Almanac North
10/6/23 Episode: Salvation Army, Community Action Duluth, Ta
10/7/2023 | 26m 54sVideo has Closed Captions
We'll meet the new Captain of the Duluth Salvation Army. Producer Megan McGarvey has a rep
We'll meet the new Captain of the Duluth Salvation Army. Producer Megan McGarvey has a report from Superior on the growth of Taiko Drumming in the Midwest. Community Action Duluth is preparing for it's "Dream Big" fundraiser, and Marshall Helmberger from the Timberjay News in Tower is our guest for Voices of the Region.
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Almanac North is a local public television program presented by PBS North
Almanac North
10/6/23 Episode: Salvation Army, Community Action Duluth, Ta
10/7/2023 | 26m 54sVideo has Closed Captions
We'll meet the new Captain of the Duluth Salvation Army. Producer Megan McGarvey has a report from Superior on the growth of Taiko Drumming in the Midwest. Community Action Duluth is preparing for it's "Dream Big" fundraiser, and Marshall Helmberger from the Timberjay News in Tower is our guest for Voices of the Region.
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipJULIE: I'M JULIE ZENNER ALONG WITH KELSEY ROSETH, TRR TOPICS ON "ALMANAC NORTH."
KELSEY: WE WILL TALK ABOUT THE SALVATION ARMY WORK AND WHAT THEY DO.
JULIE: WE HAVE A STORY ON TYCO DRUMMING.
KELSEY: AND DULUTH HAS AN IMPORTANT FUNDRAISER NEXT WEEK TO SUPPORT PROGRAMS THAT LIFT PEOPLE OUT OF POVERTY.
JULIE: THROUGH STORIES AND VOICES OF THE REGION NEXT ON "ALMANAC NORTH."
♪ JULIE: WELCOME TO "ALMANAC NORTH ."
KELSEY ROSETH IS IN FOR DENNIS THIS WEEK.
GOOD TO HAVE YOU.
KELSEY: GOOD TO BE HERE.
JULIE: WE HOPE YOU ENJOY YOUR TIME HERE AND YOU WILL GET A CHANCE TO DO IT AGAIN.
LET'S BEGIN WITH THE HEADLINES.
KELSEY: THE WOMEN'S ACTION CENTER IS HOSTING THE ANNUAL TAKE BACK THE RALLY NEXT THURSDAY, THE OLDEST WORLDWIDE MOVEMENT TO STAND AGAINST SEXUAL VIOLENCE.
FOLKS WILL GATHER FOR THE RALLY AND MARCH AT 6:00 P.M. ON OCTOBER 12.
JULIE: THE COMMISSION ON JUDICIAL SELECTION HAS RECOMMENDED THREE CANDIDATES TO REPLACE THE RETIRING JUDGE.
THE CANDIDATES ARE STEVE HANKEY, ATTORNEY FOR THE CITY OF DULUTH, MOLLY HIT, THE COOK COUNTY ATTORNEY, AND TYSON SMITH, AN ATTORNEY.
ONE OF THE THREE WILL BE CHOSEN TO REPLACE THE JUDGE IN THE SIXTH DISTRICT.
KELSEY: GOOD NEWS IF YOU TRAVEL BY AIR FROM DULUTH.
THE LOCAL AIRPORT HAS THE SHORTEST SECURITY WAIT TIMES IN THE NATION.
THE ORGANIZATION PLANET WHERE COLLECTED DATA FROM MORE THAN 150 U.S.
AIRPORTS AND FOUND THE AVERAGE WAIT TIME AT THE DULUTH INTERNATIONAL WAS ONE MINUTE.
THE LONGEST WAIT TIMES WERE IN THE HONOLULU, HAWAII, AIRPORT.
JULIE: THIS MAY BE YOUR LAST CHANCE TO SEE THE PEAK FALL COLORS IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA.
THE FALL COLOR FINDER SHOWS ALL AREAS OF NORTHERN MINNESOTA OUR PAST 50% PEAK AND MANY ARE AT 75% OR HIGHER.
MANY COUNTIES ARE ALREADY PAST PEAK COLORS.
