The Rake Magazine

Author: Cristina Córdova

  • More April (and March) Book Releases

  • Sparks Fly

    FASHION & MUSIC
    Voltage 2008: Fashion Amplified

    Voltage: Fashion Amplified pumps up the volume again with their annual synthesis of music and fashion. First Avenue is showcasing local fashion gurus along the catwalk with the native Minnesota sounds of The Haves Have It, Zibra Zibra, Bella Koshka, MC/VL, White Light Riot and Birthday Suits
    (who also sport the fashions of the designers). The event is set to
    take place the day before the opening of Voltage Fashion Weekend 2008,
    which will include workshops, fashion shows, trunk shows, and social
    networking happy hours for those interested in design and fashion. For
    a list of the weekend events go here. And be sure to peruse the list of runway designers. —Hannah Simpson

    7 p.m., First Avenue, 701 First Ave. N., Minneapolis; 612-332-1775; $20.

    See a slideshow preview of the designs, enjoy Christy DeSmith’s Exclusive Sneak Peek, and read an interview with Voltage designer Ra’mon Lawrence Coleman.

    FILM
    Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Milos

    If Voltage isn’t your thing, you have some fabulous film fare from which to choose. The Milos Forman retrospective at the Walker continues this evening with one of his best, and perhaps funniest — though most controversial — films, The Fireman’s Ball. For another, very different kind of classic, of the angel-eyes variety, put your drawers on, take your guns off, and head over to the Edina Cinema for a screening of the world’s best Western, The Good, The Bad and the Ugly. And finally, for an "eclectic mix of local filmmaking talent," make your way to the Bryant Lake Bowl for IFP’s monthly Cinema Lounge, featuring films by Jon Springer, JoEllen Martinson & William Scott Rees, Troy Zimmerman, Shakademic, Sean Cook, Sarah Jean Kruchowski, and Jarl Olsen.

    BOOKS & AUTHORS
    Tough Questions, Straight Answers

    A man with two purple hearts and two U.S. Senate terms under his belt — including membership on four senate committees: Foreign Relations; Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; Intelligence; and Rules — Chuck Hagel is sure to have an erudite position on the current state of our country. Tonight, he will share these views with the Twin Cities as he discuss his new book, America: Our Next Chapter: Tough Questions, Straight Answers. Through a largely conservative, but consistent and perhaps even practical lens, Hagel looks to the nation’s founding principles to explore the economic, foreign policy, national security, political, domestic, and leadership challenges facing America today.

    7 p.m., University of Minnesota Bookstore, Coffman Memorial Union, 300 Washington Ave. S.E., Minneapolis; 612-625-5549; free.

  • Omnibus Energy Bill Takes Shape

    This just in from the Minnesota House of Representatives Session Daily:

    Proposals designed to boost solar and wind power and
    tighten greenhouse gas regulations are among the provisions of the omnibus energy bill approved by the House Finance Committee.


    HF3661    /SF3337*,
    sponsored by

    Rep. Bill Hilty     (DFL-Finlayson) and

    Sen. Yvonne Prettner Solon     (DFL-Duluth), originally contained language that
    would require the Commerce Department and Pollution Control Agency to submit
    regular reports to the Legislature on progress made in meeting the state’s
    greenhouse gas reduction goals. As amended by Hilty, the bill now contains
    language from several other bills, including:

    • a provision that would carve out a small portion of the
      state’s mandated renewable energy standard and dedicate it to solar power (from

      HF3843      , sponsored by

      Rep. Kathy Brynaert       (DFL-Mankato));
    • a provision requiring producers and purchasers of gasses
      with a high "global warming potential" to report data on sales and use of the
      gasses to the PCA (from

      HF3545      , sponsored by

      Rep. Joe Atkins       (DFL-Inver Grove Heights));
    • a provision forbidding the sale or purchase of small
      canisters of mobile air conditioner refrigerant (also from

      HF3545      , sponsored by Atkins); and
    • a provision authorizing the Commerce Department to
      coordinate and arrange bulk purchases of wind turbines and related equipment
      (from

      HF3343      , sponsored by

      Rep. Al Juhnke       (DFL-Willmar)).

    The bill now goes to the House Ways and Means Committee.

     

  • Plastic Surgery Consultant? Really?

    You’ve got to be kidding me! It’s not bad enough we waste so much time and energy (and lives) on vanity; now we’re hiring consultants? Here’s a press release that just came across my desk for a plastic surgery consultant. I like how the first tip is to not fall in love with your surgeon. Hey, good advice! But wasn’t it Pygmalion that fell in love with his statue, and not the other way around?
     

