Fairview Southdale Hospital Library Invites Employees, Patients and Community to 'Meet the Authors'; Suspense Writer Brian Freeman Presents on Jan. 22

Editor's note: Typically, GoodBiz113 profiles socially responsible small businesses that partner with nonprofit groups and public agencies in innovative ways to serve the greater good. Occasionally, though, other win-win-win alliances deserve so much attention, that we break from format.

Such is the case of Fairview Southdale Hospital Health Sciences Library, a nonprofit entity that showcases Minnesota fiction writers during its quarterly "Meet the Authors" book events. These lunchtime book discussions invite hospital employees, patients, caregivers and community members to engage with independent working artists, and embark on a one-hour adventure that offers a healing escape -- mostly, into the realm of thrillers.

The Organization
Fairview Southdale Hospital Health Sciences Library
LL-27G
[Lower Level, near Caffé Amoré]
6401 France Avenue South
Edina, MN 55435
Phone: [952] 924-5005
Fax: [952] 924-5933

Founded: 1960

Employees: 3 part-time [1.1 FTE total] + 1 volunteer

Hours: 7:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Monday-Friday

Contact: Mary B. Carlson, Knowledge Manager <mcarlso1@fairview.org>

The Function
Fairview Southdale Hospital [FSH] Library Services -- AKA the Mary Ann McIntyre King Health Sciences Library -- is one of three Fairview Health Services Libraries operated by the award-winning Fairview Health Services system of community hospitals and clinics. [Fairview Southdale Hospital was recently named a Thomson Reuters 100 Top Hospital for 2009, marking the fourth year that FSH ranked among leading U.S. hospitals setting the nation's cardiovascular benchmarks for inpatient care.]

Open to the public, FSH Library's sister libraries include the University of Minnesota Medical Center -- Fairview Library Services, located in Minneapolis, and Fairview Ridges Hospital Library Services, in Burnsville.

Each weekday, FSH medical librarians fulfill dozens of literature and information search requests submitted by physicians, nurses, administrators, etc.; respond to myriad reference questions from hospital personnel, patients, caregivers, visitors and others; and arrange interlibrary loans with other local libraries -- as well as state, regional and national networks -- to fill special requests for materials.

In addition, FSH Library staff help customers search the library's online databases and print collection of medical reference sources -- including texts, directories and handbooks -- plus consumer health books to find the latest and most credible health information about diverse topics [e.g., alternative medicine, brain health, cancer, diabetes management, drug interactions, heart disease, nutrition, orthopedics, weight loss surgery].

Periodically, on an as-requested basis, FSH Library staff also conduct individual and group training sessions to teach hospital employees how to fully utilize the library's comprehensive technologies, print and online health information resources, and services.

The Partners
Since FSH Library launched its "Meet the Authors" series about five years ago, several award-winning writers have shared their literary talents and insights. Among the featured scribes [in alphabetical order]:

* Charles Baxter ["The Soul Thief," "Burning Down the House"]

* Carl Brookins ["A Superior Mystery," "The Case of the Greedy Lawyers"]

* Brian Freeman ["In the Dark," "Stalked"]

* Ellen Hart ["The Mirror and the Mask," "Sweet Poison"]

* David Housewright ["Jelly's Gold," "Dead Boyfriends"]

* Julie Kramer ["Missing Mark," "Stalking Susan"]

* William Kent Krueger ["Heaven's Keep," "Iron Lake"]

* Alison McGhee ["Shadow Baby," "Always"]

* Scott Muskin ["The Annunciations of Hank Meyerson"]

* Faith Sullivan ["Gardenias," "What a Woman Must Do"]

* Mary Winstead ["Back to Mississippi: A Personal Journey Through the Events that Changed America in 1964"]

The Buzz
During the past 50 years, FSH Library has had three managers and operated in about a half-dozen locations. Two years ago, it moved to its current high-traffic spot -- i.e., near the base of the stairs leading to the main-floor patient check-in desk and parking ramp, down the hall from the cafeteria, and right next to Caffé Amoré [for more upscale offerings, including real espresso drinks]. Replete with helpful and friendly staff, seven Internet-access computers, guest wireless network, conference table, daily Star Tribune, plus six sections of floor-to-ceiling print resources, it's a very popular and well-used space by hospital employees and visitors alike.