KELSEY: CAPTAINS ANTHONY AND ALICIA NORDEN TRANSFERRED TO DULUTH FROM THE ARMY'S FIRST HOLLOW MINNESOTA BRIDGE AND ARE GRADUATES OF THE SALVATION ARMY TRADING COLLEGE.
JOINING US IS CAPTAIN AND DEE GORDON OF THE -- CAPTAIN ANTHONY.
WE HEARD YOU WELCOMED BABIES SHORTLY AFTER YOU CAME TO TOWN, SO CONGRATULATIONS.
GUEST: I WOULD HAVE JOY DO SOONER IF NOT FOR THAT.
KELSEY: THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR ROLE AND WHAT IT ENTAILS AS A CAPTAIN AT THE SALVATION ARMY.
GUEST: AS CAPTAIN OF THE SALVATION ARMY, YOU CAN THINK OF IT AS AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR POSITION.
I HOPE OVERSEE DEPARTMENTS AND PROGRAMS WITH MY WIFE.
WE SPLIT THE RESPONSIBILITIES AS EVENLY AS WE CAN.
WE ARE ALSO THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT PASTOR AT THE SALVATION ARMY, SO I HOPE IN THOSE CAPACITIES AND WE ALSO TALKED TO THE COMMUNITY AND YOU GUYS TO FILL YOU IN.
JULIE: WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED ABOUT LOCAL NEEDS SINCE YOU ARRIVED?
GUEST: THAT IS BEST SUMMED UP BY WHEN I SAT DOWN IN ROTARY MY FIRST TIME, SOMEBODY ASKED ME WHAT DO I THINK ABOUT THE HOUSING CRISIS HERE?
AND ASKED, WHAT HOUSING CRISIS?
WE FOUND OUT THAT THERE WERE HOUSING NEEDS SO ROTARY TAUGHT ME TO LOOK INTO THINGS.
THAT WAS ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS I NOTICED, THE NEED FOR MORE HOUSING AND HOW THE SALVATION ARMY IS HELPING WITH THE 15 UNITS WE HAVE IN THE HOUSING WE DO.
JULIE: IS IT TYPICAL FOR OFFICERS TO MOVE AROUND EVERY FOUR OR FIVE YEARS SO THEY CAN BRING A NEW EXPERIENCE AND NEW INSIGHTS INTO A COMMUNITY?
GUEST: ABSOLUTELY.
A LOT OF IT IS BASED ON PEOPLE WHO RETIRE.
THEY NEED SOMEBODY WHO HAS EXPERIENCE TO TAKE OVER BECAUSE IT IS A BIG OPERATION AND YOU DON'T WANT TO TAKE SOMEBODY FRESH OUT OF COLLEGE AND SAY HERE'S A BIG OPERATION, HAVE FUN.
IT DOESN'T REALLY WORK.
A LOT OF TIMES MOVES ARE CAUSED BY PEOPLE WHO RETIRE.
FOR YEARS TO SIX YEARS AS AVERAGE.
COULD BE SHORTER OR LONGER.
KELSEY: WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE WHEN YOU GET STARTED IN A ROW LIKE THIS IN A NEW COMMUNITY?
YOU MENTIONED ROTARY WAS A GREAT PLACE TO LEARN.
WHERE ELSE DO YOU GO TO LEARN THAT INFORMATION?
GUEST: OUR ADVISOR BOARD.
THE SALVATION ARMY HAS AN ADVISORY BOARD AND DULUTH AND THE MEMBERS ARE A WONDERFUL RESOURCE BECAUSE THEY STAY IN BETWEEN OFFICERS AND THEIR COMMUNITY AND BUSINESS LEADERS, SO THEY KNOW WHAT THE SALVATION ARMY IS DOING AND THEY KNOW THE CONNECTIONS THE BUSINESSES HAVE, SO THAT IS A QUICK WAY TO LEARN WHAT IS GOING ON.
AND I VISIT SERVICE CLUBS.
I JUST REJOINED THE ROTARY HERE IN DULUTH.
I LEFT THE FERGUS FALLS ONE, SO BEING IN THOSE SERVICE CLUB ORGANIZATIONS, GETTING INVITED TO OTHER GROUPS, I ENJOY SPEAKING WITH OTHER CLUBS, WHETHER IT IS OPTIMISTS, LIONS CLUB, THEY FILL ME IN, AND I AM ABLE TO RESPOND AND SAY, OK, SOMEBODY IS TELLING ME WHAT IS GOING ON AND CATCHING ME UP TO SPEED.
