Buzz

Twin Cities Bungalow Club brings �This Old House� expert to Twin Cities

Star Tribune Wednesday, February 16, 2011

The Twin Cities Bungalow Club is bringing PBS's "This Old House" expert Bob Yapp to the Twin Cities for a couple of home-related presentations on Feb. 20 at the Hillcrest Community Recreation Center in St. Paul, a Star Tribune story notes.

"This Old House" is a long-running home improvement TV show that centers on remodeling projects.

One of the sessions that Yapp will deal with, called "You Can't Live in a Museum--Or Can You?" has to do with making historic homes livable, while "respecting their architecture," the story states.

The other session, "Getting Shellacked, or Innovative Woodwork Finishing and Refinishing," will go over how to safely and efficiently remove old paint and natural finishes from woodwork.

BioBusiness Alliance set to join green business leaders, advocates at Midwest Biomass Summit

Biomass Power and Thermal Magazine Wednesday, February 09, 2011

Industry leaders and advocates from six states have gathered for the "Heating the Midwest with Renewable Biomass Summit," reports Biomass Power and Thermal magazine. Expected participants include the St. Louis Park-based BioBusiness Alliance.

The event, held Feb. 9 in Carlton, Minn., is fashioned after a similar conference in the Northeast. The goal: "to define and support a long-term vision for using biomass to create thermal energy for space heating, hot water and industrial heat applications in the Midwest," writes Biomass's Lisa Gibson.

Presentations will address "regional demographics, biomass availability, combustion technologies, benefits resulting from biomass utilization, and the need to rally support for the vision."

Ameriprise raises $5.5 million for nonprofits

Philanthropy Journal Wednesday, February 09, 2011

Ameriprise Financial, headquartered in Minneapolis, earned a mention by the Philanthropy Journal for its annual giving campaign, which raised $5.5 million to be distributed to nonprofit organizations throughout 2011, according to a press release.

Featured partners include Community Health Charities, Earth Share, Global Impact, United Way and Feeding America, for whom Ameriprise matched pledges from its franchise advisors to provide 1.5 million meals.

Employees were also free to choose eligible nonprofits as recipients; as a result, nearly 5,000 organizations will receive donations, according to the release.

HuffPo: Local author Jay Walljasper on winter biking in Twin Cities

Huffington Post Wednesday, February 09, 2011

In a recent column in the Huffington Post, local author Jay Walljasper describes winter bike-riding in the Twin Cities while also providing some practical tips for others who want to do the same.

For Walljasper, winter biking is good exercise and it provides a "mental lift that comes from feeling the wind in my face and blood pumping through my body," he says.

He's not alone. Information from Bike Walk Twin Cities, he says, shows that 36 percent of summer bike commuters persist on "clear, warm winter days," while 20 percent brave the elements even when it's cold and snowy.

For others looking to start winter biking, he suggests investing in a good light and snow tires and wearing layers, among other things.

Minneapolis Institute of Arts first in U.S. to exhibit centuries-old Venetian paintings

Minnesota Public Radio Wednesday, February 09, 2011

Minnesota Public Radio reports that the Minneapolis Institute of Arts will be the first in the country to exhibit a collection of Renaissance Venetian paintings from the National Gallery of Scotland.

It's part of a campaign to raise money for the National Gallery of Scotland and the National Gallery in London to buy some of the pieces, which the Duke of Sutherland is looking to sell.

John Leighton, who heads the National Gallery of Scotland, is quoted saying, "I think it would be safe to say this was a moment of crisis for us."

The works are important, he says, because "They were painted by Titian at the height of his powers in the 16th century, when he was without any doubt the most influential, most famous painter anywhere in Europe, and they were painted for the most powerful monarch of the time, Phillip II."

Fast Company Feature: Hot Mama plans 50 stores by 2014

Fast Company Wednesday, February 02, 2011

Locally based mom-and-tot boutique Hot Mama has ambitious plans for 50 nationwide stores by the year 2014, reports Stephanie Schomer in the February issue of Fast Company.

2010 revenue reached over $15 million, a 62 percent increase over 2009, and CEO Megan Tamte expects it to crest $20 million this year.

The company is headquartered at the site of its first store, opened in 2004 at 50th and France on the border of Edina and Minneapolis. Its website lists 18 current locations--11 in other Midwestern states.

New DEED commissioner to focus on business engagment, technology and capital

StarTribune Wednesday, February 02, 2011

Mark Phillips, the incoming commissioner of the state's Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), counts engaging the business community as his number-one priority, according to a question-and-answer with Dee DePass for the StarTribune.

Phillips cites his 25 years of experience "networking, engaging businesses, and finding out what they need," he tells DePass.

Close behind business engagement are "technology transfer" and improving access to capital.

"I am high on technology," says Phillips, adding that the state must ensure that technologies, such as the bioscience coming out of the U of M, get developed here, and that venture capital is invested locally to grow companies in Minnesota.

Saudi newspaper covers visit to Riyadh by Minnesota bioscience companies

Arab News Wednesday, January 26, 2011

An English-language daily newspaper in Saudi Arabia covered a visit to Riyadh by a group of Minnesota bioscience companies earlier this month.

The Arab News report mentions a handful of Minnesota companies, including Exsulin, ODIN Industries, and Ativa, as well the BioBusiness Alliance of Minnesota, which organized the trip.

