Locally Grown Northfield » Membership sideblog

On Watermelons and Widgets, by Tom Swift

Tom Swift — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:50:59 +0000

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 solicit bids from contractors. If you are sick, you cannot wait until the price of MRIs suits your budget.

Frederick Kaufman’s essay in the July issue of Harper’s (subscription) — which I recommend to anyone who eats — speaks of another universal need: food. His point is not that the government should run our grocery stores and, to be sure, that is not my position, either. Yet it seems clear that treating our cereal boxes the same way we treat our iPads is no longer working. Not everyone needs the latest app. But everyone must eat.

The article explains why our grain-laden grocery bills have risen so drastically in recent years — the worldwide price of food rose by 80 percent between 2005 and 2008, Kaufman says — and the harm that hike has had on countless people. Some 49 million Americans suddenly found themselves “unable to put a full meal on the table” and “demand for food stamps reached and all-time high.” One in five American kids came to “depend on food kitchens.”

Incredibly, it gets worse:

“The global speculative frenzy sparked riots in more than thirty countries and drove the number of the world’s ‘food insecure’ to more than a billion. In 2008, for the first time since such statistics have been kept, the proportion of the world’s population without enough to eat ratcheted upward. The ranks of the hungry had increased by 250 million in a single year, the most abysmal increase in all of human history.”

The article underscores how important it is to me to support corporate agribusiness — makers of nearly every product in traditional grocery stores — as little as possible. Fortunately, I live in a community in which another option exists. Fortunately, I shop at a place in which a watermelon is not an edible widget.

On Saturday morning, after we went to the fantastic Riverwalk Market Fair, we stopped by Just Food to buy goodies for our Fourth of July grill. From the parking lot (where I passed an advertisement for the “competition” we just left) … to the aisles of food made from ingredients I can actually pronounce … to the employee who offered to bag my groceries (the next time I receive less-than-stellar customer service at the co-op will be the first time) … to the closed-on-the-holiday sign (not surprising that good people work where they aren’t treated like numbers on corporate-office spreadsheets) … I was reminded that, at least at this one food shop, the bottom line is about more than money.

Maybe this is pure coincidence, but customers at the co-op always seem happy. Or maybe I am projecting that sense because even though I hate shopping for anything nearly everywhere I always feel good at the co-op. That good feeling is one reason why I willingly spend more there than I would at nearby on-the-grid grocers. (I confess that I use those nearby options periodically because I am not in a financial position to fully disregard them — but I do so as infrequently as possible.) I also buy as much as I can at Just Food because I do not have to worry about my choices. They are healthier (no partially hydrogenated oils), tastier (pesticides do not taste very good), and directly support the economy of the place I call home. I do not know many members of staff and yet I trust them because I know they supply the store with more than profits in mind.

A company’s job is to make money. I get it. I would not have the laptop I am using to type this post if Steve Jobs had not had a financial incentive to make it. He is supremely rich and that is OK by me. However, when I buy a product that is necessary for my health and nourishment, I do not want the very idea of health and nourishment obscured by profits and stock prices.

The libertarian reply — that the market will respond to my demand — is not only lacking, something close to the opposite dynamic has taken hold. Kaufman articulates causes for the recent food bubble. He also asks whether it could happen again. Could prices rise even higher?

“Yes,” says Layne Carlson of the Minneapolis Grain Exchange. In fact, it is a near certainty. That is because of what Carlson calls the two principles governing the grain markets: “fear and greed.”

Tom Swift Writer’s Notebook blog

Vintage Band Festival Contra Dance, by Dan Bergeson

Dan Bergeson — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 15:56:44 +0000

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.

No previous dance experience is required; no dance partner is needed! Dance instruction will be provided from 8:00 – 8:30 p.m. and is recommended for all participants. Dance instruction will also be provided before each dance and “called” out after the music gets underway.

All ages are welcome, but participation in the dance is recommended for ages 10 and up.

