Local Chambers Of Commerce To Visit Olympia For Two Days

The Spokane Area and Spokane Valley chambers of commerce travel to Olympia Wednesday for a two-day visit with lawmakers.

Both chambers want to use their time at the Capitol to discuss transportation, particularly continued funding for projects such as improvements to I-90. They also want to talk about expanding the convention center and improving freight transportation through Eastern Washington.

In other events this week:

Today

The Small Business Development Center presents a class on “Top Performing Employees” from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Spokane Intercollegiate Research and Technology Institute, 665 N. Riverpoint Blvd. Cost is $45. To register, call 358-7890.

Tuesday

The American Business Women’s Association in Spokane will hold its monthly meeting at 5:30 p.m. at DeCaro’s Little Italy, 922 N. Division. For reservations call Irene LaBounty at 534-6560.

President Clinton gives his State of the Union address.

The Conference Board in New York releases its monthly survey on consumer confidence.

The Northwest Agricultural Show opens a three-day run at the Portland Expo Center. An estimated $40 million in ranching, farming and gardening equipment will be on display. Admission is $5 and free for children under 12. For information, call (503) 769-7120.

Wednesday

The Spokane Regional International Trade Alliance will hold a workshop on how to make use of Spokane’s new foreign trade zone. The session will be led by Domenick Gambardella, manager of customs and international trade practice for Coopers & Lybrand. The workshop begins at 7:30 a.m. at the Hotel Lusso. For reservations, call 459-4123.

A seminar on dryland cropping strategies for intermediate rainfall areas is held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Memorial Hall in Davenport. The cost of $15 includes lunch. For information, call Diana Roberts at 533-2048, ext. 111.

The Washington State Hay Conference and Trade Show is held through Thursday at the Trade Recreation Agricultural Center in Pasco. For information, call (509) 547-5538.

Washington Water Power Co. Clark Fork Relicensing Team meets at Cavanaughs Inn at the Park for two days of discussions.

Huckleberry’s Fresh Markets employees vote whether to join the Teamsters Union Local 690, the United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1439 or to have no bargaining representative.

Friday

The U.S. Commerce Department releases fourth-quarter gross domestic product totals.

Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan, Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin and Deputy Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers testify before the House Banking Committee hearing on International Monetary Fund bailouts in Asia.

Saturday

The Inland Empire Council of the National Association of Investors Corp. holds a workshop at the Spokane Valley Library, 12004 E. Main on the software used by investment club treasurers. The class begins at 9 a.m.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Graphic: Interest rates

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: ON THE SHELF Business Week, Jan. 26 issue: Cover story explores what to do about the Asian powder keg. Forbes, Jan. 26 issue: High-tech improvements such as robotics are transforming the pharmaceutical industry, according to a feature story.

Movie madness Here are the nation’s biggest movie theater chains based on number of screens, assuming a three-way deal between Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst Inc., Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. and Regal Cinemas Cos. is completed: 1. Hicks Muse/KKR/Regal Cinemas, Knoxville, Tenn.: 5,347 screens in 727 theaters. 2. Carmike Cinemas, Columbus, Ga.: 2,720 screens in 540 theaters. 3. Cineplex Odeon, Toronto: 2,600 screens in 460 theaters. 4. AMC Entertainment, Kansas City, Mo.: 2,117 screens in 226 theaters.