Council hosting ‘Grab a Byte’ lunch

The Information Technology Council of North Dakota will  hold a“Grab a Byte” networking luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 13at the Blarney Stone in Bismarck.

The discussion topic, cloud computing, will be facilitated bythe Dakota Carrier Network in Bismarck.

The event is free and open to the public; registration isrequired by Dec. 12 at itcnd.org or by calling701-355-4458. Attendees will pay for their own lunch.

Contractor opens New Salem office

Maertens-Brenny Construction co., a general contractorheadquartered in Minneapolis, has opened an office in NewSalem.

Christopher “Scott” Chapman, vice president of field operationsand a Maertens-Brenny co-owner, is serving as managing partner ofthe new office.

“We’ve been working for industrial and commercial clients inNorth Dakota from our Minneapolis office for the past decade andbelieved it to be the right time to bring more service to the area… additionally, we now offer building and/or site repair andmaintenance on an as-needed or annual maintenance contract basis,”said John Hoffman, executive vice president and co-owner.

68 ideas put forth for Innovate ND

Sixty-eight ideas have been enrolled in five categories in thesixth annual Innovate ND competition, involving 67 teams and 149participants.

Innovate ND is a statewide venture-building program that offerspeople with business ideas access to online entrepreneur education,business planning tools, and coaching and mentoring from successfulentrepreneurs and business owners.

Participants will now submit more detailed idea plans and judgeswill narrow the field to 20-30 teams. Those teams will preparefinal business plans, financial statements and presentations beforemaking final presentations in front of judges on may 22.

Cancer Care Center gets accreditation

The Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons hasawarded Medcenter one Cancer Care Center accreditation withcommendation, valid through 2014.

The commission provides accreditation to cancer programs thatvoluntarily choose to apply and prove to have a commitment toprovide the full scope of services required to diagnose, treat,rehabilitate and support those with cancer and their families.

Drug plan qualifies for all-year access

FARGO — Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota’s MedicareBlue Rxprescription drug plan has received its second five-star rating,which means it can offer its products year-round beginning on Jan.1, 2012, instead of only during a fixed open enrollment period.

“It just allows seniors more flexibility in selecting theirplan. If they try another plan and don’t like it, they can switchback to us at any time during the year,” said Judd Wagner, BCBSND’schief marketing officer.

Four prescription drug plans in the country have received afive-star rating on a scale of 1 to 5 in each of the last two yearsfrom the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Allscores are posted online at Medicare.gov.

BCBSND participates in the Northern Plains Alliance, aconsortium of six regional Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans inseven states that offer the Medicare prescription drug plan.

Dickinson forum focuses on energy

DICKINSON — the League of Political Scientists at DickinsonState University will host an energy and oil community impact paneland forum at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Klinefelter Hall’s BeckAuditorium.

It is free and open to the public.

A nonpartisan information panel will discuss questions andconcerns related to energy and oil activity in Dickinson andsurrounding areas. Featured speakers include Shawn Kessel, cityadministrator, and representatives from area hotels, real estateagencies, law offices, Halliburton, Dickinson Public Schools andthe Dickinson Police Department.

For more, contact Jen Lundemo at 406-489-1269.

Mid Dakota center retains credentials

The Mid Dakota Clinic Surgicenter has been accredited by theAccreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care through2014.

More than 5,000 ambulatory health care organizations across theUnited States are accredited by AAAHC. not all ambulatory healthcare organizations seek accreditation; not all undergoing theon-site survey are granted accreditation.

The MDC Surgicenter has been accredited by AAAHC since 2008.

CrossCountry gets trucking awards

CrossCountry Courier, inc., Bismarck, is the recipient of twoawards from the North Dakota Motor Carriers Association.

CrossCountry, which operates a fleet of about 200 semi-tractorsand trucks and provides overnight freight delivery servicethroughout North Dakota, South Dakota and Minnesota, received theFleet Safety Award for its commitment to safety and having thelowest frequency rate in its category.

The firm was given the  Grand Champion Award for being theoverall best.