Buzz

Downtown Journal highlights area's "lost mansions"

Downtown Journal Wednesday, November 02, 2011

About 500 unique and formidable mansions have vanished from the Twin Cities, and now many of them can be "visited" thanks to a new book by architectural historian Larry Millett.

Showcased in The Downtown Journal, Millett's work, Once There Were Castles, tells fascinating tales about the wealthy individuals who lived in these often-massive homes. A notable example is a mansion on Lake of the Isles Parkway East that became the largest private residence ever built in Minneapolis. Yet the owner died before he could move into the behemoth.

As noted by The Journal, Millett will talk about his book on Nov. 7 at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul.

New U of M wind energy station recognized

North American Windpower Wednesday, November 02, 2011

North American Windpower (NAW), a publication geared toward professionals in the windpower industry, recently reported on a new wind energy research station in Rosemont, implemented by the University of Minnesota.

The facility consists of a wind turbine and a 420-foot-tall meteorological research tower, located about 25 miles southeast of the university's Twin Cities campus.

As noted by NAW, the station will host active consortium research as well as education and training of wind industry workers. The facility is equipped with instruments and sensors designed to measure factors like wind-capturing ability.

Star Tribune publisher named Publisher of the Year

StarTribune Wednesday, November 02, 2011

The trade journal Editor & Publisher recently named Star Tribune publisher Michael Klingensmith publisher of the year.

Under his leadership, the newspaper’s circulation has increased and it has experimented with digital products, according to a Star Tribune story.

The article cites the following statement from the magazine: "The Star Tribune is standing tall as one of the elite U.S. newspapers," and it calls Klingensmith is a "hometown hero."

Klingensmith, who grew up in the Twin Cities, has led the newspaper out of bankruptcy and back into profitability, according to the story.

Tom Hanks looks for local talent for new movie

Minnesota Public Radio Wednesday, November 02, 2011

Auditions for a Hollywood movie with Tom Hanks as its star will be held in Minneapolis on Nov. 5, according to Minnesota Public Radio.

Hanks will portray Capt. Richard Phillips, “who was taken hostage by Somali pirates who hijacked his ship in 2009,” the MPR story states.

Sony Pictures, which is doing the casting, is looking for black actors, "preferably born in Africa ... Especially seeking SOMALIS," the story reads.

It’s what brings the company to the diverse Cedar-Riverside neighborhood, which has the highest population of Somali-Americans in the country, according to the story.

The auditions will happen at the Brian Coyle Center, a community gathering place.

The story quotes casting consultant Debbie DeLisi: “We just looked at where there's huge Somali populations," who adds, "It may be our only stop, depending on the turnout."

Target sparks buzz with sustainable fish promise

Los Angeles Times Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Minneapolis-based Target Corp. prompted discussion about aquaculture practices by recently promising it will sell only sustainable, traceable fish by 2015.

As noted in the Los Angeles Times and other publications, the company stopped selling farmed salmon, Chilean sea bass and orange roughy in 2010, due to sustainability issues. It currently sells about 50 types of fish that are certified by either the Marine Stewardship Council or the Global Aquaculture Alliance.

To meet its 2015 goal, Target is partnering with nonprofit marine conservation group FishWise, which will assess all of the company's seafood products.

Minnesota ranks as 17th largest cyberstate, study finds

TechAmerica Foundation Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Despite losing some tech jobs in 2010, Minnesota remained the 17th largest cyberstate, according to non-profit firm TechAmerica Foundation.

In its annual Cyberstates rankings, the organization analyzed the health of the tech industry in all 50 states.

In a press release announcing the results, Minnesota High Tech Association CEO and president Margaret Anderson Kelliher noted that "Minnesota will recover with policies that encourage education in science and technology." She also mentioned economic development tools such as the data center sales tax exemption that was recently approved by the state legislature.

Compared to other states, Minnesota ranked second in electromedical equipment manufacturing employment, and sixth in computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing employment.

Utne Reader names Representative Keith Ellison as one of 25 visionaries for 2011

Utne Reader Wednesday, October 26, 2011

U.S. Representative Keith Ellison was recently named by the Utne Reader as one of 25 visionaries from around the world who "don't just concoct great ideas but also act on them."

"These people also have delivered hope and renewed faith and tangible improvements to the lives of millions, the Utne reads.

The magazine describes Ellison as someone who is "A make-no-apologies progressive surrounded by a party of 'moderates.'" and adds that "the nation's first Muslim congressman believes true justice begins with tolerance--cultural, racial, and religious."

Miami Herald publishes piece about Minneapolis as a top bike town

Miami Herald Wednesday, October 26, 2011

The Miami Herald recently published a piece by local writer Jay Walljasper, titled, "The surprising rise of Minneapolis as a top bike town." (The article was excerpted in last week's The Line.)

When the city was named by Bicycle magazine as the best place for biking nationwide, "Shock that a place in the heartland could outperform cities on the coasts was matched by widespread disbelief that biking was even possible in a state famous for its ferocious winters."

Wallsjasper provides plenty of reasons why Minneapolis has earned this distinction, including the sheer number of bicyclists, many whom brave the winter temperatures.

