BUSINESS NOTES
Hines named member of the year
Donny Hines, safety director of Nor-Son of Baxter, was named Member of the Year by Associated Builders and Contractors.
Hines accepted the award at ABC's annual meeting Nov. 19 at the Radisson Hotel & Conference Center in Plymouth. This award is designed to recognize members who are dedicated to improving their business, customer service and community involvement through determination and hard work. The ABC Member of the Year is an award for service to ABC and the building industry as an individual.
Hines has served as Nor-Son's safety director for six years. He chaired the Minnesota Associated Builders and Contractors Safety Committee for two years and currently serves on the Associated Builders and Contractors National Safety Committee. His leadership and commitment were instrumental in the launch of the Associated Builders and Contractors OSHA Partnership Program.
Donny Hines
Ladd named youth coordinator
Evie Ladd was appointed the new youth coordinator for Project New Hope, a camp for military combat veterans and their families near McGregor, commencing Jan. 1.
Ladd, Palisade, has worked as a parent volunteer at school, Sunday school teacher, Aitkin County 4-H leader for 20 years and has been a member of the Palisade Lions Club since 2006. Her other volunteer activities include the Relay for Life, Circle of Hope Bracelets and the church council.
She will coordinate all youth activities for retreat weekends, be the sole point of contact for Project New Hope and report directly to the board of directors.
Salfisberg company changes name
PINE RIVER - Salfisberg Construction announced a name change to Timeless Design Builders.
In business since 1998, Salfisberg Construction involves three brothers, Chief Executive Officer Sam Salfisberg, Project Manager Bob Salfisberg and Production Control Manager Dylan Salfisberg.
They reported the growth and vision of their construction business facilitated this name change.
Integra Telecom names Clauson to post
BAXTER - Integra Telecom Inc., a provider of telecommunications and Internet services for business with offices in Baxter, promoted Karen Clauson to vice president of law and policy.
In this role, Clauson heads up Integra's law and policy group in Minneapolis and reports to Jeff Oxley, executive vice president and general counsel for Integra Telecom.
Breast-Specific Gamma Imaging at Lakewood
STAPLES - Lakewood Health System recently added a new imaging technique to its mammography services.
Breast-Specific Gamma Imaging is a process to further define an inconclusive mammogram and ultimately aides in faster and more precise diagnosis, Lakewood reported.
Situations where BSGI is especially valuable include: Suspicious areas on a mammogram, dense breasts, lumps that can be felt but not seen with mammography, implants and breast augmentation or scarring from previous surgeries. While other modalities, such as ultrasound and MRI capture the physical structure of the breast, BSGI specifically determines the cellular functioning of the breast tissue, verifying an area of concern.
In addition to BSGI, Lakewood Health System offers a complete lineup of mammography services, including computer-aided detection, which provides a second read when areas of a mammogram are flagged. Lakewood Health System's mammography capabilities from detection to diagnosis to treatment will be further expanded to digital in January when a Hologic digital mammography machine is implemented.
Judges pick most creative downtown displays
Thirty-two businesses and organizations participated in Downtown Holli-Days 2008 with judges picking the most creative downtown displays.
Visitors to businesses between Dec. 3-13 cast ballots to vote on the best decorated displays for the People's Choice Awards. Winners are: First place, Northwind Grille, which will possess the traveling trophy until next year; second place, Mattie and Me; third place tie, Chocolate Etc., Psycho Joe Ink and Graphic, Salvation Army Thrift Store.
A panel of judges - James Wallin, Brainerd mayor; Anne Nelson Fisher, council member; Kathi Nagorski, Brainerd Dispatch city editor; Kristen Anderson, RedHouseMedia - braved the cold on Dec. 11 to review the window and in-store displays determining the Judge's Choice Awards.
Judges Choice: First place, Between Friends/Cindy's Quilt Loft; second place, Coco Moon; honorable mentions, Salvation Army Thrift Store, The Gallery and Franklin Arts Center/Crossing Arts Alliance.
Mid-Minnesota Federal Credit Union and Widseth Smith Nolting were major sponsors for the event. For more information about the Brainerd Main Street program, contact Emily Roragen at 822-7126 or e-mail eroragen@explorebrainerdlakes.com.
Lutheran Care Center volunteers make purchase
LITTLE FALLS - The nonprofit Lutheran Care Center Volunteer Board in Little Falls recently purchased a Chattanooga Ultra Sound Machine, which utilizes ultrasound waves to relieve pain and tightness as well as to loosen and stimulate muscles.
The volunteer board is made up of area church members and people of the area community at large. Earlier this year, a wish list was compiled and brought to the volunteer board by the Physical Therapy Department. This list showed several items which were needed to improve the quality of care available to residents.
