Advisers honored: Ralph Scariano and Chris Scariano, financial advisors for Edward Jones in Albany, were recently honored by the firm for their job performance. This recognition earned the Scariano's invitations to Edward Jones' annual Managing Partner's Conference this month at the firm's regional office in Tempe, Ariz. The three-day meeting pools Edward Jones' most successful representatives for a discussion with James D. Weddle, Edward Jones' managing partner, on issues facing the firm and the financial services industry as a whole.

Edward Jones provides financial services for individual investors in the United States and, through its affiliates, in Canada and the United Kingdom. Edward Jones, which ranked No. 2 on FORTUNE magazine's "100 Best Companies to Work For 2009," is headquartered in St. Louis. The Scariano's Albany office is at 150 Calapooia St. S.W. and can be reached at (541) 926-9700. The Edward Jones interactive website is located at www.edwardjones.com.

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New agent: Donna Megy, a real estate professional in Corvallis, has joined Keller Williams Mid-Willamette Market Center. Megy has a background in investment property sales and ownership. She is a graduate of Oregon State University and is involved in the community with Habitat for Humanity, WeCare and Girls on the Run. She will work out of the Market Center, 815 N.W. Ninth St., Suite L-195 in Avery Square.

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Two complete training: Lee Eckroth and Hong Wolfe of Town & Country Realty have completed training to receive the C-RIS (Certified Real-Estate Investment Specialist) designation. Eckroth and Wolfe now join a select group in Oregon, California, Idaho and Washington to have received the honor.

The series consists of four day-long courses dealing with topics like investment terms and calculations, creating annual and five year projections for potential investment properties, understanding exit strategies for investments, and ways to help an investor treat their investment like a business. Successful completion of a comprehensive final exam is also required. Eckroth and Wolfe are full-time Brokers affiliated with Town & Country Realty's Corvallis office, and members of the Willamette Association of Realtors.

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FSA promotions: The USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) has promoted Katie Hennessy to Farm Loan Manager in the Linn-Benton-Lincoln County FSA Office, and Kathey Naegeli to Farm Loan Specialist and Appraiser in the Oregon State FSA Office in Tualatin. Hennessy previously served as Farm Loan Officer in the Linn-Benton-Lincoln County FSA Office in Tangent. Naegeli joins the Oregon State FSA Office from the Agency's Marion County FSA staff in Salem where she served as Farm Loan Officer.

For more information about FSA Farm Loan Program services, contact your local USDA Service Center, or visit the Agency's website at www.fsa.usda.gov.

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Classes: The Corvallis Clinic Foundation offers introductory MammaCare classes through Project H.E.R. (Help. Enlightenment. Resources.) The comprehensive breast health services program supports women in Benton, Linn and Lincoln counties. For information call (541) 738-2065, Ext. 2.

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New assistant: Tara T. Jones has joined the Heartland Humane Society staff as the new development assistant. Tara began her nonprofit fundraising career in Salem after graduating from Western Oregon University in 2006. She has one dog and two cats.