Tri Cities Real Estate News & Views

Because the Tri-Cities Washington real estate market has seen such growth over the past few years, the result has been an interesting mix of available homes for sale in one of the most beautiful places in Washington. However, that can be both a blessing and a curse for those that have made the decision to buy a new home but are then faced with the prospect of picking one out from the vast stock of great houses on the market at any given time.

Please consider The Lane Real Estate Team for help in this very important decision.

A monthly bulletin that highlights local and nationwide environmental issues is being produced and offered to the public by the City of Richland’s Environmental Education Office.  This month’s short, easy to read bulletin includes information on Benton Conservation District’s Weedseeker project, event recycling, donating garden produce to food banks, mosquito control information, bottled water facts and hikes offered by the Intermountain Alpine Club. In addition, it promotes a monthly environmental segment that airs on cable television.

The newsletter is available via email, on the city’s website, or as a handout at City Hall and the Richland Public Library. Previously, Richland’s Environmental Education Office provided “Environmental Tips” each month to employees and a small number of recipients.  Over the years, the distribution list has increased and was recently reformatted and titled, Environmental Update. For more information, log onto www.ci.richland.wa.us/richland/enviro, link to current news.  To subscribe to the bulletin, send an email to geverett@ci.richland.wa.us or call 942-7730.  

Gail Everett, Environmental Education Coordinator | Public Information Office - City of Richland | www.ci.richland.wa.us/RICHLAND/enviro | P.O. Box 190; Richland WA; 99352 | 509-942-7730

“Live your life through conviction - not convenience”

Tri City Herald reports:

“The Port of Pasco may soon be able to attract private investments to develop its riverfront properties. A provision introduced by Rep. Doc Hastings, R-Wash., in the 2007 Water Resources Development Act exempts certain parcels of the Columbia River shore from potentially being flooded by the Army Corps of Engineers.

The bill has passed the House. The Senate is expected to pass it soon without any changes, said Jessica Gleason, Hastings’ spokeswoman. The bill also includes Hastings’ recommendation to allow the Port of Sunnyside to get credit from the Corps for the funds the port invested in developing wetlands on the Yakima River.

The Water Resources Development Act is a biennial piece of legislation to help the Corps study and plan water projects and implement policy changes…[more]”

The 9th Annual Blue Mountain Council Boy Scouts of America Golf Tournament, sponsored by CH2MHill Hanford Group, will be held Monday, August 27, 2007 at Meadow Springs Country Club in Richland, Washington.

This annual fund raising event directly benefits the Blue Mountain Council’s Scoutreach program, aimed at serving rural youth who might not otherwise have access to Scouting. The tournament also honors the memories of Distinguished Eagle Scout Sam Volpentest and former Council President Martin J. Wistisen for their unmatched service to our communities. Both had a great interest in serving rural youth with quality Scouting programs.

The Blue Mountain Council proudly serves nearly 10,000 youth, adults, and families in Benton, Franklin, Walla Walla, and Columbia Counties in Washington and Baker, Umatilla, Wallowa, Grant, Union, Wheeler, Gilliam, and Morrow Counties in Oregon, providing a foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training.

This annual golf tournament offers opportunities for sponsorship and an afternoon of fun and fellowship for those who enjoy a game of golf. The tournament starts at 1:00 p.m. with a shotgun scramble start followed by dinner for participants and awards.

For more information on sponsorship opportunities or to register a team, contact the Council Service Center at 509-735-7306 or email lkmiller@bsamail.org.

Kennewick is in full swing with the yearly hydroplane racing event. Tri-Cities Washington stops for the Columbia Cup in Kennewick. Lots of news from the Tri-City Herald regarding the Water Follies. See our Kennewick Water Follies page for more information and resources.

The Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Seattle Seahawks, is proud to host the 4th Annual “Tri-Cities Day with the Seattle Seahawks” on Sunday, September 9, 2007. Ticket sales begin Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 8:00 am for the season opener versus the Tampa Buccaneers.

Due to the incredible 2005-2006 season and winning the NFC Championship title, Seahawk season ticket sales have skyrocketed. The Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce has only 296 tickets to be sold for this opening home game. They will be sold on a first come basis.

Ticket prices are $50.00, which includes a commemorative t-shirt. The ticket order form is attached and also available on the Chamber website at the Chamber offices. Completed forms may be faxed to 509.783.1733 or delivered to 3180 W. Clearwater, Suite F, Kennewick or 710-A George Washington Way, Richland.

Join CREHST for a big screen showing of the City of Richland’s Newest CityView Cable Channel 13 production, “Atomic Fortress B-Reactor and Its Legacy.”   Director and producer Michael Charboneau will provide an inside look at the process of documenting the world’s first plutonium producing reactor.  Atomic Fortress offers an historical look at how Hanford’s B-reactor changed the history of Richland and the world.  Recollections from retired Hanford workers and historians provide “hands-on” descriptions of life at the world’s first nuclear reactor.

Mattawa, Washington ~ After a two-year absence, Mattawa Community Days will make a return on Saturday, August 25. The all-day event will be a time for the community to come together and celebrate everything that makes Mattawa great!

Morris Schott Middle School Social Studies teacher Andrew Harlow is co-director of the event.  “We were initially looking in to having a booth at Community Days to help raise money for our student trip to Washington, D.C. & New York next summer.  When we found out Community Days wasn’t happening, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to bring back this outstanding event.”
Community Days will kick off at 6:45 a.m. with a non-denominational prayer at the Hund Park and conclude with the Community Days Harvest Dance at the Desert Aire Senior Center (starting at 7:00 p.m.).  Most of the events will take place in Hund Park and will include a community breakfast, a 10K and 1-mile run, a 3-on-3 basketball tournament; a 5-on-5 indoor soccer tournament; community parade; pie-baking, salsa making, chili baking, and hot dog-eating contests; classic car show, bingo game, a variety of food venues, rock wall, carnival games, and live music and entertainment throughout the entire day.

“It has been so exciting, as we go through the process of planning Community Days, to see people’s willingness to help, their incredible generosity, and the wide variety of talents and interests that exist in the area,” Harlow explains.  “I think people will go away from the day with an outstanding time and a better sense of community.”

To find out more information about Community Days, or one of the many events, you can contact Andrew Harlow at (509) 831-7529 or Keith Edie at (509) 830-8519.

AWC join the REALTORS® in their concern that the lack of affordable housing is a barrier to our quality of life. Because “housing was a major topic in the 2007 session” (and “likely to be addressed by the Legislature over the next few years”), AWC will conduct a workshop at their Annual Conference this week to provide input into housing policy needs for the 2008 legislative session and glean ideas for enhancing affordability at the local level. REALTORS® will serve on the panel of speakers with Representative Larry Springer (45th District), and representatives from Futurewise and the Cascade Land Conservancy.

The Tri-City Dust Devils are pleased to announce the addition of Mike Boyle as the new Voice of the Dust Devils for the 2007 season.  Boyle comes to the Dust Devils from Spokane, where he is a sports anchor and reporter for KREM TV and covers prep sports for the Spokesman-Review.  He has also served as the radio voice for the Spokane Chiefs hockey team since 2002. “It’s an absolute thrill to be calling Dust Devils games this summer,” says Boyle.  “Calling baseball full-time is a dream come true.” All 76 Dust Devils games will be broadcast on ESPN 960 (formerly KJOX).  Games can also be heard live at www.dustdevilsbaseball.com.

Former Dust Devils radio broadcaster Tom Barket has accepted the position of Sports Director for ESPN 1280 in San Luis Obispo, where he will be the radio voice for the Cal Poly baseball, men’s basketball, and football teams.“My family and I thoroughly enjoyed our time in the Tri-Cities, and we’re going to miss it a ton” says Barket. The Dust Devils open the 2007 season at Vancouver on June 19th before returning to the Tri-Cities for the home opener versus Everett on the 24th.  Opening Night festivities include a magnet schedule giveaway courtesy of Gesa Credit Union and post-game fireworks presented by Connell Oil.  Individual game tickets for Opening Night and the rest of the season are on sale now and can be ordered by phone, online at www.dustdevilsbaseball.com, at the stadium box office, and at all TicketsWest locations. Season tickets, mini-plans, and group tickets are also on sale at the box office, by phone, and online. 

Within each home there are private, service and communal living spaces. Use some drawing paper to map out a flowchart that interconnects rooms that are related in these rooms when considering a home purchase. The kitchen and dining area are often near each other as they both function to provide sustenance. However, people tend to keep bedrooms away form service areas due to their tendency to have higher noise levels. Who wants a bedroom next to a pool area?

