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‘North Country’ at the Palace this weekendThe movie "North Country" will be shown at the Palace Theatre this weekend.Show times are 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.The Web site Internet Movie Data Base, or www.imdb.com, described it as a "fictionalized account of the first major successful sexual harassment case in the United States -- Jenson vs. Eveleth Mines, where a woman who endured a range of abuse while working as a miner filed and won the landmark 1984 lawsuit."The Eveleth in question is Eveleth, Minnesota.The movie stars Charlize Theron, Woody Harrelson, Francis McDormand and Sissy Spacek.IMDB reviewers gave the movie a 7.2 out of 10 review, and Ebert and Roeper both gave it a "thumbs up."2006 tree programRock County farmers, if you want to get involved in the Rock County LMO/SWCD tree program, your time is running out.The Land Management Office/Soil Water Conservation District can assist you with the design of tree planting, as well as selecting appropriate trees for whatever needs you may have.The trees are on a first-come first-serve basis.According to the Rock County Ag News, trees planted in crop ground may be eligible for the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) in which cost-share is available as well as an annual payment on the set aside acres.The newsletter goes on to say that fall site preparation contributes to a much better survival rate for the trees once planted in the spring.If you have any questions about the program, phone 283-8862, ext. 3.The deadline for the program is November 30th.Farmers, can you spot a meth lab?Or anyone else, for that matter?Meth labs are popping up all over rural America, and if you know what to look for, you could help keep them out of our neighborhood.Last year 237 meth labs were discovered in Minnesota alone.If you would like to help keep them out of our area, here’s what to look for:
strong odor of chemicals in the area
heavy fortification, such as surveillance camera, bars on windows or covered windows, "beware of dog" signs
suspicious automobile traffic and visitors to the site
unusual hours of activity
chemical cans or drums in the yard
people leaving the building to smoke
open windows in cold weatherIf any of these activities sound familiar, contact Rock County Law Enforcement at 283-5000.SHARE gears up for Christmas ’05Sharing Hearts Are Everywhere (SHARE) is beginning to get ready for their annual Luverne Christmas tradition.A few weeks ago letters went out from the group to local businesses to reintroduce themselves and ask them to start thinking about their contribution for this Christmas season.The program, which was started in 1985, was originally run by the Rock County Family Service Agency.As it grew, a stand-alone organization was created to handle the responsibilities.For those unfamiliar with the program, the 21-year-old effort collects and distributes food, clothing and toys to families who may not be able to provide those items for themselves.In 2004, SHARE provided 150 families with donated items at Christmastime. Those families consisted of 220 children and 222 adults.The donated items come from all quarters, including individuals, churches, organizations and businesses.If you would like to donate items, collection times will be from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7, and from 8 a.m. to noon Thursday, Dec. 8, at Sharkee’s.IF you would like to make a cash donation, mail it to SHARE, P.O. Box 792, Luverne, MN, 56156.Publisher Roger Tollefson can be reached by e-mail at tolly@star-herald.com