February 22, 2012

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Minnesota Eagerly Awaits National Trials For Olympics

VANCOUVER, BC - FEBRUARY 28: Steve Holcomb, d...

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

Recipients of Minnesota have many reasons to look forward to London Olympics in the year 2012. National trials to select athletes who shall represent America in the Olympics will take place soon and preparation is going on in full swing amongst the athletes in Minnesota to make sure the healthy sporting tradition of the city and state remains strong.

Of course, the athletes will be facing tough competition from athletes from other states as well. However, the fact that sports is an integral part of the life of residents of Minnesota makes one hopeful that a sizable chunk of the contingent will be selected from this city. Followers of wrestling, boxing and other such contact sports have a lot to look forward to as athletes from the city are considered top contenders for the few spots available to represent the country in the Olympics.

Other sports where Minnesotans are considered strong contenders include woman’s basketball, track and field events, equestrian events and diving. In all, there are very few sporting areas or avenues that have been left untouched by the sports conscious citizens of the state. One advantage that athletes from the city enjoy over others is that they can interact with those who have already enjoyed the distinction of representing America at the Olympics.

The volleyball team is seen as a strong contender because an Olympic gold medalist is coaching it. Of course, it is important to enhance not only the city’s reputation for being a sporting giant but also that it is strictly against use of drugs and other such substances in sports.

 

Filed Under: News, Sports Tagged With: , ,

How to Become a Sports Journalist

New York Times

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To become a sports journalist, complete high school with your focus mainly on English and business-related subjects. Look for a college with a good journalism degree program that offers a wide range of subjects, such as journalism, business, broadcasting, law, ethics, reporting, and editing. Also look for a program that has an emphasis on sports journalism.

Work as an intern to gain as much experience as you can. You can work as an intern at places such as a newspaper, television station, radio station, sports magazine, etc. To start off, you can work as a freelance sports journalist to get some experience and create a portfolio. Also, apply to newspapers and sports magazines whenever you can. Practice as much as possible, even if you are not publishing anything. There is a wide range of the things you can write about in journalism. For example, you can write about a moving company quote.

If you are serious about being a sports journalist, you will want to enroll in a graduate degree program either in English, journalism, writing, or communications. Also, work for your college newspaper so you can get some experience in college. If college is not an option for you, you can start by getting experience in different ways. Go to the library and read all the books you can on journalism and research on the Internet.

Work in internships or other journalism jobs so you can gain experience. It would also be a good idea to write for sports blogs and websites. Contact media groups and sports organizations to find out about available jobs.

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The Northern Rail Hotel in Duluth

Ask anyone who lives in or around Duluth, Minnesota about interesting sights, and they’ll tell you about the Northern Rail Hotel. Located just a short drive north of Duluth, this hotel offers something that few others probably do—the opportunity to stay and sleep in an actual train car.

Situated a mere five minutes from the shores of Lake Superior, the Northern Rail Hotel sits comfortably on 160 acres of secluded bliss. You won’t find any of the “city” kind of nightlife or any wild parties around here. What you will find are some of the most popular outdoor activities, and depending on what time of the year you stay at the Northern Rail, these can include everything from mountain biking and snowshoeing to bird watching and hiking. Gooseberry State Park is nearby, too!

The front desk and breakfast areas are situated in a train depot, complete with an enclosed platform that leads you to where you’ll be staying. You have three room options at the Northern Rail. The porter suites consist of a half of a rail car and the king/queen suites span a full car and also include a living room area and fireplace. For those who don’t mind spending a bit more money, there are the yardmaster condos. These boast a king-size bedroom, living room, and a full kitchen, as well as a large electric fireplace and a hot tub. If this last option is of interest, be aware that you have to stay for two nights to be able to book one.

If you’ve grown bored with the normal hotels and amenities, then why not give the Northern Rail hotel a try?

Filed Under: Climate, News Tagged With: , ,

A Glimpse of Minnesota History in Red Wing

If you consider yourself a history buff or have someone in your family who loves the subject, then be sure to visit the city of Red Wing in Minnesota on your next visit to the state. A little over an hour away from St. Paul, Red Wing is located on the south end of Mud Lake and is situated in both Pierce and Goodhue Counties. With a population of right around 16,000, Red Wing is steeped in history that is sure to interest just about anyone.

Most people who know of Red Wing know about the famous (and still popular) Red Wing boots. In 1905, Charles Beckman founded the manufacturing company known simply as Red Wing and began to sell boots.

