Archive for August, 2010

• Suzanne Metzger, CPA, CVA,  joined The Grupp Law Firm, PLLC. Metzger puts her tax, accounting and valuation expertise to work for businesses and individuals as a part of the firm’s business exit planning and strategic business planning practice. Her work supports traditional and complex tax planning vehicles and facilitates sophisticated transfer of wealth solutions. Prior to joining the Grupp Law Firm, Metzger was a tax services manager at Magnuson, McHugh & Company, P.A., in Coeur d’Alene. She graduated summa cum laude from Eastern Washington University in 2001 with a B.A. in business administration and professional accounting. Metzger may be reached at 665-4600 or via e-mail at suzanne@grupplaw.com.

• R. Bruce Owens, founding partner of the law firm of Owens & Crandall in Hayden, was recently selected to be included in the 2010 edition of The Best Lawyers in America as well as a separate publication called the Mountain States Super Lawyers. Both of these organizations base there selection on peer review and professional achievement. Fewer than 2 percent of Idaho lawyers have been selected by both organizations.

• Massage therapist Bruce Kitchen, formerly with the Highlands Day Spa, is now at Caribbean Tan at 5624 Government Way. He is trained in all forms of massage, including Swedish, pregnancy, deep tissue, acupressure, trigger point and feet. Kitchen works by appointment, with walk-ins welcome as well. Information: 772-3907

• The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce named Kate McAlister as president and chief executive officer, effective Aug. 9. She brings more than 20 years of corporate program development and marketing experience to the chamber. McAlister received her community investment education from Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship, Caroll School of Business and participated in an international leadership committee to develop standards for the Community Investment Program. Prior to joining the chamber, McAlister acquired experience and education in her position as corporate community investment manager at Itron, Inc. in Spokane.

• Avista Utilities has named Lamont Miles district manager for St. Maries, effective June 29. In his new role, Miles will oversee project coordination and community involvement on behalf of Avista in the St. Maries area. Miles has been with Avista since 2003, joining the company as an engineer. Since then, he has been a member of the company’s global information system (GIS) group, worked in the transmission and operations areas, and briefly served as the operations manager in Avista’s Othello, Wash., office.

• Martin Fleck has joined the planning and market research staff at JP Stravens/Planning Associates in Coeur d’Alene. Fleck is a graduate of the University of Washington and has considerable experience with the new G.I.S. data systems. He arrived in Coeur d’Alene after working in Washington, D.C. as coordinator for a national organization where he used Internet-based tools to build  a nationwide network.

• New officers have been elected by nearly 200 members of the IAPA to serve on the board of directors for the Idaho Association of Public Accountants for the 2010-2011 fiscal year. The new officers and directors were installed by Robert Cross, president of the National Society of Accountants during the closing banquet of the annual bi-state convention with the Oregon Association of Independent Accountants and the Idaho Association of Public Accountants held in Lincoln City, Ore., on June 18. Officers from North Idaho elected for one-year terms are Jane Kuetemeyer, CPA, Hayden, second vice president and Wilma Christensen, EA, ABA, ATP, ATA, Harrison, named IAPA District I director.

• North Idaho College Adult Basic Education/GED Director Rex Fairfield recently earned a national certification in adult education and literacy. After two years in the Leadership Excellence Academy’s intensive training program, Fairfield is now a certified manager in program improvement (CMPI).

• Austin Storhaug recently joined Durtschi & Associates/Storhaug Engineering Inc. as a civil engineer. He is a recent Magna Cum Laude graduate of Washington State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering. He previously worked as an engineering intern and AutoCAD designer at Storhaug Engineering. Durtschi & Associates/Storhaug Engineering Inc., offers civil engineering, surveying, landscape architecture and land use planning in the Pacific Northwest from its offices in Spokane and Hayden.

