PLEASE STAND BY PLEASE STAND BY ♪ >> WELCOME TO "ALMANAC NORTH."

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

TONIGHT, HEAR FROM SHELETTA BRUNDIDGE AS SHE TELLS TALES OF SUCCESS FROM HER BLACK ENTREPRENEURS DAY EVENT FROM THE STATE CAPITAL.

>> WE ARE CHECKING OUT HOW LOCAL ARTISANS GO ABOUT BREWING, AND WHAT MAKES CURLING SUCH A POPULAR WINTER PASTIME.

>> THAT ALL IS COMING UP.

BUT WE BEGIN THIS EVENING, PERMANENTS FOR THE CANOE WILDERNESS OPEN THIS WEEK.

IF YOU ARE PLANNING A TRIP, HEAD TO RECREATION.GOV, OR CALL 1-877-444-6777 TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT.

REMEMBER, BE PREPARED WITH BACK UPDATES AND ENTRY POINTS, AND CANCEL EARLY IF YOUR PLANS CHANGE.

FOR MORE DETAILS, VISIT THE SUPERIOR NATIONAL FOREST WEBSITE, OR FOLLOW THEM ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

>> A NEW ORGANIZATION IS HERE TO SUPPORT MINNESOTA’S BOW HUNTING COMMUNITY.

THE MINNESOTA BOW HUNTERS IS DEDICATED TO PREVENTING BOW HUNTING, FOSTERING INCLUSIVITY AND ADVOCATING FOR BOW HUNTERS ACROSS THE STATE.

WITH A FRESH MISSION, MIMBO AIMS TO SUPPORT CLUBS AND EMBRACE MODERN TECHNOLOGY TO IMPROVE COMMUNICATION.

THE GROUP IS OPEN TO EXPERIENCED HUNTERS OR BEGINNERS AND EVERYONE IN BETWEEN.

LEARN MORE ON THEIR WEBSITE.

>> THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION IS HOLDING ITS 2020 4-2025 SNOW PLOW CONTEST, AND VOTING IS NOW OPEN.

CHOOSE FROM A LIST OF 50 FINALISTS, WITH THE TOP EIGHT NAMES EARNING SPOTS FOR SNOWPLOWS STATEWIDE.

VOTING IS OPEN UNTIL FEBRUARY 7, AND YOU CAN VOTE FOR UP TO EIGHT NAMES.

FOR UPDATES, YOU CAN FOLLOW @MNDOT ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

>> NEXT, WE WILL SEND YOU TO DENNY’S DESK WITH DENNIS ANDERSON.

>> THANK YOU, AND WELCOME TO DENNY’S DESK.

EACH BRIBERY, WE RECOGNIZE BLACK HISTORY MONTH.

IT IS A TIME TO HONOR THE CONTRIBUTIONS, THE CULTURE, AND THE LEGACY OF BLACK AMERICANS THROUGHOUT OUR NATION’S HISTORY.

BUT BLACK HISTORY IS NOT JUST SOMETHING TO BE REMEMBERED ONE MONTH A YEAR.

IT IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE AMERICAN STORY.

WOVEN INTO EVERY SINGLE ASPECT OF OUR PAST AND PRESENT.

HERE IN THE NORTH LAND, WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO NOT ONLY ACKNOWLEDGE THIS HISTORY BUT TO LEARN FROM IT AND CARRY ITS LESSONS FORWARD.

BLACK LEADERS, EDUCATORS, AND COMMUNITY ADVOCATES HAVE SHAPED THE TWIN PORTS AND BEYOND, WORKING TOWARD JUSTICE, OPPORTUNITY, AND UNDERSTANDING.

THEIR EFFORTS REMIND US THAT THE PURSUIT OF EQUALITY IS ONGOING AND THAT REAL PROGRESS HAPPENS WHEN WE LISTEN, LEARN, AND TAKE ACTION.

FOR THOSE LOOKING TO EXPLORE MORE, LOCAL RESOURCES LIKE THE DULUTH NAACP, THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN STUDIES PROGRAM, AND THE DULUTH PUBLIC LIBRARY’S BLACK HISTORY COLLECTIONS PROVIDE VALUABLE OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGAGE WITH HISTORY IN MEANINGFUL WAYS.

AND THROUGH ART, LITERATURE, MUSIC, AND STORING TELLING, WE CONTINUE TO SEE THE STRENGTH AND CREATE A -- STORYTELLING, WE CONTINUED TO SEE THE STRENGTH OF BLACK COMMUNITIES.

