Locally Grown Northfield

On Watermelons and Widgets, by Tom Swift
The free market does many things well, but we know it does not do everything. Even market fundamentalists concede that the public must build roads, put out fires, police streets, and provide national defense. Most people, at least those to the left of the Tea Party edge of political spectrum, accept that the government must also be involved in education, dis […]
Vintage Band Festival Contra Dance, by Dan Bergeson
Okay, so most of the news about the Vintage Band Festival so far has been about the bands. But there’s a number of other events during the weekend. Like the VBF Contra Dance, for instance. The Vintage Band Festival Contra Dance will feature music by The Dodworth Saxhorn Band of Ann Arbor, Michigan and will be led by dance instructor/caller Robin Nelson. Danc […]
The Animal-Cruelty Syndrome, by Tom Swift
Even before I read the first word of this article I had a visceral reaction to it. The accompanying photographs — my eyes tend to skip over photographs in magazines — affected me in a manner that is difficult to articulate. I knew, immediately I knew, I was not going to like what I was about to read. In fact, for that reason I put the piece aside. Not now, I […]
Puppies! Puppies! Puppies! by Kathy Jasnoch
June may be Adopt A Cat month here at Prairie’s Edge Humane Society and we have lots of wonderful cats, but we also have PUPPIES! We have a male Newfoundland mix named Chong who is 6 months old, he was a stray so we don’t know a lot about him. He loves to play! We also have three Australian Cattle Dog mixes who are two months old. Marcia, Bobby and Cindy w […]
Relay for Life of Rice County, August 6th, Rice County Fairgrounds. By Sandy Vesledahl
The American Cancer Society Relay for Life is a life-changing event that gives everyone in communities across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. At Relay for Life, teams of people camp out at local parks or fairgrounds and take turns walking or running aro […]
Critter Cam live from Prairie’s Edge Humane Society, by Sandy Vesledahl
Now Showing! Live Kittens playing! You can now watch our adoptable animals at Prairie’s Edge Humane Society (PEHS) live 24/7 on the new Critter Cam installed in conjunction with KYMN Radio. Thanks to the fine folks at KYMN radio we now have a live feed of our adoptable animals showing on our website and KYMN’s website, Tim and Jeff are AWESOME! Currently the […]
Save the Northfield Depot: fundraising help needed. By Lynn Vincent
A BIG Thanks to all of you who came to last Monday’s Volunteer Organization Meeting, and to those who contacted us saying you wanted to help but could not make the meeting. We have pretty full support for Communications and Design and Build sub-committees, and we got a web graphic designer to help with the site. Alice Thomas is facilitating the Communicatio […]
Photo albums: 2010 Prairie’s Edge Humane Society Walk for the Animals, by Bridgette Hallcock Photography
Thank you to all of those who came to Alexander Park on a beautiful Saturday morning in May to help support Prairie’s Edge Humane Society! I have placed all of the fun photographs on my Bridgette Hallcock Photography Facebook page so that everyone can see how much fun we had! See the two 2010 Walk for the Animals albums here and here. If you would like a pr […]
Five beautiful women in need of homes. By Sandy Vesledahl
Prairie’s Edge Humane Society has five very special house cats available for adoption. Ester, Ashley, Angel, Mystic and Trigger are five beautiful house cats that need a home. They are indoor-only adult cats, all spayed, current on vaccinations, and all front declawed. These five cats all qualify for our “Fat Cat” Special. (They are not all fat by the way!) […]
Vintage Band Festival returns Aug. 5-8, by Dan Bergeson
If you were around in 2006, you may remember the Vintage Band Music Festival in early August of that year. There were brass bands and folks in period dress on every street corner and in every bar, restaurant, and church in Northfield. It went on for four days (it was also very HOT!). Well, we’re doing it again. August 5-8 in Northfield and surrounding commun […]

Photo album: Books and Stars finale on Bridge Square

By Griff Wigley, on July 29, 2010, 6:21 am

Last night’s Books and Stars on Bridge Square was the finale for the summer. See Northfield librarian Kathy Ness’ blog post on Northfield.org for details. And see the her Kid’s Happening blog for all the latest kid-related activity at the library.

