March 10, 2005 - The main character in Minnesota author Bart Schneiders' new novel, "beautiful Inez," seems to have it all. She's a beautiful violinist with the San Francisco Symphony in the 1960s. Inez has a flourishing career, two children and a powerful husband. Yet she's unhappy. Schneider says his father spent 50-years playing the violin with the San Francisco Symphony. He says this "behind the scene access" to the world of classical music helped to shape the novel. Schneider told Minnesota Public Radio's Greta Cunningham that Inez uses music and relationships to try to grasp happiness.
January 5, 2005 - Classical music composers can be notoriously cagey when it comes to talking about how they work. They say the process of composition is elusive. One of Minnesota's most celebrated composers, Dominick Argento, agrees. In a new memoir, Argento says he has as little insight as anyone into what happens when he sits down to compose. So instead, he offers a series of reflections on his lifetime of work, the individual pieces, and teaching and learning in Minnesota. Those memories include his first impression of the state, when he was called to teach at the University of Minnesota on the first weekend of the school year in 1958.
December 28, 2004 - You can't always account for musical taste, but it's accounting for a different sort of taste that perplexes commentator Ahmed Tharwat. At his breakfast table, he has beheld the power of cheese.
December 10, 2004 - MPR’s David Molpus interviews Cheryl Thomas, who runs Women's Human Rights Program at the Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights. Thomas discusses the domestic violence facing women in immigrant communities here in Minnesota.
November 16, 2004 - Amid the campaign flurry leading up to the election, al Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden emerged on a videotape warning that Muslims around the world won't stand for a continuation of American policy in the Middle East. Commentator Ahmad Tharwat suggests that American Muslims should look to a different leader for their inspiration.
October 6, 2004 -
August 25, 2004 - Minnesota Twins rookie catcher Joe Mauer has had his share of health problems over the past few months. Most recently, he had a bout of kidney stones. But a left knee injury is what has caused the most consternation for the young star and his fans. During a stint in July and August, Mauer was seeking several opinions from doctors about whether or not his joint needed surgery. Mauer may be back this season, but healing has been slow.
March 10, 2004 - This week, a flurry of studies presented at the American College of Cardiology meeting in New Orleans could have lasting implications for treatment of patients with heart problems. One report suggested lowering cholesterol levels far below the level that most doctors consider adequate can substantially reduce the risk of heart attacks. Another suggested implantable cardiac defibrillators -- or ICDs -- could prevent sudden death in patients with moderate heart problems. A third found that drug-coated coronary stents -- which have been used to unclog large heart arteries -- are showing promise in clearing tiny heart arteries as well. Last week Minnesota-based Boston Scientific received FDA approval to sell its drug-coated stent.
March 8, 2004 - It used to be that all a student needed to do to make the football squad or debate team was to pass a tryout. These days, it also takes cold hard cash. Because of budget cuts at many Minnesota schools, a growing number are requiring fees for extracurricular activities. And it's more than a few bucks. In the Anoka-Hennepin school district, for instance, hitting the gridiron runs $290, joining the debate team $230, and playing basketball a hefty $332. Anoka Hennepin found in a recent survey that the high price tags were actually driving students away.
February 24, 2004 - Gruchow made countless appearances on Minnesota Public Radio. In October of 1997, he was a guest on the Midmorning program. He spoke about how the natural environment impacted him as a person.