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Salem Business Journal P.O. Box 93 Salem, OR 97308 503.365.9544 |
 Volume 1 Number 1 June 1, 2005 The Best of Both Worlds, Panoramic Views, and Downtown Core Locations. BY BRUCE TAYLOR Publisher With the announcement of the new Meridian comes a new standard of excellence for downtown Salem. The Meridian is an appealing new living and working environment. The upper levels of this "Class A" medical/professional complex will be home to Salem's most exclusive owner-occupied luxury condominium residences. You can own a piece of this beauty planned for the northwest corner of Salem's Mission and Commercial Streets - with the memorable address 777 Commercial St SE. Celebrate your success with sweeping views of the river and mountains that grace our city's skyline, but as an owner not a renter. Residences are available with a variety of spacious floor plans and options, ranging from 900 to 3,500 square feet. Not only are the luxurious condominiums for sale, so are the office suites. As a smart businessperson you can build equity in your workspace, rather than paying for your landlord's building. That alone makes the Meridian a wise business decision. The Meridian is within walking distance of the new Convention Center, City Hall, Waterfront and Bush Park - mere blocks away from shopping, the business district, Salem Hospital, and the Capitol with excellent access to Intrastate 5 and the Salem Parkway. By buying both a residence and an office suite, you can take the elevator to work rather than a car across town. You would not only save on increasingly expensive fuel and wear-and-tear on your vehicle, but it is better risk and time management. You could take a nap at lunch if you wished, and still wake up for an appointment in your office downstairs at 1:15. Just take the elevator. Timing is everything. The Meridian offers sweeping vistas of the Willamette River on the west, the Cascades mountain range on the east, and spectacular views of the city to the north and south. Setting a resort-style tone of luxury, the Meridian's dramatic lobby features two spectacular waterfalls, towering ceilings, charming lighting accents, and exquisite stone floors. Three interior elevators service the Meridian's underground parking and five aboveground levels, providing rapid and east entry for residents, businesses, and their clients. Appointments include extra wide hallways with recessed lighting, luxurious carpeting, enhanced sound isolation, and picture windows with energy-efficient glass, a building-wide central vacuum system, interior refuse chute, intercom, and category 5 ethernet wiring fed by a robust T1 broadband internet connection. And, when away for business or pleasure, rest easy thanks to the Meridian's 24/7 total building security system. The location just five blocks from Salem Hospital makes the Meridian expecially attractive to medical professionals. A rarity downtown, the Meridian boasts generous on-site parking for residents, visitors, clients, and staff. A large percentage of the parking is covered and protected from the elements. Residents have the option of up to two personal parking spaces in the Meridian's secured well-lit underground parking garage. The building design was by Arbuckle Costic Architects, Inc. Blueline Design did the 3-D modeling. Website design, graphic design, and video production was done by PureBlend New Media Design Group. Developer Dan Berrey of Commercial Concepts said that he particularly wanted to thank Mayor Janet Taylor, the City Hall staff, Umpqua Bank, and West Coast Bank for their help on this project. Page 2 J. James Restaurant 503-362-0888 Ticor Title Page 3 Publisher's Letter Join Salem's top business leaders in welcoming this vital new link to the mid-Willamette valley business community. In the true entrepreneurial spirit, the Salem Business Journal will function as a strong independent local voice, while showcasing the business people that are of influence in and around Oregon's capitol city. Find interesting facts and figures on big business and small business. Each month you will read useful information from banking, real estate, technology, industry, manufacturing, hospitality, commercial development, communication,construction, environment, marketing, arts, retail, medical, legal, transportation, human resources, education and of course the business of city, county and state government. readers will discover a noticeable local commitment to the coverage of issues that effect, mold and shape the growing and changing face of the vibrant business community it serves. management, staff and contributing editors have a fundamental common mission. ''To lead the way from Wall Street to Court Street ... with a focus on civic pride and to provide an economic spotlight for those doing business in Salem.'' Speaking to the future for the Salem Business Journal? ''There is always a market for excellence'' Complimentary premiere edition copies will be distributed to businesses during the first week in June. Questions, story ideas or comments are always welcome. Contact Bruce Taylor at publisher@salembusinessjournal.com. Tournament at Illahe Hills BY GAIL BONNIKSEN Special to the Salem Business Journal The Assistance League® of Salem "Takes flight" with their first charity golf tournament and dinner/auction to be held at the Illahe Hills Country Club on Friday, June 24th. Title Sponsor for the event is the family of LTC Robert G. Nopp, MIA 1966, Laos. LTC Nopp's wife, Patti, is a member of Assistance League and, along with her sons Tim and Scott, know the value of the services provided to the Salem/Keizer community by this non-profit, all-volunteer organization. Proceeds from the tournament will help support philanthropic projects including Operation School Bell® which provides clothing and shoes to over 2000 Salem-Keizer schoolchildren, as well as R.E.A.D., Operation Art Adventures, Operation Bookshelf, and Kids on the Block. The corporate sponsor is Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. and the hole-in-one sponsor is Capitol Toyota. Hole sponsors are Mary Hoyt, HAM Assoc. LLC, Resident Lending, Gary Pederson DDS, PC, the Saunders Company, Chinook Winds Casino and Resort, Salem Electric, Kelly's Home Center, Pacific Pride Services, Chic Lidtke of Prudential Real Estate, Interiors by Design, 20/10 Products, Boldt, Carlisle and Smith, Huggins Insurance, Rushing Commercial Real Estate, Vintage Trust, Fidelity National, Ameri-Title, Merry Maids, Specht Development Inc., Byron Hendricks of Prudential Real Estate, Valley Motors, Skyline Ford, 1-Day Signs, and Pioneer Trust Bank. Registration forms for participation in the tournament are available at the Daue House Gift Shop located at 1095 Saginaw St. S., from chapter members, and at local golf club pro shops. The entry fee is $150 (of which $65 is tax deductible) and includes green fees, cart, range balls, arrival package, box lunch and a drink coupon. You may register as a team or individual players will be assigned to a team. Those interested are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible as space is limited. Tickets to attend the dinner/auction are $50 per person. Some of the exciting oral auction items will include a fishing trip for two at Guth's Lodge in Iliamna River, Alaska, a week's stay at a beautiful ocean view home in Puerto Vallarta, a one-week winter stay at Eagle Crest, a one-week stay at a condo in Kona, Hawaii, and five days in Palm Desert. In addition, a wonderful variety of silent auction items have been donated by individuals and participating businesses. Mira Histed is President, and Ann Lau is Past President and Golf Tournament Chairman for the Assistance League® of Salem. Gail Bonniksen is Communications and Publicity Chairman for the Assistance League of Salem, 1095 Saginaw Street S, Salem, OR 97302 , (503) 364-2080, www.assistanceleaguesalem.org. Dragon Boat Races Come to Salem World Beat Festival The Salem Multicultural Institute today announced that Dragon Boat Races will be held in conjunction with the eighth annual Salem World Beat Festival this June 25 & 26 at Riverfront Park in Salem. The races will be open to experienced Portland dragon boat teams and to newly formed Salem teams. Course setup and practice sessions will be held on June 25th with the actual race taking place on June 26 in the afternoon. Another first for Salem, the World Beat Dragon Boat races will add a new dimension to the festival and further establish the World Beat as Oregon's Premier International Cultural Event. The first annual World Beat Dragon Boat Races are being organized as a joint effort of the World Beat Festival Steering Team, the DragonSport USA Board of Directors, the Salem Rowing Club, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Willamette Crew, and the Willamette Queen Sternwheeler. The Salem World Beat Festival is an official Rose Festival Sanctioned event; however, the World Beat Dragon Boat Race is not affiliated with the Rose Festival Dragon Boat Race, although some of the same teams may compete in both races. "The new dock is an ideal location to launch this exciting event," said Captain Richard Chesbrough, Director of land-based operations for the World Beat Dragon Boat Races. "Everyone we've approached about the races has been very enthusiastic," he said, "and in time, I envision a two-day race with many Salem-based teams competing." "The cultural aspect of dragon boat racing also provides an excellent tie to the World Beat," said Program Chair Marisa Newnam. "We already have plans underway for a Chinese Lion Dance and a traditional 'opening of the eye' as part of the official opening of the race." Two Hong Kong style boats owned by Dragon Sport USA will arrive Saturday, June 25, for training and practice sessions and stay through the races on Sunday afternoon. The Hong Kong boats are 4 x 48 ft canoes fitted with dragon heads, tails and drums. Twenty-two people participate on each team during competition: 20 paddlers, a caller (drummer), and a tiller (steersman). The Hong Kong boats are narrower and not as ornamental as the sister city boats associated with the Portland races, yet they are closer in their dimensions to those used in dragon boating in other parts of the world. The deadline for team registration is Monday, June 13. The visiting team registration fee is $200-$300. Local team registration is $400 ($20 per person, not including the tiller and caller). Registration forms will be posted on the World Beat Festival website at www.WorldBeatFestival.org and at www.WillametteQueen.com. People who are interested in volunteering for the races during World Beat weekend should contact Terry Samuel or Phil Johnson at (503) 581-2004. Individuals interested in applying to participate on a new team should contact Richard Chesbrough at (503) 409-0741 or fill out the individual participant application on the website by June 5. The Willamette Queen Sternwheeler will be reserved during the race for VIP seating with limited seats available for purchase. Spectators interested in purchasing reserved seats on the Sternwheeler can also inquire with Captain Chesbrough at the numbers listed above. The Salem World Beat Festival is organized by the Salem Multicultural Institute, an all-volunteer non-profit organization dedicated to promoting harmony and understanding through innovative educational programs and activities. DragonSport USA is an all-volunteer non-profit organization with the mission of promoting fitness and friendship through paddle sports. Page 4 Advertisement: How fast can we close your loans? At Countrywide,® we streamline the home loan process, so you can close faster and easier than you ever thought possible.For example, we offer: Up-front approvals available through your local Countrywide team*A commitment to close your loan fast. One of the widest selections of loan products and services - some with as little as low-to-no-down payment More flexible qualifying guidelinesCall us today and we'll show you the quickest way into your new home.WANT TO SEE THAT AGAIN? David Chandler, Branch Manager 3882 Center Street NE, Salem, OR 97301 (503) 588-3250 Phone - (503) 588-8716 Fax - david_f_chandler@countrywide.com www.davidfchandler.com Equal Housing Lender. © 2005 Countrywide Home Loans, Inc., 4500 Park Granada, Calabasas, CA 91302. Trade/service marks are the property of Countrywide Financial Corporation and/or its subsidiaries. * Up-front approval issubject to satisfactory appraisal and title review and no change in financial condition. If the rate is not locked or rate protection expires, any rate increases may lower the loan amount for which the borrower qualifies. For Oregon properties only. Some products may not be available in Oregon † Inside Mortgage Finance (Jan. 28, 2005), Copyright 2005. This is not acommitment to lend. Restrictions apply. All rights reserved. 