April community events
04/02/2009
Courtesy of Dianne Hellie
This month there are a lot of diversity and environmental events. Mark your calendars for Thurs May 7 for the 6th annual Olmsted DFL dinner with David Wellstone!
+ Sponsored by Olmsted County DFL
@ Sponsored by another DFL group
+Thurs April 2 Rochester Young Professional Democrats
Sat April 4 Rochester Chamber of Commerce Eggs and Issues
@Sat April 4 Humphrey Day Dinner
Mon April 6 Demetia Education Series
Tues April 7 Home Energy Forum
Tues April 7 Open House to discuss Highway 14 improvements
Wed April 8 International Film at Library
Thurs April 9 Forum with Dr. Sandra Steingraber
April 10-11 International Festival
Sat April 11 Friends of the Library Book Sale
Sat April 11 Downtown Winter Farmers Market
Sat April 11 rNeighbors Think Green conference
+Mon April 13 Darn Fine Ladies
Mon April 13 Scott Hosier World War II Roundtable
Mon April 13 Sex: Whats love got to do with it?
Tues April 14 America's Inauguration 2009
Wed April 15 Sneak Preview of Titanic Display
Wed April 15 Analyzing our Nations Energy Infrastructure
Wed April 15 Defining Assistive Technology in the Special Education Process
Sat April 18 Commission to end poverty by 2020 work group
Mon April 20 K-12 Education: Issues, opinions, answers
Mon April 20 Health Care Directives and the GLBT community
Wed April 22 Earth Day
Fri April 24 Take your daughter/son to work day
Fri April 24 RPU Arbor Day celebration
Sat April 25 IHN House party fundraiser
Sat April 25 Mosque Open House
Sat April 25 Arbor Day - plant a tree
Sun April 26 Yaggy Colby Lecture Series
Wed April 29 Post Bulletin Dialogues
May 1-7 Rochester International Film Fest
+Thurs May 7 6th annual Olmsted DFL Dinner with David Wellstone
***
Rochester Young Professional Democrats
Thurs April 2 5:30PM
McGoon's Taxi Co. Pub and Restaurant
7 Second Street SW
This group is geared towards connecting 22-36 year olds (although we promise not to ask your age) who have an interest in the politics of the Democratic Party.
For more information please contact:
Maggie Parham:
***
***
Rochester Chamber of Commerce Eggs and Issues
Saturday, April 4, 2009 - 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Rochester Golf & Country Club; 3100 W. Country Club Rd.
Cost: Member: $20; Non-Member: $30
Register at http://www.rochestermnchamber.com
As part of his education budget, Governor Tim Pawlenty has introduced the Teaching Transformation Act initiative, designed to create a system of education for the 21st century, preparing Minnesota students to compete with students around the world. The Governor’s initiative uses these challenging times as an opportunity to:
• Reshape and transform our system of education for the 21st century
• Recruit, retain, and retrain effective teachers
• Utilize innovations that focus more of Minnesota’s $14 billion K-12 investment on improving student achievement
Join Minnesota’s Commissioner of Education Alice Seagren for an in-depth discussion on this initiative and an overview of the current status of K-12 education in the state of Minnesota.
Following the Commissioner’s presentation, our local legislative delegation will share their thoughts on the Teaching Transformation Act initiative and other legislative news from the 2009 session.
***
Dementia education series
Mon Apr 6, 2009 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Assisi Heights Conference Center
1001 14th Street N.W.
Rochester, MN
Telephone: 289.3590
Presentation titled "Achieving Caregiver Wellness: Respite Care Before its Time." Caregivers of persons with dementia are invited to attend.
***
Home Energy Forum
Tues Apr 7, 2009 7:00PM
Izaak Walton League Cabin
937 7th Ave. N.E.
Rochester,
Solar Thermal Energy, by Tom Thompson. Tom Thompson, owner of Pine Island Solar, started building super insulated homes in 1970s. His work then migrated to passive solar homes and now to photovoltaic and solar thermal installations. He will be discussing design requirements, system sizing and expected performance of photovoltaic systems in December and solar thermal systems in April.
