Balloon Festival March 1-3

Our next big Winthrop event is one of our favorites....the annual Winthrop Balloon Festival March 1-3.  This is the 16th year for this event.  Kurt and Melinda Oakley at Morning Glory Balloons graciously organize and recruit balloonists to this event every year.  We are so fortunate to have this very special opportunity to see dozens of balloons up close and personal.  This is another one of those "only in the Methow Valley would this happen" events. The balloonists come to this event totally on their own. They are not paid to attend nor is there any charge for people to attend.  If your business values what Kurt and Melinda and the visiting balloonists do to bring tourists in on a lazy weekend in March PLEASE CONSIDER SUPPORTING THEM.  Kurt is looking for thank you items from local businesses to go into the gift baskets he provides to the balloonists.  IF you can help please contact Kurt and Melinda at 997-1700.

Also, here is the press release for this event. Please be familiar with the schedule of events so you can share it with your guests.

Free Tourism Presentation

You’re Invited

Please join us for an informative Tourism Presentation by Mr. Glenn Mandziuk, President and CEO of the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association, Canada Wednesday, March 6, 2013, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Sun Mountain Lodge. Mr. Mandziuk’s presentation details the extraordinary process by which the Thompson Okanagan has transformed itself into one of the world’s leading tourist destinations -- adding more than $1.7 billion to the regional economy and directly employing over 15,000 people in a cultural and geographic setting very similar to our own. There is no charge for this event. Coffee and water service will be provided. We hope you will join us for some thought provoking dialogue on a topic that matters greatly to all of us. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or would like more information. Sincerely, Geof Childs & Karla Segale Sun Mountain Lodge Direct Lines: 509 996 4724 or 509 996 4705 www.sunmountainlodge.com

***NOTE if you are interested in carpooling to this event please be at the Winthrop Town Trailhead by 8:30am. ********

New Riverwalk Video

Job Fair March 7

A Methow Valley Job Fair has been set for Thursday, March 7, in the gym of the Methow Valley Community Center in Twisp. Organizers are providing a place for potential workers to meet with employers and for employers to find new employees. People will be able to apply for jobs, network with their peers, and learn about on-the-job training opportunities, according to information from the organizers. Entrance to the fair is free, and so are booths. For more information, contact Nancy Nash-Mendez at WorkSource (509) 826-7558 or e-mail nnash@esd.wa.gov Partners for the fair are TwispWorks, The Cove, Three Rivers Hospital, Worksource, the Economic Alliance, Room One, and Career Path Services.

Women Owned Business Certification

Seminar: How to do business with the Govenment

Business Networking Event

Join us on Thursday, March 7 from 5:30-7pm at the Twisp River Pub for an evening of business networking. This event is designed to connect current and prospective business owners to resource providers from throughout the region, and develop a network of business associations and contacts to accelerate your business.

Appetizers are provided, and a no-host bar will be available. There is no cost to attend. To RSVP, contact ncwedd@communitynet.org

This event is hosted in partnership between the North Central Washington Economic Development District and TwispWorks.

     

 

Another very successful Groundhog Day

Winthrop celebrated another very successful Groundhog Day. We captured a lot of media attention. In addition to most of the Seattle and Spokane TV weather stations, the national news (MSNBC) even picked up the story. This event is the brainchild of local residents Susy and Fritz Zuch who do an incredible job of organizing. If you see them please take a moment to thank them for their work.  If you missed the proclamation you can see it on our Winthrop YouTube channel.  Will Wilbur be correct with his early spring prediction?

Introduction to Quickbooks

A new year, a new financially savvy you! Have you been wanting to get a better handle on the financials of your business? Have all of your reports available in an easy-to-access digital format? QuickBooks, by Intuit, is one of the most widely used and powerful accounting software programs. In response to a high demand for these classes, InventionWorks is holding two additional Introduction to QuickBooks courses in February and March. This three-day, six-hour class will give participants a detailed overview of QuickBooks that will allow the user to get around in the program, as well as give you tips and tricks that are not in the instruction manuals! Introduction to QuickBooks February 18, 19, & 20, from 6-8pm and March 18, 19, & 20, from 6-8pm The InventionWorks computer lab is located in the main building on the TwispWorks campus Cost is $125 Sign up by contacting Alison, agillette@twispworks.org, or going to www.inventionworks.org

Resume Building Workshop

Friday, February 22nd, WorkSource Okanogan and TwispWorks will host two Resume Building Workshops at the InventionWorks Computer Lab. WorkSource Okanogan's Nancy Nash-Mendez will guide participants through the qualities of a good resume and address individual questions; participants will be able to work on their resume on their own laptop or on an InventionWorks computer. These workshops are open anyone and will focus on polishing resumes in advance of the Methow Valley Job Fair on March 7th. Date: Friday, February 22nd Times: 9am-12pm and 1pm-4pm Location: InventionWorks Computer Lab @ TwispWorks, 502 S. Glover St. in Twisp. The computer lab is in the eastern wing of the main TwispWorks building. Cost: $5 Contact: Nancy Nash-Mendez, 509-826-7558 or NNash@esd.wa.gov

Job Fair

We would like to invite you to the 2013 Spring Job Fair to be held on Thursday, February 28, 2013 at the Omak Community Center. This event is hosted in part by WorkSource Okanogan County, Colville Confederated Tribes, Career Path Services and the Economic Alliance. This will be a great opportunity to meet your hiring needs by coming together with many area job seekers in one place. You will have the opportunity to meet with prospective employees, hand out applications or accept resumes, answer questions about your business or agency and interview all in the same day. If you would like to attend, please call our office at (509) 826-7310. Thank you, Lisa Hathaway Job Placement Counselor WorkSource Okanogan County 509-826-7560 Office 509-826-7272 Fax