Chester Bowl Skil Hill Closed for the Season

The Parks and Recreation Division announced Chester Bowl Ski Hill is officially closed for the season. Due to the recent warm weather and rain, conditions on the ski hill have deteriorated thus making it unsafe to ski.

City of Duluth trails, dog park and disc golf course closed to public use

The City of Duluth's Parks and Recreation Division is asking the public to refrain from using city hiking trails, snowmobile trails, cross country ski trails, the dog park and the disc golf course. Due to the annual spring thaw all these areas have become soft and are now vulnerable to being damaged with deep ruts and possible erosion.

The public can help prevent damage by staying off these areas until warmer temperatures and drier weather improve conditions. A notice regarding the reopening of the trails, dog park and disc golf course will be provided as soon as conditions permit.

Trails that are open to the public at this time are the Lakewalk, the Munger Trail and the Western Waterfront Trail. In addition, the far eastern part of Skyline Parkway near Hawks Ridge is also a good place to walk as well as the far western end of Skyline Parkway, west of Spirit Mountain. These portions of Skyline are still closed to vehicular traffic.

Support Google Fiber for the Twin Ports

AL FRANKEN, US SENATOR AND FORMER “DULUTH ANSWER MAN” SUPPORTS GOOGLE FIBER IN DULUTH



MARCH 10, 2010 — Minnesota Sen. Al Franken has joined The Google Twin Ports Fiber Initiative by resurrecting his Duluth Answer Man clips.

"We have seen tremendous support from elected officials all across Minnesota for our Google Fiber nomination and we are very grateful for Senator Franken's support," said Mayor Don Ness. "Sen. Franken has long been a supporter of Duluth as evidenced by these great commercial clips from the 80s featuring Al Franken as 'the Duluth Answer Man'. With this YouTube video

http://www.googletwinports.com/video-link-archive.php we hope to encourage folks to visit googletwinports.com to register their support and officially nominate Duluth and Superior."

Duluth's campaign combines a fun and creative grassroots campaign with a very serious effort to build a strong business case for bringing Google Fiber to the Twin Ports.

The Duluth Answer Man campaign was produced in the mid 80s by the Duluth Convention and Visitors Bureau, known today as Visit Duluth. The series ran in the Twin Cites market as the summer tourism campaign for Duluth.

Two drop off locations for Bike Swap donations

What: Bike Swap Donation Drop Off
When: March 17-31

Monday-Friday: 9am-5pm

Saturday: 9am-12pm

Where: Onsite Professional Cleaning

4410 Grand Ave.

Duluth, MN

Bring your gently used bikes to Onsite Professional Cleaning from March 17-31, and they will be stored until the United Way Bike Swap on April 17-18.

Give back to the community, and help promote healthy living by donating a bike to the United Way Bike Swap. Proceeds from bikes brought to Onsite Professional Cleaning will be donated 100% to United Way of Greater Duluth.

Bike donation drop off hours are from 9am-5pm on Monday – Friday and 9am-12pm on Saturdays. If you wish to donate a bike, or just simply can’t make it to the Bike Check-in, come to Onsite Professional Cleaning and don’t miss a great chance to clean out your garages and help a good cause!

Visit www.unitedwayduluth.org for more information.

Duluth Mayor Don Ness wears a Hillsider T-shirt as he jumps into fridgid Lake Superior to promote Google Fiber

Catch the Olympic Spirit

"Warmer By the Lake" to be held February 13th at Bayfront Festival Park

Bayfront Festival Park will be the place to be in Duluth on Saturday, February 13th from 2:00-5:00 PM at the annual "Warmer By the Lake" winter event. Everyone will be able to enjoy the traditional activities of skating, snow shoeing, marshmallow roasting, and sleigh rides with the addition of the Olympic spirit. You will also be able to come in out of the cold and enjoy free hot chocolate and cookies as well as enjoy festive music in the large warming tent or warm up by the huge bonfire.

