Western Specialty Contractors Promotes Tom Brooks to Sr. Vice President of Operations

Western Specialty Contractors, formerly named Western Waterproofing Company, is proud to announce the promotion of Tom Brooks, Vice President - Operations and Business Development, to the position of Sr. Vice President of Operations, effective Jan. 1, 2016. Brooks has been with Western since 2012.

Two American Mining Projects Honored for Environmental Excellence

The American Exploration & Mining Association’s (AEMA) honored two American mining projects with Environmental Excellence awards at the 121^st Annual Meeting last week in Spokane, WA.  Rio Tinto’s Legacy Management Group was recognized for their outstanding work in reclaiming the historic Holden Mine Site in Holden Village, WA, and Midas Gold Corp. was recognized for voluntarily reclaiming pre-existing disturbance, improving water quality and restoring fish habitat at its Stibnite Gold Project in Valley County, Idaho.

Nicky USA Introduces Nicky Farms Wild Hawaiian Venison

his month Nicky USA, the butcher and specialty meat purveyor, becomes the exclusive distributor of this newly available sustainable wild protein in the Continental U.S.

In a partnership with Hawaii’s Maui Nui Venison, Nicky USA has become the exclusive distributor of Nicky Farms Wild Hawaiian Venison to chefs on the West Coast. Maui Nui Venison, a sustainable operation based in Hawaii, harvests wild Axis Deer on the islands of Maui and Moloka’i to keep the invasive species populations under control, and through partners like Nicky USA, provides this truly wild protein to consumers. The overpopulation of the Axis Deer are a threat to both the the environment and agriculture in the islands, as the deer spread invasive plants, cause erosion, and damage ecosystems. Opening the market for Wild Hawaiian Venison will help to maintain the ecological balance of those islands, and offers an incredibly sustainable meat to consumers and chefs.

Aviary in Portland Introduces Vegetarian Tasting Menu

On the heels of a successful first year of their quarterly Vegetarian Dinner Series, Aviary is introducing a daily vegetarian tasting menu, starting tonight. Every night, the restaurant will offer a four-course menu of chef-selected vegetarian dishes for $40 per person. Each item will also be available on the regular dinner menu á la carte. 

 

Aviary’s dinner menu has always featured numerous creatively composed vegetarian options, something personally important to Chef/Owner Sarah Pliner. Pliner, who was once herself vegetarian, recalls the incredibly limited options in many restaurants and has intentionally dedicated a substantial amount of Aviary’s dinner menu to vegetable-focused dishes. 

Kohl’s Gives Nearly Six Million Dollars to Kids in Need this Holiday Season

Customers join #GivingTuesday; Kohl’s will donate $1 for every Kohl’s Cares purchase made on Dec. 1 to Toys for Tots

MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis., December 1, 2015 – Kohl’s (NYSE: KSS) today announced they are helping make spirits bright for children in need this holiday with nearly six million dollars in donations to celebrate the season of giving.

On November 23, Kohl’s announced a donation of nearly $5.9 million worth of plush toys and children’s books to the Today Show’s 22^nd annual Holiday Toy Drive. 

Small Business Optimization Tips for 2016

by John Oechsle, CEO of Swiftpage

The year is coming to a close, which means it’s time to start looking at the exciting opportunities 2016 will have to offer your small business. You’re probably thinking, “If only I had more time today!” but what you should really be doing is focusing on areas you can improve your business every day for the remainder of 2015. Your growth in the coming year will depend on the strategic decisions you make now, so make sure the choices you make give your business’ bottom line the best chance for growth. Here are a few areas to look at in order to optimize your small business’ potential for growth in 2016.

E-njoint signs contract with Purple Haze Properties to manufacture Jimi Hendrix Vaporizer

Dutch company E-njoint signed a contract with American company Purple Haze Properties to manufacture Jimi’s Vaporizer, endorsed by Jimi’s brother Leon Hendrix. Purple Haze Properties is a Hollywood-based company run by Andrew Pitsicalis and Jimi’s brother Leon Hendrix.

Purple Haze Properties is the premier licensor of Jimi Hendrix products into the cannabis scene.  Purple Haze introduced Jimi’s Cannabis Collection this year to honor Jimi Hendrix. Jimi’s 3-in-1 vaporizer is a work of art that fits perfectly with Jimi’s collection.

JEFFREY B. POPKIN NAMED CEO OF SIDNEY FRANK IMPORTING COMPANY: BRINGS PROVEN EXPERIENCE GROWING WORLD-CLASS BEVERAGE BRANDS

(New Rochelle, NY) – Nov. 30, 2015 – The Board of Directors of Sidney Frank Importing Company, Inc. (SFIC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Mast-Jägermeister, announced today that Jeffrey B. Popkin has been named the company’s CEO.

