Idaho Business Review, Boise articles from June 2006

Idaho Business Review, Boise archives from June 2006

Frank VanderSloot / Melaleuca CEO: Dark days proved worthwhile.
June 5, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson On his first day as president and CEO at Oil of Melaleuca, Frank VanderSloot told salespeople to stop distributing a tape about company products because the tape had too many false claims. On his third day, a U.S....

Supervalu to buy Albertsons; stores to keep name.
June 5, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson and Lora Volkert It's over. The Albertsons name will remain, but a chain of grocery stores long an integral part of Idaho life and business will now be controlled by an out-of-state investment group. That...

Boise-area mayors, commissioner spar over 'planned communities'.
June 5, 2006... Byline: John M. Foster People new to Ada County want new homes in desirable neighborhoods, with good schools and plenty of shopping. That means development, long the backbone of the Treasure Valley business community. But that...

Editor joins Idaho Business Review.
June 5, 2006... Byline: IBR Staff Report Boise native John M. Foster has been named managing editor of the Idaho Business Review. He will supervise the writing and production of the Idaho Business Review's weekly news product. Foster has most...

IBR moving to new office in BoDo district.
June 5, 2006... Byline: IBR Staff Report The Idaho Business Review will relocate its offices to BoDo this week and may not have phone service for part of Friday, June 9. "This is part of our commitment to be in the heart of the business community and...

Economist: Idaho adds jobs at a faster rate.
June 5, 2006... Byline: IBR Staff Report Idaho added more than 30,000 net new jobs in the 12-month period ended in March, up 5.2 percent, according to Zions Bank Economic Consultant Jeff Thredgold. "Powerful economic growth has been in line with most...

By the numbers: Idaho-based Melaleuca Inc.
June 5, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson Melaleuca manufactures about 350 products sold directly to consumers around the world. Products include children's toothpaste, multivitamins for men, herbal teas, candles, laundry detergent, hand cleaners, lotions...

Melaleuca Inc. CEO enjoys rural roots.
June 5, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson Frank VanderSloot grew up in Cocolalla, in the north Idaho panhandle. His father, Peter Francis "Frank" VanderSloot, worked as a railroader and operated a small ranch - earning respect if not much money. "He...

Boise attorneys recognized for service to community.
June 5, 2006... Byline: IBR Staff Report Two Boise attorneys were recently honored by the Association of Corporate Counsel's Mountain West. Karen Gowland of Boise Cascade received the pro bono award, and Roderic Lewis of Micron Technology received the...

Kohl's store, others set for Eagle near Ustick intersection.
June 5, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson The Kohl's department-store chain has secured an 8.3-acre site on the north side of Ustick Road just west of Eagle Road. Kohl's plans to start building a 96,000-square-foot, $5 million store late this summer,...

Proposed mine digs up controversy near Boise River.
June 5, 2006... Byline: Lora Volkert A mining company says there's gold in them thar' hills, but some Boise residents are concerned about a proposed mine's impact on the Boise River. Atlanta Gold Corp., a Boise subsidiary of Twin Mining Corp. in...

Proposed mining project -- what's at stake?
June 5, 2006... Byline: IBR Staff Agencies and previous public comments have already identified several potential issues with the mine project, which may have to be mitigated if the mine is to begin operating: Mining operations could affect the...

Boise builders hanging on during labor shortage.
June 12, 2006... Byline: Lora Volkert Brian Whipple is noticing something odd when he bids on public school construction projects.He's been the only bidder. "That never happens," said the president of Boise drywall contractor Interior Systems. "Why would...

Round Up.
June 12, 2006... PS 16 LLC purchased a lot at Fifteenth and Grove streets, Boise, for condominium construction. Gary Bates of Michener Investments handled the transaction. Idaho Banking Company relocated its executive offices into 9,472 square feet in...

