This year marks the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, co-authored by the late Wisconsin Sen. Gaylord Nelson and Minnesota’s Sen. Walter F. Mondale. That legislation in 1968 provided immediate protection to eight rivers, including the St. Croix and Namekagon. This milestone is being commemorated by the St. Croix River Association with a variety of events, including a TPT film premiering on June 10, “The Wild and Scenic St. Croix,” by accomplished local filmmaker John Kaul and a collection of wonderful images of these rivers by nature photographer Craig Blacklock. Peter L. Gove Blacklock’s book, “The Enduring Gift,” includes an introduction by Mondale on his long association with the St. Croix River and a tribute to the photography of Craig and his father, Les Blacklock. I had the opportunity to work with Mondale on this essay. With his and Blacklock’s permission, the following are excerpts from … [Read more...] about Celebrating a milestone: Walter Mondale and the St. Croix River
health
Having an abortion does not put women at increased risk of depression, study finds
Women who have an abortion are not at an increased risk of depression, although women who are already depressed are more likely to have an abortion, according to a large study that appears online this week in JAMA Psychiatry, a journal published by the American Medical Association. This study’s findings offer yet more evidence that abortion is not associated with an increased risk of mental illness — a claim that is often used in the United States to justify restrictive anti-abortion legislation, such as requiring a woman to wait 24 to 72 hours between meeting with an abortion care provider and receiving the abortion. “Policies based on the notion that abortion harms women’s mental health are misinformed,” said Julia Steinberg, the study’s lead author and an assistant professor of family sciences at the University of Maryland School of Public Health, in a released statement. “Abortion is not causing depression. Our findings show that … [Read more...] about Having an abortion does not put women at increased risk of depression, study finds
Bergman films at St. Anthony Main; Aizuri Quartet at Hamline
Do you love the films of Swedish director Ingmar Bergman? Did one of them change your life? (If so, join a crowd that includes director Ang Lee and David Edelstein, film critic for NPR’s “Fresh Air.”) Does a chess-playing Death haunt your dreams, or the face of Liv Ullmann? Or maybe you don’t know boo about Bergman, but you’re curious to learn why he’s such a big deal. The next two weeks may be the best chance you’ll ever have to immerse yourself in the work of one of the cinema’s greatest auteurs. From this Friday, May 25, through Thursday, June 7, the Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul will screen 16 newly restored digital prints spanning three decades of Bergman’s work. Co-presented with the American Swedish Institute, sponsored by the Embassy of Sweden in Washington, D.C., “The Bergman Century: A Cinematic Celebration of Ingmar Bergman” is part of a worldwide Bergman birthday party in honor of his centenary. … [Read more...] about Bergman films at St. Anthony Main; Aizuri Quartet at Hamline
Bergman films at ASI; Aizuri Quartet at Hamline
Do you love the films of Swedish director Ingmar Bergman? Did one of them change your life? (If so, join a crowd that includes director Ang Lee and David Edelstein, film critic for NPR’s “Fresh Air.”) Does a chess-playing Death haunt your dreams, or the face of Liv Ullmann? Or maybe you don’t know boo about Bergman, but you’re curious to learn why he’s such a big deal. The next two weeks may be the best chance you’ll ever have to immerse yourself in the work of one of the cinema’s greatest auteurs. From this Friday, May 25, through Thursday, June 7, the Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul will screen 16 newly restored digital prints spanning three decades of Bergman’s work. Co-presented with the American Swedish Institute, sponsored by the Embassy of Sweden in Washington, D.C., “The Bergman Century: A Cinematic Celebration of Ingmar Bergman” is part of a worldwide Bergman birthday party in honor of his centenary. … [Read more...] about Bergman films at ASI; Aizuri Quartet at Hamline
Why black students occupied the U’s administration building for 24 hours in 1969
Black students at the University of Minnesota waged a twenty-four-hour protest at Morrill Hall, the school’s administrative building, in 1969. The demonstration led to the creation of the university’s Afro-American Studies Department. On January 14, 1969, about seventy black students with the Afro-American Action Committee (AAAC) occupied the University of Minnesota’s bursar's and records office in Morrill Hall to protest the hostile campus environment towards black students and the absence of an African American studies department. The protest became known as the “Morrill Hall takeover.” The demonstration, which lasted twenty-four hours, was the culmination of events sparked by the assassination of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) on April 4, 1968. After Dr. King was assassinated, the Minnesota Student Association (MSA) announced an MLK memorial fund for economically disadvantaged students, and the university organized a human rights task force. On … [Read more...] about Why black students occupied the U’s administration building for 24 hours in 1969
