March Highway 61

Chastity Brown Two Shows

MARCH 2013

Mush foraCure Economic Survey Results

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Hwy 61 Happenings

Table of Contents Features Mush for a Cure..........................................8-9 Victus Farm.....................................................10 Critter Crisis....................................................11 E.A.T.S. 2013....................................................13 County Economic Report......................14 Community Fund.......................................15 Peace of Mind...............................................18 Guns in Cook County...............................18 Radon Testing...............................................19

Highway 61 Happenings .................3-5 North Shore ArtScene .....................6-7

NORTH SHORE

Explorer’s Club Family Dance and Fundraiser with The Splinters

Real Estate Listings

March 7

Avista.........................................................................................20 Backlund Realty.......................................................... 21-22 Coldwell Banker North Shore.........................26-27 Coldwell Banker Northwoods............................... 20 Lutsen Real Estate Group..................................22-23 Red Pine Realty.......................................................24-25 Superior Escapes........................................................... 31 Timber Wolff Realty..............................................28-30

Help raise money for the Explorer’s Club with a night of food, fun and dancing. The Explorer’s Club is a summer youth program that allows schoolage children to spend their summers exploring the outdoors of Cook County. Start the night with April's Advertising Deadline: March 15

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About our Cover: Singer songwriter Chastity Brown will perform twice in Cook County during March. Find out more in this issue.

Photo courtesy of Chastity Brown

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a potluck dinner from 6-7 p.m. at the North House Folk School, followed by a night of dancing from 7-9 p.m. with The Splinters. There will also be a raffle of local items from businesses and individuals. For more info on the event, call 387-1324.

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Hwy 61 Happenings Co-op Presents Vietnamese Cooking with Bob and Yafa March 3

Take a Vietnamese cooking class with Bob Shannon and Yafa Napadensky. Learn how to properly use rice paper in the kitchen and make Vietnamese spring rolls and sauces. Bring an appetite and your own cutting board. Cost is $10 for owners or $15 non-owners for each individual class. Class is at 4 p.m. and pre-registration is requested. Call the co-op at 387-2503 for more details or stop by to sign up.

Trout Derby March 3

The Cook County Ridge Riders have organized two events in March: The annual Trout Derby Picnic and Fishing Contest on Gunflint Lake, March 3, and the Poplar Lake Drag Race on Saturday, March 16 in front of Windigo Lodge.

All invited.

4 North Shore HWy 61 MARCH 2013

James Wedgwood – Comedy, Ventriloquism

John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon

Bring the whole family to enjoy comedian and ventriloquist James Wedgwood. James can make virtually anything talk, from his outrageous characters to purses and bottles, and even audience members. A game show, singing and audience participation are all part of the fun.

Show starts at 6 p.m. at the Grand Marais Public Library and is appropriate for all ages. For more info, call 387-1140.

The 30th running of the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon will be March 10-13 . So far, 11 mushers have registered for the 400-mile Marathon, 28 for the mid-distance.

March 8

Photographer Erik Bruhnke at Sugar Loaf Cove March 9

Local birder and guide Erik Bruhnke will talk about the birds that migrate and live along the North Shore 10 a.m., March 9, at Sugar Loaf Cove.

Bruhnke is also an outstanding photographer and will illustrate his talk with his work. He will give an update on the latest owl irruption on the North Shore and tell you what to look for this spring. Free.

March 10-13

The races start at Jean Duluth & Riley Roads in Duluth on Sunday, March 10, from 1-3 p.m.

Spectators can watch the mushers at road crossings and several checkpoints on the way, including the Sawbill Trail, Trail Center and Devil Track Lodge.

The Mid-distance mushers finish at the Americinn in Tofte on Monday morning, about 8 a.m. The marathon mushers should finish sometime Wednesday, March 13, at Riley/Jean Duluth Roads. For more information, visit www. beargrease.com.

Homeowner Energy Efficiency Workshop

Middle School Youth Leadership Workshop

The Grand Marais PUC and the Cook County Local Energy Project (CCLEP) are offering a Homeowner Energy Efficiency Workshop at the Cook County Higher Education campus on Wed., March 13 from 7-8:30 p.m. SMMPA representative Keith Butcher will talk about residential energy efficiency, drawing on his many years of experience in the field. CCLEP coordinator Virginia Danfelt will explain CCLEP’s Residential Energy Efficiency Program (REEP), with an overview of typical inefficiencies found in older homes and how the program can help fix these problems. Attending a homeowner workshop is encouraged for REEP participation. Homeowners are encouraged to bring pictures of problem areas in their homes or specific questions about their buildings. For more info: www. cookcountylep.org or localenergy@boreal.org

Leadership is about being responsible, inspiring others and standing up, even in unpleasant situations. Youth in grades 6-8 are invited to participate in a free two-hour session that will explore a variety of leadership models while also learning to work together in teams. The workshop will begin at 3:45 p.m. at the Cook County Community Center and will be led by Pat Campanaro, Dr. Kathy Ogle and Dr. Val Ulstad. After the workshop, all participants are invited to stay for pizza and a movie at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts. Event will last until 8:15 p.m. and pre-registration is required through Community Education. Call 387-2000 for more info.

March 13

Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra’s The Timeless Beauty of the Harp and Flute March 16

Betty Brauntstein and Janell Lemire play two of the most beloved instruments, the flute and the harp. These musicians will explore the question of why human beings have been music-makers since the beginning of time, using their modern flute and harp, images from the past and actual instruments from other times and places.

Show will start at 4 p.m. at the Grand Marais Public Library and is open for all ages. Call 387-1140 for more info.

Financial Aid Info Night March 19

Cook County Higher Education is hosting a Financial Aid Information Night featuring LaNita Robinson, director of financial aid at Lake Superior College in Duluth from 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, March 19. The interactive presentation is for adults going back to college, high school juniors and seniors as well as parents and guardians. Robinson will discuss the federal financial aid process as well as grants, scholarships and loans. Free. All invited.

March 22

‘Entry Points’ with Dan and Lee Ross March 22-April 7

Local and nationally recognized stone and clay sculptors Dan and Lee Ross spent two weeks in January at the Grand Marais Art Colony exploring media printmaking. The result is a collection of original prints entitled “Entry Points” which will be on display at the Art Colony March 22 until April 7 in the Founder’s Hall. There will be an opening reception and artist lecture on March 22 from 5-7 p.m. The artists will also be available on March 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to speak with visitors. Visit www.grandmaraisartcolony. org for more info.

7:30 p.m. and tickets are $19 for adults, $16 for seniors and $11 for students. March 2 they will be performing in Grand Marais at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the show starts at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets can be bought at the door or online at www.tix.com. Then on March 3 the duo will be back in Duluth for a show at Red Star in the Fitgers building. Show starts at 7 p.m. and tickets are $5 at the door. For more info on the Come Spring Tour call 865-335-9043.

St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations Cascade Lodge will celebrate all things Irish with Tune Unit, David and Suzanne Rhees, who play authentic Celtic music. Also look for delicious Irish specialties and Guinness on tap. Friday and Saturday, March 15-16, 6-8 p.m. Also on St. Patrick’s weekend, Roddy McDookan plays at the Gunflint Tavern at 7:30 on Sunday, March 17, and Bluefin Grille offers a traditional boiled dinner, a free pint of beer and music with Scott Fraser at 6 p.m.

Sivertson Gallery Fireside Chats, Inuit Premiere Sivertson Gallery presents two Fireside Chats in March: Nancy Seaton, 6 p.m., Saturday, March 2, and Rick Allen and Marian Lansky, 6 p.m., Saturday, March 9. The 13th annual Inuit Premiere is March 15-16 featuring an Inuit film screening at 7 p.m. March 15, and the Premiere on March 16 with new collections of Inuit stone, Alaskan walrus tusk and whalebone carvings as well as prints.

