St. Louis County Attorney Melanie Ford’s fight to stop the disproportionate detention of minority youth

St. Louis County Attorney Melanie Ford meeting with representatives of organizations working on issue of detention of children of color.


By Barb Olsen
Back in 2006, Melanie Ford decided to take on what many said would be an impossible task: running for and winning the office of St. Louis County Attorney. One of the reasons she took on that election, Ford says, was because it would give her the opportunity to do something positive for St. Louis County’s youth.
“One of the statistics that troubled me most,” Ford explains, “was the disproportionate number of persons of color in St. Louis County who were incarcerated. Citizens agreed we should find programs to reduce recidivism and crime prevention in youth.

“One of the statistics that troubled me most was the disproportionate number of persons of color in St. Louis County who were incarcerated.”

St. Louis County Attorney Melanie Ford

Now entering her third year in office as St. Louis County Attorney, Melanie Ford continues to make reversing the trend of disproportionate confinement a top priority.
Last October, Ford convened a meeting of people involved with St. Louis County’s youth to talk about how the juvenile justice system operates and how it could be improved. Joining them were officials from the Minnesota Office of Justice Programs, the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI), and representatives of the Annie E. Casey Foundation. JDAI is one of the nation’s most effective and widespread initiatives for reform in the juvenile justice system, and the Annie E. Casey Foundation funds programs across the country to help meet the needs of vulnerable children and families.
Since that session, a large group of organizations and individuals has joined in this effort to improve the county’s juvenile justice system, including Arrowhead Regional Corrections, St. Louis County Public Health and Human Services, Bois Forte and Fond du Lac tribal representatives, elected officials, judges, school representatives, and agencies that serve youth. And St. Louis County has been selected by the Annie E. Casey Foundation and the Minnesota JDAI to receive technical assistance and, potentially, funding for the project.
“This initiative will help us create a juvenile justice system that will be the best we can offer our children and our communities,” Ford said. “Our goal will be to keep those youth who are involved in the justice system in their own community and out of detention. It’s very expensive to incarcerate people, and studies show that troubled youth who are confined only have greater problems in the future.”
Ford says participants in the project will analyze the county’s existing programs, see what’s working well, and create successful reform strategies for approaches that aren’t working.
“While we recognize the need for detaining some juveniles, we want to eliminate the inappropriate or unnecessary use of secure detention,” Ford commented.
The Annie E. Casey Foundation has invited Ford to be part of a panel discussion this summer in Washington D.C. on how juvenile justice professionals across the country can help reverse the unequal incarceration of minority youth.
Ford encourages anyone with concerns about this issue to contact her at 726-2323.

Greek Cusine: Grape Vine Cafe opens downtown

Caption
Family friend, Ritsa Petrangelo (left) likes to eat at the Grape Vine Cafe, 220 W. Superior St., because the restaurant has authentic Greek food and she feels at home. Debbie Livadaros (center) manages the cafe. Bryanna Raiche, (right) a UMD student, works as a waitress. Livadaros’ husband Alexis and adult children all are part of the business.
(Photo by Naomi Yaeger-Bischoff)

The Livadaros family opened the Grape Vine Cafe at 220 W. Superior Street in October. All family members are active in running the restaurant. Debbie is active in the day-to-day operations, while her husband Alexis helps when he isn’t busy at his day job as an engineer at WLSSD. Jason, age 32, cooks, Christina, age 23, is the front house manager and Katy, age 27, works as a waitress part-time.
The recipes are family recipes, which Debbie learned from her mother-in-law, Katina, and include lunches, dinners, appetizers, salads, soups and desserts
Specialties include gyros, spanakopita (spinach pie) and dolmathes (stuffed grape vines) platter. Greek sandwiches range at about $8 and include bake potato or fries. Lunch is served from 11 to 2 p.m. and dinner is served from 4 to 9 p.m.
A dinner specialty includes roast lamb. Catering is available.
Hours are 11 to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The phone number is 464-4027 and email is GrapeVineDuluth@aol.com

Here is a list of where you can pick up a copy of "The Hillsider."

