Morning Communique

8/14 Morning Communiqué

Filed under: Morning Communique

THESE DAYS

Blairgowrie resident Gregor Spalding has been shown leniency in Perth Sheriff Court after explaining he was growing cannabis to use the drug to tackle a genital itch.

Authorities charged the director of a Christian boot camp and an employee with dragging a 15-year-old girl behind a van after she fell behind the group during a morning run.

MINNESOTA BLOG OF THE DAY

Liberal firebrand Mark Gisleson rattles the political cages on the left and the right at Norwegianity.

[Minnesota-based blog directory]

TIME WASTERS

The 10 Most Expensive Paintings of All Time

A poster of Marlon Brando as Don Corleone using the entire script from The Godfather

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

"One month from The Anniversary, I'm thinking another 9/11 would help America."

— Philadelphia Daily News columnist Stu Bykofsky, recalling the unified America following the September 11 attacks

"The man's legacy is a conservative movement largely discredited and disunited, a president with lower consistent approval ratings than any in modern history, a generational shift to the Democrats, a resurgent al Qaeda, an endless catastrophe in Iraq, a long hard struggle in Afghanistan, a fiscal legacy that means bankrupting America within a decade, and the poisoning of American religion with politics and vice-versa."

— conservative blogger Andrew Sullivan on outgoing White House chief political strategist Karl Rove

"It's too bad the 9/11 terrorists did not patronize Northwest Airlines; they undoubtedly would have been stranded in Logan airport until they all collectively renounced Islam."

— Chuck Klosterman, in a recent Esquire column, attempting to fly from New York to Tulsa in time to see a time capsule containing a Plymouth Belvedere opened during Tulsarama. He was late.

Posted by Corey Anderson at August 14, 2007 6:47 AM | Comments (0)

 

8/13 Morning Communiqué

Filed under: Morning Communique

CITY PAGES BLOGS AND NEWS

Steve Monaco has the latest edition of the Monday Movie Quiz posted at Couch Pundit.

Peter Schilling Jr. bemoans the quiet bats and the substandard pitching in another loss to the Angels at Balls.

Check out my Best Of/Farewell post at American Idle.

City Pages has launched our new GOP Convention blog, Elephants in the Room.

THESE DAYS

Johnson & Johnson, the health-products giant that uses a red cross as its trademark, sued the American Red Cross last Wednesday, demanding that the charity halt the use of the red cross symbol on products it sells to the public.

The Bush administration opposes a Democratic effort to restore full educational benefits for returning veterans, according to VA official Keith Wilson.

MINNESOTA BLOG OF THE DAY

We sadly bid adieu to our anonymous Pizza Man. Good luck out there... on those Streets of Pizza.

[Minnesota-based blog directory]

TIME WASTERS

A British documentary on sex dolls and the men who love them: Guys and Dolls

When you're done with the documentary, you can check out Academy Award nominee Ryan Gosling and his mail-order friend in Lars and the Real Girl opening in October.

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

"It took three or four of us to hold her down."

— Seattle bartender Robert Willmette, on an unidentified woman who began shouting expletives and pushing and punching a male karaoke singer when he began performing Coldplay's "Yellow" [via Obscure Store]

Posted by Corey Anderson at August 13, 2007 6:57 AM | Comments (0)

 

8/10 Morning Communiqué

Filed under: Morning Communique

THESE DAYS

A Texas man is suing 1-800-Flowers for $1 million after a thank you note from the web florist outed him as an adulterer.

Obesity among women residing in the U.S. has become more socially acceptable, likely in part because more than one-third of women ages 20 and older are obese, according to a recent study.

Pearl Jam is accusing Lollapalooza sponsor AT&T of censoring lyrics pertaining to President Bush from its "Blue Room" Live Lollapalooza Webcast.

MINNESOTA BLOG OF THE DAY

Jon Nelson is the host of a nationally syndicated radio program about music and blogs about the same at Some Assembly Required.

[Minnesota-based blog directory]

TIME WASTERS

Name all of Shakespeare's plays in ten minutes

Napoleon Dynamite in 30 seconds re-enacted by bunnies

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

"Nope."

— Jeremy Hernandez, who kicked open the school bus door and helped the children inside to safety following the I-35W bridge collapse, when asked by a Bush Administration staff member to appear in a photo opportunity

Posted by Corey Anderson at August 10, 2007 6:45 AM | Comments (0)

 

8/9 Morning Communiqué

Filed under: Morning Communique

CITY PAGES BLOGS AND NEWS

Peter Schilling Jr. mourns the releasing of David Wells by the Padres at Balls.

THESE DAYS

Judy Hagan caused a stir among plot owners in the Uniontown (IN) City Cemetery when she put up a tombstone for her and her departed rat terrier, Shithead.

Last year, the top two advertising mediums were newspapers, at $55.7 billion, and broadcast television, at $48.7 billion. By 2011, overall Internet advertising will become the largest advertising medium, at nearly $63 billion.

A 41-year-old Sheboygan man was charged Monday after he allegedly sold his employer's domain name, sofa.com, for $200,000 and used corporate credit cards to finance international trips with a "stripper" girlfriend.

MINNESOTA BLOG OF THE DAY

Erik and Sharra blog about throbbing thumbs, earning gay points, and their all-tile bathroom at Eleven.

[Minnesota-based blog directory]

TIME WASTERS

Favorable views of the U.S. from 2000-2007 Hey, Bangladesh still likes us!

Rudy Giuliani's Five Big Lies About 9/11

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

"One of the ways my sons are showing support for our nation is helping me get elected because they think I'd be a great president."

— GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney, when asked at a gathering in Bettendorf, Iowa, why none of his five sons are serving in the military

Posted by Corey Anderson at August 9, 2007 6:58 AM | Comments (0)

 

8/8 Morning Communiqué

Filed under: Morning Communique

THESE DAYS

A recent Boston University School of Medicine study links consumption of soft drinks—both the sugared and diet variety—with a higher risk for a range of obesity-related health problems.