JULIE: WE MENTIONED YOUR WIFE IS ALSO A CAPTAIN IN THE SALVATION ARMY.
IS THAT TYPICAL FOR A HUSBAND AND WIFE TO MOVE INTO A COMMUNITY AND BOTH BE IN THOSE LEADERSHIP POSITIONS AND PARTNERS IN MINISTRY?
GUEST: I CANNOT SPEAK FOR THE REST OF THE WORLD BECAUSE SALVATION ARMY IS INTERNATIONAL BUT IN THE U.S., IT IS POLICY THAT SALVATION ARMY COUPLES, SO IF YOU ARE MARRIED, THAT BOTH ARE SALVATION ARMY OFFICERS.
THAT WAY WHEN YOU MOVE, YOUR SPOUSE MOVES WITH YOU FOR THE SAME JOB AND EVERYTHING.
IT MAKES IT EASIER.
I WILL SAY THAT IT IS CHALLENGING TO MOVE IF YOU HAVE EVER MOVED BEFORE.
EVEN WITH YOU MOVING WITH YOUR SPOUSE, A LOT GOES INTO IT.
IT IS QUITE COMMON AND SOMETIMES THEY WILL SPLIT OFFICERS, SO I MIGHT WORK INTO LOOSE AND SHE MIGHT WORK AND SUPERIOR.
THERE ARE OCCASIONS WHERE STUFF LIKE THAT HAPPENS.
KELSEY: KNOWING HOW DIFFERENT THE COMMUNITY IS, EVEN THOUGH WE ARE IN THE SAME STATE, THERE ARE COMMONALITIES AND A LOT OF OUR COMMUNITIES ARE DIFFERENT.
WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE IS THAT YOU HAVE NOTICED THUS FAR IN THINGS YOU WOULD LIKE TO TACKLE EARLY ON IN-YEAR-OLD?
-- IN YOUR ROLE?
GUEST: THE FIRST THING I NOTICED IS YOU COULD GET COFFEE.
THAT'S THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE.
ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS IS MAKING SURE THAT THERE IS SPACE FOR YOUTH ACTIVITIES.
I WAS TALKING TO 92.7 EARLIER, TALKING ABOUT YOUTH ACTIVITIES, MAKING SURE THERE IS STUFF FOR THE KIDS AND FAMILIES YOU MIGHT NEED IT SO THEY COULD DROP IN AND HAVE SOME FUN AND PLANNED ACTIVITIES SO THE YOUTH HAVE A PLACE TO GO.
JULIE: WE ARE GETTING INTO THE SEASON WHEN THE RED PEDAL BAG START.
HOW IMPORTANT IS THAT TO THE SALVATION ARMY AND THE WORK YOU DO WITH LOCAL COMMUNITIES?
GUEST: IT IS MASSIVE AND MAKES UP A HUGE SECTION OF OUR BUDGET.
WE DON'T HAVE THE VOLUNTEERS, WE CANNOT DO EVERYTHING ELSE WE DO.
WE HAVE PROGRAMS THAT RELY ON THE FUNDING THAT COMES FROM THE KETTLES AND PEOPLE DROPPING IN, SO DURING CHRISTMAS SEASON WE RAISE THE MAJORITY OF FUNDS.
IF SOMEBODY HAS TIME TO VOLUNTEER, WE GREATLY APPRECIATE IT, OR EVEN IF YOU DROP A LITTLE SOMETHING INTO THE KETTLE, AND WE ARE TRYING SOME OF THE TAP AND PAY TO GIVE.
IF THEY SAY, I DON'T HAVE CASH, TAKE OUT YOUR CARD OR PHONE, YOU CAN TAP AND GIVE.
KELSEY: THAT WILL BE GREAT FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.
IT IS NICE YOU CAN TALK ABOUT THAT NOW BECAUSE HOLIDAY SEASON IS UPON US.
THANK YOU.
GUEST: THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.
♪ JULIE: TIME FOR VOICES OF THE REGION, STORIES COVERED BY AREA JOURNALISTS.
