El Tequila Restaurant: Great Mexican Cuisine in Baxter, Minnesota

El Tequila is a hidden gem of a Mexican restaurant in Baxter, and it seemed to hide from us the first couple of years after we moved to the Brainerd Lakes Area.   I have sampled most of the menu and quite of few of the beverages.  They have a great margarita whether you drink them on the rocks or blended.  They also have quite a few speicals, and one of the last times we went on a weeknight, we enjoyed one dollar cans of ice cold Tecate with limes.

I have to share my preference to their combination plates, but I have also been known to venture outside the box and have a Molcajete which is a feast fit for royalty.



The quality of their food is great and the prices are reasonable.  None of the food on the menu is expensive, and the authentic music and colorful decor make any visit to this place a great and unique experience.


Tonight, I had the #53 combination platter:  one taco, one enchilada, and the prince of the plate was the Chile Relleno.  The portions are large and the service is impeccable.  I would recommend this place as a great Sunday stop after spending the weekend enjoying the lakes or to cure the weekend's hangover. Please add your take on El Tequila to the comments. Learn more about the place and check out the photos and reviews at:
Yelp: El Tequila in Baxter.

May 31st Happenings in the BLA: Brendan Flynn at Zorbaz and Slowpokes Racing at BIR!

Music:  Brendan Flynn live on the deck at Zorbaz!

Here are some of the drink specials to enjoy while listening to Brendan playing some stellar live music:

May 31st, 2015

Tito'z Breakfazt Club!
10:00 am - 12:00 pm


Breakfazt Pizza, Burritoz, Quezadillaz and 2-4-1 Breakfazt drinkz from 10am - noon! Relief iz here!

Minnezota Zundayz!
7:00 pm on May 31st thru 12:00 am on Jun 1st


Try any pint of Minnezota beer for only $3 from 7pm - midnight!

Minnezota Zundayz!
7:00 pm on May 31st thru 12:00 am on Jun 1st


Try any pint of Minnezota beer for only $2 from 7pm - midnight!

Late Nite Munchie Menu!
11:00 pm on May 31st thru 2:00 am on Jun 1st


Need zome late night grub? Get any perzonal pizza from $5 after 11pm!

BIR Sunday Racing

Bracket Drag Racing & Slowpokes Car Club



Date: Friday, May 29, 2015 to Sunday, May 31 2015



Bracket Drag Racing is on Brainerd International Raceway’s drag strip all weekend, while the BIR Performance Driving School (Friday) and the Slowpokes Car Club (Sunday) share the road course.



Location: Brainerd International Raceway

Time: 8:00 PM to 5:00 PM
5523 Birchdale Road, Brainerd, MN 56401

Brainerd International Raceway's Bracket Drag Racing Series is on the drag strip with the Slowpokes Car Club on the 2.5-mile Competition Road Course. It’s the second of six Bracket Drag Racing weekends, which feature 250-plus drivers competing in 10 classes in dragsters, cars, trucks, bikes, snowmobiles and Junior Dragsters. They battle during eliminations both Saturday and Sunday with winners crowned each day. The Slowpokes will be on the road course Sunday only. Great family fun, and the pits are always open. On-site camping is available, including 164 full-service RV sites. One ticket gets you into both events! Daily admission is $20. Kids 12 and under are FREE!

Contact: tickets@brainerdraceway.com

218-824-RACE (7223)

Brainerd Live Music, May 30-31 Weekend Music

Brainerd Lakes Area Live Music: May 30 and 31

Brendan Flynn

Cragun's Resort
When:

Fri, May 29, 5:30pm – 8:00pm

Zorbaz
When: Sun, May 31, 3pm – 6pm


Brainerd



601 Laurel St.



At the Woods:


May 31st at 6pm: Seth Doud

Join us for some amazing entertainment with Seth Doud held on our new patio weather permitting...music moved inside on rainy days!!!




At Ernie's on Gull:
Live Music on the patio overlooking Gull Lake. No Cover!


May 30th: Lee Bone Sherseth: 7-10pm. Ernie's on Gull


May 31st: Billy Schafer: Sunday 1-4 pm

June Netflix Streaming New Releases

Next month brings a whole new batch of streaming content to Netflix Instant, including the Wachowskis’ new original series Sense8, as well as Orange Is the New Black Season 3, and the Netflix Original documentary on the life of the legendary Nina Simone. In addition, some new seasons of your favorite television shows, as well as beloved classic films and recent favorites. Read on for your guide to the new Netflix Instant releases arriving in June.

June 1

The Aviator (2004): Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett and Kate Beckinsale. A biopic depicting the early years of legendary director and aviator Howard Hughes’ career, from the late 1920s to the mid-1940s.

June 3 

The Best of Me (2014): Starring James Marsden, Michelle Monaghan and Luke Bracey. A pair of former high school sweethearts reunite after many years when they return to visit their small hometown.

Hector and the Search for Happiness (2014): Starring Simon Pegg, Rosamund Pike and Tracy Ann Oberman. A psychiatrist searches the globe to find the secret of happiness.

June 5

Sense8 (2015): Starring Jamie Clayton, Max Riemelt and Anupam Kher. A group of people around the world are suddenly linked mentally, and must find a way to survive being hunted by those who see them as a threat to the world’s order.

June 8

Grace of Monaco (2014): Starring Nicole Kidman, Tim Roth and Andre Penvern. The story of former Hollywood star Grace Kelly’s crisis of marriage and identity, during a political dispute between Monaco’s Prince Rainier III and France’s Charles De Gaulle, and a looming French invasion of Monaco in the early 1960s.

June 10

Nightcrawler (2014): Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Rene Russo and Bill Paxton. When Lou Bloom, a driven man desperate for work, muscles into the world of L.A. crime journalism, he blurs the line between observer and participant to become the star of his own story. Aiding him in his effort is Nina, a TV-news veteran.

