To highlight the importance of this Great Lake to the environmental and economic well-being of this region, volunteers have coordinated a weekend of activities to call attention to the special connections we all have to this unique world treasure.

The celebration actually gets underway in the Twin Ports and along the North Shore this Thursday, July 12 with a variety of activities including:  “Temper Tantrums of Lake Superior – an afternoon hike along the shore from Tettegouche State Park; a walking tour at Western Lake Superior Sanitary District (WLSSD) to learn about the process that cleans wastewater and returns it to the St. Louis River each day…plus activities in Canal Park with booths and presentations at the Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center, plus specially narrated Vista Fleet cruises, and hands-on family-friendly activities at Great Lakes Aquarium.

The celebration continues with a variety of indoor and outdoor activities all weekend long – open houses, musical performances, films, exhibits, hikes and games – at additional venues including: the offices of Lake Superior Magazine, Gooseberry Falls State Park, Sugarloaf Cove Nature Center, Split Rock Lighthouse, Temperance River State Park, Cook County Historical Society, Grand Portage State Park, Wade Stadium, several area churches, and Barker’s Island Festival Park in Superior.  A complete listing of Lake Superior Day events and program details is included below… and is posted at www.LakeSuperior.com.

Lake Superior Day sponsors:  Lake Superior Binational Forum, Minnesota Sea Grant, Minnesota Environmental Partnership, Minnesota’s Lake Superior Coastal Program, Great Lakes Aquarium, Duluth Seaway Port Authority, Visit Duluth, Save Lake Superior Association, St. Louis River Alliance, Western Lake Superior Sanitary District, Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve, Todd Signs, Lake Superior Magazine.                        

TWIN PORTS & NORTH SHORE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Thurs. – Sun., July 12 – 15

Canal Park/Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center   Near the Aerial Lift Bridge, Duluth

Exhibits/activities: 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Tables with experts from Minnesota Sea Grant, Minnesota DNR, Minnesota Environmental Partnership, Save Lake Superior Association, St. Louis River Alliance, Minnesota’s Lake Superior Coastal Program, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Lake Superior Magazine and others. Also Saturday and Sunday (July 14-15), Lake Superior Marine Museum Association will sell “Cruise of a Lifetime” raffle tickets for an ore-boat trip at a tent onsite. Association members will provide kids’ activities, such as nautical knot-tying tips.

Great Lakes Aquarium   353 Harbor Dr., Duluth

Activities: Family friendly activities and Craig Blacklock’s photography exhibit, “Apostle Islands and Pictured Rocks – From Land and Sea.”

Vista Fleet cruises will give stories and fascinating facts relating to Lake Superior Day and will serve meals on lake-related placemats. Area restaurants will serve meals on Lake Superior Day placemats with games, activities and information about the Big Lake.

Thurs., July 12

Western Lake Superior Sanitary District   27th Ave. West & the Waterfront, Duluth

Walking tours: 1-2:30 p.m. Wastewater Treatment facility (ages 13+) or Organics Composting facility       (all ages). Learn about the biological processes that clean wastewater and turn organic material into a soil addition. Moderately strenuous (stairs, indoors & outdoors). Closed-toe footwear and pre-registration required; tours are free. 218-722-3336.

Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center, Duluth

Presentation: 11 a.m. Denise Wolvin, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: “On a Clear, Calm Day: The Sinking of the Thomas Wilson,” the whaleback that sunk off the Duluth piers.  Presentation: 2 p.m. Center Executive Director Thom Holden, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: “Shipwrecks Here and There on the Big Lake,” a look at just a few of some 4,000 accidents on Lake Superior.

Split Rock Lighthouse State Park

Kayak tour: 4:30-8 p.m. The Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center will host a kayak tour with naturalist guides who weave stories, history and environmental information along the way. Pebble beach picnic included. There is a fee and pre-registration is required. 218-353-7414

Tettegouche State Park, 11-11:30 a.m.  “Temper Tantrums of Lake Superior” – Hike along Lake Superior’s shore and learn how the lake can behave like a two-year-old. Meet at park office. Contact park at 218-226-6365.

