Briefcase

Steelfab promotes and rehires personnel

Steelfab President Richard Faulkner announced the promotion and rehire of two long-time Steelfab employees, Heath Faulkner and Anna Mathis.

Faulkner, former Steelfab Paint Shop manager, is the new Health, Safety and Environment officer. Faulkner has worked for the business since he was in high school. After studying at the University of Alaska Anchorage and Lane Community College in Eugene, Ore., where he majored in business, the long-time Anchorage man returned as part of the Steelfab management team at the Post Road location in Anchorage.

Mathis worked as an accountant for Steelfab for 18 years before briefly leaving the state. Mathis, a 44-year Alaska resident, was recently rehired to work in Steelfab’s Accounts Receivables and Payroll section. Mathis received her training in full-charge bookkeeping at Charter College (http://www.chartercollege.edu/). Steelfab is Alaska’s largest locally owned fabricator and steel center.

Health Quest Therapy wins 2011 ‘Soupy’ award

Health Quest Therapy was awarded a 2011 Stone Soup Group Soupy Award for demonstrating integrity toward families of children and youth with special needs in Alaska.

The awards are issued based on anonymous nominations from clients.

The nomination for Health Quest says, “We have had great experience with Health Quest from the beginning of our journey into the world of special needs. Everyone that we have had contact with from receptionist to therapists has been professional, but also so kind and caring. … All of my children, even the toddler who is not in any therapies, love these ladies. Most recently, my son’s emotional support animal was hit and killed by a vehicle. This has been exceptionally difficult for my son to deal with. Andrea and Alys have both been very empathetic, helping to talk about his feelings and give him extra input in his sessions. Alys was very helpful with ideas to help him remember the dog and work through the loss, drawing on her own loss of a cherished dog. Even the receptionist took the time to call and checkup on my son a couple days later. Overall I would nominate Health Quest, particularly Andrea and Alys, the OTs, for their calm, supportive and kind attitudes in addition to the wonderful therapy they provide.”

IRS reminds that PFD is taxable

The Internal Revenue Service is reminding Alaska residents to remember that the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend is taxable income for Federal Income Tax returns. The agency recommends setting aside enough to cover your tax bill, or consider making an estimated payment when you get your PFD, which this year is $1,174. For more information on how to report the Alaska PFD on the Federal Tax Return, contact the IRS at (800) 829-1040 or visit the IRS website at IRS.gov and input the key words in quotes: “Around the Nation Alaska” in the top right search engine.

Small Business Administration offers workshops

The Small Business Administration will offer the following classes during October. All classes are held on the second floor of the KeyBank Building, 201 N Lucille St.

• Oct. 18, 9 to 11 a.m., instructor Julie Nolen will teach a free class on starting a business.

• Oct. 18, 1 to 2 p.m., instructor Lisa Carlson will teach a free class called “Key4Women: What Women Want.”

• Oct. 19, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., instructor Julie Nolen will teach a class called “How to Write an Effective Business Plan.” Cost is $50.

• Oct. 20, 1 to 4 p.m., instructor Sam Dickey will teach a free class on 8(a) & HUBZone Orientation.

• Oct. 20 to Nov. 15, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 to 9 p.m., instructor Jasmin Smith will teach an online class on QuickBooks Pro 2010. Cost is $250.

• Oct. 21, 9 to 11 a.m., instructor Sandi Sturm will teach a free class called “Is Your Website Google-ized?”

• Oct. 25, 1 to 2 p.m., instructor Dave Kaufman will teach a free class called “Employee Benefits in the Age of Health Care Reform.”

• Oct. 26, 2 to 3 p.m., instructor Nelida Irvine will teach a free class on SBA programs and services.

• Oct. 28, 9a.m. to noon, instructor Sandi Sturm will teach a class called “Build Up Your Geek Skills: Blogging.” Cost is $50.

• Oct. 28, 12:30 to 2 p.m., instructor Andrew Mitton, Esquire, will teach a free Lunch with a Lawyer class.

For more information, or to pre-register, call 373-7232, or visit aksbdc.org.

Toastmasters groups meet Tuesdays

There are weekly Toastmasters meetings in the Valley, one in Palmer in the evening and one in the morning in Wasilla. Mat-Su Toastmasters meets Tuesdays from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at the Wasilla Area Senior Center. And the Palmer Toastmasters meet Tuesdays from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. downstairs at the MTA Building in Palmer. For more information, contact Melissa Vega at 841-0077 or email melissa@greatlander.com.

Raffle tickets on sale at Palmer center

The Palmer senior citizens center’s membership is having a raffle. Tickets are $1 each for a chance to win. First prize will be a blue afghan with matching pillow. Second prize will be a hand made quilt. Third prize will be cream and yellow afghan. Drawing is Oct. 19 at the grand opening ceremony for The Palmer Senior Citizens Center Inc., dba Mat-Su Senior Services. Proceeds from support the senior center. For more information, contact 745-5454.

Plaque sales to help fund windbreak wall

Support the Palmer Senor Citizens Center Inc., d.b.a. Mat-Su Senior Services, with a gift that will last a lifetime. We are now selling plaques, which will be a permanent fixture on the windbreak wall at the entrance of the Mat-Su Senior Services building located at 1132 S. Chugach Street in Palmer. Plaques can be engraved with a saying of your choice, your name, business, family, or friends names (no memorials please). All proceeds from this fundraiser support the Palmer Senior Citizens Center’s mission to provide services for the health, safety, and welfare of seniors. For more information, contact 745-5454.

Alaska Speakers Bureau seeks members

Alaska Speakers Bureau is looking for presenters and trainers who are interested in expanding their speaking career. An informational meeting about increasing your opportunities within and beyond Alaska is from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Oct. 18 at 255 E. Fireweed Lane, Suite 102, in Anchorage.

The Alaska Speakers Bureau facilitates speakers for large and small corporations, professional and trade associations, meeting planners, educational or public institutions requiring keynote, motivational, after-dinner speakers, trainers, and conference facilitators.

Services also include professional speech coaching and training.

ASB is also affiliated with more than 250 professional speaker referral agents around the world. These agents match vendors with professional, high-quality speakers.

For more information, contact the Alaska Speakers Bureau at 339-0178.