Bloomsday Good For The Spirit And Good For Business, Too

Winter-weary joggers will be thick on Spokane streets this week, huffing through last-minute preparations for the 7.46-mile Lilac Bloomsday Run on Sunday.

Area businesses also will be vying for a piece of the $8.2 million that 60,000 participants annually drop at shoe stores, restaurants, hotels and other outlets, according to a Gonzaga University study.

The average runner in the world’s largest timed road race spends $125 on lodging, shoes, clothing, food and other expenses, the study found. Four of 10 runners come from out of town and many stay two days.

A decade ago, about $1.2 million was spent on the road race. The main start time Sunday is 9 a.m.

In other events this week:

Today

Margaret Mullen, executive director of the Downtown Phoenix Partnership, speaks to the Downtown Spokane Partnership at 3:45 p.m. at the Spokane Club. Call Laura Delaney at 456-0580.

Consumer advocate Ralph Nader and others speak at the eighth Annual Expo ‘97 Environmental Forum for Business that opens at the Spokane Convention Center and continues through Wednesday. Call G&B at 800-325-7328.

Tuesday

Hearing scheduled at Spokane Superior Court to consider city’s decision to invalidate citizen’s petition calling for public vote on financing of $100 million River Park Square redevelopment.

The World of Electronic Commerce and the Internet, a free training class, is offered from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce Business Information Center, 1020 W. Riverside. Call 353-2800.

Wednesday

Spokane’s Business Information Center hosts 1 p.m. seminar on business opportunities with the U.S. Department of Defense. Call 353-2800.

Inland Northwest Treasury Management Association meets at noon at the Shilo Inn. For reservations, call Ron Cruse at 533-0260.

Developer Barry Margolese holds community meeting on proposed 183-home Five Mile Prairie subdivision at 7:30 p.m. at Balboa Elementary School, 3010 W. Holyoke.

Internet Basics for Business, a free training class, is offered from 9 a.m. to noon at the Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce’s Business Information Center, 1020 W. Riverside. Call 353-2630.

Business Opportunities with the Government - EDI for Government Vendors, a free training class, will be offered at the Business Information Center, 1020 W. Riverside. Call 353-2630.

Thursday

Washington Farm Forestry Association state meeting opens at the Northeast Washington Fairgrounds in Colville, Wash. The conference continues through Saturday with a panel offering industry predictions.

Sacred Heart and four other hospitals in the Dominican Network join Meditech computer network.

Friday

Fred Hoskins, Washington State University professor of food and human nutrition, speaks to the Spokane Ag Bureau about food irradiation at noon at the Stockyards Inn restaurant, 3827 E. Boone. , DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: ON THE SHELF Business Week, April 28: Cover story looks at the ways that professional golfer Tiger Woods may handle his millions. Forbes, May 5: Inside story shows why investors are bidding up National Hockey League franchises, even as winning teams lose money.

Consumers sound off Businesses that generate the most consumer complaints, according to the Council of Better Business Bureaus: 1. Auto dealers. 2. Auto repair shops. 3. Home remodeling contractors. 4. Home furnishing stores. 5. Miscellaneous service companies. 6. Dry cleaners. 7. Roofing/gutter services. 8. Computer sales outlets. 9. Direct marketing firms. 10. Floor covering stores.