A judge Monday granted new trials for two former elections workers convicted of rigging a recount during the 2004 presidential election to avoid a more thorough review of the votes.

Playing the popular Chinese tile game mahjong can lead to seizures, Hong Kong researchers say, calling the phenomenon "mahjong epilepsy." [via Undernews]

MINNESOTA BLOG OF THE DAY

Christopher Tassava blogs about the bridge collapse, toppling toddlers, and suspicious bananas peels dotting the roadways at Blowing & Drifting.

[Minnesota-based blog directory]

TIME WASTERS

The Ten Best Bands that Never Existed

President Bush's visit to the I-35W bridge site as imagined by Mr. Fish

Minesweeper: The Movie

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

"He's a control freak who micro-manages decisions, he has a confrontational character trait and picks fights just to score points. He is the last thing this country needs as president right now."

— Jerome Hauer, New York's emergency management director from 1996 to 2000, on former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, in the Telegraph

Posted by Corey Anderson at August 8, 2007 12:33 AM | Comments (0)

 

8/7 Morning Communiqué

Filed under: Morning Communique

THESE DAYS

A Florida man stockpiled 20,000 cubic yards of horse manure on his property and was charged with running an illegal composting operation.

A man named Johnson underoges a vasectomy in exchange for getting permission from his wife to purchase an iPhone.

MINNESOTA BLOG OF THE DAY

Shyestviolet blogs about Harry Potter 7, being a pure nerd, and the Sass of the Week at Is That All You've Got?

[Minnesota-based blog directory]

TIME WASTERS

Learn about Charley, the cat with cerebellar hypoplasia

Chart of where all the 2008 presidential candidates stand on issues like abortion, wiretapping, civil unions, etc.

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

"We will have to look for other stronger purgatives now."

— Kolkata detective Ajay Kumar, on forcing a thief who swallowed a $1,300 necklace to eat 40 bananas in order to hurry the digestive process. The plan is so far unsuccessful.

Posted by Corey Anderson at August 7, 2007 6:02 AM | Comments (0)

 

8/6 Morning Communiqué

Filed under: Morning Communique

CITY PAGES BLOGS AND NEWS

Steve Monaco has posted the latest edition of the Monday Movie Quiz at Couch Pundit.

City Pages writers, freelancers, and readers have contributed to a photo gallery depicting the terrible events surrounding last week's collapse of the I-35W bridge. Visit our gallery section to view the photographs.

THESE DAYS

County health officials say they're stepping up enforcement at Angel Stadium, where they've found 118 vermin violations at stadium kiosks and restaurants over the last 2 1/2 years.

Iraq's electricity grid could collapse any day because of insurgent sabotage, rising demand, fuel shortages and provincial officials who are unplugging local power stations from the national system, electricity officials said on Saturday.

MINNESOTA BLOG OF THE DAY

Four more days until the Vikings battle the St. Louis Rams in the first pre-season game of 2007. Keep up with the latest news at Purple Pride.

[Minnesota-based blog directory]

TIME WASTERS

Mail-order burro [via BoingBoing]

MSNBC has an interactive map showing "deficient" or "obsolete" bridges state by state

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

"We will recognize Vick for being an outstanding human being."

— Southern Christian Leadership Conference President Charles Steele, announcing that Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, awaiting trial related to dogfighting charges, will be honored during the August SCLC conference

Posted by Corey Anderson at August 6, 2007 6:53 AM | Comments (0)

 

8/3 Morning Communiqué

Filed under: Morning Communique

THESE DAYS

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says he is ready to help Minneapolis build a new bridge over the Mississippi River, and he'll help the state find $250 million for the work.

With the the bulk of the nation's highway system having been built in the 1950s and 1960s, MIT professor John Ochsendorf predicts incidents like the I-35W bridge collapse could become more common.

MINNESOTA BLOG OF THE DAY

Metroblogging Minneapolis is posting traffic changes, an open thread, and other updates related to the bridge collapse.

[Minnesota-based blog directory]

(NOT) TIME WASTERS

Slate Explainer: How do you check the structure of a bridge?

How you can help the local Red Cross

2005 report card grading America's infrastructure

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

"The bridge was collapsing. The car bounced on the pavement. It was bouncing. Then we finally stopped in that position, right on the edge. We got out, and there was a car actually wedged underneath my car. The road in front of me disappeared. There was nothing but cars, but then there was nothing in front of me."

— Houston resident Dennis Winegar, recalling to City Pages the collapse of the I-35W bridge

Posted by Corey Anderson at August 3, 2007 6:55 AM | Comments (0)

 

8/2 Morning Communiqué

Filed under: Morning Communique

THESE DAYS

In New Zealand, "vegansexuals" who refuse to eat meat or animal by-products are choosing not to be sexually intimate with non-vegan partners whose bodies, they say, are made up of dead animals.

British police are hunting a drunk man who sexually assaulted a woman who was performing as a living statue during a corporate event in a marquee in the grounds of the De Vere Hotel.

MINNESOTA BLOG OF THE DAY

Tom Bartel blogs about the Ellison/Reichstag controversy, how China handles government wrong-doers, and the similarities between Par Ridder and Paris Hilton at the Read Menace.

[Minnesota-based blog directory]

TIME WASTERS

The Housewife Orchestra performing "De Klinkende Pannen"

Squid, ox tongue, corn: 101 Frightening Ice Cream Flavors from Around the World

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

"If it is up to me, we are going to explain that an attack on this homeland of that nature would be followed by an attack on the holy sites in Mecca and Medina."

— Presidential candidate Tom Tancredo (R-CO), in a speech at the Family Table restaurant in Osceola, Iowa, on deterring terrorism by threatening Muslim holy sites in retaliation

Posted by Corey Anderson at August 2, 2007 6:39 AM | Comments (0)

 

8/1 Morning Communiqué

Filed under: Morning Communique

CITY PAGES BLOGS AND NEWS

Peter Schilling Jr. looks at the Twins' play-off picture at Balls.

