Sunday, December 9, 2001
Growing number of car loan defaults worsens situation for automaker Ford
DETROIT (AP) -- Rising unemployment and an uncertain economy have led to a higher number of motorists unable to pay their car loans, worsening losses at Ford Motor Co.
ING will cut about 270 jobs in Twin Cities
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- ING Group is cutting about 270 jobs in the Twin Cities as it eliminates about 1,600 jobs from its U.S. insurance operations in response to the faltering economy and falling mutual fund and annuity sales.
Business notes
DEERWOOD -- Jack Ruttger, Ruttger's Bay Lake Lodge, Deerwood, received the Minnesota Resort Association's Pioneer Award during the association's annual meeting and fall conference in Detroit Lakes.
'Super' expansion likely for Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart in Baxter appears to be a likely candidate for expansion from its discount store to a super center. Wal-Mart Manager Kirk Helmberger said super centers are the direction the company is going. "I'm guessing we'll be there," Helmberger said.
Economists see better times for small business
NEW YORK -- Economists say small businesses can indeed look forward to better times in 2002 -- and might even get a sales pickup sooner than larger companies do. But the analysts are unable to agree on the timing of an upturn.
Nasdaq's powerful rally suggests economy is poised to recover soon
NEW YORK -- The Dow Jones industrials' return to 10,000 certainly is encouraging, but many on Wall Street believe the Nasdaq's recapture of 2,000 is a more important sign that the economy is poised to recover.
Around the watercooler
SHIPPING HINTS: Shipping holiday gifts doesn't have to mean a lot of worrying over whether they'll arrive on time and in one piece. To ease stress, pack the items in sturdy boxes that fit properly and have no tears, creases, punctures or old labels on them, United Parcel Service says.
Putting up with co-worker's smoky habits
Smoking in, and around, the workplace remains a contentious issue, but there really is little room for a middle ground. Smoking is either allowed or it isn't, depending on the jurisdiction and the specific business in question.
CLC disappointed that so many students in May class of 2000 failed to pass registered nursing program
The Central Lakes College registered nursing program is trying to come to grips with why the May class of 2000 failed the state licensing exam in significant numbers.
Anthrax contamination holds up PSAT answer sheets for 75,000 students nationwide
TRENTON, N.J. -- The anthrax scare has held up the PSAT answer sheets of about 75,000 students nationwide, but officials with the College Board said the delay won't affect students' chances at a scholarship.
Teachers released from jail but will return to classrooms without a contract
FREEHOLD, N.J. (AP) -- Middletown teachers will be back in their classrooms instead of in jail Monday morning, but they will still be without a contract.
Government improves Education IRA, Section 529 college savings plans
NEW YORK -- Saving for college is about to get easier.
A gift for yourself
It's the giving season. The spirit of generosity is apparent as we see the Salvation Army Red Kettles being filled, the church groups shopping for holiday food and gifts for needy families, small groups of people all around our area planning how they can help others, and individuals calling Kinship, the Women's Shelter, Social Services and other agencies to ask how they can help.
The most important thing to give a caregiver is gift of time
When you make your gift list, chances are you'll find yourself shopping for a caregiver this holiday season.
In the mood to make something?
Every Christmas I have visions of embellishing my home with charming, handmade decorations, maybe punched-tin tree ornaments or a Victorian gingerbread house for the sideboard. But every Christmas I run out of time and hang up the same old store-bought wreath, loop pine roping and pre-made bows up the stairway and clutter the mantel with nutcrackers, snowmen and other predictably festive figures.
Family of Chrismtas loner won't leave him in peace
DEAR ABBY: I am a 45-year-old divorced man with no children. I have lived alone since my divorce 15 years ago and wouldn't have it any other way. I'm not anti-social. I have a steady girlfriend and many friends.
Any Given Tuesday
Gone are the days when virtually the entire city of Brainerd followed only the Warrior boys' basketball team in the winter.
Births
Eryk and Christine (Lovas) Haapajoki, Baxter, a boy, Jake Eryk, 9 pounds, 8 ounces, Nov. 26, 2001.
Accidents
RANDALL -- One person was injured in a single-vehicle accident Friday on Highway 10, one mile north of Randall in Morrison County.
Agendas
1. Approve minutes from previous meeting
In midnight vote, Senate opens door to giving themselves $4,900 pay hike
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Members of Congress are on their way to a $4,900 pay raise in January as the Senate used a midnight vote to thwart lawmakers who tried to block it.
