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Volume 11, Issue 45, 2008-12-10
WA County Small Businesses Feel the Pain
Recession Has Not Been Kind
Source: Heidi Prokop
Public Relations Manager, Zions Bank
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Washington County payrolls declined by 2,100 jobs (-3.8%) in the past year. The unemployment rate was 4.7% in the latest month, up from 2.7% one year ago.
Utah County employment declined by 2,000 jobs (-1.0%) over the last 12 months. The area's jobless rate was 3.0%, up from the 2.4% rate of one year ago.
Salt Lake County employment fell by 500 jobs (-0.1%) over the year. The ...
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Volume 11, Issue 23, 2008-07-02
Walgreens Builds Two More S. Utah Stores
In Hurricane and west St. George
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Drug store chain Walgreens has broken ground on two new southwest Utah stores, one in Hurricane and the other on St. George's west side.
The Hurricane store will be located at approximately 1200 W. State Street, while the new St. George store is at the intersection of Dixie Drive and Sunset Blvd., where the old Lewis Meats packing house used to stand.
The Lewis building has been demolished to make way for Walgreens. For about the past 15 years, training software provider LearnKey had occupied the Lewis building. ...
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Volume 10, Issue 21, 2007-07-20
Walgreens Coming to Cedar City
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CEDAR CITY — Local economic development officials have confirmed that Walgreens will build a store in the Providence Center.
Walgreens earlier this year announced the company would build five new stores in southwest Utah. Locations in Hurricane and St. George had previously been announced.
Construction has already begun in Cedar City and the store could be open by early 2008....
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Volume 7, Issue 16, 2004-09-13
Walker Appoints New Trustee to Trust Lands' Board
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The seven-member Board of Trustees of the State of Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration has a new member. Governor Olean Walker has appointed John Y. Ferry to the position vacated by Board Member Ruland G. Gill, whose term expired June 30, 2004. Mr. Ferry's term is for six-years.
He was confirmed by the state Senate August 18, 2004. Mr. Ferry currently serves as vice-president of JY Ferry & Son Inc., a company which farms and ranches more than 7,000 acres in Utah and Idaho including more than 6,000 head of cattle. He is active in Farm Bureau and served on its Board of Directors on both the state and national level. He has also worked on the board of the Bear River Water Conservancy District, Box Elder Education Center, and the Bear River Canal Company.
Mr. Ferry holds a BS degree in Animal Science from Utah State University. He also maintains close ties with many leading land-grant universities in research and post graduate studies. He has served on the Utah State University Alumni Council.
"We are really looking forward to John Ferry joining the board," says Board of Trustees Chairman John Creer. "His background of agricultural management, knowledge of farming and ranching operations, plus his reputation in the community will significantly contribute to achieving Trust goals."
The School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration is an independent state agency which manages 3.5 million acres of Utah trust lands exclusively for the benefit of Utahs schools and other public institutions.
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Volume 12, Issue 25, 2009-07-13
WARN expansion bill re-introduced
Michael Patrick O'Brien, Esq.
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First we had WARN, and now we have FOREWARN, the Federal Oversight, Reform and Enforcement Act (H.R. 3042, S. 1374), which has been reintroduced into Congress. This bill would expand the coverage threshold of WARN from employers with 100 employees to those with 75 employees.
The bill would also redefine a plant closing as effecting 25, instead of 50 employees and also lower the trigger for a mass layoff. The bill would also require a 90-day notice before either event. Of course, you will recall that...
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Volume 8, Issue 3, 2005-02-14
Washington Chamber Celebrates 25 Years of Service
By Mary Loshak
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The Washington Chamber of Commerce had their 25th anniversary Installation and Awards Banquet Friday night - the 4th of February - at Cottontown Village in Washington. The mood was upbeat and the event was well attended.
The new 2005 Chamber Board was installed by Royce Jones. Mr. Jones was the person who installed the inaugural Board Members in 1980. Awards were presented to Zion Harley Davidson, The Washington City Lions Club, Larry Sorden and The Washington City Historical Society.
Michael Denning, the incoming Board President spoke about the goals of the Chamber in the coming year. They include working more closely with the Hurricane and St. George Chambers, Washington City officials including the city council, the planning commission, the Mayor and the City Manager to accomplish the mission at hand. That mission, said Mr. Denning is to “facilitate an environment which fosters a healthy business community and to build and enhance a sense of community pride” in Washington City.
The guest speaker for the evening was Paul Blanchard, Economic Development Advisor to the City of Washington. Mr. Blanchard talked about Washington City's plan to encourage and attract new businesses to the Washington City area. He discussed how the Chamber can work more actively with the city to help new businesses and existing businesses to flourish and yet retain the sense of community that is so vital to a small town like Washington.
The banquet ended with closing remarks from Craig Leavitt, the chamber's 2004 President.
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Volume 7, Issue 18, 2004-10-11
Washington Chamber Does Expo
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This is Washington Chamber's 3rd annual business expo. The Chamber is rising to meet the needs of the growing business population in Washington City. To date, all activities sponsored and organized by the Chamber are done so with an all volunteer “army”. If you are a Washington County business resident and wish to participate in Washington Chamber activities, call their board president, Craig Leavitt at 632-5948.
There are several attractive features when considering this expo for your business. First, it's held on a Saturday when most business owners and managers might have time to visit the affair. Second, and probably the best reason, is that it is virtua...
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Volume 11, Issue 32, 2008-09-03
Washington Chamber Meeting Thursday
Noon luncheon at Community Center
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WASHINGTON, Utah - The Washington City Chamber of Commerce will hold its regular monthly luncheon meeting for September on Thursday at noon at the Washington City Community Center, 350 N. Community Center Drive.
Guest speaker Bonnie VanAusdale of the Washington County School District will discuss the district's standards for new teachers and efforts to recruit teachers. The cost of lunch is $9 if paid at the door or $12.00 if billed.
Those who plan to attend are requested to RSVP by email to info@washingtoncitychamber.biz.
For directions to the Community Center please click on the...
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Volume 10, Issue 34, 2007-10-26
Washington Chamber Sets Candidate Forum - Oct. 30
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WASHINGTON, Utah — The Washington City Chamber of Commerce will sponsor a public forum for the six candidates seeking election to the City Council. The forum will be held Tuesday, Oct. 30 at the Washington City Museum at 25 E. Telegraph.
The public will have an opportunity to meet the candidates beginning at 6 p.m. The moderated forum will begin promptly at 6:30 and is expected to last about an hour. The forum format will allow the public to submit questions to be answered by the candidates.
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Volume 11, Issue 8, 2008-03-04
Washington Chamber to Hold Luncheon Thursday
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WASHINGTON, Utah - All members, and anyone who's interested in local business, are invited to join the Washington City Chamber of Commerce for its monthly luncheon at noon on Thursday, March 6. The meeting will be held at the city museum, 25 E. Telegraph (the Old Millcreek High School building). The cost for lunch is $9 paid at the door or $12 if billed. ...
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Volume 11, Issue 11, 2008-04-01
Washington Chamber to Hold Luncheon Thursday
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WASHINGTON, Utah - All members, and anyone who's interested in local business, are invited to join the Washington City Chamber of Commerce for its monthly luncheon on Thursday, April 3. The meeting will be held at at the city museum, 25 E. Telegraph (the Old Millcreek High School building). The cost for lunch is $9 paid at the door or $12 if billed. ...
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Volume 11, Issue 28, 2008-08-06
Washington Chamber to Hold Meeting Thursday
Small Business Development Center director to speak
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WASHINGTON, Utah - The Washington City Chamber of Commerce will hold its regular monthly luncheon Thursday, Aug. 7 from noon to 1 p.m. at the Washington City Community Center Reception Center.
This month's speaker will be Len Erickson, director of the Dixie Business Alliance's Small Business Development Center."
Erickson will discuss starting, and operating your business, and how you can survive in today's market.
Please RSVP to info@washingtoncitychamber.biz. Lunch is $9 is paid at the meeting or $12 if billed. ...
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Volume 10, Issue 30, 2007-09-28
Washington Chamber to Meet — Oct. 4
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WASHINGTON, Utah — The Washington City Chamber of Commerce will meet Thursday, Oct. 4 at noon in the city museum, 25 E. Telegraph (the Old Millcreek High School building). Representatives of local businesses and the public are invited to attaend. The Chamber will use the occasion to kick off its annual membership drive. The cost for lunch is $9 paid at the door or $12 if billed....
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Volume 10, Issue 26, 2007-08-31
Washington Chamber to Meet — Sept. 6
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WASHINGTON, Utah — The Washington City Chamber of Commerce will meet Thursday, Sept. 6 at noon in the city museum, 25 E. Telegraph (the Old Millcreek High School building). Editor Sharon May and reporter Cami Cox of the Dixie Weekly News will speak. The Chamber will also kick off its annual Membership Drive. The cost for lunch is $9 paid at the door or $12 if billed....
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Volume 10, Issue 22, 2007-07-27
Washington Chamber to Meet Aug. 2
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WASHINGTON, Utah - All Washington City Chamber of Commerce members, and anyone who's interested in local business, are invited to join us for our monthly Chamber luncheon at noon Thursday, Aug. 2 in the city museum, 25 E. Telegraph (the Old Millcreek High School building).
If you plan to attend please RSVP no later than noon the Wednesday before the meeting at 467-8231. The cost for lunch is $9 paid at the door or $12 if billed....
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Volume 12, Issue 19, 2009-06-01
Washington City Brings Back the Business Expo
City Kicks Off the Washington City Version of `Shop Local`
By Jim McGuire
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This past Saturday (May 30, 2009) we had a successful Business Expo at the Community Center. It was Washington City's first Expo (inside the new Community Center) and we had a good turnout. Ninety-Eight Community Center `passports` were redeemed for free family passes (one per family) to the Community Center, and 200 drawing slips were submitted for the prizes that were given away.
Monday June, 1, 2000 was the first day of our Shop Local Campaign and it runs through the end of the month. Those who shop in Washington City can earn additional family passes to the Community Center. I have attached the information that explains the Shop Local Campaign and how the passes can be earned.
It's up to ...
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Volume 11, Issue 18, 2008-05-20
Washington City business spreading its `wings`
What's so hot about that?
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WASHINGTON CITY – Buffalo’s Southwest Cafe recently opened its doors and is quickly spreading its wings—hot wings that is—in southern Utah.
One of southern Utah’s newest restaurants recently opened its doors at 2400 North Town Center, Washington, Utah. It specializes in southwest-style food. Cafe hours...
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Volume 12, Issue 4, 2009-02-02
Washington City Chamber Meeting Cancelled
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Due to lack a lack of RSVP's, the Chamber Meeting has been cancelled.
Our Chamber Meeting on 5 FEB 09 will be one you won't want to miss. Faye Hubbard from WorkForce Services will be our speaker.
Please join us for our regular monthly luncheon where you can meet and network with new and current Chamber Members. Our meetings are always business oriented and geared ...
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Volume 8, Issue 9, 2005-05-09
Washington City Chamber Supports Annual CottonFest
By Brandon Condie
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The Washington City CottonFest is estimated to bring out 5000 people to celebrate the anniversary of the pioneers settling Washington in 1857. The city was founded economically for the purpose of growing cotton during shortages brought on by the US Civil War.
The Washington City Chamber has teamed up with the Washington City Historical Society to help with activities that local residents are sure to enjoy. Amongst the many activities scheduled, on Friday May 13 the Washington City Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the “Movie in the Park” which will show “Swiss Family Robinson” (PG) at dusk in the Washington City Park located on Telegraph and 100 E.
Then on Saturday May 14, the Chamber and Staheli Catering will offer an early morning breakfast at the park starting at 7 am. Don't just come for breakfast, there will be a parade at 9 am. While attending the parade look for the Ford Model T Chamber entry provided by Mel & Margo Jackson of Washington City.
For more information on the Washington City Chamber please visit our website at www.washingtoncitychamber.com.
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Volume 10, Issue 1, 2007-01-22
Washington City Chamber to Honor Locals
Annual awards banquet Jan. 26
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WASHINGTON, Utah - The Washington City Chamber of Commerce will honor seven individuals and businesses during the organization's 27th annual Awards and Installation Banquet on Friday, Jan. 26, at the Washington City Museum, 25 E. Telegraph.
The event, which begins at 6:30 p.m., will feature a keynote address by Alan Anderson, CEO of Chamber West in West Valley City, Utah, and State of the City addresses from Mayor Terril Clove and City Manager Roger Carter.
The community is invited. Please RSVP no later than Wednesday, Jan. 24 by calling 435-467-8231 or emailing chamberdesk@infowest.com. Tickets are $15 if paid at the door, and 17.50 if billed. Dress is semi-f...
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Volume 8, Issue 10, 2005-05-23
Washington City Cotton Festival - Another Success
Private Sector
By Brandon Condie
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There is still the small town feel where it concerns events in Washington City these days, even though the city has experienced significant economic and residential growth over the past couple of years.
Last weekend, Washington City celebrated its founding (1857) in the spacious cotton fields of Washington County. The celebration has taken on the name of Cotton Fest. Washington City's cotton industry is the primary reason southwestern Utah came to be known as “Dixie”.
No, there may not be anymore fields of cotton, but the values and traditions of the Washington City community still move on.
Besides the annual Cotton Fest event, every month during the spring and summer, the businesses of the Washington City Chamber of Commerce sponsor what is called “A Movie in the Park.” On Friday, and as part of the Cotton Fest celebration, the movie “Swiss Family Robinson” was shown, for free, to over three hundred people gathered on the lawn at the Washington City Park.
Then on Saturday morning, Washington City held their annual Cotton Festival activities. Neighbors and local businesses gathered for a delicious breakfast, which was also sponsored by Staheli Catering and prepared by the members of the chamber of commerce.
Afterwards, with over thirty entries, entertaining floats, tractors (at least 50), and vehicles took to the main street of Washington City, while friends and families gathered along the sidewalks to watch. Although it will not go down as one of the greatest parades in history, the support still rang from the citizens and business of the growing Washington City.
Children laughed and played, while adults relaxed and enjoyed the events of the Friday night and Saturday morning. Even with a small, low budget parade, they are still more enjoyable than the large extravagant parades that take place in larger cities, and although they only last a short time, they leave the community with something to remember.
These events are some of the greatest in Washington City, and with the continued support from the community and businesses, these events will continue to live on. For more information about these event or others supported by the Washington City Chamber of Commerce, visit www.washingtoncitychamber.com.
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Volume 12, Issue 7, 2009-03-02
Washington City Witnesses Business Closure
By Randy Hunt
Washtington City Chamber President
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Old Town & Country Car Wash closed its doors last week. Aaron McAffee and his wife, put every ounce of energy into that business both six and seven days per week. Washington City lost a great businessman and a great business.
I hope you will remember what he did with that corner, and what it used to look like.
Hopefully that business can be purchased soon, and we can help support it.
On this note, Darryl Andersen owner of: Bubble Bath Car Wash, is redeeming car wash coupons and passes from Old Town & Country Car Wash. That in itself is a very nice thing to do.
From a Customer Service stand point, it is shear genius! Yes he'll take a hit on the ...
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Volume 7, Issue 22, 2004-12-13
Washington County
By Jeff Thredgold
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Utah's unemployment rate was estimated at 4.8% in the latest month, up slightly from the prior month's revised 4.6% rate. Total Utah employment is up an estimated 34,200 jobs during the past 12 months
Washington County payrolls expanded by 3,800 jobs (9.6%) in the past year. The unemployment rate was 3.8% in the latest month, down from 4.0% one year ago.
Cache County employment grew by 1,800 jobs (3.9%) in the latest 12-month period. The area's jobless rate was 3.6%, virtually unchanged from the 3.5% rate of one year ago.
Weber County experienced job growth of 2,000 jobs (2.3%) from a year ago. Joblessness registered 5.7%, down from the 6.2% unemployment rate one year ago.
Davis County payrolls expanded by 4,500 jobs (5.0%) in the past year. The unemployment rate was 4.5% in the latest month, down from 5.0% one year ago.
Salt Lake County employment rose by 8,900 jobs (1.7%) over the year. The county's unemployment rate fell to 4.8% in the latest month, down from 5.4% last year.
Utah County employment grew by 7,100 jobs (4.5%) over the last 12 months. The area's jobless rate was 3.8%, down from the 4.3% rate of one year ago.
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Volume 8, Issue 3, 2005-02-14
Washington County
By Jeff Thredgold
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Highlights
Washington County payrolls expanded by 3,500 jobs (8.7%) in the past year. The unemployment rate was 3.6% in the latest month, down from 4.1% one year ago
The Zions Bank Small Business Index for Utah dipped to 102.5 in January 2005, down from a revised 103.7 in December 2004
Utah's unemployment rate was estimated at 4.4% in the latest month, down from the prior month's 4.6% rate. Total Utah employment is up an estimated 35,100 jobs during the past 12 months
The state's economy should continue to strengthen, even as the Federal Reserve pushes short-term interest rates higher
The nation's unemployment rate was 5.2% in January-down from Decemb...
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Volume 10, Issue 30, 2007-09-28
Washington County Economic Summit Scheduled
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ST. GEORGE — The Washington County Economic Summit 2008 is scheduled for Jan. 9, 2008, from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Dixie Center. The speakers and agenda for the popular event, which sells out annually, have not yet been announced....
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Volume 10, Issue 34, 2007-10-26
Washington County Economic Summit Scheduled
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ST. GEORGE — The Washington County Economic Summit 2008 is scheduled for Jan. 9, 2008, from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Dixie Center.
Registration will open Dec. 3 at www.whatsupdownsouth.com. The speakers and agenda for the popular event, which sells out annually, have not yet been announced.
...
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Volume 13, Issue 2, 2010-01-19
Washington County Farm Bureau Receives Gold Star ...
... Award at 2009 Utah Farm Bureau Convention
By Matt Hargreaves
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ST. GEORGE, UTAH – The Washington County Farm Bureau was recognized as the top County Farm Bureau of its size at the most recent Utah Farm Bureau Convention held in Layton, Davis County.
County Farm Bureaus are judged on six categories of achievement and are awarded ‘Gold Stars’ based on excellence in those categories. Washington County Farm Bureau earned five of six ‘Gold Stars’ at the convention.
The six categories include...
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Volume 12, Issue 3, 2009-01-26
Washington County Farm Bureau Receives Gold Star Award
Utah Convention Names Washington County
By Matt Hargreaves
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ST. GEORGE, Utah - January 7, 2009 - The Washington County Farm Bureau was recognized as one of the top County Farm Bureaus at the most recent Utah Farm Bureau Convention held in Layton, Davis County.
County Farm Bureaus are judged on six categories of achievement and are awarded ‘Gold Stars' based on excellence in those categories. Of all the county Farm Bureaus, Washington County Farm Bureau joined Box Elder County, Sanpete County, and Uintah County as the only County Farm Bureaus to earn five of six ‘Gold Stars.'
The six categories include...
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Volume 11, Issue 11, 2008-04-01
Washington County Growth Second in U.S.
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ST. GEORGE - The booming St. George metropolitan area is the nation's second-fastest-growing, according to a census report released last week.
The estimated 5.1 percent population growth St. George saw from July 1, 2006, to July 1, 2007, is slower than in previous years. One year earlier the metro area, which includes all of Washington County, saw a 6 percent increase in population and was the nation's fastest-growing. This year, St. George's population rise was surpassed by Palm Coast, Fla., which grew by 7.2 percent.
The census estimates are for metropolitan areas that comprise one or mo...
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Volume 9, Issue 13, 2006-10-02
Washington County Job Growth Leads Utah
Interest rate stability benefits small business
By Jeff Thredgold
Thredgold Economic Associates,
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Local Performance
Washington County payrolls expanded by 4,400 jobs (9.2%) in the past 12 months. The unemployment rate was 2.7% in the latest month, down from 3.7% one year ago.
Salt Lake County employment rose by 24,000 jobs (4.3%) over the year. The county's unemployment rate fell to 3.4% in the latest month, down from 4.6% last year.
Utah County employment grew by 7,700 jobs (4.7%) over the last 12 months. The area's jobless rate was 3.1%, down from the 4.4% rate of one year ago.
Davis County payrolls expanded by 3,800 jobs (4.0%) in the past year. The unemployment rate was 3.3% in the latest month, down from 4.4% one year ago.
<...
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Volume 9, Issue 12, 2006-09-04
Washington County Labor Market Tight
A challenge for small businesses
By Jeff Thredgold
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Local Performance
Washington County payrolls expanded by 4,100 jobs (8.5%) in the past year. The unemployment rate was 2.6% in the latest month, down from 3.4% one year ago.
Salt Lake County employment rose by 24,000 jobs (4.3%) over the year. The county's unemployment rate fell to 3.4% in the latest month, down from 4.4% last year.
Utah County employment grew by 8,000 jobs (4.8%) over the last 12 months. The area's jobless rate was 3.1%, down from the 4.0% rate of one year ago.
Davis County payrolls expanded by 4,000 jobs (4.1%) in the past year. The unemployment rate was 3.3% in the latest month, down from 4.1% one year ago.
...
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Volume 12, Issue 16, 2009-05-04
Washington County Libaries Get More Funding
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The Utah State Library (USL) has awarded $184,789 in Library Service and Technology Act (LSTA) funds to Utah libraries. The LSTA Advisory Council, during the Annual Spring Meeting and Grant Review, recommended funding 15 mini grants and 4 regular grants to 18 recipients: eight public libraries, five school library media centers or educational service centers, 3 special libraries, and one academic library. Eleven projects fund technology infrastructure that includes equipment to increase information access, three projects fund digitization of local historical records or newspapers, and five projects fund enhanced access to materials for targeted populations.
"These grants play a vital role in helping Utah libraries keep pace with ...
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Volume 10, Issue 20, 2007-07-13
Washington County Mid-Year Commercial Real Estate Review
From Commerce CRG
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Washington County continues to receive attention by national publications, having recently been ranked as the number one fastest growing county for entrepreneurship in the country by Inc. Magazine.
This national recognition will continue to drive attraction to the area stimulating economic expansion. This on-going population and business growth will continue to draw quality commercial development to the region.
The first two quarters of 2007 have seen continued expansion in the retail market in St. George. Residential growth in the area is continuing at a strong pace while housing prices have begun to stabilize.
Inc. Magazine recently ranked St. G...
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Volume 11, Issue 21, 2008-06-11
Washington County Payrolls Up
Expand by 2.1% in the past year
by Heidi Prokop
Zions Bank PR Manager
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WASHINGTON COUNTY - Weakness in the nation's home building and home resale markets is one of the two most worrisome economic developments of the past 12 months. The other major issue involves domestic and global credit markets which continue to perform poorly or actually "freeze up" at times, a victim of high levels of lender and investor anxiety.
Many other states also saw home builders add too aggressively to housing inventories. As a result, home building activity has fallen across the U.S. to the weakest level since the early 1990s.
The Utah unemployment rate was ...
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Volume 11, Issue 19, 2008-05-28
Washington County Requires Legal Labor
Contractors must ensure all employees are legal
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ST. GEORGE – County commissioners here have approved a resolution that requires contractors who do business with Washington County to ensure that all employees are eligible to work in the United States.
The new rule is to be included in the language of all future county contracts....
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Volume 9, Issue 8, 2006-05-22
Washington County Small Businesses Benefit From Global Economic Growth
Jeff Thredgold
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Solid Global Economic Growth
Economic growth forecasts for 2006 and 2007 have been revised higher in recent months. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently raised its forecast for real (inflation adjusted) global growth to 4.9% in 2006 and to 4.7% in 2007.
These estimates were roughly 0.5% higher than forecasts made last September. Various private sector forecasts expect similar solid performance, despite the impact of high energy and commodity prices.
Current global growth expectations for 2006, should they transpire, would mark the fourth consecutive year of at least 4.0% real annual growth, an occurrence not seen since the early 1970s, a period of more t...
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Volume 8, Issue 13, 2005-07-18
Washington County Small Businesses to Fight the Headwind of Rising Short-Term Interest Rates
Economic Trends
By Jeff Thredgold
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Highlights
Washington County payrolls expanded by 3,600 jobs (8.5%) in the past year. The unemployment rate was 3.8% in the latest month, down from 4.0% one year ago
The Zions Bank Small Business Index for Utah declined to 114.3 in June 2005, down from a revised 114.6 in May 2005
Utah's unemployment rate was estimated at 4.9% in the latest month, unchanged from the prior month's rate. Total Utah employment is up an estimated 36,900 jobs during the past 12 months
Short-term interest rates will likely move higher in coming months as the Federal Reserve continues its "measured pace" of monetary tightening
The U.S. economy added 146,000 net new jobs in J...
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Volume 10, Issue 38, 2007-11-26
Washington County Unemployment
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Washington County 2007 unemployment by month. Source: Utah Department of Workforce Services. ...
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Volume 12, Issue 34, 2009-11-02
Washington County—From Boom to Bust to Recovery?
By Lecia Parks Langston
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ST. GEORGE, UTAH - Washington County residents have generally loved their status as Utah poster child for growth. Since 1970, Washington County's population has almost doubled every decade as affordable central air-conditioning made the desert more livable. To put this truly remarkable growth in perspective, remember that the U.S. population grew between 10 and 14 percent during the same decades the St. George area was experiencing 90-percent growth.
Astounding Growth
Population growth fueled economic growth. In the two decades prior to 2007, Washington County's annual nonfarm job growth never slipped below...
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Volume 9, Issue 14, 2006-10-30
Washington Okays New Rec Center
Watts Construction awarded building contract
By Annie Howell
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WASHINGTON, Utah - The Washington City Council has approved a proposal to build a new community and recreation center. Watts Construction of St. George was awarded the contract to build the 110,400-square-foot facility over six other contractors from around the state.
A groundbreaking will be held Nov. 9 at 11 a.m. on the site east of Washington Elementary School.
The two-level building will include a water recreation complex, multiple basketball courts, a weight room, an indoor track, aerobics room, multi-purpose rooms, and kitchen.
The year-round aquatic complex will include lap and leisure pools, a lazy river, an indoor-outdoor hydrotube wate...
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Volume 12, Issue 25, 2009-07-13
Washington Payrolls Decline
Record low short-term interest rates benefit most of Washington county's small businesses
By Jeff Thredgold
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HIGHLIGHTS
* Washington County payrolls declined by 1,600 jobs (-3.0%) in the past year. The unemployment rate was 7.0% in the latest month, up from 4.2% one year ago
* The Zions Bank Small Business Index for Utah was 65.7 in June 2009, up slightly from a revised 65.4 in May 2009
* Utah's unemployment rate was estimated at 5.4% in the latest month, up from 5.2% in the prior month. Total Utah employment fell an estimated 41,800 jobs during the past 12 months
* Short-term interest rates likely to remain at record lows will help Utah's small businesses to weather the ongoing economic storm
* The U.S. economy lost an estimated 467,000 net jobs in...
