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The Management

Photo from I Can Has Cheezburger?

Posted by Corey Anderson at July 11, 2007 02:51 PM | Comments (0)

 

What would a lawyer do to clear his client of child sex abuse charges?

In this week's cover story, Devil's Advocate, writer Jonathan Kaminsky delves into the difficult tasks law enforcement and the medical community face when dealing with alleged victims of sexual abuse by examining the case of Daniel Jourdain, who was accused of abusing his 11-year-old nephew. An excerpt: "As [pediatrician Carolyn Levitt] explains it, the objective of the interview, which is conducted in one of the clinic's two exam rooms, is to collect salient details from reticent children while steering clear of leading questions. 'You have to make sure the child is sturdy enough to tell their own story,' she says. Sturdiness matters because if the child tells of sexual abuse during the interview, and if Levitt and her staff make a finding that is consistent with abuse having occurred, odds are the tape will be admitted as evidence for the prosecution in a subsequent criminal case." Read the cover story here, them come back to join the conversation.

Posted by Corey Anderson at July 11, 2007 09:23 AM | Comments (0)

 

7/11 Morning Communiqué

CITY PAGES BLOGS AND NEWS

Peter Schilling Jr. recaps the 2007 All-Star Game at Balls.

We proudly welcome back lawyer and author Elaine Cassel to her blog Civil Liberties Watch.

Download free MP3s from local artists such as Askeleton, the Hopefuls, Chris Koza, M.anifest, the Plastic Constellations, and more at Music To Go.

THESE DAYS

Pope Benedict XVI has reasserted the universal primacy of the Roman Catholic Church, approving a document released Tuesday that says Orthodox churches were defective and that other Christian denominations were not true churches.

The University of Oregon study notes 90 per cent of 294 network-affiliated television stations studied contained at least 1 instance per newscast of stealth advertising.

MINNESOTA BLOG OF THE DAY

Minneapolis moderate Curt Prins offers up 17 syllables on politics, and the local and national media that covers it at Politiku: Political Haiku.

[Minnesota-based blog directory]

TIME WASTERS

From Cracked.com: 11 Movies Saved by Historical Inaccuracy

D.C. Madam Deborah Jeane Palfrey's phone records

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

"I think that Harry's story comes to quite a clear end, sadly. But I've always said that I wouldn't say never."

— Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, not ruling out a return to Hogwarts following the release of the final book of the series on July 21

"Men's magazines have nipples so why don't women have a magazine where men show their penises?"

— Fantastic Four actress Jessica Alba, looking for more than tips for dry skin from women's magazines, as quoted in the British edition of GQ

Posted by Corey Anderson at July 11, 2007 01:16 AM | Comments (0)

 

Matt Smith joins City Pages as Managing Editor

Veteran journalist Matt Smith will be the new managing editor at City Pages, Village Voice Media announced today. He replaces Michael Tortorello, who is resigning to pursue other interests.

Smith has nearly twenty years of experience as an editor and writer for major city and regional magazines. He is the former managing editor of VVM's SF Weekly in San Francisco, and before that held positions as news editor of the Los Angeles Times magazine, senior editor of California magazine (owned by Texas Monthly), and associate editor of New West (a sister publication of New York magazine). For several years he made his living as a freelance editor and writer, and he served for six years as the fundraising director of a non-profit employment agency for homeless people in Los Angeles.

Continue reading "Matt Smith joins City Pages as Managing Editor"

Posted by Corey Anderson at July 10, 2007 03:22 PM | Comments (0)

 

7/10 Morning Communiqué

CITY PAGES BLOGS AND NEWS

The City Pages Media Taster lets you actually hear the great music you read about in City Pages—just launch, click, and listen. Simply download the Media Taster and you'll automatically receive a digital mixtape of music on a semi-regular basis (including free MP3s), legal and free of charge. A new Taster has been posted today!

THESE DAYS

A Chewbacca impersonator is still on the loose after sexually assaulting a Marilyn Monroe impersonator in front of the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood in June.

According to a government study, antidepressants have become the most commonly prescribed drugs in the United States. They're prescribed more than drugs to treat high blood pressure, high cholesterol, asthma, or headaches.