Globalization appears to be regaining impetus
WASHINGTON -- A one-vote victory in the House of Representatives Thursday kept alive the Bush administration's hope of negotiating new treaties aimed at lower trade barriers around the world -- and with it, the 50-year march toward economic globalization supported by every president since Franklin D. Roosevelt.
President uses radio address to press Congress to pass his domestic agenda
WASHINGTON -- President Bush pressured Congress on Saturday to take up his domestic agenda, saying Americans are worried not only about terrorism, but a host of other issues too.
Bush claims victory as Democrats buckle to demand for smaller anti-terror package
WASHINGTON -- President Bush is all but taking bows after Senate Democrats buckled to his demands to limit anti-terrorism spending to $20 billion.
Blocking Bush policies makes Daschle a GOP target
WASHINGTON -- In South Dakota last month, newspapers carried political ads featuring side-by-side photographs of Saddam Hussein and Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D. The ads accused Daschle of helping to keep the Iraqi dictator in power by blocking oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Health
Blood Pressure Clinics
Support groups
Crisis Line-Referral Ser.
Shortage of nurses
When Jennifer Vanhorn goes home after working her shift she said the job satisfaction is great. But she works in a profession that is being shaken by declining numbers.
Artificial heart patient remembered for his zest for life; surgeons weep
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) -- Robert Tools was remembered Friday for his zest for life and his courage to become the first recipient of a fully self-contained artificial heart.
Chemical dependency and AA groups
Adult Children-Chem.Dep.
School administrators in line for 2-year, 5 percent raise
Administrators in the Brainerd School District may receive a 5 percent salary increase in the next two years -- a 3 percent increase this year and 2 percent the following year.
Cass delays sewer board picks
WALKER -- The Cass County Board originally appointed five Shingobee Island property owners to the Shingobee Island Sewer Board when that sewer district was formed.
Cass reimbursed for road work done after storm
WALKER -- The Cass County Highway Department has received $109,975.14 from the Federal Emergency Management Authority to reimburse the county for road reconstruction work done after the July 4, 1999, storm that hit a wide area east of Leech Lake.
Local briefs
There is still time for families to apply for help this holiday season.
This was Brainerd
DECEMBER 9 - 60 years ago (1941) - Brainerd Dispatch headlines: -- War on Germany and Italy is voted by U.S. Congress -- U.S. forces sink three Japanese vessels< -- Il Duce and Hitler tell of war aim
COMING MONDAY
The Brainerd Family YMCA is in the final stage of its $4.4 million-dollar renovation and expansion project. Find out about the Finisher's Club in Monday's Dispatch.
Local briefs
Sen. Mark Dayton said Wednesday the Senate approved a bill to improve the pension program for railroad employees, providing expanded benefits for recipients and survivors, permitting broader investment in the program and lowering tax rates for employers.
Honor the memory
Braving the crisp winter breeze in front of the All Veterans Memorial, Virginia Christel, Brainerd, figured it was the least she could do.
Relatives of ValuJet crash victims criticize plea deal
MIAMI (AP) -- Relatives of passengers killed when a ValuJet DC-9 crashed in the Everglades five years ago are criticizing a plea bargain in the murder case that lets a defunct airplane repair company off with only a $500,000 donation.
Four detainees -- and how they got caught up in terrorist probe
They were rounded up at work and at home.
Condit files for re-election
MODESTO, Calif. (AP) -- Pushing aside a controversy that has dogged him since May, Rep. Gary Condit filed for re-election at the deadline and entered what is expected to be the toughest race of his congressional career.
Families ask court to reinstate lawsuits after release of Columbine killer's journal
DENVER -- Relatives of some of the Columbine victims have asked a federal appeals court to revive their lawsuits against school and police officials following the publication of several disturbing entries from the journal of gunman Eric Harris.
Teen pleads guilty to accomplice charge in Dartmouth professors' deaths
HAVERHILL, N.H. (AP) -- One of two teen-agers arrested in the slayings of husband-and-wife Dartmouth College professors pleaded guilty Friday to reduced charges, but gave no clue to a motive for the stabbings.
Sept. 11 anniversary
President Bush is asking for Americans to play the national anthem at 8:46 a.m. Tuesday, the three-month anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington D.C.
