You remember Krok and Krok Talk on KSTP AM-1500, right?
He was the abrasive guy with nothing much to say worth listening to.
Well, he got canned a couple of years ago, and made a move to Atlanta's
WSB AM-750 station, where he carried on his late night follies. He
morphed into an anti-immigration guy (watch
this) and even got himself videotaped being zapped with a Taser for
publicity.
Well, according to Radio-Info.com,
Krok just got Kanned at WSB. No reason was given, but he's out. What
happens now? Well, I doubt he'll be back in the Twin Cities (fingers
crossed). I'm thinking a downward move is next for Krok Talk. Maybe he
can get a new gig somewhere like Des Moines or Springfield.
See Ya, Krok!
12-5-07
Comments? Email
Me!
And the loser of this award is Ron Shara's pet cremation
ad, running non-stop on KSTP AM-1500, and who knows where else. What
were you thinking, Ron? Of course folks have to deal with the death of
their pets. They've been doing it since time immemorial. Do we really
need a reminder of that dozens of times a day, do you think?
Ease our aching hearts, Ron. If they ask you to do the
voiceover on another such ad, just say no. Stick to outdoor stuff.
That's what we love you for. We'll appreciate it.
8/27/07
Comments? Email
Me!
As usual, the Eastside of Saint Paul was ablaze last
night with July 4th fireworks. The sky bloomed with colorful bursts, as
residents openly broke the laws against flying and exploding fireworks.
It was an awesome sight, as fireworks of almost professional quality
were used by residents in almost every neighborhood in the city.
Actually, it's been going on for over a week, now.
Little notices in our Pioneer Press declared that Saint Paul
Police were going to crack down on such illegal fireworks. Apparently
that did not deter the displays one whit.
A short drive across the border into Wisconsin brings
you to fireworks sellers who offer an entire range of aerial displays.
They don't come cheap, but for many families, apparently, that's no more
of a deterrent than the police department's toothless threats.
From my perusal of the morning news, it doesn't appear
that any serious fires resulted from all the pyrotechnics. One boy was
seriously injured, and may lose the sight in both eyes due to a
fireworks accident, but it appears that he was setting off the fireworks
without adult supervision.
Nationwide, there were lots more injuries, though. And
even worse, a fireman in Ohio (off duty) shot and killed three people in
a dispute over noisy fireworks.
The bottom line here is that fireworks are an integral
part of our celebrations of Independence Day. If they're available,
they're going to be used. Folks determined to pop some M80s or fire
large mortar shells for aerial displays will drive hundreds of miles, if
necessary, to buy their fireworks. Here in Saint Paul, it's just a short
trip east on I-94 to get just about anything you want, right up to
aerial displays that are almost of the size used at professional
fireworks displays like the one at Taste of Minnesota.
It's clear that the existing laws do nothing to inhibit
the population's desire to make loud noises and light up the night sky.
It's clear that the Police Department of the City of Saint Paul didn't
really make any effort to enforce those laws anyhow.
Perhaps it's time to recognize that people are going to
use fireworks on the Fourth. They just are, and $1000 fines aren't going
to stop them, especially if the law's not even enforced. Instead, let's
regulate all this stuff, but allow it. Instead of shooting fireworks off
in crowded residential areas, let's move it to the parks, making family
fireworks a community affair.
Station fire trucks and paramedics at each park.
Designate an area in each park for shooting off the large aerial
displays, supervised by fire department personnel. Heck, most of our
parks include a lake, over which the aerial displays can be fired. Let's
make July 4th fireworks a community affair, instead of a dangerous,
clandestine business that defies enforcement.
Whaddya think?
7/5/07
Comments? Email
Me!
KSTP AM-1500's attorney cum talk show host imbedded his
foot firmly in his mouth again last evening. Now, he does this quite
frequently, so I only blog the most egregious of his shoe munching
escapades.
The topic was the poor woman who was ejaculated on by an
NWA employee recently on a flight. You all heard about it on the news
and read about it in the morning papers. The media loves to tell you
about stories like that, since they rarely get to use the word,
"ejaculate."
All the talk shows covered the story, too. Heck, it's a
natural for them. Certainly, there aren't enough stories with major
import for them to chat about. But Dave Thompson, in his typical
over-the-top style, took it a step farther.
On last night's show, Dave turned the tables on the
victim of this ugly and distasteful assault, more or less blaming her
for the assault. How could she not have known that this creep was up to
these shenanigans? He went so far as to bluntly say that she must have
been a willing participant in the flying frotteur's attack.
C'mon, Dave. You don't know what happened up there in
the sky. You weren't there, and the media did not provide a step-by-step
sequence of events in this situation. You haven't met or talked to the
victim, so you were just winging it. You even used the word
"moron" at one point in reference to the victim.
Sorry, Dave...you're the moron. Here's a clue for you:
Sexual assault victims don't invite their assaults. Sleeping on a plane
is not an invitation to sexual assault. Being a timid person is not an
invitation to a sexual assault. Being a woman is not an invitation
to a sexual assault. Grow up, Dave. Attack the assaulter, not
the victim.
There's plenty to talk about in the news, Dave. Real
stories that you might even know enough about to comment on. This
was not such a story. A woman was sexually assaulted on a plane by an
NWA employee. That's the story, and it's not one that needs half an hour
of mindless and accusatory chatter on your part.
There were other stories yesterday. The Scooter Libby
guilty verdict. A plane crash in Indonesia. VP Cheney's blood clot. This
woman's sexual assault was not a story that needed discussion. In fact,
you've added insult to this woman's pain over the assault by virtually
accusing her of being a willing participant. Oh, yes, your callers more
or less agreed with you, but that's to be expected, isn't it? Isn't call
screening a wonderful thing?
Grow up, Dave. It could have been your wife as the
victim, or your daughter. I'll bet you'd feel differently in that case.
Trash the attacker, please, not the victim.
Tell Dave how you feel. Email
Him!
3/7/07
Comments? Email
Me!
Dave Thompson is an attorney who moonlights as a talk
show host on KSTP, AM-1500. He's not very good at it, though, but that's
not the issue, really.
Last night, he got off on one of his favorite topics,
Keith Ellison's election to the U.S. House of Representatives. Like a
lot of other folks, he seems to have a problem with Ellison's plan to
use a Koran during the swearing-in ceremony. Unlike most educated folks,
though, he seems to have missed some stuff. Here's the deal, Dave:
There are some requirements for becoming a member of the
U.S. House of Representatives. Had Dave read the Constitution of the
United States, he might have found them in Article 1, Section 2, which
reads:
"No person shall be a Representative who shall
not have attained to the age of twenty five years, and been seven years
a citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an
inhabitant of that state in which he shall be chosen."
Ellison is definitely over 25 years old, he is a citizen
of this country by reason of his birth here, and is an inhabitant of
Minnesota. Further, he was elected by a substantial majority of those
who voted in his district.
