text:
Remember When Rochester Was Home to the Minnesota State Fair?
Curt St. John
This year's Minnesota State Fair opens Thursday. So is it true that it was it once held here in Rochester?
This year's Minnesota State Fair (the 155th version, if I've done my math correctly,) runs from August 22nd through Labor Day, September 2nd, at the Fairgrounds in Falcon Heights. And, yes, Rah-Rah-Rochester DID once host the Great Minnesota Get-Together.
But you probably don't remember it, though. According to the official Minnesota State Fair website, in its early years, (and the first Fair was held waaaay back in 1859, btw-- just a year after Minnesota became a state), the Fair used to be held at various cities around Minnesota-- including, yes, right here in Rochester. The site said it was also held in Red Wing, Winona, Owatonna and Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Can you imagine having the Minnesota State Fair here in Rochester?!? Of course, back then, it wasn't nearly as big as it is now, I'm guessing. But it sure would have been cool to get your fix of Sweet Martha's Cookies right here in our own backyard-- had they even been around then, that is.
So when did the Fair move to Falcon Heights? Well, it "found a permanent home at its present location, mid-way between Minneapolis and St. Paul when the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners donated their 210-acre poor farm to the State Agricultural Society, the governing body of the State Fair," the site said.
Since then, it has gone on to become one of the biggest state fairs in the entire country. And, Business Insider has ranked the Minnesota State Fair number-one in the nation as well. And to think, it was once held right here in our fair city!
Listen to Curt St. John from 6 to 10 a.m. on Quick Country 96.5
and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on 103.9 The Doc
Get More Rochester & MN Stories + Listen Live w/ Our Quick Country 96.5 app!
Source: Remember When Rochester Was Home to the Minnesota State Fair?


On Tuesday afternoon, our Golf team went to take part in a Tri-Golf Competition held at Newham Leisure Centre. We competed against 9 different Schools from across the Borough and took part in 8 different Golfing activities. The children did amazingly and were crowned CHAMPIONS!!!! Well done to everyone that took part!


