Friday, August 4, 2000
Auto sales expected to slow to a run in second half
DETROIT -- Like a sprinter running a 10-kilometer race, U.S. auto sales sped to a record start in the first half of 2000 but seem a little winded now.
BMW 323Ci: Not just a pretty face
Don't let the stylish looks of the 2000 BMW 323Ci convertible fool you.
GM announces hybrid powertrain plan to save fuel
PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) -- General Motors Corp. will build full-size trucks and buses powered by a hybrid of gasoline and electricity that will improve fuel economy over current models, the company said Wednesday.
Share-a-car
BOSTON -- It took only a month for the traffic jams, insurance costs and parking woes of Cambridge to persuade Katherine Watkins to sell her car when she moved to the Boston suburb from Kentucky.
Churches
The Daughters of Isabella No. 562 will meet at 5 p.m. Monday at the home of Delores Kucera, 711 Homestead Drive S., for a potluck supper. Meet at St. Francis Catholic Church at 4:30 p.m. to car pool. Books will be audited at this time.
Proof of the Easter miracle, or just another old cloth?
The world's most fabled piece of cloth, the Shroud of Turin, will be on public display again in that Italian city Aug. 12 through Oct. 22.
Feelings can be aired without showing disrespect
QUESTION: My 6-year-old has suddenly become sassy and disrespectful in her manner at home. She told me to "buzz off" when I asked her to take out the trash, and she calls me names when she gets angry. I feel it is important to permit this emotional outlet, so I haven't tried to suppress it. Do you agree?
Despite infighting, 1,000 religious leaders to gather
NEW YORK -- Though the Dalai Lama's exclusion from the upcoming Millennium World Peace Summit at the United Nations brought unwelcome headlines, organizers hope the gathering of 1,000 religious leaders will highlight a new global effort for peace.
Brainerd woman completes Teen Missions trip
Last March, Tina Young appealed to the community for help in financing a missions trip this summer to Brazil via Teen Missions, International. Her perseverance, and support from the community, got her there -- and back.
Try baked potatoes with Swiss cheese
How many different ways can you prepare potatoes? I don't know, but I sure do enjoy trying many different ways.
Use plum tomatoes on a crisp crust
Making pizza margherita in the heat of summer demands optimum conditions: ripe, deep red, plum tomatoes; fresh mozzarella cheese; newly picked basil.
Serve low-fat meat loaf with favorite mashed potatoes
In this flavorful meat loaf, egg whites act as a binder, as they may in other dishes such as including crab cakes and salmon patties. A serving of the meat loaf has less than 9 grams of fat.
Thin crust is the key to Pizza Margherita
This recipe for Pizza Margherita (makes one 12-inch pizza), from "Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking" by Marcella Hazan (Knopf, 1992), assumes the best-case scenario: the tomatoes are fresh, the mozzarella is good and all is right with the world.
Cool lunch for hot day
Try this quickly made recipe on one of those days when there is cooked chicken at hand, perhaps left over from a cookout. Then, all you need to assemble a tasty dish in short order is an easy combination of sprightly seasonings and some fresh salad items.
Livestock
SOUTH ST. PAUL (AP) (USDA) -- Thursday cattle: 300.
Crimes
BURGLARY -- Kenneth Carlson, Pine River, reported Wednesday a burglary at his residence on County Road 15. Four guns were taken.
Livestock
SOUTH ST. PAUL (AP) (USDA) -- Wednesday cattle: 350.
Accidents
AITKIN -- One person was injured in a two-vehicle accident Wednesday on Highway 169, seven miles south of Aitkin.
Accidents
GARRISON -- One person was injured in a two-vehicle accident Thursday on Highway 169, four miles north of Garrison.
Fires
The Brainerd Fire Department responded to a small fire at Lexington Manufacturing today.
Cash grain
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Wheat receipts Thursday 199, a year ago 115.
Crow Wing court
The following recently appeared in Crow Wing District Court:
Metals
NEW YORK (AP) -- Spot nonferrous metal prices Thursday.
Crimes
Kathy Noton, 600 block of Southwest Sixth Street, reported her van had been vandalized.
