July 29, 2005

Behind The Loop

Tonight at 9PM, MPR debuts it's new program The Loop. Part This American Life, part Open Source, this pilot project brings Minnesota Public Radio (willingly, we hope) into the age of We Media. [See also: Public Insight Journalism]

I had the opportunity to get behind the scenes of the show this week. Show host Jeff Horwich invited Battleground Minnesota's Shakademic and Glenn to talk about their mix of politics and hip-hop. But no, that wasn't enough. They brought in the extremely good-natured MPR climatologist Mark Seeley to do an on-the-spot weather mashup with the boys over some fresh beats. I'm not sure if it'll make the final show, but that moment was just the sort of sparkle and spontaneity we desparately need on our airwaves.

Posted by Minnesota Stories at 03:22 AM | Comments (7)

July 28, 2005

Local E-Democracy

This week, Minneapolis hosted the International Symposium on Local E-Democracy. Folks came from around the world to share best practices on how to bring government and democracy into the networked electronic age. The event could have no better host than Steven Clift, whose many accomplishments include Minnesota E-democracy and the Minneapolis Issues Forum. Here are a few highlights from day one.

Posted by Minnesota Stories at 07:48 AM | Comments (7)

July 27, 2005

At the Crossroads

What is beyond the pale lens of moon? A poem rendered cinematic.

CONTRIBUTOR: Media Mike Hazard, The Center for International Education

Posted by Minnesota Stories at 02:34 AM | Comments (4)

July 26, 2005

Rainy Day Saints

I'd never been to a St. Paul Saints baseball game. And now... I still haven't, thanks to some nasty storms. But I saw the spirit of St. Paul Saints fans, and it won't be dampened by mere rain. Among them, local blogger Dave Polaschek and KFAI staffers Pam Hill and Jo Ann Vano.

MUSIC: Jonathan Casey, "James Slo-Burn"

Posted by Minnesota Stories at 05:13 AM | Comments (4)

July 25, 2005

The Hungry Cyclist

"Don't be afraid to open up your world to someone else's world." Those are Starfire's parting words in this story, but they work just as well as an introduction. Starfire opened up his world - and his living room - to The Hungry Cyclist, an Englishman biking from NYC to Rio de Janeiro for Macmillan Cancer Relief. How could he resist two days of R&R in Duluth?

CONTRIBUTOR: Starfire, Le Garage
MUSIC: Low

Posted by Minnesota Stories at 05:50 AM | Comments (3)

July 22, 2005

It's About Power.

Where do you get your power? Here in the Twin Cities, it's from Xcel Energy. But you probably didn't know Xcel is one of the largest buyers of power from hydroelectric dams in Manitoba. It's sold as "Green" energy, but thousands of acres of pristine wilderness have been flattened by flooding so we can keep our air conditioners on. The result: Destruction of a way of life for the Cree communities that survived on those lands.

This video is a sneak peek at the forthcoming documentary Green Green Water and features music from Cloud Cult. More video clips are available on the film's videoblog.

CONTRIBUTORS: Dawn Mikkelson and Jamie Lee, Aquaries Media

Posted by Minnesota Stories at 02:43 AM | Comments (0)

July 21, 2005

Gang

In November 2002, a stray bullet hit 11-year-old Tyesha Edwards in her living room. Gang violence was to blame. Was it the only cause?

CONTRIBUTOR: Media Mike Hazard, The Center for International Education

Posted by Minnesota Stories at 02:43 AM | Comments (6)

July 20, 2005

Walnut Grove

I used to watch Little House on the Prairie every day after school. Little did I realize I was sitting a few short hours away from where Laura Ingalls Wilder grew up, on the banks of Plum Creek in Walnut Grove. Join the Kuss family as they travel back in time at the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum.

CONTRIBUTOR: Duane Kuss, My Stories of Life

Posted by Minnesota Stories at 05:24 AM | Comments (6)

July 19, 2005

Day of Music (Part One)

Once a year, Minnesota musicians play round-the-clock for Marshall Field's Day of Music. It's really an amazing experience, both for the diversity of talent and the novelty of not having to go home after bar close. Here's a taste of what you could see between midnight and 3am.

