Guest Contributor

Moving toward sustainability at work or home begins with one step

April 12, 2018

By Gail EverettAll this talk about sustainability only widens the gap between those who get it and those who are too overwhelmed to start.In general, being sustainable means doing your best to avoid the depletion of our natural resources and reducing your adverse impact by being careful stewards of the...

Washington wine grape harvest falls short of record

March 14, 2018

Guest Contributor

By Andy PerdueAs predicted last fall, Washington’s wine grape crop fell short of record numbers, according to the annual harvest report recently released by the Washington State Wine Commission.The total crushed last fall added up to 227,000 tons, down considerably from 2016, when winemakers crushed a record 270,000 tons. Even...

Hospitality association’s top priority for year is tourism

March 14, 2018

Guest Contributor

By Anthony AntonI love hospitality. We are welcoming and solution-oriented, constantly finding ways to improve the experience we deliver to guests.The team here at the Washington Hospitality Association is working on solutions to policy issues that fit the needs of our industry and work for Washingtonians. Anthony AntonDuring the past...

Degrees of hospitality limited only by imagination

March 14, 2018

Guest Contributor

By Marilou SheaHospitality is a vast industry comprised of a lot of different things — food and beverage, lodging, conventions, travel, attractions and leisure. The industry is typically divided into two measureable sectors: arts, entertainment and recreation; and accommodations and food services. I’m going to focus on the latter because...

Winemaker offers advice for choosing best wine for casual dinner party

March 14, 2018

Guest Contributor

By David ForsythOK, so here’s the challenge. I’ve got company visiting from out-of-town, California wine country to be exact, folks who know and are active in the wine industry. Which Washington wine should be served to showcase the true essence of Washington wine? David ForsythDo I distill the choice down...

Channel the art of hospitality to keep customers coming back

March 14, 2018

Guest Contributor

By Robert J. HarringtonHospitality and tourism make up one of the largest industries in the United States. At the same time, the market is saturated with competition, and consumer expectations are evolving. Robert HarringtonIn changing times, how can hospitality businesses change to meet the needs of their customers and still...

Vandervert Construction’s financial crisis sends ripples through construction industry

March 14, 2018

Guest Contributor

By Kevin Blocker, Spokane Journal of BusinessA Coeur d’Alene-based company recently laid off four employees as a direct consequence of Vandervert Construction Inc. entering into receivership.Aaron Kayser, owner of Innovative Electrical Solutions LLC, said the workers were dedicated exclusively to working on projects for the now-shuttered Spokane-based general contractor.“I don’t...

How to protect against attractive nuisances to avoid liability

March 14, 2018

Guest Contributor

By Beau RuffIf you’ve ever driven past an abandoned house with rusted play equipment in plain sight and thought that it looked like a dangerous trap for unwary children, then you intuitively know about the concept of an “attractive nuisance.” Beau Ruff,Cornerstone Wealth StrategiesLandowners owe a duty to those who...

State legislator’s bill aims to protect citizens in wake of federal pot crackdown

February 15, 2018

Guest Contributor

By Michelle DuplerIf one Washington lawmaker has his way, the federal government won’t be able to look to state employees for help enforcing federal marijuana prohibitions. Rep. David SawyerRep. David Sawyer, D-Tacoma, introduced House Bill 2124 in the wake of the Jan. 4 memorandum by U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions...

Dueling marijuana bills at odds over who has authority to ban pot shops

February 15, 2018

Guest Contributor

By Michelle DuplerA series of bills introduced in the Washington state Legislature highlight dueling approaches to marijuana regulation in the state — and spell possible uncertainty for cannabis businesses.While Rep. David Sawyer, D-Tacoma, said a pair of bills he introduced aim to enhance state-level control over Washington’s legal cannabis market,...