January 2012
3 posts
13TH MOST LESBIANISH
Jezebel ranks Minneapolis as its 13th Most Lesbianish City in a recent review of national lesbian hot-spots. LINK
We’ve got a lot to be proud of in the Minnesota Lynx women’s basketball team — they won the championship last year. Evidently their games are also a great place for chicks to pick up chicks.
But that’s not all! We also have piercings and bikes and stuff. And...
4TH BEST PLACE TO STAY YOUNG
Minneapolis is the 4th best place to stay young according to the site Real Age. LINK
Stress, smoking, diet and exercise all contribute to our youth! And vigor!
We eat a lot of whole grains too! Which contributes to good blood pressure!
Ha ha ha! Mill City! That’s us! Not a care in the world! Just walking along briskly, stuffin’ our maws with Cheerios! Like babies!
Minneapolis: The...
11TH BEST CITY TO GET PAID
Minneapolis is the 11th best-paying city for women in America according to ForbesWoman. LINK
Women in Minneapolis make $52,243 annually, on average, or roughly 73% of what men make in our same city.
Our industries favor skilled labor, which helps, and one can assume there are other factors pushing up our value (education, experience, family commitments, percentage of women in the workforce) but...
December 2011
5 posts
6TH HEALTHIEST STATE
According to the 2011 health rankings assessed by the United Health Foundation, Minnesota is the 6th healthiest state in the nation. LINK
I’m confused somewhat by the rubric of measurement for this study. Old favorites like smoking and diabetes play into our ranking but so do child poverty, violent crime and graduation rates.
Perpetrators of violent crime, in the movies, are often smokers....
MOST INSECURE
According to a survey conducted by LivingSocial, Minnesotans are among the most insecure people in the nation. LINK
While other cities may think they’re hot stuff (8+ on the scale of good-lookingness MMHMM SURE YAH RIGHT) and more, Minnesotans know they’re probably just about average. Could be worse, could be better. No right to brag though, certainly.
Twin Cities: If it’s even...
15TH MOST ROMANTIC
According to Alice.com, the Twin Cities are the 15th most romantic metro in the nation. LINK
Online, we spend a fair amount of time searching for and purchasing items that might aid our sexual health: lubes, feathers, pregnancy tests. Responsible stuff like that.
The real lesson here is that respect yields romance. And the more you spend on sex aids the more romantic you must be, right? Maybe.
...
ABOUT OUR MAYOR
GOOD recently published an excellent article about the state of Minneapolis and its direction under Mayor R.T. Rybak. LINK
I really enjoyed reading this article about the history, priorities and work of Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak. Highly recommended.
Minneapolis: “It is not a utopia, not by any stretch. It’s just a city that works.”
15TH COLDEST
Minneapolis is the 15th coldest city in the U.S. according to The Daily Beast. LINK
Not so cold as North Dakota, slightly warmer than Iowa, Minnesota has three pretty cold cities and one of them is Minneapolis. Could be worse! Could be Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Which is where I’m from. Which ranks #8. And kind of sucks besides. OH SNAP.
Minneapolis: We spend a third of our year trapped...
November 2011
6 posts
THANKFUL FOR MINNEAPOLIS
BoingBoing blogger and Minneapolitan Maggie Koerth-Baker said thanks this year for Minneapolis. LINK
We all like living here. Just enjoy the Kumbaya moment.
“Minneapolis: We Build Good Stuff and Take Care of Things.”
WORST PERIOD FOR MN SPORTS
The Fast Horse Blog shows us that we are currently suffering through the worst period in Minnesota sports ever. LINK
We really are not winning many games. Look at that chart! We’re in the dip. Like losers. Biting down hard on the Juicy Lucy of game play (the burger I guess) and spewing forth a terrible stream of hot losses (you know, the cheese).
Minnesota: There’s never been a...
LARGEST PRODUCER OF TURKEYS
According to the Huffington Post, Minnesota produces more turkeys per year than any other state in the nation. LINK
Two Minnesotan turkeys, Liberty and Peace, were pardoned last week by President Obama in honor of our national holiday Thanksgiving. Within days I pardoned myself for turkey-related burps.