Throatsingers Nina Segalowitz and Lydia Etok will perform at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. during the Premiere.

Easter Egg Hunt March 30

The 4th annual Easter Egg Fundraiser for Kids Plus will be at the Cook County Community Center on Saturday, March 30.

The event will feature indoor ice skating, a visit with the Easter Bunny and a fantastic outdoor Easter Egg Hunt starting at 10 a.m.

Refreshments, cake decorating contest, Peep-Eating contest and more. $5 a child, $10 a family.

Barbara Jean & Chastity Brown’s Come Spring Tour Barbara Jean and Chastity Brown will be on tour starting Feb. 28 with a live performance and interviews on WDSE’s the Playlist at 9 p.m. in Duluth. They will then head to Washburn, Wis., on March 1 to play at the Stagenorth Community Theater. Show starts at

MARCH 2013 North Shore HWy 61 5

by Joan Farnam March is always a great month on the North Shore. There’s usually plenty of snow, the days are longer, and there are all kinds of great music and art events.

This year is no exception.

This weekend, (March 1-3) kicks of with an art opening, a play festival, a Fireside Chat and a fantastic music concert.

First up is the opening reception for “Seen Through Native Eyes: Celebration of Native Art” at 6 p.m., Friday, March 1, at the Grand Marais Art Colony. Refreshments will be served.

Briand Morrison will play.

Lakota painter Robert Two Bulls and Anishinaabe potter Johnson Loud will give a presentation at the reception. The two artists, who are also Episcopal priests, will also be giving workshops at the Art Colony on Saturday as well as leading worship at the Spirit of the Wilderness Church on Sunday. For more information, visit www.grandmaraisartcolony.org or call 3872737. The exhibit of the two men’s work will be up through the end of March and is a collaboration between the Art Colony and the Spirit of the Wilderness Church.

Then, at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 1, the 10-Minute Play Festival opens at the Harbor Light Supper Club for a two-night run. The play festival features seven locally written and directed plays. Playwrights include Dave Seaton, Michael Peterson, Jay Andersen, Sandy Stover and a story by Donna Melich as told to Grant Adams. There is also a piece by Mark Twain. Actors include: Dick Swanson, Karen Blackburn, Braidy Powers, Harry Drabik, Berta Bauer, Jan Healy, Gerry Grant, Jeff Fenwick, Kevin Kager, Rose Arrowsmith Decoux, Stefanie Mitchell and Tom Christiansen. Tickets are $5 or free with a dinner purchase.

Dan & Lee Ross work on a print in the Grand Marais Art Colony’s print studio. The artists will exhibit their work at the Art Colony with an opening and lecture from 5-7 p.m. Friday, March 22.

On Saturday, March 2, fused glass artist and painter Nancy Seaton will be featured at Sivertson Gallery for a Fireside Chat.

Her presentation is entitled “My Colorful Neighborhood” and begins at 6 p.m. All invited.

A little later that evening singer/songwriters and Americana-roots artists Barbara Jean and Chastity Brown will be in concert at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts at 7:30 p.m. The musicians are well-known to local audiences, but this is the first time they have per-

Examples of some of the prints created by Dan & Lee Ross.

6 North Shore HWy 61 MARCH 2013

“Carried Away,” Dorset lithography by Kenojuak Ashevak. will be featured in Sivertson Gallery’s Inuit Premiere March 16.

formed together. They are currently on the “Come Spring Tour,” organized by Gravel Road Touring.

And not to forget, Papa Charlie’s is hosting Big Wu & Friends all weekend. See our calendar for details.

On Monday, March 4, Erik Koskinen is the featured musician in Papa Charlie’s Songwriter Series. He’ll play at 8 p.m. Other Twin Cities songwriters performing for the Songwriter Series on Monday nights include “Mad Ripple Hootenanny” (March 11), Chastity Brown, (March 18) and Charlie Parr (March 25).

All of these performances are free.

And here’s another fun event: There will be a Family Dance and Potluck at North House Folk School at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 7. The Splinters will play from 7-9 p.m. Suggested donation is $5 a person or $15 for a family. All proceeds will benefit the Explorer’s Club Summer Youth Outdoor Program.

On Friday, March 8, the comedian and ventriloquist, James Wedgwood, will perform at the Grand Marais Public Library at 6 p.m. Free. All invited.

That weekend, March 8-9, is the Mush for a Cure Dogsled Fundraiser on the Gunflint Trail. The event is a noncompetitive dogsled run to raise money for the National Breast Cancer

“Dancing Bears,” a compilation of bear sculptures at Sivertson Gallery.

The race itself is on Saturday, March 9, with a mass sourdough start on Gunflint Lake in front of Gunflint Pines at noon. The mushers will race to Trail Center, arriving in mid-afternoon. For more information, visit www.mushforacure.com.

Also that weekend, the husband and wife team, Rick Allen and Marian Lansky, will give a Fireside Chat presentation at Sivertson Gallery at 6 p.m. Entitled “A Kenspeckle Marriage,” or “How Having a Good time Making Art Can Be A Life’s Work,” the evening will undoubtedly be very funny as well as fascinating. Allen works in woodblocks, engraving and the letter press. Lansky is a graphic artist. All invited.

The following weekend, Sivertson Gallery will hold the 13th Annual Inuit Premiere, with a wide variety of new Inuit sculptures, prints and more. The event kicks off on Friday evening, March 15, with a premiere film screening of the documentary, “KINNGAIT – Riding Light into the World” at 7 p.m. On Saturday, the popular Inuit throat singers Nina Segalowitz and Lydia Etok perform at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.

It’s St. Patrick’s Day weekend, too, and the Grand Marais Public Library will present “The Timeless Beauty of Harp & Flute with Betty Braunstein (flute) and Janell LeMire (harp) on March 16. The event is free and starts at 4 p.m.

Cascade Lodge Pub is featuring the Irish Music Duo Tune Unit with David and Suzanne Rhees, who will perform traditional Irish music on Friday and Saturday nights.

Michael Monroe holds a Log Cabin Concert on Saturday, March 16, as well. Call 387-2917 for more info and reservations.

Barbara Jean & Chastity Brown will perform at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts March 2.

Foundation. The fundraiser starts on Friday night at Windigo Lodge with live music and pink-themed parties. At 9:30 p.m. is the “The Bald, the Brave & the Beautiful” head shaving, always a popular event.

And last, but not least, Hovland artists Dan and Lee Ross open an exhibit at the Grand Marais Art Colony with a reception and lecture at 6 p.m. on Friday, March 22. The Hovland artists, who are known throughout the country as exceptional sculptors in stone and clay, were artists-in-residence in the print studio at the Art Colony earlier this winter where they experimented with a printmaking, a new medium for them. They will talk about the challenges and excitement of exploring printmaking during the talk. They will also be available

Karen Blackburn zaps a fearful Braidy Powers with cell phone energy in “Muskrat Love,” a Dave Seaton comedy about two strangers meeting in the BWCA. The play with be part of the 10-Minute Play Festival at Harbor Light Supper Club March 1&2.

ARTSCENE continued on page 9 »

Anishinaabe poet Al Hunter will read from his latest book, “A Beautiful Razor” at Trepanier Hall, 212 W. 2nd St. in Duluth on March 2, from 7-8 p.m. Reception to follow.

MARCH 2013 North Shore HWy 61 7

Mush On!

A musher crosses Poplar Lake during last year’s Mush for a Cure. Photos courtesy of Sue Prom.

By Ada Igoe Now in its seventh year, the Mush for a Cure sled dog event wraps spring fever together with determination to find a cure to breast cancer in a riot of pink on the Gunflint Trail.