On your diagram list the activities that you and your family engage in regularly. This will give you an idea of the ambiance to give to your home that will reflect your lifestyle and values; for example, vibrant and open or secluded and peaceful. Now for each room in your flowchart repeat the process to determine the best atmosphere that reflects that space in relation to your family’s needs and values.

It is important that the diagram and suggestions be inclusive of all family members in order for it to “fit”. Be as creative as you like and then edit back, some of those whacky-off-the-wall ideas can lead to inspiring innovations that can become a distinctive feature for your family home. Remember, this is your home – enjoy making it so.

CREHST Museum is partnering with Columbia Kayak Adventures to offer the chance of a lifetime. Join us for a full day guided kayak tour of the Hanford Reach.

Enjoy the serene beauty of the Hanford Reach, the last free flowing stretch of the Columbia River. Witness the 300-foot tall white bluffs surrounded by shrub-steppe habitat. Learn the history of our Native Americans and pioneers and how the Hanford Nuclear Reservation changed their lives, and the world, forever.

No prior experience is needed and all equipment will be provided. Pre-registration is required. | Date: Saturday June11th, 2007 | Time: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm | Location: Hanford Reach, meeting place TBA | Fee: $109.00 per person | For more information, call 943-9000

During April’s Mid-Columbia Earth Month and Community Clean-up, 1,750 volunteers and 66 teams completed a total of 156 beautification projects. 107 projects in Richland, (71 were storm drains that were stenciled with information regarding the importance of keeping our storm drains clean.) 20 in Kennewick, 9 in Connell, 8 in Benton City, 5 in Pasco, 2 in West Richland, 2 in Finley, 1 in Benton County, 1 in Kahlotus and 1 in Prosser. The public was invited to attend 60 earth related activities and 421 cell phones were collected at area libraries and given to Domestic Violence Services of Benton and Franklin counties.

The winner of Tapteal Greenway’s Conservationist of the Year was Andy Plymale. Andy has been a long-time volunteer for Tapteal Greenway and a highly successful fundraiser. Reuse-A-Shoe contest brought in 540 pairs of used athletic shoes from 13 area schools with Badger Mountain Elementary receiving first place with 155 pairs. The winner of the Aluminum Can Contest was Marcus Whitman Elementary School who collected 400 pounds of cans. A total of 715 pounds of aluminum were recycled during the school contest.

In March, Sharefest Organizers completed 121 yard projects, previously done by Earth Month volunteers.

A more detailed report is available on http://www.earthmonthmc.org/ and a slideshow will be complete in mid-June. Gail Everett, Environmental Education Coordinator, Public Information Office - City of Richland

Tri-City Dust Devils individual game tickets will be going on sale Friday, June 1st, at 9 a.m.  Tickets can be purchased at the stadium box office, by phone at (509) 544-8789, online at http://www.dustdevilsbaseball.com/, or at any TicketsWest outlet.  TicketsWest outlets in the Tri-Cities can be found at the Red Lion Hotels in Kennewick, Pasco, and Richland.

Opening Night at Dust Devils Stadium will be June 24th at 7:15 versus the Seattle Mariners-affiliate Everett AquaSox. The festivities will include a magnet schedule giveaway courtesy of Gesa Credit Union and a post-game fireworks show presented by Connell Oil.  A large crowd is expected, so fans are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance. 

Opening Night will also feature the debut of the $1.3 million sun shade, which will put every seat in the shade at game time and reduce temperatures by up to 20 degrees.

In addition, through advance ticket package sales, lower box seats are sold out for the 18 nights that are included in Dust Devils mini plans, such as Opening Night and the six other Fireworks Nights.  With fewer seats available to walkup fans, purchasing tickets prior to the day of the game will be even more important in 2007.

“With the new sun shade and record crowds, we are looking forward to another fun and exciting summer of Dust Devils Baseball,” says President/General Manager Brent Miles.  “The 2007 season will indeed be ‘Cooler than Ever!’”

Ticket prices remain unchanged from 2006 and are as follows: $9 for lower box, $6 for upper reserved, and $5 for general admission.  Also, general admission tickets for seniors, children 12 and under, and military are $4.

The Dust Devils open the 2007 season at Vancouver on June 19th before returning home on the 24th.  Season tickets, mini-plans, and group tickets are still on sale at the box office, by phone, and online.  Plans start at just $30.

2007 Dust Devils Baseball…”Cooler than Ever!”

For all those parents or other adults living in the region of Richland Wa Real Estate, or are already residents in this fabulous area, take not that an opportunity exists for you to contribute time and skills as a youth basketball coach.

The City of Richland youth basketball program ha put out the call for potential coaches in the Tri-City area. During the week there is one practice session, and on average, there is one game a week.  Grades 2-3, 4-5 and 6 teams are in dire need of coaches – if you can help, jump on board the community contribution program.

Outdoor sports are a must for kids in 21st century urban living, and what better way for them (and you to work up a sweat and to obtain a sense of achievement then through an adrenalin pumping game of basketball? Take part in aiding the next generation to develop their social, physical and personal discipline skills.

Interested parties can contact the Recreation Office of the Richland Wa Real Estate area Community Center on 942-7529. No previous experience at basketball or coaching is required. So what are you waiting for!

Environmental awards and Earth Month contest winners were announced at the Earth Month Finale and Alternative Energy Expo on Saturday, April 28 at Columbia Basin College in Pasco. The winner of the Tapteal Greenway’s Conservationist of the Year was Andy Plymale. Andy has been a long-time volunteer for the Tapteal Greenway and a highly successful fundraiser. He played a key role in organizing concerts to benefit the Amon Basin Community Project in 2006 and 2007, and is a willing on-call volunteer, helping with various special projects.

School contests include a Reuse-a-Shoe and Aluminum Can Contest. The school that collected the most athletic shoes for the annual Reuse-a-Shoe Contest was Badger Mountain Elementary School with 155 pair. They received a check from Washington State University Tri-Cities for $200. Thirteen schools collected a total 540 pair during the Earth Month Contest. The winner of the Aluminum Can Contest, sponsored by Pacific Recycling, was awarded to Marcus Whitman Elementary School for collecting 400 pounds of cans. Second place was awarded to Sunset View Elementary and third to Burbank Elementary.

Clayton Ward Recycling and Basin Recycling also awarded .10 over market rate for each pound collected. A total of 715 pounds of aluminum were recycled.  Gail Everett, Environmental Education Coordinator City of Richland Mid-Columbia Earth Month Chair ~ www.ci.richland.wa.us/RICHLAND/enviro ~ http://www.earthmonthmc.org/

RICHLAND, Wash. — Advanced Technologies and Laboratories International has donated two freshman scholarships to Washington State University Tri-Cities.

One of the $6,000 scholarships is for the 2007 incoming class. The second $6,000 scholarship is the first donated for the Richland campus’ second wave of freshmen — the class that starts in fall 2008.

“Our resources are limited, but we see this as a good value to the community — to the Tri-Cities and to the Department of Energy workforce,” said Jou Hwang, ATL president. His wife, Alice Hwang, is the ATL chief executive officer.

“ATL is looking to the future of continued analysis and broadened horizons in nuclear and technological fields. But we’ll need a resource pool to draw from as our needs for technological expertise increase,” Hwang said. “This partnership with WSU Tri-Cities is a first step in acquiring necessary technical resources for the future.”

Since beginning full operations in 1995, ATL has grown to about 150 employees with offices in Richland, New Mexico, Ohio, and headquarters in Maryland. ATL provides customer support in the areas of health, safeguards and security, safety, environmental compliance and assessment, radiochemistry and radioanalysis, and information technologies.

“This investment by ATL — a small, woman-owned business — is especially noteworthy,” WSU Tri-Cities Chancellor Vicky Carwein said. “With applications still coming in for the fall 2007 freshman class, ATL’s pledge of a 2008 freshman scholarship shows forward-thinking and a very welcome commitment to being part of the campus’ future.”

(Kennewick, Wash.) – Prom night just got a whole lot easier for local high school students thanks to Steve and Shirley Simmons, owners of Kennewick’s family-owned Country Gentleman restaurant. The couple will host two special dinner events May 5 and May 12 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. for students attending the proms of Kamiakin, South Ridge, Kennewick, Pasco, Richland high schools.

