The telephone excise tax has finally been disconnected. First imposed in 1898 to help fund the Spanish-American War, the 3% tax on long-distance calls may be refunded to small business owners, thanks to an IRS decision to follow the five federal appeals courts' holdings that the tax does not apply to long-distance service as it's billed  today. "Those interested in claiming the refund may either provide documentation on how much the tax cost them during ... [full story]

Two Oregon State University College of Business students have launched a business to market a product that assists adults and children with cerebral palsy. Jeremy Trebelhorn, a junior specializing in Management Information Systems, designed the support device called the Spencer SkyArm. Tyler Gerding, a sophomore specializing in Entrepreneurship, manages the business aspects of their venture, called 26th Street Technologies. The two presented their business and the SkyArm model to the honors section of the Introduction ... [full story]

Bri Bridges, a multi-media and graphic design major with a minor in marketing and advertising, has joined Sublime Design as Senior Art Director. Bridges has a multi-faceted background that allows her the ingenuity to identify distinct marketing and media requirements, and carry through the design and implementation process. She has worked with a wealth of clients including: The Department of Justice (OAPM), Hollywood Video, and Taco Time International during their Brand Renaissance. Bridges says she ... [full story]

Bruce Daucsavage and Manco L. Snapp, Jr. have recently joined Bend Memorial Clinic’s Board of Directors, according to the Clinic’s CEO, Marvin Lein. Daucsavage, President of Ochoco Lumber and an Oregon resident, currently also serves on boards for Western Wood Products Association, Oregon Forest Industries Council and Oregon Business Council. He also participates in the Oregon Business Council’s Health Care Task Force and the Central Oregon Health Collaborative.  Snapp, whose experience is primarily in manufacturing in ... [full story]

Les Schwab Tire Centers recently named Dick Borgman its new Chief Executive Officer. Phil Wick remains the company's chairman. Les Schwab also has announced it will be moving its corporate offices from Prineville, Ore., to Bend, Ore. Borgman, 51, previously was president for the Les Schwab Holding Company Division. He has worked closely with Wick and company founder Les Schwab during the last 16 years. "Both the board of directors and the Schwab family have ... [full story]

UNICOM has announced the hiring of Christopher Edmonds to the position of Director of Sales and Customer Support.Mr. Edmonds has extensive business experience in the high-tech arena, most recently as Director of Sales and Support at EID Passport, a Portland-based corporation providing security applications to government military bases. During his 16 year career, he has also directed sales and customer service teams for such firms as NTT/Verio; YOU Networks; Voicestream Wireless and Nextel Communications. ... [full story]

Governor Ted Kulongoski was joined by the Oregon Workforce Investment Board (OWIB) today for the release of his strategic plan to transform Oregon’s workforce education and training system to ensure that Oregonians have access to the training they need – and Oregonians have the highly skilled workforce they need to compete in a global economy.  The plan, titled “Winning in the Global Marketplace,” was developed by OWIB at the Governor’s direction in partnership with leaders in ... [full story]

Joe Kearney has been named Director of Sales for the new Bend luxury resort "Tetherow". A five year resident of Bend, Kearney brings more than 14 years of sales and management experience in destination resort and exclusive amenity properties to the Tetherow sales team. He has previously worked at Ford’s Colony, Williamsburg, VA; Pronghorn, Bend OR; The Ginn Company, Port St. Lucie, FL and The Greenbrier Resort Sporting Club, White Sulphur Springs, WV. The 700 acre ... [full story]

Prineville Bancorporation, parent company for Community First Bank, reported that its Board of Directors has declared a five percent (5%) stock dividend. The dividend will be payable December 15 to all shareholders of record on December 5, 2006. “This will be the sixteenth consecutive year that we have paid a dividend to our shareholders,” stated Robin B. Freeman, President & CEO. “As previously reported, our earnings continue to break 26-year company records with year-to-date net ... [full story]

Grocery Outlet Inc. celebrates the Grand Opening of their newest store in Prineville, Oregon on Friday, December 8th, with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 5 p.m.  To mark the occasion, the Redmond Grocery Outlet joins in the celebration by offering its own festivities. Characteristic of Grocery Outlet’s style, the grand opening celebrations will continue at both locations, with the Redmond store celebrating its 33rd Anniversary. The festivities will continue throughout the weekend of December 9th ... [full story]

London is abloom today with bustling bars and stylish saloons. The cocktail safari has replaced the pubcrawl as a civilized way to drink in the charms of this, the most electric city in the English-speaking world. China Tang, a sleek, new, high-voltage Asian bistro-bar, recently opened in the venerable Dorchester Hotel to rave reviews. The Dorch is hip? Why not? The fabled British pubs perched on almost every corner, now all owned by breweries, are ... [full story]

“Will you take our pennies if we buy something?” asked the young girl, shopping after school at Forever Christmas, a new gift and crafts store in rural Christmas Valley, Oregon. She and her friend had been saving their pennies all year to spend on holiday gifts. “None of the other stores will take our pennies,” she reported. Judy Lynch and Lindy Simmons opened Forever Christmas Gifts and More last May. The women shared more than ... [full story]

Sublime Design Group of Central Oregon recently announced the addition of a new member to their team. Carrie Hebert will help with strategic marketing projects, including Internet marketing and Web site development. She has experience in every aspect of marketing and public relations working for high tech companies, including channel program management, product management, strategic marketing, partner relationship management, e-commerce and Web site development. During the rise of Internet business, Hebert produced and hosted her ... [full story]