Friday, July 13

Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center      Canal Park by the Aerial Lift Bridge, Duluth

Presentation: 11 a.m. Andrew Slade, Minnesota Environmental Partnership, “People & Policies Protect Lake Superior,” on what we all can do to help protect the Big Lake. Presentation: 2 p.m. Adele Yorde, Duluth Seaway Port Authority, on “Port of Duluth Superior: Great Lakes Cargo Capital”

Saturday, July 14

Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center

Exhibits: Special display by the DNR’s MinnAqua program about fish, aquatic habitats, water stewardship, fish management and fishing. Presentation: 11 a.m. Doug Jensen, Minnesota Sea Grant, “Aliens are Invading Gitche Gumee.” Presentation: 2 p.m. Mike Link & Kate Crowley, who walked the shoreline of Lake Superior, talk about their journey and new book, Going Full Circle: A 1,555-mile Around the World’s Largest Lake.

Lake Superior Magazine Offices     310 E. Superior St., Duluth

Open House: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Treats, new lake-related items, clearances & sales. 4 p.m. special reception honoring Lake Superior Day Volunteers, plus special guests Mike Link & Kate Crowley will be available for visiting/book signing.

Temperance River State Park  9 -10 p.m.  “Minnesota’s Mysterious Moose” – watch a slideshow about this elusive creature of the northlands. Meet near the shower building in the upper campgrounds. Bring a blanket or chair to sit on. Contact park at 218-663-7476.

Sun., July 15 – Lake Superior Day

Area Churches. Several celebrate with Lake Superior Day services. Check with individual churches.

Sugarloaf Cove Nature Center    Turn at mile 73.3 on Highway 61

Activities: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Hands-on activities all day as part of the festivities. Hiking trails open all day.

Music: 2 p.m.  The Fish Heads   Enjoy foot-tapping bluegrass and Lake Superior songs with Kim & Mike Munson.

Barker’s Island Festival Park      On the waterfront, Superior

Exhibits/activities: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Exhibits, vendors, music, poetry, kids’ activities and a native plant sale. near the new National Estuarine Research Reserve offices. Unveiling of the Superior Council of the Arts “Postcards from Our Estuary” entries.  Awards: 1 p.m. Lake Superior Binational Forum presents its annual Environmental Stewardship Awards to individuals and organizations.

Gooseberry Falls State Park

Exhibits/activities: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.  Join naturalists for a full day of activities focusing on Lake Superior and its unique flora and fauna. Contact the park at 218-834-3855.

Cook County Historical Society     8 S. Broadway, Grand Marais

Films/exhibits: 3-5 p.m. Film festival, part of WTIP radio’s year-long Lake Superior Project, features “Grandmothers Gathering for Gitchigaaming,” shot on Madeline Island by director Lorraine Norrgard, who will lead a discussion, and the film, “Paddle to the Sea.” An exhibit of community art and essays reflect connections to Lake Superior.

Grand Portage State Park, 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. Ojibwe Cultural Connection to Lake Superior . Outdoor presentation about the cultural relationship between Grand Portage Ojibwe & Lake Superior; 4 p.m., meet at Mt. Josephine wayside area to hear about Ojibwe connection with Isle Royale and Lake Superior water travel. Contact park at 218-475-2360.

Wade Stadium        Grand Ave. & 34th Ave. W., Duluth

5 p.m. Special acknowledgement of Lake Superior Day at the Northwoods League baseball game – Duluth Huskies vs. Thunder Bay Border Cats.

Note:  Many state parks and other venues along Minnesota’s North Shore offer regular lake-related activities.                

State Park programs are free, but a vehicle permit is required to enter Minnesota state parks and recreation areas. Permits ($5 daily or $25 year-round) can be purchased at the park.

