Member News

The Arc of Tri-Cities/ Parent to Parent, along with Kennewick School District, Pasco School District and PAVE, offers a special Three Part Training on Special Education. Each Night is a different topic. Part One: Tracy Wilson and Matt Scott-Special
Education 101 & Meet and talk to the directors. Part Two: KSD/PSD staff & PAVE-What is an IEP? What can it be used for? Part Three: PAVE and Parent to Parent-What Resources are available to help? Training is free.

Date: March 26, 2019, April 24, 2019, May 22, 2019
Time: 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Place: The Arc of Tri-Cities
1455 SE Fowler
Richland, WA 99352

“We are excited to bring the Kadlec OB/GYN Clinic into the Prosser Memorial Health family and expand the healthcare services we can offer our community. The Kadlec Clinic in Prosser has always been a partner of ours and with this transition we are able to build on that partnership,” said Craig Marks, Chief Executive Officer of Prosser Memorial Health. “Prosser Memorial Health is pleased to add the OB/GYN clinic in Prosser to our clinic offering. The new clinic aligns perfectly with our mission.”

Dr. Brian Sollers and Physician’s Assistant Teresa Charvet will continue to provide care at the clinic employed by Prosser Memorial Health. The clinic, located at 336 Chardonnay Avenue, adjacent to Prosser Memorial Health’s Prosser Clinic, will be called Prosser Women’s Health Clinic.

“I’m excited about this transition. Caring for patients isn’t just a job for me, it’s my passion and Prosser is my home. As Prosser Memorial Health expands to bring additional needed healthcare services, I look forward to growing excellent women’s healthcare in our underserved communities.” said Brian Sollers, DO, Chief Medical Officer, Prosser Memorial Health.

The clinic transition will occur April 1, 2019. Current patients of the clinic will receive official notification of the transition. There will be no care disruptions for patients during this process.

​In addition to this transition, Prosser Memorial Health will begin an extensive remodeling project at the Prosser Clinic next door. The remodel will convert the current unused pharmacy space into exam rooms and an Imaging Center. When complete, the clinic will be open from 8 am to 8 pm seven days a week offering full laboratory and x-ray services, similar to the new Grandview Clinic.

Elite Construction & Development is proud to welcome Rosa Torres as Finance Director. As a member of the management team, Rosa provides strategic vision and leadership as Elite continues to grow into new sectors of the construction industry.

Rosa brings over 20 years’ experience managing finances for
leading global companies. Most recently Rosa worked with Microsoft as a Financial Controller and Sr. Financial Manager.

Prior to that, she served as a Senior Financial Analyst at Starbucks, working on their supply chain.

“Rosa is a proven leader helping established brands grow efficiently across multiple industries,” said Elite Construction & Development President and CEO Trini Garibay. Adding “With her hands-on supply chain experience, she will assist us in streamlining our financial reporting and strategy.”

“I am excited about the opportunity to bring my experience back to my hometown and work with a community-focused company, “ said Rosa Torres, Elite Construction and Development Finance Director. “I am proud to be a part of their continued growth and success.”

HAPO President & CEO Steve Anderson is proud to announce its official partnership with Franklin County. As part of HAPO’s growing community support, the TRAC facility located in Pasco, WA will be renamed the “HAPO Center” and incorporate HAPO signage, branding and ATM services throughout the venue.

“We are grateful to the Franklin County Commissioners and TRAC Management for this opportunity to help support and enhance a venue that brings family friendly events and revenue to the Columbia Basin” said Anderson. HAPO is a local, legacy business since 1953 and is a well-recognized and respected community partner.

“Over the years, we have partnered and supported many local organizations. Whether it’s with The Tri-Cities Cancer Center, to create the “HAPO Wing” or as the “Official Sponsor of Summer” to help bring the “HAPO Columbia Cup” and “HAPO over the River Airshow” into our area, we want our community to prosper as well as increase our brand visibility and share the benefits we offer through membership at HAPO Community Credit Union.”

HAPO Community Credit Union currently has 18 locations in Washington and Oregon. HAPO serves over 160,000 members in our communities.

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and the Tri-Cities Cancer Center will host a Colorectal Screening Information Event for the community on Saturday, March 23rd. The event is open to anyone age 50 or older. The event will begin with a presentation at 10am. RSVP is required by Friday, March 22nd, please call (509) 737-3427.

At the event, participants will:

• Receive education regarding colorectal cancer screening options available
• Discussion on when different colorectal cancer screening options should be utilized
• Instructions for the Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT), as a screening option
• If appropriate, participants will receive a FREE FIT for at-home screening

What: Colorectal Screening Information Event
When: Saturday, March 23rd, Presentation at 10am – Event ends at Noon
Where: Tri-Cities Cancer Center Wellness Center, 7350 W. Deschutes Avenue, Kennewick, WA 99336

Learn the basics of digital marketing with Fuse SPC’s free workshop Thursday, March 21 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Fuse building, 723 The Parkway in Richland. The workshop, sponsored by Brandcraft, is free and open to the public. 

