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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Are you willing to be arrested? Sign up now!
By Griff Wigley, on June 20, 2008, 11:23 am
Tracy blogged Let’s Stage a “Sit-Out” a month ago on the impending problems with the new sidewalk dining ordinance. The subsequent message thread wandered into pedestrian walkability and related issues so I thought I’d start fresh and up the ante.
There’s a city council work session on Monday and it’s quite possible that city staff recommendations on the fees for a sidewalk dining license, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, will be presented there, with an early July start for implementation.
I’m praying atheistic prayers (equally valid to other types, IMHO) that:
- the application is simple/quick/easy
- the license fee is cheap, ie, less than $25 for alcohol, less than $10 for non-alcohol
- no additional building/business/food inspections are required/included
If my prayers are not answered on Monday night (someone alert the prayer ladies, please), I think that the sit-out/civil disobedience should include a group of willing participants getting arrested, handcuffed, and booked at the Northfield Safety Center.
This would be a great opportunity for all the baby-boomers in town who always wished that they’d gotten arrested for something important back in the 60s. And it would be an equally great opportunity for all the younger people in town to get this experience now, early in your career. Imagine being able to add this to your college application or job resume!
The only problem I can foresee is that all the attorneys in town are so busy with all the municipal-related lawsuits, we might have to rot in the Rice County Jail for a while until one of them has an opening in their schedule. But I heard the jail has great wi-fi so it shouldn’t matter too much for those of us who work at a computer all day.
So if you’re willing to put your life and reputation on the line for the good of downtown Northfield, attach a comment now and be ready to mobilize next week.
What other issues need to be considered for this plan?
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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...
Griff,
Well, this post might be considered an “incitement to riot” which is an exception to the protections offered by the 1st amendment. Luckily you have covered your bets twice. By invoking god (prayer) you have (1) ensured a second layer of 1st amendment protection and (2) when they come to take you away you have already laid a good foundation for a temporary insanity plea.
You know… I am growing weary of this, and here is why…
How about the business owners that want this, show up at the council meeting, and speak their mind?
I do not see a groundswell of residents that want this. If they do want it, they can show up and speak their mind as well.
As of now, there is no reason for me to want to go and stage an act of civil disobedience, especially when there are so many more important things that need to be acted upon in the world.
Wouldn’t it be way more effective, as JT suggests, to stage a demo at the council?
Unfortunately there is no open mic at work sessions, John.
The vote is at the council, not the police station; the council is where the protest is most effective, unless you’re just anxious to experience the wi-fi at the jail.
Why don’t the business owners just give the council kickbacks? Thats how politics works. Then they will get it passed for sure.
Or you could get someone to lobby in the store owners behalf. You know it works in congress with the telecom companies.
Corruption is rampant in all levels of govt. Sorry for the rant.
I’m all for civil disobedience, Griff. The only thing is that I can’t see how we could get arrested. If we brought alcohol onto the sidewalk we’d be violating the city code and could be charged with a misdemeanor violation of Chapter 6, section 6-3. In Minnesota, you can’t be arrested for a misdemeanor without some exigent circumstance, so we’d receive a ticket and a court date instead. (I’m not about to assault a cop to prove a point.) I would not be willing to do that, because if the business owner knowingly let me take alcohol outside they would be in big trouble and their liquor licenses could very well be suspended. It’s not worth it to me to bring alcohol from home, and that seems to defeat the purpose….
If we were just to set up tables and chairs and sit outside an establishment, and bring food out of that establishment to consume, we’ve got a different scenario. I don’t see how the restaurant owner could be held liable for that, and their liquor licenses shouldn’t be at risk. Again, it’s only a misdemeanor, so the maximum punishment under the law would be a fine of $300 and/or 90 days in jail. But we wouldn’t get arrested. We would only be ticketed. So, it’s not worth it to me…
In response to Anthony’s comment…maybe we could get David L. to distribute some Chamber Dollars to our fine councilpersons, along with the friendly suggestion to make outside dining happen in Northfield.
Britt: The Chamber would certainly advocate for its members (including the NDDC).
I like the bribery thing best, at least it’s something you can count on.
just kidding
Perhaps several of you could hold a protest on the grounds of the hospital? Hold up signs with proposed names, do enough damage for a criminal trespassing charge, keep the tab under $40,000, and everyone wins.
I would really rather just do take-out and eat it at the park than be tied up with this other commitment.
Britt, after a coffeehouse consultation with one of Northfield’s men in blue, it appears your legal analysis is correct. Plus, he thought we’d probably have to imbibe in the street, not just the sidewalk, to get a ticket.
I wouldn’t want to jeopardize the liquor license of a local proprietor so I thought it would be best if we brought our own alcohol (purchased at the Muni, of course).
So might it be worth it to get a misdemeanor ticket for $300 and/or 90 days in jail? Hmmm. Maybe if just one of us imbibed and the rest helped pay for it!
Best location IMHO: on Water St., straddling the boundary between Froggy Bottoms and your law firm, HVMD, where the colleague of yours who’s running for mayor also happens to be the proprietor of Froggy’s. Brilliant, no?
See my Comment #29 here:
http://locallygrownnorthfield.org/archives/3335/#comment-62563
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