Al Munguia.


Just a few of the rich features on this site include:




  • Shareable content. Almost every sentence is 140 characters or less, optimized for sharing on a guest's favorite social network.

  • Responsive platform. A completely new navigation is feature rich and allows the guests to quickly and efficiently move throughout the website with ease, on desktop or any mobile platform.

  • Interactive tools. Photos on the 'rooms' and 'deals' pages are gray until moused over, both to create a focus on the main photo, and also to give a feeling and an enticement to go deeper and get more information.

  • Interactive Portland events calendar and nearby map. The calendar seamlessly integrates with the user's; guests can quickly plan their next trip to PDX. The map feature is searchable by interest, location and business.


The Jupiter Hotel is home to a diverse group of urban explorers. With the help of Christian Harder Photography, their team spent 5 days capturing the essence of the property and its community. Telling the story of the Jupiter Hotel, as it relates to place, community, and its fans, was an important aspect in the planning and creation of the new website. Designed as an extension of the lifestyle, experiences, staff knowledge and community that is fostered in and around the Jupiter Hotel, www.jupiterhotel.com’s additional purpose is to bring awareness to the neighborhoods, artists, farmers, craft distillers, microbrewers, bands, and the many individuals who help craft Portland into the city that it is today.


About The Jupiter Hotel:


The Jupiter serves as a home-on-the-road for modern travelers, cultural creatives and business nomads looking to indulge in urban life. The 81 modern guestrooms, connect guests to the vibrancy of Portland at affordable rates. The hotel has been featured by national magazines such as Elle Décor, Travel + Leisure, GQ and more. Travelers looking for a unique experience in urban hospitality find their destination at the Jupiter Hotel, located at 800 E. Burnside, Portland, OR. Reserve a room today at http://www.jupiterhotel.com or call 877-800-0004.

Saturday, June 27, 2015

AT&T to Invest Approximately US$3 Billion in Mexico to Extend Mobile Internet to 100 Million Consumers & Businesses by Year-End 2018

Mexico President Pena Nieto with AT&T CEO Randall StephensonIn a meeting today with Mexico President Enrique Peña Nieto, AT&T Chairman and CEO Randall Stephenson announced that AT&T plans to invest approximately US$3 billion to extend its high-speed, mobile Internet service to Mexico, covering 100 million people in Mexico by year-end 2018. This is in addition to the US$4.4 billion AT&T invested earlier this year to acquire Iusacell and NEXTEL Mexico.


“We are building a network in Mexico that is capable of bringing innovation and economic vitality to the country, just as we have done in the U.S.,” Stephenson said. “We plan to deliver high-quality, high-speed mobile Internet service to Mexico, creating the first-ever North American Mobile Service Area covering 400 million people and businesses in Mexico and the U.S.  This seamless network will link together our two countries’ economies, people and cultures like never before.


New Plans and Features for Customers


AT&T expects the first phase of its state-of-the-art, high-speed mobile network will be complete in the next six months and cover 40 million Mexicans, about one-third of the population. By the end of 2016, AT&T expects its mobile Internet service will reach 75 million people, nearly two-thirds of the population. AT&T plans to reach 100 million people by year-end 2018.


Next month, AT&T will introduce new plans for its Mexican customers that take advantage of the company’s North American Mobile Service Area. The new plans let Mexicans  use their individual plans — including voice, data and text messaging — while in the U.S. Customers on these new plans will also be able to use their available community minutes to call friends and family in the U.S. who are on the AT&T network. It’s one phone, one plan, covering two countries.


AT&T will also offer other features for its customers in Mexico, including Google Play billing, a first in Latin America. Customers with Google Android devices can download apps, books, movies, music and games with just one click — no credit cards needed — and have it added to their monthly wireless bills.


Commitment to Customers and the Community


AT&T is committed to delivering a great experience to its customers in Mexico. During the summer, the company will begin rolling out Nuestra Promesa (Our Promise). It encourages all employees to commit to a higher level of customer experience. AT&T based Nuestra Promesa on the service excellence standard it has in the U.S. That standard has earned the company multiple national awards for purchase experience and customer care.


In his talks with President Peña Nieto, Stephenson reiterated AT&T’s commitment to all Mexican citizens. “We believe in taking care of the people in the communities where we live and work,” he said. “As a start, we’ll launch our “It Can Wait” campaign in Mexico City in the months ahead to discourage people from texting while driving. No text is worth a life. That’s a message we’ll send to all wireless users across Mexico. The dangers of texting and driving are just as serious in Mexico as they are in the United States.”


AT&T will also be the first Mexican wireless carrier to collaborate with the Alerta Amber (Amber Alert) initiative at a national level. Iusacell, Nextel and Unefon users will receive text messages when a child is missing or abducted in their area.


And, AT&T will invest to help more students in Mexico succeed in school and prepare for the workforce. This commitment will include corporate contributions and work with outstanding non-profit organizations focused on education. AT&T will introduce new learning opportunities for high school students to develop job skills that prepare them for work and teach them about different careers.


Investing in AT&T’s People


Stephenson also recognized AT&T’s employees in Mexico for their contributions to the company’s success. “Everything that we’ve accomplished and our future plans for Mexico depend on one thing: Our people,” he said. “Our employees are critical to our success, and we’ll support them by making AT&T a great place to work in Mexico.”


