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Chalk festival

The only sidewalk chalk event along the North Shore will take place over two days in August along Waterfront Drive between Second and Third avenues.

Chalk-o-lot begins Friday, Aug. 10 with sidewalk drawing technique and tips. Mort McBain, a volunteer at the Wausau, Wis. annual Chalkfest that brings in close to 500 people, will be on site to lend his expertise. The lessons will be from 2-5 p.m. and are free.

The lessons will be followed by a concert from Irish pub band Ninety to the Dozen in Thomas Owens Park at 7 p.m.

Early registration for the Saturday competition the next day is at Two Harbors City Hall. Day-of registration begins at 8 a.m. Participants will pay $15 and receive a reserved sidewalk space, a 48-pack of colored chalk, latex gloves, sponges for blending and a t-shirt.

Participants must be 12 or older or accompanied by an adult.

Younger participants will be able to participate in the “some bodies in the street” portion of the event. In an area designated just for them, kids can draw their own chalk outline and create their own art. There is no registration fee for kids and the first 100 to show up will get a free box of chalk.

The day will wrap up at 6 p.m. with an awards ceremony and reception at Waterfront Gallery. At dusk, Thomas Owens Park will host a showing of the movie Chocolat.

The Pub will offer $5 brats and burgers both days and on Saturday chocolate treats and other food will be available in the park. The chalking will be complemented by face-painting, temporary tattoos, caricatures and clowns.

Green grants

CERTs seeks to provide seed grants to support the labor costs for clean energy projects that spur community development in Minnesota. Project proposals should be for a community-based energy efficiency or renewable energy project that also provides a forum for community education about energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies and their economic, ecological and community benefits.

“Since 2006, CERTs has awarded more than $720,000 to over 165 projects,” said Lissa Pawlisch, Clean Energy Resource Teams Director. “Those projects ranged from energy efficiency for city-owned buildings to solar power for schools, from on-farm wind power to renewably-heated greenhouses, and much more.” Past projects and case studies can be seen online. CERTs offers many tools and resources to help you plan your project, so get started today!

Proposals must be submitted no later than 4:00pm on Monday, August 6th. To learn more and apply,visit rfp.mncerts.org.

Tags: life