What to Wear? Dress as you’d like: comfortable shoes and long skirts are recommended. This dance will feature costumed groups from visiting bands and living history groups, so all manner of 19^th Century Vintage (or period looking) costumes are enthusiastically encouraged! (If you have ever wanted to wear breeches or dance in a hooped skirt – this is your big chance! But costume dress is encouraged but entirely optional.)

If you didn’t contribute to VBF and get a pin, dance tickets are $10 per person. All tickets must be reserved in advance. VBF pin donors receive 2 complimentary dance tickets.

Become a VBF donor!

Reserve Dance and Vaudeville Tickets Now!

The Northfield Ballroom is located on Highway 3, 1/8 mile north of downtown Northfield. The Ballroom is air conditioned and has a beautiful wooden dance floor. Parking is available on site.

Party on!

The Animal-Cruelty Syndrome, by Tom Swift

Tom Swift — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 13:00:38 +0000

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 it, too.

Author Charles Siebert explores how psychologists, lawmakers, and law-enforcement officers are increasingly making a connection between animal abuse and other forms of violence. Many people will tell you that this is not news — that we have known for decades that the boy who mutilates frogs is far more likely to end up behind bars than the one who picks daisies for his mother. Even if this is not breaking news to experts, Siebert, who brings quiet authority and an even-tempered sensibility to the page, nonetheless opened my eyes. The piece does not preach, but it is rousing.

My first thought was that I wanted to scream at someone — particularly the perpetrators written about, specifically and generally, in the article. How could they inflict such suffering? How could they look into a loving and loyal dog’s eyes with intent to snuff out the light behind them? How could others allow such behavior? Days later, I remain exasperated, but my lens is wider. What have we done? What society have we created where such people, such circumstances, and such behavior exist? How are we educating, how are we raising, how are we shaping consciousness, that our fellow human beings — this is not one or two bad apples — engage in such heinous acts?

The easy answers, the ones we focus on whenever we encounter indefensible behavior — the length of prison terms, namely — do not satisfy me here. No doubt, I am pleased that society is to an increasing degree intolerant of animal cruelty. I am heartened that California recently added Humane Society and animal-control officers to the list of professionals bound by law to report suspected abuse (and that the state is considering a bill that would list animal abusers on the same type of online registry as sex offenders and arsonists). I want my government to pursue dog-fighters and puppy-mill owners. Yes, punishment is due. And I would applaud my representative if he proposed laws that made stricter enforcement more likely in our state.

But I refuse to believe that the boys who set their dog ablaze came out of the womb destined for such cruelty (or that their parents did, either, if, in fact, the behavior was learned at home). I cannot accept that a boy who used to run in fields and swing in the park wittingly becomes a man so insecure with himself that in order to assert authority at home he must kick — or mutilate — the dog.

We are better than that. Aren’t we?

Note: I welcome responses about local efforts to combat animal cruelty.

Puppies! Puppies! Puppies! by Kathy Jasnoch

Kathleen Jasnoch — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 12:54:09 +0000

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 their forever homes. They are playful and love kids and other dogs.

All of these fabulous puppies are up to date on vaccinations and are spayed or neutered. Summer is a great time to train a puppy! For information on these puppies and all of our other adoptable animals please View Our Adoptable Animals at Petango.com.

Relay for Life of Rice County, August 6th, Rice County Fairgrounds. By Sandy Vesledahl

Sandy Vesledahl — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 02:35:46 +0000

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 County will be held on Friday August 6th at the Rice County Fairgrounds from 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM. My team, “The Builders,” are from Northfield and will be participating once again. Last year our team raised over $7000 which helped the Rice County event to raise over $114,000 in total donations for the American Cancer Society. Everyone Relays for various reasons. I Relay to honor and remember the dear friends and relatives who have battled this disease. Our team lists the names of those we Relay for on the back of our team shirt. We currently have 79 names associated with our team and will be adding more names this year. That’s an average of 6 persons per team member who have been affected by this horrible disease in one form or another.

