November 3, 1999 - Frequently at this time, we bring you an interview with an author, many of whom are giving readings at the Hungry Mind bookstore in St. Paul. Soon you won't be hearing that name anymore. The bookstore, which also publishes a literary review and runs a small press, is selling its name to a new cyber-university based in San Francisco for an undisclosed amount.
November 3, 1999 - MPR’s Michael Khoo reports that St. Paul residents overwhelmingly rejected a sales tax increase to pay for a new Minnesota Twins ballpark in the city's downtown. After a summer of sometimes contentious debate, voters defeated the proposal 58% to 42%.
November 4, 1999 - The Consumer Federation of America is out today with a new study on consumer problems associated with Internet shopping. Guests include Jack Gillis of the Consumer Federation and Robert Ellis of the Center for the Study of Services, a non-profit consumer research organization in Washington DC.
November 4, 1999 - MPR’s Lorna Benson interviews gay poet Mark Doty about his book “Firebird: A Memoir.” Doty reads a selection from the book, recalling how the lyrics to Petula Clark's song "Downtown" gave him hope.
November 4, 1999 - Over 200 mandolin players from North America and Europe are in Minneapolis to attend annual convention of the Classical Mandolin Society of America. Jack El-Hai formed the Minnesota Mandolin Orchestra in 1991, and talks with MPR’s Bob Potter about mandolins.
November 8, 1999 - A Mainstreet Radio special broadcast from the VA Medical Center in St. Cloud for a pre-Veterans Day show. In this first hour of program, host Rachel Reabe and guests focus on the health care system and the increasing demands on the system as our vets grow older.
November 8, 1999 - A Mainstreet Radio special broadcast from the VA Medical Center in St. Cloud for a pre-Veterans Day show. In this second hour of program, host Rachel Reabe and guests discuss veterans organizations, such as American Legion or VFW posts. The group talk about the impact of these organizations on the community, and their evolution over time.
November 8, 1999 - Since the discovery of British mountaineer George Mallory on the icy north face of Mount Everest in May, the world has learned a bit more about what happened on his fateful climb back in 1924. But still, the biggest question remains unanswered. Did Mallory and his partner Andrew Irvine make it to the summit? If they did, they would have accomplished the feat decades before Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. Everest climber Eric Simonson organized the team that set out to find Mallory this spring. He's just released a book about the expedition called "Ghosts of Everest." Simonson says the sketchy information he and other climbers have had over the years fueled their imagination and hope that Mallory made it.
November 10, 1999 - MPR’s Katherine Lanpher talks with Minnesota writer Bill Holm and editor Michael Dregni of the book, "Minnesota Days: Our Heritage in Stories, Art and Photos." This Midmorning program includes call-in from listeners.
November 11, 1999 - Legendary radio broadcaster Norman Corwin's radio play On a Note of Triumph, which aired on V-E Day on May 8, 1945.