Presses Keep on Rolling at the Great Minnesota Get Together

Geezers and geeks alike have a chance to capture the sounds, the smells and the stories of Minnesota’s newspapers at the Minnesota Newspaper Museum.  You’ll experience the process of mid-1930’s era news production when Linotype, letterpresses, and a maze of mechanical and manual tools kept Minnesotans up to speed on everything from the weather and the economy to matters closer to home, including weddings, funerals, births and out-of-town visitors.  Scores of volunteers, including many retired newspaper men and women, are more than pleased to demonstrate, explain and even share hot off the press souvenirs with all comers – especially the young who’ve never seen a working letterpress or elders who stop to reflect on the influence of Minnesota’s vital newspaper industry in their lives.

The Minnesota Newspaper Museum, opened in 1985, reflects the commitment of newspaper leaders to their profession.  Earlier this summer past presidents of the Minnesota Newspaper Association pooled their resources, including their normal mileage and pre-diem allowances, to make a generous contribution to the Museum.  Their largesse echoes the spirit of Bernie Shelrud, publisher of the Maynard News, who kick-started the Museum;  in 1984 Selrud sold his letterpress shop and all of the equipment so Minnesota State Fair-goers could remember and learn about hand set lead type and the mechanics of getting the news readers to throughout the state.

This year the story of the Museum and the work of letterpress printers are part of a film being produced with Legacy funds.

Stroll through Heritage Square to the far end where you’ll be treated to a lively learning experience, a great chat with a printing pro, a copy of the day’s newspaper produced right before your very eyes on a letter press that rolls 9-8 every day of the Fair.  Free and open to all, whether you can still smell the ink of the morning’s paper or whether you depend on Twitter for the news that matters.

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MnKnows – and you will too if you learn to use the tool

In an earlier era, when time and finances were in greater supply, Minitex, a multi-state network with national and global links, put on a great show at the Minnesota State Fair – a well-staffed welcome to Minnesota’s libraries of every sort.  Today, as information and communications technology redefine the profile of libraries in general and of every library as a local portal to ever-expanding resources in myriad formats.  Today, Minitex shares its tools, strategies and expertise in new-fashioned ways.

For starts, Minitex is promoting a “dig deeper @ your library” tool  that starts with MnKnows.  Tackle your information excavation by digging with this indispensable tool tidily encapsulated on a handy bookmark.  The mine opens to reveal these treasures:

The MnLINK Gateway where you can  place requests for materials – books and a whole lot more delivered to your local library and access to electronic books and journals online.

ELMS, the Electronic Library for Minnesota, an essential guide to online articles and electronic books – try it before you get lost in the everyday search engines.

Minnesota Reflections, a treasure trove of photos, documents and maps related to Minnesota history

AskMN where you’ll find  real-time answers from a real live librarian available 24/7..

Research Project Calculator – a planned approach and a persistent reminder that, whatever the task, there is an approach that involves planning, persistence and an occasional prod from the deadline watcher.

MnKnows – Dig Deeper@Your Library

MnKnows is provided by Minitex, an information and resource sharing program of the Minnesota Office of Higher Education and the University of Minnesota Libraries

MN Broadband Summit – An Eyewitness Account

The 2010 Minnesota Broadband Summit breathed life into the reality and the future of broadband, not as an end but as a means – a means to economic development, of course, but more important, as a means to creating a state in which a Minnesota resident can live a rich live in a community with the tools of access to health care, civic engagement, lifelong learning, arts and culture. As convener and host, Senator Amy Klobuchar outlined the complex issues inherent in assuring access to high-speed broadband for all Minnesotans.  Julius Genachowski, Chairman of the Federal Communications, the regulatory agency responsible for telecommunications development, outlined the challenges he and members of a divided Commission face.

The intent was for the decision-makers from inside the DC Beltway to join an energetic and committed audience in learning from a truly fine panel of informed Minnesota leaders with unique perspectives on and experience with broadband.  Emphasis was on Minnesotans who are out of the loop because of geography, awareness, digital literacy or cost.

My original intent was to summarize the summit.  Even as I sorted through my notes and my reflections those who are more nimble and better equipped accomplished just that.  TheUpTake posted the video of the full summit on their site.  Blandin Foundation, which has taken the broadband lead in Greater Minnesota, has posted a virtual transcript of the proceedings.

What remains is to internalize and reflect.  Some thoughts:

• Seldom have I heard a panel provide as much relevant, targeted and specialized information – I doubt that I have ever heard this much data, personal experience and vision delivered within the strict time limits dictated by the venue.  To a person, the spokespersons were “way above average.