The volunteer board spent several months putting together events and raising funds for the purchase of the new machine. The help of residents' families and staff was invaluable when organizing silent auctions, bake sales, a spring plant sale and a fall craft sale. Free will offerings at the ice cream social and donations also were received.
Range Printing staff donates to Christmas charity
CROSBY - Judy Sundquist, Range Printing owner, reported employee donations to the Christmas Charity Program/ Committee were gathered through yearlong fundraising events such as bake sales and brat sales and chili feeds and a garage sale. The committee has been in effect for four years.
At Christmastime the group pulls tags off the Salvation Army trees and shops for outfits and shoes. The group was able to handle 30 tags this year in addition to many other donations.
MAPE Local 1601 donates turkeys, $500
Minnesota Association of Professional Employees Local 1601 on Tuesday donated 300 pounds of frozen turkeys and presented a check for $500 to the Salvation Army for the holidays.
The gifts will go to area families in the service region that includes Aitkin, Baxter, Brainerd, Crosby, Deerwood, Fort Ripley, Little Falls, Motley, Pierz, Staples and Wadena.
Those involved in delivering the donations included: Joe Kastens, MAPE membership organizer; Ron Rardin, Local 1601 president; and Joe McMahon, MAPE business agent.
Welding course to begin in January
The Business and Industry Center at Central Lakes College, Brainerd, scheduled a 48-hour welding course Jan. 6-Feb. 12 on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
It will cover safety, metallurgy, OxyFuel, arc, Mig/Tig, plasma cutting and more. The course is designed for the beginner and also will allow experienced individuals to build on existing skills.
Upon successful completion of this class, the beginner student will be prepared for an entry-level position in the welding industry. The fee is $399, including materials. Instructor is Craig Weigel.
The class meets from 5:30-9:30 p.m. in W100. Deadline to register is Dec. 30 by calling (800) 933-0346, ext. 8142 or 855-8142.
'Going Into Business' class offered Jan. 8
Central Lakes College in Brainerd will host a Going Into Business For Yourself class from 6 to 9 p.m. Jan. 8.
This class covers all areas of business startup, helpful advice on how to get your dream off the ground, how to become and stay profitable, including financing your new venture. Follow-up counseling is available to qualified individuals from the Small Business Development Center's team of consultants free of charge.
Tuition is $49 per person plus $29 for each additional business partner. Instructor is Jay Bock.
The class meets in the Business and Industry Center on the Brainerd campus.
Deadline to register is Jan. 2. For information, call (800) 933-0346 ext. 8142 or 855-8142.
Electrician course offered at CLC
The Business and Industry Center of Central Lakes College in Brainerd will host a 16-hour continuing education opportunity for holders of the Minnesota master journeyman electrician license.
Instruction, planned from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 8 and Jan. 9, will cover applicable articles and sections of the 2008 National Electrical Code, Minnesota statutes and rules governing electrical work and a review of the basic elements of electricity and electrical calculations.
The course has been approved by the Minnesota Board of Electricity.
Participants should bring a calculator and the 2005 or 2008 NEC Code book. Code books will be available for $82. The course fee is $300, including lunch, with instruction provided by Riverland Community College.
Deadline to register is Jan. 2. For more information, call (800) 933-0346 ext. 8142 or 855-8142.
ServSafe course offered in Little Falls
The University of Minnesota Extension Service is offering two courses to help food service establishments meet the educational requirement for certified food managers.
The initial certification course, called ServSafe, will be offered Jan. 8, at the Morrison County Government Center in Little Falls. The class will run from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with the test following at 4:30 p.m. Participants must attend all day to be eligible to take the certification exam. This course includes information about safe food preparation, handling, sanitation and prevention of foodborne illnesses. Registration is required by Thursday.
Serve It Up Safely is a four-hour renewal course for certified managers. Certified food managers need four hours of continuing education credits within three years of becoming certified. University of Minnesota Extension educators and university specialists developed this renewal course that meets these criteria. The Serve It Up Safely course also will be at Morrison County Government Center on Jan. 8 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Registration is due by Thursday.
Pre-registration is required. For a registration brochure, or for more information, call (507) 337-2819 or contact Connie Schwartau at schwa047@umn.edu.
The Food Manager Certification Course and Serve It Up Safely renewal course are also available online. To get more information about all of these classes go to www.extension.umn.edu/foodsafety or contact Connie Schwartau at schwa047@umn.edu or (507) 337-2819.
How to submit Business Notes
Business Notes submissions may be addressed to Renee Richardson, Brainerd Dispatch, P.O. Box 974, Brainerd, MN 56401; faxed to 829-0211; or e-mailed 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 Dispatch's news receptionist's desk, or by using the after-hours drop box near the building's side entrance in the alley.
Questions about submissions are welcome at 855-5852 or (800) 432-3703.