Confident Bush lambastes terrorist leaders
NORFOLK NAVAL STATION, Va. -- Calling terrorists "heirs to fascism," President Bush heaped scorn on their leaders Friday for dispatching their followers on suicide missions while they "run into caves to save their own hides."
Factory worker who went on shooting rampage involved in workplace love triangle
GOSHEN, Ind. (AP) -- When Robert Wissman got in an argument with a male co-worker over a woman, managers at the NuWood Decorative Millwork factory told him to calm down, go home and take some time off.
18 more indicted in McDonald's game scam
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- Eighteen more people have been indicted on conspiracy charges in the $20 million scam of McDonald's promotional games bringing the total to 51, the U.S. attorney's office said Friday.
A scaled-down White House Christmas
WASHINGTON -- For White House Christmas 2001, Santa's workshop was relocated to a room on the third floor of the family quarters, where nine staff members have been hammering and sawing replicas of the homes of former presidents.
Owners, union working on deal to delay contraction
Representatives of Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association were negotiating Friday night for a no-contraction pledge for the 2002 season, sources familiar with the situation said.
Ivy League schools no longer have a lock on prestigious Rhodes Scholarships
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Harvard University and tiny Luther College are separated by half a continent, and the gap may be even wider when it comes to name-recognition.
Braves re-sign catcher to $6 million pact
ATLANTA (AP) -- The Atlanta Braves re-signed another major free agent Friday, agreeing to a $6 million, one-year contract with catcher Javy Lopez.
Indians offer arbitration to Gonzalez
Juan Gonzalez was among 35 free agents offered salary arbitration, giving him another month to talk with the Cleveland Indians.
Mets trade Ventura to Yankees for Justice
NEW YORK (AP) -- Deals between the New York Yankees and Mets don't happen often.
Van Gundy quits Knicks job
NEW YORK (AP) -- Jeff Van Gundy resigned unexpectedly as head coach of the New York Knicks on Saturday.
Baseball's club of GMs remains mostly white
BOSTON (AP) -- More than two years after commissioner Bud Selig's edict that teams interview more minority candidates, there has been little progress in diversifying baseball's top management positions.
Luster fades from Notre Dame's Golden Dome
Every epoch or so, it becomes apparent that Notre Dame is just a school. (The chance I take by discussin
NFC Central lead is on line for Bears, Packers
The Chicago Bears have been lucky. They've been opportunistic. They're the NFL's most pleasant surprise this season.
George M. Kliber
ST. CLOUD -- George M. Kliber, 74, Little Falls, died Thursday, Dec. 6., 2001, at the St. Cloud Hospital.
Daniel Armstrong
PINE RIVER -- Daniel Armstrong, 74, Longville, died Friday, Dec. 7, 2001, at Whispering Pines Good Samaritan Center in Pine River.
Rosella M. Holden
Rosella M. Holden, 81, Brainerd, died Thursday, Dec. 6, 2001, at Bethany Good Samaritan Village.
Catherine E. Smith
CROSBY -- Catherine Elizabeth "Kay" Smith, 83, Coon Rapids, died Friday, Dec. 7, 2001, at the Cuyuna Regional Care Center in Crosby.
Patrick A. Hanlon
AITKIN -- Patrick A. Hanlon, 57, Aitkin, formerly of Minneapolis, died Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2001, at Riverwood Health Care Center in Aitkin.
Florence A. Murphy
ST. PAUL -- Florence Ann Murphy, 82, St. Paul, died Nov. 28, 2001, in St. Paul.
Goodbye Brace Face
Either they're making kids with more self-confidence these days or braces aren't as big a deal as they once were.
Open Forum
Due to depleting fossil fuel resources I recommend that the national speed limit be reduced to 35 mph, that jet air travel be terminated, that the use of animal power increase, and that the use of slavery and child labor become legal.
It's time for Arafat to go
Enough, already, of Yasser Arafat. He has proven beyond a doubt that he is not the indispensable man. He has proven, more to the point, that he is neither willing nor capable of making peace with Israel.
Looking out for Sis - Dispatch Editorial
One of the reasons most people don't trust politicians very much is the perception that behind their peachy, good-guy facades lurk schemers who are always trying to get away with something.
Nuthatches provide entertainment during winter months
Last week I wrote about Mariah finding a nuthatch as she played in a pile of leaves. I often use these moments to teach her about life -- its exquisite beauty, fragility and interconnectedness. At age 7 she already grasps life's realities of birth and death. I marvel at her wisdom.
