Okay....I am a little slow to go.  But, I was perusing the Elk River Star News Online website to see what I could gather to write about, localismally speaking, and after my bashing the local paper in some respects yesterday with the plea for someone to start a "Patch" here, I was surpised to find this calendar of local events. I thought it was pretty cool, and here is the link: http://erstarnews.com/event-calendar/ So, if you click on that, you can see all kinds of events and regular meetings of groups that you might be interested in joining.  Have a great week!     08/16/2011

I have read several posts about credit scores lately.  And, they have been less than helpful.  Did you know that you might pay an extra $5,000 on a car loan for $20 grand over 5 years if you neglect to keep your credit score accurate, up-to-date and clean? Take a quiz about your understanding of credit scores at http:creditscorquiz.org.  This is run by the Consumer Federation of America, a nonprofit association in paretnership with VantageScore Solutions, a credit-scoring company  that uses scores from all three major credit-scoring companies (Experian, Equifax and TransUnion) in its calculations.  Credit scores aren't about your ability to pay the loan, but about the risk of you not paying the loan.  In other words, you could have a lot of income, and your outstanding debt could be man... 08/04/2011

Chris Beer has at least "arrived".  He is an aspiring filmaker.  Something which I know nothing about.  But, he has written, directed and produced three short films over the past six years which is an accomplisment in and of itself.  In fact, from the little I know, that is a major accomplisment.  The three firlms are "Anthill", "Liskea" done in Prague .... and "Metronome" a post-grad work after graduating from the U of M.    Chris Beer “Metronome” is set in an assisted living facility, where “an old man suffering dementia and early onset Alzheimer’s realizes this is where the end of his life is going to take place,” explained Beer. Beer cast his father, George, as the old man, who is a compilation of several real relatives: his grandmother and his girlfriend's grandfather.  Although Be... 08/02/2011

Remember those old episodes of M*A*S*H* that you watched everyday as a child? Maybe that only happened in our house. My children have never seen the show, but they certainly figured out the activing for it in a hurry!It took all of two minutes for my son to lay on the stretcher at the fair today. With Grandpa's help he took his turn as 'the patient' on the way to the hospital....YOu wouldn't believe his remarkable recovery when we announced it was time to visit the animals though. With a hop and a skip and a jump off the back they announced their "arrival at the hospital" and that it was now time to "go feed the animals." What a blast. We may have one of the smallest County Fairs around Minnesota, but the kids wouldn't know it. From ambulances and tanks to horses, cows and alpacas and f... 07/16/2011

The annual Elk River Parade is a well attended event EVERY year. This year was no exception. Despite the downpours earlier in the day and the looming raindrops late into the afternoon it seems that much of Elk River was still sitting on the sidelines waiting for the parade to start at 6:30pm. We were no exception. Umbrellas at our feet and waterproof blanket under our bums we waited ever so patiently for the action to start.Pulling up our piece of grass near the beginning of the parade (as we do every year) we were pleased with the performances given by every float. There is something quaint and appropriate when the onlookers stand and honor the first flags of the parade. It kind of chokes me up to see parents reminding their children to cover their hearts with their hands. The respect ... 07/15/2011

The Sherburne County Fair opens it's gate tomorrow July 14th, 11 thru Sunday July 17th, 11. My boys have been watching the trucks pull in all week. Begging to visit the fair every time they see something else set up for entertainment purposes. The lights, the twirly rides, the excitement of the trucks... it's all so much fun! Friday, July 15th 2011 is the scheduled Parade going thru downtown Elk River. The annual event is always great family entertainment especially when one remembers to show up early to grab a good piece of sidewalk along the route. Main Street will be closed at 5:30 pm... so make sure that you get there early!From tractor pulls to 4H events the Sherburne County Fair promises to be a great family event. For more information check out their website here. The weather pro... 07/13/2011

The Whitesidewalls will perform Thursday, 7 p.m., in the weekly free concert sponsored by Bank of Elk Riverin the downtown park.  "Certain kinds of music in history appear to have no boundaries throughout age groups," said the group's founder. The Twin Cities band has a long play list of such standards as "Oh, Boy" (Buddy Holly) "At the Hop" (Danny and the Juniors), "Heartbreak Hotel" (Elvis Presley), "I'm Walkin' " (Fats Domino) and "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" (The Tokens). "Our music is rockabilly, do-wop, and serious rock and blues. It's fun, and danceable, and we love to play it." The Whitesidewalls entertained from 1972 through 1988, then broke up after a dispute with their manager. Two decades later, they regrouped, in April 2009, although with not all the originals. One of their ea... 07/09/2011