Genocide over and over again: From the Armenians to the Syrians
Innocent civilians were rounded up, put onto trains, and deported to a network of 25 concentration camps where they suffered torture, medical experimentation, starvation, disease, and death. Those who didn’t perish in the concentration camps were sent on a death march, a forced march during which the prisoners were left to die along the way from hunger, thirst, disease, abuse, or outright murder. Ellen J. Kennedy An estimated 1.5 million men, women, and children perished. This was a systematic slaughter aimed at eliminating a minority religious group that the majority had labeled ‘vermin.’ This was not the Holocaust. This was the genocide of the Armenians, 1915-1923, what Winston Churchill described as an "administrative holocaust," and he noted, "This crime was planned and executed for political reasons … for clearing Turkish soil of a Christian race." Who speaks today of the Armenians? Adolf Hitler used the catastrophe to justify the Nazi murder of 6 … [Read more...] about Genocide over and over again: From the Armenians to the Syrians
A local co./ was going broke/ till clever ads/ demand awoke/ Burma-Shave
In the fall of 1925, a series of six signs advertising Burma-Shave, a new brushless shaving cream, appeared for the first time along highway 65 from Minneapolis to Albert Lea and on highway 61 to Red Wing. The signs began an advertising phenomenon using clever rhyming jingles that lasted into the 1960s, including: “Your shaving brush / has had its day, / so why not / shave the modern way / with Burma-Shave?” In the early 1900s, Robert Odell, a Minneapolis attorney, was seeking a second source of income. He decided to manufacture an aromatic liniment, which he named Burma-Vita. He chose “Burma,” which was the source of the liniment's ingredients (cassia, camphor, and cajeput), and vita, which is Latin for life. Odell promoted it as a remedy for aches and pains, burns, wounds and sores, skin irritations and rashes, and other ailments. In 1925, the Burma-Vita company was in dire financial straits. Robert’s son, Clinton, had the idea to develop a brushless … [Read more...] about A local co./ was going broke/ till clever ads/ demand awoke/ Burma-Shave
American Craft Show in St. Paul; Prince tribute events all over town
Bag by Chip Addington One of the nation’s premiere craft shows takes place in only four cities: Atlanta, Baltimore, San Francisco and St. Paul. Presented by the American Craft Council (ACC), the American Craft Show comes here because, in 1987, Sam Grabarski and the 11 members of the Minnesota State Arts Board persuaded the ACC to move its Dallas show to Minnesota. Basically, we poached it. And it’s been here ever since, an annual destination/pilgrimage for those who enjoy, appreciate and can afford fine craft. Meanwhile, in 2010, the Craft Council moved its offices from New York City to the old Grain Belt brewery complex in northeast Minneapolis. This is a national organization with a national impact. It has 38,000 members, a large library, and extensive digital collections. Thousands of people each year take part in ACC educational events. Thousands of artists apply to be among those chosen for the shows. Since April 2, the ACC has had a new executive … [Read more...] about American Craft Show in St. Paul; Prince tribute events all over town
MLK’s Fair Housing Act: 50 Years Later
Fifty years ago, on April 11, 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law the Fair Housing Act, which Congress finally passed in reaction to the assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The law by definition, “protects people from discrimination when they are renting, buying, or securing financing for housing.” “It specifically prohibits discrimination because of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability and the presence of children.” If properly enforced, the Fair Housing Act could have safeguarded equal housing opportunities for people of color, correcting years of redlining and intentional housing segregation that left nonwhite families at a distinct social and economic disadvantage. Kari Johnson Unfortunately, implementation of the Fair Housing Act proved less effective than the racist policies that preceded it. When we fast-forward to more recent times, communities nationwide continue to grapple with systemic racism in … [Read more...] about MLK’s Fair Housing Act: 50 Years Later
Boynton Health: A 100-year-old model for today’s health challenges
Courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society Dr. Ruth Boynton On March 15, 1918, the University of Minnesota Board of Regents approved “the immediate establishment of a University Public Health Department” funded by a student health fee of $3 per semester. Following the Regents’ action, U of M President Marion Burton commented on the importance of the Health Service to the university’s mission: “The Health Service is indispensable to the operation of a large institution. It exists to protect the health of students and prevent disease ... it puts a heart into the university.” Dr. John Sundwall, the first director of the health service, noted that “the best scientific treatment and care of illness and injuries must be one of the major concerns of the Health Service, but (it must also function) in a more progressive and advanced state, in the vanguard of the public health movement.” With this aspiration, the Health Service developed a … [Read more...] about Boynton Health: A 100-year-old model for today’s health challenges