So, what’s so special about Red Wing boots? The way the company takes care of you. Red Wing doesn’t sell boots through a website, as they believe in custom-fitting, which means they want you to come in and get measured. When you buy a pair of famous Red Wing boots, the company promises to take care of them for as long as you have them. You can have them relaced, carefully cleaned, and if you want, they’ll even fix the eye holes for you. That’s pretty amazing customer service.

Red Wing’s boots aren’t the only interesting thing in the city. There are plenty of activities to partake in, such as boat or canoe trips, camping, hiking, walking along the Mississippi, and there are even plenty of shopping opportunities. The neighboring towns help make Red Wing and the surrounding area one of the most beautiful and relaxing areas in Minnesota.

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Fun at the Mall of America

Bloomington, Minnesota is home to one of the world’s biggest mall complexes in the Mall of America. With over five floors and 500 different stores, the complex is any shopper’s dream. Retail stores and restaurants aren’t all that can be found inside, though. There’s an underground aquarium, a mini golf course, wedding chapel, a full movie theater, and perhaps the mall’s most popular attraction—Nickelodeon Universe.

So, what exactly is Nickelodeon Universe? An indoor amusement park, of course! Formerly known as SnoopyLand, Nickelodeon Universe has a number of different rides for people of all ages, and if you happen to get a hankering for some good ol’ amusement park food, they’ve got that covered, too!

You have a few different options for admission into the park and onto the rides. If you’d like to be able to ride throughout the day, a wristband can be purchased for $29. If you wait until after 5:00 p.m., the band will cost $20 and you can ride the rides all evening. If you’ll only be in the park for a short time, you can purchased packets of ride tickets. Rides tend to use anywhere between three and six tickets, so keep this in mind when deciding between tickets or wristbands.

Rides at Nickelodeon Universe range from Diego’s Rescue Rider and the Nick O Round for smaller children to rides like the Log Chute Water Ride, The Fairly Odd Coaster, the SpongeBob Square Pants Rock Bottom Plunge, and The Avitar Airbender for adolescents and teenagers.

If that isn’t enough, many well known Nickelodeon characters can be found throughout the park. Don’t forget to bring your camera!

Filed Under: Entertainment, News Tagged With: , ,

Minnesota for Free

With the always shifting economy, job layoffs, and the all-around lack of available jobs, many people have begun to cut vacations and weekend getaways from their list of needed items. While you may not be able to visit another state or spend a ton of money, there are still ways to have a vacation and have a good time. The state of Minnesota offers many free activities that can prove fun for every member of the family.

There are various activities to enjoy throughout the summer months. Every Thursday, Nicollet Mall boasts one of the best markets in the state. Everything from locally grown produce and homemade crafts to delicacies from local restaurants is available. Peavy Plaza, which is part of the Mall, is full of beautiful sculptures and is host for many different summer concerts—all free, of course.

Minneapolis is the center of the art scene throughout Minnesota. As such, the city hosts three major art shows each year. The Loring Park Art Festival is one of the largest. If you happen to be in town while this is happening, stop by and take a look at the work from hundreds of local and nationally known artists. You’ll find everything from photography to paintings and sculpture.

If you’re up for a little walking, check out the St. Anthony’s Heritage Trail. Along the trail, you’ll see some of the most historic buildings in the area, including the Our Lady of Lourdes Church and the numerous buildings located on Nicolett Island.

Filed Under: Entertainment, News Tagged With: , ,

Fixing Your Car Problems

Chicago is often referred to as “The Second City,” but these days Chicago should be referred to as “The Smartest City.” Chicago, just like every other country in the United States, has felt the effects of the economy. By taking a look around this vibrant city, you can see that it, too, has had its share of hard times since the market collapsed in 2007.

The city is broke and its citizens are worried about their financial well-being. The city that has prided itself on taking care of so many by providing jobs has been on a hiring freeze, and the rate of unemployment is through the roof. Chicagoans are struggling, but they’ve decided to do something about it.

Chicago is doing car loan refinancing in record numbers. For many it’s for the simple math equation. They are looking at the money that is coming in and seeing the money that is going out. There are only two ways to deal with the car loan when it is more than you can afford.

One option is to get rid of the car altogether. Usually, this just isn’t a realistic option, though. Many people rely on their cars to get them around town, even in a major public transportation city like Chicago. Another option is a car loan refinance, and the results people are getting from this financially savvy move is fantastic.

For instance, there are plenty of people out there who are finding that just because their income isn’t quite the same, it doesn’t mean that their credit has suffered one bit. They are able to finance and keep the car, but they pay a lower interest rate, which will lower their monthly payment.

Chicago has decided that a financial situation isn’t as bleak if you put in the time to fix it. Refinancing is a way Chicagoans are fixing their own financial problems for now and for the future.