Irwin poised for another big Burnet golf tourney
COON RAPIDS (AP) -- Hale Irwin has been a fixture atop the leader board at the last three Coldwell Banker Burnet Senior golf tournaments and Irwin looks like the player to beat this year too.
Tools will lead to fast home improvements
Speed up your next home improvement project with Vermont American's RapidFire Auto-Feed Screwdriving Attachment ($50).
More homeowners are asking for balconies
A balcony is a gracious architectural gesture, like a hand extended to Mother Nature.
Housing briefs
Three agents -- Don Cervin, Cindy Johannessohn and Aaron Opatz -- joined Tower Real Estate on Washington Street in Brainerd.
Peppers can be finicky about producing well
Pepper plants sometimes grow well but produce poorly because they are fussy about their environment.
Vacation retreat near Outing turned into year-round home for couple
OUTING -- Call it reverse commuting.
HUD raises FHA-insured loan limit
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development officials have approved an increase of nearly $18,000 in the maximum size of a Federal Housing Administration loan for home buyers in the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
Lawn care relies on location
Lawn care can be a labor of love or the bane of one's existence, depending on your point of view.
Tips to install, maintain wood-shake or shingle roof
The crowning glory of an old-house restoration is a new roof of wood shakes or shingles.
Weather can take toll on tomatoes
Last year, the drought squeezed the life out of America's favorite vegetable, the tomato. This year, excessive rain is taking a different toll.
Power outage at Valley Fair leaves some stranded on rides
SHAKOPEE (AP) -- Some customers were stranded on rides at the Valley Fair amusement park when the power went out Thursday afternoon.
Corrections
Because of a previous conviction inadvertently repeated as part of the July 10 Crow Wing County court dispositions, an old criminal disposition of Timothy Palmer was printed on Page 6A Thursday.
Two presumed drowned on Winnie
BENA -- Two people missing since Wednesday on Lake Winnibigoshish are presumed drowned.
Four indicted in Austin in double killings
AUSTIN (AP) -- A Mower County grand jury indicted four suspects in the shooting deaths of two St. Paul construction workers, while charges were dropped against another suspect in exchange for her testimony.
County's jobless rate continues to drop
Crow Wing County's 3.2 percent jobless rate is one of the lowest in this area.
MPCA official assures farmers about new feedlot rules
REDWOOD FALLS, (AP) -- An official in charge of enforcing new feedlot rules expected to take effect in October told farmers gathered at a forum here that they have nothing to worry about.
LF police seek help after recent rash of business break-ins
LITTLE FALLS -- Little Falls police are asking for the public's help in locating the suspect or suspects that broke into three businesses in local strip mall Tuesday.
Appeals court reinstates firefighters' bias suit
ST. PAUL (AP) -- A racial discrimination lawsuit filed against the city of St. Paul by six black firefighters was reinstated Thursday by the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
Federal emergency management chief visits Granite Falls, promises aid
GRANITE FALLS (AP) -- The director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, James Lee Witt, came to this tornado-damaged city Wednesday and promised that his agency will help financially with the recovery.
Local briefs
BENA -- The search continued today for two people missing since Wednesday on Lake Winnibigoshish, the Cass County Sheriff's Department said.
Exploratory committee for gubernatorial run doesn't prevent Coleman show
ST. PAUL (AP) -- Mayor Norm Coleman's decision to form an exploratory committee about a possible gubernatorial run won't immediately affect his right to continue his weekly radio show, officials said Friday.
Ventura defends education commissioner
BIWABIK (AP) -- Gov. Jesse Ventura is defending his education commissioner, Christine Jax, following revelations that the private testing company that scores Minnesota's basic skills tests incorrectly scored thousands last spring.
Ventura stresses economic diversity during Range tour
BIWABIK (AP) -- This time, Gov. Jesse Ventura did not demur. He knows what taconite is.
Corrections/ clarifications
Thursday's editorial on the Brainerd bypass should have said that if all goes well the southbound lanes will open Aug. 9 and the northbound lanes will open two days later.
Church to offer youth hang out
Are you a middle- or high school-aged student with no place to hang out after school?
