Northfield Public Schools would like to invite parents and/or community members to attend one of three feedback sessions regarding the review of the Companeros Program.

The goals for the feedback sessions are twofold. First, the committee members will share three possible plans for improving our Companeros Program. These plans range from very little change to the current program to major changes in the program. Second, and most important, the committee members will facilitate a feedback session so community members can share their reactions to the possible plans. After the feedback sessions, the committee members will use the community feedback to revise the plans before taking a final plan or plans to the School Board for consideration in late winter.

I Cantanti, Northfield's Chamber Choir directed by Wayne Kivell, will present its biennial Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols concert at Skinner Chapel, Carleton College, on Sunday, Nov. 29th at 7:30 p.m.

First presented in Northfield in 1997, the Nine Lessons and Carols has grown here in popularity. This is the seventh time I Cantanti has presented this concert, modeled after the annual Christmas Eve performance at Kings College in Cambridge, England. The concert features nine Biblical readings recounting the Christmas story from Old and New Testament readings, each followed by choral selections or carols which elaborate the readings. The readers this year are people who are active in the leadership of the community.

 Advisory groups study city matters and make recommendations to the city council, providing valuable specialized information for council consideration as it makes policy decisions on our behalf. Service on a board or commission provides citizens a way to apply expertise and to become involved in local issues from land use planning to economic development.

Join us this Sunday 11/22 at the Northfield Arena. Open skating is FREE from 3:15 - 4:45 if you bring a bag of non-perishable food or make a cash donation to the Northfield Food Shelf. Rental skates are available for $3. Skate Drive donations accepted at the pro shop window.

Join us at the turkey crafts table and register for Northfield Skating School lessons (deadline Monday 11/23).

More information at www.northfieldskating.com or contact the Northfield Ice Arena at (507) 645-6556.

There’s no better time than now to support the area in which you live! The Northfield Area Chamber of Commerce together with the Northfield Downtown Development Corporation (NDDC) are kicking-off a community-wide awareness campaign effective immediately to promote “buying local” in the Northfield area.

On Monday, November 16, the City Council  put replacing the Northfield Safety Center into their 5-year Capitol Improvement Plan. A new police facility will be built in 2011 on a site yet to be determined and the present building will be razed and replaced with a new one for the fire department in 2012. Anticipated cost for construction of both components is $8.5 million. The third project, expansion of the Northfield Public Library, is scheduled for 2014. 

The city has engaged Randy Jennings to assist in informing the public about the Safety Center building planning process. He has agreed to meet with citizens on Monday, November 22 at 10:00 a.m. to tour the building.  League of Women Voter members Kiffi Summa and Jane McWilliams urge citizens to take advantage of this opportunity to see the Safety Center and to talk with Jennings about the city's plans.

In keeping with our Arts Town spirit, Butler's Steak & Ale's own Norman and Julie have arranged for a unique 'art-in-the-making' event this weekend.  Here is the story in the artist's own words:

"My name is Jonathan Johnson, I am a professional artist from Montana visiting Northfield for the week. I have been creating classical sculpture for over 17 years studying the work of the foremost master artists of the world. I create limited edition original bronze sculptures as well as one of a kind earthenware ceramic sculpture.  My art is based partly on many years working and creating sculpture using the lost wax process which dates as far back as 4,000 B.C.

Hi everyone,

1. The problems that we had been having are fixed.

2. If you encounter any errors, please see #1.

Thanks,

NCO Technology and Liquor Outreach staff

This weekend's theater includes performances of bobrauschenbergamerica on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 in Kelsey Theatre at St. Olaf. Donata's Gift is also being performed at the Northfield Arts Guild Theater on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 and on Sunday at 2.

Also on Friday, the Tavern Lounge is hosting Area 51 at 7 and New Moon Trio is playing The Contented Cow.

On Saturday there is an event at the Cannon Valley Vet Clinic from 1-5 called Santa Paws. Joe Carey is playing the Tavern Lounge at 7 p.m. and the Contented Cow is hosting Art Vandalay. The Northfield Historical Society is having their annual auction, a Roaring '20s Gala, at the Northfield Golf Club from 6-10.

The Northfield Ice Arena will have a Turkey Skate from 3:45-5:15 on Sunday, and the St. Olaf Handbell Choir is doing a 7 o'clock concert in the Urness Recital Hall at St. Olaf.

A day-long meditation retreat, TRANSFORMING THE HEART AND HEALING THE MIND, will be given on Saturday, November 21 from 9am-4pm by well-known teacher, Mark Nunberg, at the Northfield Buddhist Meditation Center (313 1/2 Division St., above Jenkins Jewelers).  The retreat will include sitting and walking meditation, guided movement, talks on Buddhist spiritual practice and time for questions and discussion. Please bring a bag lunch and plan to stay for the whole day.

Last week, in part one of a series about Professional Learning Communities’ (PLCs) in Northfield, I wrote about my conversation with school board member Ellen Iverson. Ms. Iverson provided several cogent arguments for the use of PLCs in Northfield schools. This week, I feature comments from the other side of the fence. Kathie Galotti is a Carleton Psychology Professor and the parent of two children in the district, one a second grader and the other a high school student.  Though Ms. Galotti herself has had significant experience in the district as both a classroom volunteer and as a PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) Vice President in the past, she has also been a highly vocal member of the anti-PLC contingent. Ms. Galotti initiated a lengthy, and heated, online discussion and a number of other posts about PLCs on Locally Grown Northfield, which I encourage readers to peruse.

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and we would like to remind you about Laura Baker’s 10th Annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 26, 2009 from 11 am – 1 pm, served on our 211 Oak Street campus in Millis Dining Hall.We serve turkey, dressing, potatoes, salad, rolls, cranberry sauce, pie, coffee, and milk. This meal is free and open to anyone in the community, no reservations required. We offer this in response to the generous community that supports us.

On Tuesday, November 17th, with a click of your mouse, you can select and donate to your favorite non-profit. Minneapolis and St. Paul Foundations have joined to create a web portal known as GiveMN where Minnesota non-profits can build their own page to educate and attract donors. On the 17th, it’s Give To The Max Day where any donation after 8:00 a.m. will be matched from funds raised by theses two goliath foundations.

The Riverwalk Arts Quarter began as a concept of a handful of artists and arts services businesses and non-profits in July 2008. We received an initial grant from the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) in Sept 2008 to form a year-long partnership to help us make our dream of an arts destination become a reality.

In celebration of the warmth and joy of the upcoming holiday season, the Northfield Arts Guild would like to announce our production of Donata’s Gift, a musical written by local playwright Christine Kallman with music written by local composer Daniel Kallman.  Tickets for Donata’s Gift are available at the Northfield Arts Guild’s Center for the Arts.  Tickets can be purchased in person, by visiting the web site at northfieldartsguild.org, or over the phone at 507-645-8877.

Inspired by the Italian Christmas legend of Old Befana, Donata’s Gift is a story of giving and redemption.  Donata is an embittered and eccentric old woman accused of a terrible crime.  A young orphan helps to show her and the community that there is a fresh beginning in generosity, love, and acceptance.  Filled with music and dancing and well seasoned with humor, this play is a perfect addition to the holiday season.