Mayor Mary Verner's Roundtables - 2 down 1 to go!

Mayor Mary Verner invites you to attend upcoming Mayor’s Roundtables on business topics. More information will be sent next week through a news release.

Topic--How do we pay for City services?
Missed it? Click here to watch the March 27 Roundtable online

Topic--How can we encourage business and development? A look at development and business incentives.
Missed it? Click here to watch the April 10 Roundtable online

May 21, 10:30 a.m. to noon, City Council Chambers. Topic--How can we drive growth to centers and corridors?

The roundtable discussions will be televised on CityCable 5 and streamed live on the City's web site http://www.spokanecity.org/services/citycable5/streamingmedia/ - if by chance you cannot attend in person you can watch live online at the above link and email in your questions to be answered during the show email: asktheroundtable@spokanecity.org/

News from AMIBA - Independents Week!!

Independents Week July 1-7 - AMIBA's annual Independents Week campaign highlights everything we love about hometown businesses and recognizes their social, cultural and economic importance to the community. Participating communities engage citizens in community-building activities, promotions and more. We provide templates and how-to’s, including suggestions for activities. Participants choose what to do locally.

More than 180 communities participated in 2007, generating great media coverage in many. IBAs use the events to build their media presence, recruit members, and open the door to City Hall. They also have used Independents Week as a great starting point for organizing.

AMIBA affiliation is not required to participate. Registering online yields links to campaign information to help with planning and the templates and places participants on our list for media contacts that may help get regional coverage. We hope you’ll join us!

NBCs will you be participating and promoting Independents Week too????

Earth Day April 22

Earth Day is a good day to get in a "practice" bike to work day. Leave the car home and leave the environment a little cleaner than you otherwise would have! If you already plan on biking that day, right on!

Upcoming Cycling Events
Not all of these are Bike-to-Work events, but if you want to enjoy some "bike-to-work" types, you might enjoy these events:

3rd Annual Earth Day "Tread Lightly" bike ride. Saturday, April 19 at 12:30 P.M. Meet at the Gondola Meadows of Riverfront Park. Advertised as family friendly ride through downtown and maybe beyond.

Pedals2People fund raiser and ride. On Sunday, April 20, cyclists will leave Sandifur Park at 11:00 for a looping 40km trip to Benidito's Pizza at 14th and Lincoln. Beer, pizza and watching Paris-Roubaix start at 1:00. Ride from anywhere via anywhere you like, but be there to meet bicyclists and watch bicycle racing.

Master Bike Plan Open Houses

• Tuesday, April 22, Southside Senior Activity Center, 3151 E. 27th Ave., from 6 to 8 P.M.
  Thursday, April 24, at the West Central Community Center, 1603 N. Belt, from 7 to 9 P.M.
  Tuesday, April 29, at the Northeast Community Center, 4001 N. Cook, from 6 to 8 P.M.
  

Gold Wheel Sponsor Unico Properties is offering a workshop to its Bank of America Building tenants 9:00 A.M. The Workshop will include information on bicycle commuting, support available to Bank of American building tenants if they bicycle (showers on site!), commute trip reduction, training tips and refreshments. If you are interested in something similar at your work place, contact Barb Chamberlain at barbchamberlainAThotmailDOTcom.

Two Wheel Transit will offer basic skills workshops the evenings of April 29 and May 6, just in time for BTW Month and Week. Space will be limited so watch this site for registration information. Learn the basics of maintenance and road side repair. A must for any cyclist who wants to know how the take care of their bike at home and on the road.

Small Business Week, 2008 A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

White House News
In communities across America, small business owners are working hard to turn their dreams into enterprises. Small Business Week is a time to celebrate the many achievements of small business owners, entrepreneurs, and employees, who contribute to the vitality and prosperity of our Nation and create new job opportunities for our citizens . . . (visit the link above to view/read the entire proclamation) . . . What do you think???

Hitting higher marks!!

Spokane ranks 77 of 100 in CNN.com's "100 best places to live and launch." Pros: Great community involvement, outdoorsy environment; Cons: Business occupation tax, gray skies. See reference to GSI's Home Based Business Connection. Full article.

Washington ranks #7 as tax free haven. Spokane mention: "features a diverse blend of high-tech fields like biosciences as well as agriculture, forestry and manufacturing." Full article.

BEST METROS

In the 10th annual ranking of the Best Places for Business and Careers - Spokane ranks 9 up from last year's 20 spot . . .
http://www.forbes.com/2008/03/19/best-business-cities-biz-bestplaces08-cx_kb_0319places_land.html

BEST METROS
1 Raleigh NC
2 Boise ID
3 Fort Collins CO
4 Des Moines IA
5 Lexington KY
6 Atlanta GA
7 Richmond VA
8 Olympia WA
9 Spokane WA
10 Knoxville TN
View The Complete List

New Advertising Venue!

Please share– the Spokesman Review is now offering a new service www.BizFinderNW.com and encourage your businesses to make sure they are listed with this new service.

www.BizFinderNW.com I’ve seen their reps out talking pictures in some districts so maybe your biz pic will show up soon. . . check out the new site and come back here to post your comments about how useful it will be. . .