Pretty Little Liars Season 5 (2014): Starring Ashley Benson, Lucy Hale and Troian Bellisario. Four friends band together against an anonymous foe who threatens to reveal their darkest secrets, while unraveling the mystery of the murder of their best friend.

Rosewater (2014): Starring Gael Garcia Bernal, Kim Bodnia and Dimitri Leonidas. Iranian-Canadian journalist Maziar Bahari is detained by Iranian forces who brutally interrogate him under suspicion that he is a spy.

June 11

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 2 (2014): Starring Clark Gregg, Ming-Na Wen and Chloe Bennet. The missions of the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division.

June 12

Champs (2015): A documentary on boxing greats Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield and Bernard Hopkins examines their lives in and out of the ring.

The Cobbler (2014): Starring Adam Sandler, Dan Stevens and Dustin Hoffman. A disenchanted shoemaker discovers the magical ability to literally live life in someone else’s shoes.

Orange Is the New Black Season 3 (2015): Starring Taylor Schilling, Laura Prepon and Danielle Brooks. The story of Piper Chapman, a woman in her thirties who is sentenced to fifteen months in prison after being convicted of a decade-old crime of transporting money for her drug-dealing girlfriend.

June 13

Scandal Season 4 (2014): Starring Kerry Washington, Darby Stanchfield and Katie Lowes. A former White House Communications Director starts her own crisis management firm only to realize her clients are not the only ones with secrets.

June 15

Bindi’s Boot Camp Season 1 (2012): A children’s game show hosted by Bindi Irwin.

Danger Mouse Seasons 1–10 (1981–1992): The adventures of Danger Mouse, a secret agent mouse.

Pussy Riot: A Punk Prayer (2013): Three female musicians are faced with seven years in a Russian prison following a controversial performance in Moscow.

June 16

The Butler (2013): Starring Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey and John Cusack. As Cecil Gaines serves eight presidents during his tenure as a butler at the White House, the civil rights movement, Vietnam, and other major events affect this man’s life, family, and American society.

June 17

Point and Shoot (2014): An American sets out with his motorbike to find both adventure and his sense of manhood, leading him on an extraordinary journey he could not have imagined, including fighting in the Libyan Revolution.

June 19

Some Assembly Required (2015): Starring Kolton Stewart, Harrison Houde and Charlie Storwick. When a teenager becomes the new owner of a toy company, he hires a bunch of his high school friends to help him design new toys.

June 20

Cake (2014): Starring Jennifer Aniston, Adriana Barraza and Anna Kendrick. Claire becomes fascinated by the suicide of a woman in her chronic pain support group while grappling with her own, very raw personal tragedy.

June 23

Advantageous - Netflix Exclusive (2015): Starring Jacqueline Kim, James Urbaniak and Freya Adams. In a near-future city where soaring opulence overshadows economic hardship, Gwen and her daughter Jules do all they can to hold on to their joy together, despite the instability surfacing in their world.

June 24

Beyond the Lights (2014): Starring Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Nate Parker and Minnie Driver. The pressures of fame have superstar singer Noni on the edge, until she meets Kaz, a young cop who works to help her find the courage to develop her own voice and break free to become the artist she was meant to be.

June 26

What Happened, Miss Simone? (2015): A documentary about the life and legend Nina Simone, an American singer, pianist, and civil rights activist labeled the “High Priestess of Soul.”

Read More: New Netflix Instant Releases: June 2015 | http://screencrush.com/new-netflix-instant-releases-june-2015/?trackback=tsmclip

Breaking the Law: Perpetual Garage Salers!

Are you breaking the law?   More regulations being enforced in the city of Brainerd...maybe they should worry about more important crimes?  Watch out for the garage sale police this summer.


Via the Brainerd Dispatch:

Summer and garage sale seasons go hand-in-hand, and city officials want to remind residents of the regulations regarding garage sales and signs.



Brainerd City Planner Mark Ostgarden said city regulations state a garage sale cannot last more than 72 hours or occur more than four times at a given location within one year.

Signs identifying garage sale locations have started to pop up as well, Ostgarden said, with several major street intersections becoming a popular location for signs. Garage sale signs are permitted in the community with the following limits:

• One off-premises sign is permitted on private property, which means permission is required from the landowner where the sign will be placed.

• A sign is allowed for a period of seven days prior to the garage sale.

• Signs should not be more than 6 square feet in size and not more than 3 feet in height.

Garage sale signs are not permitted in any street right-of-way, meaning signs appearing at street corners are violating the city ordinance. Garage sale signs observed by city staff and determined to be in a street right-of-way will be removed and disposed.

Residents with questions should call the city of Brainerd at 218-828-2309.

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver: Chickens and Poultry Farming Whistle Blowing

With all of the issues associated with poultry in Minnesota, I found this video to be a compelling, humorous and informative addition to my day.  I wanted to give my readers a brief summary of the video by sharing some of the issues covered:

• Poultry housing and unfair contracts
• The way large poultry giants like Tyson basically enslave farmers to raise chickens
• The way our government has ignored the needs of the poultry farmers and sided with the large corporations(sound familiar?)
• Big business and governments control of poultry farmers

Please enjoy the video and leave your comments!  I promise to reply.

Rolling CB Interview: Beautiful Peterbilt Reefer Truck

rolling cb interview via Big Rig Videos


A truck this nice is why people still drive truck.  It is a nice Pete that he runs from Medford, WI down to Florida. Recent interviews with this driver have been discussing some of the parking and other issues faced by long haul truck drivers.  After hearing about the issues they have to face, I wonder if most Americans and police officers in Florida realize what would happen if trucks decided to strike and quit delivering groceries and freight.  This industry is the lifeblood of our nation, and trucks bring us everything we depend upon...if you buy it in a store it arrived via trucks and professional drivers. Watch this video and take time to be more courteous to the men and women driving truck.

Katie Wig and Last Call

Musical group based out of Minneapolis, Minnesota

Damon Grilz (guitar)
Tyler Hammer (bass & guitar)
Nick Schwen (drums)
Katie Wig (vocals)

Katie Wig and Last Call sound great live!  Check out their show tonight from 7-10pm at Ernie's on Gull. 

