Blog #16 - Schools in Change

As factors such as declining enrollment, federal and state school aid cuts, and the recession effect local economies across the Midwest, schools are forced to make decision on how to keep within tighter and tighter budgets. One Minnesota school district has decided to reduce their school week to four days. Warroad school board vowed to cut its budget by $900,000 and $140,000 of that will come from cost savings but the reduced school week.

The Fargo Forum reported on the decision this week with a split vote of 4-2. Some of the other savings will come from position cuts.

The good news is that enrollment per grades has stabilized or increased from 75 to 95 students.

Other cities in Minnesota have made similar decisions - MACCRAY school district of Maynard of Clara City and Raymond we central Minnesota. The Warroad model was framed after Maynard. The students will attend school for 64 minutes more Monday through Thursday than they did Monday through Friday, and attend school for 144 days instead of 170.

Parent comments were mixed in this decision. They wonder what the children will be doing on their Fridays when both parents work. Phil Heppner, chairman of the school board, indicates that not all details are worked out – but they are committed to making it work.

I’ve also heard about 12 month schools across the U.S. Students may attend class for 4 months and have a month off. One SITE I found has blogs about a whole array of options for schools terms/years and tracks.

This is a very interesting discussion. More than once I’ve heard higher education employees say they would love to go to a four day work week and many classes are less than five days a week. So maybe higher education should be looking at the process. What would we be saving?

Blog 15 - Bargain Hunters Get Ready!

This week I was looking for something related to spring. Since we still have high water in our basement and there isn’t much I can do until it recedes, I’m grabbing at straws. My mother is looking at apartments and thinking about selling her house so there isn’t a need to give her certificates for flowers this year for Mother’s Day. I have too many dilemmas in my life right now. Thus my search for a brighter side.

What is more spring in North Dakota than Garage Sales. The Fargo Forum is filled with them already! This site lists them by area in town – North Fargo, South Fargo, West Fargo, Dilworth, Moorhead, and Surrounding Area! Guess that’s what you get in the big city. Not only are there hundreds in each section of town, but if you advertise with the Forum, you can be included in a City Map of where you are located so the deal seekers can find you.

My sister is talking about a sale at my Mom’s since she’s moving into something smaller. Sounds like work for me but what a way to clean out! For years my Mom has been offering things to us kids that she’s ready to part with. What could she have left? I think we’ll be surprised.

Many of the sale list them as multi family or associated with a church or organization as a fund raiser. Right now the list isn’t too large but give it a couple weeks and Fargo will be buzzing.
Then there is clean up week where curb items are traded with lesser quality stuff off your truck. You’ll see college students doing that and I think my daughter and her roommates will be among the traders.

Anyway – if you’re looking for the collectable bargain, get you paper every Wednesday to map your trek to find everything you could want!

International Flare At VCSU

The article I read this week was found on VOANews.com. It is the story of how and why a foreign student chose Valley City State University. It was interested to hear that many of the reasons Fakira Soumaila chose VCSU coincides with why many students choose VCSU.

Fakira indicates that she wanted to study in the United States and size was a determining factor in her decision. She talks about the teachers being very willing to help in and out of class. She also talks about the friendly staff helping to integrate her into the campus and city community. Being in smaller class sizes helped Fakira quickly improve her English speaking skills.

Fakira’s goal is to be a pediatrician and she will go to medical school when she graduates from VCSU. She feels VCSU is challenging her to be prepared for that next step.

It’s interesting that no matter where students are from, they choose the college they choose for much of the same reasons. If you poll VCSU students, you’ll hear that smaller class size is a big reason for coming here.

VCSU is fortunate to have students like Fakira willing to travel to a country and quite small town she’s never been to before to gain her education. Not only is she getting what she wants, but those on campus are learning from her also. My family has been host family to her and we have learned so many things about her home country as well and her growing up years in Rome. Because I’ve not been overseas, this was a great opportunity for me as well as for her. I feel richer having Fakira and other foreign students at VCSU and I hope I return that to them as well.

I was fortunate enough to be involved in a Holiday dinner with the foreign students on campus. After dinner they played Taboo – a game where you try to get your team to say a word you describe without saying a provided list of words. It was amazing to hear the students from various countries talking so fast I couldn’t understand much of what they said while they had no problem at all.

Blog # 13

Bobcat Cuts MORE Jobs

The Fargo Forum reported this week that 150 employees at their Gwinner plant were being laid off. The layoffs will go through at least the first quarter of NEXT year. The layoffs are caused by reduction in demand for the Bobcat Skid Steer they have been famous for for decades.

