BIG LAKE AREA PRAYER BREAKFAST

The BIG LAKE AREA PRAYER BREAKFAST is scheduled for April 19 from 8:00-10:00 am at the Big Lake High School Lunch Room. 

This years event features Keynote Speaker MACK McCARTER. McCarter is the Founder and Coordinator of Community Renewal International.  Community Renewal International works to restore the foundation of safe and caring communities by rebuilding the system of caring relationships. Founded in 1994, after more than a decade of planning, CRI is today an international model for all cities looking to bring renewal to their communities.

This event, much like the National Prayer Breakfast held annually in Washington, D.C., is a time of prayer for our city, state, nation, leaders, and a time of reflection and rededication of individuals to God.

FOR TICKETS & INFORMATION:  Call 763-263-3900 …$120.00 for a table of 6 ($20.00 per person). Tickets will be available at the door. 

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Chuck Carstensen is a Realtor with The Discovery Team at RE/MAX; helping buyers, sellers, and investors of residential real estate in Isanti, Anoka, Sherburne and Wright County.  He is a speaker and co-author in the best selling book series Wake Up…Live the Life You Love: Your Wake Up Moments (available soon). Carstensen is also a personal development mentor with Success University…where he helps people discover how to be more successful in business, life and health.

 

Suburban Northwest Builders Associaton forging ahead

I attended the April 8th membership meeting of the Suburban Northwest Builders Association, and left with a sense of renewed optimism.  Over the last few months the SNBA hit a “speed bump” when the housing market slowed.  However, if this meeting is any indication of the near future, there will be many positive things happening from the SNBA to promote building, remodeling, and real estate in Sherburne and Wright Counties.

Over 60 members in attendance at the Elk River Country Club listened to SNBA President Gene Eckstein from Eagle Builders outline the SNBA’s strategic plan for 2008.  Included in the plan was a detail of the SNBA’s goals and activities.  Eckstein shared plans for a Fall New Home and Remodeling Tour, a Spring 2009 Home Tour and Home and Remodeling Show, and a renewed emphasis on member events that will make the most of member’s time and networking advantages.

Eckstein said that SNBA membership meetings would focus on education and builder issues, and also introduced the following new board members:

Dan Scherer – Bakken Building

Jason Heinen – Heinen Homes

Brad Kadlec – Kadlec Construction

Ken Geroux – Ken Geroux Construction Corporation

Chris Butala – Legend Homes

Brad Fitch – Monarch Homes

The next membership meeting for the SNBA is scheduled for May 27th.

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Chris Mitchell is the President and Founder of 25-8 Marketing, Inc, a full service advertising agency in Elk River, Minnesota. He plans and implements marketing programs for small to medium-sized businesses. Mitchell is a consultant, speaker and author and has worked with hundreds of companies. He has over 20 years of real-world advertising experience, and understands the marketing challenges of the small business owner.

Good turnout at the Elk River Business Expo

Close to 180 booths filled the Elk River High School today at the Elk River Chamber of Commerce hosted their annual Business Expo. When I arrived at 10:30am, the foyer and gym was filling with attendees.

In the foyer, I browsed the water fountains, talking to Glenn Koppin from Aqua Par Lifestyles. I chatted with Molly Nadeau-Peterson when I went over to the Town Mortgage booth. I picked up some information from Elk River Parks and Recreation, because I was interested in their summer music series. Plus I spent a little time talking to David Long and Dan Scherer from Bakken Building and Remodeling.

Heading into the gymnasium, the aisles were filling quickly. I chatted with Marcy VanValenburg, the owner of Elk River Travel.  It was fun talking to my friends… Clayton from Clayton’s Appliance Repair and Wendy from the Elk River Arts Alliance.

I grabbed a slice of Sarpino’s pizza (my favorite local pizza) and headed out, just as the masses started arriving. Another successful expo…hats off to the Elk River Chamber for organizing a good event.

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Chris Mitchell is the President and Founder of 25-8 Marketing, Inc, a full service advertising agency in Elk River, Minnesota. He plans and implements marketing programs for small to medium-sized businesses. Mitchell is a consultant, speaker and author and has worked with hundreds of companies. He has over 20 years of real-world advertising experience, and understands the marketing challenges of the small business owner.

Faith In Action Community Needs

Every human being has a basic need to CONTRIBUTE.  Some of you may know this already, well others might not be so sure.  However, isn’t it true that to be the GREATEST you must find a way to SERVE.  Jesus said, “…whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave – just as the Son of Man did not come to be serve, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:26-28)

These next few moments you have a chance to find a way to CONTRIBUTE.  There is a great needs in the community.  There are elderly people that are not able to get out of their home to get groceries, who need drivers to get them to medical appointments and who need handymen and women to help them maintain their home.  Do you want to be GREAT today and serve someone in need?

Great River Faith in Action has a list of needs that you can help with.

1) Pray! Pray for wisdom, protection and guidance for us-the staff, volunteers, operations, finances, the board.

2) Support!

$100/mo will cover the phone bill

$1000 will cover the cost to coordinate 100 rides

$1250 will pay the commercial/liability insurance for the year

$500 will cover software needed to help them operate more efficiently and effective

3) Other Needs:

-A Truck to help with service projects

- A laptop for the volunteer coordinator

- To work alongside the business community with client needs such as car repairs, job searches and fiscal literacy.

- Support teams to come around individuals and families with high needs…mobilize your small group from church to respond to the needs of family with a sick child…mobilize your employees to join a support team to help an older person who needs rides, help with chores or homemaking, organizing bills and prayer.