<i>Celebrating Lake Superior Day began in the early 1990s, spearheaded by The Lake Superior Binational Forum, a multi-sector stakeholder group of U.S. and Canadian volunteers that work together to provide input to governments about lake issues and educate basin residents about ways to protect and restore the lake.  For more info:  Lissa Radke, (715) 682-1489.

Growing up, my mother sat on the board of the local Planned Parenthood organization and talked to me a lot (endlessly, I thought at the time) about how important it was to make good choices … about many things, including becoming a parent. This column by Leslie Kantor may not be all warm and fluffy like your favorite Mother’s Day card, but it’s definitely worth thinking about. ~ Jana Peterson/Pine Journa

A more meaningful Mother’s Day gift

Americans love Mother’s Day. We love it so much that we’re collectively shelling out about $19 billion this year on gifts, special meals, and cards. But when it comes to educating our kids about how most women become mothers, we’re much less conscientious. Too many of our children aren’t learning about the connection between sex and parenthood before it’s too late. That means they lack the tools that help them avoid pregnancy until they are ready to be parents.

The evidence of this struggle is clear. Although the teen birth rate recently fell to a record low, 750,000 American teens still get pregnant every year. In fact, U.S. teens are much more likely to become pregnant than teens in other countries with more comprehensive sex education and broader access to birth control. Our teen pregnancy rate remains high despite the fact that the vast majority of parents talk with their kids about topics related to sex. Unfortunately, far fewer parents are covering topics such as how to say no to sex and how to use birth control — two key ways that teens can avoid unintended pregnancies.

Parents consistently say they would like help from schools. In fact, multiple studies have shown that parents overwhelmingly support school-based comprehensive sex education that includes information on contraception. A 2011 Planned Parenthood poll found, for example, that 90 percent of parents think high school sex education classes should address birth control and 75 percent believe it should be covered in middle school.

Unfortunately, legislators in several states are going the opposite direction. Tennessee, North Dakota, and Wisconsin lawmakers have all recently passed sex education measures requiring school programs to withhold critical sexual health information. This legislation requires schools to emphasize abstinence and prevents teaching balanced information about birth control. The Tennessee bill could allow schools or teachers to be sued for “encouraging” or “condoning” nonspecific “gateway sexual behavior.” More than a few critics and reporters have speculated that handholding or kissing could fall into that category.

On the federal level, conservative lawmakers have continued to oppose funding for proven sex education programs. Hundreds of studies have shown that programs that emphasize both abstinence and birth control are more likely to help young people delay sex and avoid pregnancy than programs that teach abstinence alone. In fact, there’s so much evidence for this approach that the federal government now designates funding for programs that replicate it. Still, even with the proven success of comprehensive sex education, conservative lawmakers in Congress — who say they oppose wasteful spending — snuck $50 million per year through 2014 into the Affordable Care Act to fund unproven abstinence-only education.

The lawmakers who push abstinence-only education say teens are less likely to have sex and become pregnant if schools emphasize the dangers of sex outside of marriage and restrict teaching about contraception. But they’re out of step with what parents want, as well as with all of the evidence about what actually works to help young people delay sex and protect themselves when they become sexually active.

As the mother of a 13-year-old son, I know firsthand the rewards and challenges of parenting. It’s a commitment that no one should enter into lightly or unprepared. That’s why we parents want our kids to delay having babies until they are ready for the responsibilities parenthood requires. As a sexuality educator, I frequently hear from parents who want their kids to have access to useful information about sex and sexuality at school and not just at home.

That’s why this Mother’s Day, moms across the country would welcome the gift of effective school-based sex education. Believe me, a well-prepared kid beats a sappy Mother’s Day card any day.

Writer Leslie Kantor is the Planned Parenthood Federation of America’s vice president of education. www.ppfa.org
Distributed via OtherWords (OtherWords.org)

The Lake Superior Zoo’s Green Team will celebrate Earth Hour 2012 on Sat., March 31 with a special event from 7 to 9 p.m

The zoo will turn out its lights and have a bonfire, campfire chili and music, along with an educational presentation and lantern-lit walking tour. The Arrowhead Astronomical Society will be on hand with telescopes for viewing of the constellations.