West
Perkins,
Duluth Grill,
Burger King/Holiday Station,
Salvation Army Community Center
Salvation Army Thrift Store

Midtown Manor I & II and Lincoln Park Community Center


Downtown
Downtown Library,
The Depot
Radisson - Superior Street entrance
Holiday Center
Pizza Luce
Hunter building Skywalk
Coney Island on Superior and First Street
YWCA
Erberts and Gerbets
Saigon Cafe
Sammie's Pizza
Life House for Youth
The Exchange Cafe
City Hall
County building
DeWitt Seitz Building
Fitgers'

Central Hillside
Ma & Pop's Market
Uncle Loui's Cafe
Damiano Center
Rainbow Center

6th Avenue East
Spur Station
ICO Station
Milkhouse


East Hillside
Whole Foods Co-op
Members Community Credit Union
Sir Ben's
Independent Dee Laundry
First Lutheran Church
Plaza Super One
Beijing restaurant in the Plaza

London Road
Burger King
Perkins

Mt Royal
Mt. Royal Foods
Bixby's
Mt. Royal Library

UMD
Kirby Center entrance.

Kenwood
Kenwood Super One

Mall Area
Super One
Cub

Lake Superior College

Nettleton School
Grant School

St. Luke's Hospital

Dancing, music and love:

Twin Port Action Coalition invites you to join the fun on Feb. 13

By Kimberly Dansereau

Valentine's Dance and Silent Auction will be held on Friday Feb. 13 from 7 p.m. until midnight at the Venue at Mohaupt Block, 2024 West Superior St. Proceeds from sales of ticket will go to the Twin Ports Action Coalition. Tickets are $7 for one and $12 for two.

Love and valentine are to many people synonymous with each other. But how are we defining the word love? Do we mean the first stolen kiss from our first" true love" back in junior high school? Or do we mean the love a mother has for her child as she holds him or her gently in her arms, or the love of a protective father? Or, perhaps, the love of a friend or a family member?
Maybe to you love means pride for your city, state and country.

Whatever definition of love suits you best, love is something that should celebrated and should be passed along. I volunteer along with other residents of Duluth and Superior for the Twin Ports Action Coalition, an organization that is dedicated to helping the homeless, the formerly homeless and those who are at risk of becoming homeless. We deal with many things political and social to help end homelessness, and we try to give people who fit into either of those qualities a chance to be heard and to be rightfully informed on what affects them.

We have a love for this city and for the people who live here. We love the people who have been forgotten by many others, we love the people who are struggling to make ends meet, especially in these very tough times. We love people who are struggling for a place to call home, food to eat and to feed their children, good health care, a voice of their own and respect as human beings. We love them because we have been in similar situations.

We at Twin Ports Action Coalition believe that no one should be denied a safe place to call home, good health care, and food for themselves and their families, a chance to be heard and, a chance to be informed about issues that affect their everyday lives. It is simply common decency and respect for others that we should all have as human beings. If you believe this and you feel that you would like to help out in some way please join us Friday, Feb. 13 for a Valentine's Dance and Silent Auction from 7 p.m. ‘till midnight. There will be dancing, music from a great D.J. plus much laughter, enjoyment, refreshments, snacks, door prizes and wonderful items to bid on, but, most importantly, there will be love.

Tickets are $7 for one and $12 for two. Proceeds will go to the Twin Ports Action Coalition.

Record crowd gathers for MLK Day events

Feelings of excitement and anticipation lent a celebratory air to Duluth’s annual Martin Luther King Day festivities last month. Held a mere 24 hours before the inauguration of Barack Obama as the country’s first African-American president, the day’s events broke their attendance records.

The day began with an early morning breakfast at the First United Methodist Church, where Duluth’s African-American Men’s Group prepared food for and served over 350 attendees. The MLK community breakfast in Duluth began in 2002 by churches and committees interested in anti-racism. Each year it is funded by the General Mills Community Foundation.

David Comer, director of the Black Student Association at UMD, emceed the morning event which included prayers, storytelling and music.
Each place setting included a placemat decorated by elementary students from Nettleton and Grant schools. A free-will offering for Kids Cafe of the Damiano Center raised over $750.00
The day’s events were planned by the Martin Luther King Holiday
Committee which includes many groups, agencies and churches.

In addition to free food, the breakfast featured a simulcast speech from Gen. Colin Powell. Touching on the breakfast’s theme, “Because of His Dream, I can... Lead, Grow, Inspire,” Powell said that as a child growing up in the Bronx he never imagined that he would become chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He also credited the integration of the military for helping the United States to become a more integrated society.