Minnesota: You’ve likely gobbled our turkeys.
RECYCLING LEADERS
Minnesota is the only state in the nation with a formal holiday light recycling program. LINK
It’s almost Thanksgiving. Which means it’s almost Christmas. Which means you might buy a tree this season. And what’s a tree without lights? That’s a heartwarming tale for another time and only Charlie Brown can tell the story.
For the rest of us holiday decorators, or kids...
MOST ARRESTED FOOTBALL TEAM
Players for the Minnesota Vikings have recently surpassed all other football teams in the league, in terms of police arrests, since SignOnSanDiego.com began tracking such statistics in 2000. LINK
When it comes to being caught in the act, the Minnesota Vikings are simply the best. Hands down. On a Bible.
Minnesota: Won’t you let us take you on a lake cruise?
#1 HEALTHIEST CITY IN AMERICA
According to Forbes, Minneapolis is America’s #1 healthiest city. LINK
By making exercise a priority and frequently breathing our free, clean air, Minneapolitans are getting out and staying fit better than anyone else in America.
Also, the fitness centers. I guess we have a lot of them and people actually go?
Don’t forget about the parks. We enjoy those too. We take our bikes and...
October 2011
1 post
A FAVORITE CITY
Travel & Leisure has named Minneapolis as one of America’s favorite cities. LINK
First in cleanliness, second in intelligence, third in safety and public parks and outdoor access, fourth in theater/performance art.
Not so great for spring break, Valentine’s Day and winter. But. Valentine’s Day? Really? Why is that even a category? Who actually cares about that? And who...
September 2011
2 posts
WE MUST BE SKINNY
The “F as in Fat” report coming from the group America in the Trust for America’s Health did not name Minnesota among the 10 fattest states in America. LINK
Minnesota helps represent the part of the U.S. population that is not nearly as fat as the other 20%. Hooray.
Minnesota: So you think you’re fatter than us?
HARDEST CITY TO HACK
Minneapolis is the hardest city to hack, according to a recent study from AVG Technologies. LINK
We’re smarter than the average bear when it comes to net security. Always locking our smart phones. Never sharing our passwords. Regularly running virus scans. Backing up our data. Super sweet stuff like that. (BUT OH GOD THE SECRETS WE’RE HIDING.) Hackers wouldn’t even want to...
August 2011
5 posts
45TH WORST STATE IN AMERICA
Gawker has declared Minnesota the 45th Worst State in America. LINK
This is pretty good! All things considered.
So, on a scale of 1 to 50, with 1 being the worst and 50 being the best, we rank 45. That means we’re 6th best! Do we get a trophy for that?
Minnesota: You could do a hell of a lot worse.
WE HAVE A GOOD BUTCHER SHOP
Ready Meats on Johnson Street in Northeast Minneapolis has been rated one of the best butcher shops in America by the Food Network. LINK
You’d like a ham sandwich? We’ve got the chops. Grilling to impress? Aw, bitch, cleave — we got what you need! What’s our secret? Don’t ask how the sausage is made. Which is, to order. Hamburger on a sesame seed pun? Cross...
ONE OF THE COOLEST
According to Sade, Minneapolis is one of the coolest towns in the whole world. LINK
Damn straight.
Minneapolis: Cool, not cold.* *Unless it’s wintertime then yah, we’re cold too.
#1 IN VOLUNTEERING
According to current numbers from the federal government’s Corporation for National and Community Service, the Minneapolis-St. Paul area ranks #1 in volunteerism among large cities for the fifth year in a row. LINK
“Minnesota nice” is just the beginning. Soon we’re all, “Oh, can I help you with that? Don’t worry, brother. We’re in this life together....
BEST BEER BARS
Draft Magazine has listed The Happy Gnome and The Muddy Pig (both St. Paul) as two of its top 100 Beer Bars for 2011. LINK
So a happy gnome walks into a bar, sees a muddy pig and says, “Hey pig, you want to hear a dirty joke?” The pig says, “No thanks, I already know the punchline. Each time I take a bath with Bubbles she won’t let me do a damn thing!”
