Saturday, July 14, 2001

Has Wall Street learned its lesson about tech stocks?
NEW YORK -- If this past week's technology gains -- made primarily on a handful of mediocre earnings reports with mostly dim outlooks -- have a familiar feel, your instincts are correct.

Loan, seed money for small business gets a little easier to find
NEW YORK -- The outlook for the economy is still uncertain, but lending to small businesses is showing signs of getting a little easier. There is, however, a major exception -- entrepreneurs and companies that can't show good, solid results are still struggling for loans or seed money.

Metals
NEW YORK (AP) -- Spot nonferrous metal prices Friday.

Poll indicates most Minnesotans not very worried about economy
ST. PAUL (AP) -- Despite rising unemployment and sagging corporate earnings, most Minnesotans aren't very worried about the economy, according to a poll released Friday.

Business notes
CitiBucks, a new marketing company in the area, is hosting the Brainerd Lakes Area Chambers of Commerce's Business After Hours event from 5-7 p.m. Thursday at Lakeside Conference Center at the Quarterdeck Resort and Boathouse Restaurant on the east side of Gull Lake.

Troubled Converse aims to recapture glory days after full-court press of woes
NORTH READING, Mass. -- For more than half a century, Chuck Taylor All-Star sneakers -- canvas, with a trademark star logo -- ruled every schoolyard, high school, college and pro basketball court in America.

Waiting around for the stock market to rise again
NEW YORK (AP) -- Wary would-be investors have been waiting for months for solid indications of a stock market recovery. And they may have to wait longer amid doubts about a quick, substantial, profitable rebound.

Gloom is good
SUNNYVALE, Calif. -- The way Loudcloud Inc. chairman Marc Andreessen sees it, the economic pall hanging over the Silicon Valley is about to become even gloomier. And he couldn't be happier about it.

Famous Dave's finds right recipe
EDEN PRAIRIE (AP) -- Kenneth Stanecki says people who run restaurants sometimes make things more complicated than necessary, concentrating on catchy themes or exotic foods in an attempt to lure customers.

Two area insurance agencies that date back to 1930s combine into Agency One
Two area insurance agencies that can trace their heritage to the 1930s merged this month.

When it comes to checking and credit, many couples going for his and hers, not ours
NEW YORK -- It used to be that couples followed their walk down the aisle with a saunter to the bank, where they opened their first joint account and, perhaps, merged their credit cards.

Forget about your old-time roller rinks
By late fall, a roller-skating rink for in-line and traditional quad roller skates should be attracting people to a new facility currently in construction near Jackson Street in Brainerd.

Will area growth create hazard for Pine Meadows?
BAXTER -- Pine Meadows Golf Course has carved out a niche as a spot where area residents play, but development pressures are being recognized.

Lawsuits accuse Navy of religious discrimination
COLUMBIA, Tenn. -- The Rev. Robert Adair says he was forced out of the Navy because of his religion.

Buddhism's scriptures are radically different from Bible
Buddhism is winning converts beyond its traditional heartland but for many Westerners its message remains alien.

Ministers find themselves leading in two worlds
NEW YORK -- The Rev. Floyd Flake steps into the pulpit during the 8:30 a.m. service at the Allen African Methodist Episcopal Church in Queens, ready to deliver the gospel.

Churches
There will be a grand opening at The Basement, a new teen coffeehouse at the Crosby-Ironton Presbyterian Church, on July 25. The band Grave Robber will begin playing at 7:30 p.m. All teens are invited. Call 546-7778 for more information.

Roman Catholic bishop groups complete their merger
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The National Conference of Catholic Bishops and the United States Catholic Conference completed their merger and will be known as the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Indian spiritual leader visits N.Y. on hugging tour
NEW YORK -- Hundreds of people lined up at a college auditorium to get a hug from an Indian spiritual leader whose followers say they feel uplifted when they embrace her.

Jains seek adherence to ancient faith
ROSEMONT, Ill. -- They avoid eating potatoes, carrots and onions because uprooting them would harm the plant, or damage the micro-organisms living in the soil around it.

Baxter church members will help teach outreach English classes
BAXTER -- Three area women will embark Tuesday morning on a journey to minister to the people of Osaka, Japan.

Pets need care when disasters strike
You've seen the pictures umpteen times -- flood survivors, clutching kittens to their sodden chests; earthquake victims, picking over the plywood pieces that were once a home, their forlorn dog trailing behind them.

How about some guidance for young adults?
You couldn't even begin to count all the books that tell you how to smooth a child's entrance into preschool.

Boating is easy if good judgment prevails
DEAR ABBY: Summertime is here. That means about 17 million boats are hitting the water. Boating is a terrific family activity. It promotes bonding among generations, teaches kids independence and resourcefulness, and for many becomes an activity that can be enjoyed for a lifetime. It is also one of the fastest-growing outdoor recreations in America.

School's out, but kids don't have to go all summer without learning
NEW YORK (AP) -- A vacation from school doesn't have to mean a vacation from learning. Robert Calfee, dean of the school of education at the University of California at Riverside and an adviser at the LeapFrog toy company, offers these tips for keeping kids sharp during the summer months and beyond.

