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Who needs LoGro? See Northfield’s mainstream media for news about the upcoming high school mountain bike racing team meeting

I’m appreciative of Northfield’s media organizations who have been very helpful in drawing attention to Tuesday night’s (May 15) information meeting for the new Cannon Valley Mountain Bike Racing Team for area high school students.

Northfield News: Northfield high school mountain bike team forming Northfield News: Northfield high school mountain bike team forming Northfield Patch: Cannon Valley Biking Team Pedaling Toward Starting LinePeter Behm with KYMN News Morning Show host Jeff Johnson

Northfield News reporter Jordan Osterman: Northfield high school mountain bike team forming

KYMN News Morning Show host Jeff Johnson: Griff Wigley and Peter Behm on C.V. Mountain Bike Racing (blog post with streaming audio). Alternate: download/listen to MP3.  (Peter Behm is a student at ARTech.)

Northfield Patch reporter Michael Garlitz: Cannon Valley Biking Team Pedaling Toward Starting Line

One point Wigley stresses when talking about forming the team is that the activity is open to girls, as well as boys.

“The big push nationally is to get girls involved,” he said. “And, there is an incentive for having girls on your team. Points earned by girls are worth more, which helps in recruiting.

Can’t make the May 15 meeting? Area student-athletes who are interested can now fill out a form on the CVMTBT website to be kept informed on next steps on the team’s formation.

Smackdown on KYMN: Hvisty gets his ass handed to him

After my confrontations with Northfielder David Hvistendahl over the weekend, I  emailed him a request to be a guest on his KYMN Law Review radio show this week. He replied:

U R hereby invited to a verbal smackdown, 6 pm, KYMN. Will B War of the Worlds II. Will expose U as a royalist and rumor monger.

KYMN smackdown: David Hvistendahl, Griff WigleyWe did the show tonight.  KYMN emperor Jeff Johnson was on hand to moderate (he used a digital referee whistle) but only had to use it a couple times.

The audio of the show is now available in this mistitled KYMN blog post by Jeff:

KYMN web player image 
Law Review | SMACKDOWN! Wigley cries UNCLE!! 

(For the culturally deprived, see the Wikipedia entry for Uncle Wiggily.)

My war with David Hvistendahl escalates; more to come this week

David Hvistendahl David Hvistendahl and Griff Wigley
David Hvistendahl and I had, um, words yesterday at the St. Patrick’s Day parade and at the Northfield Historical Society’s annual meeting.

On his KYMN Law Review radio show this week, he’s promising a scathing retort to my audio mashup of his trash-talking City Hall. Stay tuned wired.

Photos and video: 3rd anniversary show for KYMN’s The Long Way Home

Will Healy, Stephen Kampa, Craig Wasner, David Henly, Mike Hildebrandt,  Craig Wasner, Mike Hildebrandt Stephen Kampa (with Jesse James in the background) Will Healy
Host Will Healy and co-host David Henly celebrated the 3rd anniversary of The Long Way Home  tonight at KYMN’s studios.  Some of Healy’s former colleagues from Over and Back stopped by for an in-studio performance: Stephen Kampa, harmonica; Craig Wasner, keyboard; Michael Hildebrandt, fiddle. Here’s a one-minute video clip:

Two weeks to go for Northfield’s very own Trashy Little Christmas

Trailer Trash at Rochester Civic CenterA Trashy Little Christmas - Northfield 2011 - Trailer TrashIt’s less than two weeks before one of the best and most popular honky tonk bands in Minnesota, Trailer Trash, returns to town. They’re bringing their celebrated holiday show, A Trashy Little Christmas, to the Grand Event Center here in Northfield on Thursday, December 15th.

For more than a decade, Trailer Trash has taken the holiday spirit and put a spin on it that is decidedly their own, performing a series of holiday shows in the Twin Cities and Rochester.

The band played a couple of very well received shows in Northfield this year, and they are really excited to share their own special brand of Christmas cheer with us. Combining original songs for the season with some reworked holiday favorites, these “honky tonk heroes” will have you laughing, singing and dancing your little humbug off.

