A closer look at flyover land

Friday food

The Twin Cities has a strong and growing interest in the locavore lifestyle, with farmers markets enjoying increased popularity and many local restaurants focusing more intently on sourcing their foods from area producers.

One example of the dedication to local foods is Traditional Foods MN, a warehouse club food store that sells local foods only to members. Membership is available at $10 for a one-time visit, or $30 for three years or $75 for lifetime.

First-time visitors might be taken aback at the location.

 

Aesthetically pleasing it ain't, tucked away in a warehouse behind an auto body shop.

 

The interior is somewhat better, although still pretty much an industrial warehouse around the edges.

 

No, not wine--locally made kombucha. Several flavors and providers.

 

Canned items, like honey, maple syrup, soup mixes, jams and preserves.

 

Dairy products, including chicken and duck eggs.

And meat. Lots and lots of meat--several deep freezers full of numerous variations on chicken, beef, and pork (including some mighty fine sausage patties and bacon, which we bought and consumed quite happily). There's even raw dog food, prepared by the owner, who is also a holistic veterinarian.

Oddly for a summer day, there was no local produce. Owner Will Winter was available for questions, and when I asked him about the produce, he said, laughing, that he hadn't really thought about it; but produce was tricky, so much would be wasted, and he wasn't sure how to make that work. (A local farm does provide CSA shares that can be picked up there, though.)

I have mixed feelings about this venture. I applaud the sentiment behind it, but other than the great meat selection, I'm not 100% sure why someone would join. Many of the products can be found at co-ops and grocers around the Twin Cities. On the other hand, if he can grow the store and increase the number of products, find a way to make produce a part of the mix, it could become a strong resource for people who try to source locally.

Winter has plans to expand a back-room kitchen that currently can be used by vendors who need a commercial kitchen space to prepare their products for retail sale. The kitchen is also used for private event catering. With a larger space, perhaps he could look at produce as a long-term product: get fresh produce in the summer and freeze/can it for sale in the winter, when farmers markets no longer have much to sell.

I wish him the best of luck; he's a knowledgeable, enthusiastic, passionate guy.

And who could resist that dog?

An expedition to Titanic

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of crossing the river to visit this fine institution.

 

Photo courtesy of the Science Museum of Minnesota

The Science Museum of Minnesota, a hugely entertaining place to visit any time. It's a huge, rambling space:

 

Photo courtesy of the SMM

Full of hands-on, fun, informative exhibits all about--of course--science. In the summer, you can even play mini-golf:

 

Or wander through a maze:

 

You can eat lunch from the cafe on the top floor and enjoy the beautiful weather.

 

Not to mention the view.

 

Harriet Island and the University of Minnesota Showboat. Harriet Island was full of tents for last weekend's Taste of Minnesota.

I should note that the food offerings at the Science Museum include the expected burgers, pizza, and hot dogs, but thankfully they also offer items like spinach/strawberry/chicken salad, Greek grilled chicken, and grilled veggie sandwiches.

But none of that was why I went to the Science Museum, as enjoyable as all those things are. No, I went for this:

 

The Titanic exhibition, cleverly advertised on the Museum's musical stairs. (Yes, really! The stairs play music when you walk on them! And you can bet I always find several reasons to walk on them whenever I visit.)

This exhibit, as you might guess, is a collection of artifacts brought up from Titanic's watery grave, and the technology involved makes my head spin. I hadn't realized that many items left underwater for so long adapt to the ocean water and become dependent on it, requiring careful handling when bringing up from the depths. For example, apparently cast-iron pans will explode when exposed to air after decades under the sea. See, this is why it's a good thing for the Science Museum to have this exhibit.

At the beginning of the exhibit, you're given a boarding pass.

 

On the back of the boarding pass is the name and information for an actual Titanic passenger. Mine was Mrs. William Edward Minahan (Lillian E. Thorpe), age 37, from Fond du Lac, WI, traveling with her husband and sister-in-law in first class, cabin C-78. At the end of the exhibit is a memorial wall, listing each traveler, their class of service, and whether or not they survived. Lillian and her SIL survived; Lillian's husband did not.