There's more about Ellison in the Constitution, in
Article VI, this time:
"The Senators and Representatives before
mentioned, and the members of the several state legislatures, and all
executive and judicial officers, both of the United States and of the
several states, shall be bound by oath or affirmation, to support this
Constitution; but no religious test shall ever be required as a
qualification to any office or public trust under the United States."
What is found nowhere in the U.S. Constitution,
however, is any requirement to use any religious text during
swearing-in ceremonies. There simply isn't any such requirement, and
such a requirement is specifically disallowed in the text quoted above.
Dave Thompson then went on about Ellison's using a copy
of the Koran once in the library of Thomas Jefferson, one of the
founders. He seemed to think that Jefferson probably never read it. I'm
betting Dave's wrong about that. Jefferson was a learned man, and
probably read the Koran, as he did most of the books he owned.
Unlike Dave, he found it useful to read such books.
I'll bet Dave doesn't know that Jefferson created his
own version of the Bible, either. The Jefferson Bible, in which
Jefferson removed all references to the divinity of Jesus, is also an
interesting book that Dave Thompson hasn't read. Jefferson admired the philosophical
teachings of Jesus, but rejected his divinity. Dave can read the
Jefferson Bible by clicking this
link.
Thomas Jefferson would have absolutely no problem with
Keith Ellison taking his seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. That
Dave Thompson, who does not even live in Ellison's district does have a
problem with it is Dave Thompson's problem.
Here's the deal, Dave. Ellison is qualified to be a
congressman. He was elected by the voters in his district. The time to
question his candidacy was back when the campaign was going on. It's a
done deal now. Ellison did not hide his religious beliefs during the
campaign, and the voters sent him to Congress. There it is.
1/4/07
Comments? Email
Me!
According to This
Story at WCCO.COM, a still and gallons of fermenting corn were found
by cops in a Maplewood apartment. The tenant wasn't available when the
cops entered.
Now, when a guy finds fermenting corn and a still, he
thinks immediately of corn whiskey, white lightning, moonshine. You
normally find this bottled in Mason™ jars, but almost never here in
Minnesota, where Peppermint Schnapps is a more usual Winter beverage.
But, not so fast: the tenant in the apartment is a
chemical engineer, or so the story goes. Maybe he's making ethanol for
his car...yeah...that's the ticket.
As an aside, if you encounter some 'shine, you want to
cut it a bit with something else. I recommend Dr. Pepper™ or, if you
can get it, Cheerwine™, a cherry-flavored soft drink favored in the
Carolinas. It won't prevent the massive hangovers caused by moonshine,
but it'll help cut the burn as you swallow.
12/12/06
Comments? Email
Me!
The troublesome Diva's Overtime Lounge will remain open,
ruled a Ramsey Co. Judge, ending the city's bid to shut the bar down. It
has been the location of a number of violent incidents and the city
wants it shut down.
Judge Dorn didn't just give the nasty night spot an open
ticket, though, and is requiring some conditions for the bar to stay
open. If those conditions are violated, the owner could be jailed on
contempt charges.
All of this is good news for the rowdy set, who will now
continue to have Diva's as a place to swill down some hootch and get
into fights. The news is less good for North Side neighbors, like St.
Bernard's church, which is having problems recruiting students for its
school due to the unsavory characters hanging around Diva's.
I have a solution for this, but it's unlikely to be of
interest to the St. Paul PD. The solution is to park a SPPD car, with
two officers inside, right in front of the door of Diva's, from about 7
PM 'til closing time. A bag of donuts, a thermos of coffee, and the men
in blue should be comfortable enough. If they have the need, I'm sure
there's a restroom inside Diva's. A potty break about every half an hour
would put an officer, or both officers inside the bar.
The denizens of Diva's, on the other hand, might not
feel so comfortable about raising a ruckus in that case. Imagine
that...using the Police Department to prevent crimes from
happening. I know it's a shocking idea...perhaps too shocking for the
city to consider.
Neighbors could help out, too. A regular presence, with
video cameras, outside the bar by a rotating group of neighbors might
well cause some inhibition of the alcohol-fueled nonsense that has
gotten this bar and its owner, Debra Johnson, in all this hot water. I'm
sure Ms. Johnson would be most appreciative of the help.
11/29/06
Comments? Email
Me!
KSTP AM-1500's Dave Thompson lost it last night, over
re-elected Governor Pawlenty's statement about universal health care for
Minnesota children. Thompson, a sometimes Republican, but mostly
Libertarian, whined on and on about socialism and mainly about money
taken out of his pocket.
"Why can't parents pay for their own kid's health
insurance?" was his call, paraphrased here. Well, Dave, lots of
parents simply cannot do that. Lots of parents can't even afford the
rent on their apartments. They'd like to have better jobs, ones that
include health insurance as a benefit, but for one reason or another,
they can't get those jobs.
In some cases, they're badly educated. In other cases,
they're in ill health. There are many reasons. But, for Dave, as for
most Libertarians, the credo is, "I've got mine. You go get
yours."
And all this tsuris without even knowing
what Pawlenty's plan might be. Dave....you're a tool!
Dave had lots of support from callers, though. I'd ask
him, if I bothered to call in, how many listeners he thinks he has out
there at 9 P.M. It ain't many, Dave, and they're listening because
they're already disgruntled. Me? I listen to hear what idiocy you'll
come up with next.
Here's a clue for you, Mr. Thompson: Children do not
choose their parents, nor do they choose the conditions under which they
are raised. It's not their fault that their parents can't afford health
insurance. They didn't do anything to you.
Grow up, Dave. It's not all about you. Nothing is all
about you. You are the host of a talk radio show with a small audience
of folks who have nothing better to do than listen to you rant. That
your listeners agree with one of your rants is meaningless, in the grand
scheme of things.
You say you're not going to vote for Republicans any
more, because they just keep disappointing you. Well...OK. Fine by me.
Heck, you keep disappointing me, so maybe I'll just stop listening to
your screeds.
11/16/06
Comments? Email
Me!
Friday evening, just before 7:30 PM, Tommy Mischke went
off on a strange tangent, acting like he might be losing his job. Then,
as I was saying, "No! No!" to myself, he announced that he
would be moving, starting today, to the Noon to 2PM slot, replacing the
oddball Sterling.
Now, TD can do some weird things, and you really have to
take his pronouncements with a large block of salt, but this sounds like
a real announcement. We'll know today at Noon. It also may spell the
first stage of the reorganization of AM-1500's programming schedule to
make ready for the Twins premiere on the station next Spring.
It's also a pretty good sign, in my opinion. I've been
concerned that Hubbard Broadcasting would conduct a wholesale slaughter
over at the station. They already dumped Ron and Mark, in a shocking
move that had me worried that I might have to switch my radio to another
station.
But...maybe there's hope. If they're moving Mischko to
the Noon show, then maybe...just maybe...they're planning to hold on to
the core of their on-air staff. Soucheray's a lock, of course, being the
sports fan he is...he'll be an asset to the station when the Twins show
up. But Mischke? He's the symbol of the station's commitment to eclectic
talk radio.
