Thumbs up to Smokey celebration
Thumbs up to the organizers of the Smokey Bear birthday celebration for setting up this educational and fun event for the community. The fire prevention message is pertinent in this area, and a free hot dog and cake with the neighbors is always fun. It’s also a reminder of the unique landmark that stands in Borderland.

Thumbs up to county
Thumbs up to Koochiching County’s Land and Forestry Department employees for creating a pocket park, complete with grass and trees, after razing the deteriorating Border Theater building.

Thumbs down to some drivers
Thumbs down to drivers who: speed down residential streets; don’t slow for intersections; don’t obey stop and yield signs; and don’t stop for pedestrians waiting to cross the street.

Thumbs up to cash for clunkers
Thumbs up to the nationwide Cash for Clunkers program, which local car dealers said has enticed many locals to trade in their old gas-guzzler for a more fuel-efficient vehicle. This price rebate program not only helps the environment, but stimulates the local economy.

Thumbs down to timing of events
Thumbs down to the scheduling of the Northern Minnesota District Fair in Littlefork, the International Falls Bass Championship, the Lake of the Woods County Fair, the Minnesota State Fair, and the opening week for some colleges and schools — all on the same weekend.
Not only is it hard for people to make the most of each of these events (or businesses to make the most profit) but this late August weekend also conflicts with many students’ preparations for school.

Thumbs up to Pres. Clinton
Thumbs up to former Pres. Bill Clinton for taking on the humanitarian mission to free journalists, Laura Ling and Euna Lee, who were arrested in March while reporting from the border between North Korea and China.

Thumbs down to parent
Thumbs down to the mom who dragged her child through a store on a child harness. Now this valuable tool for parents will once again be in the negative spotlight.

Thumbs up to 911 callers
Thumbs up to the six drivers who called 911 before the collision of the Long Island mother who was very drunk, causing a wrong-way crash on a New York highway that killed her, her young daughter and six others.