Stephenson set a goal for AT&T to be one of the best employers in Mexico. To reach this goal, AT&T will introduce a number of programs to support its workforce. In 2016, AT&T will offer tuition support to help employees pursue educational opportunities to advance their careers.


The company is also committed to diversity, with a focus on women and people with disabilities. AT&T plans to launch a Mexico chapter of the Women of AT&T employee resource group later this year and to collaborate with colleges to recruit female students in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields. AT&T has already moved quickly to expand opportunities for women: Today, women hold 25 percent of leadership positions in the company’s Mexico operations, up from 10 percent when the company entered the market earlier this year.

Thursday, June 25, 2015

‘Six Degrees of Innovation’; the Six Business Model Features Companies Need To Innovate

Research supported by AT&T reveals predictive model for innovation


June 25, 2015 — AT&T commissioned a study to help companies innovate and make the most of technology. The results show that innovation happens where companies have one or more of six business model traits – “Six Degrees of Innovation”.


The University of Cambridge Judge Business School carried out the research. They studied how new technology and market demand have combined and led to business innovation.  The aim was to see if there were any common characteristics in the businesses that did succeed.

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Big Band Sound Comes to Blaine, WA During Drayton Harbor Music Festival, July 6th



Blaine Hosts Drayton Harbor Music Festival July 6-11


Blaine, Washington, June 24, 2015 – Love that unmistakable jazz sound? Want to hear big band music amidst small town charm? Then don’t miss Blaine’s 2015 Drayton Harbor Music Festival, with free daily concerts and by-donation evening performances from July 6 to 11. The festival features world-class musicians coming together in scenic Blaine, WA to teach young musicians each day and perform for the community at night.
Big Band Sound Blaine
Since 2002, Blaine’s music festival has charmed audiences near and far with live performances by distinguished performers, including the Pacific Northwest’s premier jazz vocalist, Greta Matassa. Renowned trumpeter Greg Hopkins will also be showcasing his talents as leader of the Big Band Benefit on July 9, at the picturesque Semiahmoo Golf & Country Club. Enjoy this unforgettable evening of music, dinner and dancing to support the festival. Visit www.draytonharbormusic.org for event tickets and complete festival schedule.

The Drayton Harbor Music Festival also includes a weeklong camp for students ages 12-19. Registrations are still open  for students with experience in all musical styles and instruments including, voice, violin and bassoon. Students who attend this music camp experience an intense and rewarding week of instruction from the music faculty.

For more festival information or to register for camp, visit www.draytonharbormusic.org.

About the Drayton Harbor Music Festival
The 14th annual Drayton Harbor Music Festival, previously known as the Blaine Jazz Festival, is a week of exciting ensemble classes and concerts in Blaine, Washington; a town nestled between the Canadian border and the Pacific Ocean (35 miles south of Vancouver, Canada and 110 miles north of Seattle). The Pacific Arts Association, a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the arts in the community, organizes the festival with the support of donors, sponsors and volunteers.

PHROOGAL’S ROAD TO FINANCIAL WELLNESS TOUR APPROACHES FINAL DESINATION ON CAMPAIGN TO EDUCATE MILLENNIALS HOW TO MANAGE THEIR MONEY MOST EFFECTIVELY

PhroogalPhroogal’s 30 Cities in 30 Days Campaign To Break The Taboo About Money Will Make Stops In 7 More Cities


(Elizabeth, NJ)- Phroogal, a financial education service that empowers millennials to make better informed financial decisions, is on the final leg of their Road to Financial Wellness tour. The Road to Financial Wellness Tour zigzagged across the country this month, making stops at 30 cities in 30 days to get millennials talking about their financial wellness. The tour kicked off June 1 in Portland, ME and will wrap up in Los Angeles, CA on June 30. By the end of the month, the Phroogal team will have travelled 10,000 miles on their epic cross country road trip.


The team has made a pit stop in a different American city every day since June 1, spending the day speaking with local residents and millennials about their financial stories and participating in localized events such as financial education workshops, fairs, coffeehouse discussions and impromptu street level discussions. Phroogal has teamed up with credit unions, nonprofits, financial institutions and government organizations to help make navigating financial health accessible to young adults.


“Throughout this trip, we have witnessed remarkable conversations and honest dialogue about financial wellbeing,” says Jason Vitug, CEO and founder of Phroogal. “We have had great success in teaming up with various organizations in helping to tie financial education to achieving lifestyle goals and making smart financial decisions.”


Sponsored nationally by Payoff.com, The Road to Financial Wellness events are aimed to start local conversations about money and turn them into a national conversation about financial well-being. The events vary from one location to another but each include discussion about money mindsets. As the tour winds up, attendees will talk about their relationship with money and learn about the resources and tools that empower their communities to make better financial decisions. The events will include an hour or longer session where the Phroogal team can engage, discuss and present information to the attendees.