Ventura assured Twin Cities would remain a Northwest hub
ST. PAUL (AP) -- Gov. Jesse Ventura said Thursday that Northwest Airlines executives have told him the Twin Cities would remain a hub should the airline merge with American Airlines.
Construction workers quarantined with mysterious illness in Willmar
WILLMAR (AP) -- Twelve people with high fevers and trouble breathing arrived at Rice Memorial Hospital, causing hospital officials to briefly quarantine the emergency room and declare a "code red."
Duluth native chosen to run campaign for Gore's VP choice
DULUTH (AP) -- Thomas Nides has all the resources in place to manage Al Gore's vice presidential candidate's campaign.
Ventura SEAL friend named to state lobbyist job
ST. PAUL (AP) -- A man who went through Navy SEALs training with Gov. Jesse Ventura has been named director of Minnesota's Washington office.
Cause of illness remains unknown
WILLMAR (AP) -- Half of the patients admitted to Rice Memorial Hospital after a mysterious illness have been discharged, but officials still don't know exactly what made them sick. ourtee
'Wize Guyz' attend training session
Two area graduates of the "Wise Guyz" Young Male Responsibility program recently traveled to Atlanta for an education workshop.
This was Brainerd
20 years ago (1980) - Oscar Nikko is a familiar sight to anyone who visits Lum Park on a summer evening. The 77-year-old Brainerd resident swims up to three miles almost every day in Rice Lake.
Villa workers win settlement
PIERZ -- Nursing home workers at St. Mary's Villa, on strike for more than three months until March, won an unfair labor strike decision granted by the state labor relations board and received an undisclosed settlement for back wages.
Suspect arrested in Ball Club shooting that wounded teen
CASS LAKE (AP) -- Authorities arrested a 22-year-old man wanted in a shooting that wounded a Minneapolis teen in the town of Ball Club last month.
Jurors hear Blom confession
VIRGINIA, Minn. (AP) -- Prosecutors, nearing the end of their case against Donald Blom, played a dramatic taped confession so jurors could hear Blom admit he abducted and killed Katie Poirier and then burned her body.
BRHSC takes steps to stem possible drug woes
The Brainerd Regional Human Services Center has placed restrictions on patients and visitors in hopes of stemming possible drug problems at the center.
Ventura apologizes to students
ST. PAUL (AP) -- Gov. Jesse Ventura apologized Thursday to students whose basic skills tests were graded incorrectly last spring, forcing some to take summer school or even be kept from graduating.
This was Brainerd
20 years ago (1980) - Bruce Boland of Ruttger's Bay Lake Lodge and Sue Pettit of Brainerd won two titles in the annual Paul Bunyan Open Tennis Tournament which concluded yesterday. More than 100 players participated in the three day event.
Show promoters profit from loophole
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Promoters of major performers who come to Minnesota are using a tax loophole to avoid paying state and city sales taxes on money from admissions, according to Minneapolis Community Development Agency data.
Commuter rail preview planned for line between Minneapolis and St. Cloud
ST. CLOUD (AP) -- The future of commuter rail service is rolling into the station here for a preview of sorts.
Woman killed in apartment fire
HOPKIN (AP) -- A woman was killed Wednesday afternoon in a fire that gutted her 11th-floor high-rise apartment.
C-I hires interim superintendent
CROSBY -- After accepting a resignation letter from former superintendent Bill Makinen, the Crosby-Ironton School Board has now hired an interim superintendent.
Koep leaves her radio talk show
Mary Koep's last working day at AM radio station WWWI was Wednesday.
Fire situation worsens in Montana
HELENA, Mont. -- Scores of wildfires have forced beleaguered firefighters to give up ground as officials across western Montana warned people to stay inside and out of the thickening smoke.
Sears halts sales starting today
WASHINGTON -- Almost 100 years ago, Henry Ford chose Harvey Firestone to supply tires for America's first mass-produced automobiles. It was the beginning of an enduring friendship and fortunes that would outlive them both.
Businesses try to cash in on prosperous, aging baby boomers
WASHINGTON -- Message to aging baby boomers: Lorain, Ohio, wants you. Or at least your money.
Unions say strike possible in telephone talks
WASHINGTON -- Contract negotiations are continuing at Verizon Communications, but officials of unions representing more than 85,000 workers in 12 eastern states say a strike is possible this weekend.
