Papa Murphy’s increased sales 13 percent in 2007
Vancouver-based Papa Murphy’s International closed 2007 with over $500 million in total U.S. sales, a nearly 13 percent increase from 2006. New store sales volumes rose 46 percent over the last year. Now the fifth largest pizza company in the U.S., Papa Murphy’s ended the year with 1,067 locations, opening 119 in 2007.
The company launched three new products, eliminated added trans fat from its pizza line, and secured a spot on the Inc. 5,000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in the country and the magazine’s list of the Top 100 Food & Beverage Companies. It added 33 new franchise entity groups throughout the country.
Tommy O’s Super Bowl pool to benefit children
At Tommy O’s Lounge through Feb. 3, people can purchase blocks on the Super Bowl pool board for a donation of $10 per square. Donations will go to help support mental health programs for children ages 2-18 in the Vancouver community. Instead of the cash, winners of each quarter will receive gifts from Tommy O’s which could include a bottle of wine or dinner for four. Squares can be purchased ahead of time and players do not have to be present to win. The game will be on at Tommy O’s and smaller prizes will be given away during the game.
Tommy O’s Lounge is at 801 Washington St. in Vancouver.
VDA chooses new board officers
Vancouver’s Downtown Association recently announced its 2008 board members.
Lee Coulthard was named president and Celinda Rupert of Iduhair and Co. will serve as past president. Vice president is Linda Glover of Divine Consign and Charlene Dahlen is secretary. Stephanie Diaz from Bank of Clark County will serve as treasurer.
New additions to the 12-member board are Kristy Weaver of West Coast Bank and Carl Dobbs.
Kalama Chamber elects officers
The Kalama Chamber of Commerce recently named its officers for 2008. Vic Leatzow will serve as president with Jim Hendrickson as vice president and Debbie Evanson as treasurer.
DESIGN + CONSTRUCTION
Salmon Creek Shilo Inn gets new look
Portland-based Shilo Inns recently announced the completion of a major renovation at its Salmon Creek hotel.
The newly renovated hotel features contemporary artwork, new carpet and new furnishings in all of its 66 rooms, along with flat-screen TVs, saunas and steam rooms. For corporate travelers and meeting planners, the site includes free high-speed internet access and flexible meeting space.
HEALTH CARE + HOSPITALS
Kaiser serves Free Clinic of Southwest Washington
On Martin Luther King Day, Kaiser Permanente paid more than 750 employees to work at 19 sites from Vancouver to Salem, Ore.
Kaiser Permanente employees provided free medical care to 60 patients, as well as eye exams and glasses to another 65 patients, at the Free Clinic of Southwest Washington in Vancouver.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Grant to fund Lifelong Learning Account program
The State of Washington recently received a $75,000 grant from the Lumina Foundation for Education to develop a Lifelong Learning Account program.
The program will allow workers to invest in an account with matching employer contributions to further their education and training. The accounts will be similar to 401(k)s, and could be used any time during a worker’s lifetime for education and training expenses such as tuition, fees, books, supplies and equipment. They could be transferred between employers as a supplement to existing employer-supported tuition-assistance programs.
The new account model also is being tested in Maine, Illinois, California, Indiana and Missouri. Washington’s demo project will target Lewis, Thurston, Mason, Pacific and Grays Harbor counties. After testing is complete, the goal is to make the program available statewide.
Chamber accepting scholarship apps
The Clark County Chamber of Commerce is accepting applications for its 2008 scholarship awards.
Six scholarships totaling $8,000 are available to Clark County graduating seniors continuing their education at an accredited school in Clark County.
The application deadline is Jan. 31 and awards will be presented at 7 a.m. March 11 at the Camas Meadows Club House.
For application details, visit www.clarkchamber.com/golf/ScholarshipApplication.pdf.
Vancouver couple establishes arts foundation
Vancouver couple George and Joan Peekema gave a $100,000 endowment to establish the Joan Peekema Scholarship for the Arts, which will provide full-tuition awards for Clark College students.
An artist herself, Joan Peekema’s work can be found on the college’s campus. Her steel sculpture “Gentle Commitment” is located near Bauer Hall.
The couple also donated $10,000 to Clark’s mature learning program.
