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SCHOOLS UPDATE: School board discusses BOLD initiative PAGE 16

Vocalist auditions with the Met at Ordway

JACKIE BUSSJAEGER | PRESS PUBLICATIONS

Stillwater native Jack Swanson works with vocal coach Roderick Phipps-Kettlewell to prepare for his upcoming audition with the Metropolitan Opera.

BY JACKIE BUSSJAEGER STAFF WRITER

His parents encouraged Jack Swanson’s musical talent from a young age. “I’ve always sung in church,” he said, and he remembers his first stage role in “Oliver Twist.” It wasn’t until a high school voice teacher encouraged him that Swanson thought he might be able to pursue music professionally. Swanson attended Stillwater High School, where he sang in the choir directed by Eric Christiansen, and took vocal instruction. At age 18, he joined the Minnesota Opera’s student program Project Opera, and became an apprentice, which opened into an onstage role in “La Boheme.” Swan-

son is currently pursuing a master’s degree at Rice University in Houston, Texas, following a summer as one of the youngest singers to ever be apprenticed into the Santa Fe Opera. Swanson returned home when Rice University awarded him with a special opportunity to record a musical session with Minnesota Public Radio in early January—just weeks before his Met audition. It’s not the first time Swanson has aimed for the big leagues—he auditioned for the Met and made it past the district round a few years ago, but wasn’t chosen to advance to the regional level. “The judges told me ‘You’re young,’ and gave me advice for next time,” Swanson said. It seems as though “next

time” has rolled around: his schedule for 2016 makes the process possible. “When you sign up you have to act as if you would be available for semifinals,” Swanson said. “I’m not in the opera program at Rice in the spring, so it was perfect timing.” Whenever Swanson is home in Minnesota, he makes time to work with his vocal coach, Stillwater resident Roderick Phipps-Kettlewell. Phipps-Kettlewell also accompanied Swanson in his recent MPR recording, and said that the long-distance nature of their relationship was not a serious obstacle to preparing for the Met. He said that Swanson has a natural aptitude for his method of teaching, and that rehearsing feels more like having fun than

er t n i W “ ials Spec ble!” Availa

buckling down for competition. “Jack’s very smart, he gets it,” Phipps-Kettlewell said. He and Swanson have prepared a repertoire of five selections for the auditions, varying in style and difficulty. “I sing a lot of Rossini. It shows my voice in the way I want people to hear me,” Swanson said. “Jacks sings a lot of Italian,” Phipps-Kettlewell added. In addition to Swanson, he is coaching and will accompany four other Twin Cities-based singers in the upcoming Met auditions. Swanson’s repertoire is rigorous: he plans to perform “Ah, mes amis” from Donizetti’s “Daughter of the Regiment,” SEE ORDWAY AUDITION, PAGE 12

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Vintage snowmobiles on show at Snowmobile Club BY JACKIE BUSSJAEGER STAFF WRITER

The Stillwater Snowmobile Club is holding its third annual “The Older, the Better” vintage snowmobile show on Saturday, Feb. 6 this year. Club President David Kufner said the event offers door prizes, a raffle, food and beverages and a bake sale, as it has in past years. Spectators and entrants alike are welcome to attend Kufner said that there are usually between 60 and 65 snowmobiles registered to participate. The event usually draws 250-300 people, who gather at the Withrow Ballroom and ride out to a nearby privately owned building in a snowmobile parade. The oldest sled to make the trip there and back unassisted will win the “Oldest Sled” award. “It’s a little shelter on private property, about a mile and a half away from the Withrow Ballroom, so there’s a parade, a bonfire, we hang out for a little while and then head back to the Ballroom for the awards. It’s just kind of a fun ride,” Kufner said. There are three age classes of snowmobiles: 1976-1985, 1970-1975 and 1969 and older. Kufner said the majority of sleds fall into the 1970-75 category. “It’s surprising how many people have held onto these things and have picked them up over the years,” he said. In addition to “Oldest Sled,” the “Ugliest Sled” and the “People’s Choice”

FILE PHOTO |PRESS PUBLICATIONS

Vintage snowmobiles on display at last year’s “The Older, the Better” show.

winners will be selected, as well as the best in each class of restored and original sleds. Many people attend the event sporting their most antique snowmobiling outfits, Kufner said. “There’s a special award just for that category. It’s kind of a hit.” Kufner said that he’s noticed an increased interest in vintage snowmobiling in the past few years, particularly because it can be more affordable. “If you’re interested in snowmobiling, it’s cheap

to get into vintage snowmobiling, because newer brands are so expensive,” he said. The vintage snowmobile event also pays homage to the snowmobile industry in its early days, when there was a greater variety of makes and models. “There were literally hundreds of manufacturers, and now there’s only really four major ones,” Kufner said. Overall, the club hopes to promote awareness of vintage snowmobiling

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and to gain support for its organization, which maintains and marks trails in the area between Highway 96 and Scandia. The club has been around since 1972, and currently has a membership of 30, which includes families and individuals who volunteer their time to keep the trails in good condition. “We want it to help support snowmobiling, especially in Washington County, but in the whole state of Minnesota as well,” Kufner said. For more information, visit the Stillwater Snowmobile Club website at www.lwatersnowmobileclub.org.

IF YOU GO What: “The Older, the Better” vintage snowmobile event When: 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6 Where: Withrow Ballroom & Event Center 12169 Keystone Ave. N., Hugo Cost: $5 entry fee per snowmobile, free for spectators

THE MINNESOTA SPORTSMEN’S SHOW IS UNDERWAY The 2016 Minnesota Sportsmen’s Show, presented by Mauer Chevrolet, opened Thursday at Saint Paul RiverCentre and runs through Sunday. Following are some highlights of this year’s show:  The Sportsmen’s Show is all about the outdoors, featuring boats and RVs as well as one of the largest displays of tackle to be found in one place! There’s a bountiful selection of travel destinations, camping, hunting and fishing gear….so much to explore!  The Great American Duck Race returns! Robert Duck (his real name, honestly) and his troupe of two dozen racing mallards provide fun for all ages. Steve Porter’s Trophy Whitetail returns with three magnificent live bucks. The popular Fur-Ever Wild exhibit is also back, featuring live wolves, bobcats, raccoons, foxes, porcupines and more.  Guide and tournament angler Joe Henry offers tips on fishing for walleye in free seminars on Thursday and Friday, while Fishing Hall of Fame member Ted

Takasaki covers “float fishing secrets” and “jigging your way to more walleyes” on Saturday and Sunday  Hunting pro Todd Amenrud shares his whitetail expertise on Thursday and Friday. Jared Scheffler from “Whitetail Adrenaline,” covers “Public Land Whitetail Hunting for Big Bucks” in his weekend seminars.

JANUARY 15, 2016

Clean water grants awarded to Washington County

Significant funding has been awarded to multiple local units of governments in Washington and Chisago Counties from the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) through the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment. Grant recipients include the Washington Conservation District; South Washington, Comfort Lake-Forest Lake and Valley Branch Watershed Districts; and the Middle St. Croix Watershed Management Organization. The projects vary in scope and scale, but will accomplish many goals, such as reducing pollution to lakes and rivers, restoring degraded waters and keeping water clean. Projects in Washington County include: Lake St. Croix: The Middle St. Croix WMO will install up to 24 Low Impact Development practices, such as raingardens, to reduce urban pollution running into Lake St. Croix by at least 12 pounds phosphorous and 3,000 pounds of sediment. Lake St. Croix: The Washington Conservation District will implement a project to reduce phosphorus discharges

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to the St. Croix River by enhancing the soluble phosphorus removal capacity of targeted agricultural stormwater best management practices. Moody Lake wetland rehabilitation: The Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District will implement three wetland rehabilitation projects within the Moody Lake watershed. Rehabilitating the degraded wetlands in the northwest portion of the watershed is expected to achieve 80 percent of the watershed phosphorus load reductions needed for Moody Lake to meet water quality standards. Forest Lake wetland rehabilitation: The Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District will work to reduce nutrient loading by improving a wetland basin within the watershed of Forest Lake, one of the top recreational lakes in the metro area. Restore Colby, Wilmes and Powers Lakes: The South Washington Watershed District will continue the restoration of Colby, Wilmes and Powers lakes through coordinated implementation of targeted watershed retrofits as part of planned roadway rehabilitation projects. Watershed retrofits will

include right of way raingardens and iron enhanced sand filtration. Since the Legacy Amendment was passed by Minnesota voters in Nov. 2008, more than $100 million has been invested in “on-theground” projects. Citizens and local governments have installed more than 4,100 conservation practices to improve the quality in the state’s lakes, rivers and wetlands. In this grant round, 197 applications were received, totaling $37 million in requests for the $14 million in available funds. “Using the on-theground knowledge and experience of our local government partners we are able to fund projects that are targeted towards the most critical areas,” BWSR Executive Director John Jaschke said. “These projects will make a local impact, and also help move our state towards its water quality goals.” These projects will begin this calendar year. For more information about Clean Water Fund projects, please visit www.mnwcd.org. From press release

Vinterfest 2016 adds youth hockey, warming house beer garden Scandia’s yearly Vinterfest festival will be held Friday, Jan. 29 and Saturday, Jan. 30. The official Vinterfest 2016 button can be found at area businesses. Again this year, Vinterfest will feature appearances by a Saami reindeer herder elder throughout the day. Corey Roberts of Roberts Family Funeral Home is the event organizer of the third annual “Scanley Cup” adult hockey tournament to raise money for the skating rink. The hockey tournament will run Friday, Jan. 29 through Saturday, Jan. 30. For hockey tournament registration information, contact Corey at 651-755-6401 or croberts@forestlakefloral.com. Meister’s Bar and Grill will host a beer garden in the hospitality tent alongside the skating rink. Scandia Marine Lions Club will host a pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturday. A snow sculpture contest runs from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday. There will be cash prizes and medals for first, second and third place for each of the two divisions. A vintage snowmobile show will

be held on Big Marine Lake starting with a show-and-swap at 9:30 a.m. Other activities include a vintage snowmobile contest judging at 1 p.m. and vintage snowmobile ride at 1:30 p.m. Shoreline trails will be open all day and the Vets Camp Cantina will be open for food and beverage service. Scandia Cub Scout Pack 173 will host its annual Vinterfishing ice fishing contest on Goose Lake on Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. The tournament is for children ages 15 and under and features prizes for the first-, second- and third-biggest fish. Once again, there will be performances by the Pleasant Valley Cloggers at 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. as well as sledding. New to this year’s event is Meister’s Mite Hockey on Saturday featuring a youth hockey jamboree, warming house beer garden, sledding on Meister’s hill, bonfire & s’mores, and a pig roast BBQ. The event will be capped with a Vinterfest Fireworks Show at 7 p.m. For more information about Vinterfest, visit www.ci.scandia.mn.us. From press release

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Show me Branson E HAVE BEEN to Branson, Mo. several times for the wonderful family shows, but many people have said we should go there at Christmas time. In December ’15 we did the 10-1/2 hour drive to Branson to take in eight shows in 2-1/2 days. Friends from Eau Claire, Wis. joined us and we met friends from Blair, Neb. in Branson. My wife, Kathy had purchased tickets in advance for four shows. For example Jonah, at the Sight and Sound Theater ended this year and will be replaced with Moses in April. The Andy Williams Moon River Theatre hosts three of the original Lennon Sisters and the About the second generation of the Osmond Brothers. The Branson Showboat is Town a dinner and show on a sternwheelis very well done. Gene Johnson erItthat was clear the Christmas lights and emphasis on the Christmas story made the December visit colorful and enjoyable. In Branson, the hotels and motels have lists of the shows that are going on throughout the week. Shows begin at 10:00 a.m. through 8:00 p.m. so as we had free time we were able to fit in additional shows. We found the vocalist George Dyer very talented. A Chinese acrobat show was breathtaking. The Hughes Brothers is the world’s largest family of entertainers on stage and they did a remarkable job. It was fast moving and they were very talented. We did note that there are very few first line entertainers now. Most of the shows tend to be tributes to those who were on top of the charts. It’s a great place for us to visit every three to five years. ENROUTE HOME FROM Branson, approaching Minnesota on I-35, we needed a rest stop. There was an appropriate sign, “Modern Restrooms” and we were happy to take that exit. The next thing we realized, the visitor center and restrooms were in a restored barn. I’ve been trying to figure out what they meant by “modern restrooms.” Perhaps it relates to several rest stops for truck drivers to sleep and they do not have the complete facilities. It gives me another topic to tease my Iowa friends about. ANOTHER YEAR HAS gone by. Welcome, 2016. We were discussing resolutions the other day. It is pretty rare that they succeed. Another idea that came up was to set one objective for each month of the year. For example, in January put all your legal documents together. Be sure to have a will, a health care directive and a power of attorney in place. Of course, all of these details would be depending on age. Another month might be a good time to plan a summer vacation by researching and planning the dates of travel. Another month might be devoted to grandchildren and finding special times to be with them. Another month you might look at your resources and plan the allocation for home improvements, car replacement, updating the lake home, etc. It’s another approach to family communication, what is important, and when will it fit the schedule for accomplishment in the New Year. A LOT OF different pieces of information cross my desk, come online, and are discovered through reading. Here are a couple items that come under the heading Conundrum, which is something that is puzzling and confusing. We are advised to not judge all Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge all gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Seems we constantly hear about how Social Security is going to run out of money. We never hear about welfare or food stamps running out of money! What’s interesting is the first group “worked for” their money, but the second didn’t. Why are we cutting benefits for our veterans, no pay raises for our military and cutting our army to a level lower than before WWII, but we are not stopping the payments or benefits to illegal aliens.