Check out Jayme Halbritter's photos of the local all-ages scene in our gallery section.

THESE DAYS

After asking nearly 2,000 people why they'd had sex, psychologists at the University of Texas at Austin have assembled and categorized a total of 237 reasons.

The Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Base has come up with a money-making scheme that turns droppings from the endangered species into odor-free souvenirs ranging from bookmarks to Olympic-themed statues of the animals

MINNESOTA BLOG OF THE DAY

MSP senior editor Adam Platt blogs about awkward grocery shopping experiences, the worst romantic songs of all time, and parenting at, appropriately enough, Adam Platt.

[Minnesota-based blog directory]

TIME WASTERS

From Cracked.com: The 25 Worst Rapper Names of All Time

A clip of Mr. Rogers playing Donkey Kong

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

"As great as it is, it can be so much better."

— CKX Chairman Robert F.X. Sillerman, announcing a $250 million overhaul of Graceland to include a new visitors center bigger than a football field, a convention hotel, and high-tech museum displays

Posted by Corey Anderson at August 1, 2007 12:21 AM | Comments (0)

 

7/31 Morning Communiqué

Filed under: Morning Communique

CITY PAGES BLOGS AND NEWS

Peter Schilling Jr. discusses the Luis Castillo trade and Scott Baker's inspired performance at Balls.

Read Christopher Matthew Jensen's review, and view Daniel Corrigan's photos, of the recent Fratellis show in our gallery section.

DVD Reviews this week include Hot Fuzz, The Darwin Awards, 300: Widescreen Two-Disc Special Edition, and more.

Check out the best photos and artwork in City Pages from July 2007 in our gallery section.

THESE DAYS

A 2006 government report found more than 1,000 soldiers being billed a total of $1.5 million for lost and damaged equipment.

An electronic tissue dispenser is being rolled out to the masses by Kimberly-Clark Professional as it seeks to capture more of the $1 billion US away-from-home toilet paper market. The company believes most people will be satisfied with five sheets.

MINNESOTA BLOG OF THE DAY

Photos and stories of Twin Cities' wind-surfing community can be found at Atlas Surfed.

[Minnesota-based blog directory]

TIME WASTERS

The 50 Best Movie Robots

Dramatic Prairie Cat (not bad, but no Dramatic Prairie Dog)

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

"It was logical."

— 76-year-old actor Leonard Nimoy, who played Mr. Spock in Star Trek TV shows and movies, on agreeing to a role in the Trek prequel directed by J.J. Abrams and scheduled for release Christmas 2008

Posted by Corey Anderson at July 31, 2007 6:59 AM | Comments (0)

 

7/30 Morning Communiqué

Filed under: Morning Communique

CITY PAGES BLOGS AND NEWS

Steve Monaco has posted the latest Monday Movie Quiz at Couch Pundit.

We're adding new articles like DVD and game reviews every day. Use our Recent Article RSS feed to check for new content:

THESE DAYS

Pharmacists have sued Washington state over a new regulation that requires them to sell emergency contraception, also known as the "morning-after pill."

A surgeon general's report in 2006 that called on Americans to help tackle global health problems has been kept from the public by a Bush political appointee without any background or expertise in medicine or public health, chiefly because the report did not promote the administration's policy accomplishments.

Although the federal government ordered states more than a decade ago to dramatically limit mercury discharges into the Great Lakes, the BP refinery in northwest Indiana will be allowed to continue pouring small amounts of the toxic metal into Lake Michigan for at least another five years.

MINNESOTA BLOG OF THE DAY

Amy Crea blogs about losing Teddy the Wonder Dog, Harry Potter, and, of course, knitting at Knit Think.

[Minnesota-based blog directory]

TIME WASTERS

Artistic tanks of the oil, propane, and water varieties

10 Unfortunate Business Names

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

"If this helps clarify the fact that the water originates from public sources, then it's a reasonable thing to do."

— PepsiCo spokeswoman Michelle Naughton, responding to pressure from Corporate Accountability International on bottled water sellers to disclose where the water comes from. Bottles of PepsiCo's Aquafina will soon reflect the water comes from the same source as tap water.

Posted by Corey Anderson at July 30, 2007 6:58 AM | Comments (0)

 

7/27 Morning Communiqué

Filed under: Morning Communique

THESE DAYS

For the past year, a special Colombian police unit has been locking rats in cages with cats as part of a project to train the rodents to sniff out the more than 100,000 land mines planted mostly by leftist rebels across the conflict-wracked Andean country.

Researchers at the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research have found tonsils might serve as a passageway through which HIV enters the body.

MINNESOTA BLOG OF THE DAY

The AimClear internet marketing firm blogs about search optimization, link baiting, and blogging tips at the aimClearBlog.

[Minnesota-based blog directory]

TIME WASTERS

Ten Fictional Characters Who Must Die from New York Magazine

The Lost Nintendo Sex Ed Tape

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

"If the show works, it will work because people care about these three guys under a lot of makeup and... can relate to their problems and find them charming."

— Mike Schiff, producer of the new ABC series "Cavemen," based on the popular Geico ads

Posted by Corey Anderson at July 27, 2007 12:01 AM | Comments (0)

 

7/26 Morning Communiqué

Filed under: Morning Communique

CITY PAGES BLOGS AND NEWS

Read Sarah Askari's review, and view Daniel Corrigan's photos, of St. Vincent's Tuesday night show at the 7th Street Entry in our gallery section.

THESE DAYS

Oscar, a Rhode Island cat, has been observed to have an uncanny knack for predicting when patients in the nursing home in which he resides are going to die.

Countrywide Financial Corp.'s CEO Angelo Mozilo stated during a conference call with investors that the U.S. is experiencing home price depreciation as never before, with the exception of the Great Depression.

