The Rake Magazine

So what do you get when you take a huge risk on launching a female-oriented FM talk radio station back in June of 2002?

You get blackjack!!!!!!

When Todd Fisher first told me that Hubbard Broadcasting was going to launch a new talk-radio format.... I was elated! Finally, a well-respected family-owned business was going to put their money into a venture ridiculed by so many people in the world of broadcasting. Guess who's laughing now... I hope the Hubbard Family!

If this company went public I would invest in a heartbeat!!!!

Well, it's almost 2008, and I, for one, want to say "Congratulations" to anyone out there that followed a dream despite skepticism from advertisers and derision from program directors.

Let's start with Lori and Julia, who are not only sisters-in-law but also business partners in a company called Body Perks, whose nipple enhancers have been worn by Samantha on Sex in the City.

To purchase Bodyperks go here. Do not go out and buy knock-offs of these little jewels, because Lori and Julia deserve to reap the financial rewards of THEIR invention!

So, these two sisters-in-law pitch a show to Ginny Morris, and — with the help of Donny Michaels (who looks great working with a mostly female staff) — the LoJo Show has become a hit.

Why? Well, although Lori and Julia are not trained radio personalities, they are two strong woman that are not afraid to share their opinions on everything from sex to politics. I have watched Julia transform from an overalls girl (she was wearing overalls the first day I met her) to a Hot Mama, and Lori, who was a successful corporate executive with Carlson Travels, became another Hot Mama that has been told she looks like Sharon Stone.

Donny? Well, you would think he would have a few more wrinkles from working with these two crazy gals, but instead he has turned into a metro-sexual dad who looks great in Pink!!!!!

So, why is FM 107.1 so successful? Here is my opinion, as someone who has spent years in radio:

When you have a line up like this... how can you go wrong?!

Ian and Margery — 5:00-9:00 A.M.
This real-life married couple — who are actually married in real life — always have something fun to say about each other, as if they were newlyweds.

The Kevyn Burger Show — 9:00-11:00 A.M.
Kevyn is a self proclaimed cheapskate that has recently braved her Breast Cancer Diagnosis with humor and courage. Kevyn could have pulled the sheets over her head and battled this fight privately, but instead she dealt with it head on and has found a loving husband to support her through everything.

The Colleen Kruse Show — 11:00 A.M.-1:00 P.M.
Rake columnist Colleen Kruse started out working with the multi-talented Andrew Zimmern, but has gone on to prove that it's not just her great taste in shoes bringing her success — it's her mindful stories on being a super-hip Mom with moxie.

The Stephanie Hansen Show — 1:00-3:00 P.M.
I worked with Stephanie years ago, when I was on the KS95 morning show and Stephanie worked in sales. I always thought this woman was too opinionated and sarcastic to be in sales. She needed her own show, and by gosh she now has it!!!

Lori and Julia — 3:00-6:00 P.M.
I have no doubt the LoJo show will go into syndication, because Lori and Julia are not afraid to put themselves on the line, be self-deprecating, and most important, have the confidence and gift for gab that it takes to pull off a national radio show! Lori and Julia also have regularly name specific stores, items, and movies they like, and — much to the delight of the sales department — their recommendations have so much clout that it's not unusual for a store to sell out of an item that has earned the LOJO stamp of approval.

Now, I don't have the time to spotlight all of the FM 107 shows, but I do want to highlight a few more radio personalities with whom I have been lucky to work:

Colleen Lindstrom — who filled in for two weeks as a producer for Lino Rulli and I with a big smile and a bucket full of sunshine, even at 4:30 A.M. Colleen is now a part of the Get Real Girls Show, which airs from 8:00-10:00 AM on Saturday mornings.

Joan Steffend and Liv Lane — who also contribute their opinions on everything from marriage and raising kids to decorating tips. Liv is also married to my producer, Brad Lane. My husband and I have purchased several pieces of furniture from Joan's sales, therefore I am a bit prejudice. :)

Alexis Walsko and Allison Kaplan — from Shop Girls, which airs from 10:00-noon on Saturdays. Both of these woman know the best places in town to shop, and I have to give a shout out to Alexis, who not only looks like a young Marilyn Monroe, but is a blast to party with.

