Native Americans Study Oil Deregulation At Seminar

As the era of energy monopolies comes to an end, Native Americans are joining other groups in seeking some of the power, and power business, too.

A seminar to discuss energy deregulation and the opportunities for tribes will be held at the Ridpath Hotel Wednesday and Thursday.

The session will examine impacts and issues for tribes as the energy deregulation and electrical industry restructuring occurs. Speakers such as Rob Lathrop of the Columbia Intertribal Fisheries Commission and Jim Anderson of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission, as well as a speaker from the Bonneville Power Administration, will discuss fish and wildlife issues linked with power production.

Speakers at the seminar will also explain how the tribes can establish their own utilities. Registration is $50. For more information, call 509-359-7470.

In other events this week:

Today

Kentucky Fried Chicken is scheduled to open its second restaurant in the Spokane Valley, this one at Sprague and Sullivan.

Tuesday

U.S. Rep. George Nethercutt is scheduled to preside at an 11 a.m. ribbon cutting at Heritage Heights and Westfall Village, two low income housing projects in the 3700 and 3800 blocks of North Cook.

Commerce Department releases durable goods report for July.

National Association of Realtors releases existing home sales for July.

Conference Board issues results of its monthly consumer confidence survey.

Wednesday

The Westside Field Day is sponsored by the Washington State Potato Commission at the Mt. Vernon, Wash., experimental station.

Thursday

Fort Benton, Mont. community members meet with federal agencies, including the Bureau of Land Management, to discuss dropping the water level of the Missouri River.

Washington State Beef Commission meets with the Oregon and Idaho beef councils in Pasco, 7:30 a.m., Red Lion/DoubleTree Inn, 2525 N. 20th Ave. For more information, call Dan Peterson at 503-229-6830.

House Speaker Newt Gingrich and other congressional leaders are scheduled to take a helicopter tour of central Idaho forests. Along with Idaho, the group is touring Montana, Utah and Wyoming this week.

Friday

Public comment is due on Idaho Public Utilities Commission plan to issue an operational certificate to Happy Valley Water System in Kootenai County. Send comments to the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, P.O. Box 83720, Boise, ID 83720-0074.

Sunday

Eastern Washington University is scheduled to issue termination notices for 42 full-time positions to go into effect in one year.

100th anniversary of the Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce’s first meeting to formally elect officers. The original officers were: Spokane’s mayor, Dr. Elmer D. Olmsted, president; Henry Richards, first vice president; Simon Rosenhaupt, second vice president; and, D.H. Dwight, treasurer. Publisher W.H. Cowles was appointed chairman of the membership committee.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Graphic: Total employment

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: ON THE SHELF Consumer Reports, September issue: Cover story looks at home offices and best values in computers, fax machines, copiers and other office staples. Forbes, Aug. 25: The issue rates 1,795 mutual funds and offers a list of best buys during the current bull market.

Best college buys Here is Money magazine’s list of the top 10 best college buys: 1. California Institute of Technology, Pasadena. 2. Rice University, Houston. 3. University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill 4. State University of New York at Binghamton 5. Spelman College, Atlanta. 6. New College of the University of South Florida, Sarasota. 7. College of New Jersey 8. Truman State University 9. State University of New York at Geneseo 10. U. of Florida, Gainesville.