January 15-29, 2009
The Journal of Business publishes information about meetings, events, and learning opportunities of interest to the general business community. Submit such items to Ben Rascoff, Journal of Business, 429 E. Third, Spokane, WA 99202, or via e-mail at benr@spokanejournal.com or through our Web site at www.spokanejournal.com. For more information call (509) 344-1260.

Meetings & Events
A developer's forum to discuss proposed revisions to Spokane Valley's street standards will be held on Friday, Jan. 23, from 7:30 to 9 a.m., at Spokane Valley City Hall, 11707 E. Sprague. Call 921-1000 for information.

Workshops & Seminars
The Construction Industry Training Council of Washington will present National Electric Code Update on Sunday, Jan. 18, at a cost of $125, and Introduction to the NEC & RCW/WAC Rules on Friday, Jan. 23, at a cost of $130. Each class will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call Sarah Lutterloh at (425) 454-2482 for location information and to register.



Dan Baumgarten, executive director of Spokane-based Community-Minded Enterprises, will give a presentation titled Community First: The Way Forward Through Energy, Environmental, and Economic Systems Collapse at the Spokane City Forum, on Wednesday, Jan. 21, from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m., at First Presbyterian Church, 318 S. Cedar. The cost is $10 and includes lunch, and reservations are required by Monday, Jan. 19. Call 777-1555 to register.



SCORE, Counselors to America's Small Business, will present the workshops Business Marketing and Sales, on Wednesday, Jan. 21, and Financial Recordkeeping, on Wednesday, Jan. 28. Each class will be held at the BizStreet Resource Center, 801 W. Riverside, from 9 a.m. to noon, at a cost of $35 in advance or $40 at the door. Call 353-2800 to register.



Spokane-based consulting group Ovation will present a workshop for potential and current business owners titled Vision and Message Development on Wednesday, Jan. 21, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., at the Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce, 9507 E. Sprague, at a cost of $35. Call 844-4729 for information.



The Washington state Department of Revenue will hold a free tax workshop for new and small-business owners on Wednesday, Jan. 21, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., and again at 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., at its office at 1330 N. Washington. Participants will learn about excise taxes, reporting classifications, deductions, tax incentives, sales tax collection, and record-keeping requirements. Call 327-0200 to register.



The National Seminars Training Group will present the following workshops from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Quality Inn Valley Suites, located at 8923 E. Mission: Essential Skills of Dynamic Public Speaking, on Wednesday, Jan. 21, at a cost of $249, and The E-Mail and Business Writing Workshop, on Monday, Jan. 26, at a cost of $199. Call 1-800-258-7246 to register.



The nonprofit organization Community Frameworks will conduct a free homebuyer education class titled Mortgage Basics on Wednesday, Jan. 21, from 6 to 7 p.m., at 315 W. Mission. Call 484-6733 ext. 117 to register.



The Inland Northwest Chapter of the American Society for Training and Development will present a lunch workshop titled The New Blend: Virtual Learning In and Out of the Classroom, on Wednesday, Jan. 21, from 11:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at the Red Lion Hotel at the Park, 303 W. North River Drive. The cost is $25 for members and $50 for others. Call Pamm Haslebacher at 535-7066 to register.



The Eastern Washington Procurement Technical Assistance Center will present Government Contracting 101, on Thursday, Jan. 22, from 8 to 9:30 a.m., at the Spokane Regional Business Center, 801 W. Riverside, at no cost. Call 459-4120 for information.

Conventions & Shows
Inland Northwest RV Show & Sale

Jan. 22-25

Spokane Fair & Expo Center

Expected Attendance: 5,000



2009 Flip Festival

Jan. 23-25

Spokane Convention Center

Expected Attendance: 1,900