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December 5 - 9, 2005
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Monday, Dec. 5, 2005 |
Holidays highlight need for military families
A National Guard unit based in west-central Minnesota is getting a big welcome-home tonight after returning from a year in Iraq. A parade will be held at the University of Minnesota at Morris to honor the service of Company C of the First Battalion, 151st Field Artillery. The welcome home comes just in time for the holiday season for the families involved. But for many others who worry about service members still in harms way, the holidays can be an especially important time to seek support. Minnesota Public Radio's Annie Baxter has this look at where some families turn for comfort.
Excerpt: training for deployment to Iraq
About 2,600 Minnesota Army National Guard troops are preparing for deployment to Iraq next spring by training at Camp Shelby in southern Mississippi. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik recently spent a few days with the First Brigade Combat, and got to see the training the men and women are going through. Later today on "All Things Considered," Mark will report on what it is like to prepare for deployment to a war zone. Here's an excerpt from his story.
New book "Christmas in Minnesota" celebrates the season
Christmas in Minnesota. The very idea evokes pictures of warm fireplaces, fresh Christmas trees, Lutheran churches, and, hopefully, snow. Now, in a new book, some of Minnesota's best-known writers share memories and stories from the holidays in Minnesota. The book includes both essays and fiction, by people like Bill Holm, Kevin Kling, and Charles M. Schultz. Brian Horrigan edited "Christmas in Minnesota, " and he has come by the studio to talk about it.
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Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2005 |
Western Minnesota Guard unit gets big welcome home
Charlie Company is home from Iraq. About 2,000 supporters welcomed back the western Minnesota National Guard unit last night in Morris, Minnesota. There was praise for the troops, mixed with sorrow. Three of the company's soldiers were killed during its stay in Baghdad. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Steil reports.
Little Falls area mourning loss of soldier in Iraq
Residents of Little Falls, Minnesota are coming to terms with the death of one of their hometown sons. Cpl. Anthony McElveen, 21, was killed last Thursday by a roadside bomb in Iraq. Nine other marines were killed in that attack, including Lance Cpl. Scott Modeen, 24, from New Hope. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Post talked with some of the people in the Little Falls area who knew Anthony McElveen, and he has this report.
Fewer child care options for middle class and poor
A new report by St. Paul-based Wilder Research finds some positive and negative trends when it comes to child care in Minnesota. On the positive side, more parents are opting to put their their three and four year old children in center-based child care where they are more likely to be exposed to school-readiness programs. On the other hand, a growing number of parents say they have fewer options when it comes to child care and have to take whatever they can get. Richard Chase led the study which was commissioned by the Minnesota Department of Human Services and he joins us now.
Exhibit hightlights art work of homeless
A new exhibit at the Mall of America has opened to raise awareness of the plight of artists who are homeless, or who have recently been homeless. Minnesota Public Radio's Marianne Combs visited the exhibit and has this report.
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Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2005 |
3M Co. names new CEO
Maplewood-based 3M Co. has named George Buckley as chairman, president and chief executive officer, effective immediately. Buckley was formerly the chairman and chief executive officer of the Brunswick Corp., maker of pleasure boats, boat engines, bowling balls, and fitness equipment. He succeeds 3M's interim chairman and CEO Robert Morrison, who has led 3M since July 1, 2005. Alfred Marcus is a professor at the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management who has been tracking developments at 3M and he spoke with MPR's Cathy Wurzer.
Future of St. Paul plant is uncertain as Ford's board meets
The Ford Motor Company's Board of Directors meets today to talk about a plan that would close up to ten facilities, including the St. Paul assembly plant. Gov. Tim Pawlenty has suggested that the St. Paul plant be converted into a facility where vehicles that use alternative energy are manufactured. He will meet Ford officials sometime in the next two weeks. John Fossum studies trends in manufacturing at the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Business, and he spoke with MPR's Cathy Wurzer.
Nightclub First Avenue issues bootleg CD
The nightclub First Avenue in Minneapolis is releasing a compilation of bootleg recordings of some of the more famous, and infamous, artists who have graced its stage. First Avenue has long been seen as the epicenter of the Twin Cities' music scene, and the release of the recordings is being done to celebrate the nightclub's 35 years in business. We have more from Minnesota Public Radio's Chris Roberts.
