Last night at 8:45, fifteen minutes after the first debate for this year’s US Senate race, I received an email from the Dean Barkley campaign proclaiming: “Dean Wins First Debate.”

I am signed up to get these emails, so obviously I’m sympathetic to the Independence Party. But I’m also a fan of realistic outlooks. “What a brazen assertion,” I thought. “Surely we won’t know who won the debate until the pundits have their way with it.” I had seen the debate, so while I could see no clear winners, Dean Barkley certainly hadn’t lost.

(Oh yeah, that’s right. I watched the debate last night. It wasn’t on teevee, but perennially relevant citizen news source The Uptake broadcast the whole thing via streaming internet video. They were the only ones.)

I was kind of happy to see Al Franken pivot from his performance at Farmfest, where he talked about Norm Coleman almost exclusively, to talk about himself and how he would act and vote as a senator. Still, he was woefully deplete of specifics–but to be fair, so was Coleman.

Coleman, for his part, was also just as focused on Franken as on himself. He was also shoving his face in Al Franken’s face every time Franken gave an answer. It looked like a weird attempt to distract Franken and get him to screw up, which did not happen.

One thing struck me, however. Both Coleman and Franken were really happy talking about themselves and each other–and Barkley. But when they talked about Barkley it wasn’t the same, “He’s unprepared, he’s divisive, he hates America/seniors/students/our troops/our economy/etc” that characterized the barbs about the other two. No, it was all positive: no fewer than twice did Norm Coleman actually preface a statement with the words, “Dean is right.”

This was a very peculiar strategy, considering Barkley is polling at 18-19% (depending on which poll you look at). In the first days of October, for an independent candidate, polling anywhere near close to 20% is what is known as “striking distance.” And he seems to be pulling from both Coleman and Franken.

So, the way I see it, this race is Franken’s to lose. He attacks Norm Coleman, ignores Dean Barkley, and keeps himself nebulous at his own peril. I hope, for the sake of casting an informed vote, that Franken sheds some more light on himself.

But as for the debate? In a three-way tie, the guy who is told he’s right the most times wins. So whaddya know, Dean Wins First Debate.

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Hey, I guess some marketing braniacs have decided that nothing represents hockey better than a cuddly stuffed animal on skates. The mascot, Nordy, has a mullet, a tattoo of an “M” on it’s forehead,  wears the number 18,001, and is being called a hybrid of several animals. 

You can check out the Wild fan site and see what the fans are saying,  Should the Wild have a Mascot?.  Sasquatch is one of the few mascots people actually wanted.

I think Nordy is pretty lame looking and I don’t know a single fan whom actually wanted a mascot. (sasquatch comments aside) I get the feeling we’ll be seeing Nordy stuffed animals released just in time for the holidays.  So is this just another sales gimmick?

As far as I’m concerned they might as well have chosen My Pretty Pony.

So what do you think?

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• CANDO has a new website. CANDO = Central Area Neighborhood Development Organization. [Where's the Central neighborhood?]
• The Twin Cities Media Alliance is having its first ever membership campaign. If you join now, you’ll be a founding member (oooohhhh, aaaaahhhhh </Smurfs>). Donations accepted online. You can mail your check to their offices but honestly, if you’re reading this blog, I’m assuming you can manage the online thing. If you want to spread your local independent media love/dollars around, MinnPost would love to take your money, as would the Center for Independent Media which operates MnIndy and its sister sites. Personally, I’m discontinuing my Minnesota Public Radio membership. I’m not sure that indy media is my #1 priority, but I’d consider either (or both) of these two outfits a fair swap for MPR.
• Several bike-related items via Bicycling in Minneapolis:
  1. The West River Parkway and 2nd Street SE bike paths under the I-35W bridge have reopened.
  2. According to this Census 2007 Report (pdf), Minneapolis bicycle mode share increased to 3.8%. That’s up from 2.5% in 2006. We’re still #2 to Portland, which has a bicycle mode share of 3.9%. Y’all are riding your bikes more just because your competitive, right?
• The 8th Annual Twin Cities Book Festival is next Saturday, 10/8, 10am-5pm at MCTC. Exhibit info here. (via @alexisthegirl)

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Stone Arch Bridge

I call it real purrty.

I’ve always loved the beauty of the Stone Arch Bridge and whenever I’m in the area,day or night, I make it a point to walk across the bridge and enjoy the views. 

