Membership Sideblog
- The Marcus Welby of law, by Lance Heisler | Lampe Law Group
July 31, 2010 | 7:45 pmGrowing up in North Dakota during the 50s and 60s, I was privileged to experience something that's all too rare now - the old-fashioned family doctor. "Doc" delivered babies, set broken bones, treated pneumonia, and helped Grandpa with his newfangled hearing aid. Doc knew the community, the families, and the individuals whose basic medical needs he treated from birth through the end of life. Some of you who grew up in that time, and perhaps in smaller communities, may remember a Doc of your own. . . . → Read More: The Marcus Welby of law, by Lance Heisler | Lampe Law Group
- Kitty Mania at the Prairie’s Edge Humane Society, by Sandy Vesledahl
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 . . . → Read More: Kitty Mania at the Prairie’s Edge Humane Society, by Sandy Vesledahl
- On Watermelons and Widgets, by Tom Swift
July 12, 2010 | 11:50 am
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, disaster relief, and health care. That is, certain services must be rendered — necessary services, universal services — whether or not those services are financially profitable. If your house is on fire, you do not have time to . . . → Read More: On Watermelons and Widgets, by Tom Swift
- Vintage Band Festival Contra Dance, by Dan Bergeson
July 12, 2010 | 10:56 am
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. Dancing will begin at 8:30 p.m. with a “Grand March” led by 60 costumed members of the 1st Wisconsin Infantry Brigade, followed by a variety of period dances including polkas, contra dances, schottisches, reels and waltzes. . . . → Read More: Vintage Band Festival Contra Dance, by Dan Bergeson
- The Animal-Cruelty Syndrome, by Tom Swift
June 27, 2010 | 8:00 am
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 thought. Maybe tomorrow, I said to myself. But, then, I couldn’t not read it, either. If you have not done so already, I hope you will read . . . → Read More: The Animal-Cruelty Syndrome, by Tom Swift
- Puppies! Puppies! Puppies! by Kathy Jasnoch
June 27, 2010 | 7:54 am
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 were born at the shelter and spent some time in one of our fabulous foster homes. They are now back at the shelter and ready to find . . . → Read More: Puppies! Puppies! Puppies! by Kathy Jasnoch
- Relay for Life of Rice County, August 6th, Rice County Fairgrounds. By Sandy Vesledahl
June 23, 2010 | 9:35 pm
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 around a track or path. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Because cancer never sleeps, Relays are overnight events. Relay for Life of Rice . . . → Read More: Relay for Life of Rice County, August 6th, Rice County Fairgrounds. By Sandy Vesledahl
- Critter Cam live from Prairie’s Edge Humane Society, by Sandy Vesledahl
June 16, 2010 | 9:04 amNow 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 Critter Cam is featuring kittens available for adoption. Watch them play, sleep, eat, and everything else they do 24 hours a day 7 days a week! It’s better than anything you can see on TV! . . . → Read More: Critter Cam live from Prairie’s Edge Humane Society, by Sandy Vesledahl
- Save the Northfield Depot: fundraising help needed. By Lynn Vincent
June 11, 2010 | 11:34 am
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 Communications group, and Steve Edwins is facilitating the Design and Build group. What we are missing and really need are Fund Raising people. We have two grant writiers, but we need folks who are committed to the . . . → Read More: Save the Northfield Depot: fundraising help needed. By Lynn Vincent
- Photo albums: 2010 Prairie’s Edge Humane Society Walk for the Animals, by Bridgette Hallcock Photography
June 11, 2010 | 8:09 am
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 print, please contact me, as the proceeds will benefit the animals at PEHS.
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Will Northfield hit the broadband stimulus jackpot? No. What’s next?