This is another example of world marketing company –no matter where they are located – having to make tough decisions. If a company sells there produce anywhere outside the region, they have been deeply affected by the poor world economy. It isn’t just in the U.S.
When a company is affected, so is the community. The article says that about half of the students in the school district have parents employed at Bobcat.

When you are a community of 750 like Gwinner, the whole town will feel it. In this case, not just Gwinner. Employees come from Lisbon, Forman and Valley City and every other town nearby. One of those employees is my brother. He’s been at Bobcat for about 14 years. So far he has a job. But one small mistake and the company will use that to dismiss him. Like during one of the last big snow storms when everything was closed. That day was the only operating day Bobcat had scheduled to be open for the week (due to earlier cuts). If you didn’t show up, you got a slip. After a couple slips for any other reason they could find, you could be dismissed. Since many of the employees drive out of town to get to work, they had to decide what was more important, my job or my life? How can you expect someone to make that choice!

For the employees laid off there are no other job choices in the Gwinner area. They have homes they could lose without employment. They have children rooted in the community and schools that are affected also.

I can’t imagine what those losing their jobs are going through. I just hope something breaks for the good before it gets any worse.

Week 12 Blog ... Still Flooding

The Fairfield’s made the news again … and of course it’s related to flooding.

This past weekend Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Assistance Employee Ken Jordan, for Region 8 toured the Sheyenne River Valley and made his way onto the Fairfield Ranch, or lake as it has appeared the past couple weeks.

The Valley City Times Record covered the story tells that because President Obama has declared this area a federal disaster area, FEMA will cover 75% of costs accrued by local governments for diking, sandbagging, police and sheriff's offices. Dave Lowry, a FEMA public affairs officer based in Arizona indicates that if there is enough dollars claimed by individuals in the area, they can get assistance also. No dollar amount of damage is listed to quality. I believe it has to do with the numbers effected as well as the dollars but I couldn’t find anything specific about that.

The two federal employees and various Barnes County Officials toured “Columbia Grain facility, damaged when high water caused soybeans in a hopper to swell, dislodging the feeder which loads grain unto railroad cars.” It is a business that has never had water issues before.

The group made their way down the valley and that’s when they talked with my husband, Dan. We live on the farm where Dan has lived his whole life. He is part of that land. And for the first time in his life, he’s talked about leaving it. We’re not as young as we were during the last two or three floods and the exhaustion of continued checking water and pumps will last a few more weeks. We’re both ready to relocate in order to avoid this ever again. If that means leaving this land that is in Dan’s blood – and mine – that’s what we’ll do. So ... if you know of about 60 acres of higher ground looking for an owner, we’re in the market.

Week 11 Blog - Cherry Blossom Festival

Needing a break from the water, ice, and snow that dominates my life in the Sheyenne River Valley the past couple weeks, I found something that I’ve heard about and would someday like to experience … like today maybe!!!

The Annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington D.C. lasts about two weeks. It is a city wide event with “more than 200 international cultural performances and over 90 other special events”. Over 1 million people flock to Washington each year for this celebration. It is said that the most picturesque scenes are found at the Tidal Basin where you can view the various national monuments surrounded by the pink blooms.

“The Japanese flowering cherry tree, known in Japanese as “sakura,” is a symbol of affection, good fortune and new beginnings.” In 1912, Japan gifted the U.S. with 3,000 trees that are planted throughout the city and bloom about this time each year, dependent on weather. The celebration takes place annually and has for so many years, it’s an automatic. Crowds of people that continue to attend the festival make a sure thing for continuing indefinitely.

For some great video about the festival and reactions from those in Washington, click the following: http://www.thenewsroom.com/details/2038749

Not only is there is festival in Washington, but also in Northern California, Philadelphia, Southern California, Hawaii, Colorado, Georgia, and Brooklyn just to name a few. And don’t forget – Japan!

A little known fact about this year’s festival in Washington is that North Dakota Rodeo Queen and VCSU alum, Jessinta Hammer will be riding in the parade in Washington, D.C. She was invited by Miss Rodeo Virginia to ride with her and Jessinta will be on her way east at the end of this week. Jessinta is from Fort Ransom.

If Washington, D.C. needs a celebration of this sort after their winter, imagine what North Dakota residents need – or will need – if winter every leaves us. I know our city and county people haven’t had a chance to think about the celebration after all we are going through but I will do what every is necessary to help make it something with smiles and appreciation for all who have given to our flood fight.

