He wants sunny skies for the Sixth Annual Taste of Northfield (blog post here, full event info/schedule here), held tomorrow and Friday in downtown Northfield on Bridge Square.
Almighty Lord God, who for the sin of man didst once drown all the world, except eight persons, and afterward of thy great mercy didst promise never to destroy it so again; We humbly beseech thee, that although we for our iniquities have worthily deserved a plague of rain and waters, yet upon our true repentance thou wilt send us such weather for the Taste of Northfield, that we may receive the fruits of the earth in due season; and learn both by thy punishment to amend our lives, and for thy clemency to give thee praise and glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
June in Northfield means graduation and summer vacation. It also means that one of the best-loved community events of the year,The Taste of Northfield, is almost upon us. This year will be the 6th Annual Taste and the event is scheduled for Thursday, June 16th and Friday June 17th from 5-10 p.m. both evenings. All of the festivities happen in or near Bridge Square in Downtown Northfield. What a fantastic location for fun!
There will be a dozen or more food vendors (we’re still working on the lineup) surrounding the Square serving up their own special menus. There will be entertainment on the Showmobile both nights and a Beer and Wine Tent on the 4th Street bridge. The James Gang will do a Bank Raid re-enactment on Thursday night and Friday will bring the return of both a Silent Auction and a Live Auction. Both nights will feature a Street Dance from 8-10.
If you’re feeling up to it, this event also brings a great opportunity to volunteer. We need folks to sell tickets, police the waste stream, control admittance to the Beer Tent, tally up the silent and live auction bids, you name it! If this possibility speaks to you, contact rcurrier@nddc.org.
Did I mention that The Taste of Northfield is an official Northfield Downtown Development Corporation (NDDC) event? It is. And we couldn’t do it without the incredible financial sponsorship given to us by:
MALT’O’MEAL
COLLEGE CITY BEVERAGE
CARLETON COLLEGE
TAYLOR TRUCK LINE
I hope to see all of you next week at The Taste of Northfield! And no tornado this year. Promise! For up-to-the-minute details, visit Taste of Northfield 2011.
The weather was spectacular for Day 2 of the Taste of Northfield. The NDDC organizers’ decision to host the Taste for two days instead of one this year was prescient, as Thursday’s threatening weather wiped out Day 1.
The cookie-decorating, face-painting, and balloon-making activities were huge hits with kids young and old. For an amateur photographer like me, it’s like shooting fish in a barrel. These photos are three of my favorites.
Last night’s storms by-passed Northfield once again. (The boys of KYMN joke that we’re protected by a high-pressure bubble whenever storms head our way.) When the sirens went off at about 5:30 pm, many people on Bridge Square for the Taste of Northfield headed for shelter in nearby stores or the Armory.
But just as many looked at the sky and could tell that nothing was imminent and just hung around and socialized. People like me. The tornado sirens ended after about 5 minutes, we got a few drops of rain, and that was it.
I don’t understand the decision-making process and the chain of command for when local sirens are deployed. There’s no information about it on the City of Northfield’s emergency information page.
But it seems to me that the sirens too often are deployed too quickly, thereby teaching the public to not take them seriously because 99 times out of a hundred, nothing severe happens.
Day 1 of the Taste of Northfield was pretty much a bust due to the severe weather in the area. Good thing there’s going to be Day 2 tomorrow.
At around 5:30 pm, just as Robbie and I settled in the beer/wine tent with some ribs from the Quarterback, the storm sirens went off, triggering a mass exodus from Bridge Square. But even before that, the high winds and ominous clouds kept the crowd small, and many vendors had been packing up. Ross and Jessica were definitely grumpy.
The storms ultimately slid to our south and all we got was a light rain shower, with a spectacular sunset.
I’ve nagged Ross for over a year to register a domain name and set up a webpage for the Taste of Northfield and he completely ignored me, hurting my feelings.
But last week, he got enough pressure from his task force that he finally caved and hired me to do what needed to be done.
tasteofnorthfield.org is now working and the page is up, complete with the two-day schedule of activities and performers, the list of vendors, the list of sponsors, and photo albums from previous events.
I’m pretty much over it now, Ross. No need to kiss and make up, however.
I took video instead of photos of the bank raid re-enactment at last month’s Taste of Northfield. I discovered that the camera can take low-res photos of video frames so here’s a dozen. My favorite is the one showing gun fire. Who is that guy?
See the album, the large slideshow, or this small slideshow (the 7-minute video is below):
NDDC head honcho Ross Currier made sure his brother-in-law brought his magic umbrella downtown last night for the Taste of Northfield. The weather gods showed their pleasure with Ross, as did many of the women in attendance.
No, the beer/wine tent on the 4th St. bridge didn’t blow down this morning. But it could be an exciting day for the Taste of Northfield, as the forecast is 50-50. If it gets nasty, Ross has a contingency plan.