Gene Johnson is publisher emeritus of Press Publications.

Guacamole, anyone?

“

Hello...(sigh)...Hello?” I said, with a heavy sigh strategically placed in between hellos into my phone. I chuckled to myself; I sounded like a bad rendition of Adele’s new song. Conversations with my sister are sometimes laden with interruptions. She has six kids. Having a conversation with her made Movers and me feel like a parrot, repeating Shakers what I said—at least twice, due to Lisa Erickson interruptions. “Sorry-sorry,” my sister apologized when she came back as unexpectedly as she left the phone. This had been the third interruption in 5 minutes. I couldn’t help myself and I asked, in a loving sisterly way, “WHAT is going on over there?” “Nikki is making her after school snack. She’s making guacamole.” “WHAT?” I said, with way too much enthusiasm. My sister’s kids were picky eaters. She often brought food for them for holidays at my house because they refused to eat anything “weird.” So, how did she manage to encourage her daughter to make guacamole? She said Nikki loves guacamole and makes it almost everyday after school. Wow, I was impressed.

My sister’s kids were picky eaters. She often brought food for them for holidays at my house because they refused to eat anything “weird.” So, how did she manage to encourage her daughter to make guacamole? I assumed she doesn’t use raw onion or garlic as most kids turn their noses up at strong ﬂavors. Chunks are an issue too. When I asked to talk to Nikki, my sister happily put us on speaker phone. Nikki said she loves guacamole because it’s “yummy.” I asked her how she makes it, assuming it was from a premade packet. “Well, I take a whole avocado, ½ a lime—you squeeze the juice out, some chopped fresh red onion, 1/8 cup chopped cilantro, 1 clove of garlic “smushed” through a garlic press—the one you gave my mom, Auntie Lisa. Then, I add some salt and pepper. That’s all. It’s easy. Oh, I almost forgot, you can add tomatoes if you have them.” Even though that conversation took place days ago, I still smile when I think about it. It gives me great hope for parents of picky eaters. If you can ﬁ nd that one healthy thing your child likes,

Nikki’s Guacamole 1 avocado, very ripe—but not brown ¼ red onion, chopped 1/8 cup cilantro 1 garlic clove, minced fi ne ½ lime, juiced ½ cup chopped tomatoes Salt and pepper to taste Cut the avocado in half, remove the pit. Scoop the out the flesh with a spoon into a small bowl. Mash it with a fork, leaving some larger chunks of avocado. Add the onion, garlic, lime juice, tomatoes, and season with salt and pepper. Serve with tortilla chips. Lisa Erickson is a food columnist who loves adventure and food. You can find more recipes at www.wild-chow.com or email her at wildchowrecipes@ gmail.com.

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have them make it themselves. I had a son who was picky too. It is frustrating watching them refuse to eat what you cooked for dinner. I remember the day I ﬁgured out he liked tomato soup. He and I ended up making some from scratch and from that day forward he was more willing to try other things we made together. He is now 17 and will cook an entire dinner for the whole family. Kids do grow up and they can learn to cook.

factual veriﬁcation. • All letters are subject to editing. • Deadline is noon, Thursday of the week prior to publication. • To submit a letter, e-mail it to quadnews@presspubs.com, fax it to 651-4291242 or mail or deliver it to Press Publications, 4779 Bloom Ave., White Bear Lake, MN 55110.

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Sundays 10:00 am â€˘ Wednesdays 6:30 pm

MLK community breakfast

Forest Lake & St. Croix Valley Area

Sunday morning 3UNDAY MORNING 10:00 a.m. A M

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$)63$)

Saturday Mass: 5:00 p.m. Sunday Mass: 8:00 a.m.; 9:30 a.m.; 11:00 a.m. Daily Mass: Monday - Saturday 8:30 a.m.

1250 South Shore Drive Forest Lake 651-982-2200

Confession: Following daily Mass; Saturday 3:30 p.m.; or, by appointment

New Presbyterian (USA) church starting

! NEW CHURCH MEETING AT .ORTH ,AKES !CADEMY

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3UNDAY EVENING Wednesday evening P M 7:00 p.m.

CATHOL

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Sunday: 10 a.m. Main Worship Service Tuesday: 7 p.m. Prayer Meeting and Healing Rooms Wednesday: 7 p.m. Refuge Youth Group â€˘ 7 p.m. Adult Bible Study 7868 Lake Drive â€˘ Lino Lakes, MN 651-426-2088 â€˘ northspringschuch.com

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NORTH SPRINGS CHURCH ASSEMBLY OF GOD

Church Directory

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Service Times: Sundays at 8:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.

Be part of this exciting start for sharing the hope of Christ in your community! Share in bringing a new vision of a traditional denomination to the Quad Community Area

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&ROM ) TO (WY TO ND 3T .7 %XIT

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For more information visit us at colpres.org or call (651) 528-7321

located in the heart of Forest Lake

651-982-6361 840 South Lake Street 651-982-6361

Pastor Gregory S. Musolf LCMS 807 Hwy. 97 SE, Forest Lake, MN www.messiahlutheranforestlake.orG s 651-464-6842 Worship - 9:00 AM SS/Bible Study - 10:30 AM

The public is invited to the seventh annual Dr. Martin Luther King Community Breakfast for the Northeast Suburbs from 7-9:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 18 at White Bear Unitarian Universalist Church, 328 Maple St., Mahtomedi. The 7:30 a.m. program is free. The 7 a.m. hot breakfast is $5 (children 12 and under are free). For more information or to order tickets, visit: www.wbuuc.org/mlk. For information on other metro area MLK Community Breakfasts, visit www.interfaithaction.org/mlk.

Parent resource group for families in White Bear Lake NAMI Minnesota (National Alliance on Mental Illness) provides support groups for parents of children with mental illnesses. The support groups help parents discover resources to meet the challenges of raising a child living with a mental illness to learn coping skills and develop problem-solving skills. Parent resource groups are facilitated by a parent who has a child with a mental illness and who has been trained to lead support groups. A parent resource group meets in White Bear Lake from 6:30-8 p.m. on the second and fourth Mondays of each month at Eagle Brook Church, 2401 East Buffalo Street. For more information, contact Jody Lyons 651-645-2948 x109.

Over-40 basketball at Trinity Lutheran

Willowbrook Church Lutheran Church

Trinity Lutheran Church in Stillwater is hosting a new Over-40 Basketball program. This very informal group will hang out together in Trinityâ€™s Gym every Thursday beginning Jan. 14. If interested, contact Monty Lysne at mlysne@trinitylc.org.

willowbrookchurch.org

Service times: 9:00 & 11:00

To add to this directory or make changes, please contact: Kris 651-407-1210

AND OUTDOORS

Bears and Rangers bump heads twice second period at Vadnais Sports Center. Sarah Moy's 17th goal of the year deadlocked the game with just 0:49 left in regulation. The Bears are 4-3-2 in SEC action, and Forest Lake 6-1-2. Touted Blaine wheeled through its own invitational in impressive fashion this past week, outscoring a trio of foes 22-3 in three wins at Fogerty Arena. Paige Beebe had two goals and as many assists in a 7-1 triumph over White Bear Lake in the Midwinter Boarder Battle championship contest. The Bengals, ranked seventh in the

651-482-1322 maplewoodtoyota.com â€˘ maplewoodscion.com

of the

Sam was one of the main reasons that the Stillwater boysâ€™ swim and dive squad swamped Roseville 94-77 in a Northwest Suburban Conference meet. The junior was a part of four ďŹ rst-place ďŹ nishes. He won the 200 individual medley in 2:07.25, and the 100 butterďŹ‚y in 55.86. He also swam a leg on both the winning 200 medley and 200 freestyle relay units.

MAPLEWOOD

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a game that will go down as a tie in the official books. The Rangers (10-5-2) led 2-1 after the opening period, and it was knotted 2-2 after two periods. Moy and Sydney Shearen had the Bear goals, and Moy had their final goal at 4:26 of period three. Frank had a noteworthy game in the nets, kicking away 33 Forest Lake shots-on-goal. The Bears entertain Cretin-Derham Hall on Saturday night. Mark Aguirre

Kaylee Remington K on

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Stillwater boys swim m and dive

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last Class AA poll, led 2-0 after one period and 4-0 following two. They had a big 34-13 advantage in shots-on-goal. The Bears and goalie Samantha Klemann blanked Thief River Falls 3-0 in the tourney semifinals. Corinne Watson had a second-period goal, and Morgan Newpower and Moy added goals in the third. Sydney Shearen had two assists, and Klemann finished with 25 saves in the shutout victory. The Bears began tourney play with a 4-3 shootout victory over Forest Lake in

Athlete

Sam Larson rson s chosen by press staf *Athlete f

Athlete

of the

Week

The White Bear Lake girls' hockey team and the Forest Lake crew did some special bonding this week. The Bears began their week by playing Forest Lake in tournament action, before a Suburban East Conference matchup between the two clubs on Saturday night. They skated to a 1-1 tie on Saturday, despite outshooting Forest Lake 42-35 for the game, and 10-2 in the overtime session. The Rangers scored first with Kayla Kasel beating Calla Frank at 15:28 of the

K Kaylee was on her game for the Forest orest LLake girlsâ€™ hockey team in the Mid Winter Boarder Battle in Blaine. The W senior goaltender had 22 saves and se allowed just a single goal in a win a over Bismarck, ND., and 25 saves in a o 7-0 shutout triumph over the Central 7 Wisconsin Storm. She then had 41 saves W in a 1-1 Suburban East Conference tie with White Bear Lake. w

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651-482-1322 maplewoodtoyota.com â€˘ maplewoodscion.com

MAPLEWOOD

T TOYOTA

THE LOWDOWN

UP NORTH SENIOR DANCE

When: 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15 Where: Forest Lake American Legion, 355 W. Broadway Details: Enjoy mature music and comaraderie at the dance, held the 3rd Friday of every month. $6/person includes lunch. Cash bar. Public welcome. Contact: 651-464-2600

LEGO MANIA

When: 1:30- 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 16 Where: Hardwood Creek Library, 19955 Forest Road N., Forest Lake Details: Open Lego build-a-thon is best for kids 6 and up, but younger, adultsupervised children are welcome too. No registration required. Contact: 651-275-7300

SENIOR SURF CLASS

When: 1-3 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19 Where: Hardwood Creek Library, 19955 Forest Road N., Forest Lake Details: Those with little or no experience with computers can learn computer and internet basics. Contact: 651-275-7300

THIRD TUESDAY NIGHT ADULT BOOK CLUB

When: 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan 19 Where: Hardwood Creek Library, 19955 Forest Road N., Forest Lake Details: Title selected is ‘I am Malala’, by Malala Yousafzai. Read the book and join the discussion. No advance sign-up necessary. Contact: 651-275-7300