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Volume 10, Issue 9, 2007-04-23
Washington Readies For Sesquicentennial Celebration
Pageant, Parade and more to mark historic Cotton Days
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WASHINGTON - Residents. local businesses, and volunteers are making preparations for a week-long party next month to celebrate the 150 year anniversary of the founding of Washington.
A pageant and photo display are among the activities that will highlight the the city's history, while sharing the spotlight are more modern events like golf and softball tournaments.
Events kick off on Monday, May 7 at the Washington City Museum, 25 E. Telegraph, with a display by Lynne Clark of historical photos of Washington and its inhabitants through the years. The museum is also the site of a nightly pageant “Cotton Mission, Where Dixie Began.”
...
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Volume 9, Issue 6, 2006-04-10
Washington Resident Transforms Corner
Emily Hudson
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St George, UT - When Washington resident, Aaron McAffee, saw the "For Sale" sign located at The EZ Shoppe (471 W. Telegraph ), he knew he'd finally fulfill his longtime goal of opening a full-service carwash. With years of planning behind him and only the location a mystery, identifying the perfect corner solidified his decision to start the only "all hand wash" carwash in Southern Utah.
Renovations began the month McAffee acquired the property. Transforming the convenience store took 3 months and Irmita Garcia opened "Irmita's" Mexican grill early last fall bringing delicious, authentic Mexican food to Washington.
The EZ Shoppe changed to "Old Town and Country" and the corne...
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Volume 7, Issue 1, 2004-01-12
Washington Resident Wins Bobsled Ride with Olympian Jim Shea from Zions Bank
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PARK CITY, Utah, January 5, 2004 -- Washington resident Jeff Dittmeier blasted down a sheet of ice going 79 miles per hour and accompanied by Olympian Jim Shea on January 3. Dittmeier entered a contest through Zions Insurance Agency and won the opportunity to take the bobsled ride with Shea at the Utah Olympic Park in Park City, Utah.
"You see a blur and you're just shaking, with your adrenaline pumping like mad," said Dittmeier, following the ride that clocked in at 53.13 seconds.
"Jeff was screaming for a while, but then he got real quiet toward the end," laughed Shea.
"I was like, 'that's it?'" recalled Dittmeier.
Zions Bank offered the contest la...
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Volume 7, Issue 1, 2004-01-12
Washington Resident Wins Bobsled Ride with Olympian Jim Shea from Zions Bank
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PARK CITY, Utah, January 5, 2004 -- Washington resident Jeff Dittmeier blasted down a sheet of ice going 79 miles per hour and accompanied by Olympian Jim Shea on January 3. Dittmeier entered a contest through Zions Insurance Agency and won the opportunity to take the bobsled ride with Shea at the Utah Olympic Park in Park City, Utah.
"You see a blur and you're just shaking, with your adrenaline pumping like mad," said Dittmeier, following the ride that clocked in at 53.13 seconds.
"Jeff was screaming for a while, but then he got real quiet toward the end," laughed Shea.
"I was like, 'that's it?'" recalled Dittmeier.
Zions Bank offered the contest la...
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Volume 13, Issue 1, 2010-01-12
Washington County Economic Summit Preview ...
... See how angel investing works at Dixie Pitch
By Jake Hardman
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ST. GEORGE, UTAH - Fund-raising is a fact of life if you’re an entrepreneur. If there’s one thing these innovators seem to have in common, it’s a need for cash to bring the fledgling idea to the next level.
According to Craig Bott of Grow Utah Ventures, a Utah organization seeking to help entrepreneurs find the resources they need, most of these startups or even existing businesses are not bankable. “The deals have an innovation that is too risky, and they most likely don’t have...
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Volume 8, Issue 18, 2005-10-17
Watch for big changes in the Software Industry
Technically Twisted Commentaries
By Jason Eyre
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The past few weeks have brought some interesting changes to the software industry and the winner will most likely end up being you and your business. War has been proclaimed and the battle is on. The major players in the most recent waging are Google and Microsoft. Google has waged the war and are engaging on several fronts.
The first wave was the GMail. It is a service similar to Microsoft's Hotmail, but it allows users to have more space to store email messages. The Google service is free while competing services from Hotmail would run in the 19.95/year range. When a user gets on the Google service, they are encouraged to not delete messages and the emails are treated mor...
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Volume 12, Issue 8, 2009-03-09
Water Conference Held at Dixie Center
USU Extension Sponsors Water Users Workshops
By Julene Reese
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St. George - Utah State University Extension is co-sponsoring the Utah Water Users Workshop March 9 to 11 at the Dixie Center in St. George. The conference is designed for anyone who has interest or involvement in water-related issues in Utah.
"This will be a great opportunity for program participants to renew acquaintances, learn about current water resource concerns in the state and region and, for some of us, to take a break from the winter," said Robert Hill, USU Extension irrigation and water resources specialist.
Keynote addresses will be given by John T. Andrew of the California Division of Water Resources and...
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Volume 10, Issue 10, 2007-04-30
Water is Everybody's Business
By Ron Thompson
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Water is an extremely significant part of each of our daily lives. We drink it, we cook with it, we bathe in it, we clean with it, we nurture our landscape with it and we play in it.
- Do we ever imagine that perhaps the next time we turn on our tap that water will not instantly flow?
- Does it ever occur to us that a reservoir will not have sufficient water to accommodate our culinary and/or recreation needs?
- Can we envision that water would not come out of a shower head to cleanse us at the end of a day?
- Do we assume a steady stream of water will always flow into our lives?
We, as a county, have a distingu...
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Volume 9, Issue 1, 2006-01-23
Water, Water EverywhereNot A Drop To Spare
Thoughts Arising from the “Summit Experience”
By Voin R Campbell
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Like the sailors in the “Rime of the Ancient Mariner”, water is a rare commodity to “land lovers” on a planet covered mostly by water. One does not need to be a demographer to understand that, while the total amount of water suitable for drinking and agriculture, as well as recreation and beautification, is somewhat constant without major human intervention; with rapid world population growth, the demand for increasing water supplies is rising dramatically. Unlike most other commodities, the demand for water is recession proof. We “just gotta have some”. Although water conservation is important, nothing shore of annihilation will significantly depress the increasing demand”.
Although there are examples of small successful investor funded private water development projects, large successful water development are usually undertaken by governmental entities, due to the high risks and enormous amounts of capital required. However, water development projects can redistribute existing available water but seldom actually increases that total amount of usable water. Salt and impure water purification is the only viable long term solution on the horizon that I am aware of.
So, what does that mean to investors? Bingo! Without venture capital, “they aint makin no more of the stuff”. The wrinkle to investors is, if water supplies lag to far behind demand, water shortage creates social and political unrest. Large scale shortages greatly multiply that instability and exacerbates the crisis. That is bad for business.
Rather than taking the risks associated with water development project themselves, from and investors standpoint, water purification technology and manufacturing appears to be the safer middle ground. Portable technology can be moved or located to places that are reasonably stable and secure. That flexibility encourages public entities to undertake projects that utilize the technology developed and manufactured by private investors.
Two break out sessions at the Economic Summit covered “Water”. The first was presented by Ron Thompson with the Water Conservancy District. In another breakout session sponsored by Soltis Investment Advisors, I was introduced to stimulating discussions about world market forces that create and depress markets. The idea of water purification technology and manufacturing as a massive growth area for investment was one of many areas discussed. The specific conclusions above were my own and are not necessarily those of the sponsors or presenters.
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Volume 11, Issue 38, 2008-10-15
Waters Uncharted
Central bank action unprecedented
By Jeff Thredgold, Pres.
Thredgold Economic Assoc.
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Developments of the past few days (and hours) continue to fall into the "never been done before" and "uncharted waters" file of the Federal Reserve and other central banks around the world. The same could be said of the U.S. Treasury Department and its counterparts around the globe.
For the first time EVER, the Federal Reserve participated in a coordinated and near-simultaneous interest rate cutting action with other major central banks. The Federal Reserve cut its key federal funds rate target to 1.50% from the 2.00% rate in effect since April 30.
Action vs. Inaction
Whether these aggressive monetary policy actions will be effective in curtailing what is now a global...
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Volume 8, Issue 14, 2005-08-22
Watts Celebrates Ground Breaking of New Commercial Center
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Watts Construction announced recently that a commercial/warehouse center will be constructed at 390 North 2150 West just off Highway 56 in Cedar City. A ground breaking ceremony was held on Wednesday, August 10th on the site. The primary owner of the project is S&D Investments with ANB Bank handling the financing and MRW Design as the project's design team.
The new Commercial Center's site has phases of construction with a current build out of 24,000 square feet and ultimately a project total of 46,000 square feet! There will be 1,300-plus square foot units available for lease and those interested can contact the project marketer, Rick Lunt at D&B Real Estate at 435-559-15...
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Volume 8, Issue 6, 2005-03-28
Watts Finishes Trailside Executive Offices
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Watts Construction has recently completed a 22,580 square foot office building on Riverside Drive next to the Doctor's Free Clinic. The building has two levels with various options for lease space. The exterior finish consists of a modified EIFS system with a tasteful blend of five stucco colors that accentuate the architectural pop outs while the interior common area boasts storefronts, ceramic tile and oak finishes.
The front entry is boldly set apart with cultured stone columns and the roof with mission style concrete tile and pitched parapets. The site features ample parking and simple low maintenance landscaping. Due to the unseasonable, overwhelming rains, paving of the parking lot has been delayed.
The owner of the project, Quality Structures Inc., chose Watts Construction to manage the project using Design Build with MRW Design providing the in-house structural, civil and architectural design. “The Watts and MRW team have built an outstanding reputation for successful projects using Design Build in the Intermountain area,” said a representative for Quality Structures, Inc.
Currently Jeff Simister is finishing a tenant space for his orthodontics office while other spaces remain available. Those interested can contact Kendrick Rogers at 703-4007 or Sam Haslem at 313-3820.
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Volume 7, Issue 1, 2004-01-12
Watts to Build Plastics Manufacturing Facility
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Cedar City and Iron County Economic Development and Watts Construction have announced that a polyethylene pipe manufacturing facility will be locating to 4660 West Highway 56 in Cedar City (just East of Longview Fibre). A ground breaking ceremony was held on Friday, December 19th, 2003. The owner of the project is W.L. Plastics with MRW Design as the project's design team. The new Cedar City Manufacturing Facility will be over 33,000 square feet and will include four extrusion lines, a crane system, 9 acres of product storage and two rail spurs.
W.L. Plastics Corporation is a manufacturer of High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) pipe. Currently W.L. manufactures ½" to 24" at their headquarters just outside of Casper in Mills, Wyoming and will manufacture 2" to 54" at the Cedar City Plant. W.L. Plastics Corp. was born out of the necessity to meet the increasing demand for polyethylene pipe. With state of the art facilities and one of the most stringent quality control programs in the country, W.L. will be able to supply the finest quality HDPE pipe to the oil, gas, mining, industrial and water markets.
Their main objective is to improve upon the industry's need for value-added services from pipe manufacturers. Simply put, this means producing a consistently better quality product with higher rate of on-time delivery at a more competitive price.
Watts Construction and MRW Design Associates will deliver the project using fast track design build in cooperation with W.L. Plastics and Cedar City/Iron County Economic Development in less than 5 months providing Iron County with another outstanding economic project. Construction started on December 15th last.
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Volume 10, Issue 35, 2007-11-02
WCF Announces Safety Seminars
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To help Southern Utah companies protect their workers and their businesses, Workers Compensation Fund will hold safety seminars in St. George and Cedar City.
Cedar City seminars are scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 14, at the Crystal Inn, 1575 West 200 North. The St. George seminars will be held Thursday, Nov. 15, at the Best Western Abbey Inn, 1129 S Bluff Street.
The seminar schedule for both cities is as follows:
Personal Protective Equipment
8:30 - 10:00 a.m.
Topic: Will discuss the philosophy and proper use of personal protective equipment. A simple review of the OSHA, ANSI and NIOSH requirements for the selection and us...
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Volume 10, Issue 36, 2007-11-09
WCF Announces Safety Seminars - Nov. 14 & 15
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To help Southern Utah companies protect their workers and their businesses, Workers Compensation Fund will hold safety seminars in St. George and Cedar City.
Cedar City seminars are scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 14, at the Crystal Inn, 1575 West 200 North. The St. George seminars will be held Thursday, Nov. 15, at the Best Western Abbey Inn, 1129 S Bluff Street.
The seminar schedule for both cities is as follows:
Personal Protective Equipment
8:30 - 10:00 a.m.
Topic: Will discuss the philosophy and proper use of personal protective equipment. A simple review of the OSHA, ANSI and NIOSH requirements for the selection and us...
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Volume 10, Issue 7, 2007-04-09
WCF Announces Webcasts of Workplace Safety Seminars
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SALT LAKE CITY - Improving workplace safety can not only protect workers from injury, but can also protect a company's bottom line. Now Workers Compensation Fund is making it easier for Utah businesses to get the safety training they need with the launch of all-new webcasts of workplace safety seminars on critical topics, such as “Strain/Sprain Injury Prevention,” “Defensive Driving for Trucking/Fleets” and “Effective Safety Training Techniques.”
The webcasts will be live feeds of actual safety training seminars conducted at WCF's training center in Salt Lake City. The webcasts are free to the majority of Utah businesses who are W...
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Volume 10, Issue 8, 2007-04-16
WCF Announces Webcasts of Workplace Safety Seminars
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SALT LAKE CITY - Improving workplace safety can not only protect workers from injury, but can also protect a company's bottom line. Now Workers Compensation Fund is making it easier for Utah businesses to get the safety training they need with the launch of all-new webcasts of workplace safety seminars on critical topics, such as “Strain/Sprain Injury Prevention,” “Defensive Driving for Trucking/Fleets” and “Effective Safety Training Techniques.”
The webcasts will be live feeds of actual safety training seminars conducted at WCF's training center in Salt Lake City. The webcasts are free to the majority of Utah businesses who are W...
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Volume 10, Issue 26, 2007-08-31
WCF Distributes $22 Million Dividend
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SALT LAKE CITY — Workers Compensation Fund has begun distributing a dividend totaling $22 million. The dividend will go to a majority of policyholders, each receiving approximately eight percent of their earned premium attributable to the 2006 calendar year.
The dividend benefits a majority of Utah businesses, since WCF is the workers' compensation insurance provider for more than 60 percent of companies in the state. At a policyholder meeting Aug. 30, Lane Summerhays, WCF president and CEO, said improved workplace safety is a primary reason for the large dividend.
‘This year marks WCF's ninetieth anniversary of protecting Utah's workfo...
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Volume 10, Issue 40, 2007-12-18
WCF Distributes $25 Million in Dividends
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SALT LAKE CITY - This month Workers Compensation Fund is distributing a second dividend for 2007, totaling $25 million. The dividend will go to a majority of policyholders, each receiving approximately 9.5 percent of their earned premium attributable to the 2006 calendar year.
"Workers Compensation Fund is pleased to announce a second dividend in 2007. Improved workplace safety and favorable results from WCF's high quality investments are the primary reasons for the dividend," said Lane A. Summerhays. "Clearly, our policyholders have heard the 'Be Careful Out There' message. Utah companies' commitment to safety makes a difference - not only in the well-being of their employee...
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Volume 11, Issue 21, 2008-06-11
WCF Honors Two Southern Utah Companies
Riverbend & St George Truss two of 15 awarded throughout Utah
by Kent Douglass
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WASHINGTON - The Workers Compensation Fund annually offers its Charles A. Caine Safety Awards to businesses in Utah. Fifteen safety awards were presented this year to various companies throughout the state, including two in southern Utah.
One of the award-winning companies in southern Utah is Riverbend Trucking of Washington. Riverbend is an interstate trucking enterprise which requires new employees to complete a day of training before being allowed to work. This includes drivers new to Riverbend who have been working for years. Attempts are also made reduce injuries on the work site by placing barriers between the drivers and mechanics working in the shop.
The other winner is...
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Volume 8, Issue 11, 2005-06-06
WCF Recognizes St George Firm
Parke Cox Trucking One of 13 Honored Statewide
By Linda Baker
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Kicking off June as National Safety Month, Workers Compensation Fund honored 13 Utah businesses on June 1st. Each of these companies has been recognized for leadership in workplace safety.
One of the 13 businesses selected was Parke Cox Trucking based in St. George, Utah. Operating in St. George since 1947, Parke Cox Trucking understands the importance of safety. With nearly 60 drivers, safety training can be a challenge, but Parke Cox Trucking has implemented an impressive safety program and has kept injuries low.
All-driver formal safety meetings are conducted 2-4 times per year while formal mechanic safety meetings are monthly, and 5-minute safety talks are held almost every morning for shop employees!
Shop safety walk-through inspections are conducted every 2-5 days, and management has placed a strong emphasis on housekeeping, safe working habits and the use of personal protective equipment. Drivers are continually encouraged to take brakes from prolonged sitting, and to get thirty minutes of exercise per day.
Parke Cox also has a newsletter to highlight safety, health and wellness topics, as well as exemplary employee safety achievements. To further encourage drivers to be safe, Parke Cox has an incentive program for drivers who have a year of driving “record-free of preventable accidents” and can receive up to $1,000 per year.
“Workers Compensation Fund supports Utah companies in creating safer working environments. With more than 66,000 Utah workers reporting job-related injuries last year‒a 2 percent increase over 2003‒workplace safety needs to be a top priority for Utah companies. We are proud of these award-winning companies who are setting the standard in safety,” says Lane A. Summerhays, WCF president and CEO.
Other recipients of the 2005 Charles A. Caine Workplace Safety Awards are as follows:
Make this into a table, please?
Construction:
A-Core Concrete Cutting, Inc., Murray
Flare Construction, Coalville
Pacific West, Salt Lake City
Western Construction Specialties, Salt Lake City
Trade/Manufacturing:
Hunter Douglas Intermountain, Salt Lake City
O.C. Tanner Corporation, Salt Lake City*
T&M Manufacturing, Tremonton
Transportation:
Parke Cox Trucking, Inc., St. George
Eliason Ranch Trucking, Tremonton
Health Care:
Harmony Home Health, LLC, Murray
Public Entities:
Provo City Corporation, Provo
Other:
Action Hot Oil Services, Inc., Roosevelt
Mark Miller Dealerships, Salt Lake City
Caption on photo pending
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Volume 10, Issue 24, 2007-08-17
WCF to Opens New Building - Aug. 23
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ST. GEORGE —Workers Compensation Fund is set to celebrate the official opening of its new offices with a ribbon cutting and open house event on August 23 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The St. George Chamber Sunshiners will be on hand for the ribbon cutting at 11:30 a.m., followed by a light lunch at noon and office tours and prize drawings throughout the afternoon. The business community is invited to attend the event located at 1453 S. Dixie Drive #100 in the Tonaquint Center.
WCF's newly completed building also offers leased space to other tenants
Local manager Linda Baker will greet guests alongside other WCF executives, including Lane ...
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Volume 12, Issue 9, 2009-03-16
WCRW Donates Scholarship Funds to Dixie State
War Veterans Honored Through Gift
By Steve Johnson
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ST. GEORGE, Utah - March, 2009 - The Washington County Republican Women Organization and Dixie State College of Utah announced recently the continuation of a scholarship to benefit and honor veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars and the Utah National Guard's 222nd Field Artillery Unit.
Washington County Republican Women president Susan Recknagel, treasurer Sandi Barrett, and "Caring for America" outreach program chairperson Wilma Courtney presented a check for $1,250 to DSC president Dr. Stephen D. Nadauld in a brief morning ceremony.
The scholarship, which is part of the "Caring for America" outreach program, was established at Dixie State in 2007 to honor veterans ...
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Volume 10, Issue 17, 2007-06-18
We're #1! Dealing With the Media Frenzy
By Russell Behrmann, President
St. George Chamber of Commerce
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I knew it was coming! I've been in the middle of media frenzies before. I've been the shark, and I've been the intended meal.
St. George is certainly ‘on the menu’ of the national news media right now and that attention continues to shine more intense light on the Washington County area. Just since May of this year you can add Inc. Magazine, Newsweek, the Wall Street Journal and Rush Limbaugh as national media that have discovered St. George, Utah. Expect the Christian Science Monitor and other national and regional publications to add St. George to their daily specials soon.
The attention hasn't been without controversy! Comments ...
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Volume 9, Issue 14, 2006-10-30
We're Listening - Vision Dixie!
Guest Editorial
Kevin Fayles
By Envision Utah Community Relations Manager
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Concerned with the impact of growth on Washington County, the county commission is sponsoring Vision Dixie, a county-wide conversation about the county's future. A series of workshops open to all county residents is the focal point of the Vision Dixie effort. This public input, combined with cutting-edge scenarios analysis, will result in a voluntary Growth Vision for the county and strategies to achieve that vision.
Vision Dixie is a local initiative, guided by a diverse Steering Committee of public officials and community representatives. The county commission has hired Envision Utah, a non-partisan, non-profit group to facilitate this process. Vision Dixie emphasizes pu...
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Volume 11, Issue 38, 2008-10-15
Weaker Economy Impacts Utah Small Business
Zions Bank Small Business Index flat for September
By Jeff Thredgold
Economic Consultant to Zions Bank
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The Zions Bank Small Business Index for Utah was 85.8 during September 2008, down slightly from a revised 85.9 during August 2008. The Index measures business conditions from the viewpoint of the Utah small business owner or manager.
A lower Index number is associated with less favorable business "conditions" for Utah's small businesses. The Index uses 100.0 for calendar year 1997 as its base year. The Index includes revisions to various historical and new forecast components as they become available.
Local Employment
Washington County payrolls declined by ...
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Volume 7, Issue 2, 2004-01-26
Weaker U.S. Dollar Will Boost Utah Exports and the State's Tourism Sector
By Jeff Thredgold
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Highlights
The Zions Bank Small Business Index for Utah rose to 98.6 in December 2003 versus a revised 96.9 in November 2003
Utah's unemployment rate was estimated at 4.9% in the latest month, up from the prior month's 4.7% rate. Total Utah employment is up an estimated 6,700 jobs during the past 12 months
U.S. dollar weakness versus the euro, the yen, and the pound (among other currencies) will help Utah's export businesses and bring more foreign visitors to the state
The nation's unemployment rate was 5.7% in December - - down from November's 5.9% rate - - while net U.S. employment rose by only 1,000 jobs
Dollar Weakness
Considerable weakness...
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Volume 11, Issue 24, 2008-07-09
Web Developer Expands
Moki Systems moves to new office
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ST. GEORGE - Web developer Moki Systems has moved to 47 N. 100 East, right in the middle of town. The company specializes in web application development and web programming.
Moki Systems believes in making the Internet work for your business and can create, build, and host your websites. The company can also...
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Volume 13, Issue 1, 2010-01-12
Website Highlights Utah's Colleges & Universities
HigherEdUtah.org replaces utahsbr.edu as Utah's higher education website
By Spencer Jenkins
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SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - There is now a new website to access relevant higher education news for the state of Utah: HigherEdUtah.org.
The site helps users tap into the broad variety of activities and events taking place on college and university campuses across the state. HigherEdUtah.org has a user-friendly layout and utilizes the standard social media tools.
“Utah’s colleges and universities are...
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Volume 10, Issue 4, 2007-03-19
Website of Local Firm Takes Honors
Wins top award for online investor relations
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ST. GEORGE - Legacy Communications is pleased to announce that its Investor Relations website won First Place for the Best Radio IR site in the recent Interactive Investor Relations Website Awards.
The IIR Awards is a global competition between publicly traded companies, including some of the most recognized companies in the world. Companies compete within their industry categories as well as against an overall standard of excellence for recognition by investors and financial advisors.
The IIR Awards are judged by those who matter most - individual and institutional investors, financial advisors, the financial press, as well as interactive development and IR pro...
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Volume 12, Issue 22, 2009-06-22
Weekly Construction Report
As Of Thursday, June 18, 2009
By Kevin Kitchen
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Iron County
S.R. 56, Mp 60 to 61.5, Mill & Sma Overlay
Location: Cedar City, 200 North. From North Airport Road to Main Street
Impact: One lane traffic in both directions during paving.
Activity: Rotomilling has begun, Paving is anticipated Monday June 22 through Wednesday June 24. This will be followed by work on valves and manholes the remainder of the...
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Volume 12, Issue 21, 2009-06-15
Weekly Highway Construction Report
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Kane County
U.S. 89, Milepost 22 To 26; Install Guardrail
Location: West of Big Water
Impact: Single lane closures with flagging operations.
Activity: Dirt work will continue this week. Installing guardrail.
U.S. 89, Passing Lane Mp 88 to 89
Location: South of Glendale
Impact: Minor.
Activity: Crews are lengthening pipes and moving fill. Currently working Mondays through Thursdays.
ill begin setting up equipment and traffic control for this project on Monday June ...
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Volume 9, Issue 12, 2006-09-04
Weight Watchers to Celebrate Grand Opening
First Cedar City Location
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CEDAR CITY - Weight Watchers members and staff will mark the grand opening of the first Cedar City Weight Watchers location with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, Sept. 20 at 10:30 am at 583 S. Main Street Suite 5.
This newest location of Weight Watchers is part of a larger effort to improve the health and well being of the residents of Southern Utah. New meeting times will be added in September to better accommodate new and existing members' busy schedules.
For 34 Years Weight Watchers has been helping Southern Utah residents become healthier and happier. This year alone, Cedar City residents have lost an amazing 3,763 pounds with the Weight Watchers ...
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Volume 11, Issue 17, 2008-05-13
Well`s Fargo Teller Retires After 27 Years
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ST. GEORGE - Sonja Pace, a teller at Wells Fargo's Dixie Main branch, has announced she will retire after more than 27 years of service.
The public is invited to wish Pace well on her retirement, Thursday, May 15, at Wells Fargo's St. George branch, 1 S. Main St.
"Sonja will be greatly missed by her coworkers and customers alike," said Brian Brough, district manager for Wells Fargo's Dixie area. "She has been a wonderful Wells Fargo team member, and her top priority has been to help our customers succeed financially. It has been a pleasure and privilege working with her."
Pace joined...
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Volume 11, Issue 33, 2008-09-10
Wells Fargo Adds to Mortgage Team
Jensens joins St. George office
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ST. GEORGE - Tom Rutter, branch manager of the Southwest Region of Wells Fargo Home Mortgage would like to take this opportunity to welcome Joe and Tracy Jensen to the St. George office, located at One South Main.
Joe and Tracy have twelve plus years experience in the mortgage banking industry and will function as a Retail Sales Management Team. Please contact Joe or Tracy at 435-674-8153 or cell number 435-632-6666. ...