Bring more birds to your yard
Dear Readers: Do you love feeding birds and enjoy seeing all different species? Here's a way to help bring more birds to your yard: Put a couple of bird feeders and birdhouses in your yard to attract them.

Schools awash in bad behavior
WASHINGTON -- When Fran Donaldson started teaching elementary school 20 years ago, discipline problems meant a stray swear word or a playground fistfight.

Tips to pack the family for a vacation
NEW YORK -- The oldest daughter misses her boyfriend, the middle child won't sit still and the baby can't stand being strapped into the car safety seat -- and your trip hasn't even started yet.

Special needs children need adult partners
If you're an adult with the gift of being able to work with special needs children, we could really use your help now!

Cash grain
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Wheat receipts Thursday 200, a year ago 317.

Livestock
SOUTH ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) (USDA) -- Friday cattle: 650.

Cash grain
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Wheat receipts Friday 360, a year ago 256.

Livestock
SOUTH ST. PAUL (AP) (USDA) -- Thursday cattle: 400.

Lawmakers want dairy importers to pay for promotional campaigns
WASHINGTON -- Got cash?

Fires
The Brainerd Fire Department today responded to a report of a fire at North Star Plating in Brainerd. The fire was reported at 8:40 a.m. The fire caused minimal damage.

Metals
NEW YORK (AP) -- Spot nonferrous metal prices Thursday.

Births
Rusty and Laura (Starks) Billman, Merrifield, a girl, Lyla Mae, 4 pounds, 12 ounces, June 19, 2001. Grandparents are Ray and LaVonne Billman, Brainerd, and Myrtle Starks, Ravenna, Ohio.

Agendas
1. Call to order.

Correction/ clarification
The story that was published on Page 2N Tuesday on the 22nd annual Fiesta for Orphans that will be held from 1:30-5 p.m. July 21 at St. Mathias Park in St. Mathias inadvertently listed the wrong prices. Cost for the event is free. Cost for the roast turkey dinner for adults is $12.50 and $5 for children younger than age 12.

Courts
WALKER -- Judge Jay D. Mondry heard the following case July 5 in Cass County Court:

Correction/clarification
The story about the Zoo Man appearing at the Brainerd Public Library that appeared on Page 3T in Thursday's Tempo section should have listed the presentation time at 3:30 p.m. Monday.

Klein takes the lead
EUREKA, Mo. (AP) -- After shooting a course-record 64 to open the Michelob Light Classic, Emilee Klein insisted she wasn't worried about Annika Sorenstam.

Woods returns to the scene where to learned to be a pro
LYTHAM ST. ANNES, England -- Earl Woods walked along the fairways of Royal Lytham & St. Annes with silent appreciation, watching his son come of age.

Irwin, Watson lead the pack at Senior Players
DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) -- The record books show that Hale Irwin loves playing the Senior Players Championship at the TPC of Michigan.

Golf
Thursday

Perry's snub of British Open paying off
MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Kenny Perry would rather play short Brown Deer Park than the difficult fairways of Royal Lytham & St. Annes.

Campaign finance bill slows to stop
WASHINGTON -- House Republican leaders say they have no plans to return to campaign finance legislation after a much-anticipated debate on how to reduce the influence of big money in politics fizzled into partisan bickering.

Analysts downgrade budget surplus estimate
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Congressional Budget Office sees this year's federal surplus dropping below $200 billion, agreeing with recent comments by Bush administration officials that the surplus is falling.

Mediator says California failed to substantiate overcharges on electricity
Los Angeles Times

Bush unusually deliberate on stem cell decision
WASHINGTON -- President Bush was deep into a recent discussion on Medicare with members of Congress when he abruptly began musing about stem cell research. "The subject was clearly on his mind," recalled Sen. Bill Frist, R-Tenn.

Bush orders warming studies, but has no new proposal
WASHINGTON -- The Bush administration, which angered European allies four months ago by disavowing an international global warming pact calling for mandatory reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, will not offer an alternative approach when talks resume in Germany next week, according to officials.

Senate backs Bush's revamped drilling plan for Gulf of Mexico
WASHINGTON -- The Senate embraced President Bush's scaled-down plan for oil and gas drilling in the eastern Gulf of Mexico by rejecting an amendment Thursday that would have blocked energy production off Florida's shores.

Missile test to fuel battle over Bush plan
WASHINGTON -- Regardless of the outcome, the military's attempt to shoot down an intercontinental missile high over the Pacific this weekend is sure to intensify the fierce political debate over President Bush's missile-shield plans.

President touts drug discount plan in radio address
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Bush promoted his prescription drug proposal Saturday with a vow that the government's commitment to provide health care for senior citizens "will always stand."

Health
Blood Pressure Clinics

Preventing suicide
ST. PAUL -- One American commits suicide every 17.2 minutes -- a fact that has prompted a growing number of states including Minnesota to take bold steps toward preventing it.

For 'Sandwich Generation,' life's a picnic
For millions of Americans, being sandwiched between their growing children and their aging parents is a good place to be, according to a national survey released last week.