***
Open house to discuss Highway 14 improvements in Rochester
Tuesday April 7 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Redeemer Lutheran Church, 869 7th Avenue SE
Citizens interested in the Highway 14 improvement project from Highway 52 to Marion Road in Rochester are invited to attend an open house.
In addition to a short presentation at 5:15 p.m., Minnesota Department of Transportation staff will be available to answer questions about the project, which includes:
• Overlaying this section of Highway 14
• Replacing signals at Third Avenue SE, Eighth Avenue SE, 11th Avenue SE and Marion Road SE
• Replacing the median, curbs and gutters
• Installing ADA-compliant sidewalk ramps and overhead lighting
This project is scheduled for construction in 2010.
In addition to the planned project, Mn/DOT has contracted with the consulting firm CH2M Hill to conduct a Traffic Safety and Mobility Study of Highway 14 from Broadway Avenue (Highway 63) to Marion Road. As part of the study, Mn/DOT and the consultant are analyzing access points and pedestrian safety along the highway corridor.
***
iFilm (International Film)
Wednesday April 8 6:00PM - 8:00PM
Rochester Public Library Auditorium
Free but for mature audiences only
Description: ELDORADO (Drama | Belgium | English Subtitles)
Yvan and Elie are two loners who wander aimlessly through their lives. Yvan is a quick-tempered 40-year-old vintage car dealer while Elie is a young burglar and ex-junkie. One day Yvan catches Elie trying to rob him. Instead of beating him up, he becomes strangely attached to him and agrees to drive him home to his parents in his old Chevrolet. Yvan and Elie are both nostalgic about lost relationships, which is what leads them to undertake a bizarre journey through a region that is as spectacular as it is crazy. Both are trying to find the pieces of a puzzle that they want to put back together, but it might be too late.
***
Forum with Dr. Sandra Steingraber
Thurs Apr 9, 2009 7:00PM
University Center Rochester Hill Theater
851 30th Ave. S.E.
Rochester,
Steingraber is an ecologist, cancer survivor, expert on environmental links to cancer and human health, and author of 'Living Downstream: An Ecologist Looks at Cancer and the Environment.' Free.
Sandra Steingraber, Ph.D., a biologist, award-winning author, mother of two, and cancer survivor, will speak at 7 PM at the Hill Theatre on the University Center Rochester campus.
Currently a scholar-in-residence at Ithaca College in New York, she is author of the classic, highly influential books, Living Downstream: An Ecologist Looks at Cancer and Environment, and Having Faith: An Ecologist's Journey to Motherhood. Her books explain why pediatric environmental health activism is the civil rights movement of our era. Hailed by the Sierra Club as ‘the new Rachel Carson,’ Steingraber is presently at work on a book about the environmental life of children. She has addressed many environmental health conferences, testified at Congressional briefings, and appeared frequently on national media."
***
World Festival 2009: One World - Many Cultures
Friday-Saturday, April 10-11
Mayo High School
The 34th annual World Festival opens Friday evening at 7 p.m. with a colorful show of music and dance performances in ethnic costumes from around the world. Admission $8 for adults, $4 for students and children, $20 for families. On Saturday from 10 - 3, the Festival features a full day of activities including the Parade of Nations, cultural displays, an international buffet, children's activities, the new Market Place, and more music and dance. Free admission. World Festival is the largest multicultural event in Minnesota south of the Twin Cities, attracting thousands of visitors each year. To participate or volunteer, contact Herta at 280-8319 or .
***
Downtown Winter Farmers Market
Sat Apr 11, 2009 9:00am - noon
Building 41
Olmsted County Fairgrounds
Local goods for sale, music and more. For information call 273-8232, or go to http://www.rochesterdowntownfarmersmarket.org.
***
rNeighbors Think Green Conference
Saturday, April 11, 2009 8:30am - noon
RCTC Heintz Center
Room HB117 (Use the H Entrance Door)
Be sure to mark your calendar and register online for the RNeighbors Think GREEN Neighborhood Conference. (http://www.rneighbors.org)
This will be a multi-generational morning full of practical (easy) things that you can do to think and live in a more earth friendly way.
