Thank you for your Continued Support
Every issue of The Comment will recognize members that have renewed their investment with Dakota County Regional Chamber
in the past months. In this issue, we list members who renewed their membership between October and November 2008. Thank you
for your continued investment in your local chamber of commerce.
45+ Years
Associated Bank Minnesota, NA, Eagan
Westview Park Apartments,
West St. Paul
Xcel Energy, Newport
Pre-Hung Doors Inc., Eagan
16-20 Years
Cedarvale Lakes, Eagan
Dakota Awards & Engraving, Rosemount
La Fonda de Los Lobos, Eagan
31-35 Years
Acacia Park Cemetary Association,
Mendota Heights
American Bank, St. Paul
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of MN,
St. Paul
Twin City Wire - MFI, Inc., Eagan
11-15 Years
Buffalo Wild Wings, West St. Paul
David Agency, Edina
DSV Air & Sea, Inc., Eagan
Hampton Inn, Eagan
Minnesota Valley Humane Society, Burnsville
Pine Bend Paving, Inc., Inver Grove Heights
Yankee Eye Clinic, Eagan
26-30 Years
Dr. Robert A. Casper, Jr., Eagan
Gregory Mailand, West St. Paul
OPUS Northwest, LLC., Minnetonka
Thomson Reuters, Eagan
21-25 Years
Best Western Dakota Ridge, Eagan
Chroust Dental Office, Rosemount
Minnesota Energy Resources Corp.,
Rosemount
Phil’s Body Shop, Rosemount
DCR STAFF
President
Ruthe Batulis
rbatulis@dcrchamber.com
Director of Community Affairs
Amanda Franklin
afranklin@dcrchamber.com
Manager of Business
Development and Events
Michelle Tighe
mtighe@dcrchamber.com
CONTACT DCR
Dakota County Regional
Chamber of Commerce
1121 Town Centre Drive
Suite 102
Eagan, MN 55123
P: 651.452.9872
F: 651.452.8978
www.dcrchamber.com
6-10 Years
American Cancer Society, Mendota Heights
Dakota Communties, Eagan
Endres Processing, Rosemount
Masterson Personnel, Inc., West St. Paul
Senator James P. Metzen, South St. Paul
Postal Credit Union, West St. Paul
ProTec Environmental Consultants, Inc.,
Mendota Heights
Qwest, Minneapolis
TAJ Technologies, Inc., Mendota Heights
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chair Mark Kragness
Anchor Bank Farmington
Past Chair Phil Stalboerger
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota
Chair Elect Scott Swenson
Home Federal Savings Bank
President Ruthe Batulis
Dakota County Regional Chamber of
Commerce
1-5 Years
Cinnamon Ridge Apartments, Eagan
Dakota County Parks, Apple Valley
Eagan 4th of July Committee, Eagan
Ecolab, Inc., Eagan
Everest Institute, Eagan
Family Vision Clinic of Farmington,
Farmington
Freedom Services, Inc., Burnsville
Freight Services, Inc, eagan
Girl Scouts of MN & WI River Valley,
St. Paul
Keller Williams Preferred Realty,
Farmington
Liberty Mutual Insurance, Eagan
Metro DentalCare, West St. Paul
\Minnesota Telephone Inc, Burnsville
Minnesota Zoo, Apple Valley
Neighbors, Inc, South St Paul
NorthMarq, Bloomington
Solimar Wellness Spa, Eagan
St. Croix Lutheran High School,
West St. Paul
Starbucks Coffee, Eagan
Director Beth Krehbiel
Fairview Ridges Hospital
December 2008/January 2009 • VOL. XV NO. 2
Soirée Mystique: Annual Gala Filled
With Changes & Success
THIS ISSUE
Soirée Mystique:
Annual Gala Filled
With Changes &
Success
Complete of Silent
Auction Donors
Director Meghan McDaniel
Flint Hills Resources
Director Paul McGinley
Loucks Associates
Director Matt Miller
Interstate Partners
Director Dan Motoyoshi
American Bank
Director Rob Armfield
TDS Metrocom
Director Ryan O’Gara
SKB Environmental
Director Sara Butruff
Travel Leaders
Director Roz Peterson
Cerron Commercial Properties
Director Greg Hansen
Ecolab, Inc.