Featured artists: Dallas Orbiter, Charlie Parr, Michael Yonkers

Posted by Minnesota Stories at 05:59 AM | Comments (6)

July 18, 2005

Rondo Days Reunion

Before Interstate 94, there was Rondo. Rondo Avenue was the heart of the vibrant Rondo neighborhood, St. Paul's largest Black neighborhood. It was obliterated in the 1960's by the construction of 94, but every year some of those severed connections are renewed during Rondo Days Festival. I was lucky enough to witness a couple of lifelong Rondo residents reconnect with their old schoolmate they hadn't seen in 40 years.

The story of Rondo will be told through music in September 2005, when composer Stephen Newby's 'Rondo Oratorio' premieres.

Posted by Minnesota Stories at 05:23 AM | Comments (12)

July 15, 2005

IKEA Parking Lot

Minnesotans waited years for the Swedish shopping savior. One year ago the waiting ended, and boy were we excited. The Grand Opening of IKEA Twin Cities. A line around the parking lot, and nobody minded. Were you there? We were. And many times since: IKEA couch, rugs, lamps, chairs, bed, towels, and ghostly nightlights. It's like Target, only you leave with furniture instead of toilet paper.

Posted by Minnesota Stories at 05:54 AM | Comments (12)

July 13, 2005

Starfire Finds a Starfire

S is for summer, and shiny classic cars. S is also for Starfire – a 1962 Oldsmobile Starfire, to be exact. Get a closer look at this fine automobile, one of many preening along Superior Ave. during Duluth's Sidewalk Days Festival. If that turns your crank, you might be a good candidate for the Minnesota Oldsmobile Club, just like the fella in this video.

CONTRIBUTOR: Starfire, Le Garage
MUSIC: The Spaghetti Western String Co., courtesy Adonis Music

Posted by Minnesota Stories at 10:50 PM | Comments (5)

July 12, 2005

Minneapolis Crime Meeting

Violent crime is on the rise in Minneapolis. The police held a public meeting in Northeast Minneapolis to address the concerns of Third Ward residents. Chief among them, Mayor Rybak and Police Chief McManus' STOP program which pulls officer hours from neighborhoods and applies them to crime "hot spots" such as North Minneapolis. The consensus from citizens was that more cops are needed in our neighborhoods, not less. All sides agreed there aren't enough resources, with several people blaming Governor Pawlenty for the shortfalls in Local Government Aid (LGA).

Watch the entire meeting [65 min. Quicktime, 66MB]

Posted by Minnesota Stories at 09:00 PM | Comments (0)

July 11, 2005

Ace Malaysian: Action Painter

By day, he's a mild-mannered real estate agent. When the sun approaches the horizon, he becomes Ace Malaysian, Action Painter. Grooves by DJ Arm Chair. Catch more live painting and music on the first and last Tuesday each month at Bobino's "Easel Hour."

Posted by Minnesota Stories at 09:13 PM

July 08, 2005

Life in Rural MN, 1850's-style

Take a walk back in time with Herbie Theis of Cold Spring, Minnesota. Herb recalls the difficulties his great-grandparents faced living on the banks of the Sauk River in a sod shanty, including many encounters with Native Americans demanding flour. I wonder what they were baking that they needed flour so bad?

CONTRIBUTOR: Duane Kuss, My Stories of Life

Posted by Minnesota Stories at 10:12 PM | Comments (2)

July 07, 2005

Duluth's Aerial Lift Bridge Anniversary

Duluth's Aerial Lift Bridge landmark is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. To celebrate, the city commissioned artists to create miniature interpretations of the bridge now on display around the city. (Better than Peanuts characters, eh?) Here's an interview with artist G. Lee Zimmerman, who's bridge statue is called Reflecting Beauty.

CONTRIBUTOR: Starfire, Le Garage

Posted by Minnesota Stories at 12:46 AM | Comments (3)

July 06, 2005

Hot Enough to Fry an Egg?

Hot 'nuff for ya? Why yes, yes it is. My girlfriend Lorika had a good idea: Let's see if we can fry an egg on the pavement! Here is our highly scientific exploration. Let us know if you've ever tried it.

Posted by Minnesota Stories at 08:37 PM | Comments (0)

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