‘Starwatch parties’ - Events planned in Lake Elmo and Big Marine park reserves

Washington County Parks will host two Minnesota Starwatch parties, one July 25 at Big Marine Park Reserve, and one Aug. 29 at Lake Elmo Park Reserve.

A Starwatch Party will be 9-11 p.m. Friday, July 25, at Big Marine Park Reserve, and a Starwatch Party will be 8:15 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29, at Lake Elmo Park Reserve.

This family program is free with a valid park vehicle permit.

Minnesota Starwatch Parties are hosted by Mike Lynch of WCCO.

Get to know constellations like the Big Bear, Cygnus the Swan, Scorpius the Scorpion and some of the great stories behind them. View natural wonders of the sky — constellations, planets, star clusters, galaxies, nebulae and more.

Visitors will use large reflecting telescopes, including two 20-inch reflectors that are among the biggest mobile telescopes in Minnesota. Visitors will use an astronomical camera-telescope system for extra special views of the more distant parts of the universe. Participants will receive user-friendly star maps and constellation charts for personal use.

Lynch is a meteorologist at WCCO Radio and has been hosting Starwatch parties and teaching astronomy classes for more than 40 years. He also writes a weekly stargazing column for the St. Paul Pioneer Press and is the author of the book “Mike Lynch’s Minnesota Star Watch.” Even if it’s cloudy, visitors will learn a lot and get a Mike Lynch “Cloud Check” for a future Minnesota Starwatch Party.

No registration is required. It’s a good idea to bring lawn chairs, blankets, snacks and bug spray.

Big Marine Park Reserve is on Manning Trail (County State Aid Highway 15) a half mile north of 170th Street in May Township at 17495 Manning Trail N., Marine on St. Croix.

Lake Elmo Park Reserve is at the intersection of County Road 19 and County Road 10 in Lake Elmo, at 1515 Keats Ave. N.

Source: http://stillwatergazette.com

6 Ways to Be Successful in Business

In the current economy, many business have been hit hard or failed. But I believe if we grab hold of the principles that I talk about below that you can still prosper in hard economic times.

1. Avoid get rich quick schemes- Proverbs 28:20 warns us about get rich quick schemes. The verse says, "a man with an evil eye hastens after riches and does not consider that poverty will come upon him." We have all seen that late night infomercials promising that you can make lots of money with little to no effort and promises of overnight success. If something sounds too good to be true it probably is. It takes hard work and effort to be a success.

2. Do what you say- In Matthew 5:33-37, Jesus warned about making promises and oaths and not fulfilling them. He said,"Let your nay (no) be nay(no) and your yeah(yes) be yeah (yes). If you promises someone that you are going to do something do it. Sometimes you cannot always do what you promise due to unforeseen circumstances, but you should at least let the person know that you can't do what you promised and make restitution at a later time.

3.Pay your workers well- In Luke 10:7, Jesus said the laborers are worthy of their hire. Withholding wages from someone who has worked hard limits their ability to take care of themselves and their families.

4. Learn to give- As God blesses and increases your finances, you have a responsibility to give back to your families and communities. Our communities not only need your money but they need your time as well. Always find time to mentor or volunteer. Acts 20:35 says, "You must support the weak and it is more blessed to give than to receive."

5. Put God first in everything- Before you make a major decision ask God what decision you should make or ask for his help. Also pray for God to bless your business each day. Luke 12:31 says, "But seek the kingdom of God and all these things (provisions, possessions) will be added to you."

6. Treat people like you want to be treated- This is the golden rule that we learned as children. be courteous to everyone and treat every customer well. People are more willing to do business with you when they like your, than when they don't.

I believe that these principles will help your business prosper. God desires to bless people in business but we must do it his way.

Source: http://inspiredbyshawn.com/

Huff n’ Puff Days set for Aug. 7-10

The Lake Elmo Jaycees will be hosting the 38th Annual Huff n’ Puff Days on Aug. 7-10 in Lake Elmo.

This annual fundraiser for community and youth activities in Lake Elmo and the St. Croix Valley features a 96-team softball tournament and many other fun family activities.

In addition to food, beverages and merchandise available for purchase, there will be free prize drawings, kids games and activities in the playground area of Lions Park and bean bag tournaments.

The free kids games and activities will be held on Saturday, Aug. 9 from noon to 4 p.m. There will also be bean bag tournaments taking place at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.

The double elimination bean bag tourney will award prizes to the top three teams. Registration will take place at the ticket booth in Lions Park prior to the scheduled start teams. The cost for each two-person team is $20.

A fundraising pancake breakfast for the Lake Elmo Fire Department will also be held on Saturday and Sunday (Aug. 9-10) from 8 a.m.-noon at Station No. 1 across from Lions Park.

For a full schedule of times and events, check out www.lakeelmojaycees.org or www.facebook.com/huffnpuffdays.

Source: http://stillwatergazette.com

Minnesota ranked 5th in nation for small business friendliness

In a new national survey, Minnesota scored as a “top place” to start or grow a small business.

Thumbtack.com, a San Francisco-based service that links individuals to small businesses, conducted its third annual survey evaluating the business climate in every state. More than 12,000 entrepreneurs nationwide participated in the survey, conducted in partnership with the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.

“After a two-month survey of thousands of small business owners nationwide, Minnesota has emerged as a top place for starting a business,” says Jon Lieber, Chief Economist of Thumbtack.

In the 2014 survey, Minnesota earned a B for its overall friendliness for small businesses. In the 2013 Thumbtack.com survey, the state scored an A-. Overall, Minnesota rated 5th when it came to ease of starting a business, but received a C or C+ for its regulations, including health and safety, labor, licensing, regulations and the friendliness of the tax code.

