Home and Garden expo makes gains
The Home and Garden show steering committee moved forward last Thursday with plans for the spring exposition in Goldendale.
Key among advances was picking up its title sponsor, Allyn's Do It Best Building Center.
The committee also decided to reduce sponsorship costs.
There was brief discussion of postponing the event - possibly even until next year - due to sponsorship and scheduling concerns, but the committee voted against it.
"A lot of those concerns were resolved," said Mindy Blomquist, executive director for the Greater Goldendale Area Chamber of Commerce.
The show, slated for April 18 to 19, will be held at the Klickitat County Fairgrounds and will showcase 33 full-sized booths.
Beginning this week, the committee will move from monthly to weekly meetings through April. The meetings will be open to the public starting in February.
Washington tabbed as tops for entrepreneurs
A national magazine has named Washington as the best state in the country to start a business.
Citing its "highly productive manufacturing sector, signaling high wages and a tech-intensive economy," U.S. News and World Report placed Washington number one on a list of the seven best business states in it's Jan. 6 issue.
The magazine looked at a variety of attributes and two studies to measure "the friendliness of the 50 states to entrepreneurs." Washington was credited with being first in taking steps toward energy efficiency and using alternative energy sources.
Washington leads the nation in value added per production hour as a percentage of the national average, according to the report. The report also noted the lack of state capital gains tax and no personal or corporate income tax, as factors placing the state on top.
Other states on the list, from second to seventh place were: Virginia, Colorado, Texas, Nevada, Utah and Florida.
Snowshoe hike a hit at Brooks
Low snow levels did not stop an adventurous group from the Moonlight Snowshoe Hike at Brooks Memorial State Park, on Jan. 10. With snowshoes strapped on, Ranger Adam Fahlenkamp lead the group to the middle meadow where a small fire was ready and waiting for the roasting of marshmallows provided by one of the hikers.
Organizers described the evening as "perfect" for the hike: "The moon was full, the air crisp, and virtually no wind."
After a brief rest, the group headed back to the Environmental Learning Center for conversation, beverages, and baked goods. Brooks Memorial is now planning for next year's January hike.
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