Adult film star Syvette Wimberly is being sued by a former high school classmate, Kristen Syvette Wimberly, for using her name while starring in films such as Anal Camera 19.

MINNESOTA BLOG OF THE DAY

Marty Andrade and Captain Bogs deliver a mid-season analysis of the Twins, question the threat of global warming, and ruminate on the works of Ayn Rand at Martin Andrade Blogs.

[Minnesota-based blog directory]

TIME WASTERS

Ten Politically Incorrect Truths about Human Nature from Psychology Today

The results of Slate's action-movie one-liner contest

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

"They aren't going to wake up and it's a dream, like it's some episode of 'Dallas.'"

— comic book writer Jeph Loeb, on the death of super-hero Captain America after 66 years in print

Posted by Corey Anderson at July 10, 2007 06:35 AM | Comments (3)

 

A bad day fishing

On July 9, 2005, Dewayne Davidson was fishing along the banks of the Mississippi River in Minneapolis when he decided to take a nap. The Mankato resident's sleep was interrupted, however, by the sound of a barking dog.

According to a lawsuit filed last week in U.S. District Court, Davidson stood up and saw a man with a flashlight. He was worried that he was going to be robbed. "Get your ass up here now you scum bag, you homeless scum bag," the man purportedly said. The stranger was subsequently identified at Minneapolis police officer Mark Lanassa.

Davidson was ordered to the ground. After he complied, Davison claims, he was set upon by a police dog. The canine bit into his left leg and held on for a "lengthy period of time," according to the lawsuit. Davidson further charges that Lanassa kicked him in the testicles and ribs, along with punching him in the face.

Continue reading "A bad day fishing"

Posted by Paul Demko at July 09, 2007 03:03 PM | Comments (1)

 

Injured vets advocate wheels into Eau Claire en route to New York

"Hang on, there's a big tractor going by," says the Dutchman, speaking over his cell phone from his electric wheelchair on Highway 12, somewhere between Eau Claire and Black River Falls, Wisconsin. In a journey that has so far resembled a cross between a walkathon and The Straight Story, the Dutchman (Robert William Van Vranken II) has been wheeling across Minnesota since June 1, raising money and awareness for injured war veterans through his website. He's headed for Chicago, and ultimately New York, pitching a tent at campsites along the way.

"I'm in Augusta, Wisconsin, and I'm cruising down the highway and you know what?" he says. "I've got the quietest vehicle on the road."

Continue reading "Injured vets advocate wheels into Eau Claire en route to New York"

Posted by Pete Scholtes at July 09, 2007 11:10 AM | Comments (1)

 

7/9 Morning Communiqué

CITY PAGES BLOGS AND NEWS

Steve Monaco has posted the newest Monday Movie Quiz at Couch Pundit.

The City Pages Media Taster lets you actually hear the great music you read about in City Pages—just launch, click, and listen. Simply download the Media Taster and you'll automatically receive a digital mixtape of music on a semi-regular basis (including free MP3s), legal and free of charge.

THESE DAYS

The number of U.S.-paid private contractors in Iraq now exceeds that of American combat troops, newly released figures show.

On June 29, Sprint sent letters notifying some customers that their service would be canceled by the end of July due to excessive calls to customer service.

Pew Research Center reports show that the rate of non-marital childbearing has ballooned to 36.8% of all births in 2005, from 5.3% in 1960. [via Undernews]

MINNESOTA BLOG OF THE DAY

Margaret and Max keep a close eye on the local trouble spots at Minneapolis/St. Paul Crime Watch.

[Minnesota-based blog directory]

TIME WASTERS

Who was the best athlete to wear the number 7? John Elway or Mickey Mantle? Sports Illustrated picks the best athletes by number.

Heavy Metal quilts: Quiltsrÿche

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

"At first it was kind of funny to see these people wandering around the downtown streets and filing into the hotel, but after the novelty wore off it just made everyone feel creepy."

