Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers Announces Annual Awards

The Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers announced annual awards for Grower of the Year, Industry Service, Lifetime Achievement, Restaurant Appreciation and Posters at their convention which was held in Kennewick last week.

Awards were:

GROWER OF THE YEAR

Robert Rivera, of Goose Ridge Winery received the Erick Hanson Memorial Wine Grape Grower Award for exceptional viticultural skills. Rivera is known for his wealth of experience in the wine industry and his tireless dedication to the betterment of vine structure, canopy management, and all the integral parts that keep a vineyard growing & thriving. Amongst his colleagues, he is recognized for his loyalty, wisdom, and commitment to quality.

INDUSTRY SERVICE

Kevin Corliss, of St. Michelle Winery Estates received the Industry Service Award for his tireless dedication on behalf of and for the continual improvement and benefit of the wine grape industry. Since 1983 when he first began at St. Michelle as a lab assistant intern he is now Vice President of Vineyard Operations and his passion for the industry and years of experience has made him one of the most trusted people in the industry.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

Rich Wheeler, of St. Michelle Winery Estates received a Lifetime Achievement Award to recognize his outstanding service to the Washington grape and wine industry. Wheeler started his career with St. Michelle in 1979 and retired in 2010 as Vice President of Vineyards. The development of vineyards especially in the Horse Heaven Hills and Red Mountain regions is just one of his accomplishments that he takes pride in especially because of the simple love for planting vines.

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
Each year a restaurant is selected that does an exceptional job of showcasing and educating diners about Washington wines. This year’s recipient was the Seaview restaurant, 42^nd Street Café & Bistro. Serving food to residents, friends and visitors of Oregon’s north and Washington’s south coasts since 1994, the Seattle Times raves that it is “a casual restaurant that is serious about food”. The food is accompanied by an attentive staff and an impeccable wine list that features many of Washington’s best. 

POSTERS

Posters provide an opportunity for students, educators, researchers, and other professionals to present new information and discuss the work they are doing with wine and grape industry stakeholders. Displays provide information on a variety of topics including wine and grape research, wine marketing and promotion, extension and educational outreach, educational class projects, technology transfer, tax and/or assessment funded industry support, or institutional research funding.

Posters were judged by industry stakeholders and prizes were awarded in three categories: Graduate, Undergraduate and Professional.

Professional

 

1^st Place:

Trent Ball¹, Ray Folwell¹, Doug Walsh² and Naidu Rayapati<sup>3

1</sup>Agri-Business Consultants, LLC., Prosser, WA 98930, Departments of ²Entomology and ³Plant Pathology, Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center, Washington State University, Prosser, WA

TOPIC: Is ‘Grape Virus Tax’ hitting your Pocketbooks?

 

2^nd Place:

Richard C. Larsen¹ and Maria M. Mireles¹ and James F. Harbertson<sup>1

1</sup>School of Food Science, Washington State University, Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center, Prosser, Washington

TOPIC: Impacts of Grape Maturity and Ethanol Concentration on Wine Tannin Concentration

 

3^rd Place:

Markus Keller¹, Laura S. Deyermond^1,2, Sushan Ru³, Bhaskar R. Bondada<sup>3

1</sup>Washington State University, Prosser, Washington, ²Windsor Oaks Vineyards and Winery, Windsor, California, ³Washington State University, Richland, Washington

TOPIC: The ‘Big Vine’ Effect: Why Vigor Declines in Grapevines With High Shoot Numbers

 

Graduate

 

1^st Place:

Golnaz Badr and Gerrit Hoogenboom

AgWeatherNet, Washington State University, Prosser, Washington

TOPIC: Site Selection of Vineyards

 

2^nd Place:

Leslie A. Holland¹, Gary G. Grove², Dean A. Glawe<sup>1

1</sup>Department of Plant Pathology, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington ²Department of Plant Pathology, Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center, Prosser, Washington

TOPIC: A Reassessment of Grapevine Trunk Diseases in Washington State Vineyards

 

3rd Place:

Zachary M. Cartwright and Charles G. Edwards, School of Food Science, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington

TOPIC: Evaluation of the Survival of Brettanomyces bruxellensis in Grape Pomace

 

Undergraduate

 

1^st Place:

Joe Sperry and Thomas Spotteck

TOPIC: Growth Characteristics, Fruit Composition and Wine Quality of Syrah as a Function of Trellis System

 

2^nd Place (tie):

Leslie Walker¹, Basavaraj Bagewadi², Prashant Swamy², Andrew Schultz³ and Naidu Rayapati<sup>2,*