Walljasper writes: "'Places famous for biking like Copenhagen and even Portland feel very far away,' remarked Jeff Stephens, Executive Director of the Columbus advocacy organization Consider Biking, who came to Minneapolis looking for ideas he could apply back home. 'It was exciting to see what they've accomplished in Minneapolis, which is a city that seems a lot like Columbus.'"

Crave Restaurant named metro's fastest growing private company

Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal Wednesday, October 19, 2011

In its annual roundup of the 50 fastest-growing companies in the Twin Cities, the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal named Crave Restaurants the zippiest private company.

Reporting growth of 437 percent over the past three years, Crave has found success in an otherwise challenging economic environment for restaurateurs. The company has six restaurants, including sites in Omaha and Orlando, and employs 600 people.

Crave CEO Kam Talebi told the Business Journal that a seventh location is already under construction in Coral Gables, Fla. He added that Crave's success comes from the strength of its concept, and the ability to anticipate the needs of its diners.

Washington Post describes the delights of visiting Minneapolis

Washington Post Wednesday, October 19, 2011

In its Impulsive Traveler column, the Washington Post recently highlighted several top tourist sites in Minneapolis, including Mill City Museum and the Midtown Global Market.

The newspaper's columnist, Alexandra Pecci, noted that while visiting her sister-in-law in Minnesota, she attempted to see the city a little differently than the last time she'd visited (a trip filled with the Mall of America and downtown Minneapolis' Mary Tyler Moore statue).

In marveling at Mill City, the Global Market, and Mill Ruins Park, Pecci described the historical significance of the buildings she was visiting. "It was Minneapolis as I'd never see it before," she wrote, "which was exactly what I'd hoped to find."

Town Hall Brewery picks up several awards at prestigious beer festival

City Pages Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Recently, the Town Hall Brewery in Minneapolis received several awards at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver, Colo., which is “the biggest event of its kind in the world,” according to City Pages.

The festival included 466 brewers with 2,375 varieties of beer, it reports.

Beers from all over are judged according to 83 style categories, the story explains, adding that “The judging is rigorous, the competition is stiff, and the prestige bestowed upon the winners is great,”

Town Hall Brewery’s Hope and King Scotch Ale picked up a gold medal in the Scottish-Style Ale category, while a couple of specialty beers, Eye of the Storm and LSD, got silver medals in the Specialty Honey Beer and Herb and Spice Beer categories, according to City Pages.

Minneapolis a top place for retirees, study shows

Huffington Post Wednesday, October 19, 2011

A Huffington Post story highlights Minneapolis as an ideal spot for retirees even though “retirement living is typically associated with temperate climates and warm sunshine,” it states.

Bankers Life and Casualty Company Center For a Secure Retirement recently did a study that puts Minneapolis at the top for retirement due to the strength of its healthcare and economy, its low crime rate, and other quality-of-life factors, the story states.

Boston, Pittsburgh, and Cleveland follow closely behind, according to the story.

Scott Perry, president of Bankers Life, is quoted as saying that while the study's results may seem surprising, the idea was to "find cities that did the best job in providing the services and support that seniors need."

"The top ranked cities aren't what come to mind when you think about where to spend your golden years, but they scored high in the criteria most important to the 65 and up bracket," he says.

Fortune picks two Minnesota executives for its most powerful women list

Fortune Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Fortune magazine has named its annual "50 Most Powerful Women in Business" and two Minnesota executives made the ranking.

Gail Boudreaux of Minnetonka-based UnitedHealth Group came in at number 30 on the list. She's appeared in the feature several times in the past, and this year, moves up four notches on the list from last year.

At number 46 on the current Fortune ranking, Shari Ballard of Richfield-based Best Buy has also appeared on the list before, and came in at number 48 in 2010.

Topping the list overall was Irene Rosenfeld, the CEO of Kraft Foods, followed by Indra Nooyi of PepsiCo. and Patricia Woertz of Archer Daniels Midland.

Wisconsin newspaper highlights CaringBridge site

Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune recently highlighted the benefits of CaringBridge, a free website based in Eagan that allows families to keep journals online about themselves or loved ones who are going through treatment for serious illnesses.

The newspaper spotlighted the story of a Milwaukee family that used the site to keep friends and family updated on care for a baby born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. The child's mother noted that she used CaringBridge to give hourly updates during surgeries, to avoid multiple phone calls during an already stressful time.

CaringBridge was founded in 1997 after a close friend of the founder, Sona Mehring, developed a life-threatening pregnancy. Mehring created the website to help the family communicate news without disturbing the mother or hospital staff members. Currently, more than half a million people use the site every day.

Minneapolis's Downtown 100 program recognized as one of top 10 criminal justice initiatives in U.S.

MyFox9.com Wednesday, October 12, 2011

At the recent Innovations in Criminal Justice Summit in Chicago, Minneapolis’s Downtown 100 program was honored as one of the top 10 national criminal justice initiatives, according to MyFox9.com.

The collaboration between local government, businesses, nonprofits, and community members has a goal to “both reduce crime in the short term and develop solutions for maintaining law-abiding conduct in the long run,” the story states.

Downtown 100, which started in April 2010, helped reduce crime from top offenders by 74 percent, according to MyFox9.com.

It also led to more offenders being placed on supervised probation and obtaining housing, the story states.