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Auburn-area calendar of events | Aug. 24

Events

Auburn Tourism: For special events in the Auburn area, visit the Web site: www.auburntourism.com.

Inaugural Wine & Music (WAM) Festival: Aug. 27-28, downtown Auburn. Hours: 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Aug. 27; 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Aug. 28.  Presented by The Auburn Downtown Association (TADA) and Auburn Wine & Caviar.  The festival includes a car show, Downtown Trivia Treasure Hunt, the Pirates of Treasure Island and a Prize Wheel courtesy of Iron Horse Casino. Rae Soloman, Gray Sky Falling, The Paul Marcus Band, On the Level Dance Band, Jim King & the Southsiders, The Dave Hoskins Jazz Quartet will perform. Ten wineries will be represented at the festival. Iron Horse Casino, Trade Route Brewery sponsor the festival. Tickets for the wine tasting are $20 for five tastes ($15 in advance at Rottles, Oddfellas, Auburn Wine and Caviar, Iron Horse Casino, Auburn Farmers Market and Auburn Reporter). For more information, call 253-939-3982 or 253-887-8530.

Mary Olson Farm summer drop-in hours: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. during these weekends: Aug. 27-28; and Sept. 10-11. Mary Olson Farm, located at 28728 Green River Road in Auburn, is a King County Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Sites. Significant features include an 1897 barn, a fully restored 1902 farmhouse, a century-old orchard, three salmon runs in Olson Creek and a remarkable collection of outbuildings, including a smoke house, outhouse and weaving house. The farm will operate as a living history and environmental learning site, and will also be available for community and special events. Admission for the summer drop-in hours is $5 adults,  $3 children/seniors and $15 for a household or family. For more information, visit www.wrvmuseum.org.

Auburn International Farmers Market:  9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Sundays, through Sept. 28, Auburn Sound Transit Plaza, 23 A St. SW. More than 40 vendors offering a variety of fresh locally grown farm-based foods, hand-crafted items, and concession stands that are restaurant-based but feature a home-cooked taste. The market also includes free performances, guest chef demonstrations with farm-fresh ingredients, children’s activities, and classes on health, nutrition, and gardening. Upcoming programs: • Sept. 11, Remembrance Day - For Country and Community. VFW Honor Guard opening ceremony 9 a.m. A special thank you to military families. Chili cook-off; • Sept. 18, Senior Appreciation Day. Zumba Gold demonstration, bow-making demonstration, prizes. Information: 253-266-2726, www.auburnfarmersmarket.org.

Free 'E~Transition Kit' for Organizations Looking to Assist ...

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa /PRNewswire/ ~~ According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employers took 1,579 mass layoff actions in July involving 145,000 workers. “With the significant number of layoffs and changes occurring, many organizations are realizing that these actions can damage their business long after the event has taken place, and there may be unforeseen risks they did not consider,” said Robin Salsberry, President of Prositions, Inc., a firm that specializes in outplacement solutions. “By creating a comprehensive transition plan and providing employees who have been let go with the resources and confidence they need to find another job, many potential risks and costs can be minimized.”

Risks include:

~~ Negative impact to the brand or image

~~ Unemployment tax rate increases

~~ Higher risk of legal disputes and litigation costs

~~ Lack of motivation, focus or unwanted early departures from remaining employees

Based in West Des Moines, Iowa, Prositions is helping businesses evaluate these risks, through their recent launch of the “E-Transition Kit,” which is available at no cost through the Prositions website, http://www.prositions.com.

This kit contains a number of tools that organizations can use to create or modify their transition plans, such as: 1) a workbook designed to get executives and managers talking about their current strategies; 2) a capability comparison chart that provides organizations with evaluation criteria for choosing a transition partner; 3) a PowerPoint template to help conduct a transition strategy meeting; and 4) an ROI calculator to help determine how effective transition plans can actually save money.

“While many organizations are facing very difficult challenges today, the right blend of technology and expert advice can help minimize the overall risk and pain. Our kit can be a significant first step,” said Salsberry.

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