This was the first indication of the way the Science Museum set up the exhibit to try and make it more meaningful than just a collection of water-logged artifacts, and I think they did a great job. Costumed ships' crew strolled about, engaging visitors by "helping" them around the ship and explaining the meaning of several things. The exhibit itself is broken out into several small rooms, each around a specific theme (dining, cabins, engine room, the sinking, etc.). They have re-creations of a first- and third-class cabin:

 

 

Photos courtesy of the SMM

But of course, the real stars of the exhibit are the actual artifacts. Some are architectural:

 

Porthole.

 

Photos courtesy of the SMM

Cherub from one of the many staircases.

Some are intriguing just because they survived, like these wine bottles, which still have wine in them:

Photo courtesy of the SMM

And some are indicative of how the ship collapsed and what happens to certain materials under the sea:

 

Photo courtesy of the SMM

These au gratin dishes are thought to have been safely protected in a wooden cabinet in one of the kitchens. When the ship sank, the cabinet tipped over with the dishes still stacked inside. Over time, the sea water dissolved the wooden cabinet--but left the dishes intact.

Other intriguing aspects of the exhibit are personal effects that have been linked to specific passengers. These are displayed separately, with information not just about the items, but about the items' owner and whether or not they survived. In one especially adventurous story, a young man expected to board the Titanic did not--because he was shanghaied and hauled off to Egypt as slave labor. He eventually escaped, but his belongings were carried onto Titanic by a friend who did not know what had happened, and the friend did not survive.

The Titanic exhibition is a thoughtful, thorough, respectful look at one of the legendary tragedies of the 20th century, and well worth a visit.

Tour de France at the Riverview

Alert reader Chris gave me a heads-up about this fun event: watch the Tour de France on the big screen at the Riverview Theater.

Description:

Watch the tour Live on the big screen in HD! Doors open at 7:00am and coverage continues until 10:30am.

FREE ADMISSION
with donation to food shelf
(non-perishable food item or suggested $2 donation)

A special breakfast menu of bagels & cream cheese, muffins, and juice will be available, and as always we will have plenty of coffee. As per our normal policy: No outside food or beverage may be brought in the building.

• Saturday and Sunday July 11th and 12th.
  
• Saturday and Sunday July 18th and 19th.
  
• Saturday and Sunday July 25th and 26th.

In what had become an annual tradition, the Riverview Theater will again be offering viewing of select stages of the Tour de France. The Tour will be shown live on the big screen. This year, for the first time, it will be presented in High Definition. The Riverview will open its doors at 7am on Saturday and Sunday mornings beginning July 11th through the end of the tour, which is Sunday, July 26th. Coverage each morning will last until 10:30am.

There will be no admission charge. However, viewers are asked to bring a donation for the local food shelf - either a non-perishable food item or suggested cash donation of $2.

Monday Giveaway

Let's get the week off to a grand start, shall we? I have a doozy of a prize to give away today: a set of the young adult Cronus Chronicles trilogy, all three copies signed, courtesy of my friend and talented author Anne Ursu:

 

The Shadow Thieves, The Siren Song, and the recently published conclusion, The Immortal Fire.

Why give away these books on a Minnesota blog? Because Anne is a born-and-raised Minnesotan, and because--and oh, how I love this--the trilogy opens with teenager Charlotte discovering that Hades is not mythical, but is in fact a real place, and can be accessed behind a door at the Mall of America.

The premise of the trilogy is right on the cover of the first book, The Shadow Thieves.

 

As Charlotte and her cousin Zee discover, the Greek myths are indeed very real, and very dangerous. The books chronicle their adventures in saving the world from the Underworld, particularly a deranged demigod named Philonecron.

The books are a hugely fun romp for both young and not-so-young adults. For your chance to win the signed trilogy, simply comment on this blog and answer this question: If the road to Hades is not at the Mall of America, where would it be? Bonus entries if you name somewhere in Minnesota, but you can still play even if you don't. Comment by end of day Sunday, July 12, and I'll pick a winner via the ever-awesome Random Number Generator on Monday, July 13.