• Attendees included access leaders and visionaries who have been tilling the telecommunications turf for decades. For many present there was an “it’s about time” response. This cohort shares an implicit sense that there is a role for government to regulate (as well as fund) broadband development.

• Along these lines, the panel touched on social issues generally absent from today’s politics.  They described with clarity specific strategies to ease or eliminate barriers, beginning with but not limited to geographic realities

• Bruce Kerfoot. President and owner of the Gunflint Lodge, spoke for panelists and audience alike when he reminded the Senator and FCC chair that “the people on the end of the wires aren’t stupid.  We’re ready to roll and we have folks who want to be online.  We just need to be unified in our efforts to get heard.”

• A consistent theme was collaboration broadly defined.   Kerfoot emphasized that Minnesota communities “just need to be unified in our efforts to get heard.”  Pam Lehmann, Executive Director of the Lac qui Parle County Development Authority, described how collaboration paid off for people in her county to apply where a Computer Commuter mobile tech lab was launched the following day.  More information on a StarTribune piece is available on Lac qui Parle’s site here.

• Richard (Dick) King, CEO at Thomson Reuters, stressed that “people need to visualize themselves using technology. Stressing the imperative of public-private collaboration, King ticked off the reasons Thomson Reuters cares about broadband:  “We care because of our employees – we’d like for them to be able to work from home.  We’d like to bring other tech companies into the area.  Business needs a continuity plan — if something happens in the office, we still need to be able to carry on.  We need competition and redundancy.”

• Engagement of local elected officials and decision-makers is a must, according to the panelists. A unified approach demands that local leaders are both informed and involved.

• Panelists stressed that collaboration means public-private partnerships that are both essential and slow to nurture.  Speakers described in concrete terms the ways that the private sector, whether Thomson Reuter or Gunflint Lodge, depends on access and on collaborative efforts to promote a broadly-defined vision. Pam Lehmann, ED of the Pac qui Parle County EDA, described her county’s collaborative efforts and her vision of the impact of resulting federal funds on her community – proudly reminding the audience that the next day would see the launch of the Computer Commuter tech lab to spread digital literacy throughout the region.

• Though the front-burner issue of net neutrality received modest attention, the implication was that this had been well addressed in the recent Net Neutrality town hall meeting chaired by Senator Al Franken.

• Throughout the discussion the reality of cost was implicit.  Still it neither dominated nor stymied discussion which remained more on shared vision and possibilities.  The clear focus was on what was repeatedly described as a “win-win” approach.

In his introductory remarks Chairman Genachowski reminded attendees that, urgent as the issue, it’s not priority #1 with most people or their elected representatives.  His words seemed to me a hint, if not a clarion call, to those assembled to roll up our virtual sleeves.

The awesome volunteers and staff at the UpTake recorded Senator Amy Klobuchar’s remarks.

Midtown Global Market Eateries at the Minnesota State Fair!

Manny Gonzalez at work

In case you need enticement to take in the Fair more than once, take the culinary route.  Though the diversity and abundance of ethnic delicacies are too much to survey – much less consume, here’s a taste sampler from the Midtown Global Market guaranteed to perk up the laziest taste bud.

In an interesting arrangement that allows all of the tenants to keep the home fires burning while they staff the Fair concessions, MGM restaurants will take turns at the International Bazaar

·         La Loma Tamales proffers their signature pork or vegetarian tamales (2/$5) through Monday, August 30^th.

• Jakeeno’s Trattoria serves their cheesy risotto on a stick ($6). They will also be bringing back their pear and gorgonzola salad with candied walnuts ($5) for $5 and their prosciutto wrapped asparagus (2/$5)   Jakeeno’s  will be at the MGM booth August 31 through September 3.
• Manny’s Tortas covers the MGM booth September 4-7.  Manny’s blends a non-alcoholic pina colada served in a fresh pineapple ($7) to wash down their classic tortas ($5) each.  Manny’s tortas, Cuban, chicken or vegetarian sandwiches, are replete with cheese, tomato, lettuce, onion, avocado, jalapenos, refried beans and chipotle pepper mayo.

Three other Midtown Global Market businesses will be located in the International Bazaar throughout the twelve days of the Fair.

• Holy Land Grocery and Deli dishes-up authentic Middle Easternfare;
• West Indies Soul Food features traditional Caribbean food;
• Fiesta in America offers an assortment of Mexican candy.

Outside the International Bazaar fairgoers won’t be at a loss for munchies.

Manny, who obviously just can’t get enough of the Great Minnesota Get Together, will be hawking his tortas in the Food Building throughout the Fair.

