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Gunnar Electric Part of Target Field History
Chamber Member Gunnar Electric was one of roughly 130 small, women-owned businesses in Minnesota who procured a contract to work on the new Twins stadium, Target Field. Owner Lois Walters (also the Chamber's 2008 Small Business Person of the Year) was quoted in this article: "Twins' Target Field a home run for local contractors"
Voted the Best in the Industry - Remodeler of the Year Destiny Homes, Inc.
Our congratulations to Destiny Homes, which has demonstrated the highest level of professionalism. The Remodeler of the Year Award is the most coveted honor a remodeler member of the Builders Association can receive. Formerly called the HAP Awards (Homebuilders and Associates in Partnership, initiated in 1988), this honor is in recognition of trust, communication, loyalty and ethics. All BATCmembers subscribe to a defined code of ethics, and agree to conform to Minimum Performance Standards for construction and business practices. BATC’s Remodeler of the Year has, as have the Builder of the Year and Associate of the Year, demonstrated the very highest commitment to these standards for ethical behavior. Each was selected after earning the highest scores from companies with which they do business. “This exceptional honor can be a source of real pride for the winner,” said Gary Aulik, 2010 president of the Builders Association of the Twin Cities and owner of Aulik & Associates. “Destiny Homes is one of just three companies selected this year for demonstrating the highest level of professionalism as judged by the people with which they do business.”
ABOUT DESTINY HOMES, 2010 REMODELER OF THE YEAR:
For 35 years, Destiny Homes has been building relationships in Minneapolis and the surrounding areas. Their philosophy is about more than renovation, construction and design, it’s about building friendships with their customers. They become every client’s design therapist, coaching homeowners through the renovation, ensuring that every detail is understood and carefully managed. They find ways to minimize disruption on their homeowners’ lifestyles, provide detailed plans and realistic completion dates, and use the highest quality materials within budget parameters. Destiny Homes, Inc. - 8590 Tigua Lane, Chanhassen, MN 55317, www.destiny-homes.com
Knight Construction Design, Inc. named NARI 2010 CotY Winner
Chanhassen, MN, February, 5 2010 --- The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) named Knight Construction Design in Chanhassen, MN, 2010 Regional CotY (Contractor of the Year) winner in the category ~Entire House $500,001 to $1,000,000 of its annual awards competition.
Contractors from seven regions around the country vie for CotY Awards on an annual basis, and all regional winners will be eligible for National CotY Awards at NARI’s Evening of ExcellenceSM on April 10 at the Wyndham Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona. Most projects submitted for judging were an improvement or an addition to an existing structure, with the exception of one category, “Residential Exterior Specialty.” Otherwise, new construction projects were not eligible. In addition, competing projects were completed between July 1 of 2008 and November 30 of 2009 (a 17-month time period) and were not submitted in prior NARI National contests. Judging for regional awards took place at the Association’s national headquarters in Des Plaines, Illinois, in early January. An impartial panel of judges who are experts within the industry and associated fields, selected winners based on each entrant’s “before and after” photography and project description. Judging was based on problem solving, functionality, aesthetics, craftsmanship, innovation, degree of difficulty and entry presentation.
Trophies will be awarded at the Evening of ExcellenceSM at the Wyndham Phoenix on April 10, 2010, where National CotY Winners and Achievement Award Winners will also be announced and awarded.
The Evening of ExcellenceSM is widely considered to be the premier event of the year in the remodeling industry. It will be attended by more than 350 of the industry’s elite.
To be considered for a CotY Award, a company must be a NARI member in good standing. NARI members represent an elite group from the approximately 800,000 companies and individuals in the U.S. identifying themselves as remodelers.
Knight Construction Design, Inc is also the proud winner of the 2009 award for outstanding achievement in the Entire House over $500,000 category at the thirteenth annual Contractor of the Year (COTY) Awards ceremony that was held on November 20th.
A celebration of the best in Twin Cities residential remodeling, the COTY Awards affords an opportunity for the Minnesota remodeling industry to acknowledge the year’s accomplishments and to recognize individual successes. Hosted by the Minnesota chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) and sponsored by Scherer Brothers Lumber Company, this year’s festivities drew more than 360 guests to the McNamara Alumni Center in Minneapolis.
