Understanding the Costs of War

“Days of Remembrance”
AUGUST 5th – 9th
Understanding The Costs of War

Loss of Life, Neglect of Human Needs, Economic Failure, Hope & Spiritual Decline, Nuclear Buildup

DULUTH EVENTS
August 5th Tues.

Press Conference on “Days of Remembrance” Events
10 a.m. Enger Park at the Peace Bell
7 p.m. Remembrance Church Service
Concordia Lutheran Church
2501 Woodland Avenue

August 6th Wed.

1945 US Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima
A Day of Silence (Consider wearing a black armband)
7 p.m. Film and Discussion “White Light/Black Rain”
First United Methodist (Copper Top Church)
230 East Skyline Parkway

August 7th Thurs.7 p.m.

A Community Conversation!
The Costs of War
Hear Panelists & Share Your Views
Small Groups will Report out to all
The Unitarian Universalist Congregation Bldg.
835 West College Street
(2 blocks West of U.M.D. on College Street)

August 8th Fri. 7 p.m.

Film and Discussion “Why We Fight”
The Duluth/Superior Friends Meeting Bldg
1802 East 1st Street

August 9th Sat. 1945

US Atomic Bombing of Nagasaki
7 p.m. Ecumenical Day of Prayer & Remembrance
Remembering, Mourning, & Repenting the Destruction
with Singer Sara Thompson
Peace United Church of Christ
1111 North 11th Street

Supporting Groups;

Northland Anti-War Coalition, Vets for Peace Chapter 80,

Loaves & Fishes Catholic Worker, Women in Black,
Duluth Chapter Every Church a Peace Church, Community of the Third Way,

Duluth Labor Caucus for Peace, Grandmothers for Peace,
Duluth Area Green Party, U.U. Peace & Justice Committee,

Network of Spiritual Progressives Duluth,

U.M.D. Students for Peace, Pax Christi,
Iraq Veterans Against the War MN Chapter, Woman Speak for a Sane World,

Just Peace Committee of Peace United Church of Christ, etc.

Contact: earthmannow AT gmail DOT com or 218 269- 8096 * 218-728-9395
Flyer Produced by Donated Labor

Goodwill Duluth: employing and empowering

Caption: Clients work together sorting donated items using a conveyor belt at the Garfield Avenue work site. (Photo by Wendy Grethen)

By Wendy Grethen

“By unloading you are uplifting.” This is the new marketing message for Duluth’s Goodwill. And they’re right. Every day people are cleaning house and unloading heaps and heaps of donated items for redistribution and resale.
The people who benefit most from Goodwill Industries are the people who process the donations.

The state of Minnesota has two Goodwill Industries and one is right here in Duluth. Goodwill Industries is a private non-profit community rehabilitation program which helps people with a disability or other barrier to employment achieve the highest level of work productivity with respect to individual dignity.

Goodwill serves about 190 clients in the Duluth area with almost half from the Hillside area. The hours and tasks that the client works are selected based upon the individual.
Client work activities include sorting donations into usable or non-usable items and different categories, removing metal from unusable goods, which then go to a secondary market to be recycled, or electronics testing.

Some clients work off-site and perform janitorial services at the Federal Building and other sites in Duluth or help with lawn mowing. Goodwill also has services to blister pack or shrink-wrap and can manufacture items. The clients are the labor force providing the work, whose revenues support Goodwill’s rehabilitation services.

Currently, a 21- member board of directors along with the staff of 135 from the Duluth area help to make operations as efficient as possible, provide job opportunities for clients or supervise clients either in projects or at the 11 retail stores in the Northland.
Some funding for Goodwill Industries comes through the United Way, but 85 percent of Goodwill’s revenue comes from its retail, lawn care, and janitorial services.
Loads of donations are dropped off at the Goodwill main drop-off sites or its other sites throughout the Northland. Most of the donations are clothing.

“The goal is for 11,000 saleable clothing items to ship to stores each week. The goal is often exceeded,” said Goods Manager Greg Conkins.

Unusable goods going to secondary markets, beyond what is sold at the regional stores, may go to locations such as Africa, Afghanistan, Pakistan, or India. Likewise, unusable items that have recycling potential are separated out by category and then sold to appropriate salvage markets.
Substantial progress has been made in cutting down about half of the materials that would have gone into a landfill and often the recycled metals or glass can then go on to make new products.

So, go ahead and do a little back-to-school and fall routine-cleaning in your closets and garage. Goodwill welcomes drop-offs of clothing, shoes, garden equipment, bicycles, sporting goods, linens, glassware, kitchenware, books and furniture in good condition.

For more information, call Goodwill at (218) 722-6351 for a pick-up or to ask a question on acceptable items to donate. Your donations are tax-deductible, as provided by law.

There are 11 retail Goodwill stores in northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin, including three in the Duluth/Superior Area: 700 Garfield Avenue, 4883 Miller Trunk Hwy, and 2401 Tower Avenue in Superior.
Visit the website at www.goodwillduluth.org.

Locations of 2008 National Night Out block parties

Caption: Police Officer Barry Midthun at a block party in July. Photo by Andre G.