Week 10 Blog

There is a country song that goes “Here he comes again …” That song could be sung by those around the Sheyenne River Valley with “He” being rising water. The specific story I’m referring to was in the Valley City Times Record on Friday, March 27. My Blog is late because I spend most of last week fighting those rising waters at my home. I attended the meeting referred to in this article because it directly affects me and my home. The topic was the crest expected in Valley City and how home owners downstream can gage the plans according to what they remember from 1997 or neighbors can tell for those who were not there 12 years ago.

The article indicates that there were “maps of the Kathryn Road showing the 100-Year flood plain”, indicates that there are people who can help and who to call if needed, reports on getting sand and sandbags delivered to rural areas, and the amount of water that will be coming out of Baldhill Dam north of Valley City. It was good information but only raised more questions.
The meeting was relatively calm compared to the meeting held earlier in the week with towns people. Some were upset about their sprinkler system being destroyed by trucks hauling dirt for a dyke. If wish someone would destroy something putting a dyke by my house. On Tuesday night, March 24, water from the beautiful Sheyenne River was about 4 yards from my door – about 2.5 feet higher than in 1997.

On the positive side, everyone I know has offered help for us and others up and down the valley as well as in Valley City. This same issue of the TR has a story about people giving of their time to sandbag. Our phone rings constantly with offers of manpower, generators, trucks, and a place to stay if we have to evacuate. We truly do live in an area of generous people. Doesn’t save me house, but it does save my belief that tragedy brings us together.

Week 9 - Pulling at the Heart Strings

The Valley City Times Record has been following the story of seven month old Paityn Elstrom who was born with a failing liver. Initially she received surgery to correct the situation. Unfortunately, the surgery was not successful and her only chance of survival is for a liver transplant.

The Valley City community has rallied around the little girl because of so many family connections in the community. Her parents grew up in and around Valley City. She has grandparents and other close relatives in the community.

Father Jason’s 5 year old cousin started a fundraiser in his elementary classroom to help fund the enormous medical bills. Before he knew it, he raised $1300. Since then there has been a benefit to help as well as an account at Bank Forward in Valley City. Dakota Medical Foundation’s Lend A Hand program matched $5000 during the benefit.

It’s such a heartwarming case of a good, hard working young couple starting their family with such challenges. And to see pictures of little Paityn you just want to help her get a fair chance of growing up big and strong.

Many parts of this story are amazing to me. First, how far medical science has come. I can hardly imagine have a piece of someone else keeping me alive. About 2 ½ years ago my 24 year old nephew found out he had only one kidney and that kidney was failing. He had no idea before a life insurance physical that there was anything wrong. His best shot was for a transplant and his older sister gave him life. He is doing great and living a full life – with a changed attitude. He was a bit inside himself much of his growing up years and all the sudden he’s so full of sharing and life – but that’s another story.

The other thing that amazes me is how even during very tough financial times, people will rally to help others with needs more than our own. It’s humbling to know that this little girl needs all of us to help her survive this. And even though it may be difficult to share the little we have, we will do it because it’s the right thing to do and we feel great doing it. Good human nature succeeds no matter what!

Week 8 Blog

The Ron and Jodi Hansen family are quite unique. This feel good story is about a family working and enjoying life together while building their dream life. The Hansen’s have five home schooled daughters who work with them on their ventures which include horse and dog boarding.


Last year they bought a piece of land next to the Sheyenne National Grasslands about 40 miles southwest of Fargo. They are developing the land into the Sheyenne Oaks Horse Camp and RV Park which they expect to open in April. According to the article, “Sheyenne Oaks Horse Camp and RV Park will offer 21 sites with sewer, water and electrical hookups, plus corrals for horse owners, on 120 acres.”

The Hansen’s have worked for years to get to this dream. At age 25 Ron went to engineering school while in the process of raising their family. It made Ron employable as a mechanical engineer at Loegering Manufacturing in Casselton and income to sustain the family. The job also gave Ron the expertise to develop their geothermal heat system used in their home.

The whole family is involved in all aspects of their lives from working with the animals and all the chores that go with that to haying in the summer for winter feed. And they sound happy! It appears the kids don’t mind the work. They don’t have TV and Ron says they don’t have time to watch it anyway.

This is a great story of an American dream come true. As a horse enthusiast, I see a real market for this. Every kid wants a horse growing up and this is the next best thing. The location of this business venture is perfect. Less than one hours from the fastest growing community in North Dakota. I think they have individuals and groups come to trail ride on their horses on a regular basis. Their location lends itself perfectly for an inexpensive day or weekend trip in a beautiful area of eastern North Dakota.