A 5-pound missile the size of a loaf of French bread is being quietly tested in the Mojave Desert north of Los Angeles as the military searches for more deadly and far more precise robotic weapons for modern warfare.
In the next month or so, researchers at the Naval Air Warfare Center at China Lake expect to test a 2-foot-long Spike missile that is about a "quarter of the size of the next smallest on the planet," said Steve Felix, the missile project's manager.
Initially intended for use by ground troops against tanks, these small guided missiles have been reconfigured to launch from unmanned airplanes to destroy small vehicles. In the test, the missile will be fired from a remote-controlled helicopter and aimed at a moving pickup truck.
If the test is successful, it will mark another milestone in the development of weapons for unmanned aircraft, a nascent field reminiscent of the early days of flight nearly a century ago when propeller-driven biplanes were jury-rigged with machine guns.
In recent months, the U.S. has used Predator robotic planes equipped with video cameras to carry out search-and-destroy missions against Al Qaeda hide-outs in Pakistan and Afghanistan. These attacks highlighted the rapidly changing face of warfare. But it was no big deal at China Lake, where weapons have been getting smaller, more precise and more powerful for a decade.
The new missiles being developed here are minuscule compared with the older, 100-pound Hellfire missiles in use today in Central Asia. A Predator, which can carry two or three Hellfires, would be able to hold as many as a dozen Spikes, extending its capabilities.
At the same time, experts say, smaller unmanned planes that could not carry weapons before could become deadly attack aircraft.
It is just these kinds of new weapons that Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates emphasized last week as he outlined one of the most sweeping shifts in military spending priorities in decades. Among his priorities were buying 50 more Predator planes and putting more money into armed unmanned aircraft.
"We must re-balance this department's programs in order to institutionalize and enhance our capabilities to fight the wars we are in today and the scenarios we are most likely to face in the years ahead," Gates said.
Engineers at the sprawling China Lake complex, one of the nation's largest weapons test facilities with 6,600 workers, are hoping to be at the forefront.
"We're sort of at the same stage as we were in 1914 when we began to arm airplanes," said Steven Zaloga, a military analyst with the Teal Group Corp.
Pentagon officials say robotic planes have been particularly effective. As a result, demand for them has climbed sharply and Pentagon planners have rethought how they develop and deploy new weapon systems, analysts said.
That's because the threat to U.S. security isn't from superpower rivals with state-of-the-art fighter jets and nuclear submarines, but from international terrorists who are more likely to engage in smaller-scale, guerrilla-type warfare, they said.
In such warfare, robotic planes, originally intended to provide video images of potential threats, are becoming one of the more effective weapon delivery systems, they said.
The aircraft can circle over an area for extended periods -- up to 24 hours in some cases -- looking for elusive targets. Once a target is identified, remote operators can launch a missile to destroy it within minutes.
In the past, such missions often involved several aircraft and sometimes took hours or even days. That is not bad in traditional warfare but useless for fighting terrorists in pickup trucks.
In recent months, the Predator planes, made by Rancho Bernardo, Calif.-based General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc., have been used to launch more than three dozen missile strikes against Al Qaeda and Taliban leaders, military officials say.
The unmanned aerial vehicles, known as UAVs, are fitted with video cameras and other sensors to identify and track potential targets. They are remotely controlled by operators in an air-conditioned room thousands of miles from the battlefield on a base outside Las Vegas.
"Ten years ago, shooting a rocket out of a UAV was a stunt. Now it's a normal operating procedure," said John Pike, president of Globalsecurity .org, a website for military policy research.
With the demand for these planes growing, engineers at China Lake have increased their focus on developing weapons for pilotless planes and figuring out ways they can be used. So many of the engineers at China Lake, once the nation's bastion for developing bigger and deadlier bombs and missiles, are now looking at making weapons smaller, more precise and, in some cases, less destructive.
Last year the Navy began using a bomb developed at China Lake that it says "significantly reduced" so-called collateral damage -- unintended casualties. The bomb was meant for killing "extremely sensitive targets" without hurting people near them, China Lake officials said.
Details are still classified, but a 500-pound bomb that would have demolished an entire building was modified to kill certain targets while leaving others unhurt or with only slight injuries.
Engineers are hoping to apply the technology to the weapons being developed for UAVs. "It's one of our success stories," said Bland Burchett, project manager for the Low Collateral Damage Bomb, also know as Loco. "We added precision and reduced the collateral damage area significantly."
Elsewhere on the base 150 miles from Los Angeles, a new unmanned systems unit has been created to help troops quickly figure out ways that UAVs can be used to fight a battle or complete a mission.
The unit is populated by some of the youngest engineers at the base, many of them just out of college, reflecting the computer video-gaming influence. They tinker with circuit boards and video cameras that will be used on robotic planes, some barely bigger than a kite. One of their recent assignments was to improve the quality of images relayed by the planes so that Marines could identify potential targets more clearly.
In another building, a team of engineers has been working on making guided missiles smaller and cheaper, yet more precise and deadly.
The Spike, which uses commercially available computer chips and components, is expected to cost about $5,000 a pop, compared with more than $100,000 for the current generation of guided missiles.
"You can put them on smaller UAVs and thus have more of them," Pike said.
He noted that the fast-paced advances in computers and electronics have helped weapons developers. "That's why there have been such amazing outbursts of creativity in munitions."