Deer hunting Texas style Winning ticket allows two area hunters to pursue whitetails in brush country
BYLINE3: Imagine having 6,000 acres on which to hunt deer. With one other person you will hunt the land for three days this year and each of you will take one buck of your choosing. After three days the land is not hunted again until next year.
Calendar
December
Outdoor notes
The Audubon Society asks bird lovers in Brainerd, Crosby and Aitkin to join birders across the western hemisphere in a winter-time tradition: the annual Christmas Bird Count. This year's count is scheduled for Dec. 15.
Webber-Jacobs
Marion Louise Webber and Keith Alan Jacobs II were married Oct. 13, 2001, at St. James Episcopal Church in Wilmington, N.C., with Father Ron Abrams officiating.
Stinson-Piepgras
Jennifer Stinson and Stephen Piepgras were married Aug. 25, 2001, in an outdoor wedding at Piney Ridge Lodge with Darrel Paske officiating.
McCammon-Krueger
Susan Jane McCammon and Jeffrey Allen Krueger were married July 20, 2001, at the United Methodist Church in Greensburg, Ind., with Pastor C. Michael Biggs officiating.
Kovatovich-Meyer
Chelsie Kovatovich and Mark John Meyer were married Oct. 27, 2001, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Crosby with Father Howard Eisel officiating.
Grams-Windorski
Jessica Grams and Matthew Windorski were married April 21, 2001, at St. Francis Catholic Church in Brainerd with Father Seamus Walsh officiating.
Herb and Irene Swartout
Herb and Irene Swartout, Virginia, will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary today. They were married Dec. 9, 1941, in Brainerd.
Alissa M. Lindberg and Christopher A. Long
Alissa M. Lindberg and Christopher A. Long announce their engagement. Parents are Jeff and Randi Lindberg, Baxter, and Steve and Jane Long, Baxter. A Dec. 29 wedding is planned at Trinity Lutheran Church.
Ray and Arlene Peterson
Ray and Arlene Peterson, Crosslake, recently celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary with their family. They were married Dec. 7, 1956, in Mankato.
Sara Peterson and James Taylor
Sara Peterson and James Taylor announce their engagement.
Sun Country Airlines laying off nearly all remaining employees
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Sun Country Airlines is laying off its entire remaining work force of about 900 workers except for a few key employees effective at midnight Friday, a spokeswoman for the financially troubled carrier said.
CHARITIES STRUGGLING
ST. PAUL -- The bottom fell out for Robert Nolan seven months ago.
Verndale's Kern hopes things are looking up for Pirates
The Verndale Pirates girls' basketball team is quietly optimistic about this season.
It may be a bleak TV season for Gopher fans
The men's college basketball season is about a month old. Maybe it's too early for subscribers of the Charter Communications cable TV system in the lakes area to realize they will be virtually shut out when the Gophers' men's basketball team plays.
Aitkin boys coast to triumph
AITKIN-- The Aitkin Gobblers boys' basketball team improved to 2-0 and 1-0 in the Great River Conference with a 58-28 victory over the Onamia Panthers Friday.
Pequot uses solid defense to beat Crosby-Ironton
CROSBY -- There may be an "I" in Patriots, but there is none in the Pequot Lakes boys' basketball team.
League leaders
THROUGH SUNDAY
Bowling
PAUL BUNYAN
Ebnet comes through in clutch for Warriors
Just three games into the girls' basketball season and Brainerd Warriors head coach Carl Hendrickson has found a go-to player.
Another new coach Lorenzen helps Pillager girls' basketball players adjust to changes
PILLAGER -- Sarah Lorenzen has started a new chapter in her life, one she hopes includes many highlights.
Road Crew wrestler knows foes will be after him
PINE RIVER -- Josh Bresnahan has been beaten in his career, but don't expect it to happen again.
Local sports shorts
The Rocori Spartans girls' junior varsity basketball team defeated the Brainerd Warriors 38-33 Friday at the high school gymnasium.
Rebels overcome Grizzlies
CROSBY -- The Moose Lake-Willow River Rebels scored three goals in the third period and posted a 6-4 victory over the Crosby-Ironton-Aitkin Grizzlies in non-conference boys' hockey Friday.
