Business

Final Hoopfest registration deadline is Monday

Submitted by Camille Troxel on Friday, May 17th, 4:53 pm

You have until Monday, May 20th, to get those Hoopfest entries in. This is the final deadline to play in the largest three on three basketball tournament in the world.

Unfortunately, the deadline for guaranteed entry has already passed, this entries made for the Monday deadline will be granted on a space available basis. But don't fret, even if you aren't able to play there are still plenty of opportunities to volunteer. Hoopfest is still need of general volunteers as well as people to act as court monitors.

Visit http://spokanehoopfest.net to register as a player or to sign up as a volunteer.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Spokane Wineries celebrate Spring release

Submitted by Camille Troxel on Friday, May 10th, 4:49 pm

The Spokane Winery Association is holding it's annual Mother's Day Spring Release Weekend, so tell mom you love and appreciate her with a bottle of wine or an afternoon of tasting.

Spring is when wineries release their selections for the season and local wineries are celebrating with tasting events and other festivities. There are 21 Washington wineries featured at 17 local tasting rooms throughout the area.

The Mother's Day Spring Release Weekend events run from 12pm-6pm through Sunday, May 12th, at area wineries and tasting rooms. Tasting fees vary depending on the location. You can download a map of local places at http://www.spokanewineries.net

View Comments | Post a Comment

Avista Energy Resource Team goes mobile

Submitted by Camille Troxel on Friday, May 10th, 3:47 pm

Avista Utilities is taking their services on the road setting up their mobile Energy Resource Team in communities throughout the area. Today, they were in the Spokane Valley with Second Harvest's mobile food bank offering tips and supplies to make homes more energy efficient.

“The biggest goal is to educate people on ways to conserve energy in their homes,” says Ana Matthews, a Consumer Affairs Program Manager with Avista. The Energy Resource Team provides resources and materials to help people who are struggling lower their monthly bills and set them up with resources such as SNAP when they need more help.

Avista workers handed out bags with rope caulk, window insulation kits, fridge coil cleaners and compact florescent light bulbs to help get homes on their way to a lower bill. Matthews says the biggest energy sucker is drafts in the home and they come from places you might not think to look such as your outlets.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Pink tractor at the finish line

Submitted by Camille Troxel on Friday, April 19th, 3:28 pm

Race for the Cure runners will be greeted by something new at the finish line this year. A bright pink tractor. Northwest Farm Credit Services have been working with volunteers and donors from across the North Idaho and Eastern Washington region to get the tractor ready in time for its race day debut.

Northwest FCS is the finish line sponsor at this year's Race for the Cure and they wanted something big to greet finishers. Jennifer Rohrer, the Public Relations Communications Coordinator, saw a picture of a pink tractor online and thought it would be a great way to represent the communities that they serve.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Washington's March unemployment rate drops to 7.3 percent

Submitted by Joseph Suttner, Producer

Wednesday, April 17th, 2013, 12:33pm

After strong monthly job gains in Washington earlier this year, that momentum appears to have slowed.

Washington state's unemployment rate dropped to 7.3 percent last month, the lowest rate in more than four years.

According to the Associated Press, the state saw a decrease of 5,500 jobs from February. An estimated 254,000 people in Washington were unemployed and looking for work in March, including more than 136,000 who claimed unemployment benefits.

More than 3,100 unemployed workers ran out of unemployment benefits last month. A total of 135,236 people have exhausted their benefits since extended benefits were activated in July 2008.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Spokane-Style Beer is Federally Approved

Submitted by Camille Troxel on Wednesday, April 10th, 3:22 pm

No-Li Brewhouse has been crafting beer in the Northwest since 1993. Their branding pays homage to their love of Spokane and the region. Now, No-Li has put Spokane on the map as a major force in the world of craft brews. Earlier this week No-Li announced that they have gotten federal approval for a new style of craft beer. Spokane-Style.

What makes a beer Spokane-Style? Well, first off it must be brewed and packaged in Spokane. But the origin of the beer goes beyond that. To be classified as Spokane-Style all the ingredients must come from within 300 miles of the city. Naturally, all of No-Li beers fall under the category of Spokane-Style.

No-Li attributes its close to home ingredients for driving its demand in other areas of the country. Whole Foods carries it in Washington D.C. and the largest liquor stores in Colorado have started selling the brand as well. No-Li is on tap both at Safeco Field and Century Link Field in Seattle.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Bluz at the Bend Announces Closure

Submitted by Camille Troxel on Tuesday, April 9th, 4:58 pm

The owners of Bluz at the Bend have announced that they are closing shop at the end of this month. The venue has been up for sale for several months but has yet to sell. Even though Bluz is closing, Uncle D's Comedy Underground, which occupies the second floor will remain open.

Principal owner, Maryanne Snyder, cites personal health issues and other financial commitments as the reason for the closure. Don Parkins, also known as Uncle D, will be retiring from the industry at the same time.

Bluz at the Bend's last nigh will be April 25th where they will also celebrate Uncle D's retirement with a performance by Sammy Eubanks.

For more information or to view upcoming events for the comedy club visit www.bluznews.com

View Comments | Post a Comment