I was born a clown, and in retrospect my parents were incredibly good sports about what must surely have been on a number of levels a shock and a disappointment. They’d been trying for years to have a child, and they accepted me immediately as a blessing and loved me unconditionally for what I was. … Read more
I have driven the new Mini Cooper. So has half the British Press (the one that matters–Jeremy Clarkson in particular–he is the "dog’s bollocks.") The universal rap on the new car is that it has been "Americanized." In other words, the automotive equivalent of a nice hot casserole. Its a little bigger, the dashboard is … Read more
The average couch tuber probably isn’t tracking this TV writers strike too much. Not beyond fretting over an early end to Heroes and no new Daily Shows. Beyond that the affected "workers," a lot of smart-ass Bimmer-driving West L.A. espresso sippers, are never going to win an outpouring of empathy from the people who obsessively … Read more
The bird is the word. We used to go to my aunt’s house in North Oaks for Thanksgiving. I clearly remember her perched on a chair next to the oven, heater and scotch in one hand, turkey baster in the other as she dutifully doused the bird every five minutes. From that chair she barked orders … Read more
The Minnesota heat waves had passed in September when, visiting hersister, Anna Lefebvre, in Minneapolis Theresa Gumbleton and hersidekick, the shaded Sheila Sheils from Derry and Carndonagh, Irelandtook a few days Up North lake lounging on Lower South Long Lake. Author(s) and Location: Theresa Gumbleton and Sheila Sheils, Lower South Long Lake Letter Type: Red … Read more
Reading The Rake in a hand-pulled rickshaw is not recommended for a weak stomach. Tim Leone-Getten and Leslie Olmen visited Calcutta, India with other area teachers on a South Asia teacher exchange program with Hamline University and Relief International. Author(s) and Location: Tim Leone-Getten and Leslie Olmen, Calcutta Letter Type: Red Handed
Jim Harkness never expected to return to Minnesota. A native of South Minneapolis who studied Chinese in high school, he started his career as an activist specializing in Asian birds, then giant pandas. His work took him to China often, and eventually he became a full-time resident of Beijing, working first with the Ford Foundation, … Read more
Um, I hardly ever do this. But since I missed the big opening of the Gucci boutique at Nordstrom MOA last week, I figure I’d better slobber over some other local shop or other. Now, I assume that some of you, like me, are decidedly lacking in coin these days, and therefore cannot rationalize the … Read more
ART, MUSIC, AND WINEGroove to the Music, Groove on the Art That’s right, folks; it’s time for another Gallery Grooves, The Rake’s monthly art, jazz, and wine event. Socialize and discuss the latest jazz with Kevin Barnes from KBEM, and enjoy free libations compliments of The Wine Company. The Hennepin History Museum’s current exhibition, Studies … Read more
Home Game #3: Minnesota 108, Sacramento 103 Season Record: 1-5 1. Mea Culpa–For Now I thought Rashad McCants had a horrible game during last Saturday night’s Wolves loss to the Kings in Sacramento, and quite righteously said so. Thought he was a narcissistic gunner who sabotaged the team’s offensive priority of pounding the ball into … Read more