I think they’ve got a real shot at completing this part of their dreams. Those with horses will have great riding opportunities and those without will have a place to rent and enjoy the outdoors. Check out the photos and rates on their web site. I was impressed.

Week 7 - STRESS

In this week’s Valley City Times Record, an event coverage article give details about a “Lunch ‘n Learn” program given by Dr. Erin Klingenberg, “a licensed professional clinical counselor and director of Counseling and Human Resources at Valley City State University.” The programs are offered occasionally to the community on topics as varied as the hormonal issue presented at this week’s event. The programs are organized by the local Chamber of Commerce.

The topic for this program was how men and women react to stress and how they are similar or different. Dr. Klingenberg also presented strategies on how to cope with stress. “Fight-or-flight” versus “tend-and-befriend” were the descriptors given to the male/female reactions to stress. Which one are you?

How a person reacts has a specific connection to our hormones. The “fight-or-flight” reaction is triggered by the testosterone levels in our body. And the “tend-and-befriend” is triggered by the Oxytocin levels. Klingenberg noted that the reactions are not solely determined by your gender, although the hormones mentioned generally are.

Testosterone is produced in both the male and female bodies. However, 40 to 60 times more is produced by the male body.

When you look at Oxytocin, sources indicate its direct link to childbirth. This hormone plays a role in the female body that allows a child to be born and feed. That makes a lot of sense in its connect to “tend” to those in need during a stressful situation.

I’ve always felt that we don’t have to agree with everyone about everything. But if we know where they are coming from, and that it is their personality type, or hormone production as this would infer, then we can at least understand the hows and whys of what people do. I’ve learned about personality types and what they may do in varied situations because of facilitating with Corporate Adventures. Personality type study is one of their trainings they offer. It’s amazing how co-workers have been able to put certain people in certain positions because they know their personality type and who will best serve a specific situation. Until now, I didn’t realize hormonal levels can be just as strong.

Stress is huge in our lives. It is everywhere and how we deal with it can make or break situations in our family, work, and social interactions. Knowing when you are under stress and what we do to help yourself through it can make all the difference. Finding ways to cope before it runs our lives is important to our mental health also. My stress reliever is yoga – sometimes venting or retreating – but mostly yoga. I’m in the beginner stages of yoga but the back and joint relief it has given me is phenomenal.

Week 6 - Booooo

This week I decided to go more local and searched the Valley City Times Record for a local story of interest. So what did I find? My name referenced in an article regarding ghosts. Go figure.

According to the article, Schiffer Publishing Company was looking for someone to research and write a book about ghosts in North Dakota. Lori Orser answered the ad because of her very personal experience with her “third roommate” while in college at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. She and her roommate claimed to see the same ghost doing the same things.

Orser has located other stories in North Dakota. One ghost identified in the article include The Grey Lady of Sims who “is supposedly the ghost of an early 20th Century minister’s wife in Sims (North Dakota) who haunts the rectory as a caretaker spirit.”

A second is “Sister Boniface was the founder of St. Alexus Hospital in Bismarck and has supposedly been seen walking the halls, making sure everything is all right.” Searching the internet for Sister Boniface is like finding the proverbial needle in a haystack – there are plenty of them. Needless to say St. Alexus doesn’t put their roaming ghost stories up front on their web page so finding anything about their founder was tough but I did find a bit on her history with the Hospital.

Through her research Orser contacted Wes Anderson at the Historic Museum about any stories in Barnes county. Well of course there would be ghosts in those brick towers on campus!

That brings us to why my name is in the article. The newspaper article author, Steve Browne called someone on campus who sent him to someone, who sent him to another someone, who sent him to me saying I had been here many years and would probably know of stories. I tried not to give him anything he could use but he still did!!! A lesson in saying “no comment” for me.

Anyway, I have a couple children who believe there are spirits among us and have felt their presence. I am on the side of spirits or angels and don’t believe most are here to harm us but to watch over us. I have a sister and niece who say a spirit sat on their bed at a cabin in Minnesota. When my sister asked her daughter what it was she said just to go to sleep because it wasn’t there to harm them. Then my niece left the next day. Kids!?

So if you are inclined and want to know more, watch for Orser’s book coming to a B ‘n N near you.

Week 5: Breastfeeding Mothers - More Power To Them!

