Thursday, November 26, 2009
Makers of electric cars address shortage of recharging stations
As their manufacturers see it, the electric cars entering U.S. showrooms as early as next year will be engineering marvels: stylish, battery-operated, zero-emission wonders.
A hybrid that's more about style than environment
WASHINGTON - "Fuel efficiency" and "fuel economy" are relative terms. One speaks to the amount of work done per unit of fuel consumed. The other considers the amount and cost of fuel used per mile traveled.
From Branson to Brainerd
"Branson on the Road" - the original road show from Branson, Mo. - is coming to a stage near you.
Fine Arts Student of the Week
Adviser nomination: "Katie Nelsen is a singer in A Cappella Choir and Windfall. She is an exceptionally talented musician who has really been a positive leader this year. She is in All-State Choir and participated in a number of honor choirs last year. She is passionate about her singing and her passion helps those around her get into their singing as well. Katie is always positive and is really focusing this year on the community that is needed to achieve a great choral ensemble."
Entertainment briefs
AITKIN - McInnis' Kitchen and special guest Iain MacGillivray will perform Friday at Butler's in downtown Aitkin to increase awareness about hunger and the needs of area food shelves.
'From a Distance'
Sixth- through eighth-graders performed a lyrical production called "From a Distance" Saturday at the annual Just For Kix holiday show at the Brainerd High School.
Upcoming arts and entertainment calendar of events
Weekly events
Celebrating around the dinner table
I get so excited about Thanksgiving - it's not a day to be concerned about gifts, it's a holiday to gather with people you love to celebrate around a table, partake in a meal, share some laughs and give thanks for our lives.
BIRTHS
Robert and Felicia Pratt, Breezy Point, a boy, Dylan Robert, 8 pounds, Nov. 22, 2009. Grandparents are Chris Bickford, and Deborah Bickford, and Bruce and Mandy Pratt, Ossipee. Great-grandparents are Edith Summerlin, Casper, Wyo., Darlene Pratt, Brainerd, and Alice and Charles Isenberg, Brooklyn Park. Great-great-grandfather is Robert Lee, Casper, Wyo.
Police blotter
ARREST - Received a report at 5:43 p.m. Tuesday from Walmart Supercenter, 7295 Glory Road, of a woman who bought multiple cans of compressed air and was huffing from them. The 43-year-old woman was arrested for huffing.
Brainerd parks board to meet Monday at city hall
The Brainerd Parks and Recreation Board will meet 3:30 p.m. Monday at city hall.
LOCAL BRIEFS
The fifth annual fundraiser for Toys for Kids and the Salvation Army Food Shelf will be Dec. 5 at the Green Lantern.
Elks breakfast planned
Brainerd Elks Lodge No. 615 will serve breakfast from 9 a.m. to noon Sunday at 215 S. Ninth St. Order from the menu. All funds go to support Elk youth activities and veterans programs.
Fires
The Brainerd Fire Department at 11:47 a.m. Tuesday responded to what turned out to be a false alarm at the Mississippi Terrace Apartments, 215 S.W. Fourth St.
POLICE BLOTTER
SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY - Received a 911 call at 4:39 a.m. Tuesday from a 25-year-old man who would not reveal his location but said he believed he was being chased. Officers located the man at Jaycees Park at Pine and Southeast 16th streets, and placed the man in detox. The man refused a preliminary breath alcohol test.
Several Brainerd School Board meetings scheduled
The Brainerd School Board has scheduled several upcoming committee and regular meetings.
CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY
Go to Any Length
ORGANIZATIONS
Brainerd Jaycees
Beware of deer on area roads
It comes as no surprise that deer and vehicle crashes occur most frequently in the fall and spring and during dusk and dawn.
ALL IN THE FAMILY
"Six-month-old Jack Kinnan getting his first haircut by Daddy, Mike Kinnan, of Rogers." Submitted by great-grandma Clio Siverson, of Brainerd.
A mentor for guy activities
Tyler has been waiting for a Kinship Partner for nearly a year. He is a 10-year-old boy who likes just about every activity imaginable, yet has some struggles in school, with math and spelling.
SUPPORT GROUPS
Lakes Area Ecumenical Bereavement
SHROUDED IN MYSTERY (AND FOG)
Theo Stulc made a figure-eight in the water with his "pounder" lure while attempting to attract a muskie Friday on Lake Mille Lacs.
Falls in the fall
Do you have a recent scenic picture that shows the beauty of the lakes area? Send it to photos@brainerddispatch.com for possible publication in the Neighbors section. Be sure to include your name, where you are from, a brief description of the photo and when and where it was taken.
PETS OF THE WEEK
Lola (left) and Layla are two out of a litter of nine chocolate Lab mix puppies available for adoption at Heartland Animal Rescue Team. The puppies are 8 weeks old, with six females and three males. Brainerd Dispatch/Heidi Lake
Staples Community Foundation awards grants
STAPLES - Three grants of $1,000 each have been awarded by the Staples Community Foundation.
