The University of Washington Tacoma and The Evergreen State College are among the top 15 percent of colleges, universities and trade schools offering opportunities and support for military veterans, according to the Military Friendly Schools list released today by G.I. Jobs.

Schools on the list range from state universities and private colleges to community colleges and trade schools. The common bond is their shared priority of recruiting students with military experience.

Thurston County Chamber of Commerce and the Seattle District SBA are hosting a seminar about how to get a loan to start, expand or buy a small business from 1 to 2 p.m. July 20 at 809 Legion Way SE, Olympia. Call (360) 357-3362  to register.

The Lakewood Chamber of Commerce is hosting a military affairs meeting at 8 a.m. July 20 at Burs Restaurant. Call (253) 582-9400 for more information.

The 15th Annual Puget Sound Bead Festival is scheduled for July 9-11 at the Hotel Murano's Bicentennial Pavilion, 1302 Broadway, Tacoma. The festival includes vendors, artists & bead merchants and artisans from across the country, bringing beads from all around the world. Admission is $7 for all three days. Click here for more information, or call The Bead Factory at (253)-572-5529, ext. 121, or (888) 500-BEAD.

The South Sound Partners for Philanthropy is hosting its annual Summer Fiesta at 4 p.m. July 12 at the Schmidt Mansion in Tumwater. The Summer Fiesta is open to all South Sound nonprofit agencies that are interested in learning more about South Sound Partners. For more information contact Ryan Betz at (360) 956-0755.

Pierce College has been recognized by Military Times Edge magazine as one of the 50 Most Popular Colleges in its June/July issue.
 
The school ranked 14th based on where active-duty military use their tuition assistance benefits. The data used in the ranking was provided by the Air Force, Army, Army National Guard, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.

Individual help with foreclosure issues will be available to the public at an upcoming free foreclosure workshop at 11 a.m. June 5 at the Best Western Park Plaza Hotel, 620 S. Hill Park Drive. Attendees should plan to bring current photo identification and Social Security number, last two years of W-2's and the most current tax return, last two pay stubs and two months worth of bank statements, complete file for first and/or second mortgage, and other account balances and monthly payment information. Click here for more information.

The Arts Commission of the City of Olympia is hosting a community arts roundtable at 6 p.m. June 7 in the Timberland Library meeting room, 313 8th Ave. SE. The topic is art record keeping, including cataloging artwork and basic information about digital images.  Speakers include Susan Rohrer and Domenico Spatola-Knoll. For more information, call  Stephanie Johnson at (360) 709-2678.

Allyn Hughes has earned Certified Financial Planner and Chartered Life Underwriter designations. He is a partner with Brooks, Hughes & Jones, a registered investment advisory firm in Old Town, Tacoma.

Tacoma artist Lisa Kinoshita is the winner of The Greater Tacoma Community Foundation's third annual "Foundation of Art Award." She is the founder and owner of Mineral, a metals studio and art gallery. Her work can be seen in exhibitions throughout the Pacific Northwest and has been featured in local and national media outlets including Seattle Magazine, Seattle Metropolitan, Elle and The New York Times.

Adam Torem has been named the 2010 Howard O. Scott Citizen-Soldier of the Year by the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber. A lieutenant colonel in the Air Force Reserve, Torem works for the state Utilities and Transportation Commission and is assigned to Elmendorf AFB, Alaska.

Kelly Keplinger has joined the Tacoma Regional Convention and Visitor Bureau as special projects coordinator. She is a graduate of University of Washington with a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary arts and science.

The expected return of 18,000 troops beginning during May will strengthen multifamily markets around Joint Base Lewis-McChord, according to Tom Cain of Apartment Insights.

Based on his company's first quarter results, Pierce County has recovered a bit since the impact of troop deployment that began during the third quarter of last year.

The Washington State Procurement Technical Assistance Center has received the Association of PTAC 2010 Outstanding Center Award.  

The success of the Washington State PTAC is largely attributed to quality subcenters like the center in Thurston County, which is in Lacey at the Thurston Economic Development Council and serves Clark, Cowlitz, Lewis, Skamania and Thurston counties.

The Puyallup South Hill Rotary Club is sponsoring an evening of food, wine and unique auction items from 5 to 8 p.m. April 17 at the Pavilion in Pioneer Park. This year's theme is rodeo. Tickets are $30 per person or $200 for a table of eight, and can be purchased from a member of the club or by calling (253) 224-5615. All proceeds will benefit the Helping Hand House. Click here for more information.

The Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber's next Military Affairs Forum is scheduled for 7:30 to 9 a.m. April 19 at La Quinta Inn & Suites Conference Center, 1425 E. 27th St., Tacoma. The cost is $15 through today and $20 at the door. Register online or call Monique Shields at (253) 627-2175.

Pease Construction has completed renovation of Building 2025 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

The three-story structure was originally completed during 1939 and was last updated 55 years ago.

The Arts Commission of the City of Olympia invites local artists and arts organizations to join a free monthly community arts roundtable that will give participants the opportunity to exchange ideas, share experiences and create strong local support for their work.  The next meeting is at 6 p.m. March 1 in the Olympia Timberland Library meeting room, 313 8th Ave SE.  The topic is Costume Design and the guest speaker is Mishka Navarre-Huff, costume shop manager at the University of Puget Sound. 

Saint Martin's University is hosting a Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges – Army Department on March 2 at the University's Norman Worthington Conference Center. The one-day workshop will discuss elements of degree networks, outreach, recruiting, and "after service" opportunities. The workshop will be limited to 70 institutional attendees so advance registration is recommended. For more information, or to sign up,  contact Judith Loomer or Cruz Arroyo.

Chef Bill Trudnowski and wife, Monique, owners of Tacoma's Adriatic Grill, Italian Cuisine & Wine Bar, have established a scholarship endowment that will help fund Clover Park's Culinary Arts Program.  To launch the endowment, the eatery is having a "Party for Culinary Arts Education" from 6:30 to 11 p.m. Feb. 27 at  4201 South Steele St. The event includes food stations, hand-passed appetizers, a selection of complimentary wine, beer and nonalcoholic beverages. Guests must be 21 to attend. Tickets to the event are $100/per guest. Call:  (253) 475-6000 (RSVP is required). A no-host full bar will also be available for guests.

The Arts Commission of the City of Olympia invites local artists and arts organizations to join a free monthly community arts roundtable that will have participants exchanging ideas, sharing experiences and creating strong local support for their work. The next meeting is at 6 p.m. March 1 in the Olympia Timberland Library meeting room, 313 8th Ave SE.  The topic is Costume Design and the guest speaker is Mishka Navarre-Huff, costume shop manager at the University of Puget Sound.

The Business Examiner's first Who's Who? event provided the opportunity for about 120 South Sound business professionals to mingle and network with each other.

The mixer also celebrated the BE's 2010 Book of Lists. The event's participants were offered opportunities to get informed about the benefits of using the Book of Lists and to meet the Business Examiner's new editor, Mike Boyd.

Vadium Technology Inc. is entering into a sales agent and reseller agreement with Grupo Colvista.

Grupo Colvista is the largest government systems integrator in Colombia and a leader in providing advanced technology, complex solutions to the information technology, military and law enforcement markets.

The Business Examiner will host its first Who's Who? event Wednesday evening. Attendees will learn about the benefits of using the 2010 Book of Lists and have the opportunity to meet BE's new editor, Mike Boyd.

There also will be time to network with fellow South Sound business leaders.

The Boeing Co. has delivered the last of four KC-767 aerial refueling tankers to the Japan Ministry of Defense.

Boeing's partner on the Japan Tanker program, Itochu Corp., handed over the KC-767 advanced tanker to Japan Ministry of Defense officials. Assigned to the 1st Airlift Wing of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force at Komaki Air Base, it is the third consecutive KC-767 tanker to be delivered to Boeing's Japan customer within the contracted schedule and budget.

The Boeing Co. has been chosen to provide systems design, development and testing services for the U.S. Army's Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System.

IBCS is part of the Army's modernization effort; it will integrate current and future air and missile defense systems into a common battle command system.

Boeing and partner Bell Helicopter delivered two MV-22 Osprey Containerized Flight Training Devices to the U.S. Marines at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in California during the last quarter of 2009.

The CFTD trains aircrew on basic aircraft familiarization and handling qualities, systems/sub-systems operation, communication, malfunctions, day and night flying, use of night vision goggles, formation flying, aerial refueling and landing on ships.

The Boeing Co. said today that the U.S. government has received a Letter of Request from India's Ministry of Defence and the Indian Air Force about the potential acquisition of 10 C-17 Globemaster III advanced airlifters.