OUR GUEST IS MARSHALL, THE EDITOR AND PUBLISHER OF THE NEWS IN TOWER, MINNESOTA.
♪ >> THREE NONPROFIT ARTS ORGANIZATIONS IS RAISING THE EXCITEMENT LEVEL HERE AS IT BRINGS THE THREE GROUPS UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF THE NEW ASSOCIATION.
HE'S THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE NLAA, AND HE SAID HE SAW OPPORTUNITIES TODAY.
HE GRADUATED FROM MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL IN 2012 AND BECAME A PROFESSIONALLY TRAINED ACTOR, SINGER, AND DANCE ARE, AND WHEN HE RETURNED TO TAKE ON THE NEW ROLE, HE WAS EAGER TO PROVE THAT INVESTING IN THE ARTS NOT ONLY CREATES A MORE VITAL COMMUNITY, BUT THEY HAVE ALSO STEPPED UP THEIR OWN OFFERINGS AND HAS MERGED WITH TWO ORGANIZATIONS.
BOTH OF THE GROUPS HAVE DISTINCT MISSIONS THAT IS FOCUSED ON PUBLIC ART, SUCH AS MANY OF THE MURALS, AND THE CONCERT ASSOCIATION, WHICH HAD CONCERT SERIES.
THE ORDER T -- OTHER ORGANIZATIONS HAVE RUN INTO PROBLEMS BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF ENERGY.
THE PANDEMIC HALTED THE CONCERT SERIES FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS, BUT LAW JUMPED INTO HIS ROLE WITH BOTH FEET AND HAS BEEN ABLE TO TACKLE THE PROFESSIONAL FIELD TO RECRUIT A VARIETY OF GROUPS TO COME AND PERFORM, AND IS PLANNING TO MAKE IT A DESTINATION FOR ARTISTS WHO ARE WILLING TO TRAVEL.
♪ >> WE ARE ALSO REPORTING ON A CONTROVERSIAL BID WAR THAT WENT UP A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO ON HIGHWAY 53, WHICH IS THE MOST PROMINENT PREDATOR IN THE CROSSHAIRS.
IT IS EXPECTED TO BE UP FOR A FEW MORE DAYS, AND IT MAKES A CONTRIBUTION THAT THE STATE'S ESTIMATED 2000 RAY RULES CONSUME 50 FOR -- GRAY WOLVES CAN CONSUME 50,000 DEER.
GREG BATY, THE PRESIDENT OF THE STURGEON RIVER CHAPTER, SAID HE HAS BEEN SURPRISED OF THE ODDS.
THIS CHAPTER ENCOMPASSES ST. LOUIS COUNTY, AND IS THE ENTITY THAT WENT TO THE BULL BOARD -- BILLBOARD, AND HE SAID PLANS ARE IN THE WORKS FOR ADDITIONAL PLANS IN THE FUTURE.
THE BILLBOARD HAS BEEN MOSTLY PANNED FOR MAKING A CLAIM THAT IS HARD TO SUBSTANTIATE AND APPEARS TO INFLATE THE NUMBER OF FAWNS TAKEN BY WOLVES IN MINNESOTA.
JERRY IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE NUMBER ASSOCIATION AND SAYS THE LOCAL CHAPTER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO PROVIDE THE ORGANIZATION WITH A SOURCE FOR THEIR CLAIM, AND HE SAID IT IS NOT ENDORSED BY THE STATE ORGANIZATION.
THEY ARE IN SUPPORT OF MANAGING THE WOLF POPULATION BUT MISSOURI NOTES THAT THE DESPERATE THEY NOTE THAT THE -- WHAT THEY NOTE THAT IT WILL REQUIRE STUDIES AND COMMUNICATIONS.
♪ >> FINALLY, WE ARE HIGHLIGHTING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF THE COOK LIONS CLUB, WHICH HAS BEEN REMARKABLY EFFECTIVE COMMUNITY SERVICE ORGANIZATION I DO TIME WITH TOWNS ARE STRUGGLING TO MAINTAIN THESE TYPES OF GROUPS.
IN A TOWN WITH A POPULATION UNDER 500, THE COOK LIONS HAVE 64 MEMBERS.
