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Articles by Dan Olson
Like Father, Like Sons
Politics had the Adamses. Big band music had the Dorseys. Acting had the Barrymores. And officiating has the Crawfords. Umpire Henry “Shag” Crawford retired in 1975 after 20 distinguished major league seasons. But his name lives on in more than just memories. Son Jerry has taken his father’s place as a National League umpire. Another son, Joe, is an NBA referee. If any group can lay claim to the title First Family of Officialdom, it is the Crawford family of Havertown, Pennsylvania.
What I'm Thankful For: Kewaunee County Board Chairperson Dan Olson
How blessed we are to live in our community! We enjoy a quality of life in this area that is not easy to find. We see how people don’t feel safe to even walk the streets of cities across our nation or allow children to play outside in broad daylight. We often fail to realize how blessed we are to live in a place where you can work and play with a sense of peace and security. I thank God for the blessings that we enjoy living in our county.
LETTER: Minnetonka School Board should've discussed the Safe Learning Plan
Country United States of AmericaUS Virgin IslandsUnited States Minor Outlying IslandsCanadaMexico, United Mexican StatesBahamas, Commonwealth of theCuba, Republic ofDominican RepublicHaiti, Republic ofJamaicaAfghanistanAlbania, People's Socialist Republic ofAlgeria, People's Democratic Republic ofAmerican SamoaAndorra, Principality ofAngola, Republic ofAnguillaAntarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S)Antigua and BarbudaArgentina, Argentine RepublicArmeniaArubaAustralia, Commonwealth...
Opinion: Find the balance that keeps both your employees and business healthy and safe
Country United States of AmericaUS Virgin IslandsUnited States Minor Outlying IslandsCanadaMexico, United Mexican StatesBahamas, Commonwealth of theCuba, Republic ofDominican RepublicHaiti, Republic ofJamaicaAfghanistanAlbania, People's Socialist Republic ofAlgeria, People's Democratic Republic ofAmerican SamoaAndorra, Principality ofAngola, Republic ofAnguillaAntarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S)Antigua and BarbudaArgentina, Argentine RepublicArmeniaArubaAustralia, Commonwealth...
Find the Right Balance That Keeps Both Your Employees and Business Healthy and Safe – InsideSources
Every business is unique. And in perhaps the most unique past two years any of us could imagine, it goes without saying that business leaders are facing new and extremely complicated challenges seemingly every day. While we all hope we’re through the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, every phase adds complexities to how your business operates.
Local View: Jobs and the environment can and should work together
Columns From the column: "To truly take advantage of this moment, finding collective solutions is the only way to succeed." Written By: Dan Olson and Paul Austin | 10:00 am, May 2, 2021 × The challenges ahead of our country in these days and weeks following Earth Day 2021 are no less alarming than those on the first Earth Day in 1970. That was when President Richard Nixon put forth a groundbreaking plan to address pollution and create the Environmental Protection Agency.
Great Books to Share with Your Kids, and Thoughts on Encouraging the Next Generation to Read
Great Books to Share with Your Kids, and Thoughts on Encouraging the Next Generation to Read By Randy Alcorn April 24, 2020 I grew up in a non-christian home and learned love reading through comic books: Archie and the Marvel comics among them, especially the Fantastic Four. But mainly I was a DC fan, my favorites being The Justice League of America (Green Lantern was my hero) and The Legion of Super Heroes (go, Lightning Lad).
Minnesota Sounds and Voices: Macalester bagpipe director Mike Breidenbach
Dan Olson - March 30, 2012 Mike Breidenbach, Macalester College's dirctor of piping, plays the bagpipes on campus Tuesday, March 27, 2012 in St. Paul. The Macalester College Pipe Band will play a spring concert on Saturday evening at Celtic Junction. MPR Photo/Jennifer Simonson 6min 37sec : Bagpipe The penetrating wail of a Scottish Highland bagpipe doesn't leave much middle ground.
Stieda climbs cycling route to B.C. sports hall of fame
From his vantage point on the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame podium, Coquitlam’s Alex Stieda can trace much of his athletic accomplishments to the grinding run up Gatensbury Road. As a member of the Class of 2020, the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame inductees unveiled on Tuesday at BC Place, Stieda said his roots in a sport that has brought him so many huzzahs were imbedded in his Coquitlam childhood. article continues below Trending Stories “I grew up on Gatensbury (Street), right beside Como Lake.