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Volume 11, Issue 23, 2008-07-02
Wells Fargo Dixie Exec Tabbed for State Honor
Moore Selected BPW Woman of the Year
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ST. GEORGE - Suzanne E. Moore, senior business banking industry specialist and vice president for Wells Fargo's Dixie area, was presented the Woman of the Year award from Business and Professional Women of Utah during its annual state convention last month in St. George.
"We are very excited about Suzanne's accomplishments and proud to have her on our outstanding team," said Robert E. Lasson, business banking manager for Wells Fargo's Dixie area. "Suzanne has been a...
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Volume 7, Issue 3, 2004-02-09
Wells Fargo Donates $80,000 to Utah Schools
Iron, Washington School Districts Receive More Than $5,000
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Wells Fargo is donating more than $80,000 to Utah schools through its Team Up for Our Schools program, created to help support public schools during a time of budget challenges. Lee A. Phillips, Wells Fargo president for Southern Utah, made the announcement.
“The Team Up for our Schools program truly was a community-wide effort,” Phillips said. “Our team members reached out to the community to develop new relationships that are continuing to benefit students, teachers and schools well beyond the two-month duration of the Team Up for our Schools program.
“In fact, Team Up for our Schools been such a success that we plan to repeat the program beginn...
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Volume 10, Issue 37, 2007-11-16
Wells Fargo Donates Scholarships
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ST. GEORGE - Dixie State College has received a $3,000 scholarship gift from Wells Fargo Bank, which will go to support deserving business students.
The donation will fund $1,500 scholarships for two upper-division students currently enrolled in DSC's business baccalaureate degree program. The two scholarship recipients will be designated the Wells Fargo Bank business scholars.
There are more than 600 students enrolled in DSC's business program, which offers bachelor's degrees in business administration and accounting.
...
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Volume 10, Issue 3, 2007-02-26
Wells Fargo Executive Speaker Series at SUU
Alum to speak March 8
By Renee Ballenger
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CEDAR CITY - The School of Business at Southern Utah University is delighted to announce the next speaker in the Wells Fargo Executive Speaker Series is Lesa Hallady Ward, a successful alumna of SUU's School of Business, and former manager at eBay, Inc., who will speak on “"Playing to your Strengths" on March 8.
Beginning at 11:30 a.m. in the Starlight Room, Ward will offer insights on how to survive and excel in the world of business. Dr. Carl Templin, School of Business Dean, describes Ward as a dynamic presenter.
She will share some of her experiences from her time as a software production manager for Internet Shopping Network, a marketing coordin...
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Volume 9, Issue 11, 2006-08-07
Wells Fargo Forecasts Growth Through Year End
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SALT LAKE CITY - Utah's economy for the first half of 2006 was perhaps the strongest on record, according to data released by Wells Fargo. The report analyzed preliminary mid-year numbers and offered projections for the remaining six months in the areas of population, employment, housing, retail sales and interest rates.
“Based on output volume and growth rates in several important indicators, the state's overall economic performance was remarkable,” said Kelly K. Matthews, executive vice president and economist for Wells Fargo.
“Utah's growth rate in the second half of 2006 is expected to slip modestly, but should exceed the year-ago ave...
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Volume 7, Issue 4, 2004-02-23
Wells Fargo Gives More Than $1.4 Million to Utah Charities In 2003
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Wells Fargo in Utah recently announced that it gave more than $1.4 million to local nonprofit organizations in 2003.
The $1.4 million-plus was distributed among more than 280 agencies statewide, and funds are being used to help fight community challenges such as hunger and homelessness. Support of education and the arts also were special focus areas for Wells Fargo.
“Providing much needed funds to nonprofit organizations that work so hard and partnering with them to make our communities better places to live is more than a duty - it's our pleasure,” said Robert A. Hatch, president and CEO for Wells Fargo Utah. “We also encourage our team members ...
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Volume 6, Issue 22, 2003-12-08
Wells Fargo Hosts Annual 2004 Economic Forecast Breakfast
Bank Officers to Review Local, Regional, National Economic Trends, Stock Market Forecasts
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Spencer F. Eccles, chairman of the Intermountain Region for Wells Fargo, will present national economic trends and projections. Dr. Kelly K. Matthews, Wells Fargo executive vice president and economist, will present local and regional economic trends and projections. Sterling K. Jenson, senior managing director, Wells Capital Management, will offer insight about stock and bond market performance, market expectations and forecasts, and interest rate projections. The event is scheduled for Monday morning, January 12, 2004 at 7:30 a.m. in the Dixie Center located at 1835 Convention Center Drive
St. George, Utah.
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Volume 7, Issue 2, 2004-01-26
Wells Fargo Investment Strategist's forecast Hits Its Mark for 2003
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Sterling K. Jenson, senior managing director for Wells Capital Management for Utah, reported a near “perfect” market prediction for 2003 at Wells Fargo's 2004 Economic Forecast Monday.
Jenson's year-ago 2003 prediction was for the Dow Jones Industrial Average to rise from the year's beginning level of 8,341.61 to above 10,000 by year-end. He also predicted the Standard & Poor's 500-stock index to increase from 879.82 to 1,100, a 25 percent-plus gain. The Dow exceeded the 10,000 mark on Dec. 11, 2003 and ended the year at 10,453.92. The S&P 500 also broke over the 1,100 mark as predicted, and closed for the year at 1,111.92.
“Many thought it was a bold prediction to make,” Jenson said. “People were concerned about terrorism; the conflict in Iraq was just beginning; the economy was still very soft. My forecast for 2003 was much more aggressive than those of many other financial experts.”
Jenson at Monday's event predicted that the stock market momentum should carry into 2004 with solid economic growth, gradual rising employment, low inflation and higher corporate profits. He forecast the Dow to rise near to its January 2000 high of 11,722 during the first half of the year and to settle around the 11,500 range for a 10 percent gain by year's end. Jenson also predicted that the S&P 500 would close around 1,250, a 12-plus percent gain.
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Volume 10, Issue 38, 2007-11-26
Wells Fargo Names Loan Officers
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ST. GEORGE - Tom Rutter, branch manager of the South West Region of Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, has announced the appointments of Carrie Cline to the St. George office and Tom Hart to the Cedar City office.
Kline and Hart have many years of experience in the mortgage industry. Kline can be reached at 674-8153 or by cell at 669-1286. Hart can be reached at 865-5741 or by cell at 590-2886.
...
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Volume 10, Issue 19, 2007-07-03
Wells Fargo Promotes Vice President
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ST. GEORGE — Wells Fargo has promoted William Jones to the position of assistant vice president and senior business banking relationship manager for the company's Dixie area.
Jones, who started at Wells Fargo in 2004 as a business banking relationship manager in El Paso, has served in the same position in Utah's Dixie since May.
Before joining Wells Fargo, Jones served as a business development officer for Franklin Connections and as a senior financial analyst for Eaton Corporation, both in Mexico. Prior to that, he worked for several years as an aide to Utah Sen. Bob Bennett.
Jones earned an MBA from the Brigham Young University Marriott School ...
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Volume 8, Issue 22, 2005-12-19
Wells Fargo Ranked Nation's Ninth-Most Generous Company For 2004
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SALT LAKE CITY, Dec. 9, 2005 - BusinessWeek magazine has ranked Wells Fargo the ninth-most generous supporter of nonprofit organizations in the nation for its giving in 2004. In 2003, Forbes ranked Wells Fargo No. 8 among all companies in all industries in corporate giving and BusinessWeek that year ranked Wells Fargo No. 12.
Four of the largest corporate contributors are financial-service companies: Citigroup, Bank of America, Wells Fargo and Wachovia. Number one is Wal-Mart Stores, according to a story in BusinessWeek's Nov. 28 edition.
“Our contributions to nonprofits are not just the right thing to do, they're investments in the long-term well being ...
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Volume 8, Issue 10, 2005-05-23
West Nile Virus Mosquito Control Funds Awarded
Government & Business
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The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF), working with local and state health agencies, awarded nearly $300,000 to 18 counties or agencies to help expand the fight against West Nile Virus in Utah. The funds are to be used to create new, or expand existing, mosquito control districts.
“This is an important program that can help limit the spread of West Nile Virus among people and horses,” said Commissioner of Agriculture and Food, Leonard M. Blackham. “Not only do the counties or mosquito abatement districts receive these funds, but they also receive sound technical advice on how best to control mosquito populations,” he added.
This is the second year that the UDAF has awarded such funds. Last year the UDAF granted $500,000 to the effort.
“This program is especially important this year because of the increased moisture throughout Utah,” said Plant Industry Director, Clair Allen. “The districts need special help to locate and treat areas that could be mosquito breeding grounds,” Allen added.
The UDAF along with representatives from the Utah Department of Health and the Salt Lake Mosquito Abatement District, reviewed numerous applications and identified 18 entities that qualified for funding.
The listed counties and districts will contribute matching funds to help expand the amount of funds available for mosquito abatement work. The funds are expected to be distributed in the next few weeks, with mosquito control work to begin as soon as possible.
Beaver County $4,000
Bluff City, 2,976
Cache County MAD 60,000
Carbon County, 10,000
Daggett County MAD, 15,000
Emery County, 9,000
Grand County MAD, 5,000
Juab County, 30,000
Piute County and towns 9,700
Rich County, 10,000
Summit Co. MAD $25,000
Sanpete County, 12,500
Sevier County, 17,250
Southwest MAD, 21,000
Uintah MAD 15,000
Wasatch County, 35,000
Wayne County 10,000
UDAF Animal Industry 5,000
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Volume 12, Issue 23, 2009-06-29
Western BLM Lands Targeted for Solar Energy Development
By Frank Quimby
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LAS VEGAS, Nevada - Under initiatives announced by Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and U.S. Senator Harry Reid (D-NV), federal agencies will work with western leaders to designate tracts of U.S. public lands in the West as prime zones for utility-scale solar energy development, fund environmental studies, open new solar energy permitting offices and speed reviews of industry proposals.
Under one initiative, 24 tracts of Bureau of Land Management-administered land located in six western states, known as Solar Energy Study Areas, would be fully evaluated for their environmental and resource suitability for large-scale solar energy production. The objective is to provide landscape-scale planning and zoning for solar projects on BLM lands in the West, allowing a more ...
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Volume 12, Issue 23, 2009-06-29
Western Caucus Introduces Comprehensive Energy Bill
By Mark Eddington
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WASHINGTON - Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and other senators from the western U.S. celebrated today's launch of the Senate Western Caucus by introducing the Clean, Affordable, and Reliable Energy (CARE) Act.
A comprehensive energy bill, the CARE Act is aimed at ensuring that all the energy tools are in place to fuel our economy and fix our nation's dangerous overdependence on foreign oil.
"One of the keys to our nation's greatness has been the availability of abundant affordable energy. It's unfortunate that the Obama administration and leaders in Congress from Eastern states want to make affordable energy a thing of the past," Hatch said. "We're here to counter that ...
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Volume 13, Issue 14, 2010-05-06
Western Caucus Seeks Meeting with Obama Before Rural Summit
Call on Administration to Abandon Policies that Harm Rural Utah, America
By Antonia Ferrier
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WASHINGTON – Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and other members of the Senate Western Caucus want to meet with President Obama before his administration’s upcoming National Summit of Rural America.
In their May 6, 2010, letter, Hatch and nine other caucus members noted the Obama administration’s policies are hurting rural communities across the country, and they ask to meet with the president in advance of the summit, which is slated to take place this year...
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Volume 8, Issue 6, 2005-03-28
Western Rural Development Center Slates Spring Symposium
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LOGAN ‒ The Western Rural Development Center spring symposium is set for Wednesday, March 30 at Utah State University.
The WDRC is a partner with Utah State University Extension in preserving the unique character of rural Utah, and is one of four regional rural development centers funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It provides service to 13 Western states and the Pacific Territories.
This year's symposium is titled “Energizing Communities through Entrepreneurism.” Those participating will be introduced to successful models of rural entrepreneurial development. Presenters will use case studies to illustrate successful models and will pr...
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Volume 13, Issue 7, 2010-03-04
WestHost Suffers Data Center Outage
Mainstreet Business Journal Website Undergoing Repairs Due Host Outage
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ST. GEORGE, UTAH - On Saturday, February 20th at approximately 2:20 pm. MDT, the server supporting the Mainstreet Business Journal news website and many many other accounts experienced a “fatal” hardware failure as a result of an annual fire system inspection at the WestHost Data Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.
An inadvertent release of Inergen was triggered in the Data Center “environment”. Ultimately, the entire Data Center was impacted. WestHost claims that the “error was not the result of a mistake by WestHost employees, our hardware or systems. The mistake was triggered by an error from a vendor.”
While initial estimates placed recovery as early as that same evening, news slowly trickled out that in fact WestHost's backup servers also experienced hardware failure due to the outage. At that time, WestHost expressed optimism that all data stored on these backups was retrievable, however they explained, there was a possibility of “some” data loss.
They further explained that they were limited by the fact “our backup servers are not fully functional and the tools necessary to perform backups are not available. [While] Our administrators are working hard to get this functionality in place, this process could take up to the end of the [next] week to complete.”
News regarding the recovery date was sparse and not readily available, but improved in quality as the “outage week” continued. Efforts to provide an alternate hosting option effectively failed as no technicians at WestHost were available to assist in such a transition. Full recovery was achieved Friday evening the 26th of February, nearly one full week after...
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Volume 9, Issue 5, 2006-03-20
What Are Some of the Most-Often-Missed Tax Deductions?
By Brian Tenney
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St. George, Utah - Brent Hall, partner at KempBurdick CPA's & Advisors says that, "If you itemize deductions on your tax return, every additional deduction you find could save you money." Here is a sampling of often-missed deductions. As you review the list, be aware that some miscellaneous deductions are deductible only to the extent they exceed 2 percent of your adjusted gross income (AGI); medical expenses are deductible only to the extent they exceed 7.5 percent of your AGI. Also, itemized deductions are limited for higher income taxpayers.
So then; often-missed deductions include:
Points paid by you on a new home loan.
Points paid by a seller on your behalf.
...
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Volume 9, Issue 11, 2006-08-07
What are Water Rights?
By Mark Walter, CCIM
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Water has been a source of real concern for Southern Utah the past several years. We've experienced several drought years where lakes and reservoirs have completely dried up and water restrictions have been enforced.
We've also realized how powerful Mother Nature can be when water is collected too quickly and causes flooding and property damage never before experienced in our desert community.
Water, in its abundance or scarcity, is a valuable resource and is managed by the Utah Division of Natural Resources. This division of government is bound by Utah Water Law which, in essence, states that all water not appropriated (being used) is available for use by any person ...
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Volume 8, Issue 13, 2005-07-18
What are your rules?
Better Attitudes in the Workplace
By Matt Eschler, LMFT
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What would you do if you knew you could not fail?
One of the greatest feats in Track and Field history was the first time an athlete ran under four minutes in the mile. For many years, sports commentators said that it was inconceivable for an athlete to run under four minutes for the mile. Physiologists thought the body and mind would rebel against the strains they were being forced to endure and thwart the attempt. Everyone began to think that a four minute mile would be a barrier that no human would be capable of breaking.
In the track community, there was an overwhelming doubt that any one would be able to run a sub-four minute mile. Many world class athletes allo...
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Volume 13, Issue 22, 2010-07-15
What are your rules?
Better Attitudes in the Workplace
By Matt Eschler, Ph.D., LMFT
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What would you do if you knew you could not fail?
One of the greatest feats in Track and Field history was the first time an athlete ran under four minutes in the mile. For many years, sports commentators said that it was inconceivable for an athlete to run under four minutes for the mile. Physiologists thought the body and mind would rebel against the strains they were being forced to endure and thwart the attempt. Everyone began to think that a four minute mile would be a barrier that no human would be capable of breaking.
In the track community, there was an overwhelming doubt that any one would be able to run a sub-four minute mile. Many world class athletes allowed the...
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Volume 7, Issue 8, 2004-04-26
What Can I Do To Protect My Animals From West Nile Virus?
By Clell Bagley
Utah State University Extension Veterinarian
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West Nile virus was introduced to Utah last year, and because it now exists in our resident population (especially in birds), there will likely be an outbreak again this year.
West Nile virus is transmitted by infectious mosquitoes that become infected when they feed on birds with the virus. The virus stays in the mosquito's salivary glands, and during blood feeding, it is injected into the animal. The virus then multiplies and may cause illness in the animal. However, there is no reason to destroy an animal that has been infected with West Nile virus. Full recovery from the infection is likely after treatment. There is no documented evidence of person-to-person, animal-to-animal or animal-to-person transmission of West Nile virus.
Consider this information to protect your animals from the disease.
Horses and mules can be seriously affected with West Nile virus; therefore, vaccination of equine animals is encouraged. There are currently two vaccines that can be used to provide protection. Both are sold through veterinarians only. The vaccine should be given prior to mosquito season. The first year, two doses are necessary with three to four weeks between doses. The animal will not have protective immunity until two weeks after the second dose. After the first year, only one dose is necessary. Equines can also receive a booster dose during peak season (August and September) to provide extra protection if an area is experiencing a heavy outbreak of West Nile virus. Owners should consult with their veterinarian about timing, use in pregnant mares or use in foals.
Cats, dogs and most traditional house pets are not likely to have problems with West Nile virus. They can be carriers of the virus, but they cannot transmit it to humans or other animals. Veterinarians and pet owners should take normal infection control precautions when caring for an animal suspected of having this or any other viral infection.
If you find a dead crow or raptor, contact your local health department or the regional office of the Division of Wildlife Resources. They may then sample other birds to determine if West Nile virus is present in the area. The Utah Department of Health will also conduct testing of selected birds for West Nile virus. Testing is conducted by collecting oral swabs and sending them to a testing lab. For further information on dead birds, visit: http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/wnv/dead_bird.html or go to the West Nile virus page at: http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/wnv/
For further information on West Nile virus, visit: http://extension.usu.edu/files/agpubs/WestNileWeb.pdf
The Utah Department of Health has information at: http://health.utah.gov/wnv/
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Volume 10, Issue 23, 2007-08-03
What Can You Do If You Owe the IRS?
By the Internal Revenue Service
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The vast majority of Americans get a tax refund from the IRS each spring. But what do you do if you are one of those who have received a tax bill? What do you do if you owe money to the IRS and can't pay?
The IRS encourages you to pay the full amount of your tax liability on time. If you get a bill for late taxes you are expected to promptly pay the tax owed including any additional penalties and interest. It is often in your best interest to get a loan to pay the bill in full rather than to make installment payments to the IRS.
You can also pay the bill with your credit card. The interest rate on a credit card or bank loan may be lower than the combination ...
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Volume 8, Issue 7, 2005-04-11
What Can You Tell Me About The New Dietary Guidelines?
By Emily Cannon and Nedra Christ
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Nine fruits and vegetables a day? You've got to be kidding!
No. It's true. The new 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans now recommend a diet with nine fruit and vegetable servings based on the standard 2,000 calorie diet. We are counseled to eat from each of five vegetable subgroups: dark green, orange, legumes, starchy and other vegetables.
That means potatoes and corn shouldn't be our only link to the vegetable world. While the health benefits of eating produce are extensive, the typical intake is only about three servings. Although it may seem intimidating to squeeze more veggies into our diets, it is not as hard as it sounds.
The new guidelines were ...
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Volume 7, Issue 6, 2004-03-29
What does a “free lunch” really cost?
The Marketing Minute
By Kevin Fry
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Have you ever purchased something just because it was cheap? I remember as a kid searching for a pair of stereo headphones with just a few bucks in my pocket. I really wanted to start listening to my favorite music with satisfying clarity.
The sales clerk gave me a great pitch for a set I couldn't immediately afford, so I purchased some cheap ones somewhere else. I left the place feeling like I had just gotten something for free. Unfortunately, my plan soon backfired when my beloved headphones betrayed me by falling apart just when I needed them most.
Obviously we do things like this because we want to believe the cheaper item will do the same job for less money. Imagine if we thought this way about our nations security, or the quality of our children education or maybe our favorite hobby. I like to golf, but I'll be the first to tell you not all golf courses are created equal, and the equipment well, that's another story. Some things are just worth the sacrifice and investment.
I like the idea of considering quality when it comes to marketing and advertising. The next time someone tries to sell you the latest package just because it's cheap take a few steps back and take a closer look. First of all, is the deal right for you and your business or is it just a deal for the salesperson? Second, does it fit into your marketing plan and objectives? Third, can you afford to take the risk?
You've heard the old catchphrase “there's no free lunch.” It's easy to get caught up in the moment and react because something looks too good to pass on. Sales people live for the quick sale, so throw them off balance next time and ask a few questions like: What's my average cost per lead?
What kind of a person does this program target? Why do you think this program is right for my business? Why are you selling this so cheap? If the answers come back canned you may want to reconsider. The sad thing is, when you get your free lunch it probably has a rotten apple and moldy peanut butter and jelly sandwich in it. I guess that's ok; it's free isn't it?
Editor's Note: Kevin Fry is the Director of Sales for Bonneville Intermountain Radio Group in St. George. He is a graduate of San Diego State University with a B.S in Radio and Television. His experience includes sales, management and “on air” work in radio and television in San Diego, Salt Lake City and St. George
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Volume 8, Issue 9, 2005-05-09
What Does It Mean To Create?
Better Attitudes in the Workplace
By Matt Eschler, LMFT
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We are all creators really, yes every one of us.
-- Matt Eschler
The achievement of things others only dream about is what creators do. Our community needs exceptional leaders that create influence and impact by contributing to others. From the creators of the modern business world, people like Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, and Warren Buffet, to the ones who live more subtly, such as small-business owners, school teachers, moms and dads.
They're all extraordinary human beings who live their lives with passion, drive and vision. They all have something in common: Purpose.
What is purpose you ask? Purpose is the driving force in all of our decisions. How...
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Volume 13, Issue 26, 2010-08-25
What does search engine friendly mean?
By Brad Owen
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When a business owner decides to build an internet site, they usually want the best looking website, with fancy graphics and pictures, almost like yellow page ads, or news paper ads. The internet however is not like a newspaper, or even the yellow pages. It is unique to the fact that most customers will find the company web site through using a search engine like...
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Volume 12, Issue 16, 2009-05-04
What Good is 'Business Week' Anyway?
by Jeff Thredgold, CSP
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For those who missed it, the April 27 cover story of Business Week was entitled "What Good Are Economists Anyway?"
...ouch
...Perhaps the magazine's editors simply got tired of trashing the American economy week after week after week...
...turnabout is fair play
The premise to the story is that economists mostly failed to predict the worst economic crisis since the 1930s. Now they can't agree how to solve it.
No argument here. As we have noted before, the consensus of forecasting economists a year ago was for weaker, but still positive, U.S. economic growth during 2009.
The article goes on to give a harsh ...
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Volume 12, Issue 14, 2009-04-20
What happens in Vegas ...
.... Sometimes trickles down to Southern Utah!
By Justin Harris
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As we have all heard so many times, "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas" probably true for some things but what about construction? How many Southern Utah companies have been able to benefit from the previous construction frenzy in the Las Vegas market?
Too often we forget to look outside our immediate area and see the bigger picture of what other opportunities await us. I'm guilty of the same from time to time, from my office window I can see Cedar City's main street and although it's a good indicator of when traffic is busy, or not...it's not a good indicator of what's happening in Las Vegas, Phoenix or Southern California.
For that information I turn from my...
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Volume 7, Issue 6, 2004-03-29
What Happens When Blondes Meet?
Funny Business
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A blonde female police officer pulls over a blonde gal in a convertible sports car for speeding. She walks up to the car and asks the blonde for her driver's license.
The blonde convertible driver searches through her purse in vain. Finally she asks, "What does it look like?"
The blonde police officer tells her, "It's that thing with your picture on it."
The blonde driver searches for a few more seconds, pulls out her compact, opens it and sure enough sees herself. She hands the compact to the blonde cop.
After a few seconds of looking at the compact, the blonde cop rolls her eyes, hands the compact back to the blonde convertible driver and says, "If you would have told me you were a police officer when I first pulled you over, we could have avoided this whole thing."
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Volume 9, Issue 11, 2006-08-07
What I Learned at a UDOT Planning Meeting
By Joe C. Judd
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WASHINGTON, Utah - I recently attended a Utah Department of Transportation meeting to find out what UDOT is planning for Telegraph Street. The meeting was supposed to update stakeholders as to what is going on with the project.
But when I got to the meeting, I found out it was actually a Dixie Regional Transportation System Architecture workshop. There were some questions asked about projects in Washington. The most frequently asked questions were:
1.When is In-N-Out Burger coming to Washington?
2.Are they going to build a Mimi's Restaurant in town?
3.When are they going to widen Telegraph Street?
The UDOT people didn't answer any of these questions. Inste...
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Volume 7, Issue 18, 2004-10-11
What If You Build It And They Don't Come?
Technically Twisted Commentaries
By Jason Eyre
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The wireless industry has been offering some form of Internet access for the last 3 or 4 years. Cellular phones have been wireless capable since the late 1990s. So why don't many people get Internet Service from their wireless company? Wouldn't you be amazed by the freedom of being able to have full access to the Internet anywhere your cell phone works? The answer to this question is actually an exception to the last column I wrote concerning “if you build it they will come”.
I perceive that people are not coming to the Internet system provided by cellular companies. In fact it was only until recently that I even started using the service in limited fashion. Two factors have prevented my adoption of these services: Cost and Ease of Use.
First, costs are not very competitive for Cellular Internet Access. Plans range from just $10 more than your current wireless plan to $80 per month for unlimited access. Many providers do not even provide an unlimited access but require you to pay per megabyte for use. Who is brilliant enough to keep track of how much they download? When I help customers get data capable plans, it is often more complicated just to find out what plans are available.
When was the last time you got a computer cable with your cell phone? Almost every new digital phone is capable of being a modem for your computer. Many newer systems in our area even offer faster speeds than 56K dialup.
However, for me to get on to the internet with my Cell Phone, I had to buy a $39 cable which was the clearance price. The cable had previously been $59. I had to call the tech support number to even get the drivers loaded and then had to make sure that I was not opening myself up to $100s of dollars in additional charges if I made a mistake.
I hope that the Cellular Industries fix these problems. They really offer a valuable, convenient service. It is also my hope that the wireline providers, cable companies, Internet service providers and fiber optic companies do not fall into these same traps. Solutions need to be affordable, easy to buy, and easy to use.
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Volume 8, Issue 9, 2005-05-09
What is “Due Diligence”?
What It Means and Why It
By Mark Walter, CCIM
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You hear and see this term out there quite often in commercial travels. What is meant by due diligence and how does it relate to commercial real estate? Due diligence is a procedure where an investor considering making an investment is provided with an opportunity to examine the asset concerned in some detail, normally prior to making a firm commitment to invest.
