Don't Look Here for Fresh Content

I thought that I should make some sort of note that I will continue to be on hiatus for a while longer. No inclination to write, lately.

I do, however, encourage you to read what Geeguy and Firefly are saying about the financial position of our proposed coal plant. They are raising some very cogent questions; ones that the city needs to answer.

Neighborhood Council 7 meeting agenda

AGENDA
NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL
DISTRICT 7
Monday, January 8, 2007
Heisey Memorial, 313 7th Street North
6:30 p.m.



Please note: This agenda format allows citizens to speak on each issue prior to Council discussion. We encourage your participation. In the interest that all parties can be heard, please limit your comments.


CALL TO ORDER


NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH


OLD BUSINESS
Approval of November minutes


NEW BUSINESS
Community Policing Officer’s report
B & B Loan building status
Nativity scenes at the Civic Center
Council of Councils topic suggestions
Neighborhood Concerns


REPORTS
City Commission meetings
Coordinator’s Report


ADJOURN

Next Meeting – February 12, 2006 – Civic Center, Gibson Room, 6:30 p.m.

Umm, I guess we get to choose?

I was intrigued by the story on Multiple Sclerosis featured on page one of today's Trib.

Apparently, Vitamin D may keep one from contracting MS. Where does one get Vitamin D? Sunlight.

Yes, the same sunlight that can cause skin cancer. The reason that so many people wear floppy hats and long-sleeved shirts at the beach.

If this study proves to be true, do we have to choose which we want, MS or Skin Cancer?

Remember Carl Sagan Today

Today is the 10th anniversary of Carl Sagan's death.

Sagan was one of the most important popularizers of science. His vision created a respect for the scientific process, reason and for nature in generations of children (and adults).

I miss this man. Today, we should remember him and his vision.

Why Does the City Erect Crèches on Municipal Property?

I have thought a long time about this post. I still don't know whether it is a good idea to write it or not. Quite frankly, I don't want my yarmulke nailed to the wall right next to Rabbi Bogomilsky's.

However, every time I pass by the crèche (manger scene) on the civic center steps or the one on flag hill, I get upset. By erecting these displays (or allowing them to be erected), the city is telling me that I really am not welcome here. Sure, I can live here; but just don't get too uppity.

I have no problem with the trees. For that matter, I can deal with (but am still unhappy with) the way that normal life grinds to a halt the day after Thanksgiving and only starts back up after January 1st. Truth be told, I think that the lights are pretty and I do like the smell of pine.

I also don't want to erect an "equivalent display." I neither need nor want to display a series of big, municipal chanukiot. The little menorah in my window is fine for me, thanks.

When it comes down to it, a crèche is just too much and just too in my face. It is overtly religious and Christian, and just does not belong on city property. If it does belong, why doesn't the city just put up a sign that says "Christians Only" at the gates of our town?

Bah, Humbug.

Labels???

You may have noticed labels cropping up on my blog posts over the last month or so. I switched over to blogger's new beta, and labels were the feature that swung me over.

Not all my posts are categorized (yet?). Especially the older ones. However, as time permits I hope to put labels on my golden oldies.

While you are at it, check out the "label roll" to the left.

We Need to Put Up or Shut Up

Let me be clear; Great Falls and Cascade county would be fools to allow any encroachment on Malmstrom's runway. Our future is tied to Malmstrom AFB. We need to give the Pentagon every assurance that we support the base.

If you think that they are not watching our local municipal decision here, you are crazy. Whether or not we allow any development in the runway's potential accident zone will send a message straight to Arlington about whether or not we support the Air Force here. We need to send a full throated vote of support.

If we don't, I suggest you look to places like Havre and Fort Benton. Because within a very few short years, Great Falls will very strongly resemble those places. If we are lucky, we will be as successful as Shelby.

Not that my 2¢ means much, but I will work to oppose any city, county or state politician that votes to allow encroachment. I work hard to not be a single-issue voter, but this one is too important for the future of our town.

HOWEVER, we need to put our money in place of our mouths. We could not, and should not, take away property owner's rights to their own property without fully reimbursing them. To do otherwise would be as bad as stealing these landowner's property.

Whatever the vehicle used (an easement, eminent domain, etc.), the city and/or the county needs to buy that land and lock it away from development for as long as it takes. What's more, we should pay whatever the appraised value of that land would be if they were allowed their development.