text:
Magic Portals Quick Facts
Netenet
Max. Payout64'000 Coins
Fantasy themed games always tend to do quite well, when it comes to online slot machine games. There is a wealth of theme out there.
So, for Magic Portals to be truly successful, it would have to do something that few other fantasy themed slots don't. Fortunately, Net Entertainment has managed to pull this off rather perfectly with the Magic Portals slot machine game
How to play Magic Portals slots online
Players will note that right from the get go, you cannot adjust the number of paylines that you play with, in the Magic Portals slot machine game. There are 5 reels and 25 paylines, and that is way it will remain if you wish to play this title.
You can however, adjust the coin values in the slot, and the number of coins you wish to stake, and this in turn alters your bet. Coin denominations in Magic Portals range from £0.01 up to £1, and you can stake up to 10 per spin. Players can play Magic Portals for as little as £0.25 per spin, or as much as £250 per spin, at its most expensive.
Instead of the standing high playing card icons, Net Ent has chosen to use spheres of light, like crystal balls, as the low paying icons in this slot. Red, green and blue icons make up those symbols. The more rewarding icons include a wolf, a dragon, a wizard and a blue witch, and a red witch. Pay-outs vary rather greatly for all of these icons, so you get a good selection of possible winnings from the gaming structure.
Magic Portals scatter
The scatter icon in this video slot machine game only really does one thing. It offers free spins. This magical icon actually has "free spins" written across it. In order to trigger the free spins bonus round, players will need to find this icon in the Magic Portal spot on the first and fifth reels. Players will pick up 10 free spins when this occurs. Additional free spins can be acquired during the free spins round.
The wild symbol
The wild icon in this title is very similar to the free spins icon in design. However, instead of "free spins", it says "wild". The wild icon can substitute itself for all other symbols in the game, with the exception of the scatter icon.
The Magic Portals special feature
On the reels, there are two portals. These portals are located in the middle of the first and fifth reels. Should a player land identical symbols in both of those portals, then they become wild icons. Furthermore, any other instances of those same symbols located anywhere else on the reels, will also become wilds.
The Magic Portals jackpot
The jackpot in this video slot isn't very generous, when you consider what you have to wager for the maximum stake. The 5,000 coin pay-out is a fair jackpot, but it is hardly going to blow anybody's mind.
Other notes on Magic Portal
If we are being totally honest, then we'd have to say that Magic Portal certainly isn't going to blow any players away.
Yes, the use of the portal feature on the first and fifth reels is pretty nifty. It hardly counts as a bonus-feature though, rather a special feature. If there is something this slot could do with, it is perhaps another bonus feature, to make a tad more entertaining than it actually is.
That being said, Magic Portals is graphically superior than many other fantasy themed slots out on the market.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


In this game you will find out two new expeditions on World Map which are Andean Adventure and The Lost Island. This game has been developed and published under the banner of Abbey Games and it was released on 31st May, 2016. You can also download YouTubers Life.
In The Andean Adventure there is a 3-star expedition into Incan mountain territory. You can explore different areas of the map with Llama Express. Renowned Explorers More To Explore PC Game has also got a new Campfire feature where you can learn more about the characters included in this game. This game is all about strategies where you have to create different strategies. In this impressive expansion pack you can select effect from treasure and it also has brought more to the renowned explorers. You will see some new places and destinations. You can also explore different mysteries and can unleash them. With impressive graphics and some brain scratching stuff, Renowned Explorers More To Explore is a must play game. You can also download Rebel Galaxy.
Following are the main features of Renowned Explorers More To Explore that you will be able to experience after the first install on your Operating System.
Imposing adventure game with some RPG elements in it.
Find two new expeditions on World Map i.e. Andean Adventure and The Lost Island.
Explore different areas of the territory on Llama Express.
Before you start Renowned Explorers More To Explore Free Download make sure your PC meets minimum system requirements.
CPU: 2.6 GHz Intel Dual Core or later.