Phroogal will be making stops in the following cities for the remainder of the Road to Financial Wellness:


·         June 24: Missoula, MT


·         June 25: Seattle, WA


·         June 26: Portland, OR


·         June 27: Berkeley, CA


·         June 28: Mountain View, CA


·         June 29: San Francisco, CA


·         June 30: Los Angeles, CA


Be sure to follow Phroogal and the events hashtag #TheRoad on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat.


ABOUT PHROOGAL


Phroogal is a millennial lifestyle brand that understands knowledge empowers people to make better informed financial decisions. Phroogal provides bite-sized information and access to relevant and reliable resources and tools in the format that millennials understand. Phroogal is based in Elizabeth, NJ and was founded in 2013 by Jason Vitug, a millennial and entrepreneur whose vision is to democratize knowledge to empower his generation to live their dream lifestyle.

STARS OF WINE, FOOD AND MUSIC ALIGN AT PENNER-ASH WINE CELLARS TO RAISE FUNDS FOR THE CHILDREN’S CANCER ASSOCIATION

Penner-Ash Wine CellarsThe estate vineyards of  Penner-Ash Wine Cellars will become the backdrop for a  wondrous summer evening of food, wine and music on Saturday, August 22nd. 15-time Grammy Award winning musician, Béla Fleck, known as the premier banjo player in the world, will perform an intimate concert with singer-songwriter Abigail Washburn at the winery as a benefit for the Children’s Cancer Association’s flagship MyMusicRx program. The husband-and-wife duo are touring in support of their new album, “Béla Fleck & Abigail Washburn.” James Beard Award-winning Chef Vitaly Paley will prepare a picnic for guests to enjoy on the lawn as they take in the show and sip exceptional wines from Penner-Ash Wine Cellars. This is the final of three events hosted at the winery this summer to benefit the Children’s Cancer Association, and this concert, presented by KeyBank, is part of CCA’s “LIVE from the Heart” music series. Penner-Ash Wine Cellars will also combine music and philanthropy at the winery on August 8, when the winery will host Eddie Palmieri in concert in conjunction with the Portland Jazz Festival, in a benefit for ¡Salud!


WHAT


An intimate benefit concert for the Children’s Cancer Association’s MyMusicRx program, performed by Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn, paired with a picnic dinner by Chef Vitaly Paley and wines by Penner-Ash Wine Cellars.


WHERE


The scenic lawn beside the vineyards of Penner-Ash Wine Cellars, 15771 Ribbon Ridge Road, Newberg, Ore. 97132.


DETAILS


Tickets for the concert, wine and picnic dinner are $250 per person, and available at www.joyrx.org/winery. Seating will be outside on the lawn, festival chairs and blankets are welcome.


PHOTOS


Photos of the winery, vineyards and event flier are available.


About Penner-Ash Wine Cellars


Penner-Ash Wine Cellars was founded by Lynn and Ron Penner-Ash in 1998. Located in Newberg, Ore., Penner-Ash is a sustainable, gravity-flow winery surrounded by estate vineyards in an exceptional setting overlooking the Chehalem Valley. Lynn studied at the University of California, Davis, the birthplace of the American wine industry, and was the first female winemaker hired in Oregon. Ron served as a public school teacher for 20 years and has been recognized and awarded for his developments in technology and innovation. Embraced by 80 acres of land, the Penner-Ash winery sits amid 15 acres of Pinot Noir grapes and is stepped into the hillside on three levels. The tiered position takes full advantage of the breathtaking and expansive views of the vineyard and the valley, bound by the Chehalem Mountains to the north and the Red Hills of Dundee to the south. The first harvest from the vineyard was in 2005 and Penner-Ash wines have consistently received high rankings year after year.  As pioneers in the Oregon wine industry, Lynn and Ron strive to push the boundaries while maintaining a consistently high quality in their wines with each vintage of Pinot Noir, Syrah, Riesling and Viognier. Penner-Ash Wine Cellars’ winery and tasting room is located at 15771 N.E. Ribbon Ridge Road in Newberg, Ore., and is open daily for tastings, and tours and seated tastings by reservation. Visit pennerash.com and follow Penner-Ash Wine Cellars on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.


About MyMusicRx


The Children’s Cancer Association (CCA) believes joy matters and music heals. Nearly two decades ago, CCA pioneered a one-of-a-kind pediatric “music medicine” program called MyMusicRx that lets kids choose the music experience that feels right to them. The in-hospital MyMusicRx program includes bedside sing-a-longs led by trained music specialists, instrument lending from mobile music carts, tablet checkouts and live concerts from national recording artists. MyMusicRx.org extends the bedside music experience to an online platform and invites kids facing cancer and other serious illnesses to feel the music and feel better, by exploring exclusive artists greetings, concerts, music lessons, digital instruments, and games anytime, anywhere. See MyMusicRx programs in action here, and for more information, visit www.mymusicrx.org.

Google Data Center to Be Built at Coal Plant Site in Alabama

Google Data Center Widows CreekFirst Google Data Center to Locate on Repurposed Coal Generation Site


Google Data Center at TVA's Widows Creek.  The Tennessee Valley Authority has announced today Google has chosen TVA’s Widows Creek to be the site of it's newest and 14th Google Data Center.  Widows Creek is a soon-to-be retired coal plant site in North Alabama. Joining  Present at the announcement were Robert Bentley, Governor of Alabama, local and state officials, Gary Demasi, Google Director of Data Center Energy and Location Strategy,TVA’s President and CEO Bill Johnson and TVA Chairman Joe Ritch.