On a daily basis, FSH Library also offers a welcome respite. During a recent Friday afternoon, for example, a patient's mother phoned to inquire about the library's weekend hours. The next day, she was taking her son off life support, and was hoping that Internet access would be available so she could inform family members and friends via e-mail. Mary Carlson, 25-year FSH Library manager, told the woman that, even though the library was officially closed on Saturdays, FSH security officers would be alerted to grant her admission.

Leadership Q&A
Kari Larson, GoodBiz113: Businesses gauge success in terms of annual sales, revenues, etc. How do you quantify your success?

Mary Carlson, FSH Library: For us, it's all about tracking daily traffic and use. For instance, since relocating here, we've seen a 190 percent increase in walk-ins -- for computer use, reference questions, collection-browsing, you name it. The consumer piece of that growth is huge. We went from responding to an average of one consumer-related question per day, to researching seven questions per day. Of course, that's in addition to the growing number of requests we receive from hospital staff.


GoodBiz113: Who, exactly, are your customers?

Mary Carlson: We're here to serve physicians, nurses, consumers -- basically, anyone who has medical information or consumer health information needs.


GoodBiz113: How is FSH Library funded?

Mary Carlson: We're funded as part of Fairview Southdale Hospital's budget. Recently, we also received our first-ever endowment, which came from a library volunteer whose late husband had been a patient here. She and I became friends, and celebrated her husband's birthday every year. Before her death last year, she arranged for a very generous gift to the library.


GoodBiz113: Fairview's stated vision is "To be the best health care delivery system for America, in partnership with the University of Minnesota." Its goals are: 1] exceptional clinical care; 2] exceptional patient and family experience; 3] effective and efficient use of resources; and 4] strategic growth. On a day-to-day basis, how does FSH Library serve Fairview's vision and help meet those goals?

Mary Carlson: We sit right behind education in order to support the research needs of physicians, staff and consumers. The bottom line is delivering optimal patient care, and we do everything possible to make that happen.


GoodBiz113: When did FSH Library launch its "Meet the Authors" series? What was the catalyst for doing so?

Mary Carlson: We started showcasing area authors five years ago. Mary Winstead, Fairview Southdale Hospital's former P.R. director, wrote a book -- "Back to Mississippi" [Hyperion] -- about the civil-rights movement in the 1960s South, and we thought people should know about it. Since then, we've had some great feedback. On one occasion, for instance, a woman from the public told me, "I hadn't read a book in three years. Your event really inspired me to start reading again." It's a risk in a hospital setting to host these writers, because we never know if we're going to attract five people or 25 people. As long as the interest is there, though, we'll keep doing them.


GoodBiz113: How many authors have you hosted since then?

Mary Carlson: We've featured at least a dozen writers -- including author-comedian Lorna Landvik, who, due to bad weather, did the entire event via speakerphone. At first, I initiated the contacts with authors. Now, I receive e-mail queries all the time from writers who want to be part of our series.


GoodBiz113: Typically, your "Meet the Authors" events are held during the lunch hour. What do you want to have happen during that hour?

Mary Carlson: My mother always said, "It doesn't matter what you read, if you pick up just one insight or bit of information you didn't have before, it's worth it." These events are designed to give people insights into writers' vivid imaginations, and to provide a break from the day-to-day... We read nonfiction all day, and tend to reach for the same genres of books over and over again. Our "Meet the Authors" sessions simply invite people to de-stress, relax, get lost in a thrilling adventure, and rediscover the joy of reading fiction.


GoodBiz113: Heretofore, what is your most successful and/or memorable "Meet the Authors" event? Why?

Mary Carlson: One time, we hosted an author from Brainerd. Someone from her childhood -- who had grown up right next door to her -- found out she was speaking here, and came to surprise her. That was a delightful and heartwarming reunion to witness.


GoodBiz113: GoodBiz113 is all about win-win-win partnerships. Who are the winners in this series that you've created?

Mary Carlson: First, the author wins as a result of reaching more people with his or her work. Second, our customers win by discovering, or rediscovering, a genre they probably don't experience that often, as well as the chance to connect with regional storytellers. Finally, Fairview benefits by giving a positive experience -- a mini-vacation, of sorts -- to our multifaceted base of internal and external customers.


