As part of this month’s series Just Outdoors host Tom Chapin talked with Mary Schidler, the Kayak Lady. Mary talked all about her goal of paddling all of the 1,007 lakes in Itasca County and her adventures along the way. She answered many of the frequent questions she gets like what is her favorite lake and which was the hardest to tackle. Mary also talked about the self publication of her book “The Kayak Lady: One Woman – One Kayak – 1007 Lakes”. She’s been at it since 1996 and on Saturday, August 7th she will reach her goal when she paddles her last lake. Everyone is welcome to share in this moment. Come to Rice Lake (west of Cohasset) from 9:00 am to 11:00 am. Bring a kayak, canoe, paddleboat or rowboat to the Rice Lake public access. For those who do not paddle, Mary has arranged complimentary rides on the Let’s Go Fishing pontoon. Tune in and learn about Mary’s patience and persistence during years of paddling. Just Outdoors plays every Wednesday at 8:00 pm on your public access channel.

Voters are asked to go to the polls on Tuesday, August 10, 2010 to decide on a number of races in Itasca County. In order to become an informed voter ICTV has videotaped a couple of candidate forums and these are available right here at watchictv.org free of charge. When more than two candidates file for a position a primary election must be held to narrow the candidates down to only two per position. In the race for Itasca County Commissioner District 1 candidates include incumbent Lori Dowling, John Chell and Davin Tinquist. For Itasca County Commissioner District 3 candidates are incumbent Karen Burthwick, Jeff Niemala and Leo Trunt and for Itasca County Sheriff candidates include Dean Scherf, Darin Shevich and Victor Williams. You can get information on the candidates right here at watchictv.org. Click on the watch government videos tab and then the candidate forum tab and watch when you have the time.

Rain GardenOn this month’s episode of City Works, Grand Rapids City Administrator Shawn Gillen talked with City Engineer Tom Pagel and Steve Anderson, who works in the Public Works department about the storm water mandate. Shawn talked about how when it rains that water pools and it used to go straight into the streams, rivers and lakes but now that water has to be captured and treated through a series of techniques that they talked about including: water retention ponds, rain gardens and swales. Tom said that water runoff is a leading source of water pollution. The city of Grand Rapids is required to comply with storm water retention. Check out this month’s program about storm water retention, what it is and how it works.

Showboat 2010Today Showboat’s Director and Captain visited with host Mary Jo Jess about this year’s production of Mississippi Melodie Showboat. It’s year number 55 for the showboat to come around the bend to entertain audiences. There have been a couple of slight changes. One is this year Showboat will not have the Reif Center as a rain location. They are going to take their chances and hold the show out on site for all nine performances. They will also not be having a matinee performance. Director John Schroeder said that audiences really love the feel of the showboat coming around the bend at dusk. Afternoon performances in the hot July sun just don’t have the same effect. Showboat performances begin Thursday, July 15th. Showtimes are 8:30 PM and showboat runs for the final three weeks in July. Tickets can be purchased at the Reif Center, Reed Drug or on site right before the show.