“This is a big day for TVA,” Bill Johnson said. “The partnership between the Alabama Department of Commerce, Jackson County Economic Development Authority, and TVA helped secure an innovative, global technology company to the Valley.”

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

The Boeing Company and Thai Airways International Celebrate 25th Direct 777 Delivery

Boeing 777Boeing and Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI) celebrated the Thailand flag carrier's 25th direct 777 delivery, a 777-300ER (Extended Range), from the Boeing delivery center in Everett, Wash.

"This is a very special delivery for us – our 25th 777 delivery from Boeing," said THAI President Mr. Charamporn Jotikasthira. "The flexibility of the 777 family has played a significant role in our continued success and our latest 777-300ER will ensure we continue to expand our long haul markets efficiently and economically, while providing our passengers the best possible experience."

IKEA SECURES CONTRACTORS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF NEW, UPDATED STORE AT SWEDISH RETAILER’S CURRENT LOCATION IN RENTON

Ikea logoIKEA Hires Deacon Corp as General Contractor for New Renton Store


IKEA announced today that they have finally hired contractors for constructing a new, updated store in Renton. The new Ikea store will be built to replace its current store as the Swedish retailer’s Seattle-area presence.  The new IKEA store will be built in part of the current parking area, with the older store ultimately being demolished to allow for more parking.  Until the new, updated store opens in Spring 2017, customers can continue to shop at the existing Renton store.


IKEA has chosen Deacon Corp. to serve as Construction Manager and General Contractor both for site work and store development.  An industry leader throughout the Western U.S., Deacon specializes in construction of retail, multifamily housing, mixed-use buildings, hotels, restaurants and entertainment facilities, as well as healthcare and office buildings.  Other firms involved with this IKEA project include:  Barghausen, civil engineer; TENW, traffic consultants; and Atlanta-based GreenbergFarrow as the project architect. 

The Lions Den Seattle and Tom Douglas Launch Round Two for Start Up Submissions

The Lions Den SeattleThe Lions Den Seattle by Tom Douglas and Jeri Andrews Announces 2nd Round


The Lions Den Seattle is a lot like the City of Seattle.  The Lions Den Seattle and the City of Seattle have always been at the precipice of innovation. A brainchild of Tom Douglas, of Tom Douglas Restaurants, and Jeri Andrews, entrepreneur and philanthropy master, The Lions Den Seattle has become an innovative and generative entrepreneurial think-tank turned investment opportunity. Think Shark Tank with a soul and start-up support done right – and this year, The Lions Den Seattle is approaching new heights, accepting a second round of startup submissions for the October 22nd Lions Den Pitch Event.


Just four months after the inaugural The Lions Den Seattle event, Sara Johnson, owner of Grass & Root Juice Company, inked a deal with Hotel Ändra owner Craig Schafer.  Although the details of their agreement are not public, The Lions Den Seattle discloses that Sara was able to keep 100% ownership in her company. After purchasing a dilapidated truck, Sara is on her way to bringing juice to our streets.  She intends to open for business later this summer, and until then is working on the design and build out of her juice kitchen on wheels.


This year’s “Best in Show” winner, Stacy Flynn, presented her startup called Evrnu, a revolutionary, new technology that recycles cotton garment waste to create premium, renewable textiles. After The Lions Den Seattle, Stacy has successfully generated beautiful fabric and garnered great interest from current clothing labels to utilize the fabric for the manufacturing of upcoming fall collections.


The next big Lion’s Den Pitch Event will be held on October 22, 2015 at the Palace Ballroom in downtown Seattle. Six finalists will present to a panel of Seattle’s who’s who within the business community, including Tom Douglas and Jeri Andrews. The panel will listen, ask questions, and decide if they want to partner. Provided with capital and expertise, your late night garage project or genius idea might just turn into the next billion-dollar company.


Co-founders Tom Douglas and Jeri Andrews are now accepting applications for the second round of The Lions Den Seattle, seeking businesses that range in levels of fundraising stages. Ideal submissions are those that incorporate socially conscious elements, or in some way provide a benefit to our community.  All startups are welcome to apply, including (but not limited to) food, consumer products, technology, manufacturing, and retail.


Applications are due August 20, 2015; please visit www.thelionsdenseattle.com for more information on submissions and event details.

Fair Work Center launches to help workers navigate Seattle’s new labor laws

Fair Work CenterFair Work Center Nonprofit will partner with new law clinic at University of Washington


SEATTLE—With new wage laws now in effect in Seattle, the nonprofit Fair Work Center has launched to help workers better understand their rights and the city’s labor standards.


“Seattle is fortunate to have a suite of newly adopted labor laws, including one of the highest minimum wages in the country,” said Director Nicole Vallestero Keenan. “Fair Work Center has been established to help workers make sense of their rights to paid sick leave, wage theft protections, minimum wage and more.”


Workers with questions about the phase-in of $15/hour minimum wage, securing paid sick leave, or other issues can connect with Fair Work Center online at fairworkcenter.org; by email at help@fairworkcenter.org. The center will provide services in Vietnamese, Spanish, Somali and English. The Fair Work Center offices are located at 5308 Martin Luther King Jr. Way South.