One of the hot topics this week in the North Dakota Legislature is a law allowing women to breast feed in public. Bills presented in the past have not passed the ND legislature leaving it among the four (4) states without such a law.

A couple arguments against allowing public breast-feeding is that it makes others uncomfortable, or it is obscene.

The women that are testifying for the bill and speaking out have valid points. They are also the women who would, and have; breast feed their children in a non-offensive way. It’s the women that don’t care to be discrete that have created the references of obscenity in conjunction to breastfeeding.

According to the Fargo Forum Article, “Dr. Joan Connell speaks in support of the breast-feeding bill at a committee hearing in the state Capitol Wednesday in Bismarck. The pediatrician spoke of the health benefits of breastfeeding and related personal experiences in her testimony.”
According to Karen Ehrens, a spokeswoman for the North Dakota Dietetic Association, the national average of mothers who breast feed their children is 74%. In North Dakota it is 68%. Pediatricians nationwide recommend breastfeeding for one full year because of the health benefits it allows the child.

There are dozens of sites that indicate breastfeeding is beneficial to infants, including the women’shealth.gov site posted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and many other company based companies. These sites list not only benefits, but the risks taken by not breastfeeding. U.S.D.A. offers economic factors that make breastfeeding beneficial to more than just the baby and mother.

The US Department of Health and Human Services sites the following four risks:

HEALTH RISKS OF NOT BREASTFEEDING
· Breast milk has agents (called antibodies) in it to help protect infants from bacteria and viruses. Recent studies show that babies who are not exclusively breastfed for 6 months are more likely to develop a wide range of infectious diseases including ear infections, diarrhea, respiratory illnesses and have more hospitalizations. Also, infants who are not breastfed have a 21% higher post neonatal infant mortality rate in the U.S.
· Some studies suggest that infants who are not breastfed have higher rates of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in the first year of life, and higher rates of type 1 and type 2 diabetes, lymphoma, leukemia, Hodgkin's disease, overweight and obesity, high cholesterol and asthma. More research in these areas is needed (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2005).
· Babies who are not breastfed are sick more often and have more doctors’ visits.
· Also, when you breastfeed, there are no bottles and nipples to sterilize. Unlike human milk straight from the breast, infant formula has a chance of being contaminated.
The four basic points given here are pretty strong arguments supporting this natural activity.
So what’s the problem! If there are issues, post guidelines! Provide private, signed areas in public places! It’s not rocket science.

Although it wasn’t always easy, I breast feed my three children. Not only were there great health benefits I could automatically give to them, but an instant bond was created between us that only grew. And you know what, at 3:00 a.m., the milk is already warm.

Blog #4 - Warms My Heart

CANCER. Even the word sounds like a hungry creature out to devour anything it comes in contact with. That’s how cancer is. I don’t know anyone who hasn’t been touched by this disease in one way or another. We’ve lost wonderful people in our lives and we feel cheated by that.

The American Cancer Society has many activities that work to raise funds for research to combat this disease. Because I’ve been affected by cancer so many times, I support many in one way or another. There is the relay for life in the summer and right now Daffodil Days is under way . Across the country volunteers are selling various packages of this beautiful yellow flower that show hope and brightness for renewing our spirits.

This article in the Valley City Times Record shows how the community and the local high school are working to promote and sell daffodils. It warms my heart to see people of all ages working toward a common goal. From small town to major cities, come March 26, you’ll see yellow everywhere. When I did a search in the Online Fargo Forum there were many articles about Daffodil days. So I went further. It was tough to find articles specifically on this fund raiser, but they are out there. Not only is it a great cause, but we are united as a nation by this cause. We are all affected which makes it easy to get involved.

It’s so heartwarming to see that even though we struggle with so many things in our country that we can come together when the cause is right. I saw that with President Obama’s inauguration. We know what needs to be done and American’s join together to do what’s right. Even many people who were not Obama supporters during the campaign put their differences aside and rose for the celebration that made history before our eyes.

Volunteering is an necessity that cannot be lost in our society. There are people in need of our help everywhere. Daffodil Days is just one that I encourage you to become a part of. It might just be buying a bunch. Or it might be asking others to buy a bunch. Check it out – I have signup sheets at my desk if you are in Valley City. If not you probably don’t have to look far to find someone that can hook you up.

Blog #3 - ND Heroes!