July festivals

This is just the tip of the iceberg for festivals and events in Minnesota in July. I’ve avoided the more routine festivals, Crazy Days, Fourth of July celebrations and city parties. You can find more information about those over at Explore Minnesota. What follows is a list of the more unique possibilities this month. If there’s something I’ve missed, please let me know. And be sure to check the Minnesota Historical Society’s event page; they’ve always got something interesting going on.

 

Minneapolis

Bicycle Film Festival

July 8-12

Exactly what it says—a film (and art and music) festival celebrating bicycles.

 

 

Walnut Grove

Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant

July 10-11, 17-18, 24-25

If I have to explain who Laura Ingalls Wilder is and why there’s a pageant, this probably isn’t for you. But for you Little House on the Prairie fans (and that includes me), here’s your chance to experience an outdoor theatrical representation of the Ingalls family’s life on the shores of Plum Creek.

 

Minneapolis

July 10-12

Cities 97 Basilica Block Party

In an odd but amiable pairing, the Basilica of St. Mary and local radio stalwart Cities 97 present this “party of a higher order.” Performers this year include Tapes ‘n’ Tapes, Hold Steady, Counting Crows, Black Crowes, and Romanica. 

 

Grand Marais

Grand Marais Arts Festival

July 11-12

There are many arts festivals throughout the state, but not many of them get to boast about being located on the North Shore of Lake Superior. Juried art, live music, food and fun.

 

Duluth

Annual Bayfront Reggae Festival

July 11

Eleven hours of reggae, right on the waterfront. Musicians include Tanya Stephens, Frankie “Dancehall” Paul, and Marcia Griffiths.

 

St. Paul

Dragon Festival

July 11-12

The ancient Dragon Boat tradition is the foundation for this Lake Phalen festival, which also offers martial arts exhibitions, music, makeup tips for Asian women, and food—lots and lots of food. Cooking guru Raghavan Iyer will be on hand to sign copies of his book, 660 Curries.

 

Minneapolis

July 15-19

Deep Blues Festival

More than 70 bands will play in just 5 days, primarily at the Cabooze.

 

Walker

Moondance Jam

July 16-18

If you haven’t already gotten tickets, better hurry up—only general admission was still left at the time of this writing. This year’s lineup includes Sheryl Crow, Spin Doctors, Asia, Grand Funk Railroad, and Spin Doctors.  

 

Minneapolis

July 17-25

Minneapolis Aquatennial

This annual celebration has a huge variety of events. Downtown tennis tournaments, block parties, milk carton boat races, live music, Twin Cities River Rats water-ski show, classic car show, a torchlight parade, recycled metal sculpture art contest, and fireworks.

 

St. Joseph

Tour of Saints

July 12

As the organizers say, this isn’t a race, it’s a heavenly little ride. Choose between a 35-mile and 50-mile course; the courses begin and end at the College of St. Benedict and includes stops at St. John’s Parish Center and the Cold Spring Bakery—because of course you need carbs for this.

 

Sauk Centre

Sinclair Lewis Days

July 12-18

A celebration of the community’s most cantankerous resident. Events include food, fireworks, live music, lots of tournaments (softball, disc golf), a treasure hunt, and turtle races.

 

Bemidji

Art in the Park

July 18-19

This is Bemidji’s 42^nd year offering a juried art program on the shores of Lake Bemidji.

 

Detroit Lakes

10,000 Lakes Music Festival

July 22-25

Dave Mathews Band, Widespread Panic, Wilco, Atmosphere, Gomez, and Cloud Cult, all in Detroit Lakes.

 

Stillwater

Lumberjack Days

July 23-26

Traditional festival activities (food, music, parade, treasure hunt, fireworks) combined with events from the region’s lumber baron history (lumberjack exhibitions).