We went out to Ernie's last night for some appetizers and sat outside eating, drinking, and people watching.  There was a good crowd and the boat slip was filled with summer lake people out enjoying the beautiful weather.  

When we got home, we heard some really good music streaming out of a garage near our home.  We sat out in the yard around a campfire and listened to the music. I think the band practicing was Katie Wig and Last Call.  Either way, we were blown away by how good they sounded and we will be checking out their show tonight at Ernies. 

Expedite Now Trucking Magazine - Comfort for the Road

Expedite Now Trucking Magazine - Comfort for the Road is a great article.  I have included a brief overview of the article, but click the link to go to the whole article.


The Latest in Custom Sleepers for Expediters


For an expediter, a custom sleeper is much more than a sleeping quarters; it’s a home away from home.

“Expediters tend to spend a lot more time in their sleepers in between loads. So it needs to be more of a living area than just a place to sleep,” says Jim McFerrin, sales manager for Freightliner of Knoxville. “For typical long-haul tractors, most of the sleepers will have a bunk, refrigerator, television, microwave, but they often don’t have a lounge area. For expediters, we’re putting in a bottom bunk that turns into a ‘booth’ with a table and sitting area. Whereas the freight hauler is going to drive his eight hours, get another load and then keep going, the expediter will unload and might sit there for two to three days.”

That’s why sleepers for expedite trucks are designed with comfort in mind, says Bobby Snyder, sales representative for Fyda Freightliner, based in Columbus, Ohio. “The sleeper design is for drivers to be able to stay out on the road a little longer because expediters are having to wait in the cab more often than those just running dedicated freight. Expediters live in their trucks, so they want it to be as comfortable as possible, especially when they’re husband and wife teams.”

A typical custom sleeper for expediter trucks ranges from 96 to 100 inches in length, which allows for up to 22-foot freight box, while staying within the 40-foot overall truck length requirement. But some expediters are requesting larger sleepers, says Brian Callan, president at Bolt Custom Trucks.

“Traditionally, the largest sleeper we install on an expedite (straight truck) is 100 inches long,” says Callan. “However, it now looks like we will be building at least one 130-inch sleeper on a straight truck in 2015. We have another customer talking about doing a 150-inch sleeper on a straight truck. These larger sleepers are not unusual for us to install on a tractor with a fifth wheel, but the longer sleeper takes away from the full potential of freight box size with a straight truck. It’s a matter of striking the right balance to give customers what they want (and need) for their particular application.”


- See more at: http://expeditenow.com/expeditetruckingnews/thetruckzone/424-comfort-for-the-road.html#sthash.c7WvYCVC.dpuf

Memorial Day Weekend 2015: Happenings in the Brainerd Lakes Area

Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass - 2015 season Opener

-Bass are fun to catch and don't taste as bad as you think!  Early season bass are good eating out of cold Minnesota waters. Get out and catch some to release or fry them up!

7th Annual Street Car Showdown

Date: Friday, May 22, 2015 to Sunday, May 24 2015

The 7th Annual Street Car Showdown features the kickoff to the Muscle Car Series on the drag strip and the SCCA Harvey West Classic on the road course.
Location: Brainerd International Raceway
Time: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
5523 Birchdale Road, Brainerd, MN 56401

Brainerd International Raceway's 2015 Muscle Car Series kicks off Memorial Day weekend with the 7th Annual Street Car Showdown, a display of raw speed and power on the quarter-mile drag strip. The Showdown is the first race in the three-race series, featuring the seven Heads-Up Classes, with cars that can run 6-7 seconds at over 200 mph. They have the kind of horsepower that yanks their front end off the ground when they launch from the starting line. The event also includes the SCCA Harvey West Classic on the 2.5-mile Competition Road Course. It features great wheel-to-wheel racing action. Two exciting events for the price of a single ticket! SCCA racing goes on rain or shine. Daily admission is $25. Kids 12 and under are FREE! On-site camping.

Contact: tickets@brainerdraceway.com

218-824-RACE (7223)

8–9am Bird Hikes at the Northland Arboretum

10–5pm  The Olde Depot JUNKtion

2–9pmJack Pine Brewery - Tap Room Open: Good Beers at the Industrial Park in Baxter!  Take home some growlers for the holiday weekend!

6–9pm

Live Music: Emily Hammer

Emily puts on a great live show!   Check out her music and go to see her play live this weekend!

Date: Saturday, May 23, 2015

Location: Gull Dam Brewing - Tap Room

Time: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
23836 Smiley Road, Nisswa, MN 56468

Contact: info@gulldambrewing.com

218-963-27396:45–10pm:Memorial Day Mini Mods

We will be featuring the Mini Mods for the Memorial Day Weekend. You won’t see anything like them and they are only here once this summer so make sure to plan a trip out to the track as your setting up for your summer on this 3 Day Weekend.


Location: North Central Speedway

Time: 6:45 PM to 10:00 PM
9651 Business Highway 371, Brainerd MN 56401

Contact: kt@racencs.net

218-839-2137

7–10pmTheology on Tap: Booze and talking smart about religion!

7–10:30pmPhil Thompson at Bar Harbor Supper Club

Brainerd Lakes Area Live Music: May 21-27

LIVE MUSIC IN THE BLA!

Information courtesy of http://www.brainerddispatch.com/

For week of May 21-27; bands perform from 9 p.m. to close with no cover unless otherwise noted.

BACKUS
American Legion

Near Highways 371 and 87 W.

Frankie Lamb, 2-6 p.m. Sunday

BRAINERD

Coco Moon

601 Laurel St.

Thursday Bluegrass, first, third and fifth Thursday of the month

Eagles Club

124 Front St.

Jam with Marv Johnson, 7:30 p.m. Friday, in the downstairs area.

