Grand Rapids TakeActionMn Holds Forum on Health

Minnesota became the first state to pass legislation to implement the state Health Care Insurance Exchange required by the Affordable Health Care Act also known as "Obamacare". Exchanges in other states have been created by executive order and many states are going to let the federal government run their exchange.

The Grand Rapids area TakeAction Minnesota organization held a forum with local legislators to hear about plans for the exchange and their views on health care. Here is an audio story about that forum, a version of which was heard on Northern Community Radio:



link: Audio Story about Health Care Insurance Exchange Forum

In addition to talking about the health care exchanges, there was a presentation at the forum on MinnesotaCare and efforts to preserve and extend it. 

Itasca County Land Use Plan Public Hearing Tuesday

Itasca County's Comprehensive Land Use Plan draft revisions may be adopted by the county board , Tuesday March 26th  at 3:00 pm after a public hearing.

 

The following sections have  been a bit controversial:

 

"VI. Recreation Goal

B. Existing Facilities Objective

6. Itasca County Fairgrounds –Preserve and maintain the existing Itasca County Fairgrounds in its entirety as a county park/fairgrounds without dissecting or eliminating any portion of it." 

Recommendations to the board will be to choose one of the following:

a)    Keep language

b)   Remove language

c)    Remove language and direct further study

d)   Keep language and Remove "dissecting or"

 

 

G. Silent Sport Areas and Trails--Recognize the value of silent sport opportunities for both residents and visitors 

1.  Maintain and preserve existing silent sport (non-motorized) areas and trails within county lands.  

2.  Encourage the future development and expansion of such trails and areas when opportunities arise. 

3.  Provide information to the public about silent sport opportunities and locations.  

4.  Work with county offices, clubs and other groups to promote silent sport activities and cooperation in preserving and enhancing silent sport areas and trails.

 

Definitions:

 

Silent Sports--Non-motorized activities such as hiking, biking, cross-county and downhill skiing, snowshoeing, bird-watching, botanizing, nature photography. orienteering, paddling (canoe and kayak), swimming, sailing, climbing. 

Recommendations to the board:

a)    Retain the language

b)   Remove the language

c)    Remove language and direct further study

 

To voice your thoughts on how the board should address this sections. PLEASE CONTACT the commissioners individually or send one email addressed to the entire county board of commissioners to trish.klein@co.itasca.mn.us.

 

Your email will be part of the public record if sent before Tues at 3:00 pm. Please consider appearing in person at the meeting to give input or support those who are speaking.

 

Terry.snyder@co.itasca.mn.us

rusty@rustyeichorn.com

davin.tinquist@co.itasca.mn.us

leo.trunt@co.itasca.mn.us

mark.mandich@afscmecountcil65.org

 

 

Meghan Bown, LSW

Community Health Coordinator

Get Fit Itasca & The Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP)

Central Lakes College Hires Grant Director

          Marlene Mixa of Grand Rapids has accepted the temporary, full-time post of Director of Strategic Grant Initiatives effective Jan. 2, to be based on the Staples campus of CLC with oversight of the three-year, $13.1 million federal Regional Advanced Manufacturing Retraining Grant Program that involves CLC and three other higher education institutions.

The partnership includes CLC, Pine Technical College, St. Cloud Technical and Community College, and the 360 Manufacturing Center of Excellence.

She will work with more than 30 faculty and staff, and CFOs on a project that will impact up to 3,900 students and participants. She will oversee a $4.3 million annual budget and the development of intra-agency agreements with partner institutions.

Mixa holds a BA in chemistry from Carleton College and a PhD in inorganic chemistry from the University of Minnesota. She comes to CLC with 23 years of experience in manufacturing as an engineer for Blandin Paper and in research and product development for paper companies in Maryland, Kentucky and Minnesota.

Mixa has been involved in academia throughout her career and has served as a college instructor, a member and chair of various education advisory boards, an academic team coach and a student recruiter and mentor. She leaves a position as H2P Grant Project Manager at Pine Technical College.

"Very importantly, she brings four years of experience in managing complex Department of Labor grants in her most recent position at Pine Technical College," said Jeff Wig, outgoing CLC dean of career and technical programs and Staples campus.

 

Photo:

Marlene Mixa

 

 

 

             Central Lakes College, a community and technical college in Brainerd and Staples, is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system of 32 public universities and colleges -- Equal Opportunity employers and educators.

 

This document is available in alternative formats upon request, by contacting Andria Belisle, Disability Coordinator, abelisle@clcmn.edu or 218-855-8175.  TTY users may call MN Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-800-627-3529.

 

 

 

Steve Waller
Public Information Specialist
Central Lakes College

Brainerd & Staples, Minn.