What other states do to prevent suicide
Here's a look at what some states are doing to help prevent suicide:

Chemical dependency and AA groups
Adult Children-Chem.Dep.

New FBI director has prostate cancer
WASHINGTON (AP) -- A veteran prosecutor named by President Bush to head the troubled FBI revealed he has prostate cancer, but his doctor said the condition is treatable and predicted a full recovery.

Melanoma spreads to brain of Reagan's daughter Maureen
Maureen Reagan, daughter of former President Reagan and actress Jane Wyman, is undergoing radiation treatment for a malignant melanoma that has spread to her brain, it was disclosed Friday.

Support groups
Crisis Line-Referral Ser.

North American Lily Society offers guidelines when planting lilies
For best results with the variety of colorful lilies, the North American Lily Society has recommended guidelines.

Senior activities
LAKES AREA SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTER

Think before growing wisteria
POUND RIDGE, N.Y. (AP) -- Wisteria, one of the most beautiful plants on earth, can last for 50 years and more. It can also, and has a reputation for doing so, drive you and your heirs nuts.

Furniture taste is eclectic
Americans' taste in furniture has become more eclectic in recent years, reaching for exotic or unusual cultural influences:

Here's an affordable solution to testing paint before buying buckets of it
Designers always advise testing several paint colors before committing to gallons. But even a few experimental quarts -- typically the minimum amount sold -- add up, especially if you're using a premium brand.

What to do when electrical circuit is overloaded
Q. Betty asks: Our home is 40 years old. In my bedroom bath we have a four-way lamppost light fixture that holds four 60-watt bulbs. I was blow-drying my hair using a 1,500-watt dryer and I heard a pop. All electric in the bath cut off sharply and now nothing comes on and the light switch seems looser. No other part of the house was affected. Could you tell me what happened and what we can do?

Furnishings for clothes
LOWELL, Mass. (AP) -- From simple pin rails to chests of drawers to elaborate carved wardrobes, furniture is an adjunct to clothing.

Rate of babies born with syphilis since '97 drops by half, CDC says
After a three-year campaign to eradicate congenital syphilis, the rate of babies born with the disease has dropped by half, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Thursday.

White is a versatile color in flower garden
White flowers and leaves are not the first things that come to mind when planning a colorful garden. Nonetheless, they can really spruce up a flower bed.

New franchise opens in Brainerd
BAXTER -- Assist-2-Sell, a national discount real estate brokerage company, announced the opening of its newest franchise on Evergreen Drive in Baxter.

Bogus offer charges taxpayers for rebate information
Government agencies are warning taxpayers about a "bogus" offer to calculate -- for a fee -- the amount they will receive in tax-refund checks.

Lilies are popular, and colorful, perennials
A north Brainerd home's perennial treasures are barely glimpsed from the front yard.

Dinner table is not the place for battle of wills
QUESTION: Should a parent try to force a child to eat?

The values of the marketplace now rule at home
When kids are young, moms and dads boast about sleep deficits. ("When I finally got her back to sleep, it was getting light outside!")

The price of a home
ROCHESTER (AP) -- Suppose you and your family live in an eight-room, 2,200-square-foot house in Kansas City, which would be valued on the current market at $185,600.

Annual Log Home and Cabin Tour set in Crosslake
CROSSLAKE -- The Log Home and Cabin Tour, sponsored by the Crosslake Area Historical Society, will be July 26 and 27.

Avoid the 'while you're at it' syndrome with contractors
Here's a malady homeowners want to avoid: The "while you're at it syndrome."

Armyworms invade lawns in Northeast
PHILADELPHIA -- An invasion of armyworms is turning lawns throughout the Northeast a sickly brown and baffling experts, who can only guess that the source of the infestation was the winds of Tropical Storm Allison.

COMING MONDAY
Finding a child care provider in Crow Wing County for an infant or toddler may be difficult. Find out more about the shortage and steps to relieve the problem in Monday's Dispatch.

Time to say goodbye
She's hired a housekeeper for her husband and the neighbors promised to take care of her garden and watch protectively over her 16-year-old son, John.

Daniels' body found
The body of 27-year-old Allen Daniels was recovered Thursday from the Mississippi River, ending a two-day search for the missing Brainerd man.

Local briefs
Three area Brainerd Lions Clubs -- Brainerd Lions Club, Brainerd Lakes Area Lions Club and Baxter Lions Club -- announced disaster funds will be awarded to tornado victims.

This was Brainerd
20 years ago (1981)-The yard of Mr. and Mrs. Russell LaCourse located at 709 North Fourth Street, has been chosen as July "Yard of the Month," by the Brainerd Garden Club.

This was Brainerd
JULY 15 - 30 years ago (1971) - Mr. and Mrs. F.B. Brainerd from Virmillion, Ohio, are here staying at the Holiday Inn. The Brainerds are the fifth generation of descendants of Ann Brainerd, who married John Gregory Smith and for whom Brainerd is named. The Brainerds are here visiting during Centennial Ceremonies.

Local briefs
The 2001 Crow Wing County Outstanding Senior Citizen will be named July 19 at the senior citizen's picnic.

Local briefs
Bob Olson, Brainerd City Council alderman-at-large, is hosting a public access cable TV show called, "What's Bob About? Bob's About the People."