Popkin brings significant experience helping grow some of the most renowned beverage and alcohol brands in the U.S.  He has done so through a combination of innovative marketing and building close working relationships with distributors and customers.  His official start date is Dec. 1, 2015.

December Cup O’ Joe in Pullman features Accounting and Business Finance

Entrepreneurs and small business owners are invited to attend the next Cup O’ Joe on Wednesday, December 2 from 7:30-8:30 a.m. at C3 (Crimson Commerce Club), 540 East Main Street, Pullman to discuss business finance. Carmel Minogue, CPA, has extensive experience in income tax preparation and planning for individuals, estates, trusts, partnerships, LLCs, and corporations. No RSVP is necessary. Coffee is provided. 

BATDORF & BRONSON COFFEE ROASTERS CELEBRATES INSTALLATION OF 9.9Kw SOLAR SYSTEM WITH RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY

Tomorrow, in a celebration that includes representatives from Puget Sound Energy, USDA, and Thurston Chamber of Commerce, Batdorf & Bronson Coffee Roasters will officially “flip the switch” on their recently installed 9.9kW solar system. The ceremony will take place Tuesday December 1^st at 11:30 at the coffee roastery Tasting Room, 200 Market NE in Olympia.

NEW QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2016

QS Quacquarelli Symonds has released the pilot edition of their new Graduate Employability Rankings. Designed to provide new insight into how universities are preparing their students for employment, they show Stanford University leading the way.

London, BCS and EXIN sign agreement to promote professionalism across the globe

In response to growth in the demand for IT professional certifications, BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, and EXIN a leading international certification institute in the ICT domain, have formed an alliance to support IT professionals globally.

Jon Buttriss, CEO of BCS Learning and Development Ltd, part of the Institute explains:

Donald Trump for President

Donald J. Trump is the very definition of the American success story, continually setting the standards of excellence while expanding his interests in real estate, sports and entertainment. He is a graduate of the Wharton School of Finance. An accomplished author, Mr. Trump has authored over fifteen bestsellers, and his first book, The Art of the Deal, is considered a business classic and one of the most successful business books of all time.

During the 2014 political cycle, Mr. Trump was a top contributor and fundraiser for Republican efforts. Mr. Trump also campaigned across the country, with each candidate winning by a record margin.

Mr. Trump has over 7 million followers on social media. He frequently uses this platform to advocate for Conservative causes, Republican candidates and to educate the public on the failures of the Obama administration. Mr. Trump appears on Fox and Friends on Monday mornings and devotes much of his time to media interviews in order to promote a Free Market, the importance of a strong family, a culture of Life, a strong military and our country’s sacred obligation to take care of our veterans and their families.

Mr. Trump has long been a devoted supporter of veteran causes. In 1995, the fiftieth anniversary of World War II, only 100 spectators watched New York City’s Veteran Day Parade. It was an insult to all veterans. Approached by Mayor Rudy Giuliani and the chief of New York City’s FBI office, Mr. Trump agreed to lead as Grand Marshall a second parade later that year. Mr. Trump made a $1 million matching donation to finance the Nation’s Day Parade. On Saturday, November 11th, over 1.4 million watched as Mr. Trump marched down Fifth Avenue with more than 25,000 veterans, some dressed in their vintage uniforms. A month later, Mr. Trump was honored in the Pentagon during a lunch with the Secretary of Defense and the entire Joint Chiefs of Staff.

In New York City, the Trump signature is synonymous with the most prestigious of addresses, among them the world-renowned Fifth Avenue skyscraper, Trump Tower, the Trump International Hotel & Tower, Trump World Tower at the United Nations Plaza, 40 Wall Street, and Trump Park Avenue. His portfolio includes the historic Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida and his ever expanding collection of award-winning golf courses (seventeen thus far) which span the U.S from Los Angeles to New York, New Jersey, Washington, D.C., and Florida, and internationally from Scotland and Ireland to Dubai. He recently added the iconic golf resorts of Turnberry, Scotland, and Doonbeg, Ireland, to his portfolio and Trump National Golf Club Washington, DC, has been highly acclaimed. The Trump Hotel Collection has grown to include properties in Chicago, Las Vegas, Waikiki, Panama and Toronto in addition to Trump SoHo/New York and the acclaimed Trump International Hotel & Tower on Central Park West which once again won the coveted Mobil Five-Star Award as well as the Five Star Diamond Award from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences. The Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago was awarded the #1 Hotel in the US and Canada by Travel & Leisure Magazine. Recent acquisitions include the iconic Doral Hotel & Country Club (800 acres) in Miami, and the historic Old Post Office Building in Washington, D.C. which is being developed into a world class luxury hotel. Seen as a generational asset by the Trump family, the redevelopment plan will infuse the building with new life. Groundbreaking was in July of 2014.

