Friday, November 23, 2001

Jewish community enjoys revival in Russia
MOSCOW -- Anti-Semitism in Russia is on the wane, and synagogues, Hebrew schools and Jewish community centers are sprouting up again in scores of small towns and villages, said officials at the largest congress of Jewish communities in the country since before the 1917 Revolution.

Muslims plan to decorate public Chicago plaza with minaret alongside Christmas and Hanukkah displays
CHICAGO (AP) -- Chicago Muslims plan to mark the current holy month of Ramadan by building a minaret display at Daley Plaza in early December, joining Christians and Jews as they decorate the public square for their holidays.

They put worship into their work day
WASHINGTON -- People were singing, clapping and praising God the other day at the General Services Administration, where hundreds of federal workers skipped lunch to take part in a revival service in the middle of their workday earlier this month.

Churches
Vardhini Mohan, instructor and computer specialist at Central Lakes College, will present a video on Hindu philosophy, "Balancing the Mind," with

Evangelist Billy Graham hasn't quite retired, but Franklin Graham era begins
The Rev. Billy Graham has preached to millions, counseled presidents and created a vast ministry. And now, in the twilight of his career, he is turning his organization to over son and designated successor.

Pastor's lesson on doing good deeds spreads to thousands
ALISO VIEJO, Calif. (AP) -- A pastor who handed out money to parishioners and urged them to "go forth and do good in the name of God" has seen his idea inspire thousands of acts of kindness across the country.

Imam, rabbi, minister see new meaning in Thanksgiving service
NEW YORK (AP) -- Every year since 1996, three New York spiritual leaders -- a Jewish rabbi, Protestant minister and Muslim imam -- have led the Thanksgiving service at a Manhattan church.

Single mom's daughter needs truth, but not too much of it
QUESTION: At age 21, I became pregnant and had a baby girl. The father and I never married. My daughter is almost 3 years old now, and I know she will soon be asking questions about her daddy. How should I explain this situation to her, and when should that explanation be given?

Florida's first noncelibate, gay Lutheran pastor named in Key West
KEY WEST, Fla. (AP) -- A congregation has installed the first noncelibate, gay Lutheran pastor in Florida, adding fuel to a national debate on the role sexually active homosexuals play in Protestant churches.

U.S. scrutiny of Islamic charities makes Muslims wary of giving
PATERSON, N.J. (AP) -- As a successful immigration lawyer, Sohail Mohammed counts his blessings each year, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan, when many Muslims fulfill their obligation to give to charity.

Episcopal deacon gives up assignment after deciding to switch genders
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- In the last few months, Paula Schonauer has left the parish where she was an Episcopal deacon. A few friends have abandoned her, and some that remain have trouble using her first name.

Praying with authority
Since the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States there has been a renewed interest in prayer. We as a people and nation that have not prayed in years, fell to our collective knees to petition God for answers; and I believe he is answering.

Recipes galore, for at least 10,000 tastes
NEW YORK (AP) -- Better Homes and Gardens' online Recipe Center makes its debut for this year's holiday season with more than 10,000 triple-tested recipes.

Beef and barley soup has flavor, substance
For chilly days, this hearty beef and barley soup can make a meal in itself, or complement other courses. Plenty of vegetables combine with the beef and barley to give it substance, color and flavor.

Crisp Caramel Cookies are a holiday favorite
Christmas excitement is building everywhere. The day after Thanksgiving, radio stations start playing Christmas music, people are busy decorating and it's time to take out those favorite Christmas recipes.

Senior activities
LAKES AREA SENIOR

Accident
FLENSBURG -- Two people were injured Thursday in a single-vehicle accident, about two miles east of Flensburg.

Births
Glen and Rachel (Hoyt) Cook, Baxter, a boy, Conner Glen, 8 pounds, 13 ounces, Oct. 25, 2001. Grandparents are Glen and Sandy Cook, Lake Shore, Karen Hoyt, Nisswa, and Will Hoyt, Pequot Lakes.

School lunch menus
BRAINERD/PILLAGER

A cottage with primal appeal
Why is a cottage plan like Design J-92 so appealing? Because it has "warm and fuzzy" features that are guaranteed to attract most human beings like bees to clover.

