Round 3?

March snow melt brings April and May flooding. To be honest, I'm not surprised to hear the news and I'm actually surprised it hasn't come every other year as well. There's nothing like a good ol' fashioned flood to make spring more interesting. As in 2009 and 2010, it looks like the Fargo area is gearing up for another flood this year. And I'm sure we're all very excited about it; but at least we're prepared.

Original numbers showed a lower chance of the Fargo area flooding again, but now the numbers are new and it seems that the likelihood of a major flood is high. The good part is, though, is that officials are aware of the situation and can take action now instead of when it's too late. Although we may not be able to know how bad things could get, it's better to be safe then sorry--at least, that's what they say. If we're lucky, officials won't have to gear up for finding hundreds (or thousands?) of volunteers and hours upon hours of sandbagging and workers can just use the heavy machinery to get dikes made.

Likely more permanent steps will be taken to protect the area from this years fate and the years to come. I have a feeling the area is in it for the long run when it comes to floods. What shocks me about this whole situation is that there have been two other major floods in the recent past and yet we still have to work on building permanent flood protection. I believe that's called learning from the past, but hopefully this year steps will be taken and the years to come will be without worry of possible floods.

For those in the Sheyenne River Valley, there is good news. There is only about a 50% chance that a major flood will occur. Many factors play into the possibility of flooding and things could easily change, but for now it looks that we're in the clear for major flood issues. The numbers may be in, but I still have my doubts. I'm expecting another fun filled spring full of water and sandbags, but only time will tell.

Long Live the Ya-Yas

It's hard to find inspiring news stories in our world today. Every once in awhile, though we see a story that catches our eye and we can't help but read it. This article in the Fargo Forum caught my attention especially, because it relates so well to my life. It's a story about 7 best friends who have kept in touch throughout all the years they have been friends...they're now called the Ya-Ya's.

These 7 friends all grew up in Sabin, MN, going to school, church and spending time together at community events. After attending school in Sabin, they went to Moorhead for high school, going their separate ways after graduating in 1965. It's been 50 years since that time and they still maintain their friendships that were as close now as they were then. They were dubbed the Ya-Ya's after one of the women's daughters realized the women reflected the characters in the movie The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood.

The comedy from 02', The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, is a movie set in Louisiana about 4 best friends who make their own club or "sisterhood" and share their lives together through thick and thin, hard times and the good. The movie stars Ellen Burstyn, Ashley Judd, Sandra Bullock, James Garner and Maggie Smith and centers around Bullock's issues with her mother Ellen Burstyn. Although the movie focuses on one of the women's daughter's, it is an easy movie to relate to.

Life is short, but it's also a beautiful thing and it should be spent with people you love and who accept you for  who and what you do. I think that's what makes this story so refreshing, exciting and easy to relate to. My life isn't filled with oodles of people, but the ones I do have around me are my support group and I honestly like to think this story could be my friends and I someday. We haven't hit the point in our lives where we have husbands, careers and children, but even when we do, we'll have each other to go to and share our stories with. To quote Carol Dickelman--one of the Sabin Ya-Ya's--"“The men, the boys, they come and go." “But girlfriends are forever.”

Viking Bailout?

   Not everyone may be a sports fan, and especially not a Minnesota Vikings fan--I know I'm not--but fan or not, the issue of paying for the new stadium should and probably does make people angry.

   What I will say to start things off is that I'm glad North Dakota doesn't have it's own NFL team, because then we'd have to worry about taking state tax payers money to help pay for a new stadium that, let's face it, isn't necessary. In September of 2012, an electronic pull tab game was created to use through iPad's to help pay for a new stadium that will be built in Minneapolis. The new stadium, expected to be up and running by the 2016 season is estimated at $975 million. Now, six months later, it seems the game "Give It A Pull" isn't doing what was expected and profits aren't looking promising to Jim Schowalter who is the Minnesota Management and Budget Commissioner. Lawmakers, amongst others, are looking to find answers pertaining to where the money will come from to pay off the debt of $30 million per year that has ensued the upcoming building project. 

   Many people who opposed the bill are becoming ever more nervous. In order to get the money needed to pay off the debts for the stadium, money will have to come out of tax dollars which most think should be going to the schools. Representative Mary Liz Holberg states that, "more than $13 million shortfall in the stadium reserve account was covered by money that otherwise would have gone to repay state IOUs to schools." If this doesn't outrage Minnesota residents, I don't know what will.

   Much discussion has been and will continue to be made over the issue. Schowalter says that he will wait until this summer to make the decision on whether to put into action the so-called blink-on revenue actions for the new stadium. In the mean time, officials are trying to expand the e-tabs game in hopes that it will start bringing in more money. With no start date for the project we can only hope for the greater good of the people that officials come to their senses and call the whole thing off. But who am I kidding, this is football, and that's worth spending money for...right?