Contracts Awarded.
June 12, 2006... Van Auker Development & Construction, Meridian, was awarded a contract for a new commercial building at 2101 N. Devlin Way, Nampa. Cost estimate: $1,845,350. C M Co. Inc., Boise, is the construction manager of Rocky Mountain High School at...

Bid Briefs.
June 12, 2006... Bids are to be opened at 2 p.m. June 13 to replace the roof on the Idaho State University Physical Science Building in Pocatello. Plans are available from the Idaho Division of Public Works, Maintenance and Operations, 749 E. Humboldt St.,...

Permits.
June 12, 2006... BUILDING PERMITS CITY OF CALDWELLPERMIT/TYPEOWNERBUILDERLOCATIONVALUE35843-addn. / new roomJoel Bettancourtnot listed1820 Taft3,50035699-dwellingC Barton Const.owner2714 Stoll Ct.105,86635674-dwellingC Barton Const.owner19652 Commonwealth...

Calendar.
June 12, 2006... MONDAY, JUNE 12Central District Health Dept. 8-hour ServSafe Manager Certification course, designed to provide food service managers and food service employees with the knowledge necessary to meet state and national standards, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.,...

Idaho posts seventh highest year-to-year increase in home prices.
June 12, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson Idaho posted the seventh highest year-to-year increase in home prices at the end of the first quarter, 20.31 percent, the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight reported on June 1.That compared to 12.54 percent...

Classic Nampa theater gets new benefactors.
June 12, 2006... Byline: Lora Volkert The Majestic Entertainment Foundation is trying to raise $3 million to resurrect a 60-year-old Nampa theater.If Foundation volunteers raise enough funds, they intend to rename the 60-year-old Nampa movie house The Pix...

Boise-based Micron Technologies increases bid for Lexar Media.
June 12, 2006... Byline: Lora Volkert Micron Technology's original, lower bid to purchase Lexar Media was probably an accurate valuation of the company, according to one analyst.Boise-based Micron increased its bid for flash card maker Lexar, even though...

Commentary: Take time to pick a health care hero.
June 12, 2006... Byline: John Foster I picked a bad time to take a new job. In December 2005, after three years as an editor in New Mexico, I finally bought a house. My wife and I needed the room for our two year old son and a baby that wasn't due to...

IBR Question: What would you do with $100 million.
June 12, 2006... Byline: Gaye Bunderson If you lost your job and were given $100 million, what would you do? I would buy my own island resort marina in the Caribbean and take all my friends and family down once a year to enjoy it with me.Wayne...

Idaho cattle prices drop by about 14 % from May 2005 to last month due to increased supply.
June 12, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson Idaho cattle prices dropped by about 14 percent from May 2005 to last month due to increased supply.Bob Tratz, a statistician at the National Agricultural Statistics Service Idaho field office in Boise, said Idaho...

Petra Inc. builds its own new HQ in Meridian.
June 12, 2006... Byline: IBR Staff Report Commercial construction contractor Petra Inc. expects construction on its new headquarters to be done in January 2007.The company started building the two-story, 18,000-square-foot structure June 7 at 1055 N....

Idaho Innovator: Marketing to stay ahead of the housing boom.
June 12, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson Maya Pavane has her picture on eight moving and transit vans, meets potential customers by buying a soft drink at 25 different stores each day.Chris Findlay puts his name on billboards and bus-stop benches.Patty Haney...

New Albertsons LLC to close some 'underperforming' stores.
June 12, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson Although the new Albertsons LLC wasted little time in announcing plans to close selected stores, CEO Robert Miller said the Boise-based company plans to stay in the grocery business for the long haul.Last week, the...

Former Idaho Falls newspaper writer wins national award.
June 12, 2006... Byline: John Foster A 26-year-old former Idaho Falls newspaper reporter has been awarded one of the most prestigious prizes in journalism.Peter Zuckerman, formerly a crime and courts reporter with the Idaho Falls Post Register, last week...

