I have noticed the State Fairgrounds getting busier and busier. Folks have been breaking in the place and the anticipation is enough to stave off the pangs that come with the last gasp of summer. Over the next two weeks, a lot of people, young and old, will be back to school. Something will be different soon, if nothing else than a temporary reprieve from the change of scenery, staving off the fits of boredom that visit youngsters and some of us grownups who insist to a parent or caretaker, “There’s nothing to do!” Continue Reading
The Anti-War Committee of Minnesota continued their protests this week. This time, the group set their sights on another Minnesota lawmaker and the mainstream media for what the protesters call a complacency over the ongoing violence between Israel and Palestine.
Living in the neighborhoods surrounding the Minnesota State Fair grounds has many advantages, including easy access to all the events that take place at the grounds year-round.
A longtime exhibit and entertainment area at the Minnesota State Fair, most recently known as Heritage Square is, well, history, with a shiny, multimillion-dollar upgrade rising in its place.
Andy Driscoll, longtime KFAI volunteer and host of Truth To Tell, passed away on Sunday, July 20th at the age of 74. Andy had spent years in a struggle against pulmonary disease, and within the past year he went through chemotherapy for esophageal cancer and endured a series of strokes. In spite of the challenges, Andy continued to work with his Truth To Tell team to produce compelling radio programs through his nonprofit organization, Civic Media Minnesota.Andy’s final KFAI broadcast was a conversation on June 23rd about the recent trials of the Minnesota Orchestra and the renewed excitement of classical music fans with the signing of a musician contract and the return of Osmo Vanska. Appropriately, Andy’s sign-off was followed by another rich, deep voice – a cello played by the orchestra’s own Tony Ross. The audio of that program is included on this page [below].A tribute to Andy is in the planning stages.His fellow KFAI volunteers have expressed their sadness at Andy’s passing and their appreciation of his talents and passion. Continue Reading
I just wanted to take a moment to thank TC Daily Planet’s editor, Mary Turck, for all she’s done for me and for the Planet. Mary’s last day is on Tuesday, July 15th and I’ve been preparing myself mentally and emotionally for her departure. My mentor, editor, collaborator and friend, I owe so much to her for her guidance and support.As someone who had zero training in journalism before I started contributing to TCDP in 2008, I had a lot to learn. Over the years I’ve gotten a lot of help from the staff and my fellow writers at the organization- Jay Gabler, Lisa Peterson de la Cueva and Ann Alquist, to name a few- but Mary has been the person that has encouraged me to take on the most challenging stories, has helped me wade through the wonkiest issues, has helped me find my voice as a writer and been my ally and defender when the waters got rough.With her strong sense of justice and her keen eye for bullshit, she has had no fear as an editor. Her background in law has been a handy asset in the trickiest of stories, but most of all she is always the quickest to tell when something just doesn’t seem right.She’s also patient as she guides new writers through the process, helping people at whatever stage they are at write the best story they can write. Continue Reading
