If you are an innovator or aspire to be one, don’t miss this chance to be inspired and informed by the successes of a team of Hispanic American inventors and entrepreneurs. Get tips on developing and protecting an impactful idea from Katia Avila and her mentor, Antonio Gamboa. Their work on the Heart & Sole home foot care system for diabetes patients helped win the Garey High School InvenTeam of Pomona, California, a Lemelson-MIT InvenTeam Grant. This event is open to all.
 
See the full agenda and register today for this free virtual event on October 12 from 2-3:45 p.m. ET.
Additionally, experts from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and other organizations will discuss:

• The economic impact and entrepreneurial contribution of Hispanic Americans
• The vital role of intellectual property (IP) protection
• Free legal and business development resources

Speakers for this event include:

• Kathi Vidal, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO
• Katia Avila, Co-inventor, Heart & Sole home foot care system; University of Southern California-Santa Cruz student; Software Engineer Intern, Microsoft
• Claudia Barerra, Senior Analyst, Virginia Minority Business Development Agency Business Center 
• Antonio Gamboa, Inventor and STEM educator; Garey High School InvenTeam Mentor
• Edgar Guerra-Erazo, Primary Patent Examiner, USPTO
• Carlos Gutierrez, Innovation Outreach Specialist – National Programs, USPTO
• Dr. Keishla M. Tirado, Director for the Center for Innovation and Technology, Puerto Rico Small Business Development and Technology Center 
• Dr. Jorge Valdes, Education Program Advisor, USPTO

 
Biographies will be posted as the event approaches.
 
Invention and entrepreneurship have been integral to the prosperity of the U.S. throughout history, coming from every segment of American society. The Hispanic American community has left a permanent mark on U.S. global leadership through the creation of countless innovations. Learn how this commitment to innovation demonstrates the best of American values and explore how you can become a successful creator yourself.
 
And don't forget: Upcoming events and valuable resources
 
Innovator events for everyone
This diverse set of annual programming, open to all, provides relevant intellectual property (IP), innovation, and invention resources to independent inventors, small businesses, entrepreneurs, and underrepresented or underserved populations. Organized by the Office of Innovation Outreach, these events help everyone better understand, secure, and use IP. Working with partners from other federal agencies, organizations, and universities, the USPTO connects the public to innovators at these free events year-round.
The free, online IP Identifier
You may have intellectual property you don’t even know about. Use this free tool to help identify potentially valuable assets.
First-Time Filer Expedited Examination Pilot Program
The free First-Time Filer Expedited Examination Pilot Program increases accessibility to the patent system for inventors new to the patent application process, including those in historically underserved geographic and economic areas. Applications in this program can expect to get a first action in about half the time (on average about 15 months) of a regular application (on average about 30 months). Please feel free to share news of this program with fellow innovators. The program will conclude upon acceptance of 1,000 qualifying applications or March 11, 2024, whichever occurs first.
 
 
If you have questions or want more information about this event, contact InnovationOutreach@uspto.gov.
​

SCHEELS will be hosting a Full-time Career Expo on October 6 from 4-7PM and October 7 from 9AM-1PM at SCHEELS Career Center: 12426 W Explorer Drive, Suite 102, Boise, ID 83713.

Garden City, Idaho – Wepa Café is ready to celebrate our 2nd Year Anniversary on October 1st with an Authentic Lechon Pig Roast, Salsa Music & Dancing and a Raffle to benefit ProTechos, our non profit partner in Puerto Rico.

Located at 175 E. 35th St, between Chinden and the Greenbelt, Wepa continues to serve Authentic Puerto Rican cuisine to the Treasure Valley.  We whisk our guests away to an island paradise, greeted by upbeat Latin music and Puerto Rican décor with an emphasis on beaches, tropical rain forests and the vast diversity and vibrant culture of Puerto Rico’s history with influences from a mix of Spanish, Taino Indian and Afro-Caribbean influences.  

On October 1st, we will once again be going all out to bring Puerto Rico to Garden City with a traditional Lechon Pig Roast along with other menu items we rarely offer in-house. In addition, we will have DJ Tomas spinning tunes from the Caribbean including Salsa, Mengue and Bachata and Diana Rivera will be in attendance offering dance lessons throughout the evening.

A major component of our Anniversary is our fundraising efforts to PRoTechos, a non-profit corporation based in Puerto Rico, (www.protechos.org), founded with the dual mission of rebuilding damaged roofs in underserved communities throughout the island while providing residents with basic carpentry training, addressing both housing needs and the shortage of skilled construction workers in Puerto Rico.  We will be auctioning off prizes generously donated by many of our vendor partners, including our local beer and wine partners with 100% of the proceeds going directly to PRoTechos.

Tickets can be purchased while supplies last at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wepa-2nd-annual-lechon-pig-roast-tickets-705396669427?aff=oddtdtcreator 

​Caldwell, Idaho - Valley Regional Transit (VRT), the City of Caldwell, local artist Bobb Gaytan, and the
Caldwell Chamber of Commerce revealed a new public art project Friday morning at the VRT bus stop
in front of the Caldwell Library.