50542 Countrywide Financial Corporation is America's #1 residential lender and a member of the prestigious Standard & Poor's 500 and Fortune 500. For Lease: Office: Spinnaker Place - 2601 25th , Salem 800-2,300 sq ft $1.65 psf full service with base year Office: The Landing - 2264 McGilchrist, Salem Floating Offices on Spinnaker Lake, 1,700-3,200 sq ft $1.75 psf full service with base year Office: Salmon Run - 471 High St., Salem Creekside Level, 4,000 sq ft $1.95 psf full service Office: Ratcliff Professional Center - 401 Ratcliff, Salem 400-1,439 sq ft $1.40 psf full service w/o janitorial Downtown: Prime Downtown Building - 260 NE Liberty, Salem 35,000 sq ft former dept store space is divisible .55-.65 psf NNN Restaurant: 2535 25th Street, Salem 1,594 sq ft .41 acres, single tenancy $1.00 psf NNN Industrial: 1362 Progress Way, Woodburn Flex Office, Warehouse, Outdoor Storage 1,000 sq ft and 7,000 sq ft For Sale Bare Land 3.12 acres, Lancaster Blvd, Salem CO/CR, $10 psf 2.26 acres, Orville Rd, Salem, SA, $175,000 3.11 acres, Orville Rd, Salem, SA, $150,000 2.57 acres, Hickory, Albany, MUC, $447,000 4.63 acres, Hickory, Albany, CC, $5 psf 1.25 acres, Stacey Allison Way, Woodburn, CG $16 psf Partial Listings. For more properties contact Elaine Gesik, Broker 1st Premier Properties LLC 503-586-7402 A Musician's Guide to Tasting Wine BY TIM DUFFY I would like to introduce myself and let you know how honored I am to have been asked to write this monthly wine column. I come into the wine and restaurant field after having been in the teaching profession for 16 years as a High School and Middle School Band Director. Most of my life has been centered on education in one form or another. I felt my life just wouldn't be complete until I experienced the business side of life, so here I am. The wine shop and deli "Grand Vines" was off and running when it occurred to me that I was still a teacher. Many parallels exist between what I did and what I do. One of the most interesting parallels has been the similarity with tasting wine and leading a musical group. Both require one to analyze the layers involved. In directing a musical group we listen for balance and blend between the instruments, the individual sound of each instrument and the tuning of the instruments as they play together. When tasting wine we look for the balance and blend between acidity, tannins, fruit, and alcohol. We try to identify certain flavors that come from the various grape varieties and as the wine gets swished around and then spit out or swallowed we wait to see how all the components come together for that hopefully long, harmonious finish. Two local wines that will be featured on June's Tasting Board at Grand Vines are the Ankeny Vineyard 2003 Pinot Gris and Winter's Hill Vineyard 2002 Pinot Noir. Ankeny's Oregon State Fair Gold Medal Pinot Gris is full bodied with spice, apples and kiwi fruit. It will be $14.99 in the store. The Winter's Hill 2002 Pinot Noir is special first of all because it is a 2002. All of Oregon's 2002 Pinots are bigger than normal and fabulous. The Winter's Hill has great cherry and blackberry notes throughout. It has great acidity to balance and even hints of some chocolate and molasses on the mid palate and finish. It will go for $19.99. What's really exciting is that we will be able to ship both of these great wines to places like Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina and Tennessee, which we used to call Felony States. We were unable to ship any alcohol to these states and many other states had individual rules that had to be taken into consideration when shipping wine or beer to them. The Supreme Court recently ruled that no State can prevent wine from being shipped into it from another State. There are a few more issues that need to be ironed out but at least it's a beginning. Opponents say that alcohol will get into the hands of minors too easily. Supporters say that this change is good for the economy. I say, let's allow free trade to take place in the supposed land of the free, let parents parent and let individual adults around the Country decide for themselves what they will sip on with dinner tonight. Have a great month. Tim Duffy is proprietor of Grand Vines at 195 High Court St NE, Salem, OR 97301, 503-399-9463, www.grandvines.com. Page 5 Ask Lullu BY LULLU TRUIT Greetings. I would like to introduce myself, since you will "see" a lot of me in the future. My name is Lullu Truit, and I have a business in downtown Salem. I was born and raised in Italy, and have been in Salem for 32 years My (other) hometown is Naples, and, yes, that is the city you will associate with Vesuvius, Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast … and, of course, pizza! As I often tell my friends, I have the best of both worlds. I live here in Salem and do business here, and, yes, I can still go back "home" again especially when I think of food and family. Usually they go together! In Italy, when people get social, it is around a plate of pasta and with the concept that a tavola non si invecchia, meaning that at the table, one never gets old. This is how the Italians rationalize the need for a long lunch break. In this column, I will write about restaurants where you will be proud to take a business associate. We also have a list of these restaurants, and update it periodically letting you know about their food quality, service, and style. I will also write about food in general, and some specific foods and wines. And, I will answer your questions, if you should have any. For example, maybe you have been curious about radicchio? Radicchio (ra-deek-yo) is of the chicory family. Its bittersweet taste lends itself to eating raw, as in a salad, or cooked as in pasta with radicchio and balsamic vinegar and/or cream. It can also be grilled. When radicchio first comes out, it has green leaves, but as the weather gets colder, the leaves turn into a beautiful reddish color. The great thing is that you can find radicchio available all year-round. Radicchio can be listed and sold under different names, Treviso, Radicchio di Verona, etc., depending on the region it comes from. If you have a chance to try it, go for it. You will be pleasantly surprised. Until next time, ciao Lullu Truitt is owner of Lullu's Tutto Cucina at 357 Court Street NE, 503-364-7900, lullu@tuttocucina.org. Lullu's List A selection of Salem-area restaurants appropriate for business entertaining selected by Lullu of Lullu's Tutto Cucina. Alessandro's Restaurant 120 Commercial St NE, Salem, OR 97301, 503-370-9951, www.alessandros120.com Intimate, dimly lighted. Amadeus Cafe 5121 Skyline Village Loop S, Salem, OR 97306, 503-362-8830 Great food in a light atmosphere. Court Street Dairy Lunch 347 Court St NE, Salem, OR 97301, 503-363-6433 Classic diner with friendly service. Lakeview Restaurant at Creekside Golf Club 6250 Clubhouse Dr SE, Salem, OR 97306, 503-316-5649. Traditional dining above the green with lake view. Grand China 3330 Commercial St SE, Salem, OR 97302, 503-371-8855 Quiet, elegant atmosphere; friendly service. India Palace 377 Court St NE, Salem, OR 97301 503-371-4808 Optional buffet for a quick lunch. J James Restaurant 325 High St SE, Salem, OR 97301, 503-362-0888, www.jjamesrestaurant.com Spacious, open, and airy dining room. Jonathan's Oyster Bar 445 State St, Salem, OR 9730,1 503-362-7219 Comfortable booths; quick friendly service; consistently good food. Kwan's Cuisine 835 Commercial St SE, Salem, OR 97302 503-362-7711, www.kwanscuisine.com Large selection of traditional Chinese food. LaMargarita Co. 545 Ferry St SE, Salem, OR 97301, 503-362-8861 Popular with the younger set; large servings. Marco Polo Global Restaurant 210 Liberty St SE, Salem, OR 97301, 503-364-4833 Light and spacious; Oriental buffet is a lunch option. Old Europe Inn 3195 Liberty Rd S, Salem, OR 97302, 503-588-3639 Pleasant, intimate surroundings. Rice Time 310 Main St E, Monmouth, OR 97361, 503-838-2694 Fast, good, clean food. Rudy's At Salem Golf Club 2025 Golf Course Rd S, Salem, OR 97302, 503-399-0449 English Tudor on beautiful grounds. Silver Grille 206 E Main St, Silverton, OR 97381, 503-873-4035, www.silvergrille.com Small and intimate; great dinner. Wild Pear Catering & Restaurant 3635 River Rd S, Salem, OR 97302 503-589-4532 372 State S, Salem, OR 97301 503-378-7515 Great food in a friendly setting. Page 6 Pro-Business City Goverment BY JANET TAYLOR Congratulations to the Salem Business Journal for their new venture, we wish you success!!!! As Mayor of Salem, I support the goal of our City Government to be a pro-business City with the best customer service in the State. We are well on our way with customer service training for employees and simpification of many rules and regulations. To increase the job opportunities in the area we have made it easier and quicker for businesses to redevelop within the city limits by using phased building permits. This approach was used by both the Conference Center/Hotel project and the new Wachovia customer care center. This allows projects to begin construction on the foundation work while the plans for the balance of the building are under review, thereby shortening construction time. Our pro-business approach extends to our downtown where we provide low interest loans and some grants to refurbish empty buildings. Several projects are now underway to provide downtown housing and retail options in long-time vacant buildings. This has stimulated private investment two blocks South of downtown where a $25 million dollar condo/office/retail project is underway and to the North of downtown where a three story credit union headquarters is nearly complete. The Mill Creek Industrial Park of over 500 acres Southeast of the Salem Airport will be ready for new job creation on August 1, 2005. Negotiations are continuing with a warehouse/distribution company for the first large piece of the property. A unique - first of its' kind -approach to wetlands on the land has brought Statewide attention due to the combining of the wetlands and a trail into a community useable open space. As the City of Salem continues to find methods to rebuild underused and vacant properties and balances those with the environment and livability, our City will prosper. Mayor Janet Taylor Commercial Real Estate Insight BY ELAINE GESIK Most of you have seen my signs by now, and I am pleased to join this opening edition by reporting to you the most current events and happenings in the commercial real estate market. I have been in the commercial real estate industry since 1987 working for developers and joint venture capitalists. I was formerly with Trammell Crow, Rothschild Realty/Charter Oak Partners, and then I made the decision to join the brokerage community. I have had the opportunity to work with the full spectrum of commercial real estate on a local and national basis, and now Salem Business Journal has asked me to take this opportunity to report to you on the local and national trends of the current real estate market. So here we go! Things are starting to turn around in the commercial real estate market. Investors, developers, and brokers are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel as the market is starting to regenerate nationwide. I am happy to report that nationwide trends show that average office rents actually rose slightly during the first quarter 2005 for the first time in four years, and the nationwide office vacancy rate actually dropped to its lowest level in nine quarters. While other sectors of the commercial real estate market have slowed during the last five years, hurrah! to the American consumer who has maintained and increased consumer spending, resulting in a strong retail market. Retail real estate has out performed all other sectors of commercial real estate for the past five years. Top performers in April 2005 were luxury stores and wholesale clubs as surveyed by Shopping Centers Today. The Northwest is also seeing these positive changes in the marketplace. The primary growth has occurred in the retail sector, and the most recent change is the development of the lifestyle center Bridgeport Village anchored by Crate and Barrel, the Container Store, and featuring McCormick and Schmidt's Grill and Macaroni Grill. This 510,000 square foot center opened last month. Bridgeport Village is located at the I-5 Lake Oswego/Durham exit. Woodburn Company Stores, which has made a splash on the local retail scene featuring 80 plus stores, is adding Phase 3, another 23,700 square feet. The new addition will feature a 15,000 square foot Nike store. Keizer Station is underway as we see the dirt being moved, and new anchors for the 800,000 square foot retail project are Target, Lowe's, and Kohls. Salem is not to be left behind in the dirt so to speak, but a new resurgence of activity is anticipated this year. During first quarter 2005 there was a 47% increase in commercial property acquisitions over 2004 for Marion and Polk counties. Have you noticed the revitalization of downtown is starting to take place in many areas? Take a look at the restoration of Reed Opera House, the Metropolitan, the Rite Aide building renovation, the Convention Center opening, the Bishop Building transformation, and of course Vernon Jewelers building was a wonderful surprise unveiling of an old boarded up building. Go north off of Salem Parkway and you will see Home Depot is currently under construction off Cherry Avenue, then south and east and you will see Wal-Mart Super Center recently opened near the airport. You will notice that Lancaster is also growing with several new developments. South Salem is not to be missed with the opening of several new retail properties, and the recent redevelopment of Fred Meyer Store. West Salem is also catching the new retail trends with several new projects on Edgewater and Wallace roads. Credit Unions are springing up everywhere, which is a good sign that they must think that we locals have some money in our pockets. There have been those who have braved the office market with the construction of new office space. Mission Oaks built and fully leased out a 27,500 square foot Class A building located at Lee and 12th St