BUSINESS NOTES

Bob and Arlene Jones and Kevin Happke of The Farm on St. Mathias recently attended the Minnesota Organic Conference January 16-17 and the Minnesota Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association Annual Conference January 22-23 in St. Cloud.

Area residents attend Blandin Community Leadership Program

Last week 24 Brainerd lakes area residents completed a five-day leadership retreat, the first segment of an eight-day training session that's part of the Blandin Community Leadership Program.

Participants were Hans Anderson, Miranda Anderson, DeAnn Barry, Rebecca Best, John Bolduc, Richard Bricker, Jill Carlson-Ferrie, Rosanne Caughey, Todd Dahl, Anne Fisher Nelson, Heidi Funk, Brent Gunsbury, Tim Houle, Kevin Larson, Marlee Larson, Mike O'Rourke, Karen Owen, John Raboin, Steve Razidlo, Elissa Rogers, Chris Ruttger, Marie Ryan and Kris Schubert and Brian Skogen.

Since 1985 the Blandin program has provided leadership training for more than 5,200 community leaders from more than 310 rural Minnesota communities. The program is made available through a $89,800 Blandin Foundation expenditure that covers, food, lodging and tuition at the retreat and workshops.

Business After Hours planned Tuesday

BAXTER - Business After Hours, a Brainerd Lakes Chamber networking event, is planned from 4:30-6 p.m. Tuesday at Northern National Bank, 7429 Excelsior Road, Baxter.

Advanced registration is recommended. The event is free for chamber members. For more information, contact the chamber at 829-2838 or e-mail to info@explorebrainerdlakes.com.

Latte 'n' Learn event planned Feb. 19

Latte 'n' Learn, a Brainerd Lakes Chamber networking event, is planned from 8-9 a.m. Feb. 19 in the Mills Ford conference room, 14858 Dellwood Drive in Baxter.

The event topic is online media and social networking with options in the wireless world for online business and networking. Carol Russell and Michael Nelson from Russell & Herder in Brainerd will share their knowledge and lead the discussion.

Advance registration is requested. Cost is $10. Participants are asked to park on the building's northside near the service entrance and enter through the showroom doors. For more information, e-mail manderson@explorebrainerdlakes.com or call 829-2838.

Lakes Vybe plans after hours social

Lakes Vybe, formerly known as the Lakes Area Young Professionals, is meeting for an after hours special from 5-7 p.m. Feb. 12 at the Northwoods Pub at Grand View Lodge in Nisswa.

There is no cost to attend. Lakes Vybe is a networking and educational group of the Brainerd Lakes Chamber for people age 21-40. For more information, go online to www.explorebrainerdlakes.com or call 829-2838 or (800) 450-2838.

Brainerd Family YMCA hosts Feb. 26 CHOW

The Brainerd Family YMCA is hosting the Brainerd Lakes Chamber's lunch networking event, CHOW, at noon Feb. 26 at 602 Oak Street in Brainerd.

This event promises to not only provide lunch, but to get participants moving and burning some of the calories. Cost to attend is $5 with advance reservations and $7 at the door. Advance registration and cancellations are accepted until 4 p.m. Feb. 25.

For more information, go online to explorebrainerdlakes.com or call 829-2838 or (800) 450-2838.

Business Book Club to discuss 'Good to Great'

The Brainerd Lakes Chamber will host a Business Book Club lunch and discussion from noon to 1 p.m. Monday at the Crosslake Community Center, 14126 Daggett Pine Road.

The book, "Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't" by Jim Collins, gets at the heart of what makes great companies tick. This book is peppered with dozens of stories and examples from the great and not so great.

Participants in the book club will read independently and then meet to discuss three key points raised by the author. The informal discussion will take place during lunch and be led by a facilitator Robert Pastor from Cuyuna Regional Medical Center.

Cost is $10. Space is limited. Advanced registration is recommended. For more information, go online to www.explorebrainerdlakes.com or call 829-2838 or (800) 450-2838.

'Better Sleep' course Feb. 23 at CLC

Christopher Fink of the Brainerd Lakes Sleep Health Center will be the instructor for a two-hour workshop to illustrate six steps to ensure a great night's sleep.

The course is from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Business and Industry Center on the Brainerd campus of CLC. The $15 fee will cover instruction on healthy lifestyles, good habits, and sleep hygiene to overcome obstacles to sleep.

Payment is required at registration and should be done by Feb.16, calling (218) 855-8142 or 800-933-0346, ext. 8142.

Workshop focuses on modeling

A workshop 5 to 9 p.m. Feb. 27 in the Business and Industry Center at Central Lakes College in Brainerd is planned to help people determine if modeling is right for them.

A professional from Ordinary Models will talk about the basics of the business, how to get started, and how to be photographed to look the best. Ordinary Models is a national modeling educational company from New York.

Those aspiring to be models and at least 17 years old are eligible to attend. Participants will experience a photo shoot and evaluation. The fee is $65. Deadline to register is Feb. 20. For more information, call 855-8142 or (800) 933-0346, ext. 8142.

Markus Hair Design donates proceeds

MOTLEY - Markus Hair Design, Motley, is donating proceeds from sales from a VIP client loyalty program to the Mid-Minnesota Women's Center in Brainerd.

Those who have new or gently used beauty products at home, such as shampoo, skin cream and makeup, and would like to donate them to the women's shelter may use a drop-off box at Markus Hair Design. In December, Markus was able to donate a combination of beauty products along with a cash donation valued at $500.

Koering earns guardian of Small Business Award from NFIB

ST. PAUL - Sen. Paul Koering, R-Fort Ripley, was recognized recently by the state's largest small-business group, the National Federation of Independent Business as a "Guardian of Small Business" for the 2007-2008 biennium.

Mike Hickey, state director for NFIB/MN, said Koering understands the vital role small businesses play in our state's economy and realizes how many jobs are created by small business each year.

"Being a small businessman myself, I know the power to facilitate our economic recovery that our small business entrepreneurs have in Minnesota," Koering said.

Business News submissions are welcome via several methods.

Submissions should be addressed in care of Renee Richardson, Brainerd Dispatch, P.O. Box 974, Brainerd, MN, 56401, or sent by fax to 829-0211, or by e-mail to renee.richardson@brainerddispatch.com.

Photos may be submitted by e-mail, mail or may be taken at The Dispatch by appointment.