East Hillside
East Sixth Street between 11th Avenue East and 12th Avenue East – Contact is Joann at 728-1516.
East Hillside Community Club at Grant Community Recreation Center (901 E 11th St) - Contact is Mona at 724-1193.
East Seventh Street between 16th Avenue East and 17th Avenue East – Contact is Carol at 730-9954.
East Sixth Street between 16th Avenue East and 17th Avenue East – Contact is Christine at 390-5363.
Grandview Avenue between alley below Kent Road & 10th Street – Contact is MaryAnn at 724-2729.

Central Hillside
First Avenue West above alley between First and Second Streets - Contact is Gregory at 720-6521.

Lincoln Park
Duluth Boys & Girls Club at Lincoln Park Picnic Pavilion - Contact is Tim at 725-7706.

Other neighborhoods east:
Robinson Street between 40th Avenue East and 41st Avenue East – Contact is Lynne at 525-1205
East Fourth Street between 37th Avenue East & Pinewood Contact is Laura 728-2410.
East First Street between 28th Avenue East and 29th Avenue East – Contact is Teresa at 724-1860.
McCulloch Street between 42nd Avenue East and 43rd Avenue East – Contact is Catherine at 525-3383.
Branch Street between 30th Avenue East & 31st Avenue East - Contact is Nancy at 724-1344.
Luverne Street between 43rd Avenue East & 44th Avenue East - Contact is Julie at 525-0051.
Longview Garden Club (Clover to East 7th Street to Irving Place) -Contact is Anita at 724-5761.
Lester Park United Methodist Church at 5401 E Superior St - Contact is Pastor David Warner at 525-4373.
Crescent View Avenue between 36th Avenue East & 37th Avenue East - Contact is Robert at 724-1969.
Cooke Street from 47th Avenue East to 48th Avenue East - Contact is Stefanie at 525-3637.

Other neighborhoods west:
Gary-New Duluth Community Club at 1313 101st Avenue West - Contact is Pat at 626-3438.
91st Avenue West between Grace Street and Hilton - Contact is Michelle at 626-2831.
Asbury Methodist Church at 6822 Grand Av - Contact is Shelly at 624-0061.
1200 block of 99th Avenue West - Contact is Steve at 626-2476
3216 Wellington Street - Contact is Sandy/Gary at 624-9433.

National Night Out, 2006

This photo was taken at a block party on East Sixth Street in 2006

See more here

Summer, time for block parties and annual National Night Out

See photo from 2007 NNO here

By Naomi Yaeger-Bischoff
Get together with your neighbors and enjoy a block party on Tuesday, Aug. 5. It’s National Night Out (NNO), an event celebrated across the nation as a way to strengthen neighborhoods and fight crime.

Last year over 34 million people across the United States and Canada participated, and Duluth was no exception. Across Duluth, people enjoyed hot dogs, hamburgers and other picnic-type goodies, while listening to music, playing games and acquainting themselves with their neighbors. In many cases, the block party guests included police and firefighters, which gave residents a chance to get to know their public safety officers a little better. Children (and adults) loved exploring the fire trucks.

The NNO hopes to achieve its mission of creating safe and strong neighborhoods through four main goals: heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime programs; strengthen neighborhood spirit and police/community partnerships; and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

Churches United in Ministry (CHUM) will celebrate on First Avenue West between First and Second Streets. Everyone is welcome to attend. Member congregations will supply and serve a meal. Special music is part of the celebration.

Most streets with parties will be barricaded from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

See photos from 2007 NNO here

Instead of fighting crime, let’s promote safer neighorhoods

Let’s learn from Three Cups of Tea author, Greg Mortenson

With some of these gorgeous evenings in Duluth it is a great time to get outdoors and say hello to your neighbors, go for a walk, or attend a Neighborhood Night Out party in your neighborhood. You may know that NNO got started 25 years ago and that it’s purpose is to fight crime by having people know their neighbors and get in touch with their safety officers.

I’d like to put in that I hope this night would, instead of “fighting crime” would be to “promote safer neighborhoods.” Let’s look forward to possibilities and what a simple wave and greeting can build and create in your neighborhood. Ultimately the goal is the same but I think it’s a little friendlier to work (and play) together making all the neighborhoods in Duluth fine places to live.

I learned from Greg Mortenson, author of “Three Cups of Tea” who visited Duluth this spring, that there is a basic difference between “fighting terrorism” and “promoting peace” in the world today.
Wendy Grethen

Public cautioned about copy-cat meter installers

The Duluth Police Department and the Department of Public Works and Utilities are asking citizens to be vigilant after an individual recently tried to gain access to a private home claiming to be an installer for the City’s Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) project.

The Department of Public Works and Utilities reminds citizens that installers can be identified by the following means:

Installers will always wear company apparel clearly indicating that they work for SL Serco, A.G. O’Brien or A.W. Kuettel companies

1. Installers will always wear a photo ID badge
2. Installers’ vehicles will also carry signs reading “Contractor for the City of Duluth, Automated Meter Reading Project”, with the City logo and the ComfortSsytems logo prominently displayed
3. The Duluth Police Department advises citizens to ask the installer who visits their home to show their photo ID. If an individual cannot produce such identification, deny access to the home and call 911 immediately.
4. Citizens with questions should call SL Serco at 730-4110 or Duluth Public Utilities at 730-4050 during regular business hours.

CHUM Celebrates National Night Out with the ALL CHUM Street Fest

First Avenue West between First and Second Streets

Tuesday, August 5 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Food served 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.

The CHUM Community Celebrates 35 years of
“Caring about people and working for change!”