There will be interactive, fun, 30 min sessions of hands-on, active things you can do to green-up your life and neighborhood. Presenters are experts on the topics and have each helped enact green ideas to our city.
Topics that the morning will include:
Rain barrels
Composting/Recycling
Energy Efficiency
Placemaking
Native Gardening
Local Foods
***
Friends of the Library Spring Book Sale
Saturday April 11 9:30AM - 5:30PM
Rochester Public Library
The Friends of the Library will be holding their Annual Spring Booksale on Saturday, April 11, from 9:30 am - 5:30 pm in the library auditorium.
Friends Members are welcome to enter the sale at 9:00 am. To become a member, call 328-2341.
***
Darn Fine Ladies Breakfast
Mon April 13 7:00AM
Old Country Buffet
$6.00 for buffet breakfast
Join friends, elected officials and special guests for great discussion of issues and topics. Please RSVP to Diane Hellie (, 507-288-7616). If you would like to be added to the Darn Fine Ladies email list, please send Diane an email. Old Country Buffet is open specially for our group and is not open to the public at this time.
***
Scott Hosier World War II Roundtable
Mon Apr 13, 2009 7:00PM
Assembly of God Church
4240 18th Ave. N.W.
Telephone: (507) 287-1021
Missions over Berlin, Air and Sea Rescue. Speakers: Clarence O'Neil, Joyce Johnson, Freeland Terpenning. Music at 6:30 p.m. Suggested donation: $3.
***
Sex: What's love got to do with it?
Apr 13, 2009 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Century High School Forum
2525 Viola Rd. N.E.
Telephone: 252-1449
Learn about healthy versus unhealthy teen sexuality, countering the normalization of sexual harm, and the role of parents. Speakers Jeanne Martin of Olmsted County Victim Services and Jan Lueth of Teen Pregnancy Prevention.
***
RCTC/UMR Learning Is ForEver program: Changing Perspectives -- America's Inauguration 2009
Tues Apr 14, 2009 1:00pm - 2:30PM
Heintz Center Rm HB117
1926 College View Dr. S.E.
Telephone: 280-9812
Website: http://www.learningisforever.net
"On This Day We Were One" The Inauguration of President Barack Obama was a first for our Nation in many ways. Share the perspective of LIFE Member Lynne Eckhart, who was in the audience for this history-making event.
***
International Speakers Lunch
Wednesday, April 15, 11:30 a.m.
Balfour Hall at the Y
$9 for lunch, catered by Fred Regal. Come at noon just for the program. RSVP by Monday at 289-3359.
***
Titanic: The artifact sneak preview event
Wednesday April 15 2:00PM - 3:00PM
Rochester Public Library
Description: Ninety-six years ago, on an otherwise calm April morning in 1912, the world's largest ship, the White Star Line's RMS Titanic, sank during her maiden voyage after a colliding with an iceberg in the North Atlantic.
On board were 2,228 passengers, including titans of commerce and industry, artists, senior members of governments, immigrant families dreaming of a new life and more than 890 members of her crew. More than 1,500 people died. No one believed it could happen.
Today, this epic story is revived through Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition. Viewed by more than 20 million people worldwide, the exhibition is among the highest attended in history, and will open at the Science Museum of Minnesota on June 12. Join us for a sneak peek of this program - including personal artifacts from some of the passengers on board - presented by Cheryl Mure, education specialist for the exhibition.
***
Evaluating Our Nation’s Energy Infrastructure
Apr 15, 2009 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Location: University of Minnesota Rochester
111 South Broadway
Rochester, MN
Telephone: 285-7120
Website: http://r.umn.edu/14_Events_Special.htm
“Evaluating Our Nation’s Energy Infrastructure: The Electrical Power Grid and its Impact on National Security” presented by Dr. Massoud Amin, Director of the Center for the Development of Technological Leadership. Donations requested. RSVP to .
