Romanian couple, son offering antiques
Petre and Angela Maianu are offering a collection of antiques, some several-hundred-years-old, in association with Walk on Wood Hardwood Floors.
The flooring business is owned and operated by their son, Jerry Maianu.
Angela Maianu said she and her husband, Petre, currently operate Armonie Art & Antiques at 108 South Main Ave. in Aztec, but they would like to open a shop in Durango. Unfortunately, a search for affordable space to lease in Durango has proved fruitless, she said. The couple continues to search for the right Durango location.
Petre Maianu said the couple fled Communist Romania in 1979 after his brother defected to the United States, and he was told he could no longer work as a pilot on international flights to the West.
Chamber to host Tuesday Talk soon
The Durango Chamber of Commerce will host Tuesday Talk at 7:45 a.m. Aug. 4 at Carver Brewing Co., 1022 Main Ave.
This is a casual networking event. “Is your workforce leaving?” will be the topic of discussion. Participants will learn options and solutions regarding their workforce. Reservations are required.
To register, visit www.durangobusiness.org or call 247-0312.
Small-business center to hold discussion
The Southwest Colorado Small Business Development Center will offer “A New Approach to Community Development: Connecting Our Assets to the Market” workshop from 2:15 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Ol’Pinion, 123 Colorado Highway 491 in Dove Creek.
This workshop features Ines Polonius, who is the CEO of Communities Unlimited Inc., a nonprofit that assists rural communities in economic development through asset building. The public is invited.
Polonius will focus on the culture and goals of Dove Creek while looking at the assets that can be developed. Polonius also will discuss successful economic-development efforts in places she has worked in the South.
For more information, visit www.communitiesu.org.
Managers workshop program available
The La Plata County Economic Development Alliance and P4 Consulting have partnered to offer a Professional Development Program for managers in the Four Corners.
The program, to be launched this fall, was developed by P4 Consulting and will provide the same training found at Duke University, Denver University and other business schools. The program is designed for frontline and mid-level managers, enabling them to grow into better and more advanced leaders within a company.
Using experiential and practical training techniques, the program will build from personal management styles, to mastering team leadership and organizational effectiveness. The 48-hour course, occurring over nine classes, will take place from Oct. 8 to March 18. The courses will be held in Durango.
For more information, visit http://p4consult.com/masterful-leadership/professional-development-program.
First National Bank announces hires
First National Bank of Durango announces these new hires:
Rebecca Robbins is a new account services representative. She is a Colorado resident and graduated this spring from Fort Lewis College with a degree in accounting.
Margaret Gillette has joined the team as a universal banker at the main office. She recently moved to Durango from Phoenix, Arizona, where she was working as an elementary school music teacher.
For more information, visit www.fnbdurango.com.
Tafoya Barrett adds staff member
Tafoya Barrett and Associates PC welcomes Alicia Siow as a new staff member to its accounting team.
Siow is a recent graduate of the Fort Lewis College School of Business Administration. While at FLC, Siow was a dean’s list honoree, a member of Beta Alpha Psi and a volunteer for Tax Help Colorado. Before attending FLC, she attended Diné College, where she was involved in the Associated Students of Diné College as a member, treasurer and senator.
Tafoya Barrett and Associates PC is at 150 East Ninth St., Suite 300. For more information, call 259-8000 or visit www.tafoyabarrett.com.
Spa Evo adds massage therapist
Spa Evo announces the addition of Lauren Faller, LMT to its staff.
A licensed massage therapist, she has been practicing massage for five years and specializes in sports massage, deep tissue and stress reduction. She enjoys working with clients to tailor treatments that meet their needs. An avid runner, she enjoys bringing her personal and professional experience to helping runners maximize performance and stay healthy. She has advanced training in sports injuries.
Faller is available from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. For more information, call 259-0226 or visit www.spaevo.com.
Local First preparing coupon book
Local First, a nonprofit business alliance for La Plata County, is preparing to publish its annual Be Local coupon book, which showcases locally owned, independent businesses.
Businesses can apply for membership ($150 per year), and consider participation in the book by visiting www.local-first.org or by calling 799-6618. The Be Local Book is published as a service to members, and as an educational outreach to the community. Businesses should let Local First know they are participating by July 31.
Legal workshop offered to managers
The Durango Area Human Resource Managers will hold its annual Employment Law Update from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 27 at the DoubleTree Hotel, 501 Camino del Rio.
This is DAHRM’s premier training event, featuring Michael Santo from Bechtel & Santo LLC. Topics will include: legislative law update, dealing with the troubled employee, the “new” discrimination laws – understanding and preventing emerging bases for claims of discrimination and harassment, employee handbooks, managing and responding to invisible disabilities in the workplace and unemployment claims. The seminar includes snacks and lunch by the DoubleTree. Tickets sell out quickly.
To register, visit www.dahrm.org/meetings.htm.
Home Builders donate to Habitat
The Home Builders Association of Southwest Colorado board of directors made a donation of $11,296.72 to Habitat for Humanity of La Plata County on July 9 at its annual membership appreciation event.
This check represents shared proceeds of the annual Contractor’s Yard Sale which took place June 20 at Three Springs subdivision.
La Plata Electric announces promotion
Morgan Carey, a staking engineer with La Plata Electric Association, has been named as land-rights administrator. He will assume the position upon the retirement of Randy Ferris, who has held the position for 22 years.
As land-rights administrator, Carey will work with large property owners on right-of-way negotiations to allow LPEA easements for its equipment, while also overseeing environmental and cultural studies on pending construction.
Originally from Fort Collins, Carey relocated to Durango to be a part of the LPEA’s staking engineer apprenticeship program in 2006.
For more information, visit www.lpea.coop.
LPEA employee begins training
Ashley Tokarczyk, a La Plata Electric Association accounting clerk, has been named to the firm’s apprentice staking engineer program – a four-year training endeavor that will ultimately lead to a full-time position as a staking engineer with the electric cooperative.
LPEA’s “stakers” work with the cooperative’s member-customers on design and layout of the power lines for their properties or projects.
Tokarczyk joined LPEA as a billing clerk in May 2013. She was named accounting clerk in September 2014.
For more information, visit www.lpea.coop.
Herald Staff