Following the breakfast, more than 700 people gathered at the Washington Center at Lake Avenue and Third Street to participate in a march through downtown to a rally at the DECC auditorium. Mothers and fathers with children, older people, and people of all ethnicities marched peacefully and sang songs including, “We shall Overcome,” “This Little Light of Mine” and “Gonna Lay down my Sword and Shield.”

Many shopkeepers stopped to look out their doors and smile.
“Today is a good day to focus on solutions,” urged Vince Senski, who said he was marching because there are still injustices in the world, “not spending billions a year on a war that wasn’t needed and using all the money and resources to improve the lives of people living in our country.”

A crowd estimated at over 1,500 people turned up at the DECC to continue the day’s celebration. Curtis Austin, director of the Center for Black Studies at University of Southern Mississippi gave the keynote address, “Will the Real Martin Luther King Please Stand Up?”
He stressed that King did not come into the civil rights movement without the urging of the women in his congregation and city. Most people do not know that Rosa Parks was a leader in the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) and had stood up to injustices prior to even meeting King.

According to Austin, King was not the first to fight injustice, but he did provide a rallying point at a time ripe for television and newspaper coverage.
“King’s work is the work of so many others,” Austin explained. “He had the uncanny ability to stand up and give others courage to stand up.”

Austin ended his remarks with a final word of encouragement for the audience: “The real Martin Luther King did stand up. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.”

This year Doug Bowen-Bailey and Community Action Duluth won the Justice for Peace Awards. The awards recognize citizens and/or an organization of the community who have gone beyond their regular duties to: build awareness, speak on behalf of justice, celebrate diversity and impel, foster and promote actions toward building a better future for all.

FREE COMMUNITY HEALTH FAIR

Thursday, January 22nd., from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 1710 East Superior Street, Duluth, MN will host its third annual free community health fair. Booths will offer free testing for blood pressure, blood sugar, bone density, and other services. There will be free healthy foods served from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., samples, goodie bags, door prizes and information will be available, and there will be childrens’ activities. Enter on Grey Solon Road.

All are welcome and everything is free.

For further information: Sue Van Oss 218 724 3535 suevanoss AT stpaulsduluth.org

Website: www.stpaulsduluth.org

MLK Day events, Jan. 19

7:00 a.m. registration and free breakfast, “Coppertop” Church,
7:15 a.m. local program
8:00 a.m. large screen broadcast, Colin Powell’s speech
11:00 a.m. march from Washington Center to rally, Lake Ave. between 3rd & 4th St.
11:45 a.m. Rally, DECC
More events and information www.mlk-duluth.org

Men’s group taps MLK legacy

By Michael Kooi
You’ve seen them ringing bells for the Salvation Army. Raising money to stop the genocide in Darfur. And maybe even introducing a llama to kids in a park.

They are young men of color, and thanks in part to the efforts of Duluth’s African-American Men’s Group, they are developing into the community’s next generation of leaders.
“These are creative and exciting young people,” says AAMG President Carl Crawford. “We need to create a support network for them. It’s our obligation as men to accept that challenge…and reclaim the roles we need to play in our community.”

For the members of the men’s group, this means acting as visible role models in the community, sharing experiences as mentors and demonstrating the value of making smart choices in life.
Since its inception in 1992, the AAMG has done this in a number of ways. To emphasize the value of education as a pathway out of poverty, the group has created a college scholarship in honor of Allen Butler, Duluth’s first African- American police officer. AAMG also provides gifts each year to minority high school graduates as part of a celebration that both recognizes their achievement in graduating but also encourages them to continue on to college or vocational schools.

As important as this financial support can be, the group’s most significant contribution may come through the personal time that members dedicate to mentoring teens and putting them in touch with the world beyond their neighborhoods. Each summer, for example, AAMG members take kids from Neighborhood Youth Services on a fishing trip in honor of Howard Taylor, a late member of the group.

“Some of these kids grew up next to Lake Superior, but they’ve never been on a boat,” marvels Samie McCurley, AAMG’s founder. “It’s just a joy for us to see the smiles on the kids’ faces when they catch a fish. That’s what lets me know I did the right thing in starting the group.”
According to Kelly Looby, program coordinator at NYS, this personal interaction with positive role models makes the kids feel like they “fit in and belong [in this community].” In fact, two former participants in the annual trip, Don Morris and Jamal Winters, have gone on to earn jobs at NYS.

