Burning restrictions are now in effect for Cook and Lake Counties, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Due to the mild winter and recent unseasonably warm temperatures, open burning restrictions are in effect earlier than in most years. Burning permits will not be issued and restrictions will remain in effect until sufficient green-up occurs to reduce the fire danger and risk of escaped fires. Alternatives to burning must be used and are available for yard debris disposal. More disposal information is available from the Cook County FireWise website at www.co.cook.mn.us/index.php/firewise-home. More information on the burning restriction is available at the MN DNR Forestry Office, 387-3037.

The  official comment period for the Lima Green Project has been extended by the Gunflint Ranger District of the US Forest Service to Monday, June 4, 2012. District Ranger Dennis Neitzke said the period is being extended because the District had an error in the mailing list that resulted in some interested people not being notified of the original period. Anyone who submitted comments between March 30 and April 30 does not need to re-submit them. The Lima Greeen Environmental Assessment, Biological Assessment and biological Evaluations are available for review at the Superior National Forest Website. Comments may be hand-delivered to the Gunflint Ranger District Office at 2020 West Highway 61 in Grand Marais or mailed to Dennis Neitzke at that address. They may be phoned in to 387-3233 or Faxed to 387-3246. Instructions for Emailing comments are available at 387-3233.

The Grand Marais Art Colony is offering classes in a variety of media in coming weeks:

"Writing Our Stories," with Mary Ellen Ashcroft. Five Thursdays, May 17-June 14, 6-8:30 PM.

"Creative Genius: Mixed Watermedia & Collage," with Jeanne Larson. Two days, May 26-27.

"Torch-Working Glass," with Dan Neff. Two days, May 26-27.

"Open Print Studio" with instructors Kelly Dupre (relief) and Jerry Riach (intaglio). Last Thursday of the month, May 31 and June 28, 6 to 8:30 PM.

"Play with Clay," with Joan Farnam. Five Thursdays, May 31-June 28 6-8 PM.

More information, class descriptions and registration are available from the Art Colony at 387-2737 or arts@boreal.org, or on the website, www.grandmaraisartcolony.org.
 

Sawtooth Mountain Clinic is spearheading "Move it in May," a month-long celebration of active living that is part of the "Get Active Cook County" initiative. Individuals and teams are encouraged to register and track activity minutes and miles online, watching their "thermometers" rise while moving toward the recommended activity goal.

A variety of events happening in May provide opportunities for activity:
• May 17 -- Bike Rodeo at Community Center parking lot
• May 20 -- Half-price bike rentals at Sawtooth Outfitters (www.sawtoothoutfitters.com) to ride the Gitchi-Gami trail; preregistration is required at 663-7643
• May 20-26 -- Bike/Walk to Work or School WEEK, featuring blender bike smoothies for bike commuters provided by Superior North Outdoor Center
• May 25 -- Bike/Walk to Work or School DAY
• May 27 -- Bike ride to Naniboujou sponsored by Superior North Outdoor Center; preregistration requested by May 25 at 387-2186
• May 26 -- Artistic Trails, Creative Hike with landscape painter Neil Sherman; preregister at 612-716-5733

More details and registration to track minutes and miles online are available at www.sawtoothmountainclinic.org -- click on the "MOVE IT" icon. Mileage maps are available for common walking routes. All registered participants are eligible for prizes to be awarded.  

"Move it in May" is sponsored by Sawtooth Mountain Clinic, North Shore Health Care Foundation, Health Reform Minnesota, Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation, Stone Harbor Wilderness Supply, Cook County Public Health and Human Services, Superior North Outdoor Center and Sawtooth Outfitters.
                                            

The Cook County Bike Safety Rodeo will be held rain or shine, from 3 to 5 PM, Thursday, May 17 at the Cook County Community Center in Grand Marais. All young riders are invited to attend. The clinic features helmet-fitting, some helmets available for riders who don't have one, bike inspections, bike safety teaching and a rodeo course that can be ridden. There will also be popcorn and blender bike smoothies. Parent persmission slips are required for all children. Adults are encouraged to accompany youngsters. More information on the Bike Rode is available from Kristin at 387-2330.

Minnesota drivers aged 55+ receive a 10% auto insurance discount by taking an approved 8-hour driver safety class. Drivers maintain the discount by taking a 4-hour refresher class every 3 years.

The four-hour refresher class will be offered at the Birch Grove Community Center in Tofte on Thursday, May 17, from 5 to 9 PM. 

Those who cannot fit a class into their schedules can take the class online, at www.aarpdriversafety.org.

For more information or to register for a class, contact Pam McDougall at 663-7068 or pamm@boreal.org, or call Bill at 387-3167.

The Arrowhead Chapter of the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association is holding its annual Chapter Banquet on Thursday evening, May 17 at American Legion Post 413 in Grand Marais. The social hour starts at 5 PM with the dinner at 6:30 PM. There will be raffles, games and auctions.  Funds raised that night will go to support hunter education for local youth, fund local habitat and help fund speakers who will address the declining moose issue. Tickets are available from Scott at 387-1923.

Frank Moe will be giving a presentation on his recent dogsled trip to that State Capitol in St. Paul from 6 to 7 PM, Thursday, at Betsy Bowen's What's Upstairs in Grand Marais. Everyone is invited to attend the presentation and a discussion about the planned non-ferrous mining operations proposed for northeastern Minnesota. In addition to the slide presentation and talk by Frank Moe, speakers will include Ojibwe leader Al Hunter.

Judy Siegle will talk about her experiences as a Habitat for Humanity volunteer in Haiti, as the first speaker in the 2012 series of Guest Lectures hosted by Cook County Higher Education. The presentation will be at 7 PM Thursday, May 17, at the Higher Ed North Shore Campus in Grand Marais. Refreshments will be served. There is no fee for the lecture, but donations are welcome. The Higher Ed Guest Lecture series is sponsored by Johnson's Foods, Lake Superior Trading Post, Beth's Fudge and Gifts, George F.Maruska Ltd, Drury Lane Books, and Grand Marais State Bank.

Gooseberry Falls State Park Naturalist Carly Hawksinson will tell stories about nature the Silver Bay Public Library on Friday morning, May 18. Her 11 o'clock program will feature a children's storybook along with educational items about nature that relate to the storybook. Time-permitting, the program will have a craft, game or other hands-on learning experience. The free program for five to eight-year-olds will be held on the outside patio of the Silver Bay Library. If it rains, the program will be held inside.