LaunchPad - INW

Spokane Regional Networking, Social Media, Professional and Business Development

June 2009 Blog Posts (29)

Join the MAC. Pass it on.

Having faced extreme budget cuts and layoffs this month, the region’s only Smithsonian-affiliated museum needs support in real dollars. The Spokane Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau staff is challenging its civic partners and the local community to become members of the Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture (MAC).

Between state budget cuts and the loss of private donations, the MAC's budget which was $3.38 million… Continue

Added by Pam Scott on June 30, 2009 at 11:31am — 4 Comments

Almost Free Money for Small Businesses

Since the American Recovery and Investment Act was enacted in February I’ve been inundated with inquiries asking where all the FREE government money is to help small businesses. Of course most of my time is spent educating those with questions about the financing options available through micro-loans, bootstrapping, traditional loans, or venture capital. Recently however I’ve been able to add another option to my referral arsenal – “almost free money”.

The U.S. Small Business… Continue

Added by Tate White on June 29, 2009 at 4:30pm — 2 Comments

New York Times covers Hoopfest

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/29/sports/basketball/29hoops.html?ref=basketball

Cool beans!

Added by Mark Pond on June 29, 2009 at 11:14am — 2 Comments

When NOT Buying Local Strikes a Sour Note

I thought I'd share my nightmare about how not buying local has struck a sour chord, in hopes others can learn from my sheer idiocy. Before Greater Spokane Incorporated kicked off the Inland NW's Buy Local campaign, I signed up with an Oklahoma-based piano mover to get my mom's antique baby grand from her home in Ohio to Spokane. Already, you know where this is going, don't you?

I should've contacted a local piano mover first. Even if they… Continue

Added by Dawn Picken on June 29, 2009 at 11:00am — 2 Comments

TONIGHT Spontaneous Michael Jackson Memorial Dance Party

“Spontaneous Michael Jackson Memorial Dance Party At The Lincoln Center”

The Lincoln Center in downtown Spokane is hosting a spontaneous Michael Jackson Memorial Dance Party tonight at 8pm. Keen Music @DJJeffro (twitter) will be playing Michael Jackson hits and showing music videos like “Thriller”.

Prizes will be awarded for the “Best Moonwalker” and “Best Costume” of the evening. Bring your… Continue

Added by Margie Basaraba on June 26, 2009 at 4:16pm — No Comments

Find Your "Grassroots"

Society instills in us the belief that we always need more, and as a result, we work more, do more, and drastically increase our stress levels on a daily basis. It becomes a vicious cycle that is nearly impossible to break out of and as a result we put ourselves last.

With this in mind, local entrepreneur, Julie Greeley visualized creating a personal sanctuary where everyone could escape. Grassroots Wellness Spa & Fitness Studio is the realization of Julie’s dreams. It is a place… Continue

Added by Julie Greeley on June 26, 2009 at 12:00pm — No Comments

A four-year medical school in Spokane? Believe it.

Growing up on a farm in Iowa, I never thought much about rural health care. Dr. Murphy was in the big city of Fredericksburg with a population of 600. When we moved off the farm into town, I dated Dr. Murphy's daughter, Diane. That is as close as I ever got to pursuing a health care career!

There are dozens of small rural towns in Eastern Washington that would love to have a Dr. Murphy, but just can't recruit them to this part of the world. I expect that to change when Spokane has a… Continue

Added by Rich Hadley on June 25, 2009 at 3:30pm — 6 Comments

TAKE TWO!

Photography: that is something that brings to mind darkrooms, film, and classic black and white prints. Though still taught and utilized, the program has been evolving with the new technologies of the modern world. Students at SFCC are now expected to be comfortable with film and digital format as well as numerous complex computer programs.

Where still photography was the launch pad for such magazines such as T.I.M.E. and National Geographic, video has become the new medium to keep… Continue

Added by Veronica Evans on June 24, 2009 at 9:52pm — No Comments

HOOPFEST DREAMS

HOOPFEST DREAMS

Each year, over fifty thousand people flock together in a little big city called Spokane. Teams from all over the nation practice all year around for the chance to be the Hoopfest Champions. From elementary students, to working adults; this is the chance to be the best.

Spokane is riddled with such teams. Many have been on the same squad for years and in the spring when the weather warms up, players… Continue

Added by Veronica Evans on June 24, 2009 at 9:47pm — No Comments

How do you think President Obama is doing so far?

I must admit I really like President Obama as a person. Did you see him swat the fly in the middle of an interview the other day and then act like it was nothing? He is a cool dude and I still can't believe PETA was upset by that!

Anyways, even though he is a very smooth, likeable guy whom I would love to hang out with I think he is taking on allot of initiatives that could morph into potentially bigger challenges in the future.