Here's how to determine length of nail you should use for projects
How long a nail should you use for a 1-inch board or a 2-inch board? Eight-penny or 16-penny?

Homeowners could be saving
Looking for more spending cash this holiday season?

Take these gardening steps now
-- Water.

Housing briefs
Property taxes, sales tax on services, construction codes and transportation are among issues a statewide grassroots coalition of commercial and industrial property owners will take up.

Tips to seal the driveway
Looking for a good hazy-day project that you wouldn't want to do when the sun's blazing? One such task is sealing an asphalt driveway when it's not too hot or cold.

Tips to make wallpaper repairs
About 15 years ago, our company offices were located in a building that our grandfather built at the turn of the century. We first rented a small space in the rear and later, as our business grew, we moved to the front where we occupied several offices.

Home repairs are two-way street between homeowner and contractor
Home improvements and repairs usually go something like this: The homeowner hires a contractor. The contractor performs the work. The homeowner pays the contractor.

Home office has high ceiling
The highlight of this home-office design is the height of the ceiling. It gives the room a lofty, airy feel of volume space in a minimum footprint.

Which way should ceiling fan blades move in winter, summer?
Q. Kathy asks: I read your article about ceiling fans, and agree wholeheartedly about their use all season long. However, one of the things I've been puzzled about is which direction should the blades be moving to push warm air downward (for winter) and vice versa? Should they rotate clockwise (looking up at them) or counterclockwise? And is it normal for it to take four years (from the purchase date) for one's husband to install it? Thanks for your response. I'm going to write down your answer so I'll always know.

Audit: Profiteers have abused government's discounted home sales program
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Profiteers took advantage of a federal government program meant to expand homeownership by buying foreclosed homes at a discount and failing to pass on the savings to low-income home buyers, a government audit found.

Don't give cold weather the cold shoulder
Don't look now, but a mild fall is about to give way to winter's grip.

Solar-powered shredder is a useful tool
Here's a great moneymaking scheme: Advertise and sell a solar-powered shredder that is nonpolluting and low maintenance for the cost of a mere $75.

Slipcovers can extend life of furniture
We never fully understand the adage "A picture is worth 1,000 words," until w

Wood deck should clear the ground by at least 12 inches
Q. Jack asks: I have a friend who wants to build a 16- by 16-foot deck off of the back of the house. She doesn't want to attach it to the house because there is only 7 1/2 inches from ground level to the bottom of the door threshold. So, I guess the question is, can you set green treated frame on the ground or do you need to put some kind of footing down or use concrete piers? I imagine for this size of deck, you would probably need about 16 blocks or piers.

This was Brainerd
The city of Brainerd is headed for some troubled financial waters. The culprit is the state of Minnesota. The Brainerd city clerk told the council's Personnel and Finance Committee that unless the Legislature does something, Brainerd will run out of money by the end of February. 30 years ago (1971)

Gas prices drop below $1 in state
In an unusual holiday twist, gasoline prices have dropped to 99 cents a gallon and even cheaper in central Minnesota.

In the battlefield
BAXTER -- In years past, I've been sent into the battlefield of the large department chain stores the day after Thanksgiving to interview bargain shoppers as they scrambled to buy the early morning specials.

Little Falls postmaster serving Brainerd while Rasmussen on work detail
The Little Falls postmaster has been filling in at Brainerd the past two months as Brainerd's postmaster is on a work detail.

Fire destroys diner in Royalton
ROYALTON (AP) -- Dixie's Diner, where Gov. Jesse Ventura stopped during his tour of central Minnesota last winter, was destroyed by fire Wednesday.

Open house on plans for Highway 371 set Dec. 19
BAXTER -- The Minnesota Department of Transportation will hold an open house/public hearing Dec. 19 to present details and obtain public input on proposed improvements to 13.3 miles of Highway 371 in Crow Wing and Morrison counties.

McGregor man dies in tractor rollover
MCGREGOR -- A 79-year-old rural McGregor man died Sunday following a farm tractor rollover near Lawler.