Good customer services. Kia dealers will work hard to meet their customers' requirements. You can approach a Kia dealer with your demands, and they will find a suitable car for you. The dedication that Kia car dealers have towards customers has resulted to a great audience that returns to buy cars from Kia again and again.
Taking care of customer problems. Kia dealers' staff go to great lengths to take care of each customer's problems. They go by the phrase the customer is always right when it comes to addressing clients car issues. In case of any car problems, the concerned dealership staff will resolve the problem amicably.
Fixing cars when they break down. Kia agents are found in almost every region and in case you find yourself having car problems, you can contact Kia car dealers, and they will immediately send an agent who is near you to fix the problem. If the car problem is not a big deal, the Kia agent will fix it quickly, and you will be able to continue with your journey. In cases where your car has serious problems, and it will have to be repaired at the shop, Kia car dealers will book you a room at a hotel and get you once the car is ready.
Another benefit of buying a car from Kia dealers is that they offer a variety of financial options. When you want to buy a car from Kia, and you do not have the money, you can easily access a car loan from money lending companies.
Status of Kia dealers. Kia dealers have a good reputation when it comes to handling customers. Kia car dealers will always be available when you need their help to avoid tarnishing their good customer service reputation.
Other extra features that you can get from a Kia dealers is an extended warranty to cover your vehicle after the manufacturer warranty expires, something that dealers from other automotive company makers will not add to their sale of new cars, removal of curb rash from your car wheels, or promotions such as free wheel rotation and free oil changes.


HAAAAAAPPPPPY Monday! We thought it was high time we did an Empties video. Well, an Empties:Mom Edition.
We are no beauty bloggers, we leave that to the pros, but we love a good Empties video and we thought you mamas might like to dig through our trash with us and see what we have been using up in our houses.
Let's get into it shall we??
What is it about going through others trash that appeals to us?? We don't know, but we know we love it.
What are some essentials in your life that you use up?? What keeps you awesome mamas trucking along? Dry Shampoo? Under Eye concealer? Copious amounts of coffee?? We want to know!
Also, I have tried Batiste before but I find it to be too expensive for how fast I go through it. It is pretty fantastic, but alas, it runs out so fast for me. Dove is totally my favorite.
I know what pizza place you're talking about because we've had this conversation before. I have never had it but I hear it's fantastic and I want to try it. (Girls night?!) I trust it. I trust most hole-in-the-walls even if I shouldn't. You really don't want to see the kitchen of any restaurant, right!?
I love this one! My empties would be coffee, chicken nugget bag, wipes (for butts and for makeup), and baby powder (for butts and for hair)!
it's not dan's pizza, is it? As an ex-northerner I can say that their pizza is the REAL DEAL. Yum. If it's not, I want to know the name! I love a good while in the wall.
Heather it IS Dan's Pizza and it is the BEST! Michelle does not know what she is missing.
You have to try Bautiste Dry Shampoo, it is awesome and they make it for brunettes. They also sell it at HEB!
Hilarious! One of the best empties video I've watched!!


text:
Брерлі Девід (, 11 червня 1745 — 16 серпня 1790) — американський адвокат та суддя.

Із життєпису
Народився і виріс у штаті Нью-Джерсі. Закінчив коледж у Нью-Джерсі, який пізніше став Принстонським університетом, адвокатував у Нью-Джерсі.

Заарештований британцями за державну зраду, звільнила група патріотів. Учасник війни за незалежність.

У 1779-1789 роках був головою Верховного суду штату Нью-Джерсі. На Філадельфійському конвенті обстоював інтереси малих штатів. Головував на ратифікаційному конвенті у Нью-Джерсі.

Призначений окружним федеральним суддею 1789 року. Помер наступного року в віці 45 років.