PLACE TO GET AWAY IS ALL THEIRS
PINE CENTER -- It's a place to get away.

Torture victim says record settlement shouldn't end fight against police brutality
NEW YORK -- Abner Louima, the Haitian immigrant sodomized with a broomstick in a precinct house bathroom four years ago, said the record settlement that concluded his case should not signal the end of the fight against police brutality.

Two sides of Condit's behavior now seem less ordinary
WASHINGTON -- There always have been two sides to California Rep. Gary Condit. Until his relationship with a missing young intern became known, both sides seemed ordinary enough.

Worker missing after offshore gas rig explodes
FREEPORT, Texas (AP) -- An explosion rocked an offshore gas rig in the Gulf of Mexico early Friday, and one worker was missing.

Experts: Ill-fated firefighting squad had too many rookies
SEATTLE (AP) -- The mop-up crew that was overtaken by a quickly spreading forest fire, killing four, had twice the number of rookies as experts recommend, authorities said.

Wholesale prices drop by largest amount in 28 months
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Prices at the wholesale level plunged 0.4 percent in June as record declines in residential electricity and natural gas prices and a big drop in gasoline costs gave the country the best performance on wholesale inflation in more than two years.

Condit takes lie detector test in Levy case
WASHINGTON -- Police are offering their strongest criticism yet of Rep. Gary Condit after his attorney said a lie detector test he arranged showed the lawmaker was truthful in denying he knew what happened to missing intern Chandra Levy.

Private plane crash kills all five aboard
CARTERVILLE, Mo. -- A private plane carrying at least five people crashed into a garage early Friday, killing everyone aboard.

Man who hurled dog into traffic after fender-bender gets maximum sentence
SAN JOSE, Calif. -- A judge said he didn't believe the apology of a man convicted of throwing a small dog to its death in traffic and sentenced him Friday to a three-year prison term, the maximum.

Former employee shoots three, then kills himself at Home Depot
MORROW, Ga. (AP) -- A former employee of a Home Depot fatally shot one person and wounded two others at the store Saturday morning and then killed himself after police arrived, authorities said.

BABY'S DEATH LEADS TO SAFETY WARNING
DALLAS (AP) -- Sometimes, a child gets left in a sweltering car while Mom or Dad stops for a quick errand. Other times, the child is briefly forgotten, strapped into a car seat.

Two dead, one missing after explosion and chemical fire
RIVERVIEW, Mich. (AP) -- Two men died and a third was missing following an explosion and fire at a chemical factory on Saturday.

New prosecutor reassessing Terry Nichols case
OKLAHOMA CITY -- More than two years after an Oklahoma prosecutor filed murder charges against bombing conspirator Terry Nichols, a new district attorney is expressing his biggest doubts to date about whether the case will move forward.

Tiny septuplets remain in critical condition, but doctors call them beautiful
WASHINGTON -- Her first glimpse of her seven babies was in snapshots.

Astronauts prepare to install doorway
SPACE CENTER, Houston (AP) -- Astronauts powered up two robot arms early Saturday in preparation for the installation of a new $164 million doorway to space at the international space station.

Five tied for seniors lead
DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) -- Ray Floyd liked the look of the leaderboard after the opening round of the Senior Players Championship.

A shot heard by not too many
It never really was "the shot heard round the world," of course. Fifty years later, there still are millions of cricket fans in India, soccer fans in Germany, rugby fans in Australia and even baseball fans in Japan who have never heard of Ralph Branca and Bobby Thomson.

Ritchie, Cone chalk up memorable pitching appearances
Pittsburgh's Todd Ritchie pitched the best game of his career, and Boston's David Cone was back at the scene of some of his most memorable outings.

Transactions
BASEBALL

Doctors and trainers the real MVPs for Boston this season
NEW YORK -- When Nomar Garciaparra bounced up the steps of the visitors' dugout at Shea Stadium early Thursday evening, there was a large cont

Bonds, McGwire homer in losses
Moving up the homer list wasn't enough to put Barry Bonds and Mark McGwire in the win column.

NCAA changes BCS, basketball seeding
Changes are afoot for two major events in college sports: the NCAA men's basketball tournament and the Bowl Championship Series.

Liberty too much for Lynx
NEW YORK (AP) -- An early display of outside shooting by Minnesota's Katie Smith was not enough to overcome the tenacity of the New York Liberty down the stretch.

Montgomery finishes 100 in 9.84 in Norway
OSLO, Norway (AP) -- The tail wind was perfect, close to the legal limit, at famed Bislett Stadium.

Friday briefing
CHICAGO -- Fred McGriff hasn't said yes. Then again, he hasn't said no yet, either.

Violet E. Wells
LITTLE FALLS -- Violet Elaine Wells, 82, Little Falls, died Thursday, July 12, 2001, at her home in Little Falls.

Robert R. Alderman
CHASKA -- Robert R. Alderman, 79, Minnetonka, formerly of Brainerd, died Friday, July 13, 2001, at the Auburn Manor in Chaska.