9 STEPS PROVEN TO BUILD A SUCCESSFUL SALES TEAM FROM SCRATCH

Eliot Burdett Offers Blueprint for Success

NEW YORK, AUGUST 27 -- Building a sales team from scratch is one of the most difficult and important tasks of a CEO. Generating revenue through sales, especially as start-up capital diminishes, can make or break a company’s success. However, hiring the wrong salespeople costs dearly in time and treasure. Fortunately, there is a well-defined formula for success. 

Is the American Dream Dead?

by Douglas Obey

The American Dream couldn't be more alive but there are those promoting class warfare who are certainly trying to kill it off. The derogatory articles and reports about the wealth of the top 1% or the enormous gap between the wealthy and the poor, seem endless. It's called "wealth inequality" as if everyone should have the same or close to an equal amount of wealth. I'm not denying the wealth gap exists.

Affordable apartments, homebuyer help, new partnerships financed throughout state

SEATTLE, Wash.—Developers and nonprofit organizations will create or renovate 546 affordable homes across the state, thanks to roughly $188 million in financing approved this summer by the Washington State Housing Finance Commission.

In addition, the Commission launched new partnerships with Pierce County and Bremerton to provide downpayment assistance to homebuyers there, approved $5 million for a new pilot program with Habitat for Humanity of Washington State,

Punch Through Launches the Next Generation Bean+, the Easiest Way to Get Started with Bluetooth Low Energy and Create Smartphone-Controlled Devices

Grove and Header Connectors, Longer Range, Battery Enhancements and Expanded Bluetooth Profiles Make the Latest Bean “Bigger, Better and Bolder” for Business, Education, Consumers

SAN FRANCISCO AND MINNEAPOLIS, August 5, 2015 – Punch Through, a hardware and software development firm making it easier to develop Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) products, announced the launch of the Bean+, the newest member of the company’s LightBlue BLE ecosystem. Bean+ is an Arduino compatible board that you program wirelessly using Bluetooth Low Energy. It is the easiest way to get started with Bluetooth Low Energy and create smartphone-controlled Internet of Things (IoT) devices.

Lummi Opposes Congressional Efforts to Influence Gateway Pacific Terminal Project

Tribe urges members of Senate Indian Affairs Committee to honor treaty rights

BELLINGHAM, WA–Today, Lummi Nation Chairman Tim Ballew II, sent a letter to U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-Montana) responding to the Senator’s efforts to influence the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in favor of the Gateway Pacific Terminal. The proposed project would result in the construction of North America’s largest coal terminal in Lummi fishing waters. Last week, Daines, along with 32 members of the Senate and House, sent a letter to U.S. Assistant Secretary of the Army Jo-Ellen Darcy urging the Corps to ignore the Lummi Nation’s treaty rights as an independent basis for denying a permit for the project.

OLYMPIC BANCORP RECORDS 22% EARNINGS GAIN

Port Orchard, WA

Olympic Bancorp, parent company of Kitsap Bank, reported strong earnings for the first half of 2015.  The bank holding company recorded net income of $3.8 million year to date compared to $3.2 million one year ago.  Total assets reached a milestone, ending the June 30 quarter over $1 billion for the first time in the bank’s 107-year history.  

“Bring the World Home” Through Student Exchange

Have you ever wondered how we can bring a bit of the world home?

We can help do just that! International Experience USA (iE-USA) is a non-profit high school student exchange organization approved by the US Department of State. We place international high school students with host families in the Bellevue area.

Have you considered hosting an exchange student? It’s a great way to learn about another culture without leaving your home!

Bridgestone Wins Volkswagen Group Award

Bridgestone Corporation has received a 2015 VW Group Award in recognition of its achievement as one of Volkswagen Group’s best suppliers. The VW Group gives this award to a small number of international suppliers distinguished by their special innovative capabilities and very high reliability. The award was presented by Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft,

NEW LGBT SOCIAL PLATFORM 'MOOVZ' LAUNCHES GLOBALLY

Los Angeles, CA, August 3, 2015  – MOOVZ, a global LGBT social platform (the first real social network for the LGBT community) created by Interacting Technology, announced today the official launch of their new global campaign. MOOVZ is a forward-thinking, cool and unique social platform aimed to change the way gay men and women, transgender and questioning persons,

New study highlights how perfectionist drive is leading to burnout

A new study from York St John University and the University of Bath has revealed the extent to which perfectionist tendencies in employees are driving many to burnout and points to ways in which habits might be changed.

In the report, published today (Friday 31 July) in the journal Personality & Social Psychology Review, researchers looked at the impact perfectionism is having on extreme stress and burnout.

Psychologists have long been fascinated by the effects of perfectionism – a personality trait encompassing excessively high personal standards coupled with harsh self-criticism – however this is the first study to aggregate its full effects.