— Milwaukee Brewers broadcaster Jim Powell, on the team's recent road trip to Pittsburgh, staying in a hotel where a furry convention was in progress [via Deadspin]

Posted by Corey Anderson at July 09, 2007 06:38 AM | Comments (0)

 

Vang Pao devoted his life to fighting communism in Laos—until the U.S. government arrested him

The most recent issue of Orange County Weekly features a story on former Royal Lao Army General Vang Pao and the recent arrest for his involvement in the secret purchase of millions of dollars worth of AK-47s, C-4 explosives and Stinger missiles. Dubbed Operation Popcorn, the armaments, along with hundreds of American mercenaries, would be smuggled from Thailand to Hmong insurgents in Laos. An excerpt: "If convicted, Vang faces a possible sentence of life in prison. Thousands of Hmong gathered in Sacramento to protest his arrest, many of them chanting, 'Free Vang Pao!' and charging the U.S. government with betraying Vang, who has for decades openly advocated a violent overthrow of the Laotian government. As recently as February 2007, the New Republic quoted Vang bragging that he would pull off a coup in Laos sometime this year. 'The U.S. has better rifles, better guns than the communists,' Vang said. 'If they give me the guns, I can conquer Laos in 2007. I still believe I can do it.' Despite this, Vang's lawyer, John Balazs, quickly released a statement declaring Vang's innocence." Read Nick Shou's story, The General's Last Stand, here.

Related: The Last Place on Earth, The Outsiders, Exodus

Posted by Corey Anderson at July 06, 2007 01:58 PM | Comments (0)

 

7/6 Morning Communiqué

CITY PAGES BLOGS AND NEWS

Like the Gospel of Judas or the Dead Sea scrolls, Diablo Cody uncovers one of her early fictional blogs at Pussy Ranch.

The City Pages Media Taster lets you actually hear the great music you read about in City Pages—just launch, click, and listen. Simply download the Media Taster and you'll automatically receive a digital mixtape of music on a semi-regular basis (including free MP3s), legal and free of charge.

THESE DAYS

A new Minnesota state law requires all U.S. flags sold in the state to be manufactured in America.

The U.S. military is seeking to improve conditions for many Guantanamo Bay detainees by offering more recreation and activities, including a weekly movie night for the best-behaved.

A district judge in Washington state has allowed Jason Burrows to change his middle name to "Megatron."

MINNESOTA BLOG OF THE DAY

Paul Allen is an elementary teacher from Minneapolis who offers up punny one-panel cartoons three times a week at Brain Clouds.

[Minnesota-based blog directory]

TIME WASTERS

Buy a beer for the baggage handler who helped a lone police officer subdue a suspected terrorist who drove a burning car into Scotland's Glasgow Airport last week.

Monty Python's Lumberjack Song in German

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

"In America there's someone willing to pretend to be offended by everything and so we annoy people and that's part of the appeal. It's to entertain people and also to annoy a certain segment of the audience as well."

— Simpsons creator Matt Groening, on a scene in the upcoming Simpsons Movie which features Bart Simpson skateboarding through Springfield in the buff

Posted by Corey Anderson at July 06, 2007 06:20 AM | Comments (0)

 

Shane and Amy make a press release

Kevin Smith's latest film is to be called Zach and Miri Make a Porno. The script is apparently about a pair of 30-something slackers who, inspired by their upcoming 15-year high school reunion, decide to make a porn film. It's slated to begin filming in Minnesota in February.

According to Shane Bugbee, the movie was inspired by his experiences in Ely, Minnesota. Bugbee is the satanist-turned-blueberry-soda salesman who claims to have been run out of bucolic Ely, Minnesota fearing for his life after word of his past surfaced. (See "Sympathy for the Devil".) Bugbee then went to L.A. and produced a porn film, "The Witches Sabbath."

Continue reading "Shane and Amy make a press release"

Posted by Paul Demko at July 05, 2007 02:07 PM | Comments (0)

 

Is too much water wasted in the creation of ethanol?

In this week's news feature, Sucked Dry, writer Conrad Wilson looks at the burgeoning ethanol industry in Minnesota, and wonders whether we're depleting one natural resource while trying to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. An exceprt: "The industry uses massive amounts of water. It's a key component during the fermentation and cooling stages of ethanol production. And most plants in the state are much less efficient than Granite Falls, which has the benefit of being located near another water source. Minnesota Energy, a plant in Buffalo Lake, uses 4.5 gallons of water to produce just one gallon of ethanol." Read the story here, then come back to join the conversation.

