Mediation, another great source of local secrets, turns us on to BusTales.com — What happened to you on the bus?
Blog
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Live Blogging a Birth
Salon published a story on our very own Paul Saarinen, known to many of us as TaulPaul: “Liveblogging” your child’s birth — taking Twitter too far? Too cool!
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Joel Kramer Set to Announce Online Newspaper on Monday
Next Monday appears to be the date for former Star Tribune editor and publisher Joel Kramer to reveal his plans for the launch of a professionally edited and reported online newspaper. From his vacation home in Montana, Kramer, who knows the tricks of the information-peddling trade, is not offering any new details beyond what has already leaked since his meeting here last week with likely editors and writers.
Kramer did confirm what has been known. Namely, that he has hired former Star Tribune deputy managing editor Roger Buoen. He also confirmed he has hired long-time St. Paul Pioneer Press editor Don Effenberger. Asked about the estimate of $850,000 on his fund-raising to date, Kramer confirmed that figure, adding, “More.”
Beyond that, Kramer declined to spoil his own unveiling.
What we do know is that Kramer has gone from a non-profit business model to a for-profit and back now to non-profit. At one point, he had a tentative deal to partner with The Rake owners Tom Bartel and Kris Henning. In fact, he approached Bartel and Henning with an interest in buying The Rake outright, but apparently backed off that idea rather quickly.
Kramer’s plan, I’m told by sources who asked not to be identified, includes some kind of partnering arrangement with various local publishing entities, possibly including the community journalism site, TC Daily Planet, The Rake, and Minnesota Public Radio. (Rake publisher Bartel says he hasn’t spoken with Kramer in the last month.)
The MPR angle, which Kramer would not confirm, is intriguing if only because Kramer apparently still favors some kind of membership model a la public broadcasting. His pitch to the dozen and a half former Twin Cities newspaper journalists at his condo last week mentioned aiming the online paper at a potential audience of 100,000 to 200,000 avid news consumers, which essentially describes MPR’s audience.
If Kramer has indeed cut a deal with MPR and MPR president Bill Kling, my first two questions are whether Kling is providing any start-up capital or resources, and why? Kling’s name has not been mentioned among Kramer’s primary investors. More to the point, the MPR-like audience of 100,000 to 200,000 avid news consumers already has MPR’s website, so what additional features is Kramer planning to offer, particularly if his staff of reporters/content-providers are all freelancers?
Kramer’s desire to launch a serious news site has been the topic of considerable discussion among the cities’ journalists in recent months, many of whom are currently seeking new opportunities, after several rounds of buyouts at both daily papers. Moreover, the frustration with what some regard as the self-limiting ethos of daily newspapers has people hoping Kramer is open to the freer tone and technological possibilities — podcasts, video, etc. — of an online news service.
In his pitch last week, Kramer mentioned voiceofsandiego.org as one example of what he hopes he/they can pull off. “I think he said he hoped we could do something better,” said someone who was present.
The general reaction from several of those in attendance was one of eagerness for the game. Their lingering questions revolved around how well Kramer is preparing for those supplementary tech factors — audio and video reporting; whether he has or can draw in enough conservative writers to provide a healthy balance to whatever commentary he plans to offer (if you know any righties who aren’t fact-averse and can hold a reader’s attention for five minutes, have them contact Kramer after next Monday); and if he can pull off something fresher and more interesting than either daily is currently offering?
By all indications, Kramer will not be offering mortgage-paying wages, at least at the start. But the impression I get is that many current and former newspaper writers regard daily online journalism as an inevitability and like the idea of being part of a pioneering concept enough that they’ll work very cheap … for a while.
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How The Sugar Daddies Ride
While some people ditch downtown for their cabins during August, others attend a car show jam packed with more bling, chrome and new 24’s than a Lil’ Wayne video. I am talking about the 7th annual Dub Magazine Auto Show & Concert that rolled into the Minneapolis Convention Center this weekend.
D.A.D.’s 300,000 crystal-encrusted Mercedes-Benz SL 600Proof, I guess, that there are Dads and then there are Sugar Daddies pimping for crimping and a cruise. Wanna try it?, check out a few more rides right here/
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Moyers on Rove
As counterpoints to mainstream thinking goes, it doesn’t get much starker than Bill Moyers’ take on Karl Rove’s career and record in this past Friday’s edition of “Bill Moyers’ Journal”.