Man's disappearance takes toll on family during holidays
The absence of Peter Achermann, who disappeared four months ago, will make the holiday season a difficult one for his family.
Quest for literacy comes to Riverside
Surprise!
Lights out
A majority of the dozen or so north Brainerd residents attending Tuesday's Brainerd Northside Neighborhood Association meeting were OK with shutting off streetlights as part of an energy-saving pilot project.
Sale of Brainerd Toyota dealership gets the OK
Denny Hecker's automotive presence in the Brainerd area has come to an end.
Overheard
As I stated before, our intentions are not to leave.
Overheard
"A youth pastor in our community said, 'A family is the closest thing you can get to how much God loves us.'"
Wastewater treatment facility project on schedule, budget
The expansion of Brainerd Public Utilities' wastewater treatment facility continues on schedule to be completed by July of 2011.
Counting my many blessings
Thanksgiving isn't just about the turkey, stuffing, "Grandma Linda buns" and a nice big slice of pumpkin pie.
Grant money available for breast cancer treatment, education, screening
Grant money is available for nonprofit organizations to use toward innovative projects that support breast health and breast cancer treatment, screening and education.
This was Brainerd
60 years ago (1949): The "10,000 Lakes" feature line on 1950 Minnesota auto license plates is the result of promotion instigated by Alec Ruttger, operator of Ruttger's Bay lake Lodge, and Merrill Cragun, owner of Cragun's Pine Beach Resort, members of the state resort association.
This was Brainerd
NOVEMBER 25 - 40 years ago (1969) - The Brainerd School Board discussed a request from the clerk of the Garrison school board that the Brainerd board visit their school. Garrison is interested in consolidating with Brainerd but wants to maintain its three-room school with two teachers.
Thankful for ... and more
Gina Czech and Lisa Lindley, teachers at Forestview Middle School in Baxter, collected essays from a group of sixth-graders who wrote on the topic, "What am I thankful for?" The following is a sampling of those letters. Enjoy and Happy Thanksgiving!
Driving through a Winter Wonderland
Old favorites and new designs await holiday revelers at this year's Winter Wonderland festival of lights at Northland Arboretum.
Local news briefs
Alice Smith, a Brainerd businesswoman, was elected area director for the state of Minnesota at the biannual Zonta District 7 meeting that was held in St. Charles, Mo., in September.
Crow Wing may share assessor with Cass County
An agreement between Cass and Crow Wing counties could have the two sharing a county assessor.
Donations needed to fund robotics team
For the past two years, the Brainerd High School Robotics team has given students an opportunity to develop real world engineering skills as they work together to construct a robot, using computer, electronics and construction materials. They then compete against other high school robotics teams at the FIRST Robotics Competition at the University of Minnesota in early April.
Lodge owners seek tax relief
Owners of a Baxter hotel and water park sought relief from tax penalties and late fees before the Crow Wing County Board Tuesday.
Holiday closings
The Brainerd Dispatch will have a Thursday publication but the business will be closed.
Obituary policy
Obituary notices are charged at 40 cents a word, exclusive of the first 125 words, which are free. A $10 fee is charged for a half-column photograph. To place an obituary in the Dispatch, consult the funeral home handling arrangements.
Alice M. LeDoux
LITTLE FALLS - Alice M. LeDoux, 90-year-old resident of Little Falls, Minn., died Monday, Nov. 23, 2009, at St. Gabriel's Hospital in Little Falls, Minn. Arrangements for Alice are with the Emblom-Brenny Funeral Service in Little Falls, Minn.
Chad Casper
Chad Casper, 25, of Brainerd, died suddenly Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009, in Denver. Services for Chad are scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2009, at the Brenny Funeral Home in Baxter. Friends are welcome to gather one hour prior to services. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Brenny Funeral Home in Baxter.
Obituary policy
Obituary notices are charged at 40 cents a word, exclusive of the first 125 words, which are free. A $10 fee is charged for a half-column photograph. To place an obituary in the Dispatch, consult the funeral home handling arrangements.
Linda M. Dellwo
GARRISON - Linda Marie Dellwo, 62, of Garrison, died Monday, Nov. 23, 2009, at her residence.
Jack B. Houle
LITTLE FALLS - Jack B. Houle, 86-year-old resident of Little Falls, Minn., and Sarasota, Fla., passed away Nov. 19, 2009, peacefully at his home in Sarasota, Fla.
Margret Olson
CROSSLAKE - Margret Olson, of Crosslake, died Monday, Nov. 23, 2009, in Rochester, Minn. Arrangements are pending at this time with the Brenny Funeral Chapel of Crosslake.
Mary Fearing
STAPLES - Mary Fearing, of Staples, passed away at St. Cloud Hospital on Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2009. Arrangements are pending with the Brenny Funeral Home in Staples.
Gloria E. Johnson
Gloria Elaine Johnson, age 83, resident of Brainerd, passed away early Nov. 21, 2009.
Edward A. Harrison
LITTLE FALLS - Edward A. Harrison, 92, of Little Falls, died Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2009, at St. Benedict's Care Center in St. Cloud, Minn. Arrangements are pending with Emblom-Brenny Funeral Service of Little Falls, Minn.