I mean, right-wing talk hosts are a nickel a hundred
these days. There are so many of them that you could staff a dozen
right-wing talk stations in the Twin Cities, alone, and still have more
of them lined up at the stations' doors, hoping for a chance to spew on
the air.
But, talk radio hosts like Mischke are rare...perhaps
even one of a kind. The fact that Hubbard Broadcasting is moving Mischke,
rather than just dumping him like last night's tuna casserole, tells me
that there's hope.
I'm crossing my fingers and holding my breath. Will this
hold? Will AM-1500 still offer at least a couple of talk show hosts I
can listen to? Only time will tell. Watch the station. There are going
to be major scheduling changes coming up in the next few months.
10/30/06
Comments? Email
Me!
Some time back, I wrote a little story about the
possibility that Minneapolis would be closing some library branches in
2007. (Click Here).
I had hoped that wouldn't happen, but my hopes were dashed when I read
this morning that the Minneapolis Library Board had voted, reluctantly,
to close three branches, due to a lack of operating funds. The branches
will be the Roosevelt, Southeast, and Webber-Camden facilities.
Mayor Archie Zwieback (RT Rybak) said that he's
discovered $1.1 million, but that's not enough to reopen those branches.
What a shame this is on Minneapolis!
The new Central Branch library, a $125 million project,
just completed, will also be closed now, but just on Mondays. It seems
that all the zeal to build this edifice, with its fine architecture,
didn't extend to offering the funds needed to support the library system
and keep those all-important neighborhood branches open for the children
who are it's main patrons.
Yes, it's very nice to have a nice, new main branch.
Very impressive to visitors to Minneapolis. I suppose some people
actually use it, as well, but it's mostly for administrators, to be
perfectly honest about it. Nice office areas...pretty computers...
Books? Well, not so much. Libraries today have fewer and fewer actual
books every year. A shame.
Ah, well...so it goes, I guess. Beautification comes
before learning. Everyone wants his or her photo taken in front of the
new main branch...a legacy for the City Council and Archie. Whaddya
wanna bet Archie's name, along with the names of the councilmembers is
engraved on a plaque somewhere in that nice new building. Posterity will
remember them, I'm sure. Nobody wants to worry about how much that new
building hurt the real business of public libraries. There are no
plaques bearing the names of the current officeholders in them, so what
good could they be?
It's a damn shame!
10/26/06
Comments? Email
Me!
The University of Wisconsin Marching Band, famous for
their great halftime programs and other antics, has been put on
probation by the University for undisclosed behaviors on the bus during
a trip to a September 23rd away game.
University Chancellor John Wiley, in a letter to the
band's director, Michael Lekrone, mentioned "gratuitous vulgarity,
sexualized banter or joking, hazing, or other forms of demeaning
conduct." Hmm...I thought such was the normal state of affairs on
the band bus.
Having been a member of several marching bands in high
school and college, I can vouch for the activities that go on on the
band bus. Band geeks have all the fun, and that's the fact, Jack. While
the band geeks are almost universally looked down upon by non-members,
it's a carefully-kept secret that the band geeks are far from being
sedate, meek, and well-behaved when on the road. After all, why let
everyone know where the fun is really happening?
The movie "American Pie" had it just about
right.
So, the Wisconsin Marching Band will have to cool it a
bit for awhile. Still, you have to have a band at the games, and there's
only one band at the U of M. They'll lay just a little low for a bit,
but the fun will continue. Let the band play on!
10/16/06
Comments? Email
Me!
That's all he asks. Clear Channel Radio has renewed its
contract with Sean Hannity until 2010, ensuring that he'll get his three
hours every day, whether you listen or not. The always controversial
Hannity appear on 80 Clear Channel stations, including KTLK-FM, 100.3,
right here in the Twin Cities, between 2 and 5 PM. That's his three
hours. That's all he asks. Me? I'll be listening to Joe Soucheray,
thanks.
9/29/06
Comments? Email
Me!.
Metro Magazine, a new venture into the precarious
world of city magazines, just published their second issue, trying to
horn in on an already crowded field of lifestyle magazines in the Twin
Cities. Long on editorial copy, and short on advertisers, it's a slick
rag, aimed at the 25-40 age group in the Metro, with a heavy emphasis on
style, food, and entertainment.
I saw the first issue, and just last night read through
the second. I have just one question, though, for the publisher of the
magazine: Where's Saint Paul? In an article on great neighborhoods
(mostly with homes at a median price under $300K) just Como was
mentioned in Saint Paul. Restaurant reviews, too, were missing most of
Saint Paul's fine, trendy dining establishments.
Tip: Your magazine isn't going to succeed unless you
recognize, and cover, Saint Paul. We're almost as large as our big
sister, Minneapolis, now. We have restaurants, trendy condo
developments, less traffic, less crime, and more of the good things
Minnesota is famous for.
I know...your editorial staff lives in Minneapolis, in
Uptown and other hip neighborhoods. I understand that it's tough
venturing across the river to Minnesota's capital city. You don't know
your way around, I suppose. It's OK, but if you're going to call
yourself Metro, you might just want to take that short drive and
see what's going on over here.
We won't bite, we promise. You're unlikely to get mugged
here. We have very few murders, so you don't have to look over your
shoulder as you walk to your car from a trendy Uptown night spot. We
have a river here, too. We have some really nice restaurants and night
clubs. We have great neighborhoods. Check out St. Anthony Park or Crocus
Hill. We even have a baseball team that plays in an outdoor stadium
where everyone has a great time and great seats.
Do drop by and see what Saint Paul has to offer,
OK. If you're going to send the magazine over here, come check us
out. Either that or rename your rag MPLS or something. Oh,
wait...there used to be a magazine with that name. They changed it to Mpls
St. Paul a while back. Seems they discovered another whole city
across the river. Hmm....I'm just sayin...
9/27/06
Comments? Email
Me!
Tameca Griffin is now learning the consequences of
snacking on supermarket produce, then flying into a rage at an off-duty
cop working as a security guard. It all happened in a Rainbow Foods
market in Saint Paul. Griffin was, apparently, eating a few too many of
the luscious grapes on display, so the security guard told her to
stop. Well, that was the last straw for Tameca, who allegedly
punched the female security guard and caused several injuries, including
hair pulling, etc.
Folks, it's OK to sample a grape before buying a bunch.
The stores don't really mind that. But picking up a bunch of grapes and
scarfing them down like salted peanuts just doesn't get it. Then, when
the nice security guard tells you to cut it out, it's better to display
a guilty look, put the grapes in your cart and move along.
Bumping the security guard, then punching her out and
pulling out clumps of hair? Well, that would be a big error, since many
of the security guards in the stores are off-duty cops, moonlighting to
make a bit more money for their families.
Tameca, by now, knows that she blew it, big-time, in
that Rainbow. She's facing felony charges for her produce rage.
