Go Force!  My family enjoyed some fierce skating last Friday night at the impressive Urban Plains arena in Fargo.  This state-of-the-art, 5,000-seat facility opened late in 2008.  It offers comfortable seating, fun entertainment, great food and much more.

Not only did the Fargo Force slip past Omaha on Friday night, they went on to sweep the series on Saturday and are now leading the USHL-West Division.  Upcoming home games will be held February 12 and 13.  Get tickets online.

With just four days until the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, we’re giving you a couple more athletes with North Dakota connections to watch (and cheer) for.

Natalie Nicholson is an American curler from Bemidji, Minn. who earned her nursing degree from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks.  Curling competition begins February 16.

Ice hockey skater Zach Parise also attended the University of North Dakota, and now plays left wing for the New Jersey Devils.  Parise was a standout player with the Fighting Sioux hockey team of UND.  Mens hockey preliminary rounds begin February 16.

North Dakota has gotten a ton of national headlines for defying much of the nation’s economic upheaval.  The state has a budget surplus, there are jobs available, the hotels are still selling rooms and the airports have had record numbers of passengers.  Web-surfers who are interested in learning more about North Dakota’s economy, business opportunity and quality of life are invited to check out North Dakota via the Dept. of Commerce website and talk with us on Facebook and Twitter.

New York Mets Catcher Chris Coste is celebrating his 37th birthday today and we hope this North Dakota son has a great day and awesome season.  Coste is originally from Fargo and from 1996 to 1999 played for the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks.  His first book, “Hey … I’m Just the Catcher: An Inside Look at a Northern League Season From Behind the Plate” was published in 1997.

2008 saw the release of Coste’s second autobiography, “The 33-Year-Old Rookie:  How I Finally Made it to the Big Leagues After Eleven Years in the Minors.”  The book cronicles Coste’s professional career through his third season (2008), the year he won a World Series with the Philadelphia Philles.

2010 will be Coste’s first season with the Mets.

It’s only 24 weeks away and we’re already counting down.  The North Dakota State Fair announced their concert headliners yesterday – which includes legendary duo Brooks & Dunn on their last tour, Eric Church, Darius Rucker, and (my personal fav) Sugarland!  There are still two more concerts to be announced and the only hint is – they’re going to rock.

The North Dakota State Fair takes place in Minot, and will be held July 23-31.  Showpass tickets will go on sale March 25.

Get a little love from North Dakota this month.  A Legendary Valentine’s sale starts today and runs through February 14.  Visit the online store and take 14% off your entire order.  Plus, there’s also FREE shipping every day, every month.  Take note of the discount code on the home page.  Happy shopping!

Minnesota Vikings fullback/tight end Jim Kleinsasser celebrates his 33rd birthday today.  And North Dakota celebrates its native son.  Kleinsasser is an 11-year veteran of the NFC-East Champion team.  He is originally from Carrington, North Dakota.

Snowshoeing in TRNP, photo by Mason Owen

Explore Theodore Roosevelt National Park in the snow-covered beauty of winter. Every Saturday in February, rangers in the North Unit of the Park will host cross-country skiing and snowshoeing treks. Meet at 1 p.m. at the North Unit Visitor Center. Participants should bring their own equipment and dress warmly. These events are free.  Details are online.

You don’t have to wait until summer to enjoy Medora entertainment.  A live free concert by Chuck Suchy will be held at 8 p.m., January 29 at the Belle Mehus Auditorium in Bismarck.  The event is sponsored by the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation in celebration of the Medora Musical’s 45^th anniversary in 2010.

If a date night is on the agenda for the weekend, consider checking out the new movie:  When In Rome.  This is a romantic comedy starring Kristen Bell and Josh Duhamel, who meet at a wedding in Rome and adventure ensues.

Here in North Dakota, we are BIG fans of Duhamel.  (*swoon*)  This Hollywood hottie is originally from Minot, North Dakota – in fact, he owns a restaurant there, 10 North Main.  He attended Minot State University, majoring in biology, before being scouted by a modeling agency.

Duhamel starred in the TV series Las Vegas and the two Transformers movies.  He is married to singer Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas.

Duhamel is making the PR rounds this week in promotion of When In Rome.  He’s appearing this morning on Live with Regis and Kelly.