Wood Carving classes offered for youth
The Red River Valley Woodcarvers will offer a special class for interested youth on Saturday morning, April 12. The class will be held in conjunction with the International Wood Art Festival at the Doublewood Inn.
All safety equipment, carving tools and project materials will be provided. The class is open to all youth 10 years of age or older.
Instruction will include woodcarving safety, carving techniques and how to finish a project and last about 60 minutes.
This class is taught by members of the woodcarving club. For those that would like to participate, please call Wayne Henkel at 701-232-1813 for details and registration.
Gooseberry Park Players Announces
Auditions for The Sound of Music
Gooseberry Park Players announces auditions for the July 2014 production of the classic American musical, The Sound of Music. Interested participants can learn more about the production and audition process at an information and audition sign-up session on April 14 or 16 at 6:00 p.m. at the Moorhead Public Library. Auditions are May 6 – 7 at the Frances Frazier Comstock Theater on the campus of Concordia College. Interviews for technicians ages 13 -18 can also be scheduled during the audition timeframe. Advanced audition sign-up is required. Auditions include acting, singing and dancing. Interested participants should be available for rehearsals June 9 – July 15. Public performances will be July 15 – 20.
The Sound of Music has a significant number of male and female roles for students ages 11-18. “One of the best things that The Sound of Music does is communicate that very passionate conviction that art is somehow sacred—that it transcends all of the pettiness, ugliness, filth, and hate that a person can devise with the ugliness of war. It’s a story of love, truth, compassion and hope to take one step at a time and realize that dreams can indeed become reality,” says Gooseberry Managing Artistic Director, Debbie Griffith.
Reminder: E-Cigarettes Follow Same
Law as Regular Cigarettes in North Dakota
FARGO, N.D.(April 1, 2014) – Fargo Cass Public Health would like to remind e-cigarette users and North Dakota businesses that e-cigarettes are prohibited in all places where smoking is not allowed under the law; and that smoking is prohibited outside within 20 feet of entrances, exits, operable windows, air intakes and ventilation systems of an establishment where smoking is prohibited by law. Also, smoke-free signs must be posted at all entrances to public places and places of employment including: restaurants, bars, truck stops, guest rooms and common areas within hotels and motels, health care facilities, long-term and assisted living centers, and licensed adult day care facilities.
Fargo Cass Public Health Tobacco Prevention Coordinator Holly Scott says that they have been receiving reports of violations of the use of e-cigarettes in businesses in Cass County, “There seems to be confusion about indoor use of electronic cigarettes in ND. The law is clear: use of e-cigarettes, or vaping, is prohibited in the same locations as smoking is. The confusion could stem from the fact that the MN smoke-free law does not include electronic cigarettes. Ultimately, we just want to remind people that it’s illegal to vape inside in North Dakota and we are working with businesses and establishments to make sure they comply.”
The fine for not complying with the law by an owner, manager, or person of general supervisory responsibility of an establishment is not to exceed $100 for the first violation, not to exceed $200 for a second violation within one year, and not to exceed $500 for each additional violation within one year of the preceding violation.
To assist the public and businesses with the transition into the smoke-free law, Fargo Cass Public Health has educational resources and complementary signage available for local businesses. In addition, links to downloadable signage templates and educational resources are available at fargocasspublichealth.com/tobacco.
Health and Human Services
Finance Bill Includes 5% Rate Increase
ST.PAUL, Minn.– The Senate Health and Human Services omnibus bill was introduced on Monday. Included among the $103.5 million bill was funding to give home and community based care providers a full 5% rate increase. A provision included in the bill requires 80% of the rate increase to go directly to compensation for these care providers.
Chief author of the 5% bill, State Senator Kent Eken (DFL-Twin Valley) praised the full funding of the rate increase.
“If we truly care about our most vulnerable citizens, than we must ensure those who provide their care are supported. Low wages lead to higher staff turnover, creating more stress, less stability and lower quality care,” said Eken. “A 5% increase will help to retain consistent staff, which is crucial to providing the high quality care that every citizen deserves. The better the care, the better the quality of life these citizens can have and lead.”
The bill provides a 5% rate increase effective July 1st 2014 for home and community based services. 6,600 people with disabilities, 24,900 older adults and 90,000 caregivers in Minnesota will be positively affected by the increase in this bill. Almost all Minnesotans, either directly or indirectly, are somehow affected by the care these providers give. This rate increase will have a positive effect on the quality of life for both the providers and the persons receiving this care.
“A 5% rate increase needs to be a priority for our state. I’m proud to have the support of my colleagues in getting this much needed increase to our caregivers,” said Sen. Eken. “Let’s work to get these folks the fair compensation they deserve.”
For information on this or any legislation, please contact Sen. Kent Eken at 651-296-3205 or by email at sen.kent.eken@senate.mn.
NO APRIL FOOLS, CRACKDOWN
ON DISTRACTED DRIVING IS REAL
Officers Are Not Fooling Around, Warn Of Enforcement Project
Detroit Lakes — April 11 – 20 will be specially targeted dates for distracted drivers in Minnesota. Extra patrols including troopers, deputies and city police officers will rally for ten days to curb the distracted driver and the resulting crashes in an enforcement effort. This project will last several more days than last year’s similar efforts by officers.
Distracted driving remains one of the top driving concerns for traffic safety officials in Minnesota. Texting is an issue with drivers of all ages and will be a strong focus during this enforcement project. Current state law prohibits everyone from texting while driving.
Regional Public Information Officer, Sgt. Jesse Grabow says, “We have to continue working together to create a traffic safety culture in Minnesota, and one way to do that is to get everyone to take personal responsibility for their own actions behind the wheel.”
These special enforcement and education efforts are components of the state’s Toward Zero Death (TZD) initiative. A primary vision of the TZD program is to create a safe driving culture in Minnesota in which motorists support a goal of zero road fatalities by practicing and promoting safe and smart driving behavior. TZD focuses on the application of four strategic areas to reduce crashes — education, enforcement, engineering and emergency trauma response.
HERO VOLUNTEER WINS LOCAL AWARD
FARGO, ND- MAR. 28, 2014– HERO, Healthcare Equipment Recycling Organization announced Friday that long-time volunteer, Sara Larson, won the Senior Citizen Volunteer Award from Home Instead.
“We are honored to have Sara recognized for all that she does for our organization,” said Georgia Dufault, Operations Director for HERO.
Sara Larson, a local pharmacist, has been a regular volunteer since she was introduced to HERO four years ago. Sara began by coming in only once a week and soon started coming in multiple times a week after connecting with the mission of HERO.
“I do pretty much anything else I am asked to do,” said Sara. “I cannot imagine a better volunteer fit for me.”
Home Instead selects one local winner from each state. An overall national winner is then selected from these contenders. Sara’s win is the first for Fargo as a local recipient.
HERO would like to recognize all of the hard-working volunteers that keep the organization running strong. The first week of April is National Volunteer Appreciation week and Sara’s win is the perfect timing.
HERO redistributes medical equipment and supplies that would otherwise be discarded in landfills. Through their work, HERO staff and volunteers impact those in need both locally and globally while focusing on remaining environmentally conscious.