Email your artwork or image (up to three per person) in a jpg or gif file format, under 1MB, to CONTESTS@secretsofthecity.com, with subject line: Crispin Cool.  Please include your full name. The contest is open through November 29. All entries will be judged on their coolness factor, artistic merit, Crispin creativity, and originality. Watch for entries and comments posted here.

A select group of finalists will be invited to show their work at a special event (details TBD), and receive very cool Crispin on Ice products. Other prizes include a night on the town, courtesy of Secrets of the City, and a copy of the spectacular book of Ian Shive photographs, “The National Parks: Our American Landscape.”

{fine print: Judging by Icebox Gallery, Crispin Cider, and Secrets of the City. Note: all images remain the property of the artist/photographer.  However, by entering, it is agreed your image may appear on Secrets of the City and may be used for promotional purposes by Crispin.} Contest sponsored by Crispin Natural Hard Apple Cider. Judges Debra Fisher Goldstein, Kate Iverson, and Howard Christopherson are ineligible to win, but we’ve accepted their images here for display.

THE TREES IN MINNEAPOLIS ARE LOOKING AT YOU by Rosmarie Dauth

PRETTY OLD TRAFFIC LIGHT POST AT FRANKLIN & NICOLLET by Rosmarie Dauth

SEED ART AT THE STATE FAIR by Rosmarie Dauth

GIFT OF WINTER by Debra Fisher Goldstein

JAGER by Kate Iverson

LOVE by Stephanie Glaros

GHOST-HORSE by Stephanie Glaros

MINNEAPOLIS SKYLINE by James Durham

FEARLESS by Steaphanie Glaros

MEARS PARK RNC by Kate Iverson

KIDS ON THE BLOCKS by Jason DeRusha

GOD IS IN THE DETAILING by Debra Fisher Goldstein

PIRATE SAILBOAT, LAKE CALHOUN by James Durham

EGGS by Jen Scotty

HONEYBEARS by Jen Scotty

RHUBARB by Jen Scotty

How do you feel about having to open multiple pages in order to read a full story? Certainly, one of the benefits of online news is the ease with which stories can include referential links to relevant news and/or back stories. But is this being abused when the so-called links are simply a continuation of the story, necessary for a clean read?

Let’s be fair, though, if we’re going to dis this practice, then what’s the solution to secure the publications’ survival. And let’s be honest, haven’t newspapers been taking these kinds of measures, in one form or another, since their inception? Let’s talk supplements, supplements, supplements. Let’s talk page jumps. Weren’t we just as annoyed having to flip through page after page to continue reading?

But more importantly (in that kind of ego-centric way to which we’ve all grown accustomed), what does this say about MNSpeak? The links certainly don’t gain us any page views, so the intention is good, but the format is certainly based on having to go to multiple pages to get a full story. Is this too disruptive? Or is this beautifully exploiting the power of the web?

Thirteen-year-old Daniel Hauser, who gained acclaim for running away to avoid chemotherapy treatment earlier this year, is scheduled for his last round of chemo this morning.

The School Nurses of Minnesota association will be honored today at 4:30 at the Doubletree Hotel in St. Louis Park for 100 years of professional service in the state.

Joyce Preschool — “an independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide children from diverse ethnic, linguistic and economic backgrounds with developmentally and culturally appropriate preparation for success in school and lifelong learning” — just earned accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

In appealing to demonstrators, Ms. Bachmann called the health care vote, tentatively scheduled for this Saturday, the “Super Bowl of freedom.” She has repeatedly accused Democrats of pursuing “socialized medicine” and a “government takeover” of the health care system.

Does this large-scale media moment have anything to do with the recent resignation of Bachmann’s top aide, Michelle Marston? Bachmann’s Mad Hatter reputation may be scaring away staffers.

What kind of support will Bachmann garner today? On Wednesday, Fox News estimated a crowd of 64,000 — but then this is the same Fox News that substantially overestimated (by almost a million) the 9/12 tea party crowd, and the same Fox News that reduced the 1900-page bill to “five pages that matter.” (Still, a quick Internet search shows a fair number of people — primarily East Coast — looking for a ride.)

One person we know will be there for sure is actor Jon Voight, who just left Minnesota last night, after speaking at a fundraiser for Gov. Pawlenty.

Meanwhile, the Stand Up America PAC, an anti-right-wing-extremist organization, has spent the last two days trying to raise $10,000 in order to “ruin Michele Bachmann’s day” by proving they can rally just as much support against her as she can rally against the health care legislation. A noble (or at least peaceful) counter-attack? Or a cheap way of raising much needed funds (that will in no way benefit health care reform)?

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