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Choo-choo choose to watch this train video
On the subject of trains, maybe Essar Steel can get a deal on this engine. Related posts: No related posts.
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No-power tips for #Sandy survivors
My mom’s name is Sandy. So watching a storm named for my mother slam into the United States’ most populous region, threatening the lives and livelihoods of millions of brethren while potentially altering the outcome of our upcoming election, is upsetting on many levels. Many, many levels. But that’s not your problem, East Coast. You’ve…
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‘Super comet’ to illuminate night sky in 2013
Mark your calendars. In late November/early December 2013 a “super comet” might pass by Earth, provided it isn’t destroyed by the sun. Scientists term Comet ISON (officially “C/2012 S1”) a “sun-grazer” because it will clip the edge of the sun. Being so near the sun, much of its frozen matter will erupt in jets of…
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Ira Glass on creativity: work is the answer
As a public radio guy I look to Ira Glass of “This American Life” much the way one of the puppets on the “Sprout” network must look to Big Bird of “Sesame Street. Yeah, we’re in the same field. We even have the same parent organization (NPR/PBS). Yeah, we share some fundamental interests and skills.…
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The evolution and anatomy of the North American graboid
Sometimes, when you really love a particular form of art, examples of that form from the time you found this love are elevated in your mind beyond any position this particular art deserves. So it is for the movie “Tremors” and me. In 1990 I was 10 and very much not allowed to see “Tremors.”…
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"Tempest," other Bob Dylan album downloads for $5
Bob Dylan is out with his latest new album “Tempest.” The Duluth-born, Hibbing-raised poet-musician always draws a lot of attention with his work. The album has received generally strong reviews. My own impression is that “Tempest” seems a major achievement in music and songwriting — more so than even his other recent work — but…
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AUDIO: "Call Me Maybe," life theme songs & plight of frogs
So I went and did it. I downloaded “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jespen. Sure, I’m late to the party. The song peaked in popularity months ago with the downright literary refrain: “Hey, I just met youand this is crazy,but here’s my number,so call me maybe.” I actually listened to the Cookie Monster parody…
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I know raccoons have stripes, but this is ridiculous
A crew painting lines in Gnesen Township near Duluth painted over a dead raccoon. The DNT has the story and, of course, the photograph, which I will refrain from stealing. This is good because it lets everyone from the Mississippi River to the Apostle Islands talk about something other than the strife in the Middle…
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A big day for our boys
One of my biggest goals (and struggles) is balancing my desires to work, write and keep projects like this blog going with my need to be a good husband and dad. So excuse me if I take a moment to remark that after a week of limited kindergarten all three of my guys got on…
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AUDIO SPECIAL: Feel lucky? Try my superstition sketch
A while back I stopped posting promos for my appearances on “Between You and Me.” It was hard to make the sentiment “Listen to me! Take interest in my work!” compelling in the blog format, which already implies so much of that. But that doesn’t mean I’ve stopped writing and producing for this unique public…
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Swedish chef most likely Norwegian
Where I live, the Iron Range region of northern Minnesota, ethnic heritage is still kind of a big deal. The effect is fading with the generations, but you still get asked where your people came from and you best know the answer. My people came from, in order of blood percentage, Finland, Norway, Sweden, England…
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Two ‘Great Northern’ alumni in Saturday Reif Center show
The Reif Center in Grand Rapids is holding the 3rd Annual Reif Top Ten Talent Search Saturday night at 7. This isn’t some random collection of wannabees, but rather a tested, auditioned group of 10 regional musicians, dancers and performers. I’m excited to see two performers from my Great Northern Radio Show in the mix.…
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Top notch accordion show on tap this weekend in Virginia, Minn.
My friends over at the B’nai Abraham Cultural Center, site of the last remaining functional Jewish culture site on the Iron Range, announce a concert event that should be of interest to any fan of good music. Mark Stillman and his Klezmer Musicians will perform there Sunday, Aug. 19, at 7 p.m. It’s a free…
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Trampled by Turtles gets Squid Billies treatment
Duluth, Minnesota’s Trampled by Turtles adds to its stellar breakout year another … achievement? Yes, I think so. They are on the Cartoon Network Adult Swim program “Squid Billies.” I do not believe you need to watch Squid Billies to understand what is going on here. This is a wholly formed concept. Related posts: No…
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World music instrument-plosion to occur in northern MN
The folk/world band Four Schillings Short will be performing in Grand Rapids and Nevis this week. When was the last time you heard a Sitar & a Krumhorn in the same concert or Renaissance dance tunes played on Medieval Psaltery or Recorders and Banjo mixed with music from Scotland? For the musically curious a Four…