Idaho’s RideShare Dollars in High Demand

With gasoline prices at or over $4.00 per gallon, Idahoans are more interested than ever in finding efficient ways to get to work, services and events. Whether they are businesses looking to address parking demands and ensure efficient and timely commutes for those coming to work from the area’s rural reaches, communities seeking increased multi-modal infrastructure by providing bicycle racks to stimulate efficient access to school, or commuters wanting to avoid increased congestion in their daily commute, there is a program that helps meet these unique and changing needs. The RideShare Program assists in special efforts to promote commuting, which conserves energy, improves air quality and reduces congestion.

Recently, the Idaho Transportation Department Division of Public Transportation received requests in excess of $260,000 for this Federal Highway Administration-funded program that in Idaho translates to $60,000.

The RideShare Program features a number of flexible and individualized features particularly conducive to meeting Idahoan’s unique needs.

An interactive website called RideshareOnline.com is a free service provided by the Idaho Transportation Department that introduces commuters to others who might want to carpool or vanpool to work together. RideshareOnline.com maximizes the opportunity to coordinate transportation and leverage existing resources at the most individual level possible.

Users can access this site 24 hours a day to find a carpool partner to share the ride to work and defer the cost of a daily commute. Through this site, user can match their work schedule and other commute needs so that their time spent commuting is not appreciably different than if they were driving themselves.

Public Vanpools are also a feature of the program. When money is available, entities have been able to obtain Rideshare Vans using Rideshare funds and local matches to generate Rideshare Programs within their communities. Vans are typically equipped with air conditioning, tinted windows, reading lights, am/fm radio, and bike racks – making for a relaxing and productive commute environment. Depending on the environment, riders can meet at prearranged locations or in more rural areas, arrange to make stops at residences along the way. Several vanpool services already exist in Idaho.

Increasingly employers, and particularly hospitals, are finding Rideshare a popular alternative to addressing employee transportation needs. By helping to lower commute costs, employee retention increases and demands on parking lots decrease. Some employers choose to provide preferential parking for carpoolers, and they make their vans available for additional employee uses and other community vanpool needs when the van is not in use. The greater their effort to coordinate with others and leverage the public resource, the more meaningful the mobility asset becomes to the local community and the State’s mobility infrastructure.

So, when applications exceed funds available by more than four times the funds available, how does Idaho maximize this limited resource in an environment of dramatically increasing demand?

The obvious answer is to continue to encourage all Idahoan’s who are interested in carpooling to utilize RidershareOnline.com. The web-based service already serves the entire state, and is limited only by the number and amount of participants in any given area. The system is designed to protect one’s confidentiality. A mapping system verifies the applicant’s originating address and shows the approximate location of other commuters on the match list and is specific to the day and time of travel to any destination. Those individuals can be selected that best suit the applicant’s commute route. The database regularly solicits an update; information can be updated at any time.

Another benefit of the web-based program is its ability to help identify interest and demand for a vanpool service in any given area.

Idaho’s existing RideShare Program also supports a subscription to Statewide Rideshare Software and the marketing of the same.

According to Division of Public Transportation Administrator Randy Kyrias, ITD is pleased with the interest in this program and notes that this demand “further emphasizes the need for coordination and the need to leverage community resources to ensure Idahoan’s mobility.” Applications will be assessed by the degree to which they meet customer service, coordination and connectivity objectives as outlined in the state’s strategic vision in Idaho’s Mobility and Access Pathway (IMAP). For more information about IMAP, go to: http://itd.idaho.gov/PublicTransportation/statewide_mobility_plan.htm.
Grants will be issued subsequent to that assessment.

For more information about RideshareOnline.com, contact Kirk Montgomery, ACHD Commuteride, (208) 387-6163 or Kmontgomery@achd.ada.id.us.

