MNSpeak: Talk

Minnesota Health Plan

by Max Sparber :: posted on Jan. 07, 2009 - 2:02am

Our own Erica discusses the plan for health care reform in Minnesota (FAQs). Just how messed up is health care here, and will this plan help? What else needs to be done?

1 comments

Dining Roundup 01.07.08

by Max Sparber :: posted on Jan. 07, 2009 - 1:57am

Edible Cities reports that the Cheeky Monkey Deli is opening soon.
We Got Served goes to Cafe Maud and Merlin's Rest.
Foodie File looks at local burgers.
The Decider (specifically, MnSpeak's own McP) goes bar hopping.

0 comments

Minnesota Writers Hall of Fame

by Max Sparber :: posted on Jan. 06, 2009 - 11:35am

MinnPost tells of a forthcoming Minnesota Writers Hall of Fame (albiet a virtual one, as it will exist only online). We can guess that Fitzgerald and Sinclair Lewis will be on it. Garrison Keillor will undoubtedly also make the cut. Who else? Judith Guest? Louise Erdich? What about some lesser known notables, such as the group sex-obsessed Henry Sackerman? Who would you nominate?

14 comments

More Cutbacks at City Pages

by Max Sparber :: posted on Jan. 06, 2009 - 11:26am

Susannah Schouweiler at MnArtists discusses recent cuts in City Pages, including laying off the A-List editor and one of the two food writers, as well as the recent announcement that Quinton Skinner's theater beat is being cut by half. With all these cuts in arts coverage (and City Pages is hardly alone in this), where do you turn to find out what is happening on the local arts scene?

11 comments

Favorite Songs About Minnesota

by Max Sparber :: posted on Jan. 06, 2009 - 12:02am

Mine would have to be Augie Garcia's lost classic "Be My Guest" about the River Road Club in Mendota, although I have also always been partial to The Replacement's "Skyway." What are your favorites?

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Local Blog Roundup 01.05.08

by Max Sparber :: posted on Jan. 05, 2009 - 11:45pm

Afterglide locates a very odd Craigslist offer.
Breaking Down says Minnesota is not a state for drivers.
The Deets enjoys some fine local fried food.
Overheard examines the value of Timberwolves tickets.

13 comments

Carl Pohlad Dies at Age 93

by Max Sparber :: posted on Jan. 05, 2009 - 4:12pm

According to Star Tribune columnist Pat Reusse, on Joe Soucheray's KSTP show (reported here), Minnesota Twins owner Carl Pohlad is dead at age 93. If anyone hears any more about this, please comment. [Update: Star Tribune confirms.]

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Joe Dowling Makes a Lot of Money

by Max Sparber :: posted on Jan. 05, 2009 - 3:06pm

The Strib does a story on salaries for the local arts community, and reveals that Guthrie Artistic Director Joe Dowling pulled in $682,229 in salary and benefits last year: Even discounting a one-time bonus of $100,000, his compensation surpassed that of his peers not only in New York but also at nonprofit theaters elsewhere in the United States. So, Joe Dowling -- overpaid?

19 comments

Perhaps the Greatest Andrew Zimmern Site Ever

by Max Sparber :: posted on Jan. 05, 2009 - 12:57pm

Here is what is currently flying through the blogosphere: Andrew Zimmern Ate My Balls. Via: Almost every blog in the Twin Cities.

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Food Invented in Minnesota

by Max Sparber :: posted on Jan. 05, 2009 - 12:18am

Of course, we know that Minnesota is the home of the Jucy Lucy. Also the bundt cake, or, at least, the bundt pan. Pronto Pup claims to have invented the corn dog. We're reportedly the birthplace of the cosmopolitan. Cheerios comes Golden Valley, along with dozens of other General Mills products. Pearsons in St. Paul invented the Salted Nut Roll. And now Secret's of the City's own Jeremy Iggers reveals the extraordinary fact that Minnesota's own Leeann Chin invented the cream cheese won ton. Any other local creations that I am forgetting?

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Franken Wins (Sort Of)

by Max Sparber :: posted on Jan. 05, 2009 - 12:01am

The winner of the Senate race will be abbounced tomorrow, and, with a 225 lead, the winner is expected to be Al Franken. Coleman says he'll fight, and, until the issue is settled, Franken can't be seated in Senate. Didn't Coleman make the case when he was ahead that were he behind, he would step down?

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Strib: 3 busted after 1 parachutes from Foshay Tower

by noodleman :: posted on Jan. 03, 2009 - 7:03pm

Finally. Something neither Wisconsin or Iowa (or Norsokota) can claim!

Three people were arrested after one of them allegedly parachute jumped 32 stories off the Foshay Tower in downtown Minneapolis — and they returned to the scene to brag about it.

Gosh. I wonder why, though, they fought with police when arrested? Wonder what their logic was?

12 comments

Xcel Has Smelly Wood

by edkohler :: posted on Jan. 02, 2009 - 5:28pm

The Bridge reports that Seward Neighborhood residents are not fans of the stinky PCP (Pentachlorophenol) treated wooden power poles installed by Xcel Energy. PCP is a toxin and the manufacturing process creates additional toxic chemical byproducts. However, poles treated with the pesticide last 4X longer. Should people be putting themselves, their kids, and their neighbors ahead of poles?

3 comments

A Kardashian lands a T-Wolf?

by noodleman :: posted on Jan. 02, 2009 - 2:41pm

I'm so desperate for attention (lol) that anything with a Minnesota connection is attracting my interest ... even if it involves sports and C-list babes.

Khloe Kardashian Lands A Boyfriend (Perez Hilton via Jezebel.com)

2 comments

The RNC Informant Pleads His Case

by Max Sparber :: posted on Jan. 02, 2009 - 10:27am

Brandon Darby, the informant who turned over two Texas men who were making molotov cocktails to be used at the RNC, explains his reasons, and why his turning informant wasn't a betrayal of his activism: "I feel like, as an activist, I played a direct role in stopping violence," he tells the PiPress. More from the Independent.

29 comments

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