Feds approve funding for Central Corridor rail line
Business Dan Olson · St. Paul, Minn. · Apr 20, 2011 Hiawatha train MPR file photo/Tom Weber The Federal Transit Administration told Twin Cities transportation officials Wednesday that the FTA has approved federal funding for the Central Corridor light rail project. Metropolitan Council officials say the announcement guarantees $477 million in federal funds, which will cover about half the cost of the $954 million light rail line.
How Dr. Seuss Stole Christmas!
The Christmas classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1957), written by Theodor “Ted” Geisel (aka Dr. Seuss), has been adapted on film for the third time, this time in 3D animation with the voice of Benedict Cumberbatch as the Grinch. This is a good occasion to reflect on the story behind the story—how Dr. Seuss stole Christmas. The Grinch in the original book is a Scrooge-like curmudgeon who plots to steal Christmas from the happy Whos in Whoville.
Minnesota artist Charles Beck celebrates 90 with strong artistic vision
Outside the door of Charles Beck's home, the Ottertail River winds its way through western Minnesota. Bird feeders hang from nearby oak trees, and deer frequent the densely wooded yard on the way to the house of a neighbor, who feeds them.
Let’s come together to support safe, responsible energy transportation
Petroleum products play an important role in our day-to-day lives. They fuel our cars and boats, heat our homes and help create thousands of everyday items like clothes and cell phones. These energy products are required to be transported in a safe and timely way to meet our demands. Here in Minnesota, we rely on crude oil pipelines to do just that.
Experts say re-timing traffic signals could reduce pollution, travel times
Researchers suggest that dramatic reductions in pollution could be achieved simply by retiming traffic lights. Cars and trucks cause more than half of the state's carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon pollution, according to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and that pollution and wasted energy is never greater than when we stop, idle and start at stop lights. There aren't just too many signals.
Stanford Cardinal add Maya Dodson to 2017 women's basketball recruiting class
Maya Dodson, a 6-foot-3 wing and the No. 11 prospect in the espnW HoopGurlz Top 100, has given a verbal commitment to Stanford. "I met Condoleezza Rice while on my visit and she told me, 'Don't be a unicorn,' " Dodson said. "That statement really stuck with me. She told me to not only excel at one thing, but excel in other areas. Stanford gives you that opportunity." There's no doubt that Dodson already excels in the area of basketball.
Prognosis promising as Chiefs play waiting game
Big, fast, skilled and hungry. As descriptions go, these could describe many hockey coaches’ wish list. For Vancouver Northeast Chiefs’ coach Jamie Jackson, the players he’s assembled fit the above bill, and then some. The only question is, how many of the 19 players he’s circled as potential Chiefs will receive an offer to play junior?
Burrards hook Bellies with 3rd period run
Put a fork in it. A season loaded with such promise, and one which appeared to be framed with the potential of a long run, came to a disappointing end Wednesday when the Maple Ridge Burrards stopped the New Westminster Salmonbellies 11-10 at Queen's Park Arena. Having demonstrated during the year the ability to corral momentum in their favour, thanks to a 14-game unbeaten streak, New West proved unable to replicate a similar string in the playoffs.
Before Game 2, Lakers see glass half full
This story, admittedly, has a few holes. Like, who won Thursday's rematch where the Burnaby Lakers gave their response after falling 9-6 in Game 1 to the Victoria Shamrocks. While a newspaper deadline limits our up-to-date coverage (this story was written before Thursday's contest), what is apparent is that the Lakers, heavy underdogs against the reigning Mann Cup and regular season champion ‘Rocks, are poised to put their best feet forward and push back after Tuesday’s setback in Victoria.
Burnaby boxers reflect on meeting 'The Greatest'
Muhammad Ali’s punch dominated the boxing ring for an incredible 27 years. His influence echoed exponentially around the world and is still stinging like a bee, including here in Burnaby. The boxing legend died last Friday at the age of 74 after years of battling Parkinson’s disease. Burnaby’s Manny Sobral says his own career in the sport was immensely influenced by the one-time world boxing champion and civil rights icon.
Penney re-ups with Bellies for 2016
A big part of last year’s march to the Western Lacrosse Association final will be intact for another push. The New Westminster Salmonbellies announced on the weekend that the 2015 WLA Most Outstanding Goalie and co-rookie of the year, Eric Penney, has re-upped for the coming season and will join forces again with Alexis Buque to provide the club with a great one-two punch to challenge for a league title.