Salty Design Foundry Featured in HOW Magazine

Salty is excited to announce that two designs were recently published in HOW Magazine's Self Promotion Design Annual. The Gravity Anarchy catalog and the Long Story Short Coffee business card pieces are both featured. They could be found on page 67 in October's edition. This is huge for Salty, it isn't often that you see work from this area recognized at this level. The fight for good design continues. You can read more about it at Salty's blog : saltydf.blogspot.com.

Wood Art Show & Joe Simpson’s Paintings

The Jacklin Arts & Cultural Center
(at the old church in Post Falls)
4th Street at William Street
September 16 through October 10th, 2008

Featuring 19 different Wood Artists displaying works of wildlife, bowls, furniture, décor, carvings and many other interesting and wonderful pieces: Charlie Benson, Everett Best, Chris Billingslea, Can Chadwick, Jim Christiansen, Mary Dee & Allen Dodge, Russ Fairfield, Carl Herron, Dick Kurth, Greg Moffatt, Adam Olscamp, Jim Osmanski, Jerry Poindexter, Tom Reul, Rick and Fran Riddle, Ron Rock, Paul Rubero, Sterling Sanders, and the Coeur d’Alene School of Woodworking.

Painting by Jo Simpson are also featured. All pieces are for purchase and a special gallery reception -- where visitors can meet the Artists, view their works and partake of light refreshments and wine—will be held on the third Friday of the month, September 19 from 5 pm – 7 pm.

There is no charge for visiting the wood art show during normal gallery hours of 9:30 am – 2:30 pm, Monday through Friday, or by special appointment. There is also no charge for the special gallery reception, however donations are welcome and the JACC does receive a portion of the revenue from all purchases made during the duration of the show. (The Jacklin Arts & Cultural Center is a non-profit, 501 (c)(3), Promoting the Arts and Community. Questions may be directed to (208) 457-8950.

Learn about the Job Accommodation Network

Are your clients protected by The Americans with Disabilities Act? If so, mark your calendars!

Tuesday September 16th ~ 1:00-2:30 pm
Idaho Department of Labor 1221 W. Ironwood Drive #200
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho 83814

An informative chat for service providers with Bobby Ball, Executive Director of the Idaho Task Force on the Americans with Disabilities Act. Learn about J. A. N. (The Job Accommodation Network): A free consulting service designed to increase the employability of people with disabilities by:

1. providing worksite accommodation solutions,
2. providing technical assistance regarding the ADA,
3. educating about self employment options.

Sponsored by: Idaho Task Force on the Americans with Disabilities Act
Hosted by: Disability Action Center & Idaho Department of Labor

Please call for reservations 664-9896 (DAC)
or 769-1558 ext. 3996 (IDL)
Do YOU know their rights?

2008 Idaho Regional SBIR/STTR Conference

Ready..Set..Go!
"Three Steps to Success"

Evening Session Tuesday, October 28, 2008
All Day Wednesday, October 29, 2008

All Sessions and Lunch - Only $100

Doubletree Hotel Boise-Riverside
2900 Chinden Boulevard
Boise, Idaho 83714

Ready: Attend one of six local workshops. You will learn the basics of the SBIR/STTR programs, if SBIR/STTR is right for your business, and how to search for grant topics that meet your business needs.
Learn More or register, click here.

Set: Attend the 2008 Idaho Regional SBIR/STTR Conference.
• Start writing your Phase I grant proposal
• Choose from two tracks:
1. Track One: Writing your SBIR/STTR Phase I proposal
2. Track Two: The Phase II proposal, commercialization and government financials
• Learn grant writing techniques and significantly improve your chances of winning an award.
• Meet program managers from five federal agencies that have SBIR/STTR programs.
• Learn what is needed for a successful SBIR/STTR Phase I and Phase II application.

Go: Get the help you need after the conference to be successful. At the end of the conference, meet with your local economic development specialist or TechConnect or SBDC representative. These are the organizations and the people that will help coach you through the grant proposal process after the conference.

Learn More or to register, click here.