For example, if you were looking into buying a business and were going to invest a fair amount of money and time into that business, it is critical to your homework when gathering information about that business. This process is commonly referred to as conducting due diligence.
In most purchases of small businesses, the buyer will want to learn everything possible about a business before signing the purchase agreement. The responsibility to follow-up on and check out the statements made in any business document falls squarely on the shoulders of the buyer-investor.
The next issue to consider is how the due diligence gets accomplished. This varies considerably from deal to deal. At the first level, a potential investor may pass the business plan along to a associate who has specific experience in the same (or a similar) area of the new venture.
Technical drawings, terminology, articles cited, machinery or processes described, pricing and shipping practices, and marketing channels are all examples of categories within the plan that need to be checked carefully by investors to see if the business owner really knows what he or she is talking about.
Certain industries may have very unique issues in these and other company functions. A skilled eye with experience in that same market space will be able to comment on the accuracy of the statements made.
For example, if your general contracting business idea doesn't convey a clear understanding of the specific issues related to building supplies, pricing, payment terms or financial commitments on real estate, then due diligence should readily pick up on these as red flags that bring into question the overall quality of the deal.
Due diligence is simply a check and double-check of the pertinent pieces of the deal before deciding whether to provide capital.
Editor's Note: Mark Walter, CCIM, has been active in real estate in Southern Utah for the past twenty-nine years. He is the principle broker/owner of NAI Utah Commercial Real Estate. Visit him at www.markwalter.com
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Volume 7, Issue 21, 2004-11-22
What is A 1031 Exchange?
By Mark Walter, CCIM
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1031 refers to a now twelve-year old change in the tax rules that provides for a tax deferral on capital gains from commercial real estate transactions. Section 1031, in a simplistic summary, says, if you exchange a property rather than sell it, your tax payment on any gain can await future events which may or may not come to pass.
In effect, the gain is deferred - possibly for a very, very long time or even forever. Deferred payments are, effectively, long-term interest free loans from the government. Grab them when you can, but don't you dare do anything without a qualified intermediary. What is a “qualified intermediary”? That is one of the many rules for a defendable 1031 exchange. We will discuss the other rules of a 1031 exchange in our next article.
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Volume 7, Issue 19, 2004-10-25
What is a Cap Rate and How is it Determined
By: Mark Walter, CCIM
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Last week's column included terminology for common commercial real estate terms. In this week's column we are going to focus on Cap Rate, what a Cap Rate is and how it is determined.
Cap Rate is a basic commercial real estate phrase or terms that should be, but is not clearly understood. The word fragment “Cap”, is short for capitalization. While usage of the phrase Capitalization Rate is confined to real estate, its underlining principle is inherent in all money transactions.
Money or capital in any business transaction is given with the expectation of a return on the investment. That return is universally expressed as a percentage of the total money commitment. However, that percentage is defined or referenced differently depending on the context.
A saving account or a CD provides a Cap Rate called an interest rate.
A government or corporate debt security or a dividend payment from a common sock holding provided a Cap Rate called yield.
The Cap Rate that the Federal Reserve Bank charges its member banks is the discount rate.
The Cap Rate that banks charge their best customers for the use of the bank's money is called its prime rate.
A speculative venture such as a dot com stock or a Hank Aaron baseball card provides a Cap Rate called appreciation.
A corporate purchase of a machine tool refers to a Cap Rate called ROI or Return on Investment.
A slot machine in Mesquite has a Cap Rate called the payout.
Wouldn't it be more convenient and less confusing if all of the parties to all the varied money transaction in the future drop their traditional jargon and used a common phrase? How about something simple like - Expected Percentage Reward on Invested Capital Annualized or EPROICA. Until that term gains acceptance, just remember that, in real estate the Cap Rate is the income you get from a property divided by what you paid for it and watch your decimal places.
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Volume 9, Issue 15, 2006-11-20
What is a CAP Rate?
Investing in Commercial Property
By Neil & Jon Walter
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With every industry there is a unique and sometimes long list of terms and jargon. Commercial real estate is no exception. These words, acronyms, word fragments and, sometimes, Latin-based terms are used to use describe what type of rent is paid (NNN), what condition a space is in (vanilla shell), and even how much money you can expect to make (CAP Rate). Understanding them can help you navigate a deal.
CAP Rate is a basic commercial real estate term that should be, but is often not, clearly understood. The word fragment “CAP” is short for capitalization. While use of the phrase CAP rate is common to real estate, its underlying principle, capitalization rate, is i...
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Volume 13, Issue 16, 2010-05-20
What is a header tag and is it important to search engines?
How To Do Business on The Internet - Achieving Higher Ranking on the Internet
By Brad Owen
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What is a header tag and is it important to search engines?
HTML is how a web browser knows how to display the information from the Internet. It tells the browser where an image should be placed, what font to use for the text, and what styles to display to the person looking at the web page. Special codes are used to tell the web browser like Internet Explorer how to do its job of making the screen make sense. The person browsing the web does not see this code, it is only visible to the web browser decoder. To see this code select...
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Volume 9, Issue 5, 2006-03-20
What is a Vanilla Shell?
By Mark Walter, CCIM
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St. George, Utah - If you looked up vanilla shell on the internet you'd find all kinds of information on vanilla beans, vanilla coke, vanilla extract and vanilla ice cream, but not much on the definition of what a vanilla shell means in terms of commercial real estate.
The reason is that vanilla shell can be a number of different scenarios pertaining to the build-out of a leased building. For example, a landlord may define a vanilla shell as the following: a building or space with four taped textured and coated walls, concrete floor, drop ceiling and, possibly, restroom(s). A tenant might expect a vanilla shell to include florescent lighting, partitions or stock room walls, pa...
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Volume 10, Issue 28, 2007-09-14
What is Due Diligence?
What it means and why it's so important to investors
By R. Neil Walter
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What is due diligence? Due diligence is a procedure where an investor is provided with an opportunity to examine the investment opportunity in detail, normally prior to making a firm commitment to invest.
It is critical to do your homework when gathering information. This process is commonly referred to as conducting due diligence. As a buyer you should learn as much as possible about an investment and how it works before you put your money (and the bank's money) at risk. The responsibility to evaluate and verify the statements made falls squarely on the shoulders of the investor.
In most cases, when you make an offer to purchase, the seller will grant a ...
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Volume 8, Issue 15, 2005-09-05
What is Emotional Intelligence?
More Effective Management
By Marvin Ray
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Is your IQ the greatest predictor of what you'll accomplish in life?
We have been conditioned to believe that IQ is the best measure of human potential. In the past 10 years, however, researchers have found that this isn't necessarily the case -- that in actuality, your emotional intelligence quotient (EQ) might be a greater predictor of success.
What is emotional intelligence? In the early 1990s, Dr. John Mayer, Ph.D., and Dr. Peter Salovey, Ph.D., introduced the term "emotional intelligence" in the Journal of Personality Assessment. They used this term to describe a person's ability to understand his or her own emotions and the emotions of others and to act appropriate...
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Volume 8, Issue 10, 2005-05-23
What Is GIS And How Can It Be Used In Real Estate?
More Effective Management
By Mark Walter, CCIM
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First let's define the landscape. According to the USGS, “In the strictest sense, GIS is a computer system capable of assembling, storing, manipulating, and displaying geographically referenced information, i.e. data identified according to their locations. Practitioners also regard the total GIS as including operating personnel and the data that go into the system."
Furthermore, the ESRI says "A geographic information system (GIS) is a computer-based tool for mapping and analyzing things that exist and events that happen on earth. GIS technology integrates common database operations such as query and statistical analysis with the unique visualization and geographic analy...
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Volume 6, Issue 22, 2003-12-08
What is in a domain name?
By Cindy Hemenway
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There is a lot of talk to day about the internet and getting a website, some times as a web developer we don't always remember that some aspects of having the internet around for others is all brand new technology. For example a dear friend of mine who has no desire to own a computer called me up wanting to know a three letter word for his crossword puzzle which meant “website address”. Answer URL which means Universal Resource Locater and is also known as a domain name.
In order to identify each computer on the internet, they all have their own network address or IP address. This was made up by a series of numbers in four blocks separated by periods, for example: 204.71.200.243. All websites online have their own way of being identified; they are all given their own IP address. Though your IP address may change, as you use different internet service providers or different computers to be online, your website can keep its name.
I remember some of my early days online. In 1994 we had to remember these four blocks of numbers for the websites domain address in order to find what we were looking for. The numerical address of 204.71.200.243 for example might take you to Yahoo. As you can see it became difficult to find the site that you wanted to visit. The Domain Name System (DNS) was soon introduced which translated numbers into text words and phrases. The number is still there, but we were then able to retrieve a website by using text name, for example www.yahoo.com. This made websites a lot easer to find, and it was much easier to remember the domain name.
Yahoo was one of the first directories created. David Filo and Jerry Yang Ph.D. candidates in Electrical Engineering at Stanford University, started personal logs of favorite websites that they wanted to save. This helped in the creation of search engines (an interesting synonym for specialized computer program). Without these it would be almost impossible to find a website. Today search engines play an important role in the success of visitors finding websites domain names online.
Editor's Note: Cindy Hemenway started as an Advertising Marketing Agent in Rochester, New York in 1989. Later, in 1994 she moved to Sanpete County, Utah and started her own online business named Ad Value Network. She is the owner of ProShay Web Development. Her company specializes in website search engine optimization services. See them at www.proshay.com
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Volume 8, Issue 11, 2005-06-06
What is Land Flipping?
By Mark Walter, CCIM
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Land or property flipping happens when property is purchased from a seller, that is not familiar with the real estate market, and the buyer then quickly resells the property for a large profit. When properties are flipped, usually minimal, if any, improvements are made to justify a higher price. The buyer uses his knowledge of the market to create large profits.
Therefore, it is important to know your buyers ability to develop and financial strength before tying up your property; and more importantly - to know your property value! Washington County has one of the hottest real estate markets in the nation right now, so if you are interested in selling your land, do not to “leave cash on the table”!!
Incidentally, “flipping”, as it is called, is unlawful for licensed real estate agents in the state of Utah. Agents fall under serious penalty for engaging in this practice. However, it is not illegal for “unlicensed” buyers; so ‘seller beware'.
Using a licensed agent should insure that the buyer will not engage in the practice of “flipping” - a very costly and potentially unethical machination designed to distance you from profit that should be rightfully yours. One solution then is to list your property with a qualified agent that knows and understands the real estate market and get the best possible selling price for your property. The other is to involve a professional appraiser in any land or real property sale.
Editor's Note: Mark Walter, CCIM, has been active in real estate in Southern Utah for the past twenty-nine years. He is the principle broker/owner of NAI Utah Commercial Real Estate. Visit him at www.markwalter.com
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Volume 7, Issue 5, 2004-03-15
What is Standalone DSL?
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Recently, Qwest announced a new DSL service that does not require a voice line. Known as "Naked DSL" or "Standalone DSL", this new service is ideal for customers who use only a cell phone, or who receive their local voice service from a company other than Qwest.
“We at InfoWest are pleased to add standalone DSL to our broadband product offering”, said Kelly Nyberg, President of Infowest.
As the product comes on the market, Standalone DSL will available only in the 1.5 megabit per second speed. The line service cost is $33, as opposed to $28 if you have a Qwest voice line. The monthly price including InfoWest Internet service starts at $52.95. Call them for details: 674-0165.
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Volume 10, Issue 17, 2007-06-18
What is Tenant Representation?
By R. Neil Walter
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Tenant representation is an arrangement whereby a prospective tenant engages a real estate representative to exclusively negotiate a lease for commercial space. This definition speaks only of the transaction itself, but the process is much more complex. Leasing alternatives are everywhere, and lease contracts that used to be a few pages long now commonly number 20 or more pages.
Many landlords are also interested in your credit quality and want to try and determine if you really will fulfill the lease term. They may ask for a copy of your credit report, your balance sheet, and maybe even your business plan. For these reasons, and many others, tenants are looking to professiona...
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Volume 12, Issue 9, 2009-03-16
What is the `Intent to Injure Standard`?
By Michael Patrick O'Brien
Utah State SHRM legal director
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The Utah Supreme Court recently issued a ruling allowing an employee to sue her employer for workplace injuries, outside the worker's compensation system. The case involves a woman injured by exposure to toxic gases after the employer allegedly failed to warn her of a previous similar incident.
Typically, the worker's compensation system provides the exclusive remedy for such injuries. However, the Utah Supreme Court ruled this could be viewed as an intentional injury outside the system.
This "intent to injure" standard focuses on...
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Volume 8, Issue 4, 2005-02-28
What is the Consumer Price Index (CPI)?
By Mark Walter, CCIM
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In last weeks article we talked about the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and how it can assist when adjusting leases for inflation. But, you may ask, what is this CPI and what other information does it measure?
Let me first define the Consumer Price Index as a program that produces monthly data on changes in the prices paid by urban consumers for a representative basket of goods and services. The CPI represents changes in prices of all goods and services purchased for consumption by urban households. Prices for the goods and services used to calculate the CPI are collected in 87 urban areas throughout the country and from about 23,000 retail and service establishments. Data on rents are collected from about 50,000 landlords or tenants. All of this information is compiled and maintained by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a division of the Department of Labor.
Some of the uses for the CPI are as follows:
1. The Consumer Price Index is used as an economic indicator. As the most widely used measure of inflation, the CPI is an indicator of the effectiveness of government policy. In addition, business executives, labor leaders and other private citizens use the index as a guide in making economic decisions.
2. It is also used as a deflator of other economic series. The CPI and its components are used to adjust other economic series for price change and to translate these series into inflation-free dollars.
3. Another use of the CPI is as a means for adjusting income payments. Over 2 million workers are covered by collective bargaining agreements which tie wages to the CPI. The index affects the income of almost 80 million people as a result of statutory action: 47.8 million Social Security beneficiaries, about 4.1 million military and Federal Civil Service retirees and survivors, and about 22.4 million food stamp recipients.
Changes in the CPI also affect the cost of lunches for the 26.7 million children who eat lunch at school. Some private firms and individuals use the CPI to keep rents, royalties, alimony payments and child support payments in line with changing prices. Since 1985, the CPI has been used to adjust the Federal income tax structure to prevent inflation-induced increases in taxes.
Editor's Note: Mark Walter, CCIM, has been active in real estate in Southern Utah for the past twenty-nine years. He is the principle broker/owner of NAI Utah Commercial Real Estate. Visit him at www.markwalter.com
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Volume 10, Issue 37, 2007-11-16
What is the Consumer Price Index?
By Mark Walter, CCIM
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We hear in the news talk about the Consumer Price Index (CPI). But, you may ask, what is this CPI and what other information does it measure?
The Consumer Price Index is a program that produces monthly data on changes in the prices paid by urban consumers for a representative basket of goods and services.
The CPI represents changes in prices of all goods and services purchased for consumption by urban households. Prices for the goods and services used to calculate the CPI are collected in 87 urban areas throughout the country and from about 23,000 retail and service establishments.
Data on rents are collected from about 50,000 landlords or tenants...
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Volume 10, Issue 39, 2007-12-11
What is Your Business Message?
Public Relations for Small Business
By Ken Perkins
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If you're going to spread your business message through public relations efforts in order to complement your other marketing initiatives, it's time to determine exactly what your message is.
The first step is to craft a one- or two-sentence core statement. This core statement is the heart of your business message. It's the one central concept about your business that you want everyone to understand and remember, even if they never recall another word you say.
If your business has a written mission statement, you'll probably find that the core statement for spreading your business message is similar to your mission statement.
To form your core sta...
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Volume 7, Issue 10, 2004-05-24
What processor should you buy in your computers?
Technically Twisted Commentaries
By Jason Eyre
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Computer speed is an important factor when considering a computer for your business. A slow computer may lead your most productive employees to spend frustrating time watching the hourglass spin on the screen. More important than you time is your customers' time.
I recently watched a television show where the CEO of a large hotel chain spent time working at the front desk processing the check-in of customers. The number one thing he noticed was the speed of the computer system. The slow speeds of the computer systems added time to the wait of customers. In this situation, the speed of the computer directly affected the quality of the services at the Hotel. This is very important in industries like the lodging industry that has many competitors offers similar products. Speed of check-in is one of the only major ways to differentiate your service from your competitors.
When brand new computers come out of the box, you will notice little difference between an Itanium, Pentium, and Celeron Processor from Intel. Competitor AMD offers chips in the AMD64, Athlon, and Duron models. All the above processors run the current software programs much quicker than the models released just last year. The speeds which used to be measured in Megahertz have all increased to be measured in Gigahertz.
I recommend that business owners look at the depreciation schedule when considering which type of processor. If your business is on a 3 year depreciation schedule, the Celeron, Duron, or cheaper processors will typically last the 3 years. If you company uses a 4 year depreciation schedule, I would recommend a Pentium or Duron Processor running at least 3 Gigahertz.
If you company is on a 5 year depreciation schedule, I would NOT recommend even considering a Celeron, Duron, Pentium, Athlon or cheaper processor. Instead I would suggest that you consider the next generation of chips often called 64-bit or Itanium chips.
The new 64-bit chips represent a new technology that is not available in many software programs today, but within the next couple of years you will see new versions of Windows, Linux, and other operating systems that will make better use of the unused capacity in these chips. Software may reach a new stage where new software programs in 5 years may not even run on your current non 64-bit chips.
I suggest you focus on your company and its efficiency. You also may find a nice optimization of costs when using the considerations above.
Editor's Note: Jason Eyre is a Southern Utah Native who has worked in Government, Agricultural, Aerospace, Financial, and Service Industries; each position focusing on Information Technology. His considerable experience brings meaningful advice to those wishing to navigate effectively in today's technology world. You may email Jason your comments to journal@infowest.com
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Volume 10, Issue 21, 2007-07-20
What the Heck is a Nonemployer?
Utah Dept. of Workforce Services
By Lecia Parks Langston
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Nonemployer? What in the world is a ‘nonemployer?’ Sounds like some bureaucratic word made up by a bunch of government drones—but not this particular government drone. (My spellchecker certainly doesn't think it's a real word.) Simply, a nonemployer is a business that doesn't have employees.
Admittedly, the information typically published about employment usually ignores this very important part of the economy. But, it's not our fault (mea culpa)! The primary source of our employment data doesn't legally cover businesses without paid employees. Most employment data is collected as a by-product of government administrative functions&mdash...
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Volume 7, Issue 1, 2004-01-12
What to focus on when choosing a Domain Name for your Website
By Cindy Hemenway
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A domain name is the address that someone would type in to find your website. It is the www.yourname.com.
Lot of people ask me to give them tips on selecting a domain name for their business, this is what I usually tell them.
Pick a domain name that is fairly short. There are several good places you can register your domain name. Like godaddy.com or go to your favorite search engine such as Google or a Directory like Yahoo and type in Domain Registration. Make sure your name is easy to spell. Try to stay away from things that have lots of way to spell them like 4, four, u, and you.
Make it easy to remember.
Including your main keyword phrase in your domain name. Search Engines will rank you higher if you have the keyword phrase in the domain name.
It's best to get the .com version/ending to your domain name if you're selling a product or service for profit. The .org is for non-profit organizations. And the .net is for Internet businesses, like ISP's.
Cindy Hemenway started as an Advertising Marketing Agent in Rochester, New York in 1989.
Later, in 1994 she moved to Sanpete County, Utah and started her own online business named Ad Value Network. She is the owner of ProShay Web Development. Her company specializes in website search engine optimization services. See them at www.proshay.com
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Volume 7, Issue 5, 2004-03-15
What Would You Do With A High Speed Fiber Optic Connection To Your Business?
Technically Twisted Commentaries
By Jason Eyre
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Last week I watched the Interlinx workers string Fiber Optics cabling down 100 South in St George. They were very quick and efficient - leaving no mess behind. This cabling is part of several fiber optics rings that will run near businesses around the valley. So once the cabling is run, what do you want to see run over it?
The first natural candidate would be High Speed Internet Access. I am not just talking about broadband cable or DSL connections where you have a large download rate and a really small upload rate. I am talking true internet where you send and receive at the same speed.
The best news about this type of Internet Access is that it is delivered over Ethernet Transport. The term may sound technical, but it really means that you can just use your standard reasonably priced Hubs to connect to this network instead of complicated DSL and Cable modems.
One of the best features of a fast Internet connection where the send is as fast as the receive is you can use new technologies called VIOP or Voice over the Internet. These phones use the internet to transport your phone calls instead of traditional copper wire. What it really means is that you will be able to get a much cheaper phone line and often VOIP lines offer incredibly reasonable long distance rates.
Many who know me will think that I am going to pitch High Definition Television as the third major service, but that is not what makes business run more efficiently. The big Video portion of the Fiber Optics will be true Video Conferencing that can be transported over the local fiber and meet the National Fiber Networks at the Tonaquint Data Center. This will bring corporate training up to a higher level and could do much to reduce travel costs.
Whatever services you see being the most useful or reducing your costs the most, a strong fiber optics infrastructure will only reinforce your business.
Editor's Note: Jason Eyre is a Southern Utah Native who has worked in Government, Agricultural, Aerospace, Financial, and Service Industries; each position focusing on Information Technology. His considerable experience brings meaningful advice to those wishing to navigate effectively in today's technology world. You may email Jason your comments to journal@infowest.com
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Volume 13, Issue 26, 2010-08-25
What You Know May Spell Small Business Success
By Byron Theurer
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Successful small business owners come from all walks of life, all educational backgrounds and all parts of the world. Some launched their companies to devote themselves full time to an industry they love, while others sought to free themselves from the uncertainties of working for someone else. Some use their small business to supplement their day job, while others use their business as a platform to test innovative ideas. Regardless of the reason, though, these entrepreneurs made a point of learning everything they...
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Volume 11, Issue 18, 2008-05-20
What you put on paper reflects on your business
The value of proof reading
Kent Douglass
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You and you're staph are vary exited about your company's new publication. You went for the juggler. This is one magazine you will never need to pedal-it will sell itself. You are certain you will be indicted into the business hall of fame and you will except the award without effecting your humility. Good old Jack had a real brainwave on this one. He deserves your complements on his flare for words.
The opening paragraph of this article is ludicrous, as it was meant to be. It is an exaggerated example of how what you put on paper can reflect negatively on...
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Volume 13, Issue 12, 2010-04-22
What`s Up With Health Care Reform?
An brief outline of impacts on employers because the new law ...
By Michael Patrick O'Brien, Esq.
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With all the dust clearing, just how, exactly, does the new health care reform law Congress recently passed impact employers? I have seen several good summaries on the internet. The new law attempts to...
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Volume 11, Issue 44, 2008-12-03
What's More Important, Tasks or People?
Better Attitudes in the Workplace
By Matt Eschler, LMFT
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There is a story told in religious manuscripts that can be usefully applied in the secular world. The story is of Jesus Christ and his visit to the home of two sisters. These sisters had much in common. They were friends to Jesus and loved each other as well as both loved to serve. However, during Jesus' stopover these sisters took on very different roles.
Martha worked to prepare the home and the meal in every minute detail, while Mary her sister spent time talking to and listening to Jesus. After a while an exasperated Martha finally had enough and chastised Mary by asking Jesus to send her in to help with the house work and th...
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Volume 8, Issue 19, 2005-10-31
What's Up at the new UALD?
By Michael Patrick O’Brie
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The executive director of the Utah Antidiscrimination and Labor Division (UALD), the state version of the EEOC, recently spoke to the Salt Lake SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) chapter.
She identified three types of claims increasingly filed with the UALD: national origin bias, disability bias and issues involving speaking of languages other than English in the workplace. She noted that about half of the claims filed with the UALD are resolved by a resolution conference, 48% by a finding of no discrimination and 2% with a finding of discrimination.
Finally, she explained that the UALD is using a new charge processing system to help get through its large backlog of cases. The system she described sounds like a triage system, one that will try to immediately identify cases where discrimination may have occurred or more investigation is needed.
Based on the initial information provided to UALD, charges will be classified based on their apparent merit. This means the UALD likely will pay closer attention to the charge intake questionnaire and the employer charge response. It seems the better job an employer does on its charge response, the better chance a charge may be classified as not requiring further review.
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Volume 10, Issue 1, 2007-01-22
What's Up Down South?
Plenty, say presenters at Economic Summit
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ST. GEORGE - The “What's Up Down South” segment is always a favorite among those who attend the Washington County Economic Summit. The rapid-fire format gives more than a dozen presenters each a five-minute opportunity to inform the Summit audience of nearly 1,000 about their representing local business or organization. Some of those presenting last week at the 2007 Summit were:
New St. George Airport
Airport Manager Michael LaPier said the airport will be open by 2011. Greater safety and more local air service opportunities than the current airfield can accommodate are the driving needs behind the new airport. Runways will handle aircraft as large as a Bo...
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Volume 9, Issue 13, 2006-10-02
What's Up with Your Cable TV?
Technically Twisted Commentaries
By Jason Eyre
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Recently the St George cable TV system was put up for auction by Charter Communications. Online sources say it was to help the company pay down debt.
St George was not the only system sold. Other places in our part of the country were put “on the block” as well.
Most interesting of this situation is the outcome of the auction. The cable system was bought out by Orange Broadband. Who is Orange Broadband? The company website simply contains a summary, officers, and a place for investors.
The CEO is Bil Schuler who is presented as veteran of cable television at the Senior Executive with over 26 years of experience. Also mentioned is his ability ...
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Volume 11, Issue 41, 2008-11-05
What's With All These Inspections?
Sunwest Development On Construction Inspections
Dan Steurer
Sunwest Development, LLC
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During the construction of a new home, a professional builder is responsible for managing a variety of inspections to ensure that the new home meets agreed upon quality standards, is on schedule for completion when promised, and complies with applicable building codes.
These periodic visits may or may not include our homebuyers. When clients are invited, it is an excellent opportunity for us to stay connected and on the same page as our buyers. We encourage them to ask questions that refine their expectations and improve their understanding of the...
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Volume 10, Issue 1, 2007-01-22
What's Your Dream?
Better Attitudes in the Workplace
By Matt Eschler, LMFT
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With Christmas and the New Years come many decisions. Do we try to keep our pace strong and businesses open? Do we chalk up the season to a loss because every one else is off shopping and vacationing? Do we determine that we want to take those days off work when our kids are off track in school?
Whatever you decided to do, it is likely that from about Dec. 23 through Jan. 2 it looked and felt different than the previous weeks and months. I for one have been out of cell phone contact for 10 days.
I created a marathon amusement park trip with my kids and found a lot of satisfaction away from the routine that I have created in the workplace. It was a great diversio...
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Volume 8, Issue 5, 2005-03-14
What's Assistive Technology?