Alaska Airlines grounds jets for look at suspect part
SEATTLE -- Saying earlier inspections may have produced incorrect readings, Alaska Airlines is grounding as many as 18 Boeing MD-80 airliners for another look at a part implicated in January's crash that killed 88 people.
June factory orders surge by largest amount in nine years
WASHINGTON -- Orders to American factories shot up by 5.5 percent in June, the biggest increase in nine years, as the U.S. economy continued to confound expectations of a slowdown.
National unemployment rate steady
WASHINGTON -- The nation's unemployment rate held steady at 4 percent in July, close to a three-decade low, despite the loss of 108,000 payroll jobs during the month, the biggest setback in nine years.
Former Wonder Bread bakery workers awarded $120 million
SAN FRANCISCO -- One man complained he was forced to endure racial epithets. Another said he was ordered to do strenuous jobs despite his disabilities. A third had to work during a federal holiday.
Operators dispute figures
TOLEDO, Ohio -- It's a report that could frighten even the most fearless thrill-seeker: In the past four years, the number of injuries at the nation's amusement parks has nearly doubled.
Clinton grants death penalty reprieve so inmate can request clemency
WASHINGTON -- The last president to sign a death warrant for a federal inmate was John F. Kennedy in 1963. One of President Clinton's last Oval Office decisions may be whether to sign the next one.
Shrinking staffs reported across nation
INDIANAPOLIS -- Hospitals and other health care employers are offering nurses signing bonuses, child care and even maid or lawn service as they confront a shortage that appears to be going nationwide.
Jury agrees family was swindled out of oil profits
BROWNSVILLE, Texas -- For more than six decades, the Balli family languished in poverty as strangers took over their ranch lands, and condominiums and towering hotels rose on the sands of the resort island they once owned.
Qwest may cut 2,000 to 4,000 jobs this year
DENVER (AP) -- Qwest Communications International Inc. may cut up to 4,000 jobs by year's end in the wake of a merger with U S West Communications Inc.
Fed survey finds larger banks charge higher fees
WASHINGTON -- America's largest banks charge significantly more for services than smaller banks that do business in only one state, the Federal Reserve has found in an annual survey of bank fees.
Dropped popup gives Yanks win in marathon game
NEW YORK (AP) -- Roger Clemens spent as much time pacing as he did pitching.
'U' should go after the money
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The University of Minnesota might never regain the credibility it lost last year when a massive academic fraud scandal was exposed in its basketball program.
Transasctions
Transactions
Schilling outduels Maddux
The 40,643 fans at Bank One Ballpark got a first-hand look at why the Arizona Diamondbacks were so eager to get Curt Schilling.
Strawberry to undergo surgery
NEW YORK (AP) -- Darryl Strawberry, the former New York Yankees slugger operated on for colon cancer in 1998, has a new cancerous tumor in his abdomen, the New York Daily News quoted his agent as saying Thursday night.
Twins batter Rapp, end O's streak
BALTIMORE -- Pat Rapp handed the ball to Orioles Manager Mike Hargrove, took a few steps off the mound and pounded his fist into his glove.
Beltran suspended by Royals; union plans a challenge
NEW YORK (AP) -- Challenging one of their top players, the Kansas City Royals suspended AL Rookie of the Year Carlos Beltran without pay for refusing to report to the team's Florida training complex for rehabilitation.
Pacers give out 'Monopoly Money'
Austin Croshere summed up his contract best, calling it "Monopoly money."
Sign-and-trade deals Orlando makes it look like Magic in acquiring Grant Hill
Three days after the start of the free-agent signing period, the Orlando Magic finally reeled in two of the biggest prizes of the NBA offseason.
Wild goalies confident but unsure of what to expect
ST. PAUL -- While every member of the Minnesota Wild will be battling for a starting job when training camp opens next month, one of the more intriguing battles will take place in front of the net.
Hatchette seeks even bigger role
MANKATO -- Matthew Hatchette's climb is almost complete.
Paup finds a new level of comfort with Vikings
MANKATO -- Bryce Paup is enjoying his change of scenery. A new team, a different position and a fresh start can do that.