Idaho Power seeks hydroelectric plant contract OK.
June 12, 2006... Byline: IBR Staff Report Idaho Power seeks state approval to contract with a small hydroelectric power plant planned southwest of Kuna.The Riverside Hyrdo 1 plant, managed by Dennis Daugherty, would produce up to 1.9 megawatts of energy....

Reno operator buys Boise on-hold messaging business.
June 12, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson Bob Hutchings spent 17 years building ImagePro OnHold, which helps businesses market their products and services to callers waiting on hold.Hutchings wanted to sell the Boise business and pursue other interests, but...

Boise locomotive firm wins contract to supply ports.
June 12, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson MotivePower secured a $21 million contract to remanufacture another 16 commuter locomotives at its east Boise complex.The Los Angeles and Long Beach ports plan to start using the "clean diesel" locomotives next year,...

Boise-based Preco Electronics reverses course in increase profits.
June 12, 2006... Byline: Lora Volkert Backing out of a profitable manufacturing division to focus on two new products could have been a big risk. But Preco Electronics did it like the bulldozers and dump trucks using the company's alarms.Slow. Cautious....

New owners of Boise bakery learn bread the Zeppole way.
June 12, 2006... Byline: Lora Volkert The new owners of Zeppole said buying the 13-year-old artisan bakery was the ideal way to stay in the city they've come to call home. Charles Alpers worked for 32 years in the hospitality industry, as he and wife...

Small-business owners honored by Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce.
June 12, 2006... Byline: IBR Staff Report The Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce is naming three businesses its 2006 Small Businesses of the Year in conjunction with its Small Business Celebration events June 15.The winners are Sloan Fencing and Construction,...

Federal court allows class-action suit against Micron Technology to proceed.
June 12, 2006... Byline: Lora Volkert A lawsuit alleging price-fixing by Micron Technology and other manufacturers can proceed as a class action suit, the U.S. District Court in San Francisco ruled last week.The lawsuit was brought by several technology...

Idaho Fringe Benefits Survey finds state employers offering fewer fringe benefits to workers.
June 12, 2006... Byline: IBR Staff Report Between 2002 and 2005, Idaho employers scaled back the basic fringe benefit packages offered to full-time employees, according to the new Idaho Fringe Benefits Survey.The 2005 survey, conducted by the state...

Washington bank sale has impact in Treasure Valley.
June 12, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson Sterling Financial's planned purchase of FirstBank benefits both Washington-based banks in the Idaho market, Sterling's chief operating officer and vice chair said last week.Heidi Stanley said Sterling aims to expand...

Idaho Golf Review: Golf provides networking for those working at it.
June 12, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson Joe Stumph, Boise-based district manager for Schindler Elevator Corp., considers golf an increasingly important part of the business landscape.Schindler Elevator sponsors hospitality tents at Professional Golfers...

Idaho Golf Review: Establishing handicap measures potential golfing ability.
June 12, 2006... Byline: Rocky Cook What's your golf handicap and why should you have one? The usual response is "my clubs, my swing, my clothes," but your answer should really be "that index of numbers of artificial strokes a player receives to adjust...

Idaho Golf Review: Ready to take a lesson? Pro offers advice.
June 12, 2006... Byline: Rocky Cook Editor's note: Stoney Brown is the director of golf for The Valley Club golf course in Hailey. His golf honors include Rocky Mountain Section PGA Teacher of the Year in 2006, and PGA of America Horton Smith Trophy award...

Subaru Race & Ace at Tamarack offers golfing, skiing in 1 day.
June 12, 2006... Byline: Rocky Cook If you have lived in Idaho very long and enjoy the outdoors, you have probably bragged about the ability to downhill ski one day and golf the next. Well, how many times have you done both in one day? About 40 skiers and...

Exercises can improve your golf swing.
June 12, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson When standout high school golfer Lauren Archer completes her backswing, the stretched "sport cords" she's wearing show the tension that the body creates during a proper swing.In the net enclosure at The Athletic...