Area events Saturday
BOYS BASKETBALL
Women Raiders avenge season-opening loss
BRAINERD -- The Central Lakes College women's basketball team opened its season at home Friday night with a little revenge on its minds as the Raiders faced the Minneapolis Community and Technical College Marauders.
Wadena-Deer Creek beats Staples-Motley in area girls' action
WADENA -- The Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverines opened the Mid-State Conference girls' basketball season with a 54-37 victory over the Staples-Motley Cardinals Friday.
Even in loss CLC coach sees how far Raiders have come
BRAINERD -- Facing a familiar opponent for the second time in a week, the Central Lakes College Raiders men's basketball team wanted to see how it stacked up against one of the best junior college programs in the nation in the Minneapolis Community and Technical College Marauders.
Stardom looms for Wild's Gaborik
ST. PAUL -- Standing near the right side of the net in practice, Marian Gaborik takes a pass and shoots. Goalie Manny Fernandez moves just in time to send the puck sailing harmlessly away.
Culpepper feels good enough to start
EDEN PRAIRIE (AP) -- Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper said Friday that his injured knee has greatly improved and he feels good enough to start against Tennessee this week.
Titans coming off a victory over Browns
TENNESSEE (5-6) at MINNESOTA (4-7)
Minnesota wages lonely battle
ST. PAUL -- Hardly a day passed in the last month when stories of the Minnesota Twins' possible demise or efforts to rescue them didn't land on newspaper front pages.
Gophers pull off 2-1 win over Denver in WCHA
DENVER (AP) -- Paul Martin and Erick Wendell scored for Minnesota, which held Denver scoreless until the third period and went on to win 2-1 Friday night.
Titans, Vikings not where they expected to be
MINNEAPOLIS -- Daunte Culpepper and Steve McNair have helped redefine the word "quarterback" over the past few seasons, bringing large bodies, strong arms and excellent mobility to their position.
Gophers get 'good wake up call'
ATHENS, Ga. (AP) -- Georgia's run seemed so sudden, yet it actually took more than seven minutes off the clock.
Much of Minnesota's success rides on Rickert
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- At high school basketball games, the JV wrestling team sells Skittles in the hallway for 50 cents and rubber hot dogs for $1 -- maybe $1.75 if it's a big game or something.
Sites and games you can check out
Some good kid software choices for children for the holiday:
Shuttle Endeavour docks with space station, delivers new crew
SPACE CENTER, Houston (AP) -- It was out with the old and in with the new on the international space station.
Good deals easy to find
Buying a computer for the holidays? Here's my advice: Don't sweat it. Today's PCs are astounding bargains. Processing power, memory and hard disk storage have become so cheap that a manufacturer would have to go out of his way to produce a bad computer.
eBlaster
Sometime during the last decade or so, we stopped trusting ourselves to be good parents. Under assault by the likes of "Dawson's Creek" and 2 Live Crew, we started seeking out lawmakers and computer engineers to do what we despaired of doing: protect our children from the influences of the nasty media.
Educational software
You wanted airy, spongy Wonder bread, but Mom served up hard, coarse brown bread laced with chunks of raw bark. You wanted to watch the adventures of "The Man From U.N.C.L.E., "
Nine states propose tougher Microsoft settlement
WASHINGTON -- Nine states suing Microsoft Corp. offered a far tougher alternative Friday to the Bush administration's proposed antitrust settlement, setting the stage for a legal showdown between dueling remedy plans.
Check the connection first
Before you even think about buying a new computer, take a careful look at upgrading from standard telephone dial-up Internet service to a broadband connection like DSL or cable. Your money is better spent there, in most cases.
In the Gallery
This months featured artist in The Gallery is Michael Banning, an artist who lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He got his start in the arts from his mother who is an accomplished artist in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He studied art history in Italy and received second place in the National Small Works Exhibition at the Chuck Levitan Gallery in New York. In 1999 he was awarded a Travel and Study Grant where he went to Detroit, Michigan to study fresco painting.
Eight Wheels, flashing lights, and a DJ
Just in case you aren't "in" with the local "grapevine" news, you may be interested in the recent grand opening of Brainerd's
Women's Basketball Schedule
(Games at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted)
The rockin' jazz ensemble at Central Lakes College
On Tuesday, November 8th, the Central Lakes College Jazz Ensemble put on their fall concert along with the Central Lakes College Community Band. The music department proudly presented the show as E Pluribus Unum, Out of Many, One...A celebration of the diversity in American music. Steve Anderson directed the show.