STORYTELLING IS NOT JUST ABOUT WHERE WE HAVE BEEN, IT IS ABOUT WHERE WE ARE GOING, RECOGNIZING THE PAST IS ONLY PART OF THE JOURNEY.

THE LARGER GOAL IS TO BUILD A FUTURE ROOTED IN EQUALITY, INCLUSION, AND MUTUAL RESPECT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, AND THIS HAS BEEN DENNY’S DESK.

BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU, DENNY.

ON THIS WEEK’S MAKING IT UP NORTH, WE MEET UP WITH A BREWING COMPANY TO LEARN A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE ART OF BREWING A FRESH BATCH OF BEER.

[HORN HONKING] ♪ ♪ >> MY NAME IS TRISTON AND I AM THE PRODUCTION MANAGER HERE.

SO, I STARTED OUT IN THE KITCHEN HERE WASHING DISHES WHEN I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL, AND WORKED MY WAY UP TO BEING A COOK.

I LEFT FOR COLLEGE AND I CAME BACK AND THE OWNERS OFFERED ME A JOB.

I JUMPED AT THE CHANCE TO BE CLOSER TO BEER AND WORK WITH CUSTOMERS.

THEN WE HAD A BREWER LEAVE BACK HERE AND THEY WERE IN NEED OF SOMEONE TO FILL THAT ROLE, SO I GOT THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CRAFT, AND IT IS A FUN INDUSTRY.

SO THEY GIVE ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO START WASHING SOME KEGS, AND THAT HAS DEVELOPED INTO THIS ROLE OF ACTUALLY MAKING BEER OVER THE LAST YEAR OR TWO YEARS.

AND IT HAS BEEN A REALLY FUN TIME.

WE START WITH GRAIN THAT WE SOURCED LOCALLY FROM DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE MIDWEST, AND WE MILL OUR GRAIN HERE IN THE GREEN ROOM, FOR LACK OF A BETTER TERM.

AND WE MILL THE GRAIN AND IT IS MASHED IN WITH OUR BEAUTIFUL LAKE SUPERIOR WATER TO CREATE DIFFERENT CANES AND GET THE SUGAR OUT OF IT IN ORDER TO MOVE TO OUR BOIL CATTLE, WHERE WE THEN ADD HOPS, AND THAT IS WHEN WE GET THOSE SOMEWHAT BITTER FLAVORS AS WELL AS DIFFERENT FLAVOR NOTES WITH DIFFERENT HOP STRAINS.

THEN IT GOES DOWN THE STRAIN TO OUR SELLER, AND THAT IS WHERE WE PITCH ARE USED.

THE NET PERFORMANCE AND WE CARBONATE IT, AND IT IS THE BEVERAGE WE ALL KNOW AND LOVE.

>> WE ARE AT THE WORK BLOCK.

IT BASICALLY HELPS THINGS BLOCK OUT OF THE BEER.

AND SEDIMENTS OR THINGS LIKE THAT.

IT WILL DROP OUT TO THE BOTTOM OF THE BEER.

AND THEN WE ARE ALSO ADDING A NUTRIENT THAT HAS ZINC AND OTHER NUTRIENTS FOR USED.

SOMETIMES WITH DIFFERENT STRAINS, YOU WILL GET -- WHAT YOU CALL IT -- MORE COMPLICATED PROTEIN CHAINS THAT USED STARTS TO BREAK DOWN.

THIS GIVES IT FOOD SO IF IT DOES GET STRESSED, IT GIVES IT SOMETHING TO EAT.

IT JUST MAKES IT A LITTLE EASIER FOR IT.

>> SO, WE HAVE SOME REALLY GOOD BREWING EQUIPMENT HERE, AND THAT HELPS, ALONG WITH JUST RECORD-KEEPING AND TRYING TO BE SPOT ON EVERY TIME WHEN WE DO SOMETHING, WHETHER IT IS ADDING CERTAIN POUNDAGE OF GRAIN OR PITCHING A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF YEAST OR WHATEVER WE ARE ADDING TO A BEER.

WE WANT IT TO BE THE SAME EVERY TIME.

SCHEDULING IS PROBABLY THE BIGGEST THING.

WE HAVE A PRETTY BIG INTRODUCTION SCHEDULE, ESPECIALLY IN THE SUMMER AS WE RAMP UP, THEN WE SLOW DOWN FOR WINTER.