Is Jaden Newman As Spectacular As She Looks On Her Basketball Videos?
Hi! My name is Dan Olson, and I spend 50 weeks a year traveling around the country evaluating girls' basketball players so I can provide player rankings to espnW and recruiting information to NCAA coaches. Normally I don't go out of my way to seek out an 11-year-old. But when a pint-sized guard has a highlight video with more than 2.5 million views and has beaten Stephen Curry in a 3-point shootout, I had to see her for myself.
Exactly how good is Mo'ne Davis at basketball, anyway?
Hi! My name is Dan Olson, and I spend 50 weeks a year traveling around the country evaluating girls' basketball players so I can provide player rankings to espnW and recruiting information to NCAA coaches. As you can imagine, during the course of my travels I constantly meet girls who tell me they want to play at UConn. Normally I'm immune. But not when the most popular 13-year-old athlete in the country tells ESPN this: "I want to go to UConn and be the point guard on the basketball team.
Court Finds Forest Service in Violation of Freedom of Information Act
The United States District Court of Colorado has ordered the U.S. Forest Service to conduct further searches for documents pertaining to the decision to approve a controversial land exchange on Wolf Creek Pass in southwestern Colorado. “[T]he Court sees no reason to excuse the Forest Service from its duty to perform a proper search,” stated District Court Judge William Martinez.
High schoolers set sights on building airplanes
A group of Minneapolis high school students wants to build an airplane. The Washburn High School aviation class has everything lined up for the project - except money. There are only a handful of high school aviation classes in Minnesota like the one at Washburn. The teacher, Peter Denny, is a pilot who is confident donors will step forward to help underwrite the venture. Minneapolis, Minn. — Washburn student Tenzin Choerap doesn't have a shop at home, but he's discovered he likes working with tools.
How A 3-Year Reign Ended On Day 1 Of The Nike Tournament Of Champions
PHOENIX -- The three-time defending champions were taken down, two of the nation's most exciting guards went head-to-head, and a couple of last-second 3-pointers helped one of the nation's top teams hang on for a win. How's that for Day 1 of the Nike Tournament of Champions? The year's premier national event of the high school girls' basketball season -- 90 teams have descended upon the Arizona desert -- opened on Friday, and there were exclamation points painted all over the floors.
Name change builds bigger, bolder Burnaby hockey tourney
Change is good. The Burnaby Holiday Bantam Hockey tournament has been a staple on the minor hockey calendar for 53 years, ebbing and flowing at one point to being the hottest international bantam series in North America. But a downturn in interest recently presented both a challenge and an opportunity for the game’s backers. The result is the Pat Quinn Classic, a new label for the Burnaby Minor Hockey Association’s tournament which runs Dec.
Who Killed The Vote on Fracking Part Two
In his testimony before the Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittee on Trade on Wednesday, April 9, 2014, Daniel J. Weiss, senior fellow and director of climate strategy at the Center for American Progress, testified that “natural gas exports will increase gas prices. Increased natural gas exports lead to increased natural gas prices.
Kentucky Gets Verbal From No. 10 Junior Prospect Lindsey Duvall
Lindsey Duvall, a 5-foot-9 point guard and the No. 10 prospect in the espnW HoopGurlz Super 60 for the 2017 class, has given a verbal commitment to Kentucky. "I really connected with Coach [Matthew] Mitchell and his staff on my home visit and really enjoyed meeting my future teammates when I visited the Kentucky campus," said Duvall, a junior at Bullitt East (Mt. Washington, Kentucky).
No. 1 Prospect Lauren Cox Gives Verbal Commitment To Baylor
Lauren Cox, the No. 1 women's basketball prospect in the 2016 class, has given a verbal commitment to Baylor. The 6-foot-4 forward from Flower Mound (Texas) chose Baylor over finalists Notre Dame, Tennessee, Louisville and Connecticut. She made her official visit to Baylor this weekend. "I took all my visits and enjoyed each of them. The coaching staffs with each program were phenomenal," Cox said. "I got a chance during my visit [to Baylor] to spend time with my future teammates. ...
Sacred stories burn bright on Minnesotan's Ojibwe star map
Ojibwe scholar and artist Carl Gawboy grew up listening to his father tell a thrilling creation story, a titanic struggle between the legendary Ojibwe hero Nanaboujou and the panther. Nanaboujou has nearly won the battle, but the panther tries one last desperate measure. "The great panther called down the rains to flood the Earth," Gawboy says, "so it's left to Nanaboujou then to try to get a new world out of the old." The story can be found in the stars, although you need the right map.