From February 12-28 the Olympic spirit will play out in Vancouver, Canada site of this years winter Olympics, inspiring us to be the best that we can be. The American Lung Association, Young Athletes Association, Friends of the Parks, True North AmeriCorps, Duluth Parks and Recreation, local businesses and clubs are joining forces to hold a community-wide Olympic Celebration starting with an Opening Ceremony on February 13th at Warmer by the Lake. This ceremony will focus on Duluth's Olympic history and future and will include a parade of community centers and local winter sports clubs to kick off the next two weeks of events called "Snowlympics".

The opening ceremony of "Snowlympics" will begin at 3:00 PM and will include former Olympic participants George Hovland, Adrian Watt and Joe Polo bronze medalist of the 2006 winter grames. After the lighting of the torch the focus will shift to Bayfront Park skating rink where two talented local figure skaters will perform.

So pack up the kids, grab your skates and head on down to Bayfront Park for a fun-filled day of winter activities brought to you by Duluth Parks and Recreation.

Duluthians visit the state capitol to save GAMC (General Assistance Medical Care)

On Thursday, Feb. 4 I joined a group of 51 people to ride a bus from Duluth to the state capitol to urge the Minnesota legislature and Gov. Pawlenty to save GAMC. GAMC is the medical insurance the poorest of the poor receive. It stands for General Assistance Medical Care. The proposed cuts are to single individuals who earn less than $7,000 per year.

Without this insurance these people will go without or end up visiting the emergency rooms. These emergency room visits will end up costing all of the public money. While on the bus and at the capitol I visited with several people who are recipients of GAMC. It is scheduled to be cut on April 1.

There is some movement in the legislature to have a temporary extension of the program for 16 months and by that time Minnesota will have a new governor. Many of the people on GAMC have physical and mental health issues that make it hard for them to work.

Several ordained clergy attended the event. Clergy on the bus included Rev. Kathy Nelson of Peace United Church of Christ, Rev. Cathy Cathy Schuyler of Duluth Congregation Church and retired Rev. John Clark Pegg.

Many people say it is a moral issue.

The Rabbi Marcia Zimmerman of Temple Israel said different denominations and religions might pray differently, but all were in agreement to take care of their neighbor. "Let us find the spiritual audacity deep within us." She also said, "We will propel you," to the legislators who are supportive of the GAMC.

The Duluth group visited their districts representatives and senators. Some of the Duluth group broke off to visit Linda Berglind, Chair of the Health, Human Services and Corrections Budget Division. Tommy O'Neill, was one to tell her his story.

The group of people went into Gov. Pawlenty's office hoping to meet with him, but he was unavailable. Over 60 letters in support of keeping GAMC were left at his office.

After being at the capitol for under two hours the group board the bus and headed back to Duluth

Slideshow of bus trip to St. Paul to save the General Assiatnce Medical Care

Bus Trip to St Paul to Save the GAMC

'Go get a Feb. Hillsider, learn about fun events in the snow and with your sweetie'

'Go get a Feb. Hillsider, learn about fun events in the snow and with your sweetie'

Ongoing meetings

ONGOING…………………..
Mondays
Duluth International Folk Dance Club, 7
p.m. to 9 p.m. Grant School (no dance held on
school holidays). Free.
Mondays-Thursdays
Kid’s Café After School Program 3:30-5:30
p.m. Damiano Center Rm 205. Free meal and
activities for children and their families. Chil-
dren under 6 must be accompanied by adult.
Saturdays
Saturday Afternoon Gallery 2 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.
Leche Club, 6:30 p.m., Coppertop Church

1st Thursday
Central Hillside Community Club 6 p.m.
Central Hillside Center, 12 E. 4th St.
Childbirth Collective Parent Topic Nights 7
p.m. Peace Church, 1111 N. 11th Ave. E.

