Still Hope For Medical Cannabis Patients In Washington State

Representatives in Olympia continue with politics as usually listening special interests and agencies that treat medical cannabis as if it has no medicinal properties. They are going against the voters by further restricting patients, and taking away their rights approved by them including proposing to drop patient limits once again, and breaking HIPPA laws by having a registy in the process with SB 5052.

The reason a person can not overdose on cannabis is because when there are high doses of THC in one's system, the brain produces pregnenolone that inhibits it.¹ The recreational user benefits from the use of cannabis because their depleted endocannabinoid system is being nourished with all the cannabinoids in the cannabis plant.²

Recreational use is “for profit”while medical use is “not-for-profit”. The Liquor Control Board is not a health care agency, and regulates “for profit” products. The LCB paid for a study to figure out the supply and demand numbers for the recreational use market³. In a presentation last December, the LCB said that at their current proposed expanded canopy of 8.5 million they expect to capture 44% of the recreational market. With such little of the recreational market captured, the LCB is not ready to handle the 17 year old medical cannabis market in this state. Besides the fact that the LCB has court cases against them for ethics charges and the implementation of 502, there are 4,000 public released pages that show how they held private meetings to end medical cannabis.⁴

The hope for patients in this state is with Initiative Measure No. 1372. I-1372 being filed on January 6^th while SB 5052 was prefiled on the 11^th gives it precedent over any law they may pass and sign into law.

I-1372 would create the first cannabis for medical use board that would be made up of the state and the community that is totally transparent with a separate revenue from the state to remain revenue neutral. It also adds in other protections for patients that would not be done in the normal political process, like preventing the use of federal drug money against those compliant with the state law.

A grassroots movement is behind I-1372 that comes from a 2011 partially vetoed SB 5073, work done in the community, as well as input from patients. Described as a well balanced and fair piece of legislation, it is also what American for Safe Access call their “perfect legislative bill with its own board, own revenue and revenue neutral.” The 20 signature and 5 signature mail-in petitions are at the web site www.cppwa.org.

Everyone is encouraged to contact their Representatives to share their thoughts and feelings about the current bill from State Senator Ann River, SB 5052. If you have already shared with your Representatives, remind them of you position. Be respective to them and their legislative assistances, your message will be better received as well as more possible to get positive results. http://app.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/.

Winemaker Dinner Series announced for Celebrate Walla Walla Valley Wine – The World of Merlot

Tickets are on sale now for the Celebrate Walla Walla Valley Wine – The World of Merlot Saturday night winemaker dinner series. Participants can choose from one of 10 intimate dinners held at locations throughout the Valley. It’s an exclusive opportunity to wine and dine with winemakers and principals while enjoying food prepared by some of Walla Walla's most celebrated chefs.

“The winemaker dinner series offers patrons the chance to spend one-on-one time with our Valley’s winemakers,” said Duane Wollmuth, Executive Director of the Walla Walla Valley Wine Alliance. “The dinner locations range from wineries set above vineyards, to urban downtown spaces and restaurants – providing a range of experiences to choose from.”

The winemaker dinner series is the grand finale of the three-day Celebrate Walla Walla Valley Wine event, which begins the evening of Thursday, June 18 with a vintage pour tasting at Dunham Cellars featuring a limited number of Walla Walla Valley wines from the 2008 vintage or earlier. The following morning of June 19, internationally-known wine critic Stephen Tanzer and Master Sommelier Fred Dame will serve as keynote speakers for a kick-off session at the historic Gesa Power House Theatre in downtown Walla Walla.  Tanzer, the Editor-in-Chief at Vinous, has been one of the most respected wine critics in the world since the launch of his wine publication, the International Wine Cellar, in 1985.  Dame was the first American to pass all three parts of the Master Sommelier Examination in one year, and also the first American to have served as President of the Court of Master Sommeliers Worldwide.