Holiday Children First! Itasca County Area Events 2012

  
Events for all ages for the Holidays!
Children First! events for children and families in the Itasca Area in December:

Santa at the Library  12/3/12, Monday ~ 5:00pm Calumet Library
Santa is coming to Calumet! Say hello to Santa, enjoy cider, cookies and fun activities – every child will receive a book to take home.  Hope to see you there! Call Library to register at 218-247-3108

 Santa Lights the Lights   12/7/12, Friday ~ 5:00pm - 7:00pm   Grand Rapids Central School Grounds
Celebrate with Santa when he "comes to town" to light the Christmas trees and decorations at Central School. Visit with Santa and his friends, Pooh, Frosty, Cat in the Hat, Clifford and more. Sip hot chocolate and enjoy treats!  Explore the art galleries and businesses open for First Friday too!  For more info call 218-326-2500.

Ho-Ho-Ho Down Country Christmas   12/8/12, Saturday ~ 3:00 - 6:00pm Children's Discovery Museum
Fun-filled afternoon for young and old with a country hometown Christmas theme, including games, food, crafts, entertainment and hay rides. Register by calling Eileen  218-259-9509 or online at www.getlearing.org

Family Movie Night   12/8/12,  Saturday ~ 7:00pm - 9:00pm  Bigfork School-Edge Center Theater
Giving families a night out that they won't forget! Snacks & treats provided. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Register online at www.getlearing.org. More info at – 218-743-3444 Ext 2503

Family Bowling Night   12/9/12, Sunday ~ 4:00pm - 6:00pm Deer River Blueberry Bowl
Family Bowling is happening at the Deer River Blueberry Bowl! Fee is $1.00 per person, per game.
More info-call 218-246-8241 x 227.  Register online at www.getlearing.org

Snowflakes of Winter   12/15/12, Saturday ~ 10:00am - 12:00pm Nashwauk Library
Discover how to create snowflake images in watercolor, fold a winter star book ornament, and make snowflakes pendants in clay! Open to all ages. Children 0-6 must be accompanied by adult.  Register online at www.getlearning.org or
call 218-885-1280 Ext 51112.

Year End Concert at Ground Floor 12/29/12, Saturday ~ 6:00pm - 12:00pm
Wrap up the year with a FREE CONCERT at Ground Floor. Music (Local and Touring Bands), prizes and lots of fun! For Youth ages 13-College Age  More info - Ground Floor 218-327-0344 or Youth for Christ 218-326-9079

Coleraine Family New Year's Eve Party   12/31/12 Monday, 4:00-6:30pm Longyear Park, Coleraine
Everyone is invited to this annual family and community event.  Enjoy skating and a bonfire. Hot dogs, brats and hot chocolate served from 4-5pm. Join the sing-a-long and view the FIREWORKS at 6pm! This is an alcohol/drug free family event. Children must be accompanied by an adult. More info-call 218-259-4455


Sober New Year's Eve Party   12/31/12, Monday ~ 7:00pm - 1:00am Ground Floor, Grand Rapids
Come enjoy a sober alternative for the New Year's Eve - A FREE party at the Ground Floor. Bring your friends and enjoy pizza, soda and goodies. Plenty of games and fun to usher in the New Year. For Youth ages 13-College Age.               More info:  Ground Floor 218-327-0344 or Youth for Christ 218-326-9079

Children First! Flyers will be coming home with students from area schools. Flyers can also be picked up at area libraries, Community Education offices, YMCA, Itasca Civic Center, & Itasca Resource Center.   For more information on these events and other Community Education offerings check out us out online at www.getlearning.
 
All Children First! events are funded in part by the Blandin Foundation and by the organizations that are hosting the events.  Most events are free or unless stated in the class description.    

Like us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/#!/childrenfirstitascacountyminnesota

Be Creative & Share a Moment.

Free Children First! Events in October

  Events for all ages in October
FREE Children First! events for children and families in the Itasca Area in October:
Harvest Moon Ball Oct. 13th Saturday 4-8pm Children's Discovery Museum Class #3181024                                                 
Youth bring a senior citizen to the Ball, with food, dancing and entertainment, you'll have a blast!             
Must register-call 218-259-9509

Tape it! Oct. 17th Wednesday 2:30-5pm  Coleraine Public Library Class #316300       
Early Out at school and you can create anything with duct tape with the Creativity Tank Artists  
Register online or 218-245-6232

Explode! For Teens  Oct. 18th Thursday 2-4pm Grand Rapids Area Library  Class #1017      
Explode stick bombs!  Try out kinetic engineering-build them & explode!   FREE Must register-call 218-327-8823

Things that Go Bump in the Night in the Northwoods!
Oct. 19th Friday 5:30-7:30pm Edge of the Wilderness Discovery Center, Marcell  Class #MC00015  
Discover night creatures and more in the woods!  

Family Movie night in Deer River  Oct. 26th Friday 6-8pm  King Elementary School  Class #317230
Enjoy a movie and treats with family and friends. Bring a blanket and pillow to lie on.