WE JUST TRY TO BALANCE THE SCHEDULING OF WHAT BEERS WE NEED TO MAKE AND WHEN, THEN WE ONLY HAVE SO MANY TANKS, SO TRYING TO BALANCE THAT SCHEDULE AND KEEPING THINGS ON TOP SO WE DON’T RUN OUT FOR CUSTOMERS IS A BIG CHALLENGE.

WE HAVE A PHENOMENAL LAKE SUPERIOR WATER THAT A LOT OF BREWERIES ARE STUCK WORKING WITH WHAT THEY’VE GOT.

AND YOU CAN DO A LITTLE BIT, BUT IT IS A BLANK CANVAS.

WE CAN REPLICATE WATER FROM EUROPE OR WHEREVER BECAUSE IT IS SO PERFECTLY NEUTRAL.

>> WE HAVE SEVERAL FLAGSHIP BEERS, FIVE OR SIX, BUT A COUPLE THINGS WE ARE DOING, ONE IS LAKE SUPERIOR’S BEAUTIFUL WATER TO MAKE HERE.

SO WE REALLY SHOWCASE THE WATER.

WE DO SEVERAL LAGERS, WHICH YOU NEED REALLY GOOD WATER.

AN EXAMPLE IS A CHUCK PILSNER, AND WE DO A SWAP FOR PILSNER AND SEVERAL OTHER LAGERS.

WE ALSO WANTED TO HAVE SOME LOCAL INGREDIENTS IN OUR BEERS.

A COUPLE OF THEM WE SHOWCASE, ONE IS OUR BOUNDARY WATERS BRUNETTE, WHICH HAS WHILE DRIESSEN HIT.

WILD RICE HAS BEEN USED HAS BEEN USED FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS.

AND BLUEBERRY SOUR.

THOSE ARE TWO WE ARE USING LOCAL INGREDIENTS TO SHOWCASE.

THE MOST REWARDING PART OF OWNING A BREWERY, THERE’S TWO THINGS.

ONE THING IS MAKING SOMETHING PEOPLE LIKE IS PRETTY DANG REWARDING.

THE SECOND THING IS PEOPLE.

I JUST THINK WE ARE IN -- I ALWAYS TELL MY STAFF WE ARE IN A FUN BUSINESS.

WE ARE NOT A FUNERAL HOME OR WHATEVER.

WE ARE MAKING BEER AND PEOPLE ARE HERE AND CRAFT BREWERIES ARE HAPPY HOUR.

IT IS NOT 12:00 AT NIGHT.

I ALWAYS SAY 12:00 AT NIGHT IN A BAR IS WHERE BAD THINGS HAPPEN.

4:00 IN A BREWERY, PEOPLE ARE HAVING FUN, THEY ARE HAVING A GREAT TIME AND SMILING, AND WE ARE PART OF THAT.

SO, THAT HAS BEEN SUPER REWARDING.

♪ BRETT: IT IS ALL ABOUT THE WATER.

MAARJA: IT IS.

YOU HEAR THAT A LOT.

I ALWAYS LOVE WATCHING CRAFT BEER STORIES LIKE THIS BECAUSE YOU REALIZE IT IS LIKE CHEMISTRY.

IT IS LIKE A SCIENCE EXPERIMENT WITH EVERY BATCH.

BRETT: YOU GO TO A LIQUOR STORE, YOU BUY A BEER, BUT THERE IS SO MUCH THAT GOES INTO IT.

IT IS LIKE A SCIENCE EXPERIENCE.

CRITICAL.

OUR GUEST THIS WEEK IS SHELETTA BRUNDIDGE, AN ENTREPRENEUR, AUTHOR, COMEDIENNE, AND ACTIVIST BASED IN THE TWIN CITIES.

SHE SAT DOWN WITH OUR PRODUCER TO DISCUSS HER UPCOMING ANNUAL EVENT AT THE STATE CAPITOL, BLACK ENTREPRENEUR’S DAY.

HERE’S WHAT SHE HAD TO SAY.

>> THE INSPIRATION BEHIND BLACK IT CAN TRIP A NEW OR’S DAY AT THE CAPITOL STARTED THREE YEARS AGO.

I REALIZED THAT THE STATE OF MINNESOTA HAD $17 BILLION IN SURPLUS.

AND OUR LAWMAKERS WERE SCRATCHING THEIR HEADS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO WITH ALL THIS MONEY.

I THOUGHT, WELL, YOU’VE GOT BLACK BUSINESS OWNERS WHO ARE COMING OUT OF COVID, A LOT OF US ARE STRUGGLING.