By Griff Wigley, on April 5, 2009, 6:19 am
 I was in Duluth this weekend for the MN Voices Online Unconference (I blogged it here) and had the opportunity to meet Danna MacKenzie, the Cook County information systems director in Grand Marais. She was featured in a Strib article a couple of weeks ago about MN communities who are “lining up for part of the $7.2 billion in federal recovery money designated for broadband projects.” Northfield is about to follow suit, as at Monday’s Council meeting, Northfield’s IT Director Melissa Reeder will ask the Council to appoint a workgroup to pursue a federal stimulus grant application for a Fiber to the Premise (FTTP) project. (continued)
This follows from the Fiber Feasibility Study (PDF of Powerpoint) presented at the last City Council work session by fiber consultant Doug Dawson from CCG (lower left at PC in photo above).
Resources:
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I was in Duluth this weekend for the MN Voices Online Unconference (I blogged it here) and had the opportunity to meet Danna MacKenzie, the Cook County information systems director in Grand Marais. She was featured in a Strib article a couple of weeks ago about MN communities who are “lining up for part of the $7.2 billion in federal recovery money designated for broadband projects.” Northfield is about to follow suit, as at Monday’s Council meeting, Northfield’s IT Director Melissa Reeder will ask the Council to appoint a workgroup to pursue a federal stimulus grant application for a Fiber to the Premise (FTTP) project. (continued)
but I’d have a hard time during the sabbatical not paying attention to see if that was actually the case. I think the more places in Northfield...
I’ve added links to two PDFs that were included in the Council packet on 3/23.
Well, we’d certainly buy in, if the price was in the $40/mo range, as projected.
I hope you’ll let us know how the meeting goes tomorrow night. Good luck!
Ann
I’ve added 3 more links to the blog post re: North St. Paul’s PolarNet project. Lots of similarities to Northfield, including the same consulting firm, CCG. Citizens defeated a referendum there to fund the project on Feb. 23. The MinnPost story raises lots of questions, including some very bothersome secrecy stuff.
The North St. Paul City Council seems to be blaming the outcome on ‘outsiders’ who helped finance the opposition. Would that be cable company and telco money?
And in their March resolution, North St. Paul City Council puzzles over why when the survey showed overwhelming support for the project last fall, it was then defeated resoundingly.
And in other news today:
World’s Fastest Broadband at $20 Per Home
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/04/03/the-cost-to-offer-the-worlds-fastest-broadband-20-per-home/
Hi Ann. Good to have the Blandin on Broadband blogger chime in here!
I see you blogged about PolarNet the day of the election in Feb:
PolarNet vote on FTTH in North St Paul
http://blandinonbroadband.org/2009/02/24/polarnet-vote-on-ftth-in-north-st-paul/
Do you have any reaction to MinnPost’s Tom Steward’s criticism of the plan
http://www.minnpost.com/community_voices/2009/02/23/6892/polarnet_more_risk_than_reward_and_should_government_even_be_involved
I’ve just tagged all our blog posts that have to do with fiber, going all the way back to podcast #15 in April of 2006.
Most relevant is probably Ross’ post from Aug. 2008, since that has 45+ comments attached to it, including many from last month:
Should Fiber Optic Network be Public Infrastructure?
I’ve fine with discussion continuing there or here.
Please note that Tom Steward is not from MinnPost – that was an opinion piece and he works for an anti-government group. This is not to say his opinions are worthless, but to be aware of his bias.
One may find many or few similarities to North St. Paul – I don’t know what the cable situation is in Northfield – cable offers the fastest speeds aside from fiber and cable companies were the main opponents in North St. Paul.
If people in Northfield want to have the best broadband in Minnesota- they will have to work for it. Incumbents and other anti-government groups will fight hard against anything that the local government is involved in because they don’t want competition. Monticello had to work at it – they overwhelmingly passed a referendum (also used CCG consulting, btw) – but they had a vibrant community group and engaged local government pushing hard for it. Of course, they are now locked in a legal battle because their incumbent realized they could delay the project for years for a few million in legal fees.