• Frances Mueller, US Bank branch manager at 6376 Government Way in Coeur d’Alene, has won the bank’s annual Pinnacle and Top Tier award, the company’s highest consumer banking employee achievement honor. She was in the top 1 percent of retail managers throughout the country. She has worked in the financial industry for 12 years and this is her first annual pinnacle award. Jill Andrews, a financial adviser for US Bancorp Investments and Insurance who works at the same branch won the president’s award. Both were recognized at a dinner honoring them for their service achievements.

• Chelsea Rosenberger was elected to serve as chairwoman of the Young Professional’s Initiative for the International Association of Fairs and Expositions. The IAFE is a voluntary, nonprofit corporation based in Springfield, Mo., organizing fairs and exhibitions internationally. Rosenberger serves as the sponsorship and special events coordinator for the North Idaho Fair and Rodeo and Kootenai County Events Center.

• Life Care Center of Coeur d’Alene, a skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility, hired a new executive director, Steve Holloway.Holloway was previously an administrator in a skilled nursing and in an assisted living facility in Coeur d’Alene for a total of 12 years. He is returning to the area after serving as executive director at Life Care Center of Treasure Valley in Boise. Life Care Center of Coeur d’Alene, located at 500 West Aqua Ave., is one of eight facilities in Idaho operated by Life Care Centers of America. For more information about Life Care, visit www.lcca.com.

• The Idaho Division of Tourism announced the reappointment of JJ Jaeger to the Idaho Travel Council (ITC). Jaeger, of The Coeur d’Alene Resort, has been reappointed to the Idaho Travel Council as the Region 1 representative. Jaeger’s term is now extended through 2013. Growing Idaho’s economy by increasing visitor expenditures throughout the state is the goal of the Idaho Travel Council and the Tourism Development Division. Tourism contributes more than $3 billion to the state economy. The Idaho Travel Council is an eight-member, private-sector advisory board appointed by the governor.

• Gary Briant joined Durtschi & Associates, a division of Storhaug Engineering Inc., as a professional land surveyor. Briant has more than 38 years of experience, of which 25 are as a project or survey office manager. He is currently licensed in Washington, Idaho, Montana and is a certified federal surveyor. He is serving as the current President of the Idaho Society of Professional Land Surveyors. He is a member of the Land Surveyors Association of Washington and the Montana Association of Registered Land Surveyors. His expertise covers a broad range of experience from general land surveys, major highways, land development projects, bridges and mining claims. Durtschi & Associates has offices in Hayden and Spokane.

• Kathy Holmes, Physical Therapist will be an instructor for the Fit and Fall Proof Program, offered through Panhandle Health District. The Fit and Fall Proof Program is an exercise-based fall prevention program for older adults available throughout Idaho.Kathy, a physical therapist in North Idaho for 18 years, currently works for In Touch Physical Therapy in Post Falls, providing outpatient care for a diverse patient population. Information about Fit and Fall Proof classes can be found on the Panhandle Health District Website.

• Justin Rader, DDS, has joined Fullwiler Dental in Coeur d’Alene. Rader is a graduate of University of the Pacific Dental School, Boise State University and Coeur d’Alene High School, and is an Iraqi war veteran. He will specialize in family/children’s dentistry, after-hours dental emergencies, Invisalign, crowns, bridges and tooth-colored fillings. He is currently welcoming new patients.

• A lifetime resident of North Idaho has opened a new insurance office in Coeur d’Alene. The Toni Caywood Agency is an American Family Insurance office now open at 7905 N. Meadowlark Way, Suite E. Caywood, who has been insurance licensed in the state of Idaho since 2000 and recently obtained her Washington reciprocal license, offers insurance coverage for auto, home, life, business and farm and ranch. Caywood has also worked in the banking, mortgage and real estate fields. She is an active member of the Kiwanis Club of Coeur d’Alene as past secretary, vice president, and president and current board member. She also has two licensed assistants, Shelly Lovdahl and Tricia Ludwig. Information: 277-9227; fax 763-3230; e-mail tcaywood@amfam.com

• Hanson Wins National Award from Northwestern Mutual

Coeur D’ Alene based Northwestern Mutual financial representative Paul Hanson received the company’s  EMERALD Award at the company’s 130th Annual Meeting Milwaukee on July 27.  The award recognizes Hanson’s exceptional efforts to help clients achieve financial security, based on production.

