February 23, 2012

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Minnesota Eagerly Awaits National Trials For Olympics

VANCOUVER, BC - FEBRUARY 28: Steve Holcomb, d...

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

Recipients of Minnesota have many reasons to look forward to London Olympics in the year 2012. National trials to select athletes who shall represent America in the Olympics will take place soon and preparation is going on in full swing amongst the athletes in Minnesota to make sure the healthy sporting tradition of the city and state remains strong.

Of course, the athletes will be facing tough competition from athletes from other states as well. However, the fact that sports is an integral part of the life of residents of Minnesota makes one hopeful that a sizable chunk of the contingent will be selected from this city. Followers of wrestling, boxing and other such contact sports have a lot to look forward to as athletes from the city are considered top contenders for the few spots available to represent the country in the Olympics.

Other sports where Minnesotans are considered strong contenders include woman’s basketball, track and field events, equestrian events and diving. In all, there are very few sporting areas or avenues that have been left untouched by the sports conscious citizens of the state. One advantage that athletes from the city enjoy over others is that they can interact with those who have already enjoyed the distinction of representing America at the Olympics.

The volleyball team is seen as a strong contender because an Olympic gold medalist is coaching it. Of course, it is important to enhance not only the city’s reputation for being a sporting giant but also that it is strictly against use of drugs and other such substances in sports.

 

Filed Under: News, Sports Tagged With: , ,

Fixing Your Car Problems

Chicago is often referred to as “The Second City,” but these days Chicago should be referred to as “The Smartest City.” Chicago, just like every other country in the United States, has felt the effects of the economy. By taking a look around this vibrant city, you can see that it, too, has had its share of hard times since the market collapsed in 2007.

The city is broke and its citizens are worried about their financial well-being. The city that has prided itself on taking care of so many by providing jobs has been on a hiring freeze, and the rate of unemployment is through the roof. Chicagoans are struggling, but they’ve decided to do something about it.

Chicago is doing car loan refinancing in record numbers. For many it’s for the simple math equation. They are looking at the money that is coming in and seeing the money that is going out. There are only two ways to deal with the car loan when it is more than you can afford.

One option is to get rid of the car altogether. Usually, this just isn’t a realistic option, though. Many people rely on their cars to get them around town, even in a major public transportation city like Chicago. Another option is a car loan refinance, and the results people are getting from this financially savvy move is fantastic.

For instance, there are plenty of people out there who are finding that just because their income isn’t quite the same, it doesn’t mean that their credit has suffered one bit. They are able to finance and keep the car, but they pay a lower interest rate, which will lower their monthly payment.

Chicago has decided that a financial situation isn’t as bleak if you put in the time to fix it. Refinancing is a way Chicagoans are fixing their own financial problems for now and for the future.

Filed Under: Climate, News Tagged With: , ,

Must-See Minnesota Events

Some people might tell you that the Midwest has some of the most varying weather in the entire United States. Those of us who live in the Midwest would have to agree wholeheartedly. From the subzero temperatures and multiple feet of snow in the winter to the humidity and thunderstorms of the summer, states like Wisconsin and Minnesota have definitely learned how to use those seasons and the accompanying weather to their advantage.

Minnesota holds a number of different festivals throughout the year, regardless of the season. If you’re planning to be in Minnesota at all during any of the following events, make sure you attend the festivals. You’ll see how the mix of midwestern weather can be more than fun.

For eleven days in late January, the St. Paul Winter Carnival attracts thousands of people willing to brave the cold temperatures for a little fun. Since 1886, the people of Minnesota have been participating in activities like ice and snow sculpting, ice skating, and even a traditional Native American pow wow with one of the local tribes. One of the most popular events at the carnival is the Torchlight Parade, which occurs at night through the streets of St. Paul.

In mid-July, Minneapolis is home to the Aquatennial, which pays homage to the many waterways in Minnesota. Since 1940, events such as beach volleyball, the triathlon, and the ever-popular fireworks display have been taking place throughout the city. Along with a huge block party, one of the most popular events of the Aquatennial is the boat race in which contestants create boats from milk cartons.

The Minnesota State Fair is perhaps the biggest event in the state, taking place for twelve days in August. With standard Midway rides, the Adventure Park for those who like different rides, as well as butter sculptures and Pronto Pups, this is truly an event showcasing everything that makes the state of Minnesota what it is.

