Idaho Business Review, Boise articles from December 2006

Idaho Business Review, Boise archives from December 2006

Idaho Chamber Alliance ready to lobby legislature.
December 4, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson The Idaho Chamber Alliance last week selected John D. Watts to provide lobbying and related services to the organization of about 50 chambers of commerce around the state. Watts is a partner in Boise-based Veritas...

A city of Boise developer's bankruptcies went undetected.
December 4, 2006... Byline: Lora Volkert The city of Boise had no idea Boise Place developer Gary Rogers has filed for bankruptcy at least four times, according to city spokeswoman Elizabeth Duncan. "No one in city government knew," Duncan said. ...

Multiple liens against 'Artisans' complex in Meridian.
December 4, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson Six lien claims have been filed in the Ada County Recorder's Office against owners of the new Blue Ribbon Artisans food complex in Meridian. The claimants, involved in construction trades, contend that they are...

Idaho company using NASA patent.
December 4, 2006... Byline: Eddie Kovsky How does a business demonstrate that its product has superior quality if the product is too small for customers to see? Idaho Space Materials is grappling with that problem. The company builds single-walled carbon...

Micron shareholders meet Dec. 5 in Boise.
December 4, 2006... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Micron Technology will hold its annual shareholders' meeting at 9 a.m. Dec. 5 at its corporate headquarters in Boise. According to a press release, Micron Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and...

Tax could be added to Idaho fuel sales.
December 4, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson The Idaho Transportation Board on Nov. 16 recommended that the state keep its 25 cent-per-gallon tax on gasoline and diesel, and extend the 6 percent sales tax to fuel. Funding is needed to help cover shortfalls for...

Zions Bank's online setup aids gift budgeting.
December 4, 2006... Byline: Idaho Business Review Tis the season to avoid gift-budgeting mistakes. Zions Bank just launched myholidaygiftplanner.com, which the company says enables shoppers to organize their gift list, create a personal budget and stick to...

COMPASS sets legislative priorities for '07 Idaho session.
December 4, 2006... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff The Board of Directors of the Community Planning Association of Southwest Idaho (COMPASS) approved its priorities for the 2007 Idaho Legislature. According to a press release, the board is advocating...

Building Permits.
December 4, 2006... Byline: IBR CITY OF BOISE PERMIT/TYPEOWNERBUILDERLOCATIONVALUE 03028-multi-family dwellingOrchard Development Co.owner1516-1524 N. McKinney St.320,000 02899-TI, Wells FargoFirst Security Bank of Idaho Bar S Construction LLC3033 W. Elder...

Bid Briefs.
December 4, 2006... Byline: IBR Big Lost River Rest Area demolition and reconstruction is planned on U.S. Highway 20-26 about 50 miles west of Idaho Falls. Plans are available from the Idaho Transportation Department Plan Sales Office, 3311 W. State St., Room...

Contracts Awarded.
December 4, 2006... Byline: IBR ESI, Boise, was awarded a contract for a Staples retail building at Chinden and Eagle in Boise. Cost estimate: $18 million. Rafanelli & Nahas Real Estate Developers, Boise, is the owner, builder and developer for tenant...

ROUNDUP.
December 4, 2006... The Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce plans a January move to the third floor of C.W. Moore Plaza, 250 S. 5th St., Boise, from a smaller space on the eighth floor of C.W. Moore Plaza, according to the December issue of the Chamber's Business...

NORCO pledges $50K to help Boise Rescue Mission buy property.
December 4, 2006... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff NORCO, Inc. has pledged $50,000 to the Boise Rescue Mission's capital campaign to help the group purchase and remodel the shelter formally run by the city of Boise. The Mission announced the gift Nov....

Contractor group gives $6,455 to Big Brothers Big Sisters.
December 4, 2006... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff The Building Contractors Association of Southwest Idaho recently donated $6,455 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Idaho. According to a press release, the donations will be used to create space in...

Boise-based Cole + Poe Architects founder leaves design firm.
December 4, 2006... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Stan Cole, a principal architect in Cole + Poe Architects, has left the firm. Cole could not be reached for comment last week. His wife, Terri Cole, said his future plans aren't yet firm. Stan Cole...

Integra Telecom chooses Infinera to provide optical network.
December 4, 2006... Byline: IBR Integra Telecom has selected Infinera to provide a new optical network for Integra's long-haul network in the western U.S. Integra provides voice, data and Internet communications to thousands of business and carrier customers...

Portland-based Integra Telecom chooses Infinera to provide optical network.
December 4, 2006... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Integra Telecom has selected Infinera to provide a new optical network for Integra's long-haul network in the western U.S. Integra provides voice, data and Internet communications to thousands of...