MINNESOTA BLOG OF THE DAY

Brandon Ivers, James Laurie, and Jared Thiele blog about L.A. punk movies, Brigitte Bardot songs, and the Turkish version of Star Wars at Die Monster.

[Minnesota-based blog directory]

TIME WASTERS

From McSweeney's: My Father's Harper's Index

The Top Five Ballpark Promotions That Went Wrong

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

"Our Earth is talking to us and we must listen to it and decipher its message if we want to survive."

— Pope Benedict XVI, speaking about global climate change during his holiday in northern Italy

Posted by Corey Anderson at July 26, 2007 6:50 AM | Comments (1)

 

7/25 Morning Communiqué

Filed under: Morning Communique

CITY PAGES BLOGS AND NEWS

Peter Schilling Jr. bemoans the lack of Twins' scoring at Balls.

Check our gallery section for photos of last weekend's Art Car Parade.

THESE DAYS

The National Braille Press estimates that today only 12 percent of 55,000 legally blind children in the United States can read braille, down significantly from 50 percent in the 1960s.

A study conducted by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life shows that Muslims and white evanglical Christians have significant similarities, especially with regard to the gay lifestyle.

MINNESOTA BLOG OF THE DAY

Erica blogs about seeing Guster, dubious furniture store brochures, and performing with the Twin Cities Women's Choir at swirlspice.

[Minnesota-based blog directory]

TIME WASTERS

Quiz: Ripped from the headlines or plot from Scooby Doo?

If Charles Bukowski had written Peanuts [via BoingBoing]

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

"I learnt how to systematize my impressions and to read other (people's minds), and through the horses I learnt to communicate with the animals on a deeper level. It was while I was taking care of the horses that I got in contact with the angels."

— Norwegian Princess Maertha Louise, claiming to be clairvoyant

Posted by Corey Anderson at July 25, 2007 12:14 AM | Comments (1)

 

7/24 Morning Communiqué

Filed under: Morning Communique

CITY PAGES BLOGS AND NEWS

Peter Schilling Jr. discusses why Johan Santana won't win the Cy Young this year at Balls.

Check out our gallery section for photos of last weekend's Art Car Parade.

Chris Ward finds the Transformers game for the Wii, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360 stuck in first.

This week's DVD Reviews: Hard Boiled: Two-Disc Ultimate Edition, The Exterminating Angels, Zodiac, and more.

THESE DAYS

The more exposure middle school students have to anti-smoking ads, the more likely they are to smoke, according to a new University of Georgia study.

Climatologists are building evidence that crops, particularly corn, are driving up dew points as they put water into the atmosphere through evaporation.

MINNESOTA BLOG OF THE DAY

Goobermaster, Mom, and Rabbit post on mojito recipes, Simpsons avatars, and revenge of the cheerleader ninja movies at Goobertech.

[Minnesota-based blog directory]

TIME WASTERS

A middle school science teacher battles a hot sauce mogul for the Guinness World Record on the arcade classic Donkey Kong in The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters.

Hey, it's a bunch of babies eating lemons!

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

"I'm cool with it."

— 83-year-old game show host Bob Barker, on comedian and sitcom star Drew Carey replacing him as host of The Price is Right

Posted by Corey Anderson at July 24, 2007 6:32 AM | Comments (0)

 

7/23 Morning Communiqué

Filed under: Morning Communique

CITY PAGES BLOGS AND NEWS

Steve Monaco has posted the latest Monday Movie Quiz at Couch Pundit.

The 6th Annual Lebowski Fest was held this past weekend in Louisville, Kentucky, honoring the Coen Brothers' 1998 film. Check out photos from the two-day festival in our gallery section.

Download free MP3s from local artists such as Cloud Cult, the Hopefuls, Ben Harper, M.anifest, the Plastic Constellations, and more at Music To Go.

THESE DAYS

A small genetic mutation in the section of human DNA that codes for immune proteins appears able to reduce the amount of HIV in the body by an average of 90%, new research at Duke University suggests.

In an apparent violation of the law, a controversial aide to presidential candidate Mitt Romney created phony law enforcement badges that he and other staffers used on the campaign trail to strong-arm reporters, avoid paying tolls and trick security guards into giving them immediate access to campaign venues.

MINNESOTA BLOG OF THE DAY

Scooter blogs about lawn jockey sightings, puppets in the shape of giant toes, and eating banana-flavored Play-Doh at A Nod to Nothing.

[Minnesota-based blog directory]

TIME WASTERS

The 10 Worst Celebrity Bands from Cracked.com

Over 1,500 prisoners in the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center in the Philippines re-enact Micahel Jackson's Thriller

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

"Pretty soon (I) came to a pile, that had a fifty dollar bill hanging out, part of a fifty, and I said 'gosh, look at that."

— Debbie Hulleman, owner of an eight-year-old Lab-German shorthair mix named Pepper Ann who ate and subsequently shat out more than $800 in cash from Hulleman's grandmother's purse [via Obscure Store]

Posted by Corey Anderson at July 23, 2007 6:26 AM | Comments (1)

 

7/20 Morning Communiqué

Filed under: Morning Communique

CITY PAGES BLOGS AND NEWS

Steve Monaco updates us on his Movie Year (So Far) with some '80s schlock starring Ryan O'Neal, and a 1950's crooked-cop flick starring Jack Klugman at Couch Pundit.

We're adding new articles like DVD and game reviews every day. Use our Recent Article RSS feed to check for new content:

THESE DAYS

President Bush has rejected entreaties by his Republican allies that he compromise with Democrats on legislation to renew a popular program that provides health coverage to poor children.

Someone broke into the New Orleans Zephyrs baseball stadium in Metairie last week and stole a Coors Light beer truck containing 51 kegs of beer.

The vast majority of New Zealanders are against a recent rule approved by lawmakers that bans using images captured inside Parliament to satirize, ridicule, or denigrate lawmakers on broadcast and print media, a la The Daily Show.