“It’s understandable that workers will have questions about their rights under the city’s laws,” said Kellye Testy, Dean of the UW School of Law. “The new UW program, in conjunction with Fair Work Center, will help them get the benefits they’ve earned.”


Fair Work Center’s Board includes:




  • Rebecca Smith, National Employment Law Project

  • Candace Inagi, Development Director, Asian Counseling and Referral Service

  • Rebecca Saldana, Executive Director, Puget Sound Sage

  • Rich Stolz, Executive Director, One America

  • David Rolf, President, SEIU 775

  • Marcus Courtney, Senior Field Representative, AFL-CIO


Vallestero Keenan brings 10 years of experience in research, advocacy campaigns, civic engagement, racial justice organizing, social services, and community and business outreach. Prior to joining the Fair Work Center, she served as the Policy Director at Puget Sound Sage – where she led the policy and analysis work on labor standards.


She began her career through community engagement and youth engagement roles at the Washington Environmental Council, El Centro de la Raza and the Washington Bus. Vallestero Keenan served as Board President of the Asian Community Leadership Foundation until 2015.


Fair Work Center is fiscally sponsored by a 501c3 nonprofit organization committed to helping workers navigate Seattle’s new labor laws.

Frank Romano's New Breakthroughs In The Drive For Peace In The Middle East: Changing Public Opinion Through Interfaith Unification

Frank RomanoFrank Romano Works For Peace in the Middle East


Frank Romano, PhD, doesn't merely talk about the possibility of sustainable peace in the Middle East, he champions programs through interfaith unification and has seen first-hand the results of these efforts.  Even though Frank Romano has found himself in dangerous situations, he has spent decades of his life working towards peace in the Middle East and his efforts are documented in Love and Terror in the Middle East (4th edition)

"There is definitely something positive happening right now in the US,” says Dr. Frank Romano. "We're realizing a favorable evolution in US public opinion.  Americans are better informed and I believe this will lead to the American people demanding a louder  voice on issues where the Middle East peace is concerned.”

Frank Romano's story began decades ago with a move from California to France to study philosophy. He later ventured to Morocco on his way to the Middle East, where he was to participate in the interfaith peace movement. In his quest for the universal religion, which at first he thought might be Islam (meaning "peace”), he soon realized that the Islamic sect he met had little to do with peace and more to do with radicalism. After daring to ask questions relating to Islam and women, he was wrongly accused by Muslim extremists of being a Zionist spy and was imprisoned. This ultimately led to a spiritual awakening and, eventually, to his escape.

While Dr. Romano is due to return to his interfaith activities in the Middle East, he wants to be a part of what is certain to be more involvement by the American public relating to Middle East issues.  His hope is to create a positive impact on American thinking which seems to be more open to interfaith peace activities.   
 
Dr. Frank Romano is a lawyer, author, speaker and professor of law, literature, history and philosophy of law, and continues to be an advocate for peace in the Middle East.

For more information on Dr. Romano's book or his ongoing drive for peace, please visit:
http://www.frankromano-loveandterror4.com
  (book)
http://www.frankromano363.blogspot.com/
  (blog)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwQ-TYRDIVI
  (Interview)

Available at Amazon.com and major online outlets
Love and Terror in the Middle East, 4th edition
By Frank Romano
AB Film Publishing
ISBN-13: 978-0989706865


BOOK SIGNING EVENTS:

Friday, June 26th, 4-8 pm, Barnes and Noble, Northtown Mall, 4750 North Division Street, Spokane, WA


Saturday, June 27th, 12 to 5 pm, Barnes and Noble, Westwood Village, 2600 SW Barton St Suite E-1
Seattle, WA


Sunday, June 28th, 1 to 5 pm, Barnes and Noble, Market Pointe I Shopping Center, 15310 E. Indiana Ave., Spokane, WA


 

Rosa Syed:  "extraordinary….provides a profound insight into the relations of Jews, Muslims, & Christians in the Middle East.…A magnificent book on the current events and the road to peace....”

Mark Russell Bell: "Reading Frank Romano's memoirs, I was reminded that paths of spiritual discovery involve the intellect in relation to one's dedicated research and contemplation….I also found myself acknowledging once again that the true 'holy' land in the transitory world we call Earth is not limited to any geographical area but is the condition where one recognizes that all people are members of the same vast family.”



More news about books and authors at Eastside Business Free Press Release site.

Monday, June 22, 2015

Motion Picture and TV Industry is Responsible for more than 37,600 Jobs in Washington

Motion Picture Association of AmericaMotion Picture and TV Industry Directly Employs More than 8,500 Local Workers and Paying $348.5 Million in Wages


Supporting TPA and Strong Trade Agreements Will Boost Washington’s Film and TV Economic Sector 


WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, as Congress continues to consider Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) legislation, the Motion Picture Association of America, Inc. (MPAA) is revealing new state economic data in Washington, showing that the state’s film and TV industry directly employs more than 8,500 workers, paying $348.5 million in wages. That economic activity is the foundation of a vibrant statewide industry that consists of more than 2,150 motion picture and television industry businesses and is responsible for more than 37,600 jobs.