Employment recruiting group forms in Treasure Valley.
December 4, 2006... Byline: Idaho Business Review A group of employment recruiters has formed an organization to work together in the Treasure Valley, according to the group's founder, Jayna Wiesemann. "The Treasure Valley Recruiter Association was founded in...

Idaho among 11 sites mulled for nuclear recycling facilities.
December 4, 2006... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff The Idaho National Laboratory and Atomic City, Idaho, are among 11 sites being considered by the U.S. Department of Energy as locations for integrated spent fuel recycling facilities. According to a...

Boise City Council to decide fate of land near Rescue Mission.
December 4, 2006... Byline: Lora Volkert The Boise City Council is to decide on Dec. 5 what to do with a sliver of land in front of the Boise Rescue Mission. City staffers recommended that the land, situated between two sidewalks along Front Street, be sold...

Wind-power entrepreneurs fight Idaho Power plan for upgrades.
December 4, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson A who-should-pay decision before the Idaho Public Utilities Commission could blow away entrepreneurs' plans for wind projects in the Magic Valley. Commissioners plan by the end of this month to decide whether...

Interview with Pat and Dennis Nagel: Owners of Idaho Camera.
December 4, 2006... Byline: Eddie Kovsky Pat and Dennis Nagel are the owners of Idaho Camera. Their father opened the first store in downtown Boise in 1946. Idaho Camera also has stores on Orchard Street in Boise, in the Boise Towne Square Mall, and in...

Charitable foundation planned for Mercy Medical Center in Boise.
December 4, 2006... Byline: Idaho Business Review Alisha Havens has been appointed executive director of fund development at Mercy Medical Center. Havens' responsibilities include developing a charitable foundation to source new funds for development of the...

Boise-based META receives $4K grant from Wells Fargo Foundation.
December 4, 2006... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff MicroEnterprise Training and Assistance has received a $4,000 grant from the Wells Fargo Foundation, META said in a press release. META offers microcredit loans to low-income entrepreneurs that face...

Idaho company using NASA patent.
December 4, 2006... Byline: Eddie Kovsky How does a business demonstrate that its product has superior quality if the product is too small for customers to see? Idaho Space Materials is grappling with that problem. The company builds single-walled carbon...

Business Calendar.(Calendar)
December 4, 2006... Byline: IBR MONDAY, DECEMBER 4 Central District Health Department 8-hour ServSafe Manager Certification Course, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., 707 N. Armstrong Pl., Boise. Cost: $85. Information/registration: Chad Waters, 321-2247 or www.nraef.org. ...

Caldwell Blackers store sold to Los Angeles-based real estate investment firm.
December 5, 2006... Byline: Lora Volkert A Los Angeles-based real estate investment firm has purchased the former Blackers Furniture showroom and warehouse on Cleveland Boulevard in Caldwell. The Blackers building, which has been vacant for about three...

Idaho-based Micron CEO says company must improve customer satisfaction.
December 5, 2006... Byline: John M. Foster Idaho's largest employer must improve customer satisfaction as the company diversifies its computer memory products, Micron CEO Steve Appleton said today. "It's not being a day early, it's not being a day late, it's...

Fourth District Court rules Univ. of ID responsible for $12M to Civic Parners.
December 6, 2006... Byline: Eddie Kovsky A Fourth District Court judge has decided that the University of Idaho Foundation owes money to Civic Partners, the developer of the failed University Place project. In a summary judgment dated Sept. 28, Judge...

Treasure Valley lobbyist pushes local-option tax proposal.
December 6, 2006... Byline: Eddie Kovsky A lobbyist working to pass a local-option tax to fund public transportation in the Treasure Valley thinks he may have enough votes to get the legislation through the House Revenue and Taxation Committee. Roy...

Boise Council approves removal of Foothills designation.
December 6, 2006... Byline: Lora Volkert On Dec. 5 the Boise City Council approved an amendment to the city's comprehensive plan to remove the "foothills" designation from more than 17 acres on Hill Road Parkway. The approval allows up to four units to be...

EPA claims Bruneau Cattle Co. violated Clean Water Act.
December 8, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson A federal complaint alleges that Bruneau Cattle Co. violated the Clean Water Act. The Owyhee County feedlot made unauthorized discharges of pollutants into the South Side Canal, the U.S. Environmental Protection...

Idaho unemployment rises in November.
December 8, 2006... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Idaho seasonally adjusted unemployment averaged 3.3 percent in November, compared to 3.2 percent a month earlier and 3.5 percent in November 2005. Job gains in public education and the retail sector...