It also helps to bridge the generation gap and form lasting connections for future success. “We have to interact with [these kids] and feed off of each other,” Crawford explains. He says it’s the only way that his generation can understand the challenges facing kids today.
Forming such connections is one of the primary goals of the African-American Student Alliance at Woodland Hills, which founder Cal Harris says was inspired by the AAMG. Harris, a senior youth treatment specialist at Woodland, brings his group to sit in on AAMG meetings periodically.

For AASA members Jesus, Edward and Danny (whose last names have been omitted to protect their privacy as minors), the African-American Men’s Group breaks down negative stereotypes. Interacting with AAMG members gives them the courage to be active in the community by raising money for charitable causes and sharing their experiences with young children. “It keeps us motivated,” says Edward.

A legacy of courage and caring

In their cultivation of tomorrow’s leaders of color, the members of the AAMG draw from the lessons and legacies provided by their own role models. Perhaps nowhere is this connection more explicit than in the group’s contributions to Duluth’s annual MLK Holiday Community Breakfast. The event brings the community together to honor the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and to work toward fulfilling his vision of building a just and interconnected society.
Each year, AAMG members participate by rolling up their sleeves to cook and serve the event’s namesake meal.

“They feed a significant amount of people on a low budget,” explained Doug Bowen-Bailey, one of the event’s organizers and owner of Digiterp Communications. “It’s a big benefit to the community.”

In addition to the free breakfast, the event also provides people from all walks of life with the opportunity to sit down with each other and discuss the issues they face, as well as those shared by the community.

This year’s MLK breakfast will take place on Jan. 19, 2009 at First United Methodist Church, located at 230 W. Skyline Pkwy in Duluth. Breakfast service begins at 7 a.m.

Community Action Duluth: Help with taxes

One hour of your time can help put $2000 in the pocket of a low-income family
Community Action Duluth is now recruiting volunteers to file tax returns for low-income families from January – April 2009.

“We are looking for volunteers who are interested in helping people, networking with other professionals and making a difference in their own community,” said Angie Miller, Executive Director at Community Action Duluth. “No prior professional tax experience is necessary,” Miller said. “Volunteers receive free tax training and are assisted at all times by experienced tax preparers and a reviewer.” Volunteers who serve as screeners, greeters and assistants are also needed. These volunteers do not prepare taxes, however, they are crucial to the overall service provided. To request an application or for more information, call 726-1665 or visit the website www.communityactionduluth.org

During the 2008 tax-filing season, a total of 60 Community Action Duluth volunteers prepared over 1200 federal and state income tax returns for households with an average income of $13,500. The average refund was $1,500 and the cumulative value of refunds secured by volunteers was over $2 million dollars in refunds. “That’s $2 million dollars returned to people who really need it,” Miller said. In addition, the two Community Action tax sites provided free savings accounts, instant refund loans, screening for benefits and free credit reports.

Recycle your Christmas Tree

Duluth, MN—Area residents are encouraged to recycle their fresh cut holiday trees on Saturday, January 3rd, 2009 as part of the annual Western Lake Superior Sanitary District (WLSSD) free “Treecycling” day. WLSSD will hold its annual Treecycling event on Saturday, January 3rd, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Trees collected at the event will be beneficially re-used as fuel, to line paths or other purposes, while recovering valuable resources and saving landfill space.
Residents and businesses can bring trees free of charge to any of the following Twin Port Area locations: Miller Hill Kmart, Mount Royal Fine Foods, London Road Rental, Duluth West Toolhouse (on Commonwealth Ave) or the Superior Target store. These sites will be staffed only during the one-day event and residents are asked to please not drop trees at these sites on any other day. Abandoned trees can cause traffic and safety hazards at these public locations.
Those that can’t make it to the one day event can drop off trees at the WLSSD Yard Waste Compost Site until January 31, open daily from 7:00 am - 4:30 pm. In addition, Veit/Demolition Landfill Services (Gary), SAPPI Fine Paper (Cloquet) and the Moose Lake Compost Site are accepting trees through January 10. Waste Management Recycle America (Superior) and Demo-licious (West Duluth) will be accepting trees through January 31. Trees can also be brought to the WLSSD Materials Recovery Center (at the location of the old Rice Lake Landfill). The Materials Recovery Center is open Monday, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm and Sunday from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm.
Those bringing trees are reminded to remove all ornaments and tree stands before bringing trees to a Treecycling location. Wreaths, garland and other decorations made from evergreen branches are not recyclable and should be thrown in the trash.
Volunteers at the event will also be accepting donations of non-perishable food items on January 5th to help the local food shelves and to keep the spirit of the season alive by helping others in need.
The Christmas “Treecycling” sponsors and volunteers include Amberjack Tree Service, Carlton County Recycling and Solid Waste, City of Duluth, City of Moose Lake, City of Superior, Covington Transport Inc., Demo-licious, Harv’s Tree Service, Keystone Club of the Boys & Girls Club, Miller Hill Kmart, London Road Rental, Marshall School Student Volunteers, Minnesota Power, Mount Royal Fine Foods, North Country Waste/Cloquet Sanitary Service, Rick’s Tree & Stump Removal, SAPPI Fine Paper, Target - Superior, Superior Boy Scout Troop 213, VEIT/Demolition Landfill Services, Waste Management, Waste Management Recycle America and the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District.
Western Lake Superior Sanitary District provides award-winning wastewater and solid waste services to residents, businesses and industries within its 500 square mile legislative boundaries in Southern St. Louis and northern Carlton counties, and is a nationally recognized leader in pollution prevention.