This is my way of fighting back against a disease that has taken too much from too many people. Won’t you please help us in our fight by honoring those who you may know who have been affected by giving a donation to our Relay for Life Team?

You can also contact me to purchase a luminaria for $10 in honor of a loved one who has been touched by cancer, support those who are still fighting and remember those lost to the disease. Luminaria line the track and are lit after dark. These can also be purchased at Premier Bank or during the AM hours of Crazy Daze at our table on Bridge Square. Thank you for your support!

Critter Cam live from Prairie’s Edge Humane Society, by Sandy Vesledahl

Sandy Vesledahl — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 14:04:47 +0000

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 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! We will be switching the camera around at various times to feature the antics and lives of the various animals available for adoption at the shelter, so check back often to see who’s on camera. Once you watch kittens playing you’re hooked, get the popcorn! If you see any animal you would like to provide a forever home and get unconditional love in return, contact the shelter at 507-334-7117. See the live Critter Cam:

Video chat rooms at Ustream

Save the Northfield Depot: fundraising help needed. By Lynn Vincent

Lynn Vincent — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 16:34:36 +0000

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 depot and are willing to go “mano a mano” asking for donations. Obviously, this group is key to the success of Saving the Depot. If you are willing to ask, or are willing to learn how to ask, please get in touch with me at clvincent@charter.net, or Rob Martin at his office at Martin Insurance. We will be head over heels to hear from you and will treat you like royalty! ; – )

Photo albums: 2010 Prairie’s Edge Humane Society Walk for the Animals, by Bridgette Hallcock Photography

Bridgette Hallcock — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 13:09:49 +0000

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.

Five beautiful women in need of homes. By Sandy Vesledahl

Sandy Vesledahl — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 13:06:15 +0000

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!) House cats such as these particularly dislike the shelter environment, no matter how much love we give them and try to make it as much like home as possible. They need to be in a home environment, with their “own human”, where they can flaunt their gorgeous personalities and provide unconditional love.

The beautiful white cat in this picture is Ester. Ester is a very plump and very friendly cat who loves to be brushed. Won’t you consider giving Ester or these other four beautiful women a loving home? These wonderful cats are all available for the low price of $50! This is a real bargain and the rewards you will receive in return are priceless! To meet these beautiful cats go to our PEHS website and click on “View our adoptable animals.”

Vintage Band Festival returns Aug. 5-8, by Dan Bergeson

Dan Bergeson — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 04:37:42 +0000

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 communities we’re going to stage Vintage Band Festival 2010. This time it’s 25 bands (not 15) and 100 concerts (not 50). There will be a contradance, a vintage baseball game, a battle of bands along the Cannon River and more music than you can absorb in a week, let alone a weekend. It’s going to be spectacular.

The headliner will be the Russian Horn Capella, from St. Petersburg, Russia. These guys make music with horns that each only play one note. The shortest horn is 6 inches and the longest is over 10 feet. The sound the ensemble produces hasn’t been heard anywhere in the world since the 18^th Century and has never been performed in the United States by anyone. If the unique aspect of their music needs any confirmation, it’s interesting to note that they played a concert at the Vatican in the past month.

The Russian Horn Capella will be joined by three other international acts. Tschecharanka Blaskapelle is a tight Bohemian-style brass ensemble from south Burgenland, Austria. Passion des Cuivres from Berlin, Germany was with us in 2006 and returns with more 19^th century music played on authentic, period instruments. The Wind Band of the Music Institute of Eastern Helsinki, Finland promises to show us what a group of talented teen musicians can do with brass instruments.

This group of performers with be joined by an all-star lineup of national and regional acts from Baltimore to New Ulm. I’ll tell you more about those in a later post.

