Linda Abrahamson, Sheryl Ahola, Ricky Anderson, Vickie Ann Anderson, Pat Andrews, Mary Lynn Arneson, Jerry Austin, Mary Bedgood, Jeff Beebe, Jacki Bender, Patricia Brunette, Todd Burger, Michele Campaigne, Ann Marie Carlson, Jayne Carlson, Julieanne Cole, Casey Coleman, Gary Conner, Greg Conner, Robin Davern-Eck, Timothy Drobot, Roberto Estrella, Mark Fransen, Tom Greely, Sheila Haglund-Nelson, Richard Hansen, Wendy Hare, Rita Hathaway, Linda Hedenblad, Denise Horst, Brian Hugdahl, Brad Huotari, Lawrence Hans Johnson, Marvin Johnson, Carol Jorgenson, Lynn Kaufman, Terri Kauti, Krista Kilpela, Brenda Kjenstad, Roxanne Klindt, Brenda Koenen, Patricia Komatz, Julie Kossak, Pamela Kunschke, Babette Labonte-Larson, Mark Lamar, Sandra Landin-Stromquist, Bonnie Larson-Cochran, Carol Larson, Gary Larson, Sandy Larson, Sandy LeMieux, Paul Lukens, Scott Marshall, Terri McCollum, Sebrina McConnell, David McDonough, Randall Meade, Kelly Mehtala, Kelly Meinke, Julie Mertz, Michael Meyers, Karen Miller, Lori Nollet, Sue Pierce, Randy Porter, James Raboin, Michael Ramer, Annette Remus, Doug Ronning, Steven Rose, Marilee Rozowski, Michael Sampson, Jim Sanford, Patricia Sanford, Cheryl Saylor, Mike Schneeberger, Bruce Sclavi, Jim Simon, Janet Slick, Elizabeth Smith, Lisa Steen, Joni Stilwell, Bernadine Sullivan, Lynn Sweeney, Cheryl Tansil, Elaine Thompson, Cathy Varble, Judy Wallin, Justin Webber, Laurie Whitman.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

A FORMER UWS 2000 GRADUATE NAMED Punsri Abeywickrema has constructed what could easily be the next Ebay, and he's in a competition that ends tomorrow, that if he wins, could bring national exposure to the business, and the Twin Ports.

His business, rentalic.com, is an online site where you can rent items from others, just like you can buy or trade items on Ebay or Craig's List.

He's very interested in bringing this business to the Twin Ports, and hopes to make the Twin Ports a local hotbed of activity on the site. He also represents the kind of businesses that would come to Duluth, if Google came.

He's already won a PayPal competition for his business idea, and is trying to be among the top 25 most viewed videos on a special YouTube channel for the American Free Enterprise Dream competition organized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
For information on the competition:

http://www.freeenterprise.com/take-action/video-contest/

The top 25 most watched videos become part of the finalist pool, from which the winners will be chosen.
We just heard about it late yesterday, and the competition only runs a week, ending at 5 p.m. Friday.

The video that needs to be watched by as many people as possible before 5 p.m. Friday is at:

If anyone would like to interview him, Punsri Abeywickrema, a 2000 graduate in mathematics and computer science from UWS, is available for interviews today and tomorrow at 650-787-6034 and punsri@rentalic.com.

We're encouraging everyone we know to join the effort to watch the video, because we believe his success will lead to him coming to the Twin Ports, and will help sweeten the deal if Google comes.

(ROCHESTER, MN) With the start of the baseball season officially happening last night and almost every team in action today, 25 former Northwoods League players open the season on a big league roster.

St. Louis Cardinals reserve outfielder Allen Craig (Alexandria ‘03/05) is the only of the 25 players that enters the season with no Major League experience. The 2006 eighth round draft pick hit .322 with 26 home runs and 83 RBI in Triple-A last season.

