Michael and Donna McKinney may be relatively new to Caldwell, but they are eager to become part of the community and look forward to sponsoring local events through their new business, Bayberries Flowers and Gifts.The McKinneys looked for a location for the business and settled on a 105-year-old house located near the center of town. They plan to expand the side yard with garden ornaments such as trellises, bird baths, benches and potted plants. “I would like Bayberries to become part of Caldwell’s downtown community. We chose the location because it has strong commercial appeal, yet because of its structure, it feels friendly and homey,” Donna McKinney said. “I’m looking forward to landscaping the front and adding a bench for others to enjoy. We are in the original city center zoning, making it easy for foot traffic.”Donna McKinney, who manages the business, has 14 years experience in the floral trade, including ownership of a wedding and event business she operated in Central Oregon. The McKinneys also owned two restaurants in Wyoming and have a construction business in the Treasure Valley. In addition to fresh and imitation florals, the store carries a line of hand-puppets, sympathy items, decorative containers, birdhouses, jewelry and other hand-crafted accessories. For customers who want to wire flowers outside Bayberries’ delivery area, in-store Internet access is available. “Essentially this cuts out the middle man and saves the customer money, saves me time and headache from being caught in the middle between my customer and the florist on the other end,” Donna McKinney said. Besides a love for all things green, Donna chose the business because she “enjoys making decorative items for homes, offices and special events,” she said. “Beauty brings its own kind of comfort - it is soothing.”AROUND THE VALLEYNew learning center opens on Ustick
Born to Succeed Early Care %26 Education Center, formerly The Growing Place, has opened under new ownership at 8211 Ustick Road, Boise. The center has teachers and children from diverse cultural backgrounds and abilities. Theresia Muli Kituku, owner/director, previously owned and operated a group childcare in Wyoming. She developed and directed the Training in a Manila Envelope program, designed to assist teachers and professionals serving children with special needs, and served as a member of Idaho Governor’s Coordinating Council for Early Care and Learning task force. Kituku has a masters degree in early childhood education and taught for the Head Start program before serving as director of Hillview Preschool. The center, open to children ages 1-6, was established to encourage children to explore, learn, grow and have fun incorporating attributes that help each child know and believe he or she was born to succeed, Kituku said. For more information, call 658-5561.Business aims to help companies go ‘green’
Suzie Hall, Ken Baker and Jana Kemp have opened GreenSteps services and GreenSteps Sessions, which helps businesses determine how “green” they want to go, representatives said. GreenSteps’ mission is to provide technical and project management expertise for new buildings as well as tenant improvement projects. The team’s range of services includes: getting started with your green goals; education for your organization and your clients; design consultation; project management; Green Building Program application process management; and sustainability of ongoing green efforts.Hall, president of Cornerstone Design, has been recognized for her corporate and consumer design work and is a board member of the local chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council. Baker, an energy efficiency expert, built his home in 2003 according to green principles. Kemp is an author and speaker on business management topics. Kemp and Baker also co-authored “Building Community in Buildings.”GreenSteps’ office is at Cornerstone Design, 1005 E. Park Blvd., Boise. Phone: 384-1422. For more information, call 384-1422 or visit www.greensteps.us.Stephanie Eddy: 377-6481
Feb 16