Exsulin CEO Lisa Jansa explained how the company's diabetes treatment could help Saudi Arabia, which has the third highest rate of diabetes in the world.

"We are seeking support from Saudi Arabia to ensure that more and more people will benefit from this groundbreaking new therapy," Jansa said.

The article concludes:

"All these companies hail from the US state of Minnesota, whose economy has transformed in the last 200 years to emphasize finished products and services. The economy of Minnesota had a gross domestic product of $262 billion in 2009."

Minnesota venture capital investments hit new low in 2010

The Business Journal Wednesday, January 26, 2011

The Business Journal's Katharine Grayson, who has been tracking venture capital investments in Minnesota, reports on the latest MoneyTree Report.

It's not good news: Venture capital investments in 2010 were the lowest on record since MoneyTree started compiling the report 15 years ago.

Nationally, venture capital investments were up 19 percent in 2010 compared to 2009. However, they were down 9 percent for medical devices, and Minnesota's concentration in that sector may help explain the drop here.

More at Grayson's In Private blog.

Feds give St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman reason to hope for Central Corridor support

Pioneer Press Wednesday, January 26, 2011

St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman was encouraged about plans moving forward for the Central Corridor Light Rail line after he attended the Jan. 19-21 U.S. Conference of Mayors in Washington, D.C., a Pioneer Press story notes.

Although there have been recent proposals to cut federal funding for mass transit initiatives, some high-level government officials at the conference showed strong support for the light rail line that would connect Minneapolis and St. Paul, according to the article.

Peter Rogoff, an administrator with the Federal Transit Administration,which would cover half of the $957 million construction costs for the light rail line, indicated to Coleman that he "intends for Central Corridor to be the first project --the first--he submits to Congress for funding," Coleman is quoted saying, adding, "The FTA is very supportive of this project. This is why I'm so optimistic."

Fortune Magazine includes a couple of local companies in 100 best workplaces

Fortune Wednesday, January 26, 2011

A couple of local companies made Fortune Magazine's list of the 100 Best Companies to Work For, which it released earlier this month.

Minneapolis-headquartered General Mills came in 58th while the Mayo Clinic in Rochester placed 61st. Both companies have appeared on the list before.

To arrive at the results, Fortune asks employees about their childcare options, work-life balance, telecommuting, sabbaticals and other perks.

In the case of General Mills, the article states that the "Cereal and yogurt maker prides itself on culture that "is not flashy or loud or arrogant,"" adding that 2,500 employees have been with the company for 25 years.

Robert W. Baird & Co., a financial firm, and Brocade Communications Systems, both of which have locally-based employees, also made the list.

Source: Fortune Magazine

Minneapolis design firm behind NYT DealBook's new look

The Minneapolist Egotist Wednesday, January 19, 2011

A decade-old Minneapolis design firm is behind the new look of a New York Times financial blog.

The Minneapolis Egotist reports that Wink, Inc.'s portfolio now includes the design of Andrew Ross Sorkin's DealBook blog, which tracks stocks, mergers and acquisitions.

Images at the Egotist.

MinneDemo attracts more than 300 local tech enthusiasts

TECHdotMN Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Did you miss last week's MinneDemo event? TECHdotMN has it covered, complete with video of all ten entrepreneurs/tinkerers who showed off their projects, which ranged from mobile games to a potentially disruptive web healthcare start-up.

As for the event itself, TECHdotMN's Jeff Pesek emphasizes that "Minnedemo is now on a whole new level," growing from a below-the-radar coffee shop meet-up a few years ago to a "top-notch" venue in the University of St. Thomas business school auditorium.

"If the raw energy, massive attendance (300+) and multitude of new faces means anything, then Minnedemo's awareness has alone has reached a new level, but I think there's more to it than that�"

More at TECHdotMN.

Study shows Minneapolis is nation's third-most literate city

Central Connecticut State University Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Minneapolis is the third-most literate city in the nation, behind Washington, D.C., and Seattle, according to a study from Central Connecticut State University. St. Paul is also in the top 10 list, coming in at seventh place.

For the study, which the university has done every year since 2005, researchers honed in on six main indicators for literacy within cities that have populations of at least 250,000. Those factors include the following: newspaper circulation, number of bookstores, libraries, magazines, and Internet-related resources, the university website states.

The rankings will help "better perceive the extent and quality of the long-term literacy essential to individual economic success, civic participation, and the quality of life in a community and a nation," the posting says.

Streetsblog Capitol Hill: When it comes to transit, Twin Cities are ahead of the curve

Streetsblog Capitol Hill Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Streetsblog Capitol Hill, a daily news source on national transportation and infrastructure issues, states that the Twin Cities are ahead of the curve when it comes to regional transportation policy.

In a forward-looking move, the Twin Cities are opting for more transit options and not more highways, it states.

Streetsblog cites the Twin Cities 2030 Transportation Plan, which "strives to maximize existing freeways by adding bus lanes or priced traffic lanes in shoulders wherever possible and increase emphasis on transit and other non-automotive modes," it reads.

The plan calls for compact, transit-oriented development to be promoted along these corridors, with an emphasis on mixed-use projects and clustering jobs near transportation centers.

A network of transitways will help alleviate water and air pollution and prevent sprawl from swallowing farmland, according to Jim Erkel, director of the land use and transportation program at the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, who is referenced in the piece.