Author Q&A
On Jan. 22, 2010, internationally acclaimed suspense novelist Brian Freeman [pictured] is making his second "Meet the Authors" appearance at FSH. His latest book, "The Burying Place" [Minotaur Books], is set in Grand Rapids, Minn., and will be released on April 13, 2010. Last week, GoodBiz113 cornered the best-selling author for an interview via e-mail.


GoodBiz113: During the course of a year, how many book-related events do you do? Types of events? Geographic range of those events? Most interesting/off-the-beaten-path [read: non-bookstore] venue?

Brian Freeman: I usually do 30 or more events in an average year -- mostly, book-club discussion groups, library visits, and bookstore signings. Most of my events are in the Upper Midwest, because I can get to the locations by driving. But, over the last few years, I’ve also done book events in 20 states and four foreign countries. Sometimes, I’m in small towns in the middle of nowhere; sometimes, I’m in big cities. You never know what you’re going to get with book events. I remember once, I did an event at a bookstore in St. Louis -- only to discover that the event happened to coincide with the first home game of the World Series...in St. Louis! Not great timing. You’ll usually find me in libraries or bookstores, but not always. We had a lot of fun this past summer, when I was “Brian on a stick” at the Minnesota State Fair.


GoodBiz113: Why take time away from your writing to do a one-hour event with Fairview's health-care professionals, administrators, etc.?

Brian Freeman: I don’t write just for myself -- I write for readers! One of the great joys of my career is the opportunity to discuss my books with people who enjoy reading. My novels are dark and suspenseful, but my events are always fun -- with lots of stories and laughter. I’m really not as scary as you might think from reading my books. Really.


GoodBiz113: You've done a previous "Meet the Authors" event. How would you characterize the FSH audience?

Brian Freeman: FSH delivers a great crowd, with plenty of enthusiasm and questions. Great questions make an event work. Speakers will tell you they get energized by the electricity of the crowd, and that’s absolutely true. If the audience is engaged, everyone has more fun. I was delighted to schedule a return visit to FSH because the first visit was so entertaining.


GoodBiz113: GoodBiz113 is, in great part, about win-win-win alliances formed between small businesses and nonprofits and/or public agencies. Who wins when FSH Library hosts a world-class author like yourself for one of its "Meet the Authors" events?

Brian Freeman: It’s certainly a winning formula for me, because I get to meet my readers face-to-face and talk about my books to new readers who may be curious about what I do. I also think that more and more businesses and nonprofits are looking to add value for their employees by giving them cultural opportunities at work. It’s not always easy for people to get away to bookstore and library events in the evenings, or on the weekends when they’re busy with their families. So, events like the FSH book club give them the chance to explore the world of publishing during the day.


GoodBiz113: Any additional comments?

Brian Freeman: I’ve done great events and not-so-great events, and the difference is always the enthusiasm of the person putting the event together. Mary’s energy for the FSH book club is infectious, and that’s why the events work so well. She came and sought me out at the St. Paul Library specifically to invite me to participate at FSH. That level of outreach makes a huge difference.


"Meet the Authors" guest Brian Freeman will be speaking from 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 22, 2010, in the Au Fait Room, located on the lower level of Fairview Southdale Hospital. Beverages and cookies will be served. The book discussion and Q&A event is free, and everyone is welcome to attend.

To learn more about Brian, go to http://www.bfreemanbooks.com/. Or, check out his Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/bfreemanbooks.
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Click Here to Browse the U.S. Hardcover and Paperback Editions of Brian Freeman's Best-Selling Suspense Novels.

Minnesota-Based Marvin Windows and Doors Has Lessons for All Businesses

Yesterday, the Star Tribune published a timely story about Marvin Windows and Doors, a Minnesota-based, privately owned business that has prospered since 1912 by treating its stakeholders well and by generously giving back to the communities in which it operates -- in good economic times and otherwise.

Sue Marvin, president, and part of the third generation now running the company, divulged the company's design for success: "If you take care of your customers and you take care of your employees, your shareholders will be just fine."

Owners and managers of businesses large and small could learn a thing or two from this near-century-old enterprise that thrives well beyond the bottom line. Invest a few minutes to read the story: http://budurl.com/MarvinWindows.