Four of the players are with new teams in 2010. Outfielder Juan Pierre (Manitowoc ’96) is now the starting centerfielder for the Chicago White Sox and Curtis Granderson (Mankato ’01) patrols centerfield for the New York Yankees. Granderson hit a home run in his first at-bat for the Bronx Bombers last night. Right-hander Max Scherzer (La Crosse ’04) holds the third spot in the Detroit Tigers’ starting rotation. Mike McCoy (Brainerd ’00) earned a reserve role as a utility player with the Toronto Blue Jays.

A pair of relief pitchers join McCoy on the Jays’ roster. Righties Jeremy Accardo (Alexandria ’01) and Casey Janssen (Wisconsin ’01) give the Blue Jays three former Northwoods Leaguers. The Los Angeles Dodgers also have three NWL alumni on their squad with outfielder Andre Ethier (Rochester ’02) and relief pitchers George Sherrill (Kenosha ’97-98) and Jeff Weaver (Dubuque ’95).

Three Major League teams have two former NWL players on their roster. Second baseman Clint Barmes (Kenosha/Waterloo ’98-99) and outfielder Ryan Spilborghs (Madison ’01) both suit up for the Colorado Rockies. The Chicago Cubs have a pair of pitchers with lefty Tom Gorzelanny (St. Cloud ’01) and righty Justin Berg (Wisconsin ’03). In Seattle, the Mariners have right-handed relief pitcher Mark Lowe (Wisconsin ’02-03) and infielder Jack Hannahan (Mankato ’99), but Hannahan opens the season on the 15-day disabled list.

Elsewhere, outfielder Robb Quinlan (Dubuque/St. Cloud ‘96/98) is back with the Los Angeles Angels after spending the entire offseason as a free agent and receiving a minor league contract to rejoin the Angels. Side-arming reliever Pat Neshek (Wisconsin ’00) returns to the Minnesota Twins after missing all of the 2009 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Outfielder Josh Willingham (Austin ’98-99) is with the Washington Nationals, All-Star second baseman Ben Zobrist (Wisconsin ’03) is looking for another big year with the Tampa Bay Rays, right-hander Doug Mathis (Duluth ’04) earned a bullpen spot with the Texas Rangers, left-handed specialist Daniel Herrera (La Crosse ’05) is in the Cincinnati Reds’ bullpen, Nick Hundley (Alexandria ’04) is the starting catcher for the San Diego Padres, Casey McGehee (St. Cloud ’01) is the opening day third baseman for the Milwaukee Brewers, and Jason Jaramillo (St. Cloud ’02) is the backup catcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Former Duluth Huskie Fernando Rodriguez also made the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 40 man roster but did not make the trip north to Anaheim with the MLB team.

The Northwoods League has more teams, plays more games, and draws more fans than any Summer Collegiate Baseball League in North America. Opening day for the NWL is June 2nd.

Contact: Pastor David Schoessow (715) 398-3680

Superior For Christians, no other week is as filled with spiritual significance as is Holy Week. The eight days from Passion (Palm) Sunday to Easter Sunday immerse Christians in the central mystery of their faith: the work of God’s salvation through the death and resurrection of his Son, Jesus of Nazareth, called the Christ.

The gospel writers record that on Palm Sunday, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. Crowds waving palm branches threw their cloaks on the ground and received him as their king with shouts of “Hosanna.” These same writers carefully note that on Maundy Thursday Jesus celebrated Passover with His disciples, washed their feet, and instituted the sacrament of Holy Communion. He prayed in the garden of Gethsemane and was betrayed there by one of his own disciples. They report how on Good Friday he was scourged and crucified by Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor. Quoting the prophet Isaiah, the New Testament writers affirm that Jesus was acting as humanity’s substitute, bearing God’s punishment in our place. All four gospel writers conclude by documenting Jesus’ resurrection from the dead on Easter morning. The Christian Bible declares that because Jesus Christ was raised from the dead He will give eternal life to all who are baptized into Him and trust Him for this gift.