Last Turn Saloon

215 S. South Eighth St.

Open Mic Night, first Wednesday of month from 7-10 p.m.

Liquor Pigz

718 Laurel St.

Karaoke, 10 p.m. every Wednesday

Jam session/open mic, 9 p.m. every Sunday

Shep's on Sixth

315 S. Sixth St.

DJ, every Friday-Saturday in Elbow Room

St. Mathias Bar and Grill

4640 County Road 121

Midnight Radio, 5-9 p.m. Saturday

My Famous Friends, 9 p.m. Saturday

O'Madden Pub

11266 Pine Beach Peninsula

Dynamite Reflections, today, May 21

JNH Duo, Friday-Sunday

BREEZY POINT

Commander Bar

30279 Airport Road

Todd Douglas Band, Friday-Saturday

JJ's Pub

Downstairs of Commander

The Hunyuckers, Saturday

CROSBY

The Bridge Tavern

26929 Highway 6

Live music every Friday; Classic Country Dinner Theater, 4-8 p.m. Sunday

LAKE SHORE

Bar Harbor Supper Club

601 Laurel St.

Phil Thompson, 7:30-10:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday; June 19-20; Aug. 21-22

NISSWA

American Legion

25807 Main St.

Sideways Entertainment, 7 p.m. June 5

Allie Knight in Minnesota: Youtube Trucking Video Diary Episode

Allie Knight did a recent youtube video in which she took a day off and road along with a trucker named Trey up here in Minnesota.  It was an interesting episode to watch as most of her videos highlight her solo travels hauling flatbed freight with only her cat along for company.
In the Minnesota episode, she rides along in a nice Kenworth and they are hauling food products up to Alexandria, MN.  Many of the roads they reference on the trip are close to the area where I reside. I also got a kick out of the way she was teasing the driver about his Minnesota accent. Overall, I really enjoy the way she documents her travels, and this Minnesota episode is one of my favorite so far.  I look forward to sharing more of her videos with my blog readers. Keep it between the lines!

Brainerd City Council Approves Fee For Food Trucks

Via the Brainerd Dispatch:

The Brainerd City Council Monday approved a fee for food truck operators looking to serve up hot dogs, sandwiches, tacos and more in the city of Brainerd.



The council held the second reading of Ordinance No. 1437, which specifies a $500 annual fee for food trucks, wagons, stands and food carts. The council then unanimously approved the adoption of the ordinance following the second reading.

A memo from City Planner Mark Ostgarden provided information from 17 Minnesota cities about their own annual fees for food trucks. The annual fee of $500 is higher than the fee charged by the other cities that provided feedback.

"Based on the additional information from other cities, it is recommended that the city council consider reducing the annual fee considerably to be more in line with other cities," Ostgarden wrote. "Based on other cities' annual fees, it appears $50-100 would be more appropriate."

A short term or seasonal fee is also uncommon, Ostgarden said. Of the 17 surveyed cities, only Albert Lea, Austin and Bloomington offered short term fees.

Day Range Pastured Poultry - An Alternative to Chicken Tractors

Great article on options for raising pastured poultry in the great outdoors!



Day Range Pastured Poultry - An Alternative to Chicken Tractors





Here is an excerpt from the article by an author and publication  I am very fond of:


Day Range Pastured Poultry – An Alternative to Chicken Tractors

By Kathy Voth / July 7, 2014 / Comments Off on Day Range Pastured Poultry – An Alternative to Chicken Tractors

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Lots of producers use chicken tractors. The concept was popularized by Joel Salatin and the structure size and shape has been modified by many people. I used my own version when raising meat chickens in my backyard. It’s basically an open-floored enclosure that is moved once or twice a day around a pasture. Birds live in the enclosure all the time, and get fresh pasture when the pen is moved.


From “Perfecting the Day-Range Poultry System” bib Jason Fischbach, UW-Extension Agent

But that’s not exactly “free-range” poultry. If you’re looking for more “ranging”, you might consider the Day-Ranged pasture poultry system. This is the system used by Pasture Perfect Poultry, a partnership of four farms near Ashland, Wisconsin that has been producing and selling free-range chickens and turkeys together since 2008. For a Day Range system, you’ll need a mobile pen, and an electric fenced area. Birds are free to roam all day long inside the fenced area (thus the name “Day-Range”) and at night they are put into the mobile pen if predators are a problem. The mobile pen is moved daily to spread manure more evenly, and the fence is moved as necessary to add fresh past

- See more at: http://onpasture.com/2014/07/07/day-range-pastured-poultry-an-alternative-to-chicken-tractors/#sthash.0IDph3Lw.dpuf

How to Stay Awake While Driving: 10 Tips from Long Haul Truckers

Safety is a huge concern while driving.  This is especially important when the rig you are driving weighs eighty thousand pounds.

These tips can also be useful for people working online.  In a world of work increasingly dependent on sitting in front of a computer for hours on end, tips for staying awake can also be useful.



Here is a list of helpful tips for staying awake in any situations, courtesy of the Trucker's Report:

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/how-to-stay-awake-while-driving-10-tips-from-long-haul-truckers/



Here is an excerpt from the article:

Let’s face it; long hauls are boring after about the first 10 or 20 miles! Your tires make that humming sound against the road, which doesn’t exactly add to whatever music you are playing. Most of the scenery on long hauls is the same, especially if you’ve driven the haul before – you’ve seen all there is to see. These two potentially deadly combinations, the “white noise” of the tires and nothing visually exciting to keep your attention (unless you like road kill, and if you do, don’t tell me), contribute to road fatigue, which is what causes the peepers to droop.



To read the entire article, please go to the following link:

How to Stay Awake While Driving: 10 Tips from Long Haul Truckers

Pastured Poultry Immune Systems: Minnesota Avian Flu Epidemic

This sign is common in many areas of Minnesota. Driving back from Perham to Brainerd last weekend,  we saw this sign on every chicken and turkey house along Highway 10.  Read the following article on the benefits of pastured poultry and the importance of strong immune systems in poultry operations.