Assaulting cops...well...it's just not a good idea. Pretty soon, other
cops are bound to show up, and you'll get a trip to the local gray-bar
hotel.
Maybe she had a bad day. We all have bad days. But it's
a bunch of grapes for pity's sake!
9/22/06
Comments? Email
Me!
The brouhaha over the opening of Minneapolis' Main
Library was pretty overwhelming. A brand new building, full of
resources, but what of the rest of the system? Well, as it turns out,
the current plan may be to shut down three branch libraries. Either
that, or the house of all branches may have to be cut drastically.
The new library is nice. There's no question about it.
But how many folks from outlying areas in the city are going to make the
trip to visit it? Branch libraries are neighborhood resources. In a time
when many neighborhoods are complaining about a lack of local resources,
closing three neighborhood branches will add additional insult to
injury.
The libraries proposed for closing include the
Roosevelt, Southeast, and Webber Park branches. The Webber Park
branch is in North Minneapolis, a little off Lyndale. The
Southeast branch is near the U of M campus. The Roosevelt library is on
28th Ave. S. All are needed by their neighborhoods.
The Minneapolis Central library, located near the center
of the city, cost a pile of money to build, but its imposing structure
is not as inviting to the average citizen as the friendly local branch.
Yes, it has many resources, but if it's just a book you want, the local
branch is much more appealing.
Perhaps Minneapolis can look across the river at the
Saint Paul Library system, for some clues about effective branch
operations. Or, perhaps not.
9/16/06
Comments? Email
Me!
From Noon to 2 P.M. on AM-1500, Ron Rosenbaum and Mark
O'Connell have been holding fort on AM-1500. Their show has run since
2001, but Tuesday was their last show. Announcing that they were leaving
KSTP, starting that day, they are silent. Replacing them is little known
KSTP personality, Sterling.
What happened here? Little is know about the reasons for
the change. Is it connected somehow with KSTP's landing the Twins
broadcasts, starting next year? That doesn't make a lot of sense. It's a
long time until March, 2007.
In any case, Ron and Mark were loved by some and hated
by some in the target audience. A little more balanced than the
incessant knee-jerking of Bob Davis, who preceded them in the late
morning slot, their show annoyed right-wingers who thought they were
liberals. Me? I found the show balanced precariously between the right
and left.
Where will Ron and Mark land? Nobody knows. We'll just
have to wait and see. The tougher question is about what will happen to
the rest of the lineup. The Twins broadcasts will scramble the AM-1500
schedule next year. There's no question about that. While potentially
profitable for the Hubbard-owned station, it's also going to be
expensive. Could it be that paying two long-time personalities is just
too scary for Hubbard? If that's the case, who will be next?
I have no idea who "Sterling" is yet. I'll
give him a listen, but hearing him yesterday, he sounds like another
snot-nosed kid, speaking of what he does not know. We already have Bob
Davis, insulting listeners and waxing idiotic. Then there's Dave
Thompson, on after Mischke in the evening. While he occasionally says
something that is true, his foot is usually in his mouth.
Then there's Mischke? Oddball talk show host of the
year, and in an uncharacteristic time slot. What happens to Mishke when
the Twin-Mania takes over the AM-1500 schedule? I'm worried. Really, the
only thing that seems certain to stay the same is Garage Logic. Joe
Soucheray's job seems secure to me, expensive as that show must be for
AM-1500.
I think I'm going to go exploring on the AM dial. My
radios are all tuned to 1500 now, but perhaps its time to have another
look around...
9/7/06
Comments? Email
Me!
Sarah Hatsuko Hicks has been appointed as the Minnesota
Orchestra's new Assistant Conductor, the first woman to hold that
position with the ensemble. A native of Tokyo, raised in Hawaii, she'll
take the podium for the first time in a series of Young People's
Concerts in November.
Music Director Osmo Vänskä said of Hicks, “Many
talented conductors applied for this position. Hicks was the strong
choice of both the audition committee and the Orchestra. Committee
members were particularly impressed with her ability to connect with the
musicians and her poise on the podium."
We're all looking forward to hearing what she brings out
of this fine orchestra. For more information on Ms. Hicks and her
appointment, click
here.
9/1/06
Comments? Email
Me!
Babs is coming to town, folks! Barbra Streisand is
booked for an October 24 gig at the Xcel Energy Center, right here in
good old Saint Paul. The gig, her first in the Twin Cities, was added to
her tour recently.
Ticket are going to run from $86.75 to over $450. The
big-bucks tickets get you some really good seats for the concert. Since
Streisand's last tour was in 1994, it's a rare event, and Streisand fans
are bound to make this a sell-out.
Tickets go on sale on August 28 at noon. Check the Xcel
box office or TicketMaster.
If you want the best seats, though, you're going to want to get them as
soon as they're available. I'm expecting this gig to sell out fast, and
scalper's prices are going to be through the roof.
8/24/06
Comments? Email
Me!
Looking for a little excitement? Maybe a fast way to
make a fortune? Well, if you enjoy poker, there's a celebrity poker
tournament about to happen at Canterbury Park in Shakopee. Buy-in is
$2500, so it's not a game for the poverty-stricken, but that fee
includes a dinner and a chance to match your skills with several
celebrities, including Michael Jordan and former Microsoft founder Paul
Allen. You can also win a seat by playing in a $275 satellite
tournament. Other celebs slated for the tournament include Scottie
Pippin, Patrick Ewing, and Charles Oakley. First Place pot is estimated
at $500,000.
The Trent Tucker Tournament starts up on September 8,
and runs for two days. For full info on the tournament and how to get
involved in this poker fest, Click
Here!
8/24/06
Comments? Email
Me!
Need I mention this? Doesn't every living human being in
Minnesota know that the State Fair begins on Thursday, 8/24/06? That's
what I thought, so I won't belabor the issue. However, you can Click
Here for the official Minnesota State Fair web site to get all the
details you need to plan your visit.
Me? I'm going, for sure. Cheese
Curds...Sausages...Savory Stuff on a Stick...Yumm!
8/22/06
Comments? Email
Me!
No, it's not St. Patrick's Day, but you can get all
Irish this Weekend at Harriet Island Park in Saint Paul. That's the
venue for the annual Irish Fair, beginning on Friday (8/11/06). You'll
hear Irish Music, see dancing, learn a bit of Gaelic, and experience
Irish crafts and sports.
The festivities start at 5 PM on Friday, and at 10 AM on
Saturday. Sunday's activities begin at 10:30 AM. Admission is, of
course, free.
Tip: It's very likely to storm a bit on Saturday and
Sunday, so Friday evening should be the best chance for rain-free
enjoyment.
More Info? Click
Here!
8/9/06
Comments? Email
Me!
Dave Thompson, KSTP
AM1500's evening blabber host really put his foot in it last night
(7/28/06). In an attempt to discredit what he thought was a government
effort to "coddle" old and infirm folks during the heat wave,
he attacked the concept of 211 calls.
