Quality Inn & Suites, 2327 N. Madson St., recently announced it was named a Silver Level GreenLeader in the TripAdvisor program. Properties accepted into the program meet environmental standards developed for TripAdvisor by leading consultants and experts. 

The program helps travelers plan greener trips by highlighting hotels engaging in environmentally-friendly practices, a press release said. The more green practices a hotel has in place, the higher its GreenLeader level on the TripAdvisor site.

"Being more responsible about the footprint that we leave in our neighborhood, environment and our guests lives is our passion and we continue to innovate and lead by example a more sustainable company focus" said Jason Fierst, general manager at the Liberty Lake hotel.

For more information, visit www.tripadvisor.com/GreenLeaders.

CU*Northwest, a 100 percent credit-union owned CUSO, celebrated its 10-year anniversary on Oct. 1.

Since 2005, the Liberty Lake business located at 1421 N. Meadowwood Lane, has grown to provide core data processing and other services to over thirty credit unions in six states, with more scheduled to join the CUSO in the future. 

"Turning 10 is a milestone for any company, but for CU*NorthWest this is not only a business victory but a victory for cooperative values," said CEO Great Smith in a press release. 

For more, visit www.cunorthwest.com.

Dentist Michelle Olmstead, owner of Liberty Lake Family Dentistry, recently leased an office at 461 N. Ash in Spokane to open a fourth practice for patients. 

The new 2,100-square-foot location in north Spokane will be called Maple Street Family Dentistry. For more, visit www.libertylakefamilydentistry.com.

New home construction awards were recently presented to builders who participated in 11th annual Fall Festival of Homes. 

Liberty Lake-based Greenstone received awards in several categories. Liberty Lake resident and home builder Phil Folyer of Morse Western Homes also received multiple awards.  

A number of the homes from the show have sold, and all homes in the Festival are still featured at www.SpokaneFestivalofHomes.com.

When Gordon Finch Homes made the decision to be part of the annual Fall Festival of Homes, they wanted to offer people more than the opportunity to tour a home, a press release said. So they partnered with SCRAPS to raffle off a custom dog house. 

During the festival, visitors to the "The Kootenay," located at 400 N. Timberfield, had the opportunity view a Craftsman style dog house featuring cedar siding and a cedar shake roof. Volunteers from SCRAPS were also on hand with adoptable pets during the event.

The winner of the dog house was 11-year-old Catelyn Davick, who received a collection of dog toys and treats as well.  All proceeds from the raffle benefitted SCRAPS.

Liberty Lake resident Jay Parker recently published a book for singles called "Dating without Delusion." The book, along with corresponding web resources, shares how to build relationships on the foundation of one's personal core values. 

Parker teaches classes on the book's principles at Real Life Ministries in Post Falls and also speaks at singles conference and retreats for all ages. For more, go to www.datingwithoutdelusion.com.  

 

Local businesses are being offered an opportunity to showcase local gift ideas and menu items in the "Eat, Shop and Be Merry" holiday guide. Deadline to reserve an ad in the guide is Nov. 12.

The guide will be included in the December issues of The Splash and The Current, a combined 18,000 copies. It will be distributed Nov. 23-24 throughout the greater Valley area and will remain on newsstands until Christmas. 

The Splash is also soliciting input on the best gift ideas and menu items that can be found in the Valley area. Email editor@libertylakesplash.com with your recommendations for Valley dining and gift-buying.