What is an orgasm? Facts, causes, and misconceptions
The orgasm is widely regarded as the peak of sexual excitement. It is a powerful feeling of physical pleasure and sensation, which includes a discharge of accumulated erotic tension. Overall though, not a great deal is known about the orgasm, and over the past century, theories about the orgasm and its nature have shifted dramatically. For instance, healthcare experts have only relatively recently come round to the idea of the female orgasm, with many doctors as recently as the 1970s claiming that it was normal for women not to experience them. In this article, we will explain what an orgasm is in men and women, why it happens, and explain some common misconceptions. Orgasms can be defined in different ways using different criteria. Medical professionals have used physiological changes to the body as a basis for a definition, whereas psychologists and mental health professionals have used emotional and cognitive changes. A single, overarching explanation of the orgasm does not … [Read more...] about What is an orgasm? Facts, causes, and misconceptions
Acromegaly: Symptoms, causes, and treatment
Acromegaly is a rare condition that results from excessive growth hormone in the body. It is usually due to a pituitary gland tumor, known as a pituitary adenoma. Growth hormone (GH) is normally produced by the pituitary gland in the brain. Excessive amounts can result if a tumor develops in the gland. Acromegaly affects muscle strength, bone health, and energy levels, and it can lead to unusual physical features and medical complications. It can take years for the changes to appear. Premature death is possible, and life expectancy may be reduced by 10 years. Three to four people in every million receive a diagnosis of acromegaly in the United States (U.S.) each year, and it affects 60 people in every million at any one time. The changes brought about by acromegaly take time to develop. Changes in physical appearance can be dramatic. They include: a large jaw and tongue gaps between the teeth a more prominent brow swollen hands large feet rough and oily skin skin tags Other … [Read more...] about Acromegaly: Symptoms, causes, and treatment
Cialis: What is it and who can use it?
Cialis is the brand name for tadalafil, a drug used to treat erectile dysfunction. It is similar to Viagra and Levitra. Under the brand name Adcirca, tadalafil is used for pulmonary arterial hypertension. Cialis increases blood flow to the penis, and this enables a man to achieve an erection. It does not lead to sexual arousal. It should be used with caution, and only under medical supervision. Tadalafil was approved by the United States (U.S.) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2003 for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). It is also used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension and benign prostatic hyperplasia, a condition in which the prostate gland becomes enlarged, causing problems with urination. Penile erection occurs when the penis fills with blood. This happens because the blood vessels that bring blood flow to the penis dilate, increasing the blood supply. At the same time, the blood vessels that remove blood from the penis contract. The blood accumulates in the … [Read more...] about Cialis: What is it and who can use it?
Mesothelioma: Causes, symptoms, and outlook
Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer of the mesothelial cells. These cells exist in the lining that covers the outer surface of the body's organs. Mesothelioma occurs most often in the pleura, or the lining of the lungs. However, the cancer can also attack the linings of the heart and abdomen. The main cause is exposure to asbestos. There is no cure, but palliative therapy may improve a patient's quality of life. In 2015, the fatlity rate for mesothelioma in the United States (U.S.) was 10.93 per million people. Only 9 percent of those diagnosed with mesothelioma live longer than 5 years. Cancers happen when there is uncontrolled division of mutated cells. Mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer, meaning that it progresses and spreads quickly. There are three types: Pleural mesothelioma is the most common form. It affects the pleura, or the lining around the lungs. Peritoneal mesothelioma is the second most common form. It attacks the lining of the abdomen, called the … [Read more...] about Mesothelioma: Causes, symptoms, and outlook
Erectile dysfunction: Treatments and causes
Since the discovery that the drug sildenafil (Viagra) had an effect on men's penile erections, most people have become aware that erectile dysfunction is a treatable medical condition. Men who have a problem with their sexual performance may be reluctant to talk with their doctor, seeing it as an embarrassing issue. However, doctors are used to dealing with potentially embarrassing issues in private consultations; and, erectile dysfunction is now well understood, and there are various treatments available. This article offers helpful information for people experiencing this problem, or those close to them. A man is considered to have erectile dysfunction if he regularly finds it difficult getting or keeping a firm enough erection to be able to have sex, or if it interferes with other sexual activity. Most men have occasionally experienced some difficulty with their penis becoming hard or staying firm. However, erectile dysfunction is only considered a concern if satisfactory … [Read more...] about Erectile dysfunction: Treatments and causes
