| Forest Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Newsletter |
December
2009 |
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Serving the Communities of Columbus, Forest Lake, Lent, Linwood, Scandia, Stacy & Wyoming |
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Dr. Leo Sinna, DDS
FLACC Business of the Month
1. How long have you been in business?
I completed a specialty residency in orthodontics in June, 1973 and established an office in Forest Lake in 1974. I have been engaged in the full time practice of orthodontics in Forest Lake since April, 1974.
2. What is your main service/product?
My practice is devoted exclusively to the specialty practice of orthodontics.
3. What makes you stand out from your competition?
The practice I own and operate in Forest Lake is the only full time, full service specialty practice in orthodontics in Forest Lake. As such we can offer the greatest number of choices for appointment dates and times. The staff employed in my practice has collectively over 100 years of experience in the field. Our dedication to the implementation of state of the art technology to diagnosis, treatment planning and patient treatment delivery is without peer.
4. What is your company's most significant recent accomplishment?
Our recent and continuing deployment of diagnostic and communication technologies has allowed us to expand services to our patients through better and more efficient collaboration with dentists and dental specialists as well as physicians and medical specialists.
5. Why does your business belong to the Forest Lake Area Chamber of Commerce?
My practice belongs to the Forest Lake Area Chamber of Commerce to support the business and economic activity of Forest Lake which we believe is the pulse of the community itself. |
NFDA Recognizes Mattson Funeral Home as "Best of the Best"
The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) announced its Pursuit of ExcellenceŽ program's 2009 award recipients. To achieve the Pursuit of Excellence Award, NFDA-member funeral homes must demonstrate proficiency in key areas of the funeral service profession by fulfilling a set number of criteria in six categories of achievement. Participants must show their commitment to: Complying with state and federal regulations; providing ongoing education and professional development opportunities for staff; offering outstanding programs and resources to bereaved families; maintaining an active level of involvement within the community; participating and actively serving in the funeral service profession; and promoting funeral home services through a variety of marketing, advertising and public relations programs.
In addition to receiving the 2009 Pursuit of Excellence Award, five funeral homes were selected to receive "Best of the Best" - an award that recognizes funeral homes for their development and execution of a unique program or service that had a significant impact on those served. Mattson Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Forest Lake was one of only five in the nation to receive the "Best of the Best" award.
Recognized for their Heartley Bear project, the staff at Mattson Funeral Home was very excited to hear they were chosen for the award. Said Paul, "We just feel so blessed the Heartley Bear project is being recognized. What started as a very personal way to honor my grandfather's memory has become such a healing experience for so many families." Susan agreed and stated, "Having a tangible memory of a loved one can be a very healing thing. To see how much the bears mean...that's really what funeral service from the heart is all about. We're very humbled to be a part of that." |
Ambassador's Spotlight on Business
November, 2009
 American Legion Post #225
Russ Miner
355 W Broadway Ave
PO Box 520
Forest Lake, MN 55025
651-464-2600
http://www.post225.com
The American Legion is an organization of nearly 3 million veterans who care about America, veterans and their families and our youth. The Legion is a powerful force in Washington dedicated to preserving the rights we've all earned by service to our nation in uniform. Forest Lake's Post, founded in 1910 and currently consisting of 625 members is most highly recognized for putting on the largest 4th of July celebration in the upper Midwest. They continue to participate in the community year round and pride themselves on their community involvement. The American Legion is always there for you and your family - in Washington and nearly 15,000 local posts throughout America and abroad. The Forest Lake Post #225 is one of those local Posts of your friends and neighbors who are proud to be called Legionnaires.