Richard Christoffersen
LITTLE FALLS -- Richard "Dick" Allen Christoffersen, 56, Little Falls, died Wednesday, July 11, 2001, at St. Gabriel's Hospital in Little Falls.

James W. Purdon
James William Purdon, 91, Brainerd, died Thursday, July 5, 2001, at Woodland Good Samaritan Village in Brainerd.

Robert R. Alderman
MINNETONKA -- Robert R. Alderman, 79, Minnetonka, formerly of Brainerd, died today, July 13, 2001, at Auburn Manor in Chaska.

Gradon E. Hines
Gradon "Gary" E. Hines, 48, Brainerd, died Monday, July 9, 2001, in Brainerd as the result of a traffic accident.

Laurie A. Krejci
LITTLE FALLS -- Laurie A. Krejci, 84, Little Falls, died Friday, July 13, 2001, at St. Gabriel's Hospital in Little Falls.

Steven F. Lickteig
LITTLE FALLS -- Steven F. Lickteig, 53, Little Falls, died Thursday, July 12, 2001, at St. Gabriel's Hospital in Little Falls.

Rose Marie Bilyard
PEQUOT LAKES -- Rose Marie Bilyard, 81, Pequot Lakes, died Tuesday, July 10, 2001, at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.

Darold Schneller
AITKIN -- Darold Schneller, 72, Fleming Lake community, died Wednesday, July 11, 2001, at Riverwood Health Care Center in Aitkin.

Joseph Minshaw
MELROSE -- Joseph Minshaw, 96, Little Falls, died Saturday, July 14, 2001, at the Pine Villa Care Center in Melrose.

Elizabeth A. Hagenstad
Elizabeth A. Hagenstad, 83, Brainerd, formerly of Crosslake, died Friday. July 13. 2001, at Bethany Good Samaritan Village in Brainerd.

Orval E. Hawks
MARSHFIELD, WIS. -- Orval Ellwood Hawks, 82, Crystal Falls, Mich., formerly of Crosby, died Thursday, July 5, 2001, at St. Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield, Wis.

What's right about Fox News Channel
Entering the ``green room'' at the Fox News Channel (where I occasionally appear), there are former National Organization for Women President, Eleanor Smeal; radio talk show host, Ellen Rattner; and Alexis Herman, secretary of labor during the Clinton administration. All are political liberals and each can be expected to oppose virtually all of the Bush administration's policies.

Blame everybody
Andrea Yates. The name meant nothing to us a month ago. But now it's a household curse and one that will live on in infamy. We will always know her as the woman who systematically drowned her five young children in a bathtub one morning after her husband left for work. We'll remember her as the woman who, after dispatching four of her brood, calmly wrapped them in a sheet and placed them neatly, side by side in bed, as if asleep. The fifth she left floating in the tub, face down; perhaps so as not to see the dead, unblinking eyes staring up at her, frozen in their last frantic gaze of horror and disbelief.

Open Forum
Two weeks ago, I came home to visit my parents who have lived on Lake Edward for over twenty years. I grew up on this lake as well, and often brag about its crystal clean water and sandy bottom. However, this visit I was shocked when I v

Mueller wise choice to head FBI
President Bush and the attorney general have chosen wisely in nominating Robert Mueller to be the next director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. They have picked a man of great integrity, a demanding but fair administrator, and a person who is well known and well respected within the law enforcement community. Mueller will build upon the good work done by outgoing Director Louis Freeh, who has been the subject of much unjustified criticism in his departure, and make the FBI truly deserving of the American people's respect.

Open Forum
Crow Wing Commissioners are to be commended for their vote to establish an independent parks department. Having grown up in Minneapolis I am very much aware of the value that parks add to a community. The wisdom that the commissioners showed today will benefit citizens and visitors today, next year, and a hundred years from now.

Creating space
On Tuesday, July 10, the Crow Wing Wing County Commissioners approved the establishment of a separate Park and Recreation Department This decision makes it possible for the county to provide more leisure time activities and space for residents and visitors now and in the future.

OTHER OPINIONS
It looks like the state of Minnesota has a vast majority of fishermen tangled up in a net involving mass marketing. The state has taken lists compiled from fishing license information and plans to sell the lists to information vendors.

Campaign reform hawks pledge to continue fight
WASHINGTON -- Backers of campaign finance reform pledged on Friday to continue to fight for the legislation, but it was far from clear the momentum that had pushed their cause to the brink of a decisive House vote last week can be recaptured.

Election changes were good ideas
Minnesota lawmakers made the right decisions about election reform this past legislative session.

North Country calendar
14 -- Northern pike tournament, Roosevelt Lake; check in 7:30 a.m.; tournament 7:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; phone 746-3938 or 828-9736 for more information

Wild irises are part of nature's summer bounty
Huffing and puffing I struggled to move the riding mower from its precarious perch as it tilted toward the bog side of the trail. I put it in neutral, reverse and low gear, each approach coupled with great pushing, as sweat secured my blouse to my back and flies nipped at my bare ankles and swarmed around my sweaty head. After more than sufficient effort to budge the beast back onto the trail I gave up and headed homeward, silently uttering less than lady-like words in my mind.