Overall, the American motion picture and TV industry supports 1.9 million jobs nationwide.  Overseas markets are critical to the success of the US motion picture and TV industry, which registered $15.8 billion in exports and a positive services trade surplus of $13.4 billion in 2013.


To continue growing film and TV exports, it’s important that Congress pass trade promotion authority (TPA) legislation. This legislation is an important step towards finalizing strong trade agreements like TPP that will allow the motion picture and TV industry to create more jobs in the U.S. by reaching some of the world’s biggest and most important markets.


The motion picture and television industry’s economic impact touches every corner of the U.S., including Washington, which hosted the production of 7 movies and 3 TV series from 2013 to 2014. A few example productions include “Captain Fantastic,” “Transformers: Age of Extinction,” and “The Legend of Mick Dodge,” among others.


MPAA Chairman and CEO Senator Chris Dodd stated, “The motion picture and television industry is a major American exporter and driver of economic growth. Passage of TPA is a key step for completing trade agreements like TPP that will increase America’s global competiveness and promote the good-paying jobs that our industry supports in all 50 states.”


Click here for an INFOGRAPHIC that further outlines the link between trade, movies, and American jobs.  And visit TheCredits.org to find out more about the creativity, innovation, and workers behind-the-scenes of the American movie and television industry.


About the MPAA


The Motion Picture Association of America, Inc. (MPAA) serves as the voice and advocate of the American motion picture, home video and television industries from its offices in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. Its members include: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures; Paramount Pictures Corporation; Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc.; Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation; Universal City Studios LLC; and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.

NFL HALL OF FAMERS GET ALL-STAR TECH DEMO IN “STARTUP NATION”

New England Patriot's Owner Robert Kraft Brings Delegation of 19 NFL Hall of Famers to Meet with Ten Leading Startups in Jerusalem with Mayor Nir Barkat


OurCrowd, equity crowdfunding platform and investor in Israeli startups, together with Jnext – the Jerusalem Development Authority program supporting and promoting tech-entrepreneurship in the city, hosted 19 members of the U.S. Pro Football Hall of Fame for an exhibit of the latest technologies coming out of the “Startup Nation.”


The goodwill trip to Israel, coined "Touchdown in Israel: Mission of Excellence,” was organized by New England Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft, in coordination with Israel's Ambassador  to the United States, Ron Dermer. The week-long visit kicked off with the technology expo in Jerusalem’s Old City. Members of the delegation received an up close look at the best of Israeli high-tech innovation via ten hand-picked companies, seven of which are funded on the OurCrowd equity crowdfunding platform.


"Jerusalem was recently voted by Time Magazine as one of the world's five emerging tech hubs and that can truly be seen today,” said Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat. "I think it's a combination of really understanding our past and the beauty and the power of Jerusalem and its history. I believe in a very strong connection between our past and our future. More and more high tech entrepreneurs see their future here."


Patriots owner Kraft said the visit was transformative for the entire delegation. "I don't think there's a better place that you can bring people no matter what their faith might be. They come here and their lives are changed,” he said.


The NFL legends were greeted with a demo of ReWalk, a wearable bionic skeleton that allows individuals with spinal cord injuries to walk again.


OurCrowd CEO Jon Medved introduced the football greats to a demonstration of OurCrowd portfolio company Elminda, the world’s first FDA-approved neural functional assessment tool to visualize serious brain trauma and illness. Elminda was recently named one of the 50 most innovative companies in the world by Fast Company.


“Elminda is a perfect example of the kind of breakthrough technology coming out of Israel which is close to the hearts of these football greats. It offers a potentially huge breakthrough for mitigating sports injuries, detecting sports based concussions, advancing brain research and changing the lives of the two billion people worldwide living with brain disorders," said Medved.


“Through crowdfunding, the investment world is being democratized and individual investors can now get a stake in Israeli technology meaning they have a stake in Israel,” said Ron Dermer, the Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. 


Other companies on display included OrCam, an intuitive portable device with a smart camera designed to assist the visually impaired; Glide, the world’s first and only messaging application with streaming video technology; Inpris, technology that recognizes the individual movements of each fingertip anywhere on a touch-screen; MUV Interactive, a state-of-the-art solution for interacting with multiple screens and media sources through touch, remote and voice interaction; BriefCam, the video analysis software keeping our city streets safe; Consumer Physics, makers of SCiO, an advanced optical spectrometer that allows users to identify the chemical makeup of anything around them; Cimagine, the most visually advanced and user-friendly way for consumers to envision and interact with physical products in virtual reality and Highcon, which manufactures the Euclid, a machine that automates packaging production by bringing it into the digital age.


The response of the players to the technology on display was powerful and immediate.


“I think the exoskeleton’s ability to help a paraplegic walk is such an emotional thing to see," said NFL Hall of Famer David Baker. "[We were interested in] every one of these companies, from helping the consumers to helping blind people read, to helping process information better. For a lot of our players, [we appreciated] the ability to understand what’s happening in the brain with a concussion. It was all fantastic.”


