Business briefs

Faces and places

Tom Harper, of Stephens Real Estate, earned the nationally recognized real estate designation of Graduate Realtor Institute. To achieve the title, a real estate professional must be a member of the national, state and local board/association of Realtors and complete 90 hours of advanced course work.

¢

Dr. Arthur Queen and Dr. Sharon Michel Green, both of Lawrence, received honors during the 2003 Kansas Optometric Assn. Convention in Topeka. Queen was awarded the Distinguished Service Award for meritorious and faithful service to the profession and residents of Kansas. Green was the recipient of the Outstanding Young Optometrist of the Year Award for her contributions to the profession and public service as secretary-treasurer of the State Board of Examiners in Optometry.

Optometrists were able to receive continuing education on the latest developments in eyecare for re-licensure. Lawrence optometrists who attended were: Curtis Anderson, Brent Crandon, Elizabeth Crandon, Steven Flory, Terry Hilmes, Gary Joyce, Darrell Smith, and Arliss Stebbins.

¢

Charlton-Manley CEO Gary Sollars, Lawrence, recently attended the Agency Peak Performance Exchange Executive Symposium for Performance in Cleveland. Charlton-Manley was recognized as an APPEX Top 25 Percent Performer.

¢

Alan Bowes, executive director of Tenants to Homeowners Inc., received certification as a housing development finance professional from the National Development Council. Certification is a designation given to individuals who successfully complete an intensive housing development finance training series that is conducted by NDC.

¢

US Bank has established a special financial assistance program to aid residents and businesses suffering damages from the recent tornadoes and severe weather in the Kansas City Metro area. The storm damage assistance program will include special home equity loans, personal loans and small business loans.

Donations to the American Red Cross Tornado Relief Fund also can be made at any area US Bank location.

Honors and awards

Lawrence Orthopaedic Surgery employees Ginger Heere and Brenda Billings recently received awards at the annual Kansas Society of Radiological Technologists Convention. Heere received first place award and the Most Outstanding Radiograph of Film Competition. Billings placed second in the film category. The awards are based on quality, technical excellence, patient positioning and darkroom technical excellence.

Coming events

The monthly meeting of the Twilight Chapter of American Business Women’s Assn. will be at 6:30 p.m. May 19 at the American Legion, 3408 W. Sixth St. Networking will take place from 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The cost of the dinner buffet is $10.

Shannon Abrahamson, a certified public accountant with SS&C Business and Tax Services, will present information regarding retirement planning. Election of officers will be conducted.

For more information or to make a reservation, contact Val Kampfer, chapter president, at 842-0301 or Paula Commons, membership chairwoman, at 749-8102.

¢

Bonita Yoder will present a seminar “Fearless Real Estate Investing for Women” from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 17 at the Learning for Life Center, 1709 SW Randolph Ave. in Topeka.

Yoder, a real estate broker and attorney, recently participated in a Millionaire Real Estate Mastermind group in Austin, Texas, with more than 40 investors from around the country.

The cost is $125. For registration or information, contact BonitaLaw@aol.com or call 842 2268.

¢

Businesses have until June 6 to file applications for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration. The loans are available for businesses dependent on farmers and ranchers sustaining crop losses due to drought, severe storms, tornadoes, flooding and excessive wind that has occurred since Jan. 1, 2001.

Business in the following area counties are eligible to apply: Douglas, Jefferson, Johnson, Leavenworth and Shawnee. Applications and more information can be obtained by calling the SBA at (800) 366-6303.

¢

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius has proclaimed May 10-18 to be Kansas Tourism Week. The proclamation recognizes tourism as a major Kansas industry, one that is vital to the economic development of the state. Tourism expenditures benefit small and large Kansas communities in both rural and urban areas.

Many businesses and attractions are offering special activities, discounts, extended hours and free gifts for local visitors to help them “rediscover” their communities’ treasures during Kansas Tourism Week. For a complete listing of Kansas Tourism Week activities, go to www.travelks.com and click on the Kansas Tourism Week Events link.