TECHNOLOGY

Breault expands tutorial, offers 3-for-2 incentive

Breault Research is offering a group discount on upcoming advanced ASAP Optical Software Tutorials.

The company has expanded the Roland Shack Tutorial Room at the company’s headquarters and installed new computers at each of the student workstations.

A company may send three attendees to the same advanced tutorial before the end of July for the price of two, which is a savings of $2,000.

The following advanced ASAP Optical Software Tutorials are available to clients and prospects worldwide and qualify for the promotional offer:

• Wave Optics Tutorial (advanced), May 13-15

• Automotive Illumination (advanced), July 22-24

The entire schedule of tutorials and registration forms are online at www.breault.com/training/training-schedule.php

YWCA, Microsoft, Motorola join for girls’ techie camp

The YWCA, the Tucson Gear Up Project, Microsoft and Motorola teamed up to implement Techie Camp as part of an after-school program for 8th grade girls at Chaparral Middle School.

Techie Camp was held April 22. The workshop taught the Gear Up students how to build a computer while learning valuable skills such as teamwork and problem solving. Motorola donated the computer equipment and teaching time for the students. Working computers were disassembled prior to the workshop and, with instruction from Ken Mystrom of AZStRUT, the girls reassembled the computers as they learned the role of each component.

Not only does the program expose the girls to these tools, but each of the girls will be able to take home the computer that she reassembled with software donated by Microsoft.

SMALL BUSINESS

ASBA launches blog site for small business owners

Arizona small business owners can now share thoughts and ideas without burning gas or fighting traffic.

The Arizona Small Business Association has launched www.asbablogs.com, an online forum that gives small business operators and employees a way to discuss issues important to them via a blog.

"ASBA communities and roundtables in Phoenix and Tucson have long-been popular forums for discussions among Arizona business owners," said ASBA CEO Joan Koerber-Walker.

The new blog site includes key topics including entrepreneurship, success, innovation, technology, smart strategies, legislation and policy, healthcare, and other issues that impact small business.

LEGAL

Lewis and Roca merges with Sierra Patent Group

The law firm of Lewis and Roca LLP completed its partnership with the attorneys of Sierra Patent Group Ltd. The combined group will continue to do business under the Lewis and Roca name.

The partnership with the Sierra Patent Group allows Lewis and Roca LLP to expand its capabilities in the areas of Intellectual Property, and more specifically Patent, Copyright and Trademark specialties

RETAIL

Southwest Strings opens new instrument testing studio

Southwest Strings, 1721 S. Cherrybell Stravenue, now has a first-class studio for musicians to try out the store’s instruments.

Featuring over 27,000 square feet of warehouse space allowing the company to carry a large variety of instruments, bows, accessories, sheet music and cases for the stringed instrument enthusiasts. The store has finished construction of a new fine instrument studio that will allow customers of any age or skill level to shop for an instrument or bow in a private and comfortable area, said President Steve Sheppard.

"We’ve long realized how we wanted our musicians and guests to have the best place to play and listen to our stringed instruments, and we have now been able to restructure space to build this studio for them," Sheppard said, adding that the studio is fully functional with ample space for the musicians and their guests, but small enough to make visitors feel at home.

Retail store hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. The store’s customer service phone number is 1-800-723-6900, ext. 213.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Tucson ranks No.10 for vehicle theft

For the second consecutive year, the Tucson area ranks No. 10 among areas with the highest rates of vehicle theft, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s 2008 Hot Spots and Hot Wheels Report.

The Phoenix area ranked No. 8 on the list, down four spots from last year.

HEALTH CARE

El Rio’s birth center gets its own sonogram

El Rio Clinic’s Birth & Women’s Health Center purchased a new sonogram machine paid for with $72,000 that was started with a $20,000 a challenge grant from Diamond Family Philanthropies in August.

After that a family stepped forward with a gift of $25,000 and the rest came in donations from 35 others.

On-site sonograms at the health center will eliminate an extra off site appointment.

SERVICES

A-Message-on-Hold celebrates 20 years

A-Message-on-Hold is celebrating its 20th anniversary this month.

The company creates, produces and delivers custom messages that can play while customers are waiting on the phone.

Bob Creager, co-founder and CEO of A-Message-on-Hold, said the company now has customers in 27 cities in nine states.

A-Message-on-Hold is headquartered at 888 S. Craycroft Road, Suite 110. The website is www.amohsd.com/ or call (520) 323-1244.

KUDOS

Dodge dealers win Charger Club awards

Tucson Dodge, 4220 E. 22nd St., and Jim Click Dodge, 850 W. Auto Mall Drive, both received the 2007 Dodge Charger Club Award from Chrysler for selling at least 1,000 cars or trucks during the calendar year.

Steven Landry, executive vice president of North American sales for Chrysler, said the award has been given out annually for 40 years and represents dealers that are "now recognized as one of the best in the country."

The awards were given to 82 dealerships in ceremonies April 20 – 23 in Naples, Fla. Chrysler-Jeep dealers who qualified won a similar award but no Southern Arizona dealerships were named.

JW Marriott Starr Pass wins top travel award

JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa was named a 2007 Spirit of Excellence Premier Partner by Carlson Marketing. JW Marriott Starr Pass was one of 16 travel industry companies in the world to receive this honor.

The Spirit of Excellence recognition program establishes standards, provides criteria to evaluate against those standards, and gives feedback and constructive advice for Carlson’s clients.

EVENTS

26 local artists showcased at first annual Flower Power

Works from 26 regional artists will be auctioned off at the first annual Flower Power event at 6 p.m. Saturday (May 3) at the Peter and Paula Fasseas Cancer Clinic, 3838 N. Campbell Ave.

The gala evening, celebrating the spirit of the 60s, will raise funds to go toward the completion of an infusion treatment center at the clinic.

Tucson Originals chefs will serve signature dishes, along with complementary wines. Both a live and silent auction will be held, featuring mostly flower-themed works from the 26 featured artists.

Tickets to Flower Power are $175 per person, a portion of which is tax-deductible. Purchase tickets online at www.umcarizona.org or call (520) 694-6088.

Better Business Bureau hosts ‘Secure Your ID’ day

The Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona invites small businesses and consumers to take the first critical step in identity protection during its national BBB "Secure Your ID" day May 3.

Events will run concurrently from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at two locations:

• The Springs at Williams Centre, 434 S. Williams Blvd.

• 956 E. Fry Blvd., Sierra Vista.

Participants should bring documents containing personal identifiers they want destroyed and the BBB will shred them on-the-spot, for $10 per filled box. Proceeds will support the free community services provided by BBB, including complaint conciliation, consumer education, scam alerts, and Military Line programs at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and Fort Huachuca.

Arizona continues to lead the nation in the number of reported identity theft cases, according to the Federal Trade Commission. BBB "Secure Your ID" Day is designed to provide a quick, secure and affordable way to decrease the risk of theft.

Crystal Apple Awards honors business and education ties

The 18th Annual Crystal Apple Awards honoring individuals, businesses, and programs that contribute to excellence in education in Tucson and Pima County will be presented May 7 at the DoubleTree Hotel at Reid Park, 445 S. Alvernon Way.

Tickets for the luncheon are $55 per person or $550 for a table of 10. To make reservations e-mail metcom@theriver.com or call (520) 670-0055.

Money raised goes to benefit programs administered by the Metropolitan Education Commission.