Everyone is Welcome! CHUM supporters, congregation members, neighbors, current or past volunteers, anyone having an interest in CHUM’s work – You are invited to share with us in an evening of food, music and fun!

Our member congregations will supply and serve the meal.
The menu includes: a hot dog or hamburger, potato salad, baked beans, watermelon, chips, dessert, coffee or lemonade.

Links to cool sites for Lake Superior Days

Subject: Lake Superior Day is Sunday, July 20, 2008!


For the fifth year, the Lake Superior Binational Forum invites you to celebrate the world’s largest freshwater lake on the third Sunday in July! This year we encourage you to “Go Fly a Kite!” The kite symbolizes a clean energy source—the wind—and fewer air emissions from alternative energy generators means cleaner lake water for people and wildlife.

Follow this link for a video about Lake Superior and its annual day. The video was written and produced by news reporter and videographer Greg Peterson of Marquette , Michigan .

The Binational Forum’s web site offers suggestions for many activities or actions you can take to protect, restore, or celebrate the lake on July 20 and every day.

A calendar is updated daily with new events and activities scheduled in many communities around the lake.

You can order free, multiple copies of a paper placemat and kids’ activity page by emailing http://b6.mail.yahoo.com/ym/sundogpress.com/Compose?To=lakesuperiorday@northland.edu. Use it at a family picnic, office gathering, church dinner, day camp, or other event.

This year’s Lake Superior Day postcard is a photograph of a swimming spot in Duluth , Minnesota , taken by former Duluth resident Mark Ryan. There’s a great story about this historic spot in the Duluth harbor!



For information about the Lake Superior Binational Program’s Lakewide Management Plan and biennial highlights of accomplishments for 2006-2008, please click here.

The Lake Superior Binational Forum has been headquartered in the U.S. at Northland College in Ashland , Wisconsin , for 17 years. Funding in the U.S. comes from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Great Lakes National Program Office. The Canadian office is administered at EcoSuperior in Thunder Bay , Ontario , and is funded by Environment Canada.

Lissa Radke
US Coordinator
Lake Superior Binational Forum
Northland College
1411 Ellis Ave.
Ashland WI 54806
(715) 682-1489
http://www.superiorforum.info/
"Water is life, and the quality of water determines the quality of life."
--Lake Superior Binational Program vision statement
The next Lake Superior Day is Sunday, July 20, 2008!

Don't lose your home

Free Workshop Helps At-Risk Homeowners in Duluth Region Understand Options
Minnesota Home Ownership Center urges early action

The Minnesota Home Ownership Center and LSS Financial Counseling are offering a free workshop for homeowners living in the Duluth region who are worried about making upcoming mortgage payments, are already facing foreclosure or for anyone interested in learning more about foreclosure. The Borrowers Workshop will take place on Tuesday, July 15 from 4:30 to 7:30pm at First Lutheran Church, 1100 East Superior Street, Duluth. No appointments are needed. Participants are encouraged to stop in any time anytime during the workshop hours.

The workshop will provide information on what happens during foreclosures, homeowners’ rights, and solutions for long-term housing needs. Participants will be able to ask questions and get free advice – confidentially - from mortgage lending and foreclosure specialists.

The Minnesota Home Ownership Center urges all homeowners facing mortgage delinquency or foreclosure to attend this workshop. The most important thing a troubled homeowner can do is to begin working with their lender or a foreclosure specialist early. The earlier homeowners act, the more options they have.

For more information about foreclosure prevention or to learn about other upcoming workshops, call the Minnesota Home Ownership Center at (866) 462-6466. The Center works with a network of community-based organizations that offer free, confidential advice about mortgages and foreclosure.

Recognized nationally as a model of home ownership and foreclosure prevention programming, the Minnesota Home Ownership Center convenes a network of 50 community-based non-profit, government and tribal organizations to deliver home ownership education and foreclosure prevention services to low and moderate-income households throughout Minnesota. Through its network of community partners, the Center provides 15,000 low- and moderate-income households each year with the tools they need to purchase and sustain affordable homes.

Pick you own berries

Strawberries are ripe at Finke's Berry Farm in Carlton. Picking berries there is one of the best parts of my summer. The farm is located at 2331 Co. Rd. 4. Call 384-4432 or see finkesberryfarm.com for more information. Raspberries will be ripe later in the month or early in August. We'll try to arrange a group picking time followed by a jam making activity. Greens, radishes, spring onions, and other fresh foods are available at farmers' markets now. The Sustainable Farming Association's website has a list of area markets, including locations and times. (http://www.lakesuperiorfarming.org/FarmProductsDirectory.aspx)

The Slow Food Harvest Festival Pig Roast and Picnic committee is planning that event. It will be held September 6 at 5 p.m. at Bayfront Park. We'll need volunteers to help chop vegetables and do other preparation and clean up work for the picnic. Another group is planning monthly activities for the fall and winter. More information will be posted on the Slow Food Lake Superior website, http://www.slowfoodlakesuperior.org/. Let us know your ideas or join us to help plan.

Free Parks and Recreation Summer Skating on Wednesdays

Heritage Hockey CenterDuluth Parks and Recreation offers free summer skating every Wednesday from 1:30-3:30 PM at the new Heritage Hockey Center.

The next free summer skating session will be held on Wednesday, July 16 from 1:30- 3:30 PM. The Heritage Hockey Center is located at 120 South 30th Avenue West. These sessions are free and open to all ages for pleasure skating. Please bring your own skates. For more information please call Parks and Recreation at 730-4300.