See my album of 16 photos, the large slideshow, or this small slideshow:

Vintage Band Festival sets up its HQ downtown

By Griff Wigley, on July 28, 2010, 11:31 pm

Having placed an ad in the July 12 & 19 issue of The New Yorker, Paul Nimisto’s life is about to go from hectic to ape shit.

The Vintage Band Festival (VBF) starts next week: "Over 100 concerts by 25 historical American and international bands in 4 days."

Vintage Band Festival headquarters: the now-vacant Community Resource Bank building downtown at 4th and Division, right on Bridge Square.

Follow VBF on Twitter and VBF on Facebook.

Kitty Mania at the Prairie's Edge Humane Society

By Sandy Vesledahl, on July 28, 2010, 10:51 pm

Let’s talk about cats, cats and more cats! Why?? Because Prairie’s Edge Humane Society is full of cats and we have many more arriving daily. As of today, there are 44 cats on the adoption floor with more awaiting their surgeries so they are ready for adoption. There are cats in every corner of the shelter who need homes! We are in desperate need of homes for these cats. We cannot emphasize this enough. So we are having a cat sale and we are calling it Kitty Mania !

Kitty Mania is this weekend, beginning Thursday, July 29th and running thru Saturday, July 31st, during regular business hours, all cats and kittens at Prairie’s Edge Humane Society (PEHS) will be available for adoption at greatly reduced Kitty Mania prices! These are all great cats, spayed or neutered, current on vaccinations, dewormed and healthy. They all come with our usual adoption perks; a 4 pound bag of Science Diet food, an offer of one month of free ShelterCare pet insurance, a free year’s membership to PEHS, and a free wellness exam at participating veterinary clinics. (Cannon Valley Veterinary Clinic is a participating clinic).

Kittens below the age of 4 months will be available for adoption this weekend at the great price of two for $200. Normal adoption fee is $145 each. You must take two in order to get the lower price. This is a savings of $90! Kitty Mania!

Cats over the age of 4 months are all reduced to the low price of $50 each. Normal adoption price ranges from $65 to $125. Kitty Mania!

If you have been thinking about adding a fabulous feline to your household, now is the time to do it! Don’t wait any longer! You will never find a better price on a better cat. Don’t miss Kitty Mania!

Sand needed in brick paver crosswalks downtown: how to tell the city about it?

By Griff Wigley, on July 27, 2010, 2:21 pm

Looks like some of the brick paver crosswalks downtown are need of sand fill after recent heavy rains. Lots of gaps in lots of pavers. And some pavers are cracking.

I’d report this via the City of Northfield’s Tell the City About page but I used it over a month ago to report graffiti and never heard back. A good idea and implementation back in 2005 but now way outdated.

I wonder if they’ve heard about SeeClickFix? The difference? Transparency and accountability… plus photos via mobile phones. Cheap to implement!

NHS recommends trees be removed in front of Scriver Building; Council agrees

By Griff Wigley, on July 26, 2010, 3:03 pm

The Northfield Historical Society is recommending that the two ash trees (see photo above with red arrows) in front of the Scriver Building (its headquarters and museum) be removed.

The issue was on the agenda at last week’s Council meeting. See p. 42-52 of the July 20 packet (PDF). From the packet:

NHS is initiating a project to increase the accessibility of the Scriver Building by installing an elevator in the alley behind the stair tower that opens onto Bridge Square. The elevator will provide ADA access to all three levels of the building. Currently the accessible entrance to the building is off of Division Street. However, this enters into the Museum proper and does not allow access to other floors of the building.

To make the elevator ADA accessible they are proposing to use half of the sidewalk in front of the building to construct a ramp to allow access to the elevator from the stair well. Other options were explored but were not feasible due to physical constraints of the building. Drawings showing the proposal are attached. Currently the sidewalk in this location is about 12 feet wide. The proposed improvements would use 5-6 feet of this width leaving 6-7 feet for the pedestrian access route if additional width for pedestrians is not provided.