 You see there are many ways for you to serve and impact the lives of those in need right in your community.  Be GREAT for someone today! For more information or to make a contribution visit: http://www.fia-sc.org/index.htm or call 763-263-4277.

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Chuck Carstensen is a Realtor with The Discovery Team at RE/MAX; helping buyers, sellers, and investors of residential real estate in Isanti, Anoka, Sherburne and Wright County.  He is a speaker and co-author in the best selling book series Wake Up…Live the Life You Love: Your Wake Up Moments (available soon). Carstensen is also a personal development mentor with Success University…where he helps people discover how to be more successful in business, life and health.

Pray Elk River Business Roundtable

Many people around Elk River aware of spiritual presence and activities in the city.  For business people looking to touch peoples lives through their business/career here is your invite to meet with other like professionals one time a month.  The PRAY ELK RIVER BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE will have its next meeting Wednesday, April 2nd from 11:30-1:15 at La Roses.  (A lunch Buffet is available for $7.50)…La Roses is located at 508 Freeport Ave. in Elk River near the Movie Theatre.

David Monroy, the Vice President/General Counsel with Rivers International and Ripka Enterprises leads the meeting.  Monroy stated in an email to the group today, “Please feel free to bring a friend and be ready to encounter God!”

Perhaps someone reading this blog is looking to connect with other business people of faith in the community.  You’re welcomed to attend.

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Chuck Carstensen is a Realtor with The Discovery Team at RE/MAX; helping buyers, sellers, and investors of residential real estate.  He is a speaker and co-author in the best selling book series Wake Up…Live the Life You Love: Your Wake Up Moments (available soon). Carstensen is also a personal development mentor with Success University…where he helps people discover how to be more successful in business, life and health.

The cure for a snowy Elk River Tuesday

If people in Minnesota couldn’t talk about the weather, we’d have nothing to talk about. Well, not entirely true, but when I woke up to 2 inches of new snow in Elk River, my mind started churning.

By 2pm, I had my plan. A short shopping stop to catch a sign of spring at 101 Market in Otsego. I was invited to mom’s house for Easter Sunday. Mom likes flowers. And she doesn’t read this blog.

101 Market is a great place. The Nathe’s have turned this place into the premiere gardening and flower shop in the Elk River area. And their fresh produce in the summer is terrific.

As I walked in the door, I spied the Easter lillies. Three colors to choose from. The traditional white, and then some orange and pink. “Go traditional, she always likes white,” I thought. And at $9.99 for a plant, I would be a hero at Easter dinner for a very small price.

As I was checking out, I was reminded by 101 Market of this tip:

After the flowers stop blooming, cut off the stem to the soil line and put the potted bulb in a cool place. Then, later in spring, plant the bulb in a sunny location.

If the bulb received enough cooling days, it could bloom again this summer. Otherwise, next year when it will bloom in either June or July.

Those folks at 101 Market are pretty smart.

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Chris Mitchell is the President and Founder of 25-8 Marketing, Inc, a full service advertising agency in Elk River, Minnesota. He plans and implements marketing programs for small to medium-sized businesses. Mitchell is a consultant, speaker and author and has worked with hundreds of companies. He has over 20 years of real-world advertising experience, and understands the marketing challenges of the small business owner.

Grow Your Business – BNI Vistor Day In April

Are you looking for a spark in your business?  Would you like to do more business via word of mouth?  Look no further then BNI – Business Network International.  BNI is the largest business networking organization in the world. It offers members the opportunity to share ideas, contacts and most importantly, business referrals.

The Rivers Edge Chapter in Elk River will be hosting a vistors day on Thursday, April 3 from 7:30-9am.  The group meets at the Guardian Angels on the Lakes off of Hwy 10 and 185th Ave. Visit the Chapters website at this link for more information! 

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Chuck Carstensen is a Realtor with The Discovery Team at RE/MAX; helping buyers, sellers, and investors of residential real estate.  He is a speaker and co-author in the best selling book series Wake Up…Live the Life You Love: Your Wake Up Moments (available soon).

Comedian Mordal returns to Elk River

I had the opportunity to see some great comedy acts on Saturday night at Elk River High School Auditorium. The Elk River wrestling team had a fundraiser, with comedy night featuring Scott Hansen and Elk River’s own Dave Mordal.

Hansen was excellent. I’ve seen him perform three times, and if you like Lutheran hotdish jokes, and Minnesotan humor, he’s your guy. What a riot. But what I was really looking forward to was Dave Mordal, who is best known for being one of the finalists on “Last Comic Standing.”

I saw the chain-smoking Mordal outside, prior to his performance. Was he nervous to return to the high school he attended, but quit three months before graduation? He didn’t act nervous on-stage.

The sold-out crowd of nearly 800 laughed and laughed, as Mordal entertained with anecdotes about his life, his cars, his drinking, and his memories (or self-admitted lack of) growing up in Elk River. This guy is the only one on the comedy circuit that knows Lake Orono has an average depth of five feet.

California doesn’t get the Foley, Minnesota jokes. We did.

I completely enjoyed it. Hats off to Elk River Wrestling for bringing great comedy, and a very, very funny hometowner back for everyone to appreciate.

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Chris Mitchell is the President and Founder of 25-8 Marketing, Inc, a full service advertising agency in Elk River, Minnesota. He plans and implements marketing programs for small to medium-sized businesses. Mitchell is a consultant, speaker and author and has worked with hundreds of companies. He has over 20 years of real-world advertising experience, and understands the marketing challenges of the small business owner.