Author archive

May 5, 2011

Unique features of UWRF should be embraced as the year comes to a close

UWRF, or Moo U as it’s known by the cynical, is an underrated university in an underrated city.  The Moo U label should be embraced.  The rodeo alone is sufficient bragable material.  It’s the most audience-friendly, interactive collegiate event I’ve ever been a part, of as a spectator or participant; and if I’m not mistaken […]

April 28, 2011

Reasons for bitter spring season weather

Announcing that it’s been cold is nothing to stop the presses for, but I’ll announce it anyway.  It has been cold.  Not complaining; just stating facts.  I scold those who whine about things out of their control, so I’m not complaining.  Still, it has been cold.  And wet.  And windy.  It’s been cold, wet, windy […]

April 21, 2011

Paying taxes shows financial stability

Every year, the taxman cometh.  This year he came a few days later than usual, on Monday April 18.  Typically he comes to the door on April 15, but the powers that be decided celebration of Emancipation Day should not be squelched by the horrors of paying one’s dues to our government.  Although Tax Day […]

April 7, 2011

Save for reasonable expenses rather than new technology

When I first applied to UW-River Falls in the spring of 2004 tuition I remember tuition being roughly $2,000 a semester.  This year tuition for a Wisconsin resident such as myself was $3,447 a semester.  Now, seven years is a long time to take to get your undergrad, but it is in no way a […]

April 1, 2011

Increased tournament field ruining college basketball

With Butler playing VCU on Saturday, an eight-seed or lower will play in the NCAA championship game for the first time since eighth-seeded Villanova won the National title game 26 years ago.  VCU is in the tournament only because the field was expanded this year. This is also the first year that neither a one […]

March 24, 2011

Reminder to make your voice heard through Conservation Congress

Complaints about government not hearing the public’s voice are as old as time.  Once elected, officials seem to go deaf and grow blinders in the face of public opinion.  We can hear the cries from Madison.  We heard much the same in Washington when the health care bill became law.  In some ways our voices […]

March 10, 2011

Twitter brings social media into the real world of online business

Last week I ended my column with #fishnerds.  To those of you on Twitter, that was just an odd placement of a hashtag. To those of you who are not it was just ugly grammar.  To those who are not on Twitter, particularly the readers in or soon to be in the job hunt, get […]

March 3, 2011

Anglers prepare for spring fishing

It has already been the snowiest winter in over a quarter-century and we are staring at the prospect of another storm early next week. Wednesday arrived with zero degrees, yet spring is almost here. The Mississippi River does not freeze between St. Paul and Red Wing, Minn. This glorious fact allows cabin fever-crazed anglers who […]

February 24, 2011

The Food Network provides life lessons

Catching a ride on the reality TV wave along with the Bachelors, the Survivors, and the Snookies has been the celebrity chef.  Bobby Flay was an extraordinary chef, but not a famous one until Food Network unveiled “Iron Chef.” Until he won Food Network’s reality competition “The Next Food Network Star,” Guy Fieri was a […]

February 17, 2011

Wisconsin government controversy rises throughout UWRF campus

Campus is abuzz with talk of unruly government, protest and workers’ rights.  Madison closed its public schools Wednesday because it couldn’t replace all the teachers that called in so they could have their voices heard at the capitol.  Democracy is in play, but what for?  Debate, negotiation, give-and-take, however you want to describe it, is […]

February 10, 2011

Nobel Prize strays from principles of peace

We’ve been taught the Nobel Prize is something to revere. In its various factions it has become the pinnacle of profession, the single biggest recognition possible of one’s work. That may be about to change.  Last week WikiLeaks founder, Julian Assange, was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. When I heard this, I pinched myself […]

February 3, 2011

The world outside of Super Bowl 2011

There is a game Sunday.  An important one.  One for all the marbles.  One that we’ve been told, “The whole world will be watching.”  In years past that may have been true.  Not this year.  This year the world will be focused on a different arena; the Egyptian political arena.  As our football-crazed society debates […]