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Member Columns |
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The Economic Impact of America’s Substance Abuse Problem
By Jerry Gjesvold,Manager of Employer
Services
Serenity Lane Treatment for Alcohol and Other
Drug Dependencies
I remember taking an economics class at Oregon State
University in 1985, and one of the most memorable points
made was the prediction that in 20 years there were
going to be three things that would threaten the
economic competitiveness of the U.S.: First was a poor
work ethic, second was English as a second language, and
the third was the escalating drug problem.
More recently, in October 2004, Oregon Business
Magazine published a feature article titled Drugs at
Work-How Substance Abuse is Tripping Up Oregon’s
Economy. Much of the content pointed to employers having
difficulty finding qualified employees who could pass a
pre-employment drug screen.
Although economists for the state weren’t ready to
recognize Oregon’s drug problem having any negative
impact on the states economy, there have been changes
that suggest that those views may be changing. One is
the impact that medical marijuana and some of the legal
ambiguities it places on the Drug Free Workplace.
In addition, some of Oregon’s unemployment and worker’s
compensation decisions, regarding workplace drug use,
have led many large employers in the Portland area to
craft and introduce legislation that will hopefully
close some of the loopholes.
More recently, in October 2006, Forbes magazine
published an article in its Health section titled The
Five Most Expensive Addictions in the U.S. They identify
the five as alcohol, drugs, tobacco, eating disorders,
and gambling.
The economic impact of the five in 2005 is estimated to
be $590 billion, or 5 percent of the national debt.
These numbers clearly establish that America’s addiction
problems are having a serious negative economic impact.
With the current strain in the labor pool, I can see why
employers are taking a “don’t ask/don’t tell” approach
to possible workplace alcohol and drug problems. But I’m
also reminded of an old muffler commercial with the
message “you can pay me now, or you can pay me later.”
It’s my opinion that if ALL employers took a similar
position regarding America’s addiction problems, we’d
all be better off. More on what that might look like in
a later column.
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MPLS Is the Latest Technology to Impact Business
Communications
By Sandy Morse
Cascade Telecommunications
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize
that technology is changing on a daily basis.
What’s hot today may very well be antiquated
tomorrow. Keeping up with technology is quite a
task that must happen because many new
innovations have the ability to not only
increase your profitability but also give you a
competitive advantage.
The latest acronym gaining popularity in business
communications is MPLS, short for Multi-Protocol
Label Switching. MPLS enables businesses to
consolidate and prioritize their communications
including voice, video, and various grades of
data communications onto a single VPN (virtual
private network). The VPN service is based on
MPLS technology providing any-to-any
connectivity, security and Quality of Service (QoS)
among geographically diverse sites.
Essentially, MPLS allows companies to allocate
different types of traffic specific bandwidth
priorities at various times during the day or
day of week. Small- to mid-sized companies now
have the unique flexibility of designing their
networks that mirrors their traffic patterns.
This technology empowers network managers to
enhance communication by diverting and routing
traffic around link failures and bandwidth
congestion increasing system efficiency as well
as employee productivity.
MPLS has attracted attention as growing numbers of
businesses look for new ways to lower cost,
extend scalability, improve reliability, and
secure their data. Today’s communication
networks are rapidly migrating to a converged IP
environment and MPLS has become the enabling
technology for this migration. MPLS is a proven
technology supporting the transition from old to
new networks. As a president, owner, or IT
manager it’s critical to understand MPLS and the
value it can bring to your organization. If
your business communications provider does not
offer MPLS as a viable solution – run away as
fast as you can and find a reputable
organization that knows the ins and outs of this
technology.
For more information, contact Cascade
Tel at 541-388-5158 or visit
www.cascadetel.com.
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Don’t
Forget to Smell the Cottonwoods
By Monica Wheeler
Abundant Life Coaching
Sometimes I forget to make time to have fun and this
oversight accumulates in my body in the form of stress.
As a working mom who juggles her eight-year-old’s
activities, dinner and housework, as well as seeing
clients every day, I often feel pulled in several
directions at once. When my mind gets racing at night
about all the things I need to do the next day, I
realize it is my all night “wake up call” that tells me
I need to take more time out for fun. Often I spend the
next day getting in a few hours of fun whether it is
reading a book I like, or going for a quick hike, or
lunch out with a loved one.