All money raised during this weekend event, held March 8-9 this year, are donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

“We’re really excited,” said Mary Black, who co-founded Mush for a Cure with Sue Prom.

Both Prom and Black had worked to raise funds for breast cancer research before they started organizing Mush for a Cure. The pair’s initial breast cancer research fundraising efforts capitalized on their individual interests. Prom, who runs Voyageur Canoe Outfitters with husband Mike, designed and sold pink canoe pad- Dog sled mushers get their pink on to raise funds for breast cancer research as part of the dles through PinkPaddles.com, while annual Mush for a Cure event on the Gunflint Trail.

Black offered a sled dog sponsorship program through the dog sled kennel raised from the weekend’s public events, Black said. she ran with her husband, Mark. Prom and Black decided to “[This year] we’re going for a nice round number,” said further their fundraising efforts by teaming up to create Mush Black. “We’d like to raise $50,000.” for a Cure in 2007.

The event kicks off on Friday, March 8, with a pink pasta Seven years down the road, Prom and Black are still at the feed at Windigo Lodge on Poplar Lake from 5-7 p.m., folhelm, and Mush for a Cure has become not only a highly suclowed by an ’80s-themed party that kicks up around 8 p.m. cessful fun-raising and fundraising event, but also a highlight of “We’re going back to the ’80s in pink,” said Black, who exthe winter season on the Gunflint Trail. Last year’s event raised $41,000. Each year about two-thirds of the funds come from pects to see big hair and lots of leg warmers. pledges the dog mushers collect, while the remaining funds are

8 North Shore HWy 61 MARCH 2013

» ARTSCENE continued from page 7

Charlie Parr will perform at Papa Charlie’s March 25 as part of its weekly Songwriter Series. Photo by Peter Lee

on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to speak about the exhibit with visitors. Their exhibit, entitled “Entry Point” will be up through April 7.

In other art news, the band Cloud Cult, which played to a huge audience in Silver Bay in December, has just released a new album, “Love” as well as launched a film about the band, “Nobody Said It Would Be Easy.” To see a trailer for the movie or the album, visit cloudcult.com.

Former Gunflint District Ranger Dennis Neitzke went pink as part of the 2012 Bald, Brave, and Beautiful event at last year’s Mush for a Cure.

A highlight of the Friday festivities is the Bald, Brave and Beautiful head shaving, now in its fourth year. For this event, local men put their heads on the proverbial chopping block. The participants are given approximately a month to reach a fundraising goal. If they meet their goal, their heads are shaved at 9:30 p.m. on Friday night.

“We have a great line up for the Bald, Brave and Beautiful this year, as always,” said Prom. “The resorters of Cook County are well-represented with Bruce Kerfoot [of Gunflint Lodge], Forrest Parsons [of Hungry Jack Lodge] and Scott Harrison [of Lutsen Resort].”

Still, the focal point of the whole event remains the dog races on Saturday. After the pancake breakfast at Gunflint Pines, the skijoring race – which goes from Cross River to Gunflint Pines – is held at 10 a.m. The dog sled race starts at noon. Mushers follow an approximately 26-mile course from Gunflint Pines on Gunflint Lake to Trail Center Lodge on Poplar Lake. As of mid-February, more than 30 mushers were signed up to participate.

Robert Two Bulls (who painted “Chief, What They Want Me To Be,” above), will exhibit his work along with potter Johnson Loud at the Grand Marais Art Colony. The opening reception is at 6 p.m. March 1.

The deadline to apply for a spot in the Grand Marais Art Festival is March 11. The art festival is July 13-14. For more info, visit www.grandmaraisartcolony.org.

Registration is also open for the Woodland Chamber Music Workshop, which is held in late June at Surfside Resort. For more info, visit www.woodlandchambermusic.org.

grease Sled Dog Marathon, which starts in Duluth the following day, Black noted that the award ceremony will be held promptly at 5 p.m.

The event wraps up with the release of pink memorial sky lanterns at 7 p.m. to remember those affected by breast cancer. Each year, Black and Prom selects a woman who has courageously faced breast cancer as the event’s honoree. This year’s honoree is Cook County Schools’ Pam Taylor, said Prom.

More information available at www.mushforacure.com

The races strives to be spectator friendly, and there are a number of places where the public can watch the teams pass by, including Gunflint Lake Boat Access, Iron Lake Boat Access, the Old Gunflint Trail and various businesses on Gunflint and Poplar Lakes.

As the sled dog teams come across the finish line on Poplar Lake, the public is kept entertained with a bonfire and marshmallow roast, plus human dog-sled races, in which teams of humans are hooked up to dog sleds and sprint down a course on Poplar Lake.

Once all the teams are in, awards are given to the musher with the highest dollar amount pledged, most number of pledges, first team to the Gunflint Trail and best-dressed dog team. An award also is given to a member of the public with the most outrageous pink outfit. Because many Mush for a Cure participants also are involved with the John Bear-

Kids participate in the human dogsled pull in 2012. Photo courtesy of Sue Prom.

MARCH 2013 North Shore HWy 61 9

Victus Farm to supply North Shore with fish, produce

By Joan Farnam Victus, a Latin word for nourishment or food, may play a big role in North Shore kitchens and restaurants in the next few years.

Victus Farm, a sustainable farm in Silver Bay, plans to supply organically certified fresh tilapia, greens, lettuces and basil to restaurants and grocery stores up and down the North Shore.

Technically, the farm, which is located in the Eco-Park in Silver Bay, is an aquaponic facility, but with a twist.

It will not only produce fish and produce, it will also grow algae, which will be squeezed for oil, a biofuel. The dried algae then will be fed to the tilapia fish as a protein supplement, closing one of the many loops in this complex and innovative system developed by a partnership between the University of Minnesota’s Center for Sustainable Development and the City of Silver Bay. “I’m very excited about this project,” said Joanne Johnson, mayor of Silver Bay. “We’re a diamond in the rough here. It’s taken a lot of due diligence, a lot of research, but we’re on our way.”

More than 6,000 tilapia are swimming around in the tanks today, healthy and growing, said David Abazs, who, along with Mike Mageau, director of UMD’s Environmental Studies Program, and Baylor Radtke, a graduate of the program, are spearheading Victus Farm.

Abazs owns Round River Farm in Finland and is a researcher with the Center for Sustainable Development.

Tilapia. which have been grown for food since the time of the Bible, will reach maturity in about nine months, he said.

Meanwhile, the water in which they live is being recycled into an attached greenhouse, where lettuces of all kinds are growing in hydroponic tanks. The plants use the nutrients from the fish water to grow, and the cleaner water is returned to the fish tanks for another round of use. It’s just one of the closed loop sytems at Victus Farm.

The $1.48 million project, which has been supported by the state Legislature, a variety of state agencies, including the Dept. of Employment and Economic Development and Minnesota Pollution Control Agency as well as Iron Range Resources, the City of Silver Bay, Lake County and UMD, will take at least a year to shake out, Abazs said.

David Abazs picks up a tray of lettuce growing in a hydroponic tank at Victus Farm. Waste from the fish is piped into the tanks, fertilizing the lettuce, and the cleaner water is returned to the fish tanks in a closed-loop cycle. Water used in the system is either rain water or snow melt.

So far, they’ve demonstrated that the fish/ produce loop works, and they’ve already sold lettuce to Lutsen Resort a few times this winter.

But they’ve also encountered challenges.

“There are lots of parts to it,” Abazs said. “A lot of parts.”

For example, they’ve discovered that there’s just not enough light for growing lettuce in the dead of winter, so they’ve installed growing lights to help out. They also are waiting for the fish to grow bigger so that they create enough nutrients for the lettuce to grow quickly.

And the algae/energy component has been delayed until more nutrients are available, too.

Currently, the facility is heated with solar and wood pellets.