Fitting golf clubs properly crucial to game.
June 12, 2006... Byline: Rocky Cook Tom Langley, a retired aircraft maintenance manager, has played golf for nearly 50 years, but it's only been the past year or so that he has truly had fun with his game. The reason? His custom-fitted clubs. "Since I got...

Homes & Lifestyle: Take me out to the pet spa.
June 12, 2006... Byline: Angela Hagans Being a pet these days means more than securing the coveted sleeping position at the foot of the bed and retrieving your master's slippers at the end of a long day. Today, pet owners indulge their pets in a slew of...

Homes & Lifestyle: A Hiker's Paradise.
June 12, 2006... Byline: Ken Levy From pristine alpine lakes to rugged mountain terrain to the camaraderie of a family walk on the Boise River Greenbelt, hiking in Idaho promises unforgettable experiences for just about everyone.And just about anyone who...

Homes & Lifestyle: Go surfing to find best hiking adventure.
June 12, 2006... Byline: Ken Levy How do you choose from the state's 19,000 miles of hiking trails? Do your research. There are dozens of Web sites with details on hiking Idaho's most beautiful mountain and wilderness destinations. But to get a real feel...

Homes & Lifestyle: Bed & Breakfasts -- in every sense, a home away from home.
June 12, 2006... Byline: Gaye Bunderson Editor's note: The following article is intended as a snapshot of the bed and breakfast industry in Idaho. For more information about the dozens of B&Bs to check out in the Gem State, visit the Web sites of any...

Homes & Lifestyle: Dining Spotlight -- Cave into your cravings.
June 12, 2006... Byline: Steve Martin Copper CanyonWhere: 113 13th Ave. S., between 2nd and 3rd St., Nampa.Hours: Dinner 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Friday; 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday; closed Sunday and Monday.Reservations: Recommended, but walk-ins...

Homes & Lifestyle: Culinary Quest -- How do you spell hors d'oeuvres? D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S.
June 12, 2006... Byline: Marie Galyean Ah, those tasty appetizers. Hot or cold, they can tantalize your taste buds, assuage your ravenous hunger or enhance that after-work cocktail.But where did they begin? Why the French name that no one can spell? And...

Mike Tracy opens communications firm in Boise.
June 17, 2006... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Mike Tracy, long-time communication director for U.S. Senator Larry Craig, has opened the public relations firm Tracy Communications Inc. in Boise. The firm is located on the fifth floor of the Hoff...

Former Boise-based Trinity Water success story runs dry.
June 19, 2006... Byline: John M. Foster No one is answering phone calls at the Boise corporate office of Trinity Springs bottled water."Over the past several weeks we have received many inquiries regarding the status of our water production," a female...

Hospitals continue to push for regulation of competitors.
June 19, 2006... Byline: Lora Volkert A skirmish between the Idaho Hospital Association and outpatient surgery centers ended abruptly in the last legislative session. But the war is far from over.The Association had proposed a moratorium on new...

The impact of impact fees.
June 19, 2006... Byline: Gaye Bunderson I do think so. If each new development is not covering the added costs it brings - schools, roadways, water supply, etc. - then the impact fees we're assessing are too low. If not, all of the rest of us end up...

Timeline of former Boise-based Trinity Springs.(Chronology)
June 19, 2006... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff May 2004 - Trinity Springs shareholders vote on whether to sell the company. Vote results disputed. June 2004 - Shareholders sue to prevent sale to Amcon Distributing. Trinity officials move forward...

Letter to the Editor.(Letter to the editor)
June 19, 2006... Editor: I very much enjoyed your articles in the recent IBR about Frank VanderSloot and Melaluca. I wanted to contribute a little more information about this gentleman that is probably not general public knowledge. He has done some pretty...

