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December 2003 Issue

FEATURES

Handsome Work

Handsome Work

Admit it—wouldn’t you love to make a living working with your hands? These six Twin Cities artisans do precisely that.
by Katie Quirk, Photos by John Noltner
Is 3M 2SEXY4U?

Is 3M 2SEXY4U?

Is this the car that caused 3M to lose $100 million in China?
by Adam Minter
Will Steger’s Greatest Hits

Will Steger’s Greatest Hits

Sixty years of fun in the sun...
What’s a “Transect”?

What’s a “Transect”?

In this case, it’s a long trip in the cold attic of the North American continent…
Will Steger: The Rakish Interview

Will Steger: The Rakish Interview

The greatest living explorer rides again.
by Hans Eisenbeis, photos by Per Breiehagen

LETTERS & RED HANDED

Lily-Livered Amoralists!

Penny Royalty

The Wind and the Wire

Credit Where It’s Due

Go Stuart!

Send More Leaf-Blower Puns

Ok, We’ve Moved On

No Stuart!

THE RAKISH ANGLE

Aqua Vita

Public Works

Aqua Vita

Is that the fountain of youth on the northwest corner of Lake Harriet?
by Dan Gilchrist
Got a Permit For That Hairdo?

A Little Off the Top

Got a Permit For That Hairdo?

Minnesota’s barber inspector—no photos!—makes sure that barbicide is the real deal.
by Adam Minter
Drag Race Island

These Lawless Times

Drag Race Island

The Rake cruises Anarchy Street in St. Paul.
by Matthew Green
Cellular Growth

Good Intentions

Cellular Growth

Nice new celly, dude! By the way, don’t eat the fish.
by Hans Eisenbeis

Gastronomer

The Kindest Cup of All

Coffee reaches the moral high ground in the shadow of the High Bridge.
by Joe Pastoor
It Was a Dark and Plotless Night...

Life & Letters

It Was a Dark and Plotless Night...

The WPA established this writers’ workshop, and it’s still going strong.
by Katie Quirk Photos by John Noltner
Life in the Fast Lane

Medical Arts

Life in the Fast Lane

Is Adult Attention Deficit Disorder the cause of your apalling driving?
by Christy DeSmith

STRAIGHT TALK

Straight talk

JOHN LINNELL of They Might Be Giants

SO LITTLE TIME...

DVDs

Looney Tunes, Golden Collection

Available now

Desert Island Duffel

Desert Island Duffel

Miss Richfield 1981

Restaurants

Al and Alma’s

5201 Piper Road, Mound, (952) 472-3098

Family Events

Iranian Animation Showcase

University Film Society, December 5-11/Walker Art Center, December 6

Books

Peter Carey, My Life as a Fake

Available now

Soundtrack to Mary

Oliver!

Ordway Theater, December 10-28

Leo Kottke

Ordway Theater, November 30

The Ben Stiller Show

Avaliable December 2

Readings

Anthony Bukoski

Ruminator Books, December 11

The Pyramids: 150 Years of Photographic Fascination

Weinstein Gallery, through December 20

Flaming Lips, Egotripping at the Gates of Hell

Available now

Film

Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

Opens December 17

Books

Mario Vargas Llosa, The Way to Paradise

Available now

The Santaland Diaries/ The Worst Holiday Pageant Ever

Bryant-Lake Bowl Cabaret Theater, December 1-29/ December 5-27

Art

Past Things and Present: Jasper Johns Since 1983

Walker Art Center, through February 14

CDs

Johnny Cash, Unearthed

Available November 25

Family Events

The circus of tale

Theatre de la Jeune Lune, November 28-January 4

Theater

Topdog/Underdog

Mixed Blood Theatre, through December 14

Concerts

Katie McMahon

O’Shaughnessy Auditorium, December 20

Bubba Ho-Tep

Uptown Theater, opens December 5

Books

The Best American Magazine Writing 2003

Available December 2

Billy Bragg, Must I Paint You a Picture: Essential

Available now

DOWN THE HATCH

I’m Crantastic! Thanks for Asking!

I’m Crantastic! Thanks for Asking!

Scones, fruitcake, pie—look for the delicious cranberries.
by Stephanie March
Gratification for the Patient

Gratification for the Patient

Yes, the pleasure of vintage port.
by Oliver Nicholson

MOTLEY KRüSE

Alma Mater? Don’t Know Her.

Alma Mater? Don’t Know Her.

Listen up, kids. My secret to success…
by Colleen Kruse

THE RAKE'S PROGRESS

Tears of a Clone

Tears of a Clone

by Hans Eisenbeis, illustration by Tim Lane

Portrait of the Artist as a Non-Artist

How did you spend November? Writing my first novel!
by Keith Pille
The Power of a Bad Pun

The Power of a Bad Pun

Something funny happened on the way to Stephen Glass’s public stoning…
by Ana Marie Cox

SEX & THE MARRIED MAN

End of Discussion

End of Discussion

Why are married women afraid to talk about sex?
by Stuart Greene

WIFE, INTERRUPTED

Ex Marks the Spot

Ex Marks the Spot

Life is a journey filled with stubborn allies and enemies…
by Jeannine Ouellette

FREE THE JACKSON FIVE!

Who’s in Charge Here?

Free the Jackson Five!

Who’s in Charge Here?

“Take me to your leader” works in science fiction, but not in race relations.
by Clinton Collins