The entire restaurant will be reserved for students. A prix fixe meal includes salad, choice of entrée, dessert, sparkling cider, tip and tax for $15 per person. Country Gentleman can accommodate groups of up to twelve students. Reservations must be made by calling (509) 783-0128.

“Going out for a nice dinner is expensive for most high school students and prom brings added anxiety,” said Steve Simmons. “By offering an all-inclusive dinner experience with the tip included, we’re taking away all of the stress of dining out.”

Simmons says he’s doing this to ensure the students start the prom night off right. When his own kids went out for prom night, they weren’t treated as well as they should have been. Simmons’ catering team will be serving dinner these two nights and are excited about making this a special experience for the kids.

In addition, there will be a photographer on site. Students looking to avoid long lines at the school may get their pictures taken early in the evening. Photography prices range from $10.00 to $15.00.

The County Gentleman is a well-known family-style restaurant, serving the Tri-Cities area since 1979, now located at their new restaurant at 9221 W. Clearwater in Kennewick.

Steve Simmons is an active member of the Washington Restaurant Association and president of the WRA’s Southeast Chapter The Washington Restaurant Association, in its 78th year, is the leading business association for the restaurant industry, which is the largest private employer in the state with a workforce of 186,000 employees. In Washington, the 12,000 restaurants annually contribute $9.4 billion to the state economy, generate $555 million in state taxes, and pay employees more than $2.6 billion each year. Washington restaurants are the cornerstones of the economy, community and careers.

OLYMPIA… Sen. Jerome Delvin, R-Richland, spoke out against passage of Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 6001, the so-called “climate change” bill, passed last night by the House of Representatives.

The measure would essentially prevent Washington utilities from signing new long-term contracts for coal power – a move that could dramatically raise the cost of energy for ratepayers and businesses.

“Washington produces less greenhouse gas than any state in the nation,” said Delvin, a member of the Senate’s Water, Energy and Telecommunications Committee. “And only 16 percent of those gases come from electrical power generation – far more carbon dioxide is released by the state’s motor vehicles. Yet in the name of ‘climate change,’ this bill will cost us jobs, raise electricity rates, hurt the poor and elderly, and hit our businesses hard.”

Senate Bill 6001 requires the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to 25 percent below 1990 levels by 2035 and 50 percent below by 2050. It also demands that the state reduce total spending for foreign fuels 25 percent by 2020.

“You can only do so much with wind power and solar. Only two primary sources of power generate no greenhouse gases or carbon dioxide – hydropower and nuclear power,” said Delvin. “Thanks to hydropower, Washington has some of the cleanest electricity in America, but we’ve reached the limit of our hydropower capabilities.  Amazingly, our own Initiative 937 doesn’t count hydropower as a renewable energy source, so we sell it to California, which wisely does. Soon, the only answer remaining will be clean, cheap, safe nuclear power. Europe is flourishing with it, and many states Generate much of their power from nuclear plants. But the majority party in Washington won’t even open the discussion.”

Delvin explained that even Greenpeace co-founder Patrick Moore has changed his mind about expanding the use of nuclear power as a clean, safe source of energy. Currently in the U.S., 103 nuclear power plants provide 20 percent of America’s electricity. Another 60 percent comes from coal and non-renewable sources. Studies show that 80 percent of the people living around nuclear plants – even excluding those who work in the industry – approve of them.

“If Washington wants to avert climate change, let’s convert to nuclear power,” Delvin said. “If the U.S. had 60 percent of its electricity from nuclear power and just 20 percent from coal, not only would we comply with Kyoto, it would be like taking 100 million cars off the road! Instead, they pass a bill that will raise costs, burden the poor and elderly and hurt business – it’s wrongheaded and will do more harm than good.”

A spring household hazardous waste collection event for Benton County residents will be held on Saturday, April 14, from 8 a.m. to noon behind the Toyota Center in Kennewick. Unneeded household hazardous waste products can be brought to this location for safe disposal.

Acceptable items include paints, waste oil, solvents, batteries, antifreeze, pesticides, aerosols, pool chemicals, and cleaners. Items that are not acceptable include explosives, radioactive materials, asbestos and solid waste. No fee will be charged during this mobile collection event, but proof of Benton County residency is required. No commercial waste will be accepted.

For more information, call the Benton County Moderate Risk Waste Facility at 942-7387.

Chambers will now face competition for tourism promotion dollars

After an attorney general’s opinion last year put in doubt whether chambers of commerce could use “hotel-motel” taxes for tourism promotion, Rep. Barbara Bailey decided to clarify the issue through legislation. Bailey introduced House Bill 1254 that would have allowed chambers to continue to receive a portion of the 2 percent lodging tax from cities and counties for tourism efforts.

The House of Representatives decided to forgo Bailey’s legislation Thursday in favor of Senate Bill 5647. The measure would expand the use of the lodging tax far beyond what was originally intended. Bailey urged lawmakers to reject the proposal.

“This broadens the ability for these lodging tax dollars to be spent in ways that were never intended. It actually opens this up to many activities, festivals and events that were not designed to bring outside visitors into communities. Some of these would be festivals that are simply for that community and not for tourism promotion,” said Bailey, R-Oak Harbor.

“I’m most concerned that this bill would allow for operational costs of these special events. This would not be in direct promotion of tourism,” added Bailey. “Even worse, our chambers of commerce that have been doing a very good job of tourism promotion will now have to compete with other entities in our small communities for these very limited funds. This has the potential to cripple local tourism promotion.”

Bailey offered an amendment to limit the use of the lodging tax to chambers of commerce and nonprofit 501 (c)(6) organizations contracted for tourism promotion by municipalities that collect the tax — the same language as her bill. The amendment was rejected.

“This is very disappointing. It was never my intent to open up this revenue for other entities to use for other purposes. This is a very specific tax on a very specific industry to promote tourism efforts in a community. The Senate bill will force our chambers of commerce to now compete for these funds and that’s very unfortunate,” noted Bailey.

Senate Bill 5647 was approved in the House, 73-25. It now goes back to the Senate for further consideration.

Dr. W. Hugh Maloney, current president of the Washington State Medical Association (WSMA), has been named president of Kadlec Clinic, the new ulti-specialty physician practice being developed by Kadlec Health System in the Tri-Cities. Dr. Maloney is currently a practicing internal medicine physician in the Seattle area, and will begin his new role at Kadlec this summer.

“We are thrilled to attract a physician executive the caliber of Dr. Maloney,” said Dr. Matthew Szvetecz, chair of the Kadlec Clinic board of managers. “Kadlec Clinic is an evolving group of physician specialists which is led and governed by doctors. Dr. Maloney brings a tremendous blend of expertise and leadership to the Tri-Cities.”

Dr. Maloney is currently with the University of Washington’s Kent/Des Moines Clinic in suburban Seattle. He is on the medical staff at Swedish Medical Center, the University of Washington and Harborview Medical Center. “I greatly look forward to coming to Kadlec and the Tri-Cities,” said Maloney. “Kadlec has an excellent reputation around the northwest, and I look forward to working with the physicians in the Tri-Cities.” Dr. Maloney will continue to serve as the President of the WSMA through the end of his term this Fall. In addition to his duties leading the WSMA, Dr. Maloney is on the board of governors of the American College of Physicians.

Kadlec Clinic, a subsidiary of Kadlec Health System, is a multi-specialty physician group serving the Tri-Cities and surrounding region. Current specialties represented in Kadlec Clinic include Ob/Gyn, Internal Medicine/Geriatrics, Plastic Surgery (beginning in July, 2007), and Family Medicine (beginning in the spring of 2007). The governing board of managers of Kadlec Clinic is comprised solely of physicians in various specialties including Ob/Gyn, Medicine/Pediatrics, Orthopedic Surgery, Internal Medicine and Occupational Medicine.

Mid-Columbia Region, WA – The deadline for receipt of nomination packets for the 12th Annual Small Business of the Year Awards is Friday, April 13th at 5:00 p.m. The Three Rivers Alliance of Chambers recognizes small businesses in Benton and Franklin Counties for their exceptional customer service, outstanding commitment to employees, and superior community relations. The awards are presented to small businesses (fewer than 60 FTE employees, locally owned & operated, and for-profit) that best exemplify the qualities of honesty, fairness, ethical business practices, and concern for employees and customers. This year, a new category has been added: Micro-Business of the Year. These companies must meet the same criteria, but may only have 10 or fewer full-time employees.