Uploaded on October 1, 2008
by epmd

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During the TCMA Fall Media Forum breaks today, Erica and I took the opportunity to tour the Post Secret exhibit mere hours after it opened.

Already there were entries in guest book from Chicago and North Dakota from visitors who claimed to have driven to Minneapolis just to see the exhibit.

Frank Warren’s community art project invites people to anonymously share a secret on a postcard and send it to him. This traveling exhibition of 400 postcards illustrates the poignant secrets we never voice. In many cases, the illustrations on the postcards are just as compelling as the secret.

‘Sometimes when we think we are keeping a secret that secret is actually keeping us.”
Frank Warren, the founder and curator of PostSecret

We had the opportunity to eat lunch with someone from the Library staff (please help me with her name), who told us the library “edited” (her correction to my terminology of “censored”) the selections to remove the f-word and they kept the more risque secrets up higher in the displays to shield them from the innocent children.

I heard Frank Warren speak at SXSW last year. His story is a phenomenal one, and checking out the secrets online is equally poignant. But seeing these secrets in real, physical life is a head-trip.

I highly suggest you make the trip to check it out.

October 4-November 30
Minneapolis Central Library
Cargill Gallery
300 Nicollet Mall

During Library Hours:
Tues., Thurs.: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.,
Wed., Fri., Sat.: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.,
Sun: Noon-5 p.m.

Cost:
Free

And yes, there are postcards available for you to submit your own secrets.

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The Fourth Annual Twin Cities Media Alliance Fall Media Forum, which we told you about way back in August, is tomorrow.

Both Erica and I were be there. Be sure to shoot us DM’s if you’re there, and we haven’t met yet (@swirlspice, @perfectporridge).

From the TC Daily Planet:

“Tools for Democracy, Strategies for Change” is the theme of the Twin Cities Media Alliance’s 4th Annual Fall Media Forum, tomorrow, Oct. 4, at the downtown Minneapolis Public Library.

Featured speakers include Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, on how citizens can use new media as tools for participation in electoral politics; Robyne Robinson on how to use mainstream media, and Amalia Anderson of the Main Street Project, on organizing for media reform and media justice.

Afternoon workshop topics will include media justice and media reform; digital skills training, and a talking circle for journalists, participants and bystanders who witnessed the RNC protests.

This event is open to the public and free of charge, but donations are welcome.

Online preregistration is now closed, but you may register onsite on the day of the forum.

On the heels of June’s National Conference for Media Reform and last November’s stirring Life After Newspapers conference, the 4th Annual Fall Media Forum promises to be high-energy and a great opportunity to keep the discussion going about media ownership, net neutrality, citizen journalism’s role/impact at the RNC, and more.

Also, I’m anxious to hear their perspective on the Steve Jobs/CNN iReport citizen journalism debacle from today and any lasting impact given the criticism coming from the MSM and SEC.

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Music, it is mighty!

There are all kinds of songs in the world and this is a song for Saint Paul.

A Song For Saint Paul - “Can I get a Saint Paul? That’s my team right there . . . ”

I have a fire in the fireplace, a nice chianti freshly opened, and I just added another 230 songs to the iPod.

I am really looking forward to buying the new Ben Folds and the new Michael Franti & Spearhead cd’s this weekend.

What are you listening to?

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This is just fascinating. Even though the third party candidates weren’t included in this local poll, SurveyUSA is editorializing how much of an impact they could have on the election day outcomes.

Minnesota Presidential Teeter Totter Tips Toward McCain:

In an election for President of the United States in Minnesota today, 10/02/08, 33 days from the vote, John McCain and Barack Obama finish effectively even, according to a SurveyUSA poll conducted exclusively for KSTP-TV in Minneapolis, WDIO-TV in Duluth, KAAL-TV in Rochester, and KSAX-TV in Alexandria.

The nominal advantage today goes to McCain, who is atop Obama 1 percentage point, 47% to 46%, within the survey’s 3.7 percentage point margin of sampling error. But: Compared to an identical SurveyUSA poll 20 days ago, Obama is down 3 points.