WEDNESDAYS @ WYOMING SPEAKER SERIES: WHAT MAKES US TICK

When: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 20 Where: Wyoming Area Geise Memorial Library, 26855 Forest. Blvd., Wyoming Details: Mary Jo Meadow, Ph.D. Discusses why we act as we do. Registration required. Contact: 651-462-9001

MAN UP AND READ BOOK CLUB

When: 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 20 Where: Hardwood Creek Library, 19955 Forest Road N., Forest Lake Details: Title selected is ‘Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers’, by Mary Roach. Read the book and join the discussion. No advance sign-up necessary. Contact: 651-275-7300

www.readtheLowdown.com

THIRD THURSDAY NIGHT ADULT BOOK CLUB

When: 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday, Jan 21 Where: Hardwood Creek Library, 19955 Forest Road N., Forest Lake Details: Title selected is ‘All the Light We Cannot See’, by Anthony Doerr. Read the book and join the discussion. No advance sign-up necessary. Contact: 651-275-7300

DOG GONE READING WITH BELLA

When: 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Jan 21 Where: Hardwood Creek Library, 19955 Forest Road N., Forest Lake Details: Children in grades K-7 read aloud to a certiﬁed therapy dog and it’s owner. Reading intervals are 15 minutes. Sign up at children’s desk or call. Contact: 651-275-7300

GADGET GURU

When: 1- 2:30 p.m. every other Saturday through March, including Jan. 23 Where: Hardwood Creek Library, 19955 Forest Road N., Forest Lake Details: Do you have a gizmo or gadget that you just can’t grasp? Hardwood Creek Library’s Gadget Guru can help with a challenging gizmo or gadget. Drop in or sign up for a 15 to 30 minute help session. Pre-regiser. Contact: 651-275-7300

JANUARY 15, 2016

When: 10:30-11 a.m. Saturdays Where: Hardwood Creek Library, 19955 Forest Rd. N., Forest Lake Details: For children ages 2 and up and their families. Stories, songs and ﬁ ngerplays. Contact: 651-275-7300

OUT EAST MAD LAB WITH THE TEXTILE CENTER

When: 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Jan 16 Where: Stillwater Library, storytime room, 224 Third St. N. Details: Design and create an monster stuffed animal by drawing with dye transfer crayons and sewing, stufﬁ ng and embellishing. Ages 5-10; registration required. Contact: stillwaterlibrary.org

SNOWSHOE, SIP AND STAY

When: 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 16 Where: The Outing Lodge at Pine Point,11661 Myeron Rd N, Stillwater Details: Snowshoe luminary-lit trails, feast on house-made pot pie, raost s’mores around a roaring ﬁ re. $36/person pre-register; $40 at door. Contact: 651-439-9747

GRAND BREAKFAST BUFFET

FILE PHOTO

WHEN:

Ice Cream Social

Noon-4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 16

WHERE:

Lowell Park, Stillwater

LUNCH ‘N LEARN WEBINAR

When: 12-12:40 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 20 Details: Emily LaBadie, CTRS (Certiﬁed Therapeutic Recreation Specialist), Certiﬁed Wellness Coach from Hudson Hospital Rehabilitation Center presents on the topic: ‘Relaxation Techniques for Stress Relief’. Register online. Contact: www. healthpartners localcare.org

When: 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 17 Where: Stillwater Knights od Columbus Hall, 1910 Greeley St., Stillwater CAREER SUCCESS Details: Breakfast PROGRAM FOR TEENS fundraiser in When: 6-8 p.m. partnership with Tuesdays, Feb. 2, 9, 16 St. Croix Valley & 23 Lumberjacks: Where: Lakes Area Special Olympics Youth Service Bureau, includes french toast, 244 North Lake St., hashbrowns, scrambled Forest Lake Details: Free program eggs and more. Adults $9; children 5-12 $4.50; in partnership with ANNUAL TRADITIONAL Under 5 free. Bring item SWEDISH DINNER Junior Achievement for St. Michaels food that equips students in When: 11 a.m.-6:30 shelf. Open to the public. p.m. Thursday, Jan. 21 grades 8-12 with tools Contact: 651-430-3274 and skills required to Where: Christ earn and keep a job. Lutheran Church, 150 Learn personal-brand Pine St., Marine on St. CONVERSATIONS OF and job hunting tools, Croix THE VALLEY developing strong soft Details: All you can When: 11:30 a.m.-1 skills, work priorities, p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 20 eat Swedish meatballs, and more. luteﬁ sk, potatoes, rice Where: The Grand Contact: 651-464-3685 pudding, traditional Banquet Center, 301 S. or ysblakesarea.org cookies and more. $20/ 2nd St., Stillwater adults; $12/6 years Details: Guest old-6th grade; 5 and speaker Dr. Kurt PRESCHOOL under free. Continuous Leichtle, Professor STORYTIME seating. Proceeds Emeritus, University When: 10:30-11 support church of Wisconsin-River a.m. Wednesdays and missions. Falls will present on Thursdays Contact: 651-433-3222 the topic ‘19th Century Where: Hardwood or clcmarine.org Ideals in the 21st Creek Library, 19955 Century: American Forest Rd. N., Forest Political Philosophy Lake CHAMBER MIXER and American Culture’. Details: Children When: 5-7 p.m. Lunch and program preschool through Thursday, Jan. 21 $17 must be paid in kindergarten age Where: Joseph’s advance. Presented by and caregivers hear Family Restaurant the St. Croix Valley stories, sing songs, and Details: First time Foundation. watch ﬁ nger plays to guests are free, beyond Contact: encourage early literacy that, membership scvfoundation.org/ skills. is required. No conversations-of-theContact: 651-275-7300 registration required. valley Contact: 651-439-4001 or greaterstillwater FAMILY STORYTIME

DETAILS:

Free ice cream from Leo’s Malt Shop and coffee, chili available for purchase.

chamber.com

FAMILY SNOWSHOE FUN

When: 10-11:30 a.m. and 12:30-2:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23 Where: Warner Nature Center, 15375 Norell Ave. N., Marine on St. Croix Details: Morning program is for families with younger children featuring a shorter snowshoe hike. Afternoon program includes history of snowshoeing and longer hike. $5/WNC friends/ SMM members; $7/ non-members. Ages 3+. Snowshoes provided. Contact: 651-433-2427 x 10

TEXTILE CENTER: JAPANESE KOKESHI DOLL

CONTACT:

wchsmn.org

features a sampling of styles and projects from St. Croix Valley area rug hookers. Exhibit runs through February. Contact: stillwaterlibrary.org

RED CROSS BLOOD DONATION

When: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday, Jan, 26 Where: River Market Community Coop, 221 Main St., Stillwater Details: All blood types needed, especially in the month of January. Contact: 800-RED Cross or redcrossblood. org

ADA COMPLIANCE INFO SESSION

When: 11 a.m.-noon Thursday, Jan 28 Where: Anderson Legal Services, 226 Myrtle St. E., Stillwater Details: Event is free and space limited registration required at www.GreaterStillwater Chamber.com and click on event calendar. Contact: 651-439-4001 or greaterstillwater chamber.com

When: 1:15-3:15 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 24 Where: Stillwater Library, storytime room 224 Third St. N. Details: Children ages 11-17 can make a tradition doll using ﬁber art. Registration required. Contact: 651-275-4338 5TH ANNUAL TOM x111 or stillwaterlibrary.org JOHNSON CRIBBAGE

‘HOOKED UP: CREATING ART WITH WOOL - ONE LOOP AT A TIME’ EXHIBIT OPENING RECEPTION

When: 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 24 Where: Stillwater Public Library Gallery, 224 Third St. N. Details: Exhibit

TOURNAMENT

When: 1-3:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30 Where: Stillwater Elks Club, 5880 Omaha Ave. N. Details: $20/person, 10 games played, $15 paid out in prizes. $5 from each to Scholarship Fund. Contact: 651-439-5276

JANUARY 15, 2016

www.readthelowdown.com

MONTH XX, 2015

www.presspubs.com

QUAD COMMUNITY PRESS

When: 2-3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 20 Where: White Bear Lake Library, 2150 2nd St. Details: Learn some gangster lingo while you hear the tales of infamous visitors such as Ma Barker, Alvin “Creepy” Karpis and Baby Face Nelson. Presented by the White Bear Area Historical Society. Free, but donations welcome. Contact: 651-407-5327 or whitebearhistory. org

YUKON DAYS RUN

When: 8 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 23 Where: White Bear Lake Details: 5K run, 1 mile and 3 mile snowshoe race on the lake. Sponsored by Vacation Sports. Contact: frontrunnerusa.com

FILE | PRESS PUBLICATIONS

‘The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)’ WHEN:

art Ave., White Bear Lake

7:30 p.m. Thursdays & Fridays; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, Jan. 14-24

WHERE:

Lakeshore Players, 4820 Stew-

DETAILS:

High-speed roller coaster ride through all 37 of Shakepeare’s comedies, histories and tragedies. Tickets $23/adult;

$21/seniors; $18/student. Preview on Jan 14 is $12.

CONTACT:

651-429-5674 or lakeshoreplayers.com

NEIGHBORHOODS NEARBY TAMARACK NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB

When: 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Jan. 16 and the third Saturday of every month Where: Tamarack Nature Center, 5287 Otter Lake Rd. Details: Learn about photography techniques, equipment and projects in this free joint activity with the 3M Camera Club. Contact: parks. co.ramsey.mn.us/ tamarack

WBCA WINTER OPEN HOUSE

When: 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 16 Where: White Bear Center for the Arts, 4971 Long Ave., White Bear Lake Details: Fun and free activities include clay experimentation, sled decorating, ice sculpting, and mini shanties. Dress for artmaking. Contact: 651-4070597 or whitebeararts. org

OKEE DOKEE BROTHERS CONCERT

When: 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 17 Where: Mounds View High School Auditorium, 1900 Lake Valentine Rd., Arden Hills Details: Grammy Award-winning group

performs “family music with a goal to inspire children and their parents to get outside and be creative”. Part of the Music at Mounds View series. Tickets $20/ adults; $13/kids up to age 18; $16/seniors. Contact: moundsviewschools. net or brownpapertickets. com

ST. PAUL HIKING CLUB

When: 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 17 Where: Village Inn Stadium Bar, 3600 Hoffman Rd., White Bear Lake Details: Walk through residential areas, with treats to follow at Village Inn. Hike is appx. 5 miles and lasts 1 ½ -2 hours. Contact: 651-4268593

46TH ANNUAL SPORTSMEN’S SHOW

When: Thursday, Jan. 14-Sunday, Jan. 17 Where: Saint Paul RiverCentre, Details: See what’s new in outdoor products geared to summer fun, including boats, RV’s rods, reels, resort and campground information and guest speakers. Admission $9; $2.50 ages 6-12 and

5 and under free. Contact: 763-7558111 or go to www. stpaulsportshow.com

and Deval Patrick, via televised broadcast. Contact: wbuuc.org/ mlk

PARENT-CHILD SNOWSHOE TREK

SHOREVIEW INDOOR FARMER’S MARKET

When: 10-11:30 a.m. Mondays, Jan. 18 and Feb. 15 Where: Tamarack Nature Center, 5287 Otter Lake Rd., White Bear Township Details: Go off-trail on snowshoes with a naturalist, follow animal tracks and discover hidden homes beneath the snow. For children ages 4 and up with a parent. $12.38/ parent-child pair; $ 6 snowshoe rental. Registration required. Contact: parks. co.ramsey.mn.us/ tamarack

MLK COMMUNITY BREAKFAST FOR NORTHEAST SUBURBS

When: 7-9:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 18 Where: White Bear Unitarian Universalist Church, 328 Maple St., Mahtomedi Details: Public is invited to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King. Hot breakfast at 7 a.m., $ 5 (children under 12 free); free program begins at 7:30. Local guest speaker Rev. Dr. Trina Armstrong,

When: 3-6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19 Where: Shoreview Community Center, 4580 Victoria St. N Details: Features vendors who produce farmstead products such as cheese, meats, fish, poultry, eggs, baked goods, canned goods, honey, maple syrup and preserves. Contact: 651490-4750 or shoreviewcommunity center.com

ZUMBA

When: 6:15-7:15 p.m. Wednesdays, Jan. 20Feb. 24 Where: Rice Lake Elementary Gym Details: Easy-todo Latin inspired dance class is an invigorating workout and will tech parts of the Salsa, ChaCha, Merengue and more. $ 35/Lino Lakes resident; $40/nonresident; $7 walk-in. Contact: 651-9822440 or ci.lino-lakes. mn.us

‘WHITE BEAR’S NOTORIOUS GANGSTERS: THE ORIGINAL PROGRAM’

WARM HEARTS FOR CHARITY

When: 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 23 Where: Hugo American Legion Details: Annual charity event sponsored by the Hugo Area Business Association. Raffles, silent auction, wine and beer tastings. Contact: Cindy Petty at 651-653-5202

‘AN AFTERNOON WITH MARK TWAIN’

When: 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan 24 Where: The Phipps Center for the Arts, 109 Locust St., Hudson, Wis. Details: Author and former WCCO-TV anchorDon Shelby performs a one-man show. $ 34 general seating, $18 youth age 18 and younger. Contact: 715-4833300 or stcroixriveras sociation.org

NAMI MINNESOTA PARENT RESOURCE GROUP

When: 6:30-8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 25 (and the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month) Where: Eagle Brook Church, 2401 East Buffalo St., White Bear Lake Contact: Support group for parents of children with mental illness to discuss challenges, coping skills, and help develop problemsolving skills. Contact: 651-2948 x109 or namimn.org

LEGO MANIA!