It's been very, very great and exceeded my expectations to a great extent," said NFL Hall of Famer, Curly Culp. "I'm just so glad to be here and learn about the history of Israel and how things are moving forward. I think the hospitality, the people, the history of this place, the holiness of this place you know it's a very spiritual and educational experience for me.”


About OurCrowd: OurCrowd is an equity crowdfunding platform for accredited investors to invest in Israeli and global companies. Managed by a team of seasoned investment professionals and led by serial entrepreneur Jon Medved, OurCrowd vets and selects opportunities, invests its own capital and brings startups to its accredited membership. OurCrowd investors must meet stringent accreditation criteria and invest a minimum of $10,000 per deal of their choice. OurCrowd provides post-investment support to its portfolio companies, assigning industry experts as mentors and taking board seats.  OurCrowd has raised over $130M in equity crowdfunding for its 70 portfolio companies, which include leading companies, such as: Borro, BillGuard, Consumer Physics (SCiO), BioCatch, Abe’s Market, and ReWalk, OurCrowd’s first portfolio company to complete a successful IPO on the NASDAQ

Eugene Alletto of BEDGEAR Announced as EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2015 Award Winner in New York

Eugene Alletto bedgearEugene Alletto an Entrepreneur of the Year in NYC


Eugene Alletto, bedgear founder and CEO, has been announced as a winner of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2015 Award in the New York region. The award recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs who demonstrate excellence and extraordinary success in such areas as innovation, financial performance, and personal commitment to their businesses and communities. Eugene Alletto was selected by an independent panel of judges, and the award was presented at a special gala event at the Marriott Marquis on June 16, 2015.


Now in its 29th year, the program has honored the inspirational leadership of such entrepreneurs as Howard Schultz of Starbucks Coffee Company, Pierre Omidyar of eBay, Inc., and Mindy Grossman of HSN. Recent US national winners include Reid Hoffman and Jeff Weiner of LinkedIn; Hamdi Ulukaya, founder of Chobani; and 2014 winner Dr. David Hung, President and CEO and Chairman of Medivation.


As a New York award winner, Eugene Alletto is now eligible for consideration for the Entrepreneur Of The Year 2015 national program. Award winners in several national categories, as well as the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Overall Award winner, will be announced at the annual awards gala in Palm Springs, California, on November 14, 2015. The awards are the culminating event of the EY Strategic Growth Forum.


About bedgear


Founded in 2009, bedgear pioneered the category of performance bedding essentials ­ uniquely designed products built on a patent-pending sales process that fits your sleep position and body frame, to provide you with the maximum recovery at night. With a ³lifehacker² philosophy centered on helping you achieve more, our collection of performance pillows, pillow protectors, mattress protectors and sheets harness cutting-edge fabric technologies like those currently used throughout our active daily lives ­ when we run, ride bikes, do yoga and just enjoy the outdoors. Manufactured using only flexible materials that provide optimal air flow and allow for free range of motion, bedgear performance bedding products also wick away heat & moisture, so you can temperature regulate at night for better rest. You can¹t cheat sleep ­ but you can get more out of the time you spend in bed with products that fit your individual needs.


About EY Entrepreneur Of The Year


EY Entrepreneur Of The Year is the world¹s most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The unique award makes a difference through the way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global award of its kind, Entrepreneur Of The Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 145 cities in more than 60 countries.


About EY


EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. The insights and quality services we deliver help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities.


If you have a press release you would like posted online at Eastside Business, please contact us.

Sunday, June 21, 2015

69th Annual Pacific Northwest Scottish Highland Games & Clan Gathering Kick Off Events, Enumclaw, WA

Pacific Northwest Scottish Highland Games a Yearly Hit for 69 Years


Don your tartan and join the fun and excitement at the 69th Annual Pacific Northwest Scottish Highland Games & Clan Gathering as the Highland Weekend Kick Off events, July 24, 5:30 PM to 11 PM. The event takes place at the Expo Center, 45224 – 284th Avenue SE, Enumclaw, WA.

Thrill to the sounds of the Clan Gordon Pipe Band, the Northwest Junior Pipe Band and the Tacoma Scots Pipe Band as they perform first as individual units and then join together. A Scottish sing-along, under the direction of featured performer Carl Peterson, and the Rising of the Clans and Flaming Saltire will follow their performances. The evening is capped off by the Ceilidh, a traditional Scottish party with music, sing-alongs, stories and Scottish country dancing at the indoor Celtic Arts Showcase and Tilted Kilt Pub.

In the outdoor Rampant Lion Pub, the weekend piping competition begins with the special event, Donald MacRae Pub Piping. Your toes will be tapping as the sound of hornpipes and jigs fill the air. The party continues in the Rampant Lion Pub with a performance by BOWI Band to round out the evening.

The event is free and open to the public.

Full Event Information: www.sshga.org/games/gamesIntro.htm, Phone: (206) 522-2541

Saturday, June 20, 2015

PEBBLEBEE LAUNCHES HONEY NATIONALLY

Pebblebee HoneyPebblebee has announced the launch of their first personal item tracker, The Pebblebee Honey the most affordable and helpful Bluetooth trackers on the market, with features that accurately track your valuables using a free iOS or Android phone app. The Honey is available at a big-box retail store in all of its nearly 1,800 nationwide locations, as well as online at pebblebee.com.