    April 2008 – Cosmetic plastic surgery is a
    luxury in the best or worst of times. "Make no mistake about it people
    will always want to improve their appearance with cosmetic surgery,"says Angela Segal, independent patient consultant for individuals
    seeking cosmetic surgery. "People need to know how to cut through the
    fluff and get the best value for the investment they are making in
    themselves."

    As an independent consultant, Ms. Segal works exclusively for the patient. Her popular website www.AngelaSegal.com
    helps patients navigate the plastic surgeon selection process. Segal a
    former 12 year veteran patient consultant and administrator provides a
    unique approach from the "inside" on how to determine the best
    procedures for the best prices.

    Ms Segal contends there are 5 basic ways to help patients reach their plastic surgery goals:

    1. Don’t fall in love with the surgeon. The personality of the surgeon
    is of slight importance but remember you are paying the surgeon for
    surgery. You will be asleep when the surgeon performs the service that
    you are paying for. Obviously if the surgeon is rude or arrogant that
    is unacceptable. The best indicator is the longevity and attitude of
    the staff. Remember, the surgeon pays them to be there. If they are not
    happy you probably will not be happy either.

    2. Be honest about what you bring to the table. It’s a hard truth; but
    price negotiation in elective plastic surgery always comes down to the
    risk for complications and how long the surgery takes to perform. Time
    is money.

    3. Be firm but likable. Forcing the surgeon into accepting your price
    can backfire, especially if the practice dreads your every contact. The
    goal is to be fair and get the best value. Never forget that the
    relationship should be a partnership.

    4. Learn to compare fees by procedure, surgery time, facility and
    supplies used. This can be tricky because sometimes these points are
    not clearly written on the quote. A shifting of fees can leave a
    patient believing they have a better deal than they really have. Don’t
    be afraid to ask for the information that you need to compare fees if
    it is not present on the quote.

    5. Pay for your consultation. Paying for your consultation with the
    surgeon proves to the surgeon that you are serious. A veterinarian does
    not give free consultations. It is ridiculous to expect a medical
    doctor with surgical experience to perform a medical evaluation for
    free. Ask questions specifically related to you and what the
    recommendations are. You are making a decision based on your desires,
    what the surgeon can achieve, and the best value.

    Ms. Segal offers her consulting services on line, by phone, or in person.

    Press Inquiries Contact: askangelasegal@aol.com
    (714) 425-5900 

  • Can Behavioral Targeting Regulations Balance Privacy and Free Speech?

    How do you feel about ads being served up to you according to your web surfing history? On one hand, it only goes to prove Big Brother is watching (as if we didn’t know that). On the other hand, the ads you see are more likely to suit your interests, which might not be a bad thing in the long run — unless you’re surfing a lot of porn at work. 

    Here’s an email I received on the matter from MediaPosts’s MediaDailyNews. 

    Monday, April 14, 2008 by Wendy Davis

    It puts civil libertarians in a difficult position, but the fact is
    privacy rights and freedom of speech often end up colliding with each
    other. Newspapers print pictures of people who don’t want their photo shown,
    political campaigners ring people’s doorbells seeking votes, and Web
    sites post the purchase price of home sales. Generally, these
    activities are permissible in the
    U.S., because First Amendment freedom of speech principles outweigh
    whatever privacy interest people think is being compromised.

    On the other hand, courts have also upheld restrictions on speech —
    especially ads, considered "commercial speech" — in the name of
    protecting people from intrusion. Consider the do-not-call list. The
    Federal Trade Commisson had to
    defend the registry against a First Amendment challenge in federal
    court and, at one point, was banned from creating the registry.
    Ultimately, the 10th Circuit decided that the agency could go forward
    with the registry, but this outcome
    wasn’t certain when the case first began.

    Now, this clash is coming up again with behavioral targeting — serving
    ads to people based on their Web-surfing history. The Newspaper
    Association of America late last week filed comments with the FTC
    arguing     that any rules impeding newspapers’ ability to serve ads to readers would violate newspapers’ First Amendment rights.

    Courts have long said that the ability to advertise is a First
    Amendment right, but there’s obviously far less precedent about whether
    serving ads based on people’s Web-surfing history violates other
    rights. Privacy advocates are calling
    for limits, saying that at a minimum, companies shouldn’t deploy
    behavioral targeting without consumers’ consent — with some advocates
    arguing that consumers should explicitly consent via opt-ins.