But there’s no doubt the markets are there for all the food Victus Farm can produce, Abazs said, adding, “I’m hoping to supply all the venues on the North Shore.”

Except, perhaps for the 50 pounds of fresh basil a week they’ll grow this summer. “We’ll have vendors from all over the region for that,” he said.

Tours and short workshops at Victus Farm are available. In fact, just last week, former legislator Tom Rukavina showed up for a quick tour.

For more information about tours, call the Farm at 218-226-9920 or email Mike Mageau at mmageau@d.umn.edu.

The project is designed to be carbon neutral, using algae and wood pellets for heat, wind for electricity.

In the original concept for the Eco Park, plans were made to build a biomass facility, making and burning wood pellets for heat and power adjacent to Victus Farm. But the voters in Silver Bay turned down the idea of building a public biomass plant owned by the city.

Victus Farm snuggled in at the Eco-Park in Silver Bay.

10 North Shore HWy 61 MARCH 2013

Bruce Carman, Eco-Park project manager, said private businesses in the area are now looking into the possibility of building a biomass plant in the park. “Ideally, we want to do them all together,” he said. “Our initial concept to the (Silver Bay) EDA was to put together a project to benefit the environment, the community and economics. Food and energy costs are so volatile. If we can control those costs, we’ll have a more sustainable environment for economic growth.”

Young tilapia in one of the tanks at Victus Farm.

A Critter Crisis on Highway 61

By Stephen Surbaugh A swooping flash of white and a bang at the front of your vehicle are not things you want to experience on a night drive along Highway 61.

“I just hit something!” Tala Marxen told her husband, Brandon, via cell phone.

“Well, go back and see what you hit” he said.

“No, I’m tired and coming home; besides I didn’t see anything in the rear-view mirror.”

Should you come across an injured raptor…

Tala hung up and continued on her way home to Grand Marais from Tofte.

She pulled into the driveway feeling a bit of trepidation. With Brandon, she walked to the front of the truck to see what the damage was. To their surprise, a pile of feathers, two legs and some really sharp talons protruded from the front of the truck.

Do not attempt to rehabilitate on your own.

Call Law Enforcement, 387-3030, or DNR Wildlife, 3873034, for assistance Be very careful; raptors have sharp talons and beaks.

As they bent down to take a closer look, the pile of feathers gave a big shake and started moving. Startled, they jumped back.

If you must handle or move the raptor, first cover the bird with a blanket or towel and use heavy gloves.

“Well, what do we do now?” Tala asked.

A heavy cardboard or plastic box with plenty of ventilation is necessary. It should only be slightly larger than the raptor.

A short call later to law enforcement let them know that there was no one available from the DNR office to respond. However, the kindly dispatcher said she would send a deputy right over.

Cook County Deputy Charles Anderson arrived , took one look at the thrashing animal and said, “Well, I guess I better get some gloves.”

While he was doing that, the pile of feathers gave a mighty heave and shrugged itself out of the truck grill.

It stood there, blinking and breathing hard, but alive, after a 25-mile involuntary ride plastered to the front of a pickup. It was a Great Grey Owl, one of the world’s largest at 30-inches tall.

Living in the northland, we often confront wildlife in unexpected situations while making our commutes.

It is sad but true that many deer, owls, foxes, wolves and other animals are hurt or killed each year on the highway. So what are you supposed to do if you come across wounded or injured wildlife?

There isn’t a simple answer. We have a number of wonderful resources that are set up to watch over and care for wildlife. Finding the right resource can be difficult. In this case, here’s what happened: Deputy Anderson responded to the call because no one was available from the Wildlife Division of the DNR. This sort of interagency cooperation is common where we live. Conservation officers frequently assist with law enforcement calls, and law enforcement personnel help out with wildlife issues.

The next step with the injured Great Grey Owl was to get it some help. Anderson put it in a cardboard box with a loose-fitting lid. A box is the best thing to use as long as it has sufficient breathing holes. A pet crate with wire mesh sides is not ideal because the mesh tends to be very hard on feathers. A dark space also tends to keep raptors calm.

Do not feed or water the injured raptor. They have very delicate digestive systems, and special fluid therapy is needed to start them on their rehabilitation.

Great Grey Owl

Very large owl also known as Phantom of the north, Spruce Owl, Bearded Owl, and others Hunts mostly rodents at night.

Hangs out on the edge of open areas to facilitate hunting.

(Source Wikipedia)

Handle the raptor as little as possible. Contact with humans is very stressful for them and can reduce their chances of recovery.

If the animal is dead, you are not allowed to collect the body or feathers. You are allowed to temporarily place it in your freezer, provided you call one of the above numbers immediately the next day so they can arrange to take custody of the carcass and have it preserved.

(Source University of Minnesota:The Raptor Center webpage)

The next day the injured owl was transported to The Raptor Center in St. Paul. Volunteers all over Minnesota are trained to transport injured raptors to the center for treatment and rehabilitation when possible. The Raptor Center was formed in 1974 as part of the Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine.

It rehabilitates more than 700 raptors each year and keeps track of environmental issues that relate to their health and populations.

Unfortunately, this owl was too far gone and succumbed to its injuries.

However, it was worth the attempt to save it because the Raptor Center will often preserve the bodies and donate them to museums or schools so that we might further study and learn about these magnificent animals.

MARCH 2013 North Shore HWy 61 11

12 North Shore HWy 61 MARCH 2013

EATS to Benefit ISD 166 Students

By Joan Farnam Delectable grazing with friends and neighbors, a chance to pick up bargains and deals in a great silent auction as well as live music are on tap for EATS this year.

EATS, or “Enriching Academics Through Sustenance,” is a fundraiser for the ISD 166 Education Foundation, an organization that raises money to support special projects and programs for students in the My Sister’s Place offered a build-your-own snack at E.A.T.S. last school district. year. Photo by Lorelei Livingston.

It’s been very successful over are included in the wide-ranging list. In all, the the years.

“We’ve given away a total of $72,000 in grants Foundation grants from $6,000 to $7,000 per in the last 12 years,” said Kaye Tavernier, who is year, she said. on the board of the Education Foundation and is chair of the EATS committee.

Participants purchase tickets ($25) and then can sample an incredible array of finger foods crafted by more than 10 local restaurants.

The silent auction always features lots of items, including memberships, lodging, ski passes, gas, vehicle maintenance certificates, appliances, clothing, jewelry, artwork – just to mention a few.

There’s lots of live music, too, creating a sense of celebration as neighbors and friends gather to support new opportunities for students.

EATS was originally organized by former ISD 166 superintendent, Chuck Futterer, and Barb Coe, who was co-chair of the Education Foundation at the time, as well as Hal Greenwood, who is currently board chair.

They wanted to expand opportunities for students, but knew the school district’s budget wouldn’t support many “extras,” Tavernier said. So they decided to implement the fundraiser, and it has really impacted the school district, she said.

It’s an efficient system. Teachers can apply through an easy grant application, and the board votes on the applications at their monthly meetings. “We’re there, we’re immediate,” Tavernier said.

None of this would have been possible without strong support from the community, she added.

“It’s all due to our very generous food vendors as well as businesses, individuals and the public.”

This year, they will be selling only 150 tickets to the event.

They go fast, too, Tavernier said. They can be purchased at the K-12 office at the school, at Java Moose or the Blue Water Cafe as well as from board members.

For more information, check out the new Facebook page—Enriching Academics Through Sustenance.

A quick perusal of the grants awarded over the last 12 years confirms this. Everything from computer upgrades and software, transportation expenses for students playing in the band, performing in theater productions or competing in the Knowledge Bowl, as well as equipment like a new bandsaw for Industrial tech classes,

MARCH 2013 North Shore HWy 61 13

Efforts proceed to create a more prosperous Cook County www.tinyurl.com/b22fyee The Go Team’s next big job is to evaluate the information contained in the economic analysis and the survey results. That evaluation will inform development of common-sense, pragmatic and cost-effective action steps that can ensure a more prosperous Cook County future without massive changes to the environment or way of life.

