Fitness Together, a chain of personal training studios, has opened its second location in this area, in the Davidson Commons (Harris Teeter) shopping center off Griffith Street.

Also in this column: the MI-Connection cable system board of directors meets Thursday, Jan. 29, at 7:30 a.m. in Mooresville ; Lake Norman Chamber invites Olympic gold medalist skater Dan Jansen to speak at annual meeting; Market Properties broker graduates from Realtor school; winter hours announced at Hatties Fresh Market; used tack and riding equipment sale this weekend at Bradford Store.

NEW FITNESS TOGETHER

Fitness Together personal training has opened a new studio in the Harris Teeter shopping center, off Griffith and Jetton streets. It’s run by Jeff Heal, certified personal trainer and owner of nearby Fitness Together Cornelius. The business promises clients one-on-one instruction as well as fitness and nutritional counseling with a certified personal trainer.

“I am very excited to show how a personal trainer can affect our clients’ lives as a whole,” Mr. Heal said. Fitness Together has been franchising since 1996 and has more than 400 operating studios. (www.fitnesstogether.com )

“With each new location, we are in a better position to help people get active and live healthier lives,” said Kevin Betts, president of Fitness Together. “Anyone can be physically fit if he or she has a personalized plan for achieving their goals in the right setting and at their own pace.”

MI-CONNECTION BOARD MEETING

The board of directors of the Davidson and Mooresville owned MI-Connection cable TV and internet system will hold its monthly board meeting Thursday, Jan. 29, at 7:30 a.m. at the MI Connection Board Room, 420 S. Academy St., Mooresville. The tentative agenda includes an update from general manager Junior Miller, an election of officers, amendments to the 2009 budget, and a discussion of the actual vs. budgeted cost of the system’s current equipment upgrade. Board members then will enter a closed session for what is described as “a privileged discussion with agency attorney.”

PFEFFER EARNS REALTOR DESIGNATION

Julie Pfeffer

Julie Pfeffer of Davidson, a real estate broker at Market Properties Inc., recently graduated from the Realor Institute and has been awarded the GRI designation from the North Carolina Real Estate Foundation. About 1 out of 5 real estate professionals nationwide hold the GRI designation.

The training program includes 90 hours course work in various facets of real estate, along with 12 examinations. The Realtor Institute is co-sponsored by the North Carolina Association of Realtors and the North Carolina Real Estate Educational Foundation.

In addition to the GRI designation, Ms. Pfeffer has previously earned the Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) designation. Celeste Colcord, the broker-in-charge at Market Properties Inc, 310 South Main St., also holds both the CRS and GRI designations.

Julie can be reached at 704-661-7590 (cell), 704-655-2600 (office) or at jpfeffer@mymarketproperties.com.

WINTER HOURS AT HATTIE’S

Hattie’s Fresh Market, an open-air farm stand just north of Davidson at Highway 115 and Presbyterian Road, has announced the following winter hours: Thursdays, 3 to 6:30 p.m., Fridays, noon to 6:30 p.m., and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The market sells fresh seafood direct from the Carolina coast, as well as local produce, boiled peanuts and more. For more information about the market or their weekly specials, call 704-562-7052.

BRADFORD STORE TACK SALE

Bradford Store will have a used tack, riding apparel and horse equipment sale on Saturday, Jan. 24, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. If you’d like to join the sale, call Lynn Poland, 704-576-5060.

The store, at 15915 Davidson-Concord Road in Huntersville, also will be open for sales of organic and local farm items and baked goods, including biscuits, fried pies and granola bars. They’ll have grapefruit, green onions, butternut squash, cabbage, avocadoes, shelled pecans, and more. Stop in Friday afternoon for fresh cider.

Hours: Wednesdays to Fridays, 10 a.m. to dusk, Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. http://www.thebradfordstore.com/

GOLD MEDALIST AT CHAMBER MEETING

The Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce has invited Olympic gold medalist and speed skater Dan Jansen as guest speaker at its annual meeting Friday, Jan. 30, at 6:30 p.m. at River Run Country Club.

Mr. Jansen won more than 30 World Cup races, more than 50 World Cup medals, and 20 World Championship medals, and he has become a top motivational speaker with his inspiring positive outlook.

The 21st Annual Meeting also will give out the chamber’s Robert Cashion Business Person of the Year and the Duke Energy Citizenship & Service Award. Tickets are $65 per person. Reservations are required and can be made by calling the Lake Norman Chamber at 704-892-1922.

BUSINESS SURVIVAL WORKSHOPS

The Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce in association with the Small Business & Technology Development Center at University of North Carolina at Charlotte will present a series of four workshops addressing business management in today’s economic environment.

The series kicks off on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 8:30 to 10 a.m., with a session entitled “Your Business Strategy: Does It Meet the Challenge?” A 1-hour panel discussion includes John Casson, a managing partner of Bear and Horse who will discuss strategic business plans; Ned Flemming, president of BoomTown Advertising who will cite the importance of a strong marketing plan; and Robert Reed, owner of Alphagrahics, whose company recently expanded its operations.

The second session, currently scheduled for Tuesday, February 24th from 5:30 – 7:00 PM, is “Sales and Marketing: Back to Basics” and will follow a similar format. Additional sessions address “Can Your Resources Face the Challenges Ahead?” and “Funding Strategies in Today’s Economy: Meet the Challenge.”

Events will be held in the Chamber’s Randy Marion conference room, located on the 2nd floor at 19900 West Catawba Avenue in Cornelius. For additional information, please call the Lake Norman Chamber at 704-892-1922.