Business notes

Experience Works, the nation's largest nonprofit training and employment organization for older workers, has recognized Paul Anderson of Wadena for his outstanding service to older workers.

Anderson recently received a Making a Difference Award at the company's national conference held in Washington, D.C. The award recognizes his efforts to help low-income, older workers obtain the training they need to find good jobs in their communities.

Cynthia Metzler, president and CEO of Experience Works said the organization was proud to recognize Anderson for help in getting people to re-enter the work force. Metzler said the work comes at a time when the economy was forcing many older people to look for employment.

A nonprofit organization, Experience Works offers job training services in Minnesota through the Senior Community Service Employment Program. The community-based program helps low-income, mature individuals enter the workforce, secure more challenging positions, move into new career areas or supplement their incomes.

Brown receives Horizon Health Scholarship

Celeana Brown received the second annual "All in the Family" scholarship, the Horizon Health Inc.'s Board announced.

Brown is a resident caregiver at Horizon Health's Harmony House in Brainerd. She is continuing her education at Central Lakes College in Brainerd where she is pursuing a degree as a Registered Nurse.

The "All in the Family" scholarship is only available to Horizon Health staff members and their families. To be eligible, recipients must be a current employee or a child of an employee who plans to continue education to pursue careers in health services, social work or long-term care.

Brown, a 2006 graduate of Lake Region Christian High School and 2008 licensed practical nurse graduate of Central Lakes College, was chosen on the basis of scholastic and school achievement, home and community involvement, as well as education goals.

Duininck receives Mastery of Breast Surgery certification

Brainerd Lakes Health announced Dr. Troy M. Duininck recently received certification in the Mastery of Breast Surgery program through the American Society of Breast Surgeons.

The Mastery of Breast Surgery program was developed as a way to assure quality care for both malignant and benign breast disease. The program provides breast surgeons an opportunity to follow and report their performance in the management of breast disease.

Duininck is an active member in the American Society of Breast Surgeons and has a special interest in the treatment and management of both benign and malignant breast disease. Duininck is a general surgeon in the Brainerd Lakes Health System and his office is at Brainerd Medical Clinic.

The Farm on St. Mathias selected

The Farm on St. Mathias has been accepted as a member of Green Routes.

Green Routes businesses are selected by regional advisory groups made up of business owners, community leaders and community-based organizations. Each advisory group reviews applications and nominations of businesses and decides which to include in Green Routes materials based on how each business meets the following criteria: Contributes to the local economy by employing local residents, using local products and growers and supporting local businesses; conserves and/or enhances our natural resource base (through use of renewable energy, recycling, green building techniques, wildlife habitat protection, etc.) ; uses sustainably produced or organically grown products; engages customers and visitors through active, personal, and meaningful participation in nature, people, places, history and/or cultures.

Scheinost, Janco attend Tastefully Simple conference

Ann Scheinost, Garrison, and Shannon Janco, Baxter, Tastefully Simple consultants, attended the August national conference in Minneapolis.

They were among more than 1,900 consultants nationwide to take part in the event, which featured training and information on the fall/winter product line.

Lohman becomes Panache manager

Stylist Maria Lohman of Panache Salon and Day Spa's Baxter location recently earned her salon manager license. Salon managers are tested on knowledge of Minnesota regulations governing hair, skin and nail services and must work a minimum of 2,500 hours in a licensed salon. Salon managers ensure that quality and safety standards are met.

Lohman joins stylist Tressie Schneider on Panache Baxter's salon management team.

Capelle and Kuhn join Music General

Matt Capelle and Alex Kuhn, tap dance instructors, joined the teaching staff at Music General.

Capelle and Kuhn will be aiding in tap choreography for the recreational dance lines. They have both received numerous high point awards at regional and national dance competitions. Most recently, they were both members of the teaching staff for the tap convention "Slide" in Los Angeles.

VISTA Member starts at Bridges of Hope

Bridges of Hope and the Crow Wing County Coalition to End Poverty have been awarded an AmeriCorps Volunteer in Service to America for 2009-2010.

Natasha Leyk, will work on several projects for Bridges of Hope and the Crow Wing County Coalition to End Poverty including the Common Goods thrift store and Circles of Support.