Borscht for Beginners

Today for lunch, I visited an establishment in downtown Great Falls that shall remain nameless. This establishment prepares a different soup of the day, each day.

I was delighted to see "Borscht" on the menu. For the benefit of those of you whose ancestors were not living in fear of the Tzar 110 years ago (Fiddler on the Roof most resembles a family history to the Weissmans), Borscht (or "soup" in Russian) is what I call Jewish soul food. Absolute heaven. Such a meal!

I, of course, inquired about the Borscht. I was informed that it was a vegetarian beet soup, served hot. The horror! Quite frankly, I had never heard anything so goyish since I first saw a blueberry bagel.

So, a lesson is in order. During the summer, borscht is a COLD vegetarian beet soup, best served with a cold slice of baked potato and sour cream. Summer borscht is simply not served in the Winter, and December in Montana qualifies as Winter.

December in Montana, however, is a perfect time for Winter Borscht. Winter Borscht is a hot cabbage and beef stew. No beets. Beets belong in Summer Borscht. I can't imagine anything worse than hot beet soup.

I will dig out a recipe in the next few days.

Dror Edar to Perform in Great Falls on December 14

Dror Eydar, a lecturer in Hebrew literature, Jewish thought, Jewish mysticism and Israeli politics at universities throughout Israel, will present an evening of chosen Israeli and Jewish songs in Great Falls on Thursday, December 14 at 7 p.m. at the Cozy Tea Hut, 200 Central Avenue.

Eydar's performance, called "Heaven and Earth: The Israel Experience" comes to Great Falls courtesy of the Israeli outreach group SoulTrain in cooperation with Aitz Chaim, the Great Falls Hebrew Association.

Absence continues ...

Not a lot of fresh content here, and I can't promise much before the New Year. Of course, then it is tax and ski season, so I can't promise much then, either!

Do yourself a favor; go over to Firefly's place and read what she has been writing about Flag Hill. Then, go over to ECW and read about the finances of the new proposed coal plant. Good writing by thoughtful people.

Check back here every once in a while; I might even have something worthwhile for you to read. Not today, though.

Game called for fog?

To Terrier or Eagle alum, the annual BU/BC mens hockey game is a really big deal. Boston's version of the Cat-Griz game. To make things even better, CSTV was scheduled to broadcast the game last night.

So, I popped the popcorn, uncapped a brew (bought in a nice six-pack) and settled in to watch the game.

However, the game was called 10 minutes in due to ... fog. Couldn't even see the puck on the ice. Never saw that one coming.

Game is rescheduled for tonight. And damn, it isn't going to be on the tube here.

Skate Park Covered with Graffiti

On this blustery day after Thanksgiving, I took a long bike ride instead of fighting shoppers. I know, I know, I am not doing much to help our consumer driven economy. However, I had much turkey that needed to be worked off.

During the workout, I rode by our municipal concussion generator. I was surprised to see that most of the park is covered with graffiti. Examples of all this spray-paint artistry are displayed on this post.

Now, the city is very quick to notify property owners that they only have 72 hours to remove graffiti on their property. If not, the city will remove it for the property owner at $200 per hour.

These paintings look like they have been up for a lot longer than three days. I would guess that the pumpkin display above has been up since before Halloween. Other paintings have been up for so long that they are beginning to fade.

I am assuming that the city just doesn't know about it; otherwise they would be following their own regulations, right? Right. And if you believe that, come see me about some beachfront property in Kansas. Unfortunately, the city is damned either way here. Either they are not following their own regs or they are not paying attention to their own facilities.

The city needs to clean up this mess.

Welcome to Chaim and Chavie!

Chabad is coming to the Big Sky State!

I just received an email from Rabbi Chaim Bruk. He and his wife, Chavie, are planning on moving to Bozeman this Spring! They will open the first Montana branch of the worldwide Chabad Lubavitch movement.

Organized Orthodox Judaism has existed in Montana before. At the turn of the last century, there was an Orthodox synagogue (and even a schochet) in Butte. However, almost all of present-day Montana Jewry is either affiliated with the Reform Judaism movement or is very liberal in its practice.

Personally, I am very excited to learn from Rabbi Bruk. May he and his wife have safe travels!

Twenty-Four Percent ?!?!?!?!