The city of Duluth will join the celebration by turning out the lights on the city’s iconic lift bridge.

Registration is $15 per family, $7.50 for individuals and FREE to zoo members. Register online at www.lszoo.org.

Earth Hour started in 2007 in Sydney, Australia when 2.2 million individuals and more than 2,000 businesses turned off their lights for one hour to take a stand against climate change. Only a year later, Earth Hour had become a global sustainability movement with more than 50 million people across 35 countries participating. Global landmarks such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, CN Tower in Toronto, Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, and Rome’s Colosseum, all stood in darkness, as a symbol of solidarity in the fight against climate change.

In 2011 Earth Hour became the biggest Earth Hour ever. A record 128 countries and territories joined the global display of climate action. Iconic buildings and landmarks from the Asia Pacific to Europe and Africa to the Americas switched off. People across the world from all walks of life turned off their lights and came together in celebration and contemplation of the one thing we all have in common – our planet.

For more information contact Holly Henry at (218) 730-4500 ext. 207 or register online at www.lszoo.org.

The city of Cloquet is asking for resident input on the development of a long-term Master Parks Plan. Complete the (approximately 10 minute) online survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CloquetParksRecMPSurvey. Survey questions will also be printed in a future issue of the Pine Journal.

Here’s the latest Pine Journal story on the Master Parks Plan process.

City makes progress on parks plan

Jana Peterson

jpeterson@pinejournal.com

Although last Wednesday’s community meeting on the Cloquet Master Parks Plan attracted just over 30 people, Caleb Peterson said the quality of the participation made up for low numbers.

“Those that were there were very engaged and participating,” said the assistant city engineer who oversees the city parks. “I think that was even more important than having a huge turnout.”

Much of the meeting time was dedicated to small-group discussions that were reported to the larger group near the end of the meeting.

Peterson said new (to him) ideas included a climbing wall in Veterans Park and a zip line and/or a new chalet complex at Pine Valley. Discussions also included more familiar ideas and needs, including a skate park and more athletic fields, particularly at Hilltop, where the soccer fields are often booked solid in the fall with league and high school soccer games and practices, along with FDLTCC football practices.

Connectivity – or the lack thereof – was a consistent theme.

“I think we heard about trails and connectivity – whether it be sidewalks or bike trails – from every group,” Peterson said. “It sounds like that might be a focus point so far.”

Members of the Parks Master Plan Task Force were named at Tuesday’s Cloquet City Council meeting. Those include the following Cloquet residents: John Badger, Tom Urbanski, Rick Norrgard, Kevin Robertson, Jeff Leno, Rick Stowell, Holly Peterson, Jenny Blatchford, Charlotte Henning, Brady Slater, Dennis Painter, Tom Brenner, John Sanders, Jon Waugh, Tim Krohn, Daniel Tarr, Ken Ripp, Scott Blatchford, Joe Nowak, Barb Wyman, Mark Roberts and Dave Manderfeld.

Future plans for all of Cloquet’s parks and trails, including Pinehurst Park, will be discussed at a city-wide meeting starting at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15, in the commons area at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, 2101 14th St., Cloquet. Everyone is encouraged to come; food will be provided.

The meeting is the first step in formulating a master parks plan, something the city has never done before. Although Cloquet boasts a number of park features, from sporting fields to cross country trails and more, the system has been built piece by piece over the years.

On Wednesday, consultants from LHB Design Firm, which was hired by the city to help draft a parks plan, will help facilitate the meeting, but they’ve promised that it won’t be a lecture, more of a brain-storming session. Older children who are able to participate in small group discussions about the park system’s strengths and weaknesses are welcome, as are folks of all ages.

