On Tuesday, January 5, 2010, ARTech Charter School will host a discussion with State Senator Kevin Dahle and State Representative David Bly about K-12 education funding.  The discussion will begin at 6:30 pm at the ARTech School building at 1719 Cannon Road (behind the Perkins on Hwy 3) in Northfield.  The discussion will focus on the impact that the hold back of 27% of per pupil education funding by the State of Minnesota is having on charter schools, on the prospects for additional cuts in funding, and on ways for charter schools to work with the legislature on these issues.

Northfield Public Schools Community Services Division and the Cannon River Sportsmen’s Club are offering Gun Safety in the Home, Tuesday, January 12th from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Northfield.org is hosting a social gathering for anyone and everyone who cares about Northfield.org. The event, "Winternet," is set for January 21st, 7 PM, at the Contended Cow.

Escape the cold with a hot drink, and meet/greet contributors and readers of Northfield.org. In addition, special guest Jessica Peterson White (the Quiz Mistress) will attempt to stump locals with a mini-quiz tailored to the event.

Want to learn something new? During the festivities, we'll be available for live personalized training for folks looking to learn how to contribute news and events to Northfield.org.

Just Food is proud to present a free information session by Dan Borek of Three Rivers Community Action on Wednesday, January 13 at 7pm. Three Rivers Community Action and its partners have launched the ‘Home Matters’ purchase-rehabilitation-resale program in the City of Northfield.

The program purchases foreclosed homes in disrepair and invests in their rehabilitation to restore them and make them livable. Rehabilitation efforts focus on energy efficiency, green building techniques, and indoor air quality, to ensure that these houses are affordable to operate, healthy, and minimize environmental impact.

 For persons in the Northfield area interested in learning about the Blandin Community Leadership Program BCLP), there will be 2 information sessions Thursday, January 7:  at 5:00 p.m. in the Northfield Public Library, and 7:00 p.m. in the Bridgewater Town Hall, Dundas.  The goal of the BCLP is to “develop and sustain healthy community be building on community strengths.” Spanning a six to eight month period, the program consists of a 5 day residential retreat, a 2 day residential workshop and a 1 day workshop. Two training series are scheduled to begin in early 2010,, one in February and the other in March.

It’s that time of year again -- time to VOTE for your favorite Northfield Stuff in 2009 in the Northfield Entertainment Guide/Locally Grown straw poll. Vote online or fill out the attached PDF that you can mail to or drop off at By All Means Graphics (17 Bridge Square). Deadline is Jan. 21. Results will be published in the February Entertainment Guide!

Happy New Year from the Northfield Entertainment Guide! Here’s a glimpse of what’s happening tonight (New Year’s Eve): There are undoubtedly festive transitions in store at your favorite watering or dining spot but specifically the Content Cow is hosting Area 51 with free appetizers at 9 and champagne at midnight.  Froggy Bottoms has Karaoke at 9:30.

The Carleton College Art Gallery presents “Latin American Posters: Public Aesthetics and Mass Politics,” an exhibition exploring themes of Latino political and cultural activism from the 1950s to the present, through the lens of bold designs from the University of New Mexico’s Sam L. Slick Collection of Latin American and Iberian posters.  The exhibit opens Friday, January 8 with a lecture by Teresa Eckman, assistant professor of Latin American art history at the University of Texas, San Antonio, titled “Latin American Posters: Graphic Elements,” at 7:30 p.m. in the Boliou Hall auditorium, followed by an opening reception in the Art Gallery from 8:30 to 10 p.m. The opening lecture and reception, as well as entrance to the exhibit, are free and open to the public.

Featuring over 50 dramatic images dating from the late 1950s to 2005, the posters originate from eleven Latin American countries and the United States, with the majority produced in Chile, Cuba, and Puerto Rico. These powerful images represent some of the most dynamic graphic designs from the second half of the 20th century.

Drawing from the nearly 10,000 pieces in the Sam L. Slick Collection of Latin American and Iberian Posters, housed in the University of New Mexico Libraries, the exhibition explore five broad-ranging themes, including Imperialism, Solidarity, and Self-Determination; Icons, Martyrs, and Charismatic Leaders; Human Rights, Feminism and Indigenism; Revolution and Popular Movement; and Culture, Society and Film.

Mark Henke will be the next president and CEO of Northfield Hospital & Clinics.

The hospital board of directors, by unanimous vote, offered Henke the position December 22. He accepted the next day.

“We are delighted Mark has accepted the position,” said John Lundblad, chair of the board of directors and chair of the executive search committee. “He is an excellent fit based on the criteria the search committee developed for this position. We look forward to working with him to continue the work of providing quality healthcare services to the communities we serve.”

Northfield resident and St. Olaf Assistant Professor of Classics Chris Brunelle is quoted at the end of a Time story about the history of Christmas caroling. Brunelle is a former member of VocalEssence and the King's College Choir, which is perhaps most famous for its annual Christsmas Eve service of carols that is broadcast around the world.

Being prepared for birth is the best plan. Elizabeth O'Sullivan, certified Lamaze Childbirth Instructor, will help you learn what you need to know to approach birth with confidence in this small, relaxed series. Classes will cover the process of birth, comfort measures, many tips for partners, common medical procedures, decision making, early parenting and more.

The class size is limited to six couples so you will get all the individual attention you need and have your questions answered during the 15 hours of class time. Designed to be taken by a mother along with her support person if possible, this series is recommended for expectant moms in their third trimester, but there is some flexibility with that timing.

These classes go beyond the basics in a way that will keep you engaged.

A Minnesota Public Radio story about the concertina tradition in Minnesota includes St. Olaf Professor of German LaVern Rippley, author of a book about the concertina.

He gives some background about the instrument's history and the fact that he's "optimistic" about the future of the folk art surrounding the concertina in this country.