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Knight Construction Design, Inc is a member of the Minnesota Chapter of The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), the only trade association dedicated solely to the remodeling industry. With more than 8,200 member companies nationwide, the Association -- based in Des Plaines, Illinois,-- is “The Voice of the Remodeling Industry”TM. For membership and chapter information, or for more on the CotY Awards, visit NARI’s Web site at www.RemodelToday.com, or contact the national headquarters office at 800-611-NARI. Homeowners spent a total of $114.5 billion on home improvements in the U.S. through fourth quarter of 2009. NARI is a professional association whose members voluntarily subscribe to a strict code of ethics. Consumers may wish to search www.NARIremodelers.com to find a qualified professional who is a member of NARI. For information on green remodeling visit www.greenremodeling.org.
Community invited to participate in The Marsh Winter Olympics
Minnetonka, Minn. (January 27, 2010)—Members of the community are invited to get active at The Marsh, A Center for Balance and Fitness, by participating in The Marsh Winter Olympics. This is a unique opportunity to enjoy a full month of access to the many classes, programs and services The Marsh has to offer. Participants are assigned to Marsh Olympic Teams and earn points for the team by simply participating in studio, pool, and Pilates classes; outdoor activities; Mind-Body exercise; exercising with a friend; and exercising in the Training Center. There are also several opportunities to earn bonus point, including eating in the restaurant or enjoying a spa service.
The games begin February 1 and continue throughout the month; participants are welcome to begin at any time during the month of February. The entrance fee is $50 for the full month. For details, call The Marsh at 952-935-2202.
The Marsh—A Center for Balance and Fitness, located at 15000 Minnetonka Boulevard in Minnetonka, frequently presents internationally recognized experts on topics related to Mind Body wellness. Its programming reflects the philosophy that real fitness involves the mental, spiritual and emotional, as well as the physical aspects of an individual’s life. Its comprehensive facility features a fitness center, pools, full-service spa, conference center, shop, guest rooms and award-winning restaurants.
The Marsh is open to the general public. Memberships are available. For more information, call 952-935-2202 or visit www.themarsh.com.
HENNEPIN COUNTY LIBRARY CONTINUES TREND OF OUTSTANDING USE, INNOVATION IN 2009
In 2009, Hennepin County Library customers checked out more than 16.6 million items — one of the highest public library circulation rates in the nation. There were more than 15.5 million visits to the website and more than 5.6 million in-person visits to Hennepin County's 41 libraries. More than 233,000 adults, teens, and children attended library programs in 2009.
The library system's two catalogs were combined, resulting in one catalog of 5 million books, CDs, DVDs, and other items — the 12th largest public library collection in the U.S. The library network consolidation was completed, bringing all 41 libraries onto the same technology platform. Several policies, including fee and fine, customer use and lending rules, were unified.
"As the most visible service provided by the County, the Hennepin County Library also remains one of the most successful and widely used by our residents," said Commissioner Mike Opat, chair of the Hennepin County Board. "The County Board is committed to continuing the public's significant investment in the Library, and congratulates Director Thompson and the library staff on a very successful year."
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Aaron Myers, Nicholas Boebel, and Misti Okerlund Recognized as 2010 Rising Stars in Intellectual Property Litigation
MINNEAPOLIS, MN -- Myers, Boebel & MacLeod L.L.P. was acknowledged in the “2010 Minnesota Rising Star” listing as recognized by the publisher of Minnesota Law & Politics. Myers, Boebel & MacLeod L.L.P. will appear in the Rising Star directory for Minnesota Law & Politics and Mpls. St. Paul Magazine.
Aaron Myers, Nicholas Boebel, and Misti Okerlund were selected as a “Rising Stars” in the area of intellectual property litigation in 2010. Aaron Myers, a founding partner of Myers, Boebel & MacLeod L.L.P. has received recognition as a Rising Star every year since 2005. Misti Okerlund, Of Counsel at Myers, Boebel & MacLeod L.L.P., also received recognition as a Rising Star in 2005 and 2009. Rising Stars are selected based on peer recognition, professional achievement, and other selection criteria. Approximately 2.5 percent of Minnesota lawyers are recognized as Rising Stars.