Last but not least, Jason Mathison, from FOX 9, is now going to have a show on FM 107. Not only does Jason do the best impression of Jack from Will and Grace, he is a fantastic entertainment reporter, who... unlike most people who cover entertainment... is the real deal with a heart of diamonds and gold!!

Now you have my take on why FM 107 has no where to go but up up and away, and I want to wish a sincere congratulations to the shows I have been able to hear and enjoy and the shows that I look forward to hearing and enjoying.

For more information go to FM107.1 — Living Life Out Loud.

I always become sappy this time of year because of the Holidays, and because I get to catch up and see how my friends are doing through the ART of Holiday Cards.

I just received this Holiday card from Quincy Jones, and it inspired me to reflect on the fun memories I have growing up knowing such an incredible man.

I promised you all that I would share with you stories that are personal and insightful about people whom we all "read about," but whom I have been lucky to know.

Here is one of my favorite Quincy Jones Story. :-)

Many years ago, Quincy Jones was staying with my family while Michael Jackson was on tour and performing in Minneapolis.

OK ... so, yes, Quincy is a family friend; but he is also a genius when it comes to spotting talent.

Q had just finished producing a pilot for TV called The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. He asked my family and I to watch the pilot show and tell him what we thought. Well, after laughing to the point of stomach aches, we told him that we LOVED the show but were curious about the Fresh Prince, a.k.a. Will Smith.

Quincy told us that Will Smith was not just an upcoming Rapper but a
very talented young man who could sing, dance, act, and was hungry. :-)

As the man that made Michael Jackson a household name and had us all dancing to "Beat it" and "Thriller"........ How could he be wrong?

Well, he wasn't!

Will Smith was a hit on the Fresh Prince of Bel Air — which is now at the top of the ratings in re-runs — and now he's a Box Office God on the big screen.

Did you see I am Legend? Well, even if you didn't, a lot of other people did — which is why it is number ONE at the box office!

As much as we all, as a society, resist ceding credit — and more money — to the rich and famous, maybe we should all remind ourselves of this: Will Smith was just a young rapper with a dream. He got discovered by the RIGHT person and is now a SUPERSTAR
with another number ONE movie at the box office.

You too have the same opportunity to be discovered.

How? ... Well, come up with a great idea. ... Be willing to knock on A LOT of doors. ... And to quote Will Smith, "Be genuine." You never know who will discover you; and if THEY do, NEVER take your lucky break for granted, because there will always be someone right behind you that is just as hungry and willing to work just as hard.

Don't take my word for it. Just look at Will Smith: He's the perfect example of how hard work, talent, and appreciation can pay off personally and financially!!!

Every year I have the same dilemma: What do I get Carl Pohlad for Christmas?

Now, many of you may wonder why I need to buy Mr. Pohlad anything. The truth is that I have known Mr. Pohlad my entire life, and he has been more than just a friend of the family and business partner to my father..... He set me up on my first date many years ago.

Yes, you read that right: Carl Pohlad set me up on a blind date, and without giving away too much... let's just say that the young man he set me up with years ago is still someone I consider a friend and was a great Senior Prom date!

Every year a big box arrives at my house with a gift from Carl, and it's always beautiful. This year it was this clock, which will sit next to this exquisite picture frame that I keep in my office to remind me of how lucky I am to have such a special man in my life.

Many of you know the public persona of Carl Pohlad, but few know the private man. Out of respect for him and his family, I will tread lightly when it comes to sharing personal stories... except for this one, which seems very timely:

Carl and I have had lunch together a couple of times in the recent months, and he shared a story with me that I think would be OK to share with you.

I asked Carl after all of these years, and through all of his business dealings (including a behind-closed-doors business deal with the reclusive Howard Hughes), what has been his favorite business that he just couldn't wait to wake up in the morning and get to.

His answer? You won't believe this one — running and owning a car dealership, something he did early in his career.

I got a big kick out of watching Carl light up as he reminisced about those days; but I got an even bigger kick out of his special car selling tactics. Carl used to sell up to six cars a day, which, as you may or may not know, is a lot in the car business — which, of course, compelled me to ask him what special technique he used. Customer service? Sort of... Carl and his partner had an "arrangement." When a potential car buyer would come into the dealership, Carl would serve as the salesman, and his partner would... well... be the owner/hard ass.