My mother is an example of a chronic workaholic. She
owns and operates three demanding businesses and rarely
has a moment to herself. To top this off, she rarely
makes time for “fun.” Trust me, if she put a little
more emphasis on fun than work she wouldn’t be so
stressed.
I believe life is meant to be fun. We should savor and
relish all of the world—even, and especially, the fun
stuff. I enjoyed Disneyland so much more as a
33-year-old than a seven year old. I was better able to
appreciate the creativity and imagination that went into
every step. I had more fun than my daughter! Don’t let
life get too serious and stressful, take time every day
for fun.
Have you ever watched children at play? They are not
preoccupied with the twists and turns of the stock
market or what they are having for dinner, but relish
and enjoy every moment. If you are all grown up and
desperately need to learn how to “play” spend some time
with children.
We might call it “smelling the roses” but when I got
very stressed a few years back, my father took me out to
“smell the cottonwoods.” He said the smell could
alleviate all your problems and if it could be bottled
he would be a rich man. After an hour or so of hiking
in the woods smelling trees with my crazy, but
insightful father, I certainly felt like a rich woman.
Enjoy creation. Have fun. And above all, take time
out everyday to “smell the cottonwoods.”
If you want more one-on-one coaching, I can be reached
at 541-383-2464 or by emailing me at
coachmonica@hotmail.com.
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What's New |
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Deschutes County installing new CDD phone system
Last June, Deschutes County's Community
Development Department (CDD) purchased an
automated inspection request phone system. The
new system is expected to be available for
customer use at the end of March. The system was
purchased to benefit customer service and to
increase communication between Community
Development field inspectors and the CDD office.
The system will automate the current inspection
request system allowing customers to schedule,
cancel, reschedule or check on the status of an
inspection over their telephone.
Additional features of the system will include being
able to leave a voice message for the inspector
and request automatic notification when
inspection results have been posted to the
system. An online Web application of the system
will be available in the near future for
customer use. An informational flyer (PDF
format) about the new system is available on the
Deschutes County Community Development
Department home page at
www.deschutes.org/cdd . Click on "IVR
Brochure" in the upper right hand corner of the
page. You also may call 317-3138.
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Newport Avenue Market has record success
Newport Avenue Market, an IGA Plus store at 1121
NW Newport Ave. in Bend, has announced record
success for the past two years and into 2007.
The market recorded a 7.5 percent sales increase
for January 2007 over January 2006. This marks a
continued trend of upward sales for Newport Ave.
Market that dates back at least three years.
Industry average for like store sales is
typically about 2 to 3 percent. Newport Avenue
Market has been in business in its current
location for more than 16 years. The store has
continued to build sales and retain market share
despite the introduction of large chains. It
also managed to survive a major city road
renovation that closed the Newport Avenue Bridge
and detoured traffic around the store for more
than a year. The market was founded by Rudy Dory
and his wife Debbie in 1991. Information:
www.newportavemarket.com.
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PacificSource and foundation donate $23,150 in
Bend
With the goal of increasing access to health
care services, PacificSource Health Plans and
its charitable foundation donated $23,150 to
Bend nonprofit organizations between July 2005
and December 2006. The foundation provides
financial support for community health
initiatives; PacificSource’s Healthy Communities
program benefits nonprofit organizations in
Oregon communities in which PacificSource has
members. PacificSource made the following
contributions: $10,000 each to Deschutes County
Health Department – Healthy Active Central
Oregon, and to Volunteers in Medicine Cascade
Clinic; $1,000 to The Center Foundation for its
Toast to Hollywood Fundraiser; $1,350 to Big
Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon to
sponsor its Comedy Benefit and Bowl for Kids’
Sake; $500 to Healthy Beginnings to sponsor its
Grin and Bear It Family Fun Run and $300 to
Women’s Resource Center – Mountainstar Family
Nursery and Action Coalition.
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Shelly Hall Now an Accredited Appraiser
The Shelley Hall Gallery is proud to announce
that Shelley Hall has completed her final
advanced training in
Professional Appraisal Studies, and is
now an accredited member of the International
Society of Appraisers. This new accreditation
is recognized by the IRS and allows the Shelley
Hall Gallery to provide qualified Appraisals in
Bend as well as throughout the U.S. There are
new laws taking affect this year regarding
charitable contributions and the IRS is now
requiring that all charitable donations of
artwork valued over $5,000 and household items
valued over $500 must have an appraisal by a
qualified appraiser. The IRS defines a
qualified appraiser as
an appraiser who has “earned an appraisal
designation from a recognized professional
appraiser organization.” The three main
appraisal organizations are the International
Society of Appraisers, Appraisers Association of
America, and the American Society of
Appraisers.