Director Phillip Porter
CTi
Director Jennifer Hauschildt
Thomson Reuters
Director Gary Huusko
Severson, Sheldon, Dougherty & Molenda, PA
Director Leslie Strohm
ProTec Environmental Consultants, Inc
Director Greg Konat
Community Action Council
THE COMMENT
Dakota County
Leadership Academy
After months of planning, numerous phone
calls, and meetings, the Dakota County
Regional Chamber Annual Gala, Soiree
Mystique, welcomed guest to a new venue,
a new theme and really - a whole new
event.
With three devoted co-chairs, Pat Kaplan,
Leslie Strohm, and Cindy VanDusartz, the
hardworking planning committee developed a new take on the chamber’s annual
gala. No more were guests seated at round
watching entertainment from across the
room. Instead Soiree Mystique attendees
were welcomed with complimentary valet
parking and coat check at one of the most
unique venue’s in the metro area. Circus
Juventas is a performing arts circus training school in the Highland Park neighborhood of Saint Paul.
Beautifully decorated in purple and red,
the domed performance space was filled
with mats and circus equipment hanging
from the ceiling along with tables filled
with nearly 300 silent auction items.
There were roaming servers provided
delicious Hors d’œuvres and an amazing
chocolate fountain providing dessert.
The real show started with the first act of
performers hanging from silk fabric and
swinging over the guests as they performed their magnificent acts. The three
acts continued to awe the crowd of over
250 people, with Mark Kragness serving
as the emcee for the evening. There was
also an entertaining game of “Heads or
Tails” played with Kelly Schaefbauer taking the winning pot.
With all the generous bidders on the silent
auction prizes along with donations from
Thomson Reuters and Eagan Rotary, DCR
Chamber collected over $6,000 to help
the four school districts and 2 community
colleges in the DCR footprint purchase
SmartBoard technology.
Thank you to everyone who worked on
this event in any capacity - volunteers,
attendees, sponsors and silent auction
donors! The event set a new standard for
the annual gala and we are already looking
ahead to 2009!
New and Renewing
Members
Ex Officio Director Cathy McCoy
ProAct, Inc.
Chair, DCR Foundation
Ex Officio Director Brent Cory
Executive Director, Eagan Convention &
Visitors Bureau
VISIT US ONLINE. WWW.DCRCHAMBER.COM
www.dcrchamber.com
01
Welcome to our New Members
Thank you to our Silent Auction Donors
Allied Chiropractic
3410 Federal Drive, Suite 100, Eagan
651 905-8272
Contact: Erika Boutros
Chiropractors
Morgan and Waldon, LLP
803 Dodd Road, West St. Paul
651 925-7025
Contact: Naomi Morgan
Attorneys
Signal Garage Inc.
84 Moreland Avenue E, West St Paul
651 457-2668
Contact: Rami Derhy
Automobile Service
Griffitts Law Offices, PLLC
8053 E. Bloomington Freeway, Suite
300, Bloomington
952 345-1256
Contact: Kelly Griffitts
Attorneys
Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc
17625 Isleton Avenue, Lakeville
952 221-0967
Contact: Kathy Mowery
www.prepaidlegal.com/hub/kathymowery
Business Legal Services
Talecris
1867 South Robert, West St. Paul
317 694-7492
Contact: Greg Kelly
www.talecrisplasma.com
Blood Products
Hastings Country Club
2015 Westview Drive, Hastings
651 437.6483
Contact: Mark Retica
www.hastingscountryclub.org
Golf Courses - Private
RE/MAX Realty 100, LLC-Holly
Arenaz-Don & Tim Stiebner
971 Sibley Memorial Hwy, Mendota
Heights
612 990-5989
Contact: Holly Arenaz-Don
Tim Stiebner
Real Estate - Residential
Tranquility For You
3445 Washington Drive, Suite 205, Eagan
651 686.5671
Contact: Rebecca Gislason
Susan Glover
www.Tranquilityforyou.net
Massage Therapy
Lemay Lake Apartments
3005 Eagandale Place, Suite 114, Eagan
651 454-5383
Contact: Steve Ciesielski
Cyndi Lemaster
Josh Pickard
Angela Smith
www.pinnacleams.com/lemaylake
Apartment or Condominium Mgmt
The Soirée Mystique Silent Auction helped to raise over $6,000 that will be giving to local school districts and community
colleges to support SmartBoard technology in more classrooms. We had a generous outpouring from local businesses as
they donated everything from gift cards to tours of their facility. The committee worked very hard to collect items that
would be in high demand by gala attendees and they did a great job! Below is a complete list of our donors. Please note
some may have donated more than one item and DCR Chamber members are listed in bold.
