Raiders split at Mesabi

The Raider men's basketball team allowed just four field goals to Mesabi Range in the second half and cruised to a 72-53 North Division victory Jan. 9 at Virginia. Nash Faulk (left) led the Warriors with 20 points followed by Milos Prijovic's 12, Marcus Ayala's 10 and Ahmed Farah's 10. CLC amassed a 41-19 rebounding advantage. Nick Grewe had 12 rebounds and did a nice job. The Raider women shot 25 percent from the field while Mesabi Range made 58 percent in a 84-41 loss. Cassie Pearson led the Raiders with 20 points. Carlee Davich and Alicia Johnson each added seven points. Next games for the teams are Friday, Jan. 15 at home vs. Rainy River, followed by a Saturday, Jan. 16 home stand vs. Hibbing. Come cheer our teams to victory!

Concert Jan. 22

The band Bearfoot opens the spring Cultural Arts Series at Central Lakes College, Brainerd, on Friday, Jan. 22 in a 7:30 p.m. Chalberg Theatre concert. Bearfoot has performed for nine years, performing at major festivals and recordign three albums. Collaborative, uplifting, energetic, haunting, beautiful, inspired are all words that anyone should feel comfortable with while describing the sound of Bearfoot. "Doors and Windows," their latest recording, includes several guest performers. Lead singer and newest member Odessa Jorgensen provides the vocals. California-born fiddle player and vocalist Jorgensen, formerly a member of The Biscuit Burners, joined Bearfoot in September 2008. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 on concret day. The box office is at (218) 855-8199. Window hours: Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 5 p.m.-7:30 p.m. and one hour prior to each show time.

Open house

The Central Lakes College Dental Assisting and Nursing programs will host an open house Wed., Jan. 20 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. to showcase new facilities on the Brainerd campus. A short program is planned for 5:30 p.m. in the open house area, which is located on the second floor of the west wing. Two recent remodeling projects created new space for a community dental clinic and new classroom and lab areas. The improvements feature new dental diagnostic and patient management software to enhance the dental assisting skills of CLC students. The Department of Human Services operates a community clinic co-located with the college Dental Assisting program. Nursing program space was improved with the addition of a fourth training lab. The campus now has 16 bed stations for Nursing Assistant, Practical Nursing, and Associate Degree students. New simulation tools replicating patient medical situations are among the latest improvements.

Rural rebound

Central Lakes College on Jan. 7 hosted a free USDA Rural Development program featuring Colleen Landkamer, state director, USDA Rural Development. Landkamer discussed business opportunities in rural Minnesota. A four-person panel outlined emerging opportunities and obstacles. Discussion covered bioscience, renewable energy, and financial resurces. Bob Schafer, director of the Central Lakes College Ag and Energy Center near Staples, was among the panelists. Discussion focused on renewable energy and funding for feasibility studies and business start-ups, as well as support for existing businesses with innovative ideas to grow and provide jobs.

Green Week

Central Lakes College will hold its first Green Week Jan. 19-22. Co-sponsors are the student-driven Green Club and the faculty- and staff-led Green Team. Activities include the Recycling Challenge to see who can collect the most cans and bottles to win free pizza, carpooling to win gas cards, a clothing drive and giveaway, solid waste sorting in the cafeteria, posted tips for going green, and a free showing of "Wall-E" with popcorn. The Green Club is planning for "Power-Off Day," a February event to demonstrate how CLC is doing its part in the Minnesota Schools Cutting Carbon initiative. Holiday lights were collected at the Brainerd campus until Jan. 15, with over 150 pounds received. Adult clothing and outerwear not procured by students during Green Week will be donated to a non-profit used clothing outlet.

Orientation at Mille Lacs

Central Lakes College has held two EZ Enrollment Days at the Mille Lacs Tribal College in preparation for the spring semester of classes offered at the community and technical college. CLC counselor Suzanne Karsnia, who teaches a two-credit Career Planning class, assisted student Kelly Friend with the enrollment process. Other courses available at Mille Lacs this spring are Composition I, Interpersonal Communication, Introduction to Algebra, Federal Indian Policy, and Beginning Ojibway II. The most recent orientation was Jan. 4 and included assistance from CLC officials such as Jeff Wig, dean of enrollment Management; Charlotte Daniels, director of admissions; Mike Barnaby, director of Financial aid; Cousnelor Steve Jennissen, Lynn Anderson with assessment and Elene Pawlu of the support staff. Mille Lacs Tribal College leader Josh Maudrie and Mille Lacs Band elder Joe Nayquonabe participated in the orientation.

Business marketing series

Central Lakes College in Brainerd and Camp Ripley near Little Falls are the sites for a series of four morning business marketing seminars. “Marketing Now” features business experts with advice on targeting customers, how much to budget for marketing, what type of advertising works best, and more. Seminars will be held from 8 a.m. to noon and include the same topics at both locations. The event is held on consecutive Tuesdays, Jan. 26 and Feb. 2, 9, and 16 in the Business and Industry Center at CLC in Brainerd. On Thursdays, Jan. 28 and Feb. 4, 11, and 18, the seminar will be held in the Camp Ripley Town Hall. Presenters are Pat Swarthout of CLC, Kathy Moore of Moore Consulting, and Curt Walczak of the University of Minnesota. The four-session package price is $65 per person, including a textbook. Registration deadline is Jan. 19 and can be made with a credit card at (218) 855-8142 or 800-933-0346, ext. 8142. Information is available at www.clcmn.edu/BUSINESS