February 24, 2023
New Day, New Opportunity in Vadnais Heights and State Government
It’s a new day in Vadnais Heights in 2023 with a new mayor, two new city council members, and two new city residents in the state legislature.
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February 12, 2023
Fascinating Books Dominated My Reading in 2022
Many fascinating books dominated my reading in 2022. Topics included sports, media, politics, history, higher education, general nonfiction, and fiction.
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February 5, 2023
Memories of Three Vikings Wins Soothe Pain of Another Playoff Loss
The Minnesota Vikings’ 62nd year, highlighted by a 13-4 regular season, including an NFL- record 11 one-score victories, ended in heartbreak January 15, 2023, with a home 31-24 Wild Card loss to the New York Giants.
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October 23, 2022
Learning from Gurus of Writing
In a culture, knowledge is passed from generation to generation. Purveyors of knowledge may be known as gurus.
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April 4, 2022
Marble Memories: Life in a Small Minnesota Mining Town
I grew up and have lived in mid-to-large cities—Duluth, Twin Cities—but I always have been fascinated in learning about life in small towns.
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March 13, 2022
City Struggles to Address Equity
At its July 20, 2022, meeting, the Vadnais Heights city council heard from proponents of creating a human rights commission. Council member Eric Goebel requested a workshop discussion on a commission, and Council member Steve Rogers supported the motion. A workshop discussion is the first step in placing an item on the council agenda.
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February 10, 2022
Record Year for Finding Golf Balls
For the second consecutive year, rounds of golf increased significantly in 2021, according to a Minnesota Golf Association survey.
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January 31, 2022
My 2021 Books Feature Outstanding New and Repeat Authors
Last year, I was pleased to read many outstanding entertaining and informative books in several categories: fiction, sports, media, politics, education, and general nonfiction.
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December 19, 2021
A W for the WNBA…and the Lynx
October may be the best month for the TV sports addict (“Confessions of a TV Sports Addict: Perspective in the Pandemic Era,” May 9, 2021, www.philsfocus.com ). Multiple sports seasons converge, some ending, some starting.
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September 30, 2021
Lack of Progress by City on Equity and Inclusion Disappointing
For the past 16 months, throughout the country, governmental units, schools and colleges, businesses, and individuals have been reckoning increasingly with issues of diversity, equity, inclusion, and racism.
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