Fiscal Manager wanted

Fiscal manager wanted for "The Hillsider", a non-profit newspaper.
Must live in Duluth.

A $250.00 stipend is offered.

Duties include:
Send out monthly invoices for ads placed.
Mail invoices and tearsheets to advertisers.
Collect checks and money, enter into Quick Books and then deposit.
Balance check book.
Collect expenses from editor.
Write out checks for cartoonist, proofreader, fiscal manager, editor's expenses, editor's pay and editor's commission.
Attend the board meetings.
Reconcile payments with the invoices.
File
Put together finacial reports for monthly board meeting.
Send out 1099's at the end of the year to all person's who received wages.
Put together needed paperwork for taxes.
Send out over due letters and statements.


Location: Duluth
Compensation: $250.00 per month
This is a part-time job.
This is at a non-profit organization.

More police officers needed: city council to decide Mon. Dec. 15

The police department’s future personnel plan for the next four years focuses on
three areas:

1. Filling current vacant positions; some of which have been vacant for years
2. Increasing staffing with the focus on putting personnel into positions that will have the most impact on community service and quality of life
3. Offering developement through training, utilizing a new law enforcement center to establish our agency as a regional training destination in northern Minnesota

Read report
DULUTH POLICE DEPARTMENT 2009 & BEYOND
MOVING FORWARD THROUGH PLANNING,
PARTNERSHIPS AND INNOVATION
click here to read.

Contact your city councilor and councilors at large if you can not attend the Monday night city council meeting. Let them know you support more police even if it does mean $11 a month more taxes.

The Duluth Police Department currently has 139 officers and 26 full time support staff who answered 76,000 calls for service from the citizens and visitors to Duluth. In 1968, the Department had 142 officers and 15 support staff who answered 35,000 calls for service. Now more than ever, the Department is asked to deliver more services to more customers while the level of expected service is considerably higher. As a result, the Department operates at maximum capacity to meet the demands of our citizens and visitors. The patrol division is frequently overwhelmed with calls for service and investigative staff are unable to provide effective follow up on many cases throughout each year. The additional hiring of officers will ultimately result in call reduction, shorter call response time, more effective problem solving and ability to clear cases by arrest and hold offenders accountable.

DULUTH POLICE
DEPARTMENT
411 W. 1st St.
Duluth, MN 55802

Mn/DOT warns: watch out for frosty bridge decks, turn off cruise control

Motorists should be alert for frosty or icy bridge decks, overpasses and ramps now that near-freezing temperatures have arrived in the Arrowhead Region, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

The roadways of bridges can freeze much sooner than the roadway because elevated highway structures are not insulated by the ground. Consequently, even though the main roadway may appear relatively safe, the bridge decks are likely to be frosty or icy, particularly in the early morning and late evening hours.

Another winter driving safety tip is to discontinue use of your vehicle’s cruise control during the winter months. On slippery highways and bridges, use of a speed control device has a great potential to cause rapid and catastrophic loss of vehicle control when the cruise control kicks in on slippery roads.

Motorists should log onto www.511mn.org or call 511 for current road and weather conditions.