WE DON’T HAVE THE SAME ACCESS AS OUR WHITE COUNTERPARTS TO CAPITOL.

I MEAN POLITICAL, SOCIAL, AND FINANCIAL CAPITAL.

WE REALLY COULD USE THESE FUNDS.

SO WHAT CAN YOU DO TO GET ACCESS FOR US TO LOANS, THE FORGIVABLE KIND THAT EVERYONE ELSE GETS?

INFRASTRUCTURE, PROGRAMS, AND SERVICES?

ANYONE WHO HAS NOT BEEN TO BLACK ENTREPRENEUR’S DAY, IT IS ABSOLUTELY ELECTRIC.

THINK ABOUT IT, 500 BUSINESS OWNERS FROM ACROSS THE STATE COME TO THE CAPITAL, SOME MEETING FOR THE FIRST TIME, WEATHER DULUTH, ROCHESTER, OR ST.

CLOUD OR ST. PAUL, OR MINNEAPOLIS.

WE GATHER IN THE ROTUNDA AT 10:00 A.M. AND THERE IS A RALLY.

WE LEAD WITH LIGHT AND LOVE.

WE HEAR FROM SOME OF OUR LAWMAKERS.

REPRESENTATIVE BETTY MCCOLLUM IS COMING FROM D.C.

SINCE THE HOUSE REPRESENTATIVES ARE AT A STALEMATE AND WILL NOT COME TO WORK.

SOMEBODY HAS TO COME TO TALK AND REPRESENT THE DEMOCRATS AND TALK TO CONSTITUENTS.

A LOT OF THE BUSINESS OWNERS WHO ARE THERE ARE FROM DEMOCRATIC DISTRICTS.

TWO BUSINESS OWNERS WILL GET UP AND TALK ABOUT THEIR TESTIMONY.

SOME LOCAL AND CORPORATE COMPANIES ARE GOING TO COME AND TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE THINGS THAT BLACK BUSINESS OWNERS NEED TO BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR.

AND THEN WE ARE GOING TO TAKE A BREAK FROM A RALLY.

IT IS NOT COMING TO DO THE RAH RAH.

THAT IS GREAT.

WE WILL EACH MEET WITH THE LAWMAKERS.

THEY WILL GO OVER TO THE SENATE AND MEET WITH THEIR SENATOR.

AND ONCE THEY HAVE THOSE ONE-ON-ONE MEETINGS, THE MEMBERS OF THE SENATE AND REPUBLICANS FROM THE HOUSE AND ANY OF OUR D.C. DELEGATION WITH US, WE WILL MEET FOR LUNCH SO WE CAN CONTINUE THE CONVERSATIONS.

BECAUSE IT IS ALL ABOUT ACCESS AND INFORMATION.

A LOT OF TIME FOR BLACK BUSINESS OWNERS, WE DON’T KNOW ABOUT PROGRAMS AND SERVICES BECAUSE WE DON’T HAVE A LOBBYING AGENCY AT THE CAPITOL.

THERE IS NOBODY AT THE CAPITOL LOOKING OUT FOR THE BEST INTEREST OF BLACK BUSINESS OWNERS.

SO WHEN THERE IS SERVICES AVAILABLE, WE FIND OUT IN A NEWSPAPER WHEN IT IS TOO LATE TO APPLY, WHEN THE DEADLINE HAS PASSED.

SO WE HAVE TO GO UP TO THE CAPITAL.

BECAUSE THAT HOUSE IS OUR HOUSE.

OUR TAX DOLLARS PAY FOR THAT.

WE DON’T WORK FOR THEM.

THEY WORK FOR US.

SO, WE ARE GOING TO GO SIT RIGHT ACROSS FROM OUR LAWMAKERS AND SAY, WHAT IS COMING UP?

WHAT HAVE YOU GOT FOR US?

WHAT IS AVAILABLE?

WE NEED TO KNOW SO WE CAN BEGIN TO APPLY, SO WE CAN MAKE SURE THE FUNDING THEY HAVE AVAILABLE IS THERE FOR US AND OUR BUSINESSES JUST LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE, AND WE DON’T MISS THAT DEADLINE.

THERE IS STRENGTH IN NUMBERS.

YEAH, WE CAN ALL CALL, BUT THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CALLING SOMEBODY HEALTH AND SHOWING UP AT SOME AT HIS HOUSE.

THAT IS THE PEOPLE’S HOUSE.

