FIRST FRIDAY May 4th

FIRST FRIDAY   a celebration of art & community    Downtown Grand Rapids       SOMETHING ORIGINAL Get a sneak peek of Holly Hasting's jewelry before her trunk show Mother's Day weekend. Holly's "Neckware" engineers and incorporates fossils, stones, crystals and worldly findings from her travels. Owners "ware" their own one of-a-kind glamour...       Join us for a great time!     Don't miss out on food,drinks and fun conversation!             MACROSTIE ART CENTERPresenting two new exhibitions for May: acrylic paintings by Adam Swanson and the 5th annual miniatures exhibition with a special First Friday student show by Itasca Life Options participants. Music by Anne Nalan from 5 – 7 pm and artist talks at 6 pm. BENDERS SHOE & SPORTShowcasing the birch bark weaving of John Zasada. The process of finding, gathering, and preparing bark and weaving items like ornaments, shoes, and backpacks is endlessly fascinating and keeps him connected to the forest of northern MN. THE YARN GALLERYHosting pianist Bonnie Kangas for a First Friday open house. STAINED GLASS WITH CLASSCelebrating their Grand Opening weekend, Stained Glass with Class will display new stained glass works of art with ongoing project demonstrations until 8 pm. OLD CENTRAL SCHOOLCelebrating First Friday with acoustic guitarist and singer Nick Wourms. WHISPERING WOODS GALLERYFeaturing artist of the month Peggy Sutherland. Peggy will demonstrate how she makes her beautiful necklaces.The gallery will have a special sale and homemade goodies. ABC'S OF QUILTING A full service quilt shop with fabric, patterns, and notions to complete your works of art. ABC'S also provides long-arm quilting in our design studio. Stop in and watch our demo of how to make a flower garden using fabric and crayons! ITASCA COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETYWelcoming Beier's Greenhouse with a demonstration of how to make beautiful memorial baskets and fairy gardens. Visitors can also view an old fashioned bicycle on the second floor. WINGS 'N WILLOWS ART GALLERY & CUSTOM FRAMINGFeaturing the pottery of Mary Augustine. Mary creates beautiful works of art using horsehair and the ancient art form of raku. From 4:30 to 8 pm. FRAME UPTreat your senses to the art, music and food of Nepal! Carmen Haugen and Kim Young will share their recent experiences in the exotic land of Nepal through art and photos, music, traditional garb, and a cup of tea. BREWED AWAKENINGS May's featured artist is local painter and art educator Lea Friesen with an exhibit exploring non-traditional portraiture.Music by Sam Miltich from 4- 6 pm and a dinner special until 6:30 pm. it's National Bike Month...Celebrate pedal power!

something ORIGINAL, inc. | 28 NW 4th Street | Suite A | Grand Rapids | MN | 55744

  

Snow Forces Cancellation of AAUW Meeting with Lieutenant Governor

Heavy snow has forced cancellation of  the Grand Rapids AAUW meeting scheduled for Monday evening at Itasca Community College with Lieutenant Governor Pretner Solon as guest speaker. Itasca Community College was also closed, along with many other local schools. 

Great Decisions "Exit from Afghanistan & Iraq" at Grand Rapids Area Library

Great Decisions Discussion Group 2012
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Great Decisions Discussion Group will meet Wednesday, March 21st, 11:30 am -1:30 pm for our second 2012 topic, Exit from Afghanistan & Iraq.  Ten years after September 11, 2001, the U.S. is winding down its military commitment in Iraq and slowly pulling out of Afghanistan. What exit strategy will help Afghanistan and Iraq build stable democratic nations? How can the U.S. continue to achieve its counterterrorism goals? What is the role of the U.S. in the future of the Middle East? Join us at Grand Rapids Area Library to discuss these and more challenging questions regarding the United States withdrawing from Afghanistan and Iraq.