The survey also reviewed how cities rank. Minneapolis scored as the 11th friendliest city for small businesses out of the 82 rated, and Minneapolis small business owners had the 3rd brightest outlook on the national economy. The city scored an overall grade of A.

The Thumbtack.com Small Business Friendliness Survey is the only survey that use data from a nationwide sample of small business owners to rank the most business-friendly locations. The top three states considered friendliest to small business were Utah, Idaho, and Texas. The three least friendly states were California, Rhode Island, and Illinois.

Businessweek noted that the Thumbtack.com friendliness survey is not a predictor of where people will start a business, noting that California, which scored an F, had one of the nation’s highest startup rates.

In reviewing the findings, the website Heartland.org noted that the small business operators who responded in the survey said the complexity of a state’s licensing regulation was a main stumbling block for small businesses. Those surveyed said this factor was twice as important as the level of taxation.

The website story concluded that the survey shows “…it is not taxation that is really killing small businesses; it’s all the red tape,” and went on to say that “this…very interesting finding…could have some real implications for policy-makers.”

Source: http://bringmethenews.com

Stress and Managing Stress In Our Lives

Probably the number one cause of feeling stressed is GUILT FEELINGS.

This can arise from perceived spiritual failings. We won't go into this area, if you think it applies to you, you need to visit with your spiritual advisor or clergyman. Have you cheated someone, committed a crime, hurt someone? Make it right if you can, but above all, forgive yourself. Stress and managing stress in our lives can sometimes be relieved by doing this. If so manage your guilt stress.

Another common stressor is wanting to be thought of as "The Best". Did someone with a monkey on his or her back just give you theirs? Why did you accept it?

1. Do you need to be liked?

2. Do you need praise?

3. Are you afraid to say, "No keep your monkey, I don't want it."

4. Do you try to do everything for everyone?

Next is putting off what needs to be done in favor of doing something enjoyable but goes nowhere and puts you behind schedule. It can be a huge stress on you. Sometimes stress and managing stress in our lives can be done by:

1. Playing on your computer.

2. Visiting in person, or on the phone.

3. Just go shopping.

4. Eating or dieting (falling off a diet is stressful.)

5. Watching television.

6. Playing in your garden or yard.

Going over your budget is fun but... Not having Money can be a great stressor. Here again much of the stress in this area comes from wanting to be well thought of but not enough money to take care of these things.

1. Unpaid bills.

2. Holidays (Valentines, Easter, 4th of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas.) and no money or not enough money.

3. Weddings, Birthdays, Baby Showers, Graduations, Anniversaries.

4. Student Loans, Credit Cards.

Another item that can cause stress is not enough exercise, or your diet. Improper eating can have a major roll in stress. Eating too much of the wrong things like sweets and carbs can cause a major imbalance in your system putting more stress on your digestive system.

Lastly, don't set stressful or impossible goals. Goals are important but when they become stressful you need to reevaluate your timetable. You should have short term and long terms goals, not ones set due to the stress in your life.

Getting relief from all the stress and anxiety in our lives plus learning to manage it is Priceless.


Source: http://www.healthbaseopportunity.com

Why Selling a 'No-Brainer' Makes You a Bit of a Jerk

About that title: Why do people try to sell on the nutty reason that the choice is a 'no brainer'? Do you really want me to buy your product without giving it prudent thought? 'Thought' is the breakfast of champions so why would you want your prospect to make a decision on an empty stomach (or mind)?

I get that a vendor is trying to convince me that their item's benefits are so abundantly clear that only a dolt wouldn't whip out a credit card. But, wouldn't you rather know I bought your product after careful consideration? That your sales effort was so strong and focused entirely on my desired benefits that I'm completely secure with my choice and will never experience buyer's remorse?

The 'no-brainer' argument almost feels like a form of bullying, suggesting that not buying from you makes me the jerk instead of the party who's advocating it. Here are some other negative messages that will reduce the power of any sales effort:

    the other guys are jerks - somehow, this doesn't translate into 'we're great!' It just tells me you don't have enough good things to sway me to your offer and instead, hope I'll fall into your arms for fear of being associated with the 'jerks', your competitor. Instead, this makes me even more curious about who the 'other guy' is!
    you can return it - Oh man; this is like a tell-tale sign in a horror movie: I'm being warned right up front that I'll be unhappy with my choice.
    this is a close out - While you may think you're telling me it's a special deal, what I'm hearing is the folks who used to stand behind this product have run for the hills.
    this is a one-time opportunity - Uh, is it stolen? Is it damaged goods?
    we're clearing out inventory to make way for the new model - So that means you won't be servicing my newly purchased, older version any longer?

I know there are some buyers for whom the risks associated with these pseudo-benefits are worth it yet, is it really worth it for you as the seller? None of these messages are really adding value to your reputation nor are they building relationships with truly 'sold' customers who'll look to you as an ongoing source of quality in your category of goods. Instead, what you'll become is the Crazy Eddie of your industry (kids, once upon a time, Crazy Eddie sold consumer entertainment equipment with the tag line 'this offer is insaaaaaane!' And he meant it - Eddie ended up in jail... )

Sales pitches like these create a single financial transaction. Sales messages that encourage real desire for your goods based on knowing what a prospect wants as a result of buying create relationships with customers. More than a single financial transaction, this creates ongoing purchases, referrals, feedback, testimonials, and a lower cost of selling. And guess what that delivers: more profit. Sounds like a totally sane benefit statement to me.

Source: http://www.morefreetimezone.com