***
Defining Assistive Technology in the Special Education Process
Apr 15, 2009 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Ability Building Center
1911 14th Street N.W.
Rochester, MN phone: (507) 535-7101
Website: http://www.abc-pactt.org
Learn how assistive technology becomes a part of the IEP, funding, services, evaluation process of the assistive technology, and supports that are provided in the state of Minnesota.
***
LEGISLATIVE COMMISSION TO END POVERTY
IN MINNESOTA BY 2020
Study Session
Sat. April 18, 2009 9:00am - 11:30am
IBEW Hall
9 SE 80th Street, Rochester, MN
Just south of the Airport exit, Hwy 63 South
Led by
Reverend Nancy Maeker director of A Minnesota Without Poverty.
Sponsored by MWOP and the St. Francis of Assisi Parish FaithJustice Team.
Objective: Learn how ending poverty just might be possible
The Study session is an opportunity to listen, learn and discuss how ending poverty is possible; to see that all we need to end poverty is already at hand.
Who - All area faith communities
- Secular groups committed to justice
Coffee, rolls, fruit
Please RSVP to help us plan: 507 281 1471 or
***
Health Care Directives and the GLBT Community
Monday, April 20, 7 - 8:30 p.m.
First Unitarian Universalist Church
For the GLBT community, the issue of who makes decisions in a time of medical emergency is critical. All are invited to come learn more at this free event.
***
RCTC/UMR Learning Is ForEver program: K-12 Education -- Issues, Opinions, Answers
Apr 20, 2009 - Apr 27, 2009 10:00am - noon
Heintz Center Rm HA102
1926 College View Dr. S.E.
Rochester, MN
Telephone: 280-98Website: http://www.learningisforever.net
Open dialogue/discussion concerning funding, graduation requirements, charter schools, testing/assessments, and other education topics. Jerry Goetz, former member of Rochester Public School Leadership team, will lead the discussion.
***
Earth Day
Wednesday, April 22
Earth Day began in 1970, established by a Senator to be an annual nationwide grassroots demonstration on behalf of the environment. Classroom activities and moreInternational Earth Day is celebrated on the spring equinox.
***
Take Your Daughter/Son to Work Day
Friday, April 24
***
RPU Arbor day celebration
Friday, April 24, 2009, 11am – 1pm
Central Park
225 1st Ave NW
Rochester Public Utilities, Maier Forest and Tree, Rochester Park and Recreation, and the Minnesota DNR will hold its annual Arbor Day Celebration on Friday, April 24th. Come join in the celebration at Central Park with live music by Paul Mayasich and the Benderheads, free trees, food, Smokey the Bear, a ballonist and tree experts on hand. http://www.rpu.org
***
Arbor Day
Saturday, April 25
Reduce your carbon footprint--plant a tree!
***
IHN House Party: 'There's No Place Like Home'
Sat Apr 25, 2009 noon - 3:30PM
Edina Realty
1301 Salem Rd. S.W.
Live and silent auctions. Admission is $5 per person, or $10 per family. Proceeds benefit the Interfaith Hospitality Network of Greater Rochester. For information contact Kathy at 282-9604, or go to http://www.ihn-greater-rochester.org.
***
Rochester Mosque open house
Sat Apr 25, 2009 11:00am - 1:30pm
Masjed AbuBakar
17 N. Broadway
Rochester, MN
Telephone: (507) 253-6710
Meet your Muslim neighbors and hear answers to your questions on Islam. No appointment required. Refreshments. Event scheduled the last Saturday every month. For information, call 253-6710 or email .
***
Yaggy Colby History Lecture Series
Sunday April 26 2:30PM - 3:30PM
Rochester Public Library
Presented by Olmsted County Historical Society in cooperation with Rochester Public Library.
Costs underwritten by Yaggy Colby Associates.
***
Post Bulletin Dialogues
Wednesday April 29 6:30PM - 8:00PM
Rochester Public Library
Post-Bulletin Dialogues are free public events at the library, with P-B Managing Editor Jay Furst leading conversations about an issue, and audience members asking questions and giving feedback.