“In Coeur D’ Alene, Paul led the way this year, helping hundreds of clients revisit their financial security options,” said Northwestern Mutual Executive Vice President Todd M. Schoon.  “Today, in Coeur D’ Alene and around the country, the importance of a long-term financial strategy is crystal clear, and financial professionals like Paul have never been more valuable.”

• Architects West names Matt Knoll as Client Development Director

Architects West announced today the hiring of Matt Knoll as their Client Development Director.  Matt will be responsible for business development and long-term relationship management throughout Architects West’s market region of Washington, Idaho, Montana and Oregon. While the position is new for Architects West, Matt comes with 7 years of industry experience within the Inland Northwest.  Prior work experience spans Commercial Construction and Architecture, including both Marketing and Business Development.  Having graduated from Whitworth University in 2003, Matt holds a BA in Business Management along with a BA in Communications. For additional information, contact: Kim Homdrom at kimh@architectswest.com or (208) 667-9402

• Hecla Mining Company appointed Mélanie Hennessey to vice president — investor relations. In this role, Hennessey will be the primary liaison between Hecla and its investors, analysts and the financial community globally.

Hennessey will be based in Hecla’s office in Vancouver, B.C., and will begin work on Sept. 7.

• Dr. Dan Cullum, DDS of Coeur d’Alene recently participated in the Academy of Osseointegration’s Silver Anniversary Summit: Impact of Biological and Technological Advances on Implant Dentistry in Chicago.

Cullum was one of only 100 scientists and clinicians brought together to contribute in translational research to bridge the gap between research and clinical practice. He participated in group discussions on problem solving and future direction of bioengineering.

The owner of Apply 2 Save, a bankrupt Coeur d’Alene mortgage modification company that allegedly defrauded hundreds of consumers nationwide, is prohibited from ever operating a similar business in Idaho, Attorney General Lawrence Wasden said Monday.

Derek Oberholtzer entered a settlement agreement with Wasden’s office that prevents Oberholtzer from acting as a debt or credit counselor and prohibits him from engaging in mortgage lending, brokering, or modification activities within Idaho or with Idaho consumers.

Wasden sued Oberholtzer and Apply 2 Save in April 2009, alleging the defendants accepted payments from consumers for services that they never performed.

Vandal Innovation and Enterprise Works, or VIEW, is the signature entrepreneurship education program at the University of Idaho. The College of Business and Economics leads this program, which is open to the entire university community, with the goal of moving ideas and innovations developed in the classrooms and laboratories into the marketplace.

The program’s emphasis on educating students to be active in the economy of Idaho attracted financial support from Wells Fargo in the form of a $50,000 gift in each of the past two years. Recently, the bank’s Idaho Region office doubled its commitment to the program. The Wells Fargo Foundation will now provide $100,000 a year for the next two years.

“Wells Fargo is pleased to invest in the VIEW program and its focus on providing students ‘real world’ experience,’” said Dana Reddington, Idaho Regional Banking president. “We support the vision of developing tomorrow’s entrepreneurs, who will drive the success of traditional and emerging organizations and will build a diversified infrastructure for a modern Idaho.”

Timberline Resources Corp. said Tuesday it has mobilized a surface drill and begun the diamond drilling segment of its exploration program at its recently-acquired South Eureka property in Nevada’s Battle Mountain-Eureka gold trend. Timberline also expects to begin a complementary RC drill program there within the next several weeks.