Investor group expands into Boise.
December 8, 2006... Byline: Eddie Kovsky Keiretsu Forum, one of the largest networks of angel investors in North America, is opening a chapter in Boise. The Keiretsu Forum Boise/Sun Valley will hold its first meeting Jan. 18, at the Hillcrest Country...

Public invited to Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce legislator luncheon.
December 8, 2006... Byline: John M. Foster The Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce will host the annual Legislator's Send-Off Luncheon Dec. 11 at the Coeur d'Alene Inn. Legislators from Districts 3, 4, and 5 will join attendees and representatives from the...

Albertsons LLC headquarters adds staff.
December 8, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson Albertsons LLC's grocery store lineup has shrunk, but the headcount at its Boise corporate office has not. Since the privately held company acquired some underperforming stores in June from the former Albertsons...

Business Calendar.(Calendar)
December 11, 2006... MONDAY, DECEMBER 11 OSHA free safety training event (in English and Spanish), SafetyFest of the Great Northwest, Dec. 11-15, WGI office complex, 720 Park Blvd., Boise. Representatives from professional safety organizations and safety equipment...

Commentary: A cultural melting pot of holiday traditions.
December 11, 2006... Byline: Gaye Bunderson Merry Christmas, happy Hanukkah, and a memorable Eid-e-qurban to everyone. The end of the traditional Western year marks the occasion of special faith-related festivities such as Christmas and Hanukkah. Muslims mark...

Commentary: Hockey -- more than a fight on the ice.
December 11, 2006... Byline: Ken Levy Think of hockey and you might conjure up images of huge, angry men slashing at each other with sticks, slamming their opponents with bone-crushing intensity into the boards and knocking each other unconscious by whatever...

Commentary: Holidays full of fun events in Boise.
December 11, 2006... Byline: Angela Hagans As leaves fade from bright green to shades of gold, orange and red and the air develops that crisp coolness that makes people pull out scarves and contemplate winter jackets, there's something about a cup of hot cocoa...

Commentary: Illuminating your home.
December 11, 2006... Byline: Janet Wiggins Moving into a new home is exciting, but it can be a bit overwhelming. Elements like lighting can be pushed to the wayside in favor of tasks that are perceived as more pressing, but home lighting is very important and...

Commentary: Dining Spotlight -- Franco Latino.
December 11, 2006... Byline: Steve Martin Where: 775 Rivershore Lane in Rivershore Place, along the river on Eagle Road and Rivershore Lane, across from Hilton Garden Inn. Hours: 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 5 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. No lunch....

Commentary: Culinary Quest -- Haggis or matzo balls, anyone?
December 11, 2006... Byline: Marie Galyean This is a festive time of year for many countries and nationalities, and although your family may be steeped in tradition and always expects the special holiday recipes from your ancestors, it's also fun to try other...

Go Gourmet -- Cooking Classes (Homes & Lifestyle).(Restaurant review)
December 11, 2006... Byline: Steve Martin Dec. 11 French Christmas Desserts: Croquembouche and Buche de Noel, Cordel Knight, 6:30 p.m., Easy Cookin'. Chef Knight reveals the nuances of these two traditional French Christmas desserts. Tuition: $40. Sushi &...

Land near Rescue Mission OK'd for sale or swap.
December 11, 2006... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff The Boise City Council on Dec. 5 approved plans to sell or swap a parcel of land located directly in front of the Boise Rescue Mission and Loma's Import Car Service. The Rescue Mission and Loma's...

Boise City Council approves removal of Foothills designation.
December 11, 2006... Byline: Lora Volkert On Dec. 5 the Boise City Council approved an amendment to the city's comprehensive plan. The amendment removes the "foothills" designation from more than 17 acres near Hill Road Parkway. The approval places...

Architect Stan Cole takes design position at Steed Construction.
December 11, 2006... Byline: Lora Volkert Stan Cole, a 30-year veteran of the architecture industry, recently left the firm he founded in Boise, Cole + Poe Architects, and joined Steed Construction in Eagle. As Steed's director of design and...

Boise State University engineering students create robots, hold contest.
December 11, 2006... Byline: Lora Volkert Think of it as "smurf turf" for academics. Bronco and Mr. Roboto faced off Dec. 7 in the center of a blue circle set up in a classroom at the Micron Engineering Center at Boise State University. Two students let go...

College Savings assets surpass $100 million.
December 11, 2006... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff The Idaho College Savings Program, (IDeal), Idaho's Section 529 college savings plan, announced that assets in the plan have surpassed $100 million. "We are so pleased to have the opportunity to work...