For now, SAVE THE DATES: August 5-8 in Northfield. For more information including a complete schedule of events and list of performers, visit the Vintage Band Festival website.

Oh, yeah, if you do the Facebook thing, we’re there as well: Vintage Band Festival Facebook page. Please like us!

Prairie’s Edge Humane Society, Feline Companion Program – Foster Pets for Seniors, by Sandy Vesledahl

Sandy Vesledahl — Sat, 29 May 2010 12:22:53 +0000

"Trevor"

Every year during “kitten season”, adult cats in animal shelters are overlooked by potential adopters. Once the kittens have all been adopted we know adult cat adoptions will increase, but spending months on end in a shelter is not good for any animal!

To get these lovely kitties into a home environment while they await their chance at adoption, Prairie’s Edge Humane Society (PEHS) created the Feline Companion Program. From May to October each year, adoptable adult cats can live in a foster home with a senior citizen who may otherwise not be able to have a cat. The program is designed to give seniors who cannot undertake full time pet ownership the opportunity to temporarily enjoy the company of an adult cat.

The program also gives the adult cat a break from living in the shelter during a time when permanent adoption is unlikely. All participating cats are adults. They are adoptable, spayed or neutered, current on vaccinations, and healthy. Eligible foster participants must be at least 55 years of age and approved for foster placement according to the guidelines of PEHS.

PEHS will provide food and litter (the foster will need to provide bowls and a lItter box). Basic health care will also be provided by PEHS. The foster senior is required to provide lots of TLC! For more information on this program please contact the shelter at 507-334-7117. You can see all animals available for adoption thru the PEHS by checking our website.

Sub-committees of volunteers needed to Save the Depot. By Lynn Vincent

Lynn Vincent — Sat, 15 May 2010 16:14:06 +0000

For the past few weeks the SNDC (Save the Northfield Depot Committee) has been focused on the dull dry drudgery of putting together bylaws, applying for 501 (c) 3 status for the group, and writing case statements, business plans and fund development plans. Like I said, dull dry drudgery. We’ve spoken to the City Administrator, members of the City Council and other interested parties about our community meeting findings, and cheered when we heard that one of our top site locations – the Q Block – would not be host to the new Police Station. We are still assessing some of the parks as potential locations and will be talking with the Park Board soon.

But now for the exciting news! We are ready to get the ball rolling by forming sub-committees of volunteers to begin working on the tasks we have identified.

We need someone to build and update a Save the Depot website, someone who is skilled in marketing and public relations, and someone who would like to be interviewed on the radio.
We need people who have artistic talents, publishing skills and writing skill to help with fund raising materials, people who would like to write grants for us, and someone who would design and carry out an e-mail campaign.
We need a volunteer who has experience in project management to help link all the tasks together and monitor that things get done in a timely fashion, and someone who can track donor gifts and be sure they are thanked.
We are looking for people who like to plan events to kick off the giving campaign, fund raising events, and to celebrate success.
We need people who will ask businesses and community residents to support Saving the Depot.
When the time comes we will need people who can pound nails, saw, measure, and help with the construction of the interior of the depot, the portico and the new baggage house.
We’d REALLY like someone who would volunteer to actually move the depot when the time comes!
And most of all, we need someone who knows everybody in the town to be our volunteer coordinator.

So if you have fund raising skills, communication skills, technology know-how, or are not sure where you might fit but want to help anyway, DO WE HAVE A PLACE FOR YOU! If this is to be a successful effort we need the whole town behind us working behind the scenes or out front in the spotlight.

You can call me, Lynn Vincent at 664-9554, or e-mail savethehistoricdepot@gmail.com, or get in touch with any of the steering committee members: Pat Allen, Chip DeMann, Steve Edwin, Alice Thomas, Baird Jarman, Rob Martin, Clark Webster or me, Lynn ; – )

And thanks for stepping up to help, because I know you will!