Guest Artist Scott Morris in CLC's A Christmas Carol
On December 6-9th and 12-16th, the Brainerd lakes area will be treated to the third year of A Christmas Carol, which has quickly become a Central Lakes College holiday tradition. The production is directed by Patrick Spradlin, with technical direction by Michael Harvey.
Nurse Notes:
Help your immune system help you
The Usefully Unknown: a cube, a box and a sequel
It seems as if only a week ago the Nintendo Entertainment System was released in the United States, and it feels like just yesterday that it became obsolete. For the past 11 years, the war of the game consoles has raged on. Nintendo was one of the first companies to develop a successful game console, that being the NES. Sega was also in the market with the Sega Master System, but unfortunately, the system never made it very far. Many people remember the other game systems that came along the way and are still remembered. The Sega Genesis and the Super Nintendo were other successes, but systems like the 3DO and CD-i were two others that failed quickly. Game consoles have come a long way since the 8 bit success of the NES, and since we've come to expect a lot from technology today, we come to expect a lot from new game systems.
Student artist in focus
Jessie Vanhorn is a student here at CLC. When I spoke to art instructor Mick Stowell he suggested that I interview her. She got her start at an early age.
PREQ or PAIN?
The holiday season is fast approaching, and so it the new spring semester. To help you make a more beneficial educational choice, read on.
BUTTS ON CAMPUS
Decorating every entrance to Central Lakes College, there is at least one ashtray. As a testimony to the conscientious smokers on campus, the ground is covered in cigarette butts that never quite made it to the ashtray. At peak smok
Student Voice Recital
Thursday, December 13th
Nine students tro graduate with B.A. degree
On December 12, 2001, nine students will participate in the College of St. Scholastica's commencement ceremonies in Duluth. The students are:
Know your Rights
As graduation approaches, increasing numbers of college students are finding themselves buried in credit card debt in addition to their student loans. The Minnesota Attorney General's Office encourages students to fully understand the charges associated with the use of credit cards before applying for one. The General Accounting Office, the investigative arm of Congress, recently issued a report on the use of credit cards by college students. The report (available at www.gao.gov) suggested that some students found themselves in serious financial trouble because of excessive credit card debt. One college administrator complained that the vendors created a "carnival atmosphere," with loud music and games, noting that "the incentives, along with the party atmosphere, masked the responsibilities of owning a credit card," especially since there was no discussion of the consequences of misusing a credit card. Before deciding whether to obtain a credit card, students and other consumers should consider the following:
Letters to the Editor
The Westbank Journal welcomes letters from students, faculty, administration and staff of Central Lakes College. Content should be appropriate to an institution of higher education and of interest to the student body of CLC.
Thank you
We, the Student Senate, would like to thank the people who came and gave blood.
Editorial
'Tis the season to get happy.
Poetry from the slow curve of a country road
Hello everyone. This is the first installment of what I hope to make a continuing column on poetry. For this first test run, so to speak, I am just going to include some poems. I hope to write reviews of poetry and little ideas about poetry later, however. If you write poetry and would like it to be published here, or critiqued, or if you have an opinion on poetry, please e-mail it to the Westbank Journal Office* with the heading "Poetry Submission." The continuation of this column truly depends on the interest shown by you, so please write in. For now, I will leave you with a few select poems of mine.
Travolta takes a bite out of terrorism
"Why are the movies so predictable" [multiple expletives deleted.] This questions is the opening line in a film that is anything but predictable. Swordfish, starring John Travolta (Broken Arrow, Face/Off, Pulp Fiction), is an adrenaline fueled, testosterone fortified thriller that is guaranteed to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
Is another strike imminent?
Leaning against the wall in the office of Nancy Smith is a picket sign. At first glance, it looks like a leftover from the AFSCME/MAPE strike of a few months ago. A second look tells a different story. The sign reads: MSCF ON STRIKE.
Movie Review: Monsters Inc.
The bedroom door shuts and the lights go out; now you are all alone. You eye the closet nervously, the covers to your bed slowly creeping up to your terror-stricken face. Suddenly you spot
Sports scene:
As the snow begins to fall, so will the three-pointers for the Central Lakes men's and women's basketball teams. The Raider guys will be sure to improve on their 12-12 mark of a season ago, while the ladies would like to make another trip to the Region 13B tournament championship game. Personally, I can't wait to watch some Raider basketball.
