Patriotic gear benefits military families

Patriotic clothing and accessories are nothing new, but the local Peebles store is making that show support include a financial boost to military families, too.

Peebles has launched a patriotic-themed, reusable shopping tote. All proceeds benefit Operation Homefront, a national organization providing emergency financial assistance to the families of U.S. soldiers.

• Goodhue County Chemical Health Initiative staff members attended a national prevention conference in Washington, D.C., Feb. 7-10. Stacy Larson, project manager, and Julie Hatch, chemical health specialist, joined nearly 3,000 substance abuse prevention and treatment specialists and advocates from throughout the country for Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America's 21st annual national forum and its Capital Hill Day.

The CHI staff also met with Minnesota lawmakers and asked questions of national policymakers, researchers and media at a federal town hall meeting.

" The training provided invaluable education that the CHI can put to work immediately in Goodhue County," said Joanne Pohl, director of the Goodhue County CHI.

• Conor Smyth, financial adviser at Edward Jones in Red Wing, has been authorized by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards to use the certification marks CF and certified financial planner.

These marks identify individuals who have met the rigorous experience and ethical requirements of the CFP Board, have successfully completed financial planning coursework and have passed the certification examination covering planning, risk management, investments, tax planning and management, retirement and employee benefits and estate planning.

•Latoya Vannest of New Richmond, Wis., won a three-night, expenses-paid Jamaican honeymoon vacation courtesy of Travel Leaders' Suntime Travel with offices in River Falls, Prescott, Hastings, Red Wing and Rochester.

She attended the RiverTown Newspaper Group's bridal fair Sunday, which drew more than 80 exhibitors and 200 people to the Hudson High School ahead of Sunday's heavy snowstorm.

• Julie Winger of Ellsworth recently became an independent Cookie Lee Jewelry consultant. The business provides direct sales. Her contact information is 715-273-5090, juliewinger@hotmail.com and http://www.cookielee.biz/juliewinger.

Tags: business notebook, business