Building a sandcastle or something else

Area Youth are invited to participate in the Parks and Recreation Department's Sandmodeling Contest, Tuesday, July 22 from 11:00-2:30 PM at the Park Point Beach House located at 45th Street and MinnesotaAvenue.

Each community recreation center will create their own work of art inthe sand. Judges will determine who takes home the traveling trophy, buteveryone is a winner at this event! Free for all youth, families andparticipants from all community recreation centers.

Transportation isprovided from community recreation centers to the event. Duluth Parks and Recreation Department's Summer Youth RecreationProgram is open at fourteen community recreation centers. Most sitesare open from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday through Thursday. Hours do vary at some centers, please check your local center for exact hours.

The program offers recreation activities for all youth, focusing on ageskindergarten-6th grade. Activities include supervised arts and crafts,field trips, story telling, games, swimming, hiking, special events andmuch more. The summer program will run through August 15th. This event was made possible through the generous donations fromNorthland Foundation, Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation and theLloyd K. Johnson Foundation. For more information contact Parks and Recreation at 730-4300.

Wednesday afternoon minstries at First Lutheran

First Lutheran Church Intergenerational Summer Ministry “Casting Our Nets”This summer everyone is invited to come cast their nets into the great bible sea and join the fishing fun as we learn more about Jonah and Jesus and the Disciples through drama, music, games, crafts, and food. Casting Our Nets is an intergenerational program, which means that everyone from toddlers to grandparents are invited to participate. The activities will encourage cooperation are designed to include every one of all ages and abilities. Please come in July for three afternoons of fishy fun! Participate in one or all three sessions.

No cost, dinner provided. Wednesdays July 16, 23, 30 from 3-6 p.m.

Fly a kite at the First Lutheran Worship in the Park service

Worship in the Park
First Lutheran Church will be holding its Worship in the Park service each Sunday at 10:00 a.m. until September. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. In case of rain service will be held in the sanctuary of First Lutheran Church . Nursery is available.
July 20 will be a celebration of Lake Superior Day with a kite flying event following the service. Bring your kite!

CELEBRATE LAKE SUPERIOR DAYS

The Northland will celebrate Lake Superior the third week in July aimed at raising awareness and protection of our world-class resource.  Promoted by the Lake Superior Bi national Forum, cities and groups are encouraged to hold special events.  In the Duluth-Superior and North Shore areas, local organizations will sponsor education booths, kite flying, and an awards ceremony. Come out, learn about Lake Superior issues and have some fun too!

Events at the Canal Park Maritime Museum and Split Rock Lighthouse State Park will feature experts and materials on a variety of invasive species.  DNR watercraft inspectors will be on hand to educate where boaters should look and how to inspect and clean a boat to avoid spreading Aquatic Invasive species.  U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary will provide information on vessel safety checks, safe boating, and marine environmental protection.

Environmental and conservation groups will provide information on the history of Lake Superior, ballast water legislation, and toxics.  Lake Superior Magazine will sponsor kite flying along the lake.  “This annual celebration is an opportunity to celebrate Lake Superior and the North Shore - A place that Minnesotans clearly love. It is also an opportunity to educate - both our visitors and those who call the North Shore home - on what is being done locally and nationally on legislation to continue to protect and restore Lake Superior,” said Rosie Loeffler-Kemp, NE MN Coordinator, Clean Water Action.

One of the key messages of area events for Lake Superior Day 2008 is “Clean Boats Everyday.”  Boaters and anglers are reminded to take action to prevent the spread of harmful aquatic invasive species.  “Clean Boats Everyday” is a summer long initiative by that highlights efforts of the Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers! Campaign.  “Protecting Lake Superior from the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species is paramount,” said Doug Jensen, Aquatic Invasive Species Program Coordinator, U of Minnesota Duluth Sea Grant Program.  Sea Grant has identified at least 88 non-native species that are in the basin.  Of these, 66 species are considered to be invasive.

Local events sponsored by:  Clean Water Action, Lake Superior Binational Forum, Lake Superior Magazine, Minnesota DNR, Minnesota Environmental Partnership, Minnesota Sea Grant, Save Lake Superior Association, and the Duluth - U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.

                    To learn more about what you can do to celebrate Lake Superior Day 2008

Visit www.superiorforum.info

For more info on Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers!, visit www.protectourwaters.net

For more info on the Great Lakes, visit www.healthylakes.org

Schedule for Lake Superior Day

Celebrate

LAKE SUPERIOR DAY

CARLTON

July 18-20 – Spectators can watch the

Whitewater Rendezvous Slalom & Sprint

Races from the Highway 210 bridge at Thomson Dam.

Races are 3-7 p.m. July 18; 9 a.m.-noon July 19;

DULUTH

July 17-20 – Lake experts will be at Lake Superior Maritime

Visitor Center in Canal Park, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily with

information about regional culture, natural history & aquatic

invasive species. Drawings for gifts from Lake Superior

Magazine, Great Lakes Aquarium and Great Lakes United.

July 19-20 – Duluth geocacher Ghost640 will hide geocoins

in the area; www.superiorforum.info has clues.

