Minnesota town to host conversations on its future
Thief River Falls, MN kicks off its first Art Walk
by
Kevin Bonham
July 21, 2009
|
Grand Forks Herald
|
Thief River Falls, Minnesota
Originally published on 7/15/2009
After local people indicated in a survey this spring that the community lacks some arts and entertainment venues, TRForward booked the inaugural Community Art Walk as part of this year’s Great American Block Party July 31-Aug. 1.
TRForward is a community group formed to create a vision for the Thief River Falls area, co-chair Cody Hempel said.
More than 1,700 people completed a community perception survey this spring. TRForward will hold a series of community discussions in various locations over the next month. A meeting schedule will be determined at the group’s July 24 meeting.
“These fun, open discussions are open to the public and will be focusing on the categories identified in the survey as needing the most attention,” he said. “It is important to us that we engage everyone who wants to share their ideas so the entire community can help shape what we become and how we get there. The entire success of this project rests in the hands of the community of Thief River Falls.”
An online version of the survey results also will be available at TRForward’s Web site, www.TRForward.com
The survey addresses a variety of issues, including:
-- Quality of education.
-- Public safety and crime.
-- Whether Thief River is a good place for raising a family or for elderly to receive necessary services.
-- Employment opportunities.
-- Health care.
-- Environment, arts, culture and recreation.
-- Transportation.
-- Housing.
-- Sense of community.
-- Most pressing community needs.
TRForward is modeled after a similar program in Bemidji called Bemidji Leads.
“We’re trying to find out what the community thinks, what the community wants, and how can we accomplish that,” Hempel said.
The group has grown from about 20 to 55 since January. It currently has three committees: Buzz (or communications), chaired by Hempel; assets, chaired by Jodie Torkelson; and values, chaired by Dave Beito.
Besides compiling survey results, committee members have been studying and analyzing.
For example, after several people indicated Thief River Falls has a drug program, they talked with local police and discovered that drug crimes actually have been decreasing in recent years.
They also learned that there is support for an indoor community swimming pool, but that people do not want to pay for it with taxes.
Two themes stood out: Thief River Falls is lacking in arts and entertainment and retail and dining.
“It not so much that people were unhappy with what we have,” Hempel said. “It’s just that they want more.”
The community’s block party, previously held in September, was moved to the last weekend in July this year to coincide with the Thief River Falls Chamber of Commerce Crazy Days.
The revamped block party and Art Walk address that issue.
Events will stretch from Thursday, July 30, with a Concert and Movie in the Park, featuring the Woodpicks, at 8 p.m. in Hartz Park. The movie will follow the concert.
Friday’s events include Crazy Sidewalk Sales from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and a street dance, featuring Billy D and the Crystals, beginning at 6 p.m.
Saturday will feature the Art Walk in downtown Thief River Falls from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with art displays inside and outside businesses. The Chamber is seeking entries in the following categories: literary, graphic (painting, drawing, and photography), music and industrial arts. For more information, call the Chamber at (218) 681-3720.
A Community BBQ Ribs Cook-Off will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at LaFave Park (the beach). Food vendors and beer gardens will be on hand.
Buses will be available to accommodate people between downtown and the park.
“It is important to us that we engage everyone who wants to share their ideas so the entire community can help shape what we become and how we get there,” Hempel said. “The entire success of this project rests in the hands of the community of Thief River Falls.”
http://www.grandforksherald.com/event/article/id/126444/
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