Note the particular point Moyers makes on Rove’s exploitation of religion and religious bigotry for naked political effect and ask yourself why if, A. Moyers is correct, and it seems no secret that he is, then B. Why haven’t other pundits and political analysts mentioned the same thing? (Moyers mentions the recent “revelation” that Rove regards himself as an agnostic).
The exploitation of religious superstition and religious bigotry for political gain has to rank as one the most cynical and dangerous stratagems in human history, and yet supposedly worldly mainstream reporters and pundits either ignore it, in Rove’s case, or roll it all together as part of a fair and balanced tribute to Rove’s tactical “genius”.
Do you sense a combination of fear and pandering?
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Glamorama, Glug, Glug
I’m afraid I was overcooked for Glamorama on Friday night. I arrived to find a throng of ladies in gowns and cowboy boots, which struck me as a tasteful way to celebrate the year’s theme. Barb Heinrich (above), owner of the fabulous Uptown shop Local Motion, represented this look. Me, I was dudded out in boots, western belt, ginormous buckle, and a dress that can only be described as appropriate square-dance attire.
I was seated next to Jahna Peloquin (below), a local stylist and, as of late, freelance scribe. She found this dress in a San Francisco thrift store and thought to herself … Loretta Lynn.
Anyhoo: There were also plenty of folks who’d come to see the Muzik Mafia–they gave themselves away by wearing concert tees and (gasp!) jeans. And, I’m afraid these people were probably much confused, as were the folks who’d come to see touches of western fashion. I didn’t spy an overwhelming current of country amidst the Michael Kors, Temperley, and Marc Jacobs collections. But there were the related coon hats, Bordello dresses, and Big Daddy Kane fur coats. As for the folks who’d come to see the Mafia, they were likely scratching their heads at the unrelated pencil skirts, English riding clothes, and high-waisted pants.
It was your typical fashion show: lush, indulgent, a little bit pointless, very much exciting. The lighting struck me as being a bit dim for these purposes (note: my Elph couldn’t quite capture the shirtless male models prancing about in stage fog), but the image was sure pretty while it lasted.
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Leave It to the Masters
MUSIC
It’s Called a Hammond B3 Organ
For over five decades, Dr. Lonnie Smith has been taming the 425-pound beast into the the most exquisite jazz. Today he is known as the master of the Hammond B3 Organ — the jazz man with the turban, as some of you might now him. He’s playing tonight and tomorrow night, and you won’t want to miss him.7 p.m. and 9 p.m., Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant, 1010 Nicollet Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612-332-1010; $25 and $15.
AfriFest Ends with a Bang and a Whisper
This was certainly an unfortunate weekend for outdoor events, and if you’re anything like me, you may have bypassed the great AfriFest events on Sunday at Currie Park. But you can make up for it tonight with the Lucky Dube show at First Avenue. Granted, I always associate reggae shows with hot weather, but maybe it’ll help warm up the bones a bit. After 20 years in the South African music scene, Lucky Dube has reached stardom as one of the country’s most popular singers. Shake those hips a bit, shake off the cold, and get your blood flowing.8 p.m., First Avenue, 701 First Ave. N., Minneapolis; 612-332-1775; $20.
FILM AND MUSIC
Last Sultry Night — perhaps not so sultry at all
Yes, the cold is telling you something. Football and hockey training has begun. The kids are going back to school. And the summer is slowly coming to an end. Tonight marks the final Summer Music & Movies event — until next year, that is. And since the weather is not looking very promising, the event has been moved inside to the Walker’s cinema. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and tickets — while still free — will be given out on a first-come-first-served basis. Take comfort in the breezy sounds of Belize generated by Andy Palacio & the Garifuna Collective. This nine-member, multigenerational ensemble preserves the traditional rhythms and culture of their ethnic community, the Garifuna, whose members descend from shipwrecked slaves. Enjoy their unique and rhythmic blend of Afropop, pan-Caribbean beats, and reggae. The performance will be followed by Douglas Sirk’s Magnificent Obsession. Rock Hudson plays a spoiled millionaire playboy who learns the gift of giving from a doctor’s widow, played by Jane Wyman.7 p.m., movie at 8:30, Walker Cinema, 1750 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis; 612-375-7600; free.
ART
Magical Realism in Minnesota?