Roundup.
December 11, 2006... Wells Fargo Bank on Dec. 4 held a grand re-opening of its branch office at 1400 Vista Ave., Boise, marking completion of exterior renovations to the building and upgrades to drive-up banking facilities. Idaho Commerce & Labor on Dec. 5 held...

Idaho Real Estate & Construction Briefs: December 11, 2006.
December 11, 2006... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Ada County Public Safety Building chiller replacement is planned at 7200 Barrister Drive, Boise. Plans are available from Ada County Purchasing, 200 W. Front St., Room 158, Boise, Idaho 83702. A bid...

Idaho Construction Contracts: December 11, 2006.
December 11, 2006... McAlvain Construction, Boise, was awarded a contract for the Royal Plaza mixed-use condominium and retail building at 10th and Main streets in Boise. Cost estimate: $2.5 million. Hansen-Rice, Nampa, was awarded a contract for an Amcor...

Idaho Nonprofit Briefs: December 11, 2006.
December 11, 2006... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Active Chiropractic holds food drive for Food Bank Active Chiropractic, in conjunction with the Idaho Food Bank, held a holiday food drive Dec. 4-7. Dr. Jason Watson offered a "give a gift, get a...

Commentary: There are no winners in 'The Blame Game'.
December 11, 2006... Byline: Dan Bobinski For some strange reason, humans seem intent on placing blame whenever something goes wrong. Have you been blamed for anything in the workplace? Regardless of whether or not you deserved it, most people on the...

Building Permits.
December 11, 2006... BUILDING PERMITS CITY OF BOISE PERMIT/TYPEOWNERBUILDERLOCATIONVALUE 02545-comm. alterationProctor Trustnot listed3815 W. State St.25,000 03046-TI, Parrilla GrillHodges Properties LLCKing Const.1512 N. 13th St.25,000 03056-TI, Steelwood...

U.S. Supreme Court takes up 'prior art' patent case.
December 11, 2006... Byline: Eddie Kovsky The United States Supreme Court heard oral arguments last week in a patent case that could have a direct impact on the business community. The case concerns litigation between Teleflex and KSR International....

Commentary: Want to start a blog? Here's how.
December 11, 2006... Byline: Eddie Kovsky There's a lot of talk these days about blogs -- it seems as though everyone has one. This newspaper does, at www.IdahoBusiness.net. "Blog" is short for weblog, an online journal through which the author can...

Nampa real estate firm creates Web site for Spanish-speaking homebuyers.
December 11, 2006... Byline: Lora Volkert A Nampa-based real estate firm has launched a Web site for Spanish-speaking home buyers. Marce Barrera, an agent with Homes Online Realty, said he launched www.SuenoDora-do.com last month with the intent of...

How does your business cope with changes?
December 11, 2006... Byline: Gaye Bunderson What was the most disruptive change for your business or industry in 2006, and how did you/your company/your employees adapt? The implementation and compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act was both disruptive and...

Your View.
December 11, 2006... Byline: Art Schultz Editor: Regarding your article in the Dec. 4 Idaho Business Review, I was not very happy to read the headline: Know engineers? Tell 'em to move to N. Idaho. I read the article and it sounds like things are...

Growth still taxing smaller Idaho tax bases.
December 11, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson For every dollar a person pays in property taxes, he or she uses $1.17 worth of local services - compared to the 27 cents that a business uses in services per dollar added to the tax base. "That means we've got to...

Optimistic outlook for transit tax.
December 11, 2006... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff A lobbyist working to pass a local-option tax to fund public transportation in the Treasure Valley thinks he may have enough votes to get the legislation through the House Revenue and Taxation Committee....

Longtime Boise lawyer, public servant dead at 92.
December 11, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson Founders often can be found in the office long after they officially retire. Such was the case with Jess B. Hawley Jr., 92, who co-founded the Boise law firm Hawley Troxell. He died at his Boise home Nov. 22, while...

Hawkins Capital sees promising real estate finance niche.
December 11, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson The Western real estate market may be taking a breather, but the principals in Hawkins Capital Partners aren't. They're plenty busy now, as bank restrictions inspire developers to seek alternative means to get...

Artisan principal responds to last week's liens story.
December 11, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson Liens filed against the Blue Ribbon Artisans property in Meridian amount to a small fraction of the project's value, and the parties continue to seek a resolution out of court, the property owner said last week in...

Artisan principal responds to last week's liens story.
December 11, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson Liens filed against the Blue Ribbon Artisans property in Meridian amount to a small fraction of the project's value, and the parties continue to seek a resolution out of court, the property owner said last week in...