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Members on the M-O-V-E |
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PEOPLE
Jeremy Prickel has been named the newest
partner and shareholder at Jones & Roth, a Bend
CPA and business consulting firm. A CPA, Prickel
has been with Jones & Roth for more than 10
years. He is based in Eugene but serves clients
from the company’s other offices, including
Bend.
Allison Suran, PT, CGFP, owner of Healing Bridge
Physical Therapy, recently attended “The Running
Course” at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Portland.
The course taught the latest research-based
approaches for diagnosing and treating muscle
injuries in runners and athletes. Information:
tel. 318-7041.
Mark Rust has joined Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt
as a land-use planner. He previously was a
senior planner with the city of Bend. He is a
member of the American Institute of Certified
Planners and the Oregon Chapter of the American
Planning Association.
Two executives have joined Central Electric
Cooperative’s (CEC) administrative staff.
Rawleigh White, formerly an executive
director and Chief Financial Officer of the Kah-Nee-Ta
High Desert Resort and Casino on the Warm
Springs Indian Reservation, is the new Chief
Financial Officer at CEC. New operations manager
at CEC is Bob McConnell, formerly
Director of Field Operations for Pacific Power.
McConnell will oversee CEC’s electrical system
construction, maintenance and planning.
Sortor Bushido Kai Karate congratulates two students of
the month. February is Cameron Burns, a
7-year-old homeschooled second-grader from
Redmond. He is recognized for his focus, hard
work and discipline. March is David Brock,
a 57-year-old blue belt and a powerhouse in the
dojo, both mentally and physically. He is
recognized for his determination, positive
attitude and outstanding work ethic.
Deanna West has joined Centro Information
Systems as a sales service specialist. She can
be reached at 382-3534.
Andrew Ford is a new Senior CADD Technician at
BBT Architects. He has more than five years of
senior drafting and AutoCad experience. He is a
graduate of the CAD program at Central Oregon
Community College.
Combined Communications has expanded its sales
department with the addition of Kathe
Beardsley and Gina Reid. The two have more
than 15 years of combined sales experience.
Beardsley is a former property manager, and Reid
has several years of radio sales experience.
Brian Johnson has joined KOHD, Central Oregon’s
new ABC television station, as Creative Services
Director. He comes to KOHD from ABC affiliate
KGUN in Tucson, Ariz., where he was senior art
director. In addition, KOHD has broken ground on
a new building, including state-of-the-art
high-definition studios, at NE Empire Boulevard
and Lower Meadow Drive. Completion is estimated
for July.
Dr. Andrew W. Engel, DMD, formerly affiliated
with Century Dental Group, has opened a practice
called AWE Dentistry. He has been practicing
general, reconstructive and cosmetic dentistry
in Bend for nine years. He has been learning
several new specialty procedures. Information:
383-5007.
Allison Randall is the new owner relations
liaison at Brooks Resources Corp. She has a
background in homeowner association management
and architectural drafting. She most recently
owned a management company for homeowner
associations.
Greta Brunschwyler, the 1997 recipient of the
Oregon Governor’s Award for the Promotion of
Cultural Tourism, has been appointed vice
president for audience development at the High
Desert Museum. She had been the director of the
Nevada State Museum and Historical Society in
Las Vegas since 2003. She holds a master’s
degree in fine arts from University of the Arts
in Philadelphia.
Gail Jett, FNP, WHCNP, has joined the women’s
primary medical practice at Turning Path Clinic.
She is accepting patients for medical care
including women’s exams. Information: 617-1181.
Hooker Creek has promoted Gary Robertson to
safety director. He started with Hooker Creek in
June 2006 and has 15 years of experience as a
law enforcement officer.
Robert Schluter is a new Vice President and
Commercial Loan Officer at Columbia River Bank’s
Shevlin Branch. He has more than 17 years of
business development and real estate experience.
