Hello! I'm a runner from Duluth who has wanted to run the 10k Freeze Yer Gizzard run; this year I finally have that weekend off and would be able to participate. However, I don't have a vehicle at the moment, and I found out that the Greyhound nor the Arrowhead Transit run buses from Duluth to Int'l Falls that particular weekend.

I am not sure if there is a local division of the American Heart Association, but with heart disease such a big issue for women, I just wanted to pass on this information. Perhaps if there is some interest, some special events could take place on Feb 6.

Quoted from a recent American Heart Association newletter:

Chambers of commerce on both sides of the border are supporting businesses during the economic downturn and adding a unified voice on government economic reform.

The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce established two programs in partnership with 43 local member chambers. The programs are Grow Minnesota!, a job retention and businesses assistance program, and BusinessConnection, an initiative to help solve everyday business problems.

Falls could face financial crisis if LGA is cut

International Falls would face economic disaster if Gov. Tim Pawlenty cuts the anticipated Dec. 15 local government aid payment.

The Falls is among hundreds of cities in Minnesota waiting for the second 2008 LGA payment from the state.

The checks are to be issued Dec. 15.

But Pawlenty may be eyeing those payments to help solve the state’s budget crisis.

International Falls expects to receive $1.7 million in local government aid, according to Falls Mayor Shawn Mason.

Ministers, chemical dependency counselors and mental health professionals are among those who volunteer their time in the Koochiching County Jail.

The jail has about 25 volunteers who provide programs to inmates and have been doing so for decades, according to Jail Administrator Florence Hervey. Some of the programs offered to inmates include Bible study, church services, Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, community reintegration, cognitive thinking and anger resolution.

Bronko Nagurski’s last public appearance was in 1984 at the Super Bowl, and he passed away in 1990, but his name is still used in the mainstream media.
There’s his annual Bronko Nagurski Trophy, which I’ll hit on later, but it was another college football shout-out last Saturday in the SEC Championship game that brought Bronko back in the spotlight.

Florida State coach Bobby Bowden made this comment over the weekend in the Miami Herald about Florida quarterback and Heisman candidate Tim Tebow: “He brings a little Bronko Nagurski to the quarterback position.”

The Bronco boys hockey team has an all-time record of 82-28-6 against Virginia. The Falls is 58-14-2 against Virginia and 24-14-4 against the co-op of Virginia-Mountain Iron-Buhl. The two teams square off at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Bronco Arena.

Fort Frances director will present cantata, and the Rainy Lake Ringers, for first time in the Falls

This year will mark the first time that well-known Fort Frances choir director Diane Maxey will bring her Christmas cantata to International Falls. It has been a holiday tradition in Fort Frances for more than a decade.

The musical performance will be held at 7 p.m. Friday at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. The community is invited.

Some sing for their supper, while students in the beginning acting class at Rainy River Community College perform for their grades.

The final examination for the class Tuesday consisted of students in groups acting out scenes from the Jane Ackermann play “Marcus is Walking: Scenes From The Road”. The performance is considered an exercise for actors.

Jack Gilbertson, professor of speech, theater and English, said the performances allow the students to put together all they have learned in the semester.

Indus Staff Report

A full evening of holiday celebration took place at Indus School Tuesday beginning with a barbecue supper fund-raiser for the music program, and ending with the arrival of Santa Claus bringing goodie bags for all children. In between, festive music reigned.

The concert was dedicated to Tuesday Musicale, a local group of women who support and sponsor music activities in the area. Two of their members, Marguerite Kostiuk and Jessie Laurion, sang and played “Silent Night” during the program, to the delight of the audience.