The Rake: Is This News?

Not with a Bang, But a Whimper

J.A. del Rosario & Cristina Córdova — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 19:24:13 -0500

This is the way the Democratic Primary season ends, not with a bang but a whimper.

The presidential campaign that started with a listening tour designed to state the obvious — that people wanted Hillary Clinton to run — will end the same way, with people telling her it's time to hang it up.

Earlier in the day, McCain's speech got the attention of the crowd. Two hours later, as Hillary addresses supporters in New York, there is not even a mention of the event inside this venue.

Inside the Press Area

J.A. del Rosario — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 19:24:45 -0500

7:28
Inside the press area

Obamamania takes no prisoners. The bloggers, who never entertained the pretense of objectivity, are the first to fall. One writer for local blog MNpublius is pacing the press area looking for a way out.

"We are quarantined here!" he tells me.

MSNBC — Reporting from the Twin Cities

Cristina Cordova — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 19:17:45 -0500

The screams continue as the overhead screens show MSNBC reporting from right here, the Xcel Center. Ah... now I understand why news reports always show people cheering in the background. They're just cheering themselves on. How quaint. Somehow, as a viewer, you always assume the cheers are for the politician. (I should have known better.)

Signed, Sealed, and Delivered

Cristina Cordova — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 20:32:48 -0500

We deserve Barack Obama.

That is tonight's message.

And Obama has arrived!

The crowd roars — everyone on their feet, so many of them smiling, laughing, a few even silently crying. Is this the message of change?

He can barely be heard above the din. For three whole minutes the crowd roars, only getting louder before they finally leave their voices in Obama's care.

"Thank you..."

And the crowd roars again.

He dedicates the evening to his grandmother.

Turn It Down

J.A. del Rosario & Cristina Córdova — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 19:23:30 -0500

Press access to the general public has now been cut off. The only way out of the press area is through the tunnel.

According to Tim Russert, Obama's people are negotiating Hillary's withdrawal. Hillary insists she should be offered the VP position, so she can turn it down and withdraw with dignity. Obama's people are game, as long as she puts it in writing that she will not accept.

At this point, it's hard to say what speech to expect. How long before the Democratic nominee can gloat a little?

When I say "O", You Say "Bama!"

J.A. del Rosario — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 19:03:37 -0500

7:00 p.m.

Out on the sidewalk, the lines of people snake around the block. A pack of Obama playing cards sells for $10.

The Obama volunteers are warming up the crowd as they make their way into the venue.

"When I say O," chants one Obama volunteer. "You say..."

"BAMA!" the crowd yells back.

Eye of the Storm

Cristina Cordova — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 19:08:46 -0500

After the press is settled in, the doors open to the general public. It's about 10 past six. The crowds file in, steadily, slowly, filling the arena. Is this an arena? I think it is. And right now, it feels like we're the show — broken gladiators. I don't see anyone turn to the crowd. Photographers line up on the riser before the stage. The rest of us sit at tables behind them, on computers, on phones, jabbering away with fellow reporters, documenters of the times.

Something in the Air

Cristina Cordova — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 18:07:12 -0500

I'm not easily moved — not by people anyhow, not by masses, that is. I was certainly moved by Brendel's performance at Orchestra Hall a few months ago. And now, now I am moved. This time by people coming together. How sappy that sounds. How cynical I am.

The Xcel is engulfed in bodies, live beautiful bodies, bodies of all ages, though I see few elderly folks (it's harder and harder to leave the home), bodies in all tones, shades, and shapes, all styles, all types. Bodies everywhere.

Meet the Press

Cristina Cordova — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 18:29:03 -0500

Finding the press area was hard enough. All the way on the other side. No, go back the way you came. Straight down there and to the left. Down by the loading area. Across the street. Down. Down. Really? We have to cross the street — away from the Xcel Center — to get in. You're kidding me.

No. It's true.

I've never been here before, you see. And I'm already overwhelmed. But... this is the press. This is underwhelming — albeit the Harley strapped on to the back of a truck station. That's something.

Bags Save Lives

Cristina Cordova — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 11:18:55 -0500

Today marks the opening of Imaginary Bags at One On One Bicycle Studio (117 North Washington).

For one week, a limited series edition of messanger bags — with one-of-a-kind graphics by eight local and national artists — will be on display at One On One, and open for auction bids.

Our Dear Friend "Utah" Phillips

Brandon Henry — Tue, 27 May 2008 14:20:05 -0500

We just received this email from Red House Records, and thought you all should know:

Rootclip Starts the Film, You End It

Cristina Cordova — Thu, 15 May 2008 15:42:50 -0500

This just in:

Rootclip offers a new venue for amateur and indie filmmakers who want to take part in a joint story-telling experience.

How It Works
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The Echo Nest Enables Personalized Music Experience

Cristina Cordova — Thu, 08 May 2008 13:53:03 -0500

This just in:

The Echo Nest, a music intelligence company providing enhanced music search, recommendation and interactivity technology to online music companies, launched its second hosted application, "Recommend," today.
read more

One-Stop Guide to Development Sites in MSP

Cristina Cordova — Thu, 08 May 2008 15:44:21 -0500

Today was the launch of MetroMSP — a new Web site that offers companies and site selectors instant access to comprehensive and crucial marketplace information about available commercial, industrial and retail sites in the 11-county Minneapolis Saint Paul metro region.

The Web site covers the anchor cities of Minneapolis, Saint Paul, and Bloomington, as well as Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Isanti, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, Washington, and Wright counties.

