Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Did you know that a simple rainfall of 1-inch can wash away up to 10,000 pounds of soil? When these effects are multiplied over time, this erosion of soil can not only cause structural instability for families and their homes, but also can change the environment and the ecosystem that soil is vital to. For those who live in Grand Forks, rain is nothing new. However, for charity "Stop the Soil" founder Bradley Cooper, soil erosion represents a threat, that if left unchecked, could permanently change our city's landscape.

Cooper first began noticing issues with soil erosion after a severe thunderstorm in September of 2018 altered the landscape of his family farm. Since then, he's been on a mission to use modern technology to combat the destructive effects that rain can bring.

"I came to the realization that in today's world we have barriers and divertation devices that are very effective, but most cities are either ignorant to their uses or overestimate the costs that these simple solutions require."

"Stop the Soil" was created as a result to not only better educate individuals on how to stop erosion, but also give an outlet where people can volunteer. Most volunteers are able to setup simple devices near homes in the local Grand Forks area where erosion is a common problem. For many homes, the simple laying of a tarp near a gutter is enough, but for others more advanced technologies like the Anderson Aqueduct can be used, all entirely gifted to the charity through generous donations. 

Despite it's "dirty" name, "Stop the Soil" has been successful at not only raising money for devices needed in the Grand Forks area, but have also done so with a huge amount of community interaction. Those wanting to volunteer or give are encouraged to contact the organization at their website stopthesoil.org, or to get a hold of them on social media through Facebook or Twitter.

Tuesday, September 10, 2019

Justin Bieber: Welcome to North Dakota!

*Readers be advised, much of the content below is fictitious for purposes of a school project*

While North Dakota is known for the cold, pop star Justin Bieber is no stranger to it. Having grown up in Canada before catching his big break in 2008, the 25 year old singer is more than familiar with the frigid north. However, despite his ability to handle extreme weather, next month will mark the first time where Bieber plays a concert in the Peace Garden State!

Slated to headline alongside 2018's number one upcoming artist Julian Mitchell, Bieber announced today that his world tour, "Haters gonna Hate", will include a stop in Grand Fork's Alerus center on October 25th. Tickets for the event go on sale  next week and are expected to sell out quickly.

Both new and longtime fans of Bieber will appreciate his newfound music style. Despite his original billing as a teen-crush, Justin has expanded his career into pop culture in a way that not only entertains younger viewers, but also has proven to be a hit with the adult crowd as well. The last three years alone have resulted in five number one hits, beating out well-known singers like Adele and Beyonce with proven track-records.

A perfect event for both adults and teenagers, those seeking to attend next month's concert should expect to not only be serenaded by classics like "Baby", but also be provided first access to his new song "Everyone Loves Me" that is already a top ten hit. This, combined with Bieber's famous dance routines and choreographed light shows make this first-time event a must see!