SBDC donations

The Small Business Development Center at Central Lakes College reports five donations to assist the SBDC in its service to the 11-county region. The donations include $250 from Lakewood Bank, Nisswa; $1,000 from Wells Fargo, Minneapolis; $250 from Frandsen Bank and Trust, Lonsdale; $500 from Bremer Bank, Brainerd; and $250 from Riverwood Bank, Baxter. The mission of the Central Lakes College Small Business Development Center is to improve economic growth in Minnesota by providing assistance to small businesses in order to increase the number of new business start-ups, expand existing small businesses, and reduce the number of small business failures. Counties served are Aitkin, Cass, Chisago, Crow Wing, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Morrison (northern half), Pine, Todd, and Wadena. Information is available at www.clcmn.edu/smallbusiness or by calling (218) 855-8142.

Women lose

HIBBING - The Central Lakes College Raiders dropped their eighth straight with Saturday's 86-58 loss to the Hibbing Cardinals. CLC's last win came Dec. 7 during a 66-55 win over Hibbing. The Raiders move to 7-12 and will face Minnesota West at Worthington Wed., Jan. 26 in a Southern Division game.

Dental Assisting events scheduled

Central Lakes College Dental Assisting students will collaborate with area dental offices to provide free check-ups for children at the annual Give Kids a Smile Day in early February. For ages 3-18 the free service is provided on Feb. 3 and 4 in the dental clinic on the Brainerd campus from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. At Staples for ages 4-16, it is available Feb. 4 only, from 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the office of Dr. John Gorton. Appointments may be made for either site by calling (218) 855-8106 or toll-free 800-933-0346, ext. 8106.

Business law seminar

Central Lakes College and five partners will co-host “Law and Leadership in Business” on Thursday, Feb. 24 from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Lodge, 6967 Lake Forest Road, Brainerd. The CLC Business and Industry Center, Small Business Development Center, Lakes Area Human Resource Association, chambers of commerce from Brainerd and Little Falls, and Department of Employment and Economic Development are sponsors of the event for business and community organizations. The workshop features six experts who have worked in professions associated with manufacturing, medical, legal firms, city/county/regional government, school districts, college/universities, and social service agencies. Topics include hiring new employees and changes in employee benefits, guiding and developing your employees, responding to discrimination and harassment complaints, and being the effective leader with the “art of influence.” The seminar fee is $65, including breakfast (7:30-8 a.m.) and lunch (noon-1 p.m.) and 6.5 human resource credit hours. For information and registration by Feb. 17, contact Kristi Westbrock at (218) 454-1105 or email kristi@connectctc.com

'God's Country' auditions

Central Lakes College Theatre invites auditioners for "God's Country," a docu-drama by Steven Dietz, which will be staged in late April. Auditions will be at 7 p.m., Monday, Jan. 31 in the Bob Dryden Theatre at CLC, Brainerd. "God's Country" is about the modern white supremacist movement in America. Dietz based the play on true events - the death of radio talk-show host Allen Berg. "We're Looking for 10 or more actors (men and women) to be part of an ensemble cast and play several characters," said Director Patrick Spradlin. All characters are aged 18-years and up except for one 12-year-old boy role. Auditions are open to both college students and community members. The production will perform April 14-23, 2011. Rehearsals begin based on cast availability. For more information, contact Patrick at pspradlin@clcmn.edu or (218)855-8255.

Basketball at Anoka-Ramsey

Men: Win No. 20
The Central Lakes College men's basketball team rang up win No. 20 on Jan. 19, escaping Anoka-Ramsey in overtime, 86-83, in Anoka. Nash Faulk scored 23 (averaging 16) in the wake of the Rams' MCAC scoring leader, Trey Scott (29), who is averaging 22. Maurice Hernandez added 16, Marcus Ayala 15, and Kwamaine Johnson 10. The teams were tied at 74 when regulation time ran out. Free throws down the stretch were a big help for the third-ranked Raiders, who made 15 of 24 (63 percent) for the game. CLC shot 39 percent from the floor (30-76), while the home team took just 58 shots, making 28 (48 percent). The Rams also made 16 of 20 free throws (80 percent).

Women: Top-ranked Rams rule
Central Lakes College got a look at the No. 1 NJCAA Division III team Jan. 19. Anoka-Ramsey rolled to a 78-38 Southern Division Minnesota College Athletic Conference victory over the Raiders ,who have lost nine straight. Steph Neugebauer of CLC managed 17 points but nobody else hit double figures for the Raiders. The Rams lead the Southern Division with a 3-0 record and are 17-1 overall. The Raiders are now 0-5 in division play and 7-12 overall.

Basketball vs. Riverland

Men cruise
In MCAC men's basketball Jan. 15 the Central Lakes College Raiders outscored Riverland by 38 in the first half and emptied their bench in the second on their way to a 120-74 win in a Southern Division game, their 19th win of the season without a loss. The Raiders are ranked third in the Division III poll. Marcus Ayala led the way with 22 points, making six of seven shots from behind the arc. Maurice Hernandez came off the bench to score 16. Kwamaine Johnson (pictured) had 10. Twelve CLC players scored and reserves saw extensive time on the court. Next: at Anoka-Ramsey Jan. 19.

Women fall
The CLC women's team (7-11 on the season, 0-4 in Southern Division MCAC play) lost its eighth straight game, 73-55, to Riverland. Stephanie Neugebauer scored 19 points and had seven rebounds. Nikki Pearson added12 points, and Kelsey Wheeler led the team in rebounds with eight. CLC went just 1-for-8 behind the arc in the first half, 3-15 for the game. The Blue Devils outscored the Raiders by 14 on free throws and threes. The Raiders committed 37 turnovers and shot 38 percent. Next: at Anoka-Ramsey Jan. 19.