The increase in the foreclosure rate has occurred at both a national and local level. In 2010, there were 83 homes that were sold as foreclosures in the Pine City School district. This number of foreclosed homes has increased nearly 300% over the past four years.

The forum will be an opportunity for local and regional housing partners to discuss the problem and some potential solutions. The forum will combine the expertise of local real estate agents, mortgage lenders, and non-profit leaders. Each of these organizations and sectors reflects a unique knowledge and approach to the housing sector. The housing forum is an opportunity to learn about their specific knowledge and the work that has been done in foreclosure prevention.

We encourage members of the community to attend the forum as we discuss the challenges to home and property owners. Further questions may be directed to Lauren Ellmers, lellmers@pinecitygov.com or 320-629-2575.

• Best Communities for Music Education in America   In 2010 and 2011, the NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) Foundation announced the results of its annual “Best Communities for Music Education” survey, which acknowledged Pine City Public Schools for its unwavering commitment and support of music education for its students.
• C.C. Ludwig Award | Mayor Jane Robbins  The League of Minnesota Cities’ highest honor for an elected official, the C.C. Ludwig Award, was presented to Mayor Jane Robbins in 2008, for going the extra mile; for her contributions to improved municipal government, for the admiration and respect of the general public toward her, and for her selfless conduct focused on the greater good of the community.
• Minnesota Community Pride! Showcase  At the 2011 Minnesota State Fair, Pine City was recognized as a courageous and innovative community for its members’ work to collaboratively improve the community with Minnesota’s Small-Town Gay Pride, East Central Minnesota Pride, a regional event held annually in the community.
• Minnesota Star Lake | Cross Lake  Cross Lake, a heavily-developed, 942-acre lake on the eastern border of Pine City, was designated as Minnesota’s first Star Lake in 2011 for Cross Lake and Snake River Association’s participation in the Health Lakes Program (2004) and in developing their Lake Management Plan.  The program rewards citizen-based associations that actively participate in protecting and enhancing surface waters of Minnesota.
• Horizons  In 2010, Pine City successfully completed the Northwest Area Foundation’s Horizons Program, an 18-month leadership development program for rural towns with populations of 5,000 or fewer and with poverty rates of at least 10 percent.  The program aimed to help the community understand and alleviate symptoms of poverty, and build social capital and prosperity.
• Initiative Foundation “Outstanding Community”  In 2009, the Initiative Foundation chose Pine City to receive its Outstanding Community Award, because of an uncommon spirit of citizen volunteerism and significant progress toward business, technology, environmental and early childhood issues.  The award highlighted efforts to revitalize downtown,   attract high-tech companies, preserve local lakes, promote early childhood education and restore community pride.
• Job Opportunity Building Zones (JOBZ)  The Job Opportunity Building Zones program has been an effective tool in promoting economic development in Pine City.  To date, three Pine City businesses have utilized JOBZ, one relocating from Wisconsin.  Under JOBZ, businesses that create new jobs and make a capital investment in a new building may qualify for exemption from a host of state taxes and can potentially result in significant savings to businesses that qualify.  The JOBZ program is available now through 2015 and there are plenty of designated acres still available in Pine City.
• Star City  As a Minnesota Star City, the city was recognized in the 1980s for its leadership in working with local businesses to ensure continued growth.  Though there hasn’t been any funding for the program in years, the designation carries on and there is a statewide discussion about reviving the program.
• Women in City Government Leadership Award | Mayor Jane Robbins  Mayor Jane Robbins was awarded the Minnesota Women in City Government Leadership Award in 2010 for her unique, individual achievements in Pine City, as well as her leadership and mentoring roles both inside and outside of the community.
• Yellow Ribbon Community  In 2011, the City was officially proclaimed a Yellow Ribbon Community.  To earn the status, Pine City developed a sustainable action plan demonstrating its commitment to service members and military families.  In the plan, the community identified and connected leaders in key areas across the community, leveraging existing support activities, building awareness throughout the community and identifying ways of taking action.

Veteran cast members include Dennis Howard who portrays the character of Charlie, a self-professed shy character who doesn’t want to be bothered with having to talk to people and his pal Froggy, played by Andrew Cox, that concocts a plan so that Charlie can do just that – not talk – at least not English!

Other cast members include: Karen Miller and Kristen Waxberg – last seen in “Faith County” and Jasper Thomas who was last seen in “She Loves Me” with the Heritage Players.  Newcomers Jared Faust and Webster Ford round out a highly energetic and wacky cast of characters. 

The production will open on Friday, February 17th and continue with 7PM showings on Feb 18, 24 & 25.  A special 2PM matinee will be available on Sunday, February 19th. 

Tickets are available at the Pine Center for the Arts (265 5th Street SE) in Pine City or at the box office one half hour before the start of the show. Adult tickets are $8, Student tickets are $6. 

For more information on the production or the Pine City Heritage Players, visit us on facebook at www.facebook.com\pcheritageplayers

For the third straight year, the Pine Center for the Arts‘ singing valentines made their rounds through Pine City, visiting offices, private homes and surprising those they sang to.  Pine City Pioneer editor Mike Gainor surprised members of the planning committee of the Highway 61 Film Festival the night before Valentine’s Day.

Friday, Febraury 10th – 5:00 PM – The PIne Center for the Arts will host the next Gallery Opening.  Stop in tonight to meet the artist Keith Raivo and see some wonderful sculpture work. Visit the Pine Center for the Arts facebook page for more information.