Nominations can be taken from any citizen of Benton or Franklin Counties who is an employee, customer, supplier, or regulator of the nominated business. Businesses are also encouraged to self-nominate. Application packets are reviewed and scored by the Small Business Awards Judging Committee, and companies are evaluated on their customer, employee, and community relations. Awards will be presented during the May 17th celebration banquet at the Three Rivers Convention Center.

Nomination forms may be obtained from any local Chamber of Commerce, TRIDEC or by calling ImagineThat! at 967.1063.

Fluor employees participated in a Fluor hosted reception Thursday, March 29 at Washington State University (WSU) Tri-Cities for incoming Chancellor Vicky Carwein, faculty, and staff. Fluor Foundation President Bob Fluor presented two checks to the university to fund programs at WSU Tri-Cities sponsored by Fluor.

The first check was for $5,000 to support this summer’s WSU Tri-Cities Science Camp.  The second check was for a Fluor scholarship in the amount of $6,000 — $3,000 this fall and $3,000 in the fourth year for an incoming freshman.

In addition at WSU Tri-Cities, Fluor will provide four internships: two for incoming freshman and two for participants in the Columbia Basin College Bridges Program for students attending CBC and planning to complete their four-year degrees at WSU Tri-Cities. Fluor also announced that the company will provide mentors as well.

Another important donation program offered by the Fluor Foundation and discussed by Bob Fluor at the reception is the Foundation’s dollar-for-dollar match for donations by Fluor employees to support academic programs at any eligible college, university, and technical school up to $5,000 per employee per year. This means, for example, that if 100 Fluor employees donate $1,000 each to WSU Tri-Cities, then the Foundation will donate its own $100,000 to the University. For more information on this program contact John Umbarger in Fluor Hanford’s Community Programs office.

RICHLAND, Wash. — EnergySolutions today announced the gifting of 10 scholarships to incoming freshmen at Washington State University (WSU) Tri-Cities as part of the company’s commitment to education.  Each scholarship will provide a student with $3,000 during the 2007-08 freshman year and another $3,000 in the senior year.

“We are thrilled to have EnergySolutions involved through its scholarship program as we launch our campus expansion,” said Vicky Carwein, WSU Tri-Cities Chancellor. “EnergySolutions has proven to be a strong supporter of education at the high school level, particularly in the fields of math, science and engineering and we look forward this partnership.”

“EnergySolutions believes in higher education and is committed to doing its part for those pursuing a college degree,” said Carla Hages, director of community relations in Hanford. “We feel it is important to be involved in the community and the scholarship program is just one more way to give back. In addition, we will also provide internships to some of the WSU Tri-Cities students and make available EnergySolutions technical staff members in the regional campus’ new freshman mentoring program.”

WSU Tri-Cities still is accepting freshman and transfer applications for the 2007-08 academic year that starts in late August. Call 509-372-7250 or see http://www.tricity.wsu.edu/ for more details on being part of the incoming freshman class.

OLYMPIA…Senate Bill 5202, a bill allowing police officers to carry spring-blade knives in the line of duty, has passed the House of Representatives. Sen. Jerome Delvin, R- Richland, sponsored the bill in response to a request by Kennewick Police Chief Ken Hohenberg.

“Under Washington law, it’s a gross misdemeanor to carry a spring-blade or switchblade knife,” said Delvin, a former Richland police officer and ranking Republican on the Senate Higher Education Committee. “This switchblade law is a good one, but it had an unintended consequence: police officers often need to use knives in the line of duty, for example, to cut a seat belt off of an injured person in an automobile accident. This bill makes an exception for police officers in the line of duty.”

Senate Bill 5202 is expected to be signed by the governor and becomes active law 90 days after the end of the legislative session, which is scheduled for April 22.  “I am so grateful for Senator Delvin’s work on this bill,” Hohenberg said. “Bomb squad and SWAT team officers often use knives to pry something open quickly. This bill gives our police officers a tactical tool to keep themselves safe and keep our citizens safe.”

Sen. Delvin represents the 8th Legislative District, which includes Richland, Kennewick, Benton City and Prosser.  For more information contact Pat Albright (360) 786-7519 or albright.pat@leg.wa.gov  For the latest news and nformation from the Senate Republican Caucus visit the Senate Republican Media Center at http://www.src.wa.gov/

The Kennewick General Hospital board of commissioners announced today a financing package for construction of a new $128 million hospital at Southridge that includes $86 million in voter-approved tax obligation bonds, with the remainder coming from revenue bonds repaid with future hospital revenues. “This financing plan is the result of months of hard work aimed at making certain we have a responsible and sound financial package that relies as much as possible on the hospital’s own resources,” said KGH Board President Wanda Briggs. “We have done everything we can to keep the cost to district residents to a bare minimum while providing a modern hospital that will allow us to continue to deliver top quality healthcare for our district residents into the future.”

“We had strong marching orders from the hospital commissioners to pay for as much of the new hospital as possible with KGH’s own money and credit,” said CEO Glen Marshall. “I feel comfortable that we have lived up to that mandate. We look forward to introducing this package to our community.” The hospital’s leadership team developed KGH’s financing proposal with input from its Planning Committee, which includes several citizen members and physicians. The hospital’s Community Advisory Council also gave the financing plan its stamp of approval.

“For the past several months, the KGH board and administration have reached out to district residents through many avenues and heard what citizens are telling them, which is: We understand we need a new hospital, but make it as affordable as possible,” said Skip Novakovich, a local business owner and a KGH Community Advisory Committee member. “Our community should feel confident that KGH is bringing our hospital facilities up to date for the best price possible.”

“The tax rate to finance an $86 million bond would be about 63 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value, to be paid by residents of the public hospital district. For the owner of a home assessed at $100,000, that amounts to $63 per year. It is important to remember that the assessed value of your home is usually quite a bit lower than the market value, or what you might be able to sell it for today,” said Briggs. According to the Benton County Assessor’s office, the average assessed value of a home in the KGH hospital district is $140,000. To meet lenders’ minimum requirements, KGH is building its cash reserves to 50 to 70 days of cash on hand, equivalent to $11 to $15 million. The hospital sold its Dialysis Center in 01/2007 for $4 million and is considering other potential sales of non-core assets. “Just like someone who’s buying a new house, KGH has to show we’ve got our financing in order and that we’re a good credit risk,” said Briggs. “KGH is an important part of our local economy, one that we need to value and nurture by reinvesting in the hospital to keep it strong,” said Kennewick City Councilman Tom Moak. “The proposed new hospital at Southridge is the right way forward for KGH and for our community.” “The investment we are asking our community to make in KGH is significant, but absolutely necessary,” said Marshall. “KGH is delivering 21st century healthcare but we’re doing so in a small, patchwork facility that is more than 55 years old at its core and hasn’t seen a major expansion in 14 years. We need 75 percent more space than we have today just to meet our current patient load, but we have no room to expand on our current campus. A new facility at Southridge will lock in our ability to provide quality care to our community for years to come.”

If voters support the bond measure, it will be the first time since KGH opened its doors in 1952 that residents of the hospital district have financed bonds to support the hospital’s growth. “It’s vital that we bring KGH’s facilities up to date and add more space to serve our growing community. Without a good facility with modern infrastructure and the latest technology, we will struggle to attract and retain the number and caliber of physicians and nurses our patients need,” said Briggs. “The proposed new hospital at Southridge will solve those problems and give us room to grow in the future.”

KGH has undertaken an intensive planning process over the past two years to calculate its space needs and plan for the future. Last summer it launched a “Community Conversation” to discuss the future of the hospital with residents of the public hospital district. In the fall, KGH announced its preference for a major hospital expansion near Southridge high school, where it already owns 40 acres of undeveloped land. Although there is no more room to expand on KGH’s current campus, the hospital is committed to keeping some clinical and nonclinical services at its current 900 S. Auburn location.

“Our commitment from day one has been to be open with the public about our pressing space needs, transparent in our communications, and to keep the public informed every step of the way,” said Briggs. “We need the public’s support and trust, and we continually work hard to earn it.”

As part of the Community Conversation, KGH has given presentations to community groups, held employee forums, and made information available on its web site, in HealthBeat Magazine, and through print and television ads. In January, the hospital hosted three community meetings and subsequently mailed a report to all households in the district to let them know what feedback KGH was hearing from the community and to provide residents with another way to ask questions and give input.