Posted by Corey Anderson at July 05, 2007 01:05 PM | Comments (11)

 

7/5 Morning Communiqué

CITY PAGES BLOGS AND NEWS

Who won the latest Great Actors Smackdown between Tom Cruise and John Travolta? Couch Pundit has the answer.

We're adding new articles like DVD and game reviews every day. Use our Recent Article RSS feed to check for new content:

THESE DAYS

A Marion County judge said lap dances in Salem are protected by the free speech provisions of the Oregon Constitution.

A Winnipeg businessman has launched Porno Pizza, a delivery-only pizza business that places pornography where you would usually find only cardboard—under the pizza.

MINNESOTA BLOG OF THE DAY

Aaron Landry shows off his sweet new iPhone at his eponymous blog.

[Minnesota-based blog directory]

TIME WASTERS

LOL metal bands

Top 10 Least Intelligent Dogs

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

"I found it under my pillow once, I found it in between the drapes and once I found it in the kitchen drawer."

— Colorado resident Flora Zimbelman, who traded the same uncooked hot dog with her sister Rose for 54 years until Rose's death earlier this year

Posted by Corey Anderson at July 05, 2007 06:37 AM | Comments (2)

 

7/4 Morning Communiqué

John Doe and His Rockin' Band - "Fourth of July"
Dante's, Portland, OR - June 15, 2007

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."

— excerpt from the Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776

Posted by Corey Anderson at July 04, 2007 02:25 AM | Comments (0)

 

7/3 Morning Communiqué

CITY PAGES BLOGS AND NEWS

DVD reviews this week include Chancer: Series 1, Welcome to the Grindhouse, The Taste of Tea, and more.

Find out when any City Pages blogs have been updated by using the City Pages Blog RSS Feed:

THESE DAYS

Thieves in Myanmar's main city, Yangon, are taking advantage of outages often lasting for more than 20 hours a day to steal the copper power cables.

Over the weekend, 7-Eleven Inc. turned a dozen stores into Kwik-E-Marts to promote July 27 opening of The Simpsons Movie.

Cow pies used to produce ethanol in a small Nebraska town may soon be help to lower the price at the gas pump.

MINNESOTA BLOG OF THE DAY

Dan Feidt blogs on presidential candidate Ron Paul, the Lone Gunmen, Middle East foreign policy, and Rosie O'Donnell as 9/11 conspiracy theorist at Hong Pong.

[Minnesota-based blog directory]

TIME WASTERS

1000 films to see before you die by the Guardian

The best foreign remakes of American films, also from the Guardian

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

"Rednecks love quality, too."

— Mike Schilling, owner of SchillingBridge Winery & MicroBrewery, on the launch of Git-R-Done beer, named for Larry the Cable Guy's catchphrase

Posted by Corey Anderson at July 03, 2007 06:32 AM | Comments (0)

 

7/2 Morning Communiqué

CITY PAGES BLOGS AND NEWS

Steve Monaco has posted today's Monday Movie Quiz at Couch Pundit.

Find out when any City Pages blogs have been updated by using the City Pages Blog RSS Feed:

THESE DAYS

The FBI has sent a nationwide alert to scuba instructors to watch for a number of suspicious behaviors among diving students that the agency says could be signs of criminal activity.

Muslim boxer Omar Shaick was yesterday handed a two-year ban by Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority officials for refusing to give a urine sample because his religion prohibits him from exposing his genitals to strangers.

Space Adventures, headquartered in Vienna, Virginia, is in negotiations with the customers who will fly the first private expedition to circumnavigate the moon at $100 million per passenger.

MINNESOTA BLOG OF THE DAY

Erinclot lives in northeast Minneapolis and blogs about burning arm pits, pulling thirty pounds of pork, and company weight-loss contests at Stanley in the City.