July 19 – Howard Sivertson, author of Driftwood: Stories

Picked Up Along the Shore, will sign books at Northern

Lights Books & Gifts from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

July 20 – Nukewatch will sponsor a Walk for the Lake, 11

a.m.-3:30 p.m.: Brighton Beach, 11 a.m., on the 6.5-mile

route or from Leif Erickson Park, 2 p.m., on the 1.5-mile

route, meet in Canal Park for a rally and music.

July 20 – Great Lakes Aquarium offers hands-on learning

stations 10 a.m.-6 p.m., kite flying from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

(bring your own kite) and a 2:30 p.m. presentation by

Commissioner Allen Olson of the International Joint

Commission about Great Lakes issues, Lake Superior

and the International Upper Great Lakes Study that may

change outflow from Lake Superior.

July 20 – Several area churches will hold special services

in honor of Lake Superior Day.

Through the summer – Images from Craig Blacklock’s

latest book, Minnesota’s North Shore, are on display at

Waters of Superior in Canal Park.

TWO HARBORS

July 20 – Save Lake Superior Association hosts environmental

and conservation groups to discuss aquatic invasive species,

environmental protection, regional culture, natural history

and related topics at Split Rock Lighthouse, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Through September – “The Thing About Lake Superior”

exhibit: images from photographers Val Doherty and

John Gregor with quotes on the lake basin’s natural and

cultural history, Waterfront Gallery.

SUPERIOR

July 20 – Community for Youth Committee hosts at

Barker’s Island Festival Park, 1-4 p.m. Events include a

drum circle, games, kites, music and displays. A cleanup at

Barker’s Island features a “trash trophy” for the most

successful collector. Lake Superior Writers “Read Stories

for the Lake,” 2-4 p.m., Fairlawn Mansion & Museum.

Most events are free; admission fees apply at some locations

The Cancer FIGHT BACK bus will be at Wade Stadium on July 31

Minnesotans Team Up to Fight Back against Cancer Nationwide Access to Health Care Tour Rolls through Minnesota July 29-31.

A diverse group of Minnesotaorganizations, cancer patients, survivors and their families will besigning the Fight Back Express’ rolling bus petition at tour stops inMinnesota July 29-31. The Minnesota stops are part of the American CancerSociety Cancer Action Network's (ACS CAN) six-month national tour to rallyAmerica for the fight against cancer. Minnesotans signatures and messageson the bus will join thousands more Americans calling on Congress, the next president and state policymakers to make health care and fighting cancernational and state priorities.

"Our bus petition and its Mobile Action Center will empower Minnesotans to fight back against this disease," said American Cancer Society volunteerSandy Slocum of Zimmerman, Minnesota. "We're organizing everyone to tell our elected leaders that access to life saving preventative cancer screening, and affordable, quality health care must be at the top of our nation's to do list."

Wade Stadium, Duluth 5-10 p.m., July 31

(Duluth Huskies Fight Back Night)The ACS CAN Fight Back Express tour launched in early May and will travel25,000 miles across 48 states through Election Day 2008. For moreinformation about ACS CAN and the Fight Back Express visit the press roomat: http://www.acscan.org/bus.

For more information on Fight Back Express stopsin Minnesota, please contact Mike Maguire at the American Cancer Society.Cancer's Impact in Minnesota:Cancer is the leading cause of death in Minnesota. Each year, 23,500Minnesotans are diagnosed with cancer and 9,500 die from the disease. Under/uninsured Minnesotans diagnosed with cancer can be twice as likely todie from the disease as those with adequate health insurance protections.Minnesota Fight Back Express tour stops will educate the public on waysthey can fight back against cancer while highlighting the critical partnergovernment is in the fight against cancer.

ACS CAN, the nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy partner of the American CancerSociety, supports evidence-based policy and legislative solutions designedto eliminate cancer as a major health problem. ACS CAN works to encourageelected officials and candidates to make cancer a top national priority.

ACS CAN gives ordinary people extraordinary power to fight cancer with thetraining and tools they need to make their voices heard. For moreinformation, visit http://www.acscan.org/.

June Underage Alcohol Compliance Checks

Editor's, note: On July 4th my husband and I went into one of these liquor stores and no one was checking ID and it was a Zoo. I am sure some were underage. THIS was AFTER they had been cited.

During the last two weeks of June, the Duluth Police Department completed Underage Alcohol Compliance Checks on both on and off-sale establishments. The compliance checks were completed with adults between 18 and 21 years of age. During the operation a total of 88 businesses were checked. Total compliance during the checks was 80.7% . City ordnance citations were issued to 17 employees who sold alcohol to underage persons during the compliance checks. Additionally, the owners/ license holders of the businesses will also be cited criminally and referred to the Alcohol, Tobacco and Gambling Commission for possible civil penalties.

Off-sale establishments compliance was 57.9% or 8 of 19 sold to an underage person.
On sale establishments were 87% compliant with 9 of 69 selling to an underage person.
Businesses where violations occurred included: Lake Aire Bottle Shop, Last Chance Liquor and Wine, Red Star Lounge, Carmody’s, Lake Superior Bottle Shop, Canal Park Liquor, Va Bene, Ace’s on First, Wild West Liquor, Sportsmen’s Liquor, Big Bottle Shop Liquor, Piedmont Bottle Shop, Curly’s, Mitch’s Bar and Grill, Bergey’s Bar, Mexican Maya, and North Pole Bar.