1st Saturday
African American Men’s Group 9 a.m., Du-
luth Grill.
2nd & 4th Mondays
Arrowhead Stamp Club of Duluth MN and
Superior WI 7 p.m. First Presbyterian Church,
300 E. 2nd St., 722-9016.
2nd Tuesday
The Twin Ports Coin and Currency Club
7 p.m. Rainbow Center.
2nd Sunday
The Northland Anti-War Coalition, 2 p.m.,
Unitarian Church library, 835 W. College St.
3rd Monday
Duluth American Indian Commission 5 p.m.
City Hall Room 402.
3rd Tuesday
Campus Neighbors 6:30-8 p.m. Grant Rec.
Com. Center, 901 E. 11th St. Topic this month:
University Housing Overlay Working Group
Report
3rd Wednesday
Antique Appraisal noon-3 p.m., St. Louis
County Heritage & Arts Center (Depot). Free.
East Hillside Block Watch 7 p.m., Grant Com-
munity Recreation Center, 901 E. 11th St.
Leche Club, 10 a.m., Coppertop Church
3rd Saturday
Tamarack Dance, 7 p.m. Family dance, 8 p.m.
Dance, Peace Church.
4th Saturday
Gloria Dei Community Breakfast 9-10:30
a.m. Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 219 N. 6th
Ave. E.

February 2010 calendar of events

FEB 6, Dances of Universal Peace (new loca-

tion!), 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Deep Peace Wellness Stu-

dio, Hunter Building, 31 W. Superior Street #501.

By donation. No experience necessary.

FEB 7, Slow Food Lake Superior Potluck-

Food, Books, Movies, 4-6 p.m., Peace Church,

1111 N 11th Ave E. Bring your favorite root

vegetable potluck dish and food-related books or

movies, or info. about them.

FEB 9, 12th Annual Death by Chocolate, 11

a.m. - 1 p.m., Radisson Hotel. Chocolate delights

by the best chefs in the Northland. Boxed gourmet

chocolates available. Advance tickets $12 call

726-4725. $15 at the door. Arc Northland and

ACF Arrowhead Prof. Chef’s Assoc. benefit.

FEB 11, Lunch with the History People, 12

p.m. St. Louis County Heritage & Arts Center,

506 West Michigan St. Author and retired educa-

tor Paul Lind discusses “Stock Car Racing in the

Twin Ports: 1950 – 1962.” Free event.

FEB 11, CHUM Annual Meeting

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Karen Smith Sellers. Pilgrim

Congregational Church, 2310 E. 4th St., 6:30 p.m.

social, 7 p.m. meeting and worship

FEB 11, Lewis & Clark and the Indian Coun-

try Point of View by UMD American Indian

Studies Faculty, 6:30 p.m., UMD Ballroom. Fac-

ulty will also respond to questions from viewers of the

Lewis & Clark. & the Indian Country national travel-

ing exhibit which is at the UMD Library, 4th floor Ro-

tunda until Feb 25.

FEB 13, Annual Valentine Party, 12 to 2 p.m.

Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. Picnic lunch, music

with Terence Smith, activities for all ages. FREE

FEB 13, Twin Ports Action Coalition Third

Annual Valentines Party and Silent Auction.

Starts at 7 p.m. Venue at Mohaupt Block, 2024

W. Superior St.

FEB 13, 11th Annual “Warmer By the Lake”

2-5 p.m. Pack up the kids, grab your skates and

head to Bayfront for fun winter activities brought

to you by Duluth Parks and Recreation.

FEB 16, History in a Pint, 6 p.m., Carmody's

Irish Pub, 308 E Superior St. Guest: Joe Gomer –

WWII Veteran, Gold Medal recipient, and Tuske-

gee Airmen, the popular name of a group of Afri-

can American pilots who flew with distinction

during WWII, US Army Air Corps.

FEB 16, Renters Unite, Lincoln Park Renters

Association, 5:30 p.m., Harrison Community Cntr

3002 W. 3rd St. Dinner and childcare provided.

FEB 18, Hillside Renters Association, 6 p.m.,

Central Hillside Community Cntr, 12 E. 4th St.,

Dinner and transportation provided. 740-2497

FEB 20, iFilm at the Library: The Drummer,

1:30 p.m., Duluth Public Library. From Hong

Kong. In Mandarin/Cantonese w/subtitles. Free.

