Cable policy and the impact of policy on investment: Promote competition or utility?

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Watching the Minnesota Broadband Task Force gets me wondering about the impact policy can and does have on broadband expansion. So I was delighted when someone sent me an article on the impact of policy on cable expansion (The Cable Guys Need to Come Up with a Better Argument). The article is interesting – but for me the most interesting was a graph that outlines potential cause and effect of policy on cable investment… Continue Reading

Summer music begins: Koo Koo Kangaroo in the morning and Memory Lanes Block Party in the afternoon

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One of my favorite things about summer in the Twin Cities is an opportunity to see great music during the day. It’s great for all ages and for some of us that means no babysitter and a willing dance partner. What could be better!My favorite nine-year-old and I started the day at the Amsterdam Bar and Grill for Koo Koo Kangaroo’s CD Release Party. They actually had two release parties at the Amsterdam; a kid-friendly party during the day and a more adult-themed gig at night. We only attended the kid-show. Continue Reading

Twin Cities street art: Lake Street murals

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Got any plans for your summer? We plan to get out to see the street art in the Twin Cities — one street or neighborhood at a time. I’m a fan of srteet art; I’ve been lucky enough to see Banksy in New York, murals in Belfast and Blu in Berlin. This summer, I’ll be staying home but I figured there must be some sights to see in my home town, too. So my plan for the summer is long walks with a camera.We started with Lake Street — from the Lake Street Bridge to Lake Calhoun. Continue Reading

Underground music takes center stage this summer

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One of the problems of underground music, if you’re not 18, is going to underground locations to hear it. You find yourself at places with names like Fuck Mountain, which is not a band location but no one wants to leave that message on the fridge – “Kids, Pizza in oven. Went to Fuck Mountain. Be home by 10 pm. Love, Mom.”So for folks of all ages who have an interest in underground and experimental music, I have some good news. Continue Reading

Comic Con Minneapolis: Bringing out a little nerdiness in everyone

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Wizard World, better known as Comic Con, is in Minneapolis for the first time ever! Comic Con is a very popular fan convention. It attracts people from all walks of life who enjoy comics, cartoons, science fiction, gaming, fantasy, Dr. Who and more. Lots of people come in costume; lots of people don’t. Some costumes seem like a good excuse to go skimpy, others are scary and other are I don’t know what. Continue Reading

ARTS REVIEW | Art in Bloom at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts: A smell of summer

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Each Spring, for 31 years, the Minneapolis Institute of Arts (MIA) has partnered with local florists to bring flowers and art together to give us a glimpse of summer with Art in Bloom. No matter what’s really happening outside – it’s nice to know we’re guaranteed flowers inside. This year we really need that glimpse!The premise is simple, each florist creates a bouquet to be paired with a work of art from the collection. Sometimes the flowers match, sometimes they mimic, sometimes they enhance by contrasting. It’s a fun way to get a new look at the collection. Continue Reading

MUSIC REVIEW | Transitional Agony, Dromez, Gnawed, The Beheadresses and Juhyo at Kitty Cat Klub: Noise finds a new home

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Noise has found a new home at the Kitty Cat Klub. There have been a few shows there in the last month – and rumor has it more to come in the future. Monday night brought out some local noise performers who haven’t played in Minneapolis for a while, performers who shuffled into new configurations and one from out of town. I always feel new to the genre although I’ve been to quite a few shows now. I’m learning that one fun thing about noise is that everyone has a different interpretation. Continue Reading