Blog #7

Last week i was reading my snowboard magazine and I came across this interesting article on Big Sky Mountain in Montana. The article talked about what Big Sky Mountain has to offer snowboarders. Over the years they continue to offer some of the best skiing and snowboarding in the northwest. They have also expanded their hill size by making more trails and by installing hill lights for nighttime boarding and skiing. They offer a variety of runs for boarders of all levels and experience. This particular year they have had an abundance of snow which only adds to fun. Big Sky is also withing driving distance of the Minneapolis area, which makes it convienent as well as affordable. I think that after reading this article I should look into making a trip there to check it out.
Sherowski, Jennifer. "Jeff Grell, Inventor of the Highback." Transworld Snowboarding. Volume 22, September 2008: 74-75.

Outside Reading #6

Minneapolis Officials Question Obama's Choice of Warren
President elect Barack Obama has choseen the well-known author (of "The Purpose Driven Life" ) and religious leader Rick Warren to give the invocation at his inauguration ceremony on January 20, 2009. Many of the elected officials of Minneapolis are disappointed by his decision to include Pastor Warren in the inauguration ceremony due to his controversial views on topics such as homosexuality. About two dozen Minneapolis officials have joined forces with the Minnesota Democratic State Senators Dibble and Clark to write a letter to Obama explaining their opposition to his appoinment of Rick Warren for the invocation. They stated in their letter to Obama that Warren's highly honored role in the inauguration will lead to division amongst Obama's supporters, rather than unity. They explained that since many people disagree with Pastor Warrens' views, particularly on homosexuality, he is a controversial figure that defeats the purpose and idea of bringing the nation together. Apparently Obama responded to the letter from the Minneapolis elected officials stating that his decision to nominate Rick Warren for the job of performing the invocation was based on his stance that diverse viewpoints must be heard.
Needless to say, the Minneapolis officials and State Senators are not pleased. It will be interesting to watch the whole inauguration ceremony and then see the reactions different communities throughout the nation will have.
Traudes, Cristof. "Minneapolis Officials Question Obama's Choice of Warren." Southwest Journal. 12 January 2009: A5.

Outside Reading #5

"Hopes & Dreams for the Next Four Years"
An article in the Minneapolis Southwest Journal featured interviews with local residents in which they were asked about their hopes and dreams for Obama's new 4 year term in office. They interviewed men and women, young and old, people in business, students, stay-at-home parents and professionals. In general, all of the people interviewed felt optimistic about the presidential election results of 2008 and were all looking forward to a new future with Obama as our nation's leader. At the same time, all people interviewed were worried about the economy and the steady loss of jobs throughout the nation. They believed that most likely things would get worse before they start to get better. They feared more economic hardship and more unemployment in 2009. Some residents mentioned their hopes for the USA to regain respect from other countries around the world after the eight years of bad foreign policy and all the damage caused by Bush and his administration. They were hopeful that Obama represents a true change for US world relations. Many people are 'teful that the war will finally wind down and our troops will be coming home. I wasn't surprised to hear that the fears people have mostly involve economic issues, the war and job loss. It didn't surprise either me to read that most people are hopeful about Obama and his next four years in office. I agreed with most of the people interviewed and I think that right now a large majority of citizens are on the same page in terms of what they are worried about and what they are hoping for in the near future.
Weyer, Jake. "Hopes and Fears for the Next Four Years." Southwest Journal. 12 January 2009: A13-15.

Blog #4 Reading Minute

As winter begins to set into Minnesota Climatologists already are already saying it is going to be a cool one. As of December 17 the Twin Cities has already received 11 inches of snow, 1 inch more that average for the whole month! I am really excited about this because now I can do donuts in parking lots before school! This also means there is a greater chance for a snow day, but I don't think that is going to happen. Anyways this has also been the coldest December since 2000 and that is not all we have also have had a record number of days that is has snowed. I know a lot of people do not like winter, but I do so I am glade it is cold and snowy. The only thing I don't like about winter is when I have to shovel my driveway so its not so bad.
http://www.kare11.com/includes/tools/print.aspx?storyid=532594#

Out Side Reading #3

I have resently just finished reading transworld snowboardins best trick tips. In this article they show u many different tricks in frame by frame pictures and gives commentary on how to best preform the trick. As looked throught the artile and found a section on Switch back 540's which i have trouble with and i read about that and realized that iI was leaning to far back when i come off the lib of the jump. I think that this is a good book to buy cus it would help any skill level of snowboarder step up to the next level.
Sherowski, Jennifer. "Trick Tips." Transworld Snowboarding. Volume 26, November 2008: 45-56.

Reading #2

I have just finish reading about the all new 2009 BMW 345i. In this review out of Road And track they talk about all the details and features of the car. I read this article about this car because this is the car my dad wants to get when he gets a new car in the spring. As I looked at the specs i noticed that the car had been redone from last year and it looks a lot better than before. It also has more horsepower and a faster 0-60 time than the 08 models. Overall this is a very good car and i hope my dad will get it.
Stoynoff, Natasha and Tauber, Michelle. "2009 BMW 345i."Road And track . 25 November 2008: 34-37

Out Side Reading #1

I have just finish reading a magazine article in Trans World Snowboarding. The title was When In Minnesota. It talked about how Minnesota has some the best snowboarding parks and spots in the US. It also featured a picture of a local snowboarder doing a 50/50 grind on the stands at the Braemer hokey arena. I was very surprised to see this because i dont usally think that of Minnesota of a great street snowboarding city but i guess i thought wrong. This winter im am defenatly going to find so sweet places downtown to film and hopefully send my pictures into transworld and have my pick in there. Overall i am really glade i live in a place where i have a good 5 months of solid snowboarding. To me snowboarding is what I do to relax and have fun with my friends. I would recommened anyone to just go out and try to snowboard it is one of the most fun things you will ever do.



Serpick, Evan. "When In Minnesota." Transworld Snowboarding. Volume 24, November 2008: 52-55.