 

Rice

Half-Way Jam

July 23-25

Midway between the Twin Cities and Brainerd Lakes is this annual festival. This year’s bands include the Skid Row, Dokken, April Wine, and Death by Trolls.

 

Hastings

Little Log House Pioneer Village Antique Power Show

July 24-26

This annual event offers the only public access to this historical site each year.  A thorough re-creation of Minnesota history, this festival offers quilting and spinning demonstrations, functioning lumber and shingle sawmills, tractor and truck pull, threshing demonstrations, and a hand printing press.

 

Ely

Blueberry Arts Festival

July 24-26

Arts, crafts, ethnic foods, and live music, all in beautiful Ely on the edge of the Boundary Waters.

 

Grand Rapids

The Great Minnesota Pie Extravaganza

July 18

Located at the Forest History Center in Grand Rapids, this one-day event gives participants a hands-on 1900s baking experience.

 

Blackduck

Woodcarver’s Festival

July 25

Annual festival by one of the two big black ducks, this event is a celebration of woodcarving as a past and present tradition. Don’t forget to try an Uffda Taco.

 

Minneapolis

Minnesota Fringe Festival

July 30-Aug. 9

Original, independent artists and performers giving it all they’ve got during this 11-day festival.

 

 

 

Twin Cities: the poem

Over at We Like It Here, they've noted that a current New Yorker magazine has a poem about the Twin Cities by Carol Muske-Dukes. (Sadly, I'm always a few weeks behind in my New Yorker reading.) The poem is here; check it out, it's lovely.

Friday food

I had something else planned for today, but after seeing this item in the Heavy Table, I couldn't resist changing gears: Dress Like a Cow, Eat Free Chicken.

So who's in? Who's willing to dress up like a cow and make an appearance at Coffman Union on July 10?

History in Beltrami County

I recently wrote several columns for WCCO.com about some of Minnesota's "other" museums and special exhibits taking place this summer. Today, let's take a look at one of the museums up north:

 

The Beltrami County History Center in Bemidji. It's relatively new, as county historical museums go--it opened to the public in 2001, in a restored James J. Hill railroad depot building.

This is one of the (many) small museums in the state that impresses me. It helps that it's got fairly new facilities, but nevertheless, it has a surprisingly varied collection, well maintained and displayed, with many items on loan or donated outright by local residents. 

Look at the beautifully displayed Native American pieces:

  

And a car:

 

Then there are some quirky items:

 

Old license plates, from an odd source:

There's also a display full of old office items, including this tongue-in-cheek notice:

 

Overall, a great place to visit. I've heard that some of the local residents were unhappy when the Center opened and charged admission ($5 for adults, $4 for students/seniors, $1 for kids 12 and under). Apparently people felt that given how much the local community had donated, both in terms of display items and money, that there should be no admission fee. I understand where they're coming from, but at the same time, museums are expensive places to operate. When a site is doing a fine job preserving and displaying their artifacts, I don't know that $5 is too much to ask.

 

A Minnesota poet takes on coal mining

From the TC Daily Planet:

MN VOICES | Poet Mark Nowak evokes the mortal hazards of coal mining

 

Above: Mark Nowak, photo by Lisa Arrastía. Below: photos by Mark Nowak and Ian Teh. Courtesy Coffee House Press.

By Dwight Hobbes , TC Daily Planet

June 21, 2009

Coal, the world’s most abundant fossil fuel, is, to state the obvious, a vital resource for energy. What’s also obvious yet, history shows, could stand restating are the terrible dangers of coal mining. West Virginia’s infamous Matewan Massacre in 1920 and its aftermath, the Battle of Blair Mountain, saw the slaughter of coal miners by agents for the Stone Mountain Coal Company, which’d had enough of employees fighting for unionized pay and reasonably safe working conditions. Between 1980 and 2007, “only” 197 miners died in U.S. disasters. In China, last year alone saw 4,700 deaths—according to official figures, anyway. Independent labor organizations say it’s more like 20,000 deaths every year.