Left-Handed Entertainment is proud to present this one-of-a-kind holiday classic, and we hope to make it another traditional holiday event in Northfield.

2011 Northfield Sponsors - A Trashy Little Christmas

We could not be doing this without the generous help of some local sponsors: Rob Schanilec at the Northfield Entertainment Guide, Jeff Johnson at KYMN Radio, John Thomas at Mr. JST Technology Consulting, Cate Vermeland Photography, Ross Currier at the Northfield Downtown Development Corporation, and of course, Griff Wigley here at Locally Grown Northfield.  We thank them for their support.

Tickets are $8.00 in advance or $10.00 at the door (A true bargain! Tickets for the sold-out show in Rochester were $17.50 and $22.50). You can order your tickets online at ATrashyLittleChristmas.com or by contacting either me, Rich Larson, at bgwg@charter.net or Jessica Paxton at Jessica@kymnradio.net.

Matt Arthur & The Bratlanders
Doors open at 6pm, and guests will be treated to a special holiday set by Matt Arthur & The Bratlanders at 7pm.

See you there!

A first: Northfield’s very own Trashy Little Christmas, coming to the Grand on Dec. 15, sponsored in part by LoGro

Jessica Paxton, Angie Ekern, Rich Larson A Trashy Little Xmas, Northfield poster, 2011TrailerTrash
Jessica Paxton, promoter of all-things downtown Northfield, is teaming up with Mr. music promoter Rich Larson to bring Trailer Trash, Minnesota’s premier honky-tonk band, to the Grand Event Center on Dec. 15 for the Northfield version of their annual holiday show, A Trashy Little Christmas. The evening will include an opening set by Matt Arthur and the Bratlanders.

I caught up with Jessica and Rich last night at the Contented Cow and coaxed Plum St. resident Angie Ekern to pose for a photo with them, holding up an article in the StarTribune from earlier this week that announced the details on the Trailer Trash series of Xmas shows:

Like the classic country songs they purvey year-round, Trailer Trash’s annual "Trashy Little X-Mas" marathon never seems to grow old. The Twin Cities honky-tonk kings have a stocking full of original novelty songs ("I’ve Shopped Everywhere," "Santa’s a Spy") to go with a bulging bag of covers and traditional holiday tunes, played in not-so-traditional and often rowdy ways. [See this StarTribune 2008 profile of Trailer Trash.]

Advance tickets for Northfield’s ‘Trashy Little Christmas’ show are available online via credit card or PayPal here for an amazingly cheap $8 (less than half the price for their show in Rochester).  Don’t wait, however. This show could sell out and then you’ll have to confess to your grandchildren someday that you could have been there for the inaugural show but sat around on your fat ass until it was too late.

And yes, trashy old Locally Grown Northfield has signed on to be one of the financial sponsors of the show, along with the NDDC, KYMN, and possibly others.  This could be an annual event that’s both great fun for locals and effective at bringing people from around the region to visit our fair city. Thanks to those of you who are LoGro members, LoGro advertisers, and who click on the Google ads. Your financial support is paying for our sponsorship of the show.

So what are you waiting for?

CLICK HERE TO BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW!

Northfield Patch, hyperlocal news, and the future of journalism

Jane McWilliamsI normally prefer more narrowly focused blog posts. And any one of the three subjects in the blog post title would typically suffice.

But Jane McWilliams is teaching a Cannon Valley Elder Collegium course this spring titled The Future of Journalism (4 slots left as I write this) and local media moguls from KYMN, the Northfield News, Northfield Patch, Northfield.org, and yes, even Locally Grown are among the guests she’s having attend various class sessions.

