The Dakota County/Wescott Library invites you to "Etsy: Settin Up Shop" on Thursday, February 6th from 6:00pm - 8:00pm at the Eagan Branch (1340 Wescott Road, Eagan).  Get a behind-the-scenes look at Etsy.com - a website where you can sell your arts, crafts and other unique products to the world. Etsy advocate and shopkeeper Becka Rahn will show you what it takes to set up and maintain your own shop, share time-saving tips and built-in tools and resources, and answer questions about what to expect before you open the doors of your virtual shop. Presented by the Textile Center. The program is free but registration is required by calling the library or registering on the library's Calendar of Events.

ProAct received a $200,000 State of Minnesota grant through Minnesota Southeast Technical which will bring an infusion of help to enhance ProAct's training for staff members and people with disabilities, while improving the nonprofit's production capabilities, as well. ProAct President, Steven Ditschler, said one element in the new grant-funded curriculum is the first of its kind in the state, and possibly in the country. He spoke of several primary elements that are addressed by the new funding: greater productivity and self-sufficiency, better value to business customers, increased wages and an even higher level of professionalism. The funds flow from the Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Program and will impact about 140 ProAct employees over an 18-month period. Entry level training and retraining are to be emphasized. The grant provides assistance in several areas, including: Cutworks (AutoCAD), trained medication administration, special needs job coaching and team building, Adapted Lean systems, electronic documentation and "Train the Trainer" in Lean, CPR and first aid.  

Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE) and The Joint..the chiropractic place have teamed up for the month of February to bring awareness to mental health and reduce stigma surrounding such a common battle. 100% of proceeds raised will be donated to SAVE.org! Donate at any of the 8 metro clinics and receive a complimentary adjustment! Click here to learn more. 

WSB & Associates is pleased to announce the hire of Michelle Maciej, Jayson Honer, and Adam Gadbois. Michelle Maciej, EIT, is a Graduate Engineer in WSB's Municipal Group and divides her time between the firm's St. Cloud and Minneapolis offices. Maciej holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Minnesota. Prior to joining WSB full time, she was an intern with Cretex Concrete Products and then with WSB, working with municipal and water resources staff. Jayson Honer, EIT, is a Graduate Engineer in WSB's Construction Services Group, working in the firm's Minneapolis office. Honer holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Before joining WSB, he worked as an engineering technician in Enbridge Energy's pipeline division. Most recently, Honer was an intern at WSB, working on projects for CenterPoint Energy. Adam Gadbois, EIT, is also a Graduate Engineer in WSB's Construction Services Group, working in the firm's Minneapolis office. Gadbois holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Prior to joining WSB, he worked at Bachmann Construction and C.S. McCrossan, where he gained valuable experience in new LEED certified building construction and heavy-civil construction. Most recently, Gadbois was an intern at WSB, working on projects for CenterPoint Energy.

Mahoney Ulbrich Christiansen Russ PA (MUCR) is pleased to announce the following staff promotions, effective January 1, 2014. Tom Johnson has been promoted to Officer; Luke Roessler and Jayme Shuda have been promoted to Senior Managers. Thomas R. Johnson has over 8 years of public accounting experience.  He provides audit and accounting services to clients in the areas of HUD and Minnesota Housing Finance Agency annual reporting and not for profit organizations, including OMB circular A-133. In addition he specializes in the taxation and structuring of real estate transactions, utilizing low-income housing tax credits and historic rehabilitation tax credits.Jayme Shuda is a senior manager in the General Business Services Department at Mahoney Ulbrich Christiansen Russ, PA.  She has over 6 years of experience in public accounting.  Jayme's primary areas of practice are income tax planning and preparation for small to mid-size businesses, financial statement preparation, and Quickbooks® consulting. Jayme is an Advanced Certified Quickbooks® ProAdvisor, and has been a certified trainer since 2006. Luke Roessler is a senior manager at Mahoney, Ulbrich, Christiansen & Russ, P.A. He has over 6 years' experience in public accounting. Luke coordinates the preparation of tax returns, tax projections, forecasts, and tax research for individuals, closely-held businesses, and trusts and estates. He has particular experience with and interest in partnerships and S corporations. The following individuals also were promoted: Ashley Engh, Senior Accountant, Ruth Lott, Supervisor and Elizabeth Barchenger, Manager.

Dakota Electric Association is offering area students a chance to win an all-expense paid trip to Washington D.C. from June 13-19, 2014. Students who are currently enrolled as juniors and seniors and are Dakota Electric members, are eligible to apply. Information and applications are available online at www.dakotaelectric.com and in the College Counseling office. Applications are due February 28, 2014.  

The American Red Cross is inviting DCR Chamber members to help support two blood drives the week of February 10th.  DCR Chamber will be hosting a blood drive on Monday, February 10th  and Easter Lutheran Church is hosting a 100 unit blood drive on Valentine's Day, Friday, February 14th.  The Red Cross would like to present the donors at both drives a special goodie bag to thank them for their donation.  If your company is interested in donating an item, giving away a coupon, or supporting the drive with some other type of incentive, please contact Mike Fries at the Red Cross  at mike.fries@redcross.org  or call him at 651 291-4634.