Thursday, September 18, 2008

Business Committee Meeting: September 19th

Join us on Friday, September 19th at 8:30 AM at US Bank, 1030 W. Broadway, for a special session of the Hawthorne Business Committee we'd love to update you on several special issues coming up including: Our upcoming annual dinner of the Hawthorne Neighborhood Councilon September 25th at Farview Park that's open to you and your employees.

We'd like to talk with you about the open positions on our board of directors, where we're looking for skilled leaders with an interest in helping to transform our neighborhood into a great place to live, work, learn and play. We could really use your help identifying great people to represent our business community.

We also have updates on the reimbursements for the Step Up Achieve program for the interns many of you hosted, and other news.
If you have the time available this Friday morning we'd love to see you.

And if you can't make it, but are still interested in learning more, please let us know by calling (612) 529-6033 or e-mailing our committee chair, Jim Wentzell at JOWSR@aol.com and he'll be happy to share more with you.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Hawthorne Business Committee Meeting: August 22nd

As a reminder, due to the August holiday weekend, this month's Hawthorne Business Committee Meeting is this Friday, August 22nd at 8:30 AM at US Bank, 1030 W. Broadway and we look forward to seeing you there.

On the agenda:

Facade Improvement Update. Hawthorne has money available to help you improve your business facade! Find out how.

The new Hawthorne Business Social Hour. We'll soon be convening special gatherings for Hawthorne businesses and professionals, and we'd like your input.

Meet Our New Executive Director. Laban Ohito will be present to meet you and hear your interests and concerns for business growth and development in the Hawthorne neighborhood!

Board Positions available on the Hawthorne Neighborhood Council: Next month's Hawthorne Annual Meeting also includes our board of director elections, and a seat is available for a Hawthorne business representative. Find out how you can get involved to help take the Hawthorne Neighborhood in a great direction.

2009 Strategies: Where have we been, and where would we like to go?

Northside Chess Tournament Followup: What happened, and what's next?

Step-Up Achieve Review: We'll hear about the results from this year's Step-Up Achieve partners and their youth interns, and what's next.

Additional business.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Monday, July 21, 2008

Hawthorne Business Profile: An Interview With Taylor Sound



One of the great businesses in the Hawthorne neighborhood is Taylor Sound, located at 2921 N. 2nd Street.


Owned and run by T. Perry Bowers, Taylor Sound helps new and established musicians and artists from across the Twin Cities follow their dreams and add to the amazing creative capital of our community. We had a chance to talk with T. Perry Bowers, the vision behind Taylor Sound:


How long have you been in the Hawthorne Neighborhood?

I have been here since October 2000.

What made you go into this line of business?

I started in the recording field with some equipment in a rehearsal space in St. Paul. I started recording bands for $3 per hour. After a while I hooked up with Mirror Image Studios in Uptown, Minneapolis. There, I was charging about $20 per hour doing hip-hop and rock bands. After a year or so, I found my own space in SE Minneapolis. I had 6 rehearsal spaces and my recording studio. I soon found the need for my own building. This is when I found 2921 N 2nd St. There was such a demand for rehearsal space during that time, I knew I could fill it up.


What are some the unique services you offer that sets you apart?

Most rehearsal space facilities just offer rehearsal space for bands. I offer production space for vocal artists, duplications, daily rehearsals, a recording studio, video production, vocal booths and a network for musicians.

What can we look forward to in the coming months ahead from Taylor Sound?

We are releasing a complitation CD with 16 songs from some of the artists here at Taylor Sound. We will have a CD release party at a location to be determined.

What's been the most rewarding part of your business?

I like to connect to musicians. Musicians have a great connection to creativity and energy. I like to see bands and artists succeed. When they have good shows and make great music, it gives me a sense of satisfaction. Hopefully, I can be a small part in these insprirational people's careers. I hope to provide a solid place where musicians can come to create.

Do you have any advice for people interested in starting a business in Hawthorne?

If someone is intending to start a business, Hawthorne is a great location. The proximity to downtown is very convenient. You get the benefits of downtown, hopefully without the great costs of being directly downtown. Also, there is a facade improvement program that anyone who wants to buy a building here may be interested in.

You can visit Taylor Sound at: http://www.taylor-sound.com/ to learn more!

Business Committee This Friday!

The July Hawthorne Business Committee meeting is July 25th at US Bank, 1030 W. Broadway at 8:30 AM. Doughnuts and coffee provided!