FEB 20, 11th Annual Polar Plunge, Registration

is Noon-3 p.m/3 p.m. plunge. Fundraiser for Spe-

cial Olympics MN. Held at Lake Superior/

Grandma's Sports Garden. 390-7780 or 340-0797,

FEB 24, Circle of Support, a breast cancer sup-

port group for survivors and supporters. 7 p.m.-

8:30 p.m. Duluth Grill, back room 525-1905

FEB 25, Unnatural Causes documentary se-

ries, 5:30 to 7 p.m. Teatro Zuccone, Bad Sugar:

What are the connections between diabetes, op-

pression, and empowerment in two Native Ameri-

can communities?, Place Matters: Why is your

street address such a strong predictor of your

health? Free. A short discussion follows the films

whi ch are each 1/ 2 hour.

FEB 27, Pancake Breakfast Health Care Fund-

raiser for...Everyone! 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Holy

Family Church, 2430 W. 3rd. St. Bake Sale, 8

a.m. to noon. 10 a.m. program: Co. Commissioner

Steve O'Neil. Fundraiser for the Citizen Fed.

FEB 27, 8th Annual Mush for Kids!, 12-4 p.m.

Marshall School, 1215 Rice Lake Rd. Dogsled

rides for ages 3-12, horse drawn sleigh rides, x-

country skiing, skijoring, snowshoeing, winter

camping demo, cookies and coca. 391-0147

FEB 27, A Minnesota Without Poverty Event :

If not we, then who? If not now, then when?

6:30 - 8 p.m. Peace Church, Sponsored by: Com-

munity Action Duluth, CHUM, Catholic Diocese

of Duluth

FEB 27-28, Lake Superior Family Fun Fest

Held at the DECC. A taste of summer for fami-

lies. Rides and games for kids from two to early

teens and an expo featuring products and services

that appeal to young families. Entertainment and

interactive demos, too. 727-1177

Volunteering has its rewards

General Manager Naomi Yaeger-Bischoff joyfully holds up the Drum Maker for Peace Award. Scot Bol of the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Committee presented the organization with the award at the rally in the DECC auditorium on Jan. 18. From left to right are board members: Rosemary Hampton, Allegra Henderson, Scott Yeazle, Bruce Howell, Claudie Washington, Naomi Yaeger-Bischoff and Scot Bol.


Volunteering can be interesting, boring, frustrating, a lot of work; and sometimes make you proud

There are numerous ways people volunteer in their community. Some of us volunteer as sports coaches, some are called to be lay clergy, mentors for troubled youth, or perhaps we just shovel the walks for the elderly couple next door.

I volunteer as a board member for this community newspaper. I also am a volunteer during Grandma’s Marathon at a water station and donate my time as an officer in a local professional society. I’ve helped build sandbag flood-control dikes in North Dakota and packaged food for disaster relief. Sometimes volunteering is interesting, sometimes boring, sometimes frustrating, and sometimes just hard physical work. However, this past month, I was proud to be a volunteer. Not because of something I did personally, but because of my affiliation with two organizations that won awards.

The Hillsider won the “Drum Major for Peace Award” in recognition for being an important communication instrument and advocate for people living in Duluth’s core neighborhoods. Also in the same month, the engineering society where I serve as an officer received an “Outstanding Small Section Award” from our regional leaders.

Recognition for volunteering sometimes comes after long periods of hard work, or in the case of some artists and activists, after death. Probably most often, volunteers are not recognized at all. I suspect no one does volunteer work for the awards - they are just too infrequent. We each have our reasons for volunteering. In my case, it might have helped me fill time after an unwanted divorce. Or perhaps, I just welcomed the challenges of a leadership opportunity. Whatever the reason, I don’t regret my decision to volunteer my time. It helped me as well as others.

Bruce Howell

Howell is the president of the board of The Hillsider.

MLK Committee and NAACP award Mendoza and Hillsider Drum Major for Peace Awards

Hillsider Board members Claudie Washington, Allegra Henderson, Bruce Howell, Editor Naomi Yaeger-Bischoff, Scott Yeazle and Rosemary Hampton. (Not pictured are: Phoebe Smith-Ellis Carolyn Nasca, Fiscal Manager Rick Sailstad and proofreader Wendy Grethen, and of course all the volunteers)


Cruz Mendoza, stands with his son, Caleb Mendoza age 13, to receive the Drum Major for Peace Award during the MLK rally. Mendoza works for the Office of Education Equity for the Duluth Public Schools


The Duluth Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Committee and the Duluth Branch of the NAACP bestowed two Drum Major for Peace Awards during the MLK Rally on Jan. 18.