“Public art is such an important investment in our public spaces. It provides a sense of place and
belonging and can foster a more vibrant community culture,” said VRT’s CEO Elaine Clegg. “This
installation is the result of a growing partnership with the City of Caldwell that we can all be very
proud of, and we thank Bobby for the wonderful work he’s done.”
The installation, “Con Estas Manos” (“With These Hands”), represents the newest public art project
in Caldwell and the first applied to public transit infrastructure. The project was funded by the City of
Caldwell and VRT.

“I am excited to share this with the community. This public art project not only brings art to the
community and the street but also increases the unique character of our city. Partnering with VRT on
this project is a success for everyone,” said Caldwell Mayor Jarom Wagoner.
Bobby Gaytan was born in Nampa, Idaho. As a former migrant farmworker, his family moved annually
from South Texas to East Michigan and then to South Idaho to work in the crop fields. During his
time in Texas, he started admiring street art and began sketching his own urban landscapes. He
went on to earn a BFA in Graphic Design from Boise State University in 2001 and started working for
the Bureau of Reclamation as an Illustrator shortly after. He owns a creative company called
Blakbook Pages where he works on commissioned projects like murals and digital illustrations. He is
a community activist, and his passion is geared towards helping youth achieve their goals through
creativity, hard work, and dedication. He currently serves as an Arts Commissioner for the City of
Meridian.

"A long time ago my grandparents migrated here to work in these northern farmlands,” Gaytan said.

“All they had was a dream and a lot of will. After the harvest seasons, a lot of workers would return to
their southern homelands. Those that stayed would eventually call Idaho home and raise families
that grew up to be freedom fighters and great contributors to this society. Working and fighting hard
so that future generations could have the opportunities their ancestors dreamed of. I dedicate this
work of art to my family, my community, and all the migrant farmworkers that continue to work hard
and contribute to this beautiful land we now call home!"

The Caldwell Library bus shelter is served by VRT’s Nampa/Caldwell OnDemand. Rather than being
picked up at a bus stop using fixed time schedules, riders are picked up near their location and
dropped off near their destination within the service zone. Riders can schedule trips through the
“VRT OnDemand” mobile app, online, or by calling VRT’s customer service team.

Cleveland, Ohio ​- KeyBank’s Key4Women will present “Mind Your Money Story: Stop the Scarcity Spiral and Confidently Ask for What You Want”, a free, one-hour virtual event on Friday, September 29th, at 12 p.m. eastern standard time.

The webinar will feature Zovig Garboushian, CEO of Boldness Ablaze Coaching. Garboushian will give participants a way to understand their own relationships, where they began, and how to change them so they can stop holding back and go after the money they want and deserve. 
In this webinar participants will learn: 

• An understanding of their own beliefs and stories about money that might hold them back and how to face them. 

Four mindset distinctions to help them understanding their relationships with money including: 

• Scarcity v. Abundance
• Niceness v. Clarity
• Getting Paid v. Being a Creator
• Wanting Money v. Being Ready to Receive

Small steps they can take to begin to shift their thinking and behavior with money. 

​“Women face many obstacles that prevent them from feeling confident financially,” said Rachael Sampson, Key4Women Leader. “It is our hope that participants walk away with tips and tools to help them overcome those obstacles and feel secure with their finances. Key4Women is excited to bring Zovig to our audience and share her knowledge with us all.”   

For more information, visit key.com/women, or register online by September 28th here.   

Boise, Idaho – Downtown Boise Foundation announces plans for a winter skate rink planned for the heart of Downtown Boise. ‘Glide on Grove,’ as the rink has been named, is slated to surround the City of Boise Holiday Tree in The Grove Plaza.
 
“This is a project that has been years in the making,” said Jenn Hensley, president and executive director of Downtown Boise Foundation. “It is thrilling to be able to provide a place downtown where all can find a new adventure, come together and experience joy with accessible activities—both now and for years to come.”
 
The anticipated, one-time costs for construction and development of the skate rink plus first year of operations total $445,000. Downtown Boise Foundation has worked closely with community businesses and organizations like the City of Boise, the Parks & Recreation Department, and Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health to reach that goal. Currently, Downtown Boise Foundation is working to raise the final $150,000 to make ‘Glide on Grove’ come to life.
 
“We're excited to support Glide on Grove because it encourages physical activity during the winter. This free amenity will give Idaho families a fun, healthy activity to try when they visit Downtown Boise,” said Kendra Witt-Doyle, Executive Director, Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health.
 
“As a placemaking organization, we are committed to keeping Downtown Boise free and accessible to all,” said Moya Shatz Dolsby, Downtown Boise Foundation board vice president. “We wanted to guarantee there were no barriers for any community member to experience the joy of the season at the skate rink. Full funding ensures this exciting downtown activity is accessible and completely free for all Boise visitors and guests, including free skate rentals and skate time.”
 