WHEN THEY SAY WE THE PEOPLE, WE ARE THE PEOPLE THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT.

IT IS SO IMPORTANT THAT WE THE PEOPLE GET DOWN TO THE CAPITOL AND MAKE OUR VOICES HEARD AND MAKE A BIG LOUD SOUND SO WE CAN SEE CHANGE.

THIS IS THE AMAZING THING ABOUT BLACK ENTREPRENEUR’S DAY.

IT IS NOT JUST ABOUT MEETING WITH THE LEGISLATOR.

THAT IS A PIECE OF IT.

BUT THOSE FOUR TO FIVE BUSINESS OWNERS THAT ARE COMING TOGETHER, THEY ARE FROM ALL DIFFERENT TYPES OF COMPANIES.

MARKETING, RETAIL, RESTAURANTS, DENTISTS, DOCTORS, LAWYERS, ACCOUNTANTS, AND THEY ARE FROM ALL OVER THE STATE OF MINNESOTA.

ROCHESTER, DULUTH, ST.

CLOUD, ST. PAUL, MINNEAPOLIS, ALEXANDRIA.

AND THEY ARE ALL IN A ROOM TOGETHER.

YOU CAN SEE THE IDEAS START TO HAPPEN, THE COLLABORATIONS THAT BEGIN.

THEY START BARTERING, THEY, START PARTNERING THEY START HIRING EACH OTHER.

BLACK OWNERS ARE MORE SUCCESSFUL THAN THEY HAVE EVER BEEN.

THE LARGEST NUMBER OF NEW BUSINESSES BEING STARTED IN AMERICA RIGHT NOW ARE BEING CREATED BY BLACK WOMEN.

SO, HELPING EACH OTHER, SUPPORTING EACH OTHER, HIRING ONE ANOTHER, MAKING SURE THAT THE DOLLAR CONTINUES TO CIRCULATE WITHIN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

IF WE HAVE SOMETHING TO BUY, LET’S NOT GO OUT TO THE BIG BOX RETAILER.

LET’S NOT LOG ON TO AMAZON.

LET’S SEE IF -- BE INTENTIONAL ABOUT IT.

LET’S SEE IF THERE IS ANOTHER AFRICAN-AMERICAN BUSINESS OWNER OR SMALL BUSINESS OWNER WHO CAN COME IN AND CREATE THESE SIGNS.

ALL WE NEED AS SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW YOU THAT WE CAN DO THE WORK, BUT IF WE NEVER GET THE OPPORTUNITY, WE CAN’T EVER DO THE WORK.

AND IF WE DON’T DO THE WORK, WE GO OUT OF BUSINESS.

WE ARE VERY CLOSE TO DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING’S BIRTHDAY.

AND ONE OF MY FAVORITE QUOTES FROM DR. KING SAYS, ALL OF LIFE IS INTERCONNECTED.

I CAN’T BE EVERYTHING I AM CALLED TO BE UNTIL YOU ARE EVERYTHING YOU ARE CALLED TO BE.

SO WHEN A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER IS SUCCESSFUL, WHEN YOU PAY MORE TAXES, YOU CAN GET THOSE POTHOLES FILLED, YOU GET THOSE STREET LIGHTS ON, RIGHT?

BUT IF THE SMALL BUSINESS OWNER IS NOT SUCCESSFUL, THEN YOU CAN’T COLLECT THOSE TAX DOLLARS.

WE CAN’T GROW.

WE CAN HIRE MORE PEOPLE.

PEOPLE SAY, PEOPLE NEED MORE TO DO.

IT’S A PRETTY YOUNG WE CAN HIRE A YOUNG PERSON WHEN THEY COME HOME FOR COLLEGE, OR A TEENAGER WHEN THEY GET OUT OF CLASS TO RUN ERRANDS OR ANY NUMBER OF THINGS.

BUT WE CAN’T DO THAT IF OUR BUSINESS IS NOT DOING WELL.

WE HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING.

SO, I HAVE BEEN IN NEWS AND BROADCASTING FOR 24 YEARS.

I KEPT GETTING PASSED OVER FOR OPPORTUNITIES.

SO I SAID, INSTEAD OF FIGHTING FOR A SEAT AT THE TABLE, I AM GOING TO BUILD MY OWN.

WHEN I BUILT MY OWN TABLE TO DIVERSIFY THE MEDIA LANDSCAPE IN THE TWIN CITIES WITH MY PODCAST AND NETWORK, SO MANY OTHER SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS SAID, WE WANT TO JOIN IN YOUR EFFORTS.