Notice to non-profits – regarding IRS Form 990N, by Bruce Morlan

Bruce Morlan — Thu, 13 May 2010 16:25:21 +0000

According to this story at MPR, “Thousands of nonprofits in danger of losing tax-exempt status”. Visiting the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits reveals the following partial list of miscreants.

BRIDGE CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL
CANNON RIVER SPORTSMENS CLUB
CANNON VALLEY YOUTH ORCHESTRA
CREATIVE EXPERIENCES AND CHILDREN
CREATIVITY LAB INC
FRIENDS OF ST OLAF ALPINE
FRIENDS OF THE CANNON RIVER WILDERNESS AREA
FRIENDS OF THE@ARTARIA STRING QUARTET
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
MILL TOWNS TRAIL
MORTAR BOARD INC
NORTHFIELD AREA AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION
NORTHFIELD AREA HEATH CARE FOUNDATION INC
NORTHFIELD BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
NORTHFIELD CHILDBIRTH EDUCATION ASSOCIATION INC
NORTHFIELD POLICE ASSOCIATION
NORTHFIELD SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION
PSI CHI THE NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY IN PSYCHOLOGY
UNITED STATES BOWLING CONGRESS INC

Prairie’s Edge Humane Society Spring Walk for the Animals, by Kathleen Jasnosch

Kathleen Jasnoch — Wed, 12 May 2010 16:18:22 +0000

Please join us this Saturday morning for our 23rd Annual Spring Walk for the Animals fundraiser. Registration begins at 8 am at Alexander Park North in Faribault. The walk continues until Noon with a Grand Marshall Kickoff at 9 am. Prizes, games, snacks for people and pets. Walkers who raise a minimum of $50 get a tshirt. Tshirts are also for sale. For fundraising details, contact us: the Prairie’s Edge Humane Society.

Save the Depot! by Lynn Vincent

Lynn Vincent — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 13:39:13 +0000

Save the Depot is a grassroots effort by a group of local citizens to save and preserve our historically relevant Northfield Train Depot. We started the journey three years ago when our parent group – Northfield in Bloom - noticed the depot because of all the graffiti and weeds marring the building and the saplings growing out from the foundations.

Actually, noticed is too soft a word. Incensed might be better – so incensed that we thought about sneaking onto the property in the dead of night to cut down the trees and plant flowers! But we really didn’t want to come up against Chief Taylor arresting us for trespassing, so we talked with the City Administrator and Progressive Rail to cut a deal. The railroad agreed to sell the building to the City and the City agreed to pass the owner ship on immediately to another group (us), the caveat being that the depot had to be moved off of railroad property.

So we got together with a bunch of railroad enthusiasts and historical preservationists early this year forming the Save the Depot Committee. We held three community meetings with interested citizens and stakeholders to see what other Northfield residents thought about our effort to save the 1888 depot and got a lot of good feedback and suggestions for relocation sites, uses and who might want to own the depot.

Two locations – the Q-Block and Babcock Park – were mentioned the most, and some of the uses suggested were as a transit site, a Chamber/visitors’ center, and a multi-use building.

We want to know what you think and what else you want to know about us, so we are hoping to get a great dialogue going here.

Or you can stop any of us on the street to talk. The committee is made up of Rob Martin, Steve Edwins, Pat Allen, Clark Webster, Chip DeMann, Baird Jarman, and Alice Thomas… and me!

Spring is here. Golf for half price in Cannon Falls, by Tim Freeland

Tim Freeland — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 18:47:23 +0000

Do you golf, or know someone who does? It’s time for our annual Summit Golf Club of Cannon Falls, half-price spring special.

Visit the KYMN, Cyber Shopper to get all of the details and check out online.

Today is Earth Day, by Bruce Morlan

Bruce Morlan — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 21:48:36 +0000

Today is Earth Day … one of those proclaimed days designed to educate us by giving us an excuse to be introspective and examining. Of course, lots of people see this as an opportunity to lay on a thick layer of guilt and to engage in a series of mea culpa self flagellations that may or may not end up laying the whip on everyone but themselves, but that’s the nature of the fanatic.