How much of this is movement and how much of this is “noise” is unclear. Minnesota behaves unlike other states in some respects. Among women, there is movement to McCain, at a time when McCain is losing ground among women elsewhere. Among voters younger than Obama, there movement to McCain, at a time when Obama is consolidating support among young voters elsewhere. Among voters older than McCain, there is movement to Obama, at a time when older voters elsewhere are sticking by McCain. In Western MN, which abuts the Dakotas, there is movement to McCain. In Northeastern MN, which overhangs Michigan, there is see-sawing back to Obama.

Complicating this analysis is the emergence of a possible protest vote. 12% of Independents, 8% of young voters, 6% of men, 6% of those who almost never go to church, 5% of Conservatives and 5% of Twin Cities voters tell SurveyUSA that they will vote for neither McCain nor Obama, but rather “some other candidate.”

How much of this protest can be attributed to the failure of the U.S. House of Representatives to pass an economic recovery bill, the day before interviewing for this survey began, is unclear. Ron Paul held his campaign “convention” in Minnesota a month ago. Bob Barr and Ralph Nader are on the ballot in Minnesota. Voters who tell SurveyUSA they are for “some other candidate” also tell SurveyUSA they are likely to change their minds.

It is unclear how many actual votes will be siphoned from McCain and/or Obama on Election Day, however, polling results from the Norm Coleman / Al Franken U.S. Senate race in Minnesota, also released today by SurveyUSA, suggest the protest may be non-trivial.

Here’s Bob Barr’s new TV ad, which has a resonating message with a significant percentage of Minnesotans (if they can get past the techno pRon music):

I think the findings above prove that future polls should include Dean Barkley, Nader, Barr and other significant third party candidates.

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Speaking of jewelry, I bet you could pick up a Wonder Woman pin, or a Superman belt buckle at FallCon, the annual two-day comic book convention put on by the Midwest Comic Book Association. This year is the 20th anniversary, so it’s being moved from its regular digs in the Education Building to the Grandstand. There are going to be more guests and more vendors, so hopefully I’ll get even more deals this time. If you can stand to wait six months, those comics that would cost you three bucks when they’re brand new, usually drop to a buck at the convention.

I’m particularly excited this year, because one of the guests is Don Rosa. That name may not mean a lot to most people, but he’s the current writer and artist behind the majority of the Disney Duck comics, like Uncle Scrooge. He’ll be doing a panel on Sunday:

1PM to 2PM: THE MAN, THE MYTH & THE DUCK - DON ROSA - A rare opportunity to meet one of the most accomplished & definitive Disney Duck artists of all time! A casual Ducky discussion with Don Rosa. A creative genius and also a fairly decent guy!

Really looking forward to the convention this year!

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My mom makes dichroic glass jewelry and knitted felted bags and sells them at small art fairs around town. I think the biggest she’s been in is one in Northfield. I think she’s going to try to get into Powderhorn or Loring for next year. She and a group of other artisans are holding an Open House in Rosemount to sell their creations tomorrow. Other items for sale will be handmade teddy bears, raku pottery, suede designs and block print watercolors. If you’re in Dakota County tomorrow, and want to support local independent artisans, visit this informal collective’s open house, at the home of Laura Lybek (who makes the teddy bears), at 4463 Derrymoor Ct, Rosemount, MN 55068, from 9am to 4pm.

Open House flier

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I am so excited to discover www.minnesotamud.com, a forum with 1,500 members and 4,300 threads more or less devoted to extolling the virtues, joys and sorrows of muddin’.

Here’s some recent video of the crew out doing their thing — plus a busted drive shaft:

The group also hosts charity mudding events, including one coming up for Toys For Tots.

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Sometimes I get the urge to do something besides hit the couch and watch the television on a friday night. Other then hitting a bar with friends, or blowing out my eardrums at a local rock show I like to check out some art.

Hitting a local art gallery or museum can be an enlightening experience. You get to sip a beer or glass of wine, hang with hipsters and pretend you might just know something about art. Plus you can be home by ten or hitch a ride on the hipster express and find an all night DJ blowout somewhere.

Two events come to mind this weekend, but they are both on the same night and start at the same time. Maybe you can do half and half!

Hot Ink: Comic Art In Minnesota - All the cool local underground comic artists will be displaying their work and recently published books. Friday, October 3rd, 7:00pm at the Minnesota Museum of American Art at Kellogg Boulevard and Market Street in St. Paul - www.mmaa.org

Tales From The Black Lodge - From the press release -  “Tales from the Black Lodge will feature surreal and otherworldly artwork inspired in part by the creative genius of David Lynch.” This one takes place Friday, October 3rd, 7:00pm at Altered Esthetics - 1224 Quincy St. NE in Minneapolis - www.alteredesthetics.com

A great place to look up art events is at www.mplsart.com

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By now you’ve all heard about the Twins season coming to a painful end, but did you know the Eagles were in town last night?

