November 2010 SCCA NEWS

Seward’s Business Community www.sewardbusiness.org

November Meeting 2010

Board of Directors
Succession Planning Chair:
Jim Welna
Wednesday, November 17th, 2010 / 11:45 am – 1:00pm Welna II Hardware
Minnesota Resource Center / 2438 27th Ave S. Vice Chair:
Rick Siewert
Join business advisor Truck Morrison of Bayview Capital Group Siewert Cabinet
and attorney Neil Meyer of Meyer & Njus as they help small Treasurer:
business owners plan their business succession and sale. Max Duckler
CaptionMax

Suzanne Weinstein
Pizza Luce will provide lunch for $10. *Lunch is optional*
Coastal Seafoods

To RSVP, please contact Megan: 612.435.0279 / megan@redesigninc.org Jennifer Larson

Communications Design

Russ Scott
A-Craft Windows

October Meeting Notes Joe Buck

Privacy in the Workplace by Karen Lundquist Buck Bros. Construction
Location: Seward Redesign (2619 E. Franklin Ave.)
Sean Doyle
by Dave Madsen
Seward Co-op
With the rise in social networking sites like Facebook and
Twitter, many people in today’s workforce are not aware
of how their appearance on the internet may conflict with Monthly Meetings are held
their appearance in the workplace. As a small business on the 3rd Wednesday of
owner, how does one encourage employees to retain a each month from 11:45
level of responsibility and professionalism outside of the - 1pm.
workplace?
Upcoming Dates
This topic, as well as the many ways in which employees
are allowed to express themselves in the workplace, was November 17
central to Karen Lundquist’s presentation in October.
In addition to her work as an adjunct professor at William December 15
Mitchell College of Law, Karen Lundquist has a unique
understanding of employment law as she has specific in- Karen Lundquist of Avanti Law January 19
MEETING NOTES continued on page 4
SCCA Mission: to provide a forum for Seward area businesses to plan, discuss, advocate and network for mutual benefit.
Page 2 Member Updates
John Posl works hard despite economic downturn
Posl Photography, 2601 East Franklin Avenue
by Dave Madsen

For many business owners in on Franklin Avenue and moved his

Seward, the transition into a new studio work into the Seward neighbor-
economy in the wake of the cur- hood in 1984. John’s “bread and but-
rent recession has proved to be an ter” photography generated a steady
uncomfortable process that has stream of income and established him
meant frustration and disappoint- and his partner as a legitimate pres-
ment in the workplace. However, ence in the area.
for innovative and optimistic busi-
ness owners like John Posl of Posl As the economy took a turn for the
Photography, business has adapted worse, many corporations that John
and continues to generate a reason- and his partner worked for began
able amount of interest and income to delegate artistic work to in house
for owners in the area. graphic designers and photographers.
Desiring God Ministries, a Baptist
John, a South Minneapolis native, publishing company, then rented
owns and operates a studio located John’s large studio space on Franklin
at 2601 Franklin Ave S. His work and John moved into the basement
as a photographer reached its height of 2601 East Franklin Avenue. While
in the late seventies and early-to- John has since parted ways from his
mid eighties as many companies John poses with one of his hand-crafted birdhouses former photography partner, he still
were in need of a commercial pho- receives occasional jobs from the peo-
tographer. During his career, he had the opportunity to work ple who have come to know and trust him and his work.
with large scale clients such as Target, Marshall Fields, Tonka
Toys, 3M, and Medtronic. John, now reaching 60 years old, “I wish I could do more of it,” John explained. “But there
mainly works for more personal and specialized clients; he are so many younger people in the field who are really going
has also had the chance to pursue his interests in woodwork- after business. Now, I’m fishing around for things that will
ing as he constructs and sells copper roof birdhouses. keep me busy.”

From an early age, John was always interested in art. In high
school, he developed a relationship with his art teacher who,
in turn, referred him to the Minneapolis College of Art and
Design(MCAD) where he received a small scholarship. John’s
enrollment in MCAD came at a time when the college was
just implementing its program in commercial photography
and design. From his 1971 graduation from the college, he
then moved onto a low-paying jobs for small photography
companies who were in need of commercial artistic work.
One of John’s many endeavors to keep himself busy between
photography projects is his construction of copper-roof bird-
houses. These birdhouses, all of which are unique and priced
at $100, are composed of solid pine as well as a blend of
exotic woods for the trim. Each house is finished by hand
and can be easily cleaned when the time arises. The shingles
on John’s birdhouses are composed from leftover brass mate-
rials from Garlock French Roofing, a Seward-based roofing
corporation.