But some of the issues that go with Earth Day include attempts to deal with the tragedy of the commons, which says that any resource owned by everyone (e.g., air, and, in Minnesota and most of the west, ground water) is destined to be over consumed or despoiled because if everyone owns it, then effectively no one protects it and we all gain the most by simply consuming it to our own ends. The Cato Institute summed it up nicely:

Any resource held in common – whether land, air, the upper atmosphere and outer space, the oceans, lakes, streams, outdoor recreational resources, fisheries, wildlife, or game – can be used simultaneously by more than one individual or group for more than one purpose with many of the multiple uses conflicting. No one has exclusive rights to the resource, nor can any one prevent others from using it for either the same or any noncompatible use. By its very nature a common property resource is owned by everyone and owned by no one. Since everyone uses it there is overuse, waste, and extinction. No one has an incentive to maintain or preserve it. The only way any of the users can capture any value, economic or otherwise, is to exploit the resource as rapidly as possible before someone else does.

Their article suggests that the solution is to permit and encourage private ownership of what we would normally think of as public assets. Their examples focus on wild animals as exemplars. They contrast the prairie chicken (American, held in “common” as a wild animal) with the red grouse (Britain, owned by the landowners where it lives). The contrast is clear, the value of private ownership lies in the incentives to protect the resource, the red grouse is doing much better than the prairie chicken.

But some resources are very difficult to control. Clean air and clean water are two that we might consider to be un-ownable. If you have read “The Moon is a Harsh Mistress” by Robert Heinlein, you have had a unique opportunity to learn the free market lessons that more recent movies like Avatar have missed, and that is that there is no such thing as a free lunch, and clean air is no more free than is clean water. But that was in a closed environment. Earth Day, in some sense, is an attempt to remind us that the Earth, too, is a closed system if you look at it realistically. If these resources (air, water) cannot be conserved by market forces, then we may find ourselves having to conserve them by fiat.

So, in spite of cries of “foul play” and “big government”, we should think carefully before we simply rule out the use of EPAs and MPCAs to help us deal with these particular tragedies of the commons. Demagogues may decry these institutions as just examples of big government, but the complexities of modern life suggest otherwise. Although some call for their elimination, cautious conservatives know that when you have tread onto thin ice you may not want to jump up and down until you have carefully negotiated yourself back onto firmer foundations.

More public art on Fifth Street! | Lampe Law Office

Tracy Davis for Lampe Law Group — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 02:58:50 +0000

Art.Org and the Lampe Law Group have announced the “Five Sculpture Project“, in which works of art would be displayed on the pedestal in front of the Law Office at 105 East 5th Street (across from the Rueb ‘N’ Stein).

ArtOrg is bringing together five artists that will create large works in an activity we call the “Five Sculpture Project”. The five sculptures will be exhibited at the pedestal in front of the Lampe Law Group in downtown Northfield, Minnesota. The projected public unveiling of the project will be in the fall of 2010, and thereafter each sculpture will be on display for a period of ten weeks each, or a total “Five Sculpture” display period of one year.

Since late 2008, the Lampe Law Office pedestal has displayed the Mac Gimse work entitled “Between Earth and Sky“. Both the Five Sculpture Project and Art.Org have received partial funding through the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council through the Minnesota arts and cultural heritage fund via the Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment which was adopted after State referendum in November 2008. (The firm also makes a monthly donation to help fund this public art project.)

The partners at Lampe Law Group (Lance Heisler, Tim Morisette, and Maren Swanson) are all very enthusiastic about this project, and are looking forward to the installation of a new work later in the year.

And, in an editorial comment, and with my “civic booster” hat on, I want to hand it to the Lampe Law Group for their direct support of public art and the Northfield arts community via their donation of money and of prominent display space. Thank you!