Already we are planning on discussing:

Facade Improvement. If you've been thinking of improving and updating your storefront, we have free funds for you! Learn how to make the changes you've wanted to your exterior through a matching grant of up to $10,000 for $20,000 of facade improvements.

Hawthorne Marketing Program: Hear the latest updates on our marketing efforts to energize Hawthorne businesses! We have world-class businesses as well as many new start-ups in Hawthorne. This is a chance to learn what we're doing to help you succeed.

Northside Chess Match: Find out about the great Northside Live Chess Match ( http://northsidechess.blogspot.com ) that is part of our strategy to connect residents to businesses and the city.

Monday, June 23, 2008

Hawthorne Business Committee Meeting This Week

Help us make a difference!
Join Us At The Hawthorne Business Committee: Friday, June 27th at 8:30 AM
US Bank, 1030 W Broadway Ave, Minneapolis

Hawthorne has many unique advantages and opportunities for business owners. This committee is chance to network with other businesses about exciting news and opportunities that can help you grow and succeed in our neighborhood.

It’s free and refreshments are served! We’ll be done by 9:30 AM.

American Chemical Announces New Intern From Step-Up Achieve!

American Chemical, Inc., participating in STEP-UP Achieve Program for the 3rd year, welcomes Lee Chang as their new summer intern.

Lee, a student at Patrick Henry High School in Minneapolis, will be updating our PDF files for their new web sites.

This project is part of American Chemical’s launch of their new website www.glueitgreen.com and newly designed website www.glueit.com.

Friday, May 30, 2008

Online Tools For Getting Organized!

Getting organized is a key to success and there are many tools to help you out there. What follows are some of the more interesting ones you may have overlooked.

Obviously, don't try to use them all, but pick one or two that appeal to you. If they don’t work, you can always choose another, but it’s important that you focus on the doing, not on the tools.

Google Calendar. Along with Gmail and Google Reader, this is a favorite Google application for many people — it allows you to keep your life organized easily, intuitively, with no hassle or slow speed problems.

Backpack. This is a good list-maker, perfect for to-do lists and other lists, using a simple and clean interface you can access from anywhere: home, work or on the go.

PocketMod. Super portable planning, it’s a sheet of paper, very cheap and easy to organize with . You can choose the parts you want, such as a calendar, notes, to-do lists, reference sheets, daily planner, and more.

Remember the Milk. Does lists and tasks very well, including repetitive tasks. It has a plug-in for Google Calendar for one-stop organizing.


Task Toy. Simple web-based to-do list manager.


TiddlyWiki. This wiki puts your contexts on the left side (e.g. @desk, @home, @writing, @inbox) and each opens a list of next actions for its location.

Vitalist.com. A popular online application that is easy, and free.


If you like this article, we'll include more in the future!

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Bike Rack Funding For Your Business

Hawthorne Businesses!

The City of Minneapolis has received a grant from Transit for Livable Communities through the Non-Motorized Transportation Pilot (NTP) Program to install bike racks throughout the city.

Part of this funding has been set aside to help local businesses install bike racks in front of their establishments.

This grant will help supplement the city's annual bike rack appropriation, allowing for considerably more bike racks to be installed in 2008.

If you have a business that is interested in this opportunity please have them call 612-673-2129 or e-mail Donald Plaum Donald.Pflaum@ci.minneapolis.mn.us directly.

A site visit will be scheduled and city staff will help the business owner determine number, style, and location of the bike rack.

The business owner is responsible for 50% of the cost of the rack plus 50% of the cost of installation. The grant will pay for the other 50% of the expenses.

Businesses need to respond back by May 1, 2008 to ensure that they will have a rack installed in 2008 as part of this program.

The Northwest Hennepin County Job Fair

On Wednesday, April 9, 2008, over 50 metro area employers will be participating in The Northwest Hennepin County Job Fair.

Each employer will have a booth where you can talk to a company representative about current job openings, and pick up information on their company.

Some companies will have you complete applications or interview for a position right at the job fair!

Workshops include:
Working Together
Achieving Success
See our ad in
Effective Recruitment Advertising...For Less!
See our ad in

For more information call:
Hennepin County Human Services Department (612) 348-8953


WE WANT TO HELP YOU FIND THE JOB THAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU!