Beginning this Sunday, Christians retrace these events and their significance with unique services that are repeated only once each year. Palm Sunday may include a procession of palms and children, recalling Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. Holy Thursday may include a ritual foot washing and includes the sacrament of Holy Communion that Jesus’ instituted that night. On Good Friday Christians gather at noon to hear the account of Jesus’ crucifixion, often times using a large wooden cross carried in procession. Evening Tenebrae services include a series of readings during which candles are progressively extinguished and the church darkened. On Holy Saturday many churches offer an Easter Vigil candlelight service that begins in darkness and with light, music, baptism, and the Eucharist in celebration of the acclaim: “Christ is risen!” And on Sunday Christians continue to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection with sunrise and festival services of worship.

The community is cordially invited to participate in these ancient rituals during the Holy Week services at
EASTER Festival Divine Service, 8:00 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.
Easter Breakfast, 9:00 a.m.
Easter Egg Hunt, 10:00 a.m.

Just east of the Mariner Mall. Christ Lutheran is a member of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and its pastor is the Rev. David G. Schoessow, S.T.M.

March 18, 2010 – All media interested in taking pictures and/or video of the GoogleFest Movie can stop by the Coppertop Church 230 E. Skyline Parkway around 11 a.m. Thursday, or at Minnesota Power around noon. There will not be time to speak with the director, but you are welcome to interview anyone else on the scene and shoot photos of the filming.

These times are very tentative, so to get a better understanding of precisely where filming is going on at any given time, call Patrick Garmoe 218-461-9655.

Director Ken Kemp (see bio below) intends to attend the 1 p.m. press conference on the 4th floor of Duluth City Hall Thursday March 18.

Director Ken Kemp has worked three Olympics as a field producer and on-air talent. He's directed gameshows, a wide variety of sporting events, press junkets, short films, music videos, a documentary of the US Olympic Water Polo team and an independent film starring Antonio Sabato Jr. of the recently seen VH1 show "My Antonio."
Ken is an award winning director for industrial, commercial and infomercial directing along with garnering seventeen other awards of various technical merit. Mr. Kemp is on the cusp of major cross-over success and is currently in negotiations to direct three motion pictures intended for wide release. Ken has a reality series in development and is also an accomplished song writer. His sister, Tara Kemp was an early 1990's pop-music star, releasing two Top 10 singles, "Hold You Tight" and "Piece of My Heart."

Other information movie details: Movie scenes will continue being shot around the Twin Ports throughout the day Friday, and in the Lake Superior Ballroom (city-side) of the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center Saturday beginning at 2 p.m., and likely continuing until 6 p.m.

Also occurring in the Lake Superior Ballroom will be GoogleFest, with lots of musical performers and activities, for those who were not chosen to be in the actual movie, or chose not to be part of the movie. Details coming soon on the specifics of GoogleFest.

Parking is free for both events at the DECC.

Patrick Garmoe
(218) 461-9655
Public Information Officer,
Duluth/Superior Google Fiber Initiative

http://www.googletwinports.com

By John Dittrich - Chicago
Yesterday, we were sitting with Maury Wills at the Dodgers' spring training game in Glendale, AZ when Maury was approached by the Dodgers' beat reporter who informed him that one of his great teammates from the '60's, Willie Davis, had been found dead at home at age 69. The writer was seeking a quote about Willie from Maury....... and we were reminded of a story that Bobby Bragan loved to tell............

When Willie Davis was a speedy rookie at Dodger Stadium in 1960, Bobby was a Dodger coach under manager Walter Alston. One of Bobby's duties was to "mentor" Willie Davis in the ways of major league baseball. Bobby had done such a good job mentoring another speedster, Maury Wills, that Alston and the Dodgers asked him to work every day with Davis. During the game, Bragan would sit next to Davis on the bench and point out the nuances of the game, such as pitchers' habits.... and, of course, the great baserunning skills of Maury Wills.

Early in the 1960 season, Bragan was seated next to Davis on a sunny April day vs. the Pittsburgh Pirates. Wills led off the bottom of the first with a base hit. Maury took his lead-off from first base as Junior Gilliam stepped to the plate for the Dodgers. Gilliam was a prototypical #2 hitter and very adept at both hitting behind the runner and also working the count to allow Maury an opportunity to either steal second base or to go from first to third on a base hit to right field.