MINNESOTA BLOG OF THE DAY

Kevin-M from Minneapolis blogs about farting during national holidays, the resemblance between Donald Rumsfeld and Ghidorah, and the musical stylings of Brigette Bardot at the restarted Insomnia Report.

[Minnesota-based blog directory]

TIME WASTERS

Can you name all the U.S. presidents in 10 minutes? I got 36 out of 43. Stupid Rutherford B. Hayes.

A 1966 interview with William Shatner describing his new show Star Trek

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

"Now that I have won my freedom and I get to choose my next team, I am just like many other people who have to go out and find employment so that I can take care of my family."

— Pro Bowl quarterback Daunte Culpepper, following his release from the Miami Dolphins after they acquired Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Trent Green

Posted by Corey Anderson at July 20, 2007 6:40 AM | Comments (0)

 

7/19 Morning Communiqué

Filed under: Morning Communique

CITY PAGES BLOGS AND NEWS

We remember Will H. Schaefer, who composed background music for Hogan's Heroes, The Jetsons, The Tonight Show, The Flintstones, and more at Corpus Obscurum.

Download free MP3s from local artists such as Avenpitch, the Blind Shake, Fort Wilson Riot, Romanitca, and more at Music To Go.

THESE DAYS

A surge in the demand for ethanol—touted as a greener alternative to gasoline—could have a serious environmental downside for the Chesapeake Bay, because more farmers growing corn could mean more pollution washing off farm fields. [Related]

A study of 50,000 post-menopausal women found eating just a quarter of a grapefruit daily raised the risk of developing breast cancer by up to 30%.

MINNESOTA BLOG OF THE DAY

Zander Cannon, Kevin Cannon, and Shad Petosky are a few of the comic conspirators features in our Comix Issue. Find more of their work, as well as tutorials, and posts about their influences at Big Time Attic.

[Minnesota-based blog directory]

TIME WASTERS

The Sweathogs enroll at Hogwarts: Welcome Back, Potter

Peanuts painted to resemble Harry Potter, the Powerpuff Girls, Albert Einstein, and more [via Neatorama]

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

"If we had those 40 million children that were killed over the last 30 years, we wouldn't need the illegal immigrants to fill the jobs that they are doing today. Think about it."

— Former Texas representative Tom Delay, connecting the dots between abortion and illegal immigration in a recent speech to the College Republicans

Posted by Corey Anderson at July 19, 2007 6:46 AM | Comments (1)

 

7/18 Morning Communiqué

Filed under: Morning Communique

THESE DAYS

An ingredient in curry may help stimulate immune system cells that gobble up the brain-clogging proteins that mark Alzheimer's disease, according to researchers at the University of California.

The Bush administration has said it "strongly opposes" key military pay and benefit gains placed in the fiscal 2008 defense bill.

Australia's prime minister announced plans to ban pornography and alcohol for Aborigines in northern areas and tighten control over their welfare benefits to fight child sex abuse among them.

MINNESOTA BLOG OF THE DAY

Dylan is a St. Paul resident who posts on bad names for boy children, the Taste of Minnesota, and the Seven Wonders of Minnesota at A Place Called B.L.O.G.

[Minnesota-based blog directory]

TIME WASTERS

A Knitted Ferrari

Potato porn

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

"Jon picked Andy up by the head and smashed him into the bar four or five times, and blood started pouring out of his nose."

— Laugh Factory owner Jamie Masada, describing a recent fight between SNL alum Jon Lovitz and fellow comedian Andy Dick after Dick refused to apologize for telling Lovitz, "I put the 'Phil Hartman hex' on you—you're the next one to die."

Posted by Corey Anderson at July 18, 2007 12:21 AM | Comments (0)

 

7/17 Morning Communiqué

Filed under: Morning Communique

CITY PAGES BLOGS AND NEWS

Ward Rubrecht took in the Dragon Festival at Lake Phalen last weekend. Check out our gallery section to view his photos.

We're adding new articles like DVD and game reviews every day. Use our Recent Article RSS feed to check for new content:

THESE DAYS

A study of humans and chimpanzees has provided new evidence to support the theory that our ancestors evolved to walk upright for the simple reason that doing so saves energy.

Years before the war began, Pentagon officials knew of the effectiveness of a type of vehicle that better shielded troops from bombs that have killed 1,500 soldiers and Marines. But military officials repeatedly balked at appeals—from commanders on the battlefield and from the Pentagon's own staff—to provide the lifesaving Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle.

MINNESOTA BLOG OF THE DAY

Teresa Boardman blogs about condo rules, house prices by neighborhood, and absorption rates in the capital city at St. Paul Real Estate.

[Minnesota-based blog directory]

TIME WASTERS

From John D. Rockefeller to James C. Flood: The Wealthiest Americans Ever

Super-cheesy corporate music video from Apple circa 1984 (Irene Cara, call your lawyer)

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

"This is bizarre, but this apparently was a normal occurrence."

— Edgewater (Fla.) Police Detective Heather Brady, on Edgewater city councilwoman Debra Rogers and her husband, Daniel Rogers, attempting to exorcise the demons out of their daughter by pouring olive oil on her while they held her hands behind her back. Police have recommended the State Attorney's Office file charges of battery and false imprisonment against the couple.

"Dolphins are easily excited when they sense people making love. They get jealous and bang their noses against the window."

— US Submarines president Bruce Jones, discussing the use of small, private submarines to indulge in deep-sea sex and the dolphins such action attracts

Posted by Corey Anderson at July 17, 2007 6:27 AM | Comments (0)

 

7/16 Morning Communiqué

Filed under: Morning Communique

CITY PAGES BLOGS AND NEWS

Steve Monaco has posted the new Monday Movie Quiz at Couch Pundit.

Peter Schilling Jr. tell us why Babe the pig should be the Minnesota Twins' new mascot at Balls.

We're adding new articles like DVD and game reviews every day. Use our Recent Article RSS feed to check for new content:

THESE DAYS

University of Colorado police are investigating a series of threatening messages and documents relating to creationism e-mailed to and slipped under the door of evolutionary biology labs on the Boulder campus.