Saffran Foer latest book: innovative or gimmicky
Jonathan Safran Foer is out with a new book that is earning both intense praise and fierce criticism. The 28-year-old author became a literary star when his first novel, "Everything is Illuminated" hit the bestseller lists and went on to be made into a movie. Safran Foer's new book is called "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close," and he'll be joining Minnesota Public Radio's Midmorning host Kerri Miller to talk about it tonight at the Fitzgerald theater in St. Paul. But to preview the live event, Miller has this report about the book, and why critics have such different reactions to it.
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Thursday, Dec. 8, 2005 |
Minneapolis continues work on making city a Wi-Fi hot spot
Going on-line in Minneapolis could soon mean going wireless. Minneapolis is one of several Minnesota cities that wants to provide wireless Internet access known as WI-FI all across the city. You may be familiar with Wi-Fi. Many coffee shops, hotels and other businesses already offer the service to customers. Supporters say Minneapolis's initiative will make it one of the largest cities in the nation to go Wi-Fi. But critics say the city may be headed down the wrong track by making some decisions without enough public involvement. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
The nightclub First Ave. to host 25th John Lennon tribute
Twenty-five years ago, former Beatle John Lennon was shot and killed outside his apartment building in New York City. Many people learned of Lennon's death from sportscaster Howard Cosell during a broadcast of Monday Night Football. The next night, the Twin Cities-based band Safety Last was supposed to play at First Avenue nightclub in Minneapolis. They invited singer Curtis A, who was known around town as a big Beatles fan, to join them on stage for a set of songs as a tribute to Lennon. That performance became an annual tradition which continues to this day. On Thursday, December 8 at 6:30 p.m., fans and musicians gather again at First Avenue for the 25th John Lennon tribute. Curtis A will be master of ceremonies. He and musician Steve Brantseg spoke with MPR's Cathy Wurzer to talk about what the Lennon tributes are like.
Small theaters good and bad for theater scene
A new production of "The Miracle Worker" opened this week in Minneapolis. It is the inaugural offering of the Torch Theater Company, the latest in a crowded marketplace of small theaters that have opened in the Twin Cities in the last few years. Minnesota Public Radio arts commentator and St. Paul Pioneer Press theater critic Dominic Papatola has stopped by to talk about this trend.
The state of hockey in Minnesota is mostly good
Sports is a big business. Parents spend a lot of money buying equipment and paying various participation, tournament, and camp fees. When it comes to hockey, all that can add up quickly. There's a new book out that looks at the state of hockey in Minnesota, at all levels, from pros to mites. It is written by sports author Ross Bernstein, who has roots in the Gopher hockey program. He says hockey in Minnesota is generally good, but there are a few problems.
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Friday, Dec. 9, 2005 |
Bush lends fundraising hand to Kennedy
President Bush comes to Minnesota today for a fundraiser for Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mark Kennedy. The president's visit comes at a time when his approval rating in the state is low. If that trend continues, it could hurt the chances of Republican candidates with close ties to Bush in next year's mid-term election. But Republican leaders downplay that possibility, as Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
"Body World" exhibit to use real bodies
An extremely popular and sometimes controversial exhibit will be coming to the Science Museum of Minnesota next year. It is called "Body Worlds: The Anatomical Exhibition of Real Human Bodies." The exhibit allows the public to view the inner-workings of the human body in a way that only medical professionals have been able to before. The human cadavers are preserved and posed through a process called plastination which was invented by the German anatomist and inventor Dr. Gunther von Hagens. Eric Jolly, the president of the Science Museum of Minnesota, spoke with MPR's Cathy Wurzer about the exhibit.
Chinese artist illustrates new book with water-color
One of Minnesota's best-known water-color artists has a new a book out for children. It is called "Noel," and the softly-colored paintings in the book are done by chinese artist Cheng-Khee Chee. The illustrations depict a story about the sights and sounds of an old-fashioned Christmas. Minnesota Public Radio's Stephanie Hemphill talked with Cheng-Khee Chee about the technique he used to convey the magic of an evening full of snow and Christmas bells.
Climatologist Mark Seeley's weather comments
University of Minnesota Climatologist Mark Seeley discusses the recent weather, and the health effects of the weather. He also tells us about light pillars, and how they form in very cold temperatures.
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