A LOT LIVE IN NEIGHBORING AREAS.
REGARDLESS, IT IS A DEDICATED GROUP THAT HAS TAKEN ON PROJECTS IN THE COOK AREA, INCLUDING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF TRADING SCHOLARSHIPS FOR AMBULANCE PERSONNEL, AS WELL AS COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR AREA STUDENTS, TO GATHER AND COLLECT MEDICAL DEVICES THAT DELIVER MEALS ON WHEELS IN GROCERIES FOR THE HOMEBOUND, AND PROVIDE A VARIETY OF SCHOOL-AGED ACTIVITIES.
THEY ALSO HOST FUNDRAISERS, MANY ARE FOCUSED ON KIDS THAT HELP RAISE MONEY TO SUPPORT THEIR WORK.
IT SHOWS WHAT EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP CAN BRING TO A COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION LIKE THE COOK LIONS.
♪ ♪ JULIE: NEXT FRIDAY, COMMUNITY ACTION DULUTH IS HOLDING ITS DREAM BIG FUNDRAISER IN THE LINKIN PARK NEIGHBORHOOD.
IT WILL HELP SUPPORT COMMUNITY ACTIONS MISSION OF HELPING PEOPLE RISE OUT OF POVERTY.
HERE TO TELL US MORE IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY ACTION DULUTH.
WELCOME.
GUEST: THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.
JULIE: AT THE END OF ANOTHER BUSY WEEK.
ALWAYS.
[LAUGHTER] GUEST: A CONTINUE.
JULIE: YOU HAVE BEEN AT THE HELM OF COMMUNITY ACTION FOR A YEAR AND A HALF NOW.
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO FOCUS ON RIGHT NOW?
GUEST: POVERTY.
IT IS AN INTERSECTION TO EVERYTHING, SO WE ARE SEEING A LOT OF NEED FOR HELPFUL WORKFORCE PROGRAMS, FOOD ACCESS, HEALTH CARE INITIATIVES, HOUSING IS BIG, AS WELL.
WE ARE CHIPPING AWAY AT IT.
KELSEY: WHEN YOU NOTICE THE NEEDS, WHAT IS YOUR WAY OF MANAGING WHAT GETS TACKLED FIRST WITH WHAT RESOURCES AND WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?
GUEST: WE DO A COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT, SO EVERY YEAR, WE MEETS PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE AT SIGN PARTNER WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TO SEE WHAT IS GOING TO DRIVE US THE NEXT THREE YEARS.
THIS YEAR, WE HAVE A COUPLE MORE YEARS TO DO IT AGAIN, BUT THE LAST YEAR, JOBS WAS A HUGE ONE.
JUST HAVING MONEY TO PAY BILLS AND STUFF WAS ANOTHER HUGE ONE.
AND ADDICTING -- AND ADDICTING HOUSING AND JOBS AS ITEMS -- AND PREDICTING HOUSING AND JOBS AS ITEMS.
JULIE: THEIR AGENCIES HELPING TO LIFT PEOPLE OUT OF POVERTY IN DULUTH.
WHAT IS IT ABOUT COMMUNITY ACTION THAT REALLY MAKES IT UNIQUE IN TERMS OF THE PROGRAM YOU OFFER AND THE WORK YOU ARE DOING?
GUEST: WE HAVE BEEN HERE A VERY, VERY LONG TIME, AND WE ARE TRUSTED IN THE COMMUNITY.
WE HAVE GREAT RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR COMMUNITY AND WE ARE HELPING NOT SO MUCH SILO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS WITH PEOPLE WE ARE WORKING WITH BUT PARTNERSHIP SENT -- PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATIONS.
OUR FOCUS IS EMPOWERING THE COMMUNITY, AND BUILDING THE TRUST IS IMPORTANT, AND THEN EMPOWERING THEM TO MAKE THE DECISIONS.
WE ALSO DO A HOLISTIC APPROACH THAT WHEN WE HAVE SOMEONE COVER THE DOOR TO JOIN A WORKFORCE PROGRAM, THEY ARE NOT JUST GETTING ANOTHER JOB WORKFORCE EXPERIENCE BUT THEY ALSO GET FINANCIAL COACHING.