If you've ever been to Minnesota you've probably taken a few pictures while you were there.... so why not put that good artistry to use and join the fun! The Summer In Minnesota Photo Contest is in full swing! Sponsored by the Elk River Star News to support the Elk River Fireworks display... this is a contest that is open to anybody. They are collecting your favorite photos of Minnesota until Thursday, June 23rd at noon. They may include any and all original photos of Minnesota that are appropriate. As long as you took the picture... you can enter it in the contest. Each photo has a $5.00 entry fee and the winning photo will be printed in an upcoming addition of the Elk River Star News. All entries will be displayed at www.erstarnews.com.Check out the website for all the rules and entry... 06/13/2011

The public is invited to complete a community survey as part of a branding initiative in Elk River. The survey can be accessed online at www.ci.elk-river.mn.us/survey or copies are available at the following locations: •Elk River City Hall, 13065 Orono Parkway •Elk River Municipal Utilities, 13069 Orono Parkway •Elk River Parks and Recreation, 1104 Lions Park Dr. •Elk River Senior Center, 350 Evans Ave. •Elk River Area Arts Alliance, 716 Main St. Deadline to complete the surveys is June 15. About 300 have been completed so far, according to Elk River Economic Development Manager Annie Deckert.  The questions are as follows: Would you recommend Elk River, Minnesota as a place to live? Why would you recommend Elk River, Minnesota as a place to live?  Would you recommend Elk River, Minneso... 06/11/2011

The paving and upgrading on the Highway 169 southbound bridge over Highway 10 in Elk River on began on Monday, June 6,  and will continue  for quite sometime. at least until June 25, weather permitting. Southbound traffic will shift to the northbound lanes on the overpass, carrying single-lane traffic in each direction, according to Judy Jacobs, communications specialist with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). The Highway 10 eastbound ramp to northbound Highway 169 will remain closed, and the Highway 10 westbound ramp to Highway 101 south will close to traffic. Highway 169 southbound to Highway 10 eastbound ramp will also close. The detour map is available at http://www.dot.state.mn.us/d3/newsrels/11/detours/hwy169_10_101elkriverdetoursimple.pdfDuring construction and r... 06/07/2011

The Elk River American Legion will be hosting a Pancake & Sausage Fundraiser this Sunday, June 5th from 8am -12 noon.  Its a Free Will Donation to help raise funds for this year's 4th of July Fireworks display in Elk River. Elk River American Legion is located at 525 Railroad Drive in Elk River near the Main Street and HWy 10 intersection. City of Elk River (link) Contact Jim Holt for more info at: jaholtmn@charter.net - Paypal donations will be accepted. 06/02/2011

As many of you know we have chickens on our "farm." I have been blessed with half hens and half roosters so at the moment the chances of fertilized eggs is really really good. About a month ago a young lady was looking for such eggs to incubate and hatch for her final high school assignment this year. I was delighted to help her out and have been biting my fingernails since donating my eggs to her cause hoping that she would find great success in her mission. So... here we are a month later and I got the note this evening... the first chickie has hatched. I am excited and feel a little like a proud grandma that my chicken eggs did as they were supposed to. And, if I may say so myself, he is one cute little chickie! If I'd known that the girls were given the opportunity to stay home from... 05/24/2011

The Elk River Area Arts Alliance has made a conscious decision to support downtown restaurants and businesses at this year's ArtSoup community arts festival. Food at the June 18 event will be limited to local fare, and these vendors have had booth fees waived and told they wouldn't have to worry about out-of-town competition. Elk River Mayor John Dietz called giving local food merchants a break in difficult economic times admirable, but others had reservations contributing to the cause knowing this was how things were being handled. The matter will be brought to the EDA on May 13, and the council will discuss it again that night after the authority has taken a position. Asked if May 13 would be too late for City Council and/or EDA action, John Stander, the executive director of the Elk ... 05/23/2011