Plug In America Names Joel Levin Executive Director

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., July 29, 2015—Joel Levin, former vice president of business development at the Climate Action Reserve, has been named executive director of Plug In America the nation’s leading nonprofit electric vehicle advocacy organization. Levin’s appointment is effective immediately.

PicsArt Partners with FiftyThree To Integrate Award Winning Stylus, Pencil, with The World’s Largest Creative Community

PicsArt’s latest iOS update also introduces new Lens Blur Effects, Animated .gifs, Filters, and Square Fit Tool updates features to help people around the world connect and create original, beautiful artwork.

San Francisco, Calif. — PicsArt, the company behind the world’s leading mobile creative community, today announces the integration of FiftyThree’s award winning stylus, Pencil. Available on all iOS devices, Pencil is a Bluetooth stylus modeled after the iconic carpenter's pencil, and combines advanced technology with beautiful design. A built-in eraser means you simply flip Pencil over to erase, and the unique tapered tip allows for intuitive, settings-free control of line widths. Integration with Pencil by FiftyThree allows the PicsArt community to continue to master their digital painting skills and create beautiful, unique artwork to share globally with PicsArt.

Conifer Secured Self Storage Adds U-Haul Trucks, Trailers

DE FOREST, WIS. (July 29, 2015) – U-Haul International, Inc. is pleased to announce that Conifer Secured Self Storage LLC has signed on as a U-Haul neighborhood dealer to serve the De Forest community.

Conifer Secured Self Storage at 7652 Conifer Court will offer U-Haul trucks, trailers, towing equipment, support rental items and in-store pickup for boxes.

HUNT Real Estate ERA Deploys Marketing Automation

Industry’s hottest innovation gives back agents “years” in lost productivity  July 29, 2015 – Buffalo, NY  – One of America’s oldest and most prestigious real estate brands, HUNT Real Estate ERA, has launched the real estate industry’s hottest new technology – marketing automation – a move that will “shave years” off the total time its more than 1,000 agents typically spend marketing listings annually. “Agents won't lift a finger,” says Peter Hunt,

Small Business Endorses Teri Hickel in Special Election

Entire state will be affected by two special elections on August 4

OLYMPIA, Wash., July 27, 2015—The voice of Washington state small business today announced its endorsement of Teri Hickel in a special primary election to be held August 4 for one of the two State House seats in the 30th Legislative District.

Hop Jack’s opened its 11th location in Kennewick on July 13th!

Seattle, WA…..July 26, 2015……..Hop Jack’s, “ A Neighborhood Gathering Place,”  recently opened its’ 11th location on July 13th in Kennewick, Washington.

“We are very excited about opening a Hop Jack’s in Kennewick,” said owner Mark Eggen.  “This site is a great space for a restaurant that is a true “neighborhood gathering place.“ We want to be the place where neighbors meet neighbors,” he added.

Port Angeles, Washington Sprint Boat Racetrack Owner Settles Wetlands Violations with the EPA

(Seattle − July 24, 2015) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has reached an agreement with A2Z Enterprises, LLC, to resolve violations of the federal Clean Water Act. Through the settlement with EPA, A2Z Enterprises has agreed to pay a $14,000 penalty and restore wetlands on its property in Port Angeles, Washington, that were filled in conjunction with the construction of a sprint boat racetrack.

Switchfly 2015 Luxury Travel Index: Europe Is Still King of Global Luxury Travel… For Now

The Index reveals luxury travelers still prefer European destinations, with Greece as the most popular country, but Asia and the Middle East are gaining

This post first appeared at http://www.luxuryfitnessfun.com/2015/07/switchfly-2015-luxury-travel-index.html

SAN FRANCISCO -- July 23, 2015 --Switchfly, Inc., the technology company powering travel search/booking and loyalty point redemption solutions for the world’s most celebrated brands, today announced its 2015 Luxury Travel Index. The destinations were ranked by average length of stay, using data from Switchfly’s global booking engine, and give some insight into the traveling habits of people flying first class and sleeping five star. The data revealed, among other things, that although the majority of top luxury travel destinations are European, the top two luxury travel destinations are in Asia and the Middle East, respectively, and that luxury travelers are spending at least twice as much time on their vacation as the average American does.

Alliance between EXIN and Huawei to promote e-Competences Framework

Utrecht, July 23, 2015 — EXIN and Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd are joining forces for the development of ICT professionals based on the e-Competence Framework (e-CF). This partnership, signed in Beijing, is a breakthrough for Huawei, a leading global ICT solutions provider, and EXIN, a leading international certification institute in the ICT domain, opening up a new route for the development of ICT competences.

Robert Jan Willemsen (left), Chief Commercial Officer of EXIN signed the partnership

with Tu Wenjie (right), Vice President Global Training and Certification Department Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.