SE, and Creekside Corporate Center has opened a fourth building. Oregon Telecom has a new headquarters and office space for lease in Fairview. Curry Brandaw Architects and Construction Company have been forerunners in the mixed-use development circles. They have completed the downtown State Street project with the opening of Wild Pear restaurant and residential units on the upper level. Now their Salmon Run project is under construction as the first high end residential condominium and Class A office complex on Mill Creek scheduled to open this summer. Wachovia has opened a new call center on Hawthorne, and the Meridian is an example of the exciting new things to come. There are several other deals in the works that will bring new jobs to Salem during the next 18 to 24 months. I encourage you to view Salem with a new awareness as there is so much more I don't have enough room to detail in this issue, but look forward to writing about in the future. I am excited to have this forum to share with you and report the positive changes that are happening throughout Marion and Polk County. We can be proud to call this home! Elaine Gesik is Commercial Broker at 1st Premier Properties LLC, 2264 McGilchrist St SE, Suite 210, Salem, OR 97302, 503-586-7402, Fax 503-371-2295, egesik@1st-Premier.com, www.1st-premier.com. Page 7 Salem Area Commercial Development Update BY JEFF CORNER AND TERRI FROHNMAYER After some relatively dormant years, there is now quite a bit going on in new commercial projects in Salem and Keizer, and we want to offer a overview of some of the positive economic momentum taking place here. Downtown Downtown Salem has struggled a bit over the past few years. The issues are varied and complex and some are difficult to overcome in the short run, such as parking and the costs of redeveloping older buildings, but it appears that we have turned the corner and are gaining a lot of positive momentum. The bounce from the Conference Center and Hotel is beginning to have an impact. Property owners and developers are energized and looking to upgrade existing facilities and develop new ones. Retail, office and housing all factor in to the equation. The former Bishop's Building at 145 Liberty St was purchased by developers who plan eight high-end loft apartments, with the main floor space occupied by the Pentacle Theatre and additional retail space. The former Metropolitan Building at 160 Liberty anticipates six loft-style living units, office and ground floor retail space and a desire to locate a exciting restaurant concept. A developer has purchased the former Montgomery Wards Building at 155 Liberty NE with exciting plans to renovate for office, retail and apartment units. Vernon's Jewelers completed the terrific remodeling and restoration of 405 Court St. The Grand Hotel Building at Court and High St underwent a $1 million upgrade that includes unique office suites and ground floor retail. The spectacular $3.2 million restoration of the Elsinore Theatre. The fine remodeling efforts of 372 State St, now the home of Wild Pear Catering and two upscale second floor living units. The mixed use Salmon Run project includes upper floor living units and office space along the creek on High St. Upgrades, remodeling and a variety of new tenants at the Reed Opera House. These are just a hand full of current projects with more on the way. With a big push for more housing, an important part of our downtown's continuing revitalization, we expect our city's center to continue to grow and prosper. West Salem Jumping across the river to West Salem, things have really begun to take off. Three new projects are either underway or soon will be: First is Edgewater Crossing, at the corner of Edgewater and Eola Dr. Phase one is nearing completion, with the eventual project to total 22,500 SF of much needed new retail space in this underserved area. Next is the expansion of the existing Roth's Center. Plans call for expanded retail, perhaps as much as 40,000 SF, including a Starbucks and possibly a medical office. And finally, the long anticipated redevelopment of West Gate Center along Wallace Rd. With the existing tenants relocated, the project can proceed forward. Walgreens is the long-rumored anchor tenant for this redevelopment project. South Salem South Salem continues to evolve. This is an important trade area and is considered underserved, relative to the population base and income levels. But, land is scarce for new development, which will continue to impact desired expansion. Some important projects include: The major remodeling and expansion of Fred Meyer. A new 12,000 SF retail center, called Candalaria Terrace, in a prime location along Commercial St S that will re-energize this location. The new retail strip center located at the site of the former First Pacific Building at 4093 Commercial St. Leasing activity continues, with First Tech Credit Union and LA Weight Loss already operational. Les Schwab's new and larger facility at Commercial and Barnes Rd, having relocated during the expansion of Fred Meyer. The addition of approximately 12,000 SF of space adjacent to the new Safeway at Commercial and Fabry. West Coast Bank added a new location on a pad site here as well. And, a proposed retail center at the corner of Wiltsey and Commercial. This is one of the last remaining parcels of undeveloped ground along Commercial St in south Salem that has commercial retail viability. Mission Street Shifting quickly to the Mission St corridor: In the final stages at Mission Lakes Center next to Lowe's is the new 220,000 SF WalMart Supercenter. This will pull huge numbers of consumers to this area of Salem. This is WalMart's third Salem store and second Superstore concept, after the expansion of the north Lancaster store in 2004. The average Supercenter employs between 400 and 550 employees and is open 24 hours a day. The 12 acres south of Kmart has been sold to an undisclosed party who plans to develop the site for retail use, we are told. Further East at Hagers Grove and Lancaster Dr next to Home Depot, construction is under way on a new 120,000 SF center to include local appliance retailer Kelly's Home Center, along with Ashley Furniture, a large national furniture retailer new to the Salem market. Lancaster Drive Along Lancaster Dr, new retail construction has taken off once again, after several years with little expansion to this important retail trade area. Among some noteworthy projects, either planned or under construction, include: A planned retail center, State Street Crossing, to be located at the corner of Lancaster and State St, to be anchored by Walgreens and Knecht's Auto Parts. A planned 11,300 SF retail strip center located between Wendy's and Del Taco at Center St, now pre-leasing. A new retail strip center, Lan-Sunny Plaza, located at the corner of Lancaster and Sunnyview behind Walgreens. Now leasing. Another new retail strip center now nearing completion located in front of the recently expanded Super WalMart on north Lancaster. Credit Unions Another trend in our market place worth noting has been the dramatic influx and expansion of credit unions to Salem. In the past 12 months or so we added six new credit union facilities, including: First Tech Credit Union in two new locations. Oregon Community Credit Union in two locations. Unitus Credit Union in a new building in front of the Market St Fred Meyer. Selco Credit Union converted the former Schlotzki's Deli location on south Commercial and are now open for business. Two banks also added new locations - West Coast Bank in South Salem and Bank of America, on a pad site at the Center St entrance to Lancaster Mall. Several other credit unions and banks are actively looking for sites, so this trend has yet to exhaust itself. North Downtown Back to north downtown, and speaking of credit unions: MaPS Credit Union's new 40,000 SF headquarters on the former PGE site opened this May. Proposed Chemeketa Community College Business Center - Union at Broadway - 30,000 SF. The North Broadway Downtown plan, Salem Alliance Church is planning a 30,000 SF office and retail project on site C; Site B includes a mixed-use retail/office and housing project anchored by the YWCA. The YMCA's decision on the Eagles Site, site A, still rests with the KROC Center selection. Moving further north, a major retailer -Home Depot - is coming to Salem Parkway and Cherry Ave at the lake property. Woodseller's, now Parkway Furniture, expanded 20,000 SF. Between Salem Parkway and Portland Road, 11 acres of city owned ground has been identified for the potential Salvation Army/Kroc Community Center - funded by the Ray and Joan Kroc foundation - up to 35 million for capital construction will be awarded, to be matched dollar for dollar into an Kroc endowment fund to be used for facility operations. Sometime between July and September, Salem will be notified if it's a finalist in the selection process. Keizer Station -just under one million SF, according to the developer four-five hundred thousand is pre-leased, major anchors Target and Lowes, other named tenants Cost Plus, Michael's, Krispy Kreme, and perhaps Salem Hospital anchoring a multistory office building. To the south across Chemawa Rd is Chemawa Station, a planned Industrial Business Park with retail - 130,000 SF ground breaking this year. Shifting to other projects, emphasizing "Building & Expanding" in Salem, the momentum of economic activity continues: On Blossom Dr NE, FedEx recently moved into its new 10,000 SF facility and the Siletz Tribe will be constructing up to 60,000 SF of industrial flex space. Puentes Bros. moved into its new manufacturing plant and Marion Polk Food Share just completed renovation of the former Puentes facility expanding its needs to 30,000 SF. Beautifully designed Mission Oaks office building, 27,000 SF, provides a significant boost to redevelopment efforts in the 12th and 13th Street corridors. The former Atkin's Thriftway on Mission St - should be leased by early summer - look for something automotive. Hawthorne Avenue The Hawthorne Avenue area, is proving to be an area of high demand Wachovia Customer Care Center chose this central location. Its 78,000 SF facility was constructed in five months, with employment to reach 500. Creekside Corporate Center, recently completed of its fourth Class A office building. Construction of the final 12,000 SF building may occur this summer, bringing the Office Park to over 130,000 SF. Mt. West Development Corporation moved into its new office facility, 20,000 SF. K-P Graphics began construction of its new 30,000 SF facility, next to Kettle Foods. Fairview Industrial Park In Fairview Industrial Park expansions and new construction are occurring after several years of inactivity Oregon Telecom's new headquarters, 20,000 SF, with 10,000 SF for lease. Superior Tire's Phase II completion, adding 42,000 SF. Church Extension Plan moved into its beautifully designed headquarters, 43,000 SF. ISA rubber glove manufacturer expanded its facility - 10,000 SF. TYCO's mothballed printed circuit board plant 80,000 to start-up this year. For 2005 in Fairview Industrial Park - over 100,000 SF of new construction could be announced. Major Projects As you can see, finally, there is positive economic activity occurring throughout all market segments. The positive momentum will continue with: SREC (Salem's Regional Employment Center) now named Mill Creek Industrial Park, is a collaborative City and State effort to bring over 500 acres of industrial property line. Salem Hospital's facility expansion and renovation program $200 million over 4 years. And Sustainable Fairview - a 275 acre mixed use development. In addition to Sustainable Fairview's housing component planned for 1500, there is an additional 1900 residential units on the drawing board for the South Salem, east of Commercial St area. Investment We are encouraged by the current economic trends - decreasing vacancies, stabilizing and increasing rents and of course, new construction. Market demand is increasing, but cost containment is paramount to its sustainability. With our strong city leadership supporting and promoting business development, and an active and engaged real estate community, building and renovating in Salem will be the rule and not the exception. Jeff Corner and Terri Frohnmayer are principals at First Commercial Real Estate, 3550 Liberty Road S, Suite 290, Salem OR 97302-5622, 503-364-7400, Fax 503-364-7422, jeff@firstcommercialoregon.com, terri@firstcommercialoregon.com, www.firstcommercialoregon.com. This article is based upon a presentation to a Salem Association of Realtors® (SAR) Jeff Corner Terri Frohnmayer SUCCESS TO THE MERIDIAN!! Ali Jag-We Mortgage Banker KOIN Tower 222 SW Columbia #950 Portland, OR 97201 503/294/1844 ARBUCKLE COSTIC ARCHITECTS, INC. 363 STATE STREETSALEM, OREGON 97301 503.581.4114 www.arbucklecostic.com Page 9 How to Sidestep Surprise Mortgage Costs BY DAVID CHANDLER We're all bombarded by countless offers for the best deal when it comes to obtaining a home loan. This one promises the lowest rate. That one touts the lowest fees. Another boasts price guarantees. Unfortunately, claims that seem too good to be true may be just that-not the whole truth. So how can you untangle fact from fiction and get key facts about loan options that may be right for you?