Once those actions steps have been developed, the Go Team will bring them to the community in at least one forum to gauge public support and gather feedback on where changes are needed.

Many of the problems that need to be overcome are almost givens. They include: Increasing the available stock of reasonably priced, good quality rental housing and starter homes.

Over one-half of Cook County community members surveyed believe the local economy declined in the past five years.

By Jim Boyd At a recent meeting, the Cook County Go Team heard reports on the somewhat weak state of the county economy, and on what county residents and business leaders think should be done to create a more prosperous future.

The Go Team is a group of 22 county residents organized to develop a strategic action plan for future county economic development. Its work is financed by the Cook County Board, City of Grand Marais, Grand Marais/Cook County Economic Development Authority and Arrowhead Electric. Go Team work is guided by Randy Lasky of Northspan Group, a Duluthbased economic development nonprofit. The writer works as project local coordinator for Northspan Group.

The county economy was addressed in a “Cook County Economic Analysis” developed by the staff at Arrowhead Regional Development Commission. While it is still in draft form, its conclusions bear sharing: “From 2000 through 2011, the county econ-

14 North Shore HWy 61 MARCH 2013

omy grew at less than the rate of inflation, and population growth stagnated. The county grayed as it lost young families. Business had little to reinvest in their capital assets, which means they gradually declined and added few new jobs, especially well-paying, full-time jobs that can support young families. Declining economic growth simultaneously reduced government revenues and created increased needs for government services and investments.”

That gives a good summary of the situation.

A similar portrait of the county emerges from the Go Team surveys of county business leaders and residents. The online “community perception” survey received 398 responses.

Face-to-face interviews with 96 business leaders produced the second survey. While the two surveys contained different questions and had a different emphasis, the results are similar: Both groups: • Recognize that the Cook County economy is faltering.

• Believe that Cook County lacks a clear vision for its future.

• Believe that county public officials do not

work well together.

• Believe that more robust economic growth would be good for the county and its residents.

• Believe that lack of affordable housing is a significant problem, especially for young people.

• Believe that the county needs more yearround jobs paying higher wages than typically found in tourism-related businesses.

• Emphatically want beneficial growth, jobs and affordable housing to be developed without dramatically affecting the natural beauty, health of the environment and way of life that Cook County residents cherish.

• Worry that growth, if it comes, will damage the beauty of the county, harm its environment and adversely change its way of life.

Both the community perception survey and the survey of business leaders contain troves of interesting details. A PowerPoint summary of the community survey can be found at: www.tinyurl.com/azoe9tj The business survey can be found at:

Diversifying the county economy into non-tourism sectors to create more full-time, year-round, living-wage jobs that are not weather dependent. Broadband offers possibilities that Cook County should fully exploit. Telework is a growing phenomenon in the global economy and a potential good fit for Cook County because it creates good jobs without “industrializing” the landscape. Identifying, then recruiting or home-growing light industry that fits Cook County will be another important step.

Improving the health of the existing tourism sector. Tourism is likely always to be the single largest economic player in Cook County.

It needs to strengthen its ability to attract visitors in what are now slack seasons and slack times of the week. Moreover, everything done to make Cook County more attractive to visitors also makes it more attractive to the new permanent residents – predominantly young families – that the county needs. One area in particular need of attention is marketing appropriate areas of the county for motorized sports.

Welcoming and encouraging new residents, especially new young residents. The survey results show that county residents are all over the map on whether population growth is a good thing. But almost everyone grasps the need for more young families. Meeting that need by definition means adding to the county population.

Soon the Go Team hopes to have worked its way through this complex,thorny thicket of issues, and to share its conclusions with and seek feedback from the Cook County Community.

Note: You can also find the Go Team Survey results at www.NorthShoreHwy61.com.

For Donors Large and Small, Community Fund Makes Giving Easy

By Shawn Perich Sometimes, donating money isn’t easy. Individuals or families who are planning their estates may want to give a substantial amount of money to a nonprofit organization, but may be inhibited from doing so because the organization has no mechanism in place to manage large donations. They may want to give money to benefit the community where they live, rather than a specific organization. Again, a mechanism to manage such donations is necessary.

Grand Marais attorney Leigh Mathison encountered these obstacles to giving when she was assisting community members with estate planning. Efforts by Mathison and local businessman Steve Surbaugh and others, who saw the same need, led to the establishment of the Cook County Community Fund (CCCF) in 2003.

“The Cook County Community Fund serves as a bridge between donors and nonprofit organizations,” Mathison says.

The mission of the Fund is “to enhance the quality of life for the people of Cook County by attracting charitable gifts, making philanthropic grants, and providing responsible financial stewardship and community leadership.” To meet this mission, the Fund grants awards to local nonprofits and also functions as the umbrella organization for over a dozen local funds and endowments. The latter is especially important, because it provides the mechanism for local nonprofits to accept and administer large donations.

The CCCF has no paid staff. Instead it is an affiliate of the Duluth-Superior Area Community Foundation (DSACF), which provides general and financial administration, grant making, public relations and fund-raising services. An additional benefit is that Cook County’s money is pooled with the Foundation’s large financial base, providing a better return on investment.

The CCCF’s decision making is done by a board made up of local community members, which meets about once a month.

Board chair Howard Hedstrom says the board has control over the money in its account and its grant-making decisions.

“We get administrative support from the Duluth-Superior Area Community Foundation, but our decision-making is autonomous,” says Hedstrom.

Other organizations with funds or endowments beneath the CCCF umbrella, such as the Violence Prevention Center, WTIP Radio and the North House Folk School, have control over their money as well.

For more information about the CCCF or to make a donation, call (218) 726-0232 or go to www.cookcountycommunityfund.org.

Hedstrom believes the foundation is a good place for members of the Cook County community to make donations or endowments, because the money stays in the community and keeps giving. The infrastructure provided by the CCCF allows estate gifts to be made at no cost to the heirs of the estate. For large donations, an individual or a family can even set up their own endowment fund for specific purposes, such as the environment, children’s issues or similar concerns.

The CCCF’s Development Fund has grown to over $200,000 and is used to provide grants to nonprofits throughout the county. There is an application process for organizations seeking funding. Over the years, money has been given to groups ranging from the Gunflint Trail Historical Society to the Cook County Amateur Hockey Association.

MARCH 2013 North Shore HWy 61 15

March 1, Friday Eric Frost Moguls at Caribou Highlands Lutsen, 3:30 p.m. www.caribouhighlands.com Seen Through Native Eyes: Celebration of Native Art Art Colony, Grand Marais, 6 p.m. www.grandmaraisartcolony.org Gordon Thorne Bluefin Bay, Tofte, 8 p.m. www.bluefinbay.com Bump Blomberg Cascade Lodge Pub, Lutsen, 7 p.m. www.cascadelodgemn.com Evergreen Band Gunflint Tavern, Grand Marais 9 p.m., www.gunflinttavern.com God Johnson Papa Charlie’s, Lutsen, 9:30 p.m. www.lutsen.com

March 1-2 10 Minute Play Festival Harbor Light Supper Club Grand Marais, 7 p.m.