Примітки

Політики США

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


The river offers us a number of advantages over a location on the lake. First, is the naturally protected harbor. Second, is the serene beauty of the upper Mississippi River. Last, but by no means least, is the peace and tranquility this natural wonder provides.


text:
First apprenticeship for Macon County Schools and local business in place
By Kim Gregory Ward Macon County Times October 27, 2022
Scott Ludick from Volunteer Sinitered Products worked together with state and local leaders to create an apprenticeship program for students to be work ready from high school.
Anglito Gonzalez signed papers Oct. 20, with Ludick present, during the career fair at the high school.
"This program is a welcome addition to our work force," Ludick said. "Just like many other companies, finding and keeping staff during and after Covid has been difficult at times."
Marla Davis, academic career coach for Macon County Schools, noted that Volunteer Sintered hired a "student who did work-based learning with them. Volunteer Sintered thought that worked out well, let's create a 3 to 7 p.m. shift for him."
Discussion then began with getting more students to come on board.
"That is the type of partnership we would like to build on with other employers in our area," Davis said.
Ludick said "labor is a precious commodity here and all across the country. I am pleased that we can integrate a service industry education, along with a long-term career path, if he chooses to stay with us.
"Temp agencies did not work out well, and we were wanting to find young men and women who were considering a career path through apprenticeships. We offer competitive wages as other industries in Macon County. And, Gonzalez has really been striving to learn and assist our workforce."
"Ultimately our job is to develop self-sustaining citizens, and apprenticeships gives students and a career path with a paycheck. And, the educational component that leads to a state issued credential they can take with should they choose to leave." Davis said.
From the state level, Dan Tidcomb of Tennessee Central Economic Authority, developed a workforce retention and expansion program. Tidcomb found an untapped talent pool in the community. "Workforce retention is a national issue that the communities in the towns we serve are also dealing with," he said.
Tidcomb concluded with "I applaud Rosa and Scott at Volunteer Sintered for their assertiveness and innovative thinking to being the first company in the community to take advantage of it."


The increasing presence of women in the Canadian labour market, including in leadership roles has changed the way that workplaces operate. Many workplaces have renewed approaches to encouraging productivity, and to the management of teams and staff. In this way, women are transforming the workplace not only for themselves, but for men and the next generation of young professionals entering the workforce.
ACCES Employment supports the success of women in the workplace through all of our programs. We recognize both the unique strengths that they offer and the barriers that they face to finding employment that reflects their education and experience. We have developed two programs that speak to the unique strengths of women to better support their future career pursuits in Canada.
The START program is designed to support immigrant women with pursuing careers in the customer care sector in Canada. This nine-week program provides participants with industry-recognized certifications, computer training, job search support and coaching.
This one-week intensive program focuses on supporting newcomer women to be successful in their careers. Empowering Women will provide you with the skills and confidence to become a leader in your sector through customized workshops, coaching, and mentorship.


text:
using Newtonsoft.Json;