Leyk, a Brainerd native, recently graduated from Macalester College in St. Paul, with a bachelor's degree in history and political science. She has committed to a year of service in the Brainerd lakes area.

Holmquist, Swanson join Nystrom and Associates

BAXTER - Angela Holmquist and Ginny Swanson recently joined Nystrom and Associates, Baxter.

Holmquist and Swanson are adult rehabilitative mental health services practitioners. Holmquist earned a bachelor's degree with a major in social work at Bemidji State University. Her previous work experience included work in chemical dependency. Swanson previously worked with housing support ARMHS Services, supported employment and vocation rehabilitation with 17 years experience in mental health.

At Nystrom and Associates, Holmquist and Swanson will be implementing rehabilitative mental health services, including basic living skills, social skills and community intervention, working collaboratively with community based agencies.

CHOW planned Sept. 2 in Crosslake

CROSSLAKE - Kelli Engstrom Photography in Crosslake is hosting the Brainerd Lakes Chamber's networking lunch event, CHOW, Sept. 2.

Kelli Engstrom Photography will highlight operations and provide chamber members with lunch and door prizes.

Cost to attend this event is $5 with advance reservations and $7 at the door. Advance registration is appreciated and recommended for the host's convenience. For more information, go online to www.explorebrainerdlakes.com or call 829-2838.

Business After Hours planned Sept. 8

BAXTER - Bremer Bank, 7558 Design Road in Baxter, is hosting a Brainerd Lakes Chamber networking event Business After Hours from 4:30-6 p.m. Sept. 8.

Mike Riley, Bremer Bank president in Baxter, will be giving a short presentation; large TVs in the front lobby will allow guests to watch a DVD of the Otto Bremer story to become more familiar with the history of Bremer Bank; door prizes will be given; and Timbermist will be catering the event and will be offering hot and cold appetizers, wine and sparkling cider.

The Otto Bremer Trustees, bank board members, and advisory board plan to be in attendance. The event is free. Advanced registration is recommended. For more information, go online to explorebrainerdlakes.com to register or call 829-2838 or (800) 450-2838.

Lakes Vybe Before Hours hosts national economist

Lakes Vybe, a Brainerd Lakes Chamber group, invites chamber members to join them for a Before Hours networking event from 7:30-9 a.m. Sept. 23 at The Lodge at Brainerd Lakes, 6967 Lake Forest Road in Baxter, featuring national economist Martin A. Regalia.

Regalia, senior vice president for economic and tax policy and chief economist at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, is expected to discuss current economic forces affecting the state of the American economy, his forecast of where the economy is headed and how he expects it to get there.

Cost is $10 per person for chamber members and includes a light breakfast (coffee, rolls, fruit, etc.) and $20 for others. Participants may attend in-person or via webinar. Pre-registration is requested. Lakes Vybe is a networking group with the chamber for individuals age 21-40.

'Bridges Out of Poverty' seminar planned Sept. 15

Central Lakes College in Brainerd will be the site for a free seminar 2-8 p.m. Sept. 15 in Chalberg Theatre on the Brainerd campus sponsored by the Crow Wing County Human Rights Commission.

Co-sponsors include the Crow Wing County Coalition to End Poverty, Central Lakes College and Lutheran Social Services. A light snack will be provided.

"Bridges Out of Poverty: Strategies for Professionals and Communities" gives both the social service provider and the community member key lessons in dealing with individuals from poverty. Topics will include increasing awareness of the differences in economic cultures, how those differences affect opportunities for success, developing an action plan to improve services to clients and improving retention rates for new hires from poverty.

This seminar is based on the book "Bridges Out of Poverty: Strategies for Professionals and Communities," a collaboration among Ruby K. Payne, Philip DeVol, and Terie Dreussi Smith.

This seminar is designed for employers, community organizations, law enforcement, faith based, counselors, health care and social service providers.

Facilitator Jodi Pfarr of Minneapolis is executive director of Emma Norton Services, providing housing to single women with low-incomes. She worked for years for Catholic Charities, most recently as a consultant assisting the program staff with the development of their skills and the enhancement of their programs.

Pfarr has a masters of divinity degree.

For information, contact Nancy Paulson at 855-8054. No advance registration is required.

