Northern Nevada business briefly

Beauty and the Beast hair salon reopens

Sam Bates has reopened the Beauty and the Beast hair salon at 3260 Centennial Park Drive.

The business spent 10 years on Empire Ranch Road. Bates specializes in military-type haircuts. She formerly served in the Navy, and worked for five years at the Marine Corps base near Bridgeport cutting hair.

For more information, call 721-1715.

Catch this seminar, on June 2, if you can

Frank Abagnale, author and subject of the book-turned-movie "Catch Me If You Can," will be part of a panel of experts on hand for a free seminar on protecting assets on June 2, from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Carson Nugget.

Abagnale was a crafty con artist who later became a leading authority on fraud and identity theft. He will be joined on the panel by John Scott from the Small Business Administration, Erich Bollinger from Nevada State Bank and economist and author Jeff Thredgold. Special guest is Mayor Bob Crowell.

The seminar is sponsored by Nevada State Bank.

The program is free, and includes lunch. Space is limited, and attendees must RSVP by May 27. You can RSVP by calling 322-3420 or on the Web at www.nsbank.com/event/.

Chamber mixer down on the ranch May 20

The Carson City and Carson Valley chambers of commerce will host a joint mixer on May 20 at 5 p.m. at the R&K Ranch.

Wear cowboy duds, because there is a chance to ride a real horse. The ranch is located at 7177 Schulz Drive, in Carson City. Call 882-1565 for more details.

NBC breakfast June 2

Nevada Business Connections will host their monthly networking breakfast June 2 at the Carson Nugget. The keynote speaker will be John Mitchell of M & H Economic Consultants. Doors open at 7:30 a.m., and the program starts at 8 a.m. Cost is $20 per person. RSVP by calling 882-8306 or e-mailing kris@

nevadabusinessconnections.com.

NNDA hosts customer service seminar

Northern Nevada Development Authority will host an event titled "For Big Dogs on the Little Things..." on May 20, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Carson Nugget.

The customer service seminar is for business and organizational leaders, and endorsed by Stephen R. Covey.

Cost is $35 per person, and includes lunch, or $25 if you are a "powered by" member.

Deadline to register is May 15. Call 434-3874 or go to NNDA.org for details.

Applebee's closing and reopening

The Applebee's in Carson City will close for remodeling starting today, with a grand reopening scheduled for May 22. The restaurant will celebrate the event with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11 a.m.

Nichols winner of start-up of the year

Michelle Nichols, winner of the 2008 Governor's Award for Start-up of the Year, will talk about how to launch and grow a company without forgetting your family on May 27 from 7-9 a.m. at the Gold Dust West.

Nichols, is author of "Hug Your Kids Today! 5 Key Lessons for Every Working Parent," and is founder of National Hug Your Kids Day.

The popular prescription is work-life "balance" is the wrong goal, according to Nichols. Instead, she provides strategies so employees and business owners will feel less guilt, less worry and less stress, while experiencing more focus, happiness and productivity.

This message impacts all business owners, regardless of their family situation, because many of their key customers, employees and suppliers have families.

Doors open at 7 a.m. and includes a breakfast buffet. RSVPs can be made online at www.nnda.org. Call 883-4413 for more information.

Homebuyer seminar covers new tax credit benefit

First-time homebuyer seminars in Carson City and Minden will discuss recent changes that make it easier for people to purchase homes.

The seminars, offered by Sheri Wilson of Prudential Nevada Realty, Janet Willson of Nevada Property Mortgage and Donna Peacocke of Western Title, cover all of the incentives now available for homebuyers in this area.

According to a recent ruling by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, it is possible for the first time for homebuyers to use the $8,000 first-time homebuyers tax credit to be used as a down payment for Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans.

Also up for discussion is the 100 percent USDA loan program, as well as the $25,000 down payment assistant program.

The Carson City seminars are held every other Tuesday, with the next one scheduled for May 19 from 5:30-7 p.m. at Western Title Company, 2310 S. Carson Street. The Minden seminars are held every other Thursday at First American Title Co., 1673 Lucerne St. in Minden Village.

For more information, call Sheri Wilson at 450-2657.

BBQ company plans expansion in Carson

The BBQ House, opened by Matt Foster four years ago at Wells Avenue and Roberts Street in Reno, took on business partner Don Cortez and will launch a new restaurant.

"It's had a good run, but we definitely need to expand," Foster said. Neither Foster nor Cortez could be reached to comment on the location of the new facility, but a site has been secured, a worker at the Wells location said.

The new location will have more seating than the smaller Wells location, as well as more parking. It also will feature a team room to accommodate business luncheons and youth sports teams. The new restaurant also will serve beer and wine.

The entrepreneurs say they plan to open yet another restaurant in the Reno area, as well as one in Carson City.

NDOT hosting stimulus workshop

The Nevada Department of Transportation has scheduled a workshop in Reno on May 26 to help executives in the road construction industry learn how to bid on projects funded by the federal stimulus package.

The workshop runs from 7:30 to 11 a.m. at the offices of Associated General Contractors Nevada Chapter at 5400 Mill St. The AGC and the Nevada Procurement Outreach Program are assisting with sponsorship.