OR IF THEY NEED TRANSPORTATION HELP, OR MAYBE THEY DON'T GET ALL THE INFORMATION THEY NEED FOR HEALTH INSURANCE, WE PROVIDE THAT.
WE TRIED A HOLISTIC APPROACH WHEN SOMEBODY ENTERS THE DOOR, WHICH IS HELPFUL.
KELSEY: THAT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE OF PEOPLE ARE IN ESTATE OF NEED, THE MORE -- THE ARE IN A STATE OF NEED, THE MORE INFORMATION THEY HAVE FROM ORGANIZATIONS LIKE YOURS IS IMPORTED, SO IT IS INCREDIBLE YOU DO THAT WORK.
WHAT IS YOUR GOAL FOR THE DREAM BIG EVENING?
GUEST: TO RAISE MONEY!
[LAUGHTER] ALL OF THESE PROGRAMS COST MONEY, SO ANYTHING WE CAN BRING IT TO SUPPORT OUR STAFF, MISSION, COMMUNITY, PEOPLE WE WORK WITH, THE BETTER.
THIS YEAR WAS DRIVEN BY OUR STAFF.
WE TALKED ABOUT WHAT WE LIKED LAST YEAR, WHAT WE LIKED IN THE PAST, AND OUR STAFF WAS REALLY SET ON DOING SOMETHING DIFFERENT THAT FELT T-- HOMEY, SO WE ARE SEARCHING IT UP BUT DEFINITELY DREAMING BIG.
JULIE: WHAT DOES THE EVENT LOOK LIKE?
GUEST: WE ARE DOING A SILENT AUCTION, LIVE AUCTION, WE WILL HAVE THREE DIFFERENT BANDS FOR ENTERTAINMENT, VERDE PASSOW R --RENEE PASSOW WILL HOST THE EVENT, AND WE WILL HAVE SOME WINE AND BEER.
[LAUGHTER] JULIE: EXCITING.
KELSEY: YOU ARE LOOKING FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS FROM ALL DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS TO, AND PARTICIPATE AND ENJOY THEMSELVES.
GUEST: ABSOLUTELY.
OUR STAFF PUT TOGETHER THIS BEAUTIFUL COLLAGE TO ACTUALLY HAVE PEOPLE WHO ARE COMING IN, COLLABORATING, SO THEY CAN COME IN, AND THAT WE WILL HAVE THAT ACTUALLY BE ABLE LED TO OF THE -- ACTUALLY BE A MOMENTUM OF THE EVENT.
JULIE: WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BIG DREAMS YOU HOPE TO FUND?
GUEST: ELIMINATING POVERTY.
[LAUGHTER] THAT IS OUR MISSION, AND I AM REALLY PASSIONATE ABOUT HELPING MY COMMUNITY, AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS FUNDRAISER GO TO THAT.
OUR STAFF HAS WORKED EFFORTLESSLY TO REALLY PUSH THIS INITIATIVE FORWARD, AND THEY WORKED WITH PARTICIPANTS SO HARD LIKE NO WEATHER, SO JUST BEING ABLE TO SUPPORT THEM THROUGH THE FUNDRAISER AND THE FUNDS WE MAKE OUT OF THIS IS A HUGE GOAL FOR ME.
JULIE: ARE THERE ANY PROJECTS OR INITIATIVES SPECIFICALLY BEING PLANNED THAT COULD HAVE SOME TRANSFORMATIVE EFFECT?
GUEST: YES.
THIS WAS NOT NECESSARILY A PART OF THE FUNDRAISER, BUT I HAVE GOTTEN SOME REALLY GOOD PLANS.
WE ARE GOING TO BE WORKING ON REMOVING LEADPIPE FROM COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE BEEN HISTORICALLY MARGINALIZED.
SO IN THE LOW INCOME.
WE ALSO HAVE A DIFFERENT GRANT FOR OUTREACH, SO WE ALSO TALK ABOUT TO LOOSE BEADED SILOS, AND WE WILL TRY TO BREAK THOSE BARRIERS AND HELP US MANY ORGANIZATIONS COLLABORATE WITH US.
WE JUST GOT A USDA GRANT THAT IS GOING TO HELP PRESCRIBE PRODUCE THAT WE WILL PROVIDE TO THE COMMUNITY AT NO COST.
