September 7, 1998 - Readers of Douglas Wood's best-selling fable "Old Turtle" know the work of Duluth artist Cheng-Khee Chee, who brought the book's world to life with stunning watercolors. Since the book's publication in 1992, Chee has been wined and dined by the publishing industry, but has yet to accept any more commissions. Instead, these days he is working on his own, painting full time and teaching, as he always has, about the creative act. Minnesota Public Radio's Amy Radil has this report. When two students went on a shooting spree in Jonesboro, Arkansas, the Duluth publishing firm Pfieffer-Hamilton responded by sending copies of its book "Old Turtle" to the grief-stricken town. Cheng-Khee Chee created the book's memorable images of an abundant earth, a bustling human population, and the wise central character. Chee says he was impressed by the
September 16, 1998 - Most of the media attention given the new millenium has been focused on the year 2000 computer problems. But the time-post has a different significance to filmmakers: It's a benchmark of human society, and offers a chance to peer into the future. French television has commissioned 10 international filmmakers to offer their interpretations of the new milennium. The films will be shown in Europe next year. But American audiences can get a sneak preview of all ten this month at The Walker Art Center in Minneapolis. Pierre Chevalier who produced the series for French television says he gave the filmmakers just one rule:
September 28, 1998 - Country musician and novelist Kinky Friedman likes to irritate people. He grew up in a liberal Jewish family in Texas, but soon was making people wince if only through the name of his band "Kinky Friedman and the Texas Jewboys." In time Kinky turned to writing novels: crime thrillers with a jewish Texan detective called, strangely enough, Kinky Friedman. His eleventh novel "Blast From the Past" was just published, and now he is touring the country reading from the book and irritating people some more. However when he came into the MPR studios today, brandishing his trademark cigar, it was his turn to be a little miffed when he heard how Garth Brooks sold out a series of concerts at the target Center in just hours last week. Friedman told Minnesota Public Radio's Euan Kerr he considers Brooks to be "the anti-Hank", the epitome of everything Hank Williams was not.
September 28, 1998 - A new installation at the Soap Factory art gallery in Minneapolis is giving visitors a chance to consider how they respond to art. The small, three-room exhibit is called "Potential Space," and it's designed to create a place where the artist's intentions aren't nearly as important as the viewer's perceptions.
September 29, 1998 - The Assassination Records Review Board which has spent the past four years pouring through classified documents on the assassination of President Kennedy, will present its final report to President Clinton tomorrow. The Board's main goal was to find and release as much information on the case as possible, to help restore Americans' trust in government following years of conspiracy and coverup rumors. U.S. District Judge John Tunheim of Minneapolis served as Chairman of the review board. He says the panelists succeeded in releasing more than 4 million pages on the assassination and learned a lot in the process.
October 1, 1998 -
October 1, 1998 - MPR’s Dan Olson reports on an accordian “jam session” in front of Mahler Music Center on Randolph Avenue in St. Paul.
October 2, 1998 - It could be called art for the brave. A large metal sculpture by a Florida artist, part of the permanent collection at the Plains Art Museum in Fargo goes on display today.. But if you want to experience this artwork you'll have to sign a waiver and get safety instructions.
October 2, 1998 - Childhood memories can be at times a comfort or sometimes a scourge. However there is no real guarentee they are ever accurate. Canadian author Andre Alexis, who was born in Trinidad, explores how time and circumstances can change how and what we remember. Alexis told Minnesota Public Radio's Euan Kerr his novel Childhood is quite different from more famous literary accounts of childhood.
October 5, 1998 - To football fans, the real story of the day isn't the impeachment inquiry, it's the big Vikings-Packers game tonight. The Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings meet tonight at Lambeau Field in the battle of the unbeaten NFC teams. Each team has 4 wins, no losses. The Packers face the challenge of running their Lambeau Field winning streak to 30. We asked long-time Vikings season ticket holder Dave Lutz to preview the game for us. Lutz says while the Vikings look strong this year, he's still predicting they have LESS than a fifty percent chance of winning.