Listen to your Twins baseball locally all summer, by Tim Freeland

Tim Freeland — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 14:28:19 +0000

Just a reminder that without a clear channel like WCCO carrying the Minnesota Twins, you’ll need your local syndicate to get the best quality sound when you’re out and about listening to your soon-to-be-World-Champion-Minnesota-Twins! With permission of MLB, we broadcast all games in real time, cutting in local ID drops, commercials, and liners.

So, when you go from TV, to the yard, to the car, keep it tuned to 1080AM KYMN for your Twins action!

Harvest documentary screens in Faribault, by Paul Krause

Paul Krause — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 16:17:25 +0000

My new documentary, Harvest: A Community’s History Captured in Bronze, will be shown in Faribault on Friday, May 7 at 7pm. Doors open at 6:30pm. The screening will take place in the sanctuary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints located at 902 17th Street S.W. in Faribault. The screening is free and open to the public.

Ray Jacobson and I will be on hand to answer any questions about the making of the film and the Harvest sculpture. A reception will follow the show. The documentary is an hour in length.

DVD copies of Harvest are now on sale at the Northfield Historical Society. They can also be purchased online on my website.

Think spring! Think porch projects! by Ray Cox, Northfield Construction Company

Ray Cox — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 03:28:25 +0000

As spring weather arrives it is a great time to be thinking about projects that enhance your home. One of the most significant improvements in Minnesota is a screen porch. A screen porch provides a wonderful are to get away from the bugs of summer and fall…remember those pesky Asian beetles that descend upon us? A well-designed screen porch can essentially be an expansion of your home for half of the year. It can provide a great place to enjoy breakfast, lunch or dinner. It can be a very enjoyable place to play games with family and friends.

Porches generally can have all sorts of wall and roof construction. This photo shows a porch we recently completed that incorporates an arch top window and a vaulted interior ceiling. Railings keep pets from pushing against the screening.

Some people opt to go one step further than a screen porch and create a fully enclosed porch. By using plenty of operating windows a room like this can feel like a screen porch during the warm weather months. But with a small amount of heat from an electric heater it can be a warm room to entertain friends during our winter holidays.

This client elected to use Marvin double hung windows which give excellent ventilation control. They incorporated an arch top window which matches other windows in the ho me. To create a warm feeling in the room they had us finish the inside, including the ceiling, with cedar boards.

Projects like these move along very quickly. Construction is typically not complex and there is very little damage to yards.

Questions? Attach a comment here or contact me via our Northfield Construction Company web site where I post regularly to our company blog.

Anonymous comments on the Northfield News website

Kiffi Summa — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 03:14:52 +0000

Point of View by Kiffi Summa.

I have been for several years, and continue to be, seriously opposed to the Northfield News practice of allowing anonymous comments on their website.

You might ask, ”Why? How seriously does anyone take comments to which a person does not care to attach their name?”

My answer is this: Some people take those anonymous comments seriously enough to bring some of that defamatory material, mis-representations of fact, outright lies, etc., to this opinion based community discussion, thereby convoluting the discussion in a way which, I believe, is a detriment to community relationships.

Griff gets angry with me if I refer to the Northfield News’s anonymous commenters, and says they are not relevant simply because of their anonymity and being “off-site” , even if they relate to a current subject thread on Locally Grown.

I disagree, strenuously.

There is no journalistic purpose served by allowing anonymous comments; the ‘gossip’ factor drives hits to their website, which then encourages advertising sales.

A good portion of their website comments do not deal with being for or against an issue brought forward by an article in the print version of the newspaper; instead they are personal attacks meant to harm, if not actually libel; they are often attached to an article to which there is no relevant content link.