namespace IBM.Watson.NaturalLanguageUnderstanding.V1.Model
{
    /// <summary>
    /// Tokenization options.
    /// </summary>
    public class SyntaxOptionsTokens
    {
        /// <summary>
        /// Set this to `true` to return the lemma for each token.
        /// </summary>
        [JsonProperty("lemma", NullValueHandling = NullValueHandling.Ignore)]
        public bool? Lemma { get; set; }
        /// <summary>
        /// Set this to `true` to return the part of speech for each token.
        /// </summary>
        [JsonProperty("part_of_speech", NullValueHandling = NullValueHandling.Ignore)]
        public bool? PartOfSpeech { get; set; }
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Chronology isn't the best measure of skin's health and good looks, because the rate at which skin ages is significantly influenced by genetics, lifestyle habits and environment. Nutrition and exercise, exposure to sun or smog, and your skin care regimen all influence skin's appearance. Thus, even if you feel younger than ever, it's possible that your complexion could be getting old before its time.
But there's good news for those who want to look as good on the outside as they feel on the inside, because, "You don't have to look your age," says Doris J. Day. Day is a medical doctor, clinical assistant professor of dermatology at the New York University Medical Center, and author of Forget the Facelift. "Your skin's health and resiliency can be decades younger than the number of candles on your last birthday cake," she affirms.
While DNA's role in how skin matures might be around 30 percent, the remaining factors are environmental. "It really is rooted in diet, how we handle stress, how we rest or sleep, and our exposures to environmental toxins," observes Dr. Andrew Weil, director of the Program in Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona and author of Healthy Aging: A Lifelong Guide to Your Physical and Spiritual Well-Being.
Poor sleeping and eating habits, along with exposure to sunlight, chemicals or smoke, can lead to the formation of free radicals, those unstable molecules that capture oxygen and release cell-damaging electrons, explains physician Shelley Sekula-Gibbs, a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. She notes that free radicals break down the skin's vital support structures— namely, collagen and elastin—which leads to premature aging.
Environmental and lifestyle factors also can trigger chronic, low-grade inflammation, increasing the number of free radicals and infiltrating your complexion with harmful chemicals. "Micro-inflammation can't be seen or felt, but goes on all the time," says Dr. Nicholas Perricone, an adjunct professor of medicine at Michigan State University and author of The Wrinkle Cure.
Fortunately, it is possible to forestall the aging process and prevent further skin damage. With the right approach, you may also be able to diminish problems that have already occurred. "No matter what your genes have to offer you in terms of your complexion, if you take care of it, you can have beautiful skin that will stay young," Day declares.
It's not possible to stop the clock or totally erase hours spent soaking in the sun, but you can help prevent future damage and keep skin looking fresh and young—while improving overall health. Try applying these five top strategies for keeping age at bay.
EAT "YOUNG". What you eat affects how your skin ages. "People who eat more fresh fruits, vegetables, and protein-rich fish, tend to have fewer wrinkles" says Perricone. That's why it's smart to consume an anti-inflammatory diet that includes plenty of whole grains; fruits and vegetables of different hues; omega-3 fatty acids from cold-water fish, walnuts, extra-virgin olive oil and flaxseed; and antioxidant-rich spices like turmeric, ginger, cumin and cinnamon. Wash it all down with plenty of water—a minimum of eight cups per day—to keep skin hydrated and free of impurities.
At the same time, avoid partially hydrogenated oils, trans fats and polyunsaturated vegetable oils, which are all pro-inflammatory. Foods that cause a rapid rise in blood sugar and insulin—such as sugary or starchy processed foods—can trigger inflammation as well.
CHILL. Stress leaves its mark on your skin by promoting the inflammatory process. "Psychic stress can accelerate aging of the skin," observes Perricone, "because it releases hormones such as cortisol, which break down tissue and inhibit collagen synthesis." To protect your emotional well-being—and skin—from decline, carve out ample time for relaxation through yoga, deep breathing, meditation or massage.
HIT THE HAY. It's called getting your beauty rest for good reason: "While you're sleeping, your skin is in repair-and-restore mode," Day notes. If you don't accumulate enough quality shuteye, you deprive skin of its prime time to rehydrate, heal damaged tissue and nourish healthy cells.
GET SUN SMART. Although changes in diet, exercise and sleep protect skin from the inside, it's essential to guard it from external elements as well. Wearing sunscreen year-round is key, and diligence is vital.
KNOW THE ALPHABET. To guard against environmental aging, choose beauty products that contain free-radical-fighting antioxidants like green tea, grape seed extract, alpha-lipoic acid and vitamins A, C and E. Antioxidants work synergistically to combat the aging process, so don't be afraid of products that mix and match the different types, starting with your morning moisturizer.
Before bed, apply a moisturizer that combines antioxidants with hyaluronic acid or extracts of shea butter, which are especially good at retaining water in the skin. "Because your skin loses more moisture at night as it undergoes a natural process of renewal, you'll want to use a thicker moisturizer," suggests Day.
As we mature, the skin's dead surface cells don't always slough off efficiently, which can make the complexion appear dull or rough. Here are five ways to keep cell turnover high and skin glowing.
BLAST THE PAST. Microdermabrasion, a widely available predecessor to today's cutting-edge resurfacing technologies, uses fine crystals made of aluminum oxide or salt to loosen the outer layers of dead skin cells, which are then vacuumed up by a suction device. "It's not really the abrasion of the crystals that produces results, it's the suction," Donofrio says. "The better the suction, the better results you'll get in terms of improving the moisture barrier and collagen synthesis in the skin." That's why it's best to go with an in-office procedure.
PEEL BACK THE YEARS. Peels made with salicylic acid (from willow bark) or glycolic acid (from sugar cane) improve the complexion by removing dead surface cells and cleaning out pores. In a doctor's office, a combination of up to 30 percent salicylic acid and 70 percent glycolic acid can be used to penetrate the upper layers of skin and exfoliate dead cells. Because of the potential for scarring, these procedures are best performed by a dermatologist. "You need to start at a low concentration and move up slowly," cautions Day.
SLOUGH IT OFF. If you can't seek professional help just now, refine the skin's surface and boost its radiance by exfoliating two or three times a week with a gentle at-home scrub.


