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Free Coffee Shop

Apparantly, Hiawatha Joe's is available for whoever wants it, if it hasn't been snapped up already. (Via Alexis on Twitter.) Anybody know what's going on here?

Lake Street Now Has Its Own Web Page

In answer to everybody who has said, when will the street that has Ingebretsen's, Hymie's, the Midtown Global Market, and the Heart of the Beast going to get its own Web page? The answer is now. (Via.) What's your favorite Lake Street attraction?

Gran Torino

With Clint Eastwood's newest movie opening Friday, perhaps it is time we had a new thread about it. As we know, it was written by local writer Nick Schenk, was originally set in Minnesota, and still retains some Minnesota flavor. First reviews range from fair to terrific, and the film was cast with some Hmong actors and has generated some excitement in the Hmong community. It has come with some criticisms, too: Hmong writer Sharon Her says that the movie is underresearched and doesn't represent the commuity well; Northwest Asian Weekly says the movie falls short in its depiction of Hmong culture; MPR looks at some of the mixed responses people in the Hmong community are having about the film.

Spoken Word Minnesota

Minnesota has a varied and noble tradition of spoken word, including the MN Spoken Word Association, numerous CDs of spoken word artists, and now a blog titled Minnesota Microphone, specifically devoted to spoken word artists and performances. (Via) What spoken word do you recommend?

Monsters of Minnesota

I'm a local author, putting together a book about monsters - real monsters like bigfoot, giant bears, vampires, werewolves, or killer mosquitos. Do you know of any stories that you've heard of over the years? If so, let me know and it may end up in the book. I need to know location and approximate date of event. Thanks, Chris Larsen Author of Ghosts of Southeastern Minnesota

Minnesota Health Plan

Our own Erica discusses the plan for health care reform in Minnesota (FAQs). Just how messed up is health care here, and will this plan help? What else needs to be done?

Dining Roundup 01.07.08

Edible Cities reports that the Cheeky Monkey Deli is opening soon.
We Got Served goes to Cafe Maud and Merlin's Rest.
Foodie File looks at local burgers.
The Decider (specifically, MnSpeak's own McP) goes bar hopping.

Minnesota Writers Hall of Fame

MinnPost tells of a forthcoming Minnesota Writers Hall of Fame (albiet a virtual one, as it will exist only online). We can guess that Fitzgerald and Sinclair Lewis will be on it. Garrison Keillor will undoubtedly also make the cut. Who else? Judith Guest? Louise Erdich? What about some lesser known notables, such as the group sex-obsessed Henry Sackerman? Who would you nominate?

More Cutbacks at City Pages

Susannah Schouweiler at MnArtists discusses recent cuts in City Pages, including laying off the A-List editor and one of the two food writers, as well as the recent announcement that Quinton Skinner's theater beat is being cut by half. With all these cuts in arts coverage (and City Pages is hardly alone in this), where do you turn to find out what is happening on the local arts scene?

Favorite Songs About Minnesota

Mine would have to be Augie Garcia's lost classic "Be My Guest" about the River Road Club in Mendota, although I have also always been partial to The Replacement's "Skyway." What are your favorites?

Local Blog Roundup 01.05.08

Afterglide locates a very odd Craigslist offer.
Breaking Down says Minnesota is not a state for drivers.
The Deets enjoys some fine local fried food.
Overheard examines the value of Timberwolves tickets.

Carl Pohlad Dies at Age 93

According to Star Tribune columnist Pat Reusse, on Joe Soucheray's KSTP show (reported here), Minnesota Twins owner Carl Pohlad is dead at age 93. If anyone hears any more about this, please comment.  [Update: Star Tribune confirms.]

Joe Dowling Makes a Lot of Money

The Strib does a story on salaries for the local arts community, and reveals that Guthrie Artistic Director Joe Dowling pulled in $682,229 in salary and benefits last year: Even discounting a one-time bonus of $100,000, his compensation surpassed that of his peers not only in New York but also at nonprofit theaters elsewhere in the United States. So, Joe Dowling -- overpaid?

Perhaps the Greatest Andrew Zimmern Site Ever

Here is what is currently flying through the blogosphere: Andrew Zimmern Ate My Balls. Via: Almost every blog in the Twin Cities.

Food Invented in Minnesota

Of course, we know that Minnesota is the home of the Jucy Lucy. Also the bundt cake, or, at least, the bundt pan. Pronto Pup claims to have invented the corn dog. We're reportedly the birthplace of the cosmopolitan. Cheerios comes Golden Valley, along with dozens of other General Mills products. Pearsons in St. Paul invented the Salted Nut Roll. And now Secret's of the City's own Jeremy Iggers reveals the extraordinary fact that Minnesota's own Leeann Chin invented the cream cheese won ton. Any other local creations that I am forgetting?

Recent Comments

I forgot Barbette! I was thinking about the eastern part of Lake st. I love the little strip of Lak…

That's ok. The firearm's secondary to the sneer anyway. …

I ordered from there all the time... good food but I do admit the decor of the place was non existen…

P.S. Blue Moon was awesome and I wish I was out there more often...cute little shop. …

Exactly, Alie, He apparently tried to market it as a coffee shop but was way off....especially since…

I know there are some great areas, KC but there is most certainly a buffer around Lake st, especiall…

Er...Duluth... …

This summer my friend and I were headed out to Deluth and wanted a cup of coffed on an early, cool S…

In a pinch I once stopped into Hiawatha Joe's to use their wireless. The place smelled like greasy f…

 Looks like close to 24 grand in property taxes..   .Aha!.... "Property has prior year del…

I live within 8 blocks of Lake St, so I have no choice. And there are lots of really great things be…

I used to frequent there in the mornings for coffee and breakfast. He was a nice guy, and those saus…

What's the property tax like down there? …

I drive by Hiawatha Joe's all the time. It is unfortunately situated right next to a McDonald's. P…

Lake st is a great place to experience night life! As long as you stay exactly on Lake St and do not…

I like how they list one hotel as the place to stay near Lake st... …

it is own webpage? …

La Bodega on Lake and Lyndale is another good one. I love their flamenco dancers. …

Town Talk Diner has to be my favorite Lake Street attraction, and there is a good new Indian place d…

Chicago Lake Liquors. I love going there on a Friday or Saturday night--place is hoppin'! …

Thanks, kc. …

The best part of living near Lake street is when you don't know what you want to eat. In a few bloc…

If we're going to bring up Jeno's empire, we should also mention Totino's. …

Cheapo is definitely my favorite Lake Street destination. I can't count the hours I've spent flippi…

Big K in the Way! At least it is my most frequented Lake St stop, though I have many other loves. I…

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