My company just received our annual Health Insurance renewal quote from Blue-Cross/Blue Shield. An across the board twenty-four percent increase. 24%. That is on top of double digit increases every year for the past ten years.

Who can pay this kind of rate? This year, the individual rate is as much as the family rate was when my daughter was born eight years ago.

Obscene and disgusting. Makes me want to throw up.

Say it Ain't So!

A short break from local Great Falls political ramblings ...

A news item just crossed my inbox. Apparently, New Line cinema has fired Peter Jackson from directing their upcoming Hobbit movie due to a contract dispute over the Lord of the Rings movies.

LOTR would never have been such a faithful interpretation of Professor Tolkein's vision if it were not for Peter Jackson. As a result of his actions, those of that have spent part of our lives living and breathing Tolkein were shown three very majestic and inspiring films. There and Back Again should be nothing less.

Bring back Jackson! New Line should be ashamed.

Channel 5 wants to hear what I have to say

I was just interviewed for News Channel 5. I think that the story will air tonight.

They are doing another story on local bloggers. They are following up after their story about greaterfalls.netcom, which was broadcast yesterday.

Beer Sales Issue Needs More Attention

As I have discussed before (here and here), there is a public vagrancy problem in Great Falls that need attention. However, I think I have been too hasty in supporting a proposed measure to ban convenience stores from selling single cans of beer.

The more I read and discuss about this issue, the more unworkable this ban seems to be. Most problematic is the definition of a single can of beer; is a 24 oz. bottle to be banned? It is very difficult to construct an ordinance that narrowly does what is necessary here without raising additional questions.

In addition, such an ordinance would also inappropriately affect merchants, like Vintage Sellers on the West side of town, that import high-end beer that is only available by the single bottle. I have no desire to impact that business in any way.

However, I think it a mistake to throw out the baby with the bath-water. We still have vagrancy, public drunkenness, and public nuisance problems in our downtown. Many of those problems could be solved by restricting access to single cans of been.

So how do we do it? How do we write an ordinance that works to clean up our downtown without painting with too broad a brush?

I suggest that the ordinance be amended, to state that the total transaction for any sale involving carry out alcohol must total at least $3. The effect is the same (it is still more difficult to panhandle that much) and one can still buy a can of Bud at the M&H. However, you will have to buy some chips and maybe a sandwich with your brew.

What do you think?

Neighborhood Council 7 Meeting Agenda

AGENDA
NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL
DISTRICT 7
Monday, November 13, 2006
Heisey Memorial, 313 7th Street North
6:30 p.m.

Please note: This agenda format allows citizens to speak on each issue prior to Council discussion. We encourage your participation. In the interest that all parties can be heard, please limit your comments.

CALL TO ORDER

SPECIAL GUEST
Great Falls Public Schools—Trustee Stuart Nicholson

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH

OLD BUSINESS
Approval of October minutes
Weed and Seed application for the North side—Jayci Kolar
Whittier teacher parking

NEW BUSINESS
Longfellow School traffic problems
Neighborhood Concerns

REPORTS
City Commission meetings
Coordinator’s Report

ADJOURN

Next Meeting – December 11, 2006 – Civic Center, Gibson Room, 6:30 p.m.

Benefis Deserves Hurrah

Also swept aside with the election was news that Benefis decided to drop their suit against the Clinic. Personally, I think that Benefis deserves some community hurrahs for taking the first step toward a détente in the war among health care providers in our community.

Benefis could have continued their suit, and patient care in our community would have suffered. Yesterday, Benefis signaled that they were more interested in caring for their patients than they are in fighting.

Now is the time for the Clinic to make the next step. There is no reason that our hospital and our doctors can not work together.

Northside Schmucks should return Teacher's bike

Lost among the election news in today's paper is a blurb about a 3 Wheeled bike that was stolen from Mrs. Staiger, a handicapped HANDS teacher at Whittier elementary. Whoever stole this bike should be ashamed.

As a community, we can help right this wrong. I have priced a replacement bike; it will cost about $475 to purchase a new bike. The Whittier PTA will raise that money.

Want to help? Please send a check to the Whittier PTA, c/o Whittier Elementary, 305 8th Street North, Great Falls, MT 59401. Please mark on the subject line that the funds are to be used to replace Mrs. Staiger's bike.