Deadline for December is coming soon

Hi,

Deadline for the December issue is next week: Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 12 noon.

Naomi

To prevent burglaries lock your doors and windows, light your entrances

I attend many meeting on crime. One thing the police say: ALWAYS lock your doors and windows. Even if you are out for just a little bit. I am vigilant about this. Not everyone agrees with me. Often people who share rentals with me will leave an outside door open so friends can come in. Or because they are just going for a short walk. But criminal watch this time of things and that is when they make there entrance.

This is the same for your car. Lots of people kinda tease me for my bags of stuff. But I remember Chief Ramsay saying, "If you can not afford to lose it, don't leave it in the car." So I often bring everything with me even when just visiting someone or a store for a bit. (Editor - Naomi)

The Duluth Police Department has seen a recent increase in residential burglaries in the East Hillside, Chester Parkway, and UMD neighborhoods. Police are investigating the incidents for any trends or similar patterns.

Police remind citizens to continue to lock the doors and windows of their homes, use exterior lighting to deter crime, and report suspicious people or circumstances by calling 911. Anyone with information on these burglaries is asked to call the Property Crimes Unit at 218-730-5160.

At this time police have no additional information available.

How easy or hard is it to walk in your neighborhood?

Photos by Scott Yeazle

Today I attended a walkability audit. Twenty people met at the Grand Recreational Community Center. People met and discussed issues around streets, roads and sidewalks for about one hour. Then the group walked around East and Central Hillside. The meeting was led by Jim Skoog from St. Louis County Public Health

The following is a press release:

Research shows a link between urban design and inactivity, obesity and health problems. The workshop will highlight ways in which local land use and transportation decisions affect walking habits, personal health and overall physical activity. The workshop is designed for community officials, transportation planners, neighborhood residents and other local stakeholders. The workshop will identify real-world problems in the area around 6^th Avenue East and help to create hands-on solutions.

During a four-hour workshop, local participants identify opportunities to reduce barriers and enhance opportunities for walking in their community – and build consensus on improving conditions for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Walkable communities accommodate all types of transportation, including cars and transit, but focus on a safe and convenient environment for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Examples of design and planning “tools” available to promote a walkable community include:

• Neighborhood and community public gathering centers, parks, and open space
• Sidewalks, crosswalks, bike lanes and trails
• Traffic-calming roadway design or road “diets”
• Benches, lighting, trees and plants
• Housing created closer to work
• Nearby shops, restaurants and amenities
• Public transportation

The workshop was facilitated by Fit City Duluth and St. Louis County’s Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP) and the Arrowhead Regional Development Commission. Other support for the workshop was provided by the Duluth-Superior Area Community Foundation, Duluth LISC, and Neighborhood Housing Services.

To register for the workshop, contact Jim Skoog at St. Louis County Public Health at 725-5240 or email skoogj@co.st-louis.mn.us

Full day Saturday

This weekend is full of things to do:

• Attend the All Souls Night, Get a gift or something good to eat at the Coppertop Craft and Bake Sale Saturday.
• Craft sale at Holy Rosary
  
• See how easy or not so easy it is to walk in the Hillside at the Walkabity audit Saturday - meet at Grant community center - 11 a.
  
• Attend Women Rock-against cancer at Spirit Mt.,
  
• See John Heino's art show at the Red Mug.
  

Whew! Make sure you take photos and send them in.

Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial receives award for anti-racism initiative

The Nettleton Drummers at the Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial site during a June 2007 remembrance ceremony. (Photo by Naomi Yaeger-Bischoff) For educational material on eliminating hatred phone 218-3186 ext. 2 or visit: www.claytonjacksonmcghie.com

The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits has selected the Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial, Inc. to receive an award of excellence for their anti-racism initiative. The Memorial started its work in 2000 and is currently operating as a non-profit organization.

“We are very honored to be selected for this award. Being recognized as a model for fostering racial understanding in Minnesota and around the country helps to validate the work that we have done and inspires us for the work that remains.” says Linda Rau, a Co-Chair of the Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial, Inc.

The organization hosts the annual vigil in remembrance of Elias Clayton, Elmer Jackson and Isaac McGhie; develops curriculum and DVD’s about racial equity in education; conducts workshops for local teachers; and is currently in the process of setting up a scholarship endowment fund with the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation.

“The Memorial continues to be part of the healing process for the Duluth community and has helped establish respectful discussions on race,” says Henry Banks, a founding member of the Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial. Banks credits former Mayor Gary Doty for his commitment to the Memorial’s work and subsequent Mayors for their continued support.

“This award and statewide recognition of the organization and its efforts are well deserved. Duluth is proud to have such committed members of the community working as a unified front to address the problems of racism in our community. The Memorial serves as a reminder that an ongoing and honest dialogue is critical to fostering a healthy community,” says Mayor Don Ness.

The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits Anti-Racism Initiative Award recognizes an organization that actively engages audiences in anti-racism activities. Nominated organizations should: work to eliminate prejudice and racism in society; demonstrate a commitment to pluralism and inclusivity; and develop unique and thought-provoking strategies to combat racism.

Interviewing Lyle Wildes

Today I interviewed Lyle Wildes. After serving 22 years in federal prison, he wrote a book named the Positive Additude Development Workbook. He he is a motivational speaker and talks about core values. Learn more at the website Positive Attitude Development Group.