Most talk show hosts do a little research before getting
into a subject. Not our Dave. Had he Googled "211 Minnesota,"
the very first listing would have told him that the 211 business is run
by United Way, and is far from limited to helping people with heat
advisories. It's part of a nation-wide system designed to take the heat
off 911 emergency calls and to provide a central access point for
Community Services. It's a very good program.
But, did Dave Google that? He did not. Instead, as is
his wont, he bloviated on and on about how ridiculous it is to have a
phone number people can call during a heat wave. He seems to find it
incredible that people can't deal with a little heat. Here are a few
points, he also didn't research:
Nope. Dave Thompson didn't do his homework before the
show. He let his borderline libertarian tendencies control his jaw and
tongue, and showed his listeners his bare butt. He's got his, you see,
and the heck with the rest of you. His condo in Lakeville has air
conditioning. Doesn't everyone live in a condo in Lakeville? Why not? I
mean, to hear Dave blather, all these old people and ill people need to
do is get a good job and move to a place where the temperature is always
72º.
C'mon, Dave. Get your stuff together. Do a little
checking before you flap your jaw. You might even, dare I suggest, think
a little before you go off on something that you don't understand. You
just aren't bright enough to wing it like you did last night, despite
being an attorney. Finally, not everyone has your advantages, nor can
everybody get what they want. Lots of people rely on helpful services
like 211 to find the resources they need.
It's fine that you are more or less libertarian. That's
your choice. Still, your "I've got mine, you go get yours"
attitude is not appropriate all of the time. It's ugly a lot of the
time, and doesn't do you or KSTP AM-1500 any credit at all. Think about
it, Dave.
Click Here to
learn more about the 211 program in the Twin Cities.
7/29/06
Comments? Email
Me!
Aaron Clarey, KSTP's weekend economics talk host,
self-avowed libertarian, and professional ballroom dancing instructor
has been filling in for Dave Thompson this week. Tuesday night, July 25,
one of his topics was the need for strong action against terrorists. He
was speaking about the Israeli/Hezbullah conflict, and our own conflict
in Iraq. Aaron was waxing eloquent on the rightness of fighting the
enemy and teaching them a lesson they won't soon forget. Tough talk!.
He got pretty excited about all this, but then he took a
call from a guy who is a Vietnam Era veteran. After asking Clarey his
age and marital status (31, unmarried), this guy suggested that Clarey
trot down to the local recruiter and sign up so he could take his energy
and do just what he was suggesting.
Well, Clarey sorta danced around the suggestion, saying
that he paid plenty of taxes and that was pretty much equivalent to
serving in the military. Besides, he added, he had been to the
recruiter, but balked when told he'd be best suited to be a logistics
officer.
A couple of other callers phoned in and didn't seem all
to happy with Aaron's reasoning about his taxes being a sufficient
contribution for someone seemingly so fired up about fighting hard and
strong. Clarey seemed a little less spirited after all those calls.
That got me thinking. What does it cost to send a
soldier to fight in Iraq? I did a little Googling, and found this
story. It seems that the cost of sending a soldier to Iraq for a
year has gone up a lot, now reaching approximately $400,000. That's a
lot of money. I wonder if a 2-hour-a-week talk show host and part-time
ballroom dance instructor makes enough money to pay that much in federal
income tax. Somehow, I doubt it.
Now, I certainly don't believe that a person has to join
the military to be a patriot, although I'll call any man or woman who
serves a patriot. I do believe, however, that a man who trumpets his
determination that we fight and fight hard on the radio, while spending
the rest of his time teaching folks how to Salsa, should not be claiming
that his taxes are equal in any way to the service of the brave
young men and women who risk their lives in our military.
The first caller I mentioned said, "It seems like
you're one of those 'Let's you and him fight' kind of guys,"
to Clarey. I think Aaron needs to dust of his old economics texts and
figure out how his federal tax dollars are equivalent to service in the
military. I think his math's a little shaky on this one.
Note to Aaron Clarey: Logistics is an excellent
field in the military. It's at the heart of seeing that our fine
fighting men and women get the supplies they need to do their job. You
can find a nearby recruiter by Clicking
Here!
7/26/06
Comment? Email
Me!
Update (8/4/06) No charges will be filed against
the Zombies. Dance on!
You just can't make up stuff like this. If you've been
reading the news, you know that Minneapolis cops busted a group of
people dressed and made up as zombies on Saturday night. They were
wearing backpacks with wires coming out of them. As you all know, we
have a big problem in the USA with people dressed as zombies carrying
explosive devices, so it was only natural that the police were alarmed.
They hauled the weird folks off to the pokey.
Uh...wait a minute, there. It seems those
"simulated weapons of mass destruction" were actually parts of
a stereo this group was carrying...on their way to do a little street
theater, not to blow up the city.
So, the cops had to release them on Monday. I guess
there's no law against dressing up like zombies and carrying stereos
around. Now, there may be a law against street performances without a
permit, but the group was stopped before it could violate that important
law.
Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems to me that
Minneapolis's Finest would do better by arresting some of the drug
dealers hanging around in North Minneapolis. Since drugs seem to be at
the heart of most of the murders in that part of town, that might be a
better use of their time.
Hint to the MPD: People intent on bombing
generally don't wear zombie makeup as they head for their target. It
kinda makes them stand out, you know, and that might ruin their plans.
If you see people dressed weirdly, and wearing heavy backpacks, you
might want to ask them what they're doing, rather than hauling them off
and locking them up for the weekend.
Wanna see some photos of our zombies? Click
Here!
7/26/06
Comments? Email
Me!
See
the Trailer
I don't review movies often in this blog, but Kevin
Smith's Clerks II needs a review here. I'll start with this:
Who Should NOT Attend: Do not attend this film if
you are offended by crude sexual jokes, bad language, off-screen
bestiality, inter-racial relationships, or slackers.
Who Should Attend: Absolutely, do attend this
film if you're a fan of Kevin Smith, Jay and Silent Bob, and if you
guffawed more than a few times during the original Clerks. It's a
must-see sequel!
While Clerks II is arguably not a finely honed as
the original Clerks, fans of the first film, fans of Kevin Smith,
plus fans of Jay and Silent Bob (and they are legion) should not miss
this sequel. Just be sure to stop in and empty your bladder before
entering the auditorium. Trust me on this.
Brian O'Halloran reprises his role as Dante Hicks, but
has moved on, if not upward, in his life. The actor's flat portrayal of
Hicks has been criticized by some ignorant critics, who do not
understand the premise of the film. He is perfect. Engaged to Emma,
lamely played by Kevin Smith's wife, Jennifer Schwalbach, Dante is about
to make a move, though, thanks to her family. Emma is as lame as Hicks,
but in a different way. Again, the critics' objections to the portrayal
are misguided.
Of course, this is a problem for Randal Graves, played
by Jeff Anderson, who will be stuck in New Jersey, if Hicks marries and
moves away. Hilarity ensues. Complicating the situation is Dante's boss
at Mooby's (did I forget to mention Mooby's?), where everyone is
flipping burgers. His boss, Becky, played by the winsome Rosario Dawson,
adds some very interesting further complications.