Big jigs trigger mid-summer walleye bite
When summer sets in it's time for big jigs. That's advice from Tommy Skarlis, Professional Walleye Trail pro., Tommy Skarlis. Many anglers use traditional live bait rigs at this time of the year. But Skarlis says big jigs can reach fish far deeper than most fishermen fish.

Outdoor notes
SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. -- From the famous Soo Locks downstream, the top walleye anglers in the world will search the St. Mary's River's maze of channels, islands and bays in the PWT Northeast Pro-Am, July 18-20. At stake is $250,000 in prize money, with $50,000 going to the winner.

Happy trails
Whoever said there are no mountains in Minnesota was lying.

It's easy to get hooked on fly fishing these days
I was out in the yard the other evening visiting with a friend when a big brown mayfly landed on my shoulder. I prodded it up onto my finger and held it up for my friend to see. She wrinkled up her nose and said "yuck."

Fishing report
BRAINERD/NISSWA - Good-sized sucker minnows are taking big northern pike in the shallow weeds of North Long Lake. Lake Edwards and Round Lake have produced quite a few nice pike in recent days as well. The night bite for walleyes on Gull Lake continues to be strong in 10 to 20 feet of water.

Every true Mom and Pop bait shop has an item you can't find anywhere else
GARRISON -- Unlike chain stores, no two Mom and Pop bait shops look the same.

Wedding planned
Maggie Miller and Tom Wassen announce their engagement. Parents are Karen Tagtmeier, Brainerd, Wayne Miller, Remer, Ron Tagtmeier, Ironton, and Mildred Wassen, Deerwood. An Aug. 25 wedding is planned at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Crosby.

50th anniversary
Gerald and Janice Nelson, Brainerd, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with an open house from 1-4 p.m. Saturday at the home of their son, Gary Nelson, Brainerd. The event will be hosted by their children. No gifts please.

Nanao-Kraemer
Haruka Nanao and Jeffrey M. Kraemer were married April 28, 2001, at St. Patrick's Chapel in Aomori Prefecture, Japan.

Brusseau-Anderson
Kimberly Brusseau and Shawn Anderson were married May 22, 2001, at Little Chapel of the Flowers in Las Vegas.

Wedding planned
Marie Worcester and Todd Alexander announce their engagement. Parents are Joe and Violet Worcester, Pine River, and Peter and Linda Alexander, Pine River. A wedding is planned at 5 p.m. July 28 at the Backus Church of the Nazarene with a dance to follow at the Pine River Legion.

Engagement announced
Jill Ann Maciejny and Jeremy Victor Ryder announce their engagement. Parents are Marlene Ramacher, Garrison, and Gary Maciejny, Coon Rapids, and George and Lynda Auger, Riverton. A Sept. 15 wedding is planned at Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Baxter.

Engagement announced
Sara Phillips and Tad Campana announce their engagement. Parents are Gary and Kathleen Phillips, Brainerd, and Bob and Mary Jo Campana, Reedsville, Wis. A Sept. 15 wedding is planned at St. Christopher's Church in Nisswa.

Wedding planned
Jennifer Anne Davis and Joseph Bryan Goodrum announce their engagement. Parents are Gary and Linda Davis, Brainerd, and Bryan Goodrum, Wilton, Iowa, and the late Ruth Ann Goodrum. A Sept. 29 wedding is planned in Nisswa.

Murray-Gregersen
Linda Murray and Kurt Gregersen were married June 2, 2001, on the Knotty Bear on Gull Lake with Richard Koch officiating.

Wedding planned
Kayla Lanz and Steve Farr announce their engagement. Parents are Joe and Ann Lanz, Nisswa, and Merral and Lillian Farr, Blaine. An Aug. 25 wedding is planned at Lutheran Church of the Cross.

100th birthday
Carrie Lindblom will celebrate her 100th birthday with an open house from 2-4 p.m. Saturday at the Aldrich Community Center. No gifts please.

Engagement announced
Jill Caughey and Jason Fleischhacker announce their engagement. Parents are Bill and Alice Caughey, Brainerd, and Marty Fleischhacker, Brainerd, and the late James Fleischhacker. A Sept. 8 wedding is planned at First Lutheran Church in Brainerd.

Engagement announced
Colleen Campbell and Terry Nuesse announce their engagement. Parents are Joan Campbell, Mosinee, Wis., and the late Roderick Campbell, and Kaye and Tom Nuesse, Pillager. A spring 2002 wedding is planned.

Wedding planned
Traci Keefe and Kraig King announce their engagement. Parents are Kevin and Patty Keefe, Backus, and Ken King, Pine River, and Sandi King, Ashton, S.D. An Aug. 25 wedding is planned at First Lutheran Church in Pine River.

45th anniversary
Robert and Betty Marshall, Pillager, recently celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary with their family. They were married July 14, 1956, in Staples.

Engagement announced
Jessica Brandt and Kelly Nylund announce their engagement. Parents are Rick and Patty Arnold, Mora, and Bruce and Nancy Brandt, Onamia, and Chris and Kim Nylund, Brainerd, and Norene and Mike Warta, Brainerd. A Sept. 22 wedding is planned at Lakewood Evangelical Free Church in Baxter.