WASHINGTON COUNTY ? Washington County officials want to prohibit tractor-trailers from parking on suburban streets, raise the threshold for public bidding on county projects and draft ordinances governing special events and sidewalk maintenance.
The General Assembly would have to adopt any changes to the tax and do not have to abide by the commissioners' recommendations, which would set the residential tax rate at $3 per square foot.
Kroboth also submitted a request to raise the threshold for public bidding on county projects. Currently, any county project costingg more than $25,000 must be put out for bid. Kroboth said that amount should be increased to $50,000.
Requests that would enable two ordinances were also approved by the commissioners.
Rohrer said current laws allow the county to enforce sidewalk maintenance but are "kind of weak."


On Sunday, Cheryl, Robert and I greeted an early morning and a beautiful blue sky to hike the Mineral Ridge Loop just outside of Harrison Idaho, about 20 minutes away from Coeur d'Alene. This was my first time doing this hike, and I was pleasantly surprised to see that all of the wonderful things I had heard about this trail were absolutely true.
Mineral Ridge is located on the east side of lake Coeur d'Alene, near Beauty bay. It is part of the Coeur d'Alene National Forest area. The Scenic Area at the bottom of the trail has wonderful landscape, drinking fountains, covered picnic pavilions, pit toilets and garbage receptacles. The Mineral Ridge Boat Launch also lies below the Scenic Area, where fishing is a popular activity. The hike itself is a self-guided 3.3 mile uphill loop, with plenty of switchbacks and nicely groomed trails along the way. The trail is mostly shaded with a moderate incline to the top. There are many benches put in place along the way for stops and has incredible views at many points during the hike. Diverse, lush vegetation is rampant throughout this forest environment, and the primary tree species you will find here are the Ponderosa Pine and the Douglas-fir.
Each winter, from November to February, the migrating population of up to 150 bald eagles visit the area to feed on spawning kokanee salmon. Unfortunately, we did not catch a glimpse of any of the bald eagles, but being that February is coming to an end, we may have just missed their feeding season. An interpretative viewing program is offered during the peak season between Christmas and New Years annually, for those of you interested in going next year.
As we ventured toward the top, we ran into a bit of history that lies within the Mineral Ridge Trail. Robert explained how miners who came to this area during the Gold Rush began to dig large holes in the ground in hopes of striking it rich. These holes are very apparent and along the trail they have guided markers explaining different pieces of history that Mineral Ridge holds.
The Wolf Lodge Bay is the view that you hike up the trail for. An absolutely stunning view of Coeur d'Alene that stretches for miles greets you as you reach the top of the hike. This site is situated at an elevation of 2,824 feet, about 700 feet above lake level. For a late-February morning, this hike could not have been more enjoyable. A tad bit chilly, but with plenty of sunshine, made this excursion quite refreshing. Check out some pics I took from the top.
To get to Mineral Ridge, head east on I-90 from Coeur d'Alene toward Harrison. Take exit 22 for Harrison/Wolf Lodge Bay. Then head south on State Highway 97 for 3 miles. The trail head is at the Mineral Ridge Scenic Area on the left side of the highway. You will see the parking area and trail head. Have fun! Be sure to comment your experiences at Mineral Ridge on this post! What other hikes do you love in the Coeur d'Alene area?