Here are six more photos of the area in front of the Scriver Building.

I’m trying to understand the rationale for the removal of the trees since ADA standards would still be met after the ramp was built.

Update July 29 7:05 am: photo of the access at the Holland Block at 5th and Division:

After a presentation at the Council meeting by NHS Executive Director Hayes Scriven and SMSQ architect Steve Wilmot, much of the Council discussion was about the removal of the trees. It ultimately voted 6-1 (Pokorney opposed) to approve the resolution to begin negotiations for the right-of-way (ROW). Here’s the video of the discussion:

Continue reading NHS recommends trees be removed in front of Scriver Building; Council agrees

Northfield in Bloom: not just flowers anymore

By Griff Wigley, on July 26, 2010, 8:24 am

There are some new trees in Riverside Park near the pergola, courtesy of Northfield in Bloom, which I think is a subsidiary of the Northfield Garden . . . → Read More: Northfield in Bloom: not just flowers anymore

Friday night’s thunderstorm did some damage

By Griff Wigley, on July 25, 2010, 10:34 am

Friday night’s thunderstorm (actually Sat. morning around 1 am) did some damage on the north side of Northfield.

At least four of the historic-type street lights on the east side of Hwy 3 near The Crossing blew down. And many trees near St. Olaf took a beating, including these on Highland Ave., one of which landed on a parked car according to this comment from Josh Dale who lives nearby:

I live on the north-east corner of St. Olaf property, off Highland Ave. The power went out shortly after 1am. No power=no warnings, other than a lightning . . . → Read More: Friday night’s thunderstorm did some damage

Cycle America’s cross-country tour: a day of rest in Northfield

By Griff Wigley, on July 25, 2010, 10:10 am

Cycle America’s coat-to-coast bicycle tour came to Northfield (from Hutchinson, the last leg of the Mighty Rivers segment) last night and many of the participants were spending money in the coffeeshops of downtown Northfield this morning, including the Goodbye Blue Monday.

Today is a day of rest so they’ll be camped one more night in town, most of them at the Northfield High School. Tomorrow, the tour’s Heartland Patchwork segment takes them east to Cannon Falls on Hwy 19 where they’ll take the Cannon Valley Trail to Red Wing and then on to Pepin, WI.

Former . . . → Read More: Cycle America’s cross-country tour: a day of rest in Northfield

Glen and Cindy Grisim, still doing that sweet corn thing

By Griff Wigley, on July 25, 2010, 8:37 am

After buying corn from the Grisim’s Sweet Corn stand for years, I finally lucked out yesterday afternoon: Glen and Cindy Grism were there for a photo op. “Spread the word, we’re open,” said Cindy. . . . → Read More: Glen and Cindy Grisim, still doing that sweet corn thing

City Administrator’s weekly Friday Memo of July 23

By Tracy Davis, on July 24, 2010, 3:33 pm

The “Friday Memo,” written by Northfield City Administrator Joel Walinski, department heads, and other City staff, summarizes the staff activities for the week. The Friday memos are published and archived in PDF form at the bottom of the City Administrator’s web page.

The Friday Memo information from the Library, Streets & Parks, and Recreation departments would be of interest to most citizens. This week’s memo (PDF) also includes

draft agenda items for August City Council sessions first notice of Public Forum on Budget – August 23, 2010 (check it out!) details on annual water testing

There is a . . . → Read More: City Administrator’s weekly Friday Memo of July 23

Photos and video of a music night in Northfield: The Big Strong Men; Area 51; Fort Wilson Riot

By Griff Wigley, on July 24, 2010, 1:46 pm

As Robbie and I got out of our car in downtown’s west side parking lot last night, we heard music coming from both the Cow’s outdoor stage and the back deck of The Key. Northfielders who ventured downtown, it turns out, got a real treat from the bands at both outdoor venues—with warm temps, spectacular skies, and later on, a full moon.

See my album of 18 photos, the large slideshow, or this small slideshow (videos below):

Below: a two-minute video clip of The Big Strong Men (Facebook page). The band wowed the audience (wide age range) . . . → Read More: Photos and video of a music night in Northfield: The Big Strong Men; Area 51; Fort Wilson Riot

What’s a college degree worth in the Great Recession?