Wedding planned
Amy LaValle and Mark Hansmann announce their engagement. Parents are Dennis and Julie LaValle, Brainerd, and Wayne and Karen Hansmann, Little Falls. An Aug. 11 wedding is planned at Breezy Point Resort.

65th anniversary
Gaylord and Faith Dabill recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary with their family. They were married Feb.18, 1936.

Wedding planned
Jill Kirzeder and Shawn Rasmussen announce their engagement. Parents are Jim and Rita Kirzeder, Crosby, and Darby and Becky Rasmussen, St. Peter, and Jim and Cathy Meyer, Welcome. An Aug. 24 wedding is planned at Holy Family Catholic Church in St. Louis Park.

NHRA Nationals set for Aug. 16-19 at CBIR
The raw power and excitement of NHRA championship drag racing will continue its 50th anniversary season with the 20th annual Colonel's Truck Accessories NHRA Nationals Aug. 16-19, at The Colonel's Brainerd International Raceway.

Bodine calls his pole victory a closure
JOLIET, Ill. -- Todd Bodine would love to believe his first pole victory in five years is an omen that things have turned around for him and the Haas-Carter Motorsports team.

Schumacher wins British GP pole
Michael Schumacher won the pole for the British Grand Prix, a race in which he can match Alain Prost's Formula One record of 51 career victories.

De Ferran smiling despite bad luck in practice on the 13th
TORONTO (AP) -- For a while, it really seemed like it wasn't Gil de Ferran's day. And it had nothing to do with superstition.

Little E outraged by talk of Daytona fix
JOLIET, Ill. (AP) -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. is angry and hurt at a time he should be happy.

Plant down for at least a year
ALBERT LEA, (AP) -- The fire-damaged Farmland Foods processing plant in this city's downtown will be out of commission for at least one year, a company official said Friday.

Autopsy shows body found in bay is murdered man
DULUTH (AP) -- Authorities said Friday that a body found in St. Louis Bay is that of a missing Duluth man who was murdered in January.

Twin Cities home market sets record
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The Twin Cities median home price in June climbed to a record of $173,545, a 12 percent increase over the same month last year.

Man will lose arm after farming accident
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- A Minnesota farmer who chose his life over his left arm learned Thursday that doctors would not be able to reattach the appendage.

Company fined in worker's death
MARSHALL (AP) -- The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry has cited KHC Construction Inc. for two violations and penalized the company $25,000 in the death of a worker at the MERIT Training Center site.

MnSCU weighs tuition increase
BLOOMINGTON, (AP) -- A day after the University of Minnesota approved a 13.3 percent tuition increase for next year, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities officials were taking public testimony on a similar hike.

Men sentenced in death of student after party
DULUTH (AP) -- Two men have been sentenced to community service and probation in the death of a student at a University of Minnesota-Duluth rugby club party.

Nuke plant problems surface
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission is looking into safety problems reported earlier this week at two nuclear power plants owned by Xcel Energy Inc. of Minneapolis, a commission spokesman said.

Born announces 70 job cuts
WAYZATA (AP) -- The job cuts continue for Born, a computer consulting firm known for offering generous perks to its employees, with the announcement that it's laying off 70 workers in three offices around the country.

Campers, authorities preparing for fire danger in Northern Minnesota
ELY (AP) -- Campers aren't letting Northern Minnesota's tinder dry conditions keep them away from the outdoors this weekend -- although they are taking extra precautions.

Body found in bay may be that of murder victim
DULUTH (AP) -- Authorities were trying Friday to determine if a body found in St. Louis Bay is that of a missing Duluth man who was murdered in January.

Blatz names redistricting panel
ST. PAUL (AP) -- Minnesota's top judge appointed a five-judge panel Thursday to handle current and future redistricting conflicts in the state.

Northwoods League
North Division

Bats blast Gulls 11-0
ST. CLOUD --Ronnie Seets probably wishes Friday night never happened.

Minnesota Thunder to play exhibition in Brainerd
The Minnesota Thunder, the state's professional A-League soccer team, will play an exhibition game in Brainerd Saturday, Aug. 18, at Harvey Shew Field at Franklin Junior High School.

Victory League playoffs
North Division

Local sports shorfs
WHITE BEAR LAKE -- Marni Lundbohm of Pine Meadows in Baxter won the second flight of the open division in the Minnesota Women's State Match Play Championship Thursday at White Bear Yacht Club.

Baxter Park and Rec
The Let's Play Tennis Lesson/Camp, taught by Lisa Salo, is scheduled Aug. 6-10. Lessons are in the mornings for ages 7-8, 9-10 and 11.

Studer adjusting to Northwoods pitching
One man's misfortune can be another man's opportunity.

Mighty Gulls continue to struggle for attendance
They won the North Division first-half championship and have clinched a spot in the playoffs.

Local sports shorts
CROSBY -- The Cuyuna Running, Track and Field Club will host all-comers track and field meets Wednesday, July 18 and 25, at John Davies Field behind Crosby-Ironton High School.