text:
Home / Extra / Mysterious Human Heart Found in Salt Stockpile. Police: "Most Bizarre."
Mysterious Human Heart Found in Salt Stockpile. Police: "Most Bizarre."
Where did salt come from?
By John Wright
WSNB4
Workers preparing for bad weather in Tennessee found a human heart in a pile of salt, shocking experienced police officers and spurring officials to launch an investigation. The heart was discovered last Thursday at a state transportation department salt facility in McEwen, about 60 miles southwest of Nashville, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said.
"An initial examination of the heart determined that it was that of an adult male," the bureau said in a statement. "Additional DNA testing will be performed to try to determine its origin. This remains an active and ongoing investigation." Read on to find out how the organ was found and where the investigation goes from here.
"Most Bizarre"
"I've got 32 years in law enforcement. I do have to say this is probably in the top 5 of most bizarre things that I've ever seen," Chris Davis, the Humphreys County sheriff, told WSMV. "At this time we don't feel that anybody's safety is in question." He urged anyone who might have relevant information to come forward. "Somebody, somewhere knows and we're seeking information," he said. "I always reach out to the public if you happen to have any idea or just an inclination."
Workers Thought They Found a Rock
As workers retrieved salt from a barn, they discovered what they thought was a strangely shaped rock. The heart was likely there for some time, Davis told WSMV. "It was found in the salt where TDOT is preparing to attack the bad weather, severe weather conditions that we have," he said. "At first they thought it was a rock. The process of what salt does to that, it dries it out. It's speculated that it could have been there for just a few weeks."
Uneasy Feelings Led to Police Call
Davis praised the transportation workers for acting on their intuition that something wasn't right and notifying law enforcement. "They did act out of suspicion and my hat's off to them," Davis said. "You know, they got to thinking and when they got that first inclination or doubt in their mind they made the right call." He added: "I'm very appreciative of that and hopefully when we can find the rest of the remains, then the family, I hope, will be thankful for that as well."
Key Question: Where Did Salt Come From?
The state's transportation department is "fully cooperating with law enforcement as they continue their investigation," a spokesperson said Monday. They are trying to determine where the salt came from and when it was delivered to the facility. A search of the site had not turned up additional human remains as of Tuesday.
"Clearly There Is Some Human Involvement Here"
Citing witnesses, NewsChannel 5 Nashville reported that the dehydrated heart was about the size of a tennis ball. It appeared undamaged, as though it had been surgically removed. "A heart doesn't naturally leave the body as part of the decaying process so clearly there is some human involvement here. And the question is if it's criminal in nature," said Nick Leonardo, the station's legal analyst. The sheriff pledged a full investigation. "Everybody's somebody's somebody, and at the end of the day it would bother me if I laid down my head at night not knowing that we'd done everything we can for this person and this person's family," he said.
Extra • News


Robin Hester's role includes all responsibilities necessary for the day-to-day management of a portfolio of communities, including property operations, employee recruitment, training and supervision and financial reporting.
A Tampa native, Robin is a Florida licensed real estate broker and has earned the designations of Certified Property Manager (CPM) and Accredited Residential Manager and (ARM) through the Institute of Real Estate Management. Robin has also earned the Certified Apartment Manager (CAM) designation through the National Apartment Association.
Robin has served as an officer for the Bay Area Apartment Association and as a delegate to both the National and Florida Apartment Associations. In 2004 she was invited to take part in the National Apartment Associations inaugural Leadership Lyceum, a program designated to train future industry leaders. She is a member of the Institute of Real Estate Management, the Tampa Board of Realtors and the Tampa Bay Water Coalition.