The joke is...
June 2011
1 post
SPORTS FACILITY OF THE YEAR
Target Field was just named Sports Facility of the Year by SportsBusiness Journal and SportsBusiness Daily. LINK
The Minnesota Twins got a new, open-air ballpark in 2010, the same year the dome on the Minnesota Vikings’ stadium collapsed from heavy snow. A little too ironic, don’t you think? Pretty sure it wasn’t personal.
I only went once to the new stadium and can’t...
May 2011
12 posts
BEST AIRPORT FOOD
The Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) is home to the best U.S. airport eatery, Surdyk’s Flights, according to the website Airfarewatchdog.com. LINK
Locally, Surdyk’s is a favorite liquor store + gourmet cheese shop + deli that is unmatched by all other local liquor stores (even the ones that deliver). I admire their knowledgeable staff, huge selection of alcohol and...
HEALTHIEST AND FITTEST
The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul have been evaluated as the healthiest, fittest cities in America by the annual American Fitness Index from the American College of Sports Medicine. LINK
We don’t smoke (much. Please don’t tell my mom), our cities are beautiful (encouraging outdoorsiness), and I guess we don’t suffer too badly from asthma, heart disease or diabetes. ...
BEST CREDIT SCORE
Minneapolis has the best average credit score of any other city in the nation. LINK
Evidently anyone with a credit score above 780 is welcomed with open arms by lenders these days. So why don’t you lend me some money? Probably I’m good for it.
Minneapolis: We’ve got the skills to pay our bills.
SMALLEST CONCENTRATION OF HATE GROUPS
Minnesota evidently has the smallest concentration of hate groups in the United States, with 1.3 groups per million people. LINK
Minnesota: We’re too passive-aggressive to organize as a group and hate on you.
MOST GOLFERS PER CAPITA
Minneapolis has more golfers per capita than any other city in the U.S. LINK
My dad used to be a PGA Golf Professional. I can’t believe he never told me this — I had to learn it on the Internet!
Minneapolis: Relishing the act of making a small white ball fall into the ground.
WE'RE SLASHING HOME PRICES
According to Clear Capital, home prices in Minneapolis are falling at a rate that puts us within the top ten list of American cities with the most rapidly decreasing home prices. That could be good, almost, right? LINK
The time to buy is now!
I’ll take one of the big ‘uns on the left, please.
Minneapolis: We have cheap houses for sale.
DWARFING WORLDWIDE JAMESON SALES IN A SINGLE...
For three years running, a pub in downtown Minneapolis called The Local has poured more Jameson Irish whiskey than anywhere else in the world, averaging the sale of 25 bottles per day. LINK
Evidently The Local’s signature drink is whiskey mixed with ginger ale called “Big Ginger.”
Incidentally, I bought my first flask last winter and filled it with Jameson. I drank it in the...
NEW HOME OF AMERICAN CRAFT MAGAZINE
In 2010, American Craft Magazine lifted stakes in New York City and moved to Minneapolis because of our creative community and affordability. LINK
Their offices now occupy a space in the Grain Belt Brewery building in Northeast Minneapolis, a neighborhood that’s home to a large concentration of warehouse-turned-artist spaces.
Minneapolis: We may be cheap but we’re crafty.
MOST CONSISTENT IN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS
Evidently Minnesota has gone on longer than any other state in the nation to elect non-Republican presidential candidates. LINK
Our presidential favorites don’t all go on to win the election nationally, of course. But then, not all the winners turn out to be real winners either.
Minnesota: We learned our lesson in 1972.
MOST HIPSTER
Buzz Feed is calling Minnesota the most hipster state in the nation. LINK
What’s a hipster?
Minnesota: Our men all look like lumberjacks.
MINNEAPOLIS IS THE NEW GAY
People are still really excited to learn that Minneapolis is the new #1 gayest city in America according to The Advocate. LINK
The Daily Show - Minneapolis Is the New Gay Tags: Daily Show Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,The Daily Show on Facebook
“The new gay.” I like that!