HOW CAN WE HELP, HOW CAN WE COME TOGETHER?

THERE IS STRENGTH IN NUMBERS.

I NEVER WANT TO BE THE ONLY PERSON IN A ROOM WHO LOOKS LIKE ME.

IF I AM IN A ROOM, I WANT TO BRING SOME OTHER PEOPLE IN THE ROOM.

BECAUSE HERE IS THE THING, I DIDN’T HAVE TO DO BLACK ENTREPRENEUR’S DAY AT THE CAPITOL.

I AM CONNECTED ENOUGH THAT I COULD WALK CAPITOL INTO THE AND TALK TO MY LEGISLATOR AND MAKE THINGS BETTER FOR MY BUSINESS AND MY FAMILY.

BUT WHAT ABOUT THOSE OTHER BUSINESS OWNERS WHO ARE BEHIND ME WHO ARE NOT POLITICALLY CONNECTED?

WHAT ABOUT THEM?

SO AM I JUST SUPPOSED GET FAT OFF THE LAND AND GO ABOUT MY BUSINESS AND LEAVE THEM BEHIND?

OR CAN I JUST OPEN THE DOOR AND BRING EVERYBODY IN?

SO, THIS DAY IS REALLY ABOUT OPENING THE DOOR TO THE CAPITOL, TO THESE LEGISLATORS, FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS WHO OTHERWISE WOULD NOT WALK IN THERE ALL BY THEMSELVES.

MAARJA: I KNOW SHELETTA WEARS MANY HATS.

BUT WHAT AN ELECTRIC COMMUNITY ORGANIZER.

BRETT: SO INSPIRATIONAL, TOO.

MAARJA: A GREAT EVENT.

OUR NEXT STORY TONIGHT TAKES US TO THE DULUTH CURLING CLUB AT THE DECC.

OUR TEAM SPOKE WITH MEMBERS AT THEIR LEARN TO CURL DAY TO GATHER SOME INSIGHT INTO THE SPORT, AND WHAT MAKES IT SO SPECIAL FOR MANY IN THE REGION.

♪ >> MY NAME IS CARRIE AND I AM THE MANAGER OF THE DULUTH CURLING CLUB.

TODAY, WE ARE HAVING A LEARN TO CURL EVENT WHERE PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT MEMBERS, WHO HAVE NEVER TRIED CURLING BEFORE CAN GET A CHANCE TO COME OUT AND SEE WHAT IT IS ALL ABOUT.

SO, WE WILL OFFER THESE CLASSES PERIODICALLY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

THIS IS ACTUALLY THE ONLY ONE WE ARE DOING THIS YEAR.

THEN WE HAVE A LEARN TO CURL LEAGUE.

THAT RUNS LATE OCTOBER THROUGH MARCH, WHERE YOU COME ONCE A WEEK AND YOU GET FULL INTRODUCTION OF ALL THINGS CURLING.

IT IS LIKE AN INSTRUCTIONAL LEAGUE FOR AN ENTIRE SEASON.

>> NUMBER ONE, IT IS A GREAT THING TO DO IN THE WINTER BECAUSE WINTER IS LONG AND DARK, AND THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO GET OUT AND BE ACTIVE AND SOCIALIZE.

AND THE SPORT OF CURLING HAS A LOT OF HONOR, AND IT IS LIKE A GENTLEMEN’S SPORT.

SO WHEN YOU PLAY A GAME, THE TRADITION IS YOU WOULD GO UPSTAIRS WITH THE OPPOSING TEAM AND HAVE A BEVERAGE AND SOME SOCIAL TIME.

USUALLY THE WINNER WOULD PURCHASE THE LOSING TEAM A BEVERAGE OF THEIR CHOICE.

>> I AM A CURLER HERE AT THE DULUTH CURLING CLUB.

IT IS ONE OF THE LARGEST IN THE UNITED STATES.

IT IS NOT THE LARGEST.

OVER 150 MEMBERS THIS YEAR.

AND IT IS A PLACE WHERE NEARLY EVERYONE YOU SEE IS YOUR FRIEND OR IS GOING TO BE YOUR FRIEND.

AND IT IS JUST A DELIGHTFUL GAME, FOR ONE THING.

EASY TO UNDERSTAND.

WE HAVE FOUR AND FIVE-YEAR-OLDS LEARNING IT.

AND THE OLDEST ONE THAT I KNOW WHO WAS STILL CURLING WAS 92.