Poet Mark Nowak’s Coal Mountain Elementary, a new collection from Minneapolis’s Coffee House Press, won’t solve the problem all by itself, but Nowak brings attention to the problem with a strong command of language and imagery. It’s stark poetry with stark photographs, by Nowak and Ian Teh, witnessing hard reality.

For several years Mark Nowak has designed and facilitated poetry dialogues with Ford autoworkers in the United States and South Africa (through the UAW and NUMSA), striking clerical workers (through AFSCME 3800), Muslim/Somali nurses and healthcare workers (through Rufaidah), and others. His writings include Goth: Undead Subculture (Duke University Press, 2007) and American Poets in the 21st Century: The New Poetics (Wesleyan University Press, 2007). A native of Buffalo, New York, Nowak now lives in St. Paul, where he teaches at the College of St. Catherine.

On top of his track record as an activist, Mark Nowak’s collections Shut Up Shut Down, Revenants, and Visit Teepee Town have earned Nowak a strong reputation as an author. Coal Mountain Elementary sustains it. Via e-mail, he answered questions about his craft.

Why the title Coal Mountain Elementary?
It addressed the major themes in the book: coal mining and elementary education. It also echoes the great Chinese poet Han Shan, who was also known as “Cold Mountain.”

What drew you to writing poetry?
When I was in my teens in Buffalo, New York in the early 1980s, I started several punk-electronic bands for which I sang, wrote lyrics, programmed drum machines, and sampled sounds. [I] was fed up with “working America” being associated with Bob Seger and Bruce Springsteen and, instead, [I] found inspiration in the emerging music in Manchester, Berlin, and the Bronx. When I left Buffalo and went to graduate school outside of Toledo, Ohio, those samplings turned more directly to language. Poetry became a way for me to document the world as I saw it, experienced it, studied it, and lived it.

Whose writing do you admire, why?
There are so many. Gwendolyn Brooks’s poetry was my first love, early work like “Kitchenette Building” and “The Bean Eaters” and her later masterpiece “In the Mecca.” Charles Reznikoff’s Testimony: The United States, certainly, and Muriel Rukeyser’s “The Book of the Dead.” And Langston Hughes’s “Johannesburg Mines” and the work of Adrienne Rich and Amiri Baraka have been very influential.

How’d you come about putting your style together?
It came from my early work as a musician, taking sounds from one source and remixing them with other sampled sounds to create an amalgamation completely new. Also an influence of documentary filmmakers, Dziga Vertov to Frederick Wiseman. For this new book, contemporary people making incredible films about mining such as An Injury to One, Broken Shaft, The Devil’s Miner, and others.

What images catch your eye when you’re thinking of what to photograph?
I’ve been [strongly] influenced by Bernd and Hilla Becher, who interpret the industrial and de-industrializing global landscape. I also am drawn to the ways in which languages integrate landscape through signs, graffiti, detritus, etc.

How’d you match your photos and Ian Teh’s to these poems?
Sometimes the images relate directly, in terms of content, to something occurring in the story. One of Ian’s photos of miners sorting through a coal heap right before a story on eleven Chinese miners dying when a coal heap collapsed in Guizhou province. More often, the photos are meant to establish a transnational dialectic, where readers [are asked to remember] workers in West Virginia and China. Where several Chinese miners walking through an underground mine tunnel will face news, unfortunately terribly mistaken news, that the 12 miners in Sago were found alive. One of the main things I’d like the book to do is to create a space in which the local and national conditions in mining are understood together. The conditions in the global mining industry are horrific. A daily deathwatch in the industry is something I’ve continued to document in my blog.

Dwight Hobbes is a writer based in the Twin Cities. He contributes regularly to the Daily Planet.

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Awwwwww...

For the dog lovers in the crowd, Saturday would be a great day to visit Wayzata.

For the cat people who don't have enough cats in their household, stop by the Animal Humane Society and get two kitties for the price of one. Unfortunately, it's more than just cute marketing--the Society is being overwhelmed with abandoned kitty-cats. If you have room and are not allergic, consider saving a couple of feline lives.