* By tuning out the bells and whistles, tuning in to important details and turning to a trusted resource, you are in a better position to uncover hidden costs and concerns long before you reach the closing table. Protect Your Interest (Rates and All) Buying a home may be one of the most significant purchases of your lifetime, so you want to ensure that you choose a reliable mortgage professional who will help you protect your best interest. One of the first defenses against being misled in your home loan search is to work with an experienced industry expert from a company that has a solid history and reputation. This trusted advisor should help you make informed decisions, walk you through the home loan process and offer you a variety of personalized home loan options. So, if the loan representative doesn't make you feel comfortable enough to ask questions or doesn't take time to answer the questions you do ask-move on to someone who will. Besides helping you protect your interest, your lender also should help you protect your interest rate by explaining your options for locking it in. Make sure that the rate lock allows ample time for loan processing and get terms of the rate lock in writing. Some lenders only offer rate protection for a week or 10 days which means the rate lock could expire and leave the interest rate vulnerable to changes before the loan process is complete. Reputable lenders will frequently lock interest rates for 45 days, or more in certain circumstances. Heed "Good Faith" Lenders and brokers are required by law to send out a Good Faith Estimate within three days of the loan application. This document outlines estimates of likely charges to you in the settlement and closing of your home loan. It is important that you carefully review the Good Faith Estimate and understand the various expenditures outlined. Before you make a loan decision, you can use the document to help you compare costs among lenders and brokers, verify advertising claims and identify the best overall value. Take particular notice of such items as the origination fee. Some lenders charge this fee along with an application fee or sometimes a commitment fee to cover the administrative costs of processing a loan, while others will waive it for conventional loans in most states. Get to the Bottom of It Whether it's a flyer, letter or contract, getting all the way to the bottom of the page to read the fine print is a crucial step in making sound home loan decisions and avoiding hidden costs. Disclaimers regarding potential hidden costs such as pre-payment penalties, assumptions, negative amortization or extra points and/or fees charged to offset a low interest rate may frequently be found in the fine print. Be sure that your mortgage professional is responsive to your requests to clarify any fine print and doesn't rush you into making a hasty decision. Costs lurking in these fine print disclosures could identify important facts about home loan options, which should help you avoid any headaches and cost-shocks down the road. Have it All By working with an ethical, reputable lender to help you unearth buried costs of potential home loan options, you can feel more confident that you're getting information you need to apply for a home loan that matches your needs. If you've taken the time to do a little homework and ask questions, and if your mortgage professional has taken the time to explain your options, you'll be better positioned to sidestep unwelcome surprises and may even be pleasantly surprised by how easy the process really can be. David Chandler is the branch manager of the Salem office of Countrywide Home Loans, a national leader in residential finance. The office is located at 3882 Center Street NE and home loan experts are available to assist customers with a full array of mortgage financing options at 503-588-3250. You can email David at david_f_chandler@countrywide.com. Additional information about the company's products and services is also available online at www.countrywide.com. This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a substitution for obtaining advice from qualified mortgage professional(s) regarding your particular situation. Ring out the old! Ring in the new! The Oregon Capitol Inn gives way to the new face of Salem: The Meridian luxury residence/business complex Page 10 Bill Isabell At Large BY Bill ISABELL Newsflash! Salem, Oregon has become the second largest city in the state! Over 25,000 new citizens have moved to Salem in the last decade according to the Salem Statesman Journal. And by golly (and I don't say by golly very often) that distinction brings with it a host of entrepreneurial opportunities. Opportunities just waiting to be taken advantage of. The Salem Business Journal (SBJ) will play a very important role in raising the awareness level within the community about those opportunities. But The Salem Business Journal will be much more than that. It will also be an involved community partner focusing plenty of attention on other important aspects of our fine city, which contribute to the health, welfare and overall quality of life that we enjoy here. Its approach will be holistic because the SBJ understands that that's the best philosophy for a healthy business environment. A perfect example of what I'm talking about is reflected in long time local radio station KBZY (nearly 50 years). As your "Crack Meteorologist" for KBZY Radio for the better part of 8 years (interrupted, briefly, by a personal political initiative), I know, first hand, how Roy Dittman, the station owner, has made that station a bona fide community radio station. As Warren Franklin of the morning show, Franklin and Friends, has accurately pointed out numerous times, when you listen to KBZY you know, for certain, you're in Salem. KBZY broadcasts programs, free of charge, about concerns and activities of the business community with organizations like The Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, The Salem Downtown Association, The Salem Convention and Visitors Association, and others. And the station exhibits a big heart. It gives away enormous amounts of paid advertising time to local non-profits like The Salem World Beat Festival, The Red Cross & many, many, other local 501(c) 3 organizations. Dittman knows a holistic approach leads to a healthy community and leads by example not only with the radio station but through his personal volunteer leadership with The Boys and Girls Club and others. The SBJ wants to be like them. A community partner! The Salem Business Journal will be hosting a big party at The Phoenix Inn Grand Hotel in the near future. You'll want to be there, especially if you're in business, are looking to start a business, or can spell business. Watch for details in next month's column. So here we go with a community business publication in the number two populated city in the State of Oregon. My future columns will range from financial advice to weather to home based businesses to local state prison issues. Hopefully, they'll be interesting and informative and, occasionally, entertaining. So, in the words of boxing's Michael Buffer, "Let's get ready to rumble"! Bill Isabell is the Meterologist for KBZY AM 1490 and financial advisor, 994 Cobalt Ct SE, Salem, OR 97306, 503-851-5402, Fax 503-566-8858, imizzy@comcast.net. The Engine and the Brakes BY BRIAN AVENEY Many sons follow their fathers into business. Less frequently do fathers and sons start business ventures together in areas new to both. But that is what Judge David Smedema and son, Mike, did when they opened Smeed's Carwash in Independence this past New Year's Day. "I am the engine, Dad is the brakes", Mike cracks, as David grins affectionately. Mike's cap and jacket display his interests in motorcycles and cars, and, as advertised, he is the more mechanical one. His infectious smile and friendly manner speak to his enthusiasm and salesmanship. While the self-service carwash was Mike's initiative, they had been looking for a business opportunity together. David notes that, while playing golf every day seemed a great idea at the time, he got rather quickly bored with it after the busy schedule he had as a judge and private-practice attorney. His resume includes eight years as a District Judge and ten as a Circuit Judge Pro-Tem, and he still does pro bono work through Legal Aid, helping senior citizens with wills and estate planning. Mike has been active with the Salem and Keizer chambers of commerce, and volunteered with the "Reaching Kids Thru Sports" program and the Keizer Iris Festival. He bubbles over with promotional ideas. The Smeed's Carwash logo was his design, playing on the similarity between the nickname "Smeed" and the word "Speed". He plans events to draw customers in, car rallies and fund-raising events for local high schools and colleges, as well as bilingual signs to better serve the Latino community. His long-term plans involve adding a detailing area. Through his volunteer work, Mike met Sam Hadeed, who owned a number of car washes. Mike kept telling Sam he wanted to buy one, until one day Sam called him and said he was ready to sell. Mike says Sam has taken him under his wing, even though they are in friendly competition. The new enterprise has been "a learning experience", David notes, with problems quite different from those he met in his 34 years as a lawyer. There are pumps, hoses, valves, float valves, chemicals, and bill changers to maintain in a 24x7 environment. He is often there six days a week at busy times. His philosophy is to give more than the customers expect. Some folks who have not used a self-service car wash before want help the first time. But the steadiest customers are 16-35 year-old men, whose car is their proudest possession. Car washes are far more environmentally friendly than washing in a driveway. With high-pressure hoses spouting water at 4-5 gallons a minute, a typical carwash may take 15-20 gallons, while carwashes at home more usually take 50-65 gallons. Smeed's also uses all biodegradable chemicals - engine cleaner, tire cleaner, bubble brush, and high-pressure soap/rinse/wax. And, all of the chemicals go through sewer lines to the treatment plant, rather than into customers' expensively-nurtured lawns or storm sewers. A 10% bonus is give for each purchase of $50-$99. That is, $50 normally purchases 200 tokens, each worth a quarter towards a $2 carwash or 75¢ vacuuming, but if you pay $50 in one payment, you receive 220 tokens. A %15 bonus is given for each purchase of $100-$149, plus a detail package. A 20% bonus is given for each purchase of $150 or more plus a deluxe detail package and a limited edition cap. Call Dave at 503-910-9049 or Mike at 503-409-3994 to find out more about this VIP program Smeed's Carwash is at the intersection of Monmouth St and Gun Club Rd in Independence. Contact Brian Aveney at editor@salembusinessjournal.com. Quinlan Given 2005 Library Distinguished Service Award The Oregon Library Association's annual conference presented a Distinguished Service Award to B.J. Quiinlan, Youth Services Manager at the Salem Public Library. On April 7, during the OLA annual conference, President Maureen Cole and the Executive Board announced the 2005 awards recipients, noting that "thanks to their dedication and hard work, library services in their communities and statewide are improved, and often achieve recognition beyond Oregon. These individuals do a fantastic job in the service of libraries, for the ultimate benefit of the library patrons." Quinlan received high praise for many years of dedicated services to the OLA, and for her exceptional efforts in services to children and youth. She has chaired the Children's Services Division of OLA, and received the Evelyn Sibley Lampman award in 1990. Nominators noted that she has "mentored and inspired youth services librarians across Oregon, and helped library directors understand the importance of quality youth services in their public libraries." Page 11 Business Referral Center Offers Range of Resources SECRETARY OF STATE CORPORATION DIVISION Bill Bradbury Oregon Secretary of State We are excited to be a part of the advent of the Salem Business Journal, and would like to take this opportunity to remind business owners of the many resources available at the Secretary of State's Corporation Division. Each month, we will be providing tips, guidance, and helpful information for starting and running a successful business. Every entrepreneur should be familiar with the Business Referral Center, our central stop for obtaining the general information and forms to register a business in Oregon with five major state agencies. Within the next few years, we will also offer an online Central Business Registry that will provide a single web portal for all your business registration needs. The Business Referral Center's staff can provide you with information on whether a business needs a state license, permit, or certification and can refer you to regulatory agencies or boards. While at the Center, pick up an Oregon Business Guide, which provides a general checklist to guide you through the process of registering your business. It also includes basic employer information, and lists business assistance programs that may be good resources as you begin and continue to run your business. Our Business Wizard makes it easy to find the right people to talk to. Users answer a few brief questions and are provided with a customized referral list of government licensing contacts, registration information contacts, regulatory contacts, organization contacts, and city and county contacts. So if you're thinking about starting a business, or if you need some assistance with making your business successful, come visit the Secretary