Bobby Bragan took advantage of this opportunity to teach Willie Davis about the nuances of getting a good lead and a quick jump on the play using Maury as his classic example. He nudged Davis and told him to watch Wills closely... :"Gilliam will try to hit the ball to right field and Wills will be off and running, into third base easily!" stated Bragan.

Of course, the 1960 Pirates featured a talented young right fielder named Roberto Clemente, who was widely known to have one of the strongest throwing arms in the game.

Indeed, Gilliam did stroke a single into right and Wills was off like lightning, digging for third base... Clemente came up throwing, and rifled a bullet to Pirates' third baseman Don Hoak, who applied the tag to a sliding Wills for an OUT!

Davis looked over on the bench at a red-faced Bragan, who responded by saying to Davis.... "THAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN IN A MILLION YEARS!"

Now, it happens that the very same situation arises about an hour later, in the fifith inning of the same game. Once again, Wills leads away from first base... ready to fly to third if the ball is hit to right. Bragan nudges his elbow into Davis' ribcage telling him to pay attention to Wills' lead-off and how he will get a great jump and round second on the inside of the bag as he flys to third if the ball is hit to right field.

Once again, Gilliam strokes a single to right.... and once again, Clemente comes up with the ball quickly and cleanly and fires a rocket to Hoak at third.... and once again, Wills is OUT!

There is a silence on the bench.... Bragan does not turn his head to look at Davis, but rather he stares straight ahead at the field and says nothing... Davis finally breaks the silence....he turns to Bobby, saying loudly.... "MY, OH MY, TIME SURE DOES FLY UP HERE IN THE BIG LEAGUES!"

....... SIDEBAR.... Maury told me it is a good story.... but he insists that Clemente never threw him out twice in the same game! I would look it up to see if it happened.... but I like the story just the way it is!

John Dittrich - Chicago

Earlier round results
Champ. Round 1 - Nikola Bogojevic (Superior) 48-0 won by pin over Seth Brandt (Reedsburg Area) 31-10 (Pin 0:37)

Quarterfinal - Nikola Bogojevic (Superior) 48-0 won by decision over Jake Schall (Slinger) 43-7 (Dec 5-2)

Semifinal - Nikola Bogojevic (Superior) 48-0 won by decision over Najee Parker (Kenosha Tremper) 48-5 (Dec 5-1)

Wisconsin's Office of the State Treasurer will be holding its next Unclaimed Property eBay auction starting on Monday March 1st, 2010 at noon (Central). This auction will feature jewelry, watches, and lots of coins including 5 Carson City Uncirculated Silver Dollars in the GSA Holders as well as an overstrike of a penny with a dime.

All the items come from abandoned safe deposit boxes that have been unclaimed for 8 years or more. Bidding starts at 12:00 pm CST, with a different lot going up for sale every 2 minutes. There are 23 Lots. The auction will end Monday March 8th, 2010 starting at noon (CST).

You can visit the Wisconsin State Unclaimed Property eBay site directly by clicking HERE. Once the auction starts, items will be listed there and you can quickly bid on them.

This appears to be something taxpayers in the two states will have to live with for the next few years. The last study took place in 1995 with discepancies in some of the currently issued data. While some information from Wisconsin sources show that 80,000 Wisconsin Taxpayers would be affected the Minnesota Department of Revenue states that 33,500 Wisconsin residents meet the filling requirements while working in Minnesota. These differences may in part be caused by students working part time but falling under the minimum filing threshold and other part time workers.

Besides having to file tax returns in both states some Wisconsin taxpayers may end up paying more in state income taxes due to Minnesotas higher personal income tax rates. For example a Wisconsin single taxpayer with only W2 income of 32,000 would pay $1,212 in Minnesota income tax while if they worked in Wisconsin they would pay $1,115 in Wisconsin income taxes. With the ending of reciprocity they would get a creit of $1,212 for the Minnesota income taxes and would not have any tax liability to the State of Wisconsin. This is a very simplified example for a taxpayer without any interest, dividend or capital gains income all of those incomes would be taxable only in the taxpayers home state.