Week in review

Monday

Baby boomers who are tired of working in large corporations, who are out of a job or who just need extra money are increasingly launching Internet-based businesses.

Tuesday

The University of Idaho is exploring the possibility of launching an executive MBA program in Sandpoint. Coldwater Creek, Inc. has offered company facilities for classroom space.

“Target is matching Wal-Mart’s $4 prescription drug program at all of its nearly 1,300 pharmacies nationwide. The $4 price is offered for several hundred generic medications.

“The volume of acquisitions announced this year breaks the record set in 2000, as the dollar total reached an all-time high earlier this month. One analyst at Standard & Poor’s called the situation “merger mania.”

Wednesday

The White House lowered its forecast for economic growth this year and next, reflecting the drag from a national housing slump. Even with the downgrade, however, the Bush administration is predicting that the unemployment rate will turn out to be slightly lower than previously thought.

“The Crescent Mine in Shoshone County will be sold at a public auction next month. The underground silver mine was part of the Bunker Hill complex and has been closed since 1981; Shoshone County and the federal government became joint owners of the mine after Bunker Hill’s owners declared bankruptcy.

Thursday

A growing number of retailers are opening at midnight with early bird specials to give shoppers an even earlier head start on Thanksgiving sales. Some, such as CompUSA, begin their so-called “Black Friday” sales on Thanksgiving day itself.

“Members of the boards of trustees for the Spokane Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Spokane Area Economic Development Council have voted unanimously to merge the two organizations. The new group will be launched sometime in the first quarter next year, with current chamber CEO Rich Hadley leading the organization.

Friday

Mike “Sparky” Sparkes, a Spokane firefighter who founded Sparky’s Firehouse Subs, now has launched M2D Camo to market camouflage clothing designed to blend into grassy hunting areas. The company recently opened a shipping and receiving center at 5805 E. Sharp.

“Although catalog retailers are moving toward the day when most of their sales are made online, more companies are using catalogs because they’re effective at reaching potential customers.