“We’ve just come off of a successful Kickstarter campaign where more than 3,000 Kickstarter backers supported us with nearly $220,000 to help take us to this level where we could offer the Pebblebee Honey to users across the nation,” said Daniel Daoura, co-founder and CEO of Pebblebee. “We are excited for this national launch of our first, of many, products.”

Five Steps to Integrating Coaching into your Talent Management Strategy

The Coaching Solutionby Renée Robertson


Coaching means many things to many people. Many times a certain technique that is referred to as “coaching,” isn’t really coaching at all; it’s actually counseling or feedback. For example, you may have heard or had this happen to you – a manager will say, “Let me give you some coaching around ABC,” and they proceed to explain to an employee why the employee failed to accomplish a task. The manager then explains the way ABC needs to be done. More times than not, the recipient of this so-called “coaching” walks away disillusioned by what they think was a coaching experience and perhaps, deflated and unmotivated. As a result, coaching can get a bad rap and employees may begin to disengage. So what does a real coaching conversation look like? Well, something like this: “So, how do you think your presentation on ABC went?” The employee is given time to reflect, respond and be an active participant in the conversation. The manager continues to ask thoughtful questions such as: “What would you have done differently?,” ”What actions will you take?,” or “How can I support you?” Do you notice the difference? This is a coaching conversation—the employee is empowered to act while being supported by their manager. The employee gains confidence knowing that they own the outcome while feeling acknowledged and supported by their manager.


Now more than ever, there is a great opportunity to bring coaching into organizations. According to Gallup’s study on the global workplace, only 13% of employees worldwide are engaged at work or are psychologically committed to their jobs and likely to be making positive contributions to their organizations. Therefore, 63% are "not engaged."  If this is the case, then why not integrate coaching into your talent management strategy, not only to increase employee engagement, but to achieve other talent development goals such as developing certain competencies like problem-solving, strategic thinking or filling your talent pipeline with ready-now talent for upward or lateral assignments?


In order to integrate coaching into your talent management strategy, the following five steps should be taken:


1. Educate Your Leaders: Start at the top and educate your executives on the differences and benefits of coaching versus counseling. Interview them on their perspectives on coaching and assess their willingness to participate and support a coaching initiative. Explain the benefits of coaching and ask them where they see applications for coaching inside their organizations.


2. Identify Coaches, Participants and Executive Sponsors: Look for individuals and managers that can become trained to be internal coaches inside your company. These individuals may be inside your talent management and organizational development areas or could exist inside the business itself. Consider having talent management or Human Resources executives trained and credentialed by the International Coach Federation as professional coaches. As a result, they will be in an excellent position to coach executives in the company. Alternatively, you may choose to utilize external coaches. If so, you can submit a request via the International Coach Federation Coach Referral Service website or ask colleagues for recommendations.


Simultaneously, you will want to identify candidates to participate in the coaching program. Therefore, review your succession planning and consider top talent managers, directors and executives. Participants should be excited to be part of the program and willing to make a commitment. Just as important as identifying the coaches and participants is to make certain that you have executive sponsorship. Determine which executives would like to sponsor the program and be a participant. Request that they support you in your coach and participant identification, marketing efforts, during participant enrollment and throughout the program’s life cycle.


3. Manage Expectations: Be sure to clearly set expectations with your internal coaches, individuals being coached, the executive sponsors and, of course, your managers and colleagues. It is best to run the initial program as a pilot and build upon its success. Make certain everyone is clear on the goals of the program, time commitment and their roles and responsibilities.


4. Train: Enroll your internal coach candidates in a coach-training program that is designed to train individuals that work inside companies as a coach. If you choose to enroll internal employees to become coaches, ensure they’re being coached by a coach with experience coaching internal coaches. In addition, be sure to train the individuals who are to be coached on the role and responsibilities of the participant. While training your coaches, be sure to establish a clear and consistent process for enrolling clients, coaching time and exiting clients. The key here is to ensure that everyone participating has a similar experience.


5. Measure Success: Prior to starting the program, determine how you will measure its success. It may be done simply by using a Net–Promoter score or setting up a simple impact study. It doesn’t have to be a rigorous measurement such as ROI. If your program is embraced and utilized (coaching clients show up and participate in the coaching), then that’s a great sign. Interviewing them or surveying them on the benefits they received is also an excellent idea. In addition, be sure to ask the managers of the program’s participants about the changes they may have noticed in their employee’s behaviors after being coached.


In a time where we’re surrounded by change and have so many demands on our personal and professional lives, the need for coaching is at an all time high. Coaching is a model for engagement, empowerment and accountability. It teaches those being coached to be responsible and to “own” their results. By engaging in coaching, you’re making a decision to replace mediocrity with high-performance. So let’s ask ourselves, who and what company doesn’t want full engagement and high-performance?


Renée Robertson is a two-time International Coach Federation Prism Award Winner for Internal Coaching, in addition to being the CEO of Trilogy Development. She shares her insights and first-hand experience in her new book, The Coaching Solution: How to Drive Talent Development, Organizational Change and Business Results. To learn more, visit www.trilogydevelopment.com.