Want to learn more about DCR Chamber?
Attend the New Member Orientation at the Chamber office
Tuesday, December 16 and Tuesday, February 17
12:00 noon - 1:30 pm
You will learn more about DCR Chamber and how to get involved.
Network with other new members and enjoy a free lunch as well.
RSVP with Michelle at 651.452.9872
Dakota County Leadership Academy
In the last four years, the Dakota County
Leadership Academy (DCLA) has
graduated almost 100 emerging leaders,
representing businesses from the entire
county. Your company and your employees represent a powerful, integral part of
our regional business community. Now
more than ever, employees must enhance
their personal skills, develop leadership
capacity and understand the correlation
between healthy communities and robust
and vibrant business.
In 2009, the Chambers of Commerce in
Dakota County, lead by DCR Chamber
will again host the DCLA. We have developed a five month curriculum, including a combination of leadership skills
training, community awareness and information on the critical issues facing Dakota
County. This curriculum will challenge
and motivate individuals to make a difference through personal commitment and
involvement in their local communities.
The subjects have been suggested by our
business leaders. In addition, several of
our municipalities have enrolled their key
staff members. This is a great opportunity
for public sector employees to engage
with businesses and create synergies for
future endeavors.
Take a moment to reflect on your employees and the leadership opportunities that
are available. Tuition for 10 sessions in
$750.
For further information, please call the
Chamber 651-452-9872 or email Ruthe
Batulis at rbatulis@dcrchamber.com.
The 2008 DCLA class had a session at the
Capitol in St. Paul. Here they are gathered
in the Governor’s Reception Room.
www.dcrchamber.com
02
AAA Minnesota/Iowa, Eagan
Abdallah Shoppes, Burnsville
Acme Comedy Club, Minneapolis
Al Baker’s Restaurant, Eagan
All the Best Corporate Gift Basket, Eagan
Allied Chiropractic, Eagan
Anchor Bank, Farmington
Anchor Bank, Eagan
Anchor Bank, West St. Paul
Appliance Drs., St. Paul
Apres Party and Tent Rental, Edina
Bakers Square, West St. Paul
Baskets On Occasion, Inc., Eagan
Bibelot Shop, St. Paul
Brave New Workshop, Minneapolis
Breadsmith, St. Paul
Bucca di Beppo of St. Paul, St. Paul
Buck’s Unpainted Furniture, Bloomington
Buffalo Wild Wings, Eagan
Café Chili Peppers, Eagan
Café Latte, St. Paul
Camie’s Jewelry, Eagan
Capital Grille, Minneapolis
Caponi Art Park, Eagan
Carlson Wagonlit Travel, Eagan
Cedarvale Lanes, Eagan
Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, Chanhassen
Chroust Dental Office, Rosemount
Circus Juventas, St. Paul
City & County Credit Union, Eagan
City of Eagan, Eagan
City of Rosemount, Rosemount
City West Saint Paul Parks, West St. Paul
Coldwell Banker Burnet-Pat Kaplan, Eagan
Cole’s Salon, Apple Valley
Como Zoo, St. Paul
Courtyard by Marriott, Mendota Heights
Creative Coaching, Mendota Heights
CTi, Eagan
Cub Foods, Rosemount
Culver’s, West St. Paul
D’Amico & Partners, Minneapolis
Dodge Nature Center, West St. Paul
Downtowner Car Wash, St. Paul
Dunn Brothers Coffee, St. Paul
Eagan Convention & Visitors Bureau, Eagan
EZ Air Park, Eagan
FASTFRAME, Eagan
Ficocello’s Hair Styling Salons, Eagan
Flint Hills Resources, St. Paul
FM107.1, Minneapolis
Gateway Bank, Mendota Heights
Gleason’s Gymnastic School, Eagan
Godfrey’s Custom Signs, Farmington
Gossips, Farmington
Grand Casino Hinckley, Brooklyn Park
GrandStay Residential Suites Hotel,
Apple Valley
Granite City Food & Brewery, Eagan
Great Clips IMAX Theatre, Apple Valley
Green Mill, Eagan
Greg and Mary Ann Bailey, Mendota Heights