US Astronaut Tony Antonelli Blasts Off from NASA After 15 Years

HOUSTON, July 21, 2015 Two-time space shuttle pilot Tony Antonelli  has left NASA.  His last day with the agency was July 10. "Tony was a major contributor to our office," said Chris Cassidy, chief  of the Astronaut Office at NASA's Johnson Space Center. "His skills  and expertise were extremely valuable to our exploration and Space  Launch System engineering team. We wish him the best in his future  pursuits."

HRC Encourages Business Community to Maintain Explicit, Robust LGBT Workplace Protections

EEOC ruling prohibiting workplace discrimination against LGBT employees is an encouraging step, but not binding on federal courts

WASHINGTON - The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, today strongly urged employers to maintain and expand explicit workplace protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity as a sign of sustained commitment to non-discrimination.

Griffis Residential enters Seattle metro market with purchase of Brookside Village Apartments

Griffis Residential Buys 177 Unit Auburn Apartment Complex

Denver, CO – July 22, 2015 – Griffis Residential, a Denver-based multifamily investment and management firm, announced today that it has acquired Brookside Village Apartments located south of Seattle in Auburn, Washington. The 177-unit Class-A multifamily community is the firm’s first acquisition in the Seattle metro area, following the June 2015 acquisition of Talavera Apartments in Austin, TX. With the Brookside Village acquisition, Griffis Residential currently owns and manages approximately 6,400 apartment units in Colorado, Texas, Nevada and Washington.

Remote.co Launches as Definitive Remote Work Resource for Companies

FlexJobs creates independent resource to provide information for companies and others interested in leveraging remote work

Boulder, CO, July 8, 2015— In response to the growing interest in remote working across all industries and sizes, FlexJobs has created Remote.co, an independent website that provides information and best practices about starting, training, and managing successful remote workers, teams, and companies. It is designed specifically as a resource for entrepreneurs and companies interested in or already embracing remote work as a significant part of their businesses’ workforce model. 

Marijuana Investors Summit Boot Camp at Cannabis Creative Conference

Join us July 28 in Portland for the Marijuana Investor Summit Boot Camp for investors and entrepreneurs. Produced in conjunction with the Cannabis Creative Conference and taught by financial industry experts and successful marijuana entrepreneurs, this half-day, dual-track educational seminar will quickly bring you up to speed on this rapidly growing frontier market.

SEATTLE RBI BASEBALL CAMP WITH ROBINSON CANO SPONSORED BY SPARKLING ICE

Who: Seattle Mariner Robinson Cano, presented by SPARKLING ICE

What: Seattle RBI Baseball Camp

When: Monday, July 27^th from 10-11am

·         Group Photo Opp with Robinson Cano

·         Robinson Cano will help out at the different drill stations

·         Robinson Cano Address

·         And More!

Where: Rainier Vista Boys & Girls Club

4520 Martin Luther King Jr Way S.

Seattle, WA 98108

Talking Rain Beverage Company, the makers of SPARKLING ICE, is excited to welcome Seattle Mariner Robinson Cano

U.S. BANK NAMES MIKE KATZ PUGET SOUND MARKET PRESIDENT

U.S. Bank has named Mike Katz market president and head of commercial banking for the Puget Sound region, effective August 1. Katz succeeds Chris Heman, who is relocating out of the market later this summer. 

A seasoned commercial banker, Katz has been with U.S. Bank for 13 years having most recently led its team of commercial banking relationship managers serving a diverse mix of companies in Denver. Over his career, he’s been recognized nationally among the bank’s top performers in the division. He is experienced in capital markets and mergers and acquisitions, including experience at CH2M Hill and Wells Fargo. 

Larsen, Lawrence named to Housing Finance Commission

 Inslee Appoints Two to WA State Housing Finance Commission

SEATTLE, Wash.—Governor Jay Inslee has named two housing professionals to the Washington State Housing Finance Commission: Wendy L. Lawrence of Neah Bay and Ken A. Larsen of Bellingham. The two start their four-year terms on the Commission immediately.

Wine & Dine at the Groupon Bite of Seattle

Local wineries are on display at this year’s Groupon Bite of Seattle, July 17-19 at Seattle Center.

Located in the Alki Courtyard just north of KeyArena and adjacent to The Alley hosted by Jason Wilson and benefitting Food Lifeline, the Bite’s Wine Tasting features wines from eight wineries, all of which are based in Washington.

BULLEIT BOURBON CANADIAN NATIONAL BBQ CHAMPIONSHIPS BRINGS THE HEAT TO WHISTLER BLACKCOMB

The Bulleit Bourbon BBQ Competition Returns To Dusty’s Bar & BBQ July 31 – August 2

WHISTLER, BC July 16, 2015 – The Bulleit Bourbon Canadian National BBQ Championships is quite the mouthful of a name, but a tasty one to be sure. The sauciest competition on the Pacific Northwest BBQ circuit is returning to Dusty’s Bar & BBQ in Whistler’s Creekside July 31 through August 2. The three day event will titillate the taste buds while the Bulleit Barn Burner Concert Series is sure to help people work up an appetite.