[Minnesota-based blog directory]

TIME WASTERS

The top 10 dead (or dying) computer skills according to ComputerWorld

Countdown from 100 with quotes from 100 movies [via Fimoculous]

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

"Canada could make exactly the same claim. The Canadians could say that the Lomonosov ridge is part of the Canadian shelf, which means Russia should in fact belong to Canada, together with the whole of Eurasia."

— Sergey Priamikov, the international co-operation director of Russia's Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute in St. Petersburg, on the Kremlin's recent conclusion that it owns part of the oil-rich North Pole

Posted by Corey Anderson at July 02, 2007 06:41 AM | Comments (0)

 

House Arrest: Minneapolis city council sets size limits on new homes

Is your modest-size home currently dwarfed by your neighbor's ostentatious quasi-mansion? Do you endure pangs of inadequacy every time you drive by that smug bastard's oversize monolith of a house, what with its soaring overhangs and looming facades mocking your every sense of conventional modesty? Well fear not! That sumbitch's oneupmanship is henceforth outlawed! [shaking fist]

In a unanimous vote on June 29, the Minneapolis city council approved an ordinance that "address[es] resident concerns over the size and bulk of new homes" and "encourages traditional building features." After the ordinance takes effect (most likely next week after Mayor Rybak okays it), new homes will be forbidden from exceeding half the square footage of their lots and will be prohibited from surpassing 35 feet in height or two-and-a-half stories, whichever is less.

Continue reading "House Arrest: Minneapolis city council sets size limits on new homes"

Posted by Matt Snyders at June 29, 2007 04:21 PM | Comments (6)

 

South St. Paul: New home to Chuck Norris Park?

No good deed goes unpranked it seems. The South St. Paul Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission is inviting residents to submit a name for the Port Crosby Area to be officially named as a park. What was once a demolition landfill will soon be a public park, quite possibly the Chuck Norris Park if pranksters filling out the naming form on the South St. Paul city website have their way. Rumor has it the e-suggestion box has been getting stuffed with the name of the aging martial arts artist, with the "significance of name" field peppered with those beloved Chuck Norris facts, such as "There is no theory of evolution, just a list of creatures Chuck Norris allows to live." The inspiration for these monkeyshines comes from an online poll conducted last year by Hungarian officials to name a new bridge across the river Danube in Budapest. The Walker, Texas Ranger star held the lead in that poll over Hungary's first king and a beloved children's book character for much of the voting.

Posted by Corey Anderson at June 29, 2007 04:18 PM | Comments (5)

 

Spotted: iPhone line, AT&T store, Ridgedale Drive, Mtka, 10:00 a.m.

City Pages art director Nick Vlcek spotted a dozen people patiently waiting outside of the AT&T store near Ridgedale at 10:00 this morning. The trucks should be rolling in around 4:00 this afternoon, delivering the coveted iPhones that will go on sale at AT&T and Apple stores at 6:00 p.m., as well as at apple.com.

Posted by Corey Anderson at June 29, 2007 03:41 PM | Comments (1)

 

Doh! A Deer!

The Department of Natural Resources has a question: What do you think of Minnesota's population of cloven-hooved rats?

Ecologists have indicted the species—better known to the public as the white-tailed deer—for all manner of crimes against humanity and the natural world. (See "Bambi Must Die," 11/04/04.) The species' rap sheet includes: spreading bovine TB, plundering crops, consuming gardens, stripping new growth in forests, devouring ground-nesting birds, and spoiling the grills on 20,000 Minnesota vehicles each year.

In response, Minnesota's Department of Natural Resources has started to take the first toddling steps toward getting the state's deer population under firmer control. This has mostly involved expanding the hunt for antlerless deer—that is, reproducing does.

Continue reading "Doh! A Deer!"

Posted by Michael Tortorello at June 29, 2007 09:32 AM | Comments (1)

 

6/29 Morning Communiqué

THESE DAYS

Preliminary studies by the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg suggest that daytime napping in young children may be linked to poorer sleep and mental functioning than in their peers who only sleep at night.

Indonesia's vice president believes marijuana should remain an illegal drug, but those who sprinkle it in traditional dishes shouldn't be punished.

