Union of Youth

The Northfield Union of Youth’s Vote Youth campaign that was featured in a recent Northfield News article written by David Henke is underway. We are in the process of organizing, securing dates and sites, etc. For a quick peak click here. We will have much more information early next week, including an expansion of the platform. Stay tuned. Correction: the Northfield News listed the tentative time for the (possible) Armory “debate” on the 10th of August at 7:30pm. This is incorrect and should actually be 2:00-4:30pm.

Leaving out the fact that I lost keys, a camera, and a bike (all were retrieved), Crazy Daze was a pretty wild event. I lot of that can be blamed on The Key. The Key set up shop a little bit later than most and got a little bit wilder than most. Setup included the now obligatory skate demo (this year we pushed it to three hours) and dunk tank and included the usual sales of greeting cards, t-shirts, and sweets (Key shortbread cookies this year). Frisbees were a new addition to the sales items this year. We dunked a lot of people and the nearly $200 in sales can attest to this. I got Alex Beeby on my last throw. The carny talk of Adam Mousel and Addy Payne was especially beautiful. For more pictures please click here.

Marie Fischer and Addy Payne of the Key posed for the camera at the first annual Annie Get Your Girlfriends. This free downtown health event was conceived and created by the same people who brought us Manzone and 4Real Women and had absolutely nothing to to do with former Key director Anne Kroes, as far as we know. Youth from the Key tabled for the event, informing the curious of the many mentoring opportunities through the Main Street Mentors program. Did I mention that all participants were dressed in Old West garb?

The Northfield Skateboard Coalition continued its busy summer schedule by cleaning up the downtown riverwalks for part of its Green Team Award responsibilities. A group of about 15 kids ranging from ages 7 to 19 braved the heat and humidity by sweeping, picking up garbage and recycling, and celebrating a job well done by eating at Hogan Brothers. The Coalition was selected by Waste Management as the recipient for the May-July Green Team Award. The Skateboard Coalition has been responsible for periodically monitoring the recycling bin at Econofoods and encouraging everyone to drop off their paper and cardboard products. The Coalition has also been responsible in incorporating service projects that promote a cleaner environment and recycling.

The Northfield Skateboard Coalition updated the City Council at Monday’s meeting, going over accomplishments from the past few months and future endeavors in progress. A big high give to Trevor Smith, Ruth Amerman, and Jim Hores for going to the open mic and informing the Council.

One thing is for sure, THIS concert is still chugging along at full force. Be prepared for an evening of b-boying, DJs, MCs, and graffiti, all starting at 7:00 at the Key, this Saturday the 26th. Acts such as Individuo (Eman and Riahl), Hyperlink (Joe McG), Noo Chode and Optimus Rhymus (Andrew and James Wilson), Boogeyman feat. Young City (Chris Goodwin and Jon Clammer) and other special guests, along with the best Nfld has to offer: the Lost Boyz Crew tearing up some linoleum. Cost is $3. (Because of the recent canceling of the Beatles Cover Show, we are currently getting input from MCs about donating proceeds to the Plymouth Christian Youth Center)

The concert planned for tonight has been canceled due to a number of big scheduling conflicts. We’ll be postponing the show for a later date, sorry for any inconveniences. You can still come to the Key!

The Northfield Skateboard Coalition went on a field trip on Friday the 11th to skateparks at Stillwater and Oakdale. About 15 members of the Coalition researched the two parks, and what better way to do so then skate them. Stillwater’s park was a prefab concrete park with metal slabs, and although it was not what the Coalition was looking for, it was still a lot of fun to skate. After the Stillwater the convoy headed a few miles down the road to skate the all-concrete park in Oakdale. Coalition members thought Oakdale’s park had an amazing concrete mixture and a decent setup as well and will be further researching that park. After skating for about 4 hours in humid 90 degree weather, the Coalition went out to eat at Chipotle. For some pretty cool pictures of the event, click here.

The Northfield Union of Youth and its Photo Club received a $1,000 grant award from Women in the Community Giving Support (WINGS) at WINGS’ annual grant awards luncheon. The luncheon on Saturday, June 28 at the King’s Room at St. Olaf College saw 21 different grants awarded amounting in $42,500 for local organizations. Since its founding in 2000, WINGS has given more than $283,200 in grants in the Northfield area. Photography Club meets at The Key every Tuesday at 5:00pm. Thanks WINGS!!! Representatives from most of the grantees are pictured, with Kellen Kirchberg representing The Key.

We’re kicking off the beginning of a long series of summer concerts with a CD release concert from Paul Johnson (of Autophobia fame) from West Fargo. Paul will be playing at the Key starting on July 11th at 7:00pm, with a few of his good friends. Only $2 entry, and only $1 if you bring a canned good, and Paul’s CD ‘Sleepless’ will be sold. Chuckles and giggles will be plentiful, as will fanastic music by our good friend Paul Johnson.