When: 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 30 Where: Wildwood Library, 763 Stillwater Rd., Mahtomedi Details: Children 6 and up can bring their imaginations and use

THE LOWDOWN

the library’s bricks to build and create, or enter participate in one of the contests. Pre-registration required. Contact: 651-4262042 or co.washington. mn.us/library

16TH ANNUAL SNOW DAY

When: 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30 Where: Wargo Nature Center, 7701 Main St., Lino Lakes Details: Free family event with ongoing activities including ice fishing, cross-country skiing, Norwegian kicksledding, snowshoeing and more. Also crafts, activities, refreshments and live animal presentations at 2 and 3 p.m. Contact: 651-4298007 or anokacounty. us

PETER MAYER CONCERT

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30 Where: White Bear Unitarian Universalist Church, 328 Maple St., Mahtomedi Details: Folk singer performs songs about interconnectedness and the human journey. Tickets from $20. Contact: wbuuc. eventbrite.com

ST. PAUL CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

When: 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan 31 Where: St. Andrews Lutheran Church, 900 Stillwater Rd., Mahtomedi Details: Performing works by Beethoven and Shostakovich. Contact: 651-291-1144

WHAT’S HAPPENING GUIDELINES

Anyone in the community may send us news of an upcoming local event. The calendar is reserved for secular community events in or adjacent to Press Publication’s coverage area. Priority is given to free or affordable events that are likely to appeal to a broad audience. Due to space limitations, there is no guarantee whether, when or for how long submissions will be published. Submissions are subject to editing. Please include date, time, location, cost, brief details, and contact information for each event submission. Submission deadline is Wednesday prior to the following weeks’ publication. Call 651-407-1226 with questions. Email: calendar@ presspubs.com Mail: Press Publications Attn: Calendar 4779 Bloom Ave. White Bear Lake, MN 55110

YUKON DAYS RUN

When: 8 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 23 Where: White Bear Lake Details: 5K run, 1 mile and 3 mile snowshoe race on the lake. Sponsored by Vacation Sports. Contact: frontrunnerusa.com FILE | PRESS PUBLICATIONS

‘The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)’ WHEN:

art Ave., White Bear Lake

7:30 p.m. Thursdays & Fridays; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, Jan. 14-24

WHERE:

Lakeshore Players, 4820 Stew-

DETAILS:

High-speed roller coaster ride through all 37 of Shakepeare’s comedies, histories and tragedies. Tickets $23/adult;

$21/seniors; $18/student. Preview on Jan 14 is $12.

CONTACT:

651-429-5674 or lakeshoreplayers.com

NEIGHBORHOODS NEARBY TAMARACK NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB

WBCA WINTER OPEN HOUSE

OKEE DOKEE BROTHERS CONCERT

When: 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 17 Where: Mounds View High School Auditorium, 1900 Lake Valentine Rd., Arden Hills Details: Grammy Award-winning group

ST. PAUL HIKING CLUB

46TH ANNUAL SPORTSMEN’S SHOW

5 and under free. Contact: 763-7558111 or go to www. stpaulsportshow.com

and Deval Patrick, via televised broadcast. Contact: wbuuc.org/ mlk

PARENT-CHILD SNOWSHOE TREK

SHOREVIEW INDOOR FARMER’S MARKET

MLK COMMUNITY BREAKFAST FOR NORTHEAST SUBURBS

ZUMBA

‘WHITE BEAR’S NOTORIOUS GANGSTERS: THE ORIGINAL PROGRAM’

WARM HEARTS FOR CHARITY

the library’s bricks to build and create, or enter participate in one of the contests. Pre-registration required. Contact: 651-4262042 or co.washington. mn.us/library

16TH ANNUAL SNOW DAY

PETER MAYER CONCERT

‘AN AFTERNOON WITH MARK TWAIN’

ST. PAUL CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

NAMI MINNESOTA PARENT RESOURCE GROUP

LEGO MANIA!

When: 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 30 Where: Wildwood Library, 763 Stillwater Rd., Mahtomedi Details: Children 6 and up can bring their imaginations and use

When: 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan 31 Where: St. Andrews Lutheran Church, 900 Stillwater Rd., Mahtomedi Details: Performing works by Beethoven and Shostakovich. Contact: 651-291-1144

WHAT’S HAPPENING GUIDELINES

THE LOWDOWN

www.presspubs.com

The Forest Lake Police Department reported the following incidents: •

•

Arrest/Citation A 52-year-old Forest Lake man was arrested at the Burger King drive-thru on Broadway Avenue on Dec. 30. A search of his car revealed 1.4 grams of marijuana. He was arrested for third-degree DWI, possession of more than 1.4 grams of marijuana in a vehicle and possession of drug paraphernalia. A 51-year-old Forest Lake woman was pulled over on 11th Avenue SW and 15th Avenue SW on Dec. 27. She tested at .184 on a breath test and was arrested for third-degree DWI. A 38-year-old Forest Lake man was pulled over and arrested for DWI near Broadway Avenue W. and Sixth Street W. on Dec. 27. Theft Police received a report of suspicious activity and attempted burglary in the 1200 block of 18th Avenue SE on Dec. 26. A neighbor went to let his dog out and saw a male in an orange jacket with

•

a crowbar in his hand, who then got into a vehicle and left. When they arrived on the scene, officers found corresponding marks from a crowbar on the doors of the BP gas station, just around the back of the property. They notified the business owner and reviewed security footage, which revealed that no entry had been gained. There are no suspects at this time. On Jan. 4 at 1:49 a.m., police responded to a burglary in progress in the 900 block of Eighth Street SW in Forest Lake. Two males were seen looking into car windows and had broken into a garage. When police approached, the males dropped backpacks and tools and fled into a swamp. With the help of a K-9 unit, the suspects were located and taken into custody and transported to the Washington County jail. A 30-year-old woman from Bovey, Minnesota attempted to steal a plow truck from the Forest Lake Maintenance Garage on Fourth Street on Dec. 29. She was arrested for attempted theft, providing false

•

information and tampering with a motor vehicle. Other A fight between four people was reported in the 800 block of 12th Street SW on Jan. 1. A 40-yearold Forest Lake man was arrested and charged with second-degree assault and fifth-degree domestic assault, along with terroristic threats. A three-vehicle crash occurred at the intersection of Highway 97 and Harrow Avenue N. on Dec. 27. The Forest Lake Fire Department was called in to assist; all three cars had deployed airbags and one individual was stuck inside a car. Police helped to free her, blocked off traffic and assisted in loading injured parties into ambulances. The crash was handled by the State Patrol.

The Stillwater Police Department reported the following incidents: •

STILLWATER POLICE

Theft A theft was reported on Hickory Street West at 11:33 a.m. on Dec. 29. Police investigated the incident.

JANUARY 15, 2016

•

A gross misdemeanor theft was reported at 10:25 p.m. at the Rue 21 on Market Street on Dec. 30. An individual was arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle on Nelson Street west of Main Street S. at 9:39 a.m. on Dec. 31. Police responded to a theft report issuing from the Fourth Street N. area of Stillwater on Dec. 31 at 12:11 p.m. Police assisted in investigating a reported vehicle theft in Bayport on Osprey Boulevard at 5:59 a.m. on Jan. 3. Arrest/Citation Police arrested an individual for two fifth-degree charges of possession of a controlled substance and possession of a small amount of marijuana at 2:03 a.m. on Croixwood Boulevard Dec. 30. At 2:36 a.m. Jan. 4 police apprehended an individual with a warrant out for their arrest at the Lowell Inn on Second Street N.

•

• •

Other On Dec. 29, police responded to a report of an

accident on Owens Street N. at 5:25 a.m. No injuries were reported. Police responded to a report of property damage at 10:06 a.m. on Owens Street N. on Dec. 29. An accident took place at the intersection of Churchill Street W. and Greeley Street S. at 10:34 a.m. on Dec. 30. No injuries were reported. Police received a report of a property damage accident on Olive Street W. and Brick Street S. at 3:12 p.m. on Dec. 31. Police responded to an accident reported on Broadway Street S. at 1:10 p.m. on Jan. 1. No injuries were reported. Police responded to a report of a threat taking place on Webster Court at 7:25 p.m. on Jan. 1. Police provided assistance in a hit-and-run incident that took place on Greeley Street S. near Curve Crest Boulevard at 7:53 a.m. Jan. 2. A hazard was reported at Third Street S. and Chestnut Street at 8:07 p.m. on Jan. 2. Police responded to a report of vandalism on White Pine Way at 2:44 p.m. on Jan. 3.

CITY OF LAKE ELMO

Stillwater police have released the identity of a 65-yearold man who was killed when his car plunged down the bluffs onto Brown’s Creek Trail on Dec. 28. The driver of the vehicle, John Scheel of Stillwater, drove through a cul-de-sac near E. Hazel and N. Second Street and was reported by a couple of people who were walking down

the trail at the time. Scheel was found dead at the scene, and the cause of the accident is not yet known. Scheel’s next of kin were notified and the police department and Minnesota State Patrol continue to investigate the accident.

The Lake Elmo City Council approved a recommendation to move forward with a new city prosecutor and has selected Eckberg Lammers Law firm to fulfill that role. This past fall, Lake Elmo, MN City Administrators initiated a competitive Request for Proposal process for the position of City Prosecutor. Following an interview in late December, Eckberg Lammers was appointed City Prosecutor by unanimous vote at the Jan. 5 City Council meeting. They currently serve as the city prosecutor

in more than 12 eastern Twin City metro communities. Rebecca Christensen will act as the primary chief prosecutor, with Joe Van Thomme and Thomas Lehmann taking on lead prosecutor duties and assist on special cases. Christensen stated that the firm is honored to represent Lake Elmo and work with its staff. “We want to hit the ground running.” Eckberg Lammers began working with the city Jan. 6, 2016. From press release

Stillwater City Council puts on hats for 2016 Bantering council sees minimal liaison shuffling for 2016

BY LORETTA HARDING CONTRIBUTING WRITER

As small government entities do every year, the Stillwater City Council moved a few chairs around and tried on different hats at its first regular council meeting of 2016 on Jan. 5. Without much serious business to take care of on the agenda, council members adopted a light tone. Good natured bantering even spilled over into the voting process when Council Member Tom Weidner opposed the designation of Council Member Mike Polehna as vice mayor, which drew a few chuckles from the rest of council. Polehna (by a 3-1 vote) is required by City Charter, Article VI to act as mayor pro tempore during the temporary absence or disability of the mayor. Perhaps as an attempt to make up for spoiling Polehna’s unanimous

endorsement, Weidner volunteered to serve on more boards for the upcoming year. He will go to Fire Relief Association meetings with the vice mayor, replacing Council Member Doug Menikheim. Other liaison changes include Polehna taking over for Menikheim on the Convention & Visitors Bureau and Council Member Dave Junker and Menikheim trading places. Junker traded his seat on the Planning Commission for Menikheim’s place on the Heritage Preservation Commission. “It’s nice that everyone is flexible and willing to move around this year,” Mayor Ted Kozlowski said. During the discussion of appointments, Weidner suggested that the city revisit the nonvoting status of council members on their boards. “I think we should vote,” he said. “We’re invited into the conversation, but I feel as

though I’m an outsider because I’m not part of voting process.” Council members had voting rights on their boards until 2009 and now none of them do, City Clerk Diane Ward said. “We could bring voting rights back if you choose,” she told council members. City Attorney David Magnuson said that the council members voted away their right to vote in 2009 in order to maintain objectivity in the event of the appeal of a decision to the City Council. “Participating and voting makes you definitely involved,” Junker said. “Voting is a different animal than nonvoting.” “I guess I’m just a control freak,” Weidner said at the end of the discussion. “Well, I’ve thought of that, too,” Menikheim said. Touché. In other action, the council: Approved meeting date changes for 2016. Coun-

cil changed the March 1 meeting date to March 8 because no public meetings may be held after 6 p.m. on caucus night. The second meeting in March was moved to March 22. The Aug. 2 meeting was moved to Aug. 3 to accommodate National Night to Unite. Discussed a Joint Powers Agreement with the city Board of Water Commissioners to provide part-time services of the city’s IT Department employees for the amount of $6,000 this year. The amount will be re-evaluated for 2017 to determine if it was a fair figure. This action was tabled from the Dec. 15 meeting and will be considered for approval at an upcoming meeting. Designated depositories for 2016. Designated City Administrator J. Thomas McCarty as a responsible authority and assigned duties in accordance with the state’s data practices statute.

