Despite the current weather outside, spring is in fact on the way, and the United Way and Continental Ski & Bike  are gearing up for the 5th annual Bike Swap, April 16 and 17 at Continental, 1305 E 1st St.  Now is the time to check your garage to see if you’ve got a old bike you’d like to sell or donate… or to start dreaming about what kind of new-to-you bike you’d like to buy.  If your bike sells, you get 75% of the selling price and the remaining 25% goes to the United Way.  We’ve set up a Facebook page to watch for updates.  Thanks!

As always, it’s free.

This is a fundraiser for Respect Your Mother, a concert held annually in the spring at Leif Erickson Park.

Friday, Feb. 18, 6pm
Norway Hall, 21 Lake Ave., Duluth
Suggested donation $15

Contact Eric Ament at 320-267-1094 to sign up to perform in the slam.

The dinner is chili and porridge with salad, fry bread and chutney.

Come to the February 2011 UMD Center for Ethics and Public Policy Speaker Series. Talks are free and open to the public.

“Down-Home Global Cooking: Why Cosmopolitanism versus Localism is a False Dichotomy, and How Our Food Can Show Us the Way to a Third Option”
Lisa Heldke, Gustavus Adolphus College,
Friday, Feb 18, 3 pm, Humanities 314.

“Chinese Philosophy and Environmental Ethics: China’s Three Gorges Dam, Western Pressures and Eastern Principles”
Ben Huff, Randolph-Macon College,
Thursday, Feb 24, 5 pm, Solon Campus Center 120.

“In Search of the Missing Virtue(s) in the East and West”
Heidi Giebel, St Thomas University,
Friday, Feb 25, 3 pm, Humanities 314.

Where: Northern Lights Elementary to City Hall
When: Wednesday, Feb. 16, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Meet at Northern Lights at 4 and leave for City Hall at 4:15. We will walk down Hammond Ave.
Who: Union families and concerned citizens of the Twin Ports
Why: Get out the message that Governor Walker’s proposed legislation will hurt all families in our community.
What can you do: Make signs. Get as many of your friends and neighbors to join us in the rally.

The new film Gravity Was Everywhere Back Then will be presented live on Feb 27th at 7:30 p.m. Joining filmmaker Brent Green will be Brendan Canty (Fugazi, anyone?) on drums to provide us with a live score, voice-over narration and foley/sound effects. In order to sweeten the deal  (although, tickets will only be $10.00) we will be providing a keg of Surly Furious for you to enjoy at no additional charge. Here is a recent interview with Mr. Green and here is where you can buy your tickets(click the showtime on the ticket page). Zinema 2 222 E Superior St 218.722.7300 or zinema2.com

Are you interested in citizen diplomacy? Then come to the next meeting of the Duluth-Rania, Iraq Friendship Exchange: Thursday, Feb. 24, 7pm, in the Fireside Room of the UCC Peace Church. We are looking for people interested in going on the next delegation trip to Rania in late May to early June. Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity! Build bridges of peace and cultural exchange between our communities!  For more information, see our website.