Every food I’m tasting Every line I’m waiting in Searching vendor to vendor Hogan Brothers ice cream makes me feel a whole lot better Stop and grab a smoothie at James Gang The world’s best desserts at Ole Café Cheesy, gooey Domino’s pizza If you’re hot, get an icy at Sweet Pea’s Loft
At Bridge Square it’s The Taste We hope you’ll be there, I just can’t wait! What would be a great downtown without the NDDC? And what would be the Taste of Northfield without anything to eat? What would be a summer without a hotdog at Tiny’s? And doesn’t it just make your day when you see Maggie Lee? It’s the Taste, it’ll be great At Bridge Square, it’s The Taste
Make sure to stop at Rueb-n-Stein Their burgers are amazing I’m sure you’ll find And you just can’t miss the food at the Cow I guarantee you’re gonna say – delicious!
At Bridge Square it’s The Taste We hope you’ll be there, I just can’t wait! What would be a great downtown without the NDDC? And what would be the Taste of Northfield without anything to eat? What would be a summer without a hotdog at Tiny’s? And doesn’t it just make your day when you see Maggie Lee? It’s The Taste, it’ll be great At Bridge Square, it’s The Taste
The Over and Back Band played at last week’s Taste of Northfield (band members: Mike Hildebrandt, fiddle; Craig Wasner, keyboards; Gordon Oschwald, bass; Steve Jennings, drums).
On Thursday night during Taste of Northfield, I photographed a group of youth on Bridge Square actingly strangely. On Friday night during Pottermania on Division, I photographed many of the same youth, also acting strangely. Click photos to enlarge. The tell-tale red eyes on some of the youth in the center photo is proof enough for me that these are some of the kids we’ve been talking about.
The NDDC pulled off a great event tonight on Bridge Square in downtown Northfield. Clear skies, 70 degrees, no wind, no mosquitos, huge crowd, local food, live music, live auction, two reenactments, and beer and wine served on public property.
Vicki Dilley: Both of our Indian restaurants in town, Chapati and Kurry Kabab, are catering the food that will be for sale at the event. Yum, Yum… Have you always wished to have your photo taken in front of the Taj? Well that night you can!
Tom Durkin: Tickets for the Event can also be purchased at the Northfield Public Schools Community Education & Recreation Office. Also, if purchasing on the www.northfieldrotary.org website, you do not need a paypal account. A simple credit...
Vicki Dilley: Most important right now is where you can get tickets…If you are downtown find Rick Estenson at First National bank. If you want to purchase through Paypal go to www.northfieldrotary.org The sooner you do that, the less...
Vicki Dilley: But, we need to pack the house on February 25th to be able to support such a large Youth Exchange program. I really would hate to have someone find out after the 25th what a spectacular night they missed…only one show, one time...
Vicki Dilley: Glad you asked, Griff. Actually in 2010 we had 15 go out and in 2011 we had 16, now we have 16 planning to leave this summer to spots all over the world. We have quite a few going to Asia this year where as the last two years we had...
Griff Wigley: Kiffi, I think you failed miserably on that attempt but I’m inclined to let it go for some reason.
kiffi summa: stage directions: said in the sweetest possible, most concerned voice, with no hint of sarcasm… “Oh dear, our ‘award winning newspaper’ has gotten something wrong again! “
Mary Rossing: OPENING TODAY!! Stop down and check it out.
Griff Wigley: Name: The Local Joint Description: A handmade and vintage collective in Northfield, MN. COLLECTING.CREATING.COLLABORAT ING. Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheLoc alJoint Nfld News: Store to open in former ‘digs’ space
David Beimers: Hmmm… fans? air conditioners? ice cream?
Jessica Paxton: I know. But I don’t wanna spill the (cool) beans!
Griff Wigley: Ross, that’s good to know about Dan. I’ll have to get on his case about not including something about this on his dormant blog! It’s also interesting to hear that your perception of City Hall is changing.
Ross Currier: Griff - Thanks for your kind words. Credit really should go to Streetscape Task Force Member Dan Bergeson, who pursued those repair stands with great vigor. His long-time working relationship with the always excellent T. J. Heinricy...
kiffi summa: Grff: your third paragraph above does not make a succinct argument, MO, in that Kris Vohs was expressing such feelings of being at odds with his council/city role (except for the fine work of the HRA), that he ultimately resigned,...
kiffi summa: Griff: I was dong the LWV observing at the Council meeting you reference above; I do not recall hearing , or seeing in the packet materials, this vote by the firefighters that you reference. I, of course, could be wrong and/or just...
kiffi summa: Griff: regardless of Mr. Madigan’s explanation, the ISO rating is awarded by the insurance company, and yes… it takes into account several factors i.e. response time etc.; however the ISO rating NF residents enjoy does not...
Griff Wigley: Kathie, What are the FFs’ issues that have not been heard? They all had a chance to talk individually to Soldo and long before that, several spoke against the reorganization plan to the Council. They’ve been listened to,...
