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The deep meaning of random acts of wackiness
Star Tribune columnist Gail Rosenblum pens a story about a Mankato man originally from the Iron Range who developed a master prank that lasted years. A world traveler, Jim Moore, selected a North Dakota couple at random and sent them handwritten postcards from all over the world. The joke was that he pretended that he…
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We’re going to … Twins. We’re going to … sigh
I usually comment on the opening of the baseball season. It’s a time for hope and good feelings. But I was busy with the radio show this weekend and the Twins are awful, just awful. They are going to lose 100 games. Their pitching is bad and they have no offense. Their most expensive players…
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Tall Ships will return to Duluth harbor in 2013
UPDATE: Fresh info on how to see Tall Ships 2013. In 2010, the talk of Duluth and the surrounding region was tall ships. Masted wooden sailing vessels sailed into Duluth for a week of maritime festivities. Was it a big deal? Yes, according to a press release on WDIO.com: Tall Ships Duluth 2010 was the…
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Duluth named the jewel of the Rust Belt
Here’s a fun list of the most scenic cities in the Rust Belt. I know, I know. But Duluth is Number One and it’s a nice list. If I had to move to a city (and I don’t, and so I won’t) I’d probably follow a list like this right down the line. The list…
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Anderson internal poll shows tight, volatile DFL race in MN-8
An internal polling battle is afoot in MN-8. Last week Tarryl Clark released an internal poll showing a tight-three way race for the DFL nomination in Minnesota’s Eighth Congressional District. Her poll also involved some follow-up questioning that she said showed voters would be inclined to support her once they knew more about her. The…
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COLUMN: Confessions of the kitchen clueless
This is my Sunday column for the April 8, 2012 edition of the Hibbing Daily Tribune. A version of this piece aired on a recent episode of Northern Community Radio’s “Between You and Me.” Confessions of the kitchen cluelessBy Aaron J. Brown The trailer house where I grew up was like a proletarian U-Boat. I…
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Great Northern Radio Show airs tonight from Bemidji
Today’s the big day! Tune in as I host the Great Northern Radio Show, 5-7 p.m., on the Northern Community Radio network: 91.7 KAXE in northeastern Minnesota, 90.5 KBXE in north central Minnesota, 89.9 in Brainerd, and streaming live worldwide at www.kaxe.org. The show will broadcast live from the historic Chief Theatre in downtown Bemidji,…
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Boots on the ground for Great Northern Radio Show in Bemidji
Hey everybody, listen to this smooth talking gentleman exclaim the virtues of Bemidji: I’m in Bemidji today and tomorrow getting ready for Saturday night’s Great Northern Radio Show, live from the historic Chief Theatre from 5-7 p.m. You can listen live on 91.7 KAXE-Grand Rapids and the Iron Range, 89.9 in Brainerd and the new…
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Clark releases internal poll showing strength (upon prompting)
As reported last week, we now know that the three DFL candidates for Congress in Minnesota’s 8th Congressional district will likely compete in an August primary to face Rep. Chip Cravaack (R-MN8) next fall. Tarryl Clark’s campaign has sent me a memo touting Clark’s fundraising success (with numbers to be released next week) and highlights…
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The humor, history & stories of Bemidji Great Northern Radio Show
Music plays a central part in this Saturday night’s Great Northern Radio Show (live from the historic Chief Theatre in downtown Bemidji, 5-7 p.m.). But the show’s attitude comes from our live sketches and textured conversations between and about the people of northern Minnesota. I write most of the sketches for the show, with contributions…
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Why is the state legislature so awful?
This Minnpost commentary by Steven Dornfield answers the question, “Why has the quality of the state legislature declined?” Where are the statesmen and stateswomen? Why is compromise more difficult than ever? Why are bright, talented people avoiding runs for office, or leaving after a term or two? To summarize, the answer is because it is…
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A dying town fights back with awesomeness
My God in Heaven this is beautiful. A nine-minute YouTube video has cured me of my indifference toward Grand Rapids, Michigan. This film was apparently produced in response to a news story describing Grand Rapids, Mich., as a “dying town.” Not dead yet, as you can see. You know it’s good because all I can…
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Up-and-coming performers energize April 7 Great Northern Radio Show
The Great Northern Radio Show broadcasts live this Saturday, April 7 from the historic Chief Theatre in downtown Bemidji, Minnesota. One of the exciting things about this show is the large number of rising northern Minnesota musical artists we’ve booked. This is really a cross-generational show with some of Bemidji’s youngest talent playing alongside some…
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Shedding light on a dark chapter of Range policy
MPR has an informative update on the provision to shed more light on development deals under the purvey of the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board. A law that effectively hides key financial details about companies that receive agency funds was tucked in a conference bill a couple years ago to protect Excelsior Energy and…
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Jim Miller, Annie Humphrey among April 7 Great Northern Radio Show acts
While Two Many Banjos is doing a lot of heavy lifting in this Saturday’s Great Northern Radio Show at the historic Chief Theatre in downtown Bemidji, they aren’t the only A-list talent. We’re excited to welcome Bemidji area singer/songwriter Jim Miller to the show for a feature set. Jim is an experienced and downright beloved…