A new report by the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research states that Hawaii residents live longer than people anywhere else in the country and residents of Mississippi are among those with the shortest lives.

McDonald's announced it is going to convert its British delivery fleet to run on biodiesel made largely from its own recycled cooking oil.

MINNESOTA BLOG OF THE DAY

Hammer, Jambo, and Libby Mae blog from the left about Norm Coleman, the Iraq war, and other political news at Three Way News.

[Minnesota-based blog directory]

TIME WASTERS

The Great Internet Swear Word Project aims to find the best swear word in the world

Nittles, spraints, and chanking: 33 Names of Things You Never Knew Had Names

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

"The movie refers to the big flood during the time of Prophet Noah, but this has been turned into a comedy which is insulting to Islam."

— Secretary-General Maamor Osman of Malaysia's Muslim Consumers Association, giving Evan Almighty a big thumbs-down

Posted by Corey Anderson at July 16, 2007 6:22 AM | Comments (1)

 

7/13 Morning Communiqué

Filed under: Morning Communique

CITY PAGES BLOGS AND NEWS

Diablo Cody is featured in the August issue of Playboy. Details at Culture To Go.

Check out Drunk Girls and Dissonant Toys, the artwork of Ben Moore and Telos, in our gallery section.

We're adding new articles like DVD and game reviews every day. Use our Recent Article RSS feed to check for new content:

THESE DAYS

Governments could save thousands of lives by introducing a 'fat tax' on unhealthy foods, a group of Oxford University scientists reported in the journal Epidemiol Community Health.

Arizona lawmakers voted to enact new laws designed to stop the sale of anti-war T-shirts with the names of dead soldiers—a measure a veteran media lawyer says is "unconstitutional about three or four different ways."

MINNESOTA BLOG OF THE DAY

Merlin's Rest is a newish bar and restaurant on Lake Street. Keep informed about single-malt Scotch tastings, folk jams, and kilt nights at their blog.

[Minnesota-based blog directory]

TIME WASTERS

Can you tell the difference between a jam band fan and a member of the Taliban?

Aaron Schwarz has decided to change his name and wants the public's help. If he picks the name you offer, you get $25,000.

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

"Frankly, Michael Moore is an example of why the health care system costs so much in this country. He clearly is one of the reasons that we have a very expensive system."

— Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, who lost more than 110 pounds after being diagnosed with diabetes, admonishing the Sicko director for his obesity

Posted by Corey Anderson at July 13, 2007 6:16 AM | Comments (3)

 

7/12 Morning Communiqué

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CITY PAGES BLOGS AND NEWS

Nick Drake's Family Tree, Earth Defense Force 2017, and The Henry Rollins Show: Season 1 are all featured in this week's Culture Jamming by Michael Gallucci.

Download free MP3s from local artists such as Askeleton, the Hopefuls, Chris Koza, M.anifest, the Plastic Constellations, and more at Music To Go.

THESE DAYS

According to the 2007 World Drug Report by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, Canada has the honor of leading the industrialized world in marijuana use.

Dead bodies frequently pulled from the River Tigris have dulled the Iraqi capital's appetite for the popular dish of grilled carp after it was reported that clerics had warned that the fish dined on rotting corpses.

A contraceptive implant for dogs that halts testosterone and sperm production for months at a time is expected to gain European approval within weeks.

MINNESOTA BLOG OF THE DAY

Kate is a retired educator who photo-blogs our local bridges and rivers, as well as the dinosaurs that have popped up around town at ExtraExtra.

[Minnesota-based blog directory]

TIME WASTERS

Top 10 Most Memorable Movie Cars from cars.com

The oldest people in the world

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

"He just said July the 6th and I assumed it was this year because if you tell the guy July 6th, they're going to think it's this year."

— Toronto teacher Dave Barclay, after flying to Cardiff, Wales, last week to attend the July 6, 2008 wedding of his friend Dave Best

Posted by Corey Anderson at July 12, 2007 9:00 AM | Comments (1)

 

7/11 Morning Communiqué

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CITY PAGES BLOGS AND NEWS

Peter Schilling Jr. recaps the 2007 All-Star Game at Balls.

We proudly welcome back lawyer and author Elaine Cassel to her blog Civil Liberties Watch.

Download free MP3s from local artists such as Askeleton, the Hopefuls, Chris Koza, M.anifest, the Plastic Constellations, and more at Music To Go.

THESE DAYS

Pope Benedict XVI has reasserted the universal primacy of the Roman Catholic Church, approving a document released Tuesday that says Orthodox churches were defective and that other Christian denominations were not true churches.

The University of Oregon study notes 90 per cent of 294 network-affiliated television stations studied contained at least 1 instance per newscast of stealth advertising.

MINNESOTA BLOG OF THE DAY

Minneapolis moderate Curt Prins offers up 17 syllables on politics, and the local and national media that covers it at Politiku: Political Haiku.

[Minnesota-based blog directory]

TIME WASTERS

From Cracked.com: 11 Movies Saved by Historical Inaccuracy

D.C. Madam Deborah Jeane Palfrey's phone records

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

"I think that Harry's story comes to quite a clear end, sadly. But I've always said that I wouldn't say never."

— Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, not ruling out a return to Hogwarts following the release of the final book of the series on July 21

"Men's magazines have nipples so why don't women have a magazine where men show their penises?"

— Fantastic Four actress Jessica Alba, looking for more than tips for dry skin from women's magazines, as quoted in the British edition of GQ

Posted by Corey Anderson at July 11, 2007 1:16 AM | Comments (0)

 

7/10 Morning Communiqué

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CITY PAGES BLOGS AND NEWS

The City Pages Media Taster lets you actually hear the great music you read about in City Pages—just launch, click, and listen. Simply download the Media Taster and you'll automatically receive a digital mixtape of music on a semi-regular basis (including free MP3s), legal and free of charge. A new Taster has been posted today!

