September 29, 2007

Critical Mass Minneapolis

The Uptake was on the scene of Friday's Critical Mass bike ride in Minneapolis. The ride was a huge success – both in number (The Strib says 600) and the lack of arrests or confrontation. The only confrontation we know of is documented here: "The Mercedes Incident."

This video represents a proud accomplishment for The Uptake's networked journalism. We used footage from four cameras here, and we have at least two other folks with their own video. Eventually we'll learn how to be networked for real, whether it's through Twitter, wireless headsets, or other methods we haven't thought of. It's an exciting time to be a citizen journalist, and to be creating original stories like this one.

Posted by Minnesota Stories at 02:21 PM | Comments (4)

September 28, 2007

The Toxic Shockers

This is a fond kickball classic from last summer, newly relevant because Gary the kickball umpire has apparently been dismissed by the park board.

Posted by Minnesota Stories at 02:58 PM | Comments (1)

September 27, 2007

The AFSCME Union Cavalry

If you want the straight dope on the recent AFSCME negotiations at the University of Minnesota, check out The Uptake and Minnesota Monitor. But how about the much-neglected tap dancing cavalry angle? Look no further, you've found it here on Minnesota Stories.

Posted by Minnesota Stories at 04:02 AM | Comments (0)

September 26, 2007

Northeast Mpls Parade

CHUCK SAYS: This is a ridiculous, laptop-recorded video from the Northeast Minneapolis parade this summer. Lorika and I provide off-color commentary. Watch for the part where I'm inexplicably compelled to yell the following at Al Franken: "Al, laptop! Laptop photo!"

Posted by Minnesota Stories at 04:54 AM | Comments (2)

September 25, 2007

ZibraZibra - Cruisin'

This must be one of them newfangled computer bands pwning all the kids today. Here all the way from Minneapolis/Stockholm, performing their video hit song "Cruisin'" - please put your hands together for ZibraZibra.

Posted by Minnesota Stories at 12:09 AM | Comments (0)

September 24, 2007

Didgeridoo Brain Massage

The most Burning Man-like experience you can have in downtown Minneapolis. You'll find these fine folks at the Mill City Farmer's Market, ending in a few weeks, so don't miss the incredible didgeridoo brain melt!

Featuring Steve Sklar, who is also a Tuvan throat singer.

Posted by Minnesota Stories at 03:47 AM | Comments (5)

September 21, 2007

Gob Squad!

Eda Cherry just got back from seeing The Gob Squad performing Super Night Shot at The Walker Art Center. It was so good, she had to make a crazy little video - surely, her highest recommendation. You have two more chances to see the performance, on Friday and Saturday night.

Posted by Minnesota Stories at 01:18 AM | Comments (0)

September 20, 2007

Introducing: Corn Guy TV

Who is this “Corn Guy”? Why is he fighting with Taco Lady (aka Cristina)? Is he our friend, or just some weird dude? Stay tuned to CornGuy.tv to find out.

Posted by Minnesota Stories at 12:54 AM

September 19, 2007

Protesters at Sen. Coleman's House

Exclusive citizen journalist story from The Uptake:

Peace marchers visited Senator Norm Coleman at his home in St. Paul last weekend. They found him in the alley in the back of his house (photo) and convinced him to chat with the peace supporters in his front yard for about 20 minutes.

Sen. Coleman tried to convince the protesters that he's listening to Minnesotans about the Iraq War, rather than President Bush. They were rightfully skeptical. Notably, Sen. Coleman said "We shouldn't be in the middle of a civil war" in Iraq, though his Senate votes don't reflect that statement.

Posted by Minnesota Stories at 02:55 AM | Comments (2)

September 16, 2007

Budapest to Berlin: On Tour wth the SPCO

Produced by Emily Goldberg for Twin Cities Public Television, Budapest to Berlin: On Tour wth the SPCO follows the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra through their 2007 European tour. Air Monday night at 8pm on TPT-2.

Posted by Minnesota Stories at 04:54 PM | Comments (2)

September 13, 2007

No Transportation Fix For Minnesota

From Mike Mcintee at The Uptake:

Nearly 6 weeks after the tragic collapse of the I-35W bridge, Minnesota's government still hasn't done anything about its crumbling infrastructure. This morning the Minnesota Legislature finished up a short special session Governor Tim Pawlenty had called to deal with flooding in southern Minnesota. Governor Pawlenty made the legislature promise they would NOT deal with the transportation and bridge problems in the special session.