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LOGAN ‒ A nurse at Primary Children's Hospital recognized that one of her patients, a 5-year-old boy who had a traumatic brain injury and was not able to walk, was having trouble with his physical therapy. She contacted the Utah State University Assistive Technology Laboratory to modify a tricycle for this young boy so that he could continue his physical therapy and learn to walk again.
The lab tilted the trike seat and added a seat belt, put straps on the pedals, added Velcro® to the handle bars and painted it blue, the child's favorite color. The boy was thrilled with his new trike.
Assistive technology (AT) helps people with disabilities overcome obstacles and improves quality of life. Assistive technology can be used by people of all ages and includes any device or software used to help individuals to accomplish certain tasks independently.
“In other words, anything that helps an individual to have an improved and independent life could be considered assistive technology,” said Sachin Pavithran, specialist. “For example, anything from a wheelchair, to a spoon with a large handle is assistive technology.”
The Assistive Technology Laboratory, part of the Center for Persons with Disabilities located on the Utah State University campus in Logan, Utah, serves people with disabilities of any age and their families throughout Utah and in many neighboring states.
“The goal is to educate people about AT and provide support to organizations that serve individuals with disabilities,” said Stan Clelland, specialist. “Each year more than 200 Utah State students also use the lab for hands-on learning experiences.”
The lab houses a fabrication center and an adaptive computer center. The fabrication center is used to develop, modify and adapt devices to better meet the needs of consumers, said Clelland. Examples range from the complex modification of scooters or wheelchairs to something as simple as building a mouth stick for an individual who has quadriplegia (paralysis from the neck down) to access a computer or turn off a light switch.
“The computer center is equipped with state-of-the-art computers with various software programs that assist individuals with disabilities to use them,” said Pavithran. “For example, a program called JAWS converts text displayed on a computer screen to speech, which assists visually impaired individuals to navigate most software applications without any assistance from a sighted individual.”
“Dragon Naturally Speaking,” also available in the lab, is voice recognition software that helps individuals with mobility impairments or those who have difficulty using a keyboard to access a computer. Users can simply speak letters, words, commands and sentences, and the computer either follows the commands such as “open file” or writes the words in a word processor file, said Pavithran. A number of learning software programs for students who have mild to severe cognitive impairments or communication delays are also available at the computer center.
Individuals or families of individuals who use AT can use the lab to learn how various technologies help make life more independent. Since these technologies are very expensive to purchase, consumers can experiment with the technologies in the AT lab to ensure they are choosing the right device or software before they purchase it, said Pavithran.
Additional services offered through the AT lab include wheelchair assessments, augmentative communication assessment and training, and language and communication training for pre-school children with speech impairments.
The AT lab is located in the Janet Quinney Lawson Building on the Utah State University campus.
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Volume 9, Issue 12, 2006-09-04
What's Down the Road For Your Business?
Heed the Warnings
Cedar City Chamber of Commerce
By Donna M. Brown,
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Every parent dreams of being right. Parents usually are right, but rarely is our wisdom acknowledged or rewarded. That's why I secretly chuckle under my breath and shake my head in disbelief each time I recall the day my darling, but defiant 17-year-old daughter took the wrong road.
I, along with my 14-year-old son, Skyler, and my 10-year-old daughter, Liberty, had spent the day touring Zion National Park with “Ben,” a special guest from Taiwan. We were hot and tired by the time we reached the I-15 freeway entrance only to find cars backed up for miles and miles in the northbound lane. All we wanted to do was head north to Cedar City. All we could do was head ...
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Volume 7, Issue 22, 2004-12-13
What's in a Sign Company?
The Power of Visual Reference
By Ray Draper
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"Like human beings, there are all kinds of signs, good and bad, and the majority should not be condemned for the sins of the minority." When first starting to think about a sign, it is obviously important to obtain a good, quality sign fitting the business needs.
With the many different types of signs, come many different types of sign companies. When choosing a sign company to work with there are many considerations to make your experience positive and friendly resulting in a quality and worthwhile sign.
What services should I expect from my sign vendor other than artwork and construction? Here a just a few for consideration. Services could include completing an on-location survey and evaluating a building for possibilities, designing an aesthetically pleasing sign, engineering a sign safe for employees and customers, knowing local regulations, obtaining necessary building permits or attending variance meetings, manufacturing and installing the sign, and providing continuing service and maintenance to the sign.
These services each fall into the five primary functions of sign companies which are sign design, permitting, manufacturing, installation, and sign maintenance.
Apart from these, some companies provide financial options for signs such as a full service tax lease. This can be a convenient, low risk option for companies as this lease "includes all property and liability coverage on your sign. It also pays all personal property taxes as well as repair and maintenance on the sign allowing the sign company to assume the risks of owning the sign." This option also allows the business to reap the "benefits coming from on premise advertising without crippling needed capital for (operation of) their own business."
These considerations can be crucial in choosing a quality sign company to complete your projects.
"Ask any oil company, bank, fast food chain, shopping center, automobile dealer, clothier, jewelry store, etc. how long they could operate at a profit without the help of their signs." With this in mind, it is important to start early to give the sign company working with your business time to get a feel for your business needs and the building, and to complete a sign that will last for years.
Editors Note: Mr. Draper has 30 years in the sign industry. As YESCO branch manager for St. George, he has developed this office from a small service company to a full-service production plant. His community involvement includes Noon Exchange Club; Bloomington Council; Toastmaster President; and Board of Directors for St. George Chamber of Commerce.
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Volume 7, Issue 20, 2004-11-08
What's the Difference Between Gross Lease and Net Lease?
By Mark Walter, CCIM
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Two of the words we defined in our article on commercial real estate terms a few weeks ago were Gross Lease and Net Lease. Remember that a gross lease commonly specifies one rental amount inclusive of rent, taxes, utilities, and maintenance associated with the rental of a property.
On the other hand, a net lease is structured such that a base rent for a rental property is paid to the landlord. In addition, other charges such as utilities and building property taxes, insurance and maintenance are also payable by the tenant above the base rent. This type of lease is sometimes referred to as a triple net (NNN) or absolute net lease.
The tenant with a gross lease (a rarity in recent years) may pay a higher current price for the space but is insulated from the risk of cost increases that may be beyond their control.
A tenant accepting the future cost uncertainties of a triple net lease may be compensated for the risk by negotiating a lower rental rate on the front end or gain other concessions, such as an allowance for leasehold improvement or a period of free rent.
Obviously, the “tenant-to-be” must undertake an analysis of each of these expense categories in order to identify their current absolute level and quantify the probable future trend. He therefore has an honest advantage over the prospective tenant.
In today's market, the triple net lease is nearly a standard. If the landlord is adamant on a quadruple net lease, the business owner should find out why.
Editor's note: Mr. Walter has been active in commercial real estate for the past twenty seven years. He is the principal broker for NAI Utah Commercial Real Estate Southern Region and specializes in all aspects of commercial real estate. He has earned the CCIM designation.
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Volume 8, Issue 17, 2005-10-03
What's Up at Washington Chamber?
By Michael Denning
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On October 6th Mark Hendry, the Washington City Code Compliance representative, with be speaking on the subject of “Who's responsible for this Mess?”. He'll expound on the “Code Compliance Office” and what it does for Washington City. This will include some treatments of Business License Review, Nuisance Abatement, Sign Permits, etc.
Generally, the Code Compliance Office was created to enforce city, state, and federal laws that affect the standard of living in Washington City. These laws are generally either unknown or misunderstood. The Code Compliance Office is dedicated to educating the public on its rights as citizens and as its role as neighbors, and he'll tell us much more at the luncheon and answer questions, too.
Mark was born and raised in Southwestern Idaho (New Plymouth). He says he “moved to Utah in 1992 (after serving a LDS Mission) to seek fame, fortune, and family ( 1 out of 3 isn't bad)”. He attended Utah Valley State College (UVSC).
Mark says “I married my dream girl (Sage) and have 5 children who benefit greatly (I keep telling them) from Dad's experience in getting people to clean stuff up.”
In his free time he enjoys exploring Southern Utah and takes road trips with his family. He also serves as the Scoutmaster of Troop 416.
You may contact the Code Compliance Office with your questions or concerns at 656-6365
Hey, don't forget the movie in the Park on October 14th (Friday Evening at dusk) and there's the Annual Expo and Oktoberfest on Saturday the 15th from breakfast to mid afternoon. Get your booth arrangements made now. To members and charitable organizations, a vendor's booth is free. All others will be assessed a flat fee of $49. Call the chamber offices at 674-7411 or email us at chamberdesk@infowest.com..
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Volume 8, Issue 19, 2005-10-31
When at first you don't succeed.
Better Attitudes in the Workplace
By Matt Eschler, LMFT
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Have you ever lost a job and had that awful feeling of doom about entering the job markets with a fresh resume'. Ever have a relationship with someone that ended and you were devastated? Perhaps you made an offer on a house and thought you had located the place of your dreams. During all the excitement somehow the deal fell through.
All of these examples and many others point us toward disappointment. Disappointment can cause us to move in a couple of different directions. One person writes: ‘I continued upward, and the mountain grew steeper. That ascent triggered something in me. As I churned upward, I reflected on my life, back to all points, my childhood, my early races, my illness, and how these things changed me. Maybe it was the primitive act of climbing that made me confront the issues I'd been evading for weeks. It was time to quit stalling, I realized. Move I told myself. I saw my life as a whole. I saw the pattern and privilege of it, too. It was simply this: I was meant for a long, hard climb'.
The man Lance Armstrong champion cyclist and cancer survivor made the above statements at a low time in his life.
Whether your low time is losing a job, fighting with your spouse, or falling into tragedy, it is how you manage the circumstances that are going to determine your future condition. We all love to listen to stories about conquering adversity and seem to revel in watching heroes on the Big Screen rise above tragedy. What about you? You have daily “tragedies” in your own life.
These tragedies or daily adversarial circumstances will give you an excuse to fail, or you will use the circumstance to learn and grow. Take a moment and look back over your lifetime. Have you grown from your tragedies or have you carried them along to prove to yourself and others why you can not succeed? Have you risen above adversity or bathed in it to escape being responsible? The decision is wholly yours so choose wisely. When you rise above the excuses and the apprehension you will find your personal power.
If you resist the urge to find someone to blame and resist the urge to give up you will find that there is always purpose in misfortune. If you find this purpose or the meaning inside the misfortunes sent your way you will find your lessons. It may be that you have broken laws and principles that you need to remedy. It may be that you need to become stronger in a certain area of your life in order to survive your future.
No matter what the purpose you find it will be personal; a purpose given to you too grow from, or too smash yourself against. Many people refuse growth and drag around their bags full of misfortune. They display them for all to see in hopes of avoiding being accountable for their own happiness. Others of us has used our several abilities to create a future with the use of misfortune. We carry the marks of this world as evidence that we have overcome misfortune. We realize that in the bigger picture we are better, stronger, and more powerful because of our misfortune!
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Volume 8, Issue 21, 2005-12-05
When to Fold and When to Hold
Exits & Acquistions
By Voin R Campbell
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Although most business has much in common, the fact remains that your business, as well as every other business, is in many ways unique. In order to both sell your business and be glad you did well after the closing of the sale, you must first find that unique buyer who has both the capacity and the motivation to purchase your business now.
The odds of that happening quickly are not in your favor. That is one of the reasons why you need an experienced broker who knows how to sell your business. Why? Selling your business first requires an enormous quantity of leads to overcome the odds against finding the unique buyer for your specific business.
That means that your Broker must have the marketing capacity to generate and wisely process the quantity of leads needed to produce several qualified and serious prospective buyers. When serious discussions about your business are underway, if the process has been managed well, usually one viable prospect will surface.
When that rare and elusive buyer emerges, you have to set the others aside and focus on the most viable buyer. It is then, and not before, that the process of negotiating the terms and closing the sale begins. It's not as much about selling as it is about knowing when the “ready, able and willing buyer” is on the table. A competent and experienced Business Broker recognizes the subtle clues as the process moves along. Your Business Broker knows when to fold and when to hold.
Editor's Note - Mr. Campbell recently retired from a long career in “business brokerage”. His real estate license dates back to the Wright Brother's era, however his full attention was focused on business “On Going Concern” clients from 1990 to 2004, thus one of the most experienced business brokers in the State of Utah.
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Volume 12, Issue 11, 2009-03-30
When You Are Feeling Discouraged
Better Attitudes in the Workplace
By Matt Eschler, LMFT
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One of the greatest feats in Track and Field history was the first time an athlete ran under four minutes in the mile. For many years, sports commentators said that it was inconceivable for an athlete to run under four minutes for the mile. Physiologist thought the body and mind would rebel against the strains they were being forced to endure and thwart the attempt. Everyone began to think that a four minute mile would be a barrier that no human would be capable of breaking.
In the track community, there was an overwhelming doubt that any one would be able to run a sub-four minute mile. Many world class athletes allowed the mythical 4 - minute barrier to ...
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Volume 7, Issue 11, 2004-06-14
Where Were You The Day The Technology Went Down?
Technically Twisted Commentaries
By Jason Eyre
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Six years ago the USWest fiber optics lines were cut North of Centerville by a backhoe. At the time I was running an Internet Service Provider in Cedar City. It was one of the most stressful nights of my life. 4500 customers were all mad at me because there was no internet. To make matters worse, I was out of gas and none of the gas stations would take credit or debit cards.
I went to an ATM. Every ATM in Cedar City was down. Finally I thought I would outsmart the system and go to Albertsons and get some groceries and sneak in an extra $20 back on my debit card. I even got a couple of pounds of mixed Jelly Belly jellybeans from the bulk aisle. When I went to check out, the machines would not accept my debit card and the poor clerk was left to un-mix my jellybeans. I had experienced a total telecommunications technology failure.
This experience still runs vivid in my mind today. I decided that for my business I needed to take a proactive stance and ask USWest what they planned to do to prevent future occurrences like the one in 1998. I was very offended when a USWest official told me that it was something that only had happened once in the last 50 years and they did not have any plans to fix the problem beyond the fix to the line that occurred North of Centerville.
Now fast forward to 2004. Several more cuts to the fiber optics have occurred including one in Beaver County and the most recent cut reported in Sevier County near Monroe. Each time in my opinion the outages become worse. This most recent outage even knocked out service between St. George and Washington City because Qwest has moved the communications between their Central Office buildings in Washington County to Fiber Optics. In many areas the upgrading of services from Microwave to Fiber Optics has been a positive change, but all the positive results are lost immediately when the lights go down especially when 911 services are lost in the entire Southern Part of the State.
The Washington County Economic Development Council has invited Qwest to several meetings to discuss the problems with the Telecomm services related to the lack of redundancy in the Fiber Optics. The Qwest response has varied from the do nothing approach to more of a make it a business case and if we profit from it, we will do it. This issue becomes even more complicated as Wall Street continually issues statements about the value of the Qwest stock and their income versus debt issues.
Redundant solutions are on the way. I had to wait through the outage to get my first quote for services on the new Fiber Optic Networks that are being installed in St. George. But until the other solutions are in place, I will have to continue to Ride the Light and depend on Qwest's Spirit of Service.
Editor's Note: Jason Eyre is a Southern Utah Native who has worked in Government, Agricultural, Aerospace, Financial, and Service Industries; each position focusing on Information Technology. His considerable experience brings meaningful advice to those wishing to navigate effectively in today's technology world. You may email Jason your comments to journal@infowest.com
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Volume 11, Issue 17, 2008-05-13
Where's the Recession?
Thredgold Economic Assoc.
By Jeff Thredgold, Pres.,
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Perhaps a month ago, forecasting economists were largely split as to whether the U.S. was in, or would soon enter, a recession. The collective view clearly moved into the recession camp on April 4 with a reported decline of 80,000 jobs in March, combined with an additional 67,000 jobs lost over the two prior months.
We are now back to square one
A combination of slightly stronger-than-expected U.S. economic growth during the January to March 2008 period, combined with a less painful April jobs report than expected (see discussion below), combined with the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) rallying back to the 13000 level, and combined with a modestly stronger U.S. ...
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Volume 7, Issue 13, 2004-07-26
Which is it to be? Signs that Clutter or Signs that build Prosperity?
Commentary by Ray Draper
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The Power of Visual Reference
All businesses want to be known and to be seen, advertising and great signage helps to bring this about. You can identify a successful city, such as ours, by a vibrant and flourishing business community - decorated with attractive signage. Yet, this success is also faced with another side. We need to find and maintain a balance.
This requires acknowledging that the general population wants everything, while remaining a small tight-knit clean community. This is a challenge because ‘having' everything, requires growth. As business professionals know, there is a lot to be said for those who are addressing the needs of the c...
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Volume 10, Issue 17, 2007-06-18
Whisper Ridge Names Wilson Listing Agent
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ST. GEORGE - Custom home builder CBlake Homes, Inc., has announced an exclusive marketing affiliation with Coldwell-Banker/Premier Realty of St. George for its newest project Whisper Ridge.
Listing agent Steve Wilson will be responsible for the project's day to day sales and marketing. Wilson brings a rich background of community service and experience to this new subdivision.
Since leaving his position as CEO of Dixie Regional Medical Center in late 2005, Steve has been associated with Coldwell-Banker/Premier. Last year he was named Rookie Agent of the Year and earned admission to the prestigious Diamond Society for sales excellence.
Whisper Ridg...
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Volume 12, Issue 6, 2009-02-23
Whitaker assumes role as CEO at Utah Housing Corporation
By Adam Heap
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Grant S. Whitaker has assumed the helm of Utah Housing Corporation. As president and chief executive officer, Whitaker leads the non-profit public corporation to create affordable housing solutions and to stimulate Utah's building economy.
Utah Housing Corporation is Utah's leader in providing mortgages for first-time home buyers, in financing affordable rental properties and in developing special needs housing. With low-interest rate mortgages and down-payment assistance, Utah Housing yearly helps some 2,000 Utah families purchase their first homes. In addition, Utah Housing funds 800 affordable apartment units each year. To date 60,000 homes and 20,000 apartment units have...
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Volume 11, Issue 10, 2008-03-18
Whitman to Keynote Utah Technology Council Meeting
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SALT LAKE CITY - Meg Whitman, president and CEO of eBay, will be the keynote speaker for the Utah Technology Council's Annual Members' Meeting on March 28. At the event, Whitman will share business strategy insights with Utah business and community leaders. The event will begin at 11:30 a.m. at the Karen Gail Miller Conference Center at the Salt Lake Community College, 9750 S. 300 W., Sandy, UT. Space is limited, so attendees should register as soon as possible at www.utahtechcouncil.org Meg Whitman joined eBay as President and CEO in March 1998 when the company was still a small auction website with 30 employees and revenue of $4 million. Since that time, she has been instru...
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Volume 11, Issue 9, 2008-03-11
Whitman to Keynote Utah Technology Meeting
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SALT LAKE CITY - Meg Whitman, president and CEO of eBay, will be the keynote speaker for the Utah Technology Council's Annual Members' Meeting on March 28.
At the event, Whitman will share business strategy insights with Utah business and community leaders. The event will begin at 11:30 a.m. at the Karen Gail Miller Conference Center at the Salt Lake Community College, 9750 S. 300 W., Sandy, Utah. Space is limited, so attendees should register as soon as possible at www.utahtechcouncil.org
Whitman joined eBay as President and CEO in March 1998 when the company was still a small auction website with 30 employees and revenue of $4 million. Since that time, she h...
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Volume 9, Issue 13, 2006-10-02
Who are These “Move-ins”?
By Lecia Parks Langston
Utah Department of Workforce Services,
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Washington County's population continues to grow at a scorching pace. While more babies are being born than folks are passing away, you've probably noticed that most of the county's growth is the result of in-migration.
The Utah Governor's Office of Planning and Budget estimates that Washington County net in-migration reached 8,300 individuals in 2005‒a new record.
Who are all these people? In the past, we relied on anecdotal information about in-migrants. You may think big brother is watching you, but when it comes to data, he's often blind-folded.
Fortunately, now that the St. George/Washington County area has bee...
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Volume 10, Issue 12, 2007-05-14
Who is Slowing Down?
By Lecia Parks Langston
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Last month in my column, I pointed out that the Washington County economy had finally taken a respite from the red-hot expansion of the past several years. Every available economic indicator points to slower economic growth.
No, that's not a bad thing. The economy, government services, infrastructure, and the labor market all deserve some time to “catch up” to an economy which at times led the entire nation in its rate of economic expansion.
Now let's get down to the nitty-gritty. Who still growing and who is slowing? As I have undoubtedly mentioned before, nonfarm job data is the best indicator of not only a county's economic well-bein...
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Volume 12, Issue 36, 2009-11-16
Who Moved in Next Door?
In-migration Data from the American Community Survey
By Lecia Parks Langston
Economist, Utah Department of Workforce Services
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ST. GEORGE, UTAH - We used to be in the dark about who was moving to town. Now, the Census Bureau's American Community Survey provides limited demographic and economic information on new move-ins. The survey compares where residents lived in the survey year and the previous year. Data for 2008 was recently released and may provide some surprises about who is truly moving to Washington County.
How Old?
Washington County has earned the reputation as a retirement Mecca. So, you might expect most of those moving to Washington County would be numbered in the "senior," or at least, "middle-aged" categories. Wrong. In 2008, the 18-24 year-old group accounted for 33 percent on...
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Volume 8, Issue 5, 2005-03-14
Who Moved My Profits?
The “What's an Entrepreneur?” Series
By Marvin Ray
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Change in your business can be a “good” thing for you and the business if evaluated correctly. So many times people or companies won't change with the flow of what their customers want and needless to say they do not survive. Years ago if you're old enough to remember there was a department store by the name of Gibson's.
They did a really good job for a number of years and then it seemed they started to ever so slowly disappear from the radar screen. I don't claim to know the reason why but from a consumer standpoint it was quite obvious their products were out dated for what the consumer wanted at the time. Things had changed but did they?
Change can be a good thing or a curse, depending on your point of view. A person's life can change dramatically due to lifestyle or work. If you haven't read the novel Who Moved My Cheese by Dr. Spencer I recommend you go out right know and purchase it or borrow it from a friend it will take about an hour to read but will change you're the way you view things.
Basically the story is about two mice named Sniff and Scurry and two “little people” named Hem and Haw. In the story all of the characters live in a maze, which is a metaphor for where you look for what you want, or the family or community you live in. The characters are faced with unexpected changes. Eventually, Haw deals with the change successfully and writes about his journey and how he accomplished it.
The four characters undergo one of the biggest turning points in their lives. The four had found a great deal of cheese. They thought they had enough cheese forever and ever, but time flew by and the cheese got shorter and shorter. Eventually, they ran out of cheese.
The two mice went to go look for more yet the two little people waited for more cheese to come. The cheese never came and the little people become arrogant and selfish. This book makes the reader reflect on his or her own personal life. Many have benefited from reading this book such as corporations, governmental agencies, small businesses, churches and schools and hospitals.
In fact, the whole first section of the book is filled with how people solved their problems after reading this 94-page book. The book also describes what types of change there are. For example, losing your job, or your company shutting down. The little phrases used in the book guide you to settle your perfect future.
Similarly, This book is an amazing way to deal with success in your work and in your life. The book put emphasis on using what you learned for day-to-day life. The most important parts to this book were the unique phrases the author used. Some of the phrases were:
What would you do if you weren't afraid? The quicker you let go of old cheese the sooner you find new cheese. If you do not change you can become extinct.
Then, the last section of the book is a group having a discussion about the book. They relate the book to their personal lives, and discover ways to get better at turning change into a good thing.
Remember change can be a good thing or a curse, depending on your point of view. But one thing for sure is; if you don't change with the times and the wants of your consumer there will be a change; just not the one you may have envisioned.
Editor's note: Marvin works with businesses throughout Utah to help them better owner personal self-esteem and the bottom line of their business. Comments about Marvin's writings may be directed to Marvin at journal@infowest.com
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Volume 12, Issue 29, 2009-09-28
Who Pays for FMLA Paperwork?
By Michael Patrick O'Brien, Esq.
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The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) requires some paperwork, such as certification forms, recertification forms, second/third opinions and fitness for duty certifications. I have read some recent news articles discussing how some doctors are now charging anywhere from $100 to $150 to fill out such forms.
Who pays for all this stuff? The answer to that question is the answer to almost every single legal question...it depends. FMLA imposes the responsibility of providing proper certifications, re-certifications and fitness for duty certificates on the employee, meaning he/she pays the costs of getting...
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Volume 8, Issue 8, 2005-04-25
Who's watching your wireless network?
Technically Twisted Commentaries
By Jason Eyre
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Recently I lent my wireless laptop card to a friend to take around town and look for wireless networks. I was interested in hearing about the networks that exist around our area and how secure they are. The results that came back from his testing were very interesting. For example, many businesses had installed wireless networks and used the exact configuration that the manufacturers program into the devices.
This presents a real unstable situation. The default passwords for most popular brands of wireless routers can quickly and easily be found on the support section of the manufacturer's web site. Another finding was that many office buildings had 2 or even 3 wireless networks “advertised” in plain view.
What harm could happen to a business that uses unsecured wireless? First many people have the notion that wireless routers only share the internet connection. While this is true, the wireless routers also give the intruder full access to your network that exists on the back side of the router or the part of your network that you try to protect from intruders. This back door could open your company's important databases and financial applications to intrusion. Would you let an outsider sit next to your printer all day and pick out the documents for his or her snooping enjoyment? You may be doing just that by not securing your wireless network.
Another situation that is created by using the manufacturer's defaults and sharing a wireless network is a situation where an intruder can get the password to the wireless router and change the settings. This could actually secure you from accessing your own router and even your Internet connection if it is a DSL router that controls your Internet access.
I do not really enjoy reporting on security issues because I often have to portray worse case scenarios, but the reality is that you are paying for the Internet access and for your data assets. Make sure you are doing all you can to secure your infrastructure and secure your wireless.
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Volume 8, Issue 21, 2005-12-05
Who's in your circle of Influence?
Better Attitudes in the Workplace
By Matt Eschler, LMFT
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"We become the combined average of the five people we associate with most."
-Jim Rohn
What five people have had the greatest impact on your thinking? Who influences you? We all have people who shape our purposes by their influence. Some of those people influenced us with their attentions, kindness or wisdom. Some people on your list may be those who have negatively influenced your life, you may have yelled, "I'll never be like that."
In both cases influence has energy. Early in my marriage I was often frustrated by how long my wife would talk on the phone. I would often give her sharp disapproving looks as she discussed how she was doing with her mother. I would wonder how long they were going to discuss plans to do lunch or whatever they found topically interesting for this phone conversation. I would ask her if she understood how long she had tied up our phone line to discuss nonsense with her mother.
One day she finally had enough of my “antics” and asked why I was so concerned. I remember being a little shocked at her not understanding how wrong it was to talk on the phone longer than it took to make a plan and hang up! As we discussed this issue, loudly at first, and then more pleasantly she reminded me we have a telephone with caller ID and voice mail. At her insistence I realized that there was no reason she should not chat on the phone.