Griff Wigley: In comment #26 above, Jane Moline wrote: Our fire deparment does not deserve the these attacks that appeart to be motivated by an administration that is empire-building to go along with a Taj-Mahal safety center. Jane, I’ve...
john george: Kathie- I knew I was sticking my neck out on that one!
Kathie Galotti: Geez John. Don’t get Griff restarted on the geese!
john george: Yes, more beaches would certainly accomodate more geese. We have to remember to be waterfowl friendly.
Susan Hvistendahl: I totally agree with you re the need for more beaches in Northfield, having just returned from a week in Puerto Vallarta. Could have had rum punches there but….well, after we visited a local tequila distillery and got to...
Bright Spencer: Oh, you both look so happy! Thanks for sharing. More pics please!
kiffi summa: Griff: whither goest thy right arm if it starts to “whither” (sic) ? sorry; couldn’t resist… stuck at home with a bad knee provides way too much time on computer!
Bright Spencer: i’ve been looking thru a site, crazyguyonabike.com that has lots of journals and photos from around the world.
jane fenton: Congrats, Griff! That’s my son Cliff in the orange hat. He’s revamped the recycling bin prototype. You should see it!
Griff Wigley: Don, I’ll keep ping pong in mind. I’d hate to have my right arm start to whither from a lack of racquetball. In the meantime, I’m trying to excite as many Northfielders as I can about mountain biking. I’ll...
john george: Griff- Iris will have to work real hard to keep you in focus on everything else. I shutter to think where this could go.
Megan Tsui: Edward, Sorry you weren’t able to attend. We’ll be posting notes from the meeting on the NEC website and if you send me your email, I’ll make sure you get a copy! If you (or anyone else!) would like to chat about it...
Edward Smith: I wanted to attend this, but was unable. Does anyone know if there will be a summary posted anywhere?
Kathie Galotti: My kid had a pretty decent AP Environmental Science class 2 years ago….he’s not a great math/science student, but this one got him interested in at least knowing enough science to create good policies. I remember...
Paul Zorn: A few years ago one of my daughters spent a year working in Copenhagen, largely in an office setting. All desks in her office could be raised or lowered to permit either standing or sitting positions. I have no idea whether such...
Griff Wigley: In today’s Strib: Office-dwellers stand up to ‘sitting disease’ Dr. James Levine has reviewed the statistics: One in three Minnesota adults is either diabetic or pre-diabetic, and one in four is obese. And he thinks...
Bright Spencer: The All Pro Game last Sunday between the AFC and the NFC was so enjoyable. The stess, the anger, the anxiety all gone…well I didn’t watch all of it, as I rarely do watch an entire game, usually just the beginning and...
Griff Wigley: Today’s Strib: Hockey safety goal expanded to youth In an unprecedented mid-year change, Minnesota Hockey is toughening the penalties for checking from behind and boarding. The change will affect 40,000 hockey players in the...
john george: You are correct. That is why I didn’t allow my children to attack the character of their siblings just to support their position. There do need to be some kind of ground rules in any discussion so as to keep individual...
kiffi summa: The issue could be considered to be: what is “conflict”, and what are two sides of a discussion… see #33 re: the Mayor’s admonition to Peter Dahlen at the joint Council/ChartComm meeting. I don’t see how...
john george: Kiffi- This is a good article, and I agree with most of it. Just thinking about my kids in their youth, there was always some conflict between them, but our goal as parents wasn’t to force them into some weiner form but to help...
kiffi summa: A very interesting article in the Jan.30th New Yorker magazine on the nature of the dynamics of creative discussion; it’s entitled “Groupthink; the brainstorming myth”. Based on studies done by a psych professor at...
Kathie Galotti: I read Betsey’s blog and, like most of Betsey’s blog entries, found it well-written and making a very good point. Though I agree that geographic districts aren’t the only way to represent different constituencies,...
john george: Griff- The NN editorial presents the difference between geographic representation and ideological representation. Right now, the wards establish geographic representation. With this approach, depending upon the voter turnout, a person...
kiffi summa: I hope that people will use the link here on LG to read the current posting by Councilor Buckheit on her blog, re: wards versus all at-large, and take the opportunity to comment. Once again, the NFNews has not given a very well...
Griff Wigley: In today’s NY Times: Turning to Kettlebells to Ease Back Pain Kettlebells, cast-iron weights that have been used for centuries to train Russian soldiers and athletes, appear to be a promising therapy for back and neck pain, new...
Sandy Vesledahl: UPDATE ON RHONDA: We are very happy to report that Rhonda was adopted over the weekend by a local family. Rhonda’s new mom is a Family Counselor and Rhonda will be going to her office with her and helping with her clients. So...
Megan Tsui: Griff, The NEC is moving forward with the idea of a non-profit Coworking Incubator/Accelerator space. Megan
Megan Tsui: What do you think? Come to the Community Dialogue and tell us! January 31st from 2 to 4 pm at the Archer House lower level conference room. Share your ideas, thoughts, and dreams about a Coworking Incubator/Accelerator space in...
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