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August 31, 2005State Fair: Robert Fitzgerald
I'd never heard of independent U.S. Senate candidate Robert Fitzgerald before seeing his banner ad appear on MNspeak (which Minnesota Stories later inhereted). It turns out he's quite the pinball enthusiast, he's into blogs, and he converted his campaign bus to run on vegetable oil. But what does he stand for? You'll have a better idea after watching this here internet video. RELATED ARTICLE: Fergus Falls Daily Journal, Fitzgerald plans run at U.S. Senate Posted by Minnesota Stories at 06:21 AM | Comments (2) August 30, 2005State Fair: Ye Old Mill
Minnesota Stories spent a day at the Minnesota State Fair wearing spiffy new t-shirts last weekend. The weather was perfect, the animals were stinky, and the guts were big. What's not to like? We're kicking it off with a real sweetheart of a story. Starfire's first kiss was on Ye Old Mill back in the day. Ye Old Mill's days go back 92 years, making it the oldest ride at the fair. After a fun ride he talks with Jim Keenan, great-grandson of the man who started Ye Old Mill. Enjoy. CONTRIBUTOR: Starfire, Le Garage Posted by Minnesota Stories at 03:52 AM | Comments (4) August 29, 2005Minneapolis to Crawford
Cindy Sheehan's plight resonated strongly with Minneapolis mom Alex. She and her young daughter Ella journeyed from Minneapolis to Camp Casey in Crawford, Texas and shot some video. This footage is from Aug 12-13, 2005. The whole family is down there now and you can follow along at EllaGoes.typepad.com. CONTRIBUTOR: Chuck T. Posted by Minnesota Stories at 04:31 AM | Comments (5) August 26, 2005Bare Honesty
St. Paul filmmaker Elizabeth Hoodecheck is in the midst of an immersive new documentary called Bare Honesty. The film finds inspiration in photographer Frank Cordelle's The Century Project, "a series of nude photographs accompanied by highly personal and moving statements by women whose lives span 100 years." Elizabeth's film follows some of the women grappling with the decision to bare their souls before Cordelle's camera, and indeed our own perceptions of the female body. Tonight (Friday) you have a special opportunity to view an extended trailer from the film and meet Frank Cordelle, who will be exhibiting his powerful work: For more information contact Elizabeth Hoodecheck at 651-276-2538 or ehoodecheck@comcast.net Posted by Minnesota Stories at 05:01 AM | Comments (7) August 25, 2005Minneapolis Mayoral Mayhem
You might think a mayoral debate would be boring. I did. I was wrong. This video, to me, shows the power of democracy and democratized media. None of the local television cameras were there (except, importantly, MTN cable access). Marcus Harcus stood up and demanded to be heard. One thing he yells from the balcony is "How come the media doesn't give equal access to all the candidates?" Good question. The system is not setup for outsiders, or for people without much money. Marcus and Fareen radically changed the terms of this mayoral debate, and it sent shivers down my spine. I decided then and there that this videoblog will be dedicated - in part - to giving a louder voice to people you don't see on TV. The power of media is in everyone's hands. Let's use it. RELATED LINKS: Posted by Minnesota Stories at 02:00 PM | Comments (15) August 24, 2005Crystal's Cab
You belong to the city. Crystal belongs to the northern suburbs – or at least she did, during her short stint as a Suburban cab driver. It's not easy to make a living driving a cab, so tip generously and absolutely no stabbing. MUSIC: Unknown musicians playing in Powderhorn Park. Posted by Minnesota Stories at 09:28 AM | Comments (15) August 23, 2005The Green Darner
Last week's nature buzz was hummingbirds. This week Lorika captures an extraordinarily beautiful dragonfly. Apparently it's the Common Green Darner, but calling this creature "common" is a putdown in my book. It's quite obviously from the future and/or outer space. Here's another cool picture. Dragonfly in the Sky is a book about the Green Darner's life cycle, which tragically ends in death. MUSIC: Smattering, Weightless. Courtesy Adonis Music Posted by Minnesota Stories at 03:17 AM | Comments (10) August 22, 2005Battle Rap
I didn't make it out to any of the 4th Annual Twin Cities Celebration of Hip Hop events (did you?). But I was inspired to edit some footage I shot in the snowy spring months, at a BATTLE RAP in Columbia Heights. I'd never seen Eminem's 8 Mile, and I had no idea what I was getting into. I left totally energized and schooled in the ways of the battle rap - here with a little help from St. Paul rapper I.L.I.C.I.T.. RELATED LINK: interlock.cc Posted by Minnesota Stories at 05:48 AM | Comments (6) August 19, 2005PEZCon X
It's okay. We all missed it. I'm talking about MN PEZCon X, "The Premier International PEZ® Convention." People even came from other states. Good thing, because Kelly from Chicago totally vlogged it dude. CONTRIBUTOR: Kelly, life with kellybelly Posted by Minnesota Stories at 03:51 AM | Comments (2) August 18, 2005Leroy Glazier's Hand-Made Guitar
The midwest has a long, proud history of olde-tyme country and rock, a history I'm sadly ignorant of beyond Sherwin Linton and parts of The Big Hits of Mid-America. Lots of those guys are still rockin' today, among them Leroy Glazier. Leroy plays in the house band for the Midwest Country Music Theater. Here, he talks about his hand-made guitar before playing at the Minnesota Rock and Country Hall of Fame's Music and Memories exhibit, now open at Stearns County Museum. CONTRIBUTOR: Duane Kuss, My Stories of Life Posted by Minnesota Stories at 03:04 AM | Comments (12) August 17, 2005First Lake