Building into the sky
Homebuilt aircraft enthusiasts often cite the Wright brothers as their role models. One hundred years ago the Wright brothers designed, built and flew the first homebuilt aircraft. These days there are more than 23,000 homebuilts licensed by the federal government, with 1,000 more being assembled every year. A Wisconsin man's homebuilt aircraft is the focus of a new children's book on aviation, timed to coincide with the 100th anniversary of flight. Lake Elmo, Minn.
For Minnesota woman, life of service is life well-lived
There aren't many Minnesotans who've lived a life worthy of a National Geographic cover story, so you'll want to listen to Rhoda Brooks. She has some stories to tell. "That was the beach where we lived. There are all the dugout canoes, that's teaching making baby food, that's my baby food class," Brooks narrated as she leafed through photos recently on her 80th birthday. The photos are from a National Geographic from the mid 1960s.
Want Customer Loyalty? Be Loyal To Customers
First, let’s ask a big question: Is it a good idea to relentlessly pursue customer acquisition when they leave as quickly as they arrive? It’s time we give acquisition-retention formulas a serious overhaul and shift strategies. Now, let’s ask another big question: How do we change things up? Put the focus on what consumers value. Let’s look to improve what we give them in return for their time and attention.
In south Minneapolis, quilters work on the cutting edge
As quilt shops go, Glad Creations in south Minneapolis is one of the oldest, busiest and most colorful in the country. The store's shelves are crammed to the ceiling with bolts of fabric in every color of the rainbow. Co-owner Susan Dyer helps people find the right scissors, pin cushion or fabric cutter for a job — even a "seam ripper with a magnifying glass," she said with a laugh. People have been making quilts for a very long time.
In Embarrass, they're proud of their cold and their food
Northeastern Minnesota has been on an economic and population roller coaster ever since European settlement. Loggers clear-cut most of the white pine. Then iron ore mining took off, peaked in the 1970s and pulled back in subsequent decades. Through it all, there's been farming. Even in Embarrass, Minn., where the growing season seems to last only minutes.
Forager finds a walk in the woods yields tasty treats
To foragers, the outdoors is like a vast grocery store. That's true even around the Twin Cities. Expert forager Margaret Kwong Taylor recently found some beautiful, edible gems — a gorgeous little collection of chanterelle mushrooms — as she walked in a public woods in a northern suburb. Depending on the season, foragers find a wide range of edibles. "Raspberries, you can always find garlic mustard which makes a very good pesto," she said.
Priest breathes life into Winona's Polish history
Breza, 77, is a retired Catholic priest, born and raised in Winona, Minn. The city's immigration history resembles much of Minnesota's, with lots of Germans and Scandinavians. But there's a twist: A surprising number of people have Polish backgrounds. "Two thousand people worked for the sawmills in Winona," Breza said. "Twelve hundred of them were Polish." Some of Minnesota's first Polish immigrants arrived in 1855. Several thousand made their homes in and around Winona, because there were jobs.
Preserved parcels offer glimpse of Minnesota gone by
There's not much left of Minnesota's natural landscape the way it looked before white settlement. Visitors to Minnesota's 161 scientific and natural areas, or SNAs, can catch glimpses. Some of the views include tall pines ringing lakes of sky-blue water, or endless bogs, or prairies that stretch to the horizon. Other views, like those at Blanket Flower Prairie SNA on the western edge of Minnesota, take a little more effort to appreciate.
In Minneapolis' Hawthorne neighborhood, hope still stands
The Rev. Floyd Beecham Sr. folds his 6-foot-plus frame into the passenger seat of a subcompact for a tour of Hawthorne — a neighborhood that, on paper, is the worst in Minneapolis. Beecham doesn't quite see it that way. He's ministered in the neighborhood for decades. He and his wife are founders of Hawthorne's Faith Tabernacle Gospel Fellowship. While he doesn't sugarcoat the problems, he knows the numbers don't reveal the whole story and they can't see the flickers of opportunity.
Finding clues to water quality in the bottom of a lake
Listen Story audio 4min 11sec Scientist Dan Engstrom, director of the St. Croix Watershed Research Station, studies the sediment on lake bottoms, which can show how — or even if — certain farming practices affect water quality. "We're investing a lot in encouraging farmers to do these things, but are we getting much bang for our buck?" Join Engstrom on the road to one of Minnesota's 11,842 lakes.