Mixed message to motorists
NEW YORK -- Which is more patriotic: Buying an American automaker's sport utility vehicle, or driving a smaller, less gas-guzzling car?

Number of tips on bin Laden growing
WASHINGTON -- One day, an Afghan farmer might report seeing Osama bin Laden's convoy pass by. The next, a Taliban prisoner could tell where to find one of al-Qaida's secret hide-outs.

Cosmetics magnate Mary Kay Ash dies
DALLAS -- As she built her cosmetics empire, Mary Kay Ash made millions of dollars and became one of the most famous women in American business.

D.B. Cooper still a mystery 30 years after he jumped from hijacked plane
SEATTLE (AP) -- Thirty years have passed since D.B. Cooper jumped from a hijacked, Seattle-bound jetliner with $200,000 in ransom money and disappeared into a remote forest.

Promising diabetes-blocking drug developed
Israeli researchers have developed the first drug that can block the development of Type 1 diabetes without shutting down the immune system and leaving recipients open to infections.

New death deepens anthrax mystery
The latest case of inhalational anthrax in a 94-year-old, nearly home-bound Connecticut woman has driven investigators into a realm where almost any theory is worth entertaining and hunches are almost as good as evidence.

Study: Mad cow disease may have peaked in Britain
WASHINGTON -- The epidemic of British people infected with a form of mad cow disease may have peaked and the number of deaths from may gradually go down in the coming years, according to a new study.

Hopeful merchants try to lure shoppers
Hoping to get consumers back in the buying mood, the nation's top merchants opened the holiday shopping season Friday with expanded hours and some of the most aggressive discounts and early bird specials in recent years.

Anthrax case in Chile confirmed as clues sought in Connecticut woman's death
OXFORD, Conn. -- While federal investigators searched for clues to how an elderly woman came in contact with the anthrax that killed her, Chilean and U.S. officials confirmed the first reported case of a deadly strain of the bacteria in mail outside the United States.

Selig may be headed for vote of confidence
It is no wonder that baseball Commissioner Bud Selig, in notifying the clubs by fax of a Tuesday owners meeting in Chicago, asked that it be kept "extremely confidential."

Animal cloning studies leave room for optimism
WASHINGTON -- When the House of Representatives approved a broad ban on human cloning this summer, some lawmakers argued for the measure on grounds that the procedure was clearly unsafe. In animals, they said, cloning produced unhealthy babies, "crippling deformities" and "horror stories."

Packers hold off Lions
PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) -- Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers played another wild and memorable game at the Silverdome.

Huskers try to hold off Buffs again
Colorado is ready to end a decade of exasperating losses to Nebraska.

Cowboys' rally falls short
IRVING, Texas (AP) -- Ryan Leaf nearly earned a place in Dallas Cowboys' lore alongside Thanksgiving Day heroes Clint Longley and Jason Garrett.

Betty Tersteeg
PEQUOT LAKES -- Betty Tersteeg, 66, Pequot Lakes, died Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2001, at her home.

Violet Widman
STILLWATER -- Violet E. Widman, 84, Stillwater, formerly of Pillager, died Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2001, at Pine Medical Center in Sandstone.

Esther Czech
SOBIESKI -- Esther Czech, 90, Sobieski, died Thursday, Nov. 22, 2001, at St. Otto's Care Center in Little Falls.

Angela Cook
PEQUOT LAKES -- Angela Cook, 85, Pequot Lakes, formerly of Okeechobee, Fla., died Sunday, Nov. 18, 2001, at Country Care Homes in Pequot Lakes.

Andrew Massmann
LITTLE FALLS -- Andrew Paul Massmann, infant son of Jeffery and Connie Massmann, Little Falls, died Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2001, at Children's Hospital in Minneapolis.

Grace Phillips
FIFTY LAKES -- Grace Gertrude Phillips, 89, Fifty Lakes, died Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2001, at Cuyuna Regional Care Center in Crosby.

Lloyd Wood
CROSBY -- Lloyd Douglas Wood, 91, Crosby, died Thursday, Nov. 22, 2001, at Woodland Good Samaritan Village in Brainerd.