SPONSORS:
This event is jointly sponsored by Hennepin County Human Services & Public Health Department, the City of Minneapolis Employment and Training Program, the Star Tribune and The Employment News in cooperation with the following Employment Service Providers:

American Indian OIC
Center for Asian & Pacific Islanders
CLUES

East Side Neighborhood Service, Inc.
Employment Action Centers-Division of Resource, Inc.
Goodwill Easter Seals

Hennepin County W.E.R.C.
HIRED

Hmong American Partnership
Jewish Vocational Service
Lifetrack Resources

Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota
Minnesota Workforce Centers-Hennepin County

Minneapolis Urban League
Pillsbury United Communities
Project for Pride In Living
Connections to Work
RISE,Inc
St.Stephen’s Human Services
.

This event will also feature several Community Resource Agency exhibitors. Each resource agency booth will provide valuable information about their programs and services.

Staff will be available to answer your questions about child care, crisis counseling, employment and training, family resources, financial counseling, health care, housing, transportation and much more!

You can reach Hennepin Tech by using Metro Transit bus route 721 from Brookdale. Use route 5 from downtown to Brookdale.

The Northwest Hennepin County Job Fair
Wednesday April 9, 2008 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Hennepin Technical College North Campus
9000 Brooklyn Boulevard
Brooklyn Park, MN 55445

Create a good impression!
Wear appropriate business attire!
Bring your resume!

Companies will be hiring for careers in Accounting, Clerical, Construction, Customer Service, Health Care, Management, Manufacturing, Retail, Sales, Security and many more.

[Spotlight] ABC Transfer


One of the many businesses in Hawthorne is ABC Transfer, located at 50 31st Avenue N. in Minneapolis. You can reach them at (612) 331-2709 and speak with their friendly staff who will happily work with you to meet all of your transfer needs, whether for big projects or small!


Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Business Committee Meeting This Friday, March 28th!

Help us make a difference!

Join Us At The Hawthorne Business Committee: Friday, March 28th at 8:30 AM!

The meeting is held every month at Johnny A’s, 200 West Broadway Avenue in Minneapolis.

Hawthorne has many unique advantages and opportunities for business owners!

This committee is chance to network with other businesses about exciting news and opportunities that can help you grow and succeed in our neighborhood. It’s free and refreshments are served!

We’ll be done by 9:30 AM.

Coming up this month on March 28th:

Facade Improvement! If you’ve been thinking of improving and updating yourstorefront, we have free funds for you! The West Broadway Business Area Coalition is having a special briefing on how we will help businesses like yours access the money and support to improve your business façade. You don’t wantto miss this. Your input will make a difference!

Hawthorne Marketing Program: Hear how MAP For Nonprofits will assist upcoming efforts to market businesses and economicopportunities in the Hawthorne neighborhood. This is your chance to ask how we can help you.

Hawthorne Business Survey Update: Georgianna Yantos and the Hawthorne Business Committee will provide an update on the new business survey for Hawthorne that will help us all connect and build a thriving, vibrant communitytogether.

Juxtaposition Great Idea Exchange: The Juxtaposition arts non-profit recently requested $500 to help fund the Great Idea Exchange. We will provide you anupdate on the board decision and what this means for Hawthorne businesses.

You can also help us set the agenda for our next meeting on April 25th!

We hope to see you this month!

For more information you can call Jim Wentzell @ 612 329 6883 or email Jowsr@aol.com

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

February 2008 Business Committee Minutes

HAWTHORNE AREA COMMUNITY COUNCIL BUSINESS COMMITTEE
02/29/08 Johnny A’s

Attending: Jim Wentzell & Mindy Isaacs (Co Chair), Georgianna Yantos, Dennis Werneke (Secretary), Bryan Thao Worra, HACC, Leroy Smithrud, Susan Casserly-Kosel, Guest: Satoko Muratake with Juxtaposition

The Meeting was called to order@ 8:39 am by Jim Wentzell

Bryan and Dennis reviewed the StepUp Achieve program.

MSC The minutes for January were approved.

There was an approval of the agenda with the addition of discussion on the “Great Idea Exchange” by Juxtaposition.

MSC Letter of intent to restart the Hawthorne Marketing Task Force and work with the North side Marketing Task Force.

MSC To Support the Juxtaposition “Great Idea Exchange” program March 27th, 2008 and that the Hawthorne Business Committee approves a donation of $100 from the NRP Business Marketing Funds.

Other notes:
Bryan Thao Worra will work with Georgianna Yantos on the questionnaire for the Hawthorne Business Directory.

Johnny A meeting with the City Council was postponed till 4/9/08.

Next meeting –March 28th, 2008 at Johnnie A’s

Meeting adjourned

Hawthorne Businesses Have A Chance To Step Up!


Applications are now being distributed for the Minneapolis STEP-UP Program for kids aged 14 to 21!