Graduation is just around the corner, and with the busy Memorial Day weekend coming up, I just wanted to throw my congratulations to the graduating classes in Elk River and Spectrum.  It isn't easy getting through high school these days.  And, it takes parents, teachers, guidance counselors, mentors and adminstration to help kids get what they need to succeed in the world. It also takes those same people to help kids stay the course and not get distracted by drugs, popularity contests and just plain bullies. We had bullies in high school, too. But, at least we didn't have to try to cope with cyber-bulling. Now, graduates, take your rightful places in the world as responsible young adults.  And, I wish you all the success in the world.  05/21/2011

The water tower on Jackson Avenue in Elk River has been selected as one of the 10 Most Endangered Historic Sites in Minnesota.  The landmark has been part of this community for 91 years. The designation was officially announced  Thursday, May 12 by the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota during its (Anti) Wrecking Ball in Minneapolis.  This designation will likely give the water tower more support for its preservation.  The tower is owned by by Elk River Municipal Utilities. The water tower was built in 1920 as one of the first components of the municipal water system in Elk River. It is located along Jackson, just north of Highway 10 and across from the Elk River Fire Station. The Preservation Alliance of Minnesota has compiled an annual list of the state's threatened historic buildings... 05/19/2011

We have some local talent in the DPS contest to find a new PSA for teens driving while distracted. More than 90 Minnesota teenagers produced 30-second TV public service announcements for the contest to educate peers about the dangers of driver distraction. The finalists are competing for a $1,000 first-place prize and a broadcast premiere of their spot to air during the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards Aug. 28. There is a $600 prize for second place and $400 prize for third. Prizes are donated by AAA. Holly Mickelson, a student at Spectrum High School has been named one of five final entries in the Minnesota Department of Public Safety's AAA Don't Drive Distracted, Teens! TV Commercial Challenge. Now it's Minnesota's time to vote. Minnesotans are asked to view and select the best spot throug... 05/14/2011

Tomorrow is National Stamp Out Hunger Day sponsored by our treasured mail carriers. If it were up to me I'd solicit a "game" of who can weigh down their carrier the most tomorrow, but I'm not sure that I have that much power. So, here's my plug for the program. Many years in running and even seeming to grow in popularity, the Stamp Out Hunger Day is off and running for Saturday, May 14, 2011. This is one AWESOME way to help out a hungry mouth in your own community. And, collectively this event could change thousands of lives for the better for a day or two or more. With the ever increasing amount of hungry mouths in our country the food banks are seeing great shortages. Have you helped fill one up lately? It's easier than giving blood - especially tomorrow. In Elk River we all received ... 05/13/2011

The Union Congregational Church in Elk River is hosting their annual book sale this weekend (May 6th & 7th, 2011). If you love to read this is a place to be! We visited today and left with a whole bag of books. The boys had much fun perusing the kids table and looking at what their was to find. Of course... we had to pick up some of the Rolo Cookies at the bake sale side of the sale for my little chocoholic. He was quite pleased and enjoyed the cookies so much that I ended up with a second bag!It's a great weekend for their spring event. We parked a couple of blocks away and walked over enjoying the sunshine streaming down on us. It's the first day this season that my kids have worn short sleeves and it was very enjoyable!Knowing that the book sale is a "big" event for this local congre... 05/06/2011

Each year on Mother's Day Living Waters Church in Elk River sells flowers in support of the Abba Crisis Pregnancy Center in town. The reasoning is multi-faceted and it's a treat to be involved with something so little that makes such a great big difference! This year is no exception. On Sunday, May 8th, 2011 there will be Gerbera Daisies for sale. For just $10.00 a father, a son, a husband,  or just anybody can make a double dosed impact! It's a great way to show that Mama in your life that you are thinking of her and all that she puts into her family and her children. With the bright colorful potted plants it is a great way to share that love all season as the flowers keep blooming and blooming and blooming. And, it's a great way to remember the forgotten. There are many Mamas that pas... 05/06/2011

There is a flower growing in our yard known in some circles as a 'weed' that we've decided to rename. You see, it's formerly known as the Dandelion, but my children don't understand why because they think it's neither dandy or lion-like. So... under current circumstances we have renamed the Dandelion the "I love my Mother" flower. You might think that this is strange, but it isn't. Every day we go outside to play... at our house, at our friend's homes, at the park and my children consistently find the "I love my Mother" flower and pick it for me. I have a tupperware full of them from today alone. And, the best part... they REALLY were picked special for their Mama.If you had or have children you probably know that this is really a better name for the flower.  I know by the look in many ... 05/05/2011