Brunnquell’s company has 1.2 million chickens that live either in an enclosed outdoor area or a pasture, but he has moved them indoors until the virus is no longer a threat. Brunnquell theorized that free-range, pasture and backyard chickens are surviving the virus threat because they have stronger immune systems than chickens that live inside buildings in cages.

McGraw said the virus is being spread by rodents, waterfowl flying over the commercial facilities and by people, machinery or tools who come in contact with it and then unknowingly track it to a commercial facility.

Read more: http://host.madison.com/business/as-bird-flu-costs-mount-for-egg-industry-questions-arise/article_16af6e17-45cf-5a17-bf67-a003056b3e58.html#ixzz3aQxmOEYm

Public Fishing Docks in Brainerd Lakes Area

For anyone interested in fishing this area without access to a boat, I have posted the fishing piers to check out in the area from the MN DNR site.


Crow Wing County:

Crow Wing	Boom Lake	pier	In Brainerd, in Kiwanis Park, at the E end of the College Drive Bridge.
Crow Wing	Green's Point	platform	From Brainerd, 4 mi N on Hwy 25, then 3 mi E on Executive Acres Rd at end of Rd.
Crow Wing	Mississippi River	pier	In Brainerd, the pier is at the E end of College Drive Bridge by Kiwanis Park.
Crow Wing	Mississippi River	platform	Ft. Ripley Landing, N of Ft. Ripley, take Hwy. 371 N 1 mi., then W on access rd.
Crow Wing	Pennington Pit	platform	In Ironton, 0.5 mi N of Hwy 210 on Co Rd 30, then 0.5 mi W. Park in water access lot.
Crow Wing	Pine River	platform	In Cross Lake, US Army Corps of Engineers Coulter Recreation Area, on Hwy. 3, just below the dam.
Crow Wing	Rice Lake Reservoir	pier	In Brainerd's Lum Park, on the city's NE end, off Hwy 210, pier near the S tip of the lake.
Crow Wing	Ruth Lake	pier	In Emily, 0.5 mi E of Hwy 6 on Mill Road. Park in water access lot.
Crow Wing	Serpent Lake	pier	In Crosby, 3 blocks E of Hwy 210, on N shore of the lake's W end.
Crow Wing	South Long Lake	pier	8 mi S of Brainerd on Hwy 25. S shore of lake.
Crow Wing	Whipple Lake	pier	In Baxter, from Hwy 210 & 371, go W 2.5 mi on Hwy 210, then N 1.5 mi on Memorywood Drive, then W 0.5 mi on Clearwater Rd. Park in water access parking lot.

Cass County:

Cass	Birch Lake	pier	In Hackensack, 1 block W of Hwy 371, on SE shore.
Cass	Cass Lake	pier	In Cass Lake, on the E side, off Hwy 2 at Pike Bay/ Cass Lake channel, on S shore.
Cass	Crow Wing River	platform	Fisherman's Bank, downstream of Sylvan Dam, from Baxter 8 mi SW to Sylvan Dam Road. Site is at the end of the road. Shore fishing.
Cass	Crow Wing River	pier	In Pillager, north shore, downstream of Pillager Dam.
Cass	Gull Narrows	pier	From Hwy 371 junction in Nisswa, go W 2.5 mi. on Co Rd 77 to the bridge. Park at Gull Narrows public water access lot.
Cass	Leech Lake	pier	E of Walker in Shingobee Island, about 1.5 mi W of the junction of Hwy 371 and 200, the pier is in the MNDot rest area on the S side of the road.
Cass	Norway Lake	pier	In Pine River's Pine River Park, on the W bank, 1/2 block N of Hwy 84.
Cass	Pillager Lake	pier	From Pillager, go N 2 mi on Hwy 1 to the township park on S shore.
Cass	Sylvan Reservoir	platform	Fisherman's Bridge, above the Sylvan Dam. From Baxter, 2 mi. W on Hwy 210, then S 4 mi on Co Rd 36. Site is at the SE corner of the Gull River Bridge. Shorefishing.

5 Hot Spots for Teaching Jobs in the USA - Teachingcom

5 Hot Spots for Teaching Jobs in the USA - Teachingcom





I visit many Web forums and communities where I have the opportunity to chat with people in search of teaching jobs. One question that arises time and time again is: Where are the best places to look for teaching jobs in the United States?

While many candidates have family, home, or community ties that prevent them from relocating to a new city, there seems to be an increasing number of college graduates who are excited about the opportunities to relocate to new areas, begin their teaching career, and experience a new lifestyle.

Those who have the freedom to move are looking for places with 1) Teacher Shortages, 2) High Quality-of-Life, and 3) Low Cost-of-Living.

To find these places, look for economic growth trends and population booms. Also, look for places that do not have an excess of teacher colleges as these areas will have a less competitive job market.

Here is a list of “hot spots” – popular places for teaching candidates to search for jobs – in the United States. This list is based solely on my interpretation of my conversations with people in search of teaching jobs and recent graduates.
1. Nevada/Las Vegas

Clark County Schools are especially popular lately. Rumor has it they’ve even hired many teachers over the phone. As the City of Las Vegas grows, school districts nearby are having trouble recruiting enough teachers to meet the demand. Read more about popular cities and districts in Nevada.
2. Florida

This is a terrific time to be looking for a job in Florida. In the past, Florida has had notoriously high class sizes. New legislation has been passed that requires schools to decrease class sizes across the state. To do this, schools will need to hire lots of teachers in a short period of time. If you’ve ever considered applying to a Florida school, now is the time to do it! Read more about popular cities and districts in Florida.
3. North Carolina

This has been a popular relocation spot for teaching candidates for nearly a decade now. Their economy is strong and their population is growing by leaps and bounds. Raleigh-Durham is one of the most popular areas in the state for teaching candidates. For less competition, try other cities in the state. Read more about popular cities and districts in North Carolina.
4. Georgia

There has been lots of buzz about opportunities in Georgia lately. Atlanta and Savannah are sure to be best bets. Read more about popular cities and districts in Georgia.
5. Arizona

If you can stand the heat, Phoenix and Tempe are booming towns in need of qualified teachers. Read more about popular cities and districts in Arizona.