Storybook Theater Oct. 27th Saturday 11am-1pm Grand Rapids Area Library  Class #1016
Create a book that becomes a stage!   FREE Must register-call 218-327-8823

Halloween Bash  Oct. 31st Wednesday 4-7pm Marcell Family Center Class #MC0001
Bring the whole family for a frightfully good time. Activities, Food, Treats, Hayrides, Bouncy Tent, DJ and Games
218-832-3444 for any questions
 
For more information on these Free events and other Community Education offerings check out www.getlearning.  
All Children First! events are funded in part by the Blandin Foundation and by the organizations that are hosting the events.  
             On Facebook http://www.facebook.com/#!/childrenfirstitascacountyminnesota

                               Be Creative & Share a Moment.

Itasca Area Community Education offering some completely new classes in October!

Itasca Area Community Education is offering some completely new classes in October!
Be Creative and Share a Moment!   Try one of these new classes created just for you!  
Oct. 2 – Oct 30th – Tuesdays 5:30-7 pm iBienvendios a la Clase de Espanol! Spanish for Teens and Adults Experience the language of Spanish in a whole new way via Telepresence in your local school.  With Telepresence, you'll feel like you are in the same room as the instructor.  This is NOT your old TV class.    Gain Spanish Language Skills for travel and home. Explore the language and the culture. Rachel Pierce is back to teach her fun Spanish immersion classes. Be the first in your community to experience Telepresence and learn Spanish too! Choose from Grand Rapids, Bigfork or Nashwauk locations and register for that session.
Fee- $ 65.00 for 4 sessions. No class on 10/16/12.
Oct. 6th  - Saturday - 1-3pm Bread Making with a Stand Mixer  Discover the easy way to make fresh, healthy yeast bread  using a stand mixer. You'll have recipes and samples of fresh bread from the oven when class is finished! Grand Rapids High School  Fee-$20 paid at time of registration, plus $5 materials fee paid to instructor at class. Class #318949
Oct. 8th – Monday – 3-5pm Fair Isle Mittens at The Yarn Gallery Make warm and wonderful snowflake mittens out of your color combinations, while learning Fair Isle techniques and color work!  Fee $25 plus materials Class #318933

Oct. 8th – Monday – 6:30-8:30 pm Let's Make Toys! It's a HANDS-ON, DO-IT-YOURSELF Toy Workshop for all Dads, Moms, Grandparents, teachers and caregivers of kids.    We'll show you how to make all kinds of Toys out of everyday items in time for Christmas. Your kids will have fun playing for years with these toys.
ISD 318 Administration Building, Grand Rapids   Fee - $25 Class #318947

Oct 13th – Saturday –10am-1pm Socks 101 at the Yarn Gallery Make a mini sock while learning the techniques in basic sock knitting. Fee - $25 plus materials Class #318934

Oct. 19th – Friday – 3-5pm Unraveling Ravelry.com at The Yarn Gallery Discover with Carissa the features on Ravelry.com and take your knitting experiences to a whole new level. Fee - $15 Class #318935

Oct. 20th and 27th – Saturdays – 10am-12pm Felted Slippers at The Yarn Gallery Discover how to knit and then felt a cozy pair of slippers! Fee - $35 plus materials Class #318936 plus materials

Oct. 29th-Nov. 19th – Mondays – 6-8:30pm Spinning Workshop at The Yarn Gallery Improve or master your spinning techniques using a variety of fibers and types of yarns. For students of all levels experience. Fee - $100 for 4 sessions  Class #318938

Register with a friend, family member, or meet new people at every class.   Hurry because classes fill up quickly.  Visit the website at www.getlearning.org  to register for these and other classes offered.  View the Fall catalog and all of the exciting opportunities that await you too. You can contact us also at 218-327-5730 with questions or to register.  

Grand Rapids Great Decisions Discussion Group 2012

Great Decisions Discussion Group 2012


Great Decisions Discussion Group is reconvening for Fall 2012 to explore and discuss topics of the most thought-provoking foreign policy challenges facing Americans today. Great Decisions provides background information, current data and policy options for each issue and serves as the focal text for discussion groups. After a short presentation, attendees participate in a lively discussion about the topic of the day.

Our first topic for discussion this Fall is Promoting Democracy. Join us Wednesday, Sept. 12th 11:30 am-1:30 pm at Independent School District 318's Administration Building Board Room, 820 NW 1st Avenue, Grand Rapids, MN, for our first topic.

We will be discussing 3 more topics this Fall at the same time and place on the following days.

Cyber Security – Wednesday, Sept. 26th  11:30 am-1:30 pm ISD 318's Administration Building Board Room

Indonesia – Wednesday, Oct. 10th 11:30 am-1:30 pm ISD 318's Administration Building Board Room

Energy Geopolitics – Wednesday, Oct. 24th 11:30 am-1:30 pm ISD 318's Administration Building Board Room
 
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 the discussion groups for $22 each.  Great Decisions Discussion Group is offered at no charge through ISD 318 Community Education.