Following the kick-off event on Friday, Sean Sullivan, contributing editor to Wine Enthusiast and founder of Washington Wine Report, will moderate an afternoon panel made up of winemakers from the Walla Walla Valley, the Bordeaux region of France, Napa Valley, California and Tuscany, Italy. Participants will have a rare opportunity to compare and contrast the growing conditions and wine styles from each region, and taste Merlot from all six producers:

·         Marty Clubb, L’Ecole N° 41 | Walla Walla Valley

·         Casey McClellan, Seven Hills Winery | Walla Walla Valley

·         David “Merf” Merfeld, Northstar | Walla Walla Valley

·         Renée Ary, Duckhorn Vineyards | Napa Valley, California

·         Vincent Lignac, Château Guadet | Bordeaux, France

·         Virginie Saverys, Avignonesi | Tuscany, Italy

On Friday evening, participants will be invited to take part in a special tasting of Merlot and Bordeaux-style white wines from more than 40 Walla Walla Valley wineries during a dinner featuring a line-up of acclaimed chefs.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Vintage Pour | Dunham Cellars | 4:30-6:30 p.m.

 

Friday, June 19, 2015

The World of Merlot: Kick-off Event | Gesa Power House Theater | 8:30-10:00 a.m.

Winemaker Panel Presentations and Tastings | Marcus Whitman Hotel | 3:30-5:30 p.m.

Merlot Wine Tasting & Dinner | Reid Center at Whitman College | 6:00-8:30 p.m.

 

Saturday, June 20, 2015

Winemaker Dinners around the Walla Walla Valley | 6:00-9:00 p.m.

 

Tickets on sale now at www.wallawallawine.com/celebrate.

Washington Police Department Among First to Adopt New Alternative Fueling Technology in U.S.

The City of Edmonds Police Department recently announced the adoption of new low-emissions propane fueling technology as a part of its continued commitment to alternative fuels.

For nearly two years, the department has operated 14 propane autogas patrol vehicles, which reduce fuel cost and emissions compared with gasoline vehicles. In an effort to further reduce emissions, Edmonds PD is one of two Northwest fleets to adopt the Stäubli fueling nozzle and dispenser. Blue Star Gas, the department’s fuel supplier and one of the region’s largest propane distributors, brought the low-emissions alternative-fueling system from Europe to the Northwest.

“With the Stäubli refueling technology, operators are no longer required to wear personal protective equipment during fueling, and the nozzle releases next to zero emissions,” said Darren Engle, Director of Government Relations for Blue Star Gas. “Overall, this technology simplifies the fueling routine and creates a system similar to that of traditional fuels. It’s an important step toward normalizing alternative fuels within our transportation culture.”

Manufactured in Europe, the Stäubli dispenser nozzle and connector was recently brought to the U.S. by Alliance AutoGas. Blue Star Gas, a member of the Alliance AutoGas network, is facilitating Stäubli adoptions in the Northwest as part of an initiative to drive nationwide implementation of the technology. According to Engle, the robust alternative fuels program at Edmonds PD made the department an ideal candidate for adoption of the fueling technology.

“We’re delighted to be part of this effort,” said Edmonds Police Chief Al Compaan. “The new technology will improve the overall quality of our alternative fuel program and will provide for a simplified, quicker and more environmentally friendly fueling procedure that my police officers will like.”

Blue Star Gas will oversee the installation of the nozzle and dispenser at Edmonds’ existing fueling locations and teach fleet personnel how to operate the new technology, while the City of Edmonds is tasked with replacing the filler receptacle on each vehicle. Edmonds police officers could be using the new system as soon as March 2015.

“On the surface, changing a fueling nozzle may seem like a small step, but this is a significant move for the propane autogas industry,” Engle said. “It adds one more competitive edge to the equation so, as a result, you can expect to see propane autogas at more service stations across the country.”

Bend Beer Chase is the Longest Beer Relay in the United States

Cascade Relays has announced the 2^nd annual Bend Beer Chase will be held on Saturday, June 6^th, 2015. The Bend Beer Chase is the longest beer relay in the United States with over 16 craft breweries along the course. With a race like this, it’s not just about the beer at the finish line party, but more about experiencing and visiting the local craft breweries along the course itself.

The Bend Beer Chase is a one-day, six person running relay that showcases the best of the Central Oregon craft brewery scene. Bend has become widely known for it’s craft beer scene, and the surrounding towns of Redmond and Sisters are closely following suit. The organizers expect nearly 1000 runners in the second year, with 75% of the runners coming from outside of Central Oregon to enjoy a weekend of running and beer tasting. With a team of six runners, each runner can expect to run approximately 9-11 miles, split between two legs. Throughout the event, participants will sample craft beer directly from the breweries along the course route.