Designated the Stillwater Gazette and St. Paul Pioneer Press as the city’s legal publications and approved contracts with the newspapers for 2016. Accepted $3,990 in cash donations for the 2015 fiscal year. Gifts include $775 from G. Dean Miller for red maple trees in Lowell Park; $725 from Canvas Health for Friends of Fire, $1,200 from Stillwater Firefighters Relief for Friends of Fire and $940 from the open house for Friends of Fire. Approved Exhibit A, relating to Resolution 2013-057, establishing procedures pertaining to compliance with reimbursement bond regulations under the Internal Revenue Code. Approved the request for proposal (RFP) for construction management services for the police station project. The construction manager would help screen design services proposals; monitor and ad-

vise during preliminary plan development and construction document development; manage the bid process and manage overall construction activities. The RFP issue date is set for Jan. 6, and council plans to award the contract at its Feb. 16 meeting. Adopted the corrected delinquent garbage bill charges. Waste Management contacted the city on Dec. 18 to say that 45 properties listed on its original certification had listed the incorrect dollar value for assessment. Approved Brine’s 24th annual bocce ball special event from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20 in the parking lot between City Lot 3 and Brine’s Building. Approved the 2016 contract adjustment of 3 percent for the city attorney. The council next meets at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19 at City Hall.

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The wolf and the wolf-bird I looked from above a ravine to the lake and two wolves had pulled down a deer 75 yards from shore beneath me. The lake had a thick mantle of snow; it was midwinter. Really, the wolves were frolicking in their kill, dancing around and enjoying themselves between rips and tears on the Woods carcass. There was a clearly defined & Water circle of red on the snow around the downed doe. And the wolves were up Notebook to their hocks in blood. A wolf’s bite exerts 1,500 pounds Jim of pressure per square inch, twice Mortwedt that of a dog, enough to snap a large femur for the highly nutritious marrow. And what necks, outsized and sinewy! I had my dog Zipper at my side and she was rigid, quiet. After watching for a few minutes I let out a howl. One of the two looked directly at us but the other carried on. They weren’t concerned and probably hadn’t smelled us before hearing me. At any rate, they weren’t moving off that carcass. I’m confident they were still feeding when I got back in the car feeling a mix of emotions. And more to the point here, there wasn’t a raven in sight. Some years earlier in early fall I’d been driving across central Wisconsin on Highway 10, thinking about that road’s deserved reputation for roadkill. I think I’d seen two or three dead deer in the previous 25 miles and pulled the car over where a canopy formed overhead from forest on both sides of the road. It was a pretty little spot with an ATV trail going straight north from the west-to-east route I was on. I walked a short way, maybe 100 yards, before I began to hear a clamor of crows. So I walked toward the noise and came upon a small pack of mixed-color wolves mincing around a deer carcass, already badly torn up but without the contrast of blood on snow. The blood was like Abel’s: soaked into the ground. They weren’t crows. Doing the squawking and calling were maybe a dozen ravens. The raven is bigger than the American crow and has a bulge on its beak. Wolves can eat 20 pounds of meat from one kill. They gorge. My guess is the alpha and one or two others had gotten their fill, or nearly. The sated wolves took note of me first and they seemed to have been tipped off, not by my presence, but by the ravens. I’m no hardened observer of bloodletting of any kind. But I let my fascination gain brief advantage of any blood nausea and watched for a bit before backpedaling out of there. It’s such a rare sight. In this case, too, the wolves having spotted me did not seem greatly concerned and I had no dog with me. I think I had a tie on. Which is to say, I would have felt better in boots. I recall wishing I’d had boots on. Yes, for whatever reason you suss it, boots would have made me feel better. And while there was no panic the idea of withdrawal took only milliseconds to form in thought. Three words might describe the gestalt: urgency, disgust and fascination. I spun out maybe a minute’s worth of the latter. But so alive was I that my powers of observation seemed heightened. In just moments I saw that the ravens had tipped the wolves off—whether by changes in their calls or by stepping up their dive-bombing—I can’t say. But I had that thought and I had never had that thought before and it felt authentic. Wolves and ravens are both highly communicative and social animals, all the experts say. But this cross species symbiosis that I saw and later verified isn’t very well nailed down. I buy the idea that the ravens serve as sentinels for the wolves. And I’ve read that ravens will flock to a howling pack, perhaps to play this role. And I buy that both ravens and wolves are smart. What’s more, I have no doubt that ravens get a substantial food advantage in hanging around wolves. What I question is that any real friendliness exists between wolves and ravens, as some claim. It looks to me like both are aggressively pursuing self-interest alone. It looks to me to be a win/win, all right. It does not look like kumbaya. It looked coincidental that they aided each other. When the wolf was re-introduced to Yellowstone in the last century, the existing ravens had not seen wolves for generations. But they went right back to this odd interspecies partnership. So it’s instinctual. I ran across an oddly related fact. The Talmud, Jewish scripture, apparently identifies the dog or wolf species and the raven as being among the few violators of an edict by God to stop mating while on the Ark. In a manner of thinking, the two animals, when paired, combine dark traits. Finally this: the raven is sometimes called the wolf-bird.

WASHINGTON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

A lumber camp in winter of 1892.

Logging in the winter In the lumber industry that was ongoing in the St. Croix ValWashingley and the surroundtonv County ing area, Historical the actual cutting of Society the trees did not take Brent place in the summer, Peterson but in the dead of the cold winters. Work did begin in late fall in the lumber camps, but that was to get ready for the hardy lumberjacks who were to come. The first job at the lumber camp was the construction of a “tote” road. These were crude roads that opened an area deep into the forests so the lumberjacks could get at the standing white pines. These roads were also used to move the large sleds of logs down to the riverbank to await the spring. After the tote road was completed, the foreman of the camp along with several other men went to the campsite to start construction on the buildings that were needed. All the buildings were usually made of unpeeled logs chinked with clay and mud for insulation. In the earliest logging camps, a cabin had no openings except the door and a hole in the roof for air circulation. Later, by the mid-1850s, each cabin had small windows with panes of glass. The first building constructed was the cook shanty. This was very important, as was the cook in the lumber camp. The cook was one of the highest-paid employees because food was important to the men. If the camp had a good cook, the productivity of the crew was usually better. The cook would have one or two assistants, called “cookies” — they all lived in the building. Long pine dining tables were constructed with benches along both sides of the table for the lumberjacks to sit. There was also the bunkhouse, where the lumberjacks would live during the long winter months. The bunkhouse contained double-decker

bunks made out of cedar wood, if possible, to keep the bedbugs away. Hayfilled sacks were used as mattresses and the lumberjack used his “turkey,” or cloth bag in which he kept his clothing, for a pillow. There was also a bench running along the front of the bunks, called the “deacon seat,” where the men could sit. The next building would be the blacksmith shop, or “smithy.” The smith made and repaired whatever was made of metal. His main job was to shoe the horses and oxen. There was also a “tinker” in the shop who would repair wooden handles and wagon parts. Another building was called the “van,” and was a combination store and office. This is where the accounts were kept and where the men could buy supplies. The stable for the horses and oxen was the last building that was built for the logging camp. When the camp was in operation, the lumberjacks would be in the forests cutting trees by 5 a.m. Many foremen would not allow a thermometer to be brought into camp so the men would not know how cold it was. Lumberjacks could hold one of a number of jobs. Some were “sawyers,” who cut the fallen trees into certain lengths; the “toppers” were lumberjacks who sawed off the tops of the trees; the “undercutters” made notches in the base of the tree to make it fall where they wanted; and the “road monkeys” would spread sand or hay along the tote road when the sled of logs was moving so that the sled would not move too fast and tip over. The lumberjacks would eat their noon meal in the woods. The cook’s helper would deliver the meal. On the real cold days, they would have to eat quickly because their hot meal would freeze to the plate. The day would pass and the men would be in by 9 p.m. They would work six days a week, but Sunday was an off day. This would make Saturday night a night that they could go to bed a little later. If there was a person in camp who had a fiddle or mouth organ, then a dance might be organized. Since there were no women in camp,

half the men would act as “female” dance partners. On Sundays, the men would wash their clothing, mend any holes in them and also sharpen axes and other tools. They could buy needed supplies at the store and write letters home. Once in awhile

a “sky-pilot” would visit on Sundays. A “sky-pilot” was a traveling preacher or minister. This was the life of the lumberjack until spring. The men endured the cold, the wet and the hard work to make money to support their families back home.

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COMMUNITY BRIEFS 2016 Rotary Winter Plunge Once again, the Rotary Club of Forest Lake is partnering with other local organizations to jointly raise funds by jumping into frosty, frigid, and frozen Forest Lake on Saturday, Feb. 20. Pull your team together and plan for the event by visiting the Rotary’s Winter Plunge website at www.winterplunge.kintera.org.

Chamber plans community showcase event The Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce has announced its plan for a new event called Community Showcase. The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 10 at Stillwater Area High School. The Greater Stillwater Chamber Community Showcase will replace the Stillwater Home & Garden show and is designed to allow local businesses the opportunity to present their products and services to the community. The Community Showcase will include a kids’ area with activities, live entertainment and family-friendly food. The chamber is expecting approxi-

mately 3,000 attendees and 120 exhibitors. Any type of business looking to gain local exposure may exhibit, and sponsorship opportunities are also available. Admission will be free to the public. For more information, contact the chamber at 651439-4001, info@GreaterStillwaterChamber.com or visit the website at www.GreaterStillwaterChamber. com.

Appointments can be made starting Jan. 11 by calling 651-439-7434 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Appointments will be offered on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from Feb. 8 to April 13. All appointments will be held at Community Thread, 2300 West Orleans Street, Stillwater. People will need to bring applicable tax-related documents listed on the Community Thread website at www.CommunityThreadMN.org.

Community Thread offers free tax ﬁling Food shelf volunteers needed Family Pathways is seeking volunteers for the Forest assistance Lake Food Shelf. Volunteers perform a variety of Community Thread will offer free tax filing assistance to low- and middle-income taxpayers, with special attention to those aged 60 and older. Trained AARP Tax-Aide volunteers certified by the Internal Revenue Service and MN Department of Revenue will explain tax requirements, answer questions and electronically file income tax returns. The AARP TaxAide program, sponsored by the AARP Foundation, is offered in conjunction with the IRS and the State of Minnesota.

tasks throughout their shifts: shopping with clients, filing, making appointments, stocking shelves and light cleaning. Volunteers are asked to commit to three-hour shifts. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays; Wednesdays (closed to the public but volunteers are needed to process big delivery), and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Call Tiffiny at 651-464-2098 or email tiffinyp@familypathways.org for more information.