By Griff Wigley, on July 23, 2010, 7:12 am

Bloomberg Businessweek ran a special report a month ago titled What’s Your College Degree Worth? Less than you think. Exclusive new research suggests most students would be better off never setting foot in a classroom. (See info on Carleton’s #1 ranking (St. Olaf runner-up) in MN: What’s Your College Degree Worth?)

Over the course of a working life, college graduates earn more than high school graduates. Over the past decade, research estimates have pegged that figure at $900,00, $1.2 million, and $1.6 million.

But new research suggests that the monetary value of a college degree may be . . . → Read More: What’s a college degree worth in the Great Recession?

Carlson SEEDS interns Chelsea and Natasha: planting, growing, selling, blogging

By Griff Wigley, on July 22, 2010, 9:55 am

It’s not often that someone beats me to a blog post after a community event. But it happened this week.

At last Saturday’s Riverwalk Market Fair, I took the photo on the left of Carlson SEEDS interns Chelsea Wagner and Natasha Hegmann (housemate Julia in the center) selling their wares, including the fantastic basil (center) that Robbie purchased from them. What’s SEEDS about? The St. Olaf Center for Experiential Learning has a page on it:

The Carlson SEEDS (Social Entrepreneurship, Environmental Design, & Stewardship) internship program, founded by Greg and Nancy Carlson ’82, is designed to engage . . . → Read More: Carlson SEEDS interns Chelsea and Natasha: planting, growing, selling, blogging

Crazy! Team Coldwell Banker South Metro hugs for the food shelf

By Griff Wigley, on July 22, 2010, 8:40 am

A team of realtors from Coldwell Banker South Metro has set up a hugging tent on Division St. to raise money for the Food Shelf at the Community Action Center during today’s Craze Daze. For every passerby who gets (in my case, “reluctantly consents to”) a hug from a team member, they put one of their own dollars (raised from staff contributions this week) into the food shelf fundraising jar. Of course, you can put your dollars in the jar, too.

When I stopped by at 8:15, Jim Blaha, Executive Director of the Northfield Community . . . → Read More: Crazy! Team Coldwell Banker South Metro hugs for the food shelf

Should Crazy Daze be two days?

By Griff Wigley, on July 22, 2010, 7:27 am

The scene on Division St at 6:30 this morning was rather bleak. The radar doesn’t offer much encouragement, nor does Paul Douglas’ forecast.

Should the Northfield Area Chamber of Commerce’s Crazy Daze (PDF of today’s schedule of events) be two-days long in case of inclement weather, like the 2010 Taste of . . . → Read More: Should Crazy Daze be two days?

Using blogs and Twitter to leverage your influence as a Northfield community leader

By Griff Wigley, on July 21, 2010, 2:13 pm

Way back in 2004-05 when I was still at NCO/Northfield.org, we encouraged local civic leaders (including members of the city council, school board and county board) to start blogging. I taught a civic leader blogging class and even coached some local ministers. It was all part of the civic blogosphere project with an emphasis on including leaders.

So as A) we head into the 2010 election season; and B) begin looking for a new Northfield City Administrator, I thought it might be helpful to point out some very important reasons on WHY someone in a leadership . . . → Read More: Using blogs and Twitter to leverage your influence as a Northfield community leader

Hwy 19 between Northfield and I-35 closed starting today, July 21

By Griff Wigley, on July 21, 2010, 12:01 am

The “road closed” signs went up on Hwy 19 last night though the barricades were still off to the side.

The truck drivers from Missy’s Trucking in Rochester were all holed up at Americas Best Value Inn & Suites (former Super on So. Hwy 3.

I’m guessing that by 7 am or 8 am, the detour will be in effect.

