Friday, January 13, 2012

Culturology Calendar 1-13

by Travis Ryder
Friday, Jan. 13
A tasting and investment solicitation event for an upstart brewery is on the slate for Friday night.  Bemidji Brewing is gathering momentum to build a microbrewery in that city.  New Year, New Beer is the title for the event, held from 6 to 10 at the Keg n' Cork downtown.

Saturday, Jan. 14
First Stage Gallery in downtown Virginia welcomes pointillism artist Rob Christensen.  His work is on display there now, and he’s in town for an artist’s reception Saturday from noon to 2:30.  He’ll will demonstrate the pen and ink process of creating detailed images comprised of single dots of ink.

Sunday, Jan. 15
Winter Under Ice is the event at Lake Bemidji State Park that exposes the effects and activity under the ice covered world of Lake Bemidji. A vehicle permit is required to enter the park, otherwise free from 2 to 3:30.

At 2:30, cellist Josh Aerie and Pianist Samuel Black will be at The Edge Center in Bigfork for a special concert. They are active in the Arrowhead area music activities including chamber music performances tailored to take the chill out of a January Sunday afternoon.

Monday, Jan. 16
The Great Decisions Discussion Group will kick off its spring schedule with a free session open to the public on Monday at 1, at the Heartwood Senior Living Center in Crosby.  Thomas Hanson returns for the 4th year to present a well-informed analysis of  Middle East uprisings known as the “Arab Spring”.  He will discuss U.S. foreign policy and global implications and share his perceptions of current challenges.   Hanson, now retired and a consultant, has had many assignments with the U.S. State Department in countries such as East Germany, France, Norway, Soviet Union, Sweden, Mongolia and Estonia.  Hanson also appears in Baxter at the Lord of Life Church on Tuesday.

Tuesday, Jan. 17
Bluegrass duo Dailey and Vincent appear at the Reif Center in Grand Rapids Tuesday night.  They lit up the bluegrass scene in 2008, taking their debut, self-titled album to #1 on Billboard’s Top Bluegrass chart. They collected seven awards at the International Bluegrass Music Awards, including Entertainer and Emerging Artist of the year – an unprecedented feat. Together they make breathtaking music, seamlessly connecting country music's roots to its future in exhilarating, full-throttle bluegrass.  The show starts at 7:30.

Wednesday, Jan. 18
The Enough for All campaign comes to Itasca County next week.  On Wednesday at 6,  the Reif Center hosts a performance illustrating Members of Circles of Support and their experience of living in poverty.    After the performance, at 7:15, there’s a reception at the MacRostie Art Center  for the “Enough for All” art exhibit.

Minnesota History Datebook
Jan. 10, 1925 "The Arrowhead" is selected as the official moniker for northeastern Minnesota, the result of a nationwide contest sponsored by the Northeastern Minnesota Civic and Commerce Association of Duluth.
Jan. 8, 1934 During the Great Depression, the U.S. Supreme Court upholds a Minnesota mortgage moratorium law, a decision that state Attorney General Harry H. Peterson applauds as a "victory for the people of Minnesota that will enable many farmers and city dwellers to hold onto their homes until good times return."
Jan. 13, 1944 The cruiser Duluth is launched in Newport News, Virginia, christened by Ella T. Hatch, wife of Duluth mayor Edward H. Hatch. In May 1945 the ship becomes part of the U.S. fleet in World War II.
Jan. 8, 1971 President Richard Nixon signs a law creating Voyageurs National Park. The measure was supported by former governor Elmer Andersen as well as famed aviator and politician Charles Lindbergh.
Jan. 13, 1982 Nature writer and environmentalist Sigurd Olson dies in Ely. Born in Chicago in 1899, Olson served as a canoe guide in the boundary waters region and was active in environmental issues beginning in the 1920s, playing a prominent role in the battle for federal protection of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and serving as president of the Wilderness Society.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

4 New Ways to Eat Frozen Green Beans

by Maggie Montgomery
Eating locally—even about 75% locally, as we do now—means that in winter we eat a lot of frozen garden veggies. This week, my husband Dennis came upstairs after a trip to the basement freezer and said, “You know, there are a LOT of beans down there.”

I felt a little guilty. Growing green beans is mostly a “snap,” even in northern Minnesota. I plant several kinds every summer—Italian beans, Tendergreen, Contender, Jade, Blue Lake, Kentucky Wonder and more. There are big, flat beans, yellow wax beans, bush beans and pole beans. Different varieties mature at different times, and I plant rows of the same variety weeks apart to assure an unending supply until frost. Dennis thinks it’s overkill, but I insist, saying “They are all different.”

