1. Create opportunities within the business community for the discussion of timely education issues.      
  

2. Communicate information about education issues to the Public Policy Committee and provide position statements for key issues.
 
 

3. Recognize and promote excellence in education, in part through:

               Partnership Recognition (A+ Education Award)
               Scholarship Awards, Scholars Breakfast 
               New Educator Reception
                Senior Projects

       D.    Identify the training and education needs of the business
                 community and work to ensure that those needs are met.

                   K Tec
                   Work on a soft skills program

Come meet two local authors who will share their books with us.  

George A. Brinkmann wrote "Origins of Christianity, distinguishing between sacred history and historical reality",Origins of Christianity gives the historical background for many of the events before and after the birth of Jesus. The author addresses many questions that are often asked.

Helena L. Rouhe with share her memoir "Front Row Seats to Crazy", the story of Rouhe’s loss, how she survives her grief, and the indelible impact her parents had on her—and on all those with whom they shared their lives.

The Chamber's Natural Resource Committee invites the community to participate in their Annual Osprey Cruise where passengers will be able to view an osprey family on the nest while touring Cougar Bay on a 2-story cruise boat piloted by Captain Carl Fus of Coeur d’Alene Cruises.  

Dr. Wayne Melquist, PhD, retired Idaho Department of Fish & Game wildlife biologist, will be banding baby osprey chicks from a ladder in a boat alongside the piling and nest.  He is the foremost authority on Idaho Osprey with over 30 years of experience banding and tracking these special fish hawks, native to North Idaho waters.  He will give a talk about the osprey afterwards, answering questions from those onboard.  

Wildlife and waterfowl experts from the BLM and Audubon will also provide information and answer questions, including having mounted bird displays and other exhibits.  If the conditions allow, there may also be a chance to see live birds on display by Beth Paragamian, wildlife and bird specialist with the BLM and IDF&G educational programs.

Cruise participants will also have a chance to learn about other environmental and “green” topics related to the lake and its surroundings.  Presenters with the Coeur d’Alene Lake Management Plan and Coeur d’Alene Basin Watershed Protection programs will be aboard to talk about water quality of the lake and its watersheds.  They will have displays and will be available to answer questions from all those on board.

It has been said that this is the only place in the world where a wildlife cruise of this type with sighting of osprey in their habitat and banding of fledgling chicks can be observed..  It is always a treat and often other birds are seen as well, including cormorants, varieties of ducks, grebes, and possibly eagles, which have had a nest overlooking the protected bay.  

On board presenters will include:
Beth Paragamian and Phil Cooper, public information specialist with the IDF&G,
Jana Paronto and Cary Hugo with the BLM
Kris Buchler bird identification specialist, local chapter of the Audubon Society,
Ed Hagland and Sue Flammia with the Cougar Bay Osprey Protection Association
Sandy Emerson representing the Idaho Fish & Wildlife Foundation

These and other speakers will provide information about the osprey, an orientation of the public land in the bay and new trails and other amenities, as well as other topics.

Boarding: begins at 8:30am. Cruise will depart from the east side of the Coeur d'Alene Resort boardwalk by Tubbs Hill and McEuen Park.
Departure/Return: Cruise departs promptly at 9:00am and returns at 11:00am
Parking: There is 2 hours free parking at the McEuen Park parking garage off of Front street.
Cost: Adults $15, children 12 and under are free with a paying adult.
Family rate: $35 for two adults and 3 children up to 18.
Seniors/students: $10.

The cruise is limited to 150 persons. RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED!
Morning coffee or a breakfast snack is available for purchase onboard.
Reservations are required. Call the Coeur d'Alene Chamber and reserve your space. 208.664.3194.
Please allow adequate time for boarding. 

Tony Rubleski is the bestselling creator of the Mind Capture book series. He is also an in-demand keynote speaker, strategic business coach, and global event promoter.  His work has been featured in various media outlets ranging from Bottom Line Magazine, The Detroit Free Press, the FOX TV network, ABC, to CNN Radio, NPR and Entrepreneur Magazine Radio. He’s a 1994 graduate of Western Michigan University with a degree in marketing and has also been a faculty member and instructor with the U.S Chamber of Commerce (IOM) and CEO Space International. His core expertise and message is designed to help people ‘Capture’ more minds and profits.

Diane Gardner, Your Tax Coach, is a best-selling author and a Quilly Award recipient. She is also a Certified Tax Coach and an Enrolled Agent.

Diane’s expertise lies in the area of tax planning. Her goal is to make sure successful entrepreneurs across the United States are paying the least amount of income tax they can legally pay. As a tax coach, she offers a FREE tax analysis for those interested in finding out if they are overpaying their income taxes.  Her goal is to save taxes one business at a time through the use of pro-active tax planning.

Christine Carbo is the author of The Wild Inside and Mortal Fall (Atria Books/Simon and Schuster). After earning a pilot’s license, pursuing various adventures in Norway, and working a brief stint as a flight attendant, she got an MA in English and linguistics and taught college-level courses. She still teaches, in a Christine Carbo is the author of The Wild Inside and Mortal Fall (Atria Books/Simon and Schuster). After earning a pilot’s license, pursuing various adventures in Norway, and working a brief stint as a flight attendant, she got an MA in English and linguistics and taught college-level courses. She still teaches, in a vastly different realm, as the owner of a Pilates studio. A Florida native, she and her family live in Whitefish, Montana.

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Join us at Washington Trust Bank, located at 218 Lakeside Ave. (corner of 3rd and Lakeside) for this month's Business After Hours. WTB's Mobile Bank BBQ will be on hand serving sliders and fruit. The Post Falls Brewing Company has donated some beer, and there will be live music. This will be a great way to ease yourself in to the weekend!

Stop by and check out the fun, and remember to bring your business cards for the drawings.