of State's Corporation Division in the Public Service Building, Suite 151, at 255 Capitol Street NE, visit us online at www.FilingInOregon.com, or give us a call at 503-986-2220. Made In Salem: Bond Guitars BY BRIAN AVENEY About 20 years ago while Steve Bond of Sonrise Woodart was building his first electric guitar, he found another with the qualities he was looking for. So when he finished the one he was making, he traded it for an 1896 Gibson mandolin. "If I had all of the instruments I've made … " he mused. But then he would not be in business. Bond is a Luthier (looth-ee-ur), a maker and repairer of stringed instruments, a member of the Guild of American Luthiers. He primarily builds acoustic guitars, but he repairs all kinds of stringed instruments, acoustic or electric, picked or bowed. His new guitars are sold exclusively at Tim Knight's Guitar Castle at 349 State Street. When Bond builds a guitar for a customer, he first plays music with them to learn their style and the sound they are looking for to determine what woods best fit them. "Tone woods" like mahogany or rosewood are generally used for sides. Most soundboards are made of spruce. For some parts Bond carefully splits the wood rather than milling it to follow the natural grain. "Every piece of wood is different," he notes. His goal is to make every instrument sound as good as it can. "Anyone can make them look good, the point is to produce a wonderful sound". Bond repairs string instrument for Uptown Music at 5085 River Road N in Keizer. He notes that many instruments brought in may not be worth the cost of their repairs, but they may mean everything in the world to their owners. "I treat every instrument that crosses the door as a Stradivarius," he says. In 1996, Bond built his two-story shop behind his home at 2697 Michigan City Ave. NW and founded Sonrise Woodart. In addition to grinding wheels, drill presses, vises, band saws, table saws, and belt sanders, there are specialized tools, many of which Bond built himself, such as gobar clamps, side molds, and side benders. He is developing a course in guitar building, limited to three students at a time, who will build their own guitars. The first draft of the course guide is complete, and he hopes to start offering the class this fall. Peanut Butter and Fun A new kids cafe named Peanut Butter and Fun opened this April in Liberty Plaza at 285 Liberty Street at Chemeketa. Grown-ups are allowed if accompanied by children. The restaurant's walls are erasable so that young artists can draw to their hearts' content. Brightly colored chairs and play benches and a large variety of squeezable plush animals invite children in. A safety fence keeps tots from wandering off from the toy-stocked play area in front. The special menu is served at child-sized booths in primary colors. There are a number of special kids' breakfast options, including Mickey Mouse-shaped pancakes. For lunch, specialties are spaghetti and meatballs, chicken trips, kids burgers, fish burgers and hot dogs. The classic peanut butter and jelly and grilled cheese are along with other sandwiches. Drinks include milk, milk shakes, fruit smoothies, Italian sodas, and hot chocolate. Peanut Butter and Fun is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week, and is available for special bookings such as birthday parties, daycare groups, award celebrations, and other occasions. Owner Angela Spalt also operates the Bite Pavilion next door. Both restaurants are served by the same health-oriented kitchen emphasizing locally grown certified organic produce and dairy. Smoothies are prepared with fresh fruit. Fresh pastries and baked goods are prepared in-house with organic ingredients. The multi-national menu features over 100 choices including a fresh salad bar. Two-dozen breakfast options are available all day. "American Favorites" include a variety of meat, chicken, turkey, fish and vegetarian burgers and a jumbo hot dog, while the "Octoberfest" choices emphasize sausages and schnitzels. The Latin portion of the menu includes burritos, tacos, quesadillas, and enchiladas. There are also gourmet wraps and deli, grilled, sub and panini sandwiches. The Bite Pavilion is open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday. Free delivery to downtown businesses can be handy when working late. Those too rushed to cook a full meal can pick up homestyle meals to go. The restaurant's back room is available for business meetings or special occasions. Ask for Angela at 503-364-3100. Some folks at Peanut Butter and Fun can get a bit stuffy! Page 12 Signs of Salem BY BRIAN AVENEY Martin Bros. signs have graced Salem businesses since 1937. Present owner Will Stone says that when driving up the street with founder Walter Martin, "he would point at every sign they made. It would've been easier to point at the ones he didn't make." The company is the oldest and largest of the "electrical shops" in town, and serves businesses from Astoria to Yachats, Portland to Eugene. Most of the landmark signs up and down the I-5 corridor and throughout western Oregon are Martin Bros. signs. The Keizer Stadium electronic signboard and the historic Jackson Jeweler's clock are familiar friends to most Salem residents. Most visitors to Salem pass the Rock-n-Roger's pink Cadillac sign made by Martin Bros. It was made from the shell of an actual Cadillac with all of the heavy parts removed, and neon added before it was hoisted into place by cranes. Ironically, large sign companies do not tend to advertise themselves, relying largely on reputation and word of mouth. The sign business has changed greatly since the company was started with "$40 and a dream." Today most designs are made on the computer, LEDs (light-emitting diodes) are starting to replace light bulbs, and customers can view the company's work at its website: www.martinbros-sign.com. But one thing has not changed: "the job of a good sign is to help a business be successful." Stone says "the difference is our people. We have the most qualified, and the most experienced." Martin Bros. staff cross-train on a variety of signage skills, from neon sculpting to painting, from metal fabrication to heavy equipment operation. The company's professional graphic artist/designer and sales staff work together to develop signs tailored to fit each business's building and property, producing graphic renderings for customer review. They try to develop a sign to present each company clearly and with the maximum impact to create consumer reaction and trigger buying decisions. In many cases, the design the artist developed using specialized graphic software is fed directly to computerized cutting machines to produce plastic letters or images. In other cases, the computer output is used as a template for hand-building signs. Environmental concerns are high, as in many industries today. Some paints used are similar to automative paints. Employees wear saftety equipment and spray areas are blocked off by plastic. Martin Bros. produces a wide variety of signs: neon, illuminated, painted, engraved, moving, flashing or magnetic, decals, banners, awnings, truck lettering, and real estate signs. Recent Martin Bros projects have included creating the entrance signs for the new Phoenix Grand Hotel and Salem Conference Center. Installing large signs involves serious construction. Martin Bros' licensed installers excavate, pour concrete, weld steel, and install electrical systems. The company's 113 ft. hydraulic boom has been used for lifting problems other than signs: building trusses, heating units, hot tubs, horses … and even helicopters. Martin Bros. is a member of the Word Sign Associates, and has won numerous National Electrical Sign Association awards over the years. They are at 3165 Commercial St SE, Salem, OR 97032, 503-364-2211, Fax 503-364-4315. RE/MAX Balloon Visits Salem The world-famous RE/MAX hot air balloon gets underway early Saturday morning, May 21 enroute from the Equity Group headquarters to the Keizer Iris Festival. John Lee, Principal Broker, seen at bottom mans the pre-air fan. Moments later, after liftoff, Agent Roz Anderson broadcasted live with Terry Sol on KBZY. The award-winning series of TV commercials featuring the RE/MAX balloon has very effective branding for the outstanding service efforts that are part of the fabric of the company. Page 15 Tattooing is a Growth Industry BY BRIAN AVENEY Once associated with drunken sailors, tattooing has moved into the mainstream in recent years. According the Harrison Study conducted in July 2003, sixteen percent of Americans have tattoos. This increased popularity has led to increased attention to this new career option. The National Tattoo Academy is a state-certified school, with a formal curriculum whose 390 contact hours exceed the Oregon Department of Education requirements. However, since Academy classes are limited to four students at a time, it retains much of the personal touch of an apprenticeship program. Louis Downey sees himself more as a teacher than as an artist. He speaks fondly of Mike Kondash of Flashback Tattoo in Keiser, whom he trained under as an apprentice. After Downey passed his state board exam, the state moved from apprenticeship programs to certified schools - and now he operates one. More than half of the Academy's six-month curriculum, 240 hours, is theory: classroom training in the anatomy of the skin, safety and sterilization, equipment and pigments, and design and placement of tattoos. The other 150 hours are practical, culminating in a minimum of 50 tattoos on real people, done under close supervision. The curriculum strongly reflects Downey's interest in the business of tattooing, not simply the art and craft. Seventy-five hours of classroom hours are devoted specifically to business considerations, although discussion of business aspects permeates the entire training. Much of the curriculum will be familiar to every small businessperson: choosing and registering a name, opening a business checking account, making business cards, tax records, credit card handling, hiring, licensing, and business insurance. Tattooing is a service business, and 25 hours are spent on interacting professionally with clients. Role-playing is used in discussions of how to listen, and how to use the phone properly. Subjects include body language, personal boundaries, and physical distance. One of the last weeks of training covers Oregon's strict state laws and regulations governing tattooing. The course fee includes the textbooks the students use. This coming term, the texts are: Tattooing A to Z by Huck Spaulding, The Ultimate Marketing Plan by Dan S. Kennedy and Daniel Kennedy, Tattoo Road Trip: The Pacific Northwest by Bob Barker, and Prison Tattoos by Douglas K. Hall and Richard Stratton. At the end of the training, along with their diploma of graduation, students own two tattoo machines, a power supply, needles, tubes, pigments, stencil paper and all of the other supplies necessary for them to start in business after they have passed the state tattoo license exam. As part of the Academy's placement program, Downey is experimenting with a "business incubator' approach. He is opening a second location in Salem, and staffing it with a mix of recent graduates and more experienced artists. Eventually, the intention is to spin the new shop off under the artists' ownership.The NTA is located at 3535 Commercial St SE, Salem 97032, 503-364-0840, www.nationaltattoo.com. Capital Community Television BY ROSA LEONARDI Special to the Salem Business Journal It's all about Salem and there are no commercials! Capital Community TV manages Salem's only local television stations, Comcast channels 21, 22 and 23, in a state capital community with a population over 200,000. But CCTV is unlike the commercial television you normally watch. CCTV is all about Salem - with no commercial interruptions. CCTV works to make community channels 21, 22 and 23 valuable non-commercial information services for the community. Monday nights you can watch your city government at work. The Salem City Council meeting usually begins at 6:30 on channel 21. On Tuesdays, keep track of the Salem-Keizer School Board. Wednesdays are time for the Marion County Commission meeting. If you missed a meeting, you can watch it on CCTV's web site at www.cctvsalem.oeg. During the school year, you can watch athletes from Salem-Keizer Schools and local colleges compete in football, volleyball, soccer, basketball, swimming, and wrestling. If you're a music lover, you can watch award winning Salem-Keizer schools band, orchestra, choir, and symphony programs. And, CCTV produces all the Salem-Keizer high school graduations. You can also find out what events are happening by watching the CCTV Community Billboard, which is a free service for local organizations and non-profits to publicize their meetings and events. In addition to local programming, CCTV will teach you how to make your own non-commercial television programs! CCTV is a forum for your First Amendment freedom of speech, and has classes throughout the year. There is equipment that you can check out, studio and edit rooms you can use, and channels for you to televise your programs. The only requirement is that you be a resident of the City of Salem. To date, CCTV has trained over 1,100 residents in television production. CCTV was formed in 1990 as a private non-profit organization created to manage the Public, Educational and Governmental television channels for the City of Salem, Marion County and their residents. (PEG access