Niall MacLeod, a partner at Myers, Boebel & MacLeod stated “We are pleased to have every eligible attorney at the firm selected for this distinction. Having worked with Aaron, Misti, and Nick for years, they are all excellent litigators who handle complex cases in accordance with the best traditions of the Minnesota Bar.” Added Boebel, “These awards reflect our firm’s commitment to client service and the broader legal community, and we are grateful for this recognition.”
About Myers, Boebel & MacLeod LLP: Myers, Boebel & MacLeod LLP is a Minneapolis law firm focusing on intellectual property litigation, commercial litigation, and related general counseling legal services. For more information, visit www.mbmfirm.com, or call Niall MacLeod at 612-435-8640.
HELLMUTH & JOHNSON ADDS NEW ATTORNEY
EDEN PRAIRIE, MN – Hellmuth & Johnson, PLLC is pleased to announce that Raymond Bonnabeau, Gary Fuchs and Elizabeth Rein have joined the firm.
Bonnabeau joins the firm with over 18 years of experience. His practice has been exclusively in the Information Technology ("IT"), Materials Management and eCommerce fields. He has drafted and negotiated hundreds of contracts for large to mid-sized highly regulated entities, and his practice includes the full range of potential IT contracts and a broad range of eCommerce arrangements and Materials Management initiatives. Raymond is licensed to practice law in Minnesota. He received his law degree from William Mitchell College of Law and his undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota. He is also a member of the Minnesota State Bar Association (Computer Law and Health Law sections) and the American Health Lawyers Association.
Fuchs joins the firm with over 30 years of experience and practices in the areas of real estate, construction, and civil litigation. Gary received his law degree from the University of Minnesota Law School, and is admitted to practice in the state of Minnesota. He is a Certified Real Property Specialist, and a Rule 114 Qualified Neutral.
Rein joins the firm with nearly five years of experience and practices in the areas of litigation, real estate, and construction. Elizabeth received her law degree from the University of Minnesota Law School, and is admitted to practice in the state of Minnesota. She clerked at Minnesota Court of Appeals for the Honorable David Minge.
Hellmuth & Johnson, PLLC offers a range of legal services to meet both corporate and individual needs. Named among Minnesota's 50 largest law firms, Hellmuth & Johnson holds the highest possible Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell — the AV® Peer Review Rated designation. For more information, visit www.hjlawfirm.com or call (952) 941-4005.
NARI Presents Sass Construction with Contractor of the Year Award for its' work on Aurora Jewelers Store
The Minnesota Chapter of the National Association of Remodelers (NARI) has presented Sass Construction, Inc. with the coveted Contractor of the Year (COTY) Award for its’ work on the Aurora Jewelers store in Eden Prairie.
A celebration of the best in Twin Cities’ remodeling, the 12th Annual Coty Awards affords an opportunity for the Minnesota remodeling industry to recognize exceptional projects and individual successes.
Sass Construction competed in the Commercial Interior Specialty category with the Aurora Jewelers project. It is a state-of-the-art project in both design and construction featuring such design elements as curved walls, soffits and trim which mirror the flow of the ceiling, dark ceilings which enhance the blue cove lighting and soffits, mitered glass and installation of exquisite, multi-level cabinetry. Aurora Jewelers is located at 11995 Singletree Lane in Eden Prairie.
Ron Hansen, the owner of the jewelry store, is a master jeweler with over 20 years of experience designing and crafting exceptional platinum and gold jewelry. He personally designed the interior of the store with great detail to create a signature, personal experience for his customers. Sass’ challenge was to implement the unique design elements utilizing creative methods of construction.
“Projects like the Aurora Jewelry store inspire us and validate the integrity and strong work ethic we’ve built at Sass over the past 30 years,” said Mark A. Sass, president of Sass Construction, Inc. “We love to dig in and explore the possibilities that each project presents to us,” he added.
NARI of Minnesota is a not-for-profit trade association committed to promoting the interests of its members within the remodeling industry, and acting as a resource to remodel-ready homeowners. The only national association dedicated solely to the remodeling industry, NARI acts as an industry spokesgroup.
Built on integrity and quality craftsmanship, Sass Construction, Inc. is an award-winning, full-service design, remodeling and home services firm specializing in residential and light commercial projects for more than 30 years. Sass Construction is located in the Minneapolis suburb of Chanhassen, Minn.