Brown Bag Lunch, DULUTH CITY PLANNING COMMISSION

Friday, July 11, 2008
Noon to 1:00 pm
Location: Conference Room 402
Fourth Floor Duluth City Hall
Subjects:
Endion Land Use and Transportation Plan
- presentation by Holly Butcher/MIC Staff
Highway 53 / Miller Trunk Transportation Improvements
- presentation by Roberta Dwyer/MNDOT Staff

City, Blues Fest reach tentative agreement

The Bayfront Blues Festival will stay at its home in Bayfront Festival Park through 2010 under a tentative three-year agreement announced Tuesday by Mayor Don Ness and event organizers.
“This agreement ensures that one of Duluth’s premier events will remain at Bayfront Park,” Mayor Ness said. “It also establishes a cooperative relationship between festival organizers and the City. Duluthians are rightfully proud of the success of the Blues Festival, which is a tremendous showcase for our city and a great event for residents and visitors alike.”
Under terms of the agreement, Bayfront Blues Festival, Inc. will pay the City $25,000 in rent for each year of the deal in 2008, 2009 and 2010. In addition to the rent agreement, the City has agreed to dismiss a contested lawsuit regarding ticket accounting filed by the City last year. The proposed settlement allows the Festival to allocate $5,000 of the rent due in 2008 to resolve the lawsuit. The Festival had previously voluntarily paid a missing stage rental fee from 2006 in April, 2008, as soon as the discrepancy was discovered. The proposed settlement allows both parties to avoid any further legal costs. The City of Duluth and Bayfront Blues Festival, Inc., are both extremely pleased with the amicable resolution of the pending lawsuit.
“These agreements, along with a renewed partnership with City Hall, will assure the festival remains at Bayfront for the foreseeable future,” organizer Chris Mackey said. “We are very happy to be able to put this issue behind us and focus our energy on running the festival at its traditional home.”
Both the Duluth City Council and the Duluth Economic Development Authority (DEDA) must approve the agreement. DEDA’s approval is necessary because the tentative agreement allows parking on land owned by the authority.
The 20th Annual Bayfront Blues Festival is scheduled for August 7-10, 2008.

State of the City update presentation schedule released

Here is the cablecast schedule for Mayor Don Ness’ second State of the City update, produced Tuesday by PACT-TV. All air dates are on PACT-TV Channel 7. Video will also be available on the City of Duluth website at www.duluthmn.gov beginning late Tuesday afternoon and available in DVD form at the Duluth Public Library main branch on Wednesday morning for checkout. Mayor Ness’ comments are approximately 48 minutes in length.
·
Thursday, July 10 – 4:00 p.m., 10:00 p.m.
·
Friday, July 11 – 5:00 a.m., 8:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m.
·
Saturday, July 12 – 4:00 p.m., 6:30 p.m.
·
Sunday, July 13 – 3:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m.
·
Monday, July 14 – 1:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m., 9:30 p.m.
·
Tuesday, July 15 – 5:00 a.m., 7:00 a.m.
Citizens without access to internet or cable television, or who wish to obtain a personal copy of the mayor’s comments, may call the PACT office at 723-3686.

First Lutheran Church Worship in the Park is at Leif Erikson Park, Sundays in July & August at 10:00 a.m.

First Lutheran Church Intergenerational Summer Ministry “Casting Our Nets”
This summer everyone is invited to come cast their nets into the great bible sea and join the fishing fun as we learn more about Jonah and Jesus and the Disciples through drama, music, games, crafts, and food.

Casting Our Nets is an intergenerational program, which means that everyone from toddlers to grandparents are invited to participate. The activities will encourage cooperation are designed to include every one of all ages and abilities.

Please come in July for three afternoons of fishy fun! Participate in one or all three sessions. No cost, dinner provided.
Wednesdays July 16, 23, 30 from 3-6 p.m.

FUSE event Making it in Duluth

Have you ever heard someone say, "There are no jobs in Duluth"? Do you want to know how people are finding jobs in the area? or What the average salary is? Some young people have chosen to leave the Duluth area and others have chosen not to relocate here because of their perceptions of the labor market or inability to find a job. Attend this event to enjoy a great lunch and learn about our local workforce and its trends. Our expert panel features:

Nicole Johnson; Supervisor, Human Resources (Minnesota Power)
Drew Digby; Labor Market Analyst, Northeast MN and Economist (State of MN) This event is limited to the first 96 registrants. The event is filling up quickly, register today!
Click to RSVP

"Can of Worms" highway ramps in Duluth to close July 14

Crews will perform preventative maintenance beginning Monday, July 14, on the highway ramps at the downtown interchange that serves Highway 53 (Piedmont Avenue), 21st Avenue West, Interstate 35 and I-535, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. The work on what is known locally as the "Can of Worms" interchange will require single-lane restrictions on Highway 53 (Piedmont Avenue) and complete ramp closures for 21st Avenue-West.

Ramp closures should not last more than one day, and should not significantly affect traffic access to Highway 53, I-35 and I-535. Motorists are advised to use alternate local routes between 21st Avenue West and Highway 53. This highway improvement project is estimated to last five days, depending on weather conditions.

East Hillside Youth Theatre Presents:

"Fiddlehead on the Roof, the True Understory of the Boreal Forest"

Now in its 10^th year, East Hillside Youth Theatre will be presenting “Fiddlehead on the Roof: The True Under-story of the Boreal Forest”, an original play based on the animal and plant life of the boreal forest. Three performances of will be given atthe Harbor City International School theatre located at: 332 West Michigan Street Duluth, MN

Thursday, July 24^th 1 p.m.