  1. Since Northfield Patch is the new kid on the block here in town, its time to scrutinize their effort, both locally and nationally.  What has been their impact on Northfield thus far? What do you like about what they’re doing? What’s disappointing or problematic?
  2. PatchPatch is a national chain of hyperlocal news sites owned by AOL. There have been many other high profile hyperlocal news projects launched, with many failures already. What’s being learned out there?
  3. Journalism (local, state, national, international) continues to be in a state of extreme flux.  What do you like and not like about what you’re seeing?

If you come across interesting resources related to these issues, be sure to post them in a comment with a link and, if you’re up for it, an excerpt.

Light Up Northfield! KYMN’s Christmas lights contest is back

After years on hiatus, we are re-launching “Light up Northfield,” a residential, exterior Christmas light contest.

We will be judging Christmas-light & decorations within the Northfield city limits or a maximum of  5 miles from the city borders.  We will be announcing 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners on December 17th, 2010. Winners will receive a prize package full of great tickets and passes to regional events. Winning names will be announced and photos of their homes will be displayed on KYMN’s website.

Entrants are encouraged to upgrade their lighting displays with eco-friendly and cost saving LED lights, but is not required.  Winners will be judged on overall creativity and showmanship.

Enter your exterior residential Christmas light display and win.  See all the details at KYMN!

Superintendent Chris Richardson: He’s not a real doctor!

Superintendent Chris RichardsonIn a town with a thousand PhD’s, nobody refers to or addresses any of them with ‘Dr.’ or ‘Doctor.’ 

But for some reason, KYMN (example here) and the League of Women Voters of Northfield (example here) use it with the superintendent of schools. The Northfield News used to do it (2008 example here) but appears to have discontinued it.  I was glad to see that Northfield Patch did NOT do this last week in its first district-related story. Not even the school district itself does it, sticking instead to "Superintendent Richardson" in its minutes, though some school board members have a tendency to address him as ‘Doctor’ during the course of a board meeting.

I have nothing against Chris Richardson or the previous Northfield District superintendents, but IMHO, only medical physicians should be addressed as ‘Doctor’ or have the ‘Dr.’ in front of their names. Why treat superintendents as if they’re somehow special?

Our local college presidents (one has a Doctor of Philosophy/PhD, the other a Juris Doctor/JD) don’t get the Doctor/Dr. treatment from KYMN (example here). Not even former school superintendent Charlie Kyte (example here) does. So if they don’t, then neither should Richardson.

How about it, Jeff? How about it, Jessica?

Kathy and Sandy have a new Prairie’s Edge Humane Society segment on KYMN

Kathy Jasnoch, Sandy Vesledahl, Jeff JohnsonPrairie’s Edge Humane Society (PEHS) has a new segment on KYMN called “Animal Attractions.” Kathy Jasnoch and Sandy Vesledahl are live on Jeff Johnson’s Morning Show every 2 weeks at 6:50 am on Thursdays. Sandy emailed me this:

We discuss 4-5 animals that we would like to highlight that are available for adoption and then any upcoming events or projects or whatever happenings at PEHS.

7:10 am update: I’ve added an in-studio photo above.  And the dog that they seemed most eager to find a home for: Chance

Sandy Vesledahl Chance at PEHS

Video: Anna Balfany performs 4pm to 10 (The 2010 Taste of Northfield Song)

Anna BalfanyAnna Balfany and Jessica Paxton I took this video last week of Anna Balfany,  daughter of NDDC board member Anastasia Balfany, performing her new song, ‘4pm to 10,’ during Jessica Paxton’s All Wheel Drive show on KYMN 1080 AM. She’ll be performing it live on Bridge Square, tomorrow and Friday for the 2010 Taste of Northfield.

Anna wrote and performed a song called ‘The Taste’ for last year’s Taste of Northfield. See the video and lyrics: Continue reading Video: Anna Balfany performs 4pm to 10 (The 2010 Taste of Northfield Song)

Critter Cam live from Prairie's Edge Humane Society

[show_avatar email=sandy.vesledahl@wigleyandassociates.com]Now Showing! Live Kittens playing! You can now watch our adoptable animals at Prairie’s Edge Humane Society (PEHS) live 24/7 on the new Critter Cam installed in conjunction with KYMN Radio. Thanks to the fine folks at KYMN radio we now have a live feed of our adoptable animals showing on our website and KYMN’s website, Tim and Jeff are AWESOME!