July 13 Nfld News: Hwy. 19 closings will compound traffic woes

That means motorists heading from Northfield to I-35 will be forced to detour from the detour. Rice County Engineer Dennis Luebbe says that will push traffic . . . → Read More: Hwy 19 between Northfield and I-35 closed starting today, July 21

Podcast: Triumvirate minus 1 on goose poop, the elections, and a departure opportunity

By Griff Wigley, on July 20, 2010, 10:14 pm

It was just me and Ross this week, talking about all-things Northfield including goose poop, the upcoming council and school board elections (separate issues), and the opportunities afforded by the departure of Northfield City Administrator Joel Walinski.

It’s clear from listening to the show, however, that we need Tracy.

She’s–not–just a pretty face She’s–got–everything it takes She’s–mother–of the human race She’s–not–just a pretty face

Click play to listen. 30 minutes.

You can also download the MP3 or subscribe to the podcast feed, or subscribe directly with iTunes. Our radio show/podcast, Locally Grown, usually airs Mondays at . . . → Read More: Podcast: Triumvirate minus 1 on goose poop, the elections, and a departure opportunity

LoGroNo site cleanup

By Griff Wigley, on July 20, 2010, 5:51 am

Our blog has been slowing down lately under the weight of a lot of plugins, widgets, add-ons, and various other digital gizmos.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be going through the site cleaning house, flipping features on and off, testing new ones, and in general, making a mess of things. We’ll still be blogging daily but probably at a slower pace. We’ll keep you updated with comments to this post and may need your help occasionally to give us feedback.

Photo album: Riverwalk Market Fair

By Griff Wigley, on July 19, 2010, 8:35 am

Saturday morning’s Riverwalk Market Fair—was picture-perfect: blue skies, puffy white clouds, lots of people having fun and reportedly spending money.

See my album of 56 photos, the large slideshow, or this small slideshow:

