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Archive for September, 2009

Our Link to the Coen Brothers

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009

Suburban World by Brad ZellarIn a recent article in the St. Paul Pioneer Press, the Coen Brothers mentioned MHS book Suburban World by Brad Zellar as one of the inspirations for their new film A Serious Man:

“The Coens give most of the credit for the re-creation of the ’60s to their crew, but they say the look of “A Serious Man” is based partly on the Brad Zellar book “Suburban World: The Norling Photographs,” a collection of midcentury images of Bloomington, and on their own recollections.”

The release date for A Serious Man is October 2nd, but Suburban World by Brad Zellar is available now at a fine bookseller near you.

Legendary Homes of Lake Minnetonka

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009

Dayton Burnett HouseThe Star Tribune spoke with Bette Jones Hammel, the author of Legendary Homes of Lake Minnetonka and featured photos from the book by Karen Melvin. The authors will share their book and stories about their favorite homes at The Bookcase in Wayzata on Wednesday October 14th at 7:00 p.m.

Reckless in Minnesota

Monday, September 28th, 2009

A Travel Guide for Reckless Hearts book coverN. M. Kelby, author of the short story collection, A Travel Guide for Reckless Hearts, will be in the Twin Cities later this week to share her work at Common Good Books, Grand Hand Gallery, Birchbark Books, and The Bookcase in Wayzata. The Star Tribune explains why “it’s fun to have N. M. Kelby’s voice banging around your head.”

The Lutefisk Ghost

Friday, September 25th, 2009

The Nearly DepartedI am not sure which is scarier–the lutefisk or the ghost–but you can read this excerpt from Michael Norman’s new book The Nearly Departed: Minnesota Ghost Stories and Legends and decide for yourself.

Mahnomin Porridge Recipe from Hell’s Kitchen

Thursday, September 24th, 2009

Mahnomin Porridge

Mitch Omer’s Mahnomin Porridge received two rave reviews this week from Minnesota Senator Al Franken and British pianist Stephen Hough, who is in town playing with the Minnesota Orchestra. Make it, and find out what the fuss is all about!

From Mitch Omer’s brand new book,  Damn Good Food: 157 Recipes from Hell’s Kitchen:

“I first got the idea for this recipe more than twenty years ago, while reading transcrips of journals kept by fur traders traveling across Canada in the 1800s. There was a meal served by Cree Indians that consisted of wild rice with nuts and berries and sweetened with maple syrup. But I decided it needed more fat, so I added heavy cream.” –Mitch Omer

4 cups cooked wild rice
1/2 cup roasted, cracked hazelnuts
1/2 cup dried blueberries
1/4 cup sweetened dried cranberries
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
1 cup heavy whipping cream

In a heavy nonstick saucepan, add cooked wild rice, hazelnuts, blueberries, cranberries, and maple syrup and cook over medium-high heat for about 3 minutes. Add heavy cream and heat through, stirring constantly, about 2 minutes. Ladle into bowls and serve immediately. Serves 4.

Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial: Nonprofit Mission Award Winner

Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009

Clayton Jackson McGhie MemorialThe Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial nonprofit foundation has won a well-deserved  Nonprofit Mission Award for its role in fighting racism.

The memorial, dedicated to the victims of the 1920 lynchings in Duluth, was unveiled in 2003, but since then, the organization has remained active in developing programs for community education and school curriculum.

If you would like to read the history of the lynchings in Duluth, check out Michael Fedo’s The Lynchings in Duluth or try Warren Read’s memoir The Lyncher in Me about his being the great-grandson of one of the men responsible for the crime.

Minnpost ran an article yesterday about all of the Nonprofit Mission Award winners.

Sweet Land airs on TPT Wed. 9/23

Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009

Sweet LandTwin Cities Public Television will air the feature film Sweet Land, based on the short story by Will Weaver  on Wednesday September 23rd at 8:00 p.m. on Channel 2. Cathy Wurzer interviewed director Ali Selim and writer Will Weaver on Almanac last Friday.

Kristina at Carnegie Hall

Monday, September 21st, 2009

KristinaTwo former members of the Swedish band, ABBA, are bringing their musical  Kristina, based on the character in Vilhem Moberg’s novels to Carnegie Hall this week. NPR interviewed Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus about the English adaptation of Kristina. Broadway World also has an article on the production.

Considered one of Sweden’s greatest 20th-century writers, Moberg created Karl Oskar and Kristina Nilsson to portray the joys and tragedies for early Swedish pioneers in America. For a glimpse into the life of the real-life woman behind Moberg’s character, Kristina, read “I Go to America”: Swedish American Women and the Life of Mina Anderson by Joy K. Lintelman.

Okra Picks Announced

Sunday, September 20th, 2009

Okrah PicksWe’re thrilled that the Southern Independent Booksellers Association (SIBA) has chosen N. M. Kelby’s  A Travel Guide for Reckless Hearts as an Okra Pick this fall! Okra Picks are titles chosen by Southern indie stores that they want to handsell–the selections include both non-fiction and fiction in various genres.

A Travel Guide for Reckless Hearts is a collection of stories rootedA Travel Guide for Reckless Hearts book cover in the Midwest and cultivated in the Deep South, for those of us who suddenly find ourselves tourists in our own lives. N. M. lived in the Twin Cities for several years before moving to Sarasota, Florida. We’re delighted to be working with her on a book tour and look forward seeing her back in the Twin Cities in October for a few readings and signings.

Damn Good Food Launch Party 9/30

Friday, September 18th, 2009

Damn Good FoodThe folks at Hell’s Kitchen in Minneapolis and Duluth invite you to a publication celebration for Damn Good Food: 157 Recipes from Hell’s Kitchen by Mitch Omer and Ann Bauer on Wednesday, September 30 from 8:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. at the Hell’s Kitchen Minneapolis and Saturday October 3 from 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.

The celebration will include live music as well as a fantastic 7 course tasting tour of Hell’s Kitchen favorites. The best part? Mitch Omer and co-author Ann Bauer on stage between music sets to regale us with some crazy stories in the cookbook.

Ticket price: Only $25 per person + tax/gratuity. Autographed cookbooks will be available for purchase. Cash bar (with drink specials!) 80 S. 9th Street, downtown Minneapolis.

Don’t wait . . . They anticipate a very fast sellout!
For reservations, send an email to Cookbook800@HellsKitchenInc.com and let them know how many in your party. All requests processed on a first come/first served basis.