Hey Griff -
I ran into EDA President Rick Estenson on the sidewalk late last week. We were both racing for meetings in opposite directions so time was limited.
However, he gave me about a thirty second update from his perspective on Northfield’s efforts in this area, including the opportunities, challenges and issues. We agreed to chat more at a future time. Perhaps you might be interested too.
Personally, I’m looking for an incremental, and achievable, step that we might take to strengthen Northfield’s economic competitiveness within the region.
I’m just back from Duluth – so a little behind. I remember Tom Steward’s editorial and two things came to mind when I re-read it. First, if a city feels their underserved, probably they are. This might happen when the city’s vision doesn’t match the vision of the incumbent. When that happens the city should be able to consider alternatives – or they’re kept hostage.
Second – Steward says the city should focus on “essential services,” implying that broadband isn’t essential. To me, broadband is essential. It’s definitely essential to attract new businesses, to prepare for future healthcare applications and for the schools.
The stimulus funding is a great opportunity to dive into a plan – and with the feasibility study in hand, Northfield is poised to be an attractive candidate for funds.
I’ll work on replies to the latest comments but Melissa Reeder just posted the Fiber report on the City’s IT page.
It’s a mere 123 pages (PDF): CCG’s FTTP (Fiber To The Premise) Feasibility Study report
Christopher, good to have someone from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance’s New Rules project here. (Say hi to David Morris for me. I got to know him back in the mid-90s when I worked at Utne Reader magazine.)
I see your links to:
St. Paul Community Fiber Network
FiberNet Monticello
It’ll be good for us to keep an eye on those.
We have pretty good diversity of slow broadband here in Northfield: Charter Cable, Qwest DSL, St. Olaf Telephone Co (fiber and DSL), two high-speed wi-fi providers. And Jaguar Communications is installing FTTP in rural areas south of Northfield.
And of course, the Colleges have their own Internet II backbone that runs right through the middle of downtown Northfield… but only the public library taps into that.
Ross, I think the incremental has already happened, given the diversity of slow broadband providers that we have already (see above), plus the fact that Craig Dunton at St. Olaf Telephone can deliver decent speeds to businesses (15mpbs up and down) via fiber.
http://www.stolaftelephone.com/rates/
I have Charter’s 20mbps down/5 up service for $60/month.
The ubiquity of free wi-fi, esp. in downtown establishments, is actually pretty amazing.
I think it would help for the Chamber, the NDDC, and the City to promote what we have already.
Ann, any idea whether the possibility of getting stimulus money will encourage North St. Paul to try again on a referendum?
Thanks for the welcome, I’ll tell David.
Regarding North St. Paul, they view FTTH as a lifeline for the future of the community. They are getting feedback from the community regarding how to finance the network.
I would be surprised if they do not go after stimulus money, but I not expect them to stop if they don’t get the stimulus money.
They recognize that they do not show up on the map for the their multi-state incumbent providers (except when they have a referendum) and want to ensure the community has excellent access to the networks of the future.
Whether enough people from North St. Paul agree and are motivated to vote yes on a future network remains to be determined.
It is not so different from communities 110 years ago that had to vote on whether to electrify. The costs are high and the break-even point takes a long time. And you can count on being outspent at least 10-1 by those who say you will fail.
It is not an easy path, but one that few regret – as I learned from speaking to people from Reedsburg, Wisconsin; Burlington, Vermont; even Ashland, OR – where they had several problems and ran up debt but have still greatly increased the number of small independent businesses and forced incumbents to upgrade their plant to provide better services at lower prices.
Ross, former Northfielder Lois Quam is in the news. Can you and Rick convince her to locate her new Norway-related business here, luring her with the promise of fiber to her desk?
Lois Quam leaves Piper Jaffray to start incubator
Griff -
I’ve contacted Rick. I will follow up with Blake, Jody and Kathy at our meeting this afternoon.
Thanks for the tip.