Hampton Inn Eagan, Eagan
Haskell’s, Minneapolis
Heartland Credit Union, St. Paul
Hilton Garden Inn Eagan, Eagan
History Theater, St. Paul
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, Eagan
Holiday Station Stores, Bloomington
Home Federal Savings Bank, Eagan
Homestead Village Guest Suites, Eagan
I Nonni/Buon Giorno, Lilydale
IHOP, Bloomington
Illusion Theatre, Minneapolis
Insider Training, Inc, Rosemount
Interstate Partners, Eagan
Inver Grove Ford, Inver Grove Hgts
Jake’s City Grille, Eagan
JBL Companies, Eagan
Jila Nikpay Studio, Minneapolis
Joe Senser’s Sports Bar and Grill, Eagan
Joe’s Garage, Minneapolis
Joseph’s Grill, St. Paul
Jungle Theater, Minneapolis
Keller Williams Preferred Realty, Farmington
KFAN, St. Louis Park
Kids Hair, Eagan
Kincaid’s, Bloomington
Kowalski’s Market, Eagan
Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts,
Mendota Heights
Lilydale Garden Center, Lilydale
Long Branch Saloon & Eatery, Farmington
Loucks Associates, Maple Grove
Malinda’s Piano Service, Eagan
McDonalds Restaurant, Mendota Heights
Mediterranean Cruise Cafe, Eagan
Mendakota Country Club, Mendota Heights
Mendota Heights Police, Mendota Heights
Mendota Liquor, Mendota Heights
Metro Connections, Minneapolis
Minnesota Children’s Museum, St. Paul
Minnesota Energy Resources, Rosemount
Minnesota Monthly, Minneapolis
Minnesota Timberwolves, Minneapolis
Minnesota Twins Baseball Club,
Minneapolis
Minnesota Wild, St. Paul
Minnesota Zoo, Apple Valley
Mississippi Market, St. Paul
Mpls/St. Paul Magazine, Minneapolis
Noodles & Company, West Saint Paul
North Star International, Eagan
Northwest Airlines, Eagan
Northwest Martial Arts, Rosemount
Oak Trust Credit Union, Eagan
Old Log Theater, Excelsior
Oldenburg Studios Photography, Eagan
Outback Steakhouse, Inver Grove Heights
Parkview Golf Club, Eagan
Paster Enterprises, St. Paul
Perkins-West St. Paul, West St. Paul
Personalized Nutritional Counseling,
Mendota Heights
Phillips Distillery, Minneapolis
Postal Credit Union, West St. Paul
ProTec Environmental Consultants, Inc.,
Mendota Heights
Qcumbers, Edina
Residence Inn, Eagan
Rocco Altobelli, Burnsville
Ron Burg Fine Portraits, West St Paul
Room & Board, Minneapolis
Rosemount Floral, Rosemount
Roundbank, Farmington
S & T Office Products, Saint Paul
Sage’s Market, Mendota Heights
Saint Paul Pioneer Press, Saint Paul
Saint Paul Saints, St. Paul
Sam’s Club, Eagan
Sara Rogers, Wardrobe Consultant, Minneapolis
Schmitt, Richard C. , CPA, Mendota Heights
Shenanigan’s Fine Wine & Spirits,
Rosemount
SKB Environmental, Inc., Eagan
Southview Country Club, West St. Paul
SpringHill Suites by Marriott, Eagan
Stages Theatre Company, Hopkins
State Farm Insurance - Mendota Heights
State Farm Insurance - Rosemount
Staybridge Suites, Eagan
Stems & Vines, St. Paul
Stepping Stone Theatre, St. Paul
Stevie Ray’s Improv Co., Minneapolis
Summit Brewery, St. Paul
Sun Newspapers, Eden Prairie
Superior Collision Center, Eagan
Target Superstore, West St. Paul
The Body Project, Eagan
The Framing Place & Gallery, West St. Paul
The UPS Store, West Saint Paul
Theatre in the Round, Minneapolis
Timber Lodge Steak House, Bloomington
Time Out Restaurant & Sports Bar, Eagan
Tivoli Too, Inc, Mendota Heights
Tom Conlon Photography, St. Paul
Towne Place Suites, Eagan
Tranquility for You, Eagan
Treasure Island Resort & Casino, Red Wing
Twin City Attonery’s-James Whelpley, St. Paul
Ultimate Car Care Goodyear,
Inver Grove Heights
Vic’s Restaurant, Golden Valley
Von Hanson’s Meats, Eagan/Apple Valley
Wallaby Renovations, Eagan
WalMart, Eagan
Wild Mountain Water Park, Taylors Falls
Wild Tymes, St. Paul
Yankee Eye Clinic, Eagan
YMCA, South Family, West Saint Paul
Z-Man’s Munchies, Eagan
www.dcrchamber.com
03