The Produce Exchange will feature their popular “Big As Yo’ Face” sweet and juicy peaches in the Agriculture Building, across from the entrance to the International Market.

Also in the Agriculture Building Salty Tart bakery will serve their award-winning macaroons.

Bon Appetit!

Women’s Equality Day, August 26, 2010

Sorry this is a day late; but it is important so I’m sending it along anyway.

The League of Women Voters of the United States sends this greeting to all!

The day commemorates the 90^th anniversary of passage of the Nineteenth Amendment which granted women the right to vote and more.

Women’s Equality Day goes back to 1971 when Congress, with persistent pressure from Congresswoman Bela Abzug and a host of women’s groups, passed a joint resolution designating August 26 as Women’s Equality Day.  The resolution builds on passage builds on the success of the suffrage movement affirming in strong terms that the work to assure full equality continues:  The first whereas of the resolution reads:  “WHEREAS, the women of the United States have been treated as second-class citizens and have not been entitled the full rights and privileges, public or private, legal or institution, which are available to male citizens of the United States.”  In the words of Elizabeth MacNamara, president of LWVUS, Women’s Equality Day offers “the opportunity to continue to make a profound, direct and positive impact on the issues that matter most to our community and the generations to come.

Kramarczuk’s at the MN State Fair

Kramarczuk’s is “back with a vengeance” in the words of Ordest Kramarczuk who recalls that his dad had a booth at the Great Minnesota Get Together back in 1963.  This year the Kramarczuk family and crew are frantically feeding Twins fans at Target Field.  They’re also back at the Fair.  They’ve collaborated with long-time friends Stephanie and Mike Olson who operate the Blue Moon Dine-In Theater. The Blue Moon is the exclusive vendor of Kramarczuk’s delectable brats, Polish and andouille sausage.   Ordest Kramarczuk is quick to note that all of Kramarczuk’s sausage, is made locally from farm-fresh pork.  Freshness is guaranteed because all of the sausage, made in limited quantities, is sold within just 48 hours.

The Blue Moon Dine-In Theater  has an extensive menu including what Steve Olson describes as an “awesome breakfast.”    It’s West of the Grandstand at the Southeast corner of Carnes Avenue and Chamber Street.  They’re open 6:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. every day of the Fair.

When they’re not vending their prize product at Target Field, Ordest and his son run the family business.  the iconic butcher shop/restaurant at 215 Hennepin (near University Avenue) in Northeast Minneapolis.

How to get to the Minnesota State Fair

As I write it’s just 24 hours and counting till the gates open at the 2010 Minnesota State Fair.  Be still my heart.  Though more about the Fair precedes and will follow this post the pressing issue of the day is getting there – especially getting there without squandering money better spent on bacon-on-stick, a kufta kabob or the Turbo Bungy.

Behold the bus:

• Check out the State Fair Express service – nonstop to and from the Fair from Express parking lots 8:00 a.m. to Midnight. Closer P&R lots are free.  Far flung lots ($5) operate throughout the metro area and the burbs (some operated by MVTA and SouthWest Transit).  Park ($5)  Hop on the bus, hop off at the Fairgrounds gate and look with pity on hot and hapless families stuck in traffic.  Insider’s tip:  Go to the MTC State Fair site – enter your address and the omniscient system will show you the parking lots closest to you.

• Regular bus routes are another option — Route 960, a State Fair special, runs frequently from Nicollet Mall. – Route 84 goes North-South on Snelling while Route 3 runs East-West on Como.

Bike or cycle:

• There are three free secured bike parking areas on the fairgrounds – Check Gate #6 (Como and Snelling), Gate #2 (Hoyt and Snelling and Gate #15 near the West Dan Patch Transitway Gate.  Open 6 a.m. to Midnight.

• Cyclists may also park, lock and ride the bus free from some of the Park & Ride sites.

• Motorcyclists can pay $5 to park 6:00 a.m.-midnight for $5 at the secure lot near Gage #7 in Como.

No bicycles or motorcycles may be operated on the fairgrounds during the Fair.

Accessible parking:

A parking lot for people with disabilities and their companions, including wheelchair-accessible transportation to and from the Fair, is located at 1039 DeCourcy Circle, East of Snelling off Energy Park Drive. The bus stop for the wheelchair-accessible Park & Ride is at  Como Loop Gate #9.  Lots more information about accessibility to all of the State Fair on the state fair site, email accessibility@mnstatefair.org, call 651 288 4400 or TTY 651 642 2372.