Bend Beer Chase is introducing their own version of the increasingly popular Beer Mile Race. Leg 8 of the relay will offer the option to compete in the Beer Leg, which involves drinking a pint of beer at Three Creeks Brewing. Beer Leg runners will then complete a 4.8-mile trail run and complete the leg with a pint of beer at the finish of the leg. The winner will be judged on the fastest male and female to complete the Beer Leg challenge.

In addition to the 16 craft breweries that participants visit along the course route, the Bend Beer Chase also includes a visit to Bend based Bendistillery and Atlas Cider. The course, while not finalized, will be similar to the 2014 course of 70 miles. The race will start in Bend, travel to Redmond and Sisters and returns to Bend for the finish. The finish line and brew fest will be held at Crux Fermentation Project.

Once a team has completed the relay portion all runners on the team will complete the “Keg Leg” together. The Keg Leg, which also allows individuals to register and run the Keg Leg only, involves 6-7 brewery visits, finishing on the lawn at Crux Fermentation Project. Breweries will be providing runners a sample of their beer along with games and prizes at their breweries.

About Cascade Relays: Cascade Relays is a small, local business with a mission to provide exceptional race experiences, while supporting local communities along course routes. Owners Scott and Carrie Douglass, prioritize rural courses, local vendors & small businesses, personal relationships and supporting local non-profits. Since 2008, Cascade Relays has directly contributed over $175,000 to local non-profit and community groups. Cascade Relays currently produces the Cascade Lakes Relay, Spokane to Sandpoint Relay and the Bend Beer Chase.

TGA Premier Youth Tennis Launches Second Seattle Chapter

One of the leading activation models to develop and bring new tennis players into the sport, TGA Premier Youth Tennis (TGA), in partnership with the United States Tennis Association (USTA), continues its nationwide growth with the establishment of its second franchise in Seattle, WA.

Chandler Lewis, a recent graduate of the University of Washington and former head varsity tennis coach at Ballard High School, has partnered with current TGA of North Seattle director Brad Kirkpatrick to acquire the geographic rights to the east side of the Greater Seattle area.  Kirkpatrick brought the first TGA golf and tennis chapter to Seattle in 2013. The duo plans to expand the school and community based tennis programs in the cities of Bellevue, Redmond, Issaquah, Mercer Island and Sammamish.

“Having a team like Chandler and Brad working together to expand the TGA tennis programs in Seattle is very exciting,” Joshua Jacobs, TGA’s founder and CEO said. “Together they bring a passion and coaching experience that will not only increase tennis participation but also enrich the lives of youth in the community.”

Lewis had planned to attend law school next fall, but decided to put that on hold and pursue his passion of working with and coaching youth tennis. While applying for coaching jobs in the Seattle area he discovered TGA. He became a coach while he was still in college and quickly discovered the career opportunity that TGA presented.

“Despite my plan to attend law school next fall, I felt that there was no better time to match my passion with a wonderful career opportunity,” he said. “It is amazing at my age to be able to combine my passion for youth and tennis with business ownership. TGA is such a wonderful organization that makes tennis available and gives kids the opportunity to participate in the lifelong sport.”

TGA’s innovative school-based activation model and multi-level tennis enrichment curriculum was developed in partnership with the USTA just over three years ago. With tennis being one of the most played adult sports and least played by youth, TGA’s model is helping to bring new players into the sport as the baby boomer generation ages.

TGA, through its physical fitness and health components including the USTA’s “Lets Move” campaign, is helping fight childhood obesity. The innovative and unique program incorporates daily physical activity that helps to burn calories, improve motor skills, improve the immune system and create greater hand-eye coordination all while promoting life skills and sportsmanship. Parents see a myriad of benefits through having their children participate.

About TGA Premier Youth Tennis

TGA Premier Youth Tennis (TGA) is the leading school-based youth development model, and is in partnership with the United States Tennis Association (USTA) to create new players and increase participation in the sport of tennis. Its innovative franchise business model, the only one of its kind in the tennis industry, has empowered entrepreneurs and tennis professionals nationwide at the grass roots level to activate thousands of youth (ages 3-13) in just over three years.

TGA introduces the sport in schools and community centers and supports the USTA’s “10-and-Under Tennis” initiative while transitioning the participants to USTA programs, tennis facilities and USPTA Professionals nationwide. The program has already activated over 17,000 youth tennis players and families across the country.