Jon Bream of the Strib gives his baseball analogy filled review Eagles’ lifeless delivery a downer and subtitles it “The Eagles played a concert that could serve as a requiem for the Twins’ season”

Well his writing didn’t give the Strib readership the Peaceful Easy Feeling they were searching.

One commenter asks “Which concert are you talking about?” and states “I think Mr Bream needs to stick to Brittney & Ms Lohan. The concert I was at was awsome to say the least.” and then the readership confusion sets in as another reader says “What the? Jon, I don’t understand this story one bit. If you felt down about the Twins why take this type of story about the Eagles and poison it with random ramblings. I feel sorry for anyone that reads this crap.”

Suprisingly, aside from some disagreements with the review it’s been pretty civil for the Strib comment section.

Another commenter notes “Okay, I’m headed over to the sports section to see what they thought of the Eagles concert.”

One reader even pens a requiem for music critics.

Note to Strib: Eliminate paid critic and benefit from reader opinions.

The Eagles might very well lack the passion they had 30+ years ago…but look in the mirror, Jon Bream. Your writing is no less contrived and pretentious. Most readers would rather hear what actual Eagle fans have to say about their experience at the show. That’s what’s great about this forum, it renders you (Mr. Bream) obsolete. You’re just one opinion among many (no more qualifies or important than any other person in attendance at that concert. So, why the Strib feels the need to pay you, while there are so many readers and actual fans that can offer the same if not greater value in commentary for free is beyond me.

Ouch.

I guess the lesson here is that if you don’t like the Eagles, you can get out of the cab and walk.

For the record, I liked the review.

Read the Strib comments

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• MinnPost has a fantastic post on Minnesota’s congressional delegation and the Bailout Bill, including statements from the incumbents and the current challengers.
• Cool stuff coming up at the Riverview Theater
  1. Screening of Spirit of the Marathon in conjunction with the Twin Cities Marathon. Sat 10/4, $8, 3pm.
  2. The first VP debate (Thurs 10/2) and the 2nd presidential debate (Wed 10/15). Both debate screenings sponsored by SD 62 DFL, free, 8pm.
• Big media is suing the state of Minnesota. They think our new law requiring exit pollsters to stand back 100 feet from polling place doors is unfair. Can someone tell me if we really need exit polling anyway? Can’t we just wait for the actual results and not let groupthink and speculation sway our judgment (and stress me out)?
• Follow Gaylaxicon 2009 on Twitter: @gaylaxicon2009. (The Big Gay Sci-Fi/Horrror/Fantasy Convention is being hosted in Minneapolis next year.)
• MinnesotaPlaylist “provides information and inspiration for Minnesota’s performing arts. All content is free to read, including audition notices, talent profiles, in-depth articles and essays from great artists and writers and—coming soon—calendar listings and audience reviews. Posting a classified ad or talent profile costs a small fee.” An online magazine, it is, and it kicks off its inaugural issue by asking local performers “What is the function of the performing arts?”

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Let me start out by saying I’m a recent covert to the hilarious Mr. Keith Olbermann, so I am not sure how many times our fair Congresswoman, Michelle Bachmann, has been featured on Mr. Olbermann’s show, but oh man: did you hear? Michelle Bachmann is Keith Olbermann’s worst person… in the world! Do you know why?

Sixth District Representative Bachmannn read into the congressional record, from the magazine Investor’s Business Daily, that a Clinton-era rule pushed:

“Fanny and Freddy to aggressively lend to minority communities,” to offer “home ownership for blacks and other minorities to enter the middle class.” In other words, Congresswoman Bachmann blamed the meltdown on blacks and other minorities. In other words, Congresswoman Bachmann is a racist!

HOLY SHIT. Did she actually say that? I don’t care if those were her words, if she read them from somewhere else, or she even vaguely hinted at them. I say again: HOLY SHIT. I always knew Ms. Bachmann was not exactly aligned with my politics, but… wow.

Please, PLEASE, let the world know what you think in the comments section.

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