When in doubt, check it out:

The Minnesota State Fair and Metro Transit websites are treasure troves that will answer just about any question a Fair-goer can pose.   Everything you ever wanted to know about the Great Minnesota Get-Together – schedules, times, fees, competitions, entertainment and food you’ve never imagined is  online or call 651 288 4400. A great resource is Metro Transit’s TripPlanner service – online or call 612 333 3733 (TTY 612 341 0140).

The FCC Comes to Minneapolis – Town Hall Meeting

Secretary of State Mark Ritchie and Senator Al Franken jump started last night’s town hall meeting on the future of the Internet at South High Auditorium.  The 600 didn’t realize they were the chosen few – the fire marshal called it at 600 for safety reasons.  With minor outbursts Twin Cities advocates of every stripe listened, then took turns expressing their unique spin.

FCC Commissioners Michael Cotts and Mignon Clyburn, both advocates for the vox populi, spoke to the challenges they face as presidential appointees on a regulatory agency operating in the eye of the storm.  The immediate challenge is the proposal for tiered Internet service (the Lexus lane of telcom) from new-best-friends Verizon and Google.  The Commissioners also face regulatory challenges including network neutrality, media ownership, broadband development and conflicting priorities.  Speaking to the choir, they made it clear that they represent David in a pitched battle with the Goliath of aggressive corporate maneuvers, past regulatory inaction, economic disparities, global communications and the competing forces of the bottom line vs the public interest.

Other speakers included representatives of the sponsoring organizations: Free Press CEO  Josh Silver, Minneapolis native Amalia Deloney of the Center for Media Justice and Steven Renderos of the Main Street Project.  Each presented clear background information and appeared genuinely interested in hearing comments from the public.  Laura Waterman Wittstock, host of KFAI’s the Circle, Chris Mitchell with the Institute for Local Self Reliance, and HOPE Community organizer/hip hop artist Chaka Mkali set the local scene with their articulate and passionate plea to the FCC Commissioners to listen – and to take aggressive action.

And then the locals took to the microphones.  An endless list of over 60 vocal activists, speaking on behalf of at least that many constituencies, tried with limited success to hold to the two-minute limit.  Though the Commissioners and the audience will need time to internalize and distill the disparate positions and suggestions, some consistent themes prevail:

• Regulation is a powerful and essential role of government – the FCC has been negligent even complicit in favoring industry over the public interest.

• Access to information, defined to incorporate the skills of access, is a human right.

• Digital tools and access are essential to civic engagement

• Interest groups that speak for specific target populations – e.g. rural residents and businesses, ethnic groups, people with disabilities, creative artists, the homeless – must at the table – and heard.

• Alternative access options, e.g. libraries and technology centers, are underfunded and ill-equipped to meet the overwhelming needs of those who cannot afford, lack skills or face a impenetrable range of barriers to information.  At the same time, government resources and services are increasingly accessible in digital format only that demand tools and skills that are beyond the reach of many who need and have every right to government services.

• Information, no matter its nature, lacks value until and unless it is shared, accessible and put to use.  Small businesses developers and entrepreneurs depend on access to information to create products and services.  At the same time, small business depends on information and communications tools to protect, promote and manage the business of meeting market expectations.

• Because government alone is not the answer and because government can and has exacerbated the problem, it’s up to “the people” to take the reins.

• The time is now – the balls are in the air – the future of the Internet is at stake

• The Federal Communications is the regulatory agency with the mandate to define, represent and preserve the public interest against all odds.

• Those present and the constituents they represent will defend and support the Commissioners and other defenders of the public interest.

This list is culled from two hours of impassioned comments.  The good news for those who could not attend – and for those who were there and need to listen, weigh and reflect on what they heard, intrepid volunteers from TheUpTake streamed and videotaped the entire evening

The town hall meeting pumped new energy into the ongoing community discussion, helped to create a sense of community among divergent interests, gave voice to some new leaders, and affirmed that the future of the Internet is not a passing phase.  The conversation continues on Tuesday, August 24, when Senator Klobuchar and FCC  Chair, Julius Genachowski, (who came in for heaps of blame at last evening’s town meeting) headline a Broadband Summit at the University of Minnesota Carlson School.

The MN Polish Fair was Wonderful!

The Polish music still plays in my head as review the mental – and digital – images of polka dancers, red and white memorabilia everywhere, and the ambient aroma of fine Polish cuisine.  My original intent was to capture the story of a young couple’s surprise engagement on stage during the Dolina Dancers.   The unanticipated delight was a perfect August afternoon at the Twin Cities Polish Festival at St. Anthony Main on the Mississippi – notepad in hand and camera at the ready.

