12/21/09 In Basket

Agriculture

Yakima Valley residents received industry recognition during the 105th annual Washington State Horticultural Association convention in Wenatchee earlier this month.

Parker Heights fruit growers Jim and Rena Doornink were selected as the Good Fruit Grower of the Year.

The Doorninks were chosen for being innovative, good employers, consistent producers of quality fruit, and for their contributions to the tree fruit industry.

The Good Fruit Grower magazine’s advisory board made the selection.

Chuck Peters of Wapato received the Silver Pear Award for contributions to the pear industry.

Health

Nia Technique Inc. has given Cathy Schlieman, owner and lead instructor of CS Pilates in Yakima, certification as a Nia instructor and awarded her with a Nia White Belt.

To earn certification and the Nia White Belt, Schlieman completed intensive training for the workout, lifestyle and personal growth program, which approaches the body through four realms — physical, mental, emotional and spiritual — and mixes martial, dance and healing arts.

Schlieman is the first in Central Washington with this certification.

Law

Yakima attorney Terry P. Abeyta recently chaired a state trial lawyer’s seminar in Seattle on developments in personal injury law. Abeyta, of Abeyta Nelson Injury Law, has practiced law for 33 years.

Nonprofit

The Yakima Valley Community Foundation has elected Hank Heffernan to serve on its board of directors for a three-year term. Heffernan is a retired veterinarian.

Retail

Maurices has named Laura Harris the store manager of its Ellensburg location. Harris is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the clothing store, including sales performance, visual presentation, and personnel recruitment and training.

Tourism

The Yakima Valley Visitors and Convention Bureau has new officers and board members for 2010: James E. Stickel of the Yakima Herald-Republic will be chairman; Kathy Miller of Miller & Associates Wealth Management will be vice-chairwoman; Michael Gilmore of Yakima Federal Savings and Loan will be secretary/treasurer; and Doug Picatti of Picatti Brothers Inc. will be past chairman.

New members elected to a two-year term on the board are Jeff Brantner of the Yakima Greenway Foundation, Shawn Haggerty of Legends Casino, Wanda Riel of the Holiday Inn, and Tami Silva of Darigold Dairy Fair.

• In Basket is a Monday feature noting personnel changes, additions and accomplishments of area business people. To have an item published, mail a brief announcement with a photo to the Business Desk, Yakima Herald-Republic, P.O. Box 9668, Yakima, WA 98909. Items also can be dropped off at our office at 114 N. Fourth St. in Yakima; faxed to us at 509-577-7767; or e-mailed to business@yakimaherald.com. The deadline is 5 p.m. Tuesday for the following Monday.