 On Broadway Carwash & Coffee Shop
Tim Caris
955 W Broadway Ave
Forest Lake, MN 55025
651-464-7001
Owner, Tim Caris, managers Steve Wenholz and Joy Nienow Stoen, along with Dylan, Angie, Gabe, Steve, and Chelsee, invite you to try out the Forest Lake area's only GUARANTEED car wash! On Broadway offers two ENVIRONMENTALLY SAFE car washes: the Deluxe, our basic wash, and the Ultimate, which includes a Rust Inhibitor, Wax, and a Wheel and Undercarriage Wash. They will also soon be debuting a RAIN-X Protectant, which will essentially make a vehicle's exterior brand new! Rain, snow, dust, and debris will not stand a chance! On Broadway Carwash also features Dunn Bros coffee, espresso drinks, tea, and other delicious hot and cold beverages. There's always something tasty on special. Check out their newly designed VIP CLUB! For $9.95 per year, enjoy a FREE Deluxe Wash and FREE Beverage of Choice immediately, receive a "Rain Check" with every car wash purchase, earn and redeem points for washes and beverages, and receive special offers on your birthday and throughout the year.
 V.F.W. Post #4210
Keith Hegstrom
556 SW 12th St.
PO Box 307
Forest Lake, MN 55025
651-464-6827
http://www.vfwpost4210.com
The Forest Lake VFW Post #4210 is one of approximately 8,400 Veteran of Foreign War Posts across the country and currently has 600 men and woman representing its post. The VFW was designed to serve as a fraternal, patriotic, historical and educational organization for those who have served in war and their families. Its primary focus is to preserve and strengthen comradeship among its members. Forest Lake's post was founded in 1945 and strives to be an important asset to the community in their presence and in their philanthropy in the community. The VFW can also host up to 600 people for community events, parties, funerals and weddings. Visit their website for a full list of the Forest Lake VFW's accomplishments and services.
Thank you to the November Ambassadors: Vicki LaMotte, South Lake Design; Tom Campbell, Patriot Bank MN; Randy Mattson, Mattson & Wiens LTD; Judy Johnson, Flexible Spaces; Kelly Appel, Lake Area Bank; Andy Grupa, OSI Physical Therapy. | |
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December Refreshment Host
Rise, Inc.
Jose Clemente
13265 Sylvan Ave
PO Box 336
Lindstrom, MN 55045
(651) 257-2281
Website
Rise, Inc. supports people who have disabilities and other barriers to employment in attaining their personal measure of safe and affordable housing, vocational achievement, self-sufficiency, and belonging in their communities.
Rise is dedicated to building a community which is more accepting of all of its citizens and we support the development of creative partnerships with businesses, government agencies, and the general public to meet this objective.
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The Chamber is always looking for business to be Refreshment Host. For only $35 a month (which covers refreshment supplies) you receive recognition in the Chamber Newsletter, advertising at the Chamber front desk and at all the meetings held in the Chamber conference room. Please call the Chamber at 651-464-3200 to reserve your spot. |
FLACC Now Booking "Coffee Chatters" & Brown Bag Lunches for 2010
Great Networking Opportunity for You and Your Business
Coffee Chatters are held on the last Thursday of the month from 7:30a-8:30a at your place of business. It provides a great opportunity to invite other local business representatives into your place of business and network over breakfast. If you are interested in holding a Coffee Chatter at your business, please contact the chamber.
Our Brown Bag Lunches are educational seminars put on by our members. They are a great way to advertise your company and what you have to offer others in the community for FREE. Last month, Matt Steffens from Landmark Insurance Services presented on choosing the right Health Care Insurance for your business employees. Meetings take place on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month over the 12p-1p lunch hour. If you have a topic you'd like to present, please contact the chamber. |
FLACC December Trivia
E-Mail chamber@flacc.org with the answer to BOTH questions for a chance to win a great prize! First come, first served!
1. At last month's Membership Meeting (November 19) reference was made to a famous newscaster. What was their name and what was their famous sign off?
2. In what year was the Forest Lake V.F.W. Post #4210 founded? | |
FLACC Breakfast with Santa
December 12 @ 8am
The Forest Lake Area Chamber of Commerce will present a FREE "Breakfast with Santa" event at Famous's Daves in Forest Lake from 8am-10am on Saturday, December 12. Join us for great food, carolers and a photo opportunity with Santa.
Thank you to the following sponsors: ABRA Auto Body & Glass, Connexus Energy, Country Inn & Suites, Cub Foods, Famous Dave's, Frandsen Bank & Trust, Holiday Station Store (West of I-35), Olson's Sewer Service/Olson's Excavating, Wally McCarthy's Chevrolet Oldsmobile Cadillac, Whitaker Buick Pontiac GMC. |
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Be In The Know!