February snow brings March mud...

It's back!

The time has come again for the North Dakota Winter Show in Valley City, ND and with that comes many, many activities for the community to be involved in. Not only the community, but the NDWS brings in people from all over. Something new and fun added to the line-up of activities this year is a Family Fun Zone that will be located in the South Exhibit Building. Some of these events include a NASCAR simulator, Black Hills Raptor show and a chance at $10,000 by hitting a Hole-In-One with the golf simulator.

All these events happening starting Tuesday, March 5th after Monday kick-off events including a chili cook-off and Community Olympics, which are a favorite amongst Show-goers. Of course, there are too many items to list, but all time favorites include: tractor and truck pulls, rodeo and the Party in the Dirt concert which will be held on March 8th. A full schedule can be found all around town in form of a pamphlet or on their website. You can also check it out on the Farm and Ranch Guide website along with an article about the country music that comes with the Wintershow.  In a personal opinion, the two rodeos held on Saturday night and Sunday afternoon, along with the concerts are the main attractions for the whole event as they bring in people from all around. However, that's not what makes the Wintershow such a great thing. For many, as was pointed out during last year's 75th Anniversary, the Wintershow is about the memories we had as children growing up and experiencing it for the first time and now being able to enjoy it as an adult and maybe even take your own children for the first time.

This may be a small town, but every year we have one major thing to look forward to. Spending time with friends and family; maybe even making some new friends along the way. It gives the community some long hoped for fun, even if that means we finally get the nice weather we've hoped for making it impossible not to walk through 6 inches of mud on your way to the front door. It's all part of the experience and I'm glad to say--and could possibly speak for many others--I'm glad I live here and get to partake in this moment once per year.

Here's to 76 years of NDWS...may they continue for more years to come.

 

The Smoking Gun

Guns have been a big issue in our lives since the recent Sandy Hook school shooting. The whole issue has spiraled out of control bringing opinions and rage out of the wood work to get the issue resolved. This issue brings up a story about a young boy who took his life with a family pistol in Wyoming. Was it the gun...or was it something bigger than that? According to the Harvard Injury Control Research Center, the top three states for highest gun ownership are Wyoming, Montana and Alaska, which also happen to be the top three states for highest suicide rates. Most people seem to believe that guns are main cause of suicide...being the tool, not the reason. Again, the Harvard center claims that guns will kill a suicidal person 85% of the time while pills will only be successful 2% of the time. Arguments are being made about the ordeal. One half saying that the guns are to blame and owners and sellers alike need to find ways to deal with distraught buyers to make sure they won't use the weapon on themselves while others believe that the guns aren't to blame...the person is only to blame. Sharon Wells, a grandmother of another boy who took his life with a gun is convinced that if they can't get a hold of a gun, they'll find a way to do it and I don't believe she's far off by saying this. If a person truly believes there's no more hope for them, they will find a way to kill themselves...it's only a matter of time. Craig Reichert is the father to Kameron, the boy who took his own life, and blames himself for his actions and not locking up the family guns his family keeps in the house. He says that even if the family had had a gun safe, “There would have been two people in the house with the combination, him and me." Even after all the sorrow and trauma of losing a son, Craig still claims that, "I will always believe in guns." So maybe everything comes down to this: Gun Control or Behavioral Control? What will it take and when will it end...if ever. 

It's All In Who You Know

   Finding a job can be the hardest thing of all, but then sometimes, in just 5 weeks, a person can find their dream job. While looking for a non-profit blogger, I stumbled upon what I think to be the perfect match for me in this assignment. Josh Gold has been writing his Nonprofit Gold blog for six years and just recently got a job with a nonprofit organization. Not only is this convenient for me to find someone who knows and writes about the subject, but while looking for him, I found this article as well.

   

   Five week networking is what it took for Josh, aided by his 'career coach' to get connections, put out applications, take on the interviews and land his dream job. What did it take? Making connections, listing off the connections you have for whatever area, in this case, non-profit. After you list your connections, you ask them for a meeting, try to get more connections from them and then follow up with both a written and face-to-face thank you. That's all it takes--at least that what worked for him. I couldn't help but notice, though, that this is exactly what we're being taught to do for beat reporting. 

   Having connections seems to be the most important thing in life. You can get ahead so easily by just knowing the right people, and in the end, it can really pay off. In order to be a successful beat reporter--no matter the beat--you must go to the people you have already met as well as secure multiple new sources to gain new information. The easiest way to get more sources is to ask the ones you already have to shoot a couple names your way, and that's when the true networking starts. If you're lucky, all of the sources will cooperate with you and give helpful information, but if not, try to keep reliable sources on hand if others fall through. With these tools and skills, there's no way a person can truly fail. It just may take some time to find your flow, but once you do, it's likely unstoppable. 