Where is the market “cold”? Many northeastern “rust-belt” states with dying manufacturing industries are losing population. Public school teaching jobs in these areas, which still tend to pay well and offer excellent benefits, are very hard to come by. These places include Michigan, Upstate New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.

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Deek Diedrickson's Next Hands-on Tiny Home Workshop in Fargo, North Dakota, May 30-31 2015

via Lloyd Kahn's Blog:

Deek Diedrickson's Next Hands-on Tiny Home Workshop in North Dakota, May 30-31 2015


Here is more information from Deek Diedrickson's site:




FARGO, ND Tiny House Building (Hands-ON) workshop w/The Diedricksen Brothers....

YOU WANT LOTS OF HANDS-ON BUILDING EXPERIENCE? IN A SMALL GROUP with lots of one on one time with instructors? Well, this is the workshop for you! ONLY TWELVE people will be allowed to sign up! Two days, a 20+ hour course....



Spots are going fast for this two day, hands-on workshop....
Yes, "Its ON!". May 30-31st (Sat-Sun 2015) Derek "Deek" Diedricksen and Dustin (his brother)- aka "Dr. Demo", will be hosting a two-day HANDS-ON Tiny House Building Workshop, INSIDE an art gallery in Fargo, North Dakota, where the class will collectively build a wild, funky, colorful cabin- one that will be used and displayed by the gallery for some time to come. Meals included.

The Diedricksen Brothers have hosted and built/designed for the HGTV and DIY Network series "Tiny House Builders", run the youtube design channel/show "Tiny Yellow House/RelaxshacksDotcom", have built and designed for the History Channel and ABC, and have been featured in the NY Times, Boston Globe, China Times, Seattle Times, ApartmentTherapy.com, Design Sponge, Better Homes and Gardens, and beyond.

Things Not Often Taught to New Drivers: Expediting Online

This is a very informative article on the health hazards associated with long periods of sitting in a truck.  It is an interesting article but I hope to avoid most of the conditions listed.  Overall, it is a very informative read and I enjoy reading Expediters Online so I can stay up to date on the world of expediting.

Via: http://www.expeditersonline.com/news/driver-lifestyles/things-not-often-taught-to-new-drivers-part-4-265.htm#comments
Things Not Often Taught to New Drivers: Part 4
By Sandy Long
Posted Jan 19th 2015 2:06AM


Truckers are susceptible to many illnesses, injuries and conditions that go along with the job beyond what are talked about as occupational health hazards. There are some simple things you can do to deal with the issue or prevent it from occurring in the first place.

Skin

Many of us are overweight causing bellies to fold over or in women breasts to sag. Areas where skin touches skin are subject to skin yeast infections especially in warmer weather. These can become so bad, that you will have an odor even if you shower daily. A simple solution is medicated powder. Sprinkle those folds of skin, avoiding genital areas, liberally each day after cleaning and drying the area thoroughly with the medicated powder. It may take doing another sprinkling during your day too. However, if the irritation becomes so severe that open sores occur, then a trip to the doctor for prescription medication will be in order.

Vinyl seats can cause ”˜trucker’s butt’. Tiny hairs become ingrown and can cause cysts, pimples and sores. If you have vinyl seats, invest in a seat cover or a sheepskin to sit on. Change positions often to relieve pressure, and get out of the seat when you can, or at least lift up a little. Again, medicated powder will help too.

Another issue with vinyl seats for women is that the heat from them can cause vaginal yeast infections. It never hurts to have over the counter medication with you for these; they rarely sell it in truck stops.

Because of our diet of fast foods and high fat foods, acne can become a problem in some adults. Drinking plenty of water and keeping your skin clean will help counteract the problem. Witch-hazel is an antiseptic and has been used for millennia to help with skin issues. You can make your own cleansing pads for your face by putting some heavy-duty paper towels or cotton balls in a container with a tight lid and adding just enough witch hazel to dampen them. Clean your face every time you stop; for a special summer time refresher, keep the container in your cooler.

Shoulders, Necks and Backs

Between stress, bouncing and sitting in the same position for hours holding the wheel, necks and backs take a beating. There are some things you can do to counteract the soreness. These tips come from a physical therapist. Tip your head down and pull your shoulders back for a second or two every little bit; this stretches the neck tendons and helps release tension in the shoulders. Turn your head completely to look in the mirrors every hour, does not take a second to do. Every hour or so, reach with one hand for the roof, repeat with other arm, this too only needs to be done for a second; this stretches the back and shoulder muscles. Sit as straight as your seat will allow you to and try the lumbar support feature to see if it helps.

The worst thing you can do to your back, knees and hips is to jump out of the back of the trailer, box or off of the truck or dock. Get down with as little impact to your body as possible, even if it is not pretty doing so.

Breathing

Because we sit, and many of us slump forward a little while driving, our lungs do not expand as well as they would if we were standing or sitting upright. From a respiratory therapist: Whenever you get out of the truck, take a step or two away into fresh air. Raise both arms as high as you can comfortably and take in several deep breaths, this allows the lungs to fully expand and can help prevent bronchial issues and pneumonia; it is also good to breathe deeply in fresh air to oxygenate your body.

If you get out of breath when walking even a little, it may be that you do not know how to breathe properly. To take in the most oxygen one should breathe in thru the nose and slowly breathe out thru one’s mouth, do this when walking, before bed or doing any other physical activity. If this condition is too bad, get to a doctor, there are many very bad things that can affect your breathing.

Elbows, Hands and Wrists

Carpal Tunnel is an occupational health hazard as is arthritis in hands and fingers. Carpal tunnel is caused by using the wrist in the same position for too long. To counteract this, wristbands may be used to help support the wrist in a more normal position. One should also flex the wrist backwards, forwards and rotate it often during the day; this will help prevent the damage. However, if it does come on, and the pain gets too great, surgery may be required.

