Larry Berle is perhaps the friendliest guy on the planet. He seems to know everyone I know, plus most everyone else, too. He accomplishes this in a couple of ways. He gets you to introduce all your friends to him, and then he actually remembers their names, what they do, where their kids go to … Read more
In the lean years that will soon follow, survivors will look back upon December 19, 2007 with pain and sorrow in their haunted eyes — for this day marked the beginning of the end. The Seventh Seal will soon be open, for the passage of the first increase in CAFÉ standards in more than 30 … Read more
I heard that Mike Huckabee is pals with Chuck Norris and that the "Huck and Chuck" show plays well in Iowa. Apparently the former preacher also takes alot of fitness breaks because he doesn’t want to slip and fall on the black prairie ice. And this guy is pals with Chuck? That sucks. I would … Read more
Maybe it’s an Edina thing. You step inside the city limits and suddenly you rather like a restaurant server who eyes you suspiciously for several minutes, then approaches sniffily to ask what you want. You don’t mind paying 20 percent more for a loaf of bread with goat cheese and olive tapenade than you would, … Read more
MUSICBustin’ Beats from Belfast In preparation for the real Van the Man show tomorrow night, jam to the tunes of one of his most popular tribute bands The Belfast Cowboys. They’ll be playing all the Van Morrison greats this evening — for a fraction of his concert prices. Whether or not they’ll actually play anything … Read more
BUSINESS On the other hand, we recommend that you call Duluth “Paris.”A New York marketing research firm hired by Meet Minneapolis, the Minneapolis Convention and Visitors Association, to help with a branding campaign for Minneapolis and St. Paul came up with the suggestion that Minneapolis and St. Paul refer to themselves in their marketing materials … Read more
Years ago, comedian Bill Murray was talking with the press about great careers, longevity, and what really defines success. Murray had had several hits at the time, made good money, was considered for practically every big-budget comedy script in town, and by any Hollywood standard was the envy of his peers. "But I want to … Read more
Last weekend, in the Sunday Times, one of the meatiest, most interesting Style articles was found … in the business section. I also liked the ETSY profile in the Times magazine, but that’s a different matter-one that, I’m afraid, nearly inspired a very long, boring post about my preference for receiving hand-made Christmas gifts. In … Read more
I am WAY behind on shopping. I know I’ve been writing out gift guides for y’all, but that doesn’t mean that I’m surrounded with foodies in my real life. I have to buy Bionicles and Restoration Hardware tchotchkes like the rest of you. But I generally hate shopping. The only way I can suffer the … Read more
The Farmer’s Insurance Group issued a study of the "Most Secure" places in the U.S. this month, and I have to wonder to myself – what kind of paranoia has to take hold of someone that they’re actually willing to take advice on where to live from a list upon which Boise, Idaho is ranked … Read more