LHB’s Lydia Major said the first meeting is really about gathering information, opinions and ideas about the parks system as a whole from the people who use it. What are the strengths and weaknesses? What will make the parks better? What events are needed? How can things be better connected? Have people seen wonderful park systems elsewhere they which could be replicated in Cloquet?

Peterson said he is hopeful that a healthy number of interested residents will turn out for the meeting, despite a history of citizens not participating in activities designed to plan for the future of Cloquet.

“I don’t know why people don’t come, they’re busy I guess,” he said. “I think if it’s not something that will directly impact them tomorrow, they stay home. And part of it might be the format of most meetings. Maybe they think their input won’t be valued or heard.”

He noted, however, that part of the reason the city chose to hire LHB was because the firm has had great success with getting citizens involved and uses some unconventional methods to increase community engagement in the process.

Major said people should plan to be at Wednesday’s meeting for at least two hours. The bulk of that time – after a 20-minute presentation – will be spent in small group activities, she said.

“We’ve had what sounded like crazy ideas come out of these small groups but people have banded together and made it happen,” she said, referring to a kayak trail that came out of a Roseville, Minn., meeting. “There is also a lot of overlap between groups, but that’s good too, because that also tells you what ideas may have a lot of support.”

For more information about the meeting, call the city of Cloquet at 218-879-6758 or visit the city’s website at www.ci.cloquet.mn.us.

When I first heard that a truck driver had asked a 9-year-old boy outside of Washington Elementary School if he wanted to see something inside his truck, I was pretty shocked. Of course, as the mother of twin 9-year-old boys at the same school, I assumed the worst.

After Wendy Johnson, publisher at the Pine Journal, followed up on the police press release to find out the whole story, my feelings changed and I began to think perhaps this truck driver was only guilty of poor judgment rather than unthinkable intentions. (Read the Pine Journal story at the end of this blog post.)

I realized then that the same kind of story easily could have been written about me the Friday before.

Just a week before, it was a bitterly cold Friday morning. I had just dropped off my boys at school and noticed a teenage boy who was not wearing mittens, walking in the direction of the high school, a good 8-10 blocks away. I had seen him walking the same route a couple times before, but this time I decided to drive around the block and see if he needed a ride to school since it was such a cold day.

By the time I got around the block, he was gone. Assuming he must have gotten a ride from someone else, I didn’t give it another thought.

Until I was reading Wendy’s story and suddenly realized that my kind intentions could very easily be misinterpreted.

I’m not saying that the truck driver is guilty or innocent, just that we too often jump to the worst conclusions today. I think the little boy did all the right things, as did his grandmother in reporting the incident. The police and county attorney’s office also did their jobs in investigating the matter thoroughly.

But I also hope the truck driver still has his job if his only crime is that of not thinking of how his offer could be interpreted.

Charges not likely against delivery driver who approached elementary student

By: Wendy Johnson, Pine Journal

Assistant Carlton County Attorney Michael Boese indicated Wednesday that charges are unlikely against a delivery truck driver who reportedly invited a 9-year-old student at Washington Elementary School in Cloquet to get inside his semi-truck after school on Friday.

According to Cloquet Deputy Chief Terry Hill, the incident took place at 3:20 p.m. Friday as the student was waiting to be picked up outside the school. The 9-year-old boy said a man delivering items to the school asked him on two occasions to get inside the truck to “see something.” The boy did not comply. He reported the incident to his grandmother when she arrived to pick him up, and she took down the company name and contact information from the side of the truck. The family contacted police later that afternoon.

Cloquet police assigned School Liaison Officer Derek Randall to investigate the incident. He was able to track down the 31-year-old truck driver to get his version of the story, as well as that of the boy who reported the incident.

According to Cloquet Police Chief Wade Lamirande, the truck driver stated he was making a delivery to the school when the boy gestured for him to sound the truck’s air horn, which the driver did. The driver stated he then asked the boy if he wanted to come inside the truck to see how the air horn worked, which the boy refused to do. Lamirande said based on both statements, it was difficult to determine the truck driver’s true intent in asking the boy to enter his truck.

