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What's new in your business?

Have you opened a new business on the Kenai Peninsula, added a new product, moved to a new location, hired a new person or promoted an employee? The community wants to know, and so do we.

Send us your information at news@peninsulaclarion.com, fax it to 283-3299 or drop it off at the Clarion at 150 Trading Bay in Kenai. For more information, call 335-1241.

Chambers set schedules, events

* The Soldotna Chamber of Commerce's luncheon will be held at noon Tuesday at Froso's Restaurant. For more information, call Michelle Glaves at 262-9814.

Owners interested in spotlighting their business. May call Jessica at the chamber to request a luncheon speaker request form.

* The Kenai Chamber of Commerce meets at the Kenai Merit Inn on Willow Street. For more information, call Tina Baldridge at 283-7989.

The chamber and city of Kenai Parks and Recreation are requesting nominations for the Green Thumb Award, formerly known as the Garden of the Week. Recipients of the award will be recognized for their beautification efforts at their residence and/or business in Kenai. Nominations should be submitted through the Kenai Chamber of Commerce or the City of Kenai Parks and Recreation Department and are being accepted through September.

For more information call 283-3692.

* The Nikiski Chamber of Commerce meets at noon today at Nikiski Recreation Center. The featured speaker will be Representative Mike Chenault. For more information, call Scott Hamann at 776-7676.

Business After Hours event set

The Soldotna Chamber of Commerce will hold a Business After Hours event from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the Ischi Mall (Dairy Queen.) Networking opportunities, free food, drinks, and prizes are planned. For more information, call January Yeager at 262-9814 or e-mail January@soldotnachamber.com.

Kenai Oktoberfest slated

The Kenai Chamber of Commerce is seeking sponsorships, donations and volunteers for its annual beer and wine experience salted for Oct. 4. The theme will be Oktoberfest, complete with live music by Die Alaska Blaskapelle, dancing, food, beer and wine. Proceeds raised from the event will support the chamber. For more information, call 283-7989.

Quickbooks workshop offered

The Small Business Development Center 43335 Kalifornsky Beach Road, Suite 12 in the Red Diamond Center will hold "Getting Started with QuickBooks 2007" workshops from 5 to 9 p.m. at the center. Both courses cost $125.

QuickBooks basic workshop lessons one through 11 will be held Sept. 16 and 30 and Oct. 7.

QuickBooks advanced workshop lessons 12 through 15 will be held Sept. 9 and 23. There are 15 computers available. Prepayment of course fee is suggested to guarantee a computer. Fees are payable by check, cash or credit card.

For more information, call Bunny at 260-5629 or e-mail her at inblk@uaa.alaska.edu.

Forcum joins spa staff

Jody Forcum, a licensed massage therapist has joined the staff at Karlene's Acupuncture and Day Spa in Soldotna. Forcum will offer Swedish or hot stone massage and hydrotherapies.

Entrepreneur workshop slated

The Small Business Development Center 43335 Kalifornsky Beach Road, Suite 12 in the Red Diamond Center will hold an entrepreneurial training program.

The 12-topic course will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays beginning Sept. 23 and ending Dec. 16. The fee is $750 including course material. A spouse or business associate will be half price.

Topics will cover how to identify new opportunities to market your business, understand and organize business finances, learn how to get funding and how to network with experienced professionals.

For more information, call Bunny at 260-5629.

Batter named America's Best

Renee Orians and Jack Holmquist, owners of the Anchor Point based Alaskan Gourmet Batter was awarded first place for its Coconut Batter in the America's Best Professional Food Competition held Aug. 15 in California in the baked goods or mixes category.

More than 300 judges sampled products through a series of blind tastings.

The company also received the Fish Alaska Magazine Gold Award Best of the Best 2007 it its original batter mix. For more information, call 907-235-2077.

Financial workshops planned

Free financial education workshops will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at 265 N. Binkley in Soldotna. Topics will be goal setting and planning, budgeting, pay yourself first, credit worthiness, understanding compound interest, good debt vs. bad debt, buying a car and home, protecting your family and predatory lending.

For more information or for an appointment call Cathy VanCauwenbergh, financial literacy specialist RurAL CAP, at 260-3451 or e-mail cvancauwenbergh@ruralcap.com.

To submit items to the Business page, e-mail them to news@peninsulaclarion.com or fax them to 283-3299. The deadline for submissions is Monday at 5 p.m.