Lynx fall to Starzz
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Recently relegated to the role of spoiler, the Minnesota Lynx failed to drag Utah into the ranks of WNBA teams not headed for the league's third round of postseason play, losing Wednesday to the Starzz 72-62 at Target Center.
Joseph Mrosola
NORTH PRAIRIE -- Joseph Mrosola, 72, North Prairie, died Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2000, at Mother of Mercy Nursing Home of Albany.
Axel G. Lindblom
AITKIN -- Axel G. Lindblom, 87, Aitkin, died Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2000, at Glencoe Area Health Care Center.
Eleanor M. Black
PARK RAPIDS -- Eleanor Magdleana Black, 55, Park Rapids, died Thursday, Aug. 3, 2000, at home.
John W. Strobel
John W. Strobel, 85, Brainerd, died Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2000, at Woodland Good Samaritan Village of Brainerd.
Joseph Mrosla
NORTH PRAIRIE -- Joseph Mrosla, 72, North Prairie, died Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2000, at Mother of Mercy Nursing Home of Albany.
Leroy Brausen
WALKER -- Leroy Brausen, 72, Pierz, died Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2000, at Ah-Gwah-Ching Care Center of Walker.
Leroy 'Bobby' Brausen
WALKER -- Leroy "Bobby" Brausen, 72, Walker, formerly of Pierz, died Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2000, at Ah-Gwah-Ching Care Center of Walker.
John M. Simon
WYOMING -- John M. Simon, 52, Wyoming, died Sunday, July 30, 2000, in Wyoming.
John W. Strobel
John W. Strobel, 85, Brainerd, died Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2000, at Woodland Good Samaritan Village of Brainerd.
Bettie J. Duke
LITTLE FALLS -- Bettie Jean Duke, 75, Little Falls, died Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2000, at St. Otto's Care Center of Little Falls.
Blyde D. Thomas
Blyde D. Thomas, 93, Brainerd, died today, Friday, Aug. 4, 2000, at Brainerd Manor.
Roland 'Ronnie' Litke
PIERZ -- Roland "Ronnie" Litke, 65, Pierz, died Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2000, at his home.
Flodys Farber Giza
STAPLES -- Flodys Farber Giza, 80, Staples, died Thursday, Aug. 3, 2000, at the Greater Staples Care Center in Staples.
Marjorie L. Hawks
DEERWOOD -- Marjorie Lillian Hawks, 78, Deerwood, died Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2000, at Cuyuna Regional Medical Center of Crosby.
Minor R. 'Bud' Burton
Minor R. "Bud" Burton, 78, Brainerd, died today, Aug. 4, 2000, at home.
And now, the Democrats' turn
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- It's crunch time for the Democrats.
OTHER OPINIONS
Try your hand at this basic-skills test on state's basic-skills test Sharpen your No. 2 pencils, and get ready to take this practice quiz on the basic-skills testing fiasco in Minnesota.
Japanese prime minister's woes grow
The following editorial appeared in Thursday's Los Angeles Times:
Bush speech goal: Demonstrate presidential qualities
PHILADELPHIA -- When George W. Bush takes the stage here on Thursday night, he has one overriding goal: demonstrate to the American people that he is presidential.
Open Forum
The long arm of government is at it again. It seems that there is no end to prying by a host of government agencies into all aspects of our private lives. This of course, is done under the guise of some noble purpose such as preserving the environment, the need to provide better services, and protecting us from ourselves.
Bush makes his case
The following editorial appeared in today's Washington Post:
The Brainerd bypass - Dispatch Editorial
OK, let's see a show of hands out there. How many figured they'd never see the Brainerd bypass become a reality in their lifetime?
Bush, Cheney promise great goals
PHILADELPHIA -- Opening a 95-day countdown to the election, Republicans George W. Bush and Dick Cheney charged side by side to Midwest battleground states Friday, pledging to "use these good times for great goals" if they succeed in winning the White House.
Ethics law puts elected officials in tricky spot
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- His stomach full of prime rib, jumbo shrimp and baked brie, House Majority Leader Tim Pawlenty assessed the damage at about $70.