“As far as I’m concerned, school is just a way of getting your
foot in the door,” John explained. “I received much more
training on my own, after school.”
As John built his portfolio and developed relationships with
companies around the Minneapolis area, his profession as a
photographer began to flourish. With a partner, John moved
out of a studio on Groveland and LaSalle, bought a building
John considers himself “too young to retire,” but not active
enough to be considered part of the mainstream workforce
in the world of photography. While he plans to continue his
small-scale photography work, as well as his construction of
his birdhouses, John said that he in interested in involving
himself in volunteer work.
“After all, I still have my health,” John laughed.

2nd Annual Franklin Frolic to Warm Seward
Franklin Avenue
by Dave Madsen
Though the chilly winter winds of early
December may not seem like a pleasant
thought in the late stretches of fall, the
SCCA is working hard to usher in the
winter season with its annual celebration:
The Franklin Frolic
On Saturday, Dec. 4th from noon to 5:00
pm East Franklin Avenue in the Seward
Neighborhood will transform into a corri-
dor of celebration as many local businesses
will unite to provide activities, treats and
specials to the community. In addition to
seeing how personal and welcoming these
neighborhood businesses are, this event
is also an opportunity to engage with
Seward’s vibrant citizens.
From noon to 5:00 p.m. businesses up
and down the Avenue will provide spe-
cial holiday deals for residents and visitors
alike. This event will be a great opportuni-
ty to nab that unique gift for the holidays
or to get something beautiful for yourself,
all while supporting local businesses in the
Seward neighborhood.
Highlights include: the Himalayan restau-
rant (2401 E Franklin) providing two-for-
one appetizers; Pizza Luce (2200 E Frank-
lin) offering a pizza sampling, as well as
kids activities and food and drink specials;
Welna II Hardware (2201 E Franklin)
giving away free starter bags of bird seed
and East African treats for the family; and
True Thai Restaurant offering a gift cer-
tificate to be raffled off later during the
lighting ceremony in Triangle Park. These
specials are just a taste of what’s in store
for December.
Businesses will also be hosting neighbor-
hood artists who will be showing and
selling their work. Art, like a handmade
winter hat, a soup bowl or a fine art pho-
tograph make great gifts for loved ones.
SCCA NEWS Page 3
Dive into
Social Networking!
Join us as Peter Fleck,
This year, some artist highlights include: the a.k.a. “pfhyper”, presents
work of Mary Collins, famous for her jewelry a social networking over-
made from recycled license plates, hosted at view for small businesses.
2nd Moon Coffee Café (2225 E Franklin);
Tim and Pam McConville’s stained and art Peter will describe some
glass works hosted at Seward Co-op (2823 easy and time-efficient
E Franklin); and the hand-made scarves and methods to extend your
hats of Christy Binoniemi at Welna II Hard- reach on the Web using
ware. tools like Google Places,
Yelp, Twitter, and Facebook.
Wednesday, November 10th
1:00-2:30pm
Seward Towers East
2910 E. Franklin Avenue
Those present at the meet-
ing will have an opportunity
to sign up for a one-on-one
social media consultation
session with Peter Fleck.
Write an SCCA
Newsletter Article!
A welcoming sign for the 2009 Frolic
Is there a business in
Those who wander the Avenue on the 4th Seward that has always in-
may also notice a variety of lights and façade trigued you? Interested in
decorations on local businesses. These holi- getting to know what goes
day trimmings are more than just a way to on inside other neighbor-
show enthusiasm for the coming celebrations hood businesses?
though; the local business that has the most
unique and impressive decorations will receive If so, you would make a
the Heart of Seward award as the winner of perfect author for an SCCA
the Light up the Avenue contest. newsletter article!
At 5:30 p.m., shoppers, residents and business No writing skills necessary,
owners are encouraged to gather in Triangle just an interest in your fel-
Park (26th Ave & E Franklin Ave) for warm low business owners
drinks and entertainment as we light up the
park; this symbolic act is a way to promote contact Megan: 435-0279
our warm community spirit during the cold megan@redesigninc.org
days of winter.
FROLIC continued on page 4
Page 4 SCCA NEWS

