To Ann Austin, Ryan Heath and Quiznos.

Kudos to Heath for painting a nice, community-minded mural on the back of Quiznos. Kudos to Quiznos for letting him do it. And kudos to Austin for finding the means to offset the expenses. The artwork shows roads, tracks and a body water, imagery similar to the between-the-lakes area of Albert Lea. The mural presents a nice greeting to motorists driving westward on the Main Street viaduct over the Union Pacific tracks. Then up the street they encounter the happy-looking mural at Culligan Water.

We look forward to seeing more murals beautify the buildings of our city.

 

To Albert Lea hockey fans leaving early.

The Albert Lea boys’ hockey team actually had a good crowd Tuesday that was mixed with Mankato West and Albert Lea fans. The home opener was really close until the third period when the Tigers started getting too many penalties. With five minutes left in the game, the fans started pouring out of the arena. It was not only rude but disappointing that when the Tigers could use their fans the most, they had already quit. The Scarlets led 4-3 going into the final period. The Tigers ended up losing 7-3.

 

To Albert Lea High School student Jacob Jensen.

This teenager led a drive to feed starving children in this world by acting locally. He organized the Feed My Starving Children event Dec. 1 at the Albert Lea Armory. People gathered to pack meals into packets. The pouches contained a mixture of rice, soy, dehydrated vegetables, chicken flavoring and vitamins and minerals. Each pouch can serve six people, according to organizers. Jensen and his friends raised $22,000 so people at the Armory last weekend could pack 100,000 meals. Way to go, Jensen!