Example: A few weeks ago a rash of escalating offensive comments were attached to various articles, including one to that week’s City Administrator’s Memo. The one attached to the administrator’s memo was removed, and an admonition (citing lack of relevance to the city memo as reason for removal) was posted from Jaci Smith, the Northfield News Editor; however, all the other comments were allowed to remain in place.

Anonymous comments allowed on newspaper websites have been the subject of some spirited debate. What do you think is their impact in our community?

Northfield Historical Society Annual Meeting and Membership Ball by Hayes Scriven

Hayes Scriven — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 22:02:58 +0000

On Saturday March 20, the Northfield Historical Society (NHS) will be having its Annual Meeting and Membership Ball at Great Hall on the Carleton College Campus. The party starts at 7:00 p.m. There will be a short meeting at about 8:00 and right after that, Christina Schweitz and Sweet Jazz will play the night away!

The best part about the night is that it is FREE if you are a NHS member! You can come and listen to the wonderful music and eat all you want for FREE! If you are not a member, not a big deal you can sign up that night or online!

Now you might be asking yourself, “Why should I join the Northfield Historical Society.” Well for one, you will be directly supporting the organization in town that is responsible for collecting, preserving, interpreting and honoring Northfield’s past. In addition, to that warm and fuzzy feeling you get for preserving Northfield’s past, you also get; the NHS newsletter, The Scriver Scribbler delivered to your home/business 4 times a year, FREE admission to other NHS programs throughout the year, FREE admission to the NHS museum year round, access to the NHS archives/collections at a discounted price and soon to come a new e-newsletter!

NHS memberships go directly into our operation budget to help put on programs such as, the Jr. Curator, Summer Assistant, Jr. Posse and SCOPE programs. These are all programs that engage Northfield High School and Middle School students in local history research and docent training. The membership also goes into fund programs like our rotating exhibits, the Outlaw Run, NHS publications, and speaker programs. Those are just a few of the programs.

So if you are looking for a fun time on Saturday night, come and check out the NHS Annual Meeting and Membership Ball; sponsored by the First National Bank of Northfield and Carleton College, it is the best deal in town!

If you need a ride, Ecotrans is offering FREE rides if you live in Northfield to and from the event! THANK YOU Ecotrans for your continued support!

If you would like more information on the Ball or NHS please email or call us at 507-645-9268

It’s spring and the litters are coming! by Bridgette Hallcock

Bridgette Hallcock — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 21:40:33 +0000

Do you love animals, but simply cannot bring any more home? Try fostering a litter with the Prairie’s Edge Humane Society.

I had the wonderful opportunity to foster Valerie and her 5 kittens for 6 weeks. It was so much fun! We got to see their eyes open and ears pop up. It was so sweet to watch them sleep all curled up in a little kitten pile and to watch them discover their toys. What an awesome opportunity to provide a temporary home for these animals and get lots of unconditional love.

I was able to get some great photographs of the kittens and Valerie. Here’s one of them.

Prairie’s Edge Humane Society: new officers, new name, new blogsite by Kathy Jasnoch

Kathleen Jasnoch — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 17:26:22 +0000

The Prairie’s Edge Humane Society, formerly the Rice County Humane Society, held its annual meeting on February 13th. New officers elected are: President, Kathy Jasnoch (that’s me!); Vice President/Treasurer Denise Budd; Secretary Priscilla Paton. Dr. Terri Derr will continue to serve as chief operating officer and LeeAnn Bestland is our newly minted Chief Executive Officer. All in attendance were pleased with the direction of the organization and the accomplishments of 2009. There is a lot of excitement about the coming year, especially in regard to our new name, website, and some exciting ideas for the future. Soon we will reveal our revised mission statement.

CHECK OUT OUR NEW WEBSITE (with a blog): More to come on our new look; the organization is full of fresh energy!

Think about joining us as volunteers, members, foster parents-there are many opportunities available. Check the new web site and give us a call!

We thank Community Resource Bank for the use of their meeting room for our facility and all of the Northfield businesses who give us their continued support.