Rosario Dawson steals this movie. She lights up the
screen, as she has done in some of her other roles. The contrast is
remarkable between the persona of Becky and the rest of the cast, and
that's intentional.
Jay (Jason Mewes) and Silent Bob (Kevin Smith), are,
well, Jay and Silent Bob. Watch for the Silence of the Lambs
quotes, though. They add a new schtick to Jay and Silent Bob's bizarre
partnership. Also worthy of mention is Trevor Fehrman, who plays the
innocent Elias at Mooby's. It's an odd role, but nicely done.
I'll say no more. You'll have to see it. Again, though,
do visit the rest room before entering the auditorium. If you do not,
you will embarrass yourself at some point during the screening. Also,
please observe the cautionary notes at the top of this article if you
are not a Kevin Smith aficionado. I promise that you will be offended,
so consider yourself forewarned.
7/24/06
Comments? Email Me!
If you're a Thrash Metal enthusiast, or if you hate
Thrash Metal, you need to know about Minneapolis Mayhem 3, happening on
August 25 and 26, at Star Central on Central Ave. in Columbia heights.
If you love Thrash, you'll want to be there. The list of
bands is growing and changing as I write, with new bands being signed
and bands already signed pulling out. If you hate Thrash, you'll want to
avoid the vicinity of Star Central for two days.
Some of the bands lined up include: Omen, Seven Witches,
Tankard, Avenger of Blood, Helstar, and Merciless Death. Doesn't that
sound great?!?
You can find out more about this series of appearances,
find out which bands may or may not be there, and get your tickets. Click
Here for the Minneapolis Mayhem 3 website. Don't look for the
Bearded Blogger there, though. Thrash hurts my head.
7/15/06
Comments? Email
Me!
Can you sing? Are you hot? Well, your chance is coming.
American Idol, the reality show hit of the decade is holding auditions
for contestants on the show right here in Big Time Minneapolis (thanks,
Tommy). When? It's September 8, 2006.
Feeling lucky? Wanna show off for the show? Well, you
have to be between 16 and 28 years of age (lets me right out),
hot-looking, and have a voice. Versatility and personality are a plus.
If you fit the bill, Click
Here to get over to the web site and get in line.
7/12/06
Comments? Email
Me!
According to a Business Week story (read
it), a new Minnesota law that is about to take effect would fine
youngsters who buy or possess M-rated video games. No fines for those
who sell these adult-rated games to the kiddies...just a $25 fine for
the kiddies themselves.
What the heck? Is our legislature stupid? Wait, don't
answer...I know. In the first place, how the heck do you fine a middle
school kid? In the second place, this is really going to work out well,
what with the video game cops getting search warrants for kids' bedrooms
(they'll have to wear hazardous materials suits). Finally, well, it's
just plain stupid...that's all.
7/12/06
8/1/06
Update: A Federal judge has thrown this silly law out as
unconstitutional. Sometimes the courts do the right thing, eh?
Comments? Email
Me!
Last night was the second 4th of July evening I've
experienced here in Minnesota since moving here from California a couple
of years ago. Like last year, my Northeast Saint Paul neighborhood was a
festival of lights from the fireworks shot off by my neighbors.
My wife and I, ever frugal, bought a few ground displays
from the local Cub in Maplewood, and happily lit them. Our little
display, however, was completely dwarfed by the displays of some of our
neighbors, who had apparently done their fireworks shopping in Wisconsin
or, perhaps, somewhere even more sinister.
Some of the aerial fireworks fired off by nearby
neighbors rivaled even the professional fireworks used at displays at
Harriet Island and other locations. Heck, there was no need at all to
drive to one of the municipal fireworks displays. It was all visible
from our front lawn.
Of course, these massive fireworks are quite illegal in
Minnesota, and prohibited by ordinances in Saint Paul. So, did we see
the local gendarmerie in the neighborhood? How about the fire
department? Of course not. I'm not sure where they were, but they sure
weren't out patrolling the streets of the Northeast corner of Saint
Paul.
As far as I've been able to tell from this morning's
newspaper and the local news broadcasts, no disastrous fires happened
last night. I didn't hear about anyone grievously injured in a fireworks
accident, either. It's possible that I'll hear of something later on, of
course.
I enjoyed the fireworks. I always enjoy fireworks, even
though there has been a nightly barrage in my neighborhood for a couple
of weeks now. My point in this little essay is that an unenforced law is
no kind of law at all. When laws are not enforced, they encourage an
attitude of lawlessness. Nobody seemed worried about being fined or
arrested over their fireworks in my neighborhood. Some of my neighbors
don't seem worried about the speed limits on these narrow residential
streets, either. I see a connection.
What I think should happen is that the State of
Minnesota and the City of Saint Paul should change their laws and
ordinances regarding fireworks to reflect the realities of the 4th of
July. If the current laws are not going to be enforced, then they should
be changed. That's true of all laws. Either enforce them or change them.
It's that simple. Not enforcing some laws has the effect of
creating disrespect for all laws.
7/5/06
Comments? Email
Me!
There's something going on pretty much all the time
around Minnesota, whether it's in the Twin Cities Metro area or outstate.
Here's a list of links that will help you find something interesting to
do any time of the year:
There are so many more amusing incidents to hold your
attention at the launch ramp, but I wouldn't want to spoil your
surprise. Just head on down to the lake and enjoy yourself. Just one
word of caution: From time to time, boaters do not find these incidents
to be as amusing as you will. Loud guffaws and whoops may arouse the
boater's ire. You may want to keep your response down to a low snicker
or chuckle. Trust me...it's safer.
6/13/06
Comments? Email
Me!
What's going on out there, anyhow? These days, you can see for
yourself. Here's a list of selected live cams around the Twin Cities.
Any time you're bored, you can have a look. See what's happening in your
area or somewhere else.
Traffic
Cams -- Live traffic cams...dozens of them.
Shark Cam
-- Minnesota Zoo
Gibbon Cam
-- Minnesota Zoo
WeatherBug
Minnesota Weather Cams -- Several here
KSTP-TV
Sky Cams -- See the river, the lake, the city
Midwest Haze Cam --
Downtown St. Paul, from across the river. Excellent!
Wolf Watch
Cams -- Ely, Minnesota
University of St.
Thomas Quad Cam -- Updates every few seconds
Lake Minnetonka
Streaming Cam -- With controls
Southwest
Minnesota State University -- Streaming with controls
Comments? More Cams? Email
Me!
A short time ago, I wrote a set of mini-reviews of KSTP-AM
1500's weekday line-up, and promised to do the same for their oddish
weekend lineup as well. So...here goes:
Saturday and Sunday Overnight
Coast to Coast AM, with Art Bell, George Noory, and Ian Punnett is
its usual bizarre self, full of conspiracy theorists and bizarre
"science" interviews. Still, Ian Punnett is a local guy, so
you might want to listen from 8-Midnight on Saturdays, just to hear our
own, home-grown conspiracy theorist and wacko talk show host. I'll be
snoozing, thanks.