Friday, July 25^th 7 p.m.

Saturday, July 26^th 7 p.m.

Entertaining and appropriate for all ages, “Fiddlehead on the Roof,” written by Margi Preus and Kathy Bogen, offers a humorous and informative glimpse into the lives of plant and animal dwellers of the boreal forest. For more information about the East Hillside Youth Theatre Program or the performances of "Fiddlehead on the Roof, The True Understory of the Boreal Forest" please contact: East Hillside Youth Theatre program 733-2016

East Hillside Youth Theatre is a program of the Grant Community School Collaborative. We thank our sponsors: CDBG, College of St. Scholastica, The Duluth News Tribune, Grant Language & Arts Magnet School, Incredible Exchange program, ISD #709 Desegregation and Integration Advisory Council, MDE 21^st Century Community Learning Centers, Minnesota Power, Northern Pines Girl Scout Council, Ordean Foundation, Second Harvest Northern Lakes Food Bank, SMDC Corporate Contributions, True North Americorps/Reading Corps, United Way of Greater Duluth, VISTA, Y.E.S. program, and individual donations.

CHUM Rhubarb Fest slide show

Click on the play button on the bottom left hand side to see the slide show within the blog. The first slide sticks for a while and then the show gets going. Click the center and you will be taken off the blog to Webshots.

CHUM Rhurbarb Festival 2008

Clean up blight in East Hillside, Funds available to help a limited income or senior property owner in East Hillside

Just what is blight? When there is talk about blighted neighborhoods, it usually means those areas where properties have fallen into disrepair and have become an eyesore. At Home in East Hillside now has limited funds from a grant made available by Duluth LISC to help those who are unable to clean up the outside of their properties. Whether it’s removing furniture or appliances, we can help. Our goal is to “build stronger relationships in community through collective actions or events to improve physical environment” by providing interaction, training, and a sense of community. Look for future meetings on this topic as we also have funds available through this grant for electronic recycling and creating a perennial garden at the overlook at Chester Creek on Fourteenth Avenue East and Sixth Street.

At this time, cleaning up the outside of properties is where we could use your help. We would like to hear from you regarding who could use the yard clean-up assistance. The boundaries would be from Sixth to Fifteenth Avenues East and from the lake up to Skyline Parkway. The people we would like to reach out to would be seniors or those with limited incomes and abilities (it is not our intention to help those who can help themselves). Know of someone? Know of a vacant lot? Please feel free to contact me via e-mail at monajc@hotmail.com or call East Hillside Patch at (218) 728-4287 and let us know.

We look forward to your, and all the At Home partners, participation in helping us make our East Hillside neighborhood an even better place to live, work and play.
Mona Cheslak
On behalf of:
At Home in East Hillside
East Hillside Community Club
East Hillside Patch

Boys and Girls Club to benefit from $200,000 turf

Photo by Naomi Yaeger-Bischoff
Caption: These boys at the Lincoln Park School Boys and Girls Club struck a cool dude pose after tossing a football for the photographer. From left to right: Zach Elston, Rocky Wrazidlo, Alex Brohman, Dawson Wrazidlo, Richard Villebrun, Zach Gibby, Zyon Witherspoon, Marquise Robinson, and Dorian Dorsey.
The Boys and Girls Club of the Northland received a $200,000 grant for artificial turf at the Heritage Sport Center. “It is going to provide numerous opportunities for our club members that they don’t have a lot of exposure to right now...soccer, tennis, baseball, softball, and football. Now we have a space where we will be able to do those types of activities regardless of the weather,” said Todd Johnson, chief professional officer of the Boys and Girls Club of the Northland.

The turf will be housed in the Duluth Heritage Sports Center thanks in part to a $200,000 grant from the National Football League (NFL) Grassroots Program.

The grant, awarded by the Minnesota Vikings, the NFL Youth Football Fund and Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), is part of $5.43 million in field refurbishment awards allocated this year to community groups in areas surrounding the 32 NFL markets.
The Boys and Girls Club of the Northland includes five sites in Superior/Duluth and a Bois Forte location in Tower. The two Duluth sites are both in Lincoln Park. One is housed in the Lincoln Park School which is slated to close under the Duluth Public School District’s “Red Plan;” the other site is a teen center.

Johnson said the Boys and Girls Club plans to sign a lease with the Duluth Heritage Sports Center in July so that Boys and Girls Club will be able to use the Heritage Center as a youth outreach center by the time the building, now under construction, is completed. The target date is the end of 2008.

The sports center will give youth from throughout the city the opportunity to participate in junior league teams. Local school districts will have access to the fields for practice and games. This field will be ice for six months of the year, the other six months it will be turf with the Boys and Girls Club given daily access.

This new sports center, in the Lincoln Park neighborhood, is expected to serve as the cornerstone for private investment in the area.

The Duluth Heritage Sports Center has received financial support from a number of sources including the State of Minnesota, the Duluth School District, the City of Duluth, individual donors, foundations and various local businesses. Duluth LISC has been a key partner in the development of the Center.

The NFL Grassroots Program, a partnership between the league and LISC, has resulted in the construction or renovation of 170 football fields nationwide in the past decade.
In the last 10 years, the NFL Youth Football Fund has granted over $20 million to revitalize playing fields in underserved neighborhoods.