As I analyzed this scene with my wife I began to understand the impact people we associate with have on our behavior and beliefs. I realized that my fathers influence carried very real impact on my beliefs about phone use. During my early teen years my father managed a major real estate firm from a home office. Home offices in this era had one phone line that was shared with the rest of the household. Caller ID and voice mail had not been invented.
He ruled phone usage with the iron fisted idea that he could not miss a business call due to my visiting with my friends. He would often break into phone calls and ask me how much longer I was planning on talking. I was trained to move quickly on the phone because “our livelihood” depended upon my father having an open telephone line. I adopted a “quick phone use” belief from this association with my father that I was determined to carry into my future.
This story illustrates how people we associate with influence our behavior and beliefs. Yet, as influential as relationships are, most people haven't consciously chosen their greatest "circle of influence". Why do many of us ignore the freedom of choice when it comes to the influencing people we associate with?
Some of you will say that you can't help who you work with or who moves in next door. I am not suggesting that you try to control others, what I am suggesting is that you choose who you allow to influence you. I am suggesting that you manage the resource of time that you give to relationships.
The five people you associate with most likely reflect your financial health, physical health, career choices, self-esteem, good habits, bad habits, interests, quality of conversation, values and life purposes.
Thus, people are going to pull you up to a higher standard or pull you down to their standard. Choose wisely who you are going to allow “mindshare”. Raise your standards too allow for the real time influence of those you consider of good report. Choose.
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Volume 8, Issue 14, 2005-08-22
Who's Packing Your Parachutes?
Better Attitudes in the Workplace
By Matt Eschler, LMFT
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I have used this story to remind leaders of businesses that they depend on the excellent support of their team while they are on the front lines. Leaders that find themselves in the lime light of success have been able to reach the level of success because of their own talents and the team they developed as support role in their chosen businesses.
Charles Plumb was a US Navy jet pilot in Vietnam. After 75 combat missions, his plane was destroyed by a surface-to-air missile. Plumb ejected and parachuted into enemy hands. He was captured and spent 6 years in a communist Vietnamese prison. He survived the ordeal and now lectures on lessons learned from that experience!
One day, ...
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Volume 10, Issue 9, 2007-04-23
Whopping Increases Mark Gas Prices
AAA Utah reports increases throughout the country
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SALT LAKE CITY - Whopping gas price increases greet motorists at each fill-up. It is early in the driving season and many motorists wonder what the summer will bring.
AAA, which tracks gasoline prices as a service to consumers, reports significant price increases throughout the country. In Utah, the current average price for a gallon of regular, self-serve gasoline is $2.79. This is 45 cents higher than last month's average. The national average price is $2.87, a 33-cent increase from last month.
“The U.S. Department of Energy reported a very weak gasoline inventory early in April,” said Rolayne Fairclough, AAA Utah spokesperson. “Thi...
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Volume 12, Issue 32, 2009-10-19
Why a Business Line of Credit?
By Curtis Anderson
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Every business should have a Line of Credit to help with the ebbs and flows of market cycles. Lines of Credit are designed to be utilized and paid down as business needs arise and income is generated. Most Lines of Credit have an interest only feature, which makes the payments much smaller than if it were a principle and interest loan.
The Line of Credit is also designed for certain business purposes, including working capital, such as: inventory purchases, advertising for special occasions, payroll needs, short falls in cash flow while waiting for account receivables to come in and other short term uses.
Note however that utilizing a Line of Credit for equipment purchases or building improvement is not a...
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Volume 8, Issue 1, 2005-01-17
Why Are Big Box Companies Locating in Southern Utah?
Summit Commentary
Marie Madsen
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The Economic Summit of 2005 was a big success even with the flood water raging outside the Dixie Center. Presentations were made on several different topics including the residential real estate market, surviving road construction, marketing, innovation and economic development and commercial real estate. The What's Up Down South presentation was very informative with topics on the new Blue Bunny “Edu-tainment” Center, St. George Blvd. construction, replacement airport update, Washington County School District update and the introduction of Orgill and Bomatic to the area, just to name a few.
The presentation on the commercial real estate market was given by the commercial real estate team at NAI Utah Southern Region. A summary of their presentation is as follows: Why are big-box companies like Target, Lowe's, Bed Bath and Beyond, Best Buy, Costco, Home Depot, Wal-Mart and others locating their business in Southern Utah?
Maybe its because the numbers are in from the 2000 Census and St. George, Utah was named the fastest growing micropolitan statistical area in the nation. For those that have lived here for more than 10 years, that is no surprise. The population grew by 42% between 1990 and 2004 (48,988 to 116,209) and is projected to double by 2018.
As the population increases, so has the demand for commercial real estate. St. George does not fit the typical demographic ring for definition of market area. Its geographic location positions it as the principal shopping destination for most of the residents of Southwestern Utah including towns more than a two to three hour drive away.
The commercial real estate market is expanding in Southern Utah to accommodate the growth but is it expanding fast enough? In this breakout session, commercial real estate experts at NAI discussed the retail, office and land developments planned. They also reviewed trends in the real estate market, forecasted the real estate market for 2005, provided statistical information regarding vacancy rates, absorption, lease rates in the office, retail, investment, multi-family and land sectors of the commercial real estate market.
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Volume 7, Issue 16, 2004-09-13
Why Computers Sometimes Crash!
By Gene …
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If a packet hits a pocket on a socket on a port,
And the bus is interrupted at a very last resort,
And the access of the memory makes your floppy disk abort,
Then the socket packet pocket has an error to report.
If your cursor finds a menu item followed by a dash,
And the double-clicking icon puts your window in the trash,
And your data is corrupted cause the index doesn't hash,
Then your situation's hopeless and your system's gonna crash!
If the label on the cable on the table at your house,
Says the network is connected to the button on your mouse,
But your packets want to tunnel to another protoc...
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Volume 9, Issue 8, 2006-05-22
Why Do Business in St. George?
Jeffrey D. Mitchell
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St George, UT - With the combination of rapid population growth, economic vibrancy and beautiful scenery the St. George market proves to be an area that can provide tremendous opportunities for retailers that seek to establish a strategic market presence in high growth markets.
The area also benefits from lower prices of land and building costs than many areas in the west, creating strong opportunities for new retail development.
In each of the last three decades, Washington County, with St. George as the economic and demographic driver of the county, has enjoyed close to a 90 percent6 population increase.
Statistically, Washington County has been the first or...
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Volume 9, Issue 9, 2006-06-12
Why Do Some People Change While Others Fail to
Matt Eschler, LMFT
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There is nothing wrong with change, if it's in the right direction
- Winston Churchill
St George, UT - Change. Mahatma Gandhi says to become the change you want to see in the world. Reinhold Niebuhr asks God to grant him the serenity to accept the things he could not change, the courage to change the things he could, and the wisdom to know the difference.
Ralph Waldo Emerson is quoted saying “we change whether we like it or not”. All these and scores of other thoughts about change exist for our enjoyment. But the real question of change still hangs over us.
Do people really change? The simple answer is yes. Let's define what we mean...
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Volume 8, Issue 5, 2005-03-14
Why Do We Need To Adjust Leases For Inflation?
By Mark Walter, CCIM
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In last issue's article we talked about using the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to adjust leases for inflation. Why do we need to adjust leases for inflation? It could be argued that during periods of inflation, real estate values appreciate as fast or faster than increase in the general price level. Why does the landlord need price protection if the value of his property goes up?
There are two counter arguments to that position. First, the property will not appreciate if rents do not keep up with inflation. Secondly, if for some reason the property did increase in value in spite of constant rental rate, the appreciation is unrealized until the property is sold.
In the interim, a fixed rental rate would cause him to experience a relative decline in the purchasing power of the rents. In theory, the landlord, as a consumer, would be burdened with a fixed income while his cost of living was on the rise.
On the other hand, the tenant who uses the commercial property to generate income may off-set the rising price level by increasing the price of his goods and services.
Editor's Note: Mark Walter, CCIM, has been active in real estate in Southern Utah for the past twenty-nine years. He is the principle broker/owner of NAI Utah Commercial Real Estate. Visit him at www.markwalter.com
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Volume 11, Issue 11, 2008-04-01
Why is it so Expensive to Accept Credit Cards?
By Bill Hudson
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The simplest answer to the title question is that your card processor is in business to make a profit. Just like your business, they expect to make a fair return for their services. That answer may be a little too vague, so let’s explore how a transaction works.
In trying to understand the costs of merchant services, it’s important to have a picture of the route and the many steps needed to process a transaction. When your customer presents you with a credit card for payment, the information must be captured from the credit card. This is usually done through either a POS system or a standalone terminal.
...
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Volume 13, Issue 10, 2010-04-08
Why Obama Won the Election
From a teacher in the Nashville
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"We are worried about 'the cow' when it is all about the 'Ice Cream.' The most eye-opening civics lesson I ever had was while teaching third grade this year.....
The presidential election was heating up and some of the children showed an interest. I decided we would have an election for a class president. We would choose our nominees. They would make a campaign speech and the class would vote.
To simplify the process, candidates were nominated by...
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Volume 13, Issue 15, 2010-05-13
Why Prospects Don't Buy Right Now
The biggest problem with most of the advertising being written today is that it’s lazy communication
By Jon Bingham
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The biggest problem with most of the advertising that is being written today is that it’s based on lazy communication. Now logically results-oriented advertising can be created by implementing the opposite of lazy communication, which is specific communication.
Specificity is one of the most valuable tools of the...
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Volume 11, Issue 20, 2008-06-04
Why The Increase In EEOC Charges?
Filings up over last year
By Michael Patrick O'Brien, Esq.
Utah SHRM Legal Director
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You may have read in one of my recent updates how discrimination charges brought before the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission have increased significantly.
It looks like 2008 job bias filings (up 21 percent over last year’s same time period) may set a new record. Ever wonder why?
One SHRM writer did and recently wrote an article suggesting that the ease of online filing forms coupled with the declining economy are the reasons for the surge in charge filings.
The EEOC recently placed its intake questionnaire online at...
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Volume 8, Issue 18, 2005-10-17
Why Use a Confidentiality Agreement?
By Mark Walter, CCIM
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When business owners list their business for sale, most want to keep it confidential to retain their valued employees and customers. Sellers who want to keep their business listing confidential can benefit greatly by listing it with a business broker.
A business broker can provide increased exposure to a large pool of potential buyers. Perhaps even more important, a broker can guide the seller through the process of selling based on experience gained from many similar transactions.
Such a broker can contact likely purchasers (including competitors, suppliers, major customers, and investors known to the broker) directly and tell them the key facts about the business, without...
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Volume 7, Issue 21, 2004-11-22
Wide Context Scanning Computer Up & Running
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The Utah Center for Rural Life of Southern Utah University, and the Utah Rural Development Council, successfully received a grant award of $15,000 from the USDA/Forest Service and $10,000 from the State Community Impact Board to purchase a wide context scanning computer system for SUU's GIS/GPS Laboratory.
The GIS/GPS Lab Director, Dave Maxwell, has the system up and running. Small rural communities in population of 10,000 or less are able to take their historical documentation maps (by appointment) and have them scanned into a mapping system for their use in future planning of their communities.
This is a service that small communities would otherwise not be able to afford, and will be performed by student interns. For an appointment to obtain this invaluable service, please contact Dave Maxwell at 435.865.8313 or maxwell@suu.edu
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Volume 12, Issue 10, 2009-03-23
WIIFM (WHAT`S IN IT FOR ME)?
... And why a theme park or university in Hurricane?
By Bill Boulter
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Psychologists tell us that there are only two primary reasons why human beings do things. The first is to gain pleasure and the second is to avoid pain. When you think about it, it is hard to think of anything you do that is not related, if even distantly, to gaining some sort of pleasure or to avoiding pain or displeasure. So, having said that, would it be a surprise to anyone if the good people of Hurricane asked the good folks of Our World Family, what is in it for us to have a new school/university and theme park? Or, what sort of pain might we have to endure?
First and foremost, the residents would benefit from having the World Headquarters of a world class school and...
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Volume 13, Issue 17, 2010-05-27
Wilderness Survival & Your Business, Part 4 (of 5)
Resource Management in wilderness survival is not just important it is absolutely crucial. Wouldn’t that prove to be true in your business? (Part 4)
By Winfield Ivers
Wilderness Survival Coach
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Circular Resource Management - Part Four: Executing and Performing
I realized as I began writing part two of this article that it was proving to be more of a challenge than I had considered; challenging to be as clear and concise about the information I share, and also challenging in how I relate all this wilderness survival to your business. I decided that I would simplify and only share what I do in the wilderness so I could leave you the reader to fill in the blanks yourself as to how all this relates to you personally and in your...
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Volume 13, Issue 14, 2010-05-06
Wilderness Survival & Your Business?
Resource Management in wilderness survival is not just important it is absolutely crucial. Wouldn’t that prove to be true in your business? (Part One)
By Winfield Ivers
Wildnerness Survival Coach
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When I set up camp in the wilderness the...
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Volume 10, Issue 23, 2007-08-03
Wildfire Relief for Farmers, Ranchers
Grant application deadline Aug. 14
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Utah farmers and ranchers may qualify for federal financial assistance to regenerate Tribal or private grazing lands impacted by the recent wildfires.
Sylvia Gillen, state conservationist for USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service announced that $100,000 is being made immediately under the agency's 2007 Environmental Quality Incentives Program. Additional funds have been requested. Application must be made at a local NRCS field office by noon on Aug. 14.
The focus of this initiative is privately-owned and Tribal grazinglands that have burned as a result of any of the 2007 wildfires. Agricultural producers are eligible for a one-time prescribed gr...
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Volume 10, Issue 34, 2007-10-26
Will Fed Cut Interest Rates Again?
Thredgold Economic Associates
By Jeff Thredgold, Pres.,
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The general public's basic misunderstanding of the role played by the Federal Reserve in the conduct of monetary policy continues. In the days following the Federal Reserve's aggressive one-half percent cut of its important federal funds rate on Sept. 18, I was called no less than 500 times (that might be a bit of a stretch) regarding how that Fed rate cut would impact mortgage interest rates.
Who Determines Short-Term Interest Rates?
The Federal Reserve is the sole determinant of the level of short-term interest rates in the U.S. economy. The federal funds rate, the rate at which commercial banks and other financial institutions lend excess funds to other comme...
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Volume 12, Issue 2, 2009-01-19
Will Runways at the New Airport Withstand Necessary Weight?
Asphalt Thickness at New Airport Questioned by Some
By Marc Mortensen
Assistant to the City Manager
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St. George, Utah - Recently there have been comments made by individuals in the community about the surface design of the new St. George Municipal Airport with regard to soil composition and asphalt thickness. These unfounded comments do not accurately reflect the engineering detail and soils testing that has been performed prior to construction to ensure a runway that is safe and...
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Volume 10, Issue 25, 2007-08-24
Will SkyWest Pilots Vote to Unionize?
Union seeks election to determine representation
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The Air Line Pilots Association this week asked the National Mediation Board to authorize an election to determine if SkyWest Airlines pilots want to be represented by the country's largest pilots' union.
The pilots' union decided to seek a vote after receiving enough interest from SkyWest pilots in joining the union, ALPA said in a letter mailed to about 2,700 aviators.
It isn't clear how many pilots have signed cards authorizing the union to request a collective bargaining vote. The ALPA has refused to reveal the number because the union doesn't want to tip its hand to the company.
Over the past year, ALPA has said it had obtained a...
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Volume 11, Issue 4, 2008-01-29
Will State Purchase St. George Airport?
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According to the Deseret Morning News, the Utah state government may become owner of some 200 acres of the best undeveloped residential land in southern Utah - the old St. George airport.
The city needs to sell the land under the old airport to raise money to finish buying the land needed for the new airport. City officials will open bids Feb. 4 from private developers on the redevelopment.
But any developer who bids on the old airport land must take into consideration that he won't get use of that land for four or five years - the time it will take to complete the new airport and vacate the old.
St. George and southwestern Utah can't do without ...
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Volume 12, Issue 22, 2009-06-22
Will Tax Refunds Be Smaller in 2010?
By Dean Miner
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LOGAN - If you are a wage earner and your income and deductions are similar to last year, you will likely receive a smaller refund when you file your taxes next spring. While that's not necessarily a bad thing, it does raise some questions. Why will this happen? Should taxpayers want a big refund? What are the options?
Why is it happening?
During 2008, most taxpayers received a one-time stimulus check of as much as $600. It was hoped that the money would increase consumer spending and boost the nation's economy. This year, The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act called for reducing the amount of federal income tax withheld from paychecks. It is a different approach to accomplishing the same purpose as the stimulus checks. It is expected that small increases in take-home pay will result in more consumer spending. Most wage earners first saw these increases in their paychecks during April.
It is important for taxpayers to remember that...
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Volume 10, Issue 3, 2007-02-26
Willdan Group Opens in St. George
Expansion provides presence in rapidly growing S. Utah
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ANAHEIM, Calif. & ST. GEORGE --Willdan Group, Inc., a leading provider of outsourced services to public agencies, has announced its expansion into Utah with the opening of a new office in St. George. The St. George office of Willdan, the Company's largest subsidiary and among the largest providers of municipal engineering services in the western United States, is the firm's first location in Utah.
“Scalable geographic expansion in attractive markets is one of our Company's primary strategic objectives for 2007, and Willdan's penetration into Utah demonstrates our growth plan in motion,” said W. Tracy Lenocker, Interim Chief Executive Officer of W...
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Volume 10, Issue 4, 2007-03-19
Willdan Group Opens in St. George
Expansion provides presence in rapidly growing S. Utah
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ANAHEIM, Calif. & ST. GEORGE --Willdan Group, Inc., a leading provider of outsourced services to public agencies, has announced its expansion into Utah with the opening of a new office in St. George. The St. George office of Willdan, the Company's largest subsidiary and among the largest providers of municipal engineering services in the western United States, is the firm's first location in Utah.
“In the St. George area, there is huge demand for housing and related commercial and infrastructure development,” said W. Tracy Lenocker, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Willdan Group. “Public agencies are forced to keep up with the workload created by...
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Volume 13, Issue 20, 2010-06-17
Willpower, What is it?
As Found While Surfing on the Internet
By Randall Hassell
Focus Publications
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One of my students decided she wanted to become a doctor. Already in her mid-thirties, she had carved out a career as a hospital administrator and was no doubt pulling down the big bucks. She said to herself, “This is fine, but it isn’t what I really want to do. I want to be the doctor.” The golden handcuffs were simply no match for her desire. She quit her job and went back to school to take anatomy and all the other pre-med courses she needed in order to apply to med school. Then she actively waited.
What does this mean: “active” waiting? Active waiting means waiting for something you know without a doubt will occur, so you continue to do everything possible to further your positioning until the effect catches up with the cause you set in motion. It is quite different from just waiting. In Susan's case, everything she did reinforced her commitment to become a doctor, from her part-time job for a physician to the courses she took. And she continued to train at karate-do in order to maintain her physical body as well as enhance her shin (spirit). Not a natural athlete, but a woman of great ki (life force), she told me that her training, and the obstacles she faced in the dojo gave her the fighting spirit necessary to continue toward her goal when it seemed almost hopeless. The first year she applied, she didn’t get accepted. The next year she did. Now she has graduated, finished her residencies, and is a doctor!
I have to thank Susan for being an inspiration to me. In her own way, she’s my senpai (older sister) because, through her actions, she taught me a lot about living my dreams. I’m sure she doubted herself at times. But she always wore her game face in public. There was complete congruency between her goals and her actions. She has re-affirmed my commitment to write, and I thank her. We are all students and teachers at the same time.
So much in life depends on our personal willpower. What is willpower? Someone once described it as “the force that allows us to win when all common sense says we shouldn’t.” That’s a pretty good definition. Willpower is a trait that can be exercised and enhanced. Every time we commit to something and stay with it until we prevail, we strengthen our will. Susan may not have been my most gifted student, but I would venture that the strength of her willpower takes a back seat to no one. And since I subscribe to the definition that willpower is that trait that allows us to win when common sense says we shouldn’t, I would have to place my money on Susan in a survival situation.
Self-defense is funny that way. The Marines build warriors that believe in themselves so completely that the only way they can be stopped is to be put down for good. When we train, we should not be distracted from the knowledge that the martial arts build character through total personal immersion and hard work. It builds our willpower, and our willpower not only enables us to accomplish some pretty amazing things, but it may save our life by forcing us to fight on when it all seems hopeless.
Yes, it’s easy to be distracted. When I think about training, I try to...
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Volume 10, Issue 12, 2007-05-14
Wilson Amplifier Improves Cellular Signal Strength
Better coverage and higher data rates for the small office/home office
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ST. GEORGE - Wilson Electronics, a leading manufacturer of cellular amplifiers and antennas, announces a new in-building wireless dual-band cellular amplifier featuring innovative Smart Technology. This new small office/home office bi-directional amplifier substantially improves signal quality and strength for both voice and data.
For customers this means a much stronger cellular signal when and where they need it most, and fewer dropped calls and disconnects. It also means accelerated data, music and video downloads when using cellular air cards with a laptop.
The SOHO dual-band, Cellular / PCS amplifier improves the signal in the 800 and 1900 MHz bands by 50...
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Volume 8, Issue 19, 2005-10-31
Wilson Announces Plans to Retire
Kane to Take CEO Position
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After twenty-eight years with Intermountain Health Care (IHC) - twenty of them at Dixie Regional Medical Center (DRMC) - CEO/administrator L. Steven Wilson is announcing his retirement. Wilson will continue in his position through the end of December 2005.
“Last year at about this same time I successfully confronted a personal health challenge,” Wilson said. “As I worked through treatment for prostate cancer, time with family rose to the top of my priority list. I've thoroughly enjoyed leading health care developments in Dixie, but it's time to let someone else devote career energy to staying ahead of this area's tremendous growth.”
Wilson's leadership directed numerous medical and wellness advancements. Major milestones of his career include growing the hospital's medical staff from 29 members to 220; expanding DRMC from 64-beds to 245-beds on two campuses; DRMC River Road was named Utah's Building Project of the Year by Associated General Contractors; the first open-heart surgery was performed here December 2, 2003 and before the program was one year-old it earned designation as a United Premium Cardiac Specialty Center.
Then earlier this year Cleverley & Associates listed DRMC in their Community Value Index Top 100 Hospitals in the Nation; planning and negotiating land donation for the Dixie State College health sciences building at River Road; initiating newborn intensive care; donating a portable building for the Dixie Care & Share; gifting a home and land to the Children's Justice Center; and establishing services like the cancer center, Utah's first wound clinic, air ambulance, acute rehabilitation, the Jubilee Home and IHC Health Centers in St. George and Hurricane.
“I have a tremendous amount of respect and gratitude for Steve,” said T. Robert Cochran, Chairman of the DRMC Board of Trustees. “On behalf of the governing board, I commend him for all he has invested in making health care in this region excellent.”
IHC Southwest Region Vice President Chris Coons agreed, “Steve has provided great leadership and we at IHC are so grateful for all he has accomplished.”
Besides focusing on family, Wilson plans to remain active in business. “I'm looking forward to pursuing some of the things you always think you'd do if you were willing to take the chance,” he said. “I'm willing. And I'm preparing to launch a new career which will include teaching, consulting and real estate development.”
Wilson first communicated his decision to IHC management earlier this summer. That initiated an assessment process to evaluate potential replacement options. Coons and the DRMC Executive Board Committee are pleased to announce that Terri Kane, DRMC's current Chief Operations Officer has been selected to be the DRMC Administrator beginning in January of 2006.
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Volume 13, Issue 3, 2010-01-26
Wilson Electronics Announces ...
... Newest Cell Phone Signal Booster
By Ken Perkins
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ST. GEORGE, UTAH - Wilson Electronics recently announced the launch of the Sleek, its newest all-in-one signal booster.
Designed for use in a vehicle, or with an optional accessory package in the home or office, the Sleek will be available for purchase early February 2010 with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of $129.00. Ideal for use with a Bluetooth headset or other hands-free device, it provides users everything needed for...
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Volume 11, Issue 33, 2008-09-10
Wilson Electronics Announces New Product
Mobile Amplifier Kit for cell phone, data card
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ST. GEORGE - St. George-based Wilson Electronics, a provider of quality amplifiers and antennas for cellular phones and data cards, has introduced the SignalBoost Mobile Professional amplifier kit.
The kit is an affordable, compact, and portable package that includes everything users need to improve cell phone and data card performance on the road or indoors. The SignalBoost Mobile Professional amplifier kit will be generally available, nationally, October 2008.
For executives who feel that cellular phones are not reliable enough for important business use, the Wilson SignalBoost Mobile Professional is an...
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Volume 11, Issue 38, 2008-10-15
Wilson Electronics Announces New Product
St. George-based manufacturer releases cellular amplifier
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ST. GEORGE - Wilson Electronics, St. George-based maker of cellular amplifiers, antennas and related components, has announced the general availability of the SignalBoost Mobile Professional amplifier kit.
This portable amplifier kit includes everything users need to improve cell phone and data card performance on the road or indoors. The amplifier boosts signal strength up to two times that of a typical cell phone and features a built-in antenna and multiple power supply options.
The amplifier unit, about the size of a candy bar, can be powered through a standard...
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Volume 10, Issue 10, 2007-04-30
Wilson Electronics Names COO
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ST. GEORGE - Wilson Electronics Inc., a leading manufacturer of cellular amplifiers and antennas, has named Joe Banos to the position of Chief Operating Officer. Banos will help direct Wilson's strategic growth, while overseeing the company's day-to-day operations.
“Wilson is growing upon its foundation of first-rate engineering and top-notch technical expertise,” Banos said. “I am thrilled to be rejoining the team at such an exciting time in the company's evolution.”
Banos' professional experience in wireless communication and radio frequency technology extends back more than 30 years, when he partnered with Wilson El...
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Volume 12, Issue 40, 2009-12-15
Wilson Electronics Wins "2009 BEST Award"
By Ken Perkins
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ST. GEORGE, UTAH - CE Pro has honored Wilson Electronics with the publication’s 2009 Best Electronics Systems Technologies (BEST) Award in the “Best Home Networking Device” category.
For Wilson Electronics, the BEST Award from CE Pro brings yet another honor to their line of...
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Volume 10, Issue 5, 2007-03-26
Wilson Releases Cell Phone Amplifier
Delivers up to 10 times more signal strength than your cell phone
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ST. GEORGE - Wilson Electronics, a St. George-based manufacturer of cell phone amplifiers and antennas, announces release of the company's new product, the Wilson SIGNALBOOST. This dual-band amplifier works with all cellular/PCS carriers and has up to 3 watts of output power to increase your cellular signal 10 to 15 times for either voice or data service.