* * *

On that note... Here's some recommended reading for current and would-be entrepreneurs and business leaders: "In Pursuit of the Common Good: Twenty-Five Years of Improving the World, One Bottle of Salad Dressing at a Time," co-authored by the late Paul Newman and A.E. Hotchner, founders of Newman's Own -- the first green food company to use all-natural ingredients, and still the most successful.

By "shamelessly exploiting" opportunities -- and, yes, well-deserved global celebrity -- Paul Newman and Newman's Own Foundation have contributed more than $280 million to thousands of charities worldwide.

Enjoy this informative, fun and inspiring read!

SOURCES: Marvin Windows and Doors [photo], Star Tribune
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Klobuchar Fights for Fairness for Minnesota Chrysler and GM Dealers

As part of her ongoing efforts to address the concerns of Minnesota’s auto dealers, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar [D-Minn.] yesterday questioned top executives from General Motors and Chrysler about their plans to close dozens of dealerships in the state, and pushed for a restructuring process that is fair to all dealers.

At a Commerce Committee hearing, Klobuchar highlighted the importance of local dealers to their communities and urged GM and Chrysler to give full and fair consideration to the concerns of these dealers and their employees. Witnesses at the hearing included GM CEO Fritz Henderson, Chrysler Vice Chairman and President Jim Press, and auto dealership representatives.

"This isn’t just about Detroit or Washington," said Klobuchar. "This is about locally owned businesses, as well as the employees, customers and communities who depend on them."

At the hearing, Klobuchar pushed GM and Chrysler executives for answers to why they are closing so many dealers and how they decided which dealers to close. Klobuchar noted that many of the dealers in Minnesota that were notified of closure are dealers that are doing well, especially in the current economy.

She highlighted Walser Buick Pontiac GMC in Bloomington, Fury Dodge Chrysler in Lake Elmo, and Koronis Motors in Paynesville as examples of successful dealers that have been targeted for termination.

"Those termination decisions may have been made in the boardrooms of Detroit, but they have already had devastating consequences in living rooms across the country," Klobuchar noted. "From the perspective of many auto dealers and the local communities they serve, the restructuring process looks neither fair nor orderly. We need a process that is transparent and fair."

In recent months, Klobuchar has worked directly with Minnesota dealers, the auto companies and the Obama Administration to seek relief for dealerships that have been designated for closure. Today, she met with the Minnesota Auto Dealers Association, and met with the president of GM North America, and Chrysler Vice Chairman and President Jim Press yesterday.

Additionally, Klobuchar has sponsored an amendment, introduced with Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison [R-Tex.], which would ensure that dealerships have an extra 60 days to close their operations and sell remaining inventory.

"I’ve made it very clear to both the Obama Administration and the car companies that our local dealers must be treated fairly as the auto industry works toward a stable future," Klobuchar said.

Klobuchar was joined at the hearing by several Minnesota dealers, including: Scott Preusse Motors in Redwood Falls [Chrysler]: Koronis Motors in Paynesville [GM]; Walser Buick Pontiac GMC in Bloomington [GM); Shakopee Chevrolet Pontiac in Shakopee [GM]; Nelson Auto Center in Fergus Falls [GM]; and Fury Dodge Chrysler in Lake Elmo (Chrysler].

GoodBiz113's take: Thank you, Sen. Klobuchar, for once again advocating on small businesses' behalf -- as well as that of our myriad stakeholders. Hopefully, Al Franken [D-Minn.] will soon be allowed to take his rightfully elected U.S. Senate seat in order to complement your seemingly tireless [?] aim of working on behalf of all Minnesotans.

SOURCES: Sen. Amy Klobuchar: Working for the People of Minnesota [photo], U.S. Senate Commerce Committee
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Verbatim: Georgia's Martin-Chambliss Runoff Election Campaign Tops Week's Features

Every week, GoodBiz113 features influencers who are propelling the interests of small-business owners, entrepreneurs, consultants, self-employed folks, artists, etc.