Bush: It's time for change of leadership
PHILADELPHIA -- Texas Gov. George W. Bush
Clinton appoints civil rights chief
WASHINGTON -- President Clinton took advantage of a congressional recess to make Bill Lann Lee his assistant attorney general for civil rights, a move that could further deepen his standoff with the Senate over judicial nominations.
'The World's Fastest 8th Grader'
SPRINGFIELD, N.J. -- Jon Denning was 11 years old the first time he found himself upside down in a race car.
What's done and what's up with NASCAR Winston Cup
The NASCAR Winston Cup schedule, winners in parentheses, and driver point standings:
Rudd takes pole away from Waltrip
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Ricky Rudd was almost apologetic.
ON TRACK
NASCAR
Auto racing
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Qualifying Thursday for Saturday's Brickyard 400 NASCAR Winston Cup race, with car number in parentheses, driver, car and speed:
Sauk Rapids pins loss on VFW
ST. CLOUD -- If it wasn't for Sauk Rapids the Brainerd VFW would have lost three less games, won the sub-district and District 6 titles and advanced to the state tournament, but a 8-6 loss Wednesday nullified that.
Brainerd Bees gunning for 12 in a row
As they enter the Region 7B playoffs the Brainerd Bees amateur baseball team is buzzing.
Honkers outlast Gulls 9-4
ROCHESTER -- Sam Steidl and Rick Helland pitched respectably in their debuts for the Brainerd Mighty Gulls on Thursday against Rochester but the Honkers went on to win the Northwoods League game 9-4 at May Field.
Local shorts
The Brainerd Bees defeated New London 8-5 in an exhibition amateur baseball game Wednesday at Mills Field.
Luminaries to help 'Hap' Dumont World Series get started here
Where else can a youngster obtain an autograph from a World Series hero and watch an Olympic gold medalist and National Hockey League player throw out the ceremonial first pitch?
Scoreboard
Northwoods League Baseball
Local shorts
Adam Pelkey of Brainerd Tae Kwon Do has earned his Korean Chung Do Kwan and his Kong Shin Bup Hapkido certificates.
Scoreboard
Northwoods League Baseball
Braves vs. Rebels Heated rivalry to resume Sunday
One of the more hotly contested rivalries in central Minnesota amateur baseball resumes 1 p.m. Sunday at Flensburg when the Brainerd Braves play the Fort Ripley Rebels in the Region 8C winners' bracket.
Rochester adds to Gulls' woes
ROCHESTER -- The Brainerd Mighty Gulls are in a slump of sorts as they've lost six of their last 10 games including Wednesday's 10-6 loss to the Rochester Honkers.
Internet comedy show to become live-action series
LOS ANGELES -- In an example of how Internet companies and the entertainment industry may collaborate in the future, a short animated series on a Web site will become a half-hour, live-action show on a major cable network.
'X-Men' offers audience entertaining summer movie experience
Fans of the X-Men comic book series will find enough to cheer about in the first motion picture release from Marvel Comics.
Retired Brainerd teacher's photos on display at city hall
A photographic exhibit by longtime Brainerd school teacher Gary Fitch opened this week for a two-month run at Brainerd City Hall.
Navy guns by any name can be accidentally fired
DEAR ABBY: The letter from Lowell K. Allen, who served on the submarine "Cato" in World War II, contained some errors. First and foremost, there never was a submarine called the Cato. Also, there is not now, never has and never will be a 20 mm submachine gun. I think the man meant to say a Thompson .45-caliber submachine gun.
Tempo tidbits
A watercolor by Pelican Lake artist Leslie Gerstman has been selected for the 25th annual Juried Exhibition for Women Artists, which opens Friday at the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul.
Movie crowds go nutty for Eddie Murphy and the Klump family
LOS ANGELES -- Eddie Murphy and the Klump clan feasted at the box office this weekend.
Oliver Stone tours refugee camps for final draft of screenplay
NAIROBI, Kenya -- Oliver Stone wasn't satisfied that the screenplay of his latest film, "Beyond Borders," was realistic enough, so he's out scouting refugee camps to make sure he gets it right.
Zimmerman area resort to host bluegrass festival
ZIMMERMAN -- The 21st annual Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Festival gets under way in earnest Friday, with more than 30 hours of music through the three-day event.