1</sup>Undergraduate Student Intern, V&E Program, WSU-Tri-Cities, Richland, WA, ²Department of Plant Pathology, WSU-IAREC, Prosser, WA and ³Hattrup Farms Inc., Wapato, WA

TOPIC: A new soil-borne virus disease in Washington vineyards

 

2^nd Place (tie):

Brooke Kietzman and Jameson Clark

TOPIC: Riesling - Fining Trials Pre-Fermentation vs Post-Fermentation

New Recreational Marijuana Retail Store Grand Opening in Kirkland

Higher Leaf, Kirkland’s premiere Recreational Marijuana Store has announced their official Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, which will be co-hosted by the Kirkland Chamber of Commerce is on Thursday, February 26th at 5:30 pm. Representatives from both the Kirkland Chamber of Commerce and the Kirkland City Council will be in attendance.

They will have product specials and demonstrations at the main event and throughout the weekend of February 26th-March 1st. Representatives from Zoots, Craft Elixirs, Verdelux Chocolates, Liberty Reach, Confidence Labs, and several growers will be on hand for product demonstrations and some will provide non-infused samples of their products. Consumption of marijuana or marijuana infused products on the premises is not permitted so demonstrations will be done with non-infused products or household spices. Snacks will be available at the ribbon cutting event for anyone with a case of the munchies.

The event is happening at 12525 Willows Road NE, Suite 60, Kirkland, WA 98034 at 5:30 pm for the ribbon cutting event and throughout the weekend and the public (over 21) is invited.

Lake Washington Symphony Orchestra Presents Spring Concert: "Pictures at an Exhibition".

The Lake Washington Symphony Orchestra will give its spring concert on Sunday, March 8th at 3:00 PM at the Kirkland Performance Center. The program will include Weber's Euryanthe, the Bruch Scottish Fantasy for violin and orchestra featuring internationally acclaimed violinist Elisa Barston, and Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition.

To complement Mussorgsky's great work, the Ryan James Fine Arts Gallery will host an exhibition of the paintings of contemporary artist Scott Wallin. The paintings are from his Particle Track Series, and were influenced by photographic images taken at particle accelerator facilities.

The Lake Washington Symphony Orchestra's "Pictures at an Exhibition"  is Sunday, March 8th at 3:00 pm at the Kirkland Performance Center, 350 Kirkland Ave, Kirkland, WA 98033. Tickets are $30 General, $25 Seniors and $15 Students. Children aged 12 and under are free.  Spring concert tickets are available now through Kirkland Performance Center http://www.kpcenter.org/performances/pictures-at-an-exhibition

Bellevue Mayor Claudia Balducci to Run Against Incumbent Jane Hague for King County Council

Bellevue Mayor Claudia Balducci, a Sound Transit Board member and former director of the King County Jails, has announced that she will run for the King County Council.  She will seek the District 6 seat currently held by 20-year incumbent Jane Hague. As reported on February 10, 2015 by Rob Butcher of Kirkland Views, Hague is planning to run for re-election which will make for an interesting race here on the Eastside.  The district includes the cities of Bellevue, Mercer Island, Redmond and Kirkland among others.  In the first few days of the campaign, Balducci reports $15,000 raised.

“We live in a dynamic, diverse, and growing region.  It’s time for new leaders who reflect the priorities and potential of the Eastside,” said Balducci. “In my experience as a local official, transit leader and mom, I’ll bring new ideas and energy to the Council, helping to make sure our voices and values are reflected in critical areas of policy and planning.”

A proven problem solver and consensus builder, Balducci has helped lead Bellevue through contentious land use and transportation planning efforts to ensure planned light rail construction and continued downtown development.  In her former role as Director of King County Jails, she helped to preserve public safety and streamlined spending to address revenue shortfalls after the recession, maintaining needed staffing levels while improving safety and conditions for the mentally ill.

Reflecting this track record of building strong, constructive partnerships, Balducci enters the race with endorsements from U.S. Representative Adam Smith, State Senator Cyrus Habib, State Representatives Tana Senn and Ross Hunter, along with Bellevue Councilmembers Lynne Robinson and John Stokes, and former Mayor Connie Marshall.

“Claudia Balducci has a proven record bringing people together to get things done for Eastside families,” said State Representative and former Mercer Island Councilmember Tana Senn.  “Her style of leadership will be an asset on the County Council.”

“From assuring light rail expansion to protecting great neighborhoods for our families, Claudia has the track record and vision we need,” said Representative Ross Hunter. “She has earned my vote and support in this important race.”

