As seniors at the Fairwinds-Northpointe retirement center eat their meals in a large dining room, general manager Bob Krentel often plays old tunes for them on a nearby baby grand piano.I play America, The Beautiful every morningthats

Innovation and risk-taking are qualities that mark a successful entrepreneur. Theyre also qualities that are important to the growth of the economy, representatives of Gonzaga University and Eastern Washington University say. Accordingly, in

Pitney Bowes Inc.s Spokane customer-contact center knows its business: Answer phone calls from customers across the nation and tell them how to fix Pitney Bowes office products. The Stamford, Conn.-based company didnt, however, know the way

Hecla Mining Co.s Central and South American mining properties continue to light the way for the Coeur dAlene-based companys financial rebound. Hecla says its San Sebastian property in Mexico, for example, was its star performer in a

Silver Bell Corp., of Spokane, will close its Twenty-Four Frames Cinema in Cheney next month, says Laura Boenheim-Ulyatt, the companys president of operations.Despite replacing all of the theaters projection equipment, installing new and at

Travis and Peggy Camp, of Spokane, have bought the assets of Dicks Suzuki Inc., a longtime Spokane Valley motor-sports dealership, from founders Dick and Pat Ascol for an undisclosed sum.Travis Camp is the son of longtime Spokane auto dealer

Washington state now has certified 13 Spokane-area businesses to participate in the community-empowerment zone established here two years ago, says Mark Turner, president of the Spokane Area Economic Development Council.Triumph Composite Inc.,

The Spokane Public Facilities District board plans to name a general contractor-construction manager for the Spokane Convention Center expansion project on June 17, says Kevin Twohig, the districts executive director.Representatives of eight

R.A. Pearson Co., the Spokane-based designer and manufacturer of packaging machinery, has secured a contract with Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. to make 80 new machines for the soft-drink bottler. The machines will help Coca-Cola efficiently its in

The Coeur dAlene School District is gearing up to start a $23 million, four-year capital-improvement planan ambitious roster of construction projects that includes replacing Hayden Lake Elementary and modernizing Lakes Middle School.Coeur a