William C. Hurley
William (Bill) Charles Hurley, of Brainerd, Minn., passed away on Nov. 18, 2009, at Mission Commons Assisted Living, Redlands, Calif. Services will be provided by the Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter, Minn. Visitation will be held at Brenny Funeral Chapel on Dec. 10 from 10-11 a.m. Services will be by Father George at the Funeral Chapel followed by internment at the Jenkins City Cemetery in Jenkins, Minn.
Lillian Youngdahl
Lillian Youngdahl, 70, of Brainerd, passed away early Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2009, at the St. Joseph's Medical Center. There will be a memorial service held at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Brenny Funeral Chapel of Baxter.
Margret E. Olson
CROSSLAKE - Margret Elizabeth Olson, 73, of Crosslake, passed away unexpectedly on Nov. 23, 2009, surrounded by her loving husband and family.
Herbert Strowbridge
Herbert Strowbridge, age 93, resident of Brainerd, died Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2009, at his home.
Alice M. LeDoux
LITTLE FALLS - Alice M. LeDoux, 90, of Little Falls, Minn., died Monday, Nov. 23, 2009, at St. Gabriel's Hospital in Little Falls.
Open Forum
It is absurd to think that much of what is being argued in Congress can be called health care reform. Congress needs to make health care reform itself, and create an affordable product, not find ways to pay health care providers and drug companies what they have been asking. Anyone who has seen a hospital bill in the last few years, or paid for some prescription drugs that are not generics, knows what I am talking about. You would have to be way out of the mainstream not to.
State H1N1 plan is best
As west central Minnesota hears the growing demand for the H1N1 vaccine, they are instructed to wait until their medical clinic calls.
Palin doesn't need protection
COLUMBIA, S.C. - In town to give a talk on civility, I was surrounded by women who wondered what I thought of Sarah Palin's Newsweek cover.
Open Forum: It's been a busy couple of weeks
Well it's been a couple of weeks since I sat down to write anything. In that time I've attended a commissioners' meeting, a court room, a charitable gambling convention, had a lot of company and been informed I will be a great-grandparent again in June.
Sound off!
Sen. Amy Klobuchar
Vox Pop
Thanks to the ones in the fire department who are too self-centered to do what's in the best interest of the department, such as owning up to your mistakes, instead of mud slinging.
OUR OPINION: SPACE CRUNCH
The Brainerd School Board did a great job soliciting the opinions of school district residents as it considers what to do about projected enrollment growth in the elementary schools.
What do you think?
The Brainerd Dispatch welcomes letters on recent articles and current issues. Letters should include the writer's full name, city and a phone number (for verification only). Letters are limited to 300 words. Only one letter per person per week.
Other opinion: Free speech
The American Civil Liberties Union is vilified by conservatives as a left-wing lobby disguised as an advocate for free speech for all. And certainly it's true that many supporters of the organization are liberal in their political views. But to its credit, the ACLU often puts its commitment to free expression above those opinions. The latest example is its support for a student group at the University of Nevada, Reno, that invited Jim Gilchrist, an extreme opponent of illegal immigration, to take part in a panel discussion.
Surprising Young could make fantasy splash
A few short weeks ago Vince Young was the poster child for NFL busts, a first-round draft pick with a permanent spot on the bench after apparently losing all confidence and football ability.
Just waiting for snow to fly
The numbers are in the Brainerd Warriors' favor this season.
High hopes for Finstad, BHS girls
Amanda Finstad has some unfinished business to attend to this season.
Morris-Benson blanks Patriots
MORRIS - Brooke Serfling and Katarina Jensen combined to make 25 saves as the Pequot Lakes Patriots fell to Morris-Benson 9-0 Tuesday night.
Flying Warriors, Stars skate to tie
LITTLE FALLS - Zoe Wolhart had a hat trick and assist as the Brainerd/Little Falls Flying Warriors and River Lakes Stars tied 6-6 in overtime Tuesday night at Exchange Arena.
A frantic fall full of success
Cleaning out the notebook after one of the most successful fall high school sports seasons in recent memory:
Scoreboard
Area events
Scoreboard
TV and radio
Crocker named team's MVP
Senior Kyle Crocker was named the Brainerd Warriors' most valuable player at the team's football banquet Monday.
State forecast for S.D.
Today...Windy and cool. Mostly cloudy with areas of light snow east. Partly cloudy southwest. Highs in the 30s east and 40s west.
State forecast for Minnesota
Today...Windy with scattered snow showers west. Cloudy with a
State forecast for Iowa
Today...Colder. Cloudy. Scattered rain or snow showers. Highs 35
Gobble, gobble
Weather drawing by Miya Boyd of Mr. Meyer's fourth-grade class at Lowell Elementary School.
State forecast for Wisconsin
Today...Occasional rain or drizzle. Highs in the 40s.
State forecast for N.D.
Today...Partly cloudy west. Mostly cloudy central and east.