FROLIC continued from page 3 MEETING NOTES continued from page 1

Before and after the ceremony, 2nd Moon Coffee Café will sight from her small and medium-sized business clients. In
supply attendees with some warming drinks for chilly cus- her presentation, titled “Turbans, Tattoos and Tweets,” she
tomers. Also, in addition to the lighting event, people in the covered the rights employees do and do not have regarding
neighborhood will have a chance to groove to the Women’s their personal means of expression in a professional envi-
Drum Center’s rhythmic beats and witness the amazing dis- ronment.
plays from the People’s Fire Coalition.
After a brief intro-
duction in which
An event brochure with the full listing of activities will be
members of the com-
available at neighborhood businesses beginning in late No-
munity gained a little
vember. The Franklin Frolic is sponsored in part by the
Seward Co-op Grocery and Deli (2823 E Franklin) and
information about
Wells Fargo Bank (2600 E Franklin). Funding was also pro- Lundquist, a defini-
Lundquist’s Law firm
vided by the City of Minneapolis tion of social media
was given to attendees. Topics included the statistics re-
If you’re interested in receiving more information about the garding the prevalence of social media among U.S. work-
Frolic, contact Dave Madsen at (612) 435-0277. ers, as well as the business and legal risks associated with an
employee’s use of social networking sites. Lindquist pro-
vided an in-depth outline for employers to follow when
considering their business’
policies on social media.

For more information on

Lundquist, visit Avanti
Law’s website (http://avan-
ti-law.com/) or call (952) Two modes of
921-8322 to arrange an social media:
Face book and
intial consultation. Twitter

Frolickers enjoying Welna II Harware’s offerings last year

Light up Seward!
As the dark and bitter winter season makes its If you’re interested in lighting up your property and
trudging march into our year, don’t leave your you want a referral to a trusted, local company.
business out in the cold! If you are a business please contact:
or property owner in the Seward neighborhood,
we encourage you to consider the benefits of a
Megan Sheridan
lighting display on your façade or property as a
whole. (612) 435-0279
megan@redesigninc.org
Lighting on your property and in your storefront
can help decrease crime, bring in customers,
as well as create a welcoming environment for
residents and visitors of Seward.
 SCCA NEWS Page 5

CCP connects individuals with disabilities with community Calling all Artists!
Community Connections Partnership, 2407 East Franklin Avenue
by Dave Madsen In prepration for the Frank-
lin Frolic, we’re looking
for talented artisans and
Since the programs’ inception in 1986, Connections Partnership work with CCP craftspeople who have
the Community Connections Partnership to identify job skills and interests. CCP an interest in neighbor-
(CCP) has made an intentional effort and assists individuals with career planning hood networking and the
“endless commitment” to engage people with development, resume writing assistance, Seward Area.
disabilities with Minneapolis employers. By application/interviewing skills, resources
providing services of vocation, the CCP in- for advocacy, as well as leisure and recre- If you are an artist, or you
dividually supports those with disabilities to ational opportunities. Hoffman explained know someone who may
not only find employment, but also to de- that a recent development in this process, be interested, please con-
sider collaborating with a
velop and maintain life skills. In addition to dubbed the “Discovery” program, ensures
local business on Franklin
its sites in Uptown, NE Mpls, St. Louis Park, that an individual’s hidden skills are un- Avenue for the second an-
Plymouth, and Brook- earthed after a special- nual Franklin Frolic!
lyn Park, CCP has had ized process of learning
an established presence and observing. During the Frolic, artists
in Seward for over 16 will have the chance to set
years. When an individual’s up displays in local busi-
preferences, strengths, nesses in order to network
To give people with and experiences match with bussiness owners and
with an employer’s needs artisically-minded
disabilities a better op-
neighbors.
portunity to gain per- in the neighborhood, an
sonalized support and Employment Consultant If you are interested in dis-
a network of systems provides the individual playing your work, contact
to ensure sustainability, with specialized training
Community Connec- as well as systems of on- Dave Madsen
tions Partnership was going support to ensure (612) 435-0277
formed as a county-spe- their successful employ- SRI@redesigninc.org
cific initiative. Current- ment.
ly, funding is provided
A participant develops employment skills
by Medical Assistance, CPP is more than just
MRRC, TBI, CADI, EW, Supported Em- placing individuals into the workplace,
ployment Waivers and CCSA. According to however. Hoffman explained that the real
Include your
Operations Director Blythe Ebert, each site initiative behind the program is to connect
business in the
serves 30-40 people with on-site training. people with disabilities with their commu- Member Update
Community Connections Partnership sup- nities. Section!
ports close to 200 people in the metro area.
Both Hoffman and Ebert agree that the If your business has news
As Job Developer Mary-Anne Hoffman ex- CCP should be utilized as a neighborhood to share, we want to hear
plained, CCP works closely with the sur- service by business owners who are in need about it. Let us know if
rounding community in order to provide in- of extra assistance. CCP job candidates you’ve won an award, are
dividuals with disabilities the chance to work can assist member of the business com- offering a new product or
with employers who will, in turn, benefit munity with jobs ranging from digital file service, moved your space,
from their contributions. “We’re providing conversion to graffiti removal. To receive etc. and we’ll share it here.
that service to the individual,” Hoffman said. more information on CCP, or to inquire
“But we’re also making sure that the employ- about how you can get involved with the contact Megan: 435-0279
er gets something out of it as well.” program, visit megan@redesigninc.org
http://www.communityconnectionspartnership.org/.
Individuals who are referred to Community
Page 6 SCCA NEWS