Booked Business
Thanks to Aaron Stevens for bringing the Richland Regatta to the Tri-Cities. This inboard powerboat race will be held at Howard Amon Park. The planner anticipates 500 people from around the region will attend this exciting event.
$95,000

The Guest House Inn, Quality Inn Kennewick, Red Lion Kennewick and Super 8 will host participants in the 2007 Gather 4 Him this April. The three-day event will take place at the Three Rivers Convention Center. This event is expected to draw 5,000 delegates.
$2,025,000

Kudos to the Tri-Cities Girls Fastpitch Softball Association (TCGFSA) for bringing in five tournaments scheduled for the upcoming season April through September. Combined, the tournaments will bring in approximately 1,250 visitors to Columbia Playfield in Richland.
$237,500

The Clover Island Inn will host participants in the Shoemaker Golf Group this May. The attendees learned of local golf courses and wineries by attending Seattle’s Golf Show last year and receiving the Tri-Cities Golf & Wine Brochure.
$3,240

The Northwest District Honorbound Men’s Conference is returning to the Tri-Cities for the sixth straight year. This event will be held May 18-19, 2007, and is expected to draw more than 1,500 delegates.
$405,000

The Red Lion Hotel Richland will host the 2007 Evergreen Leadership Conference May 18-20, 2007. The attendees are political leaders from Washington State with the majority traveling from the west side of the state. They will be discussing political issues related to the 2008 Presidential Campaign. The two-day event will attract 120 delegates.
$32,400

The Pacific Northwest Mustang Club has selected the Clarion Hotel & Conference Center in Richland to host their 27th Annual Spring Show & Shine May 25-26, 2007. The purpose of this two-day event is to raise money for organizations in the Tri-Cities such as Second Harvest, The ARC of the Tri-Cities, Dive & Rescue, etc. This event will bring 125 out-of-town guests.
$33,750

Congratulations to the Red Lion Hotel Richland on being awarded the 2007 Pacific Northwest Waterways Association Mid-Year Meeting, which will take place this June. The group works with the U.S. Congress, federal agencies, and regional leaders on policies related to transportation, energy, trade, and environmental policy. They also work on behalf of the ports, public utilities, consultant firms, businesses, and tourism to enhance the economy and vitality of the Pacific Northwest. They will be meeting for three days.
$40,500

Thank you to Officer Wayne DuBois with the Richland Police Department for “Bringing Your Meeting Home.” The Washington State Tactical Officers Association will host a 300 delegate conference in Richland, August 22-24, 2007. The three-day event is titled the 2007 Training, Competition and Conference and will be held at the Red Lion Hotel Richland.
$121,500

The Tri-Cities Shooting Association is hosting their Fifth Annual Rattlesnake Round-Up at the Shilo Inn Rivershore in Richland this September. The event was held in Bend, Oregon for the past three years. Attendees competing in the event will be coming from Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.
$111,375

Thanks to the FLW Western Series for including the Tri-Cities in their 2007 tournament circuit.  For the first time, this televised event will be held at Columbia Point Marina in Richland, September 19-22. It is expected to bring in approximately 800 people, including 200 professional anglers and 200 amateur anglers.
$228,000

Thank you Richland Councilman Dave Rose for “Bringing Your Meeting Home.” TRAC Center and the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites in Pasco have been selected to host the 2007 Northwest Rental Conference November 5-7, 2007. The planning committee is interested in adding the Tri-Cities to a three-year rotation pattern for this conference.
$81,000

Total Economic Impact: $3,414,265

RICHLAND, Wash. — Learn how to earn a Washington State University Master’s in Business Administration degree at upcoming information meetings.  The MBA program is offered on the WSU Tri-Cities campus in Richland plus through interactive videoconferencing at the WSU Learning Centers learning centers in Yakima and Wenatchee.

Information meetings are scheduled for:
- Wenatchee — 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 27, in the WSU North Central Washington Learning Center on the Wenatchee Valley Community College campus, 1300 Fifth St., Suite 1060, in Wells Hall, Room 1033. Call (509) 662-2660 ext. 24.- Tri-Cities — 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 28, WSU Tri-Cities, 2710 University Drive, Richland, in the Consolidated Information Center, Room 120. Call (509) 372-7360.

- Yakima — 6 p.m. Thursday, March 29, in the WSU South Central Washington Learning Center on the Yakima Valley Community College campus, 1000 S. 12th St., in the Deccio Higher Education Center, Parker Room. Call (509) 574-6897.  Each session will last about an hour. WSU Tri-Cities College of Business Professors and MBA program graduates will be on hand at each information meeting to describe the program and answer questions.

The WSU Tri-Cities MBA program is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The up-to-date curriculum is taught by nationally recognized faculty members with industry experience. All faculty members in the MBA program hold doctorate degrees in their specialties. The resident faculty members are doing leading research in their fields of study. The adjunct professors are business leaders and executives with the practical expertise that’s critical for a successful career in the business world.

The next semester of MBA classes starts in late August 2007. For information online, go to www.tricity.wsu.edu/business.

Ten-year-old Connor Nielsen and his family will be accepting a $5,000.00 check Thursday, March 28th, 2007 at The UPS Store located at 8524 W. Gage Blvd. Kennewick, WA at 9:30am.  The check will be presented to the Nielsen family by Ken Tysor, the area representative for The UPS Stores.

This donation comes from the We Deliver Dreams Foundation, a non-profit corporation to deliver dreams of children who are significantly impacted by abuse, neglect, violence or illness. Dream requests are sponsored by The UPS Store and Mail Boxes Etc.  Franchisees (such as the one owned by Ryan and Christine Nielsen).

This donation will go toward the creation of a puppet with Tourette syndrome for the “Count Me In” puppet program)an affiliation of The Arc of the Tri-Cities). The program is designed to dispel myths and fears regarding disabilities to children thru skits used with the puppets.

Thus far, the “Count Me In” program has puppets, scripts and skits to educate youngsters about Blindness, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, ADHD, Learning Disabilities and Autism.

For the Nielsen’s, however, this dream request holds great personal significance. Their ten-year-old son Connor has Tourette syndrome. Most people associate Tourette’s as the cursing disability. Although Tourette’s is a neurological disability and is characterized by involuntary tics both vocal and in movement, less than 30% of those with Tourette;s have that particular part of the disability.

Connor’s dream is that a puppet and skit explaining Tourette syndrome will help educate not only his peers, but all children here in the Tri-Cities, as well as those nationwide. The “Count Me In” program is a national program and recently has gone international.  This donation from the “We Deliver Dreams” foundation will help Connor accomplish his dream.

Connor’s mother, Christine, quoted “Please know that this dream request touches more than just one child’s life. It teaches all of us about those with visible as well as hidden disabilities, and that we all matter. Whether you are a star athlete, or in a wheelchair, we all want the same thing: to be “Counted In”.

Contact person: The UPS Store @ 783-5900 or Christine Nielsen @ 531-0152.

Pasco, WA – At a recent annual Employee Banquet sponsored by Lourdes Employee Relations Committee, Lourdes Health Network announced the recipients of the five (5) 2007 Mission Awards. Living the Mission of Lourdes is a way of life for Lourdes’ employees and volunteers, and each year five (5) outstanding employees are recognized. This year, 61 people were nominated by their peers as exemplifying the mission by making a difference every day.

A special committee had the difficult job of narrowing that number down to the following five people:
Dana Flowers, OB Tech, Lourdes Medical Center Birthplace
Diann Foster, Social Service Case Manager, Lourdes Counseling Center Adult Inpatient Unit
Joanne, Logman, Cashier/Clerk, Lourdes Riverview Medical Group
Ruby McFarland, LPN, Lourdes Medical Center Rehabilitation Unit
Mark Rogers, Clinical Lead, Lourdes Medical Center Cardiopulmonary
Lourdes employees were nominated based on the following criteria:
􀂃 Show respect and compassion for coworkers, patients and their families
􀂃 Embrace excellence in all aspects of their work
􀂃 Radiate a gentle, healing and joyful manner
􀂃 Work for the common good (a team player fostering a sense of community)
􀂃 Value the spiritual dimensions of life and of the workplace
􀂃 Respond generously and sensitively to the vulnerable in our midst
􀂃 Make efforts to facilitate understanding and reconciliation
􀂃 Respect and value diversity
􀂃 Inspire others to live the mission and values by support, encouragement and challenges.

Rep. Larry Haler is pleased that the 2007-09 state capital budget proposed today by the House of Representatives would allocate $3 million toward design and construction of the Hanford Reach National Monument Heritage and Visitor Center.