Why the delay? Governor Pawlenty who in the days after the bridge collapse said he would consider raising the gas tax to fund bridges changed his mind once the national TV cameras left. Now to please his "no new taxes" supporters the Governor wants to delay the issue until next year. In this video from just before the legislature adjourns, MN legislator Phyllis Kahn, whose district includes the bridge, talks about the frustration of not solving the problem.

Posted by Minnesota Stories at 12:29 AM | Comments (1)

September 12, 2007

Minnie Indie #1

In case you don't know, Steve Barone is like the sweetest dude evar. He's in this genius thing called The Hawaii Show, and was shredmaster in Lifter Puller, and like The Hold Steady probably wouldn't even exist without him, right? Also, he's the mashed potato wrestling champion of the world.

Anyway, he has this crazy new local music/whatevs show called Minnie Indie. The latest show has a wicked Uptown bar fight, but I thought we should check out the show that started it all - #1, cuz that's Steve Barone's soul number.

Posted by Minnesota Stories at 01:19 AM | Comments (3)

September 11, 2007

60 Seconds Of Light

From David Howell: In honor of those that lost their lives and lost their loved ones on September 11th, 2001…

60 SECONDS OF LIGHT: A September 11th video memorial

Posted by Minnesota Stories at 03:05 AM | Comments (0)

September 08, 2007

Biofuels on Parade

Did you make it to The Eco Experience at the MN State Fair? If so, you probably saw "The Path to Cleaner Air" exhibit from the American Lung Association of Minnesota. Here, I talk with ALAMN's Bob Moffit about the clean air benefits of biofuels, namely E85 (ethanol) and biodeisel. I also talk to a soybean farmer and a race car driver who runs on E85.

There's a lot of distorted information about ethanol out there. This MNspeak thread hits most of the big ones. Ethanol has its problems, but it is a less polluting fuel, made from renewable resources by American farmers.

Minnesota has more E85 stations than anywhere in the country, which means we've got an alternative energy distribution system in place for when even better solutions (switchgrass, etc.) come along.

SHARE THIS VIDEO ON YOUTUBE

RELATED LINKS:
Clean Air Choice
U.S. Dept of Energy - Ethanol: Separating Fact from Fiction (PDF)

Disclosure: This is part of a series of videos produced for the American Lung Association of Minnesota.

Posted by Minnesota Stories at 09:01 PM | Comments (2)

September 06, 2007

Bancroft Midsummer Festival

Artist and teacher Paulino Brener caught these highlights of the Bancroft Midsummer Festival, an event organized by the Center for Independent Artists & The Bancroft Neighborhood Association.

Also check out Paulino's Skyride video from the MN State Fair.

Posted by Minnesota Stories at 02:15 AM | Comments (0)

September 05, 2007

The Planes

It must be Transportation Week here on Minnesota Stories. So far we've had bikes and cars. Today, it's planes.

Courtney, aka Miss Eda Cherry, says: Airport construction begins at the Minneapolis - St. Paul Int'l airport for runway repairs. As a result, air traffic has been rerouted. Expected daily arrivals over S. Minneapolis according to twincities dot com: 375

And if you haven't seen it, watch Courtney try to eat the spoonbridge cherry.

Posted by Minnesota Stories at 12:55 AM | Comments (0)

September 04, 2007

A Trip to MnDOT With Andy Singer

Ken Avidor brings us this visit to the Minnesota Department of Transportaion building with Cartoonist Andy Singer, who doesn't really like cars.

One correction to a claim in this video: The Twin Cities are not designated a Non-Attainment area by the Environmental Protection Agency. It's been at least 5 years since either Ramsey or Hennepin Country were in Non-Attainment status for certain pollutants.

RELATED VIDEO:
Rondo Days

Posted by Minnesota Stories at 05:27 AM | Comments (2)

September 03, 2007

KARE 11 on Critical Mass Arrests

Via Tony. Here's his livejournal post on the incident.

Posted by Minnesota Stories at 03:39 AM | Comments (1)

September 01, 2007

Critical Mass police confrontation

From YouTube user adepter: "august 31 2007 cops tackling girl doing nothing but riding on bike and cop spraying unarmed non-violent bystanders"

Here's another video and more links/discussion at MNspeak. Steve Marsh has a great account as well.

Posted by Minnesota Stories at 01:28 PM | Comments (0)