    Much of the legal restrictions might end up turning on whether people
    have a reasonable expectation that their Web history is, or should be,
    confidential. On one hand, everyone who stops and thinks about it must
    surely know that all clicks
    leave a digital trail. At the same time, many users simply can’t fathom
    that anyone else — ISPs, ad networks, etc. — actually collects that
    information, much less analyzes it and then sends ads based on it.

    Of course, one way Web companies can help insure people know that
    clickstream data is being collected is by posting clear, easy-to-read
    privacy policies. And, under the circumstances, asking people to
    consent to behavioral targeting,
    either by opting in or not opting out, doesn’t seem like the kind of
    restriction that would necessarily violate the First Amendment.

  • It's Time We Rethink Our Standards

    FILM

    Standard Operations Procedures

    How much of a story can be told by looking at a photograph? What is
    considered fact and proof? Is seeing truly believing? The documentary
    film Standard Operations Procedures breaks apart these questions by delving into the lives of soldiers stationed at Abu Ghraib prison, in Iraq. Academy Award winning director Errol Morris
    used photographs and stories of American soldiers to depict the stained
    and corrupt system within the interrogation centers in the Middle East.
    We all remember the horrific photos
    that leaked into the media, and as you may anticipate from the brief
    synopsis, the documentary is far from a romantic comedy. Ironically,
    the film opens with a photograph of a golden sunset in Iraq, which
    stands in stark contrast to the rest of the film’s morbid and
    disturbing tone. Within the first ten minutes my weak stomach got the
    best of me, and I had no choice but to direct my eyes to the dim lights
    positioned on the walls of the theater. —Hannah Simpson

    7:30 p.m., Walker Art Center, 1750 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis; 612-375-7600; free with cost of gallery admission.

    LECTURE
    Minnesota’s Labor Movement

    Learn all about Minnesota’s Labor Movement in the last two centuries. The 2008 David R. Noble Lecture, presented by the Minnesota Historical Society, features Professor Peter Rachleff tonight for a “The Making, Unmaking and Remaking of Minnesota’s Labor Movement in the 20th and 21st Centuries.” Rachleff, professor of History at Macalester College in St Paul, has long been active in labor solidarity.

    7 p.m., Minnesota History Center, 345 Kellogg Boulevard.

    BOOKS & AUTHORS
    The God Strategy

    David Domke, best-selling author and professor, will discuss his new book The God Strategy at the University of Minnesota Bookstore today. No, this isn’t a book on how to find god, or how to make peace with your god(s); it’s a book on how religion became a political weapon in America — far more interesting, no? "The God Strategy concludes that U.S. politics
    today are defined by a calculated, deliberate and partisan use of faith
    that is unprecedented in modern politics. Domke’s work documents how
    this occurred, who has done it and why, and what it means for the
    American experiment in democracy."

    4 p.m., University of Minnesota Bookstore, Coffman Memorial Union, 300 Washington Ave. S.E., Minneapolis; 612-625-5549; free.

    MUSIC
    Ryan Montbleau

    The 2007 Boston Music Award Best Local Male Vocalist winner Ryan
    Montbleau     will be in sharing his song with Minneapolis this evening. Montbleau serves up some jazzy vocals, stemming from a soulful of zydeco. The man can sing. And his guitarwork leaves nothing to be desired. Go check him out.

    8 p.m., First Avenue, 701 First Avenue North, Minneapolis; 612-338-8388; $9.

  • Aveda Knows the Key to Beauty Is Water

    Most of us associate Aveda with beauty and fabulous smells — and rightly so — but they don’t stop at shampoo and facial cleansers. One of the most effective hair, body, and skin care treatments doesn’t come in a lovely 16-oz Aveda bottle. It’s water, and
    you drink it. Of course, Aveda knows this, so they’re doing their share to raise money to bring clean water (and beauty) to the world. This month, they’ve been on a mission to raise $2.3 million for clean water rights.

    See below: 

    NEW YORK (April 2008)–Aveda’s
    2008 Earth Month     campaign boldly declares the urgent need to protect clean
    water rights across the globe-and empowers Aveda network professionals and
    guests with tools for creating change and making a difference. Building on the
    record-breaking success of Aveda Earth Month 2007, this year’s campaign
    launches strategic global and local projects to help provide clean water to
    those people most in need around the world.