Believe it or not, what is called tennis elbow is also a hazard to truckers. Tennis elbow is a form of bursitis, where the bursa sac in the joint becomes inflamed. Also, elbows can be damaged from resting it on the window edge or arm rest too much and this can also cause bursitis. The main problem though in doing so can cause ulna nerve neuropathy, cause loss of use in the fingers, and hand on that arm. To prevent it, make sure that whatever you rest your elbow on is well padded and do not rest it very long with the point of the elbow pressing down or at all if it can be avoided.

Our hands take a beating. Not only do they lead the way in our work, but also we clutch the wheel tightly causing damage to the fingers and small joints in the hand itself. Change your grip on the steering wheel often, using one hand harder than the other then the opposite. When you safely can, flex the fingers of one hand then the other; pretend you are typing in the air or make a fist then stretch your fingers out. Use properly fitting gloves for work that might injure your hands or fingers, treat any injuries immediately.

There are many over the counter remedies for many of the common health issues truck drivers face. Make sure they are non-drowsy or you will be violation of the regulations. Like witch hazel, I have found that many of the older or natural substances work the best for cleansing, soreness and pain. However, that is up to you, some of the new rubs and products work well too. It is always good to have analgesics and even wrist braces or stretch bandages in the truck to have on hand when needed if injured. Of course, a good first aid kit too is necessary, injuries usually happen when there is not help around.

Cargo Van Sleeper Ideas and Pictures: Great Ideas for Expediters

I found a great new article for cargo van sleeper modifications. The name of the article: "Living Large in a Van": via http://www.expeditersonline.com/news/truck-topics/living-large-in-a-van-cargo-van-sleepers-89.htm#comments

Read the article after the jump:

Joe Rogan Podcast: "The Joe Rogan Experience"

Joe Rogan's podcast and comedy is a exemplary example of the importance of free media in the United States. His common sense approach to this ever changing world is a refreshing viewpoint in this country. His comedy is also very intelligent, and I like the way he calls out people concerning their intellectual laziness.

Here is a link to the JRE or Joe Rogan Experience Podcasts on Youtube.  I listened to an older podcast he conducted with Anthony Bourdain, and was very impressed with the discussion. Since I am also a fan of Anthony Bourdain and his shows, I am biased.

Check out the podcast with Bourdain and post your comments.

I hope you enjoy the JRE as much as I have, and I will be doing other reviews of his podcasts on upcoming posts.

Minnesota’s Best Food: The Ultimate Checklist of 40 Favorites

Minnesota’s Best Food: The Ultimate Checklist of 40 Favorites



I enjoyed the list of Minnesota's Best Food from Minnesota Monthly.  I am a big fan of the different places this article featured, especially the North Shore Commerical Fishing section.  I know Lake Superior has a small group of commercial fisherman braving the cold water to serve up some great fresh fish.  I have to get up there a few times each summer to have some trout and pick up some smoked fish for the ride home.

Enjoy the article on the best places to check out for good food this summer in Minnesota.

Victor's 1959: Cuban Food in Minneapolis

Eating Cuban at Victor's 1959 in the Twin Cities article from Minnesota Monthly



I have been dreaming of taking a trip to Cuba.  Some close family members of mine recently took a trip to the island and I was fascinated by the photos and experiences they shared.   After being in Minneapolis last weekend, I decided to start researching Cuban dining options in the city.  I figured this would be the next best thing to visiting the island. From the reviews I have read Victor's 1959 is the real deal in terms of Cuban cuisine. I will continue to research and plan a future trip to Cuba, but in the mean time I am going to visit Victor's 1959 on my next trip to Minneapolis.

Charles Bukowski at the Horse Track

Brilliant Bukowski quote on teaching writing:
Somebody asked me, "Bukowski, if you taught a course in writing what would you ask them to do?" I answered, "I'd send them all to the racetrack and force them to bet $5 on each race." This ass thought I was joking. The human race is very good at treachery and cheating and modifying a position. What people who want to be writers need is to be put in an area that they cannot manuever out of by weak and dirty play. This is why groups of people at parties are so disgusting: all their envy and smallness and trickery surfaces. If you want to find out who your friends are you can do two things: invite them to a party or go to jail. You will soon find that you don't have any friends.

On Life:
We are here to laugh at the odds. Asked what the meaning of life was by Life magazine in 1988, Bukowski wrote, "We are here to unlearn the teachings of the church, state, and our education system. We are here to drink beer. We are here to kill war. We are here to laugh at the odds and live our lives so well that Death will tremble to take us."

Float On by Modest Mouse

This song kept coming up on Pandora and I had to post it with lyrics.  I have listened to this band for quite a while but never spent much time researching their songs.  They have some very creative videos and it was nice to find this song I keep hearing.  Pandora is a good tool for finding new music!

"Float On"
I backed my car into a cop car the other day
Well, he just drove off - sometimes life's okay
I ran my mouth off a bit too much, ah what did I say?
Well, you just laughed it off and it was all okay



And we'll all float on okay
And we'll all float on okay
And we'll all float on okay
And we'll all float on anyway, well



A fake Jamaican took every last dime with that scam
It was worth it just to learn some sleight of hand
Bad news comes, don't you worry even when it lands
Good news will work it way to all them plans
We both got fired on, exactly, the same day
Well, we'll float on, good news is on the way



And we'll all float on okay
And we'll all float on okay
And we'll all float on okay
And we'll all float on alright



Already we'll all float on
Now don't you worry we'll all float on alright
Already we'll all float on alright
Don't worry we'll all float on



Alright, Already
And we'll all float on alright
Already we'll all float on alright
Don't worry even if things end up a bit
Too heavy we'll all float on alright



Already, we'll all float on alright
Already, we'll all float on okay
Don't worry, even if things get heavy
We'll all float on alright



Already, we'll all float on
(Alright!)
Now don't you worry, we'll all float on
(Alright!)
We'll all float on

Police Report Overview

via the following link: http://www.brainerddispatch.com/news/crime/3743094-police-blotter-may-12

Early Morning Road Rage
A report at 7:09 a.m. Friday of a male who jerked a young kid out of a vehicle and yelled at him on Highway 210, east of Brainerd. The male then put kid back into the vehicle. Officers were unable to locate them

Employee leaving place of work
A report at 9:59 p.m. Friday of a vehicle leaving the back lot of Book World. The driver was an employee.