Scoreboard
NORTHWOODS LEAGUE BASEBALL

Brainerd Parks/Recreation
Results

Mankato edges Gulls in 15 innings
MANKATO -- Chris Klemm's two-out RBI single in the bottom of the 15th inning Thursday lifted the Mankato Mashers to a 5-4 win over the Brainerd Mighty Gulls in a four-hour Northwoods League game at Franklin Rogers Park.

Area events Saturday
NORTHWOODS LEAGUE BASEBALL

Brewer homers doom Twins
MILWAUKEE (AP) -- In their previous game, it seemed as if Milwaukee and Minnesota combined to hit 17 miles of home runs.

Twins blast Brewers 13-5
MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Despite a recent power surge, the Minnesota Twins aren't going to abandon their game plan.

New computer game targets finicky audience: Cats
NEW YORK -- Amy is an exuberant adolescent whose pastimes run to roughhousing with her siblings, napping away the afternoon and playing computer games.

Celebrate the Webby Awards with surfing
The Webbys are coming.

Adjustments are needed to prevent computer-use injuries in kids
If your youngsters are using the same computer setup as you -- without an adjustment for their size -- they may be bound for trouble down the road.

Summer day
Weather drawing by Kelly O'Reilly of Mrs. Bieganek's fourth grade class at Whittier school.

Severe weather threat in north central states; rain in much of West and South
A storm system threatened to bring severe weather to the northern Plains and upper Midwest on Saturday, and wet weather was expected in much of the West and along the Gulf Coast.

Regional Forecast
HighLowPR

The Weather Elsewhere
Friday

The Weather Elsewhere
Saturday

State forecast for North Dakota
Today...A chance of showers and thunderstorms west and central this morning...Spreading to the northeast by this afternoon. Highs in the 80s.

Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Partly to mostly sunny. Highs in the 80s to around 90. Cooler near the great lakes.

Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Mostly sunny. Highs in the 80s to around 90. Cooler near the great lakes.

Worldwide Weather
Saturday

Minnesota state forecast
Today...Mostly sunny central and south. Partly cloudy north with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs from the middle 80s to around 90. Tonight...Clear to partly cloudy. A chance of showers and thunderstorms west central through northeast. Lows in the 60s.

Minnesota state forecast
Today...Partly to mostly sunny. Highs in the 80s.

State forecast for South Dakota
Today...Partly sunny. A chance of thunderstorms west. Highs in the 80s to near 95.

Iowa state forecast
Today...Mostly sunny with highs from 85 to 90.

Lily pad and fish pond
Weather drawing by Amanda Nord of Mrs. Meyer's third grade class at Riverside school.

Iowa state forecast
Today...Mostly sunny with highs in the low to mid 80s.

State forecast for South Dakota
Today...Partly sunny. Isolated thunderstorms west and south central. Highs in the 80s to lower 90s.

State forecast for North Dakota
This afternoon...Partly sunny with scattered thunderstorms. A few possibly severe with heavy rain. Continued warm and humid with highs from the mid 70s northeast to the upper 80s west.

'The Sopranos' leads Emmy nominations with 22
LOS ANGELES -- "The Sopranos" will take aim again at the elusive Emmy for best drama series while reality programs try claiming their first-ever honors in September.

What's doing
The Washington High School class of 1940 will meet at noon Tuesday at Bonanza.

Organizations
Brainerd Jaycees

Cold-pack recipe
Dear Heloise: After having my knee replaced, my physical therapist suggested using 3 parts water to 1 part rubbing alcohol to make a cold pack and put it in a labeled, plastic zipper-top freezer bag.

What's doing
91/2 table, Mitchell movement. North-South: Walt and Betty Moynagh, 1

Eager mom jumps gun on wedding
DEAR ABBY: I am 19 and have been in a relationship with "Joe" for several years. His mother, "Roxie," is pushy and manipulative. I've seen her blow things out of proportion with other people.

Much obliged
Kinship Partners extends a hearty "thanks!" to the Crow Wing Composite Squadron Civil Air Patrol for an informative and fun evening.

China convicts, expels American for spying
BEIJING (AP) -- An American business professor was convicted Saturday of spying for Taiwan and ordered expelled from China in a case that strained relations with Washington and spread unease among China scholars.

Samaranch leaving lasting Olympics legacy
MOSCOW (AP) -- Life has come full circle for Juan Antonio Samaranch.

China gets 2008 Games
MOSCOW -- The International Olympic Committee decided to send the world's largest sporting event to its most populous nation for the first time, awarding the 2008 Summer Games to Beijing Friday in a politically charged vote that IOC members say will help bring social change and openness to China.

THE WINNERS OF THE FIRST '08 EVENT
The International Olympic Committee avoided angering the one-fifth of the world's population that lives in China when it awarded the 2008 Olympics to Beijing yesterday. Maybe that was what mattered most to the IOC's 122 voting members.

What the Olympics mean
If you want a world without politics, go to Disneyland. Don't go to the Olympics. Often, they're dirty. Frequently, they're doped. Usually, they're disorganized. And sometime

China awarded the 2008 Olympics
MOSCOW (AP) -- Beijing was awarded the 2008 Olympics on Friday, winning the games for the world's most populous country for the first time despite criticism of its human rights record.