When stopping to gas up, you can also recycle your plastic bottles

Captions: Bottom - Left to right; Lena Schaumburg - MSOCS, Kirk Grandell - Coca Cola, Ellen Telander - executive director RAM, and Olaf Urban Coca Cola and Mike McGrath. Upper - Garrett Secola of the West End says he tries to recycle at home because he believes it is the right thing to do. He says his garbage at home would overflow if they didn't recycle. Here he is using the "Message in a Bottle." (Photos by Naomi Yaeger-Bischoff)

Lots of people clean out their cars when they refill their tanks at the gas station, but many stations do not provide recycling options. Now when people go to a Little Store convenience store and gas station in Duluth, they will see a four-foot tall plastic bottle beside the trash cans. These bottles are actually containers to place plastic recyclable beverage bottles.

This afternoon I attended a kick-off event at the Little Store on 1831 W. Superior St. The purpose of the event was to introduce the concept of recycling away from home and to catch people in the act of recycling. Prizes of soda pop, bumper stickers, t-shirts and products made from recyclable materials were given away. I met several people including Ellen Telander of Recycling Association of Minnesota (RAM), a non-profit organization which encourages people to recycle. RAM is working in partnership with Minnesota Waste Wise and Western Lake Superior Sanitary District with two programs - "Message in a Bottle" and "Its' in the Bag"

An organization which employs developmentally disabled people, AirPark Products & Services (APS), will collect the containers of plastic recyclables so that they can use them to make recyclable products. APS is a division of the Minnesota State Operated Community Services (MSOCS) programs. APS employees will sort and package the recyclables for transport. The program is projected to create more than 20 full-time jobs at APS.

YWCA awards three with Women of Distinction Awards: one young woman with an emerging award

Caption - From left to right: Debby Ortman, Rebecca St. James, Sara Thomsen and Eleni Johnson (Photo by Naomi Yaeger-Bischoff).

Today I attended the YWCA's 2009 Women of Distinction award luncheon at the DECC. The room was packed with about 200 people representing Duluth businesses, non-profits and neighborhood organizations. Ellen O'Neil, executive director of the YWCA introduced the award ceremony and gave a brief background on each woman.

Sara Thomsen, one of those awarded, said, "If you can walk, you can dance. If you can talk, you can sing." She said that every person has his or her own song and dance to exude. She urged everyone to make a difference saying, "Make your own kind of music even if nobody sings along."

The group also heard from two young women living in the YWCA Spirit Valley Home. Those young women were Katie Vujcevic and Dorothy Annamitta. Both women have infants Annamitta gave a tearful account of learning to care for her baby and her goal to become a strong native Menominee woman. She fought bouts of depression and said, "I still struggle everyday, but when I see Asia's (her baby) smile it is all worth it."


Those recognized were:

Debby Ortman - community organizer. Debby has been a community organizer for over 25 years and active in the League of Women Voters for 10 years. She has played a key role in the community as an advocate for the importance of protecting the environment through citizen participation.

Rebecca St. George - law student at Hamline University. Rebecca worked for Mending the Sacred Hoop/Domestic Abuse Intervention Program for 10 years. During that time she was a Native Women's Advocate and recently coordinated a Safety and Accountability Audit of the systems response to Native women reporting sexual abuse in and around Duluth.


Sara Thomsen - director of Echoes of Peace Choir. As the founder of the choir, Sara has committed all concert proceeds to benefit community organizations that work on social justice issues. Using music to inspire, engage and motivate, Sara captures the imagination and heart of choir members and the general public.

Eleni Johnson - age 21, was honored as an emerging leader. She is active at the Women’s Resource Action Center and a strong advocate for the safety of women and for women participating in their communities.”

Hillsider Pride store

Come visit my store on CafePress!

All Souls Night to be celebrated on Nov. 6, honors loved-ones

Caption: Kiri Langseth-Schmidt in costume for the 2008 All Souls Night. (Photo by Michael Anderson)

The second annual All Souls Night in Duluth will be held the evening of Friday, Nov. 6 at the Depot Great Hall, 506 W. Michigan St. The event is inter-generational and a freewill donation is suggested.

The holiday focuses on gatherings of friends and family who remember and pray for loved ones and others who have passed on. This event honors ancestors through art and festivities of old and new world traditions, especially the Mexican Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), celebrations of life through the acknowledgment of death.

Public participation is encouraged. Altar-building is Sunday, Nov. 1 at the Depot at 1 p.m. Many people find this a profound way to honor relatives, friends, celebrities or even social justice issues and include photos, favorite foods, small objects, flowers, and candles. The theme displays are creative and have included: financial meltdown, environmental anguish and homelessness. Participants may express whatever weighs heavy on their hearts.

Exhibits of the altars will be open for viewing Monday through Friday 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Doors open for the All Souls Night event Nov. 6 at 6 p.m. at the Depot Great Hall. The public is invited and encouraged to wear black, dress up as skeletons, and volunteer to carry large puppets and join music making. At 7 p.m. a procession will march around the downtown public library (which is across the street from the Depot) and gather to see the Spin Collective fire dancers. The parade includes a Funeral March for Rotten Ideas section to put to rest “bad ideas.”

This event is organized and sponsored by artist Mary Plaster (www.maryplaster.com), The Depot, and the Duluth Playhouse.