Ardith Large
PINE RIVER -- Ardith Large, 61, Pine River, died Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2001, at her home.

Phyllis Martinson
Phyllis M. Martinson, 80, Brainerd, died Sunday, Nov. 18, 2001, at her winter residence in Lakeland, Fla.

Open Forum
Here's a wonderful holiday recipe for "Courtroom Surprise" taken from the marvelous new Sara Jane Olson, nee Kathleen Soliah, aka Mrs. Fred Peterson's Confused Conspirator's Cookbook.

Regard for languages rises
WASHINGTON -- As U.S. forces geared up to enter Somalia in 1992, urgent word arrived at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, Calif., that the military needed speakers of Somali.

Everything far from humming as auto racing season ends
Motor racing's 2001 season will close Friday with an unplanned race in frigid Loudon, N.H., and not a day too soon.

National Steel Pellet in Keewatin extends shutdown
KEEWATIN (AP) -- Once again, National Steel Pellet Co. has pushed back its date to restart taconite productions in northern Minnesota.

Food shelves see more requests, fewer donations
Food shelves across Minnesota are seeing more hungry people but fewer donations.

Panel reverses stance on sentencing guidelines regarding drunken drivers
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission decided it's not yet ready to give its stamp of approval for a recommendation that judges send chronic drunken drivers to prison for at least three years.

Travelers take to roads for holidays
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- In the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Minnesota's largest and busiest airport remained far from jam-packed while train stations and highways filled up with Thanksgiving travelers.

Severson winds up with fifth place in 50 free
MINNEAPOLIS -- With members of the Minnesota Diving Club displaying an array of dazzling dives at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center Wednesday, the opening ceremony of the Class 2A state swimming and diving meet was as unique as the Class 1A opening ceremony.

Flyers' Ylitalo fourth in Class A 100 free
MINNEAPOLIS -- The start of the Class 1A state swimming and diving championships began on a somber note Wednesday.

McLeod West's Evans voted Player of Year
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Ever since he can remember, Tyler Evans has always wanted to be a running back. So it was a disappointment in seventh grade when his junior high coaches put him at guard.

Scoreboard
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

Local shorts
Brainerd sophomore Abe Kretzman has been named to the All-Central Minnesota High School League bowling team.

Badgers, Gophers: No bowl, so an ax will have to do
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Season-ending victories against longtime rivals can often serve as partial painkillers for lingering memories of missed opportunities and major letdowns.

Goalie ensures Wild victory
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) -- Goalie Manny Fernandez took his first step toward restoring his confidence, and Minnesota benefitted from the effort.

Gophers are fun to watch
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The Minnesota Golden Gophers are playing a different game this season -- fast, furious and fun to watch.

Magic evens score with Wolves
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- Tracy McGrady's hoping the example he set in the first quarter will help the Orlando Magic overcome a slow start.

Heartland Symphony seeks young composers
The Heartland Symphony Orchestra will conduct the 2002 Young Composers Competition to provide young Minnesota composers with the opportunity to have their work rehearsed and performed by the orchestra of more than 50 musicians.

Christmas celebrations set around state
Tourism events around Minnesota, as provided by the Minnesota Office of Tourism. For more information, visit http://www.exploreminnesota.com or call (800) 657-3700 or (651) 296-5029 in the Twin Cities area.

Here's a sampling of travel bargains this holiday season
A survey Oct. 25 by Travel Business Roundtable shows one in five travelers still has not decided how they feel about traveling over the holidays.

Entertainment guide
Live music

Holiday films offer an escape
LOS ANGELES -- All films not named "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," please raise your hands so audiences will know you'll be in theaters this holiday season.

Best videos
Weekly charts for the nation's most popular videos as they appear in next week's issue of Billboard magazine. Reprinted with permission:

Kershaw to stage country-Cajun show
ONAMIA -- One of country music's most popular male singers is coming to the lakes area for a pair of shows Dec. 4-5.

Tempo tidbits
The cast of "Let's Bowl" -- a Comedy Central cable television show starring Brainerd alum Steve Sedahl -- is joining the annual Fish House Parade in Aitkin, scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday.