THESE DAYS

A Chewbacca impersonator is still on the loose after sexually assaulting a Marilyn Monroe impersonator in front of the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood in June.

According to a government study, antidepressants have become the most commonly prescribed drugs in the United States. They're prescribed more than drugs to treat high blood pressure, high cholesterol, asthma, or headaches.

Adult film star Syvette Wimberly is being sued by a former high school classmate, Kristen Syvette Wimberly, for using her name while starring in films such as Anal Camera 19.

MINNESOTA BLOG OF THE DAY

Marty Andrade and Captain Bogs deliver a mid-season analysis of the Twins, question the threat of global warming, and ruminate on the works of Ayn Rand at Martin Andrade Blogs.

[Minnesota-based blog directory]

TIME WASTERS

Ten Politically Incorrect Truths about Human Nature from Psychology Today

The results of Slate's action-movie one-liner contest

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

"They aren't going to wake up and it's a dream, like it's some episode of 'Dallas.'"

— comic book writer Jeph Loeb, on the death of super-hero Captain America after 66 years in print

Posted by Corey Anderson at July 10, 2007 6:35 AM | Comments (3)

 

7/9 Morning Communiqué

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CITY PAGES BLOGS AND NEWS

Steve Monaco has posted the newest Monday Movie Quiz at Couch Pundit.

The City Pages Media Taster lets you actually hear the great music you read about in City Pages—just launch, click, and listen. Simply download the Media Taster and you'll automatically receive a digital mixtape of music on a semi-regular basis (including free MP3s), legal and free of charge.

THESE DAYS

The number of U.S.-paid private contractors in Iraq now exceeds that of American combat troops, newly released figures show.

On June 29, Sprint sent letters notifying some customers that their service would be canceled by the end of July due to excessive calls to customer service.

Pew Research Center reports show that the rate of non-marital childbearing has ballooned to 36.8% of all births in 2005, from 5.3% in 1960. [via Undernews]

MINNESOTA BLOG OF THE DAY

Margaret and Max keep a close eye on the local trouble spots at Minneapolis/St. Paul Crime Watch.

[Minnesota-based blog directory]

TIME WASTERS

Who was the best athlete to wear the number 7? John Elway or Mickey Mantle? Sports Illustrated picks the best athletes by number.

Heavy Metal quilts: Quiltsrÿche

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

"At first it was kind of funny to see these people wandering around the downtown streets and filing into the hotel, but after the novelty wore off it just made everyone feel creepy."

— Milwaukee Brewers broadcaster Jim Powell, on the team's recent road trip to Pittsburgh, staying in a hotel where a furry convention was in progress [via Deadspin]

Posted by Corey Anderson at July 9, 2007 6:38 AM | Comments (0)

 

7/6 Morning Communiqué

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CITY PAGES BLOGS AND NEWS

Like the Gospel of Judas or the Dead Sea scrolls, Diablo Cody uncovers one of her early fictional blogs at Pussy Ranch.

The City Pages Media Taster lets you actually hear the great music you read about in City Pages—just launch, click, and listen. Simply download the Media Taster and you'll automatically receive a digital mixtape of music on a semi-regular basis (including free MP3s), legal and free of charge.

THESE DAYS

A new Minnesota state law requires all U.S. flags sold in the state to be manufactured in America.

The U.S. military is seeking to improve conditions for many Guantanamo Bay detainees by offering more recreation and activities, including a weekly movie night for the best-behaved.

A district judge in Washington state has allowed Jason Burrows to change his middle name to "Megatron."

MINNESOTA BLOG OF THE DAY

Paul Allen is an elementary teacher from Minneapolis who offers up punny one-panel cartoons three times a week at Brain Clouds.

[Minnesota-based blog directory]

TIME WASTERS

Buy a beer for the baggage handler who helped a lone police officer subdue a suspected terrorist who drove a burning car into Scotland's Glasgow Airport last week.

Monty Python's Lumberjack Song in German

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

"In America there's someone willing to pretend to be offended by everything and so we annoy people and that's part of the appeal. It's to entertain people and also to annoy a certain segment of the audience as well."

— Simpsons creator Matt Groening, on a scene in the upcoming Simpsons Movie which features Bart Simpson skateboarding through Springfield in the buff

Posted by Corey Anderson at July 6, 2007 6:20 AM | Comments (0)

 

7/5 Morning Communiqué

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CITY PAGES BLOGS AND NEWS

Who won the latest Great Actors Smackdown between Tom Cruise and John Travolta? Couch Pundit has the answer.

We're adding new articles like DVD and game reviews every day. Use our Recent Article RSS feed to check for new content:

THESE DAYS

A Marion County judge said lap dances in Salem are protected by the free speech provisions of the Oregon Constitution.

A Winnipeg businessman has launched Porno Pizza, a delivery-only pizza business that places pornography where you would usually find only cardboard—under the pizza.

MINNESOTA BLOG OF THE DAY

Aaron Landry shows off his sweet new iPhone at his eponymous blog.

[Minnesota-based blog directory]

TIME WASTERS

LOL metal bands

Top 10 Least Intelligent Dogs

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

"I found it under my pillow once, I found it in between the drapes and once I found it in the kitchen drawer."

— Colorado resident Flora Zimbelman, who traded the same uncooked hot dog with her sister Rose for 54 years until Rose's death earlier this year

Posted by Corey Anderson at July 5, 2007 6:37 AM | Comments (2)

 

7/4 Morning Communiqué

Filed under: Morning Communique

John Doe and His Rockin' Band - "Fourth of July"
Dante's, Portland, OR - June 15, 2007

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."

— excerpt from the Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776

Posted by Corey Anderson at July 4, 2007 2:25 AM | Comments (0)

 

7/3 Morning Communiqué

Filed under: Morning Communique

CITY PAGES BLOGS AND NEWS

DVD reviews this week include Chancer: Series 1, Welcome to the Grindhouse, The Taste of Tea, and more.