In all, the House capital budget proposal contains more than $12 million for construction projects and other capital-related investments in Benton City, West Richland and Richland, which are in the 8th Legislative District represented by Haler.

“The Hanford Reach has a fascinating heritage, and its status as a national monument is well deserved. I’m glad the House of Representatives is interested in preserving and promoting it,” said Haler, R-Richland.

Haler is also glad to see $1 million proposed for building a complex of four Babe Ruth baseball fields along State Route 240 near Horn Rapids.

“Our area already is a magnet for athletic events, and this would only enhance that reputation,” said Haler.

Republicans joined Democrats to unveil the capital budget proposal today. It’s contained in House Bill 1092, which received a public hearing this afternoon before the House Capital Budget Committee and is scheduled for a committee vote on Wednesday morning.

Rep. Shirley Hankins, R-Richland, serves on the committee and is a strong voice for Mid-Columbia projects, said Haler.

Other projects proposed for funding include:

Benton City Aquatic Park — $500,000
Benton City Food Bank — $200,000
Badger Mountain Water Park spray improvements (Richland) — $155,675
Amon Creek land acquisition (Richland) — $404,780
Claybell Park expansion (Richland) — $195,960
Bombing Range Sports Complex, phase 4 (West Richland) — $300,000

Also receiving funding in the House proposal is the proposed $13.7 million, 256-bed expansion at Connell’s Coyote Ridge Corrections Center, and $666,000 for improvements to the Tri-Cities Stadium in Pasco.

OLYMPIA…Today the House Higher Education Committee held a public hearing on Substitute Senate Bill 5002, a bill that would provide free tuition for spouses and children of killed, missing, captured or severely disabled military members Sen. Mike Hewitt, who announced his intention to sponsor the legislation last summer and dropped it on the morning of the first day to introduce Senate bills, spoke in support of SSB 5002 at today’s hearing.  “This bill says thanks not only to our veterans, but to their families as well, for the tremendous sacrifices they have made on our behalf,” said Hewitt, R-Walla Walla. “Veterans’ family members should not have to worry about being unable to fulfill their education dream because they’ve lost a parent or spouse. We should help them out in every way we can, including this very practical way to give them the future they would have had. This is all about priorities, and this is a priority for us.”

Also testifying on the bill was Nicole Smith, whose father was killed in Iraq in 2003, during her junior year in high school. Smith’s dream was to attend Central Washington University and become a marine biologist.  She applied for financial aid, and was approved for $2,000 a year toward the $15,000-a-year tuition costs.  However, without her dad to help, the remaining tuition costs proved too high for Smith, who withdrew and gave up her dream of attending a four-year-college, registering instead at a local community college.  Smith said she was distraught that people think that once a soldier dies, his or her family’s every need is taken care of – including college tuition. That suspicion was confirmed after a recent Seattle P-I story on Smith’s loss.

“(After the Seattle P-I story) there were over 100 comments about ‘a pathetic American looking for another handout,’” Smith said. “They think we’re looking for a handout, because everyone thinks that when a soldier passes away their family is taken care of in every sense of the word, and it’s not true.  “The community college I go to right now, they don’t offer anything, and my books cost anywhere between $75 to $200 each, and you need two books per class – it adds up a lot.”  Smith’s mother did receive a settlement amount upon her husband’s death, but Smith was concerned that her mother, who has been ill, will need the funds to live on and pay her medical bills. “I’d rather have her spend that money on herself rather than me,” she said.

Under SSB 5002, spouses would qualify for the tuition waiver up to 10 years after the date of the death, disability, or MIA or POW status as long as they do not remarry. Eligible children would be between the ages of 17 and 26, and could receive a tuition waiver regardless of marital status. The military member and child or spouse must have been a resident of Washington at the time of the military member’s death, capture or disability.

Currently, Washington’s colleges and universities may waive all or part of tuition and fees for the child or spouse of eligible veterans or National Guard members – but it is only optional. Hewitt’s bill would make it a requirement for colleges and universities to waive all tuition and fees for the children and spouses of eligible veterans.

Funding for the program would come from the state’s general fund, and would be separate from other types of tuition waivers, so veterans’ families would not have to compete for funding with other students who might qualify for different programs.

The bill was not voted on in committee today, but Hewitt said he hopes it will come out of committee and onto the House floor soon. The deadline to get Senate bills out of House committees is March 30, with the exception of bills with a fiscal impact – those bills have until April 2. The deadline to pass Senate out of the House is 5 p.m. on April 13.  Twenty-eight other states have already passed similar tuition waiver bills.

http://www.crehst.org/ ~ Family Science
To celebrate the beginning of Spring Break Week CREHST will present an afternoon of hands-on family science activities from 2-4 pm Monday, April 2 2007.  Held in the Connections Exhibit hall, students and their families will participate in hands-on experiments illustrating the connection between gears, knees, spark plugs, wheelchairs, softball bats and more to their scientific and technological roots at Hanford.  Date: Monday, April 2, 2007, Time: 2 – 4 PM.  Location: CREHST Museum 95 Lee Blvd. Richland.  Cost: This program is offered free with regular museum admission.  For more information call CREHST at 943-9000.

Geology Special
Wrapping up Spring Break week on Friday, April 6, 2007 CREHST is offering a special Geology class to students in the 4th grade and up. Join us for a hands-on lab about rocks and minerals using the same techniques geologists use!  This session meets the badge requirements for Boy and Girl Scouts!  The class meets form 2:00 – 4:00 pm and is limited to 20 students.  Date: Friday, April 6, 2007, Time: 2 – 4 PM.  Location: CREHST Museum 95 Lee Blvd., Richland.  Program Fee: $3.00 per student Advanced reservations are required.  For more information call CREHST at (509) 943-9000.  This program may also be booked as a group activity for classrooms, scouts or other interested youth groups

The smell of pizza wafted through the halls of Washington State University Tri-Cities on Friday, accompanied by the chatter and laughter of 50 sixth-graders.

The children clustered around J.R. Gomez, the branch campus’ Latino outreach coordinator, and they were fidgeting and bouncing with the kind of energy common in someone their age.

“Are you ready to go to college?” he shouted.  “Yeah!”

The children are students at Pasco’s Stevens Middle School and Mabton’s Artz-Fox Elementary. Most are Hispanic, although the college readiness program Gomez runs is open to any sixth-grader…[more]

Pasco, WA – Erin Tomlinson recently joined Lourdes Health Network and Lourdes Foundation as a grant writer. Tomlinson was formerly with Kennewick General Hospital.

Connie Gillispie, Lourdes Chief Development Officer and Executive Director states, “I have  known Erin for many years. She has a proven track record with grant research, development and implementation. She brings a wealth of knowledge and professionalism to Lourdes. Her kind spirit and motivation will serve the network and our community.”

Tomlinson said about her new position, “I am thrilled to be part of an organization whose values are so closely aligned with my own and whose mission calls out to me personally. The Leadership at Lourdes Health Network is phenomenal and I am grateful for the opportunity to work with such a positive team of people on behalf of healthcare in our community.”

Since her arrival, Tomlinson has already secured more than four grants totaling more than $39,000.

Pasco, WA – Enriqueta Cartagena Mayuga, MD will host a book signing and poetry reading for the public at Lourdes Medical Center, Tuesday, April 19th from 12:15 pm – 1:30 pm in Farrelly Auditorium. Lourdes Medical Center is located at 520 N. 4th Avenue in Pasco.

Mayuga’s latest release, titled Outspoken and Mute: American Life – Poems of political satire and commentary is her third published book, and sells for $16.95 with 20% of book sales at the April 19th signing going to Lourdes Foundation. Mayuga’s former books are titled Immigrant at Peace – a Woman Physician Reflects and Spring, Autumn, Sunset – a Collection of Inspirational and Compassionate Poetry. All books will be available at the signing, with 30% of proceeds from her former works at the April 19th signing going to Lourdes Foundation.

“We’re excited Dr. Mayuga has decided to find a creative way to support the Mission of Lourdes Foundation. Dr. Mayuga has long been supportive of Lourdes and Lourdes Foundation, and we are pleased that she is continuing her dedication, Connie Gillispie, Chief Development Officer and Executive Director of Lourdes Foundation said.

The public is invited to the book signing and poetry reading and the event will be catered by The King of Siam.