“I agree this sort of thing can be some really scary stuff,” acknowledged Lamirande, “but it’s also a huge label to put on someone if they are innocent of any criminal intent.”

The paperwork on the investigation was forwarded to the office of the Carlton County Attorney on Tuesday, and after reviewing it thoroughly, Boese commented the following day, “I know people are concerned about this, but with the information we have at hand, I don’t believe we can charge [the truck driver] because the incident doesn’t fit the criteria we need to follow.”

Boese explained that the intent of the accused in such an incident must be clearly defined, whether it be through sexual contact, solicitation of a child to engage in sexual contact or attempt to kidnap.

“This is scary, reprehensible conduct,” agreed Boese, “but at this time, unless anyone else comes forward with additional information, we don’t have the grounds to charge him with anything.”

Boese said the school does have the right to file a misdemeanor trespass order against the driver, however, indicating by certified letter that he is not allowed to call at the school any longer or risk a misdemeanor trespass charge if he does. Washington Elementary Principal Randy Thudin stated on Wednesday morning that this is likely the course the school will take.

“I think we need to do that just to protect our kids,” said Thudin. “It seems like something this child would not have made up.”

In the meantime, Thudin said the school doesn’t plan on going about things any differently than they are right now to maintain student and staff safety.

“For the past two years, we’ve had a policy of locking down all of the doors so anyone entering the school has to go by way of the school office,” he said. “When I sent out an email to staff on Tuesday, I said I know it’s a lot of work to keep things locked down, but it’s a system that we need to adhere to.”

He further stated the driver in question was making a delivery to the school’s art room, and the teacher followed procedure by meeting him at the front door, escorting him to the classroom and making sure the door was locked after he left.

Thudin said all teachers talk with students on a monthly basis about bullying prevention, being approached by strangers, and related personal safety topics. He added that a week ago Friday, the CLIMB (Creative Learning Ideas for Mind and Body) Theater made a presentation to students at every grade level on those same topics.

“The [Washington Elementary] student reacted absolutely appropriately,” reiterated School Superintendent Ken Scarbrough, “and I believe everything that could be done was done. I’m not recommending any policy changes.”

Thudin said he hasn’t had a single call from parents regarding the incident, and both he and the teacher talked with the 9-year-old boy when school resumed on Tuesday.

My kids are too old now, but the Lake Superior Zoo’s upcoming “Breakfast with the animals” opportunity sounds too good to miss for those with little ones ages 3-6. Sign up and you can join a little one for a sneak peek at the zoo before hours and even get to see what a wolf has for breakfast!

Read on to find out more:

Breakfast with the Animals at the Lake Superior Zoo

Zoo animals eat breakfast in the morning too! Join them before the zoo opens for a light continental breakfast and a behind-the-scenes peak at animal enrichment. Child-focused and caregiver-directed free play activities and crafts will stir your child’s imagination and inspire learning.

The program kicks off on Friday, Feb. 3 and Saturday, Feb. 4 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. with a Bird Banquet. Enjoy breakfast with the zoo’s cockatoos and macaws. Learn about flight and feathers through imaginative play and enjoy a visit around the zoo afterwards.

On Friday, March 9 and Saturday, March 10 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. take part in Hungry Like a Wolf. educational crafts and activities focusing on wolf behavior, and a “people breakfast” with the zoo’s early risers. Then visit the wolves and watch them devour their carnivore meals.

Breakfast with the Animals is for children ages 3 to 6, with a caregiver.

Pre-registration is required and space is limited. Members: $9 adults, $4 children / Non-members: $19 adults, $9 children.