State Senator Cyrus Habib said, "I have immense respect for Mayor Balducci's track record of leadership on the Eastside. She has consistently worked to enhance public safety throughout our community, support a thriving business climate, and develop a transportation system that works for everyone."

Balducci lives in the Lake Hills neighborhood with her husband and 9 year-old son, a student at Puesta Del Sol Elementary School.  In addition to the Bellevue City Council and Sound Transit, she has served on the boards of the Puget Sound Regional Council, Eastside Transportation Partnership, Bellevue’s Wraparound Services Program, and Youth Link.

“I’m excited for this campaign and the tremendous support I have received so far,” said Balducci. “I look forward to meeting voters throughout the district over the next several months to help me be an effective County Council member for all Eastside families.”

For more information, please visit www.ClaudiaBalducci.com.

Low Rental Inventory, Strong Rents Good Signs for Landlords in Bellevue

Today on the Bellevue Rental Report at A New Day Real Estate, I talk about the lack of properties in Bellevue being offered for lease on the NWMLS.

Low rental inventory and very strong and increasing rents makes it a good time to be a landlord in Bellevue.  If you are considering renting your investment property and would like some information about A New Day Real Estate's property management services, please let me know.

Marci Nakano Named New Executive Director of Executive Development Institute

[caption id="attachment_9812" align="alignright" width="214"] Marci Nakano Executive Director of Executive Development Institute[/caption]

Bellevue-based Executive Development Institute (EDI) has announced that its Board of Directors appointed Marci Nakano as EDI's Executive Director. EDI is the only Pacific Northwest non-profit organization that focuses on leadership training for multiethnic professionals. Nakano will transition to Executive Director on March 1, 2015. EDI's current Executive Director, Alan Sugiyama, is retiring on February 28, 2015 for health reasons and will remain connected to EDI as Executive Director Emeritus. In this new role, he will mentor and transition Nakano to her new role and continue to represent EDI in the community.

[caption id="attachment_9813" align="alignleft" width="200"] Al Sugiyama Retiring Executive Director of Executive Development Institute[/caption]

"I am appreciative to the Board and Al for their trust, confidence and support as I take on this new role. As an EDI alumna, I am excited and honored to have the opportunity to lead an organization that has influenced my own leadership journey and look forward to continuing to strengthen and grow EDI’s programs,” said Nakano.

Nakano is currently the Director of Programs and Events for EDI and has been with the organization for nine years. She is a graduate of EDI’s 2005 Leadership Discovery program. Prior to EDI, Nakano was a Manager at Deloitte & Touche LLP, responsible for financial statement and internal control audits for manufacturing, construction and utility companies.

“The EDI Board of Directors is pleased that Marci has accepted the Executive Director position. She has the ability, knowledge, experience and most of all the passion to lead EDI. It is special to us that we are able to promote an alumna of our Leadership Discovery Program. We are also pleased that Al has accepted the Executive Director Emeritus position. He has made significant contributions to our organization and we wish him only the best as he continues to focus on his health,” said Mae Numata, co-chair EDI Board of Directors and Class of 1994.

EDI collaborates with over 50 Pacific Northwest corporations to provide business relevant, culturally tailored leadership training for Asian Pacific Islander and Hispanic participants. The leadership institute has built a community of over 800 alumni and is currently recruiting for its 2015 programs. Visit www.ediorg.org for more information

AWB: Time for Washington Law Makers to Act on Transportation

Kris Johnson, president of the Association of Washington Business, appealed to lawmakers in the state Senate to lend their support to a transportation funding proposal announced today in Olympia.

“It is past time to make critical investments in our state’s roads, bridges and highways. Transportation infrastructure is critical not only to our quality of life, but also to our state’s business climate and economic future. Employees need to get to work safely and in a reasonable amount of time, manufacturers need to get materials to and from ports, and farmers must be able to get their goods to market.

“Today, a bipartisan group of Senate transportation leaders took an important step by releasing a statewide revenue package proposal. We encourage the full Senate to support the proposal and pass a package — with needed reforms — over to the House soon. With tremendous infrastructure needs, we are optimistic the Legislature will find a compromise and approve a package this session. Postponing the investment will hurt Washington’s competitiveness and drive up project costs later. We need to invest in transportation now.”

About the Association of Washington Business

Formed in 1904, the Association of Washington Business is Washington’s oldest and largest statewide business association, and includes more than 8,300 members representing 700,000 employees. AWB serves as both the state’s chamber of commerce and the manufacturing and technology association. While its membership includes major employers like Boeing, Microsoft and Weyerhaeuser, 90 percent of AWB members employ fewer than 100 people. More than half of AWB’s members employ fewer than 10. For more about AWB, visit www.awb.org.