Porcaro Communications opens Los Angeles office

Michael F. Porcaro, president and CEO of Porcaro Communications Inc., recently announced the opening of a new Porcaro Communications office at 9595 Wilshire Blvd. in the Beverly Hills section of Los Angeles. The Los Angeles agency is the second location outside of Anchorage for his communications company following the opening of an office in Vancouver, British Columbia, in March 2002.

The Porcaro Los Angeles office will be directed by Lisa O'Hurley, former regional director of Golf Sponsorships for the Golf Channel and its online partner, the golfchannel.com. The L.A. office will focus on golf-related clients including apparel, courses and resort destinations. The Los Angeles phone number is (310) 463-3780, and O'Hurley can be reached at lohurley@aol.com.

Bernholz & Graham, a wholly owned subsidiary of Porcaro Communications, will move its Juneau office to 224 Fourth St., No. 5A, and Amy Cockerham will continue to manage the agency's Juneau-based account work. The telephone number for the B&G office is (907) 723-5616, and Cockerham can be reached at acockerham@gci.net.

Election workers sought

Election workers are being recruited to work the Anchorage Municipal Election on April 5 from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Training is provided and is mandatory. Applicants must be registered voters. The position pays $9.50 per hour. Contact Guadalupe Marroquin, election coordinator at (907) 343-4311.

Alaska council of residential specialists chapter named "Chapter With a Heart"

The Council of Residential Specialists Alaska Chapter is the 2004 "Chapter With a Heart" winner in recognition of the chapter's commitment to community service over the past year. The Council of Residential Specialists of the National Association of Realtors presents the "Chapter with a Heart" award to chapters that participate in a humanitarian service project. The Alaska Chapter raised $1,500 for Kid's Kitchen by selling raffle tickets at their quarterly luncheons and at various other events over the past year. The Council of Residential Specialists, a not-for-profit affiliate of the National Association of Realtors, awards the Certified Residential Specialist designation, regarded as a mark of a residential real estate agent's knowledge and experience.

BP Alaska gives Anchorage seniors more workout options

BP Alaska has donated several pieces of fitness equipment to the Anchorage Senior Center. The energy company provided a Keiser pneumatic weight machine, two Stairmasters, two Reebok elliptical cross-trainers and a LifeFitness stationary bike to the center in December, adding to two other Keiser machines the center received last year from BP. The machines were once part of BP's health and fitness center, and are being replaced by newer equipment.

The Anchorage Senior Center's fitness facility features weight and fitness equipment, fitness training and a variety of fitness classes.

The Anchorage Senior Center serves seniors 55 and older and serves as a gathering place that provides opportunities for recreation, education, socializing and exploration. Membership at the Anchorage Senior Center costs $35 per year. Usage of the fitness facility is an additional $20 per month, which makes it one of the least expensive places in the city to work out.

The Alaska Chapter of Certified Residential Specialists names 2005 board

The Alaska Chapter of Certified Residential Specialists has named its 2005 board, electing Janelle Pfleiger as chapter president, Helen Jarratt as president-elect, Linda Cardoza as secretary and Mike Messick as treasurer. Peggy Kelly is past president. Directors at large are Gene Bates, Vivian Coleman, Connie Heyworth, Beverly Hopkins, Angie Newby, Ginger Orem, B. Diana Stephens and Denny Wood.

The Council of Residential Specialists is a not-for-profit affiliate of the National Association of Realtors. Only 4 percent of all Realtors hold the CRS designation, yet CRS designees are involved in 25 percent of all residential real estate transactions.

New bed and bath boutique opens in downtown Anchorage

Tuliqi, a luxury linens boutique specializing in natural and organic products for body, bed and bath, is now open in downtown Anchorage. Owner Mary Quin has handpicked product lines from around the world. Tuliqi also offers the Evolu, Linden Leaves and Erba Viva lines of natural skin care and bath products, as well as a selection of soaps, candles and bathroom accessories.

Tuliqi (pronounced tooly-key) is located at 410 G St. between Fourth and Fifth avenues.