Apparently, magical realism isn’t confined to Latin America. I know, I know.. perhaps it has never been so, but it certainly seems tied to the chaos of most Latin American countries somehow. Seems rather odd to have it appear in our ever-so-practical, ever-so-unchaotic city. But here it is. Magical Realism, opened this past weekend, and is waiting for your eyes to devour it. Artists Nicholas Harper and Ernest Miller bring you their new work. With a firm foundation in classical realism, Harper’s paintings juxtapose portraiture against highly decorative or mystical backgrounds — the figures both naturalistic and unearthly, distorted and stylized to reflect the consciousness within. Miller, on the other hand, is a ceramics artist with a fascination in classical vessel forms and turn of the century art pottery, and a constant need to keep testing new glazes and experimenting with new shapes and forms. While you’re there, be sure to check out the PURSEonal Time exhibit of 15 polymer clay artists as well. 8 a.m. – 10 p.m., Greenberg Gallery, Bloomington Art Center, 1800 W. Old Shakopee Rd., Bloomington; 952-563-8587; free.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Another Sad Sign of the TimesI missed this last week, and it’s a sad one. The Resource Center of the Americas has closed after 24 years.
RAKING THE NET
Random Good StuffFor those who missed the Running of the Elvises last Friday.
A little hidden wonder revealed: The Wienery
Have you been to the Midtown Global Market yet?
And for a laugh or two at the expense of Miss. Lohan:
Lindsay Fully Loaded spoof video
On a more serious note, here are a couple videos of the flooding we’ve recently suffered throughout Minnesota.
And now that you’ve spent a little too much time on the Internet…
Internet Addiction is a real problem.
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A Confounding, Improbable Team Once Again Achieves The Confounding And The Improbable
That logo’s just fine if you’re talking about Johan Santana. You’ll need to insert your own mental s, however, if you’re referring to the Twins’ offense.
Down at the Dome this weekend they celebrated the 20th anniversary of the 1987 World Series championship season. Somehow, despite scoring three runs over three games, the Twins managed to win two-of-three from the Rangers. A weird sort of tribute, really, but by now I guess we just have to accept that this team is what it is: the reincarnation of a 1968 also-ran.
It’s been an astonishing season, and Santana’s brilliant –that word, of course, sounds trite in this instance, but it’s late and my brain is paste– performance managed to be both thrilling as well as perhaps the saddest example yet of the sort of pressure Minnesota’s starting pitchers have been laboring under the last couple months. The guy –like the guys who have been following him in the rotation all year– has absolutely no margin for error. The fact that he shattered the team’s strikeout record and allowed just two hits while pitching with a one-run lead the whole way just shows what a wonder Santana is, and how devastating it would be for the Twins to lose him.
The team the Twins were celebrating this weekend provided a marked –hell, an extreme– contrast to this current bunch. The ’87 Twins hit 196 home runs; three guys (Hrbek, Gaetti, and Brunansky) hit over 30, and Puckett finished with 28. They scored 786 runs, despite which they were outscored by opponents 806-786. The World Champions had just two pitchers (Viola and Blyeven) with double-digit wins, and of the three guys who tied for third with eight victories, two (Juan Berenguer and Jeff Reardon) were relievers. The staff gave up more hits than innings pitched and walked 564 batters. The team ERA was 4.63.
This year’s club has hit 92 homers, and scored just 547 runs. They’d have to average more than six runs a game and average almost three homers over their final 38 contests to equal the totals of the ’87 club.
On the surface, and even when you really look at the numbers, the pitching on the ’07 team is vastly superior to the ’87 squad’s. It isn’t going to show up in the won-loss columns, however. At present only Santana and Silva are on track for double-digit victories, even though the team’s overall numbers are more than solid enough to have won, at minimum, a dozen more games. They’ve got almost a 3-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and at this point have walked 241 fewer batters than their counterparts on the championship team. Their earned run average is more than half a run better.
The bottom line is that this team will likely –or, actually, if they’re lucky– finish with a won-loss record very similar to that of the ’87 team: 85-77.
And in 2007 that record –assuming the Twins can approach it– isn’t going to be enough to even get the team into the post-season.
Here’s a sort of unrelated (but wholly relevant) question: has Joe Mauer, even dating back to little league, ever had a stretch where he’s looked this clueless at the plate? Maybe whatever’s wrong with the Twins’ offense really is contagious.