Saturdays
From 6-7 A.M., it's The TeeMaster Golf Show, featuring Michael Hsu
and Michael Tumbull. If you play golf, and can rouse yourself from your
slumbers that early, you will hear a nice bit of golf talk. I don't play
golf.
From 7-10 A.M., you'll be hearing the Home and Garden Show, with
Loren Kohnen and Mike Hibbard. They're a couple affable guys, who often
broadcast from some local nursery or other home-center location.
Loren's your home repair expert, and Mike handles the garden questions.
Generally, the advice is sound and the show is interesting if you're
interested in that sort of thing.
From 10 A.M. to Noon, KSTP's resident curmudgeon, Joe Soucheray teams
up with Patrick Reusse to cover the Sports scene. It's lively,
opinionated, and the callers are often a hoot.
From Noon to 1 P.M., it's time to go somewhere and have lunch or mow
the lawn. Even if you have lunch at home, you'll want to shut off KSTP.
Adam Bold spends the hour discussing mutual funds and taking calls about
mutual funds. I don't know, but it always seems that there's something
more interesting to do than listen to an hour on mutual funds. Last
week, I cleaned my gutters, and found that far more interesting.
From 1-3 P.M., I have no idea. I'm never near my radio. KSTP's
schedule shows an Aaron Clarey on during that slot. Never heard him.
From 3-6 P.M., it's Paul Brand's Auto Talk™. A fine show and, given
Minnesotan's obsession with their motor vehicles, it's quite popular.
Paul solves folks' problems when they call in, and seems to either have
an encyclopedic knowledge of automotive details, or has a fast internet
connection. If you're having trouble with your vehicle, give the show a
call. If your car is running fine, listen anyway...soon it will break.
Filling the 6-8 PM slot is Jay Severin Has Issues. An out-of-towner
with a severe Libertarian bent, this show is, perhaps, the most annoying
show on KSTP any time. No local calls, but a two-hour venture into the
very odd, self-centered mind of this young talk show guy. I'm hopeful
this is a temporary fill-in until KSTP can find something worthwhile for
that slot. If we have to listen to syndicated blather, at least let's
hear something rational.
Ian Punnett shows up at 8PM and the Coast to Coast AM marathon
continues overnight.
Sunday
A couple of news weekly shows from ABC start up the Sunday Morning
line-up, running from 5-6:30 A. M. If you're awake during those hours,
they're a decent way to get a digest of the news of the week. Otherwise,
snore away.
At 6:30 AM, the half-hour "Grace
Matters" show, with Rev. Peter Marty, appears. This is KSTP's
religious programming offering, and it's not bad at all. Peter speaks
well, has interesting guests and, given the heavy Lutheran population in
the Metro, it's fairly popular among the early-riser crowd. Some folks
will find it a bit on the humanistic side...not surprising, since it's a
broadcast sponsored by the ELCA.
I find the closing music, a benediction by composer John Ylvisaker, is a
good start for my Sunday morning.
From 7-10AM, you'll be hearing the Poli-Chicks, Annette Meeks and
Cathie Harnett. Annette is the Republican and Cathies a dyed-in-the-wool
DFLer. A little news, and a lot of talk. What's remarkable about
this show is that two hosts, with polar opposite views of most matters,
can conduct themselves with forbearance, humor, and good sense. Talk
radio could use more of this. You'll hear a similar mix during the week
with Ron and Mark.
At 10 A.M. and running 'til Noon, it's "Sunday Morning Sports
Talk™" with Patrick Reusse, Jim Souhan, and Brad Lane. It's the
place to be to hear about what happened on Saturday, and what's coming
up on Sunday. During the seasons, it's a hot show. These guys know
sports!
At Noon, Auto Talk™, with Paul Brand is back, running 'til 2 P.M.
From 2-5 P.M., KSTP takes on a different feel. A. L. Brown, the host,
was the winner of last year's "The Next Big Thing" contest,
and got this spot as his reward. Unlike the generally conservative feel
of most talk on this station, Brown, takes a more liberal perspective
and brings it to you. Reasonable, intelligent, and articulate, the
show's worth listening to, even if it confuses most of KSTP's listeners.
AT 5 P.M., it's time for a 2-hour rerun of one or another show that
aired during the week. I skip this entirely, since I probably heard the
show earlier, anyhow.
Then, from 7-9 PM, it's Bear Facts & Fish Tales, starring Mark
Fisher and Larry Bollig. The subject? Hunting and Fishing. That's it.
This show has a long history on KSTP and is about the most unusual show
I know of on talk radio. Fishing and hunting tips, plus listener calls,
and calls from the show's various guide and resort sponsors. The show
winds up each time with a call from "The Griz," a popular
fishing guide in Minnesota, reputedly with an appearance that scares
small children and delicate women. If you hunt or fish, you must listen
to Bear Facts & Fish Tales. It can be a bit amateurish at times, and
focuses a bit too much on Northern Minnesota, but there's a huge catch
of useful information in this show's creel.
At 9 PM, the "Drudge
Report," with Matt Drudge appears to take you to Midnight and
the return of Coast to Coast AM. Drudge is...well...Drudge. If you like
him, go for it. Me? I'll be snoozing.
6/6/06
Comments? Email Me!
Shopping falls under the entertainment category here in Minnesota,
for sure. From Garage Sales to the Mall of America, Minnesotans are
always looking for something to buy, or selling something they already
bought. Free stuff is even more fun. Here's a guide to the best way to
find that item that'll make your day, or to get rid of that ugly piece
of junk you've been trying to unload.
Garage Sales
They're everywhere during the months with reasonable weather. You can
find them by driving around any part of Minnesota and following the
signs. Oh, you could look up a list of sales in your local newspaper,
but you'll just get sidetracked by all the signs anyhow. When you've
accumulated too much stuff at garage sales, just have one of your own
and clear away space for more.
Online Listings
Three sites stand out here in the Metro area. They're very different:
Craig's List -- This
free site lets you list or browse items for sale...something like a
classified section of the paper. You can also list your own items at no
charge. I got my boat here, and sold a truck. Everything is available on
Craig's List, and it's localized to major cities. Caution: There are
also adult and sexually-oriented topics on Craig's List. Just skip them,
if you're not interested. Tip: If you're looking for something specific,
check Craig's List often. Items appear and disappear sometimes within
hours.
Listed
Local -- Another classified ad site, ListedLocal.com is also
categorized, but also has listings for many cities in Minnesota, not
just the Metro Area. It's not quite as active as Craig's List, but
should always be checked if there's something specific you're looking
for. Easy to use for both buying and selling.
