Business notes for Feb. 5 – 19

• Scott Bader, Broker Owner of Coldwell Banker Door County Horizons, recently honored his staff for 2009 accomplishments at a ceremony at Mojo Rosa’s in Egg Harbor.

Claire Bierman, Doris Bodenner, Laddie Chapman and Corky Hellyer were recognized for being in the top 30 percent for sales volume for all agents in the Door County Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Bodenner and Hellyer also received awards as the top listing agents for Coldwell Banker Door County Horizons.

Barb Frey and Ted Laitner received awards for being in the top 10 percent for MLS sales volume. Norb Henke, Gretchen Porten and Jim and Linda Adams of the Adams Team were honored for being in the top 8 percent for MLS sales volume.

In the final presentation of the evening recognition as Coldwell Banker Door County Horizons’ Sales Associates of the Year was given to Norb Hanke for the Fish Creek office and the Adams’ Team for the Sturgeon Bay office.

Bader also announced that a portion of each commission was donated to charity, raising $2,000 for Lakeshore Cap (for assistance to low income home buyers) and the YMCA for its Strong Kids Campaign.

• Heather Lawrie Smith, Broker-Owner, CRS®/ABR®/GRI, REMAX Peninsula Properties, announced that Bonita Smrz has joined the brokerage as a full-time licensed sales associate.

Smrz, a Wisconsin real estate licensee for over 12 years, brings a wealth of expertise in real estate, marketing, and customer service to the brokerage. A resident of Fish Creek with an extensive knowledge of the Door County community and its many social outlets and opportunities, Smrz provides listing and sales service to the entire Door Peninsula.

REMAX Peninsula Properties, located at 8093 Highway 57 in the heart of Baileys Harbor, is open Monday through Saturday and Sunday by appointment. Call 920.839.2876 for more information.

• WaterScape Designs LLC of Forestville has been awarded the distinction of Certified RainXchange™ Professional (CRP) by Aquascape, Inc. Certified RainXchange™ Professionals are the most qualified and informed RainXchange™ rainwater harvesting system installers in the water gardening industry. All CRPs are required to attend continual training and education seminars and maintain a proven record of outstanding work and dedicated customer service. All applicants must pass an exam before receiving official certification.

Paul Mancheski, co-owner of WaterScape Designs with Justine Mancheski, was one of just 14 contractors chosen in February of 2008 to debut the RainXChange™ Rainwater Harvest system at Epcot in Florida. The Mancheskis installed the first ever RainXChange™ Rainwater Harvest system in the state of Wisconsin at their business located near Forestville. The system allows them to capture rainwater from the roof of their home, filter and circulate it through a decorative pondless waterfall and re-use it by using a booster pump which allows them to water their gardens or even wash their vehicles.

For more information on WaterScape Designs or to book a consultation, call 920.856.6595 or visit http://www.waterscapedesignsllc.com.

• The Door County Economic Development Corporation and the UW-Green Bay Small Business Development Center will offer free, one-on-one business counseling sessions Thursday, March 4, from 9 am – 5 pm for any new or existing business owners in Door County.

Chuck Brys, Business Counselor for the Small Business Development Center, will be providing advice on business planning, financing and other issues. Brys is a CPA and former Chief Financial Officer for several Wisconsin companies, with over 30 years of business experience and knowledge to share with local entrepreneurs.

Individual, confidential sessions will be held at the Door County Business Development Center, 185 East Walnut Street, Sturgeon Bay. An appointment is required and can be made by contacting Janet Frick-Warecki at 920.743.3113 x200 or via email at [email protected].

• Lori Strantz of Lori’s Spa Essence in Fish Creek is offering something special to get people back on track, or perhaps started, toward achieving their New Year’s Resolutions.

“It’s time to hit those fears, excuses, or whatever your case may be – head on!” says Strantz.

Strantz wants to assist individuals make lasting changes with their health and wellness goals. To help individuals get started, Lori’s Spa Essence is offering a special through March 31 that includes three private training sessions for only $99.

“The beauty of working one-on-one with me is that your sessions are customized to meet your individual needs,” Strantz continues.

People are able to ask all of their health and wellness questions, work at whatever fitness level they need at any given time, and individuals can do a variety of activities during each session including Pilates, SPINNING indoor cycling, weight training, relaxation breathing, stretching, and personal development coaching.

Lori’s Spa Essence has a relaxed setting in the woods for all to enjoy. For more information on how to customize a health and wellness program, contact Lori’s Spa Essence at 920.868.9493, or visit http://www.lorisspaessence.com.

• Wm. G Draeb G.G. of Draeb Jewelers in Sturgeon Bay recently attended The National Association of Jewelry Appraisers’ 33rd Ace It Annual Winter Conference in Tucson, AZ.

This year’s conference concentrated on several work areas that confront appraisers on a daily basis, updating their knowledge to keep them current. Presentations covered an array of topics, including: organic materials such as amber, jet, and pearls; minerals and a new gem material, PALLADOT, as well as Sunstone (Andesine). Manufacturing techniques were also presented to broaden the professional appraiser/gemologist observation skills.

All members of The National Association of Jewelry Appraisers must adhere to the professional Code of Ethics and all appraisal assignments must be performed under the constraints of this code. For more information visit http://www.najaappraisers.com.

Draeb Jewelers, located at 50 N 3rd Ave., offers a variety of appraisals and appraisal related services. Among those services performed are Gem Identification, Insurance appraisals, Fair Market Appraisals, and Estate Jewelry Appraisals. For more information, visit http://www.draebjewelersinc.com or call 920.743.4233.