The Roadhouse

Outdoor co-op REI recently launched a comprehensive effort to promote gender equity in the outdoors. CJ spoke with Bloomington flagship store manager Brian Harrow about the effort, what REI is trying to achieve, and why it's important. You can learn more about their efforts here.

The U of MN Solar Vehicle Project has a long and successful history. Dave chatted with this year's co-leaders of the project, students Graham Krumpelmann and Patrick Zeimet, about this year's vehicle. The vehicle, named Eos II, will compete in a cruiser class in the 2017 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge across the Australian outback in October.

Christina Macgillivray is an international film and online video producer who works all over the world. She also has a special Cook County connection and will be producing a new travel feature for WTIP called “To Minnesota with Love.” She stopped by The Roadhouse to talk about her work and give a preview of the new WTIP feature.

Fun Twin Cities band The Wrong Omar showed up again this year to play during membership drive, outside under the big tent. The Wrong Omar is: Logan Amos, bass; Becky Shaheen, acoustic guitar; Laura Lou, ukulele; and Joey Shaheen, electric guitar. You can learn more about the band and their music here. 

Mark Hollabaugh has written a very interesting book about the role and significance of astronomy in Lakota culture, "The Spirit in the Sky: Lakota Visions of the Cosmos." Dave read the book and chatted with Mark about it during membership drive. Mark is an emeritus instructor of physics and astronomy at Normandale Community College, and a part-time Cook County resident.

Longtime Duluth News Tribune columnist and frequent Roadhouse guest Sam Cook chatted with CJ recently. This time, it was about the importance and magic of introducing young people to the outdoors. You can follow Sam's columns here. 

St. Paul-based roots rocker Mary Cutrufello has been in the business for 25 years, on a musical journey from Connecticut to Texas to the Midwest. She stopped by The Roadhouse on her way to a house concert to benefit the Grand Marais Music Collaborative. You can learn more about Mary and her music and schedule here.

Charcoal or gas? Marinate or no? Should you let the meat rest before cutting? These, and many more, questions answered in this chat between CJ and Longhorn Steakhouse 'grill master' Jason Trenkler.

Dudley Riggs is a fifth-generation member of a distinguished show business family. He's worked in many areas of the biz, as everything from an aerialist to a stage director, but is best known as the father of improvisational theater. Dave chatted with Dudley about his recently released memoir, "Flying Funny," from the U of MN Press.  

Minneapolis performance artist Patrick Scully has created and performs a one-man show about the life and times of Walt Whitman. It's called "Leaves of Grass--Illuminated," features Whitman's poetry, and addresses his reality as a gay man in the mid-1880s. Patrick was in town to perform the show, and joined Ann Possis to talk about why he chose Whitman as his subject, what he wants to convey, and much more. You can learn about Patrick and his work here.