Cruz Mendoza of the Duluth Public Schools Office of Education Equity and The Hillsider Newspaper each received an award. Each year one award is given to an individual and a second award is given to a group or organization for dedicated contributions in the community in the areas of peace and justice.

Claudie Washington, NAACP Local Chapter President, presented the award to Mendoza who is a 16 year employee of the Duluth Public School District and is well liked by all staff and students.
The Desegregation Integration Advisory Council name was recently changed to Education Equity Advisory Committee.

Ron Hagland, a social worker with the Office of Education Equity, said, “During this time Cruz was an active participant, and valued contributor to District Integration planning and implementation. He has provided research, program suggestions, constructive and criticism, and all has been tempered by his sensibility of social justice and practical experience.”
The Duluth Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Committee and the Duluth Branch of the NAACP bestowed two Drum Major for Peace Awards during the MLK Rally on Jan. 18.

Cruz Mendoza of the Duluth Public Schools Office of Education Equity and The Hillsider Newspaper each received an award. Each year one award is given to an individual and a second award is given to a group or organization for dedicated contributions in the community in the areas of peace and justice.

Claudie Washington, NAACP Local Chapter President, presented the award to Mendoza who is a 16 year employee of the Duluth Public School District and is well liked by all staff and students.
The Desegregation Integration Advisory Council name was recently changed to Education Equity Advisory Committee.

Ron Hagland, a social worker with the Office of Education Equity, said, “During this time Cruz was an active participant, and valued contributor to District Integration planning and implementation. He has provided research, program suggestions, constructive and criticism, and all has been tempered by his sensibility of social justice and practical experience.”

Scot Bol of the MLK Celebration Committee presented the award to The Hillsider. The paper is a nonprofit monthly paper totally supported by advertising. It serves the neighborhoods of East Hillside, Central Hillside and Lincoln Park and is distributed through-out Duluth. It strives to build community and give voice to people who are in poverty or marginalized. The paper is a collaborative effort of many community members.

The Drum Major for Peace Award was established by the late Reverend Arthur Foy of the St. Mark AME church. The MLK Celebration Committee recognizes 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.





Scot Bol of the MLK Celebration Committee presented the award to The Hillsider. The paper is a nonprofit monthly paper totally supported by advertising. It serves the neighborhoods of East Hillside, Central Hillside and Lincoln Park and is distributed through-out Duluth. It strives to build community and give voice to people who are in poverty or marginalized. The paper is a collaborative effort of many community members.

The Drum Major for Peace Award was established by the late Reverend Arthur Foy of the St. Mark AME church. The MLK Celebration Committee recognizes 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.

Potter family opens 4th Street Market

Tom and Judy Potter stand in the produce section of the Fourth Street Market. The Potters and their son, Matt Potter, opened the store in January. The store is licensed for EBT cards and WIC vouchers. [Photo by Naomi Yaeger-Bischoff]

Manager Matt Potter (left), works with Cullen Hoag of North Business Products to get the cash register system set up. [Photo by Naomi Yaeger-Bischoff]


It will provide the neighborhood with fresh produce, staples and a hot and cold deli

By Naomi Yaeger-Bischoff

People of the Central Hillside neighborhood are excited that the Fourth Street Market is now open under the ownership of the Potter family. The small grocery store at 102 E. Fourth St. is the only grocery store in the neighborhood and had been closed for about one year. It will feature a deli with hot and cold meals, and a fountain pop and cappuccino bar.

Tom and Judy Potter are the owners of the Fourth Street Market. Their son Matt will manage the store. Their other son, David, will manage the family-owned gas station and convenience store on Sixth Avenue East. (A daughter, Amy, is in California)

The Potters strive to give neighborhood people convenience and choices in fresh fruits, vegetables and dairy products, as well as other healthy choices, but it is a challenge to sell the fresh foods quickly enough.