Longtime activist finds hope in next generation of Minnesota organizers
Salvador Miranda's taken on slumlords and drug dealers and lobbied for housing and jobs in the Twin Cities for 30 years. So a smile came easily to the longtime organizer during a recent rally in south Minneapolis. He saw kindred spirits in the crowd among the signs and banners declaring "Black Lives Matter." He's worked with some of these leaders, many in their twenties, as they learned the basics of community organizing.
Minneapolis mosque to reopen after 2014 fire
A Minneapolis mosque damaged by fire nearly a year and a half ago will reopen Saturday, June 6. Abdisalam Adam said the mosque on Cedar Avenue near the University of Minnesota serves about 300 people, making it one of the busiest in Minneapolis. After being displaced by the fire, worshipers found temporary spaces throughout the neighborhood to carry on the mosque's activities.
Minnesota Marine Art Museum has great works, stories
Dave Marshall did not grow up in privilege. A preacher's kid, he endured "upper poverty" as his family moved every few years to church communities in Oklahoma, Texas and Louisiana. An art course he took in college inspired a lifelong love. "This was just an explosion in my mind," Marshall recalled.
No sign of slowing down: Activist marches on for American Indian rights
White Earth band member Clyde Bellecourt has spent decades fighting for the rights of American Indian people. He's marched in rallies and protests across the country, including one at a Viking's football game last fall. Native drummers joined others to oppose the continued use of the Washington football team's name and mascot. "We're the only people in America that they still make fun of," he said. "They would never do that to black people. Little Black Sambo is gone.
For 91-year-old U prof, one last lecture but lots left to do
His final lecture began like many others. John Fraser Hart flipped on a vintage slide projector, one the University of Minnesota for years has kept in operating order just for him. In his final presentation Wednesday, the 91-year-old geography professor peppered in some humor. The slide collection included lots of road sign language mashups, seasoned with his own commentary.
Wood sculptor draws inspiration from Mississippi River
WINONA, Minn. (AP) - Wood sculptor Leo Smith is best known in some circles for his commercially successful sculptures of Santa Claus, a cultural figure he calls a “big, big totem.” Smith, 68, has sculpted the jolly old man in some unusual settings - on a polar bear, astride a bison, even riding a trout. His commercial success creating Santas and hundreds of other figures established Smith’s reputation worldwide as a folk artist.
Winona sculptor Smith draws inspiration from the Mississippi
Wood sculptor Leo Smith is best known in some circles for his commercially successful sculptures of Santa Claus, a cultural figure he calls a "big, big totem."Smith, 68, has sculpted the jolly old man in some unusual settings -- on a polar bear, astride a bison, even riding a trout.His commercial success creating Santas and hundreds of other figures established Smith's reputation worldwide as a folk artist.Many of his wood sculptures reflect the objects and scenes he has encountered during a...
Winona sculptor draws inspiration from the Mississippi
Wood sculptor Leo Smith is best known in some circles for his commercially successful sculptures of Santa Claus, a cultural figure he calls a "big, big totem." Smith, 68, has sculpted the jolly old man in some unusual settings — on a polar bear, astride a bison, even riding a trout. His commercial success creating Santas and hundreds of other figures established Smith's reputation worldwide as a folk artist.
A boy in wartime: St. Olaf prof recalls Nazi invasion of Norway
Odd Lovoll, a retired St. Olaf College professor and author, photographed Feb. 24, 2015 at his home in Northfield, Minn. Click on the audio to hear more of Odd Lovoll's stories of Norway's invasion and occupation during World War II. The Nazis invaded Norway the morning of April 9, 1940. By the afternoon, they controlled the nation's seven major ports. Retired St. Olaf College professsor Odd Lovoll was 5 years old at the time, but the invasion and life under occupation remain fresh in his mind.
Music helps keep Golden Valley Parkinson's patients going
Then, with Holten at an electronic keyboard, they all begin to sing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.” Even though the disease generally is not considered funny, music therapist Sandi Holten wants her patients to laugh. That helps loosen and exercise torso and face muscles rigid with stiffness, a symptom of Parkinson’s. All have Parkinson’s disease, a degenerative condition that attacks the nervous system. There is no cure. GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn.
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