Between March 9 and April 15, 2007, the McNary National Wildlife Refuge will be conducting prescribed fire activities within refuge boundaries and adjacent to Burbank, Washington, between the hours of 11:00 am and 3:00 pm. The project goals are to reduce hazardous fuels and invasive species and to open up shoreline areas for the benefit of waterfowl. Some ash fallout is expected, however crews will attempt to minimize this effect by only burning when wind and weather conditions are within prescribed parameters.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 95-million acre National Wildlife Refuge System, which encompasses 542 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 70 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resources offices and 81 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program, which distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.

Pasco, WA – Lourdes Health Network is currently accepting scholarship applications for those interested in entering the nursing or healthcare related studies for the 2007-2008 school year.  A total of six scholarships will be awarded each totaling $1500.00.

Scholarships are awarded based on a number of criteria; however, special emphasis will be placed on the applicant’s academic achievement, financial need and volunteerism.  Applications may be obtained by calling Donna Hopkins, Volunteer and Foundation Specialist, at 509-546-2301, and applications must be post marked by April 30th, 2007 to be eligible.

Lourdes Health Network’s Volunteer Scholarship Committee consists of:
• Cruz Gonzalez, Chairman
• Jesus Melendez
• Craig Bolling
• Leona Inglima
• Joan Schwan
• Rose Older
• Donna Hopkins
Scholarship awardees will be notified by phone or mail no later than June 1, 2007.

At a news conference today, Columbia Basin College (CBC) renamed its Computer Science program the Lockheed Martin Department of Information Science and Technology. Lockheed Martin has a long history of partnership with CBC including past donations of equipment and expertise to create wireless Internet technology at the CBC campus.

Lockheed Martin will donate 100 laptop computers to CBC students this fall. In addition to the laptops, Lockheed Martin announced a list of other initiatives which include technology donations, direct support of CBC programs and initiatives, guest lectures by industry experts, sabbatical opportunities for CBC faculty at Lockheed Martin, and continued support of the CBC Computer Science curriculum.

Lockheed Martin Director and General Manager Frank Armijo thanked CBC for the opportunity to support higher education. “Today’s actions ensure the continued partnership between Columbia Basin College and Lockheed Martin. This is great for our community and great for business.”

OLYMPIA…With just one day left for the Senate to pass its own bills, Richland Sen. Jerome Delvin nudged Senate Bill 5467 out of a holding pattern and onto the Senate floor for a vote. The measure, which passed 46 – 0, would create an individual and family services program for people with disabilities that provides badly needed respite care for families.

“If ever there was a bill that was important to the Tri-Cities, this is the one,” said Delvin, deputy Republican whip and ranking Republican on the Senate Higher Education Committee. “To families raising a child with developmental disabilities, this family support bill would be a lifesaver. If passed, it would help families get an occasional break from the constant 24-hour-a-day work of caretaking.”

SB 5467 would also provide limited funding to families for certain therapies, adaptive equipment, counseling and training. This bill would consolidate three current programs designed to help people with developmental disabilities under a single umbrella organization within the Department of Social and Health Services. To be eligible for the new family support program, a family with a child under age 18 with developmental disabilities must have an income that’s below 400 percent of the federal poverty level.  “If this bill becomes law, it will be life-changing for many of the almost 10,000 Washington families who are on waiting lists for these types of support services,” Delvin said. “That includes almost 500 families in the Tri-Cities area. I’m thrilled for what this bill would mean to them. It was a top priority this year.”

SB 5467 is now on its way to the House of Representatives for consideration.  Sen. Delvin represents the 8th Legislative District, which includes Richland, Kennewick, Benton City and Prosser.

For more information contact Pat Albright (360) 786-7519 or albright.pat@leg.wa.gov  For the latest news and information from the Senate Republican Caucus visit the Senate Republican Media Center at http://www.src.wa.gov/

Court Street overpass on Highway SR 395 is dangerous, inhibits local economy.  A trio of 16th District lawmakers are making a push for partial state funding of a pedestrian bridge in Pasco that they believe will lead to better safety and more economic vitality for the area.

“People are crossing Highway 395 at Court Street and it’s a really dangerous situation,” said Rep. Maureen Walsh, R-Walla Walla. “Not only do we want to ensure public safety, we believe this pedestrian bridge will enhance the local economy by connecting more people to the entertainment and shopping in the area.”  The City of Pasco is willing to commit $500,000 to the estimated $900,000 project, and 16th District lawmakers would like the state to pitch in the rest.  “The City of Pasco is stepping up with significant funding at the local level and we believe the state should also play a role in this important project,” said Walsh. “Pasco is one of the state’s fastest-growing communities with leading trade centers, a strong service industry, and agricultural growth. It’s important we support these economic opportunities with an investment at the state level.”

The interchange creates a dangerous physical barrier for pedestrians that many people believe splits Pasco into two separate areas. The 16th District lawmakers want the pedestrian bridge to connect around 2,000 local people who live within one-quarter mile to shopping, entertainment, and other opportunities in the area.  “The safety and accessibility of the Court Street overpass should not be compromised in any way,” said Rep. Bill Grant, D-Walla Walla. “This project is a
much-needed improvement for the city, and I support the allocation of state capital budget funds to help make this happen.”

Senate Republican Leader Mike Hewitt sent a letter to Democrat and Republican leaders of the Senate Ways and Means Committee expressing his support for the state’s involvement with the project.  “The Court Street overpass over 395 just isn’t a safe way for people to cross the highway,” said Hewitt, R-Walla Walla. “Senior citizens, people on bikes, and moms with strollers all cross it in fear of the cars whizzing by at high speeds. It’s the only pedestrian link between the two main parts of Pasco, but it is hardly usable. I will push hard for the state to provide funding for this important pedestrian crossing.”

For more information on Walsh visit:
http://www.houserepublicans.wa.gov/Walsh/
For more information on Grant visit:
http://housedemocrats.wa.gov/members/grant/index.asp/
For more information on Hewitt visit:
http://src.leg.wa.gov/hewitt/default.htm

Tri-Cities, Wash. – The Tri-Cities Visitor and Convention Bureau announced today that with the support of the Tri-Cities lodging industry and the cities of Kennewick, Pasco, and Richland, the Bureau will contribute $60,000 to the Tri-City Water Follies organization to help retain the 2007 Hydroplane Races.

Kathy Balcom, president of Tri-City Water Follies stated, “This grant is a very generous contribution that will allow us to continue the legacy of Water Follies and its significant economic impact to our community.”

The Tri-City Water Follies organization made presentations to both the Tri-Cities Visitor and Convention Bureau Board of Directors and the Tri-City Area Hotel-Motel Commission in February outlining potential ramifications if adequate sponsorships could not be secured. The Tri-Cities hospitality industry agreed the event should be retained, and the Bureau’s Board of Directors voted to provide funding to the event in 2007, pending approval by the city councils. The councils’ approval was required since the request asked that Tourism Promotion Area (TPA) reserve funds be transferred to the TPA’s operating budget to cover a portion of the Bureau’s destination marketing expenses; in-turn allowing the Bureau to provide un-restricted membership dollars to support the Water Follies event. Pasco, Kennewick, and Richland’s city councils recognized the significant economic impact from this event, and approved the Bureau’s TPA funding request during council meetings earlier this week.

“The Tri-City Water Follies Hydroplane Races have been a wonderful event in our community for many years; generating both community pride and significant visitor spending. Many spectators experience the Tri-Cities for the first time as boat race fans and return again based on their positive impressions of our area,” stated Kris Watkins, president & CEO of the Tri-Cities Visitor and Convention Bureau. “We are pleased to be able to assist the Tri-City Water Follies in their efforts to retain this worthwhile event for our community.”

Tri-Cities, Wash.–The Tri-Cities Visitor and Convention Bureau has developed two television commercials designed to create top-of-the-mind awareness of the Tri-Cities as a water, weather, wine, and golf destination. The commercials are playing on KOMO (ABC) and KING (NBC) and KIRO (CBS) stations in the Puget Sound metropolitan market as well on Northwest Cable News Network, reaching households across Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and parts of Alaska.
 
According to Bureau staff, one commercial highlights the area between Yakima and the Tri-Cities as Washington Wine Country; and was done in partnership with the Yakima Valley Convention & Visitor Bureau. Each CVB invested $10,000 which was matched by a $20,000 grant from KOMO TV. 

The second commercial specifically focuses on the Tri-Cities, and is designed to highlight the area’s wineries, golf and river recreational attractions. The Bureau has placed the Tri-Cities television commercial on KING TV, KIRO TV, and Northwest Cable News Network to run heavily this spring to create awareness and interest for the upcoming travel season. The Tri-Cities specific campaign is funded through an additional $60,000 in Tourism Promotion Area funds.