Anonymous comments on the Northfield News website (312)
- William Siemers: Barb; I think I “get it”: A critical response to a person’s opinion should not refer to that person. It is best that we respond as if the person’s opinion we wish to criticize simply originated in...
- Michelle Hawkins: Wow, Kiffi, If you’re right it brings up all kinds of issues, legal, ethical, and moral. That’s a tough piece of meat to chew on! You’re correct in treading very carefully and caution is understandable,as...
- kiffi summa: Back in comment # 149, I said “more on “fandb” and duplicity, later… I’m finally getting back to it, after wondering how to say it; I guess I’ll just have to come right out with it: Back on...
Sand needed in brick paver crosswalks downtown: how to tell the city about it? (9)
- Phil Poyner: I see a downside to what you’re saying. Theoretically it may make sense to have a single problem submitted just once. But my experience has been that until a group of people submit the same problem, the problem can be...
- Griff Wigley: Phil/Kiffi, the reason that SeeClickFix works is because the information is public. Everyone gets to see what’s submitted. Why have 10 people make phone calls to report the same thing? Then everyone gets to see how and...
- mike paulsen: The city invites us to contact them via email and web forms. It is much more efficient than telephone, and should be the preferred method of contact. I sure hope that communications sent via email and the web form aren’t...
What’s a college degree worth in the Great Recession? (20)
- Griff Wigley: Athena, that is one hilarious cartoon. But you’re not over-educated tho it’s pretty fucking understandable (gee, where have I seen that phrase?) that you think that right now. Your way of approaching getting a job...
- Griff Wigley: David, it’s on Entenza’s website: He would also require every Minnesota student to apply to at least one accredited postsecondary institution in order to get their high school diploma. The idea is to make...
- David Ludescher: Curt: I have to question the accuracy of the reporting. That idea is just too dumb to be true.
LoGroNo site cleanup (53)
- Griff Wigley: Would there be a combination of colors that might make the site more agreeable to the eyes? Lots of gray and blue now. Tracy, want to take a whack at it?
- Griff Wigley: Not sure, Kiffi. It might have just been a slow connection on your end.
- kiffi summa: OOPS ! it just came back, but hadn’t ben there all morning. Whassup ?
Cycle America’s cross-country tour: a day of rest in Northfield (2)
- Griff Wigley: Hey Don, great to hear from you… and that you’re still doing the outdoor thing. I’d never heard of water cycling.
- Don Haugo: Cycle America was started in 1988. In 1997 Greg Walsh took it over and has been running it since. I live in Bloomington, Minnesota and am about to start marketing a couple of new outdoor adventure events for next year, the...
Let’s use a Border Collie to solve the geese problem now (24)
- Phil Poyner: Excerpt from “Development of a Bird Aircraft Strike Hazard Program at Langley AFB, Virginia.” Canada geese- In June 1999, more than 225 resident Canada geese were molting at Eaglewood golf course adjacent to the...
- Griff Wigley: Librarian Kathy Ness noted in her blog post on Northfield.org that the original location for tonight’s Books and Stars finale "was Ames Park- we moved across the river to a "goose free" Bridge Square."...
- Griff Wigley: David, the vegetation can work in some cases but in this case, it isn’t. But it makes no sense to me that we should quit using 3 parks (Ames, Riverside, Babcock) plus the trails and bridge for which we just spent a half...
Friday night’s thunderstorm did some damage (9)
- Griff Wigley: Nfld News: Corrosion may be behind light pole collapses
- Griff Wigley: Josh, use our Contact form. It has a file upload feature: http://locallygrownnorthfield. org/contact/
- Josh Dale: my sister took a couple pictures I believe DURING the storm of the tree fall on Highland ave…How do I get them to you?
Aug. 10 Northfield City Council primary election: what do we know about the candidates? (20)
- Griff Wigley: Nfld News: Engler: Now a time for caution Video: Steve Engler: at large council candidate
- Griff Wigley: Rob, there’s a space in the URL of the link to Rhonda’s blog, so the link doesn’t work.
- Tracy Davis: Thanks, Rob!
Using blogs and Twitter to leverage your influence as a Northfield community leader (8)
- David Ludescher: Tracy: Look at the city processes. There is a small percentage of Northfield clamoring for more and more electronic information. Time spent catering to folks like us is less time for the rest of Northfield.
- Tracy Davis: David, I think your observation is flawed. Electronic communication has been one of the great democratizing forces worldwide over the past decade. The idea of technology “haves” and “have-nots” has been...
- David Ludescher: Tracy: Another observation is that electronic communication has created social class structures that are unhealthy for democracy and its representatives, especially in a small community like Northfield. Not only do we now...
Pedestrian signals with countdowns now up (30)