Economics, staff changes forces local non-profit to continue with volunteers and part time staff

East Hillside Patch announced this month that it will continue to serve the community despite some recent staff departures. As a result of these departures and the current economic climate, the organization will operate mostly through volunteers and a social work intern. Its three biggest projects are the Health Equity Project, a free after school program named Mind 2 Mind and the needs assessment survey.

Changes in Patch
Cindy Donner, executive director, has accepted a teaching position at the College of St. Scholastica and Jennifer Zapata, youth director, has moved to California to be closer to family. For economic reasons, Patch’s board has chosen not to fill these vacancies.
Instead, the board of directors will take a hands-on role in carrying out administrative duties, continuing the Health Equity Project and supporting Jahna Hardy, the recently hired part-time Youth Program Director, for its Mind-2-Mind program. Tamara Miskovic, an UMD MSW intern, will assist with agency-support duties and complete the neighborhood surveys that began last year.

Extra volunteers needed
As a result of these changes, the Patch office won’t be open on a regular basis any longer. Other than that, the agency continues to seek extra volunteers, more funders and board members. Patch’s focus remains on community development, social justice and youth programs. The agency has secured funding to assist board members in board development and strategic planning, which will begin in the upcoming months.
“Patch is just like the East Hillside and Endion neighborhoods it supports – resilient,” said Mona Cheslak, Patch board member.
For more information about East Hillside Patch please leave a message at the office, 218-728-4287, or e-mail patch@cpinternet.com.

Social work intern
If someone comes knocking on your door to ask what type of needs you have, please take time to answer the questions. That’s the sentiment of Tamara Miskovic, a social work intern at East Hillside Patch. Miskovic said, “Please participate because it’s for you!”

“Please participate because it is for you!”

Tamara Miskovic
on neighborhood needs survey

She said the biggest problems she sees in the East Hillside neighborhood are health care and childcare. She also said young single mothers need support groups and all neighbors need to know what is going on with in the neighborhood and how to network with each other.

Duluth American Indian Commission listens to concerns about barrels of waste in Lake Superior

Caption: Jean Buffalo addresses the Duluth American Indian Commission about the need for more research and risk assessment of barrels of waste dumped into Lake Superior. To the left is her granddaughter, Mayeyna Bressler. To the right is DAIC member Anthony LaDeaux.


By Naomi Yaeger-Bischoff
With concern for the safety of all who live, work and play along Lake Superior, Jean Buffalo, a member of the Red Cliff Natural Resources Damage Assessment Committee, addressed the Duluth American Indian Commission to discuss investigating the toxicity levels of barrels of waste that were dumped in Lake Superior. Between 1959 and 1962 the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dumped 1,457 barrels of waste generated at the Twin Cities Army Ammunication Plant near Duluth.

Buffalo had her granddaughter at her side to emphasize that she learned at her elders’ knees the importance of communication, and that future generations need to be protected from environmental harm.

The Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa received a $600,000 grant from the Department of Defense and has contracted with EMR, Inc., a national environmental consulting firm, to find the location and study the toxicity of the barrels of waste. Suzanne Anderson, a geologist with EMR’s Duluth office, gave a presentation on this summer’s research to determine the location of the barrels.

Buffalo stressed that open communication with all stakeholders (those living around Lake Superior) is paramount. She said that when her tribe ceded their land in the treaty they also took on responsibilities, which they take seriously. One of those treaty responsibilities is to be a watchdog for the health of the land and water along Lake Superior.

Duluth city council member, Jay Fosle was a guest during this presentation. Fosle expressed concern and is interested in the next step of determining if the barrels are toxic and what to do about it for the safety of all. On Sept. 29 Buffalo met with Duluth Mayor Don Ness.
Joy Dorcher, co-chairman of the DAIC, said she appreciated the respectful way the Red Cliff tribe is consulting with other groups such as cities, states, and tribes both in the United States and Canada. She added that if tests prove the waste is toxic there should be no problem getting funds from the federal government to further research and mediate this problem.

Buffalo provided this statement to The Hillsider:
This is in remembrance of an “ancestor”, Kitchie Bezhke (Chief Buffalo), Anton Buffalo, Antwine Buffalo:

And all that came before
You opened
A door
Because of you
Change will come...
Gii go wa ba miin (until then)

Calendar

Nov. 9 & 23 Rehearsals for Puzzle Peace
Youth Choir 2-3 p.m. Peace UCC Church,
1111 N. 11th St. We are planning to sing 1-2
times in Nov. and Dec. and will accept new
singers through Nov. 9. For further
information, call Peace UCC, 724-3637 or
director Cyndi, 728-9774.