TGA is a national partner with the United States Tennis Association, Wilson Tennis, The President’s Challenge on Physical Fitness and the National Council of Youth Sports. TGA is also a national supporter of the Afterschool Alliance and Lights on Afterschool.

Sunwest Bank Continues Expansion with Addition of Four New Executives

Sunwest Bank, a community bank with 9 regional branches across the western United States, today announces the hiring of four new executives in its Seattle, Los Angeles, and Salt Lake City area locations. The strategic appointment of these hires marks the continued expansion of the community bank by further growing its Washington presence and creating a new Los Angeles office, as well as the first Utah location in Sandy. Steve Smith joins Sunwest Bank as the new Washington Market Area President. The Bank appointed David Schwartz to manage its Los Angeles market as Senior Vice President and Senior Relationship Manager. In addition, the Bank named Chad Canter as the Utah Market Area President and Russell S. Taft as Senior Vice President, Senior Relationship Manager. Both will be based in the Salt Lake City market area.

“Adding Steve, David, Chad and Russell to our growing team emphasizes our commitment to growing our Washington and California markets, as well as expanding the Bank’s reach into new regions,“ said Chris Walsh, president and CEO of Sunwest Bank. “Their extensive knowledge of finding profitable niches in the commercial banking sphere will allow us to grow our client base, as well as our loans and deposits, as we continue to develop our business across the western United States.“

As the Washington Market Area President, Steve Smith is responsible for building the Bank’s presence and directing a new team in the greater Seattle area. His tasks will also include advising businesses on a variety of matters including optimal financing solutions for working capital, international trade, equipment, and real estate as well as cash management and commercial credit cards. Previously, Mr. Smith was Vice President, Senior Relationship Manager at East West Bank and Vice President, Relationship Manager at Washington Trust Bank. He graduated from the University of Washington with a Master’s in Business Administration.

David Schwartz joins Sunwest Bank as Senior Vice President and Relationship Manager for the Los Angeles market, and brings a background in commercial banking. Mr. Schwartz will support the bank’s regional initiatives and overall business and community development efforts in the area. As a single point of contact for his clients, he will be responsible for maintaining and growing their loan and deposit portfolios. Prior to joining Sunwest Bank, Mr. Schwartz was Vice President and Senior Relationship Manager at Torrey Pines Bank and Vice President of Commercial Banking at Boston Private Bank and Trust. He attended the University of California, Los Angeles, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics.

As the Utah Market Area President, Chad Canter will lead the organization's economic and community development efforts and oversee the full range of Sunwest Bank's financial services throughout the state. Mr. Canter will also focus on continuously improving the client experience and leveraging market opportunities. Previously, he served as Vice President and Principal Relationship Manager at Wells Fargo, where he managed banking relationships for small- to mid-size businesses. He attended the University of Utah, graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in Mass Communications.

The Bank also appointed Russell Taft as Senior Relationship Manager of the greater Salt Lake City area. Mr. Taft will focus on expanding the Sunwest Bank brand and product suite into the Utah market, primarily through new commercial loans, deposits and treasury management products. A 30-year banking veteran, he has experience in internal loan audit, credit administration, credit management, and managing various lending group functions. Mr. Taft comes to Sunwest Bank after spending 17 years at Zions First National Bank as Senior Vice President of the Commercial Lending Division. A graduate of the University of Utah, he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management before earning his Master’s of Business Administration at the American Graduate School of International Management’s Thunderbird program. He is also a graduate of Pacific Coast Banking School.

“Our regional teams play a critical role in overseeing and coordinating company resources to ensure we are making meaningful contributions to our local communities,” said Chris Walsh. “Expanding our reach into Los Angeles and Utah are exciting milestones for us. We are confident that bringing in team members with strong expertise will provide a solid foundation in the Los Angeles and Utah markets and we are looking forward to helping new clients in those areas to grow their businesses.”

About Sunwest Bank

An established community bank, Sunwest Bank has offices in California, Arizona, Washington, Utah and Idaho. Sunwest Bank offers a wide range of financial products to individuals, professionals, homeowner associations, and small- to mid-sized businesses.

You Cannot Ignore the Present. It’s Where Your Sales Are!

By Jeffrey Gitomer

My sales perspective flies in the face of traditional selling. And it’s not just a disruption, it’s the new way of sales. What’s your perspective?

