ST. CATHERINE UNIVERSITY

Best-selling author and Minneapolis native Lorna Landvik will share how humor is healthy at an event co-organized by St. Catherine University and The Woman’s Club of Minneapolis.

Landvik will sign books after her address, to be followed by the Woman's Club's "Strictly Social" networking reception today at 4 p.m. Landvik will speak about using humor in both personal and professional life.

Landvik made her debut as a novelist in 1995 with the critically acclaimed "Patty Jane's House of Curl." Her other books include "Your Oasis on Flame Lake," "The Tall Pine Polka," "Welcome to the Great Mysterious," "Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons," "Oh My Stars" and her newest novel, "The View From Mount Joy."

Landvik’s unique voice combines the talent she honed as a stand-up comedian and improvisational performer in San Francisco with small-town warmth. Fans across the country eagerly await her books.

In addition to writing, Landvik has continued to pursue theater and has appeared with the nationally acclaimed improvisational group Dudley Riggs and performed in productions at Twin Cities-based theater companies.

She’s also written and performed her own one-woman shows, including "Glamour Queen," "And the Winner Is …," "The Smelt Princess" and "A Stinkhole Christmas" as well as the improvisational works "My Backyard Party" and "Party in the Rec Room" in engagements at the Bryant Lake Bowl.

Networking and learning
The collaborative event, which includes learning and networking, is itself a collaboration. The event is sponsored by LarsonAllen and organized by the Business Women's Committee at The Woman's Club of Minneapolis and the International Institute of Women Entrepreneurs (IIWE) at St. Catherine University.

The collaboration between St. Kate's and The Woman's Club for "Strictly Social" is a natural fit. Both are women-led organizations more than 100 years old and dedicated to lifelong education. In addition, many Woman’s Club members are associated with St. Kate’s -- either as faculty, staff or students.

"We wanted to create a networking event that was different from the rest," said Dana Beasley, communications director of The Woman’s Club of Minneapolis. "We wanted an event where women could make business and social connections, listen to a great speaker and have fun at an affordable cost."

"Tapping trusted local business authors gives entrepreneurs new ideas to use in today’s market," said Mary Angela Baker, director of the Leadership Institute at St. Catherine University. "Especially during this recession, women entrepreneurs need to connect with other woman and to tap the great resources and support that these events offer."

Authors featured at past events include: Dr. Verna Price ("Dealing with Subtractors in Work and Life"), Deb Magnuson ("Work with Me–Generations") and Roxanne Emmerich ("Thank God It's Monday").