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If you have shopped locally lately, and I hope you have, you might have seen the 2011 Celebration of the Lakes circular. We just finished printing it Wednesday and have distributed it all around the area. If you have yet to see one, you will receive one in your Search Shopper this weekend.

The circular is a wonderful piece that highlights the event which takes place on January 28-30. You will find articles about the area's new Community Ambassador Marlene Messin along with an article about the past ambassador Gary Gerke. There are articles about how hot air balloons work as well as what to expect if you are lucky enough to fly in one.

You will also find many great businesses that have chosen to support the Celebration of the Lakes and for that, we thank you. Many of these businesses are offering great specials during the celebration. We hope you enjoy it!

We just found out that the Sheriff's Department has given the all clear for the celebration. There was a little speculation that the ice would not be thick enough, but the cold temps lately helped the cause. So everything is right on schedule.

The Celebration of the Lakes has quite a few events other than watching balloons (hopefully) taking off. You can enter your secret recipe in the Chili Cook-Off where they will be awarding prizes for three categories. If you would like to taste the different chili's make sure to get there early on Sunday. Look for the chili cook-off ad in this edition.

You and your family are also encouraged to enter the annual Lion's Ice Fishing Contest on Sunday, January 30. The Lions do such a wonderful job running the event, and almost everyone comes home with a prize of some sorts. They pre-drill all the holes, so all you need is your pole and bait. The contest is held just north of the end of the radar run, it is impossible to miss.

There will be kids' games next to the warming tent to entertain the young ones. There is a kiddie parade on Saturday, where your child is urged to dress as their favorite character. As always, there is a great ice rink, so bring your skates along.

If you are a landowner and one of the balloons lands on your property, your name will go into a basket. When the Celebration of the Lakes is complete, the Chamber of Commerce will draw a name out of the basket. That landowner will win $50.

I will write more about the event next week, but please come out and see the balloons and all the great happenings that are planned. If you love an easy going event where you you can come and go as you please, this is the event for you.

Small towns are notorious for rumors taking on a life of their own. There is one rumor that is white hot right now that I can help settle. The rumor is that the Gallery Bar and Grill is closing their doors at the end of the month. Until last week, there was some validity to the rumors, but not because business is bad, it was building related.

I am happy to announce, the Gallery has signed a multi-year lease with the golf course. Good news for people who love their food (us included). In fact, our family went there after a basketball tournament on Saturday, and judging by all of the people waiting for tables, the place as popular as ever.

We are getting close to putting the finishing touches on the 2011 Chisago Lakes Community Guide. If you would like your business to be part of the guide, you have to call immediately. Our deadline has passed, but we may still have room to squeeze you in. Call our sales staff at 651-257-5115 for help.

Speaking of deadlines, the deadline for the Home and Garden Show in February is very close. There is still time for your business to take part in this year's show in February. Please call Community Ed at 651-213-2600 to reserve your space.

I had a nice call from a reader this week. Vernon Strenke read my column last week about my ice dam issues here at the Press. Vernon has a solution that he says works wonderfully and costs you very little.

Vernon said all you need is a salt solution called Calcium Chloride, a cheap pack of panty hose and a ladder.

You take the panty hose and cut them into about three foot lengths and tie one end. Fill the panty hose with the calcium chloride so there is a tube about 3/4 to an inch thick. Tie the other end of the panty hose. Locate the area of your water dam with the most water sitting and place the panty hose over the ice dam and wait. Vernon tells me the calcium chloride will soon melt the ice and the water will drain off your roof instead of down your walls. Thanks Vernon for the great tip!

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