The Free Market --
Want something for free? Want to give something away. The Twin Cities
Free Market is the spot for you. Browse through categorized lists of
stuff people are giving away, or list your own items. The idea here is
to keep good stuff from going to landfills, and it's sponsored by local
government. Again, check often and act fast. If something good is
listed, it'll be gone shortly. If it's junk, well, it'll end up in the
landfill anyhow. You can't list live animals, plants, automobiles,
motorcycles, firearms, garage sales, items for sale, or items for trade.
Everything else is fair game. Need a piano? There's always at least one
being given away, but you'll have to move it yourself.
06/05/06
Comments? Email Me!
A little-known AM station in the Twin Cities Metro area...often not
even listed in Station guides...is WMGT,
1220 AM, based in Stillwater. You won't hear it everywhere, since
it's a low-power station, but it covers most of the East Metro just
fine. It runs at 5000 watts during the daytime, but drops down to much
lower power in the evening and at night.
Unlike the blast of right wing talk stations, religious stations, and
other noxious species of radio stations, WMGT, "The Mighty
1220," aims its programming squarely at the Baby Boomers and their
Parents. You'll hear music from the 40s and 50s, mixed with a smattering
of financial talk and sports.
Sinatra's there, along with Nat King Cole, Sammy Davis, Jr., and all
the rest of the standards. On Sundays, from 11 AM - 1 PM, "It's
Polka Time" is pretty much unique. It's something you won't forget,
and has a large following in the Metro area.
You want sports? Well, WMGT is where you'll hear every Green Bay
Packers game, along with commentary and pre-game festivities. The Twin
Cities is Viking Country, but there are still many Packers fans in the
Metro, hiding behind bushes and lurking in your workplace. They're tuned
to "The Mighty 1220" whenever the Packers are playing.
Minnesota's also the home of many thousands of refugees from
Nebraska...Cornhuskers fans, each and all. During the season, they're
all tuned into WMGT to hear Nebraska Football. That's especially true
lately, since NU isn't getting the television coverage they once
earned.
If you're a Boomer, a Boomer's parents, or a Husker or Packers
fan,give it a listen. You'll be hooked.
KSTP, AM-1500, is the
station that's on when I wake up in the morning, and it's the station
that is on in my car, and the one that is on all day long on one radio
in my house. Why? I don't know, to tell you the truth. Local talk shows
are always interesting, but KSTP has the oddest lineup of hosts of any
station I've ever listened to. Some are great...some are horrible. I
call in sometimes, especially to the horrible ones (George from St.
Paul). Here's one guy's opinion of the station's weekday line-up.
Your opinion will probably differ:
Willie Clark and Jay Kolls, 5-9 AM -- Jay's OK...a sensible
sort of guy, but who the heck is this Willie Clark? Loud-mouthed,
uninformed, and full of knee-jerk attitude. I expect Willie's tenure to
be short. If they could finally get rid of Chris Krok, surely they can
get rid of Willie in the Morning. Jay Kolls could handle this one
himself, to the benefit of the station.
Bob Davis, 9-Noon -- Conservative much? Annoying to callers or
anything? "OK, you've talked, now let me talk!" Uh...no,
thanks.
Ron Rosenbaum & Mark O'Connell, 12-2 PM -- These guys are
a good pair. Between them, the middle of the road is the fast lane.
Always entertaining, even when I disagree with them. An option for KSTP
to consider is breaking them up and moving Mark to the Morning
Drive-time show to replace Willie Clark. He filled for a few mornings.
It was a huge relief.
Joe Soucheray & "The Rookie", 2-5:30 PM --
"Garage Logic" is legendary in the Twin Cities, and that's as
it should be. Joe's a curmudgeon, and that's great. The world needs more
curmudgeons. "The Rook" makes a great second banana for him.
My cylinder index is only 12, but never mind.
T. D. Mischke and "The Mischke Broadcast", 5:30-7:30
PM -- Moving Mischke to the afternoon drive-time slot seemed like an
insane move for KSTP...at first. Now, it looks like genius. The guy's
nuts, of course, but that's what has made him "Best AM Radio
Personality" for 6 of the last 8 years, according to The
City Pages. What's the show about? Who knows? Who cares? It's
never boring.
Dave Thompson, 7:30-10 PM -- A local attorney (why's he doing
this show, instead of earning big lawyer bucks?) with a
conservative/libertarian point of view, but without the sense to get his
facts right most of the time. He leads with his chin, making broad
generalizations that just don't hold up under scrutiny. That brings in
the callers, of course, and Dave will sometimes admit when he's wrong,
but usually blusters, instead.
Also playing is the ubiquitous Producer Jason, who
brings a youthful, brash, libertarian perspective to several of the
shows, for better or worse, depending on your personal perspective.
You'll hear him, it seems, on just about every show, taking an active
role in the dialog.
Finally, there's Nancy "Wildcat" Fox, doing the
local news just about all the time. Perfect enunciation of every word,
and a fine, intoxicating radio voice. She and Mischke have an oddly
special relationship (Mischke's the guy who coined the
"Wildcat" moniker for her). Who is Wildcat Fox? That's the
mystery for all of us.
The weekend line-up on KSTP? Well, I'll cover that in another
session. It's another story, altogether.
5/28/06
Comments? Email
Me!
I know, it's not Winter as I write this, but, like most Minnesotans,
I long for Winter when the weather turns sunny and warm. Really! There's
nothing like a thick blanket of snow in your driveway on a -20° degree
morning to get your blood flowing (if the snowblower will start). Still,
after a couple of hours of running a snowblower and shoveling your
sidewalks, a guy starts looking for something else to do.
That's where Chunk-Kicking comes in. The thing is, as you drive
around the icy streets of the Twin Cities, or anywhere else in this
state, ice begins to accumulate in the wheel wells of your vehicle. It
can grow to the point where it becomes difficult to steer. Really!
The approved technique for removing this accumulation of snow and ice
has been developed over hundreds of years....well, maybe not that long.
You turn your back to the wheel well, then aim, and kick backwards,
striking the frozen chunk with the heel of your boot. If your aim is
true, the chunk falls to the ground and breaks into smaller chunks.
Repeat this for all four wheels, and you've mastered the sport.
It doesn't end with your own vehicles, though. Any car or truck is
fair game. On a quiet day at the supermarket, chunk-kickers can be seen
in every parking lot, practicing their sport on any vehicle sporting a
chunk or four. Caution is advised, however, since some folks take gentle
exception to anyone but themselves kicking the chunks on their vehicles.
Some kickers add slight variations to the sport. Freestyle
Chunk-Kicking is the result. I believe it's being considered for
inclusion in the next Winter Olympics. At least that's what Sven Svenson
up the street told me last winter. This variety of the sport can involve
complex spins and acrobatics, and isn't for everyone. Only those in
robust good health should attempt the Freestyle version of the sport.
Other popular winter sports, such as Sidewalk Ice Walking, Roof
Raking, and Parking Lot Ice Dancing have their adherents, and will be
described in a future article here. They have no chance, however, of
displacing Chunk-Kicking as Minnesota's premier winter sport.
5/27/06
Comments? Suggestions? Email
Me!