Mumps: Symptoms, causes, and treatment
Mumps is an extremely contagious viral infection of the salivary glands that most commonly affects children. The most obvious symptom is swelling of the salivary glands, giving the patient a "hamster-like" face. The affected salivary glands are called the parotid glands; sometimes, the mumps virus can also cause inflammation of the testis, ovary, pancreas, or meninges (membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord). Once someone has had mumps, they usually become immune to future infections. To reduce the spread of mumps, the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine is often given at an early age to build immunity to the virus. Since the MMR vaccination was brought in, there has been a 99 percent decrease in mumps cases in the United States. The symptoms of mumps normally appear 2-3 weeks after the patient has been infected. However, almost 20 percent of people with the virus do not suffer any symptoms at all. Initially, flu-like symptoms will appear, such as: Body aches … [Read more...] about Mumps: Symptoms, causes, and treatment
Moles: Types, Diagnosis and Treatments
Moles, also known as melanocytic nevus (plural: nevi) are small lesions in the skin. They are a collection of melanocytes. Melanocytes are melanin-producing cells. Melanin is a pigment which gives our skin its color. Moles are usually brownish, but some may be much darker, while others are skin-colored. They can be rough, flat, raised, and have hair coming out of them. They are generally round or oval, and have a smooth edge. Moles can change in appearance and numbers. Sometimes they eventually fade away or drop off. Some moles respond to changes in hormone levels, as may occur during pregnancy, adolescence and older age. During our teen years they usually grow in number, get darker during pregnancy and gradually fade away when we are older. The majority of moles appear during the first 20 to 30 years of a person's life, however, some may be present when the baby is born. Congenital Melanocytic nevi are present at birth, any moles appearing after birth are melanocytic nevi. Dark … [Read more...] about Moles: Types, Diagnosis and Treatments
Harvest Squash and Black Bean Quesadillas
Rethink the traditional picnic sandwich with these crowd-pleasing quesadillas, loaded with fall flavour. Filling 4 cups (1 L) peeled butternut squash, cut into small cubes Sauce 1 Tbsp (15 mL) nutritional yeast To prepare filling, preheat oven to 350 F (180 C). On large rimmed baking sheet, toss all ingredients for filling, except black beans. Roast for 30 minutes, until squash is tender. Remove from oven. Keep oven on. Allow squash mixture to cool to room temperature. Mix in beans and set aside. To prepare sauce, whisk all sauce ingredients together. Set aside. To prepare quesadillas, place 6 tortillas on a clean work surface. Divide sauce evenly among tortillas, spreading evenly all over the surface. Scoop heaping 1/2 cup (125 mL) squash and bean mixture on half of each tortilla (there will be leftover filling). Fold tortillas in half, creating a half-moon. Heat large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Working with 1 quesadilla at a time, cook on first side for 4 … [Read more...] about Harvest Squash and Black Bean Quesadillas
Chicken Spring Rolls with Mango Dipping Sauce
Makes 12 rolls These crunchy rolls are sure to bring smiles to any table craving fresh flavour as we spring into spring. The mango sauce provides a sweet finish. The rolls can also be made two days in advance if refrigerated. For vegetarians, the chicken can be swapped for firm tofu sliced into matchsticks. Look for low-kilojoule rice paper wrappers at any Asian grocer or in the Asian food aisle of many large supermarkets. 1 1/2 cups (350 ml) cubed fresh or frozen mango, thawed To make sauce, place mango, coconut milk, chilli sauce, sesame oil, ginger and lime juice in blender and blitz until smooth. In small bowl, stir together coriander, mint, garlic, lemon juice and salt. Fill skillet frypan or shallow pan (large enough that the rice papers can lie flat) with hot water. Fully submerge a rice paper wrapper and soak until softened, about 20 seconds. Lay wrapper flat on cutting board or other clean work surface. Spread some coriander mixture on bottom 1/3 of wrapper, then top … [Read more...] about Chicken Spring Rolls with Mango Dipping Sauce
Black Bean and Brown Rice Vegie Bowl
Serves 2 From the Middle East to the Caribbean, combinations of beans and rice can be found starring in traditional dishes around the world. Researchers have found when this classic pairing is consumed together, the glycaemic response in individuals is reduced more than if rice was eaten alone. Make this dish your own by adding your favourite vegies and flavourings to it. 1 1/2 Tbsp (30 ml) extra-virgin olive oil Heat olive oil in frying pan over medium heat. Add garlic, onion and capsicum; cook until soft. Remove from heat and toss in remaining ingredients. Divide between two bowls and serve. Garnish with parsley if desired. Each serving contains: 1629 kilojoules; 12 g protein; 15 g total fat (2 g sat. fat, 0 g trans fat); 53 g total carbohydrates (6 g sugars, 12 g fibre); 25 mg sodium source: “ Cooking with Diabetes Superfoods “, alive Australia #21, Spring 2014 … [Read more...] about Black Bean and Brown Rice Vegie Bowl