Broadway Avenue Improvement Project Informational Meeting for Chamber Members
2-3pm @ Washington County Headwaters Service Center: 19955 Forest Road North - Forest Lake
Washington County and SRF Consulting will be presenting an update on the Broadway Avenue Improvement Project. There will also be a question and answer session.
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Notice - City of Forest Lake
Planning Commission Vacancies
The City of Forest Lake announces applications are being taken for the Planning Commission. Commission members execute the City's comprehensive plan, variances, zoning ordinance and special permits related to all land uses in the City. The Planning Commission meets the 2nd and 4th Wednesday @ 7:00 p.m. each month. If you are interested in this commission and would like an application and/or more information, please call Chantal at 651-209-9727 or visit the City website www.ci.forest-lake.mn.us. Application deadline is December 11, 2009 at 4:30 p.m. |
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Special Thanks
The Forest Lake Area Chamber would like to thank those of you who donated to the Forest Lake Children's Fund Coat Drive. The coats and other winter gear raised by the Chamber and several other organizations will be distributed to local children in need. | |
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From the President
"Invest in your community...SHOP LOCAL FIRST!"
"Light up our City" at Lakeside Memorial Park was the place to be on Saturday the 28th. Thank you to all of you for taking part in this festive community event. Thank you to the following businesses who made this event such a huge success:
- Stella's on 97
- The City of Forest Lake
- Green Door Consignment Company
- Olson's Sewer Service/Olson's Excavating Service
- Snap Fitness - Forest Lake
- Forest Lake Travel
- Forest Lake Floral and Greenhouse
- Central Bank
- Lillians
- Village Inn - Wyoming
- Stars and Strikes Entertainment Center
- JNT Landscaping
- Houle's Farm, Garden and Pet
- Howell Heating and Air Conditioning
- Connexus Energy
- North Lakes Cleaning Service
- Rapid Press Printing and Copy Center
- Big Apple Bagel
- Cub Foods
- MarketPlace Foods
I would like to thank Dierdre Struve for all her help with coordinating this fun filled community event!
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Community Corner
By Jim Westlund, Melaleuca-The Wellness Company Spotlight Community Partner: Wildlife Science Center
The Wildlife Science Center is an independent non-profit organization located in Columbus. It was  founded in 1976 and at that time was a federally funded research facility to observe and document the physiology and behavior of gray wolves. The federal funding ended in 1991; however some of the existing staff chose to assume financial responsibility for the 30+ wolves living here at that time.
Since then, staff has increased and so has the diversity of the animal collection. It now includes black bears, raptors, bobcats, gray fox, red wolves and Mexican gray wolves. Their main mission is training, research, education and conservation. Some of the programs they offer are wolf howl bonfires, overnights, scouting programs, teacher resources, school programs and wolf camp. Through its research and educational efforts, the WSC's expertise is often sought by international, national, and regional institutions regarding the care, handling, breeding, and ecological significance of wolves.
They offer Saturday tours throughout the year - running from 11AM to 1PM. The guided tour lasts about 1 ˝ hours and allows visitors to view many of the animals at the center. Tours are rain or shine and no appointment is necessary, visit their website www.wildlifesciencecenter.org for pricing and to learn about volunteer opportunities, donations needed, animal sponsorship and more. Their address is 5463 W Broadway, Columbus MN 55025.
EVENTS:
On Saturday December 5th from 11AM to 4PM at the Wildlife Science Center, you are invited to their HOWLiday open house. It is free admission, their gift to all of you. You can use this time to check out unique gift opportunities such as Art, Crafts, Toys and decorative housewares while perusing in the relaxed atmosphere of their education building.
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MN Chamber Update
Cap-and-Trade Demands International Solution
By David C. Olson
Clean air and a sound environment are vital to all Minnesotans and especially to the business community. Our greatest challenge is to accomplish this without slowing the development of our economy and job growth. Of particular concern is any initiative which puts Minnesota businesses at an economic disadvantage with their competitors in the national and global marketplaces.