Have an idea? Have an opinion?
We welcome new writers anytime! Come and join the Westbank Journal Team!
The Crossing Arts Alliance
This issue I chose to bring attention to the arts in our area. Art makes for a more "happy healthy life" says Mathias. It is the voice of those who express themselves through colors and pictures. I interviewe
Optimism vs. terrorism
By now everyone has been hearing the death toll rise and reports of the destruction from the terrorist attacks on the US.
Seminar 101
The final presentation in the Seminar 101 series "Surviving the Holidays 101" sponsored by the Counseling Dept. will be December 18 in room E224 from noon to 1:00 p.m. Northern Pines will exam
National Champions...... AGAIN!
On Saturday, November 10, 2001, the Raider volleyball team experienced somewhat of a deja vu. For Katie Bell, Dana Dickinson, Katie Foss, Jesse Fischer, Marie Kern,
Creative Corner
Late morning classes and no-homework weekends,
Letters to the Editor
Where does student and faculty safety lie in school officials practices? I ask this because as I did a 360 on Hwy 210 on Monday, I thought, "What am I doing?" And as I sat in th
Central Lakes College Theatre's Oleanna is a BIG success
From November 1-11, the CLC theatre and director Patrick Spradlin presented Oleanna, a play by David Mamet. Mamet wrote this two-character play that focuses on communication and sexual harassment right after the Clarence Hill/Anita Thomas hearings in 1991. Guest artists Erik Steen and Sarah Kennedy effectively portrayed the two characters.
Calendar of Events
Nov. 26- Dec. 14th- Toys for Tots drive sponsored by the CLC Student Ambassadors. Drop toys off at the Admissions office.
Minnesota state forecast
today...Mostly cloudy northeast this morning. Partly cloudy this afternoon. Mostly sunny southwest. Highs in the lower 20s north to lower 30s south.
Iowa state forecast
Today...Mostly cloudy east early...Otherwise mostly sunny. Highs in the 30s or lower 40s.
Worldwide Weather
Saturday
Widespread precipitation on tap for East, Midwest; Northwest expected to face soaking
A cold front was pushing rain and snow through much of the eastern third of the nation early Saturday, while another front was beginning to push precipitation into the Pacific Northwest.
Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Partly or mostly cloudy. A chance for light snow north. Highs in the mid 20s northwest to the lower 40s southeast.
State forecast for North Dakota
Today...Partly to mostly sunny. Highs from the 20s east to the 30s west.
The Weather Elsewhere
Saturday
State forecast for South Dakota
Today...Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 20s and 30s east...To the 40s and lower 50s west.
In the woods
Weather drawing by Travis Wheeler of Ms. TeHennepe's fourth grade class at Backus school.
Regional Weather Forecast
MINNESOTA HighLowPR
What's doing
Brainerd Area Pinetree Patchworkers will meet at 7 p.m. Monday at the Brainerd Public Library meeting room. The program will be our annual holiday party.
Organizations
Brainerd Jaycees
Much obliged
Birthright of Brainerd wants to thank all who participated in Birthright's annual quilt raffle. To Diane Koch who designed the quilt and Darla Sathre who quilted this year's "Baskets of Posies."
Afghans urged to join hunt for bin Laden and Taliban leader Omar
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) -- Afghanistan's interim leader called on fellow Afghans Saturday to capture terrorism suspect Osama bin Laden and Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar and promised to bring the two men to "international justice."
Powell announces 'Friendship Bridge' to speed Afghan aid to reopen soon
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan (AP) -- A bridge that is a crucial supply route into Afghanistan will reopen within days, Secretary of State Colin Powell and Uzbek President Islam Karimov announced Saturday.
Family of top bin Laden aide al-Zawahri announces death of his wife and children
CAIRO, Egypt (AP) -- The family of Ayman al-Zawahri, the top aide to Osama bin Laden, has published a death notice saying al-Zawahri's wife and children have been killed in Afghanistan.
Remnants of Taliban force pursued as U.S. commander ponders his next move
WASHINGTON (AP) -- U.S. forces are fighting the remaining armed Taliban fighters they can find as the war's commander ponders how to finish off the radical Islamic militia and its al-Qaida terrorist colleagues.