Groups To Discuss Ways To Build Up Downtown

“A Bold View of a New Downtown” is the theme of the annual meeting Tuesday of three organizations working to stimulate the vitality of the city center.

The event is at 7:30 a.m. at the Cameo Catering Facility (formerly Odd Fellows Hall), 1017 W. First.

Organizers include the Downtown Business Improvement District, Downtown Spokane Partnership and the recently organized Downtown Spokane Ventures Association.

Tuesday’s session will serve as an introduction of the Ventures Association, whose goals include recruiting and retaining downtown office and retail tenants and as an advocate for doing business downtown.

The program includes a video highlighting 1999 accomplishments.

Cost of the breakfast buffet is $15. For more information, call 456-0580.

In other events this week:

Monday

The Bonneville Power Administration, Northwest Power Planning Council and five other agencies meet to discuss how to “Keep the Lights On” in the future. The program runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the DoubleTree Jantzen Beach, 909 N. Hayden Island Drive in Portland. For more information, visit http://www.bpa.gov/corporate/kcc/lightson/conference.htm.

Tuesday

Idaho’s congressional delegation and Gov. Dirk Kempthorne meet with a Chinese trade group in Washington, D.C., to encourage the purchase of Idaho wheat.

Wednesday

State B basketball tournament begins a four-day run at the Spokane Arena. For more information, call 324-7000 or go to http://www.spokanearena.com.

* United Way of Spokane County holds its “Annual Celebration” at noon at the DoubleTree Hotel City Center. For more information, call Betsy Jacobsen at 838-6581 or e-mail betsyj@unitedwayspokane.org.

Thursday

The 15th Annual Women’s Health Conference — “Puttin’ on the Ritz” — will be at Cavanaughs Inn at the Park, 303 W. Northriver Drive. The conference continues on Friday. For more information, call 835-8960.

* Telect Inc. founder Judi Williams, Spokane employment law attorney Lynn Watts, Safeguard Business Systems proprietor Diana Wilhite and Meidling Concrete President Fran Wills will be the featured speakers at the Inland Northwest Women’s Business Forum presented by the Ponderosa Republican Women’s Club starting at 11 a.m. at the Shilo Inn, 923 E. Third. Call 456-5475.

Friday

The 33rd Annual Spring Arts and Crafts Festival begins a three-day run at the Spokane Fairgrounds. The show opens at 10 a.m. each day and closes at 9 p.m. on Friday, 8 p.m. on Saturday and 5 p.m. on Sunday.

* U.S. Labor Department issues unemployment report for February; Commerce Department reports on factory orders for January.

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