Television wraps itself up for Christmas
Too early for Christmas shows? Actually, they've already started. The syndicators of "Seinfeld" managed to sneak their alternative holiday "Festivus" episode into Monday night's slot. And you thought Jerry's series wasn't sentimental ...

Fine Arts Student of the Week
Chad Anderson is a multi-talented senior who has won kudos in the classroom, as well as tennis and cross country competition.

Michael Jackson leads CBS to narrow ratings victory
NEW YORK -- CBS scored a ratings victory over NBC last week by a margin narrower than the surface of Michael Jackson's dancing shoes.

CLC fashion, art show to raise money for Red Cross, food shelf
STAPLES -- "Freeze Fashion" is an evening of fashions and fine art at Central Lakes College in Staples, an event sponsored by the Student Senate to raise money for the American Red Cross and the Staples campus food shelf.

At the show
The movies may be the best reprieve from holiday fever this weekend, with a couple of children's fantasies and a new Robert Redford and Brad Pitt film high on the list of critics' choices.

Guthrie Theater chronology
A history of the Guthrie Theater:

Is it curtain time for Guthrie Theater's original home?
MINNEAPOLIS -- Marley's ghost soon will be clanking his chains in another production of "A Christmas Carol" at the Guthrie Theater. But the 38-year-old building housing the acclaimed theater could soon become a ghost itself.

Heartland Symphony Orchestra schedules youth auditions
The Heartland Symphony Orchestra's 20th annual youth auditions will be conducted Feb. 7.

Professional actor from Illinois to return to play Scrooge in CLC staging of 'A Christmas Carol'
Professional actor G. Scott Morris is returning to Brainerd to reprise his role as Scrooge in Central Lakes College's annual production of "A Christmas Carol."

End of season near
Weather drawing by Jared Mendicino of Mrs. Brenny's third grade class at Baxter school.

Study: Flu shots safe for asthma sufferers
Contrary to widespread fears among patients and some doctors, flu shots are safe even for those with severe asthma, a study found.

Wallpaper removal
Dear Heloise: Help! What is a homemade recipe for easy removal of wallpaper? -- Terri K., Via E-mail

Thoughtful gifts for seniors are those that last
DEAR ABBY: It's the time of year to consider what to buy people for Christmas gifts. As a senior who is also handicapped, I would like you to know about one of the nicest gifts I ever received.

Study: Anti-inflammatory drugs, except aspirin, cut risk of Alzheimer's disease
Dutch researchers have found the strongest evidence yet that pain relievers like Advil, Aleve and Motrin may ward off Alzheimer's disease.

Names and faces
NEW YORK (AP) -- Garth Brooks has something to be thankful for this holiday season. His new album "Scarecrow" debuted at the top of the album charts.

What's doing
North-South: Mark Anderson and Clayton Haglin, 85.5; Clif Johnson and Gordon Becker, 84; and Ray and Gladys Norrgard, 82.5. East-West: Joyce Roemer and Marcella Jensen, 80.5; Mona Gorham and Tony Vornbrock, 79; and Chris Leininger and Marion Benest, 77.

Study: Irregular periods give women double the risk of developing adult-onset diabetes
CHICAGO (AP) -- Women with infrequent or very irregular menstrual periods face double the risk of developing adult-onset diabetes, a new study suggests.

Deaths of five children inflame Gaza atmosphere
JERUSALEM (AP) -- Israeli troops dispersing stone-throwers fatally shot a Palestinian teen-ager in a Gaza Strip refugee camp Friday, further inflaming anger a day after five children were killed there by what Palestinian officials now suspect was a bomb planted by Israeli forces.

Closing in on Kunduz
BANGI, Afghanistan -- Anti-Taliban forces advanced on the besieged town of Kunduz on Friday while commanders from both sides discussed the final details of a surrender by the Islamic militia in their last northern stronghold.

Kabul jail holds foreign fighters from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Indonesia
KABUL, Afghanistan -- Wrapped in a dirty brown blanket, his arm in a blood-soaked sling, a deep hole gouged from his shoulder by shrapnel, Zabin says he's not one of Osama bin Laden's men. His captors think otherwise.