SO A LOT OF COOL THINGS THAT HELP NEEDED FOOD DESERTS, AND ALSO NEEDING A BIGGER BREASTS BECAUSE IT IS A HUGE NEED TO HAVE A MOBILE MARKET -- BIGGER A HUGE NEED TO HAVE A MOBILE MARKET.
SO ALSO MAKING SURE PEOPLE GET ON INSURANCE IS A BIG ONE.
AND OUR TAX WILL BE HUGE THIS YEAR BECAUSE OF THE FREE TAX CLINICS HAVE CLOSED AROUND THE STATE, SO WE WILL SEE AN INFLUX OF THAT.
JULIE: WE HAVE 10-SECONDS BUT WHEN, WHERE AND HOW DO PEOPLE -- GUEST: OCTOBER 13, SIGN UP ON THE WEBSITE, 10:00 TO 7:00, HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE.
JULIE: BRING YOUR WALLETS!
[LAUGHTER] GREAT PICTURE, THANK YOU.
APPRECIATED.
KELSEY: THIS WEEK, TYCO ARTS MIDWEST VISITED THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-SUPERIOR TO GIVE STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS A TASTE OF WHAT THE DRUMMING IS ALL ABOUT.
OUR PRODUCER TRAVELED ACROSS THE BRIDGE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ITS FUTURE AS A PERFORMANCE ART.
>> THE THING ABOUT TYCO'S, YOU CAN TALK ABOUT IT BUT IT IS NOT UNTIL YOU HEAR AND FEEL IT IN YOUR BODY, SO THAT IS HIGHLY LIKE TO HELP PEOPLE EXPERIENCE IT.
IT HITS THE HUMAN HEART RATE HERE AND RESONATES THROUGHOUT THE BODY.
IT IS SUPER UPLIFTING AND SHARE ENERGY BACK AND FORTH.
TAICO HOPE TO ME IN MY EARLY -- TAIKO HOOKED ME IN IN MY EARLY 20'S.
I HAD NEVER HEARD OF IT.
ONE DRUM PLAYED FOR 20 SECONDS AND I THOUGHT IT WAS SO DYNAMIC.
I HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT.
I SAID, YOU HAVE TO SHOW WE HAVE TO DO THAT.
THAT IS INCREDIBLE.
SO I HAVE BEEN DOING IT NOW FOR OVER TWO DECADES.
IT IS MY PASSION TO SHARE THIS OUR TRUTH AS MANY AS POSSIBLE.
I WAS RAISED IN NORTH DAKOTA, SO I HAD NO EXPOSURE TO THIS ART FORM OR TO THE COMMUNITY OR TO EVEN MY OWN SENSE OF ASIAN AMERICAN IDENTITY.
AT THAT TIME, IT WAS HARD TO FIND ANYTHING IN THE MEDIA THAT REALLY CONNECTED WITH.
SEEING MYSELF REPRESENTED, SEEING OTHER PEOPLE AND TO COMMUNITY GATHER AROUND THE ART FORM WAS EMPOWERING AND OPENED MY MIND AND LIFE TO A WHOLE NEW ERA.
I DON'T THINK I WOULD KNOW WHO I AM IF I HAD NOT FOUND TAIKO DRUMMING.
I DON'T HAVE ANY SORT OF DIRECT CLAIM TO THIS ART FORM THAT HAS ITS ROOTS IN JAPANESE CULTURE, BUT IT HAS BEEN VERY MUST EMBRACED BY THE ASIAN AMERICAN CULTURE IN NORTH AMERICA, AND IT GREW IN POPULARITY AROUND THE SAME TIME AS THE WHOLE ASIAN AMERICAN MOVEMENT.
>> THESE DRUMS, THE HUMAN IS THE CENTERPIECE, ALONG WITH THESE HUGE PIECES OF ART.
THEY ARE MADE FROM A SINGLE TREE TRUNK.
MANY OF THEM ARE FOLK ART THAT WE ARE PLAYING WITH, AND THE THUNDER OF THEM IS AN INCREDIBLE -- IT IS A VEHICLE.
WE COULD BE GREAT, BUT THE SOUND OF THEM IS FROM ANOTHER WORLD.