refers to those channels on the cable system that are set aside for use by members of our community: public, educational and governmental entities.) PEG access television is also known as Community Television. CCTV receives funding from the City of Salem and Marion County, who charge the cable company rent, also known as a 'franchise fee', for laying cable in the public rights of way. The 'public right of way' is a small strip of land located on most streets where phone lines, electric lines, gas pipes, and cable lines are placed. The 'public rights of way' are maintained by local governments, cities and counties, so that residents may receive these services. To find out how much these franchise fees are in your area, look at the itemization on your monthly cable bill. Local governments can use a portion of this fee to fund PEG Access Television for community uses. In addition to 'franchise fees' for use of public rights of way, local governments can also request cable companies to set aside channels for community use. If you want to know about what's happening in Salem, watch Capital Community TV. If you want to learn how to make television, come to the Orientation on the first Tuesday of each month. If you'd like to volunteer with CCTV to help us make community programs, give us a call at 503-588-2288. Rosa Leonardi is Community Development Coordinator at Capital Community Television, 585 Liberty St SE, Salem, OR 97308, 503-588-2288 , Fax 503-588-6424, rosa@cctvsalem.org. Page 16 Single Family 4390 Benham AV SE- Salem Providence Homes 1900 Front ST NE Salem OR 97303 503-932-1982 Single Family 4405 Benham AV SE- Salem Providence Homes 1900 Front ST NE Salem OR 97303 503-932-1982 Single Family 1368 Glory Ridge ST NW- Salem Decal Custom Homes 440 Columbia BLVD ST Helens OR 97351 503-366-0797 Single Family 1320 West Meadows DR NW- Salem Decal Custom Homes 440 Columbia BLVD ST Helens OR 97351 503-366-0797 Single Family 1360 West Meadows DR NW- Salem Decal Custom Homes 440 Columbia BLVD ST Helens OR 97351 503-366-0797 Single Family 1398 Glory Ridge ST NW- Salem Decal Custom Homes 440 Columbia BLVD ST Helens OR 97531 503-366-0797 Single Family 1384 Glory Ridge ST NW- Salem Decal Custom Homes 440 Columbia BLVD ST Helens OR 97531 503-366-0797 Single Family 5050 Micah CT SE- Salem Weigel Homes 2225 Simmons ST NW Salem OR 97304 503-932-0228 Single Family 1330 West Meadows DR NW- Salem Decal Custom Homes 440 Columbia BLVD ST Helens OR 97531 503-366-0797 Single Family 1340 West Meadows DR NW- Salem Decal Custom Homes 440 Columbia BLVD ST Helens OR 97351 503-366-0797 Single Family 1495 Glory Ridge CT NW- Salem Wyant Company 2916 Orchard HTS RD NW Salem OR 97304 503-399-7157 Single Family 4967 Dixie AV NE- Salem Darrell Beam Construction PO BOX 7291 Salem OR 97303 503-931-3466 Single Family 1495 Glory Ridge CT NW- Salem Wyant Company 2916 Orchard HTS RD NW Salem OR 97304 503-399-7157 Single Family 2617 Islander AV NW- Salem Nomarco Construction CO 4066 S Elliot Prairie RD Woodburn OR 97071 503-932-3085 Single Family 1669 Baxter RD SE- Salem Stephanie Fry Construction 319 Silver Hills CR SE Salem OR 97306-1881 503-580-8888 Single Family 262 Muirfield AV SE- Salem G ACE Construction INC 8325 SW Monticello CT Beaverton OR 97008 503-290-8943 Single Family 1685 Hillcrest CT NW- Salem The Thomas Kay CO 3109 Link CT S Salem OR 97301 503-931-4433 Single Family 4343 Log DR NE- Salem Jensen Development LLC PO Box 20095 Keizer OR 97307-0095 503-999-8992 Single Family 2590 Kitsap ST NW- Salem Westshores Homes LLC 15340 SE Henderson Way Portland OR 97236 503-201-4253 Single Family 3325 Augusta National DR S- Salem JR Lonely Construction INC 6437 Mahalo DR SE Salem OR 97301 503-910-5757 Garage Conversion Delfina Cooney 4175 Oakman ST S- Salem 503-409-7753 Single Family 5674 Crossler CT S- Salem JDC Homes LLC 901 Brutscher ST STE 201 Newberg OR 97132 503-849-3337 Single Family 311 Stellers Eagle ST NW- Salem JLS Custom Homes 16280 NW Bethany CT Beaverton OR 97006 503-533-4006 Single Family 2145 Brown RD NE John Mill PO Box 18472 Salem OR 97305 503-269-3381 Living Room Addition 1638 Rock Creek DR S- Salem Custom Building Improvements 1065 Pali DR NW Salem OR 97304 503-763-0460 Interior Remodel 2277 Claude ST SE- Salem John S Weaver II PO Box 18448 Salem OR 97305 503-999-6569 Remodel 1290 14th ST SE- Salem Roger Griswold 503-871-8434 Remodel 1329 Hillendale DR SE- Salem James Sinks 503-589-0603 Remodel 4109 Hertel DR S- Salem R Rousseau 170 Sunset AV Keizer OR 97303 503-851-5900 Garage Conversion 5711 Woodside DR SE- Salem The Thomas Kay CO 3109 Link CT S Salem OR 97301 503-931-4433 Room Addition 4855 Textrum CT SE- Salem Mary Walker Salem OR 97302 503-370-9530 Diesel Tank Installation 4725 Turner RD SE- Salem Sequential BioFuels Salem OR 97301 503-581-4114 Utility Shed Addition 4180 Hertel DR S- Salem Dean Mattson Salem OR 97302 503-851-5276 Shed Addition 679 Royalty CR NE, 16- Salem Avid Builders INC 12057 Wapiti LN SE Aumsville OR 97325 503-767-4534 Mobile Residence 5554 43RD PL NE- Salem PQA Construction PO Box 624 Beaver Creek OR 97004 503-632-3157 Demolishen 5851 Woodside DR SE- Salem Mark Rose Construction INC PO Box 4255 Salem OR 97302 503-364-0112 Development 2505 Liberty ST NE- Salem Multi Construction INC 3110 25th ST SE Salem OR 97302 503-910-7991 Commercial Building 556 Murlark AV NW- Salem Murlark Properties 1105 Front ST NE Salem OR 97301 503-371-8531 Commercial Building 3150 Kettle CT SE- Salem Dalke Construction PO Box 5170 Salem OR 97304 503-585-7403 Interior Remodel 254 Commercial ST NE- Salem C&R Builders PO Box 13065 Salem OR 97309 503-363-1343 Commercial Building 1940 Turner RD SE- Salem Sanderson Safety Supply CO 850 Conger Eugene OR 97402 541-683-9333 Alter Commercial 427 Ferry ST SE- Salem Larry Handley 15035 Lee RD Dallas OR 97338 503-623-6735 Commercial Building 4190 Aumsville HW SE, 4- Salem Patriot Fire Protection 4708 Minehaha ST NE Vancouver WA 98661 306-699-4403 Alter Commercial 655 Winter ST SE, 1st- Salem Salem Fire Alarm 3160 22nd AVE SE Salem OR 97302 503-364-4566 Alter Commercial 4190 Aumsville HW SE, 5- Salem Patriot Fire Protection 4708 Minnehaha ST NE Vancouver WA 98661 306- 699-4403 Commercial Construction 3723 Fairview Industrial DR SE- Salem KDA Construction 2735 12th ST SE #100 Salem OR 97302 503-587-8700 Interior Remodel 620 12th ST SE- Salem Dalke Construction PO Box 5170 Salem OR 97304 503-585-7403 Commercial Improvement 3815 Devonshire AV NE, 110- Salem Wilcox Construction INC 234 5th AV S Edmonds WA 98020 425-774-4185 Structure Erection 1090 Fairview AV SE- Salem Universal Fire Equipment CO 8049 SW Cirrus DR Beaverton OR 97008 503-641-8702 Commercial Repair 2605 State ST- Salem ORE Department of Correction Salem OR 97301 503-373-1572 EXT 7123 Fire Alarm Addition 3040 Center ST NE- Salem Salem Fire Alarm 3160 22nd AVE SE Salem OR 97302 503-364-4566 Commercial Remodel 2001 Front ST NE- Salem FirGrove Properties 4745 Liberty RD S #194 PMB Salem OR 97301 503-584-2000 Mens Room Remodel 1055 Erixon ST NE- Salem Salem Senior Center 503-588-6303 Alter Commercial 1551 Hawthorne AV NE- Salem Reimers & Jolivette 2344 NW 24th Portland OR 97210 503-228-7691 Alter Commercial 831 Lancaster DR NE, 175- Salem James John Construction CO INC 1701 SE Columbia River DR Vancouver WA 98661 360-696-0837 Alter Commercial 1465 25th ST SE- Salem Russell Construction INC 2211 NW Front AV STE 202 Portland OR 97209 503-228-3413 Change of OCCP. 5249 Commercial ST SE- Salem CPS Construction INC 9825 SW DAY RD Sherwood OR 97140 503-320-0918 Commercial Remodel 458 Calico ST NW- Salem D G S General Construction 1640 East Lincoln Woodburn OR 97071 800-585-0933 Commercial Remodel 462 Cameo ST NW- Salem D G S General Construction 1640 East Lincoln Woodburn OR 97071 800-585-0933 Upgrade & Repair 1577 Franklin ST NW- Salem Darin Strawn 503-930-0408 Replace Siding & Windows 847 Liberty ST SE- Salem Storm River Homes INC 4465 Countryside CT NE Salem OR 97305 503-390-0100 Replace Siding & Windows 833 Liberty ST SE- Salem Storm River Homes INC 4465 Countryside CT NE Salem OR 97305 503-390-0100 Replace Siding & Windows 807 Liberty ST SE- Salem Storm River Homes INC 4465 Countryside CT NE Salem OR 97305 503-390-0100 Erect Single Family 5030 Micah CT SE- Salem Weigel Homes 2225 Simmons ST NW Salem OR 97304 503-932-0228 Erect Single Family 2091 MistyMorning AV SE- Salem Weigel Homes 2225 Simmons ST NW Salem OR 97304 503-932-0228 Erect Single Family 2101 MistyMorning AV SE- Salem Weigel Homes 2225 Simmons ST NW Salem OR 97304 503-932-0228 Erect Single Family 5015 Micah CT SE- Salem Weigel Homes 2225 Simmons ST NW Salem OR 97304 503-932-0228 Alter Multiple Residence 4750 Sunnyside RD SE, BLDG A- Salem DCS Properties INC 390 Holder LN SE Salem OR 97306 503-580-6564 Alter Multiple Residence 4760 Sunnyside RD SE, BLDG B- Salem DCS Properties INC 390 Holder LN SE Salem OR 97306 503-580-6564 Alter Multiple Residence 4774 Sunnyside RD SE, BLDG C- Salem DCS Properties INC 390 Holder LN SE Salem OR 97306 503-580-6564 Alter Multiple Residence 4778 Sunnyside RD SE, BLDG D- Salem DCS Properties INC 390 Holder LN SE Salem OR 97306 503-580-6564 Alter Multiple Residence 4790 Sunnyside RD SE, BLDG E- Salem DCS Properties INC 390 Holder LN SE Salem OR 97306 503-580-6564 Commercial Renovation 950 State ST- Salem LCG PENCE PO Box 4109 Salem OR 97302 503-587-8112 Alter Commercial 875 Oak ST SE, 3010- Salem Salem Fire Alarm 3160 22ND AVE SE Salem OR 97302 503-364-4566 Alter Commercial 4093 Commercial ST SE, 170- Salem C D Redding Construction INC 2060 Vista AV SE Salem OR 97302 503-581-0048 Alter Commercial 4093 Commercial ST SE, 160- Salem C D Redding Construction INC 2060 Vista AV SE Salem OR 97302 503-581-0048 Alter Commercial 4093 Commercial ST SE, 150- Salem C D Redding Construction INC 2060 Vista AV SE Salem OR 97302 503-581-0048 Alter Commercial 4093 Commercial ST SE, 140- Salem C D Redding Construction INC 2060 Vista AV SE Salem OR 97302 503-581-0048 Alter Commercial 3780 Turner RD SE- Salem C D Redding Construction INC 2060 Vista AV SE Salem OR 97302 503-581-0048 Erect Single Family 3368 Championship DR S- Salem Kaufman Homes INC 1295 Baxter RD SE Salem OR 97306-1043 503-370-8390 Alter Commercial 2875 Commercial ST SE- Salem ALLPRO SYSTEMS LLC PO Box 7343 Salem OR 97301 503-566-7207 Erect Single Family 538 Inverness DR SE- Salem NW Legacy Construction INC 7825 SE Alta Verde DR Portland OR 97213 503-260-4639 Alter Commercial 831 Lancaster DR NE, 159- Salem SimpleXGrinnel LP 6305 SW Rosewood ST Lake Oswego OR 97035 503-683-9000 Alter Commercial 4175 Salem Industrial DR NE- Salem Fire Systems West 600 SE Maritime Suite 300 Vancouver WA 98661 360-693-9906 Erect Single Family 1458 Boulder Creek ST SE- Salem Providence Homes LLC 1900 Front ST NE Salem OR 97303 503-932-1982 Erect Single Family 1477 Eagle Cap ST SE - Salem Providence Homes LLC 1900 Front ST NE Salem OR 97303 503-932-1982 Alter Commercial 1970 Lancaster DR NE, 113- Salem Ochoa Tape & Texture 4045 Cranston RD Salem OR 97301 503-884-1401 Erect Single Family 935 Caradon CT NW- Salem Palisades Homes LLC 4676 Commercial ST SE Salem OR 97302 503-515-9700 Erect Single Family 1440 West Meadows DR NW- Salem Elegant Construction LLC PO Box 2891 Clackamas OR 97015 503-267-3330 Commercial Remodel 5000 Deer Park DR SE- Salem R L REIMERS CO 3514 Conser RD NE Albany OR 97321 503-926-7766 Erect Single Family 2160 Landau ST SE- Salem J R Lonely Construction INC 6447 Mahalo DR SE Salem OR 97301 503-910-5757 Room Addition 2254 Wilmington AV NW- Salem Michael D Chase 2530 Lee ST SE Salem OR 97301 503-390-8853 Mobile Residence 4940 Sunnyside DR SE- Salem CA Construction CO 6980 3rd ST SE Turner OR 97392 Erect Single Family 4660 Southampton DR SE- Salem Nick Gokk LLC 26200 Canyon Creek RD #302 Wilsonville OR 97070 503-971-4994 Erect Single Family 5820 Pikes Pass ST SE- Salem John Hammer JR Construction 5303 Center ST NE C Salem OR 97301 503-370-8188 Erect Single Family 5830 Greenstone CT SE- Salem John Hammer JR Construction 5303 Center ST NE C Salem OR 97301 503-370-8188 Erect Single Family 2647 Hoodoo DR NW- Salem Ovchinnikoff & Son Construction 2650 Hoodoo DR NW Salem OR 97304 503-371-9335 Erect Single Family 474 Golden Eagle ST NW- Salem JLS Custom Homes 16280 NW Bethany CT Beaverton OR 97006 503-533-4006 Alter Commercial 451 Division ST NE- Salem LCG Pence PO Box 4109 Salem OR 97302 503-587-8112 Erect Single Family 2183 Laurine CT NE- Salem TNT Homes LLC PO Box 18402 Salem OR 97305 503-932-6426 Erect Single Family 2154 Laurine CT NE- Salem TNT Homes LLC PO Box 18402 Salem OR 97305 503-932-6426 INVITATION TO BID CITY OF SALEM SKID MOUNTED ASPHALT DISTRIBUTOR BID# 045222 CLOSING JUNE 8, 2005 11:AM INVITATION TO BID CITY OF SALEM 36" AWWA BALL VALVES BID# 045254 CLOSING JUNE 15, 2005 11:AM INVITATION TO BID CITY OF SALEM SENSUS BRAND "OR APPROVED EQUAL" WATER METERS BID# 056040 CLOSING JUNE 8, 2005 11:AM INVITATION TO BID CITY OF SALEM GATE VALVES BID# O56043 CLOSING JUNE 8, 2005 11:AM INVITATION TO BID CITY OF SALEM VALVE BOX AND COVER BID# 056045 CLOSING JUNE 15, 2005 11:AM INVITATION TO BID CITY OF SALEM MEGA LUGS BID# 056046 CLOSING JUNE 15, 2005 11:AM INVITATION TO BID CITY OF SALEM PVC PIPE AND FITTINGS BID# 056047 CLOSING JUNE 15, 2005 11:AM INVITATION TO BID CITY OF SALEM PRESSURE REDUCING VALVES BID# 056048 CLOSING JUNE 15, 2005 11:AM INVITATION TO BID CITY OF SALEM TREE REMOVAL- CITY WIDE BID# 056050 CLOSING JUNE 29, 2005 11:AM INVITATION TO BID CITY OF SALEM FLAGGING SERVICES- ALTERNATE PROVIDER BID# 056051 CLOSING JUNE 29, 2005 11:AM CITY OF SALEM JOBS CITY OF SALEM JOB