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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
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Wheat Growers Will Take A Look Back And Ahead

Compiled By Business Staff

For Washington wheat farmers, 1996 was an unprecedented year of change.

Congress ushered in a revolutionary new federal farm program, fortunes were made - and lost - in the commodity markets and a peculiar fungus called Karnal bunt caused an international scare over the integrity of U.S. wheat.

The Washington Association of Wheat Growers will recap the events and map its strategy for the coming year during its annual convention at the Ridpath Hotel, running Saturday through Dec. 9.

The 3,000-member, Ritzville-based association has invited several speakers to help sort out the political and business changes for farmers and agri-business owners. These include Rep. George Nethercutt, R-Spokane, Northwest Farm Credit Services banker Jay Penick and scientist James Cook.

Registration is $125 for members, $175 for non-members. Call 509-659-0610 for more information.

In other events this week:

Today

Northwest Mining Association annual convention opens at the Spokane Convention Center, through Friday, with an evening laser light show on the exterior of the Ag Trade Center building. Cost: $150 members; $250 non-members. Call 624-1158.

Spokane Research Center hosts an open house at 315 E. Montgomery Ave. from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

U.S. Commerce Department releases October construction spending.

Tuesday

Whitman County Agribusiness Technology Association meets at 7 a.m. at Hartley’s Wheel Inn restaurant in Steptoe, Wash. Call 509-397-6290.

Conference Board releases October leading economic indicators.

Wednesday

Federal Reserve Bank releases beige book of regional economic activity.

Thursday

Pulitzer Prize winner writer James Stewart delivers the Gonzaga University John L. Aram Lecture in Business Ethics at 11:45 a.m. at the Spokane Club. Cost: $25. Call 328-4220, ext. 3404.

Debbie Howard, who provides export assistance from her business in Japan, and Bruce Prenguber, representing the Western United States Agricultural Trade Association, discuss trade opportunities and assistance programs at 10 a.m. at the Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce, 1020 W. Riverside. Cost: $10. Call 459-4123.

Spokane Stockland Livestock Exchange, 1004 N. Freya, conducts rare bison auction at noon. Call 483-6404.

Pacific Northwest Vegetable Association annual convention opens at the Red Lion Inn in Pasco. Cost: $50 members; $70 non-members. Call 509-547-5538.

Friday

Glynis Hull of Spokane’s Youth Gang Drug Prevention Program speaks to the Hispanic Business and Professional Association at 11:30 a.m. at Cavanaugh’s Fourth Avenue. Call Marilyn DeCoster, 535-3770.

Labor Department releases November employment report.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Graphic: Measuring the Economy

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: On the shelf Inc., December: The magazine interviews Robert Metcalfe, founder of 3Com Corp. and inventor of Ethernet, the most widely installed local area computer network. Metcalfe is an associate of Bernard Daines, who is developing new networking technology with his Spokane-based company Packet Engines. Feeling good about health care Most Washington residents are happy with the health care they receive, a recent survey by the Washington State Health Care Policy Board shows. The poll found that 83 percent of residents are satisfied with their health care, and that people enrolled in managed care plans are just likely as others to be satisfied. Seventy-two percent of those polled also said they would pay more for insurance that allows them a choice of doctors.

This sidebar appeared with the story: On the shelf Inc., December: The magazine interviews Robert Metcalfe, founder of 3Com Corp. and inventor of Ethernet, the most widely installed local area computer network. Metcalfe is an associate of Bernard Daines, who is developing new networking technology with his Spokane-based company Packet Engines. Feeling good about health care Most Washington residents are happy with the health care they receive, a recent survey by the Washington State Health Care Policy Board shows. The poll found that 83 percent of residents are satisfied with their health care, and that people enrolled in managed care plans are just likely as others to be satisfied. Seventy-two percent of those polled also said they would pay more for insurance that allows them a choice of doctors.