MINNESOTA BLOG OF THE DAY

Sascha is a cyclist from Minneapolis who blogs about the Nature Valley Grand Prix, packing a bike for air travel, and elevation profiles of her races at First and Last and Always.

[Minnesota-based blog directory]

TIME WASTERS

Beef jerky underwear

Will Ferrell and little Pearl are back in Good Cop, Baby Cop

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

"Well, it's jail food. It's not supposed to be good."

— Paris Hilton, on Larry King Live, describing the cuisine in the slammer

Posted by Corey Anderson at June 29, 2007 06:36 AM | Comments (0)

 

Easy like Sunday morning

It's not every day—or every decade—that a local TV station adds a public affairs program. And a public affairs program devoted to the multicultural experience in the Twin Cities? You might as well look through a telescope for a show like that to arrive on the Kuiper belt.

Granted, Channel 45 isn't far from the outer reaches of the television universe. KSTC is the kooky sister to KSTP-TV (Channel 5)—a place for monster movies and Matthew Lesko infomercials to run wild—and it's there that Hubbard Broadcasting has installed Crossroads. Since its kick-off a month ago, the program has examined mission work in Haiti, domestic violence, stand-out dads, and "Mocha Moms" (a support group for stay-at-home women of color).

Hosting the show each week is Sheletta Brundidge, who describes herself on her blog as a part-time assignment editor at KSTP news, a "full-time mom," a regular guest on KTCA's Almanac, a columnist for the Spokesman-Recorder (whew...take a deep breath; we're almost done), and a semifinalist in Nick at Night's Funniest Mom in America competition.

Continue reading "Easy like Sunday morning"

Posted by Michael Tortorello at June 28, 2007 04:29 PM | Comments (0)

 

6/28 Morning Communiqué

THESE DAYS

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology reported that they had successfully reversed mental retardation in mice.

British landlord Bob Beech is getting around a forthcoming cigarette ban by turning his bar in Southampton into an embassy for the uninhabited island of Redonda, which is 35 miles off Antigua.

MINNESOTA BLOG OF THE DAY

Philip and Alvey conduct interviews and record podcasts about beer, with a local angle, at What Ale's Thee?

[Minnesota-based blog directory]

TIME WASTERS

Canadian family band The Bordens' 1980 cover of the Star Wars theme [via BoingBoing]

Some Novelty Items That Never Caught On [via McSweeney's]

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

"I've heard he's been called Bush's poodle. He's bigger than that."

— Pres. George W. Bush, on British Prime Minister Tony Blair's leaving office, replaced by former Treasury chief Gordon Brown

Posted by Corey Anderson at June 28, 2007 06:26 AM | Comments (0)

 

The b-girls have their say

In this week's cover story, Where the Ladies at?, writer Peter S. Scholtes profiles local female hip hop artists and the struggles they face in the broader community of MCs. An excerpt: "[Crazy] Amy doesn't remember the name of her attacker. 'I try to forget the bad things that I can't really do anything about,' she says. But the incident illustrates the hard edge of a broader stupidity: the producer who withholds services from a female rapper unless payment is made with sex, the male graffiti writer who spreads rumors about the girl who spent all night spray-painting with the boys, even a well-meaning parent who warns a daughter of the physical risks of breakdancing.'" Check out the cover story here and the gallery of B-Girl Be artists here, then come back to join the conversation.

Editor's note: Our cover story on B-Girl Be misattributed an off-color remark to choreographer Amy Sackett, a.k.a. Suga Mama of the Rhythm QueenZ. In fact, the banter came from another b-girl present at the same photo shoot. At no time did Sackett—a veteran dancer, teacher, and scene supporter—make any sexual joke or gesture. City Pages regrets the error. The online version reflects the corrected text.

Posted by Corey Anderson at June 27, 2007 09:01 AM | Comments (22)

 

6/27 Morning Communiqué

CITY PAGES BLOGS AND NEWS

Check out Dessa, Protegee, Mad Fresh, Desdamona, and other participants in B-Girl Be in our gallery section.

Peter Schilling Jr. offers analysis on last night's Twins-Blue Jays duel at Balls.