Beacon Capital Partners Adopts Wired Certification throughout National Portfolio

Majority of Portfolio is Rated Silver or Above by WiredScore

BOSTON, July 17, 2015 — Beacon Capital Partners, LLC, a leading commercial office investor and manager, announced today that the majority of its Class A office properties located throughout the US have earned Wired Certifications of Silver or above through WiredScore, the first and only provider of a standardized rating system designed to identify and certify commercial buildings with the fastest and most reliable internet connections.

WSU engineers, scientists prepare to test apple-picking robot

RICHLAND, Wash. - Between 15-18 billion apples are harvested every year in Washington state for fresh market consumption, but often farmers can’t find enough people to pick the fruit.

Many agencies have tried to create a device that will help with the picking process - a machine that is both gentle enough and picks fast enough to make it economically viable for commercial use - but have been unable to do so.

Engineers and scientists at Washington State University Tri-Cities and the WSU Center for Precision and Automatic Agricultural Systems (CPAAS) are creating a practically adoptable robot that will pick apples as efficiently as people.

CAMDEN’S CATSUP COMES TO THE MASSES WITH ONLINE ORDERING

Pure happiness in a bottle delivered to your doorstep

PORTLAND, Ore. (July 16, 2015) – The secret sauce that makes Little Big Burger’s fare so irresistible is now available for purchase online through Amazon. Camden’s Blue Label Catsup is a sumptuous blend of tomato paste, champagne vinegar, hemp seed, spices, honey, and chili peppers. Camden’s Blue Label Catsup is an award-winning ketchup made in Portland, OR from high quality, all-natural ingredients,

PicsArt Releases New Version of ‘PicsArt for Kids’ App With A Focus On Education and the Arts

In celebration of National Kids Day, PicsArt reimagines its Kids app with new interactive animations, editing tools and coloring pages

San Francisco, Calif. [July 16, 2015] — PicsArt, the company behind the world’s leading mobile creative community, today announced the launch of the PicsArt for Kids app for Android devices. Released just in time for National Kids Day, PicsArt launches the app to spark imagination and creativity among kids ages 3-8. The new app comes with brand new ways for kids to learn,

Tailored Living Announces 2015 Awards, Partnerships and Products

ORANGE, Calif., (July 16, 2015) – Tailored Living featuring PremierGarage, the largest home organization and garage flooring franchise in North America, with 180 franchise territories, is pleased to announce a strong start to 2015 with new awards, partnerships and products.

This year, Tailored Living earned two distinct awards, one from Franchise Business Review (FBR) as a 2015 Franchisee Satisfaction Award winner, ranking Best of the Best in the Home Services

Australian Lawyer Launches Successful Cross-Border Shopping Concierge in New York

Phillis Chan is a founder of Big Apple Buddy, a personalized shopping concierge that delivers tech gadgets and fashion brands from the U.S. to clients around the world

New York, New York (July 16, 2015) ­ Upon moving to the U.S. from Australia, former lawyer, Phillis Chan, was inundated with shopping lists from friends and family, asking for the latest tech gadgets and fashion brands. Busy shopping for people back at home, she quickly realized there was a wealth of brands and products that were only available in the U.S., and not everyone had a friend or ³buddy² in the States to assist with their purchases.

Merchant Cash USA Offers Solutions to Small Business Owners

Las Vegas, NV - July 16, 2015: This July, Merchant Cash USA launches to help small business owners get the capital they desperately need to run successful operations.  

Merchant Cash USA provides cash advances to businesses who are in need of financial support. One of the main goals of Merchant Cash USA is to cut out the red tape involved with applying for a bank loan, which can be very tedious. Most banks will not even provide any type of funding for new businesses.  

ALDERBROOK LOOKS TO THE FUTURE AS IT CELEBRATES 50-YEAR ANNIVERSAY

Born as a vacation getaway, Alderbrook Golf and Yacht Club now
an active community for full-time residents and weekenders

Union, WA, July 6, 2015 — In 1959, Wes Johnson, a Hood Canal-area real estate agent, purchased the famed Alderbrook Inn in the town of Union at the southern tip of the canal and immediately began planning what today is the Alderbrook Golf and Yacht Club on the wooded hillside above the Inn. It was 1965 when the Alderbrook Community Association was incorporated, the first residents moved in and the front nine holes of the golf course opened for play.