The Fourth Street Market now is licensed to receive EBT cards (Food Stamps) and WIC vouchers (Women Infants and Children.) The approval was a month-long process. Many of their potential customers are low-income. The waiting for approval from the state was frustrating for both the customers and the Potters.

They are hoping the deli will attract people who work downtown. Former employee Roxanne Kelly is again the deli manager, and she already has a menu with new hot and cold items for each day of the week. Some of the daily specials include: scalloped potatoes with ham or tuna casserole, creamed chicken with biscuits or beef stroganoff, and spaghetti. They will also have everyday dishes like goulash, tacos, burritos and sandwiches, as well as soups.

On a recent Saturday Rick and Rita Havron, who live up the hill by Nettleton School came into the store for lunch. “I love the deli,” said Rita. Rick said, “It is a convenient place to come down and pick something up, instead of running up the hill all the time.” His deli favorites are the potato wedges, chicken and lasagna.

The Potters own the ICO gas and convenience store on Sixth Avenue East. Many of the residents use the bus or a taxi for transportation; so not having a grocery store in walking distance was a hardship for them. Tom Potter said his convenience store saw a noticeable increase in traffic of people purchasing food items after the Fourth Street Market closed last year.

“When you see someone walking up the hill with three or four bags of groceries from Super One, you feel bad,” Tom said. (Super One is the next largest mainstream grocery store located 16 blocks from the Fourth Street Market.)

The Potters heard about other businesses, some of them from out of town, that were speculating on re-opening the store. They kept waiting, but no one did re-open the store. Tom wonders if out-of-town people may have been scared off by the bad things they hear about the neighborhood. He knew there was a need for a grocery store in this neighborhood. He also knows the people. He says the good things outweigh the bad.

In June of 2009 the Potters asked the Hurlbut-Zeppa Trust, which owns the building, to tour the store. “It was very depressing,” said Tom. “We saw a large project ahead of us.” It would take money and work to clean up and repair the store. Tom and Judy have four grandchildren and one on the way. Rebuilding a business was not in their plans for this time of their life. “I didn’t want to start out again in debt,” Tom said. George Garnett worked as a consultant with the Hurlbut-Zeppa Trust and worked out an arrangement in which the landlord would replace and repair equipment and do some cosmetic updates. Tom said that he and his wife, Judy, decided, “If Matt would do the leg work, we would bring the experience.”

Keir R. Johnson, CFO of the Zeppa Family Foundation, said, “We thought it was important to have a grocery store in the neighborhood as a service. It is both a gathering place and place to purchase necessities. The Potters had some experience in retail grocery with their other ventures. They had a vision for a grocery store.”
The majority of their loan came from the Northland Foundation. They also received some guidance from Jennifer Young of the Northeast Entrepreneur Fund.

The Potters’ first experience as small business owners on the Hillside began in 1983 when they opened the Milkhouse at 906 Central Entrance. When they lost the lease to that location, they opened the ICO at 537 N. Sixth Ave. E.

The Potters saw a real need for this business. They see it as both a service to the neighborhood and an opportunity for their son Matt to have a business. Although they see it as income for Matt. Tom says, “There is a reason why there aren’t many of these places left anymore.” Making a profit at a mom-and-pop store is difficult. The larger supermarkets can sell goods more cheaply as they purchase their products in mass quantities.

Three former employees of the Fourth Street Market are back. They include Jelayne Sargent, Claudette Huuth and Roxanne Kelly. Having their expertise will be beneficial. Claudette and Roxanne worked for both the Nygaards, who owned the business for 30 years, and the Kirks who owned the business for 2 1/2 years.

The store is open from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. until 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The phone number is (218) 727-3811.

Miller Hill Mall, Red Rock Radio, NCCU to hold Haiti relief event Thursday

Northern Communities Credit Union, Red Rock Radio and Simon Properties are teaming up on Thursday, January 28 for a special event to benefit Haiti earthquake relief efforts.