Currently the Critter Cam is featuring kittens available for adoption. Watch them play, sleep, eat, and everything else they do 24 hours a day 7 days a week! It’s better than anything you can see on TV! We will be switching the camera around at various times to feature the antics and lives of the various animals available for adoption at the shelter, so check back often to see who’s on camera. Once you watch kittens playing you’re hooked, get the popcorn! If you see any animal you would like to provide a forever home and get unconditional love in return, contact the shelter at 507-334-7117. See the live Critter Cam:

Video chat rooms at Ustream

The heart of downtown, now streaming live 24/7

KYMN Radio and the Northfield Historical Society announced today via their respective blogs (here and here) that a webcam would now be streaming live video from Bridge Square.  KYMN’s Tim Freeland and NHS’s Hayes Scriven are the geniuses behind this.

You may remember that Tim Freeland and Adam Gurno did a proof of concept last year with the time-lapse video of the December snowstorm which was picked up by MPR. (Nice work, everyone. Have some Google juice.)

However, the moniker “KYMN-NHS-Cam” is kind of lame. How about SquareStream? RiverStream? Should we have a “name-the-camera” contest here on LoGro? Continue reading The heart of downtown, now streaming live 24/7

Spring is here - Golf for half price in Cannon Falls

[show_avatar email=tim@kymnradio.net]Do you golf, or know someone who does? It’s time for our annual Summit Golf Club of Cannon Falls, half-price spring special.

Visit the KYMN, Cyber Shopper to get all of the details and check out online.

Listen to your Twins baseball locally all summer

[show_avatar email=tim@kymnradio.net]Just a reminder that without a clear channel like WCCO carrying the Minnesota Twins, you’ll need your local syndicate to get the best quality sound when you’re out and about listening to your soon-to-be-World-Champion-Minnesota-Twins!  With permission of MLB, we broadcast all games in real time, cutting in local ID drops, commercials, and liners.

So, when you go from TV, to the yard, to the car, keep it tuned to 1080AM KYMN for your Twins action!

Northfield Historical Society Annual Meeting and Membership Ball

Annual Meeting Poster[show_avatar email=scriven@northfieldhistory.org]On Saturday March 20, the Northfield Historical Society (NHS) will be having its Annual Meeting and Membership Ball at Great Hall on the Carleton College Campus. The party starts at 7:00 p.m. There will be a short meeting at about 8:00 and right after that, Christina Schweitz and Sweet Jazz will play the night away!

The best part about the night is that it is FREE if you are a NHS member! You can come and listen to the wonderful music and eat all you want for FREE! If you are not a member, not a big deal you can sign up that night or online!

Now you might be asking yourself, “Why should I join the Northfield Historical Society.” Well for one, you will be directly supporting the organization in town that is responsible for collecting, preserving, interpreting and honoring Northfield’s past. In addition, to that warm and fuzzy feeling you get for preserving Northfield’s past, you also get; the NHS newsletter, The Scriver Scribbler delivered to your home/business 4 times a year, FREE admission to other NHS programs throughout the year, FREE admission to the NHS museum year round, access to the NHS archives/collections at a discounted price and soon to come a new e-newsletter!

NHS memberships go directly into our operation budget to help put on programs such as, the Jr. Curator, Summer Assistant, Jr. Posse and SCOPE programs. These are all programs that engage Northfield High School and Middle School students in local history research and docent training. The membership also goes into fund programs like our rotating exhibits, the Outlaw Run, NHS publications, and speaker programs. Those are just a few of the programs.

So if you are looking for a fun time on Saturday night, come and check out the NHS Annual Meeting and Membership Ball; sponsored by the First National Bank of Northfield and Carleton College, it is the best deal in town!

