Business notes

Easy Riders Bicycle and Sport shop gained honors as the second place dealership for Minnesota with the 2003 PSE Silver Award of Recognition. The award was presented to Kenn Shepherd, Easy Rider owner, and Kyle Waller, archery manager, on Oct. 1.

Mille Lacs Band names new director

ONAMIA -- The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe named Terri Drift the new director of Community Youth Services.

Community Youth Services has a new focus on prevention/intervention efforts that address drug and alcohol use and other challenges facing today's youth. CYS also provides programs that support self-learning through cultural activities, life skills education, and physical activities.

Drift's experience with the band includes work as a chemical dependency counselor; a Rule 25 Assessor, in which she was responsible for determining the lengths and types of treatment needed for people with chemical dependency problems; and an Outreach Enrichment coordinator, where she worked on the reservation and in the Twin Cities to develop personal and professional development courses for band adults. As a licensed chemical dependency counselor, she has worked in several other chemical dependency and intervention positions to help youth and families.

A member of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, Drift graduated with honors from Itasca Community College with degrees in liberal arts and human services, and she is completing her degree in applied psychology from Bemidji State University.

Two join Spirit Spas

Marie Russell and Cindy Root, former staff members at Great Clips, recently joined Spirit Spas in Brainerd and the new Cabana Hair Salon.

Russell, Brainerd, attended the St. Cloud Model College of Hair Design and has 14 years of combined cosmetology and managerial experience in area salons, including Shear Perfection, J.C. Penney and most recently Great Clips.

Root worked for her uncle's Brainerd business during the summer months while she grew up in Illinois. She relocated to Minnesota and her experience includes cosmetology and general managerial positions for Great Clips, which involved overseeing five salons in Minnesota.

ACTIVITIES

CHOW Time North luncheon set

The Brainerd Lakes Area Chambers of Commerce is hosting the November CHOW Time North luncheon event from noon-1 p.m. Wednesday.

This month's event is sponsored by The New Exchange, County Road 66, Crosslake. The new owners will talk about their new menu and plans and ideas for The New Exchange.

CHOW Time is a networking lunch activity highlighting what's new at the chamber. It also allows introduction of members and an opportunity for others to promote their business. Cost to attend is $3 with advance reservations or $5 at the door.

For more information, call 829-2838, ext. 802.

Booth spaces available for holiday event

The Chamber's Business Expo and Holiday Extravaganza networking event will be 4:30-7:30 p.m. Dec. 4. at Madden's Townhall on Gull Lake.

Music and hors d'oeuvres are part of the event. Admission is free for chamber member businesses and employees.

For more information, call Mary Gottsch at 829-2838, ext. 117.

Christmas Cash program starts Thursday

Designed to promote local shopping in the Brainerd Lakes Area for the holiday season the Christmas Cash program starts Thursday.

Apply at area financial institutions for up to $1,000 per individual resident (or $1,500 jointly) at a 4.9 percent interest rate. Christmas Cash dollars may be used for holiday purchases at participating Brainerd Lakes Area Chambers of Commerce member businesses.

Christmas Cash checks are issued in increments of $25. Cashier checks will be available at Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union, America National Bank, Brainerd Savings and Loan, Bremer Bank, Deerwood Bank, Lakes State Banks, Lakewood Bank, Mid Minnesota Federal Credit Union, Midwest Bank, Northern National Bank, People's National Bank and Wells Fargo Bank for customers borrowing to make large purchases.

For more information, call Mary Gottsch at 829-2838, ext. 117.

WORKSHOPS

'Going Into Business' seminar set Nov. 13

"Going Into Business for Yourself" seminar is set from 6 to 9 p.m. Nov. 13 in the Business and Industry Center at Central Lakes College, Brainerd.

This seminar covers all areas of business start-up, offers advice on how to become and stay profitable and how to finance a new venture. Business structure and required government filings are discussed.

Follow-up counseling is available from the Small Business Development Center's team of consultants. Pre-registration is required. Cost is $40 per person or $60 for participant and one additional business partner.

For information, call (800) 933-0346, ext. 8142 or 855-8142.

DONATION

Herberger's Community Day raises funds

Herberger's is hosting a Community Day event to support area community organizations on Nov. 22.

Customers who purchase a $5 ticket packet from participating organizations receive special offers and discounts. Each packet contains a $5 coupon plus six 20 percent off savings coupons. Customers who purchase a ticket packet are also entered into a drawing for a trip for four to Walt Disney World. One hundred percent of the ticket price is retained by the organization. Since 1999, more than $10 million has been raised companywide.

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 829-7735, 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.

Drop-off submissions are accepted at the news receptionist's desk at The Dispatch or after-hours by using the drop-off box near the building's side entrance in the alley.

Questions about submissions are welcome at 855-5852.