Thank you to SCCA members who have contributed in 2010!

2nd Moon Café * A Craft Windows * Air Engineering and Supply * Allweather Roof * ArtiCulture
At Last Gourmet Foods, Inc * Augsburg College * Beaupre Aerial Equipment * Bethany Lutheran Church
Big Print * Birchwood Cafe * Blue Nile * Brownsmith Restoration * Bruce Johansen - Writer & Editor
Buck Brothers Construction * C.H.I.L.D. (Creative Hours In Learning Development) * Cake Eater Bakery
Canyons Structural, Inc. * CaptionMax * CCI Properties * Charles Levin Architects
Close Associates Architects * Coastal Seafoods * Community Connections Partnership
Crew 2: The Home Services Specialists * Cushman Motor Company * Dave’s Riverside Shell
Decisive Moment * Dero Bike Racks * DeVries Bar Grinding * DigiGraphic Photos Inc
Dr Gary Miller Chiropractic Center * Employment Action Center * Franklin Accounting Income Tax
Franklin Housing Cooperative * Garlock French Roofing * Glaciers Café * Hayat Beauty Salon
Hi Line Unique Flooring * Hiawatha Metalcraft Inc * Himalayan Restaurant * History Crafters
House Green - Energy Efficiency & Architecture * Imagin Studios * Infinite Real Estate Group
J.C. Miller & Sons Cement Contractors * Jefferson Lines * Jennifer Larson Communications Design
Jim’s Barber Shop * Kaal Home Health Care * Koyi Too Sushi * Madden Accounting & Tax Service
Midwest Lock and Safe * Mill City Builders * Minneapolis Maintenance * Minnesota Resource Center
Misco: Minneapolis Speaker Company * Movement Arts Center * Nguyen Architects * Pizza Luce IV
PF Hyper * Posl Photography * River Realty * Seward Church * Seward Community Co-Op
Seward Market & Halal Meat * Seward Neighborhood Group * Seward Towers East * Seward Towers West
Shabelle Grocery and Meat Market * Shega Bakery * Sheldon Mains * Sierra Club North Star Chapter
Siewert Cabinet and Fixture Manufacturing * Skol Liquors * Speak To Solve * SwirlyGig Industries
The New French Bakery * Tracy’s Saloon * True Thai * Twin Cities Media Alliance
Twin City Filter Service Inc * United Noodle * Verde Strategies * Volunteers of America Education Center
Welna II Hardware * Whiskey Junction * Wood from the Hood * Woodland Stove and Fireplace
World Endeavors * Worry Free Enterprises * WW Johnson Meat Co * Zipp’s Liquors

Minneapolis, MN 55406
2619 E Franklin Avenue
Seward Civic & Commerce Association