    Aveda’s fundraising goal for 2008 is
    to raise $2.3 million     during the month of April for global and
    local organizations working to support and preserve clean water. Targeted
    projects include:

    • Brazil: the development of sustainable water
      systems, medicinal gardens, and the prevention of illegal fishing and logging
      on indigenous lands.
    • Bulgaria: training and resources for local
      farmers in Bulgaria to convert to organic farming
    • India: the building of sustainable water
      systems in nine villages, where local youth will be trained in the installation
      and maintenance of hand pump wells.
    • South Africa: projects to help
      protect local communities from high levels of uranium discharged into their
      drinking water supply from a mine upstream.

    In 2007, Aveda exceeded its Earth Month
    goal of $1.8 million by raising $2.1 million for clean water projects around
    the globe. Aveda continues its campaign for clean water in an effort to make a
    sustainable positive impact and to set an example for environmental leadership
    and responsibility. Over the past nine years, the Aveda network has raised more
    than $8 million for environmental and social causes through its Earth Month
    campaigns.

     

    GLOBAL PARTNER. For the
    second consecutive year, Aveda has joined with Global Greengrants Fund as their
    exclusive global Earth Month partner to provide grants for community-based
    water projects around the world, with a special focus on regions where Aveda
    sources ingredients. An international organization dedicated to environmental
    justice and sustainability, Global Greengrants Fund provides small grants to
    grassroots organizations working for clean water, clean air, sustainable
    livelihoods and healthy communities in Africa, Asia, Latin America and island
    nations around the world. Select local fundraising efforts along with sales
    from the limited edition Light the WayTM Earth Month candle will help support
    Aveda’s donation to Global Greengrants Fund. www.greengrants.org

     
    LOCAL ACTIONS. LOCAL RESULTS.  In addition to
    global-scale Earth Month projects, Aveda’s network will embark upon local campaigns to support regional partners. During the month of April, Aveda
    Salons, Spas, Experience Centers and Institutes will hold fundraising events
    that directly support a local partner working to support clean water.

    LIMITED EDITION CANDLE. Aveda’s 2008
    Earth Month campaign also includes the launch of a limited edition Light the
    WayTM soy wax candle, made with an aroma of certified organic Bulgarian lavender
    oil. By purchasing the $10 Earth Month candle, consumers will support Aveda’s
    donation of $700,000 to Global Greengrants Fund as part of its global efforts
    to help make clean water a human right and to support of grassroots clean water
    projects for those people most in need. 

    Light the WayTM also sheds light on the
    importance of ingredient traceability from soil to bottleTM and Aveda’s
    ingredient sourcing partners globally. The Company’s partnership with the Enio
    Bonchev Distillery     to source the certified organic Bulgarian lavender oil
    in the candle is an example of benefit sharing-at both ends of the supply
    chain-while caring for the Earth.

    Light the WayTM also features award-winning
    environmentally responsible packaging    : the candle is contained in 95%
    post-consumer recycled (PCR) glass and the outer carton is printed with soy ink
    on 100% recycled sheets of carton stock previously used by Aveda to prepare its
    printing press. Called "make-readies," these sheets of paperboard are typically
    thrown away-or at best recycled. In Aveda’s environmental commitment to "reuse
    and recycle," all Light the WayTM candle packaging is made of 100%
    "make-readies." This packaging received an AmeriStar Award and 3M Integrity
    Award (by the Institute of Packaging Professionals, IoPP) for its innovative
    and environmentally-conscious design.

    SUPPORT ORGANIC FARMING FOR CLEAN
    WATER.
    In addition to funds raised by the candle, support of organic farming also
    helps protect clean water. Organic farming helps protect clean water by
    reducing contamination of ground and surface water from chemicals and
    pesticides. 

    • Conventional
      agriculture is responsible for 48% of stream and water pollution.*
    • Organic
      farming reduces agricultural water pollution.
    • Organic
      farming reduces local and regional ground water pollution.
    • 90%
      of Aveda’s essential oils and 89% of Aveda’s raw herbal ingredients are
      certified organic.

     
    * U.S. Environmental Protection
    Agency, "Rivers and Streams," in National Water Quality Inventory: Report 2000

     

  • SaveWCAL Wins a Victory for Public Radio Supporters and WCAL Donors

    Despite strong opposition, St. Olaf College sold its WCAL 89.3 FM radio station and Rochester’s KMSE 88.7 to MPR for a reported $10.5 million four years ago. Unfortunately — or fortunately, depending on who’s doing the talking — St. Olaf College was holding about $3 million in endowment funds for the station at the time of the sale. Three years later, SaveWCAL attorney Michael W. McNabb requested that the Rice County District Court declare the sale void due to the conflict with donors. Since then, the details have been under investigation, pending a report from Special Master Judge Gary J. Meyer.

