Northfield Downtown Development Corporation

The Northfield Downtown Development Corporation (NDDC) will focus on the health of the Cannon River at the NDDC’s May Downtown Forum. The Forum is Tuesday, May 6^th, 8 am in the Riverview Conference Room, lower level of the Archer House, 212 Division Street, in downtown Northfield.

The Forum will feature a panel of experts including Beth Kallestad of the Cannon River Watershed Partnership, Hugh Valiant of the Department of Natural Resources, and Cailin Orr of St. Olaf College. Beth will discuss the CRWP’s efforts to protect and improve the health of the river as it runs through this part of the region. Hugh will present a historic overview of the condition of the river as well its prospects for the future. Cailin will move the focus to the Malt-O-Meal dam and its impact on the river’s health.

There has been much recent discussion about the Cannon River, particularly the stretch located in the downtown district. Current and future private and public riverfront projects, a potential intensification of recreational use, and the possibility of changing the design and structure of the dam are all part of this discussion. The panelists will start the discussion and then field resulting questions. A number of key players in the future of the river have been invited to attend and participate in the forum from the audience.

The event is free and open to the public. As always, coffee and cookies will be served.

Grateful customers, friends, neighbors, and citizens will gather in the Lansing Hardware parking lot to help Lee and David lock their doors for the last time. There will be grilling, greeting, jokes and music, as well as a brief ceremony this Wednesday evening, April 30, from 6:00 to 9:00 pm, to celebrate their years of good service to Northfielders.

Lansing opened in their first downtown location in 1974. After a couple of moves, they ended up in their present location, renovating the building in 1982, and creating an attractive, long-time anchor to the southern end of downtown Northfield.

Lee talked about adapting to the economic changes over the years, selling shotguns and appliances when they first opened and eventually settling into hardware and garden supplies. At their peak, they employed 30 to 35 people and served about 200,000 customers per year. At least one of their employees has been with them for over thirty years.

David spoke fondly of their connection to youth, both through employment and supporting activities and events in the community. Over the years he figures that about 650 local youth have worked at Lansing, usually for two or three years, and, in a few cases, more than one generation of a family.

So come on down(town) and help Lee and David close down the hardware store one last time. See your friends and neighbors, have a bite to eat, a little fun, and recognize the Lansing Family’s many contributions to the community.

This Thursday, May 1st, students from both St. Olaf and Carleton Colleges will be coming downtown.

It’s the annual Spring Walk, a recognition that the end of the school year is quickly approaching.

The students will be taking in the sights and enjoying the offerings of downtown businesses from 5 to 11 pm.

So roll out some extra pizzas.

While the high school students are out looking for strange objects and performing creative acts as part of the annual TRICA Decathlon, there’s plenty to keep you busy.

On Friday, the Hospital Auxiliary’s Great Northfield Book Raid continues at the Ice Arena, from 9 am to 9 pm, the YMCA holds their Spring Fever Frenzy at the Armory, from 6 to 9 pm, Kim Bloom is at the Hideaway, from 7 to 9 pm, the Very Short Play Festival is at the Northfield Arts Guild Theater, at 7:30 pm, the Early Music Singers and Collegium Musicum Concert is in Boe Memorial Chapel on the St. Olaf Campus, at 7:30 pm, the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra will be at Skinner Chapel on the Carleton Campus, at 8 pm, the Spruce Top Review will be at the Cow, After October will be at the Tavern Lounge and The Zillionaires will be at the Upstairs Rueb.

On Saturday, the Book Raid continues, Kim Bloom is back again, the Very Short Play Festival continues, there is the closing of the Jill Enestvedt Show at the ArtOnWater Gallery, from 3 to 9 pm, Scandium is at Hogan Brothers, from 7 to 9 pm, there’s the Valhalla Band Spring Concert in Boe Chapel on the St. Olaf Campus, at 7:30 pm, Bonnie and the Clydes are at the Cow and Ray Coudret is at the Tavern Lounge.

Sunday features the Viking Men’s Chorus and Manitou Spring Concert on the St. Olaf Campus, at 3:30 pm, the I Cantanti Chamber Choirs at the Middle School, at 7:30 pm, and the St. Olaf Norsemen Band Concert on the St. Olaf Campus, at 7:30 pm.

Girls Night Out 2008 (PDF poster) is coming soon!

Last year’s incredibly popular event is back. In-store specials, drawings for prizes, pampering, appetizers, beverages, tons of fun…

…and, of course, entertainment.

You’ll never believe what guys they convinced to be exotic dancers this year.

May 9th, 5 pm to 1 am, in Downtown Northfield.