218-387-1142

March 1-3 A Weekend with the Big Wu and Friends Papa Charlie’s, Lutsen www.lutsen.com

March 2, Saturday Scrapbooking Weekend (Registration Required) Naniboujou, Grand Marais 9 a.m., 218-387-2688 Al Oikari and Rod Dockan – Apres Ski Acoustic Papa Charlie’s , Lutsen, 3:15 p.m. www.lutsen.com Jim Miller – Apres Ski Acoustic Papa Charlie’s, Lutsen, 6:45 p.m. www.lutsen.com Bump Blomberg Cascade Lodge Pub Lutsen, 7 p.m. www.cascadelodgemn.com Jim and Michelle Miller Moguls at Caribou Highlands Lutsen, 3:30 p.m. www.caribouhighlands.com Jake Manders Trio Gunflint Tavern Grand Marais , 8:30 p.m. www.gunflinttavern.com

Eric Frost – Music by the Fireplace Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m. www.lutsenresort.com Earth Wind and Todd Hungry Jack Lodge Gunflint Trail, 7 p.m.

218-388-2265 Seen Through Native Eyes: Celebration of Native Art Art Colony, Grand Marais, 9 a.m. www.grandmaraisartcolony.org Fireside Chat: My Colorful Neighborhood Sivertson Art Gallery Grand Marais, 6 p.m. www.sivertson.com Barbara Jean & Chastity Brown Arrowhead Center for the Arts Grand Marais, 7:30 p.m. northshoremusicassociation.com

March 3, Sunday Vietnamese Cooking (Pre-registration Required) Co-op, Grand Marais, 4 p.m.

218-387-2503 Trout Derby Gunflint Lake Gunflint Trail, 9 a.m. www.boreal.org/ridgeriders/ Betty Braunstein, Timothy Perry and Samuel Black Bluefin Bay, Tofte, 6 p.m. www.bluefinbay.com Wu Acoustic Family – Apres Ski Acoustic Papa Charlie’s , Lutsen, 3:30 p.m. www.lutsen.com Seen Through Native Eyes: Celebration of Native Art Maple Hill Church, Grand Marais 10:30 a.m., 218-387-1536 North Shore’s Fascinating Geology Caribou Highlands Lutsen, 7 p.m. www.caribouhighlands.com

March 4, Monday 1st Monday Night Acoustic Jam Chicago Bay Marketplace Hovland, 5 p.m.

218-475-2253 Eric Koskinen – Songwriter Series Papa Charlie’s , Lutsen, 8 p.m. www.lutsen.com

16 North Shore HWy 61 MARCH 2013

March 5, Tuesday Briand Morrison Poplar River Pub, Lutsen, 6 p.m. www.lutsenresort.com

March 6, Wednesday Brett Berka Acoustic Guitar Harbor Light, Grand Marais 6 p.m., 218-387-1142 James Moors Bluefin Bay, Tofte, 8 p.m. www.bluefinbay.com

March 7, Thursday Jon Kallberg Poplar River Pub, Lutsen, 6 p.m. www.lutsenresort.com James Moors Gunflint Tavern Grand Marais, 7:30 p.m. www.gunflinttavern.com Family Dance and Fundraiser with The Splinters North House Folk School Grand Marais, 6 p.m.

218-387-1324

March 8, Friday James Wedgwood – Comedy, Ventriloquism, and More Public Library Grand Marais, 6 p.m. www.grandmaraislibrary.org Pete Kavanaugh Moguls at Caribou Highlands Lutsen, 3:30 p.m. www.caribouhighlands.com Mary Bue Cascade Lodge Pub Lutsen, 7 p.m. www.cascadelodgemn.com Gordon Thorne Bluefin Bay, Tofte, 8 p.m. www.bluefinbay.com Bitterroot Band Gunflint Tavern Grand Marais, 8:30 p.m. www.gunflinttavern.com

March 8-9 Mush for a Cure FUNdraiser Gunflint Trail www.mushforacure.com

March 8-10 Chuck Futterer Senior Memorial Open Bonspiel Community Center Grand Marais, 218-387-2382

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Monday Cribbage Tournament at Moguls Caribou Highlands, Lutsen, 7 p.m. www.caribouhighlands.com

Texas Hold’em Tournament Harbor Light, Grand Marais, 6:30 p.m., 218-387-1142

Tuesday

March 8-31 Lakehead University Annual Juried and Major Studio Exhibition Thunder Bay Art Gallery www.theag.ca

March 9, Saturday Al Oikari and Rod Dockan – Apres Ski Acoustic Papa Charlie’s , Lutsen, 3:15 p.m. www.lutsen.com The Sivertones – Apres Ski Acoustic Papa Charlie’s , Lutsen, 6:45 p.m. www.lutsen.com Cherry Dirt Cascade Lodge Pub Lutsen, 7 p.m. www.cascadelodgemn.com Al Oikari and Rod Dockan Gunflint Tavern Grand Marais, 8:30 p.m. www.gunflinttavern.com The Belfast Cowboys with Mad Ripple Papa Charlie’s, Lutsen, 9:30 p.m. www.lutsen.com Fireside Chat: A Kenspeckle Marriage Sivertson Gallery Grand Marais, 6 p.m. www.sivertson.com James Moors Moguls at Caribou Highlands Lutsen, 3:30 p.m. www.caribouhighlands.com Bump Blomberg – Music by the Fireplace Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m. www.lutsenresort.com Birds of the North Shore Sugarloaf Cove Schroeder, 10 a.m. www.sugarloafnorthshore.org

March 10, Sunday The Sivertones Gunflint Tavern Grand Marais, 6:30 p.m. www.gunflinttavern.com The Accidental Ensemble Bluefin Bay, Tofte, 6 p.m. www.bluefinbay.com White Hurricane: The Great Lakes Worst Storm Ever Caribou Highlands Lutsen, 7 p.m. www.caribouhighlands.com

Open Mic Night Papa

Charlie’s , Lutsen, 7 p.m. www.lutsen.com

Gordon Thorne

Moondance Coffee House, Lutsen, 5 p.m. www.moondancecoffee.com

March 10-11 Mad Ripple Hootenanny Papa Charlie’s, Lutsen www.lutsen.com

March 10-13 Rescheduled Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon 2013 www.beargrease.com

March 12, Tuesday Kindle Class Public Library Grand Marais, 6-8 p.m.

218-387-1140 Joe Paulik Poplar River Pub, Lutsen, 6 p.m. www.lutsenresort.com

March 13, Wednesday Energy Efficiency Workshop Cook County Higher Ed Grand Marais, 7-8:30 p.m. www.cookcountylep.org Brett Berka Acoustic Guitar Harbor Light, Grand Marais 6 p.m., 218-387-1142 Eric Frost Bluefin Bay, Tofte, 8 p.m. www.bluefinbay.com

March 14, Thursday E.A.T.S. 2012 (Tickets Required) Cook County High School Grand Marais, 6-8 p.m.

See ad below for tickets The Sivertones Poplar River Pub, Lutsen, 6 p.m. www.lutsenresort.com Bump Blomberg Gunflint Tavern Grand Marais, 7:30 p.m. www.gunflinttavern.com

March 15, Friday Bump Blomberg Moguls at Caribou Highlands Lutsen, 3:30 p.m. www.caribouhighlands.com Gordon Thorne Bluefin Bay, Tofte, 8 p.m. www.bluefinbay.com Bump Blomberg and Adam Gunflint Tavern Grand Marais, 8:30 p.m. www.gunflinttavern.com

Wednesday Texas Hold’em Poker Tournament Papa Charlie’s, Lutsen, Sign up at 5 p.m. – Tournament at 7 p.m. www.lutsen.com

Friday Comedy Night

Papa Charlie’s, Lutsen, 8 p.m., www.lutsen.com

Timmy Haus

Papa Charlie’s, Lutsen, 9 p.m., www.lutsen.com

13th Annual Inuit Premiere Film Screening Sivertson Gallery Grand Marais, 7 p.m. www.sivertson.com

March 15-16 Irish Music Duo Tune Unit Cascade Lodge Pub Lutsen, 6 p.m. www.cascadelodgemn.com

March 16, Saturday The Timeless Beauty of Harp and Flute Public Library Grand Marais, 4 p.m. www.grandmaraislibrary.org Michael Monroe’s Log Cabin Concert Grand Marais, 7 p.m. michaelmonroemusic.com Pete Kavenaugh – Apres Ski Acoustic Papa Charlie’s , Lutsen, 3:15 p.m. www.lutsen.com Snowmobile Drag Racing on Poplar Lake Windigo Lodge, Gunflint Trail Sign up at 11 a.m., starts at Noon www.boreal.org/ridgeriders James Moors – Apres Ski Acoustic Papa Charlie’s, Lutsen, 6:45 p.m. www.lutsen.com 13th Annual Inuit Premiere -Fireside Chat, 6 p.m.

