Leap Wednesday

Dinkytown Drop Off Mail Boxes

Stairway to Seven

"7 Hi". A light commercial hub on Highway 7 and 101. Strip malls and one story commercial zones invite social commentary. The sameness of these zones creates a feeling of convenience and niche marketing. So be it, they reflect our commercial souls, even more than malls. 7Hi may be a strip mall, but it is our strip mall! Volume of sales is directly related to the traffic level and population density and this is a pretty good one.
I occasionally sit in my car and observe the flow of life through the strip mall. Cross-over vehicles dart diagonally across striped lots. In the summer young high school students lure motorist into charity car washes. Shopping carts run free.
Anchored by mega-grocers and mega-retailers, other stores are shouldered next to each in odd juxtaposition. An auto parts distributor next to a Caribou Coffee, Dairy Queen, H.R. Block tax services next to a Christian Book Store, next to a Photo mat.

Friday is my day to borrow a joke

A produce clerk is querried by a stingy customer; "How much for half a head of lettuce?"
Not knowing the answer, The clerk turns and walks to ask the manager. Following right behind him, unknown to the clerk, is the customer.
The clerk says to his manager "Sir, some stupid dufuss wants to buy half a head of iceberg lettuce!" He then turns and sees the customer standing there. Quickly he continues.. "But this very fine and generous patron is willing to buy the other half".

February 2011

A spin on the lake.

Music from Big Pink... Courage

Setting up.



Alex Ligerton of Santana at the Bayview Center



Fergie Frederikson of Toto, and a couple friends/
It was a friendly and raucous group of fans and philanthropists that crowded into the Bayview Center in Excelsior. We were there to listen and dance to a group of Rock and Roll legends in a benefit performance for Pink Courage. I admit I am not a popparazzi style photographer, who muscles his way up to the front row, but I gave it a shot.

For me a highlight of the evening was Joey Molland of Badfinger stepping up to the stage and doing "No matter what you are" with Ferggie Frederickson backing up vocals.

Pink Courage is a fledgling charity with the mssion of providing support to survivors of cancer with an emphasis on breast cancer.

Boppa Boppa Lupe Lu - more of my stream of consciousness living

One of my favorite garage songs is the Chancellors version of "Little Latin Lupe Lu" (my spelling). I return to it every so often to renew and reinvigrate my youth. Ye Ha!
This is a picture of the Soma recording stars at the University of Minnesota circa 1960s.
Button down Chancellors.
On Friday night I will attend an evening at the Bayview Events Center in Excelsior, a location very near Reggie's Danceland(long defunct), where the Chancellors and many Soma bands performed. Fergie Frederickson of ToTo, and Alex Ligertwood of Santana will be onstage singing in a benefit concert for "Pink Courage". Pink Courage is a not-for-profit that supports cancer survivors, as well as educates about cancer.

Last year at this time - Lake Minnetonka

Maynard's detatched blue

I have known Maynards by other names. Park Tavern is one. That is not important. Maynards is located on Excelsior Bay and is a main stay of the Lake Minnetonka area. In front is one of those odd sculptures that sprung up around the Twin Cities a year or two ago. These are not-for-profit works for causes that I have forgotten. Earlier renditions of this type of public art were the ubiquitous Adirondek chairs. Later, Peanuts figures were syndicated throughout St. Paul to honor Charles Shultz. These migrated around the greater metro area taking up residence in odd locations.

Februar notes

I was born in February. An unlucky month according to some, the only month to retain the lunar cycle. In the ides we find Valentine's Day.



"Julius Caesar asked an astronomer, Sosigenes of Alexandria, Egypt, to devise a better calendar. What resulted is called the Julian Calendar. He abandoned aligning the months with lunar cycles, and adopted months of 30 or 31 days length, keeping February at 28 days. He introduced an extra day in February in leap years. Sound familiar?

Julius Caesar re-named the 5th month after himself. His successor, Augustus Caesar, re-named the 6th month after himself.

The first day of each month was called Kalendae, or calends. Debts were due on this day, so books to track payments were called calendarium (account book) from which we get our modern day calendar." Calender History

A year ago today in Cottagewood

Stop it.

"The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) stop sign was altered eight times between 1935 and 1971, generally regarding mounting height or reflectorization. However, the most significant change was the 1954 alteration to white on red color. The modern US stop sign, white on red, mounted 2.1 meters (7 ft) above ground, 30" long with a 3/4" white line around the edge, was passed into law in 1971 – although 24" stop signs are also allowed."
- History of stop signs blog.

The end of Water Street

Tinsel town terminus.

The main street in Excelsior is named Water Street. It travels gently down to the Port of Excelsior docks, so the name "Water Street" is appropriate but unimaginative. On the same main street, About 75 yards from the Lake is "The Dock" movie theater, named with similar aplomb.
With a bit more fun, about 3 doors down, right next to Excelsior Books, is "Noah's Pet Supplies on Water Street. I think they should have an annual two-fer sale.
I have written before about names and how a bad name can predetermine failure. I have had a strong aversion to "Herbergers", a clothing store that sounds more like a chain r restaurant franchise. And I would love to meet the committee who cammme up with "Mervyns, of California". The "California" add on showed a complete lack of aplomb.

Names that I like; "Snickers", Arm & Hammer, Fats Domino and Chubby Checkers, Gale Storm. Lead Zeppelin.Captain Crunch.

Contrails and Cattails

I was the first to break what little snow covering there was on the Carson's Bay/Burton Park marsh. I wandered down amidst the cattails to take a photo of the wetlands inhabitant.
I once had a mild argument with a self-appointed "green person" who did not believe me when I told him that cattails were quite edible. My circa 1960s Boy Scout training was not pedigree enough for him. He simply responded "I have never hear that", with subcurrent- "I do not believe that".

Since then I have looked up many recipes for the cattail, and I think I am morally bound to cook some and give it a try. Stay tuned for: "A wetlands salad".