    Here is an update email I received last month from SaveWCAL:

    Northfield, Minn.-A Special Master report submitted on March 7, 2008 to the Rice County (Minn.) District Court is an important victory for supporters of and donors to public radio station WCAL and St. Olaf College, according to Ruth Sylte, the president of SaveWCAL, an organization representing the donors to WCAL.

    "It is a very good day for supporters of public radio and thousands of SaveWCAL supporters!" said Sylte. "The report confirms that listener donations and support do matter."

    WCAL 89.3 FM was the first listener-supported radio station in the U.S. and a founding member of National Public Radio (NPR). Until its controversial sale, the station broadcast for more than 80 years from the St. Olaf campus in Northfield, Sylte explained. WCAL’s major assets-a 100k watt C-1 FM license, Rosemount broadcasting tower and translator station KMSE 88.7 in Rochester-were sold on November 21, 2004 over the objections of thousands of donors and listeners for a reported $10.5 million by its trustee, St. Olaf College, to Minnesota Public Radio (MPR).

    The Special Master’s Report, containing more than 130 separate Findings of Fact and making Recommended Conclusions of Law on the subject of the Petition and Amended Petition filed by St. Olaf College regarding the WCAL charitable trust, includes the following highlights:

    • The report recognizes that the WCAL donors created a charitable trust throughout more than 80 years of support to the station. This is exactly the position that SaveWCAL has advocated since the beginning of the current proceeding and, indeed, since October 5, 2004 when the organization specifically asked the Minnesota Attorney General to intervene in the sale of the trust’s assets and the Attorney General declined. In fact, Special Master Judge Gary J. Meyer (ret.), specifically noted in his Memorandum that:

    "The Attorney General notes that St. Olaf has not formally petitioned the court regarding the proceeds of the sale of WCAL assets to MPR. But St. Olaf takes the position that none of the proceeds of the sale are subject to any restriction and that St. Olaf is entitled to use the proceeds for any purpose it desires. Thus, it is unlikely that St. Olaf would ever bring a petition asking for direction from the court regarding these funds. Although the Attorney General clearly could have, and perhaps should have, brought a petition to the court, they have not done so. Instead, the court is left with the current petition, which, in the interests of justice, must be expanded to include additional funds not specified in the petition."

    • The report also finds that the assets that currently comprise the trust are far greater than what St. Olaf College had represented to the court in its Petition and Amended Petition. St. Olaf claimed that it held $1.36 million in the WCAL endowment and that it should have unrestricted access to approximately $860,000 of that amount with approximately $500,000 restricted to "Core WCAL Activities." The Special Master has found that the WCAL charitable trust has assets in excess of $5 million and that the use of those assets should be restricted to "Core WCAL Activities."
    • The Special Master did not include the value of WCAL’s FM license as an asset of the trust claiming that "it is impossible to discern from the record what assets were purchased with which funds or, most likely, combination of funds."

    Sylte pointed out that the report fails to recognize the fact that the license itself would have been lost long ago but for the support of WCAL donors. In order to renew its license, St. Olaf had to demonstrate to the FCC that the station was serving the public interest. It was able to do so, Sylte asserted, only because of the magnificent support of the WCAL donors. Indeed, the Special Master’s Findings of Fact states:

    "WCAL and St. Olaf had agreed on a goal of decreasing the St. Olaf cash contributions to WCAL and of eliminating them by 2005. From 1993 to 2004, St. Olaf’s contributions to WCAL decreased from $350,000 (which was 21% of the 1993 WCAL operating budget) to $130,000 (which was 5% of the 2004 WCAL operating budget)."

    As another example, Sylte related that the station would have been completely lost in 1924 if supporters had not raised the money to save WCAL after the College announced that it did not have the funds to operate the station. The station would have been lost a number of times without the donations of listeners, without which there simply would have been no license and therefore no assets for St. Olaf to sell in 2004.

    Sylte also pointed out that St. Olaf College attorneys, in an attempt to prevent information that SaveWCAL supporters (or any member of the general public) might find from reaching the Court and the court-appointed Special Master, have been denying unrestricted public access to the college’s archives, in direct conflict to the college’s stated policy, since December 7, 2007.

    • The report also does not address the trust status of the building in which WCAL was housed that was built, not with funds from St. Olaf College, but solely from the donations of WCAL listeners.