The SIGNALBOOST comes with the universal-connect signal adapter, a six-foot extension cable and a cigarette lighter DC power supply for vehicle use. Optional equipment includes an AC/DC power supply, a window-mount antenna bracket for home, office and dormitory use, and a carrying case for portability.
Wilson ...
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Volume 11, Issue 3, 2008-01-22
Wilson Releases New Cellular Signal Boost Antenna
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ST. GEORGE - Wilson Electronics, a St. George-based manufacturer of cell phone amplifiers and antennas, has released the SignalBoost DT plug-and-play cellular amplifier kit.
This new dual-band amplifier kit works with all cellular/PCS carriers and can increase a cellular signal 10 to 15 times for both voice and data service.
Using the new plug-and-play kit is easy. Users just place the amplifier with the built-in antenna right on the desktop, or mount it on the wall, plug in the power supply, then hook up the cradle antenna either up on the roof, outside on the wall, or inside on the window.
The new Wilson SignalBoost DT kit includes the dual-band...
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Volume 12, Issue 11, 2009-03-30
Wilson To Speak at DSC Business Ethics Forum
Secrets to Happiness in Life and Business to be Shared
By Steve Johnson
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ST. GEORGE, Utah - March, 2009 - Dixie State College of Utah's Udvar-Hazy School of Business will host its penultimate bi-monthly noontime Business and Ethics Forum of the 2009 spring semester this Thursday, April 2, featuring a presentation by St. George area real estate and investment professional Steve Wilson.
The Business and Ethics Forum, presented every other Thursday throughout DSC's spring semester, will be held in the Boeing Auditorium (Room 121) of the DSC Udvar-Hazy Business Building. DSC students, faculty and staff, the entire Washington County business community, and the general public are all invited to attend. Admission is free.
Wilson will share his...
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Volume 12, Issue 24, 2009-07-06
Wind Corridor Project On Schedule
By Travis Small
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Construction on First Wind's Milford Wind Corridor project is moving ahead on schedule. June saw a number of milestones for the project including the first of 97 planned turbine towers erected at the start of the month followed by the first set of blades raised and hung on the tower on June 29th. Specialized cranes were utilized to hoist the rotor with the blades onto the turbine towers.
This July will see even more progress for the project including the completion of the remaining...
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Volume 10, Issue 21, 2007-07-20
Wind Power a No Go
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HURRICANE — Despite its windy sounding name, Hurricane is not a suitable location for a wind generated power plant, the state says.
After a year-long test the State Energy Program has determined that Hurricane gets strong gusts of wind, but it doesn't blow consistently enough to be a suitable option for renewable energy.
The program loaned the city's Power Department test equipment that was installed at the Brentwood Substation. The equipment collected and stored data on wind speed.
Potential wind power plant locations are ranked from Class 1 — those sites with the lowest generation potential - to Class 7, for the highest. Hurricane wa...
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Volume 13, Issue 11, 2010-04-15
Wind Power in Southeastern Utah?
Power Development in San Juan County Could Generate Economic Windfall for Utah, Schools, Study Concludes
By Edwin Stafford
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LOGAN, UTAH – A newly released Utah State University-U.S. Department of Energy study estimates that a modest 50-megawatt wind power development near Monticello in San Juan County, Utah, could generate during its construction more than $31 million in economic output for the state of Utah. It could also support 51 on site construction jobs with a total payroll of almost...
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Volume 13, Issue 13, 2010-04-29
Winfield Ivers asks ``Is honesty still the best policy?``
That fine line of personal gain that can allow one to manipulate the truth - and then it’s not really dishonest right?
By Winfield Ivers
Wildnerness Survival Coach
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What a silly question, of course honesty is still the best policy, well at least for the most part. There is that fine line of personal gain that can allow one to justify or manipulate the truth to appear as honest, and then it’s not really dishonest right? I remember when I was about 6 years of age I was shopping with my Mother and I was very intrigued by a leather coin pouch in the...
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Volume 13, Issue 11, 2010-04-15
Winfield's `S.T.O.P` ...
What to do when you feel behind, overwhelmed, confused, discouraged, lost or stranded ...
By Winfield Ivers
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Whoa, what happened, all the projections, all the planning, all the effort, how did I get off track? STOP! Do not take another step, just STOP and find the most comfortable, dry place to relax and get your bearings. The Boy Scouts of America use this acronym (S.T.O.P.) in their Wilderness Survival Merit Badge handbook to illustrate what to do when you become lost or stranded in the...
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Volume 13, Issue 21, 2010-06-24
Winfield's `S.T.O.P` ...
What to do when you feel behind, overwhelmed, confused, discouraged, lost or stranded ...
By Winfield Ivers
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Whoa, what happened, all the projections, all the planning, all the effort, how did I get off track? STOP! Do not take another step, just STOP and find the most comfortable, dry place to relax and get your bearings. The Boy Scouts of America use this acronym (S.T.O.P.) in their Wilderness Survival Merit Badge handbook to illustrate what to do when you become lost or stranded in the...
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Volume 10, Issue 9, 2007-04-23
Wings Franchise Targets SW Utah
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DALLAS - Wingstop, an award-winning, fast-growing chicken wing franchise known for cooked-to-order wings, has set its sights on diversifying the restaurant and development scene in the St. George area, with plans to open restaurants immediately.
Wingstop has become a leader in the chicken wing business by successfully expanding into mid- and large-sized markets in 27 states. The company currently has more than 450 restaurants either open or under development and consistently tops industry growth rankings.
In July 2005, Wingstop ranked No. 13 in Restaurant Business' Top 50 Growth Chains (ranked by percentage increase in units) and was ranked the No. 1 chicke...
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Volume 8, Issue 4, 2005-02-28
Winners of 2005 Sears Dixie Invitational Art Show Announced
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The winners of the 2005 Robert N. & Peggy Sears Dixie Invitational Art Show were announced recently at the show's annual gala banquet at Dixie State College held for the first time in the newly dedicated Dolores Dore' Eccles Fine Arts Center. This year's Best of Show Purchase Prize Winner is Steven E. McGinty. McGinty's “Sheep at Dusk,” an oil painting, earned him the honor, which carries a grand prize purse of $3,000.
McGinty, a Murry, Utah, native, began painting with oils at the age of 10 with his grandfather who was also an artist. When he was 12, his grandfather bought Steve his first paint set. It was from this gift and the love of his grandfather that gave him the desire to share his talent with others.
His education in art ranges from studies at the University of Utah to travels in Russia and Paris. While in Russia, he gained a wealth of knowledge by meeting with many Russian artists and attending their museums and art academies. McGinty can often be found in a rural area or in someone's garden painting PleinAire; his favorite studio is located outdoors in nature.
He is a member of Oil Painters of America, and continues to display his works in shows and galleries throughout the west. His paintings can be found in collections within the United States, Great Britain, Italy, and Russia. A regular winner and participant in the Sears Invitational Art Show, McGinty's “Milking Time” won third place in the Oils category of the 2004 show.
A.D. Shaw took first place in this year's Oils Category with his painting “A Boy's Life.” Second place was awarded to Steve Songer for “Monte Cristo.” Robert Call won third place for “Autumn Gold.”
In the Watercolor category, 2002 Purchase Prize Winner Wallace Lee took first place for “Cliffs of Snow Canyon.” For the second straight year, second place was awarded to Carl Purcell for “Evening Stroll, Ballyconneally Ireland.” And third place went to 2003 Purchase Prize Winner Roland Lee for “Quiet Creek - Pine Valley.”
Taking first place in the Pastels category was Jerry Hancock for “As Far as the Eye Can See.” Second place went to Dixie State College art professor and 2000 Purchase Prize Winner Del Parson for “Summer Lilacs,” with third place going to Marilee Campbell for “Winter Evening - Grand Canyon.”
In the Other Media category, the first place ribbon went to L'Deane Trueblood, the show's inaugural Purchase Prize Winner in 1988, for her bronze “Far Horizon,” up a notch from her second place finish last year in the same category. Jerry Anderson was awarded second place for his bronze work “Flint.” And Annette Everett took third place for her sculpture “St. Lucia.”
All artwork will remain on display through Sunday, Mar. 20, in the new Robert N. and Peggy Sears Art Gallery located in the Dolores Dore' Eccles Fine Arts Center at Dixie State College.
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Volume 12, Issue 40, 2009-12-15
Winter of I.C.E.
By Michael Patrick O'Brien, Esq.
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Baby it’s cold outside, and it’s time to worry about more than the usual winter ICE. The United States Office of Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) has launched some 1,000 I-9 audits of employers within the last few weeks. ICE says the audit notices were sent to employers based on investigative leads and other...
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Volume 7, Issue 7, 2004-04-12
Wireless and Box Canyons
Technically Twisted Commentaries
By Jason Eyre
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Wireless technology has been improving the last few years. The Spread Spectrum Packet Radios I paid over 10,000 for in 1996 now cost less than $50.00 each. The same microwave transmitters that emitted so much radiation that they would cause temporary sterility now sit in my bedroom running in a less radiant fashion. Many people in our area benefit from some of the best wireless Internet infrastructure in the country.
Satellite Television and Internet is available through at least 2 major providers who are pretty competitive. Wireless telephones have become more prevalent than the ones that are hard wired into our homes.
How happy are we with all this wireless technology? Who do the Satellite providers keep sending more equipment up into space, and why do they keep shutting off certain channels due to lawsuits? Why does my wireless phone notify me that I have voice mail when the phone did not even ring? Why can't we get certain local AM radio stations in the East part of the valley after dark, even though they reach beyond the west coast?
The answers to these questions are simple: Wireless technology has boundaries and capacities. These boundaries are not a tangible, physical boundary. Many of them are regulations setup by the FCC to protect certain types of communication from interference. Imagine if your internet connection caused problems at the Airport or your wireless phone crossed over into frequencies used by local law enforcement or fire protection agencies. Now factor in a National Defense and many other important uses of our wireless spectrum.
Wireless capacities are different. I like to think of wireless capacity like a box canyon during a flash flood. These canyons that have very high walls and narrow passageways are like some of the higher frequencies we are using today for Data Exchange. When a flash flood enters into these canyons, it simply fills them up to the top until the water spills over and rushes to some lower valley, one that was often carved by the waters path in the first place.
When I plugged a wireless switch into my home network, I discovered at least 3 other devices running on the same frequencies in my neighborhood. While helping a person in a more remote part of the valley setup his wireless networks, we realized his computers were connecting to the neighbors. Beware that you are not cramming too much data into the fixed bandwidth space. The overflow in this case is not pretty, it is called packet loss and it basically boils down to slow unreliable data connections.
Editor's note: Jason Eyre is a Southern Utah Native who has worked in Government, Agricultural, Aerospace, Financial, and Service Industries; each position focusing on Information Technology. His considerable experience brings meaningful advice to those wishing to navigate effectively in today's technology world. Send your emails to journal@infowest.com
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Volume 7, Issue 22, 2004-12-13
Wireless Network Headed for Southwest Utah
Case for UTOPIA Weak?
By John Heerhold
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Soon Utah residents and businesses will be able to take advantage of Ultra- High Speed Mobile Wireless Internet Connectivity, and it will not come with the approximately 400 million dollar price tag that UTOPIA will (or will have) cost the taxpayer.
Heritage Communications, a Utah based company, has built a wireless network, and is expanding to a new network to which UTOPIA will pale in comparison. “Heritage's network will offer superior in speeds and mobility to its customers,” says Dave Thayne, one of Heritage's owners.
He continued “We have to disagree with Laura Lewis, who in the August West Valley Journal was quoted as saying ‘a wireless network is more expensive than fiber in the ground,' which is simply not the case.” UTOPIA has been reported to cost the taxpayers approximately 400 million dollars. Heritage is building out their network at their own expense. As for Laura's claims that the service is unreliable in inclement weather, their network has been up for over one year and they have strong signals and have not experienced any problems due to weather.
The Heritage network will offer speeds up to 30 times faster than the fastest competitive cable Internet Services that are already using fiber, and provide mobility to their customers. Heritage is making your laptop and PDA as portable as your cell phone. Heritage is building out a new network that offers 45 Meg Upload and Download speeds. These blazing fast speeds will open the door for Voice over Internet to replace phone, Video, and Home Security over the Internet, all which Heritage is in development on.
Adding to his points, Thayne said “Another thing that wireless will not disrupt is traffic. I do not know if Utah residents are tired of the roads being torn up, but deploying UTOPIA will cause havoc during implementation when roads and driveways will need to be torn up to get access to the end location. Wireless goes point to point through the air with no disruption during rollout. It also does not come with the 1000.00 price tag per install that we Utopia will require to set up an end user location.”
“The people who supported UTOPIA have good intentions with rolling this program out. They just need to do a lot more homework to compare what is being done by private enterprise,” Thayne added.
He then suggested that “When the Heritage Network is complete the UTOPIA network will be obsolete before it is even rolled out. The cities that have elected to commit money to UTOPIA are going to spend a lot of taxpayer money on a network that will be inferior to what Heritage already has. If these cities knew what Heritage has to offer, they would be working with them. Heritage is engaged in discussions with a many cities now, and is looking at offering High Speed Mobile Access for all Police Cars and Emergency Services Vehicles within the municipalities.”
Thayne concluded “Heritage will actually look at providing the service for free if they can get joint venture with the cities by providing us access to municipal locations to mount our access points. Many of these cities need to do their homework and learn about other alternatives before they commit anymore money to UTOPIA.”
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Volume 11, Issue 11, 2008-04-01
Wireless Provider Expands Service Area 1
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ST. GEORGE - Alltel Wireless has expanded and improved wireless coverage and network quality with the recent activation of a new digital cell site in St. George.
The new site provides digital wireless service and coverage to the Winchester Hills area, including the Ledges residential and golf community, State Road 18 and the surrounding region.
Coverage also now extends south on SR-18 to the Snow Canyon area and north to near the Diamond Valley exit.
...
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Volume 11, Issue 13, 2008-04-15
Wireless Provider Introduces New Service
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Wireless phone service provider Alltel has announced the company’s new unlimited voice-to-text service is now available in southern Utah.
Known as Voice2TXT, the service converts voicemails into text and sends them to the subscribers' phone as text messages. Messages will appear as one to three text messages.
Any text messages received from voicemail conversions will not count against a Customer's Axcess Messaging Pack.
Once received, Customers can review, reply to, store, and forward text messages as needed.
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Volume 8, Issue 11, 2005-06-06
Women (Only) Invited To Apply For New Zions Bank Grants
Applications Available Online
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The Zions Bank Women's Financial Group recently announced the availability of applications for a new series of micro-grants for women.
Called "Smart Women Grants," the awards totaling $20,000 will be provided to women candidates who excel in a variety of categories:
Small business start-up and expansion - Community development - Continuing education and teacher support - Child and elder care - Health and human services- Arts and culture.
Community peer review panels will select the grant recipients, to be announced in conjunction with Zions Bank's second annual "Smart Women, Smart Money" free financial education seminar slated for October 12, 2005 at the Salt Palace Convention Center.
Open to female residents of Utah and Idaho, applications are available online at www.zionsbank.com/womens_finance.jsp or by calling (801) 594-8150. Applications are due August 1, 2005. All Zions Bank branch locations also have copies of the applications available upon request.
"We developed the new Smart Women Grants to help bolster the efforts of everyday heroines who strengthen our communities in so many ways through their various talents," said Lori Chillingworth, manager of the Women's Financial Group. "As Utah's first financial center for women, the Zions Bank Women's Financial Group created the grants as an extension of our ongoing commitment to empower women in achieving financial independence."
Priority consideration for funding will be given to proposals that: promote the empowerment of women; emphasize collaboration between women entrepreneurs or non-profit entities supporting women; directly benefit women or low-income and underserved populations; support endeavors that immediately benefit communities in which Zions Bank has a presence; and for proposals that provide a sound plan for measuring performance and results.
In order to receive business-related grants, female applicants must be business owners and the primary manager of the company's day-to-day activities, or associated with a non-profit organization that directly benefits women.
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Volume 11, Issue 35, 2008-09-24
Women In Business Announce Scholarship Program
Applications due Dec. 1
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CEDAR CUTY - The Cedar City Area Chamber of Commerce Women In Business invites women to apply for this year's WIB scholarship program to attend an accredited university or college in Iron County.
Eligible women should apply no later than Dec. 1, by completing an application available at the Cedar City Area Chamber offices. Applicants must be women who plan to attend an Iron County university or college during the 2009-2010 school year.
"We are looking forward to considering the applicants for these scholarships and choosing the final recipients," said Andrea Cook, WIB President.
In December two $500 scholarships will be awarded. One will be awarded to a...
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Volume 12, Issue 2, 2009-01-19
Women In Business Luncheon
Dr. Marcus L. Peterson to be Guest Speaker
Source
Cedar City Chamber of Commerce
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The Cedar City Area Chamber of Commerce Women in Business luncheon has been changed to the third Wednesday of the month. This months luncheon will be held Wednesday January 21st at Cedar Creek Restaurant. Dr Marcus L Peterson from the Center for Advanced Plastic Surgery is the guest speaker. Watch for more information. Make your reservations now. Call Barb at 586-4484...
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Volume 10, Issue 29, 2007-09-21
Women in Business Luncheon — Sept. 21
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CEDAR CITY - The monthly Women in Business luncheon will be held Sept. 21 at noon in The Garden House. The speaker will be Denise Perkins, marketing director for Red Mountain Spa in Ivins. Cost is $10.
...
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Volume 11, Issue 3, 2008-01-22
Women in Business Schedule Kickoff - Jan. 25
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CEDAR CITY - All are invited to join the Women in Business for their 2008 Kickoff Meeting on Friday, Jan 25 at noon. The meeting will be held at Bard's Food and Drink Establishment, 1575 W. 200 North, Cedar City.
Sarah Holmes, WIB President will present the plans for the organization's exciting new year. Dolly Trujillo of Cherry Creek Radio/TOMA will also share some thoughts on marketing your business. Those who plan to attend are encouraged to bring business cards, fliers and friends. |
Volume 11, Issue 27, 2008-07-30
Women In Business Schedule Lunch, Seminar
Learn to project professionalism
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CEDAR CITY - The Cedar City Area Chamber of Commerce Women In Business will host national speaker, trainer and author Kerry Robertson, Wednesday, Aug. 6 at the Crystal Inn, 1575 West 200 North in Cedar City. Lunch will be at noon, with Robertson's seminar from 1-3 p.m. Lunch is $12, and the seminar is free!
Robertson is passionate about helping people become better speakers and communicators. These are life-skills that she considers to be the foundation for success at work and in our personal lives as well.
In 1994, Robertson founded Kerry Robertson Communications, which specializes in...
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Volume 11, Issue 7, 2008-02-19
Women in Business Schedule Luncheon Friday
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CEDAR CITY - All are invited to join the Cedar City Area Chamber of Commerce Women in Business luncheon for networking and information about women in the workplace. The luncheon is scheduled for Feb. 22 at noon at Bard's Food and Drink Establishment, 1575 West 200 North....
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Volume 11, Issue 38, 2008-10-15
Women in Business Schedule Working Lunch
Will prepare for Pumpkin Festival
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CEDAR CITY - Cedar City Area Chamber of Commerce Women In Business will meet for a working lunch Friday, Oct. 24 to prepare for the Pumpkin Festival.
The luncheon will be at noon at the Randall L. Jones Theater grounds (300 West and Center St.). Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP to wibcedarcity@gmail.com or 435-586-4484. Lunch is $10.
Women In Business is also seeking volunteers to help with the eighth annual Pumpkin Festival on Saturday, Oct. 25 on the grounds of the Randall L. Jones Theater.
The event is put on in conjunction with the ...
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Volume 12, Issue 12, 2009-04-06
Women In Business Spring Service Project
Source: Cedar City Chamber
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We’d like to invite you to participate in a spring service project hosted by The Cedar City Chamber of Commerce’s Women in Business. The Women’s Shelter, Family Support Center , and Iron County Care & Share are in need of the following items:
Diapers and wipes.
Children’s new socks and underwear (all sizes).
Postage stamps.
Office supplies (envelopes, copy paper, tape, staples, etc.)
Cleaning supplies (Pine Sol, 409, bleach, laundry detergent)
During the month of April, Women in Business will provide collection boxes in the Chamber Offices, at the monthly Breakfast and ...
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Volume 10, Issue 39, 2007-12-11
Women in Business to Meet - Dec. 21
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CEDAR CITY - The Cedar City Women in Business will hold their December luncheon at noon Friday, Dec. 21 at Bards at Crystal Inn.
Lunch is $10, and bring a $10 exchange gift. Those who plan to attend are encouraged to bring plenty of business cards, brochures or fliers, and be prepared to steal a great gift!
...
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Volume 10, Issue 40, 2007-12-18
Women in Business to Meet - Dec. 21
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CEDAR CITY - The Cedar City Women in Business will hold their December luncheon at noon Friday, Dec. 21 at Bards at Crystal Inn.
Lunch is $10, and bring a $10 exchange gift. Those who plan to attend are encouraged to bring plenty of business cards, brochures or fliers, and be prepared to steal a great gift!
...
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Volume 11, Issue 17, 2008-05-13
Women in Business to Meet Friday
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CEDAR CITY – The Women in Business will meet for lunch at noon Friday, May 16 at WOW Eatery, 5 N. Main (Upstairs in the Boomers building). Cost for lunch is $10. All are invited.
...
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Volume 11, Issue 13, 2008-04-15
Women Realtors Set Fundraiser - April 26
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ST. GEORGE - The St. George Chapter of the Womens Council of Realtors has announced the organization's First Annual Fashion Show & Luncheon Gala on April 26.
The event will feature a raffle and silent auction. All funds raised will help to empower women through educational opportunities to exercise their potential as entrepreneurs and industry leaders.
Space is limited, so please make your reservations early at 435-574-3433. Sponsorship are also available. ...
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Volume 11, Issue 8, 2008-03-04
Women Realtors Set Fundraiser Saturday
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ST. GEORGE - The St. George Chapter of the Womens Council of Realtors has announced the organization's First Annual Fashion Show & Luncheon Gala on April 26.
The event will feature a raffle and silent auction. All funds raised will help to empower women through educational opportunities to exercise their potential as entrepreneurs and industry leaders.
Space is limited, so please make your reservations early at 435-574-3433. Sponsorships are also available. ...
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Volume 10, Issue 1, 2007-01-22
Women's Conference 2007 Scheduled
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ST. GEORGE - The 2007 Women's Conference is celebrating 21 years of excellence in southwest Utah and everyone is invited for a rich and full day of speakers, a healthy lunch, invaluable information, and secrets for successful living!
The conference is scheduled Saturday, Feb. 10 from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Dixie State College Eccles Fine Arts Building.
The conference theme for 2007 is “The Song Within You.” Those who attend will have a wide choice of workshops and seminars that focus on the key areas of a woman's life, including health, career, social interaction, family, and self-improvement.
Keynote addresses will be delivered...
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Volume 11, Issue 6, 2008-02-12
Women's Conference March 10
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ST. GEORGE - The longstanding first Saturday in March for the Women's Conference in Dixie no longer suits the schedules of most women today who run businesses, head households, and contribute time to church and community.
For the first time ever the conference is taking place on a Monday - March 10, at the Dixie Center from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. This year's theme celebrates the "21st Century Woman."
Tickets are $35 and are available at USU Extension office at 44 N. 100 East, Lin's Market in St. George, Dixie State College Bookstore, Dixie Regional Medical Center's PRIME Senior Services at 600 South and 300 East, and Deseret Bookstore.
They may also be ...
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Volume 11, Issue 25, 2008-07-16
Women's Council of Realtors to Host Fundraiser
Hot August Nights to benefit the Dove Center
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ST. GEORGE - The Women's Council of Realtors has scheduled the "Hot August Nights" Sock Hop and Classic Car Show for Saturday, Aug. 16. This exclusive gala will be held at the Elks Lodge starting at 6:30 p.m. until 11:30 p.m.
Come dressed up in 50's and 60's costumes and win the contest for King and Queen of the Hop, or be the winner for the best costume, best dancer, or for outperforming everyone with the Hula Hoop!
The members of WCR contribute time, talent and financial resources to build a network of agents assisting those in need of a helping hand. The funds raised by this event will benefit...
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Volume 11, Issue 26, 2008-07-23
Women's Council of Realtors to Host Fundraiser
Hot August Nights to benefit the Dove Center
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ST. GEORGE - The Women's Council of Realtors has scheduled the "Hot August Nights" Sock Hop and Classic Car Show for Saturday, Aug. 16. This exclusive gala will be held at the Elks Lodge starting at 6:30 p.m. until 11:30 p.m.
Come dressed up in 50's and 60's costumes and win the contest for King and Queen of the Hop, or be the winner for the best costume, best dancer, or for outperforming everyone with the Hula Hoop!
The members of WCR contribute time, talent and financial resources to build a network of agents assisting those in need of a helping hand. The funds raised by this event will benefit...
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Volume 11, Issue 27, 2008-07-30
Women's Council of Realtors to Host Fundraiser
Hot August Nights to benefit the Dove Center
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ST. GEORGE - The Women's Council of Realtors has scheduled the "Hot August Nights" Sock Hop and Classic Car Show for Saturday, Aug. 16. This exclusive gala will be held at the Elks Lodge starting at 6:30 p.m. until 11:30 p.m.
Come dressed up in 50's and 60's costumes and win the contest for King and Queen of the Hop, or be the winner for the best costume, best dancer, or for outperforming everyone with the Hula Hoop!
The members of WCR contribute time, talent and financial resources to build a network of agents assisting those in need of a helping hand. The funds raised by this event will benefit...
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Volume 11, Issue 27, 2008-07-30
Women's Council of Realtors to Host Fundraiser
Hot August Nights to benefit the Dove Center
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ST. GEORGE - The Women's Council of Realtors has scheduled the "Hot August Nights" Sock Hop and Classic Car Show for Saturday, Aug. 16. This exclusive gala will be held at the Elks Lodge starting at 6:30 p.m. until 11:30 p.m.
Come dressed up in 50's and 60's costumes and win the contest for King and Queen of the Hop, or be the winner for the best costume, best dancer, or for outperforming everyone with the Hula Hoop!
The members of WCR contribute time, talent and financial resources to build a network of agents assisting those in need of a helping hand. The funds raised by this event will benefit...
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Volume 11, Issue 43, 2008-11-19
Women's Networking Group Meeting Announced
Group Invites Community Involvement
By Judy Szamos
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ST. GEORGE - The Professional Women's Networking Group will be holding its November meeting at St George's Independent Bookstore, The Book Cellar, hosted by Elena O'Donnell of O'D Von Studio of Fashion and Design on Thursday Nov 20th at 6:30pm.
