Articles by Guest Contributor
How to succeed online with a robust citation profile
By Josh Kandle Sometimes when I talk about search engine optimization, or SEO, with people, I can actually see their eyes glaze over. This is especially true when the topic of citations comes up. The question I get most is: what exactly is a citation? Hint: It’s not that slip of paper you got for…
Trusts can keep the family farm in the family
By T. Michael Tallman I can still remember the days of working with my dad and grandpa on the farm. Each fall while they were driving a harvester, I drove a truck to get our crops to market. It always seemed like we spent more time on repairs and maintenance of the equipment than harvesting…
Tri-City manufacturing tilts toward agriculture, toward growth
By D. Patrick Jones The Tri-Cities prides itself on being a bit different from the rest of Eastern Washington. So is its manufacturing sector. Unlike most metro areas this side of the state, manufacturing here doesn’t loom among the top five sectors by employment. As Benton Franklin Trends indicator 3.3.4 shows, the largest employing sectors…
Manufacturing great wine takes good grapes, technology
By David Forsyth Making a wine is an active process. A winery is a functional factory, like any other production facility. The factors are the raw materials, in this case grapes, and the available technology to blend them. The process begins with growing the grapes, then harvesting the grapes and crushing or pressing the fruit,…
Buy local to support state’s asparagus renaissance
By Marilou Shea I’m still in mourning over the wrenching tale of what happened to our Washington asparagus industry. In the late 1980s, asparagus was a thriving industry in the fresh and processed markets with 32,000 acres of the green spears shooting up from the fertile soils in Franklin, Walla Walla and Adams counties and…
Saving for the future just got easier for Washingtonians
By Cathy MacCaul A new retirement savings initiative has launched in Washington. The Retirement Marketplace officially opened the nation’s first online savings portal in March, where businesses and individuals can comparison shop for low-cost, state-verified retirement savings plans. The Retirement Marketplace was created to help about 2 million Washingtonians who do not have access to retirement…
The essential partnership to improve retirement readiness
By Stephen Palm Retirement planning is the process to prepare for the phase of life after employment income ends. There are several lifestyle items to consider. However, the primary issue is will there be sufficient assets and income to provide the desired income and lifestyle for the remainder of the retiree’s life. Research shows the…
Adjusting to a retirement mindset can be challenging
By Scott Sarber Many people come into our office to prepare for retirement. We talk about when they are anticipating retirement and what their goals are. We review assets, liabilities and current cash flow. Through our financial planning process, we estimate future net worth and future cash flow. We let them know if they are…
The essential partnership to improve retirement readiness
By Stephen Palm Retirement planning is the process to prepare for the phase of life after employment income ends. There are several lifestyle items to consider. However, the primary issue is will there be sufficient assets and income to provide the desired income and lifestyle for the remainder of the retiree’s life. Research shows the…
Washington’s terroir sets stage for quality grapes, wine
By David Forsyth Washington state wines are now recognized as a legitimate player in the world wine market. While small in stature relative to the California industry, Washington wines are appreciated for their quality, value and their potential to becoming a bigger player in U.S. wine production. As the wine sales shift from less than…
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Around Town Photo Gallery
Area agriculture producers, processors and industry officials set a new event record by raising more than $91,000 to benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities Inland Northwest on June 13 at the fifth annual Ag World Golf Classic at Canyon Lakes Golf Course in Kennewick. Ag World Support Systems was joined by co-hosts Simplot, Lamb Weston, McCain Foods and Potato Growers of Washington to make the 18-hole scramble a success. (Courtesy Ag World Golf Classic)
A Pasco Fire Department uniform serves as a photo backdrop for youngsters at the June 30 Pasco Farmers Market. Department officials were on hand to discuss home fire escape plans, smoke alarms and hands-only CPR, a form of CPR that doesn’t require rescue breathing on adults. (Courtesy Pasco Fire Department)
Jason Lee of Richland, a Navy veteran and union recruiting specialist with UA Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 598, was busy chasing ducks and geese on a dream hunt in Saskatchewan while filming an upcoming episode of Brotherhood Outdoors TV. He was selected to appear on the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance’s television series to highlight his work ethic and commitment to the service of his country and community. The episode aired on the Sportsman Channel. (Courtesy Union Sportsmen’s Alliance)
Campers watch their rockets soar June 29 at Washington State University Tri-Cities’ middle school science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, camp in Richland. WSU offered seven camps, with many selling out, including Fantastic Flight, a camp to explore flying machines that included creating catapults, slingshots and rockets. (Courtesy WSU Tri-Cities)
