Minnesota

Found: Camera and the kindness of strangers

By Alan Wilfahrt

I had been staying around my house for weeks. I had not been out to any public event since the end of August. I had done a number of small household projects, and was as my habit, I did some photography of the processes, but even those were done with little zeal. I was thinking I really needed to get out and participate in some activity.

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Minnesota immigrants: A net economic benefit

By Hart Van Denburg, TC Daily Planet

A new report by University of Minnesota Prof. Katherine Fennelly suggests that, rather than seeing immigrants as little more than a drain on the state's economy, Minnesota ought to be welcoming them as a key positive economic influence.

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December holidays, week 1

By Amy Rea

I feel like I'm doing everything in a series format these days. First the literary scavenger hunt, and now we're arriving at the peak festival season in Minnesota. The month of December is an exceptionally busy one for this festival-fond state. To try and get as much coverage as possible without making a web page that's a mile long, I'm going to report weekly this month. Today's installment will include events through Sunday, Dec. 6. Check back next Monday for the following week. Also check my blog on WCCO.com on Wed., Dec. 2, for a roundup of holiday tea spots.

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Three local gift guides

By Erica Mauter

I typically spend the holiday season railing against consumerism and telling everyone I know not to buy me any presents (which backfires when they insist and then make uninformed choices, you know). And then I stress out and impulse/desperation shop on xmas eve. So I'm trying to get a little ahead of the game. And spend my money where it counts.

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Minnesota schools that are just hanging on

By John Fitzgerald, Minnesota 2020

An injured swimmer can either sink or stay afloat. In some cases, the best he can do is hold steady. For many Minnesota school districts, "hold steady" is the best they can hope.

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Buttoning up for winter

By Dave Healy, Park Bugle

The conventional wisdom is that you have to spend money to save money. Homeowners find that true when fixing up a house. For example, although adding insulation will save in heating costs over the long haul, it requires an up-front investment.

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NEWS DAY | Stinson vs. Pawlenty on Minnesota economic forecast

By Mary Turck, News Day

Who cares about facts? State Economist Tom Stinson does, reports the Star Tribune

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On to Wisconsin Point

By Deborah Locke

On an unusually warm November day, the Indian Scout and I headed for Lake Superior's Wisconsin Point to gauge the trash situation. To our relief, not much garbage marred the famous three-mile sand bar for which FDL Band Members once literally fought tooth and nail.

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Made in MN 2009: Homegrown holidays

By Lee Egerstrom and Katie Mertz, Minnesota 2020

One Minnesota-made gift from Sweetgrass Trading Company - Virginia

It's the time of year when people gather for holiday parties and receptions and to entertain. That means it is also time for Minnesota 2020 to renew its "buy local" campaign for the third year. A severe recession lingers despite some promising signs it may be bottoming out and a slow recovery may be starting. But "happy days" are not here again - at least not yet.

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Health insurance a barrier to Minnesota's innovation

By Nina Slupphaug

Here at MN 2020 we are hard at work getting ready for the holidays. We just released our annual buy local report, and I have been calling around to local businesses and artists to see if we can feature their products in our gift guide. As I've been doing this my mind has been filled with jolly Christmas-like thoughts of hot chocolate, Christmas cookies, and warm things made with wool. We are highlighting these local entrepreneurs because they produce amazing items for all of us and they are a vital contribution to our local economy. There are a lot of incredibly talented people in this state and the products they make proves it.

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