From 3-6 p.m. on Thursday, KQDS will broadcast its popular “Trainwreck” afternoon drive radio show live from Miller Hill Mall to raise awareness for the relief effort. NCCU staff will be on hand to accept public donations to the ‘Help Haiti Fund’, administered by NCCU on behalf of the Northland American Red Cross. The event will take place in the mall commons area outside Younkers department store.

“Credit unions around the United States and around the world are helping with this important effort,” NCCU President Larry Champeaux said. “We have worked with our partners at Red Rock Radio since the tragic earthquake and we’re proud to expand the partnership to include Miller Hill Mall.”

“Simon Properties holdings around the nation are hosting events to help in any way we can,” said Director of Mall Marketing and Business Development Cindy Rodenhizer “Hosting this event in a high-traffic area will hopefully raise more money and show everyone how generous Northlanders can be.”

The radio station’s live remote broadcast will also help to raise awareness. “We’ve been talking about this effort on the air since the earthquake happened,” said KQDS- FM Program Director Jason Manning. “Whatever we can do to raise awareness, we’ll do. We’ve seen a horrible tragedy in Haiti over the last two weeks and we know ourfriends and listeners will do their best to help.”

Donations will be accepted from 3-6 p.m. at the mall and after the event at any of NCCU’s offices – on Arrowhead Road in Duluth, on Grand Avenue in Spirit Valley and inVirginia – Mountain Iron.

Hillsider receives the Drum Major for Peace Award

The Drum Major for Peace Award was presented to "The Hillsider" on January 18th, 2010 during the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Rally at the DECC auditorium. The Award is for says, (...for Dedicated Contributions to the Duluth, Minnesota Community in the area of Peace & Justice.)

Scott Bol presented the award on the behalf of the Duluth Branch of the NAACP and the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Committee.

The Martin Luther King Celebration Committee seeks to recognize citizens and/or an organization of our 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….The Justice for Peace Award was established by the late Reverend Arthur Foy of the St. Mark AME church and is presented each year at one of the annual MLK Celebrations.

Renter’s Summit to be Held

CHUM will be hosting a Renter’s Summit on Thursday, January 14, 2010 at Harrison Community Center ( 3002 West 3^rd Street ) beginning at 5:30 PM. Speaker Michael Dahl of the Minnesota Tenants Alliance will lead a conversation regarding the Minnesota Tenants Bill of Rights.

The Renter’s Summit will be a gathering of the current Renters Associations from Lincoln Park and the Central/East Hillside. Tenants from all neighborhoods engaged in the At Home in Duluth Collaborative are invited and encourage to attend. We are looking for a good turn out of tenants from Morgan Park and West Duluth . Discussions will also be centering on tenant organizing in Duluth .

Dinner and childcare provided as well as transportation from the Hillside . Please contact Allen Richardson at 740-2497 for further information.

For more information on the Tenets Bill of Rights follow this link; http://homelinemn.wordpress.com/act-now/tenants-bill-of-rights/

CHUM is people of faith working together to provide basic necessities,

foster stable lives and organize for a just and compassionate community.

Dan Hartman to host recurring “Coffee with a Councilor”

Councilor to host recurring “Coffee with a Councilor”

Dan Hartman, Duluth City Councilor At Large, is announcing an engaging new way to hear the concerns of Duluth citizens, called “Coffee with a Councilor”. “Coffee with a Councilor ” will occur routinely at a place and time that citizens of Duluth can come and express their concerns to a city councilor.

In a time when email and telephone can both be impersonal and in concise, this forum will provide an opportunity for anyone to come and talk with a City Councilor. At many of these meetings there will be several different councilors to talk with.

Next Friday – Uncle Louis Cafe on Friday January 15th at 8am

More dates to be announced.

WLSSD to Host Collection Event for Unwanted Medication

The Western Lake Superior Sanitary District (WLSSD) will host a free collection event for unwanted or expired medications at its regional Household Hazardous Waste Facility on Friday, January 15^th from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. “Medicine Cabinet Clean-Out Day” is a one-day event offering residents free, safe disposal of unwanted medications. Due to US drug laws, medications can only be accepted at these specially-staffed events.