For more info and to register for Great Decisions Discussion groups for reminders and updates go www.getlearning.org or call 218-327-5730.  Also more information on the program is available online at http://www.fpa.org/great_decisions/ Great Decisions briefing books are available at Community Education, 820 NW 1st Avenue, Grand Rapids, MN 55744 for $22 each.  Great Decisions Discussion Group is offered at no charge through ISD 318 Community Education.  

From: Karen Walker
IASC Community Education
kwalker@isd318.org
218-327-5799

Youth Classes - Itasca Area Community Educatio

Itasca Area Community Education is offering these classes for youth and families in February and March.  For more information and to register for these and other classes go to  www.getlearning.org or call 218-327-5730.

Lego Robotics for Families, Wednesdays, Feb. 8th-29th, 6-7pm at RJE Middle School in Grand Rapids Join Coach Rick Beckrich and team up with your child to discover Lego Robotics together.  This is a fast paced and fun introduction to both robotics and robotics teams.  Build, program and deploy a Lego Mindstorms robot for different tasks.  Coach Rick led the Lego team of Automation Nation to State competition this year and has lots of fun new things to teach. Fee: $30.00 per adult/child.

Jr. Naturalists at Southwest School,  Thursdays, Feb 9th-March 15th, 3-4:30 pm at Southwest School  Boost your knowledge about the environment and connect with nature!  Fun, hands-on science and nature program for 3rd & 4th graders.  Nancy MikeJohnson is back to teach this popular exciting class.  Fee $40.00

Golf "FORE" Kids, Wednesdays, March 14th-April 11th (no class 4/4/12), 3:30-5:00pm at RJE Middle School Multi-Purpose Room Learn about golf before the season starts-everything from their grip, stance and swing fundamentals to the basics of long and short game. Pokegama Golf Course Staff will be instructing this class.  For students 3rd-8th grade. Fee - $50.00

Basic Babysitting, Friday, March 23rd (no school that day), 9am-3pm, at RJE Middle School Room 208 Be the Best Babysitter on the Block! Master your babysitting skills-how to handle emergencies, entertaining children safely, basic child care and first aid and babysitting business practices. Fee-$20.00


Contact: Karen Walker, ISD 318 Adult and Youth Programs
218-327-5799  kwalker@isd318.org

SnowFolk Events

Great Itasca SnowFolk Festival January Events:

These are FREE Children First! events for all ages.

More information on these events at www.getlearning.org - click on the SnowFolk logo.

SnowFolk Fun: Friday, Jan. 20, 2012 1pm-4:30pm

Watch a SnowFolk Movie, have a snack and build SnowFolks.

2 locations - Call to register

Coleraine Library 218-245-2315

Nashwauk Library 218-885-1280 ext.51178

Dashing Through the Snow: Friday, Jan. 20, 2012 1pm-3pm at Itasca County Family YMCA

Snow games, snacks and build SnowFolks

Snowshoe Shuffle: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012 12pm-3pm at Grand Itasca Clinic and Hospital

Snowshoe from Grand Itasca Clinic and Hospital to Forest History Center and discover a Winter Camp deep in the forest. Build a snow fort, tend a campfire, have a snack and build SnowFolks.

Winter Frolic and SnowFolk Build: Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012 11am-2pm at Marcell Family Center

WONDERFUL WINTER FUN! Hayrides, Crafts, Games and Build SnowFolks

SnowFolk Munchkin Build & Bonfire Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012 1pm-4pm at Children's Discovery Museum

Crafts and fun with snacks and building of "Munchkin SnowFolks".

MIRC classes for Businesses

MIRC classes for Businesses coming up in January and February.

Visit Grand Rapids and ISD 318 Community Education along with Minnesota Extension is offering free classes for business owners and staff.  Discover how you can improve your business by improving your internet skills and tools for your business. Grand Rapids is part of the larger Minnesota Intelligent Rural Communities (MIRC) project.  MIRC is a coalition of statewide partners.  MIRC's focus is to bring the full promise of Internet to rural Minnesota communities, businesses and people.  The project is funded through an American Recovery and Reinvestment Grant, which Blandin Foundation serves as project administrator.  