- Sean Hayford O'Leary: That’s a shame, Erica. But since we now know that a (brief) crossing period can be accommodated without interrupting traffic at that particular intersection (which has the shortest crossing distance and relatively...
- Erica Zweifel: It appears that the automatic crossing was temporary, this Saturday I had to push the button to get the pedestrian signal at 5th Street.
- Griff Wigley: Sean, I’ll try to capture the audio at a low traffic time so everyone can hear the loud beep-beep and the quiet messages. And I’ll check the 5th St. intersection but all the improvements there look to be the same as...
NHS recommends trees be removed in front of Scriver Building; Council agrees (2)
- Steve Wilmot: Perhaps a distraction, but here is a Startribune story about tree loss in Plymouth from today’s edition: http://www.startribune.com/loc al/west/99285424.html?elr=KArk sUUUycaEacyU
- Steve Wilmot: Griff, The ADA accessibility issue is twofold here, one is to access the building and the new elevator inside. The other is for free passage on the sidewalk for those continuing down to the Post Office or the river. The similar...
Storm sirens: deployed too quickly? (110)
- Griff Wigley: MPR’s Question of the day: Do you depend on sirens to alert you to severe weather?
- Griff Wigley: Jane/Josh, thanks for the reports. I’ve blogged your comments with some photos at: http://locallygrownnorthfield. org/post/18720/
- Josh Dale: I live on the north-east corner of St. Olaf property, off Highland Ave. The power went out shortly after 1am. No power=no warnings, other than a lightning strike, blown transformers or downed power lines…it was a good...
Crazy! Team Coldwell Banker South Metro hugs for the food shelf (2)
- Griff Wigley: You’re welcome, Jeanette. The slimy handshake was memorable!
- Jeanette Nelson: Hi Griff, Thanks so much for receiving so graciously, however reluctantly, a hug from a fellow Norwegian! Oh, and also for the wet slimy handshake.
Where’s the public process on City’s budget cuts? (75)
- Tracy Davis: You can view this part of Tuesday’s meeting here. It’s evident from the discussion that it was not Councillor Pownell’s intent to do things surreptitiously or behind the backs of the other councillors; it was...
- Griff Wigley: "A lack of transparency continues to plague the Northfield City Council" says Nfld News Jaci Smith in a tweet about Suzi Rook’s column re: the layoff of Marj Evans-de-Carpio : On Tuesday, City Councilor Rhonda...
Let’s Wiki a City Budget (42)
- kiffi summa: If you look at the disbursements in the Council packets, you will see the janitorial work IS being contracted out; here’s some numbers from the July 6 disbursement list: 6/11/10 May City Hall Cleaning – 1282.50...
- Tracy Davis: From the Wall Street Journal, 7/19: Cities Rent Police, Janitors to Save Cash
- Ross Currier: Hey Tracy - Thanks for offering your priorities. I really appreciate it. Although I may not necessarily agree with your every priority, I greatly admire the philosophical base which gives a solid structure to your...
Should Crazy Daze be two days? (3)
- Kathie Galotti: What Rob said–about Crazy Days. I kinda like the new layout of LoGroNo, though, myself.
- Rob Hardy: No. I LOVE downtown Northfield, but I prefer its charming everyday self, not the hyped-up crazy version. I grinchily observed Crazy Daze this year by riding my bike out to Target. Also: while I’m being a Grinch, I hate the...
- Bright Spencer: You mean have Crazy,Crazy Daze? Always have a plan B and maybe even C. C?
Podcast: Jane McWilliams on the proposed police and fire facilities (11)
- kiffi summa: Jane: you are correct about the randomness of the discussion that followed… in some ways that is understandable as someone (MNDOT) had just thrown a big wrench into the works of the Council’s fast moving train. I...
- Jane McWilliams: I was pleased to read that the council has decided against a November referendum, but I was dismayed at the randomness of the discussion which followed. It would serve them well to put the whole project on ice for a few...
- David Ludescher: Ray, It might happen now with a number of new Council members and a new City Administrator, especially if this Division Street site is a real, and not a fanciful, option. It sounds as if the City Council still doesn’t...
Relay for Life of Rice County, August 6th, Rice County Fairgrounds. By Sandy Vesledahl (3)
- Sandy Vesledahl: We will be selling luminaria’s on Bridge Square during Crazy Daze for Relay for Life of Rice County. If you would like to purchase one to be lit at this year’s event to honor a loved one who has been affected by...
Budget cuts: an opportunity for local government to deliver services WITH citizens. Social media can help. (40)
- kiffi summa: Forgot to mention that I believe this agenda item was titled specifically to avoid controversy. It is true that the position also entailed the Welcome Center duties , that may have been the majority of the job’s hours, but...
- kiffi summa: Was doing the Observing for the LWV… so yeah… Council voted 4-3 to table ’til the Aug 3 meeting. C. Pownell had asked C. Zweifel to table the issue (Zweifel had asked for the reconsideration) because C. Pownell...