Glide on Grove is scheduled to run from Thanksgiving weekend 2023 through the final Sunday in January 2024. Once materials are constructed, Downtown Boise will have the marginal operation costs covered to bring the rink back year after year. The planned rink will be an approximately 75’ square space surrounding the City of Boise’s Holiday Tree in The Glove Plaza. Rather than temperature-dependent ice, the rink will be made from a synthetic material that is used just like ice yet has low-maintenance needs and enables the rink to provide family-friendly winter recreation into Downtown Boise for an expected 10-year life span.
 
“I am grateful for Downtown Boise’s vision and commitment to making this community-focused centerpiece come to life,” said Boise Mayor Lauren McLean. “The winter season is so special in Boise, especially around the holidays, and a great time to enjoy all that downtown has to offer. Having Glide on Grove activating downtown will give our residents another opportunity to get outside and be active, while also supporting the local businesses that make Boise shine.”
 
To learn more about skate rink plans for Glide on Grove, or to donate, visit downtownboisefoundation.org.

Boise, IDAHO – Valley Regional Transit’s (VRT) new Game Day Shuttle service kicked off Saturday for Boise State’s home opener against UCF. The shuttle offered free-to-ride service to seven downtown Boise locations and Albertsons Stadium two hours before and one hour after the game.
“This weekend definitely exceeded our expectations,” said VRT’s CEO Elaine Clegg. “We had lots of demand, which is really exciting. Any time we start a new service, we need to run it in real conditions and use what we learn to perfect it. We’re ecstatic about the interest we’ve seen so far.”
Early estimates indicate the shuttle served thousands of riders. VRT will confirm final ridership numbers this week.
“I rode the shuttle myself and spoke with many grateful passengers,” Clegg said. “We got very positive feedback, but also heard from some riders about long waits and delays in pickup times. We take this as a good sign – there is a demand for better transit, and we’re here to provide it.”
VRT plans to make route adjustments, expand hours of operation, and add buses and drivers for the upcoming home game against North Dakota on Saturday, September 16th.
“We know we need to add service and get the routes right to make the experience even better,” Clegg added. “Thanks to our riders for sticking with us while we get this right.”
VRT’s Game Day Shuttle was introduced to provide travel options for a stressed transportation network and raise awareness about VRT services. VRT started pre-game service with four buses, which were quickly filled. Three additional buses were added to the post-game operation.
“We’re looking forward to continuing this free-to-ride service for the community and showcasing how easy it is to use our buses,” Clegg said. “We pride ourselves in their cleanliness, our real-time bus tracking system, and our phenomenal drivers."
VRT will release an updated service plan later this week.
The Game Day shuttle will run for all upcoming home games, which include:
• Saturday, September 16th, 10 a.m. (vs. North Dakota)
• Saturday, October 7th, 6 pm (vs. San Jose State)
• Saturday, October 28th, time TBD (vs. Wyoming)
• Saturday, November 11th, time TBD (vs. New Mexico)
• Friday, November 24th, 2 p.m. (vs. Air Force)
Riders can track buses with VRT’s ETA Spot mobile app or at rideVRT.org/gameday.
Valley Regional Transit, 700 NE 2nd Street, Meridian, ID 83642
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About Valley Regional Transit
Valley Regional Transit (VRT) has been connecting people to the community they love to live in for over 20 years and is the regional public transportation authority for Ada and Canyon counties. VRT bus services include 18 fixed routes in Ada County, on-demand bus service in Eagle and Canyon County, four inter-county routes, and numerous specialized transportation options. For more information, please visit rideVRT.org.

BOISE, ID (September 7, 2023)-- Hotel Renegade, located at the corner of 11th St. and Grove St. in downtown Boise, is pleased to announce Reno Rodriguez as the executive chef for the boutique property, which is set to open in Spring 2024.  

Executive Chef Rodriguez will oversee all culinary operations at Hotel Renegade, including Baraboo Supper Club, The Highlander rooftop lounge, in-room dining, and private events. He will create menus, train and manage staff, and ensure guests have a memorable dining experience. 

Rodriguez, a graduate of the California School of Culinary Arts Le Cordon Bleu Program, most recently served as executive chef of Anthony’s Boise. He also has experience working in the hotel and banquet sector at hotels in Hawaii and at the MGM Grand and Bellagio Hotels in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

“We’re thrilled to be announcing Reno Rodriguez as the powerhouse heading up the culinary team at Hotel Renegade,” said Tyler Hall, director of food and beverage operations at Hotel Renegade. “He’s a proven talent and has a great passion for refining his craft and creating unique and flavorful menus that are as beautiful as they are delicious.” ​

The boutique Hotel Renegade will feature 122 guest rooms and suites when it opens to guests in Spring 2024. For more information, please visit www.hotelrenegade.com.