    The submission of the Special Master’s report is yet another step-a large one-in SaveWCAL’s lengthy and continuing journey of more than three and a half years to obtain justice on behalf of the tens of thousands of WCAL donors, living and deceased, who gave millions of dollars to build and maintain a "unique and priceless public radio station" for more than eight decades, said Sylte. "The process is still continuing. We will continue to advocate that the WCAL charitable trust also includes the proceeds from the sale of the broadcast license. "

    "Our efforts remain grounded in a deep affection for the college." added Sylte. SaveWCAL’s primary goal has been to preserve the WCAL station and/or its charitable trust, preferably to spiritually, financially and educationally benefit its historical home institution, St. Olaf College, she said. "What we have achieved thus far," Sylte continued, "benefits St. Olaf by assuring its donors that they have a right to be heard and that their intentions should continually be honored."

    The parties now await instructions from Rice County District Court Judge Gerald Wolf regarding how the hearing on the St. Olaf Petition and Amended Petition will proceed. Judge Wolf, who is presiding over the case, has the authority to accept or modify the Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and proposed Order. A hearing is expected to be scheduled soon.

    BACKGROUND / TIMELINE

    • In August 2004 St. Olaf College suddenly announced that it would sell the license and Rosemount broadcasting tower of WCAL 89.3 FM radio station-the first listener-supported radio station in the USA-and its translator station, Rochester’s KMSE 88.7, to MPR for a reported $10.5 million. In spite of strong opposition, including a petition to St. Olaf with more than 5,000 signatures and unsuccessful pleadings before the FCC, the station was sold to MPR and ceased broadcasting as WCAL/KMSE on November 21, 2004 – just three days after the 82nd anniversary of the station’s official founding.

    • At the time, St. Olaf College was holding at least $2.96 million in endowment funds for the benefit of WCAL radio station.

    • On December 28, 2006 St. Olaf College filed a Petition in Rice County (Minn.) District Court seeking a release of all restrictions on two categories of gifts in the WCAL charitable trust endowment that it now classified as the restricted non-endowment gifts and the undocumented gifts. When the gifts were made, the College placed the gifts in both categories in the WCAL endowment. It asserted in its Petition that the donors of the gifts in the first category did not specifically direct St. Olaf to place their gifts in the WCAL endowment. As for the second category, St. Olaf claimed that it was not able to find documents to explain the decision the College made to place the gifts in the WCAL endowment. The College asserted that total market value of the gifts in both categories as of April 30, 2006 was approximately $961,000.00.

    • On January 12, 2007 the Minnesota Attorney General’s office responded to the filing in a letter to St. Olaf College, raising some technical questions about the Petition. This caused St. Olaf to request a continuance of the scheduled hearing and the hearing was rescheduled for March 8, 2007.

    • On February 27, 2007 SaveWCAL attorney Michael W. McNabb sent a five page Letter Memorandum to the Rice County District Court to inform the Court of issues related to the Petition filed by St. Olaf. The letter stated, "A thorough investigation will reveal that the court has the facts and the law to declare that the assignment of the license for 89.3 FM to MPR is void on the grounds that (1) it was a breach of its fiduciary duty as trustee for St. Olaf to create the circumstances which rendered it impossible to honor the intention of the donors and (2) St. Olaf failed to obtain the authorization of the court to terminate the charitable trust as required under Minn. Stat. 501B.41 subd. 2 and therefore St. Olaf did not have the lawful authority to assign or sell the assets of the WCAL charitable trust.

    In the alternative, the court could declare that the WCAL endowment fund (all $2.9 million) and the $10.5 million received from MPR constitute part of a continuing charitable trust and that pursuant to Minn. Stat. 501B.31 subd. 2 the trust must be administered to accomplish as nearly as possible the intention of the donors. "

    • On March 6, 2007 just seven days after McNabb sent his Letter Memorandum to the Rice County District Court, St. Olaf College suddenly submitted an Amended Petition which completely removed St. Olaf’s previous assertions of the WCAL charitable trust funds as a "charitable trust". Also removed was one exhibit previously submitted by St. Olaf after an heir of the donor notified the Attorney General and Court that what St. Olaf had presented in its Petition was not the wishes of the donor.

    • On March 8, 2007 SaveWCAL attorney Michael McNabb received the permission of the court to participate in the hearing. Additional hearing sessions were held on April 13 and May 25.