Country music lovers to gather
DETROIT LAKES -- The country music faithful are gathering in Detroit Lakes this weekend for the annual WE Fest at Soo Pass Ranch on the outskirts of town.
Poems for kids, for better or verse
"The Whimsical Verse of Olly-O" (Olly-O Enterprises, $35, ages 3-10) by Molly James was first published in the 1960s in six volumes. This new edition is illustrated with Ron Chespak's colorful, animated paper sculpture.
Entertainment guide
For week of Aug. 3-9; bands perform from 9 p.m. to close with no cover unless otherwise noted.
Hole in the Day Players to stage 'Little Shop of Horrors'
LITTLE FALLS -- The Hole in the Day Players are gearing up to present the comedic musical "Little Shop of Horrors," with 8 p.m. performances Aug. 10-12 and 16-18.
Heritage Days to feature art, craft festival
CROSBY -- Shop for original art and craft items starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, in Crosby Memorial Park on Serpent Lake during this year's Heritage Days Festival.
'The River King' is haunted and haunting
Keeping dark secrets is a haunting task. The secrets become bigger and more disturbing the longer they stay buried, and they rarely remain secret forever.
Talent show will feature Wadena Whirlaways
STAPLES -- The third annual Locomotion Talent Promotion, the kickoff to Railroad Days and the Chili Cook Off in Staples, will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 25, at Centennial Auditorium featuring the Wadena Whirlaways.
Sarah Caudwell's last mystery is a delightful brainteaser
Readers who like well-written mysteries that are also brainteasers will find Sarah Caudwell's "The Sibyl in Her Grave" (Delacorte, $23.95) at the top of that genre.
Review: 'Lying' an honest memoir of self-discovery
At its heart, Lauren Slater's "Lying: A Metaphorical Memoir" (Random House, $21.95) is a story of self-discovery.
Continuous entertainment
When the feet and legs tire, or the kids need a break, you can park your eyes and ears at the Mills Free Stage for a little of this or a little of that in entertainment throughout next week's Crow Wing County Fair.
Burgeoning urban film festival a showcase for minority filmmakers
NEW YORK -- Chi Moui Lo's film debut, "Catfish in Black Bean Sauce," centers on two young Vietnamese refugees who come to America and end up being adopted by a black family. Suffice to say, it's not mainstream Hollywood fare.
Perfect beach day
Weather drawing by Taylor Headlee in the Nisswa School second-grade class of Mrs. Minerich.
Plains see showers, thunderstorms
Showers and thunderstorms were expected Thursday in much of the East ahead of a cold front moving in from the Ohio Valley. Storms also were forecast over the northern and central Plains and parts of the Southwest.
Best buddies
Weather drawing by Matthew Weatherwax in the Lowell School first-grade class of Sharon Jendro.
Brainerd forecast
Tonight -- Mostly cloudy. A 30 percent chance of thunderstorms late. Lows lower 60s. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
West braces for more heat
More heat was on tap Friday for the fire-scorched Rockies and West while cool, rainy conditions slowly moved off the East Coast. It was also hot in the Plains.
Brainerd forecast
Tonight -- Partly cloudy. Lows mid to upper 50s. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Woman asks how old is too old when choosing a mate
DEAR ABBY: I am in love with a wonderful man who meets all my specifications for a lifetime mate, except one.
Senior calendar
LAKES AREA SENIOR
What's doing
North-South: Pat Lande and Allen Anderson, 186.5; Walt a
Names and faces
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) -- Katie Couric has begun picking up different speech patterns since she hired two Birmingham natives as personal assistants.
Freeze that paintbrush
Dear Heloise: I don't like cleaning paintbrushes. If I don't have time to finish painting something in one session, I squeeze some of the excess paint from the brush and wrap the bristles (up to the narrow part of the handle) snugly with aluminum foil.
Thousands cheer Queen Mother on her 100th birthday
LONDON -- Cheering fans of the Queen Mother Elizabeth lined her procession route to Buckingham Palace on Friday, shouting happy 100th birthday wishes to a woman who won the love and admiration of the nation during a turbulent century.