As soon as a customer was even close to buying a car... here is how Carl would seal the deal: He would tell the customer(s) that he had to run the offer by the owner. (What they didn't know was that HE was the owner.) So, he would excuse himself, telling the customer he would be back shortly, and he would go to a corner and talk to HIMSELF. Then he would return and tell the customer that HE really had to work over HIS boss and would probably take a loss on his commission, but if the price was a deal breaker, he was willing to forego his sales commission.

Little did the customer know that even in those days Carl Pohlad had a brilliant poker face and was already in the green. :)

I love this story, because I just can't picture Mr. Pohlad selling cars. But as he told me... He was HIS number one car dealer, and repeat customers only wanted to work with Mr. Pohlad because HIS commission was not as important as HIS relationship with his customers!

So, back to what to get my dear friend Mr. Pohlad for Christmas...

Last year I went with UGGS, and they were a big hit. But this year is tough. Any suggestions anyone? Let's see... he has owned the Tropicana Casino, Banks, Pepsi Co, The MN Vikings, our beloved Minnesota Twins, B96, JB Hudson — What do you get a man for Christmas that has everything?

I guess since this has been a wonderful year for all of Mr. Pohlad's family..... I am going to go with the Christmas Wish of another Happy and Healthy year filled with more lunches and more great stories!!!!!

Well, at about 6:45 p.m. on Saturday night, in the midst of a classic Seinfeld, my husband and I got out of our warm cocoon to get ready for the night — a holiday soirée for the Franconia Sculpture Park, hosted at Abitaré Design Studio.

Now, understand, Howard works a lot, and a long time ago we both decided that if my job overlapped his down time, or vice versa, we would call a truce and only go with our partner out of support if the other one needed them there. Well, OK, I didn't NEED Howard there, but I really wanted him there because he always has an interesting take on cultural events. :-)

When we first arrived at Abitaré, I was delighted to see my friend Robyne Robinson, who many know for her great work as the main anchor for FOX 9. What many don't know is how passionate Robyne is for the arts. It is Robyne, after all, who created a "buzz" with her Buzz, which she spent many years doing on FOX 9, and which attracted many non-viewers who would tune in just to see who and what made the "buzz."

Robyne is also a jewelry maker, and not just any kind of jewelry but extraordinary jewelry, one of a kind jewelry... semi-precious stone and pearl jewelry.

Before Robyne made it in the front door I had my camera out and asked her and Howard for a quick "Cheese."

As we walked in, my first mission was to meet Tom Bartel, who, as you all know, owns The Rake and is one of my new bosses.

Without having to go far, I ran into Ted Mondale, whose sister Eleanor is one of my closest friends, and who is also responsible for making downtown St. Louis Park look super-hip. I told Ted that I wanted to meet my new boss, and it turns out that Ted had a job selling ads for City Pages while in college, so he knows Mr.Bartel and said he would take me over to meet him. Perfect introduction opportunity: Former grateful Employee and now successful politician. How could I go wrong, or in my case... right?

With my camera and firm handshake in tow, I made a b-line for Mr.
Bartel, who I caught (off guard) at the crafts table, making sculptures. I introduced myself.. took a snapshot and told myself, "that went well"... so I wouldn't be distracted by the gnawing question of my first impression on my new boss.

My husband surprised me.... and, I think, himself...... by enjoying the crowd of "Crazies" — Robyn Robinsons' favorite word to describe all of us who are creators or fans of the creators.

After meeting and speaking with the founders of Franconia Sculpture
Park, and watching the creativity from the "make your own scupture" table spawn a few other creative eneavors — like make your own wine glass concoction and silly hat — it was already time to go. :-(

I learned a lot about artists that night. I learned that not only are artists "crazy" — which I think I can safely say with a smile, because my Mom is one — but that we all are creators to some degree. Some of us create sculptures and works of art, while others of us just create something simple like a great batch of cookie dough or even something little..... like a humorous inside joke that CREATES smiles across a crowded audience — which came that night care of Robyne Robinson: "WE ARE ALL A BUNCH OF CRAZIES. COME ON, EVERYONE, YOU KNOW THAT I AM RIGHT!" Yep. A roar of laughter erupted across the room of artists, creators, publishers, fund raisers, and even a few from the area where the appetizers were being made. :-)