Christopher, are their any good examples of partnering (actual co-ownership) between a municipality and one or more of the local incumbent providers? CCG has listed this as an option.
At Monday’s Council mtg, Councilor Jim Pokorney made a good point, that if we ARE able to get stimulus money to pay for 80% of the infrastructure costs, then we might NOT want an ownership partner.
Being in Minneapolis, I’m always happy to come down if our work would be helpful in a meeting.
In most of the networks with which I am familiar, the city, or utility, provides the network services. However, times are a little different now. Monticello would have partnered would HBC if the lawsuit didn’t drag them down.
Powell, Wyoming, has a unique partnership with a local provider, but I don’t know that it is old enough to yet draw conclusions from it.
Danville, VA, owns the network but services are provided by others, including incumbents…I think. However, this is not a citywide project yet. It is a Design Nine – Andrew Cohill – project if you want to look more deeply into it.
Partners were less important when anyone could get into the NCTC to get fair contracts on television content. Now that it is more difficult, partners that have access to those contracts are good to have. Television may be disappearing according to most, but it will drive enough revenue in the near future that it cannot just be left out of a FTTH network.
However, I have also heard that there are IPTV aggregators that are reasonable now so I may be too hasty in encouraging a partner for those reasons. But I think these are things that need to be considered as primary motivations for partnerships.
Getting your own contracts for television content is always possible, but the costs are high and the frustration is even higher.
Griff,
Did they appoint a workgroup? It sounds like it but I thought I’d ask in case I missed something.
Thanks!
Christopher, when you wrote “Television may be disappearing according to most…” do you mean delivery of TV content via broadcast, cable and satellite may be disappearing in favor of IPTV (delivery of TV content via the internet)?
Griff,
I have heard a couple of different predictions, but that is the main one – and one that I think is inevitable. Just not sure what the timeline is.
Some have talked about just delivering a lot of bandwidth to the home via a network rather than formally providing channels and phone service because users can get a lot of content already over the net (between Hulu and MLB.com). But I think that is premature now.
Television over fiber is basically an unlimited number of channels, which leads one to think we’ll see URL like “channels” rather than clicking from channels 00001 to 99999.
Ann, yes, the Council appointed two Councilors to the stimulus app workgroup, Betsey Buckheit and Erica Zweifel, with 4 or 5 staffers as needed. I think IT Director Melissa Reeder will be the one to convene the group and do the heavy lifting on the writing. The Council message was clear: Do it and do it quickly.
I look forward to the day when IPTV is available worldwide.
If someone needs FTTP, they are welcome to come to Dundas. I’ve got the slowest fiber available and my download speeds are consistantly over 12 MBps (MNConnect and Speedtest). Fiber is in the ground and available to most of the homes and businesses in the community. The company, Jaguar, represents they can provide speeds up to 100 MBps.
In addition Nfld. WiFi will be installing a new array on the Bridgewater Heights water tower which will serve most of the area.
I agree w/ comment 12 which seems to suggest the area might be better off promoting and improving on what is already here.
Today’s WSJ: “Broadband Stimulus Funds Up for Grabs”:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123976018012019527.html#mod=article-outset-box
I’ve appended the words “No. What’s next?” to the title of this blog post. On tonight’s Council Work Session agenda (P. 21 of the packet):
The historian in me would just say “organize.” Northfield is in a tough spot – you have a greater need for fast, affordable broadband than many similar towns due for a variety of reasons. However, you also some options already, which makes it harder to get normal users excited about a better option.
If there is something to come next – speaking as an outsider – you probably need someone who sees this as an imperative and will work tirelessly to get it done. These projects are never easy, but it seems like things have gotten harder for y’all.
Thanks, Christopher. I think you’re probably right. We need a committed, fanatic fiber champion.
[...] fiber plan Griff Wigley was kind enough to post an update on Northfield’s plan for their fiber future (in the post [...]