    • On October 16, 2007 Rice County District Court Judge Wolf issued two Orders. The first Order and Memorandum indicated that the Judge is reserving a decision on the St. Olaf Amended Petition pending the result of a full investigation by a special master appointed by the second Order to, among other things, "investigate and determine the amount of assets and donations that are attributable to WCAL…" without limitation. The order also confirmed the standing of SaveWCAL as a representative of the WCAL donors. It should be noted that SaveWCAL was the only party in the case to request that a special master be appointed and that a full investigation take place.

    • On October 22, 2007 Judge Gary J. Meyer (ret.) accepted the appointment of Judge Wolf as Special Master for the St. Olaf College Petition. The Special Master was instructed to report his findings and his recommendation to the Court within 60 days of his appointment. The Special Master was also instructed that he could request additional time in order to complete the investigation. On December 17, 2007 Judge Wolf issued an Order extending the deadline for the Special Master to submit his report and recommendations to February 15, 2008. On February 15, 2008 Judge Wolf signed another Order extending the deadline for the Special Master’s report to March 15, 2008.

    Documents submitted to the Rice County District Court Special Master by the various parties (Minnesota Attorney General, St. Olaf College and SaveWCAL) are available for download in PDF format at: http://savewcal.livejournal.com/104585.html

    SaveWCAL is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that grew out of St. Olaf College’s decision to sell essential and irreplaceable assets of the WCAL charitable trust, thus destroying the first listener supported public radio station in the USA-a founding member station of National Public Radio (NPR) and a leading member of AMPERS (now Minnesota Independent Public Radio).

    Since 2004, St. Olaf has been attempting to dismantle the trust and repurpose millions of dollars in funds given to the WCAL charitable trust by tens of thousands of donors over the course of more than 80 years.

    For further information, see http://SaveWCAL.LiveJournal.com

  • Punk Puppets in New Zealand

    HOST A SUMMER SHOW
    Turn Your Backyard into a Theatre for a Night!

    Open Eye Figure Theatre is now booking their 2008 Driveway Tour (June 7 – August 10), and they’re looking for 50 hosts who can offer their yards and gather their neighbors for a half-hour family-friendly puppet show. It’s simple; all you have to do is provide the space and the people — and perhaps some lemonade or cookies, but that’s up to you. The show is free, but you’ll be asked to "pass the hat" for donations after the show. Sound like fun? Send an email to openeye@bitstream.net with "DrivewayTour" in the subject line. The program is available for booking Monday through Thursday evenings, and Saturdays. Some Sundays may be considered. Check you calendar now! 

    MUSIC
    The Unseen

    While they’ve recently been accused of selling out — after airing their videos on mainstream channels (like MTV2) frowned upon by the underground streetpunk scene — The Unseen remain true to their hardcore roots, at least in their music. Hailing from Hingham, Massachusetts, the street punk band features lead vocals by Mark Unseen (ADD Records and A Global Threat), bass by Tripp Underwood, lead guitar by Scott Unseen, drums by Pat Melzard, and rhythm guitar by Jonny (A Global Threat). They’ll be playing the early show tonight with A Wilhelm Scream, In Defence, and Class of 86.

    5 p.m., Triple Rock Social Club, 629 Cedar Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612-333-7399.

    BOOKS & HIKING
    Peter Potterfield’s Favorite Hikes of New Zealand

    Hiking expert and Classic Hikes of the World author Peter Potterfield wraps up an eight-week speaking and slideshow tour this week with a trip to the Twin Cities. Hikers and outdoor enthusiasts alike, will be able to meet Potterfield at local REI stores, to learn firsthand about hiking in New Zealand through his compelling narrative, striking slideshow, and Q&A session. Plus, you’ll be eligible to win prizes from ExOfficio and Eagle Creek – even an all-expenses-paid round trip to New Zealand!

    7 p.m., Bloomington REI, 750 W. American Blvd., Bloomington; 952-884-4315.

  • And Don't Forget the Book Awards on Saturday

    BOOKS & AUTHORS
    What’s so Minnesotan about the Minnesota Book Awards?

    This evening, enjoy a special Raking Through Books featuring the nominees of the 2008 Minnesota Book Awards (on Saturday). How often do you get to discuss literature with some of the top writers our Cities have to offer? How often do you even get them in the same room, for that matter? Tonight you can mix and mingle with the likes of Mary Logue, Annette Atkins, Catherine Watson, Joni Tevis, Wang Ping, and Leslie Adrienne Miller. And when you get out of Kieran’s you’re just a hop, trip, and a jump away from the next event.

    Friday from 6 to 8 p.m., Kieran’s Irish Pub, 330 2nd Ave. S., Minneapolis.