Splash splash splash! That's pretty much all I want to do these days. Here's a little vloggy video of an 18-month old boy's first time in a lake. Calhoun, to be exact. I also recommend Two Baseballs by the same artist. CONTRIBUTOR: Chris Ereneta, Matchbook Films Posted by Minnesota Stories at 01:22 AM | Comments (3) August 16, 2005Hummingbirds
Lorika and I spent a few days at her family's cabin on scenic Lake Francis. The neighbors had a couple hummingbird feeders which attract an amazing amount of ruby-throated hummingbirds competing for attention and affection. It was quite thrilling to be so close to these zippy little beauties, which apparently can dive at speeds near 60 mph. One technical note: Some of this video looks like it's in slow motion, but actually it's not. I Posted by Minnesota Stories at 04:07 AM | Comments (0) August 15, 2005Message from Chuck
Hello friends. This is a special message just for you. Shoot some video, tell me what you got: story@mnstories.com Sponsor Minnesota Stories: chuck@mnstories.com Posted by Minnesota Stories at 12:00 AM | Comments (0) August 12, 2005Aaron's Fishing Adventures
If you're born in Minnesota, your first license is your fishing license. State law, I'm pretty sure. I used to fish all the time when I was a kid. But watching it on TV? Umm, no. How bored would you have to be to watch fishing on TV? 12-year old Aaron from Cold Spring, MN changes everything. This kid is a natural in front of the camera, and he wants to share his sweet fishing mojo with you. Right here, right now. This is an edited version of a two-part series. For the whole experience: Part 1 | Part 2 CONTRIBUTOR: Duane Kuss, My Stories of Life Posted by Minnesota Stories at 12:00 AM | Comments (2) August 11, 2005Violet Days
You might recognize Chris Monroe's artwork from the Pizza Luce menu. More likely, you know her from Violet Days – her comic strip every Friday in the Strib's Freetime section (also available in book form). Our vlogger-to-the-north Starfire pays her a visit for quiet conversation while she draws. CONTRIBUTOR: Starfire, Le Garage Posted by Minnesota Stories at 12:00 AM | Comments (1) August 10, 2005Granite Pit
It was supposed to be a granite pit. Now it's a giant sandbox. Contributor: Juliah Rueckert Posted by Minnesota Stories at 02:08 AM | Comments (5) August 09, 2005Loring Park = Music + Movies
Aye, she's a summer tradition 'round these parts. We gather our blankies, bug juice and smuggled hooch in Loring Park for Summer Music & Movies. This summer features the films of Nicholas Ray, with commentary here by Rob Nelson from City Pages. It's so nice to hear and see Rob talking about film - makes me yearn for his appearances on NewsNight Minnesota Here's a clip from the TPT archives. Thunder in the Valley gets the party started, fresh off two Minnesota Music Award nominations. Keep your ears peeled for their new album. Posted by Minnesota Stories at 10:48 AM | Comments (6) August 08, 2005Powderhorn Art Fair
We originally planned on visiting all three art fairs this weekend: Powderhorn, Loring Park, and big daddy Uptown. Powderhorn Park was so perfectly inviting, and the artists so interesting, we spent the whole afternoon there and never looked back. Featured Artists: Charlotte Fung Miller, Steve Tomashek, and Jim Ayers Posted by Minnesota Stories at 06:46 AM | Comments (8) August 05, 2005KARE-11 Morning
I have to admit, I don't watch local news and can't really tell them apart. All I know is "Rick Kupchella" is the best anchor name, and Cindy Brucato's face plastered on billboards scares the hell out of me. This morning I had the opportunity to talk about this very site on KARE-11 First Edition. It went pretty good. Tim McNiff called in sick, so it was just me and Kim Insley who seems to embody KARE-11 Minnesota mornings. Submit your stories! Email story@mnstories.com and tell me what you've got. Sponsor Minnesota Stories! Email chuck@mnstories.com for details. Posted by Minnesota Stories at 10:10 AM | Comments (0) August 04, 2005Day of Music (Part Two)
A perfect surprise in the wee hours of Marshall Field's Day of Music. Guitarist Jeremy Ylvisaker and bassist Michael Lewis play together in Redstart among other bands, but here they release experimental post-rock unto a grateful audience. I attempt to channel their sound waves into video movement; a self-indulgent hidden collaborator. See also: Day of Music (Part One) Posted by Minnesota Stories at 04:26 AM | Comments (2) August 03, 2005Free Range Film Fest
Nothing sounds cooler to a city kid than watching films in a big ol' barn. Apparently that's how Phil Harder got his start. Here's a taste of the Free Range Film Festival in Wrenshall, Minnesota. CONTRIBUTOR: Starfire, Le Garage Posted by Minnesota Stories at 03:07 AM | Comments (3) August 02, 2005A Vehicle for Change
Short and sweet today. "Their scrappy car is a symbol for scrappy Paul." CONTRIBUTOR: Media Mike Hazard, The Center for International Education Posted by Minnesota Stories at 03:21 AM | Comments (4) August 01, 2005Mike Gunther: Have Mercy
When I first heard Mike Gunther, I thought he did a pretty good Tom Waits. That's an embarassing admission. Mike Gunther's music is lived and crafted; this rusty ol' train car is his own. Come join him and his Restless Souls for "Have Mercy." City Pages calls this tune a "murder-blues, tent-revival number." I sure can't say it better than that. Mike is obsessed with old cars and AM radio – hopefully we'll chat him up for a future Minnesota Story. DIRECTOR: Suzanne Scholten Posted by Minnesota Stories at 02:21 AM | Comments (0) |