Friday, February 10th – 6:00 PM – The Pine City Chamber of Commerce and Voyageur Bottle Shop are co-hosting a wine tasting event at the Pine City Country Club.  Tickets will be available at the door for $20 (or hurry to Voyageur Bottle Shop for an advance ticket for $15!)  Attendees will enjoy light appetizers and a selection of over 30 wines to taste during the evening. 

Friday, February 10th – 7:30 PM – The Pine Center for the Arts and the North West Company Fur Post present “A Celtic Crossover” Music Series event.  Tickets are $12 and will be available at the door.

Sunday, February 12th – 12:00 to 1:30 PM – Zion Lutheran Church’s annual spaghetti dinner.  For more information email: Westeren@q.com

Wednesday, February 15th – 11:30 to 1:00 – Pine Area Networking and Entrepreneurship Luncheon.  Session Topic: Small Business Computer Maintenance.  Advance Registration is requested by calling 320-322-4040.  $15 includes lunch or $10 for session only.

February 17, 18, 19, 24 & 25 – Times vary – The Pine City Heritage Players are preparing for the opening of “The Foreigner” a comedy written by Larry Shue.  Tickets are available for advance purchase at the Pine Center for the Arts, Adults are $8, Students are $6.  Visit the Heritage Players facebook page for more information.

Friday, February 17 – 4PM to 7PM – PHASE Furnishings, located near the Beroun exit, will host an open house for community members to stop in and see the wide variety of furniture, gifts and crafts that are available at the store.  Visit the PHASE Facebook page for more information.

Friday, February 17 – 19 – Times Vary — Pine Pond Hockey Tournament comes to Pine City.  Event schedule is posted online at: www.pinepondhockey.com

If you have an event that you would like added to the Chamber Community Calendar, email submissions to info@pinecitychamber.com

The group is a chapter of the Vasculitis Foundation, an international organization for patients with Vasculitus, their family members, caregivers, and medical professionals. The East Central Vasculitis support group was started by mother and daughter, Kami and Haley Schmidt (pictured at right).  The group is for those diagnosed with the disorder as well as their friends and families. Vasculitis is a rare autoimmune disorder where the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues.

More information is available at The Vasculitus Foundation’s website or by contact Kami Schmidt at 320-629-7704, ecmnvasculitis@yahoo.com

The University of Minnesota men’s hockey team will hold its annual “Skate with the Gophers” this Saturday, Feb. 4., from Noon to 3 p.m. at Mariucci Arena.

Accoring to the Gopher Sports Web site, fans can register in advance by calling (612) 624-8080.  Any fan wishing to secure a specific time to skate is strongly encouraged to register by calling advance.  Tickets are also available the day of the event, but specific skating times cannot be guaranteed.

The event, sponsored by M&M’s, provides an opportunity for fans to skate on the Mariucci ice with the 19-9-1 (15-5-0 conf.) Golden Gophers, including Pine City’s own Christian Isackson.  Fans will be able to take photos with Isackson and other members of the team and get their autographs as well.

Here is some additional info about Isackson:

At the event, in addition to what’s mentioned above, there is also an area where fans will be able to suit up in hockey equipment, get their face and hair painted, and play games.

Isackson’s mom, Tracy Isackson, who will be on-hand helping out, said that he will be skating from 2:35 p.m. to 3 p.m. for those who want to schedule skate time accordingly.

Ticket prices are $5 for adults and $3 for youth.  If attendees have their own skates, they are asked to bring them; a limited number of rental skates are available (for $2).

Photo courtesy of Erin Gaffaney

The cast and crew of the PCHS One-Act Play will be advancing to Section Finals for an unprecedented fifth year in a row, following their first place finish Saturday at Sub-Section Festival here in Pine City.  Pine City’s comedy, “slasreveR neveS” by Alan Haehnel, is a creative parody of theatrical convention – and convention in general.

According to senior Rachel Sparling, who plays Mrs. Chillywine in the show, the play is “hilarious.”  While the first few minutes might leave audience members a bit confused, “once you understand the gimmick of it, you’ll be rolling on the floor laughing.”  Sparling also complimented her fellow cast members, saying, “one of the thing that makes it so funny is that everyone is really dedicated to their part and this is probably one of the best one-acts we’ve done in years.”

Director Brad Mariska gives huge props to his cast and crew, as well as several adult volunteers who have assisted with the production. “A program this successful is definitely a collaborative effort and there are a lot of people who have lent their time and talent to this show.”

Saturday’s 6 plays were adjudicated by a three-member panel of theatre experts, all of which gave their first place vote to Pine City.  One judge said the show was “brilliantly done,” calling the performances “melodramatic perfection.”

Also advancing to sections was Mora High School with their model Moliere farce, “The Imaginary Cuckold.”   Other schools participating were Rush City (3^rd), Maranatha Academy (4^th), Academy for Sciences and Agriculture (5^th), and Braham (6^th).  Pine City will face off again perennial powerhouses St. Paul Academy, St. Croix Lutheran, Foley, and Milaca.  The Section Finals are hosted by Milaca this year.

The theatre program is also again partnering with the Pine Community Food Shelf.  This past fall, cast and crew collected more than 600 pounds of food and over $100 cast during their 7^th Annual “Trick-or-Treat for the Food Shelf” event.  Over $400 in additional funds were raised by last weekend’s performances of “slasreveR neveS.”

There will be one more chance to see the play this Friday at 7 p.m. at the Pine City Elementary Auditorium.  Admission is only $2, which will be donated to the Pine Community Food Shelf.