SO, IT IS A LIFETIME THING.

SO, MY WIFE AND I HAVE A TEAM AND WE ARE THE GRANDPARENTS, AND OUR TWO GRANDCHILDREN ARE ON OUR TEAM.

THAT IS THE ONLY ONE THAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FIND IN THE WHOLE STATE OF MINNESOTA FOR GRANDPARENTS AND GRANDKIDS, AND IT MEANS A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT TO US.

>> WE HAVE MEMBERS AS YOUNG AS SEVEN AND AS OLD -- I THINK OUR OLDEST IS 86.

SO, YOU REALLY CAN DO IT FOR A LIFELONG SPORT.

AND I THINK MOST PEOPLE COULD BECOME PROFICIENT ENOUGH TO PLAY IN ABOUT 45 MINUTES, THEN IT TAKES ABOUT 10 YEARS TO GET REALLY GOOD.

>> I STARTED LATE IN LIFE.

I WAS IN MY 60’S WHEN I STARTED.

AND I HAVE OFTEN WISHED I HAD BEEN ABLE TO START EARLIER, BUT HERE I AM AND I AM ENJOYING IT.

BUT OUR GRANDKIDS NOW STARTED WHEN THEY WERE SEVEN OR EIGHT YEARS OLD.

AND YES, THEY CAN BEAT US.

SO, WE HAVE A GOOD TIME.

YOU CAN GET RELATIVELY GOOD AT IT.

EVEN PEOPLE THAT START LATE IN LIFE.

YOU ARE NEVER GOING TO BE A NATIONAL CHAMPION OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, BUT YOU CAN GET TO THE POINT WHERE YOU ARE CREDIBLE.

AND LIKE THOSE PEOPLE I AM SITTING WITH UPSTAIRS, WE JUST ENJOY EACH OTHER’S COMPANY AND TRY TO MAKE OURSELVES BETTER.

IT IS ONE OF THE BEST CLUBS YOU WOULD EVER WANT TO BE INVOLVED WITH.

>> I THINK JUST BE GENTLE WITH YOURSELF.

IT IS HARDER THAN IT LOOKS.

AND ENJOY IT.

CURLERS ARE REALLY FRIENDLY PEOPLE, WELCOMING PEOPLE, SO YOU ARE GOING TO FIND A FRIEND AT A CURLING CLUB.

♪ ♪ BRETT: ARE YOU A CURLING CHAMP?

MAARJA: NO, I AM NOT.

I HAVE NEVER TRIED IT, BUT I WOULD LOVE TO.

SHE MENTIONED, I KNOW IT IS HARDER THAN IT LOOKS.

BRETT: THERE IS SO MUCH THAT GOES INTO IT WITH THE SWEEPING.

MAARJA: I LOVE WATCHING IT, ESPECIALLY DURING THE OLYMPICS.

BRETT: IT IS ONE OF MY FAVORITES, AND WE HAVE SO MANY TALENTED FOLKS HERE IN THE TWIN PORTS.

BACK TO HEADLINES.

EARLIER THIS MONTH, WISCONSIN’S LEGISLATIVE LGBTQ+ CAUCUS MET FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE 107TH WISCONSIN LEGISLATURE, THIS TIME WITH MORE THAN TWICE THE MEMBERSHIP OF PREVIOUS SESSIONS.

SENATOR MARK SPREITZER OF BELOIT AND REPRESENTATIVE CHRISTIAN PHELPS OF EAU CLAIRE WERE UNANIMOUSLY ELECTED AS CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR OF THE GROWING CAUCUS.

IN A STATEMENT, MEMBERS EXPRESSED PRIDE IN THE INCREASING REPRESENTATION OF LGBTQ+ LAWMAKERS, SAYING THEY ARE COMMITTED TO ADVANCING EQUALITY, SUPPORTING WISCONSIN’S LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY, AND PUSHING BACK AGAINST WHAT THEY CALL HARMFUL LEGISLATION.

THE CAUCUS ALSO CRITICIZED RECENT PROPOSALS BY WISCONSIN REPUBLICANS TO BAN PRIDE FLAGS FROM THE GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS, AS WELL AS NATIONAL EFFORTS THEY SAY THREATEN LGBTQ+ RIGHTS.

THEY PLEDGED TO WORK WITH GOVERNOR TONY EVERS TO ENSURE SUCH LEGISLATION DOES NOT BECOME LAW.

THEIR MESSAGE TO LGBTQ+ WISCONSINITES?