Filed Under: Climate, News Tagged With: , ,

History and More in Hastings

Situated on the Mississippi, St. Croix, and Vermillion Rivers just miles from Minneapolis, the city of Hastings is a must-see place for any history fan. Not only is the city rich in history, but it also offers numerous activities that are sure to please everyone in the family. From historic tours and shopping to hiking and fishing, Hastings can be a great vacation spot.

Afton State Park, which sits right next to the St. Croix River, is chock full of activities for everyone, nature fan or not. There are numerous biking, hiking, and walking trails that wind throughout the park. If you’re visiting in the middle of winter, the trails double as a cross-country skiing course. If you wander down a few of the trails, they’ll lead you to a public beach with some of the most beautiful scenery around.

Downtown Hastings is home to 63 buildings that are registered with the National Register of Historic Places. These include two churches, 33 business buildings, and 28 homes. You can see all of these at your leisure, as all of them can be found on the city maps available from the Hastings Chamber of Commerce. One of the most popular sites to visit is the Fasbender Clinic, which was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.

If you’re a golf fan, there’s something for you in Hastings as well. The area has a multitude of different golf courses, and while you need a membership to get into many of them, there are four public courses that are very popular with tourists. Hidden Greens is considered to be one of the best public courses in Minnesota, and Ricer Oaks Municipal Golf, located a short distance away in Cottage Grove, claims a high rating by Golf Digest.

Filed Under: Climate, News Tagged With: , ,

Minnesota’s ValleyFair: Fun on a Budget

Aside from Six Flags Great America in Gurney, Illinois and Cedar Point near Sandusky, Ohio, there aren’t very many theme parks located in the Midwest. These two theme parks can get expensive, too, and with the economy still recovering, people are looking for ways to save money everywhere. Saving money doesn’t mean cutting out weekend fun, though.

Shakopee, Minnesota, which is just a short distance from downtown Minneapolis, is home to ValleyFair, a non-expensive amusement park with a little something for everybody.

The park boasts thirteen different rollercoasters with names like Wild Thing, Steel Venom, and Xtreme Swing. For those who aren’t fans of roller coasters, there are some other rides such as Thunder Canyon, which is a smaller water rollercoaster and even a covered waterslide. ValleyFair also offers the traditional fair rides such as the Tilt-A-Whirl, The Scrambler, and a Ferris Wheel, as well as some other water rides.

If you’re planning to take children with you to ValleyFair, there are rides for them, too, including a smaller rollercoaster. Other rides include mini boates in the shape of barrels, as well as a multi-level treehouse and a ball pit.

Be aware that, while admission to the park and rides is cheaper that the larger amusement parks, the price of food can be a bit pricey. Meals for a group of four will generally cost anywhere between $20 and $40, so if you don’t want to spend that much, either eat before heading to the park or eat afterward. If you’re not up for an entire meal and would just like a snack or something sweet, there are vendors throughout the park that sell items such as cotton candy, caramel apples, and a variety of ice cream treats.

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Visiting the Underwater Adventures Aquarium

The Mall of America, located in Bloomington, Minnesota, is one of the largest malls in the entire world. It offers something of interest for just about everybody, housing over 500 different retail stores, a wedding chapel, a full movie theater, a challenging miniature golf course, an indoor amusement park, and one of the most popular attractions—the Underwater Adventures Aquarium. This underground aquarium is home to numerous exhibits and is sure to be a hit with everyone in the family, regardless of age.

You’ll see plenty throughout the aquarium, but the very first exhibit after you enter will introduce you to the aquatic life that is native to the state of Minnesota, which includes a variety of fish, snakes, and turtles. You can also read about the lakes and rivers located throughout the state.

The central part of the Underwater Adventures includes a tunnel made entirely of glass. In this exhibit, you’ll be able to see everything from sharks to schools of tropical fish to a variety of stingrays, making for some great photo opportunities. Be aware that the tunnel floor moves you along the glass, so make sure you have solid footing. Other smaller exhibits throughout Underwater Adventures showcase smaller species of tropical marine life, such as crabs, a variety of colorful seahorses, jellyfish, and a rather large octopus.

There are a couple different exhibits aimed at children as well, including a Finding Nemo area where fish from the film are housed. There is also an area called the Pirate’s Treasure Box. Because the aquarium is anything but standard, there’s even a ride to go on if you want to.

Throughout the aquarium, there are various exhibits which allow visitors to touch some of the animals. The species you can touch include crabs, starfish, and stingrays. If you enjoy the aquarium that much, you can tour the entire facility, set up a time to scuba dive, and even book a birthday party.

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