Let me start off by saying, I’m not a particularly political person. I care, don’t get me wrong, but I just prefer to do what I do best, staying in the pretty bubble of art, music and what-have-you. I am an A+E Editor, after all, not a political commentator! I rarely watch TV, but when […]
Politics Lite: Inside the Xcel
September 3, 2008 by
After popping into PetSmart for a new dog tag and Home Depot for some new levelers, I head right next door to the Doubletree Park Place in St. Louis Park. How convenient! My plan is to catch a ride to the Xcel Energy Center with whatever delegation happens to be staying there. It turns out […]
Why Party Like a Rock Star When You Can Party Like a Delegate?
September 3, 2008 by
Not yet near the doors of the Minneapolis Convention Center Sunday night and I am already handed Republican swag, in the form of a DVD. This DVD "as seen on CNN and FOX News" depicts on its cover the iconic image of a radical Islam toddler wielding a rifle. I politely put it in my […]
A Sventabulous Time!
September 2, 2008 by
What is it about Sven Sundgaard? All the other news anchors are just news anchors; chipper, vaguely good looking, with the ability to pull off a solid color pantsuit. But Sven, there’s just something about him. Is it his frighteningly tan skin, regardless of season? His petite faux-hawk, nice pec muscles, and suspicious gayness? What […]
Spark It Up!
August 30, 2008 by
As activists on the West Side get the shake down from the cops, and St. Paul frets and fusses over last minute preparations at RNC ground zero; Downtown Minneapolis geared up to show its artistic flair at Spark24! What is Spark24 you ask? Well, if you haven’t been living under a rock for the past […]
Tots, Blood, and a Broken Jaw
August 29, 2008 by
Yesterday, I went to the State Fair with my dad, who is my all-time favorite person to go to the Fair with. Going to the Fair with my dad is like going to Vegas with Paul Rudd’s character in the movie Knocked Up. Except, instead of ingesting hallucinogens and risking pinkeye, we ingest epic quantities […]
The Rake's Secrets to Surviving the RNC
August 29, 2008 by
As you’re well aware, this week the Twin Cities plays host to one of the biggest political extravaganzas known to man: The Republican National Convention. The chaos that will surely descend on our fair cities will be met with more Minnesota-brand arts and culture than you can shake a stick at, as well as thousands […]
The Mighty Midway and Other State Fair Classics
August 26, 2008 by
Day two at the Fair had me excited because I brought my husband, Jason, along. For years, he’s been listening to me say things like: "If we were at the State Fair, you could get that Snickers deep-fried." "I own a collapsable rake." "I mean think about it. Nearly ninety-pounds of butter shaped like our […]
Stick-It!
August 22, 2008 by
*Read about Day Two here. *Then read about Day Three here. To me, the State Fair rivals sex, strong drinks, and Law and Order: SVU reruns. And I love fornicating almost as much as I love watching TV. Walking into the State Fair, the guy who took my ticket told me to "enjoy something on […]
The Fairest of them All
August 21, 2008 by
The Rake‘s own local Olympian. A true athlete dedicated to her calling. A hometown hero back at it again. Special oh-so-brave correspondent Kathryn Savage will be making her rounds at the Minnesota State Fair. Graciously offering to spend more man-hours in attendance than you’d ever want to, our gal-on-the-scene is primed to try just about […]