OPPORTUNITIES 503-588-6162 CIVIL ENGINEERING ASSITANT # 04-110/135 CLOSING DATE JUNE 10, 2005 For information on bid notice listings in the Salem Business Journal, call 503-362-9544, or email publisher@salembusinessjournal.com, or visit the SBJ offices at 431 Court St NE, Salem, OR. Home Builders Association Tour of Homes June 18-26 The 2005 Tour of Homes, sponsored by the Home Builders Association of Marion & Polk Counties, opens on Saturday, June 18 and runs through Sunday, June 26. With 52 new homes available for viewing throughout Salem and the mid-valley region, the Tour of Homes is a showcase of what many of the area's best builders have to offer. Unlike the Street of Dreams in Portland, the Tour of Homes is an opportunity to view new homes in all price ranges. This year, homes start at under $170,000 and go all the way up to nearly $1.3 million. Whether you're planning to buy a new home, hoping to talk to builders about building your custom home, or just looking for design ideas, you can do it all at the Tour of Homes. Admission to the Tour is free, and hours are from noon until 6pm on Saturdays and Sundays, and from 6pm to 9pm during the week. Be sure to look for the Tour of Homes magazine in the Thursday, June 16 and Thursday, June 23 Statesman Journal newspapers. You can also visit the Tour of Homes on the web at www.HomeBuildersAssociation.org. Whether or not you're able to take some time to visit any of the Tour homes this year, it's important to realize the vital part the home building industry plays in the regional economy. In Salem, Keizer and surrounding communities, more than 1,600 new homes were built last year along with more than 400 apartment units. This construction activity directly employs nearly 5,000 people in the local economy with local wages and salaries approaching nearly $225 million. And of course these jobs and new houses contribute millions of new income and property tax dollars to local and state government. At a time when Salem's unemployment has been among the highest in Oregon, and Oregon's unemployment rate has been among the highest in the nation, the vibrant housing industry is vitally important to the economic well-being of Salem and the mid-valley region. Our local economy would be in far worse shape if it weren't for the strength of the home building industry in recent years. Contact Mike Erdmann, Executive Vice-President, Home Builders Association of Marion & Polk Counties, 503-399-1500, mike@HomeBuildersAssociation.org. DeSantis introduces environmentally -friendly landscape service Concerned about the impact that common landscape techniques have on our environment? There's plenty of reason to be concerned. DeSantis Landscapes has adopted practices to maintain a beautiful, lush landscape without ignoring the environment. It's called DeSantis EarthSense. It's a common-sense approach using the appropriate technology for each landscape task. It's easy to get started with EarthSense. Whether you're considering a new landscape installation and want to get started on the right foot; or you want to reshape the maintenance of your existing landscape to a more sustainable, environmentally safe basis; EarthSense is the Cleaner, Smarter, Better way. Call 503-364-8376 now for more information. Page 19 Business Sense: The Art of a Deal BY JOHN MINTER The year 2004 was a banner year for mergers and acquisitions. Through the first three quarters of 2004, U.S. M&A transactions totaled $530.2 billion, up from $312.4 billion in the same period last year, according to FactSet Mergerstat LLC, which tracks deal flow. Companies are clearly in an acquiring frame of mind, and for business owners who are thinking of selling or merging their businesses, the transaction is one of the most complex they'll ever undertake. But despite the complexities, a surprising number of business owners still choose to navigate these turbulent waters on their own. In fact, eight out of ten businesses under $50 million in value are sold without utilizing the services of an investment banking advisor. And that makes about as much sense as going to trial without a lawyer. The Benefits of a Trusted Advisor Being entrepreneurial, business owners feel that because they're successful at running a company that they can handle the sale of their business just as well. But this can be a dangerous attitude as an advisor allows you to offload a lot of the distractions involved in a sale, enabling you to concentrate on running your business. And there's no more important time for a company to be firing on all cylinders than when you are looking to attract a buyer. There really is no downside to initiating a discussion with an investment banker. At a minimum you will gain insight from the banker, who can share valuation metrics and prospective investor names gleaned from representative transactions. By assessing your business operations, financial condition, trends and management team, an experienced advisor can help you prepare your business and time your transaction for optimal results. One of the main advantages of an advisor is their ability to generate multiple interested buyers, which can drive deal terms that favor your business. You could have two different suitors offering $50 million for your company, but no two $50 million offers look alike. Reps and warranties, employment agreements, the amount of cash versus stock versus earnout-all of these components can be very different. That's why having an experienced investment banker hammering out details is crucial. And competition provides a negotiating lever. Looking Out for Your Best Interests Your advisors will have your best interests in mind when negotiating the sale of your company. However, potential buyers likely will not. In fact, some potential acquirers will approach business owners directly and try to convince them not to negotiate through an advisor in an attempt to gain the upper hand in any eventual transaction. But navigating a negotiation requires specialized expertise. For example, a seller may agree to part with his business at six times his company's earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA). Everything is going smoothly, but just as the week of closing comes around, the buyer identifies so-called "issues" uncovered in due diligence. The buyer threatens to walk away from the deal unless the overall price of the deal is reduced by 20%. Although this type of scenario often comes as a shock to the seller, it is not an uncommon one-buyers are always trying to find a way to get the price down. And very often it's in the eleventh hour, when the seller has assumed the deal is done and is already envisioning himself lounging on a beach in Bermuda. In direct negotiation with a buyer, a seller without an advisor, especially when faced with lengthy due-diligence and negotiations, may accept any last-minute changes thrown at him or her just to close the deal. But advisors who are used to the process will be prepared to control it to the favor of the client. They may be armed with alternative offers from other potential suitors as well, and will stand their ground, leading to an optimal outcome for the client. The buyer will often back down at the prospect of one of their competitors acquiring the company instead. Selling your business or raising capital is a complex and sometimes treacherous process. Before deciding to go it alone, talking to an appropriate advisor can help maximize the value of your business and negotiate a deal that protects your interests. As the owner or founder, you deserve nothing less. Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated. For more information, contact Merrill Lynch Financial Advisor Benny Won of the Salem office at The Cascade Professional Center, 960 Liberty St SE, Suite 110, Salem, OR 97302, 503-362-9556, Fax 503-362-9477, benny_won@ml.com. A Sweet Success BY DIXON BLEDSOE When Dina Schmidt moved from Chicago back to her hometown of Silverton, the Oregon State graduate and former Allstate Manager was unsure as to where her career would lead her, especially as the recently single mother of two young children. One thing she quickly noticed while helping in her kids' classes were the harried parents trying to make their child's birthday special in the classroom, since the school district limits treats to packaged products or those made in state-certified kitchens. Creative Celebrations by Dina was born. What started out as a few jobs putting together friend and family birthday parties has grown into a full-time party planning, catering, and baking business. When Brenda Smith, owner/broker of Mortgage by Design in Silverton, was faced with two hundred visitors at Silverton's First Friday celebration earlier this month, the busy mom and entrepreneur already had her hands full. Schmidt was just a phone call away, and Smith recalls, "Dina and her creations were the absolute hit of the party - people were in awe of the smells, tastes, and presentations. They loved it, and we gave out so many business cards, well over 200, that my husband had to print some more! We will use her again, and again." The creative juices never stop flowing. Of course there are the staples - brownies, cupcakes, beautifully decorated sugar cookies, and a variety of scrumptious hors d'oeuvres. But then comes the Sponge Bob Square Pants party for a child's birthday, complete with a huge cake decorated perfectly in the shape and colors of the TV cartoon hero, with decor and activities keeping young party-goers happy all afternoon. Or the hamburger-shaped cupcakes for a child's outdoor party, and watermelon-designed cake complete with "seeds" for a friend's barbecue. Recently, Schmidt was asked to prepare a business luncheon for Award Winning Homes in Silverton. As a builder and a board member of the Home Builder's Association of Marion and Polk Counties, president Larry Ward's days are always full, with little time for party planning. He says "Dina provided a fabulous luncheon in a professional atmosphere which far exceeded everyone's expectations. We will continue to use Dina both professionally and personally in the future." Says Schmidt, "Just ask. I can create a theme for a business luncheon, organize a 50th anniversary celebration, or make a child's birthday a lifetime memory. My services include consulting, planning, baking, catering, theme events, or any combination. If you need another set of hands because you have too many things to juggle, or simply want to recognize an employee for great work, I'm here". For this dynamo company of one, growth is both inevitable and welcome. Creative Celebrations by Dina, is at 503-873-7179., schmidtdta@msn.com. Dixon Bledsoe is a Broker at Silverton Realty, 303 Oak St, Silverton, Oregon 97381, 503-873-3545 ext 311, www.silvertonrealty.com. Page 20 Clay Installation at Zeek Gallery Clay Installation by Doug Dacar Doug Dacar will present his clay installation titled "Word Search" at the Mary Lou Zeek gallery the month of June. The exhibit will feature hundreds of colored ceramic circles hanging on the wall. The circles, each with a different letter and multiple glazes and firings will be placed in a grid. Doug has always been drawn to a grid format. It provides structure to his work and he thinks of this as orderly chaos. The look is overwhelming, yet organized at the same time. Some letters are large and obvious; others are small and hidden, allowing for endless possibilities. Doug graduated in 1998 from Oregon College of Art and Craft with a BFA in ceramics. He lives in Salem, Oregon with his wife and two small children. An opening show reception will be held on Wednesday, June 1, 2005 from 5pm to 8pm. The Mary Lou Zeek Gallery, located at 335 State Street in downtown Salem, Oregon is the premiere place for purchasing contemporary arts and crafts. Open hours are 10 am to 6 pm Tuesday through Friday, and 10am to 5pm on Saturday. The gallery is closed on Sunday and Monday. To preview the upcoming show and see work by many other Northwest artists, visit www.zeekgallery.com. Dallas Restaurant Row Ann Haviland Marketing Director Historic downtown Dallas has blossomed a collection of outstanding new restaurants. Each one of these eating establishments has their own unusual flair and individual appeal. The Vintage Vine, Althea's Tea Room, Mickey Madason's and the Courthouse Pub and Grill are all within walking distance of one another. While the historic feel of the town square adds charm to the overall experience, these fine restaurants offer quality and individuality all their own. The Vintage Vine at 101 Court Street opened last year. This wonderful restaurant is filled with antiques, gift items, home decorating merchandise and yes, wine and more wine. Owner Jackie Lawson has a decorating flair from the front door to the kitchen. She likes to call it the "get-away without having to leave town". On her menu is a passage from John 15:5 that reads "I am the vine, you are the branches..." Vintage Vine chef Michelle Freeman's choice entree is the Seafood Alfredo. She is proud to point out the homemade pasta and all natural ingredients that go into this dish. Also featured on The Vintage Vine menu is a Taster's Fruit Plate with an array of delightful seasonal fruit fresh from the growers. Of course also on the menu are signature features like eight layer Lasagna, Shrimp Scampi, Ravioli del la casa, Proscuitto alla corbonara and Chicken Piccata. Don't forget the Mini Quichelettes - tart size single servings with your choice of Lorraine, mushroom-cream cheese and spinach