This column “Women and personal finances” by Jason Alderman is a quick read, easy to understand and provides some useful links for those who decide to take the bull by the horns and do a better job of planning for future finances. And even though he works for Visa, Alderman doesn’t appear to be promoting a product, just sound financial practices

Women and personal finances

By Jason Alderman

By many measures, women’s lives have changed substantially in recent decades. According to a comprehensive government report called “Women in America” (www.whitehouse.gov/data-on-women), although certain social and economic situations for women have improved, when it comes to personal finances, many women still face challenging hurdles.

Key report findings include:

• Women live longer than men but are much more likely to experience critical health problems that hamper their ability to work – and to pass up needed care due to cost.
• Although the earnings gap between women and men continues to narrow, it’s still significant: Among full-time workers, women’s weekly earnings as a percentage of men’s have increased from 62 percent in 1979 to 80 percent in 2009.
• More women than men now graduate high school and college, but far fewer earn degrees in engineering, computer sciences and other higher-paying fields.
• Women increasingly marry later, have fewer children or remain childless, yet still are more likely to live in poverty, particularly single-mother families.
• Women are less likely than men to work outside the home (61 percent vs. 75 percent in 2009) and are much more likely to work part-time and to take time off to raise children or care for aging relatives.

In a nutshell: Women generally earn less and live longer than men, so at retirement they often have less in savings, receive smaller retirement and Social Security benefits and must spread out their money longer. Clearly, women need to take charge of their financial wellbeing. Here are a few places to start:

Develop a budget to track income and expenses. Either download a budget spreadsheet template or investigate software packages and online account management services like Quicken (www.quicken.com), Mint.com (www.mint.com), Yodlee (www.yodlee.com) and Mvlopes (www.mvlopes.com).

Plan for retirement. Time is your biggest ally when it comes to retirement savings, so get cracking. Start estimating your retirement needs:

• Social Security’s Retirement Estimator (www.ssa.gov/estimator), which automatically enters your earnings information from its records to estimate your projected Social Security benefits under different scenarios, such as age at retirement, future earnings projections, etc.
• Check whether your 401(k) plan administrator’s website has a calculator to estimate how much you will accumulate under various contribution and investment scenarios. If not, try the retirement calculators at Bankrate.com and AARP to determine your current financial status and what you’ll need to save to meet your retirement needs.

Do your research. Many helpful personal financial education and management tools are available online, including:

• The National Foundation of Credit Counseling’s MyMoneyCheckUp™ program offers a step-by-step assessment of your overall financial health and behavior in four personal finance areas: budgeting and credit management, saving and investing, planning for retirement and managing home equity (www.mymoneycheckup.org).
• Social Security’s Website for Women provides information on retirement, disability and other issues. You can also order or download their informative, free publication, “What Every Woman Should Know” (www.ssa.gov/women).
• The Women’s Savings Initiative, a program jointly developed by Heinz Family Philanthropies, the Women’s Institute for a Secure Retirement (WISER) and Visa Inc. (www.practicalmoneyskills.com/womensave). This free program features an audio- and e-book called “What Women Need to Know About Retirement,” which you can order on CD or download as a PDF or audio file from Practical Money Skills for Life, a free personal financial management program run by Visa (www.practicalmoneyskills.com/resources).

Jason Alderman directs Visa’s financial education programs. To Follow Jason Alderman on Twitter: www.twitter.com/PracticalMoney

TOPS Says, Forget Resolutions and Mind Your “Ps” and “Qs”