IT IS ATHLETIC, IT IS LIKE DANCE.
IT IS A MUSIC INSTRUMENT.
IT IS MANY THINGS ROLLED UP IN ONE.
AS WELL AS FOR ME, IT IS A GROUNDING INTO THE EARTH AND THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE HUMAN WORLD AND THE SPIRIT WORLD.
IT IS VERY, VERY SPECIAL.
MANY LAYERED, AUTHENTIC CULTURAL EXPERIENCE.
THE DRUMS SPEAK TO EVERYONE, BUT IT HAS ONLY BEEN, YOU KNOW, FROM THE BEGINNING MEN ON THE STAGE GETTING A CHANCE TO DIRECTED OR NARRATE THE STORY.
WOMEN HAD BEEN DOING IT ALONGSIDE, BUT IN SOME CASES, NOT ALLOWED ONTO THE STAGE OR ONLY ALLOWED TO DANCE, SO THE BEAUTIFUL THING ABOUT THIS PROJECT AS WE PULLED TOGETHER ALL OF THOSE WOMEN FROM AROUND THE WORLD, 18 PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN ON THE SIDELINES ARE ISOLATED, AND WE MADE A HUGE CENTER AND CREATED A PROJECT FOR US, AND THEN HAD A HUGE CONCERT WITH 2000 SEATS.
WE DECIDED TO MAKE A FILM ABOUT IT.
>> IT IS THE FIRST FULL-LENGTH DOCUMENTARY FILM TO FEATURE WOMEN IN TAIKO.
WE DOCUMENTED SEVERAL YEARS OF THE JOURNEY TO BRING THE ADVENTURE STYLE GATHERING, THE WORLD'S BEST WOMEN AND NON-BINARY TAIKO PLAYERS FOR THE FIRST TIME TOGETHER IN AN HISTORIC CONCERT.
>> THREE OR FOUR YEARS AGO, WE WENT INTO A SHUTDOWN OF DARKNESS, AND EVERYBODY HAD TO DO SOUL-SEARCHING.
NOW PEOPLE ARE TIRED OF THE OLD WAY AND WANT TO DO ALL THESE NEW BUDS, PLANTS, PROJECTS AND PEOPLE ARE BEING SEEN IN WAYS THAT WE HAVE NOT SEEN BEFORE.
IT IS AN INCREDIBLY POWERFUL TIME, AND I THINK PEOPLE ARE SUPER THIRSTY TO SEE THESE OTHER STORIES OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN IN THE MARGINS ARE LEFT OUT OF THE STORY UNTIL NOW.
LOOK AT ALL OF THE LIFE AND THE BRILLIANCE AND CREATIVITY THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON TO THE DARK.
>> YOU CAN FEEL THE LARGER MOVEMENT FOR NOT JUST ASIAN WOMEN BUT FOR ANYONE WHO HAS BEEN MARGINALIZED THAT, YOU KNOW, IF YOU ARE NOT INVITED TO THE TABLE, MAKE YOUR OWN TABLE.
WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF WAITING FOR SOMEBODY TO REACH DOWN AND PLUG US UP -- PLUCK US UP.
WE ARE READY TO RETHINK THE WHOLE SYSTEM.
THAT IS THE ENERGY OF SORT OF THE LARGER MOVEMENT I WOULD LIKE TO BE A PART OF.
[DRUMMING] JULIE: YOU CAN KEEP UP WITH "ALMANAC NORTH" BY FOLLOWING US ON FACEBOOK AND X.
KEEP AN EYE ON THE PBS NORTH WEBSITE WHERE YOU WILL FIND PROGRAM UPDATES AND NEWS ABOUT THE STATION.
IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY, DOWNLOAD THE PBS MIDWEST APP TO WATCH YOUR FAVORITE PROGRAMS ON DEMAND.
KELSEY, GREAT TO WORK WITH YOU, THANK YOU FOR COMING IN.
KELSEY: I'VE HAD A GREAT TIME.
JULIE: LOTS OF FUN STUFF IS GOING ON IN THE COMMUNITY.
KELSEY: ALWAYS.
JULIE: FALL.
GET OUT AND ENJOY IT.
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.
WE WILL SEE YOU NEXT TIME.
♪

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