Nov. 11 “Examine the Field of Medicine”
event for high school students 6-8 p.m. at the
UMD School of Medicine. 6-7:15 Panel
Discussion in Room 142; 7:15-7:40 Tour of
UMD School of Medicine; 7:40-8
Questions/Answers with Physicians. The
Lake Superior Medical Society is hosting this
event to bring some insight into what it is like
to go through medical school. Don’t miss this
chance to examine the myths, realities, and
rewards for becoming a doctor! This event
has limited space and is free to high school
students interested in a career in medicine.
Call 727-3325. Register by Nov. 5.

Nov. 11 Veterans’ Day March begins at 9:30
a.m. from the Duluth Armory and ends 10:30
a.m. at the Duluth Depot (St. Louis County
Heritage & Arts Center). City of Duluth
Ceremony begins at 11 a.m. at the Depot.
Nov. 13 Lunch with the History People
Craig Grau presents “The 2008 Election”
12-1 p.m. St. Louis County Heritage & Arts
Center (Depot).
Nov. 13 "Sharing Indian Culture from East
and West” Registration is at 5:45 p.m.; dinner
at 6:00 p.m.; program at 7:00 p.m. Unitarian
Universalist Congregation of Duluth, 835 W.
College St. All are invited to a sharing
between Anishanabe people and East Indian
people. Come and enjoy two beautiful
cultures with food for body and spirit. The
menu includes American Indian foods and
East Indian foods. Skip and Babette Sandman
will speak about the Anishanabe culture and
spiritual practices. Indra and Chandra
Mehrota will speak about East Indian culture
and Hindu spiritual practices. $15, no charge
for children 12 and under. Free childcare will
be provided. Sponsored by the Arrowhead
Interfaith Council. Contact Erik at
ernordgren44@gmail.com or phone 310-0966.

Nov. 14 Family Day at the St. Louis County
Heritage & Arts Center 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the
Depot. Admission to the museums is $2 per
person and includes activities for the kids.

Nov. 16 Benefit for the KAKO Foundation
"Music for All" Program 3 p.m. Mitchell
Auditorium at The College of St. Scholastica.
Sara Thomsen and The Echoes of Peace Choir
Concert with guest storyteller Elizabeth
Nordell, violinist Rudy Perrault, and Three
Altos. $12. Co-sponsored by CSS Center for
Just Living and International Student Club.
For more information about The KAKO
Foundation call 724-3484. For more
information about this concert or about the
Echoes of Peace Choir call 525-6500.
www.sarathomsen.com.

Nov. 17 Duluth American Indian
Commission 5 p.m. City Hall Room 402.
Agenda: Update from Community Police
Officer; Work Plan Schedule for 2009
discussion.

ONGOING
Every Monday Duluth Laughing Club
12:10-12:20 p.m. Duluth Civic Center in front
of the St. Louis County Bldg.
Mondays-Thursdays Kid’s Café After
School Program 3:30-5:30 p.m. Damiano
Center Room 205. Free meal and activities
for children and their families. Children under
6 must be accompanied by adult.
Each Saturday Afternoon Gallery 2:00 p.m.
Tweed Museum of Art, UMD. Free and open
to the public. www.d.umn.edu/tma, 726-8222.
1st Tuesday East Hillside Community Club
6:30 p.m. Grant Rec. Center, 901 E. 11th St.
1st Thursday Central Hillside Community
Club/ND 5 6 p.m. Central Hillside Center, 12
E. 4th St.

1st Thursday Childbirth Collective Parent
Topic Nights 7 p.m. Peace Church, 1111 N.
11th Ave. E. Call Emily at 393-7042.
2nd & 4th Mondays Arrowhead Stamp Club
of Duluth MN and Superior WI 7 p.m. First
Presbyterian Church, 300 E. 2nd St. For more
information call Howard, 722-9016.

2nd Tuesday Free mini ceilis with instruction
7 p.m. at Carmody's Pub, 308 E. Superior St.
Cash bar. FFI call 728-1438.

2nd Saturday Ceramics Sale 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Duluth Art Institute great room in the Lincoln
Building, 2229 W. 2nd St.