If you’re a business interested in helping this program and participating, there is still time to apply and give Minneapolis youth an outstanding opportunity at your workplace.

STEP-UP is a paid, summer jobs program for Minneapolis youth. There are two versions:

STEP-UP for 14-15-year-olds, operated by the Minneapolis Employment and Training Program, teaches students good work habits and provides them with wages and an opportunity to contribute to a local community based organization.

STEP-UP for 16-21-year-olds, operated by Achieve!Minneapolis, provides youth with paid positions with local employers and teaches them the skills they need to succeed on the job. Many Hawthorne businesses already participate!

For more information, call (612) 455-1530 or visit www.achieveminneapolis.org/programs/stepup.html

Monday, February 25, 2008

January 2008 Business Committee Meeting Minutes

HAWTHORNE AREA COMMUNITY COUNCIL BUSINESS COMMITTEE
01/25/08 Johnny A’s

Attending: Jim Wentzell & Mindy Isaacs (Co Chair), Georgianna Yantos, Dennis Werneke (Secretary), Bryan Thao Worra, HACC, Leroy Smithrud, Gail Thompson, Johnny Alexander (host), Mahamoud Karem, and Mostafa Abdel Kerim of the Wafana's building a new meat market and deli on Lyndale).

The Meeting was called to order@ 8:35 am by Jim Wentzell

MSC The minutes for November were approved.

There was an approval of the agenda with the addition of discussion of a new meat market and deli on Lyndale and a discussion from Johnny Alexander.

MSC with one abstention by Georgianna Yantos, (who needs for information.) To send a letter of support to the HACC committee for the approval of a meat and deli market to be located in the Wafana’s Building on Lyndale Avenue. The new owners have agreed that they will not sell any tobacco products at their new establishment and plan to have outside cameras for added security.

It was also recommended that the new owners discuss their business intentions with the Crime and Safety and Housing committees for their approval. Bryan Thao Worra to draft final letter to HACC

MSC for the business committee to send a letter of support for the continuation of Johnny Alexander DBA Johnny A’s 200 Club located on North 2nd Street and Broadway Avenue. Johnny Alexander has been very pro business and has hosted the Hawthorne Business Committee monthly meeting over the last five years. This letter of support should be sent to City Council Diane Hofstede office. The letter should be sent a prior to his hearing February 20th with the City Council Regulatory Services meeting. Bryan Thao Worra to draft final letter to HACC

MSC to approve the WBBAC to act as the facilitator of the Hawthorne façade improvement program with MCCD for business located in the Hawthorne neighborhood.

MSC for the HACC Business Committee to review the Marketing Plan and to move forward to develop a program for Hawthorne and work with the North Side Marketing Task Force.

Other business:
The Hawthorne business committee has give approval for Bryan Thao Worra and Jim Wentzell to put together a Marketing Survey for business located in the Hawthorne neighborhood. Bryan and Jim have agreed to prepare this and e mail it to the committee members, prior to our next committee meeting February 29th.

MSC for Leroy Smithrud a long member of our business committee has requested a letter of support for his continuation of multi family zoning of his four plex located at 2400 Dupont Ave North. Bryan Thao Worra to draft final letter to HACC

MSC with one abstention, to reimburse Dennis Werneke with American Chemical Inc. for his hiring two students last summer for the StepUp Achieve Program Total Reimbursement would be $877 which would be have the wages paid.

Hawthorne Business Committee Meeting: February 28th

The Hawthorne Business Committee is meeting this Friday at 8:30 AM at Johnny A's at 200 W. Broadway!
Among the topics on this month's agenda:
-Step-Up Achieve! Update
-Facade Improvement Program Update
-Marketing Discussion & update
-Juxtaposition Railroad Bridge Update
-Johnny A’s Support update
-Hawthorne Business Directory update

We hope to see you there!

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Hawthorne Business Committee January 25th

As a reminder, tomorrow is the monthly Hawthorne Business Committee meeting between local businesses of the Hawthorne Neighborhood at 8:30 AM at Johnny A’s on 200 West Broadway. This is a free meeting open to the public to discuss great opportunities for business owners and community stakeholders, and new developments affecting North Minneapolis.

On this month's agenda:

 Introductions and Call To Order
 Approval of Agenda
 Approval of Minutes
 Facade Grant Review & Support for contractor
 Suggestions & plans for the year
 To review past marketing & follow thru
 Discuss plans to improve attendance at meetings
 New Business

We hope to see you there!