For example, he is taking on healthcare,… Continue

Added by Bill Kalivas on June 24, 2009 at 11:00am — 5 Comments

Do you like reggae? Do you like Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band?

If you said "Uh-huh" or "yep" or "sure do" to both of the above questions, I've got an album that you've got to check out:…

Continue

Added by Mark Pond on June 23, 2009 at 10:56am — No Comments

Here's what you can do to help save Shriners Children's Hospital

As a mom, I know how much it hurts me when my son or daughter is sick, whether it's a road rash from riding a bike, or the flu. I can't imagine what it would be like to have a child who needed surgery to walk, or do things most other kids can. That's why the struggle to save Spokane's Shriners Children's Hospital hits home. Next month, Shriners' governing body will decide whether to close the Spokane hospital and 5 others across the country.… Continue

Added by Amy Johnson on June 22, 2009 at 3:04pm — No Comments

Townshend Cellar has a hit.

Life's fast, sip slow.

Bravo!

Townshend Cellar has a hit with Vortex, a non-vintage Bordeaux blend of 47% Cabernet Sauvignon 43%, Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. It was recommended by a grocery store wine guy and he was oh-so right. I had a past affair with the T3, which is one of Townshend's most popular blends, so let's just say I knew I was going to like Vortex. Vortex is lighter-style red with essences of blueberries and some raspberries. As you may know, wines are named… Continue

Added by Laurie L. Ross on June 20, 2009 at 11:02am — No Comments

Robert Karl Cellars - A love letter

Dear Robert,

What can we say - It was love at first sip. We found your 2006 Claret very well-balanced and young at heart. Let's face it you are so smooth and simply unforgetable. We think of you when were apart and look so forward the next time we can be together. Maybe it because of the sweet dark fruit and a good dose of oak, which we find so appealing. I know, this is stalker talk and when we leave you alone and let you breathe - you're even better. It's just so hard to stay away.… Continue

Added by Laurie L. Ross on June 20, 2009 at 10:57am — No Comments

Tips for Using LaunchPad for your Business

I realize this Social Networking thing is still new to allot of members so I wanted to help provide some tips regarding the best use of this and other Social Networking sites:

Tip #1

Do not try and sell your service or product on this or other social networking sites. I know this probably sounds counterintuitive and you are probably thinking ok, why bother? But the business people who understand this use LaunchPad and other social networking sites to build… Continue

Added by Bill Kalivas on June 18, 2009 at 10:30am — No Comments

Housing Prices Fall in Spokane??? Not necessarily!

A recent article in the Spokesman was headlined "Housing Prices Fall". There was a 4% drop in the median price of homes that have sold month to month. The statistics don't justify the headline as the article does reference the affect first time buyers have on our market. I don't recall if I wrote it here or in another blog but the "average and median price of sold homes" should drop as First Time Buyers take advantage of the $8000 tax incentive. As more entry level homes sell the averages will… Continue

Added by Tom Clark on June 16, 2009 at 10:36pm — No Comments

Finding employment in Spokane from outside of the area.

My family and I are determined to move ourselves into the Spokane area, which we all love. The only thing stopping us is employment for me. Coming from the point of view of a Finance Director in a tech firm, can anyone offer their opinion on the best venue for searching Spokane employment opportunities? We look at the Spokesman Review every day on-line, have spoken to various executive search firms, but so far, no luck. Is there, perhaps a web site or publication that seems to be the preferred… Continue

Added by Jeff TerKeurst on June 16, 2009 at 2:10pm — No Comments

Too proud to take unemployment money

Looking, honestly for a news story, cases of people too proud to take unemployment benefits.

If you know someone, have them call me at 509 459 5492

Added by tommyg on June 16, 2009 at 12:09pm — No Comments

Can Money Buy Happiness?

I heard an interesting commentary on the radio yesterday that I thought I would share:

The host of the radio program talked about a recent study where the goal was to find out if money buy's happiness. (Sorry I do not remember the name of the study)

The group that performed this study interviewed several entrepreneurs and professional’s who make $100k+ per year and asked them a series of questions regarding their happiness as a result of their job and or… Continue

Added by Bill Kalivas on June 16, 2009 at 9:30am — 5 Comments

Time for the Next LaunchPad-INW Networking Event!

Join your fellow LaunchPad members as we present the next quarterly networking event on Tuesday, June 30th!

The LaunchPad-INW Team would like to properly thank our members and supporters for returning to LaunchPad-INW by throwing you a great party!

We invite you to enjoy free appetizers, no host beer and wine bar, music, tours of the Holley Mason Building, pastries from the Rocket Bakery and of course some wonderful face to face networking with your fellow LaunchPad… Continue

Added by Bill Kalivas on June 16, 2009 at 8:00am — 3 Comments