“Judging from the large response to our last collection event held in November, there are still many old, expired or unwanted medications in homes throughout the area,” said Gina Temple-Rhodes, WLSSD Environmental Program Coordinator. “Some of the medication we collected dated back to 1956! To avoid the risk of accidental poisonings or potential abuse of these drugs, unneeded medication should not be stored. It’s a good idea to dispose of old, unwanted medication promptly. Since medication should not be flushed down the drain, this event is a great opportunity to clean out your medicine cabinet. Mercury thermometers will also be accepted for recycling.”

SMDC and the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department will partner with WLSSD to present this medication disposal opportunity, providing necessary pharmacist and law enforcement support.

When medications are flushed down the drain, they travel to wastewater treatment plants. Many cannot be removed before the water is discharged into waterways. Pharmaceutical substances and hormones may adversely affect fish and other aquatic life.

“While research into new ways to remove substances from water is ongoing, it’s better to prevent pollution rather than trying to clean it up after it occurs,” said Marianne Bohren, WLSSD’s Executive Director. “Properly disposing of medication is a good first step toward protecting our local waters.”

Residents may bring their own or a family member’s unwanted or expired medication to the event for disposal. Drop-off is free and confidential. Residents will use the drive-through area at the Household Hazardous Waste facility during this special event. The facility is located at 2626 Courtland Street in Duluth.

Temple-Rhodes recommends that residents attending the event:

• Bring prescription or over-the-counter medication in its original container with all information about the medication visible to assist with sorting. Names and addresses may be covered or scratched out.
• Keep medications out of reach of children while waiting for and transporting material to the event.
• Keep needles or other medical sharps separate and packaged in rigid containers such as laundry detergent or soda bottles for safe disposal.

WLSSD can only accept medication during special events due to U.S. drug laws. Pharmacists and law enforcement officers participate in the special event to ensure safe and proper sorting and disposal of all medications. Residents who are unable to attend a disposal event may dispose of unwanted medications in the garbage after properly destroying the medication per Minnesota Pollution Control Agency recommendations. These recommendations can be found at http://www.pca.state.mn.us/oea/hhw/pharmaceuticals.cfm

More information is available on WLSSD’s website at www.wlssd.com/pollution_pharmaceutical.php

Western Lake Superior Sanitary District provides award-winning wastewater and solid waste services to residents, businesses and industries within its 530 square mile legislative boundaries in Southern St. Louis and northern Carlton counties, and is a nationally recognized leader in pollution prevention.

Minnesota Power New Generation Scholarship Deadline Fast Approaching

College students still have time to apply for Minnesota Power’s New Generation Scholarship. The scholarship, which is administered by the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation on behalf of Minnesota Power, assists students who will benefit the work force and economic vitality of northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin . The deadline to apply for this scholarship is February 1 and scholarships range from $1,000 to $2,500.

“Minnesota Power is committed to investing in tomorrow’s workforce, today, so this region can remain competitive in this global economy,” says Minnesota Power Foundation Director, Peggy Hanson.

Students must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher to be eligible. They must also attend an eligible school full time and be studying in one of several specific majors at a designated college or university. Students must also be entering their junior or senior year in a Bachelor’s Degree program or their final year in an Associate’s Degree program. For a list of qualifying majors and schools, along with additional details and the application, visit the scholarship portion of the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation website: www.dsacommunityfoundation.com. Or, visit the Minnesota Power website: www.mnpower.com/scholarship. Scholarship applications must be received no later than midnight, February 1, 2010.

The Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation encourages private giving for the public good. The Community Foundation is a permanent community endowment, built by gifts from hundreds of individuals and organizations. Guided by a 12-member Board of volunteer civic leaders, the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation makes grants to nonprofit organizations and to individuals for scholarships and provides leadership on important community initiatives in northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin . Since its inception in 1983, they have distributed $33 million and currently hold over 280 different funds, each with its own charitable purpose. Learn more at www.dsacommunityfoundation.com.

Regional affiliates of the Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation include the Two Harbors Area Fund (created in 1998), the Apostle Islands Area Community Fund (created in 2000), the Cook County Community Fund (created in 2003), the Hermantown Community Fund (created in 2005), and the Eveleth Area Community Foundation (created in 2008).