We're adding new articles like DVD and game reviews every day. Use our Recent Article RSS feed to check for new content:

THESE DAYS

Despite receiving more than ten thousand comments from consumers and family farmers opposing various aspects of a late May 2007 proposal, the USDA has approved a rule that will allow 38 new non-organic ingredients to be allowed in products bearing the "USDA Organic" seal.

State Secretary William Galvin says the federal Justice Department is pressuring Boston election officials to translate political candidates' names into Chinese characters in precincts with prominent Chinese-speaking populations.

MINNESOTA BLOG OF THE DAY

Find posts on cooking with soft drinks, becoming a Home Depot addict, and the joys of heating pads at the Prudent Hedonist.

[Minnesota-based blog directory]

TIME WASTERS

The Picasso car

A laser-etched Mr. Spock Matza [via BoingBoing]

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

"The combination of the triple stacker, the lack of good water, and the heat is a bad combination for them."

— Border Patrol agent Jesus Rodriguez, discussing the drugs and energy drinks some illegal immigrants are using to assist their trek across the U.S. border. A "triple stacker" is an ephedrine pill, an aspirin, and a can of Red Bull to wash it down.

Posted by Corey Anderson at June 27, 2007 12:30 AM | Comments (0)

 

6/26 Morning Communiqué

CITY PAGES BLOGS AND NEWS

It was a night of a thousand blunders as the Twins fell to the Blue Jays. Peter Schilling Jr. accompanies on movie house piano at Balls.

We remember the Swiss climber whose expedition team forged the path Sir Edmund Hillary used to reach the peak of Mt. Everest at Corpus Obscurum.

The City Pages Media Taster lets you actually hear the great music you read about in City Pages—just launch, click, and listen. Simply download the Media Taster and you'll automatically receive a digital mixtape of music on a semi-regular basis (including free MP3s), legal and free of charge. A new taster has been posted today.

THESE DAYS

Moritz Embroidery Works in Pennsylvania contracted with the U.S. military to make more than three million American flag patches, but federal prosecutors are claiming the patches were outsourced to a company in Thailand.

Canadian students could soon be graduating from "Taco Bell High" or "Wal-Mart Public School" if trustees go ahead with a plan to sell school naming rights to corporations to raise extra funds.

MINNESOTA BLOG OF THE DAY

The Armato Design & Press studio of Minneapolis blogs about print, industrial, and logo design and more at Green Zebra.

[Minnesota-based blog directory]

TIME WASTERS

A New Jersey Chinese Crested and Chihuahua mix named Elwood has been crowned the World's Ugliest Dog—a pale substitute for the original

A 1982 commercial starring General Hospital's Anthony Geary hawking Members Only jackets [via This Just In]

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

"Do you know what you're planning on getting your beautiful wife? Whatever she wants, right?"

— Country singer Wynnona, asking President Bush if he had done his Christmas shopping yet, during a June 24 taping at Ford's Theatre of an ABC holiday special airing in December

Posted by Corey Anderson at June 26, 2007 06:09 AM | Comments (1)

 

6/25 Morning Communiqué

CITY PAGES BLOGS AND NEWS

Check out dozens of photos from yesterday's Ashley Rukes GLBT Pride Parade in our gallery section.

Steve Monaco has posted this week's Monday Movie Quiz at Couch Pundit.

Japanese punkers Melt Banana had the Entry quaking last night. Read Christopher Matthew Jensen's review and view Daniel Corrigan's photos in our gallery section.

Peter Schilling Jr. recaps the Twins' victory over the Marlins, including some heavy hitting by Johan Santana, at Balls.

We're adding new articles like DVD and game reviews every day. Use our Recent Article RSS feed to check for new content:

THESE DAYS

The sugar found in fruit such as apples and oranges can be converted into a new type of low-carbon fuel for cars, according to scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. [via Undernews]

Four percent of U.S. adults have never had sex in their lives, and the figure climbs to 12 percent in the case of Mexican-Americans, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

An Alaska man has pleaded guilty to selling more than 100 fur seal penises to a local gift shop that intended to sell the items as an aphrodisiac.

MINNESOTA BLOG OF THE DAY

Steve McPherson reviews concerts, discusses local music, and interviews musicians at Signal Eats Noise.