Entrepreneur Derin Cag’s Startup RichTopia Spicing Up Business World with Fast Growing new Platform

Entrepreneurs Need to Know About RichTopia

An entrepreneurial Brit is shaking up the internet with an online magazine that shines the spotlight on a myriad of contemporary topics, from business, economics, finance and real estate to arts, innovations, reviews and commodities. Founded by Derin Cag, RichTopia Ltd has just been officially incorporated and is already enjoying exceptionally fast growth and traffic from across the globe.

5 WEBSITES EVERY ENTREPRENEUR SHOULD CHECK OUT

Whether you’re looking for answers to your questions, resources or the latest advice, we’ve explored the internet to find the most useful websites for entrepreneurs. 

London, UK, (July 16, 2015) - The introduction of the world wide web has helped shape a generation of entrepreneurs. With a quick search on google, or the click of a button, most entrepreneurs can find answers to their questions. 

Before the internet, many people believed entrepreneurs were born and not made. Some may even still believe this to be true, but with the right help and a good idea, it is possible for anyone to become an entrepreneur. 

Tesco Customers Donate Over 3.6 Million Meals in Latest Neighbourhood Food Collection

Over 3.6 million meals donated during recent Neighbourhood Food Collection in partnership with FareShare and The Trussell Trust ·        Significant rise in number of donations from in-store permanent collection points from January – July 2015 ·        More than 27.5 million meals have been provided to people in need since Neighbourhood Food Collection began Tesco customers have donated an incredible 3.6 million meals during the sixth Neighbourhood Food Collection this summer. The figure is an increase of 13% compared to last summer’s collection.  The food will be redistributed to people in need via charity partners FareShare and The Trussell Trust, with Tesco adding an extra 30% to all customer donations.

7 TIPS TO AVOID THE DREADED SUMMER SALES SLUMP

-CEO of Peak Sales Recruiting Eliot Burdett Explains How Senior Executives Can Set the Tone for Success-

NEW YORK, NY, JULY 15 – Since we were children, we have been programmed that summer means time off.   The quandary for CEO’s in the sales industry is that this often leads to the dreaded summer sales slump.   

As we head into the second half of summer, many senior executives nationwide may be paying the price for lenient policies such as Summer Friday’s in the form of decreased productivity.  Couple this with the fact that many customers are on vacation and thus not available to take sales calls or emails, profits might be dwindling. What is the solution?

Eliot Burdett, CEO of Peak Sales Recruiting, a leading B2B sales recruiting company, and author of Sales Recruiting 2.0, How to Find Top Peforming Sales People, Fast, identifies 7 tips for senior executives to avoid the dreaded summer sales slump. 

1)    DO NOT CONCEDE, SET THE TONE:

Trungale, Egan + Associates (TE+A) Announces Strategic Partnership with Jemstep— New Traffic Optimization Platform (TOP) to Meet the Needs of Today’s Advisory Firms Utilizing Jemstep’s Robo-Technology

CHICAGO, IL, July 15, 2015 – TE+A announced today the launch of Traffic Optimization Platform (TOP), a proprietary website traffic building platform designed to maximize advisory firms' media buying effectiveness when promoting their robo-technology platform online.  TOP brings together best practices in online and offline media buying, public relations, email marketing and social.  The result is a robust and integrated approach designed to synergize efforts in paid, earned and owned media.

Hello Kitty and friends are hitting the road!

SEATTLE – Hello Kitty, the beloved pop icon created to inspire happiness around the world, is hitting the road with her first-ever live North American tour: Hello Kitty’s Supercute Friendship Festival! Join the fun, friendship and festivities as Hello Kitty’s Supercute Friendship Festival makes a super special stop to the ShoWare Center, the only stop in the Seattle area, from Friday, July 24, through Sunday, July 26. Tickets for all four performances are on sale now.

Drought Fallout: Washington Residents - Are Your Finances Ready for A Wildfire?

Play it Safe with a Wildfire Reality Check

OLYMPIA, Wash. – As Washington residents remember the state’s largest wildfire in history - the Carlton Complex Fire that began a year ago today burning 350,000 acres and destroying 300 homes - the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) is urging residents throughout

AWB Statement on Passing of Tom Fritz

OLYMPIA — The Association of Washington Business (AWB) is deeply saddened by news of the death of Tom Fritz.

Tom was vice chair and chair-elect of the board of AWB, the state’s oldest and largest business organization. His continued service to the business community following his retirement last year as CEO of Inland Northwest Health Services

THREE TECH TRENDS THAT WILL TRANSFORM REAL ESTATE

Los Angeles, July 13, 2015 – Technological innovation is radically changing how and where people choose to work, live and play, essentially forcing us to rethink the built environment—and our place in it. Elie Finegold, senior vice president of global innovation and business intelligence at CBRE Group, Inc., recently discussed three emerging trends that are reshaping the way people will use real estate in the future with Blueprint, CBRE’s global online magazine.