Allen, Reese take on new responsibilities at Mercy Medical in Boise.
June 19, 2006... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Mercy Medical Center has announced the promotion of Maryann Reese, vice president of operations and patient care services, to chief operations officer and chief nursing officer.Her responsibilities will...

Allen Westhoff given 'Professional of the Year Award' honors in Boise.
June 19, 2006... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Allen Westhoff, retiring president and chief executive officer of Capital Educators Federal Credit Union, was presented the Idaho Credit Union League's "Outstanding Professional of the Year Award" at the...

Boise Business Briefs: June 19, 2006.
June 19, 2006... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Sponsorships still available for Idaho Business Week Sponsorships are still available for all 2005 / 2006 high school students and teachers in the Boise area to attend Idaho Business Week's...

Boise Construction Briefs: June 19, 2006.
June 19, 2006... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Double L Construction, Boise, was awarded a contract for a building renovation and expansion for Dykman Electrical at 2323 S. Federal Way, Boise. Cost estimate: $300,000. Food Service Concepts Inc.,...

Boise-area building permits issued: June 19, 2006.
June 19, 2006... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff BUILDING PERMITS CITY OF BOISEPERMIT/TYPEOWNERBUILDERLOCATIONVALUE01532-comm. demolitionJack B LittleMagnum Contractors500 S. Capitol Blvd.10,50000051-comm. addn.B & R Properties LLCJordan-Wilcomb...

Allen, Reese take on new responsibilities at Mercy Medical.
June 19, 2006... Allen, Reese take on new responsibilities at Mercy Medical Mercy Medical Center has announced the promotion of Maryann Reese, vice president of operations and patient care services, to chief operations officer and chief nursing officer.Her...

Special sports events mean big bucks for businesses.
June 19, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson The Boise-area group that landed the 2009 World Winter Games of the Special Olympics estimated that the event would produce $50 million in economic impact.But that was a rough figure used in the site-selection...

Idaho companies see opportunity in Albertsons sale.
June 19, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson Jerome Eberharter, founder and CEO of of White Cloud Mountain in Garden City, sees challenge and opportunity now that Albertsons grocery stores have new owners.Supervalu Inc. acquired Albertsons' better-performing...

Aluma-Glass Industries consolidates in Boise.
June 19, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson Aluma-Glass moved from Nampa to Boise on June 1.Nine employees relocated to the 20,000-square-foot Atkinson's Mirror & Glass facility at 909 N. Orchard St., said Aluma-Glass Industries Inc. President and co-owner Rick...

City of Meridian mulls third Wallgreens store.
June 19, 2006... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff White-Leasure Development proposes to build a Walgreens drug store on the site of the Husky convenience store at 1601 S. Meridian Road, Meridian.The 14,820-square-foot Walgreens store with 24-hour...

Boise Colliers International's Investment Services Group hosts regional conference.
June 19, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson Peter Ruggiero, national managing director of Colliers International's Investment Services Group, said customers expect more from their commercial real estate brokers in the booming market.He was among about 300...

State grant funds help Mountain Home build industrial park.
June 19, 2006... Byline: Lora Volkert Mountain Home city officials used the state Rural Community Block Grant Program to build an industrial park where Marathon Cheese plans to build a plant employing 150, said Pat Madarieta.In Horseshoe Bend, the former...

New marketing makes Idaho Steelheads black and blue.
June 19, 2006... Byline: John M. Foster Hockey fans love the hard checks into the boards, sticks cracking on shin pads, and fights between bruiser defensemen with missing teeth. But for all that splash, hockey is a game of nuance and grace. Whether it's a...

Retail space planned at former Edmark site in Nampa.
June 19, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson Eagle-based developer Mike McCabe plans nearly 60,000 square feet of service-retail space at the old Edmark Chevrolet-Geo site in Nampa."It's a very good location, and a signalized location - very beneficial for...

Business group names Idaho scholarship awards winners.
June 19, 2006... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Five high school students were the Idaho recipients of scholarship awards to encourage young people with an interest in business.The National Federation of Independent Business gave the awards as part of...