If you need a ride, Ecotrans is offering FREE rides if you live in Northfield to and from the event!  THANK YOU Ecotrans for your continued support!

If you would like more information on the Ball or NHS please email or call us at 507-645-9268

'Family Hair' of Northfield turns two; $5 haircuts this week through KYMN

[show_avatar email=tim@kymnradio.net]Congrats to Kristie and Meagan, owners of Family Hair for 2 years in business! (They share the parking lot with Just Foods, right there on the corner of 5th and Water. )

This week only, you can get a certificate from KYMN for $5 hair cuts! Just click the link on my blog post and we’ll mail the certificate to you. Limit 2.

Click here to get the goods!

Prelude to the Vintage Band Festival

Tune into KYMN on Sunday mornings at 10:30 for Prelude to the Vintage Band Festival, with Paul Niemisto.

It’s a program of music and information about the bands coming to Northfield for Vintage Band Festival 2010. Continue reading Prelude to the Vintage Band Festival by Tim Freeland

KYMN welcomes back Dusty Budd for weekly 'Raider Wrap'

Dusty’s long and winding road has led him back home….for now.

I am pleased to announce that Dusty Budd will be back on the microphone Saturday mornings at 10am, for Raider Wrap, talking to local Raider coaches and players.

Visit his program page to listen live.

Lost your marbles? Studio Elements can help

Krin Finger, Jill Enestvedt, Jessica PaxtonMarbles etc at Studio ElementsI was listening to Jessica Paxton’s All Wheel Drive show on KYMN late yesterday afternoon on my way home from snowshoeing in the Carleton Arb and heard her yammering with interviewing that Rare Pair, Jill Enestvedt and Krin Finger, about marbles. I put on my paparazzo hat and got a photo.

Jill’s ‘occasional store,’ Studio Elements – which I blogged about last summer — is open today through Sunday. Marbles are available, among other items.

Drive-thru at Hogan Bros? Not.

car at Hogan BrosKYMN’s Tim Freeland is covering the story of this overturned car at the front door of Hogan Brothers this morning. You’d better check to see if yours is missing.

I guess the police were right about full moons, especially the blue types.

Help define 'local' by taking the KYMN 10-question survey

[show_avatar email=tim@kymnradio.net]We’re looking for your input on what you consider ‘local.’ KYMN has put together a quick 10-question anonymous survey that asks you questions pertaining to your views and habits in the local Northfield community and marketplace. Our findings will be shared with city government. Voice your opinion.

Click here to visit the KYMN survey page.

8,341 blizzard photos compiled into 3-minute time lapse video

[show_avatar email=tim@kymnradio.net]youtube-sshotAfter three days and 8,341 still shots from our KYMN camera on the historic Scriver Building in downtown Northfield, Adam Gurno and I put together a time-lapse version of this week’s 8-10″ of snow during blizzard conditions and a full-out snow day! Watch closely as there is a quiz at the end of this 3-minute video presentation.  Grab some hot cocoa and enjoy!

KYMN launches 'Snowday Email Alert'

[show_avatar email=tim@kymnradio.net]kymn-logo3KYMN is proud to launch “Snowday Email Alert”. We’ll keep you up to date during weather events by sending you emails throughout the day as news happens and closings are called into the station.  Just submit your email and we’ll be on top of it for you. Relax and know that you’ll get an email if schools close, business shut their doors, or any weather related breaking news happens during winter snow events.

Your email address will be used for only this purpose. Opt out any time. You will need to click in the email that is sent to your inbox after subscribing.

Visit the KYMN site to subscribe here.

Live chat and live video for Thursday’s HPC meeting at 4:30 pm

We’re teaming up with KYMN Radio 1080 AM for today’s Northfield Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) meeting at City Hall which will focus on the proposed new building at 25 Bridge Square.

We’ll have both the video and live-chat on both sites, and all chat conversation across both sites will be visible in either site’s chat window so it doesn’t matter which site you visit. Continue reading Live chat and live video for Thursday’s HPC meeting at 4:30 pm