2nd & 4th Sundays The Northland Anti-War
Coalition 2 p.m., Chester Creek Café, 1902 E.
8th St.

2nd & 4th Mondays Arrowhead Stamp Club
7 p.m. First Presbyterian Church. 722-9016
2nd Tuesday The Twin Ports Coin and
Currency Club 7 p.m. Rainbow Center
3rd Tuesday Campus Neighbors 7 p.m. Grant
Rec. Center, 901 E. 11th St.

3rd Wednesday Antique Appraisal noon-3
p.m. in the Rotunda of the St. Louis County
Heritage & Arts Center (Depot). Free.

3rd Thursday Duluth Superior Green
Drinks 5-9 p.m., Carmody's Irish Pub, 308 E.
Superior St. Every month people meet up for
informal environmental discussions with
people who think & act in concern for our
ecological future. You do not need to drink
alcohol to attend. Email:
duluthsuperiorgreendrinks@yahoogroups.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/duluthsuperior
greendrinks

3rd Thursday Park Point Community Club
7 p.m. Lafayette Square, 3026 Minnesota Ave.

4th Saturday Gloria Dei Community
Breakfast 9-10:30 a.m. Gloria Dei Lutheran
Church, 219 N. 6th Ave. E.
Submit your calendar events to Mona:
monajc@hotmail.com or 724-1193.

Fall Rally Sunday at First Lutheran

Come be a part of the kick-off of the education year at First Lutheran Church! Rally Sunday will be filled with activity, learning, celebration, and blessing for the whole congregation as we get ready for another year of growing in faith as the people of God.

Registration for Sunday school (age2-grade6) will take place in the Parish Hall from 9:45-10:15 a.m. During registration, there will be activities to do in the Parish Hall, information to check out, and cake to eat! From 10:15-10:45 a.m., we will have a Sunday school “open house”. This will be a time to check out classrooms, meet teacher and have fun.

Also, during the education hour, 9:45-10:45, there will be a “Ministry Fair” with information about various ministry areas of the church. Come learn more about what is happening at First Lutheran and how you can participate and grow in faith.

Taize Worship held the First Sunday of each month at 5:00 p.m. at First Lutheran Church, 1100 E Superior Street, Duluth, MN

Blessing of the Backpacks – Preschoolers to post-grads bring your school backpack, book bag to First Lutheran Church, 1100 E Superior Street, on Sunday, September 7 at either the 8:30 or 11:00 a.m. service for a special blessing for the school year.

ADOPT TWO CATS, PAY ONE FEE

Animal Allies Humane Society’s September goal is 100 cat adoptions

Animal Allies Humane Society (AAHS) of Duluth, in an effort to reduce the euthanization of healthy, adoptable cats, aims to find homes for at least 100 cats during the month of September by offering two cats for one adoption fee of $90.

“Cats are naturally social creatures,” says Linda Baumgarth-Cadotte, AAHS Program Director. “They love having a buddy, and adopters can double their pleasure by providing a loving home and saving two lives.”

In September of 2007, 44 cats were adopted, and 74 had to be euthanized. The vast majority were healthy, adoptable animals that would have made great pets. This September, Animal Allies will strive to find loving homes for at least 100 cats, and reduce the number of cats that have to be euthanized.

“There is an annual flood of cats from May to October,” says Betsy Bode, AAHS Shelter Manager. “We hope to save as many cats as possible during this adoption drive.”

All cats in the Animal Allies adoption program are spayed or neutered, microchipped, and have been examined by a veterinarian, with all age-appropriate vaccinations. To view the cats in the Animal Allies adoption program, go to www.animalallies.net, or visit the City of Duluth Animal Shelter , 2627 Courtland Street , Monday – Saturday, Noon – 4 pm.

Animal Allies Humane Society strives to ensure a lifetime of loving care for every pet by reducing overpopulation, increasing adoption, and fostering humane values. AAHS is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Movies in the Park, Shrek The Third

September 5 Shrek The Third PG 7.55 PM

Twin Ports Outdoor Movies and Audio Visual Resources are giving Movies
in the Park participants the chance to win the DVD's of all the films
shown this season, including special editions and bonus films.  For
more
info log on to: http://www.twinportsoutdoormovies.com/mitp.htm

Please call, after 6:00 PM,  the Twin Ports Outdoor Movies Hotline at
715-392-3480 or log on to www.twinportsoutdoormovies.com  to check for