SCHOOL BRIEFS LILA designated Celebration School Lakes International Language Academy (LILA) was named a Celebration school by the Minnesota Department of Education, recognizing LILA’s efforts to increase student achievement and effectively document its best practices. According to the Minnesota Department of Education, 157 schools applied for the honor. LILA was one of just 22 schools selected. The Celebration school designation is part of Minnesota’s federal accountability and recognition system developed under its waiver from No Child Left Behind. Minnesota rates each school based on students’ proficiency and growth, as well as the school’s progress toward reducing achievement gaps and increasing graduation rates. Celebration-eligible schools are identified annually. Dean’s lists The following students were recognized for their high achievement and were named to the dean’s list at their respective universities and colleges: Augustana College, Illinois Ellenelle Gilliam, Stillwater Belmont University McKenna Noer, Stillwater Samantha Potts, Stillwater Jocelyn Youngdahl, Stillwater St. Cloud State University, Minnesota Daniel Massey, Forest Lake David Wheeler, Forest Lake Collin McGrath, Wyoming University of South Dakota Brandon T Rich, Lino Lakes Jake R Matheson, Forest Lake Bethany M Kozak, Hugo University of Vermont Claire Rutscher, Stillwater

Parents rally to fight possible school closing BY DEBRA NEUTKENS CITIZEN EDITOR

HUGO — A proposal to close three schools in the Stillwater School District has parents scurrying to stop it. There are 10 elementary schools in the district; one of them, Withrow, is located in Hugo. The other two on the chopping block are Oak Park and Marine Elementary in Marine on St. Croix. Students from those schools would be reshuffled to the other seven schools and sixth-graders bused to a new middle school. The change would launch in the 2017-18 school year, according to Hugo City Administrator Bryan Bear, who talked to the superintendent Dec. 21 after hearing from upset parents via email. "The School Board is on a fast track for making decisions," Bear told the City Council at its meeting later that same evening. "A process has been outlined for further debate, includ-

METROPOLITAN COUNCIL

Withrow Elementary is one of three schools that may be closed by the BOLD initiative.

THE DETAILS The hearing on Withrow is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 27 at Oak-Land Junior High in Lake Elmo. The board will vote on the recommendation Feb. 11. Parents opposed to the school closings have created a website: stopboldcold.org. Supporters can sign an online petition and donate to the cause. Financial oversight is provided by the Withrow Education Association.

ing a number of public hearings in January." Councilman Chuck Haas, whose Ward 3 includes the Stillwater School District, said he had "not heard a thing about the closure" until receiving an email from Jay Axelrod, a parent who said he moved to Hugo because of the school. "It appears the district wants to consolidate students after building a middle school," Haas said. "That is causing the problem in our elementary schools. What's important in our society is the fabric of our community. Closing these small schools erodes the spirit of community. We will lose something great in our local schools — that feeling of belonging." Several parents appeared before the council asking for whatever assistance the city could provide. Axelrod said the news was "dropped" Dec. 17 at a district meeting. "We were unaware of any thought to close Withrow," he told the council. "The official presentation to the School Board is Jan. 7 and the vote is in February. They are really moving quickly. There are three open sessions to discuss this near the end of the month; at 4 p.m. on the southern end of the district. It's

my opinion that they are doing this now to give us little time to prepare our defense and they're making it difficult to attend." One of the main reasons he moved his family to Hugo was Withrow Elementary, Axelrod said. He open-enrolls his two children at the rural school. "It's a community institution. I see things going on there through community engagement that I've never seen at any other elementary school," noted the Hugo resident. "It'd be tragic to close that school. We have a hard time drawing people to northern Washington County. This won't help. I worry property values will drop if we lose our school." The school district is referring to the move as the BOLD initiative (Build Opportunities for students to Learn and Discover) that will save $1.5 million for the district. Calling the effort a way to "right size" the schools, classroom numbers will be balanced and staffing stabilized, noted district literature, which said enrollment in central and northern schools is in decline. Axelrod feels the district should look for savings someplace else. "The district says it wants to provide an equitable experience for its students. What does that even mean?" Also speaking before the council was Kris Capra of Hugo, who wanted it noted that during the bonding campaign there was a clear message there were no plans to close schools. "The interim superintendent, Tom Nelson, said if the bond passed, no schools would close," she maintained. Built in 1955, Withrow won the 2012 national award for a Blue Ribbon

school, pointed out Councilwoman Becky Petryk. "Their reading and math scores are extremely high. It sounds like your success is being used against you. A district needs these high achieving schools to raise test scores." Axelrod said Marine was also a Blue Ribbon school. Parent Lindsay Nelson called the initiative a "guise" of fiscal efficiency and higher educational quality and equity. "Superficially, the benefits of BOLD seem worthy of 'right sizing' our schools; however, national evidence-based studies have consistently shown that the negative effects of consolidation far outweigh the good," she wrote via email. The effects of "right-sizing" end up being increased class size and student/teacher ratios and decreased academic performance, she said. About 800 students will be redistributed to Stonebridge, Rutherford and Lily Lake, which currently average 265 students per school, Nelson pointed out. To accommodate the influx, the district proposes to redraw the district boundaries. After hearing parents' grievances, council approved a motion by Haas to send a letter to Stillwater Superintendent Denise Pontrelli noting Hugo has concerns that need to be addressed. An invitation was extended to board representatives who wished to present the recommendations to council and the impacts to nearby neighborhoods and families if Withrow is closed.

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New Year brings new agenda item Successful bond vote requires regular meetings and updates

BY LORETTA HARDING CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Now that Forest Lake voters have approved the $140 million bond question, what happens next? The process that will lead to dramatic changes in school district facilities has already begun. The district plans to adjust the regular meeting agenda to keep board members and the public up to date on developments as the district puts its new facilities bond dollars to work. Business Services Director Larry Martini gave the fi rvvofficial bond report at the Jan. 7 meeting. “A suggestion was made that we have a bond update every month at school board meetings,” he said, “and we will continue to do that. Some updates will be longer or shorter than others—it depends on where we are in the process. “Tonight’s bond report is to share things we’ve been working on,” Martini said. “The structure is now in place, as engineers, architects and consultants have been lined up.” With the high school an important component of planned renovations, the district has also carved out time for its principal, Steve Massey, to be a construction and design liaison with the architects and consultants the district has engaged. “It’s imperative that the district has its fingers on the process as we move forward,” Martini said. “There will be additional discussions about that along the way,” Superintendent Linda Madsen said. “Kraus Anderson Construction

Company and ICS Consulting, Inc. representatives graciously agreed to come with me to the buildings to talk about timelines this week,” she added. The district will have four elementary meetings this week with two Kraus Anderson representatives at those meetings. “They don’t have to do that, but we are appreciative that they have,” Madsen said. Upcoming meetings will focus on the budget target date of Feb. 15, Martini said. The district’s goal is to look at the $140 million in bond funds and say, “Yes, the scope of this or that project will fit with that $140 million on that date,” he said. It appears preliminary pricing and design are complete for Forest Lake and Forest View elementary schools, Martini said. The district plans to advertise for bids on March 3 with construction to begin at the two elementary schools this summer. Renovations at Forest Lake Elementary are complex and will take a couple of summers to complete. Work at Linwood Elementary may also be complicated and take a couple of summers to complete as well, he said. An open house is to be scheduled from 6-7:30 p.m. March 31 at the Forest Lake High School Media Center. Architects and construction managers with floor plans will be there, Martini said. “We will do the same thing with every building feature,” he said. In formal action, the board approved the bond project labor agreement. The agreement will ensure the bulk of the bond project is completed using union labor.

“We have completed our work with the bond, and we’re now reshaping opportunities for success from 2015 to 2020,” Madsen said. “And we will encourage that language.” In other action, the board: Elected school board officers for 2016. Rob Raphael will serve as president; Dan Kieger as vice president; Gail Theisen as clerk and Luke Odegaard as treasurer. Appointed board members to represent the district on various committees and approved school board committee assignments. Set school board salaries at $400 per month, unchanged from last year. As before, the board president will receive an additional $400 per year, and the clerk and treasurer will each receive an additional $200 per year. Approved routine actions for 2016, such as continuing participation in the adult basic education consortium through June; designating depositories, legal counsel, school doctor and fiscal consultant; designating the official district newspaper; setting dates and starting times for board meetings and approving the use of facsimile signatures for district checks. Authorized the director of Business Services or someone designated by the director to make electronic fund transfers, stop payment requests, approve certain claims, approve contracts for budgeted goods and services, and approve change orders. Designated the superintendent as the Minnesota Department of Education-identified official with authority.

Passed a resolution directing the superintendent and administration to make recommendations for reductions in positions, programs and services and reasons for the reductions for the 2016-17 school year. Formally accepted $14,805.28 in cash and gifts plus two vehicles and six holiday meals donated over the past month. An anonymous donor gave $5,000 to the district for professional development and substitute costs, and two individuals donated vehicles to the Forest Lake High School Auto Technology Auto Skills program. After a presentation of the 2014-15 fi nancial audit from Aaron Nielsen, principal of Malloy, Montague, Karnowski and Radosevich, P. A. (MMKR), accepted the audit for the year ended June 30, 2015. Approved Chemical Use and Abuse Policy #443 and Technology Acceptable Use and Safety Policy #540. Approved Chinese V as a new course. Conducted the fi rst reading regarding additions, updates or discontinuation of seven policies: Board Member Reimbursement Guidelines No. 103A, Out-of-State Travel by Board Members No. 103B, Drug-Free Workplace/Drug-Free School No. 435, Enrollment of Nonresident Students No. 503, Student Chemical Dependency No. 526, Student Medication No. 528, and Computer Software Copyright No. 611. The board next meets at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4 at the District Center, 6100 210th St. N.

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ORDWAY AUDITION: Stillwater singer aims for New York FROM PAGE 1

which requires him to hit a whopping nine high C’s. “Anyone who hears him is blown away,” Phipps-Kettlewell said. However, he added that it’s not all about technical ability: other songs Swanson has prepared are designed to demonstrate his artistry and expression rather than sheer vocal talent. In a recent performance, Phipps-Kettlewell said that an audience member asked Swanson about what it was like to audition. “If people like chocolate ice cream, you have to be the best chocolate ice cream they’ve ever had,” he responded. “But if they don’t like chocolate ice cream, there’s not much you can do to change that. You just have to be yourself.” This is part of Phipps-Kettlewell’s personal philosophy; something he tries to instill in all of his students. Tentatively termed the expanded spectrum method, Phipps-Kettlewell encourages personal expression above all else. Every voice is different, and Phipps-Kettlewell approaches this as an individual strength, rather than a failure to conform to the ideal. “It’s about developing the individual artistry of each singer; the process allows them to find their own sound,” he said. Phipps-Kettlewell, who in the past served as the choir director at St. Michael’s in Stillwater, brings his approach to all his musical endeavors. Phipps-Kettlewell graduated from Juilliard with a degree in accompaniment. In addition to directing choirs, he has worked with the Stillwater schools, trains singers of varying styles and ability and performs as a concert pianist. “I aim to teach people how to connect expressively, how to approach music in a more creative way, so it doesn’t come out as cookie-cutter,” he said. “So when I worked with Jack, that’s what I was

SUBMITTED

JACKIE BUSSJAEGER | PRESS PUBLICATIONS

Top Left: Tenor Jack Swanson. Bottom Left: Swanson and Phipps-Kettlewell rehearse in the latter’s home studio in Stillwater. Right: Swanson sings the role of Nemorino in “L’Elisir d’Amore” at Rice University.

doing to help him.” The two met by chance at a music event last year, and first began practicing together in May 2015. “It’s almost like Jack is supposed to go for this, because he took my ideas and ran with them,” Phipps-Kettlewell said.

SUBMITTED

The auditions will take place in the Ordway’s redesigned Concert Hall, which was completed during the summer of 2015. District auditions take place on Saturday, Jan. 23, and whoever the judges select for the next round will compete again the next day. Phipps-Ket-

tlewell will also accompany sopranos Riley Svatos and Yvonne Freese, as well as baritones Erik Krohg and Justin Spenner. The auditions are free and open to the public.

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Reel talk Don’t Miss!

Good

Worth a Look

Forget it

“FORCES OF NATURE” (NR) (3)

— Kevin Bacon narrates this 2004 IMAX documentary that features spectacular footage of the devastating effects of Mother Nature at its worst in Montserrat, Turkey and Oklahoma, and the valiant effort of scientists to predict when volcanoes will erupt, the earth will shake, and tornadoes will spawn.