[Minnesota-based blog directory]

TIME WASTERS

2007 Key Art Awards for best movie poster artwork

The 25 Worst Movie Sequels of All Time

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

"It was Iwo Jima to us when we took it. We'll recognize whatever the Japanese want to call it but we'll stick to Iwo Jima."

— Retired Marine Maj. Gen. Fred Haynes, commenting on Japan's renaming the island of Iwo Jima to its pre-World War II name, Iwo To, at the urging of its original inhabitants

Posted by Corey Anderson at June 25, 2007 06:44 AM | Comments (0)

 

Minneapolis enforces citywide curfew, Mayor Rybak to read bedtime stories on MTN

With summer in full swing, city officials are looking to cut down on curfew violations through the awkwardly titled "10 Home, Bed, Fed" awareness campaign. For instance, were you aware that it's illegal for a child under 12 to be out past 9 p.m. on a weekday? Or that anyone under 18 must be home before 11 p.m. by government decree?

"Our goal is to prevent curfew violations by partnering with parents to keep kids safe," Mayor Rybak said in a press release.

Good, we say. There are simply too many heinous things for 11-year-olds to do after 9 p.m. They might play hide-and-go-seek after dusk. Or run about catching fireflies at nightfall. Or embark on late-night exploratory bike rides.

Continue reading "Minneapolis enforces citywide curfew, Mayor Rybak to read bedtime stories on MTN"

Posted by Matt Snyders at June 22, 2007 03:02 PM | Comments (4)

 

6/22 Morning Communiqué

CITY PAGES BLOGS AND NEWS

Peter Schilling Jr. gives his thoughts about whether Torii Hunter should be traded at Balls.

It's John Travolta vs. Tom Cruise in the Great Actor Smackdown at Couch Pundit.

Shuffle your iTunes and give us your Friday Random Ten at American Idle.

Download free MP3s from local artists such as Cloud Cult, the Hopefuls, Digitata, M.anifest, Flock of Doug, and more at Music To Go.

THESE DAYS

Sen. Minority Whip Trent Lott left reporters scratching their heads when he used the electrified fence surrounding the goats at his home in Mississippi as an analogy while discussing a fence on the United State-Mexico border.

Horror movie director Wes Craven is suing his neighbor, Bio-Dome star Pauly Shore, alleging that water from the comedian's home seeped down a slope and damaged his property.

There are close to two million U.S. military veterans without health insurance or adequate access to health care, according to recent analysis of 2005 U.S. Census Bureau data.

MINNESOTA BLOG OF THE DAY

Becca blogs about throwing up moldy sandwiches, recently acquiring a therapist, her sad songs iTunes playlist, and raising an autistic son at The New Beccablog: Because I Said So.

[Minnesota-based blog directory]

TIME WASTERS

A U.S. map labelled with the names of countries with comparable GDPs [ya happy, Wege?]

Knit Crocheted TV dinner and moonshine [via Drawn!]

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

"Corny is hardly the word. There's more corn here than in Kansas."

— an excerpt from the Daily Mail's review of the "Lord of the Rings" musical which premiered in London's West End Tuesday night

Posted by Corey Anderson at June 22, 2007 06:27 AM | Comments (3)

 

Torii Hunter: Pohlad's ignoring me and Twins fans are dumb

We're paraphrasing. But Torii Hunter, in New York this week for a series against the Mets, granted an interview to the Daily News. Here's what this season's best Twin, whose contract is up this season, had to say:

"I want to be with the Twins and that's been my main goal, but I'm human and the silence makes you wonder. I think I'm a decent player. I can't believe there hasn't even been a conversation about it. That's tough to swallow."

OK, fair enough. The man wants to get paid. But what about this?

"I love Yankee Stadium. The atmosphere and energy there is great. And the fans know the game. When they get on you it can be pretty personal, but it's always about your baseball game. When someone screams, 'You just can't hit that slider,' that's someone who knows what they're talking about. You don't hear that kind of informed (chatter) in Minnesota."

Ouch.

Posted by Jonathan Kaminsky at June 21, 2007 09:30 AM | Comments (7)