CORRECTION.
December 11, 2006... A story in the Dec. 4 issue of the Idaho Business Review, Cole + Poe founder leaves design firm, incorrectly stated that Cole + Poe designed the Ada County Courthouse, one of the first LEED-certified green buildings in the state. Lombard Conrad...

Ladies' investment club earns top honors.
December 11, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson They knew a few things about the stock market through their work as accountants, corporate managers, engineers and salespeople. Now they know more, after building the Ladies of Research and Profit's investment club...

Idaho Assn. of Commerce and Industry leaders explain changes in structure to members, legislators.
December 11, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson The legislative preseason has been busier than usual for leaders of the Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry. They've been pounding the pavement, meeting with legislators and their own members to explain...

IACI's reorganization.
December 11, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson As part of its reorganization earlier this year, the Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry created the Public Policy Committee, a working group of the Board of Directors. Before IACI supports a position, 60...

Judge sides with developer over millions owed for University Place project.
December 11, 2006... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff A Fourth District Court judge has decided that the University of Idaho Foundation has a contractual obligation to pay money owed to Civic Partners, the developer of the failed University Place project....

ProClarity patent trial delayed until late in '07.
December 11, 2006... Byline: Eddie Kovsky A patent lawsuit involving Boise software company ProClarity will not go to trial for almost a year. Timeline Inc., based in Washington, filed suit against ProClarity in 2005 alleging that ProClarity's business...

HyperSpace Communications may become MPC Corporation.
December 11, 2006... Byline: Eddie Kovsky HyperSpace Communications, parent company of MPC Computers, is holding its annual shareholders' meeting Dec. 22 at its headquarters in Nampa. Shareholders will be asked to vote on four proposals, according to a...

Developers of M3 Eagle master-planned community propose open-space increase.
December 11, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson Developers of M3 Eagle master-planned community north of Eagle plan to increase the amount of open space in the development by 80 acres. M3 Companies said in a statement that the change to the project's master plan...

Micron Technology acquires image sensor business.
December 11, 2006... Byline: Eddie Kovsky Micron Technology announced today it has acquired Avago Technologies' image sensor business for $53 million. The acquisition provides Micron with an experienced imaging team, select imaging products and...

Idaho private businesses bullish on '07.
December 14, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson Sure, they face some challenges, but Idaho private businesses remain optimistic. And other business owners in the Intermountain West see huge potential in Idaho. Only Utah edged out Idaho in overall optimism in a...

Micron Technology stock downgraded.
December 14, 2006... Byline: Eddie Kovsky Financial analysis Web site StreetInsider is reporting that two brokerage firms have downgraded their rating of Micron Technology stock. AG Edwards has downgraded Micron stock from "hold" to "sell." And JP Morgan...

Albertsons units boost earnings outlook for Minnesota-based Supervalu.
December 14, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson Supervalu's acquisition of selected Albertsons stores is paying off. Minnesota-based Supervalu on Dec. 13 raised its fiscal 2007 guidance, citing the benefits of the purchase of select Albertsons locations last...

Ada County Commission approves Avimor's phase-one, preliminary plat.
December 14, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson The Ada County Commission on Dec. 13 gave final approval to the Avimor master-planned community's phase-one preliminary plat. SunCor Idaho is the developer of Avimor, a 684-home community that Ada County recently...

Law that Congress passed would make mortgage insurance deductible.
December 14, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson Mortgage insurance expenses will be tax-deductible next year if President George W. Bush signs a law that Congress passed just before adjourning for the year. Homebuyers who don't make a 20 percent down payment...

Idaho Assn. of Commerce and Industry admin director resigns.
December 15, 2006... Byline: Eddie Kovsky Brenda Mattson has resigned as director of administration of the Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry. Mattson has accepted a position as executive assistant to newly elected State Superintendent of Public...

Law would make mortgage insurance deductible.
December 15, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson Mortgage insurance expenses will be tax-deductible next year if President George W. Bush signs a law that Congress passed just before adjourning for the year. Homebuyers who don't make a 20 percent down payment...

Boise Metro Chamber releases legislative agenda.
December 15, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson Public-transit funding, Treasure Valley air quality and community college development are among Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce priorities for the 2007 Idaho Legislature. The Chamber's agenda, released Dec. 14,...

Zoo Boise receives $500,000 grant.
December 15, 2006... Byline: Eddie Kovsky The Friends of Zoo Boise has received a $500,000 grant from The ALSAM Foundation, located in Salt Lake City, to help build the African Plains exhibit at the zoo. The zoo needs $2.8 million to build the exhibit, and...