Minneapolis: We all shop at Target whenever we need things.
FOURTH BEST SUMMER TRIP
National Geographic ranked Minneapolis fourth among its recommended best summer trips for 2011. LINK
They laud our festivals, stadium, big mall and ease of public transportation within city limits. Also: Mary Tyler Moore statue. Never forget!
If you’d like to hit up a festival, might I recommend the Minneapolis Indie Xpo? It’s an alternative comics fest that I run. It’s...
April 2011
12 posts
OPENEST STUDIOS
Art-a-Whirl is the largest open studio event in the United States and it happens right here in Minneapolis. It’s presented by the Northeast Minneapolis Arts Association and over 500 artists participate. Like, whoa. That’s a lot of artists! LINK
Thorp & Central Business Center 2011 from TWVS on Vimeo.
Minneapolis: Happy to show you where and how we make stuff, once a year.
MOST LITERATE
Minneapolis is often ranked among the top most literate cities in America by some research group at Central Connecticut State University. LINK
St. Paul is also, like, totally literate.
Minneapolis: Our residents can all read this sentence.
ELDERLY WELCOME HERE
The American Human Development Project gives Minnesotans a life expectancy at birth that is considerably higher than most of the nation: 80 years old. LINK
Minnesota: We’ll bury you.
WE'LL DRIVE YOU HOME, DRUNK
GOOD.is named Minnesota among the five worst offenders in the nation for drunk driving. LINK
Luckily, in Minneapolis, drunk bike riding is legal.
Minnesota: We want to sleep it off in our own beds.
WE ARE AT PEACE
The Global Peace Index names Minnesota among the most peaceful states in the nation. LINK
Minnesota: We all just get along.
NO EARTHQUAKES
An infographic from the U.S. Geological Survey indicates that Minnesota is the least likely state in the nation to experience an earthquake. LINK
Minnesota: So stable.
A PLACE TO HANG YOUR ACT
Fact: Minneapolis ranks second in the nation for live theater per capita and we have the third largest theater district in the U.S. LINK
I know some actors in town too and they’re totally not jerks.
My favorite stages include the Guthrie, Bedlam and Bryant Lake Bowl theaters.
Minneapolis: All our world’s a stage.
VERY GREEN
Yahoo! Green named Minneapolis the #10 greenest city in America. LINK
We garden, we love public transit and, I don’t know, we have a lot of trees?
Minneapolis: It’s so easy for us, being green.
EXTREMELY CLEAN
Forbes Magazine named Minneapolis the 5th cleanest city in America. LINK
I was once told our skyline looks like it was just unpacked from an IKEA box and assembled as a stage prop. Ha ha funny.
But really, our downtown is incredibly clean. The DID workers are up at all hours making the streets pleasant to walk. We have awesome snow removal too. Plus we’re all, like, respectful and...
GAYEST CITY
The Advocate named Minneapolis the gayest city in America. LINK
Our gay community likes to organize as sports teams and choirs. It likes to go out and it likes to stay in. We’re well-rounded. We have one of the largest pride parades in the nation, a killer GLBT lifestyle magazine Lavender, plus we have a history of supporting gay-friendly legislation.
Minneapolis: We’re super...
#1 BIKE CITY
Bicycling Magazine named Minneapolis the #1 Bike City in America. LINK
But it’s cold, you say? Wise up.
We have a bike sharing program called Nice Ride MN that allows residents and visitors the option of renting bicycles by the day, month or year. etc.
Minneapolis: We pedal pretty well.
BEST AT DANCING
Resident Advisor is calling Minneapolis “the best kept secret in American dance culture.” LINK
Some of my favorite dance parties are run by Playatta, the multimedia experience group behind Recess, Menergy and Tantrum.
PLAYATTA- Video Portal example from PLAYATTA on Vimeo.
FUN FACT: Matt Visionquest used to be my roommate. Check out his and the rest of Playatta’s work...