-Throat Singers, 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 6 p.m.

Sivertson Gallery, Grand Marais www.sivertson.com Eric Frost – Music by the Fireplace Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m. www.lutsenresort.com Joe Paulik Moguls at Caribou Highlands Lutsen, 3:30 p.m. www.caribouhighlands.com The Tex Pistols Band Papa Charlie’s , Lutsen, 9:30 p.m. www.lutsen.com

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March 17, Sunday St. Patrick's Day Scott Fraser Bluefin Bay , Tofte, 6 p.m. www.bluefinbay.com Lehto and Wright – Apres Ski Acoustic Papa Charlie’s, Lutsen, 3:30 p.m. www.lutsen.com Roddy McDookan Gunflint Tavern Grand Marais, 7:30 p.m. www.gunflinttavern.com

March 17 & 24 Mystique of the Wolf Caribou Highlands Lutsen, 7 p.m. www.caribouhighlands.com

March 18, Monday Chastity Brown – Songwriter Series Papa Charlie’s , Lutsen, 8 p.m. www.lutsen.com

March 19, Tuesday Financial Aid Information Night —Completing the FAFSA & Paying for College North Shore Campus, Grand Marais, 5:30-7:00 p.m., 218-387-3411, highered@northshorecampus.org.

March 20, Wednesday Brett Berka Acoustic Guitar Harbor Light, Grand Marais 6 p.m., 218-387-1142

Shane Martin Bluefin Bay, Tofte, 8 p.m. www.bluefinbay.com

March 21, Thursday Gordon Thorne Gunflint Tavern Grand Marais, 7 p.m. www.gunflinttavern.com Briand Morrison Poplar River Pub, Lutsen, 6 p.m. www.lutsenresort.com

March 22, Friday Middle School Youth Leadership Workshop Cook County Community Center and Arrowhead Center for the Arts Grand Marais, 3:45 p.m.

218-387-2000 Eric Frost Cascade Lodge Pub Lutsen, 7 p.m. www.cascadelodgemn.com Gordon Thorne Bluefin Bay, Tofte, 8 p.m. www.bluefinbay.com The Boomchucks – DuLutsen Festival Papa Charlie’s , Lutsen, 9:30 p.m www.lutsen.com Dirty Horse – DuLutsen Festival Papa Charlie’s, Lutsen, 11 p.m. www.lutsen.com The Sivertones Moguls at Caribou Highlands Lutsen, 3:30 p.m. www.caribouhighlands.com

March 22-23 Jason Wussow Band Gunflint Tavern Grand Marais, 8:30 p.m. www.gunflinttavern.com

March 22-April 7 “Entry Points” Exhibition

by Dan and Lee Ross Art Colony, Grand Marais Opening Reception on March 22 at 5 p.m. www.grandmaraisartcolony.org

March 23, Saturday Jim McGowan Cascade Lodge Pub Lutsen, 7 p.m. www.cascadelodgemn.com James Moors – Music by the Fireplace Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m. www.lutsenresort.com Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank – DuLutsen Festival Papa Charlie’s , Lutsen, 11 p.m. www.lutsen.com Joe Paulik Moguls at Caribou Highlands Lutsen, 3:30 p.m. www.caribouhighlands.com Rich and Germaine – DuLutsen Festival Papa Charlie’s , Lutsen, 4:45 p.m. www.lutsen.com Marc Gartman – DuLutsen Festival Papa Charlie’s, Lutsen, 8:30 p.m. www.lutsen.com

March 23-24 Lutsen Mountains Playground Throwdown 9:30 a.m., www.lutsen.com

March 24, Sunday Clare Chopp and Sam Black Bluefin Bay, Tofte, 6 p.m. www.bluefinbay.com Jason Wussow and Friends – Apres Ski Acoustic Papa Charlie’s, Lutsen, 3:30 p.m. www.lutsen.com Dedric Clark Jason Wussow Band Gunflint Tavern Grand Marais, 7:30 p.m. www.gunflinttavern.com

March 25, Monday Charlie Parr – Songwriter Series Papa Charlie’s, Lutsen, 8 p.m. www.lutsen.com

March 26, Tuesday Jon Kallberg Poplar River Pub, Lutsen, 6 p.m. www.lutsenresort.com

March 27, Wednesday Brett Berka Acoustic Guitar Harbor Light, Grand Marais 6 p.m., 218-387-1142 Joe Paulik Bluefin Bay, Tofte, 8 p.m. www.bluefinbay.com

March 28, Thursday Gordon Thorne Poplar River Pub, Lutsen, 7 p.m. www.lutsenresort.com Ian Alexy Jason Wussow Band Gunflint Tavern Grand Marais, 7:30 p.m. www.gunflinttavern.com

March 29, Friday Eric Frost Moguls at Caribou Highlands Lutsen, 3:30 p.m. www.caribouhighlands.com James Moors Bluefin Bay, Tofte, 8 p.m. www.bluefinbay.com Jim and Michelle Miller Cascade Lodge Pub Lutsen, 7 p.m. www.cascadelodgemn.com

March 29-30 The Brother Burn Mountain Gunflint Tavern Grand Marais, 9 p.m. www.gunflinttavern.com

March 30, Saturday Easter Egg Fundraiser for Kids Plus Cook County Community Center, Grand Marais 9 a.m - Noon Bump Blomberg – Apres Ski Acoustic Papa Charlie’s, Lutsen, 3:15 p.m. www.lutsen.com

The Sivertones – Apres Ski Acoustic Papa Charlie’s, Lutsen, 6:45 p.m. www.lutsen.com Pete Kavanaugh Cascade Lodge Pub Lutsen, 7 p.m. www.cascadelodgemn.com Matt Wahl – Music by the Fireplace Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m. www.lutsenresort.com Joe Paulik Moguls at Caribou Highlands Lutsen, 3:30 p.m. www.caribouhighlands.com Spring Carnival Lutsen Mountains, 9:30 a.m. www.lutsen.com

March 31, Sunday Samuel Black and Vincent Osborn Bluefin Bay, Tofte, 6 p.m. www.bluefinbay.com James Moors Jason Wussow Band Gunflint Tavern Grand Marais, 7:30 p.m. www.gunflinttavern.com Easter Festival Lutsen Mountains, 7 a.m. www.lutsen.com

MARCH 2013 North Shore HWy 61 17

Guns In Cook County An Interview with Sheriff Mark Falk

By Shawn Perich In recent months, gun-related violence and political efforts to contain it have been in the daily news. For a local perspective, we asked Cook County Sheriff Mark Falk a few questions about gun violence and gun-related law enforcement in Cook County. His answers are below.

How many gun-related incidents are reported annually?

Falk: I don’t have exact numbers because a “gun-related” incident may not always get coded correctly and/or there is no code for that particular charge or incident even though it was “gun-related”. I estimate we have about 20-25 gun-related calls per year.

How many gun-related suicides occur in the county?

Falk: We have an average of one per year.

How many shootings have there been in the past 10 years?

Falk: Excluding suicides, seven. These only include cases where there was an actual or intended victim, or a reckless discharge.