    WINE & DINE
    An Affordable Feast with Big Red Wine Flights and Music

    Last week, Ann Bauer wrote about the wine steals at Cue in Beyond the Cask. This week, the rest of us wine, food, and music lovers can enjoy them ourselves. It’s looking like we’re going to need a little something to warm us up, and I can’t think of anything better than some full-bodied big reds. Enjoy a three-course meal for only $30, and choose from three Big Red Wine Flights (tailored to the size of your wallet). Then sit back, relax, and drink in the big rich sounds of vocalist Arne Fogel and his trio. Try your luck in the silent wine auction, featuring Cue Cellar gems. But before you go, be sure to visit the gem upstairs; the view from the endless bridge is bound to be priceless this evening with the snow falling.

    Friday from 6 to 9 p.m., Cue at the Guthrie, 818 S. 2nd St., Minneapolis.

    THEATER & PERFORMANCE
    Romeo and Rusalka

    What separates the typical Disney flick from most operas is not just
    the animation or the language, but the ending, the resolution. True,
    not all operas end in tragedy (though most do), but even the
    happily-ever-afters come laden with sacrifice and cost-of-learning, so
    to speak. And let’s face it, someone usually dies. This Saturday (through next weekend), the Minnesota Opera brings us Anton Dvorak’s Rusalka, a beautiful Little Mermaid-like
    fairytale without the happy ending. Named after the Vysoka country
    estate (just south of Prague) where Dvorak took residence in 1884 —
    with Rusalka Lake at its core — the Czech opera tells the story of a
    water nymph who falls in love with a prince. But in the world of opera,
    as in Shakespeare, two worlds colliding can only lead in tragedy — a
    tragedy, of course, made all too beautiful by Dvorak’s composition. A
    bit on the Wagnerian side perhaps, the music reinforces the "collision"
    by creating two entirely unique sound-worlds. Conductor Robert Wood, stage director Eric Simonson, and choreographer Mathew Janczewski lead an illustrious cast in this Minnesota Opera performance, featuring the return of Minnesota native Kelly Kaduce in the title role, and Brandon Jovanovich as the Prince.

    Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, 345 Washington St, St Paul, 651-224-4222; $20-$150.

    FILM
    Cave Women on Mars

    This Saturday is the world premiere of Cave Women on Mars, by local filmmakers Christopher Mihm and Josh Craig. You may know them already from previous releases — which also premiered at the Heights — The Monster of Phantom Lake (2006) and It Came From Another World! (2007). It seems like they’re determined to put out a kick-ass black & white ’50s-like flick every year. And that’s ok by me. Their latest quest follows two astronauts to the red planet, where they discover an earth-like atmosphere and sexy warrior cave women. Could it get much better? This stuff is a must for anyone with a little bit of twist. Stick around for cake after the movie, meet the cast and crew, and enjoy a special on-screen trivia/sing-along screening of The Monster of Phantom Lake.

    Saturday at 6:30 p.m. (film at 7:30 p.m.), The Heights Theatre, 3951 Central Ave. NE, Columbia Heights; $5/$6.

    SPECIAL EVENT

    Journey to the Middle East

    It’s Middle Eastern Night at the Suburban World,
    so prepare to be transported. This is no little ride; it’s the whole
    shebang — a full evening of Middle Eastern wonder, and a great
    date-night to boot. Begin your evening, as all good evenings should
    begin, with some lovely wines (Pinot Noir, Beaujolais, Macon-Villages,
    and Cuvee White) provided by Gina Miranda of Bellboy Corp. and Georges Dubeouf French Wines. Then slide down the tongue to the belly, and enjoy a three-course meal prepared by Restaurant Aura:
    Tabouleh salad, pita bread, Kefta meatballs served on a bed of saffron
    rice with a tomato based Chermoula sauce, and baklava for dessert.
    Lovely baklava! As soon as the sweetness hits the tongue you can settle
    back a bit and prepare for the feature film, Promises.
    This heartbreaking documentary shows the making and breaking of a
    relationship between a Palestinian boy and a pair of Israeli twins
    brought together by their shared love of sports. But it doesn’t end
    here. When the movie is done, the belly dancing begins and the Touareg Live Band will make it their mission to get you shaking those hips.

    Saturday at 6 p.m., Suburban World Theatre, 3022 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis, 612-822-9000 or 952-451-1400; $30, $36 w/wine.

    And on Sunday, head over to Nina’s Coffee Cafe to learn about Reason, Faith, and Story-telling from former Utne editor Jon Spayde, author of How to Believe.