OURCROWD OPENS CANADIAN OFFICE; TARGETS 1ST INVESTMENT IN CANADIAN COMPANY INFLUITIVE

OurCrowd Makes 'Landmark Entrance’ into Canadian Tech Scene; Prominent Canadian Venture Capital Executive David Shore to Head Canadian Office

Jerusalem, Israel / Toronto, Canada. July 14, 2015 – OurCrowd an equity crowdfunding platform, has announced the launch of its Canadian operations targeting a $1M investment in Canada-based advocate marketing leader Influitive.

Amazon Prime Day Final Countdown – Amazon Gives Sneak Peek of Exclusive Deals for Prime Members

Starting at midnight PT on July 15, Prime members can shop thousands of deals and find new deals as often as every ten minutes

Prime Now will also offer deals in the six cities where the service is offered

Amazing deals include 32-inch TV for $75 and 40-inch TV for $115

SEATTLE- Jul. 14, 2015 - Beginning Wednesday, July 15, just after midnight PT, Prime members can shop thousands of exclusive lightning deals with new deals added as often as every ten minutes throughout the day. With more deals than Black Friday, members will enjoy thousands of deals from sought-after devices and tools to popular toys and pet supplies. Anyone can join Prime, to start a free 30-day trial

Beat the Heat: Summer Safety Tips

AlertID Provides Tips to Protect Your Family and Pets from Heat Exhaustion

Las Vegas, NV (July 14, 2015) – Heat and humidity can be silent killers for those who don’t take the necessary precautions to protect themselves and their loved ones. Serious health concerns caused by extreme temperatures are heat exhaustion, heat stroke or even death.

“Children, the elderly, and pets are at the highest risk of overexposure to the heat,” said AlertID Founder, Keli Wilson. “Taking steps to prevent overheating and recognizing the symptoms of heat exhaustion are easy steps everyone can take this summer to beat the heat.”

Washington State Medical Cannabis Patients To Rally July 24

By Kirk Ludden

In 1978, Washington state lawmakers passed legislation known as the “Controlled Substances Therapeutic Research Act” establishing a THC/cannabis research program within the Washington State Board of Pharmacy.

In 1998, voters overwhelmingly approved medical cannabis allowing for compassionate care creating RCW 69.51A.

On April 29, 2011, poor judgment and lack of leadership on the part of then-Governor Christine Gregoire led to the vetoing of regulation sections in E2SSB 5073 for medical cannabis. These sections would likely have given medicinal cannabis the legal protection it needed once I-502 passed.

In 2012, with promises of “I-502 won’t harm patients”

Pilchuck Glass School Now offers Fall Courses in Basic Glass Making Techniques

For the first time, Pilchuck Glass School is presenting fall courses in basic glassmaking techniques at the Stanwood, WA campus.  Classes run from September 10 - 15, 2015 and offer an opportunity to learn about glass and art while living and working in a supportive community of artists. Fall courses consist of four immersive studio work days with instruction, housing, meals, and basic supplies provided. Small classes ensure an intimate learning experience.

10 POST-INTERVIEW FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS

Career Coach, Author and Speaker Ford R. Myers Offers Strategies to Help You Get the Offer

Great Questions to Ask During Follow-Up to Job Interview

HAVERFORD, PA  - "Why doesn't the company call me back?" or "I feel like I have no power; all I can do is wait for an answer," or "Can't I do anything to make the employer say YES?" These are common complaints from individuals who express frustration after completing a job interview.

Ford R. Myers, Career Coach, Speaker and Author of "Get The Job You Want, Even When No One's Hiring," (John Wiley & Sons, http://www.getthejobbook.com) says,

A Better, Bolder ChefsFeed

ChefsFeed is Supposed to Be Better, Still Needs Bellevue and Seattle to Be Included

Still entrusting your dining choices to some online troll who eats nothing but hot wings, but sees fit to pass outlandish judgment on every restaurant in a five-mile radius? Unless you get your kicks gambling with your palate, please, let us throw you a rope. ChefsFeed, the insider’s connection to the best dishes and food culture as recommended by the world’s top chefs, shows you where the actual cooks point. Er, swipe. 

TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW FOR NICKY USA’S 15TH ANNUAL WILD ABOUT GAME

On October 11, 2015, chefs go head-to-head at the meatiest cooking competition and culinary event in the Pacific Northwest 

PORTLAND, Ore. (July 9, 2015) – Tickets are on sale now for this year’s Wild About Game, presented by Nicky USA.  The 15th annual cooking competition and celebration of specialty game will be held at the Resort at the Mountain on the slopes of Mt. Hood on Sunday, October 11, 2015. Nicky USA and Nicky Farms proteins will be prepared by some of the region’s best chefs, who will go head-to-head in a cooking competition in four different game meat-based categories. Last year Shane Ryan of Seattle’s Matt’s in the Market took home the title, so this year Portland chefs will be