Business owner/executive dialogue groups to meet

Registration deadline is Sept. 16 for Brainerd Lakes Chamber 2009 2010 Business Owner/ Executive Dialogue Groups.

The groups began in 2008 and were designed to foster open communication among small groups of business owners and executives of the Brainerd Lakes Chamber. Each group meets in a setting that affords ongoing contacts and provides for a confidential relationship among the group's members, the chamber reported. The ultimate purpose is to help businesses increase profits and growth.

The groups are composed of individuals from non-competitive businesses and professional backgrounds who have the desire to interact with others in an informal but informative setting. The topics are established by each group.

Each group meets monthly, October through May, for a 90-minute meeting. The meeting sites will rotate to the locations of the participating businesses interested in hosting and will be determined at the first organizational meeting.

For more information, contact Lisa Paxton at 822-7111, or by e-mail at lpaxton@explorebrainerdlakes.com, for an application for the October 2009- May 2009 Business Owner/ Executive Dialogue Groups. Applications are due by Sept. 16. Fee for group membership is $75.

Banner design contest for downtown Brainerd

Brainerd Main Street is planning to install new year-round banners in the Main Street area.

Entries are being sought for a contest to design the banners. Entries need to be submitted by Oct. 23 in electronic format. The first step for designers is to contact Emily Northey at enorthey@explorebrainerdlakes.com for banner details or find them online at DowntownBrainerd.com.

The winning designer will have their name printed as a sponsor on one set of banners (valued at about $750) which will remain up for a minimum five years, except during the winter holidays or other finite times when seasonal banners are up.

The new banners, anticipated to be installed in February 2010, in the Brainerd Main Street area are an additional downtown beautification element and will serve as a fundraiser for the Main Street Program.

For more information, contact Emily Northey, Main Street coordinator, at 822-7126 or e-mail enorthey@explorebrainerdlakes.com.

Brainerd Main Street, a community-based effort to revitalize Brainerd's Central Business District, covers an area that stretches from the Mississippi River to 11th Street and from Oak to Kingwood Streets. Though it is part of the Brainerd Lakes Chamber, it is for members and non-members alike. The program is based on the National Main Street Approach that has been used in more than 1,700 communities during the past 25 years.

Seminar at CLC looks at building a business

"Build a Business Here's How" will be offered from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 17 and Sept. 24 at the Business and Industry Center on the campus of Central Lakes College, Brainerd.

In this 12-hour course, hosted in two six-hour sessions, you'll learn how to: explore your role as business owner; design your business to meet the needs of the marketplace; structure your business to make a profit; operate an effective, legally compliant business.

At the end of the class, you will be prepared to begin writing your business plan, CLC reports. The class fee is $175. Pre-registration is required. For more information, call (800) 422-0374 or e-mail info@entrepreneurfund.org.

Seminar to explore challenges in eldercare

A seminar from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Sept. 17 at Central Lakes College in Brainerd will explore challenges in eldercare.

Two nursing instructors with more than 50 years of combined experience will discuss how to: identify potential causes for dementia; recognize the effects of aging on behavior; identify specific interventions related to the person's physical, psychological, social and environmental needs; empathize with the person who is dealing with the changes that they are enduring.

Registered nurses, Renita Thonvold and Janine K Van Engen have worked as employees of the state assigned to some of the most challenging mentally ill, elderly and developmentally disabled persons in Minnesota.

The class will meet in C225. The course fee is $35. The deadline to register is Sept. 10. For more information, call (800) 933-0346, ext. 8142 or 855-8142.

Researchers discuss academic status of minority students

ONAMIA - According to a recent report by the Minnesota Minority Education Partnership Inc., students of color and American Indian students continue to face significant academic achievement gaps and are up to five times as likely to drop out of high school than their white peers.

From 1-4 p.m. Sept. 3, MMEP researchers will discuss these and other findings from the 2009 State of Students of Color and American Indian Student report at the Grand Casino Mille Lacs Events & Convention Center. The event is free and open to the public.

MMEP, a nonprofit organization, is traveling across the state of Minnesota to share its latest report and discuss strategies for addressing the achievement gap between minority and white students in Minnesota. The organization is also working with the Minnesota Legislature to help lawmakers understand the urgency in addressing this issue.