Apparently the National Guard was called out to fight today’s snow.

With my wife teaching in a Somali school I’m more likely to notice things like this African mall in Minneapolis. Sounds like a fun little place to check out. (link via MNSpeak)

Now here’s a lovely little proposal: Google Should Buy Ford’s Twin Cities Assembly Plant. The Ford plant has cranked out Ranger pickup trucks but is closing in 2008. Ford’s departure will open up a huge chunk of real estate in a pretty pricey area of St. Paul. Plus it’s river-front property (well, close enough–our trails and a parkway get river-front dibs, all from atop the bluffs of course).

The only downside to the bid to Google is that it doesn’t sound like the hydro-electric plant is part of the sale. This article from the Star Trib makes it sound like the power plant is a separate sale from the assembly plant. Which would be too bad for Google. Some clean energy would be a nice little feather in their ‘don’t be evil’ hat.

I just love the idea of Google in St. Paul. How cool would that be? (link via MNSpeak)

That’s what the Star Trib said about the weather today. Ug. My non-air conditioned, second-floor, south-facing office can’t handle much of this. I’ve tried working at the kitchen table, and if this keeps up, Monkey Outta Nowhere may have to relocate to the basement.

And I think my dogs are melting.

All the details are posted over at my Twin Cities Liver blog, but I’d encourage you to support Faith & Family Night at the Minnesota Lynx game this Saturday night. There’s a chance we could win a $25,000 gym makeover for the Union Gospel Mission’s Ober Center in St. Paul (my wife works there). And you don’t have to live in the Twin Cities to help. You can send people to the game. Check it out.

Marketing guru Seth Godin was in Minnesota this week and was nice enough to comment on our state:

In addition to extremely nice people, inspiring architecture, a vibrant arts community and surprisingly good food, there’s a vibe in the air about the work people are doing. This placed is filled with organizations that are working hard to create stuff that’s worth doing.

Thanks. I know he’s not talking about me or the hard work I do, but I’ll happily take the credit. Go Minnesota! And some people think we should move to California. Ha.

Sadly, I did miss Godin speaking before the Timberwolves game, but not being a basketball fan I couldn’t justify $24 for 30 minutes of talk (I suppose you got a free book, but still). That and youth group trumped the marketing lesson.

The Twin Cities will become a non-smoking section on Thursday when smoking bans for Hennepin and Ramsey counties go into effect. I’m quite happy about it, though a bit peeved that Ramsey County has an exception for bars where liquor accounts for over half their sales. Which means most Ramsey County bars won’t be smoke free.

Though it will be funny to watch the masses of smokers gathering outside bars and restaurants as they try to hasten their own death. Thankfully they won’t be hastening mine anymore.

Today’s the last day of 89.3’s fund drive (whenever they call it that I think they said “fun drive”). Last week my wife and I became founding members. I’ve never donated to public radio in my life, but I’m happy to hop on board and support The Current. If you’ve been enjoying the music, I hope you will, too.

Who: Jonathan Rundman, Matt Patrick, Nate Houge and Micah Taylor.
What: The Monsters of Folk Tour. Some amazing Twin Cities musicians who normally play solo will be mixing it up together, playing their original songs, swapping instruments, and backing one another up.
When: Monday, March 7, 8 p.m. (They’re also touring South Dakota March 3-6)
Where: Acadia Cafe, Minneapolis
Why: Folk is the new indie rock.

Admission is $5 and I’d love to go if anyone’s willing to give me a ride.

So far this winter only 18.9 inches of snow have fallen on the Twin Cities (according to the Star Trib). Normal is more in the range of 45 inches. We still have a few weeks left when you could easily expect to see some big snow, but that’d be a big storm to even bring us close to normal.

I suppose I shouldn’t complain, what with my snow blower out of commission and all.