Florentine. Follow all the foregoing culinary capers with Jackie's already famous "Mesmerizing Mud Pie", made with chocolate espresso ice cream piled high on chocolate crunch crust drizzled with chocolate, caramel, whipped cream and almonds. The Vintage Vine is quickly becoming the place to meet friends, relax and enjoy the passion of good food and endless bottles of wine. Mickey Madison's Grill and Dessert Emporium owners John and Joan Taylor are no strangers to the world of food and hospitality. The Taylor's have run Encore Catering for over 10 years, a very successful catering business boasting centerpiece clients ranging from government to corporate America. With a great knowledge of food, flavor and presentation, comes John and Joan's dream…a fine dining restaurant of their own where they can show off their stuff. The all new Mickey Madason's in Dallas fits the bill. Let's start in the very back of the restaurant where you'll find three separate smokers. One for fish, one for meats and another for vegetables, cheese and dough. This set up compliments a kitchen designed to accommodate the demands of the house perfectionist. That would be Joan Taylor. According to her numbers in numerology she is a very busy person dedicated to the exquisite side of things. Wolfgang Puck himself would approve of Mickey Madason's menu, featuring everything from smoked salmon, specialty pizza, hearty salad entrees, to corn chowder and fresh baked bread. Even the nachos are special here, made with a blend of fine cheese. Joan Taylor a second generation Norwegian is proud to say's "I grew up on the best cheese, and today it is still my weakness..I love good cheese" Her love for food is what makes her such a natural for the restaurant business. House specialties include slow roasted herb encrusted Prime Rib (Friday and Saturday only), three pepper Pasta Primavera with rotini pasta that you can order al dente if you like, Pineapple citrus glazed Salmon Skewers, Parmesan Pan Fried Oysters and even fresh baked bread with sun dried tomatoes topped with caramelized garlic cream cheese spread. The Taylor's nature for hospitality keeps their young staff jumping and eager to please each and every guest. Husband John is busy behind the bar creating powerfully potent and very popular martinis that will surly become his trademark. The decor at Mickey Madason's is similar in design to a trendy Melrose or Wilshire Blvd. bistro in Los Angeles or even like that of an upper east side - be seen kind of a place in Manhattan. All this in Dallas Oregon.. yes, but without the travel time, the rush hour traffic or the big city prices. Althea's Tea House is like visiting your rich aunt's mansion for high tea or a divine lunch. Each guest is treated like family. The tables are graced with fine linen. Where have you been lately that has a proper cotton lace napkin, or as they call it in England, a "serviette". At Althea's Tea House you feel like royalty. The fine china, silverware, table settings and food servers are delightful. Attention to every detail is a standard. Tradition is important to Patricia and Clarence Easterly, owners of Althea's Tea Room. A family run establishment that honors Patricia's mother Althea. The Grandchildren are even part of the operation, serving a wide selection of fine teas from around the world. A choice array of delicious sandwiches and salads compliment the extensive tea menu. A favorite here is Fran's Pear Salad, which includes fresh greens, sliced pears, feta cheese, spiced pecans and balsamic vinaigrette. Scones are at the top of the list for popularity as well as the Soup of the Day and Quiche of the Day. Many of the dishes served are old family recipes. Enjoy the best iced tea you will ever taste and in an atmosphere of the beautifully restored Hinkle family heritage house in the heart of downtown Dallas. The Courthouse Pub & Grill dominates the corner of Main Street and Court Street in the historic Dalton building in downtown Dallas. The grand old building, once a hardware store, was erected in 1890. The front of the building is constructed of cast iron made in the old foundry that once operated in Dallas in the mid-1800s. Dallas old timers have very special memories here. New owner's Ron Buren and Carolyn Butler have gone to much detail in restoring the bar and restaurant area with a great amount of respect for its colorful past. From the stained glass to Ron's guitar collection hanging over the bar, one can feel the care that has gone into fixing up the old place. Buren is a great bartender and host who serves the coldest beer in town. Real comfort food is the specialty of the house. You'll enjoy home-style cooking at its best. The Courthouse Pub and Grill is already gaining a reputation for reasonably priced American diner fare. You would have to search pretty hard to find a better Rib Eye Steak, Patty Melt, Steak Sandwich, Bacon Cheese Burger or Grilled Chicken Salad than comes out of Carolyn's kitchen. The Hamburgers are a full half pound of top quality ground beef made to order. Butler learned all about simple and wholesome cooking from her Grandmother and as a former head cook for Dorchester House. Carolyn owned a tavern in Iowa but is originally from Grants Pass. Children are welcome between the hours of 11:00 am to 8:30 pm, with a special menu for kids including a free Ice Cream Sundae with all children's meals. To-go orders are always welcome. Don't miss the live music scheduled on the weekends. Join the friendly folks that frequent this fine establishment. You too will become a regular Courthouse Pub and Grill customer and friends of Ron and Carolyn. Page 21 OHAS Brings Best-Selling Author Rachel Simon to Salem BY CAROLYN R. BOLTON Upon its release in 2002, Riding the Bus with My Sister quickly became a national best seller. In fact, the story was so heartwarming that it was quickly adapted into a screenplay, with the Hallmark Hall of Fame Movie by the same name airing on May 1, 2005 on CBS. Andie MacDowell starred as Rachel Simon and Rosie O'Donnell as her developmentally disabled sister Beth; Anjelica Huston directed. Oregon Housing & Associated Services (OHAS), a Salem based 501c3 social service organization, is sponsoring author Rachel Simon's visit to Salem in June 2005. For more than 30 years, OHAS has provided housing and transportation services to the elderly and people with developmental disabilities living in Marion and Polk Counties. Wheels Community Transportation is the transportation program operated by OHAS. Rachel will speak about the year she spent riding the bus with her developmentally disabled sister, Beth, who had become an avid bus rider in an effort to maintain her independence and combat the isolation of living alone. When Beth asked Rachel to spend a year riding the bus with her, Rachel reluctantly agreed. A successful writer and busy college teacher, Rachel now admits she was reluctant to take the time involved to accompany Beth on the bus. To her own surprise, she quickly realized just how much she could learn from her sister's life experience. Throughout the tale of these sisters' journey on the bus are woven the rich threads of such family issues as abandonment, sibling loyalty, forgiveness of loved ones and resiliency after loss. Rachel also reveals her personal rediscovery of key life lessons concerning family, friends and community. A series of events have been organized around Simon's Salem visit: Sunday, June 5 at 1:00 p.m. - Local Movie Premiere of the Hallmark Hall of Fame Film Riding the Bus With My Sister at Salem Cinema, 455 High St. This family event is a fundraiser to defray the costs incurred in bringing Simon to Salem. Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door. Advance purchase may be made at the Salem Cinema box office, at Oregon Housing & Associated Services, 2755 19th Street SE, Salem - or by calling 503.585.6193. (Sorry, no credit cards.) Tuesday, June 7, 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. - VIP Luncheon with Rachel Simon at the new Salem Conference Center, 200 Commercial St SE, Salem. This intimate luncheon will provide all who attend a very personal experience with Rachel Simon. The cost is $25 per person (prepaid) and reservations are required by calling Lisa at OHAS: 503.585.6193. Jackson's Books will be on hand to sell copies of the book Riding the Bus for the author's signature. Tuesday, June 7th at 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. - An Evening with author Rachel Simon at Salem Library's Loucks Auditorium, co-sponsored by Oregon Housing & Associated Services and The Salem Library. This event is free to the public. Simon will talk about her family, her book and the making of the Hallmark film. Jackson's books will again make copies of the book available for purchase. Thursday, June 16th at 7:00 p.m. - Community Town Hall on Transportation Services for Seniors and People with Disabilities at West Salem Roth's Conference Center, 1130 Wallace Road NW. Elected officials, industry professionals and interested members of the public are encouraged to attend and discuss this crucial community service. WHEELS Community Transportation is a program of Oregon Housing & Community Services (OHAS) and constitutes the fifth largest public transportation fleet in Oregon, providing the only dial-a-ride service available in the Salem vicinity. WHEELS services are available to seniors and people with disabilities residing in Marion and Polk Counties. Urban and rural route services vary according to location. For more information on WHEELS, visit www.phas-salem.org on the internet or call 503.585.6193. One Pound at a Time HOLLY RUSSO Special to the Salem Business Journal Weight Management Program of Salem staff Throughout his 26-year career practicing internal medicine at the Salem Clinic, Doug Carney, MD, saw a continual increase in medical problems exacerbated by obesity. In 1991 he started a weight loss program using meal replacement, education, and group support classes. When he retired two years ago from a full clinical practice, he joined with health educator Holly Russo to continue the program through an independent small business partnership. Physician evaluations and monitoring paired with educational support classes and a meal replacement product are the key attributes that help people lose weight and keep it off. Long-term statistical data shows an average weight loss of 48 pounds over the first 16-weeks, and patients who stay active in Phase 2 of the program for at least twelve months keep off an average of 70% of the weight lost. Developed by a research chemist, the meal replacement powder is mixed with water and other ingredients and made into soup, milkshakes, muffins, chips and other foods. An ideal nutritional balance with a limit of 800 calories daily make for rapid but safe weight loss when paired with weekly medical supervision and educational classes. The meal replacement product is made by Health & Nutrition Technology and used in communities across the country. "As hard as weight loss is, keeping it off is harder. Most diets fail because we don't change our habits long-term," explains Dr Carney. "There are five consistent habits of successful dieters. Exercise almost every day for at least thirty minutes. Keey keep track of the foods they eat, and count the calories they take in daily. Eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily. Weigh themselves regularly. Long-term group classes help make these habits permanent." Monthly information sessions are open to the public at the program office in the red-roofed Cascade Pacific building at 960 Liberty St SE, just one block before Mission St. heading downtown. Call 503-540-0304 to register, or sign up online a www.wmpsalem.com. Page 22 Letters to the Editor We welcome the Salem Business Journal into the Salem market. Salem has the potential to shine as the regional business center of the Willamette Valley, and every effort that showcases businesses and features stories that relate to the creation of a strong local economy is good news! If you are doing business in Salem, the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce is working for you. Call the Chamber at 581-1466 before June 15th to find out how your business can be listed in the award winning Chamber Business and Community Directory. Mike McLaran Executive Director Salem Area Chamber of Commerce My Opinion: The "Big Bank" Theory BY KENT HARTMAN Did you hear that noise? The one that reverberated across every square inch of all fifty states? Neither did I. But it happened loud and clear, nonetheless. We just weren't paying any attention. It was the sound of a gaggle of large companies being consumed by even larger companies over the past decade through congressional deregulation, in the process creating fewer and fewer of any given kind (and of any given job). So, unlike the creation of the universe, instead of one big bang, we're now just about to end up with one big bank. And one big airline. And one big oil company. And one of just about any other vital institution you can name. To quote the famous last question uttered by King George V of England, as he lay on his deathbed, "How is the empire?" Unfortunately, our 229-year-old "empire" is now being swallowed whole at an alarming rate by the unbridled, unchecked consolidation of many of our most important industries - from banking to energy to media. Bank of America recently ingested Fleet Bank, which in turn had just finished snacking on the carcass of Summit Bank. And, of course, Exxon decided |