It’s a pleasure to eat fresh beans in the summer. I also pickle some of the choice, young ones as dilly beans, and some years I put up a couple loads in the pressure canner. But we most often freeze the surplus because it’s easy.

When it’s time to eat the frozen beans, I cook them one way: steam them in salted water and serve them with butter on top. “There you go, Dennis,” I say, “Beans.”

On this Wednesday’s Morning Show on KAXE, I asked for some help with our frozen bean supply, and listeners sympathetically responded with some suggestions. I’m posting the recipes here in case you have plenty of beans too!

RECIPE 1:
Ken and Pam from Brainerd suggested a green bean shepherd’s pie: “We are just finishing up a really nice bean dish that Pam prepared recently. It is basically a Sheppard’s Pie with adzuki beans used instead of meat and a layer of green beans between the adzuki beans and the mashed potatoes. We thought it would be a very nice veggie start to the New Year. And a great way to use green beans!”

RECIPE 2:
Robert from Bemidji said: “Stir fry some beans in about 2 tablespoons of any type of oil that can hold up to high heat, and mix that with about 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil, until they are as tender as you like. Drizzle with Tamari soy sauce, then put the lid on for a few minutes. It’s simple and delicious!”

RECIPE 3:
Julie from Cook suggested a cold or lukewarm green bean salad: Steam some beans. Cool them in water. Add crumbled feta, chopped red onion, chopped fresh (or frozen) dill, and your favorite Italian dressing.

RECIPE 4:
Ross emailed an Indian recipe: Bihari Green Beans Marsala, from Julie Sahni:

2 T oil
2 T sliced almonds
½ c. finely chopped onion
3 large  cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 t ground cumin
1 t ground coriander
1 t sweet paprika
½ t red chili pepper flakes
¾ t kosher salt
¾ cup coconut milk
¾ # green beans in 1” pieces
1 t lime juice
2 T chopped cilantro

1. Heat oil in a saute pan over medium heat. Cook almonds, stirring, until golden. Remove the almonds from the oil and set aside.
2. Add onion, garlic and spices to the saute pan and return to heat. Saute until the onion is tender and begins to fry, about 4 minutes
3. Add coconut milk and beans. Mix well and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cook, covered, until the beans are tender, about 6 minutes
4. Sprinkle beans with lime juice and toss lightly. Transfer to a warmed serving dish and garnish with almonds and cilantro. Can be serve with rice or roti flatbread if desired.

Monday, January 9, 2012

Culturology Calendar 1-9

by Travis Ryder
Ongoing exhibitions:
Wildlife and architectural landmark artist Rob Christensen's pointillism (stipple) art is on display at the Lyric Center for the Arts First Stage Gallery in downtown Virginia.  The Artist's Reception is coming Saturday, January 14th from noon to 2:30.  Christensen will demonstrate the pen and ink process of creating detailed images comprised of single dots of ink.  

At the Jaques Art Center in Aitkin: the Head & Tails Exhibit is showing through February 18.  This juried exhibition showcases multi-media interpretations of art that contains a head or a tail in the composition.

MacRostie Art Center's January exhibitions are In Search of Enough, a traveling exhibition of Minnesota artists’ response to the issues of poverty and Seven by Seven, paintings of landscapes by Lisa Stauffer.  These are on display at the center in downtown Grand Rapids.
 
Tuesday, January 10
“Tango, Anyone?” at the Heartwood Senior Living Center, Crosby. 1:30 to 4 p.m.
Tango is a unique dance originating in Argentina and Uruguay in late 19th century.  Enthusiasts now circle the globe from South America to North America, Europe and Finland where unique local adaptations continue to shape this complex dance.  Unlimited Learning presents two talented dance instructors, who will lead a lively discussion of the dance, the music and the poetry of the Tango. They will conclude with a demonstration and an opportunity to experience the dance.  Workshop leaders are Peter Truran, Ph.D., dancer and visiting scholar at the University of Minnesota, and Sylvia Horwitz, MSW, photographer, and human rights activist.  This class is part of Unlimited Learning’s schedule and the cost is included for members, the cost is $6.00 for non-members.  

Minnesota author and outdoor enthusiast Mary Shideler, better known as “Mary, The Kayak Lady,” make a presentation January 10 at the Chalberg Theatre at Central Lakes College in Brainerd.  This is the first in a series of presentations, seminars and programming from The Center For Lifelong Learning at CLC and is designed for Lakes Area residents aged 50 and better. A book signing will follow Mary's presentation. Cost to attend is $10.

Wednesday, January 11
Monty Python's "Spamalot," a musical adapted from the film Monty Python and the Holy Grail, is at the Reif Center in Grand Rapids this Wednesday night starting at 7:30.