MILWAUKEE, WI – New Year’s resolutions are often made with good intentions, but they can be difficult to maintain. Instead of making vague promises this year, set tangible goals and work toward realistic lifestyle changes. TOPS Club, Inc. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), the nonprofit weight-loss support organization, offers tips from member Loisann Dulaney of Texas to help individuals reach their weight loss goals and lead healthier lives.
The “Ps”
• Plan. Create a plan for the New Year. Will you eat fewer sweets or consume more whole grains? It’s important to understand, in advance, how you will reach your healthy goals.
• Pyramid/Plate. The USDA’s MyPlate, which has replaced the Food Guide Pyramid, offers healthy eating and portion size guidelines. Also, TOPS’ Food Exchange System, similar to the one developed by the American Dietetic Association, encourages individuals to use variety and flexibility in meal planning to achieve balanced nutrition. There are no “good” or “bad” foods, according to the Exchange System. All food is acceptable in moderation.
• Portions. It’s essential to be aware of portion sizes. A cup of food is approximately the size of a cupped hand, a half cup is about the size of a fist, and a serving of meat is roughly the size of a deck of cards.
• Pitcher. Put a pitcher of water in the refrigerator and drink about eight glasses each day. The pitcher will indicate the amount of water you have already consumed.
• Push and Pass. Try to leave a small amount of food on your plate as you “push away” from the table at the end of a meal. Stand up, put the food in the trash, and leave the table. Pass on potato chips, pastries, pies, pound cake, and more. Choose healthier snack foods, like pretzels, unsalted peanuts, popcorn, and diet juice popsicles.
• Personal Trainer. Personal trainers help people tailor their exercises to their ability and the proper intensity level. But a trainer or special equipment is not required. Just walk and get moving.
• Parks. Walk or jog in a local park. If the weather conditions are poor, go to the mall or a large store to burn off some calories. Visit the gym or take fitness classes.
• Partners. Having a fitness partner can help you stay on track. Whether they help you make healthy meal choices or join you during a workout, they are the people who can offer support. Consider attending a local TOPS chapter meeting in your area, where support abounds. Find chapter meetings at www.tops.org.
• Project. Start a project or take up a hobby that keeps you away from the kitchen. Choose a hobby that will get you moving – nature hikes, gardening, dance classes, bike riding, golfing, camping, and more.
• Public. Check out restaurants’ menus online, so you can find a location with healthy options. If you’re mulling over an appetizer, consider a salad with low-fat dressing or oil and vinegar rather than mozzarella sticks or other deep-fried foods. Choose the fruit and vegetable option at a fast food restaurant instead of fries. Practice eating smaller portions and bring half of the meal home.
• Pajamas. It’s important to get about seven to nine hours of sleep each night. Go to bed at a reasonable time for more energy the next day.
• Practice. As with anything – learning to drive, playing an instrument, and more – practice is necessary. Start slowly and practice healthy habits each day to making lasting changes.
The “Qs”
• Quick. There is no quick fix when it comes to weight loss. Work slowly and make lifestyle changes as you go along.
• Quiz. Quiz yourself frequently. Am I exercising on a regular basis? Do I keep a food journal to track what I am eating? Do I encourage others as they try to make healthier lifestyle choices? This will keep you accountable and mindful of the choices you make.
• Quit. Quit knocking yourself down. There are times when you may overindulge, but it shouldn’t be discouraging. Stay motivated and continue with your weight-loss plan.
• Quiet. Make time for some peace and quiet in a busy schedule. It’s important to spend a few minutes alone periodically. This will give you time to recharge. Take a quick nap, listen to music, or simply sneak off to a quiet room in the house to clear your mind.
TOPS Club Inc. (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) is the original weight-loss support and wellness education organization. Founded more than 63 years ago, TOPS is the only nonprofit, noncommercial weight-loss organization of its kind. TOPS promotes successful weight management with a “Real People. Real Weight Loss.” philosophy that combines support from others at weekly chapter meetings, healthy eating, regular exercise, and wellness information. TOPS has about 170,000 members – male and female, age seven and older – in nearly 10,000 chapters throughout the United States and Canada.
Visitors are welcome to attend their first TOPS meeting free of charge. Membership costs $28 per year, plus nominal chapter fees. To find a local chapter, view www.tops.org or call (800) 932-8677.

According to the TOPS website, there are two regular meetings in Carlton County, which are listed below:

Knights Of Columbus Building
208 Avenue C  Main Hall
Cloquet,  MN
Mon:  5:00/6:15 PM

Esko Town Hall
25 E Harney Rd  Community Rm
Esko,  MN
Tues:  8:00/9:00 AM