The South Eureka property, including the Lookout Mountain project, was the primary exploration asset Timberline acquired in its acquisition of Staccato Gold Resources in June. A significant exploration plan will be undertaken at the South Eureka property with a focus on the Lookout Mountain project. Lookout Mountain is a typical sediment-hosted gold project with historic gold production and a previously-reported gold resource in excess of 800,000 ounces.

Jack W. Gustavel, chairman and chief executive officer of IIB, (OTCBB:IIBK), announced IIB’s consolidated unaudited financial results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2010.

Gustavel reported that IIB’s net loss for the quarter ended June 30, 2010, was $1.5 million, or a loss of 23 cents per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $195,000, or a loss of 3 cents per diluted share, for the same period a year ago. IIB’s net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2010, was $1.4 million, or a loss of 21 cents per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $3.2 million, or a loss of 51 cents per diluted share, for the same six-month period a year ago. The prior period loss and loss per share amounts have been restated to reflect earlier revisions to amounts reported in 2009.

“The bank is making solid progress in reducing concentrations in land and land development loans and is proactively working through its problem credits. At the same time, IIB has managed to improve its capital position over the past two years,” Gustavel said.

Despite a decrease in the ounces of silver produced at the Lucky Friday mine for the second quarter, projections for the future are bright.

Hecla Mining Company released its second quarter 2010 report Wednesday, with financial and operating results available through June 30.

The Lucky Friday mine produced 797,385 ounces of silver during the second quarter, down from the 868,339 ounces of silver produced during the second quarter of 2009.

Exploration continues at the Lucky Friday mine with two underground drills testing the potential to expand the resource area east. Hecla Mining Company is also continuing to explore further in the Silver Valley with drill programs east and west of the Lucky Friday mine.

According to the report, this is the first exploration in these target areas in more than 50 years.

Residential mortgage lender Platinum Home Mortgage Corporation has opened a new branch office in Coeur d’Alene at 1859 N. Lakewood Drive. This is the first Idaho location for Platinum Home Mortgage.

Steve Carlsen and Matt Richter have been named branch managers for the new Coeur d’Alene location. Carlsen and Richter are mortgage industry veterans, who were most recently managers at Wells Fargo.

Founded in 1994 and headquartered in Rolling Meadows, Ill., the company has branches in California, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Nevada, Texas, Virginia and Washington.

Timberline Resources joins Russell Microcap Index

Timberline Resources Corp. (NYSE Amex:TLR TSX-V:TBR) was added to the Russell Microcap Index, following the Russell Investment Group’s annual reconstitution of its indexes. The Russell Microcap Index is constructed to provide a comprehensive and unbiased barometer for the microcap and smallcap segments trading on national exchanges. Membership in the Russell Microcap Index means automatic inclusion in the appropriate growth and value style indexes.

Total returns data for the Russell Microcap and other Russell Indexes is available at http://www.russell.com/Indexes/performance/default.asp.

Sylvia Darcy remains convinced that technology is not necessarily a better way to get the job done. So much so that when the pressure to go digital got to be more than she liked, she took a year off to think about it.

“Everybody was telling me I’m a dinosaur,” she said. “I’m more of a stick-to-your-guns person.”

After a year of feeding chickens and other farm animals in Harrison, she is back in Coeur d’Alene again, doing what she learned to love a decade ago. She reopened the photography studio she once ran from her home, and renamed it as well. Wild Child Photography specializes in a style most have left behind. Samples line the wall of her studio in the back shop of Frances Sandberg’s Butterfly Gardens boutique at 804 N. Fourth in midtown.

Information: 660-2648

Dick Woller, who has operated The Slam Shop for about 10 years, changed the name and focus of the body shop. Elite Body Shop and Restoration Services is the new name, reflecting a change in business model for the shop at 23111 W. Highway 53 in Post Falls.

Cars, trucks, hot rods, boats, motorcycles and even airplanes will now be considered as projects by Woller, who has been in the business for 40 years, and his employees. General collision repairs are not part of day-to-day operations, but custom welding and fabrication are.

Information: 777-7020