“HUMPBACK WHALES” (NR) (3.5)

— Ewan McGregor narrates this educational, intriguing, family-oriented, 40-minute IMAX documentary filled with gorgeous cinematography about the majestic humpback whales, which can live to be more than 80 years, use one of the most sophisticated, cooperative hunting techniques and can be found in locations worldwide, including Alaska, Hawaii, Antarctica and Tonga.

“JERUSALEM” (NR) (3)

— Benedict Cumberbatch narrates this educational, fascinating, engaging, beautifully photographed, 3-D, 45-minute, 2013 IMAX documentary that uses interviews with Muslim Farah Ammouri, Jew Revital Zacharie, Christian Nadia Tadros and archeologist Dr. Jodi Magness to showcase the ancient holy city of Jerusalem, which stood at the crossroads of Africa, Asia and Europe and is the gateway to God for Muslims, Jews and Christians; was conquered more than forty times; and was the site of Roman forts, Muslim shrines, Christian monasteries in the Judean Desert, Herod’s fortress Masada where Jewish rebels made their last stand against the imposing Roman army, and the golden Dome of the Rock.

“MYSTERIES OF THE GREAT LAKES” (NR) (3)

— Gordon Pinsent narrates this fascinating, educational, 2008 IMAX documentary that captures the gorgeous scenery of Lake Huron’s Georgia Bay, Lake Superior’s Slate Islands, and the Benjamin and Apostle Islands; shows a myriad of wildlife, including beavers, endangered bald eagles, woodland caribou, turtles, and birds; presents interesting historical facts about the Great Lakes region, including the six to ten thousand ships (such as the Edmund Fitzgerald) that ran aground or sank in its waters; and showcases the diligent efforts of biologists and conservationists to save the prehistoric, fresh water lake sturgeon from extinction and repopulate the Great Lakes with this species that has survived virtually unchanged for more than 100 million years.

“TROPICAL RAINFOREST” (NR) (3)

— Geoffrey Holder narrates this exquisitely photographed, low-key propaganda, 1992 IMAX film about the world’s vanishing rain forests and encourages audience members to support efforts to save the forests of the world and its wildlife.

WENDY SCHADEWALD The preceding films were reviewed by Wendy Schadewald, who has been a Twin Cities film critic since 1986. To see more of her film reviews, log on to www.shortredheadreelreviews.com.

PAUL DOLS | PRESS PUBLICATIONS

Along with the repurposed hockey sticks and baseball bats, Tarnowski said his favorite wood to make custom handles is from the catalpa tree.

Fishing rods reel in nostalgia BY KRISTINE GOODRICH EDITOR

The giant fishing pole affixed to the front of David Tarnowski's Mahtomedi home is a handmade operational piece of advertising. It's a three-times upsized example of the one-of-a-kind fishing rods he custom creates in his basement. A chemist by day, Tarnowski has a side businesses making novel gifts for fishermen. His specialty is ice rods using repurposed hockey sticks and baseball bats as the handles. Tarnowski uses sentimental sticks and bats as well as sticks from professional hockey players. He takes orders from nonprofessional hockey and baseball players who also like to fish. They provide a broken or no longer wanted stick or bat, and he recycles it into a souvenir rod. His latest venture is acquiring broken sticks used by NHL players and making poles to sell to NHL fans. His collection includes sticks used by Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin of the Penguins, Mike Fisher of the Predators and Henrik Zetterberg of the Red Wings. He was vague about how exactly he obtains the sticks. "From acquaintances of acquaintances who save them from the trash," he said. "I've learned a lot about the underground broken stick market." He's also in talks with Minnesota Twins representative about obtaining broken bats, some of which he'd return to the organization as poles to auction at fundraisers. His dream is to gain professional athletes as his primary customers,

PAUL DOLS | PRESS PUBLICATIONS

David Tarnowski displays a variety of one-of-a-kind fishing rods he has created using repurposed hockey sticks, baseball bats and trees that have fallen in storms.

he said. He tried to get the figurative ball rolling by sending free rods to a few hockey players. That tactic hasn't succeeded yet, but he did at least receive a thank you from Fisher, accompanied with a photo of Fisher holding his fishing pole. Customers need not have the salary of a professional athlete to be able to afford a Tarnowski pole. The price starts at $40 for an ice rod and around $100 for a spinning rod. Tarnowski also makes custom rods for fisherman who are not hockey or baseball fans. He can make a handle from almost any piece of cherished wood provided by a customer, such as their grandfather's cane or from their favorite tree fallen in a storm. If a customer has no sentimental handle in mind, Tarnowski will

happily recommend something based on aesthetic appeal. Spalted maple, aromatic cedar and catalpa are among his favorites. He's been known to stop when he spots a tree trimmer working in such a tree. Forest Products, owned by a fellow Mahtomedite, is another of his wood sources. Decals can be added to the one-of-a-kind rods; Tarnowski said he'll try his best to find any image a customer desires. Fish, of course, are the most popular request and a topless mermaid was the most unique thus far. Many other elements of the rod can be customized as well. “I'll involve [the customer] in the design process as much or as little as they want,” he said. His rods all come without a reel. He's found that most buyers are choosy

about their reels and prefer to select their own and install it themselves. He started making rods around five years ago, after he decided he wanted to upgrade his rod but didn't want to fork over the big bucks to buy a high-end one from a store. “I thought I could make something better myself for less," he said. After a few experiments he had a pole worthy of showing off on his annual Canadian fishing trip with old friends from Mahtomedi High School. Soon he was making rods for those friends, and then friends of friends, and so on. His first sale to a stranger was at a Shoreview craft show. That first buyer recently ordered another one to give to his son. Tarnowski sometimes has a booth at the Mahtomedi Farmers Market. And he has a website — fastactioncustomrods.com. But most of his sales are via word of mouth. The greatest challenge of his pole-crafting endeavor is “finding the time to give it justice,” he said. He also works as a consultant for 3M and has two elementary school-age boys who are involved in sports. He declined to disclose how many rods he has made and kept for himself. He'd rather his wife not realize how many there are in their garage. He doubts she'd buy into his reasoning that they're all needed for product development and quality control testing.

JANUARY 15, 2016

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Da Vinci Fest

JACKIE BUSSJAEGER | PRESS PUBLICATIONS

Above: A performance from Curio Dance Company included a dancer spinning inside a Cyr wheel, meant to resemble Da Vinci’s Vitruvian Wheel. Above Left: Evelyn Armstrong performs “Smoke on the Water” on a homemade dulcimer. Lower Left:Matt Tansom pilots a robot in the high school gym.

JACKIE BUSSJAEGER | PRESS PUBLICATIONS

Above: Sam Hall displays the rocket he made. Above Right: Andy Weaver, head of Stillwater High School’s Falcon Project, introduces Pickle the peregrine falcon. Below Right: An ice sculptor crafts a Stillwater pony mascot from a block of solid ice in front of the high school.

Da Vinci Fest takes place every year at Stillwater High School to celebrate student achievement with an art show, science fair, and many booths and tables from different organizations to promote learning. Hosted by Stillwater Schools and the Partnership Plan, here are some of the highlights from this year’s event.

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Stillwater School Board discusses BOLD initiative BY JACKIE BUSSJAEGER STAFF WRITER

STILLWATER â€” Young students from Marine Elementary circled the front steps of City Hall with painted signs, chanting â€œSave our schools!â€? Inside, concerned parents were packed wall to wall for the Jan. 7 school board meeting, which delivered a formal recommendation to close three Washington County elementary schools. â€œSuperintendents donâ€™t want to do this. School boards donâ€™t want to do this. We understand that itâ€™s really difficult,â€? said Stillwater Superintendent Denise Pontrelli. â€œNone of us expected to be coming forward with this recommendation.â€? The board hurried through its election (installing George Hoeppner as chair, Mike Ptacek as vice chair, Paula Oâ€™Louglin as clerk and Amy Burback as treasurer) before getting to the main item on the agenda: the BOLD initiative. Short for â€œBuilding Opportunities to Learn and Discover,â€? the proposal calls for the closure of Marine, Oak Park and Withrow elementary schools to better balance resources and manage costs. â€œOur intent is to give our kids resources and our teachers time to learn,â€? Pontrelli said. â€œWe donâ€™t want to put our money in empty classrooms; we want to invest in kids.â€? She referenced the limited availability of school specialists, whose work is frequently stretched between schools, limiting student access to their services. â€œThis will create a stable foundation to provide equitable learning.â€? Along with Pontrelli, Robert McDowell (executive director of learning and innovation) and Kristen Hoheisel (executive director of finance and operations) presented the board and attendees with the rationale behind the BOLD proposal. The term â€œequitableâ€? was one that came up again and again throughout the meeting; presenters defined it as providing needed resources for students who may need additional help or services. To McDowell, improvements in program accessibility make all the difference in the future of the schools. â€œOur current capture rate is 72.3 percent, and that is not acceptable,â€? McDowell said. â€œWe need to be capturing 85 percent of our kids. Thereâ€™s no reason we canâ€™t have an E-21 program that is so solid that families who are coming in should not want to choose Stillwater. And right now, I guarantee you thatâ€™s why we have a 72 percent capture rate. Itâ€™s programs. People come because of programs. People move to school districts because of what their kids can get.â€? The proposal also unearthed the degree of inequity between each school, which was an eye-opener for McDowell. â€œHow is it okay that weâ€™re running a district where some kids have support that they need and other kids donâ€™t and itâ€™s because of where theyâ€™re going to school?â€? McDowell said. â€œThat doesnâ€™t make sense to me programmatically.â€? But McDowell said that the most shocking aspect of this was the financial discrepancy. â€œAcross our elementary schools we are spending, from the lowest per-pupil cost in one building to the highest per-pupil cost in another building, a differential of $1,600 per kid, per year,â€? he said. â€œI donâ€™t know how itâ€™s financially responsible to talk about program equities when we have that going on in our district. Because what I donâ€™t want to be is the person who has to tell the family, â€˜Iâ€™m sorry but because you go to this building weâ€™re going to spend $1,600 less on your kid than somewhere else.â€™ Thatâ€™s a problem.â€? Pontrelli addressed confusion surrounding the construction of a new elementary school in Washington County, which was confirmed when Valley Crossing was sold from the district in 2015, at the same time three existing schools are proposed for closure. â€œThe new elementary school simply replaces the

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A projection of population growth in Washington County through the year 2040.

Valley Crossing sale,â€? McDowell added. â€œItâ€™s kind of a one-for-one trade. It really is unrelated to what the recommendation for tonight was about.â€? As for the recommendation to close all three schools, rather than one or two, he said that population growth and capacity are at the heart of the decision. Referring to a household growth projection from the Metropolitan Council, he demonstrated that the rates of growth do not indicate a sustainable school district in the next 15 years. â€œWe can expect to see about 800 new households in the next 15 years,â€? he said. â€œOnly about 400 of the 800 are anticipated to have kids in them that would be coming into our district.â€? Added to that are the projections for enrollment, which are usually calculated with a .41 percentage but have since been reduced to a .36 percentage. McDowell said that the capture rate of 72 percent serves to reduce the enrollment projection further. â€œNow these are rough numbers, and theyâ€™re predictions, so they could be off,â€? McDowell said. â€œWhat if weâ€™re wrong? What if all 800 homes that come in new have the .41 percentage; everybodyâ€™s got them. We assume no loss whatsoever. Weâ€™d bring in 328 students in 15 years.â€? Even in the best-case scenario, the projected addition of new students to the district is not substantial. McDowell pointed out that the prevalence of new housing developments is not a solid indicator that the school populations will increase as well. â€œThat does not automatically equate to tons and tons of kids,â€? he said. â€œIt just doesnâ€™t work that way. And even if it did, even if all 800 houses did, the most it would bring in based on our historical projections is 328 students.â€? Currently, the schools are operating at 79 percent capacity, meaning that while most class sizes appear normal, there is unused space that the schools continue to pay for. If only one or two schools were to close, the capacity percentage would rise only minimally. â€œItâ€™s not until you close all three schools that you get 92 percent capacity,â€? McDowell said. The crowd rumbled in response to this statistic, picturing uncomfortably crowded classrooms. â€œ[People] think weâ€™ll be busted at the seams, but thatâ€™s

not true,â€? McDowell said. â€œWhen we say 92 percent capacity, thatâ€™s calculated on the conservative side, so we wonâ€™t have overcrowding. Most people think â€˜fire code.â€™ Thatâ€™s not what weâ€™re talking about. Weâ€™re talking about the ideal student-teacher ratio across schools.â€? McDowell said that even after the schools closed, there would still be enough room to accept 300 additional students. However, accepting the proposal would call for district boundaries to be redrawn. Another barrier is the amount of time students who live further away will have to spend riding buses to and from school. However, McDowell emphasized that the sooner a decision is made, the easier it will be to adjust to changes of this scale. â€œThe thing thatâ€™s important to realize is that everyone, ourselves included, would want to take as much time with this as you can,â€? McDowell said. â€œThe sooner we make a decision, the more time we have for our principals to work with the school culture. We want as much time as possible to work with families about what that school culture will look like.â€? The plan would also call to relocate programs such as the GATE program, autism cluster program and ALC. The central services building would be sold along with the schools, and Oak Park would be repurposed as Central Services. The proposal also includes the possibility of transitioning to open concept model classrooms, but that discussion will take place further down the road. â€œWe want to spend money on kids and not on bricks and mortar,â€? Pontrelli said. The board was certain to remind everyone that the decision is not yet final; if an alternative idea to balance school resources comes to light, regardless of whether the proposal is accepted, it will be considered. â€œWe are very open to recommendations and ideas, but we have very talented people who have been working on this for a long time,â€? Pontrelli said. â€œWe can always go back in a month or two if someone has a really wonderful idea.â€? In the meantime, hearings for each of the schools will be held, and the board will vote on BOLD proposal at its meeting Feb. 11.