NFL Commissioner Rodger Goodell, who also is a member of LISC’s national board of directors, said, “The development and refurbishment of these football fields gives youngsters across the country a safe place to play the game, and brings families and neighborhoods together.”

LISC identifies local, nonprofit, neighborhood-based agencies that have an interest in building or refurbishing football fields in schools and parks in underserved neighborhoods. The local agencies over see the construction, maintenance and programming of the fields.

District Director of Desegregation/Homebound Programs retires

The director of Duluth Public School’s Desegregation and Homebound programs is retiring his position after almost 20 years of service.

During his tenure, George Himango helped build a department that plays an important role in providing guidance and leadership in the development of programs to encourage cross-cultural respect and understanding.

Over the years, Himango worked with community leaders and school and district administrators to develop a desegregation program and other opportunities such as: cultural centers and classroom curriculum; student leadership programs; magnet schools; internal scholarships for staff of color and role models for students of color; problem solving and conflict resolution; paid tutors to support academically at-risk students, and multicultural activities.

“I was raised on the Fond du Lac Reservation by my grandparents. It’s our cultural tradition to emphasize the similarities in our human relationships, not the differences,” said Himango. We are all of the same creation. We are all here together.”

Community activist and current chairperson of the school district’s Desegregation/Integration Advisory Committee (DIAC), Sharon Witherspoon, calls Himango a drum major for education. “I’ve found him to be an expressive and passionate person when it comes to our children and their educational experience. He goes beyond regular duty to build awareness, celebrate diversity, and promote actions toward building a better future.”

Portia Johnson, former chairperson of the DIAC, credits Himango for serving as a strong liaison between the school district and the council, providing information and guidance, and creating an atmosphere of openness and thoughtfulness.

“We’re where we are today because of George, his insight, his ability to see things a little differently than the rest of us. He’s well liked, well respected. He’s a peacemaker, he really is.” Johnson added “He’s always been there, keeping staff of color in the school district, seeking out programs to help students of color. He’s still pushing, always pushing, for programs to help try to close that achievement gap.”

"George is a leader that I have relied on heavily for wisdom and insight,” says Keith Dixon, Ph.D., superintendent of Duluth Public Schools. “I value his judgment and thoughtfulness. He has made a real difference in the district for students, staff and for all our leadership.
Himango’s award-winning career includes extensive experience at the head of other organizations, including Director of MEECHA Inc. Development Associates, accomplishing development programs for eight tribal governments. He also served as Executive Director and Director of Special Projects for the Fond du Lac Indian Reservation.

Ferdinand Martineau, Jr., secretary treasurer of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa said, “He’s a visionary. George set up many of the policies and procedures we use today when he served the reservation.”

As a student at the University of Minnesota – Duluth, Himango worked with other students and staff to establish the American Indian and Minority Project. They helped create the American Indian Studies Academic program, and organized the Anishinabe Club for students, and Himango served as its first president.

Himango earned a Bachelor of Arts, and a Master of Arts in Educational Administration from UMD. For several years, he served as Executive Director of Mental Health for the university.
“George has that intangible ability to walk in both worlds,” says Bonnie Wallace, who has known Himango for over 40 years. “He walks comfortably in the Native American world, and he can put on that suit and tie and work with school administration, work in the corporate world. He’s comfortable in his own skin; people have a lot of respect for him. He was a role model for me, and continues to be a role model for others.”

Himango’s many honors include the Award of Gratitude for Outstanding Performance from the Duluth American Indian Community, Bulldog Leadership Award from UMD, Outstanding Educational Program of the Year from the Minnesota Education Association, and Outstanding Indian Leaders Award from the College of St. Scholastica.

Himango is a skilled grant writer. He helped write millions of dollars in grants to support educational and cultural programs, including desegregation, conflict resolution, and language laboratories.

He’s also written grants to provide funding for UMD and the Fond du Lac Reservation, among other organizations. He’s made professional presentations at local, state and national conferences.

He served on Duluth’s Greater Downtown Business Council, Duluth Chamber of Commerce, and was founder, charter member and incorporator of Ni-Mi-Win, Inc. a non-profit group which organized pow wows. He was appointed by the Mayor of Duluth to the board of directors for Duluth New Business Corporation and served on the Teacher Training Task Force at the College of St. Scholastica.

This year, he also serves on the board of directors for FinnFest.
Himango is an enrolled member of the Fond du Lac Reservation, Minnesota Chippewa Tribe. He is a decorated United States Navy veteran serving in the Vietnam War.
He is an accomplished fisherman and hunter, one of two Minnesota men to shoot a white tail deer over 400 pounds. He’s also a former musher and long time participant in the sport of sled dog racing.

Juneteeth, an annual celebration of freedom

While many people in Duluth were enamored with the 32nd annual Grandma’s Marathon on Saturday, June 21, other folks just couldn’t let the day go by without observing an American tradition, Juneteenth.

Juneteenth is an annual event which celebrates the Emancipation Proclamation and emphasizes education and achievement. Nine states and the District of Columbia have recognized Juneteenth as either a state holiday or state holiday observance. This year’s event was held at the Central Hillside Park along Fourth Street between Lake Avenue and First Avenue East.
The African American Men’s Group served a picnic dinner, the Rev. Xavier Bell emceed the event which included musical performances and many agencies, such as the League of Women Voters, Minnesota Citizens’s Federation and Neighborhood Housing Services sponsored booths.