That's why the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and its statewide network of local chamber partners reject any cap-and-trade policy that places Minnesota or the Midwest on an island. We advocate a national policy - but only if it is crafted within the context of an international agreement. That critical element is missing from the current debate in Congress.
We endorse the goal to gradually reduce greenhouse gases from air emissions and to use a trading market among businesses, if it reduces the cost of reducing emissions. We support wise investments that diversify the nation's energy generation and make our nation more energy efficient and independent.
The cap-and-trade legislation before Congress, however, is certain to result in higher energy prices that will be passed to ratepayers. Our core concern is the impact of those costs on jobs and the ability of Minnesota businesses to compete in the global economy. The mining and forest products industries particularly will be hit hard. However, any product manufacturer with global sales will be less competitive if energy prices increase significantly.
This negative impact will be exacerbated by the proposed allocation of emission allowances for electric utilities - a formula based 50 percent on emissions and 50 percent on sales. Utilities that are more coal dependent will need to purchase even more allowances than if allowances were based on emissions alone. Customers in Minnesota and the Midwest rely heavily on coal-powered electricity generation. As a result, they will be affected disproportionately compared with other regions, creating another competitive disadvantage for businesses.
A more equitable system is to distribute allowances solely on the basis of emissions. We appreciate the efforts of Minnesota's two U.S. senators - Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken - who recently advocated this position in a letter to U.S. Senate leadership.
Technology is important to this debate, too. New, cost-effective carbon capture and storage technologies are necessary if we are to reduce greenhouse gases and be able to use the abundant, domestic resources like coal to meet energy needs. Nuclear power also will be critical to addressing growing electricity needs in a carbon-constrained world. Regulatory and liability hurdles must be addressed to ensure the timely development of all technology options.
The Minnesota Chamber is not standing still on addressing climate change. We believe much more can be done to reduce greenhouse gas emissions without additional government regulations, specifically in the areas of conservation and efficiency. To that end, we have launched Energy Smart which recently marked its one-year anniversary. Energy Smart helps businesses become more energy efficient. As a result, companies reduce carbon emissions and save money on their bottom lines.
The business community has a strong record of advancing initiatives that benefit the environment and the economy. But we believe the federal legislation as currently framed - especially without an accompanying international agreement - won't solve the problem, be efficient or cost effective. We are making that position very clear with our state's congressional delegation.
David Olson is president of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. For more information, visit the Web at www.mnchamber.com. |
| YSB Corner
 "Domestic Abuse: Working with Adults and Youth Impacted by Family Violence" Workshop co-sponsored by Lakes Area YSB and The Refuge Network
Who should attend: Counselors, educators, police officers, church staff, and other professionals.
When: Thursday, January 14, from 8:00am-12:30pm
Where: Wyoming United Methodist Church
Cost: $25.00
Why: Too many adults and youth experience domestic violence in our local communities. It is often an ugly secret never exposed until someone is seriously injured or killed.
How: Register by January 8th by sending a check to LAYSB: 244 N Lake St, Forest Lake, MN 55025.
Questions? Contact Jackie Hays at 651-464-3685 or Jackie.Hays@ysblakesarea.org.
The trainer is Michael McGrane, MSW, LICSW, recently retired from Wilder Foundation, having worked with perpetrators and victims of violence for the last 36 years.
LAYSB Seeks Youth Page Sponsors
Lakes Area Youth Service Bureau (LAYSB) would like to invite you to become an advertising sponsor of the 2010 "Youth Pages." The Youth Page is a vital informational link to the community about the programs, events and services offered by LAYSB and is published three times each year in the Forest Lake Times, Forest Lake Press, Chisago County Press and the North Branch Post Review. Advertising sponsorship is very affordable and cost effective and shows your support for area youth and families! For more information please contact Jackie Kottke at 651-464-3685 or via e-mail at jackie.kottke@ysblakesarea.org.
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There are many exciting opportunities for your business at the Chamber.
Call us to find out more: 651-464-3200.
Sincerely,
Colleen Eddy
Colleen Eddy
Forest Lake Area Chamber of Commerce |
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