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Crossword

THE LOWDOWN

Frank Watson is a local Meteorologist who operates a weather station in White Bear Lake. Weather data and observation are from his weather station and trips around the area. Frank can be found on the internet at WeathermanWatson.com.

Weather tidbits Brought to you by WeathermanWatson.com SUNRISE / SUNSET

Fri

January 15

7:48 4:57

Sat January 16

7:47 4:58

Sun January 17

7:46 4:59

Mon January 18

7:46 5:00

Tue January 19

7:45 5:02

Wed January 20 7:44 5:03 Thu January 21

7:43 5:04

Sudoku CLUES ACROSS 1. Teletype (Computers) 4. Loose-ﬁtting sleeveless garment 7. They __ 8. Extinct Turkish caucasian language 10. Tall N Zealand timber tree 12. Piedmont city on the River Gesso 13. Burl __, storyteller 14. Made up of 50 states 16. Not or 17. Given a monetary penalty 19. Unnilpentium 20. ISU town 21. Equality for everyone 25. A lyric poem with complex stanza forms 26. Actress Farrow 27. Scottish caps 29. Gobblers 30. __ Lilly, drug company 31. Process an animal hide 32. Describe in perfect detail 39. 1000 calories 41. American National Bank (abbr.) 42. MN 55121 43. Everyone 44. Substitute 45. Rubber, marching or head 46. Dance Latin rhythm 48. Inside of 49. A way to let know 50. Morning moisture 51. Point midway between S

and SE 52. Sales messages CLUES DOWN 1. Duty 2. Whatchamacallit 3. A citizen of Yemen 4. __ Dhabi, Arabian capital 5. Nickname 6. One seeded fruit (alt. sp.) 8. Fiddler crabs 9. Troughs of bricks 11. Exploiter 14. Atomic #104 15. Italian ice-cream 18. Algerian dinar 19. Consume 20. Macaws 22. Insigniﬁcantly small 23. Tooth caregiver 24. Direct toward 27. Bluish green 28. Caliph 29. Faucet 31. The bill in a restaurant 32. Capital of Tocantins, Brazil 33. Explosive 34. The most abundant of the rare-earth group 35. Japanese sock 36. Kampala is the capital 37. Raged 38. Provides with property 39. Miniature racing vehicle 40. Signs 44. Express pleasure 47. Bridge-building degree

WEATHER TIDBIT We went below 0° the evening of Jan. 9 for the ﬁrst time this winter. This ranks as the 8th latest. The winter of 2011-12 we didn’t go below 0° until Jan. 18. 2012 went on to be the warmest year on record, here in the Twin Cities. YEAR AGO THIS WEEK COLDEST DAY OF LAST WINTER WAS JAN. 13 AT -15.9°. COLD BREAKS ON JAN. 14 WITH UPPER 30’S ON JAN. 17 AND 40° ON JAN. 18. JANUARY SNOW DEPTH PEAKED AT 5.7” ON JAN. 14-15. WEEKLY AVERAGES OCT. 14 TO 20, 2015 High Low %Sun PCP 23° 6° 50% 0.25”

Fun Fact

The bumblebee bat is one of the the smallest mammal on Earth. It weighs less than a penny.

Did you notice? A lemon contains more sugar than a strawberry.

Top 5 at PressPubs.com: Week of Jan. 3 – 9

Editor’s note: Visit www.presspubs.com to read the full versions of these most-visited stories

1. “The singer who killed a bear”: Q&A with Cindy Jo Schloer. Forest Lake Lowdown > News 2. Parents rally to ﬁght possible school closing. Citizen> News 3. Rods reel in nostalgia. White Bear Press > News 4. Sex offender re-incarcerated for 8 months. White Bear Press > Featured 5. Alleged package thief arrested again with new accomplice. White Bear Press > News

See Press Publications’ website www.presspubs.com for stories from the White Bear Press, The Citizen, Vadnais Heights Press, Shoreview Press, Quad Community Press, The Lowdown-Forest Lake Area and The Lowdown- St. Croix Valley Area.

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Washington County begins effort to “Arrest the Pest” BY JACKIE BUSSJAEGER STAFF WRITER

Washington County hosted two informational sessions last month on the emerald ash borer (EAB) quarantine. The quarantine went into effect after the invasive insect was first spotted in October in a trap near I-90. The quarantine restricts not just ash, but all hardwood, from leaving the county unless it has been treated and approved by the Department of Agriculture. It also bans people from moving the insect itself, whether in its adult or larval stage, outside of the county. The presentation was meant to educate Washington County communities, and especially individuals who have ash trees on their property, about the measures they can take to slow the spread of this invasive species. The emerald ash borer has been steadily destroying U.S. ash populations since it was first discovered in Michigan in 2002. EAB larvae burrow inside the trunks of trees and disrupt the flow of nutrients, slowly killing the tree. The adult insects also feed on ash leaves. With nearly a billion ash trees in the state of Minnesota, there is a lot at stake if the spread of the insects continues. Kimberley Thielen Cremers, pest mitigation and biocontrol unit supervisor for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), spoke about identifying the insect and affected trees. “Looking at an ash tree, it’s really difficult to tell if it has EAB,” Cremers said. “The bark cracks a couple years in, and you might notice woodpeckers pecking but they’re not digging real deep. Our staff is getting really good at identifying visually by those white flecks that woodpeckers leave.” However, by the time these signs are noticed, it is often too late to save the tree from infestation. “Sometimes it’ll be four years into an infestation before you notice, and by five or six years, those trees are dead,” she said. “It happens pretty fast.” Jeff Hahn, a professor from the University of Minnesota Department of Entomology, suggested that ash owners treat their trees preventatively before the insects have time to move in. He said that a general rule of thumb is that if you live within 10 to 15 miles of a known EAB reporting, you are at a higher risk for invasion and should begin treating your trees. He outlined four options for ash tree owners in Washington County: remove the tree, treat it with insecticide, do nothing, or wait and make a decision later. “Not taking immediate action is a possibility, but it’ll probably come down to one of those two things,” Hahn said. Since not taking action will eventually result in a dead tree, the options left are removal or treatment. The decision is not an easy one to make, depending on several factors. If the canopy has less than 40 or 50 percent decline, it may still be possible to save the tree with insecticides.

“But maybe it doesn’t look so great, and that can be a factor in your decision to remove it,” he said. Ash trees are a low-maintenance tree, and the benefits of keeping them are sometimes a matter of aesthetics, which can lead to increased property values. The shade and shelter provided by the trees can also help in reducing energy costs, and the root systems can decrease water runoff. “There’s a lot of advantage in keeping a healthy tree around,” Hahn said. “If you want to protect your tree, don’t wait until [EAB] is right next door or actually in your tree.” Treatment can work either preventatively or curatively, and there are several insecticides available. Some are available for residents to purchase, and some can be applied only by licensed services. These treatments are applied through trunk injections, bark spray or soil injections, which spread insecticide throughout the tree. The poison targets adult insects that eat the leaves. The cost for treatment depends on the diameter of the tree at chest height (or 4 feet 6 inches), and Hahn said it often costs around $3-$6 per diameter-inch. For example, treatment of a 15-inch diameter tree could cost between $45 and $90. The trees also require multiple treatments, sometimes every year, and sometimes once every few years. “If you do it for two or three years and then stop, you leave it vulnerable to EAB,” he said. He also reminded residents that there are strict penalties for using pesticides incorrectly. “A pesticide label is actually a legal document,” he said. “A lot of times we have incidents where the label isn’t followed, so keep that in mind if you’re going to do it yourself.” Ash wood becomes very brittle when dead. “Baseball bats are made of ash,” he said. “And if you’ve ever seen one break, you know it doesn’t just break—it shatters.” This makes removal of dead trees a hazardous and expensive procedure. Hahn also said that he has heard many concerns about the effect of insecticides on the larger environment. This is still under investigation, but he said that woodpeckers that feed on EAB larvae have remained largely unaffected. While ash is mainly wind-pollinated, honeybees also visit ash blossoms in early spring, and it is unknown what effects treatment may have on their populations. Cremers said that the biggest threat of spreading EAB is through moving firewood. Larvae can live hidden beneath the bark for up to two years, meaning that even dead wood that has been sitting in the yard for months can carry the insect. “If firewood is moved illegally, that’s a violation of the quarantine, and there will be a penalty: potentially $7,500 a day,” she said. She said that tree removal services adhere to the quarantine requirements, depositing dead trees within the county or chipping them down to with-

JACKIE BUSSJAEGER | PRESS PUBLICATIONS

Above: The distinctive S-shaped pattern beneath the bark indicates the presence of larvae within the tree. Below:The emerald ash borer is tiny and difficult to recognize at ﬁrst; the best way to determine whether it is in the area is to report it to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture as soon as possible. Lower right: Emerald ash borer in its larval and adult stages.

in in acceptable size to move elsewhere. Hardwood firewood can be disposed of or burned as long as it stays within the county, and Cremers recommended buying firewood close to the place where customers plan on burning it. Some stores sell firewood stamped with a state or federal Department of Agriculture shield on it, which certifies that the wood has been treated and is allowed to be transported beyond quarantine boundaries. All other hardwood firewood is subject to the quarantine. Both experts emphasized the importance of reporting signs of EAB as soon as possible. “Homeowner reporting is so critical,” Cremers said. The MDA encourages residents to “Arrest the Pest” by reporting whatever signs may indicate the presence of EAB. She suggested taking pictures and notes, capturing the insect if possible, or taking a sample of the plant and reporting to the MDA immediately. She also mentioned a smartphone app called Great Lakes Early Detection Network—any reports about invasive species go directly to a state verifier. “And we do follow up on every single one of those reports,” she said. “The more information we have, the better off we are.” Washington County is one of several counties in the metro area to enact a quarantine. There are also several counties in southeastern Minnesota that have been quarantined, in addition to one isolated spot in Park Point in Duluth. Thus far, western Minnesota has been untouched by the infestation, and quarantines such as this one aim to keep it that way. Even with the county’s best efforts, it looks as though the pest is here to stay. “It moves around too well for

us to eradicate,” Hahn said. “We can slow it down, we can mitigate it, we can learn to live with it, but we’re never going to eliminate it.” Cottage Grove has been anticipating the arrival of EAB since it was first discovered in St. Paul in 2009. The city’s efforts to control the spread of the insect have included setting and regularly checking traps, treating boulevard trees, offering to treat certain residential trees, and diversifying

the species of trees planted in public spaces. “Diversity of trees is so critically important,” Hahn said. It is up to each city to decide how to manage the threat, but measures such as these are recommended. For more information about EAB and treatment options for ash trees, or to report signs of EAB in your neighborhood, visit mda.state.mn.us/arrestthepest, or call 1-888-545-6684.

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