South metro business briefs

SOUTH METRO AREA

A team from Cole's Salon, which raised more than $84,000 this year for breast cancer research, is organizing for next year's fundraising. Cole's, which has five salons in the south metro area, is among a growing number of Twin Cities businesses that have helped raise money for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization and a related philanthropy fund.

In September, people and businesses such as Cole's in the Twin Cities raised $7.3 million during the Breast Cancer 3-Day, a series of 60-mile walks.

Cole's employee Julie Norstedt organized a meeting Nov. 9 for a team that hopes to raise even more next year. Norstedt, serving as team captain, led a group of 31 team members, including 11 Cole's employees along with their clients and families, in fundraising events that culminated with the race in September.

All of the team members have been touched by breast cancer through either a family member or friend, said a spokewoman for Cole's. One of the team members has a family history of breast cancer and had genetic testing showing that she was a carrier of the gene that suggests a propensity for the disease. At age 31, she underwent a double mastectomy as well as a hysterectomy. Another team member is a breast cancer survivor.

APPLE VALLEY

Pahl's Market is holding a holiday workshop from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday. The Pahl's design staff will show customers how to design spruce tip pots and kissing balls. Pahl's, which is family-owned and operated, offers a full-scale garden center, a landscape department, homegrown produce, gifts, seasonal decorations and more. It's located at 6885 W. 160th St. Call 952-431-4345 to reserve your spot in the workshop. The market will hold a Christmas open house the same day, with holiday trees on display, cider and cookies served, and Santa on hand.

BURNSVILLE

RJS Software Systems Inc. was honored recently in its industry. RJS, a leading provider of content-management software and services, has received the 2008 Channel Excellence Award from a key vendor, Datacap, Inc.

The award recognizes partners who have helped Datacap build complete and highly competitive software applications in the "document capture" industry. Datacap CEO Scott Blau said RJS has played an instrumental role in helping to promote Datacap products and services to new markets.

"RJS ... brings Datacap capture applications into a new realm," Blau said. "We are delighted to partner with RJS and we look forward to continued success."

RJS Software Systems provides information management solutions that help businesses improve productivity, save money and integrate data in new ways.

LAKEVILLE

The south metro area's newest bowling alley is also its newest laser-tag arena, video arcade, event center, pool hall, and bar and grill.

Brunswick Zone XL opened at 11129 W. 162nd St., near Interstate 35, last week with more than 57,000 square feet of bowling and other recreational activities. The facility includes 38 lanes of bowling; a multilevel laser-tag arena; a video arcade; three multiuse event rooms; and the Fireside Grill, featuring a full-service food and beverage menu, six billiards tables and large-screen TVs. It employs about 100 people full and part time.

The center is the fourth of its kind in Minnesota, joining locations in Eden Prairie, Brooklyn Park and Blaine.

For more information on Brunswick Zone XL Lakeville, call 952-435-2695 or see www.bowlbrunswick.com.

JOY POWELL AND DYLAN BELDEN

Is your south metro business opening, moving, expanding or changing key personnel? Send your business news and notes to Dylan Belden, Star Tribune South, 101 W. Burnsville Pkwy., Suite 101, Burnsville, MN 55337, or e-mail dylan.belden@startribune.com.