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BUSINESSES
Steve and Julie Hansmann of Hansmann and Sons
Construction have been chosen to be one of
the 25 “select builders” in the planned
community of Northwest Crossing. They recently
completed “Villa Toscana,” a Tuscan-inspired
estate home designed by Scott Gilbride in
Pronghorn Golf Club.
Cushman & Tebbs Sotheby’s International Realty
has been named the exclusive real estate
brokerage representing Remington Ranch
properties. The company will serve as primary
contacts for all interested parties, including
individuals, brokers and Realtors.
NorthWest Crossing has announced plans to
install SunPower solar panels on the newest
commercial building in NorthWest Crossing’s
“Neighborhood Center” off NW Crossing Drive.
Country Catering Company and Deli has moved to a
new, larger location at the corner of Ninth
Street and Wilson Avenue in Bend. The new deli
offers a larger selection of products and menu
items, along with comfortable indoor and outdoor
seating. The company also has expanded its
catering operation. The deli is open 7 a.m. to 6
p.m. weekdays and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturdays.
Cascade Festival of Music has announced a
two-year extension of a partnership with Cutter
Communications, Inc., to publish the festival’s
program. Cutter Communications publishes Bend
Living and Bend Business Review and created the
festival’s 2006 program, Music in Bloom.
Umpqua Bank, a subsidiary of Umpqua Holdings
Corp., donated nearly 15,000 associate volunteer
hours through its Connect Volunteer Network in
2006. The network is a volunteer program that
provides each full-time associate with 40 hours
of paid time off each year to volunteer.
Aspen Lakes Golf Course has been named one of
the “Top 36 Non-resort Golf Courses in the West”
by Fairways and Greens magazine. The course was
the only one in Central Oregon on the list.
Information: 549-4588.
BBT Architects recently completed construction
drawings for a new McCormick and Schmick’s
Restaurant to be built in Austin, Texas, and is
designing another restaurant to be located in
Virginia Beach, VA. Both restaurants include
private dining rooms, boardrooms and outdoor
patio dining for approximately 50 people.
ORGANIZATIONS
United Way of Deschutes County has
elected new officers for 2007. They are: Terri
Rahmsdorff, Columbia River Bank, president;
Craig Smith, Coldwell Banker Morris Real Estate,
first vice president; Lois Vallerga, Bend
community volunteer, second vice president; and
Rick Bailey, Avion Water, treasurer. New
committee chairs are Kasandra Reams,
Communications; Mike Stanley, Selco Community
Credit Union, Community Impact; Rick Bailey,
Avion Water, Fiscal and Operations; Jerry Bass,
Nominations; Craig Smith, Resource Development;
and Mike McKnight, River West Builders, Planned
Giving.
Vickie Johnson, a real estate broker at BIG Real
Estate Group, has been appointed Treasurer
of the 2007 Women’s Council of Realtors. She has
been a member of the group since it formed in
2004.
Deschutes County is seeking victims of drunk
driving incidents to speak on an ongoing panel
that helps intoxicated driving offenders realize
the pain they’ve inflicted. The panels are held
the last Wednesday evening of each month.
Information: 317-3186.
Bend’s only non-profit roller derby league, the Renegade
Rollergirls of Central Oregon, are seeking
donations and community support to build the
first banked track in the Pacific Northwest.
Donations can be made at any Bank of the
Cascades location in Central Oregon. All
donations are tax deductible. Information:
390-1068.
To provide better customer service to citizens,
Deschutes County’s Community Development
Department now accepts Visa and MasterCard
payments for services in Bend, La Pine and
Redmond.
United Way of Deschutes County is seeking
volunteer teams from area businesses to lend a
hand in the 11th annual United Way Day of
Caring, scheduled for April 20 and 21. The two
days are county-wide days of volunteer
activities and projects that connect caring
people with those who need help. The sponsor,
which will provide lunch, is LifeWise Health
Plans of Oregon.
EVENTS
The eighth annual “Bowl for Kids Sake”
fund-raiser will be held May 5 in Bend.
Bowling teams are needed to raise money for kids
in the community. Information: Big Brothers Big
Sisters of Central Oregon, 312-6047.
Lahaina Galleries will hold a St. Patrick’s Day
party from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., featuring
paintings from Tom Browning’s visit to Ireland.
Other artists also will be displayed.
Information: 388-4404 or
www.lahainagalleries.com.
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