The following classes are offered to Businesses in Itasca County in January and February.  You can register online at www.getlearning.org or call 218-327-5730.  Both classes will be held at ISD 318 Administration Building-Computer Lab-820 NW 1st Avenue, Grand Rapids, MN 55744.  These classes are offered at no charge.  

Websites Simple to Complex Jan. 18, 2012   9am-12pm
Don't be intimidated! Gain info on how to start a business website from this workshop! Discover the variety of great options for business owners to explore. Explore the FREE and EASY options and/or the customized options or the in-between options   Learn tips related to working with web designers and programmers, understanding pricing, understanding costs. Explore websites created at all levels of complexity and determine your best options.

Intro to Selling Online Feb. 16, 2012  9am-12pm
From Craig's List to Shopping Carts:What are your major concerns about doing business online? Security?Shipping? Costs? This workshop covers these major concerns related to online transactions and more. Businesses are doing more and more transactions online to sell products directly as well as manage their bank accounts.  You will explore the use of online tools like Paypal and online banking platforms to help make more informed decisions.

Community Education Youth classes in Itasca County

Jan. 9, 2012
Community Education Classes coming up in January and Februrary for Youth of Itasca County.  You can register and pay online at www.getlearning.org, by phone 218-327-5730, or mail, 820 NW 1stAvenue, Grand Rapids, MN  55744.  Registration begins January 16, 2012.
 
Basic Babysitting Class # 318500 Friday, Jan. 20, 2012  (No School Day) 9 am-3 pm at RJE Middle School, Room 208, Grand Rapids, MN
Be the Best Babysitter on the Block!!! Master your babysitting skills-how to handle emergencies, entertaining children safely, basic child care, basic first aid and babysitting business practices. Bring a doll or stuffed animal to use during class. Pack a lunch for yourself too. For Students 4th-8th grades  Class fee - $20.00
 
Jr. Naturalists Class #318509 Session 1 Thursdays, 2/9/12-3/15/12 3-4:30 pm at Southwest School, Grand Rapids, MN
Boost your knowledge on the environment and connect with nature!   FUN, hands-on science and nature program for 3rd and 4th graders.  Go outside to experience and explore nature in the "outdoor classrooms" of our school grounds and local community!  Nancy Mike Johnson is back this year to teach this popular exciting class!  Class Fee:   $40.00

 

Lego Robotics for Families Class #318520 Wednesdays, 2/8/12-2/29/12 6pm-7pm at Grand Rapids RJE Middle School in the Media Center
Team up with you child and discover Lego Robotics together. A fast paced and fun introduction to both robotics and robotics teams.  Build, program and deploy your Lego Mindstorms robot for different tasks.  The class fee pays for 1 adult and 1 child per fee. Please register using the Adult's name but include the child's name and birthdate in the comments.  For youth ages 3rd grade-8th grade. All equipment needed will be supplied for the class. Class fee:  $30.00

 

Swimming Lessons at Connor Jasper Middle School pool, Bovey, MN  Class #316000
Choose from 2 different sessions.  Register online at www.getlearning.org or call 218-245-6232
Session 1 Mondays Jan 23-Feb. 27, 2012 (no class on Feb. 20th) 5-5:30 pm
Session 2 Mondays Jan 23-Feb. 27, 2012 (no class on Feb. 20th) 5:30-6 pm
Do you have a child that loves to swim? This class gets kids in the water while teaching them the basics of swimming and water safety.  This class is for children ages 3 and up.  A parent must be present the entire time of class.  Bring own towel, swimsuit and fun noodle. Class fee:  $40.00

Respectfully submitted,

Karen Walker
IASC Community Education
kwalker@isd318.org
218-327-5799