• 20110712_July_Breeze_2011.pdf  **NEWLY ADDED**

Catch up reading The Breeze by clicking ‘TheBreeze’ at the top of each page, which  jumps directly to the online Breeze archive.

For the record, If I were to name the bear, I’d go with ‘Bear Lee’ instead of ‘Vinny the Pooh’.  It seems that a bear named ‘Vinny the Pooh’ would never spark a controversy.  Here’s some pictures and comment from Sue Johnson:

“These are some pictures of “Vinny the Pooh”, our Park Point bear, that has been visiting us all Spring. He’s just been a hungry little bear and if there hadn’t been the tempting bird seed in feeders and dog food left out over night, he wouldn’t be such a problem. It’s amazing that he hasn’t been more of a pest in the garbage cans left out on the curbs once a week.  At least he hasn’t bothered ours beyond 40th.  His latest caper here, though, was running under our deck and bursting through the lattice work on the opposite end of the deck.  He’s been fun to see and our grandkids got to see him last week-end as well, but I think it’s time for him to go back to a more natural environment.  We hope he can be moved successfully and unharmed. He’s brought some excitement and fun to our quiet community that was good for awhile but now it’s time to bid him farewell.

Here is a message from Lucia Hunt, Gypsy Moth Unit Supervisor, Plant Protection Division, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, St. Paul, MN:

“The week of July 11 the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) plans to treat the Park Point neighborhood for the invasive insect gypsy moth. The gypsy moth is a voracious pest that has defoliated forests and caused millions of dollars of damage in eastern states. Annual monitoring traps indicate a growing gypsy moth population on Park Point. The MDA is conducting this treatment to ensure the area is protected from this insect. The MDA will be using a federally approved product called SPLAT. This product is made from waxes, vegetable oils, water and other food-grade ingredients. SPLAT contains a pheromone undetectable by humans that interferes with the male moth’s ability to locate a mate. Small dollops of the substance, the size of cotton balls, will be applied hand applied by ground crews to trees, shrubs or posts along Park Point. Since SPLAT will be ground applied by MDA employees and representatives of the agency, it is important the ground crews have access to the area. While state law gives us authority to come onto property for the treatment, the MDA is asking for permission. To ensure access for workers, we ask that residents please leave gates unlocked and open, and keep pets indoors, if possible. For more information, go to MDA’s website at www.mda.state.mn.us/gypsymoth. If residents have further questions, they can call the Arrest the Pest Hotline at 888-545-MOTH.”

2011 Park Point Art Fair poster:

• 20110620_June_Breeze_2011.pdf

• 20110525_May_Breeze_2011.pdf **NEWLY ADDED**

“We have contacted the fire chief in the past and he told us under no circumstances could the fire hall be painted by volunteers.”

-Dick Gould

“Dear Park Point Community Club,

My name is Dave Haavik.  I’ve been a Park Point resident living near the Fire Station for the last four years.

The fire station badly needs some exterior maintainence but the city can’t seem to accomplish anything in this area because it is riven by several factions, one of which wants to rebuild the place from the ground up, and another which wants to eliminate Fire Station No 5 entirely.

I thought that we could, as a community, repaint the place with 6-10 volunteers and perhaps $500 of materials.  Everyone I’ve talked with has been enthusiastic and I think we’d have no trouble finding volunteers.  Would the Community Club be willing to sponsor this project?

Earlier this spring I contacted my friend Fireman Rick with the idea.  He met alot of resistance along the way, but eventually got a firm answer from the City Architect, who said we were welcome to repaint the fire station if

1) we submit a Project Request Proposal to his office; and

2) said Project Request Proposal contains “safe lead-based paint removal practices.”

I don’t know how much extra effort and expense this will entail, but I still think this is an idea which could be of interest to the Community Club.  All the neighbors on 22^nd Street are on board, and we can help with logistics and management.

Respectfully yours,

David Haavik”

“I only met Craig a few times (such as when he catered the Art Fair; then when he helped the Point out with that intense weekend of brush removal after a big storm; and at charity events for CHOICE, where he served as a board member and was so generous), but he seemed to have such a big hearted embrace for people.”  -Jake Kapsner

http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/obituary/id/197401