Boise Real Estate Leases: June 19, 2006.
June 19, 2006... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Production Services International, an event staging company, leased 21,800 square feet in the Kendall Center, 5329 Kendall St., Boise. Curtis Hitchcock and Scott Hurt of Grubb & Ellis Idaho Commercial...

Boise-area construction bid briefs: June 19, 2006.
June 19, 2006... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Bids are to be opened at 3 p.m. June 20 to re-roof the Highland High School gym in Craigmont. Plans are available from Design West Architects, Chelsea Holstad, administrative assistant, 254 E. Main St.,...

Shorty's Diner in Boise makes way for development.
June 19, 2006... Byline: Lora Volkert Say goodbye to wall-mounted car grilles, jukeboxes, barstools and the big abstract yellow sign at Myrtle Street and Capitol Boulevard. Demolition crews began tearing down Shorty's Diner last week.The company is...

Tax increase would pay for Boise Centre.
June 19, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson Hotel guests in the Greater Boise Auditorium District might have to pay an additional percentage point in nightly room tax starting Oct. 1.The proposed increase in the district's room tax from 4 percent to 5 percent...

Lawyers should act on harrassment claims, but be careful.
June 19, 2006... Byline: Lora Volkert A proactive employer has a number of advantages in workplace discrimination and harassment cases, said Patricia Olsson, a partner at Moffatt Thomas. "I've had cases dismissed by the Idaho Human Rights Commission and...

Escalating fuel prices present builder challenges.
June 19, 2006... Byline: Ken Miller Stubbornly high fuel prices are forcing contractors and others in the construction industry to more gingerly write job bids, tighten fuel consumption and look for fuel alternatives - including biodiesel and other...

Remodeling industry players bullish on the future in Boise-area.
June 19, 2006... Byline: Ken Levy Treasure Valley remodeling firms are thriving in a market where aging housing stock and spikes in home values may mean years of good business to come.Jim Strite, president of Boise-based Strite Design + Remodel, said his...

Middleton sees heavy building growth.
June 19, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson Middleton is seeing its share of the southwest Idaho construction boom this year.The northern Canyon County city approved $6,025,769 in construction work last month on 37 permits, including two commercial projects. A...

NARI of Idaho is a plus for businesses, homeowners.
June 19, 2006... Byline: Gaye Bunderson Membership in NARI of Idaho means more than just a social get-together. The group's primary purpose is to promote professionalism in the industry.Remodelers make up 70 percent of the 106-member National Association...

City of Boise hammers county plan.
June 26, 2006... Byline: Lora Volkert A City of Boise challenge to an Ada County planning decision could set a precedent that would affect other construction projects, a county attorney said. The city has appealed in district court Ada County's decision to...

Study underway to improve 15-mile section of highway in Idaho.
June 26, 2006... Byline: Brad Carlson Transportation experts believe there is still time to keep U.S. 20-26 from turning into the east-west version of the choked Eagle Road / Idaho 55. The Idaho Transportation Department and the Community Planning...

Idaho businesses craving Trinity Water.
June 26, 2006... Byline: John M. Foster Idaho businesses are turning away customers who want Trinity Springs bottled water. "We're down to a couple of pallets of the half-liter bottles in both flavors," Boise Co-op employee Glenny Morgan said. As the...

State of Idaho shutters phony finance firms.
June 26, 2006... Byline: Lora Volkert The Idaho Department of Finance has ordered two companies to stop giving phony information to consumers. Bankers Trust Escrow falsely claimed on its Web site to be fully licensed and accredited in Idaho and to be the...

Twin Falls-based company wins cheese championship.
June 26, 2006... Byline: Idaho Business Review Staff Glanbia Foods Inc., the largest cheese manufacturer in the Northwest, earned three gold and one silver medal in the 2006 World Championship Cheese Contest. The contest, held in March in Wisconsin, is the...