I found a story in the Fargo Forum that caught my attention. Partly because of the severe weather we’ve had in North Dakota the last TWO months without human fatalities because of the weather until just this past week. A 40+ year old man was found frozen to death recently. He had few cloths on, indicated he was suffering from hypothermia, which caused his death. And now a second incident that could have been fatal but was not.
A graduate school couple (nationality unknown but their names could suggest they are not North Dakota born) from UND were using their Global Positioning System (GPS) to locate a rural North Dakota home to rent/buy. With limited reception because of the grade of the land and few transfer towers, they turned the direction the GPS directed them. Unfortunately, they ended up stuck on a typical ND prairie trail. It was 4 degrees below zero with 15 mile an hour winds. All the signs for tragedy to strike were there.
They did everything right if there is such a thing if you are traveling in rural ND in sub zero conditions. They called for help with their cell phone although the service was not functioning 100%. Even with limited service the 911 operator knew they were in trouble. They had a full tank of gas with half of it left when they were found. They had winter clothing on to keep warm and were able to keep their vehicle running. They had their hazard lights blinking. And they were in North Dakota where authorities will risk their own lives to keep us safe.
The article reports that County Sherriff’s deputies from Grand Forks, Steele, Trail, and Nelson Counties were involved in the search. A U.S. Border Patrol Helicopter and a local farmer also assisted with the search and rescue. Wow! Check out the area the Grand Forks Border Patrol has to cover.
Now consider the weather in North Dakota and the history of lives lost in hazardous winter weather. Temperatures can be so extreme and adding the wind chill can be devastating. Sounds like another good reason to increase the amount of transmission towers to keep everyone who enters our state safe. It’s easy to get mixed up when you in rural ND whether you were raised here or not. Tragedy could have struck but our dedicated public servants kept going until they could guarantee a safe ending to this story. I hope all in need have people like this on the other end of the phone when they call 911. Kudos to North Dakota County Sherriff deputies, U.S. Border Patrol, and local farmers – where would we be without them?!

Fleecing in North Dakota

As you are probably aware, the 51st North Dakota Legislative session is now underway and it will be a busy time for our elected officials. With a surplus of money not spent during the last legislative session (what a problem to have!), everyone is asking for a piece of the pie. There are many good causes that need the money including all levels of education in our state. Some want the funds left in reserve "for a rainy day." Some want to allocate the funds and reduce sales taxes. Some want to use the money so property tax relief be passed on to North Dakota citizens. There are a lot of places the money could go to better our state. Issues that are not productive to our state, should not be considered for "law" in order to eat up what we have in this state.

Just because there are funds up for grabs, doesn't mean we should be spending valuable legislative time and money on something that should never be considered for a bill passed by the legislature. The example that has many of us laughing out loud is a Senate Bill that according to an Inforum article says:

“… NDSU and UND shall schedule and play an annual National Collegiate Athletic Association football game against each other pursu-ant to a schedule agreed upon by athletic directors of each institution.”

The Bismarck Tribune also had an article regarding this ridiculous legislation. I’m sure most papers in the state have also published this action. I heard it on a local nightly news station as well.

What does a football game have to do with legislation? Nothing in my perspective. What does a football game have to do with money? Nothing but fleecing for our state legislative session. A lot for the cities of Grand Forks and Fargo. Without saying it, these cities would have significant income from those that would attend the event. If it comes down to the dollar, I think there are ways to give to more than two cities in North Dakota.

So why do these two big cities and universities believe they should take up valuable taxpayer money and legislators time by submitting a bill and forcing our state legislature to talk about a football game? I haven’t a clue. Maybe you get it, I don’t.

COMM 344 - Week 1 Blog

I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed with this "new to me" blogging. I'm sure I'll mess up along the way so please be patient with my ignorance. Everytime I hit a button I get something I don't know how to deal with, and can't get where I really want to be. If anyone can share hints or step by step how tos - this OTA would appreciate it. OK - so now you're laughing at my ignorance - that's OK. I'm here to learn from all of you . I haven't figured out how to add links in my blog - any directions on that would be great!

I read the news article about the proposed law against texting while driving. I have done it myself once or twice. I've been with my 20 year old when she's doing it. It is not safe! I've seen her drift into another lane on the interstate going 75+ mph. All the "what ifs" run through my mind and I'm not ready to loose a family member, or have to watch them live with hurting or killing someone else. When we are on the road, we are not only responsible for our lives, but the lives of everyone else on the road. I'm all for making sure I am safe - as well as those around me. If you can drift on the interstate, you can drift on any road. The chances for accidents is so great! Who wants to be responsible for killing someone! Not me. I support a ban on texting while driving.

First time blogger.