Find out when any City Pages blogs have been updated by using the City Pages Blog RSS Feed:

THESE DAYS

Thieves in Myanmar's main city, Yangon, are taking advantage of outages often lasting for more than 20 hours a day to steal the copper power cables.

Over the weekend, 7-Eleven Inc. turned a dozen stores into Kwik-E-Marts to promote July 27 opening of The Simpsons Movie.

Cow pies used to produce ethanol in a small Nebraska town may soon be help to lower the price at the gas pump.

MINNESOTA BLOG OF THE DAY

Dan Feidt blogs on presidential candidate Ron Paul, the Lone Gunmen, Middle East foreign policy, and Rosie O'Donnell as 9/11 conspiracy theorist at Hong Pong.

[Minnesota-based blog directory]

TIME WASTERS

1000 films to see before you die by the Guardian

The best foreign remakes of American films, also from the Guardian

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

"Rednecks love quality, too."

— Mike Schilling, owner of SchillingBridge Winery & MicroBrewery, on the launch of Git-R-Done beer, named for Larry the Cable Guy's catchphrase

Posted by Corey Anderson at July 3, 2007 6:32 AM | Comments (0)

 

7/2 Morning Communiqué

Filed under: Morning Communique

CITY PAGES BLOGS AND NEWS

Steve Monaco has posted today's Monday Movie Quiz at Couch Pundit.

Find out when any City Pages blogs have been updated by using the City Pages Blog RSS Feed:

THESE DAYS

The FBI has sent a nationwide alert to scuba instructors to watch for a number of suspicious behaviors among diving students that the agency says could be signs of criminal activity.

Muslim boxer Omar Shaick was yesterday handed a two-year ban by Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority officials for refusing to give a urine sample because his religion prohibits him from exposing his genitals to strangers.

Space Adventures, headquartered in Vienna, Virginia, is in negotiations with the customers who will fly the first private expedition to circumnavigate the moon at $100 million per passenger.

MINNESOTA BLOG OF THE DAY

Erinclot lives in northeast Minneapolis and blogs about burning arm pits, pulling thirty pounds of pork, and company weight-loss contests at Stanley in the City.

[Minnesota-based blog directory]

TIME WASTERS

The top 10 dead (or dying) computer skills according to ComputerWorld

Countdown from 100 with quotes from 100 movies [via Fimoculous]

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

"Canada could make exactly the same claim. The Canadians could say that the Lomonosov ridge is part of the Canadian shelf, which means Russia should in fact belong to Canada, together with the whole of Eurasia."

— Sergey Priamikov, the international co-operation director of Russia's Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute in St. Petersburg, on the Kremlin's recent conclusion that it owns part of the oil-rich North Pole

Posted by Corey Anderson at July 2, 2007 6:41 AM | Comments (0)

 

6/29 Morning Communiqué

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THESE DAYS

Preliminary studies by the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg suggest that daytime napping in young children may be linked to poorer sleep and mental functioning than in their peers who only sleep at night.

Indonesia's vice president believes marijuana should remain an illegal drug, but those who sprinkle it in traditional dishes shouldn't be punished.

MINNESOTA BLOG OF THE DAY

Sascha is a cyclist from Minneapolis who blogs about the Nature Valley Grand Prix, packing a bike for air travel, and elevation profiles of her races at First and Last and Always.

[Minnesota-based blog directory]

TIME WASTERS

Beef jerky underwear

Will Ferrell and little Pearl are back in Good Cop, Baby Cop

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

"Well, it's jail food. It's not supposed to be good."

— Paris Hilton, on Larry King Live, describing the cuisine in the slammer

Posted by Corey Anderson at June 29, 2007 6:36 AM | Comments (0)

 

6/28 Morning Communiqué

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THESE DAYS

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology reported that they had successfully reversed mental retardation in mice.

British landlord Bob Beech is getting around a forthcoming cigarette ban by turning his bar in Southampton into an embassy for the uninhabited island of Redonda, which is 35 miles off Antigua.

MINNESOTA BLOG OF THE DAY

Philip and Alvey conduct interviews and record podcasts about beer, with a local angle, at What Ale's Thee?

[Minnesota-based blog directory]

TIME WASTERS

Canadian family band The Bordens' 1980 cover of the Star Wars theme [via BoingBoing]

Some Novelty Items That Never Caught On [via McSweeney's]

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

"I've heard he's been called Bush's poodle. He's bigger than that."

— Pres. George W. Bush, on British Prime Minister Tony Blair's leaving office, replaced by former Treasury chief Gordon Brown

Posted by Corey Anderson at June 28, 2007 6:26 AM | Comments (0)

 

6/27 Morning Communiqué

Filed under: Morning Communique

CITY PAGES BLOGS AND NEWS

Check out Dessa, Protegee, Mad Fresh, Desdamona, and other participants in B-Girl Be in our gallery section.

Peter Schilling Jr. offers analysis on last night's Twins-Blue Jays duel at Balls.

We're adding new articles like DVD and game reviews every day. Use our Recent Article RSS feed to check for new content:

THESE DAYS

Despite receiving more than ten thousand comments from consumers and family farmers opposing various aspects of a late May 2007 proposal, the USDA has approved a rule that will allow 38 new non-organic ingredients to be allowed in products bearing the "USDA Organic" seal.

State Secretary William Galvin says the federal Justice Department is pressuring Boston election officials to translate political candidates' names into Chinese characters in precincts with prominent Chinese-speaking populations.

MINNESOTA BLOG OF THE DAY

Find posts on cooking with soft drinks, becoming a Home Depot addict, and the joys of heating pads at the Prudent Hedonist.

[Minnesota-based blog directory]

TIME WASTERS

The Picasso car

A laser-etched Mr. Spock Matza [via BoingBoing]

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

"The combination of the triple stacker, the lack of good water, and the heat is a bad combination for them."

— Border Patrol agent Jesus Rodriguez, discussing the