The Professional Women's Networking Group came into being to provide a place where the professional women of St. George can come together in support of each other's success. The concept is one of inclusivity, with the organization open to all professional women. There are no fees and no dues. "This group is not affiliated with any other local or national women's organization," says member Judy Szamos.
In contrast commented Judy, "...
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Volume 7, Issue 9, 2004-05-10
Women's Day Festival Slated for Mid May
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The St. George Recreation Division in conjunction with IHC, Rok Dox, Star 98 FM, the Electric Theater and the Spectrum are planning their 2nd Annual Women's Day Festival. Planners are expecting more that 500 participants to attend the Festival. All proceeds go to benefit the Breast Cancer Services at Dixie Regional Medical Center to help hire a breast cancer coordinator.
The festival kicks off on Thursday, May 13th with a benefit concert at the Electric Theater by the Rok Dox. The show starts at 7:30 pm and tickets are $10/person.
On Saturday, May 15th at the Dixie Center, join us for a 10k, 5k and a 1-mile fun run. Costs are $20-10k, $15-5k and $10-1-mile. Children 7 and under are free. You can sign-up for the race on active.com or stop by the St. George Recreation Center for a form. Please note, there is no day of registration.
After the race, there will be drawings for free prizes donated by local businesses. Also on Saturday, there will be an Expo at Worthen Park form 11a - 4p. Booths will include crafts, artwork, information on breast cancer and other items. The expo is free. For more information on the Women's Day Festival races, expo or concert, call (435) 634-5860.
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Volume 7, Issue 16, 2004-09-13
Wood Receives VS Certification from CSUF
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Debra Wood, Victim Services Coordinator for the Washington County Children's Justice Center has been awarded a Certificate in Victim Services by California State University, Fresno (CSUF), following completion of a program through CSUF's Justice Center of the Department of Criminology.
Ms. Wood is now the only Certified Victim Services professional in Southern Utah. Her participation in the coursework was partially funded by Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), on a scholarship basis. Other funding was provided by the Children's Justice Center utilizing other grant funds.
In her work at the Children's Justice Center, Ms. Wood meets with child victims and their family members pursuant to allegations of sexual or severe physical abuse. She provides them with crisis intervention and referrals to needed community resources such as mental health and medical care. When necessary, she accompanies victims and their families to court appearances, and generally coordinates case information.
Ms. Wood has been employed at the CJC for five years, first as the Office Coordinator and was moved to the position of Victim Services Coordinator in 2000. “Debra is an integral part of our program, and assists us to meet the Mission of the Children's Justice Center,” said Director Patricia Sheffield. “Her skills in providing information and support to both the victims of these crimes, as well as their family members is appreciated by all who come in contact with her.
She assists us to maintain an environment that is both safe and neutral.” Ms. Wood serves as a member of the Center's Multi-disciplinary Team, along with professionals from law enforcement, child protective services, prosecution, mental and medical health and other allied agencies.
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Volume 7, Issue 1, 2004-01-12
WORDS WOMEN USE
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FINE
This is the word women use to end an argument when they feel they are right and you need to shut up. Never use "fine" to describe how a woman looks - this will cause you to have one of those arguments.
FIVE MINUTES
This is half an hour. It is equivalent to the five minutes that your football game is going to last before you take out the trash, so it's an even trade.
NOTHING
This means "something," and you should be on your toes. "Nothing" is usually used to describe the feeling a woman has of wanting to turn you inside out, upside down, and backwards. "Nothing" usually signifies >an argument that will last "Five Minutes" and end with "...
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Volume 7, Issue 2, 2004-01-26
WORDS WOMEN USE - Part 2
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LOUD SIGH
This is not actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A "Loud Sigh" means she thinks you are an idiot at that moment, and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you over "Nothing."
SOFT SIGH
Again, this is not a word, but a non-verbal statement. "Soft Sighs" mean that she is content. Your best bet is to not move or breathe, and she will stay content.
THAT'S OKAY
This is one of the most dangerous statements that a woman can make to a man. "That's Okay" means that she wants to think long and hard before paying you back for whatever it is that you have done. "That's Okay" ...
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Volume 10, Issue 25, 2007-08-24
Work Begins on Mine Power Station
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CEDAR CITY - Palladon Ventures Ltd. has commenced construction of power substation facilities at the Iron Mountain project near Cedar City.
Palladon Iron has begun pouring concrete foundations for a 4-foot-thick support pad measuring 22 feet by 15.5 feet. This concrete pad will support the new 51-ton transformer currently in transit to the site. The transformer and substation installation is scheduled for September and October with all electrical feed systems to be operational by the end of calendar year 2007.
The power infrastructure at Iron Mountain will consist of a large electrical substation and switching unit connecting future Iron Mountain plant faciliti...
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Volume 11, Issue 16, 2008-05-06
Work Begins on New St. George Courthouse
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ST. GEORGE – Construction crews have knocked down the walls of the former West Elementary School building to make way for a new 5th District Court office.
The new courthouse is scheduled for completion by fall 2009, and will increase the number of available courtrooms from three to eight. A federal magistrate will also office in the building.
Four judges share three courtrooms in the current courthouse, which opened in 1981 and was designed to accommodate the area’s legal needs for 50 years.
But population growth far beyond any projections at the time, and the need for security far greater than was required in 1981, have made the current building ...
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Volume 13, Issue 17, 2010-05-27
Work Harder. Work smarter!
Gail Miller remembers Larry notifying her that he was going to build a sports arena. His main point being he would not be home for three years!
By Matt Eschler, Ph.D., LMFT
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I picked up a copy of the Larry H. Miller autobiography titled “Driven”. I think that there are things to learn about being in business as well as living in this century from this book. Larry Miller began with nothing. He states that he got his start by a chain of events that goes something like this; I dropped out of college, got laid off, and got demoted. Larry failed right from the start and notes that at least these three failures started him on his journey to independence.
Every one in Utah knows that...
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Volume 11, Issue 5, 2008-02-05
Worker Safety Seminars Set Feb. 6 - 7
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To help Southern Utah companies protect their workers and their businesses, Workers Compensation Fund is holding safety seminars in the Cedar City and St. George areas Wednesday and Thursday.
A Back, Eye & Hand Injury Prevention seminar will be held Wednesday in Cedar City at the Crystal Inn, 1575 W. 200 North, from 8:30 to 10 a.m.
The course will be held in St. George on Thursday at the WCF office at 1453 S. Dixie Dr., Suite 100, from 8:30 to 10 a.m.
This course reviews the basic techniques of injury prevention for back, eye and hand injuries, which are the most frequently occurring injuries across the nation. Participants will gain helpful infor...
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Volume 7, Issue 10, 2004-05-24
Workers Comp. Fund Announces $20 Million Dividend
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Workers Compensation Fund (WCF) announced that it will pay dividends totaling $20 million to policyholders this year. All eligible policyholders, regardless of company or policy size, will receive a portion of the dividend by August 2004.
"The $20 million dividend is a credit to WCF's policyholders and our employees, who have worked together to improve workplace safety statewide," says Lane Summerhays, president and CEO of WCF.
WCF had about 8 percent fewer claims reported in 2003 than in 2002 as well as a reduction in the number of very serious injuries reported.
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Volume 8, Issue 15, 2005-09-05
Workers Compensation Fund Announces $20 Million Dividend
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Workers Compensation Fund has declared a $20 million dividend that will be distributed to a majority of policyholders last month. Policyholders can expect to receive 9.25 percent of their earned premium attributable to the 2004 calendar year.
“The dividend is a result of a phenomenal year in 2004,” said WCF President Lane Summerhays. “Our policyholders have worked hard to implement safety programs and preventive measures to keep workers safe and accidents low. This dividend is a direct result of their efforts.”
With this distribution, WCF will have returned more than $209 million in dividends to its policyholders since 1991. Dividends are paid fr...
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Volume 7, Issue 7, 2004-04-12
Workers Compensation Fund Wins Court Ruling
Policyholders Are Declared Owners of the Mutual Insurance Company
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT - Utah Third District Judge Timothy Hanson ruled in favor of the Workers Compensation Fund, stating that its assets are owned by its policyholders, not the State of Utah.
This ruling settles a longstanding claim by the State of Utah that the assets of WCF are wholly or substantially owned by the State of Utah. For final resolution on the issue, WCF filed a lawsuit several months ago seeking a declaratory ruling, which has just been granted.
In his ruling, Judge Hanson determined that Utah “has no ownership in Workers Compensation Fund or its assets, other than as a policyholder.” The judge relied on Utah statutes, as well as three prior ruling...
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Volume 8, Issue 16, 2005-09-19
Workers on the Lookout for New Jobs, Survey Says
Nearly Half of Respondents Report No Opportunity for Career Advancement
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Take a close look at the workers in the cubicles on either side of you. Chances are they may not be around your company for much longer.
According to a nationwide online survey of working adults by University of Phoenix, more than two-thirds (67 percent) are looking for a job on some level, even though the majority (76 percent) of them are satisfied at their current place of employment.
In addition to sending out resumes and interviewing with companies, survey respondents are taking calls from recruiters, surfing job boards, and pursuing new skills or an education to prepare for a job move.
The University polled nearly 2,500 working professionals in diverse industri...
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Volume 11, Issue 34, 2008-09-17
Workers to Pay More for Health Benefits
Health care costs expected to rise nearly 6 percent
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Fifty-nine percent of U.S. companies intend to combat rising health care costs in 2009 by raising workers' deductibles, copays or out-of-pocket expenses, according to a survey by the Mercer consulting firm.
The survey projects health care costs will rise on average by 5.7 percent next year for workers and their employers - equal to this year's increase.
Mercer says 19 percent of employers plan to avoid passing along that large an increase by offering consumer-directed health plans next year. Such programs charge lower premiums but require higher deductibles.
The growth of health-care costs has hovered at around ...
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Volume 10, Issue 8, 2007-04-16
Workers Will Become Harder to Find
Federal scrutiny of hiring likely to increase
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CEDAR CITY - Employers in some sectors of the Utah economy will find it increasingly difficult in coming years to hire enough legal workers to fill open positions, an insurance industry executive recently told the Utah Manufacturer's Association.
And one likely result is even more government scrutiny of hiring practices, said Mark Hunter of Summit Insurance Group.
"The Department of Home Land Security recently took control of the issues surrounding hiring legal workers,” Hunter said. “As the baby boomers start to retire, it will become increasingly more difficult to find workers to fill their positions.”
Hunter addressed the I...
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Volume 11, Issue 28, 2008-08-06
Workforce Services Now Closed Fridays
Extended hours Monday through Thursday
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Beginning Monday, August 4, all Department of Workforce Services offices across the state will be open extended hours Monday through Thursday and closed Fridays.
Their hours are now Monday - Thursday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Many other state offices are following the same four-day schedule as directed by Gov. Jon Huntsman, Jr. More information on the four-day workweek schedule is available at www.utah.gov. ...
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Volume 13, Issue 16, 2010-05-20
Working The Backend
The biggest problem with most of the advertising being written today is that it’s lazy communication
By Jon Bingham
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The biggest problem with most of the advertising that is being written today is that it’s based on lazy communication. Now logically results-oriented advertising can be created by implementing the opposite of lazy communication, which is specific communication.
Specificity is one of the most valuable tools of the master communicator. You must use this principle if you want to write advertising that really sells, to get your prospect to take notice. The key to putting this all together is to be specific when presenting your argument or...
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Volume 11, Issue 16, 2008-05-06
Working with Editors and News Directors
Public Relations for Small Business
By Ken Perkins
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We’ve been talking the past few issues about best practices for emailing your press releases to editors and news directors. Now I’d like to discuss some tips for working with people in those positions.
The key to working with editors and news directors who can help spread your business message is to build a professional relationship with them. This advice isn’t original, but it’s true.
Don’t be afraid to give them a call sometime when you don’t need anything. Just say, “How we can help you?” They’ll probably be speechless because no one has ever made an offer like that before.
If your locations and schedules permit, invite the editor or news director to lunch. If the person accepts your invitation, don’t grab the check. That’s right, I said DON’T grab the check.
Many news organizations have strict rules against their employees accepting gifts, even free lunches. Pay your own way and let the editors/news director pay hers. That way there can be no misunderstanding, no quid pro quo offered nor accepted.
Finally, in building a relationship with an editor or news director who can help you spread your business message, be sincere. If you’re a phony who just wants to get a story about your company printed in the publication, or broadcast on that radio or TV station, they will see through your facade in a second.
They’ve seen that fake kind of thing a thousand times, so if you want to set yourself apart from the crowd, be honest and truthful.
We’ll pick up this thread again next issue. See you then.
Ken Perkins is a freelance commercial writer, providing specialized communications services for companies large and small. His career in public relations, journalism, and marketing has spanned 20 years.
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Volume 11, Issue 43, 2008-11-19
Working Your Trade Show Booth
Tips and Tricks to Optimize Your Trade Show Experience
By Barry Thomsen
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All your advance planning, expense and work are about to pay off because - IT'S SHOW TIME! You've spent the money to get into this trade show - now it's time to reap the rewards. It's how you work your booth that will determine how much you'll get out of it. Here are a few suggestions to get maximum results:
- Keep the walk-in front area of your booth open and clear at all times so visitors can enter easily and not have to maneuver around you or your staff to get in.
- Dress professionally and make trips to the rest room to check your appearance as the long day goes on. Keep breath mints handy and...
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Volume 7, Issue 21, 2004-11-22
Workplace Safety . . .
By Linda Baker
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As temperatures fall, certain workplace injuries tend to rise. Workers Compensation Fund is urging workers statewide to learn preventive tactics to remain safe on the job this fall and winter.
Common cold-weather workplace injuries include vehicular accidents, slips and trips, and overexposure to below-freezing temperatures. “We see weather-related trends in injuries, so we're alerting Utah's workforce to avoid unnecessary pain, down-time and stress by using caution,” says Lane A. Summerhays, WCF president and CEO.
While specific seasonal data is not available, general statistics demonstrate the impact of work-related illnesses and injuries:
In 2003, 65,746 Utah workers reported work-related injuries. (Source: Utah Labor Commission)
Nationally, 14,290 U.S. workers sustain injuries or illnesses on the job each day, and 15 people die from work-related injuries every day. (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
The economic impact of work-related illnesses and injuries has been estimated at more than $170 billion annually, the same as cancer. (Source: RMCOEH)
The top cause for work-related fatalities in the U.S. is vehicular accidents, followed by homicides and falls. (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Work-related injuries and illnesses can affect all Utahns, whether they work in an office setting, retail store, manufacturing plant, construction site or on the road.
WCF's team of safety professionals provides in-depth safety training for companies in manufacturing, construction, transportation, hospitality, office management, and many other fields. Safety seminars are free to WCF policyholders (non-policyholders may also attend for a nominal fee). More information on work-related injuries can be found at www.wcfgroup.com.
Editor's note: Salt Lake City-based Workers Compensation Fund is Utah's premier workers' compensation insurance provider, promoting workplace safety to more that 30,000 companies. Established in 1917, WCF is a mutual insurance company owned by its policyholders and governed by a board of directors. WCF offers its customers a variety of services including safety services, claims administration, medical case management, vocation rehabilitation, return to work and special investigation services.
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Volume 11, Issue 39, 2008-10-22
Workplace Trends, Hiring, Firing, and More ...
Human Resources Advice and Updates
Mike O'Brien
Uyah SHRM Legal Director
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RULE ON TIME OFF TO VOTE: This time of year, employers must remember that various state laws require that employees who may not have time otherwise during the work day must be given time off to vote. CCH notes, "Employers in many states risk fines or even jail sentences for interfering with employees' right to exercise their franchise. In other states, however, the law offers no special protection or incentive for someone who takes time out of the workday to vote." CCH has provided a chart listing "those states with time off to vote laws, along with information on which employers are covered, the amount of time that may be taken, special conditions under which time off m...
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Volume 7, Issue 19, 2004-10-25
World Renowned Pianist to Perform at Cox Auditorium
By Gail Bunker
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Scott Holden enjoys an active career as soloist, chamber musician and teacher. He holds music degrees from the University of Michigan, Manhattan School of Music and the Juilliard School, where he was awarded the Horowitz Prize. His program on November 4 will feature works by Liszt, Haydn, Rachmaninoff and Schumann.
In addition to his American studies, Holden studied in Budapest at the Liszt Academy where he was a Fulbright Scholar. He has performed widely in the United States, as well as in Canada, Mexico, England, Belgium, Holland, Italy, Germany and Hungary. He released his first CD in 1996 which included works by Bach-Busoni, Schumann, Berg and Martinu. A second CD is currently being recorded on Tantara records, which will include several world premiere recordings. The project stems from his lengthy and original research on the Russian-American composer Vernon Duke.
A prize winner in numerous piano competitions, Dr. Holden's 1996 Carnegie Hall debut recital was a result of winning 1st prize in the 1996 Leschetizky International Piano Competition. It received high critical praise in the New York Concert Review: “Mr. Holden is a winner.right from the beginning, he shared some key elements with Leschetizky's more famous students: beautiful tone, sound technique and the ability to transform notes on a page into a distinctly personal statementHe is a pianist in the ‘effortless technique category' whose main concern seems to be in matters of interpretation, and who by all evidence, is ready to put his own stamp on the music.”
The public is invited to a Celebrity Concert Series Benefit Dinner on the Cox Auditorium Stage with Dr. Holden, prior to the concert. Please call CCS offices for additional information 435.652.7994
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Volume 12, Issue 29, 2009-09-28
World Senior Games Calls For Volunteers
By Kyle Case
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Every October, over 9,500 athletes from various corners of the globe converge on St. George for the Huntsman World Senior Games. Each of these athletes comes with determination, drive and expectations. Were it not for the army of over 2,000 volunteers who are willing to give of themselves, their expertise and their time, the Games simply could not happen for these athletes.
"There is no doubt in my mind that without the huge support of our Dixie volunteers, the Games would have failed years ago," states Kyle M Case, Chief Executive Officer for the Games. "At every sporting venue or social event, you'll find them efficiently doing what needs to be done to ensure the athletes have a...
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Volume 12, Issue 30, 2009-10-05
World Senior Games Sets Opening Ceremonies
By Kyle M Case
CEO, Huntsman World Senior Games
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One of the highlights, year after year, for the participants of the Huntsman World Senior Games is the Opening Ceremonies. Where else can you enjoy an incredible night of entertainment with a few thousand close and personal friends? On Tuesday, October 6, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. at the Hansen Stadium of Dixie State College, it will all come together for "A Moment Like This," which happens to be the theme of the show.
"The Opening Ceremonies is a chance for the athletes and the local community to come together and celebrate," says Kyle M Case, Games CEO. The show will feature professional entertainers as well as local school children presenting, among other things, a Flag Extravaganza, highlighting each of the more than 60 countries that have participated in the Games.
Admission is free for athletes and the community. Bleacher seating for community members is limited so they are encouraged to bring a blanket or a lawn chair and be prepared to...
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Volume 7, Issue 17, 2004-09-27
World Senior Games Wields Enormous Economic Impact
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Last year the estimated economic impact of the games to Washington County was over 34 million dollars. 34M. Thirty Four Million Dollars. This is based upon multipliers contained in a mathematical equation developed by the State Travel Council. There were 7,013 registered participants last year and reports are that this year will top that by 600 to 800.
The motto of the games is “Promote Peace, Health, Friendship and Fun”. Opening Ceremonies are free to the public. Tues. Oct. 5 at 7 pm Hansen Stadium, and attendees are invited to bring folding chairs, blankets as we expect overflow crowd.
Rulon Gardner, Olympic Greco-Roman Champion and LaVell Edwards former BYU football coach, and Dick Nourse from KSL, will share the Emcee role. Diamond Talent Studios is producing the ceremonies - there will be a skydiver, lots of music and dancing - theme for the opening is “The Circle of Life - the Huntsman Family”.
Of great interest is the 104 year old athlete (competes in the track and field events) who will be part of the lighting of the torch ceremony. Businesses need to gear up for the additional numbers this year - they will be seeing thousands of participants around town in their official maroon games shirt.
“We get so many comments about the way our community treats the athletes. They love the way our youth are interested in them, how they are treated by food servers in our restaurants. We have a 68% return rate so we must be doing something right”, says Mona Given, CFO/Public Relations.
Look at some of the other stats from last year. There were 22 sports in the games. There were 96 events, 85 venue sites, 215 softball teams, 98 volleyball teams, 43 basketball teams and 4923 medals awarded!
During those games last year 183 Huntsman's World Senior Games Records were broken. Another interesting stat is the number of new participants last year: 2499! Furthermore, the ratio of male to female was surprising. More than 67% of all participants were male. These folks come from all over. 10% are from foreign countries, including Australia, Germany, Latvia, San Salvatore, Brazil, Ireland, Mexico, Scotland, Canada, Guatemala, New Zealand, Spain, England, Japan, Russia and the Ukraine! One last tidbit; the participant return rate it a whopping 68.8%. Go Huntsman!
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Volume 12, Issue 31, 2009-10-12
World Senior Volleyball Championship Set
By Kyle M Case
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ST. GEORGE, UTAH - The Huntsman World Senior Games is pleased to welcome the Fourth Annual Global Cup - World Senior Volleyball Championship, a special event of the Huntsman World Senior Games. The teams hale from around the world and come representing their home country. The event is billed as a true world championship for elite Volleyball players ages 50 and over. Participation in the Global Cup is by invitation only.
"The Global Cup is really unique," says Merrill Barney, Sports Director for the Games. "There really isn't anything like it in the world. Teams come and are playing for national pride."
"The level of play is truly fantastic," adds Kyle M Case, Games CEO. "These are the best players in the world in their age division and they deliver a great show when they play."
The teams alternate each year between men and women. This year, the women will take the court. The last time the women were here, in 2007, the finals was an epic battle between Germany and Russia, with Russia...
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Volume 12, Issue 2, 2009-01-19
Worst Recession Since the Great Depression?
2008 End-of-Year Stats Summarized by Thredgold
By Jeff Thredgold
Economic Consultant to Zions Bank
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Monthly employment data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics can be viewed at times as better than expected, in line with expectations, or worse than expected. On rare occasions it is just plain ugly, as was the November data released on December 5.
• The U.S. economy lost an estimated 533,000 jobs during November, the worst monthly performance in 34 years
• Previously reported employment losses in September and October were revised higher (meaning worse) by another 199,000 jobs
• The nation's unemployment rate rose to 6.7% in November, the highest level in...
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Volume 11, Issue 7, 2008-02-19
Wouldn't It Be Nice
Thredgold Economic Associates
By Jeff Thredgold, Pres.,
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Wouldn't it be nice if . . .
- our presidential campaign season was much shorter and less exhausting for candidates AND voters.
- the nation's tobacco companies would leave our kids alone.
- extremely tight U.S. labor markets in coming years would boost real (inflation adjusted) earnings of millions of American workers. Note: it will happen.
-U.S. firefighters, police officers, and military personnel received our respect ALL of the time.
- we actually got serious about U.S. energy independence with a program geared to 1) alternative sources of energy, 2) access to much more oil and natural gas in Alaska and on the Cont...
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Volume 12, Issue 11, 2009-03-30
Wouldn't It Be Nice If…
By Jeff Thredgold
CSP, President, Thredgold Economic Associates
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...U.S. Government stimulus efforts would be unwound rapidly when the economy recovers
...our 401(k) balances would rebound nicely in coming years
...Wall Street "high rollers" had greater legal and financial accountability for the financial market abuses of recent years
..."far left" liberals and "far right" conservatives would back off a bit
...President Obama and the Congressional leadership were more focused on providing incentives for wealth creation and less on wealth redistribution
...we would all get more involved in enriching the lives of those less fortunate than...
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Volume 12, Issue 27, 2009-09-07
Wouldn't It Be Nice If…
by Jeff Thredgold, CSP, Thredgol
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…the President’s health care plan would include two critical components not being discussed by the Democrats—tort reform and eliminating barriers which prohibit insurance companies from competing across state lines
…teachers received more admiration and respect from students and their parents
…more people would recognize that the U.S. recession is essentially over, and companies would begin hiring again
…your garbage disposal didn’t eat better than...
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Volume 13, Issue 20, 2010-06-17
Wrestling Sexual Harassment Lawyer Controversy
Q- What do you get when you mix professional wrestling, sex and lawyers?
By Michael Patrick O'Brien, Esq.
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Q- What do you get when you mix professional wrestling, sex and lawyers?
A- Either a great distraction from work, a heck of a lawsuit and/or a wonderful way to end a legal update, assuming it is all true, which it may not be.
Various news services recently reported that...
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Volume 11, Issue 7, 2008-02-19
Writing Effective Press Releases, Pt. 3
Public Relations for Small Business
By Ken Perkins
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We've been discussing how writing effective press releases can help small business owners and managers spread their business message.
Here's a quick recap of two points we've covered already.
Keep it short. Hold the total length of your press release to one side of a regular piece of copy paper - no more than 450 to 500 words. If you can get your message across with even fewer words, so much the better.
Write like a journalist. Use the 5 W's - Who, What, Where, When, Why. Employ the "inverted pyramid" style of writing. Put the most interesting fact, your "hook," in the first sentence of your release. Your goal is to grab the editor's or news direc...
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Volume 8, Issue 11, 2005-06-06
Wrong Machine?
Technically Twisted Commentaries
By Jason Eyre
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Recently one of my relatives asked me if I could put a fresh copy of Windows on his computer. It seemed that after the typical year or two that so many software applications had accumulated on his computer that it would hardly run well. Often you can uninstall the extra programs to speed things up and free up disk space, but nothing works better than backing up your data and starting over fresh.
This particular computer happened to be a Toshiba laptop. On the bottom was a sticker identifying that it came with Windows XP Home Edition with a fancy hologram and proof of authenticity. My frustration appeared when I realized that he did not have access to the restore CD that came with the computer. It seems that as the computer got handed around that the original disks and documents were missing.
No problem. I decided to just use a restore CD from another Tosbiba Computer. Much to my surprise, I found that when I tried to boot up the computer with the newer restore CD, it said Wrong Machine. The humor was that it was spelled out in big picture letters using the letter x.
The moral of this story is that it is important for you to keep track of the disks that ship with your computer. As Microsoft continues to limit the availability of the Windows XP CDs and manufacturers each choose to distribute your backup copy of windows differently, you may be stuck with the same old copy of Windows with no way to do a fresh install. I hope that you do not get caught with the frustration of not being able to make legal use of what you paid for.
Editor's Note: Jason Eyre is a Southern Utah Native who has worked in Government, Agricultural, Aerospace, Financial, and Service Industries; each position focusing on Information Technology. His considerable experience brings meaningful advice to those wishing to navigate effectively in today's technology world. You may email Jason your comments to journal@infowest.com
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