Como U professor given Distinguished Faculty Award
Timothy Smith, associate professor in the Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering at the University of Minnesota, has received the 2013 Distinguished Faculty Award from the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences Alumni Society.
Smith founded the Northstar Initiative for Sustainable Enterprise and was instrumental in creating the Corporate Environmental Management track of the Environmental Sciences, Policy, and Management undergraduate major.
SimpleRay opens Midway office
SimpleRay, LLC, a company that sells and distributes a wide range of solar products, has opened an office in Wellington Management’s Sewall Gear Building, 705 Raymond Ave. SimpleRay’s products include panels, kits, monitoring hardware, batteries and accessories. The items are used for personal or commercial purposes and in on-the-grid and off-the-grid settings.
Geoffrey Stenrick, SimpleRay owner, is excited about the new space’s proximity to the Central Corridor light-rail line.
“Access to good public transportation is important to our energy-conscious customers,” he said. “We’re very pleased with our Raymond Avenue location.”
Fraser expands on University Ave.
Fraser, a widely known nonprofit organization that offers services to children and adults with mental and physical disabilities, has moved into a 4,637-square-foot office in Wellington Management’s Court West Building at 2610 University Ave.
As Minnesota’s largest provider of autism services, Fraser has earned a national reputation, attracting referrals from across the country. Fraser’s new office in the Court West Building will serve as a center for clinical intake as well as for billing services.
The Court West Building houses a number of other nonprofit organizations, including Portico Healthnet, Accountability Minnesota, Beacon Interfaith Housing, the Trust for Public Land and the Charities Review Council.
Thistle opens in Milton Square
Thistle, a store that features vintage furniture, old treasures and quirky accessories has opened at 2228 Carter Ave., in the lower level of Milton Square in St. Anthony Park. Owner Heather O’Malley, a professional event stylist and planner, has a garage full of props and furniture leftover from the 15-plus years of planning fundraisers, weddings and charities.
O’Malley, who is also vice president of Milton Investments, uses paint, fabric, nails and glue to turn garage-sale bargains into prized possessions. “I don’t think I have one thing new in my house,” she said.
Her hunt for treasures dates back to Sunday drives with her then-small children and husband. The store will be open four days a month. Its schedule for June is Thursday, May 30, noon-8 p.m., Friday, May 31, and Saturday, June 1, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m., and Sunday, June 2, noon-4 p.m.