Rescued: One Farm at a Time

There are a lot of non-profit organizations out in the world...I mean a lot! Even when we don't realize it, there could be 5 in your town alone. While I was looking for news about non-profits, I stumbled upon an interesting story about a non-profit from Jamestown, ND. I wasn't expecting to find news so close to home, but I'm glad I did.

Walmart is a huge contributor for many organizations and even events, it's even a sponsor for a local non-profit organization called Farm Rescue. Farm Rescue prides itself on being a one-of-a-kind organization that helps farmers plant and harvest after major disasters, injury or illness. The organization is based out of Jamestown and has just received a donation from the Walmart Foundation. Walmart gave two grants out, both totaling $78,000, from both the North Dakota and Iowa Walmart Giving Programs. Bill Gross, founder of Farm Rescue, is happy about the donation and says that Walmart has donated $300,000 to the organizations mission since starting the program in 2005.

Though a small organization, Farm Rescue has helped more than 200 families in 7 years spreading throughout the states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Minnesota and Iowa. The organization is even active in the world of social media. Updates can be found at their website: www.farmrescue.org or on Facebook.

Up In Smoke

   In today's society, so many things are taboo are often in the center of heated discussion. Possibly one of the most talked about issue is smoking; who can do it and where. Though underage smoking still continues to be a problem in Minnesota and North Dakota, what is getting more attention recently is smoking bans in public areas, especially bars; and this is definately causing controversy...especially in the theater world.
   Maybe we haven't seen it ourselves, but the theater breaks many boundaries to make plays more authentic, like smoking on stage. This issue has been called to attention in St. Paul, MN and is becoming out-lawed. Like most issues; no matter where; there are two sides of the arguement. The real question is: which side is right, or is there a right side?
   North Dakota just recently passed the smoking ban law, but Minnesota passed the law of no smoking in bars in 2007. Both sides of the arguement are valid, however. It is said that if smokers can't blow smoke in bars, why should they be able to inside the theater. On the other hand, smoking adds authenticity and realism to theater productions, which makes theater so impressive. Others tend to disagree, thinking the act isn't necessary to get the full effect.
   What do you think? If you were to attend a play that called for smoking, would you be upset or understanding? More importantly, what if you were pre-warned. That's what the law says is permittable in Minnesota. As long as the audience is notified before the performance, smoking is allowed. Shouldn't that be enough to make the event acceptable. If viewers are interested in seeing that performance, they already know there is smoking and could accept the fact; especially if they are themselves smokers. To be honest, I don't find it to be a problem, it's just something I'm used to. Then again, what makes the theater so special? Is there anything that makes them above the law? We all have to follow the laws, right? As they say in the show biz...the show must go on! Even if it is without a smoke filled room.

--Government/Legislative beat (For the digital and non-digital age)
http://journomel.com/2012/09/26/beat-reporting-in-the-digital-age/

Getting Schooled

   We all know that college is what we're supposed to do when we grow up. It's programmed into us as children: graduate high school and go to a good college or university so you can get a great paying job when you graduate. That all sounds fine, but in reality, that's not how it works. Why? Most of us can't afford to get a higher education; whether we want to or not, and it's starting to show across the country.

   There are many reasons for kids not to go to college: work, family, military and the biggest one of all...lack of money. Our economy today and since 2008 has grown increasingly worse and it also looks bleak for our future, and this is making life difficult to even shop for groceries, let alone spring for fall tuition. According to an article in the New York Times, this decline is being seen in both public and private colleges, and is more noticeable in Midwest and Northern public and graduate schools because there are lower numbers of high school seniors.

   What seems to be the trend is slight decreases in numbers, but in the end, numbers are staying flat, but could easily drop drastically in the future. One example from Dartmouth shows that the number of early applicants has declined but seems to be too early to tell for sure what the future will show for numbers, but seems that the numbers will flat line for the time being. 

   A question to ask, though, is what makes the difference? Does it matter the location or size of school or the cost of tuition? We all know the reputation that we keep here at VCSU. Small numbers in students and also in tuition...could that be the reason our numbers continue to rise, or will we fall to the economic woes that the country faces every day? 

   As a college student, I struggle with the facts often. I don't like school enough to go, but what would I do if I didn't attend classes? I don't want to work a full time job that I dislike, will going to school and getting a degree really get me a well paid job once I graduate? The biggest question of all is: how am I going to pay for all of this?! Especially if I don't get the high paying dream job. These aren't easy questions to deal with, but we must. Each individual must decide whether they're right for higher education, but one thing is for sure. Do your homework before you pick the right college for your future.