YOU BELONG HERE, AND WE WILL FIGHT FOR YOU.

MAARJA: GOVERNOR TIM WALZ HAS AUTHORIZED STATE DISASTER ASSISTANCE FOR SIX MINNESOTA COUNTIES HIT HARD BY SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING LAST SUMMER.

THE EMERGENCY AID WILL HELP LOCAL GOVERNMENTS REPAIR PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE AND RECOVER FROM WIDESPREAD DAMAGE.

ISANTI COUNTY IS RECEIVING ASSISTANCE FOR DESTRUCTION CAUSED BY SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ON AUGUST 26, WHILE DAKOTA, LYON, OLMSTED, RAMSEY, AND SCOTT COUNTIES WILL GET SUPPORT FOR FLOOD DAMAGE SUSTAINED BETWEEN JUNE 16 AND JULY 4.

IN A STATEMENT, GOVERNOR WALZ PRAISED MINNESOTA’S EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TEAM FOR WORKING CLOSELY WITH LOCAL OFFICIALS TO ASSESS THE DAMAGE AND COORDINATE RELIEF EFFORTS.

HE REAFFIRMED THE STATE’S COMMITMENT TO HELPING COMMUNITIES REBUILD AND RECOVER FROM EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS.

THE GOVERNOR ALSO POINTED TO THE INCREASING IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE, NOTING THAT OUTDATED INFRASTRUCTURE AND ROADWAYS HAVE LED TO MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN STORM DAMAGE ACROSS THE STATE.

HE SAYS PROACTIVE PLANNING AND INVESTMENT IN INFRASTRUCTURE WILL BE CRITICAL IN PROTECTING MINNESOTA COMMUNITIES FROM FUTURE DISASTERS.

BRETT: BEFORE WE GO, LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT YOU MIGHT BE UP TO THIS WEEKEND.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1, THE LAKE SUPERIOR ESTUARIUM IS HOUSING FAMILY-CENTERED EXHIBITS TO TELL THE STORY OF THE ST. LOUIS RIVER ESTUARY.

THE EXHIBIT INCLUDES A PLAY AREA FOR YOUNG CHILDREN, MAPS THAT DETAIL THE LARGEST ESTUARY ON LAKE SUPERIOR, AND HELP ANYONE EXPLORE.

THE EVENT IS FREE TO ATTEND AND RUNS FROM 10:00 A.M. TO 2:00 P.M. AT 3 MARINA DRIVE IN SUPERIOR.

MAARJA: THE IF4 FILM FESTIVAL IS RETURNING TO DULUTH ON SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2, HOSTED BY GITCHE GUMEE TROUT UNLIMITED AND ARROWHEAD FLY FISHERS.

THE EVENT CONSISTS OF FILMS PRODUCED BY PROFESSIONAL FILMMAKERS FROM ALL CORNERS OF THE GLOBE TO CELEBRATE THE PASSION AND CULTURE OF THE SPORT.

DOORS OPEN AT 3:00 P.M., AND THE SHOW STARTS AT 4:00.

ARRIVE EARLY TO CATCH UP WITH FRIENDS, CHECK OUT VENDORS, AND ENTER THE RAFFLE.

BRETT: ALSO, ON SUNDAY FROM 10:45 A.M. TO 12:30 P.M.

IN THE AFTERNOON IN GRAND RAPIDS, AT THE REIF CENTER AND ITASCA COUNTY YMCA, CATCH "A PEACE OF MY MIND: COMMUNITY STORIES AND PHOTOGRAPHS."

THE EVENT IS A MULTIMEDIA ARTS PROJECT BY JOHN NOLTNER.

THE PROJECT SHOWCASES LOCAL STORIES AND PHOTOGRAPHS INTENDED TO ENCOURAGE DIALOGUE AND BRIDGE DIVIDES.

THE EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO ALL.

MORE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND ONLINE.

SOUNDS LIKE A BUSY WEEKEND.

MAARJA: AND WE MIGHT GET SOME SNOW, TOO.

BRETT: SPRINGLIKE TEMPS, THEN WE GET SNOW.

GOT TO LOVE IT.

MAARJA: EXPERIENCING IT ALL.

BRETT: THAT’S IT FOR THIS WEEK’S SHOW.

GO OUT AND ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND.

I’M BRETT SCOTT.

MAARJA: AND I’M MAARJA HEWITT.

BRETT: THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

GOOD NIGHT.

♪ ♪