Here are seven realities to get your thinking started:
FIRST REALITY: Traditional selling is aggressive – telling, pitching, manipulating, and closing. This old-world approach to sales is over and has been for more than a decade.
SECOND REALITY: The first sale that’s made is the salesperson. If the prospective customer does not buy you, they're not buying anything.
THIRD REALITY: The customer is as smart or smarter than you are. The internet has provided them with competitive savvy and social media has provided proof.
FOURTH REALITY: Your customers and prospects are busy with THEIR stuff and may have little or no time to be bothered by you and your stuff. It's so much more powerful when they find you in time of need.
FIFTH REALITY: Customers and prospects want intellectual engagement about how THEY WIN, not a sales pitch! They do not care about your urgency to make quota. They only care about their urgency to make profit.
SIXTH REALITY: The prospective customer must perceive value in your sales offering, trust you as a person and as a company, perceive that they win as a result of purchase, and be able to visualize outcome after purchase (maybe with the help of your video testimonials).
SEVENTH REALITY: You better have a social presence and a social reputation that proves your worth to others, and provides peace of mind to the prospect.

Look at this list – carefully – and see if what you do, the actions you take, or any of the strategies about how you sell are contained here. If they are, you will consistently lose to the “new way.”
• Cold calling. If selling has a dark side, it’s the cold call. Total interruption of others (the prospect), and predominantly a waste of salespeople's time. Higher than 90% rejection rate and the major cause of sales failure.
• Hunting and farming salespeople. This is basically a sales specialist making a sale and then running away. Leaving behind the service department, or inside sales, or the delivery guy, and the customer to feel deserted. Hunting and farming is the worst case for relationship building ever created.
• Find the pain. Perhaps the rudest of all sales processes, it’s “probing” to make prospects feel uncomfortable. This is an old-world tactic, where the salesperson miraculously proposes a solution to an issue that the prospect has. The solution is not the issue. The issue is that finding the pain is the focal point of the sale. No value, no engagement, no connection – simply manipulation. The only thing more idiotic (and more rude) than “finding the pain” is cold calling.
• Pitch the product. Telling your prospective customer stuff about your product that they could've found online in three seconds, or that you could've emailed them in advance of your meeting. Customers do not care what you're selling, unless you're showing them how they win as a result of purchase such as how they will produce more, and how they will profit more. Start there.
• Overcome objections. “Your price is too high.” Really? You still dealing with that? Where's the value? Where's the testimonial? Where’s the relationship? Where’s the trust? Where's the social proof?
• Close the sale. Manipulative closing is a thing of the past. The sale is made emotionally, not manipulatively.
• Proposals and bidding. This part of selling will never go away, but can be significantly reduced with loyal relationships and proven quality.
• Insincere follow-up. Call looking for money.
• Customer satisfaction. J.D. Power and Associates gives “customer satisfaction” awards to airlines. Do I need to say anything more about how ridiculous customer satisfaction is?
• Ask for (beg for) referrals. If you ask for a referral once, and the customer does not give you one, and you call again reminding the customer that they promised to give you a referral, and the customer still does not give you one, they will never take your call again. Instead of asking for referrals, why don’t you give one?
• Low or no social media presence. Failure to understand the fact that social media is a combination of attraction, proof that you are you say you are, and a sales tool.
• Low or no social media awareness. Inability or refusal of salespeople to participate gives your competition an ability to use it and dominate.
• Low or no relationship. The quality of the relationship allows you to make multiple sales, earn more profit, earn referrals, and gain their testimonial proof. If you’re lacking in these four areas it’s your relationship report card, and loss of sales or profit, or both.

Me? I prefer to be assertive. Assertive salespeople ask. Aggressive salespeople tell. Assertive salespeople go for the customer. Aggressive salespeople go for the sale.

Which one are you? It's the difference between the old way and the new way.

The “new way” is next week – stay tuned!

Jeffrey Gitomer is the author of twelve best-selling books including The Sales Bible and The Little Red Book of Selling and 21.5 Unbreakable Laws of Selling. His books are now available as online courses at www.GitomerVT.com. For information about training and seminars visit www.Gitomer.com or www.GitomerCertifiedAdvisors.com, or email Jeffrey personally at salesman@gitomer.com.

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