I wish my kids would just quit spilling my pop!
OTHER - A report at 1:27 p.m. Saturday of two kids left in the car for an unknown amount of time. The female came back out to the car and yelled at the kids for spilling her pop on the 15000 block of Dellwood Drive. Vehicle left prior to the call.

Toronto Blue Jays Millionaire Baseball Player Van Dweller

Tiny House Talk has a great page about van dwelling.   Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Daniel Norris decided to purchase a 1978 VW van.  It was his dream vehicle.  When I attended college, I was friends with a guy that was raised by deadheads and he was always working on VW vans. I think it is really cool Daniel Norris likes to simplify life and travel around surfing and camping out of the VW when he isn't pitching for the Blue Jays. I have included the original article below, and have some links to more information on Daniel Norris and van dwelling:



Millionaire Pro Baseball Player Also a Van Dweller

on MARCH 23, 2015


When 21 year old Daniel Norris got a $2 million signing bonus to pitch for the Toronto Blue Jays one of the first things he decided to do was buy his dream car… Which just happens to be a 1978 Volkswagen Westfalia bus where he lives simply from. Yes. This is also his home.

The young man is from Johnson City, Tennessee and the people who know him definitely think he’s a little weird for his lifestyle choices. But at the same time they find him interesting. According to GrindTV, Norris says, “I knew after I signed that I was going to get a Volkswagen van. It was my dream car.”

Now the van is set up with solar panels and all. And Daniel uses it to travel to practice training, to adventure, to surf, to go hiking, and more. Doesn’t this story inspire you to consider a similar or just simpler lifestyle? I encourage you to enjoy the rest of this story below and re-share it if you want to. Thanks.


Here are some links for people interested in full time or part time van dwelling:

More on Daniel Norris and his 1978 VW Van:

http://www.newagenomad.com/p/van-dwelling-page.html

http://tinyhousetalk.com/category/van-dwelling/

Beer Delivery Truck Overturns Near Brainerd, Minnesota

Here is the photo. from the the Brainerd Dispatch:

Trucker Tom Thesing's truck overturned on a Wise Road.  This road has had its fair share of accidents lately. My friend from Kansas called and told me about the article, and this is only a few miles from my house. Being big beer drinkers, he was wondering if I had any beer yet.

I just hope this independent truck driver had good insurance.  That load of beer was worth quite a bit of cash.  I am just glad to see the driver was unharmed, as the beer can be replaced.  Bad day for the driver but at least no one was injured. I wonder what they are going to do with all this damaged beer?

Rolling CB Interviews™: Phil Miller Livestock Hauling and 10-4 Magazine

For more information on Phil Miller, check out his interview at 10-4 Magazine;



Here are more of the Rolling CB interviews.  This is a great resource from learning more about the world of trucking and transportation from the source.  The drivers featured in this series are very devoted to the trucking lifestyle and they have a great deal of pride concerning their rolling office rigs. I have listened to most of the interviews and I subscribe to the youtube channel.  The interviews are usually conducted on the interstate in Florida, and it is interesting to hear what the drivers are hauling and their destination. The video above is a great example of why I enjoy listening to the Rolling CB interviews.  The owner operator featured in this interview hauls live loads with a bull wagon.  Enjoy the interviews, and keep it between the lines!



Here are some more pictures of Phil Miller's truck courtesy of 10-4 Magazine:

5 Questions with Teacher-Author Shelley Gray - Teachers Pay Teachers

This is a great interview with a teacher and author by the name of Shelly Gray.  She has been teaching for over 10 years, and writes some very great curriculum. Shelly is a big fan of Kinesthetic Learning, which involves more movement and action than traditional passive learning methods. After many years of teaching in all types of schools, I have found this type of learning to be very valuable in my Language Arts Classroom.

Teachers Pay Teachers has many great resources, and I have found the resources to be much more interactive and interesting when compared to traditional curriculum. Check out the full interview with Shelly Gray at the following link:



5 Questions with Teacher-Author Shelley Gray - Teachers Pay Teachers

Work at Home Health Tips: Avoid Sitting and Use Stand Up Desks

Stand Up Desks:

Are You Sitting Down Right Now? 

You might want to stand up. According to a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, sitting for long periods increases your risk of early death (now would definitely be the time to stand up).

In the study, researchers followed 222,497 Australian adults for several years. Over the course of the study, participants who sat for more than 11 hours a day had the highest risk for mortality, followed by those who sat between 8 and 11 hours daily. Those who sat for less than four hours a day had the lowest risk. Reduce the amount of time you spend sitting however and whenever possible. Try these tips to up your daily activity:

Walk more - One of the simplest ways to offset the effects of sitting is to walk. If you can, walk or bike to work instead of driving.

Stand up at work - Experts estimate that standing burns 50 percent more calories than sitting, so whenever possible, think on your feet. Stand during meetings, while you’re on the phone, and depending on the type of work you do, consider adding a standing desk to your office.

Fidget while you work - According to researchers at the Minnesota Obesity Center, fidgeting might be what separates thin people from overweight people. To increase your daily activity, make a point to get up and walk around your office every half an hour, if possible.

Make TV time active - Instead of vegging out on the couch when you get home, add activity to your evenings by doing jumping jacks, pushups, crunches, and other fat-blasting moves during the commercial breaks of your favorite shows.

Source: http://www.everydayhealth.com/