“We’re expanding our destination marketing by leveraging the TPA funds with matching grants from the broadcast stations. As a result, we’ll receive about $140,000 worth of consumer exposure,” said Kris Watkins, president & CEO of the Tri-Cities Visitor & Convention Bureau. “This is the Bureau’s first foray into television advertising; however, it is building on our already successful print advertising campaign.  And it is exciting because we are reaching a broader audience with a positive Tri-Cities message than ever before.”

The Tri-Cities Commercial can be viewed from the website link:
http://www.visittri-cities.com/video/TCVCB_43Seq2-16.wmv 

And the cooperative ad can be viewed from the website link: http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=sz8jx8bab.0.nolpy8bab.ye9hfsbab.3401&ts=S0217&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.winecountrywashington.org%2Fezine%2Fimages%2FWAWINEjan5.wmv

Question
Buyer failed to bring earnest money to escrow until the day of closing - believing that was when it was due. The escrow agent took the earnest money check and changed the purchase agreement to indicate that there had been no earnest money. Both parties initialled. The listing agent is very upset and said that this should not have been handled this way. How should it have been handled differently?

Answer
In a perfect world, either the listing agent, the seller, the buyer’s agent or the escrow agent would have determined that the earnest money had not been paid in a timely manner and would have done something about it long before the transaction reached closing. Failing that, however, it appears that the escrow agent’s approach was reasonable. This answer does not consider the technicality of the escrow agent physically altering the purchase agreement, if that is what happened, but addresses the substance of how this problem should have been addressed at closing.

The fact of the matter was that buyer’s earnest money was significantly late and as a result of that, buyer was in breach of the purchase agreement. Had seller wanted to do so, seller probably could have terminated the purchase agreement. But, both parties clearly wanted to proceed to closing and the escrow agent found a way to make that happen. The escrow agent revised the purchase agreement so that it reflected the reality that buyer brought an extra $1000 (or whatever the amount of the earnest money was) to closing but did not pay earnest money at the time of mutual agreement. This did not change the amount of cash that buyer was putting into the transaction and it did not change the amount of seller’s proceeds. All that changed was when buyer would pay a portion of his cash upfront - and buyer had made that change already - by his actions. The escrow agent was only documenting the reality of what had actually happened.

Listing agent was probably upset over the fact that the earnest money had not been paid timely and that her seller was exposed throughout the transaction as a result. Nevertheless, by the time the parties are sitting at escrow, signing closing docs, the important goal is getting the transaction closed - so long as that is what both parties want.

It is conceivable that even after signing, the sale could fail and buyer could breach the agreement. In that case, seller would be entitled to earnest money and if the purchase agreement had been changed to indicate that there was no earnest money then seller would have nothing to recover. To avoid that consequence, the purchase agreement could have been altered to indicate that earnest money was still being paid but it was being paid at closing rather than at mutual acceptance. For the protection of the seller, that would have been a superior approach.

Hotline Attorney Annie Fitzsimmons writes the Legal Hotline Question and Answer of the Week.  The Legal Hotline lawyer does not represent Washington Association of REALTORS® members or their clients and customers.

Still Spaces Available!! SPECIAL MANAGER & BROKER CLASS - Maintain Your Leadership Edge - Earn the ABRM Designation - The ABRM class will be held on March 9th in Kirkland. This 8.0 clock hour class is designed specifically for managers, brokers and owners who wish to incorporate buyer representation into their companies’ service offerings. Topics include: Creating a New Company Vision; Company & Technology Policies; Disseminating Policy Changes; Training & Marketing Systems; Risk Management; and Marketing & Evaluating. Take the course developed in partnership with the Council of Real Estate Brokerage Managers (CRB).

SPECIAL DEAL FOR MONTH OF MARCH!!!
Register during the month of March for the Mandatory Core Curriculum course and receive the special price of $39. This mandated state requirement must be fulfilled by every licensee prior to your license renewal. The mandatory core curriculum course is approved for 3.0 clock hours.

Need Clock Hours in a Hurry? Try the Online Classes Offered by Your Realtor Association - Your Realtors Association now offers you an affordable and convenient way to receive quality education anytime, anywhere! Our on-line courses allow you to take your real estate training at your place, at your pace, for the busy real estate professionals or the beginning agent. Save time and money by taking this required course online. Go to http://www.warealtor.org/education/online_cla sses.asp to register.

Classes Approved for Real Estate Credit and Appraiser Credit - On March 5-6 in Olympia at your association office will be the USPAP class and the Residential Appraisal Review class. If you need both appraisal and real estate clock hours, these classes are for you.

Still Spaces Available in the Accredited Seller Representative (ASR) Class to be held in Silverdale March 7-8 - This non NAR designation course, which has been endorsed by your state association, offers 12.0 clock hours and topics such as: Preparing for the listing appointment; preparing for an in-depth market analysis; effectively pricing and positioning the property for marketing and many others.

Land 101: Fundamentals of Land Brokerage offered in Des Moines on April 17-18 - 15.0 clock hours- Land 101 is cosponsored by your state association and the Washington RLI chapter. In this introduction to the specialty, students learn the basics of land brokerage, such as: The various types of land; The land brokerage process; The importance of the 1031 tax-deferred exchange and how to use it; How to determine market value; What property rights and restrictions are involved; Subdivisions and assemblage; The environmental and regulatory issues that land brokers must know and handle.*This course is required to attain the ALC designation.

Practical GPS/GIS Navigation being held in Des Moines on April 18-19 - 16.0 clock hours pending - This class is cosponsored by your state association and the Washington state RLI chapter. This course will provide the tools students need to help them understand land navigation and associated practical skills with map, compass, GPS and mapping software. It will also provide students with relevant navigational knowledge insights and skills to better equip them to locate, traverse, list and market land parcels.

There was the usual suspense, but the recipients were more surprised than the audience when the Kennewick man and woman of the year were announced Monday night.

Two fine, generous community leaders were chosen this year - Craig Eerkes as Man of the Year and Sandi Strawn as Woman of the Year.

Generosity and leadership mark both of these outstanding citizens.

Eerkes, head of Sun Pacific Energy and chairman of AmericanWest Bank, has led many community fundraising endeavors. He’s generous with his time, talents and personal resources.

Strawn, who owns Dependable Janitor Service with her husband, Dean, is a former Benton County commissioner known equally for her charitable works, leadership and her musical gifts.

Leadership and generosity are two main characteristics for selection as Kennewick’s man and woman of the year.

So is commitment. Eerkes and Strawn have been strong supporters of United Way and many other worthwhile community organizations for years.

The independent panel of judges could not have chosen better. The awards are given by the Past Kennewick Men of the Year and the Soroptimists.

Eerkes and Strawn are two of the principal reasons and examples of why the Tri-Cities, not just Kennewick, has such a fine reputation for community service - and involvement by its leading citizens.

Story from the Tri-City Herald

West Richland will accept public comment through Tuesday on a proposed residential and commercial project near Van Giesen Street and Ruppert Road as the city reviews a preliminary plat for the project.

The proposed Red Mountain Center project includes single and multi-family housing, retail and light industrial development on more than 300 acres of land owned by real estate developers MacKay & MacDonald, of Vancouver.

The plan is to develop 470 lots for single-family homes and 22 lots for apartments, public and commercial use, said Todd Stowell, West Richland’s senior planner. A school and public park is also included in the plans.

“It is good for the community,” he said.

The Port of Kennewick leased 12 acres of land in the area a few months ago to Pacific Rim Wine Co. after the port and the developers swapped parcels of land.

The developers are paving 1,500 feet of Keene Road to provide access to the port’s property. That’s also abonus for the city, said Dan Cryer, port’s director of operations.

The port’s original 11.3-acre plot fronting Van Giesen was deemed to be in the commercial zone, said port Executive Director Tim Arntzen. The port agreed to take a 15-acre parcel in the adjacent light industrial zone, Arntzen said. The exchange also helped the developers consolidate its holdings.

As part of the lease agreement, the wine company will set up three wineries in the next seven years, Cryer said. Up to 15 jobs will be created after the first winery goes up, he added.

Dan MacKay, a partner in MacKay & MacDonald, said his company is moving cautiously on the project. MacKay said he hasn’t worked out the total cost of the project, because work will be completed in increments over a long period of time.

The road, scheduled to be completed in June, is costing the company a little less than a million dollars, he said.

There’s a possibility that the