Filed Under: Climate, News Tagged With: , ,

Finding New Freedom – Coming to Minnesota

Germans came to Minnesota for a wide variety of reasons near the middle to the end of the 19th century. They were seeking freedom from political pressures, freedom to practice religion without persecution and to escape military conscription. The political scene in Germany at this time was extremely unstable, with the constant changes in the government and its policies. This drove many to come to the United States to find land and the opportunity to start a new life, with Minnesota as one of their many destinations. This country had land in abundance and heading west meant new opportunities.

The land that many Germans chose to settle on was already inhabited by a variety of Native American peoples, including the Dakota, Cheyenne, Lakota and Cree tribes. These areas had been annexed by the federal government under treaties which were often broken. This is particularly true in the case of the Dakota land, where broken treaty causd the tribe to rise up and fight back, leading to the United States and Dakota War of 1862. This tribe was later removed from the area and placed at Fort Snelling.

Settlement societies cropped up in the Minnesota territory, advertising to encourage more Germans to come to the United States and celebrating the many advantages they would find when they arrived. This caused a crop of new immigrants, most of which were German. They could buy land within the territory for four costs ranging from $2.50 to $8.00 per acre. Today, the areas they settled in lie in the southern part of the state and includes such towns as Gibbon and Sleepy Eye. They also settled predominantly in the counties of Gibbon, Winona, Nicolett, Benton and Morrison.

Bringing their culture with them along with their families, these German immigrants have left a strong legacy behind for us. Their story is still relevant today, and speaks of the courage and new lives that they fostered in this state.

Filed Under: Entertainment, Travel Tagged With: , ,

A Romp Through Voyageurs National Park

Voyageurs National Park, located in International Falls, Minnesota, is a unique experience for the visitor. In order to fully explore this park, you have travel by water, navigating your way through the parks numerous lakes and islands. While doing so, you may go by either kayak, canoe or motorboat. Early explorers came up through the areas waterways using birch bark canoes, searching for new sources of trade in pelts and furs.

The high time to visit the park is during the warmer months of August and September, giving you a mix of pleasant weather and fewer insects while outside. However, if you love to explore in the wintertime, the park has numerous opportunities for you to enjoy. Within the park, you can snowshoe over trails, cross-country ski and even ice fish. You can always stop by the Rainy Lake Visitor Center, which is open throughout the year. Here, you can rent skis and snowshoeing equipment.

For those who love to learn about nature, various programming is provided to visitors from fall to spring. Spring is the time to get out in your boat and explore, as the waters start to open up from winter’s grip. Summer is the busiest season of the year, and the park has three visitor centers open at this time. During this season, you can take a guided tour by boat through the park, or go on your own by renting a canoe.

Campers can get out under the stars in more than 200 locations within the park boundaries. To reach these sites, you must travel by water. Some sites are available by trail, with a few sites that can be reached with your vehicle. You must have a permit, which is provided free of charge, at one of the park’s visitor centers. With all of the available activities, Voyageurs National Park is a perfect place for diving into the beauty of the great outdoors.

Filed Under: Entertainment, Travel Tagged With: , , ,

Looking into Minnesota’s Native American Cultures

Minnesota is home to a variety of Native American cultures. One tribe, the Anishinabe, number as the third largest in the continent of North America, and have played a huge role in the history of the state. The tribe is distinguished both for its crops of wild rice and their skill in constructing canoes. Their name, Anishinabe, means “first men,” but they are more commonly known here in the U.S. as the Chippewa. Their home territory was located primarily in the region of the Great Lakes, of which Lake Superior was the most populated.

The other main tribe in the state is the Dakota, which means “friends” in their language. They may also be known by their other common name of the Sioux, which is derived from the way that French explorers and traders in the area spoke their name. Within the Dakota nation, there are three separate groups: the Nakota, Lakota and Dakota. They lived primarily in the northern section of Minnesota and also along the shores of the Mississippi River in its upper portion. The divisions occurred over time and each group went its own way within the territory. Though separated, they still remained binded together as a group.

In the past, relations with the United States were very strained as treaties were often made and broken with regularity with the tribes. The Dakota were especially rebellious against government interference in their lands and lives, eventually rising up against it. This led to the U.S.-Dakota War that occurred around 1862. They eventually lost not only their land but were also forced to move to allow settlers to come into the area.

Today, these tribes are still present in the state and live on federally protected lands known as reservations. Here, the generations continue to preserve their culture and heritage by passing it on to their children.

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