How many armed law enforcement officers work in Cook County?

Falk: Excluding Border Patrol, Customs, and Coast Guard there are 23 licensed peace officers in Cook County that are authorized to carry a firearm. This includes the Sheriff’s Office, State Patrol, Minnesota DNR conservation officers, 1854 Authority conservation officers, and U.S. Forest Service enforcement officers who live in Cook County. I did not include the U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Customs or U. S. Coast Guard because I am not sure of the exact number of law enforcement officers their agencies employ in Cook County who are authorized to carry firearms.

Minnesota Public Radio reported last year that Cook County has the highest rate of concealed carry permits in the state. How many permit holders are there?

Falk: First of all, Minnesota does not have a “concealed carry permit” law. It is a “permit to carry.” In Minnesota if you have a permit to carry, the gun does not need to be concealed, you can have it holstered and visible. As of Jan. 31, Cook County has 269 permits to carry. Statewide, there are 119,420 permits.

How many licensed gun dealers are there in the county?

Falk: Cook County has nine businesses or individuals who have Federal Firearms Licenses.

Broadband Brings Technology —and Peace of Mind — to Local Seniors

By Kelly Schoenfelder

with a senior and ask about their concerns, we usually have something that can fix them.”

Broadband is coming to Cook County, and the services that it will bring won’t just be for the computer-savvy and tech-minded.

Kimber Wraalstad, administer at the Cook County North Shore Hospital and Care Center, has been closely aligned with one senior who is using the technology and has been encouraged by what she has seen so far.

Terry Meath was a member of the Cook County Broadband Commission when they were first looking at bringing fiber to Cook County. The Broadband Commission saw that there were good and bad ways to introduce this type of technology to an area like ours, and they wanted to do it the right way.

“The one group that we probably didn’t address very well was our seniors,” Meath said.

“We didn’t want to leave anyone on the wrong side, and we saw our seniors as folks who maybe never use the internet or a computer, who were maybe even afraid of it.”

Enter the Peace of Mind project. It uses broadband technology to hook up a monitoring system for seniors living at home.

The system allows their caregivers, often times their children or family members, to monitor their well-being from a distance. It also allows seniors to continue to live at home, instead of moving into assisted living.

“It’s doing health care via telephone or internet,” Meath said. “You wrestle with some tough issues when your loved one is getting older and more frail, so there are concerns on both sides.

This is a solution for both of them.”

The systems are set up to monitor a variety of different well-being concerns.

“Let’s say someone forgets to take their meds,” Meath said. “Well, there are medication dispensers, and if a senior forgets, there might be a beeping going on, or maybe there’s a phone call. Maybe the next thing is it pages someone nearby.”

Four seniors currently are participating in the Peace of Mind project. So far, attitudes towards the project have been very positive.

“We tell people how it works, and they say, ‘Oh, that’s just what I need, I’ll feel so much better,’ ” Meath said. “Really, if we sit down

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“Just the opportunity to use the blood pressure piece and have it recorded so we can see it all the time, and her family members who are not in the community can see it and have kind of an idea of what’s happening, I just think it’s going to get better as we see what happens with these folks,” Wraalstad said.

For seniors and caregivers looking seriously at this type of technology, the major hindrance is cost. The equipment costs around $2,500, but it also requires subscription to a service provider.

“It’s about 100 bucks a month,” Meath said.

“A little steep for most people, but if you have a parent that you’re concerned about, it’s not so bad.”

Learning how to use the technology is also a difficulty, particularly for caregivers.

“I think it’s probably more a tough learning curve on the family side with the technology,” Wraalstad said. “They have to go in and look at things, and it’s a little more difficult for them.”

To make it easier for seniors and caregivers who are not as comfortable using computers, the team has chosen systems that are more user-friendly.

“It looks like just a monitor, and it’s a touch screen, so you don’t need computer skills at all,” Meath said.

The Peace of Mind project is still in progress, and the group hopes to include more participants after the broadband project is completed.

“People want to stay home, so what we can do to try to keep people in their homes and where they want to be as long as we can, we’re going to be able to use technology,” Wraalstad said.

“We just have to envision it, and then we have to have the seniors and their family members say, yeah, this is how this can work, and this can be beneficial to us.”

The County’s Raid on Radon

By Ada Igoe Radon: It’s odorless, colorless, the No. 1 cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, and it might be seeping into your home. If you don’t know the level of this carcinogenic gas in your home, Cook County now offers free test kits to help you find out.

Minnesota has been referred to as “a radon hotbed,” and although northeastern Minnesota tends to have lower levels than the rest of the state, homeowners shouldn’t be complacent, experts say. In fact, one in three homes in Minnesota has dangerously high levels of radon, said Mitch Everson, Cook County Environmental Health Officer.

So what is radon?

“It’s a radioactive gas that seeps up through the soil and then through the cracks in the lower level of your homes,” said Everson. “It’s the natural decay of uranium, which turns into radium which disintegrates into a radioactive gas.”

According to the Minnesota Department of Health, Minnesota’s geology and the way Minnesotans construct their homes to shelter against cold winters are two reasons why radon levels are high. Radon levels tend to spike during the winter months, when air displaced from the home by furnaces, fireplaces and other combustion appliances is replaced with air from the soil surrounding the home.

Radon is measured by picocuries per liter. If radon in your home is 4 or more picocuries per liter, the Minnesota Department of Health recommends homeowners take action to reduce it. Homeowners also should at least consider making changes if their tests indicate a level of 2-4 picocuries per liter. The lower the level of radon, the better because “there’s no safe level of radon known,” said Everson.

As part of a push from the Minnesota Department of Health to educate homeowners about the risks of radon, free test kits now are available from Everson at his office in the Planning and Zoning Department in the Cook County Courthouse. Both short-term tests (3-7 days) and long-term tests (minimum of 90 days) are available at no cost. Homeowners should conduct tests during the winter months, when all windows and doors are shut.

The test itself is self-contained in a postagepaid envelope. Homeowners simply place a small foam filter in the envelope’s opening and let it hang 2-6 feet above the floor in the lowest level of the home that is frequently used. Charcoal inside the envelope absorbs radon.. After 3-7 days, homeowners seal up the test envelope and ship it to a lab in North Carolina.

In general, if the first test’s results indicate a high radon level, homeowners are encouraged

Short term radon tests are hung 2-6 feet off the ground in the lowest level of your home that’s frequently used for 3-7 days, then shipped off to a lab to determine your home’s radon levels.

Photos by Ada Igoe.

to perform a second short-term test, followed by a long term test, then use the results of the three tests to determine if they should consider mitigation.

Free radon tests are now available at the Cook County Courthouse. Mitch Everson, Cook County Environmental Health Officer, recommends everyone test their home for this carcinogenic and radioactive gas.

Mitigation usually costs $800 to $2,500 per home. Sometimes, mitigation is as simple as sealing cracks in the home’s slab. In extreme cases, contractors may install a PVC pipe from a home’s roof through the slab into the soil to allow the radon to take “the path of least resistance” out of the soil and out of the house.

Everson said while radon monitors may seem like an easy option for homeowners concerned about radon, his research has found that the monitors aren’t as accurate as radon tests. In lieu of a monitor, he recommends that homeowners simply plan to do a radon test every two – five years to keep abreast of their home’s radon level. Homeowners also should retest their homes anytime they add a new heating system or central air conditioning.

The county received its first shipment of radon test kits in January, and Everson said he hopes many homeowners take advantage of the free opportunity to use them. His office also receives a copy of each Cook County homeowner’s radon results from the lab, and he plans to use that data to help determine if there are certain areas of the county where radon is particularly prevalent.

“It’s quite important that people get their homes tested,” Everson said. “It’s a very easy test and costs you nothing.”

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