Digital Marketing 101 introduces concepts of social networking to build brand awareness and create loyal customers. From brand awareness campaigns to increasing conversions online, attendees leave with a deeper understanding of what to include in their digital marketing plans. Topics include the main pillars of digital marketing and how they work together, search engine marketing, search engine optimization, social media marketing, and approaches to managing it all.

Dee Boyle, digital marketing strategist for Brandcraft, and Krista Patterson, owner of Northwest Paddle boarding, lead the discussion. Small business owners, marketing and communications specialists, and students are welcome.

Brandcraft is a full-service marketing organization in Richland. It offers a full menu of services, from web design and search engine optimization to photography services, logo design and full package marketing plans. 

Fuse SPC, a social purpose organization, offers coworking space, small business incubator classes and services, and free community events. For more information, visit fusespc.com.

Register for the class at www.fusespc.com/events or https://ti.to/fuse/digitalmarketing-101.

​The Mid-Columbia Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) will be featuring a talk titled “Overcoming the Challenges of Virtual Collaboration” at their luncheon on March 20, at the Marriott Courtyard, Columbia Point, 11:30 – 1 pm. 

Speakers Sibyl Kaufman and Mike Madison will share their insight and experiences on working remotely and collaborating with teams across the country in a virtual work environment.  If you work remotely full- or part-time, manage a remote worker, or work on business travel, this talk will provide you with insight in how to make the most out of expanded connectivity. The speakers will present best practices and strategies for maximizing virtual work experiences to achieve excellence in collaboration, communication and problem-solving. 

This event is open to all. Costs, which includes lunch, are $15 for PRSA members and $20 for non-members; payable by cash, check or credit card. 

Please RSVP by March 15 by calling or text 509-378-5273.

Beginning March 11, Ben Franklin Transit (BFT) is extending fixed route bus and Dial-A-Ride service hours to 10 p.m. Monday thru Saturday. The later hours will also apply to Finley and Tri-Cities General Demand services, with last pickup times for both extending to 9:30 p.m.

When the service rolls out, riders will be able to take advantage of the most-used BFT bus routes and all Dial-A-Ride services until 10 p.m.—two hours later than normal weekday hours, and three hours later on Saturdays. All BFT services currently end at 8 p.m. weekdays and 7 p.m. on Saturdays.

The change will be especially helpful for riders including those who work later shifts at or near retail centers, college students with evening classes, or others who want or need to stay out later at night for various activities.
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The extension of service hours will also be a relief to riders who have had to find alternate nighttime transportation after Ben Franklin Transit’s supplemental night taxi service contractor closed its doors in late October. It is the third of three measures approved by the BFT Board of Directors at a special meeting held Nov. 26, 2018 on an interim basis, to solve for resulting gaps in service while additional long-term solutions continue being explored.

Elijah Spencer Saba will be presented with Scouting’s highest honor on March 9, 2019 in Pasco, WA, the Blue Mountain Council, Boy Scouts of America has announced.

He is the son of Kim Spencer and Rufino Saba of Pasco. Elijah is a member of Troop 130, chartered by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. His Scout leader is Steve Christensen.

To achieve the rank of Eagle Scout, Elijah had to earn 21 merit badges and show leadership by planning, developing, and completing a community service project. Elijah also earned a Bronze Eagle Palm for achieving the completion of 26 merit badges by the time he reached Eagle.

For his project, Elijah organized an event for TROT (Therapeutic Riding of the Tri-Cities) helping disabled children build shelves for the riding arena. He organized volunteers to assist with the event and raised needed funds by selling peaches through “Fresh Picks”. His entire project took 163 hours to complete.

Elijah is home-schooled and he also attends Columbia Basin College and Tri-Tech Skills Center where he is learning Japanese animation & game design. In addition to Scouting, he is also involved in horseback riding, coaching gymnastics, & Aikido. Elijah is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and is currently serving one weekend a month in the Army National Guard.

The rank of Eagle is earned by less than four percent of all youth who join Boy Scouts of America. In 2018, 121 boys in the Blue Mountain Council, Boy Scouts of America earned the Eagle Scout Award, providing over 17,124 service hours.

Calling all superheroes! Mid-Columbia Libraries explores the universe of Marvel and DC comics at the Universe of Superheroes family event Saturday, March 9 from 6 to 8 pm at Mid-Columbia Libraries’ Kennewick Branch, located at 1620 S. Union St.

Superheroes of all ages can enjoy fun-filled crafts, activities, prizes, and a chance to meet favorite characters like Captain America, Wonder Woman, Black Panther, and Spiderman! Costumes are encouraged. The first 500 kids through the door will receive their very own superhero cape.
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This program is free and open to the public. Learn more at midcolumbialibraries.org.