Table Maestro

Cristina Cordova — Fri, 02 May 2008 10:12:27 -0500

Table Maestro, a personalized answering service and remote booking service for the restaurant industry, is going national this week — offering their services across the United States. I'm not quite sure what the differences are between Table Maestro and Open Table, but they claim to be the only ones doing what they're doing. (Isn't that just the way it goes?)

Here's the press release:

He Stole What?! Where?!

Cristina Cordova — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 11:02:30 -0500

What!?

I just got word from ZATZ Publishing that a top Mexican press person was caught stealing BlackBerries from the White House during a meeting between Bush and Canadian and Mexican leaders.

Lost in Translation

Cristina Cordova — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 16:17:59 -0500

I guess I find most reports on online media interesting, but I thought this MediaPost email was spot on:

by Kory Kredit, Thursday, April 24, 2008

What is the value of an established print media name? Let's take a simple test to find out. Which of these URLs do you recognize?

Rare Chinese Animal Born at the Zoo

Cristina Cordova — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 21:37:57 -0500

Ok. This is just too funny to pass up. We just received a press release from the Minnesota Zoo, with some exciting — though strangely vague — news. The email reads as follows:

For Immediate Release
04.23.08

Rare Chinese Animal Born at the Minnesota Zoo

News release & photo attached.

Great, but what the heck animal is it? Is this not important enough to include in the email? Seems a bit odd.

A Brief Plug for Clean Water, and a New Website

Cristina Cordova — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 13:04:45 -0500

Yesterday was Earth Day, and somehow (and even unfortunately) it seems to have passed all too quietly. Is our Earth in such good shape now? I think not. And yet — despite the lack of attention — much is being done to try to remedy that. Recently, the Minnesota Legislature overturned Governor Pawlenty's veto for funding to relieve traffic congestion, expand transit, and improve Minnesota’s roads. The governor himself approved long-term funding for land conservation. The House passed a bill that would pave the way for the adoption of a

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The 'Mats Remastered

Cristina Cordova — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 13:17:45 -0500

Replacement fans, look out! Rhino Records has reissued deluxe editions of Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out the Trash; Stink; Hootenanny; and Let it Be — available as of yesterday. Listen to a sampling here.
Here's the lowdown from Rhino.
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Twin Cities Live Goes on the Air Today

Cristina Cordova — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 01:29:01 -0500

There's a new show in town. Twin Cities Live starts airing today, from 3 to 4 p.m. (5 Eyewitness News), highlighting great places to visit, eat, and play. Sure, the press release makes it sound like something that's never been done before; but let's face it, this is nothing terribly new. Nonetheless, let's give it a try. It might yet be a good source of information about life in the Twin Cities, and hell, if they're starting out with the RollerGirls, how bad can it be?
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What Is a Blogger

Cristina Cordova — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 12:39:35 -0500

I just got this email from the Center for Media Research, outlining demographics on bloggers. Who is out there? There don't seem to be any real surprises.

What's A Blogger?

Bloggers are younger and higher percentages are Hispanic & African American than the general population. A higher percentage of Democrats than of Republicans are blogging.
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Omnibus Energy Bill Takes Shape

Cristina Cordova — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 19:55:43 -0500

This just in from the Minnesota House of Representatives Session Daily:
Proposals designed to boost solar and wind power and tighten greenhouse gas regulations are among the provisions of the omnibus energy bill approved by the House Finance Committee.
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Can Behavioral Targeting Regulations Balance Privacy and Free Speech?

Cristina Cordova — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 11:45:39 -0500

How do you feel about ads being served up to you according to your web surfing history? On one hand, it only goes to prove Big Brother is watching (as if we didn't know that). On the other hand, the ads you see are more likely to suit your interests, which might not be a bad thing in the long run — unless you're surfing a lot of porn at work.
Here's an email I received on the matter from MediaPosts's MediaDailyNews.

Monday, April 14, 2008 by Wendy Davis
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Aveda Knows the Key to Beauty Is Water

Cristina Cordova — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 12:48:41 -0500

Most of us associate Aveda with beauty and fabulous smells — and rightly so — but they don't stop at shampoo and facial cleansers. One of the most effective hair, body, and skin care treatments doesn't come in a lovely 16-oz Aveda bottle. It’s water, and
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Plastic Surgery Consultant? Really?

Cristina Cordova — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 12:20:15 -0500

You've got to be kidding me! It's not bad enough we waste so much time and energy (and lives) on vanity; now we're hiring consultants? Here's a press release that just came across my desk for a plastic surgery consultant. I like how the first tip is to not fall in love with your surgeon. Hey, good advice! But wasn't it Pygmalion that fell in love with his statue, and not the other way around?

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Legislators Back Growing Anoka-Ramsey Community College with $5.5

Cristina Cordova — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 11:53:23 -0500

Looks like Anoka-Ramsey Community College just got a whopping $5.5 million to expand their facilities on the Coon Rapids and Cambridge campuses. Here are the details as per the college:

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SaveWCAL Wins a Victory for Public Radio Supporters and WCAL Donors

Cristina Cordova — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 11:59:54 -0500
Despite strong opposition, St. Olaf College sold its WCAL 89.3 FM radio station and Rochester's KMSE 88.7 to MPR for a reported $10.5 million four years ago. Unfortunately — or fortunately, depending on who's doing the talking — St. Olaf College was holding about $3 million in endowment funds for the station at the time of the sale. Three years later, SaveWCAL attorney Michael W. McNabb requested that the Rice County District Court declare the sale void due to the conflict with donors.
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