- Tracy Davis: Funny, Griff, I posted this link on the wiki thread before I saw you put it here!
Fourth Street reconstruction Phase 1B way behind schedule; NDDC’s unskilled workforce to blame? (18)
- Griff Wigley: 4th St. between Division and Washington was paved and striped yesterday.
40 days and counting: a floating yellow barrier in the Cannon River with nothing to do (4)
- Griff Wigley: Thanks, Bart. FYI, 4th St. between Division and Washington was paved and striped yesterday.
- Bart de Malignon: On June 25, Joel Walinski responded to my query about the yellow “boom” (which is probably not effective any longer as it’s been dislodged by a large, floating tree branch and moved downstream). Joel...
Hwy 19 between Northfield and I-35 closed starting today, July 21 (1)
- Griff Wigley: The detour barricades at Old Dutch Road were being put up at 6 am.
Running without running shoes (41)
- Griff Wigley: NPR yesterday: For Humans, Slow And Steady Running Won The Race Be sure to watch the video: Running With And Without Shoes
On Watermelons and Widgets, by Tom Swift (6)
- David Henson: Tom, food prices have fallen for years and years (decades and decades) in the USA (free market). And the government in every country mentioned for riots has grown so your cause and effect seems either driven by an emotional...
- Griff Wigley: I forgot to tell Tom to link to his Writer’s Notebook blog: http://tom-swift.com/weblog/ I’ve added it to the bottom of his blog post above.
- Griff Wigley: Kaufman has a blog and he’s got the pdf of his Food Bubble article on it. His blog has links to other media that have covered the article.
Google to help get The Monkey off my back (9)
- Tom Swift: Here’s one response to those numbers, Griff: “If we use the ratio from the last quarter, it implies Amazon has sold around 22 million Kindle books so far this year. That’s just the equivalent of 6 percent of the...
- Griff Wigley: NY Times: E-Books Top Hardcovers at Amazon Amazon.com, one of the nation’s largest booksellers, announced Monday that for the last three months, sales of books for its e-reader, the Kindle, outnumbered sales of hardcover...
- Bright Spencer: Rob, I read about half and skimmed thru the other, I have never liked to read through the excess of words that are often set before us because people are getting paid by each word they write. I will give myself a chance to...
Community event in-kind grant program: What needs fixing? How to control costs? (14)
- Tracy Davis: I met with Rhonda Pownell yesterday on another issue and asked her about this. From her comments I wondered again whether the Council was given adequate and thorough enough information upon which to base their decision....
Photo album: thunderheads south of Northfield (2)
- Griff Wigley: Penny Hillemann has some thunderhead photos on her blog at: http://penelopedia.blogspot.co m/2010/07/southern-cloudmass.h tml
Photo album: downtown 4th of July fireworks by Mark Heiman (3)
- Jessica Paxton: Wow. These are stunning. Too bad the City didn’t consider looking in its own back yard and hire someone like Mark to produce its promotional video….
- Bright Spencer: it sure is a nice bunch of photos, plus a lovely day and event.
Northfield City Administrator Joel Walinski resigns; accepts position in Leavenworth, Washington (11)
- Griff Wigley: Suzy Rook’s column is titled Another Farewell: http://northfieldnews.com/news .php?viewStory=53575
- kiffi summa: On the NFNews website, 8:15 Saturday night, so not in the print version of the paper, Suzy Rook writes in her column, “Writer’s Block”, a provocative article about Joel Walinski’s departure. The first sentence is: “What, if...
Northfield School Board election: Which seats are up? Who’s filing? Anyone? Anyone? (4)
- Griff Wigley: Rob, have you heard if any of the incumbents intend to file?
- Griff Wigley: I found your comment in the spam bucket, Rob. Not sure why it ended up there, tho. The link looked fine to me.
- Rob Hardy: According to Jan MItchell’s LWV notes from the June 14, 2010 school board meeting, the terms of Kari Nelson, Noel Stratmoen, Mike Berthelsen and Julie Pritchard expire at the end of the year. Because Pritchard was appointed...
One antidote to the disengagement, disinterest and disruption of schooling: working with your hands (8)
- Curt Benson: Griff, author Mathew Crawford will be on MPR 91.1 this am. http://minnesota.publicradio.o rg/display/web/2010/07/19/midm orning2/
Photo album: Riverside Trail dedication (25)
- David Ludescher: Paul: I suggested to the Streetscape Committee that it develop a quantifiable methodology or a rubric to determine value. In the simplest terms, I suggested a three part test. First, compared to non-Streetscape government...
- Paul Zorn: David, You said above (in 6.1): … Then again, common sense requires that the project have value. Agreed. The live question is whether the project offers good value for money. And then: This is a non-essential, pork-barrel...
- David Ludescher: Bill: Think about it this way: If every biker who used that portion of the trail had to pay for using it, do you think the “investment” would ever repay itself? If not, then why should the downtown taxpayers...