According to plan, I did my best to capture the delightful experience in a piece for the following day’s Twin Cities Daily Planet.  This was a quintessential Poking Around experience to be shared with readers of this blog committed to that precise purpose.

Hum a polka and tap a toe as you read along.

Minnesota State Fair Calendar

It’s highly unlikely that anyone was ever afraid to ask anything about the Minnesota State Fair.  Just in case, the world needs to know about Fairchild’s Fantastic Fair Fun Funder on the State Fair website.  More than you ever wanted to know about the Great Minnesota Get Together!

Among the highlights you’ll find the answer to the perennial question:  What day is it?

During the Fair the question refers to what “special” deals are on today is it?   Here a snatch of hints but there’s lots more on FFFFF (or, as I prefer, F5)

Thursday, August 26 — Thrifty Thursday – reduced admission with discounts at the Mighty Midway and Kidway Rights.  At Carousel Park (9-4) it’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) Day – construct a bridge, experience the power of an earthquake (why?), engineer a construction or make concrete float.

Friday, August 27 – Governor’s Fire Prevention Day.  You’ll find Early Bird Specials till 1 pm. on Mighty Midway and Kidway rides, games and concessions.  More exciting perhaps are the youth firefighter competition or extinguisher training at Carousel Park as well as The Hot Zone at West Dan Patch where you’ll be treated to demo car fires, fire equipment, mock extrications, kitchen fires and other thrills for the amateur pyromaniac.

Saturday, August 28 – 4H Day.  Need I say more?  A busy day for 4-Hers from virtually all of Minnesota’s 87 counties.  It wraps up with the 4-H Purple Ribbon Audition at 6 p.m. in the Judging Arena.  Lots more including a bunch of sports guys, e.g. Joe Soucheray, Patrick Reusse, The Rookie and others, 10-noon at Carousel Park.

Sunday, August 29 – FAN Central Day.  Minnesota pro sports teams will be there, but there’s lots more including participants and winners in the Community Pride Contest  and a guest appearance by singer-songwriter Charlie Maguire and other Minnesota musicians.

Monday, August 30 – Seniors, Kids & MN State Patrol Day.  Over 65 and kids 5-12 get those special deals on admission and lots of discounts on rides.  At West Dan Patch Park reps of the Minnesota State Patrol will  offer a show-and-tell about their initiatives, techniques and duties.

Tuesday, August 31 – It’s Ticket Deal Tuesday featuring Early Bird Specials till 1 p.m. with discounts on rides, games and concessions.  The eighth annual Minnesota Cooks event at Carousel Park brings together local farmers, chefs, celebrities and the community for demos and discussions about sustainable food production practices and the farmer-to-consumer connection.

Wednesday, September 1 – Read & Ride Wednesday.   Public library cardholders receive a discount on admission when they show their library card.  In Carousel Park it’s the “Great Minnesota Read-Together” featuring a children’s CD release party, a reading of A Fabulous Fair Alphabet by author and illustrator Debra Frasier (10:30 a.m.), presentations by Minnesota mystery writers, games and activities all day at Carousel Park.

Thursday, September 2 — Seniors Day. As anyone 65 or better knows, it’s reduced admission and special events including “The State’s Largest Senior Stretch & Stroll” with mind and body-stretching exercises and lots of perks, e.g. t-shirts, that rare fashion feature of the Fair.

Friday, September 3 – MPR Day.  That’s Minnesota Public Radio for out-of-staters.  At 11 a.m. Minnesota’s primo host, Gary Eichten, welcomes the gubernatorial candidates.  Hold on to your seat for the arrival of Garrison Keillor  at noon to chat about the evening’s PHC show at the Grandstand and more.  Not to be outdone, The Current will feature live musical performances throughout the day.

Saturday, September 4 – FFA day offers attendees the chance to second-guess the judges of lovingly tended swine, sheep and market goats in the Swine Barn, while dairy cattle strut their stuff in the Judging Arena.

Sunday, September 5 – Minnesota History Day.  Take the State Fair Historical Walking Tour and receive a free 2010 commemorative art poster, not to mention the chance to work up an appetite.  The State Fair Foundation the Minnesota Historical Society host a mix of educational and entertainment including music, theater, trivia and a fashion show – all in Carousel Park and all day.

Monday, September 6 – Kids & Last Chance Day. Deals for kids, discounts, last chance deals and a Last Chance flyer at all info booths.  And then there’s the last chance for a corn dog, a bag of mini-donuts or one of the neophyte taste treats, maybe some fresh fruit salsa and chips, an Irish breakfast or a caramel apple puppy.