Silverlake Tire and Auto of Coeur d’Alene Gains AAA Approval

Bellevue, Wash. August 14, 2008 – AAA just made searching for a qualified and trustworthy auto repair facility in Coeur d’Alene easier by certifying Silverlake Tire and Auto as a AAA Approved Auto Repair facility.

To receive their AAA-approved status, the staff of Silverlake Tire and Auto has:
• An established history of excellent customer satisfaction and community reputation,
• Met or exceeded AAA’s standards regarding required tools and equipment,
• ASE certified technicians, and
• Maintained a clean and safe facility.

As part of the AAA approved network, Silverlake Tire and Auto has agreed to:
• Guarantee service or repairs for 12 months or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first,
• Offer a written estimate, return replaced parts upon request, and have customer approval before doing any work beyond the estimate, and
• Let AAA arbitrate any disputes regarding the quality of service or repairs.

Silverlake Tire and Auto will display the AAA Approved Auto Repair logo to identify them as a reliable facility. The shop is located at 274 W Hanley and can be reached at 208-772-6081. Office hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00am-5:30pm. For a complete list of AAA-approved auto and auto body repair facilities, call 800-AAA-HELP or log on to www.AAA.com and click on Automotive.

KXLY Announces 30 in 30 Fitness Challenge

WHO: KXLY4 News Anchor, Dave Erickson
Ironman Triathlete

WHERE: Spokane area fitness club (Global Fitness and Oz Fitness)
Indoor Pool, Stationary Bike, Treadmill or Indoor Track

WHEN: September 1 - 30, 2008, everyday

WHY: To raise $30,000 for Cancer Patient Care, non-profit agency
100% of all money raised stays in the Inland Northwest.

Dave's "30 in 30" ... challenges the public to join his efforts by committing to 1, 5, 10 or all 30 triathlons during September and/or collect donations for it.

For Non-Triathletes: "30 Minutes of Exercise a Day, for 30 Days".

Donations / pledges can be made through www.cancerpatientcare.org
Daily updates, exercise & nutritional tips will be posted on Dave's KXLY4 blog
Corporate Sponsorship Recognition via Dave's KXLY4 blog.

Sunhine Celebration with Waddell & Reed

The Coeur d’Alene office of Waddell & Reed is hosting a ‘Sunshine Celebration!’ on August 8th from 3:00pm to 8:00pm at their office at 509 W. Hanley Ave, CdA. Free food, door prizes and giveaways will add to the live music and a chance to win a brand new Chevy Tahoe! Bring a friend and join the fun! Contact 208-765-1600 with any questions.

Mudgy and Millie Unveiled in September

The Celebration to Welcome Mudgy & Millie to Coeur d'Alene Saturday, September 13th, 2008 with the Premiere of Mudgy & Millie Children's Book and the Dedication of The Mudgy Moose Trail.

Mudgy the Moose and his playmate Millie the Mouse are whimsical creations from best selling author and Coeur d'Alene resident, Susan Nipp. With her vision and the assistance of renowned illustrator, Charles Reasoner, the two characters come to life in the new children's book, Mudgy & Millie.The hide-and-seek game depicted in the book will take form in the real world as a public art project - The Mudgy Trail.

While Mudgy the Moose ventures on his trail to find his missing friend, Millie the Mouse, children and their families can follow along through Coeur d'Alene helping Mudgy. The trail will be marked with five large bronze sculptures starting at Tubbs Hill traveling through Downtown Coeur d'Alene and ending lakeside at Independence Point. For more information and the full stroy of Mudgy and Millie please visit the official Mudgy and Millie Website.

And as always if you have any further questions, please feel free to call the Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce at (208) 664-3194.

Kroc Center Announces Marketing Position Available

The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center seeks an experienced Director of Sales and Marketing. Director is responsible to develop and implement marketing and public relations plans and a membership sales campaign for the center.

Qualified applicants must possess a bachelor's degree in marketing or public relations and 3-5 years experience in a related field.

Submit resumes to elaine.mansoor@usw.salvationarmy.org or 201 E. Harrison, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814 by August 15. Call (208)667-6301 for a job description.