Minnesota School of Business in Lakeville invites you to join them at their Holistic Health Fair on Saturday, October 26th from 9:00am - 5:00pm.  The goal of this FREE Holistic Health Fair is to inform the public of holistic healthcare, encompassing all integrative healing methods in relation to massage and other modalities.  This event will include speakers, demonstrations, giveaways and vendor booths.  Contact Stephanie Strand, Massage Therapy Program Chair, at 952.892.9036 or sstrand@msbcollege.edu for more information.

Dakota Electric Association is now accepting applications for the Touchstone Energy Community Award, which recognizes non-profit groups, community organizations and businesses that have shown a strong commitment to the community. The award acknowledges the efforts of those who have impacted numerous people, collaborated and shared resources, addressed unmet community needs or provided necessary services.

In 2013, Dakota Electric will provide three Touchstone Energy Community Awards; accompanying each award will be a check for $500. One award recipient will be chosen to contend against other award winners from across the state for the Minnesota Touchstone Energy Community Award and a cash prize of $1,000. The statewide award winner will be recognized at the Minnesota Rural Electric Association annual meeting in March.

The deadline for applications is November 1. Applicants are evaluated on project scope, use of resources and the impact or value to the community. To receive judging criteria and an application for the award, call Brenda Kadlec at 651-463-6234, or go to www.dakotaelectric.com and look under "about us" and "community."

A customer-owned, non-profit utility since 1937, Dakota Electric Association provides electricity to more than 102,000 members throughout Dakota County and portions of Goodhue, Rice and Scott counties. Dakota Electric, a Touchstone Energy Partner, serves its member-owners with integrity, accountability, innovation and commitment to community.

Mahoney Ulbrich Christiansen Russ PA is delighted to announce that Bonnie Russ, Owner/Shareholder, has been named one of The 2013 Top Women in Finance honorees. While many honorees represent the banking and finance professions, others work in private business, real estate, law, accounting and nonprofit organizations.  This is the 13th year Finance & Commerce has honored women who are making outstanding contributions to their professions and communities in the state. This year's honorees will be feted Nov. 21 at a dinner and awards presentation at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis.

People with disabilities at ProAct sorted thousands of pounds of plastic bags for recycling after taking collections from area businesses, condominiums and ProAct's assembly and packaging operation.  These were assembled and compacted for the first semi-truck load shipment from ProAct's Eagan facility late in September.  It was bound for a Virginia destination, and, ultimately, for use in new products. 

ProAct Production Coordinator Jennifer Cavalier said plastic sorting is some of the best work for individuals with disabilities, and helps people to enhance their fine and gross motor skills.  "They work more effectively, and they're productive," she said.  As material collections continue to rise, she estimates the nonprofit will be able to ship about 20,000 pounds of plastic for recycling every 7 to 10 weeks. 

The recycling effort is connected with the "It's In the Bag" shrink film and plastic bag recycling program led by the Recycling Association of Minnesota. 

ProAct's mission is to serve individuals experiencing barriers to employment and self-sufficiency due to intellectual and developmental disabilities, physical disabilities, mental health issues, traumatic brain injuries, and other challenges.  Learn more at proactinc.org.

Mahoney Ulbrich Christiansen Russ P.A. was recently named as one of the 2013 Best Accounting Firms to Work for. The annual list of the Best Accounting Firms to Work for was created by Accounting Today and Best Companies Group. This survey and awards program is designed to identify, recognize and honor the best employers in the accounting industry, benefiting the industry's economy, workforce and businesses. The list is made up of 100 companies.

To be considered for participation, companies had to fulfill the following eligibility requirements:

-          Be a for-profit or not-for-profit business or government entity;

-          Be a publicly or privately held business;

-          Have a facility in the United States;

-          Have a minimum of 15 employees working in the United States;

-          Must be in business a minimum of 1 year; and

-          Must be an accounting firm.

Companies from across the United States entered the two-part survey process to determine the Best Accounting Firms to Work for. The first part consisted of evaluating each nominated company's workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems and demographics. This part of the process was worth approximately 25% of the total evaluation. The second part consisted of an employee survey to measure the employee experience. This part of the process was worth approximately 75% of the total evaluation. The combined scores determined the top companies and the final ranking. Best Companies Group managed the overall registration and survey process, analyzed the data, and determined the final ranking.

GR Promotions would like to invite you to their Brandexpo and Customer Appreciation event on Tuesday, October 15th from 10:00am - 2:00pm at the Best Western Premier Nicollet Inn (14201 Nicollet Avenue South, Burnsville).  There will be 60+ vendors showing the latest in promotional products and business branding ideas, prize drawings and refreshments.  To learn more or sign up online, visit http://vsales.vernoncompany.com/grpromotionsbrandexpo.