Two Spokane Valley orthodontists are hitting a home run with their patients.

Rick Ellingsen and Diane Paxton are hosting a night at Avista Stadium for patients and their families.

So far, the practice has purchased 2,200 tickets for Thursday’s Spokane Indians game at Avista Stadium, said Tammy Inge, a clinic assistant planning the event.

At the game, clients also will be pampered with massages and entertained with live music, games, clowns, refreshments and other freebies.

Inge said the event is as much for the practice’s adult clientele, who comprise 25 to 30 percent of the business, as for younger patients.

Customer-appreciation events are a seven-year tradition of the business, which has hosted two barbecues so far this summer. Past events have included patient days at Wild Waters and Splash Down water parks.

The practice switched to ballgames this year because it outgrew water parks and wanted to transition into more sociable outings than movie nights.

“We just want to say thanks to our patents for their business.”

Ellingsen-Paxton Orthodontics is at 12109 E. Broadway Ave. For information, call 926-0570.

Realtor opens Liberty Lake office

People buying and selling homes have a new office for real estate services in Liberty Lake.

Pam Fredrick opened John L. Scott Real Estate Spokane Southeast earlier this month.

Fredrick owns the franchise, which has six agents who focus on residential properties.

“We have always done a lot of business in Liberty Lake and the surrounding Valley area,” Frederick said.

John L. Scott Real Estate Spokane Southeast is at 1318 N. Liberty Lake Drive. For more information, call 924-4200.

Cartridge World opens in Liberty Lake

A new Liberty Lake store offers computer users the chance to recycle and save money.

Connie Bergstrom, a Liberty Lake resident who was formerly in finance for D.A. Davidson and Co., opened the Cartridge World franchise last month after reading a business story in the Wall Street Journal.

“I thought the whole idea was just incredible. I just always wanted to own my own business,” Bergstrom said.

The business is part of an Australia-based franchise that has about 800 stores worldwide.

People can bring in their empty ink and laser cartridges, which the store refills with high-quality ink. Refills take about 10 minutes for ink cartridges and about 30 minutes for the laser variety, she explained.

Although the store has only been open for a month, Bergstrom said she’s gotten good response.

“The people here in Liberty Lake are just so supportive,” she said.

Cartridge World, 1322 N. Liberty Lake Drive, is open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information, call 927-1077.

New chair for hair in Otis Orchards

People living in Otis Orchards have a new connection for haircuts.

Sara Skaufel, a 23-year-old who lives near East Valley High School, recently opened Sara’s Boutique.

Her one-chair salon is located in Kneading Massage, a small business that provides massage services.

Skaufel graduated from Glen Dow Academy of Hair Design last year and offers services ranging from haircuts, color treatments and permanents to facials and waxing.

The salon, 21101 E. Wellesley Ave., is open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and evenings and Saturdays by appointment.

For appointments, call 362-1066.