* "Georgia voters are being hit with misleading ads from both sides as Republican Sen. Chambliss battles Democratic challenger Jim Martin [pictured] in a Dec. 2 runoff election... In one ad, Chambliss tells viewers that Martin 'wants to help Barack Obama raise taxes on nearly every small business in Georgia.' Not so. What Obama has proposed would affect only the most affluent 2.4 percent of small-business owners, or less." -- FactCheck.org, a project of the University of Pennsylvania's Public Policy Center ["Peach State Piffle," Newsweek, 11/21/2008]

* "You want businesses to focus on running their business. You don't want them to devote any brain cells to focusing on the tax code." -- Tim Kane, an economist and a senior fellow at the Kauffman Foundation ["Is a Small-Business Tax Cut Coming?" U.S. News & World Report, 11/24/2008]

* “The frozen lending market has left small businesses in the cold as we face the holiday rush... I'm glad the Secretary has taken our warnings seriously and taken this step forward. It should provide some needed relief at a critical time. We hope small businesses will continue to get the help they deserve as further steps are taken to repair our ailing economy.” -- Sen. John Kerry [D-Mass.], chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, on Nov. 25, after U.S. Treasury Department officials announced their plan to infuse $20 billion into the secondary market through loans to asset managers -- a middle-of-the-road approach that will help to inject some liquidity into the market, and should make it easier for entrepreneurs to gain access to credit as they look to stock up on holiday supplies and services. One week prior to the announcement, Kerry had collaborated with Sens. Olympia Snowe [R-Maine] and Charles Schumer [D-N.Y.] to urge Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson to channel a portion of the $700 billion rescue package [AKA Wall Street bailout] to be used to purchase government-backed small-business loans through the Troubled Assets Relief Program [TARP].

* "We'll be looking for long-term sustainable solutions... I think everyone who knows me knows I'm a different kind of Democrat. I'm an Alaskan... I support drilling. Alaskans are libertarians, we are independent. We like to have our individual rights and freedoms but also recognize we are a resource state." -- Mark Begich, who defeated longtime Sen. Ted Stevens on Nov. 4, and has his sights on assignments on the U.S. Senate Appropriations, Finance, Commerce and/or Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committees. ["Begich Takes U.S. Senate," Homer Tribune, 11/26/2008]

* “We all know the economy is in deep trouble... I believe the best response is to create jobs on Main Street and provide the middle class with significant relief, while also building a solid foundation for long-term prosperity... President-elect Barack Obama’s economic recovery plan should be especially good for Minnesota, with his focus on infrastructure and renewable energy. I want to go back to Washington and advocate for this recovery plan, based on what we’re already doing in Minnesota and what more needs to be done.” -- Sen. Amy Klobuchar [D-Minn.], before embarking today [Dec. 1] on her weeklong, 17-city Main Street Jobs Tour of businesses throughout Minnesota, to focus on opportunities for job creation with infrastructure and renewable-energy projects

GoodBiz113's take: America's small businesses would be so much better off if all of our senators and representatives in Congress followed Sen. Amy Klobuchar's example; i.e., actually getting out to meet and talk with us about business funding, affordable health insurance, taxes, etc. Given his small-biz-friendly stance on such issues, Jim Martin impresses us one who would do just that. Hopefully, during tomorrow's runoff election, Georgia voters will elect Martin to the U.S. Senate.

SOURCES: FactCheck.org, Homer Tribune, Newsweek, Politico.com, U.S. Department of the Treasury, U.S. News & World Report, U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship
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Facing Campaign Financing Fraud Charges, Sen. Norm Coleman Tries to Smear Minnesota DFL Challenger Al Franken

This week, a Republican businessman in Texas by the name of Paul McKim filed a lawsuit this week against Nasser Kazeminy. Kazeminy is one of Sen. Norm Coleman's biggest donors and closest friends. In fact, he's the same man who flew Coleman on his private jet to vacations in the Bahamas and Paris.

Only a small portion of the lawsuit has anything to do with Norm Coleman -- but the part that does is incredibly serious. McKim's sworn affidavit, since corroborated by a second lawsuit, describes an effort to funnel $75,000 to Sen. Coleman's wife.

So, are the allegations true? That's yet to be determined. Still, no one at the Al Franken for U.S. Senate campaign reportedly knew a thing about this lawsuit, and had never even heard of this company or Paul McKim, until they read about it in the newspaper.

Then came yesterday. Instead of answering these very serious allegations, Norm Coleman released a TV ad, blaming DFL challenger Al Franken for the lawsuit. It shows Coleman, seated on a couch next to his wife, Laurie, as he looks directly into the camera and says, "This time, Al Franken's crossed the line... I'm fair game for his ugly smears. My wife and family are not."

"It's his most dishonest ad of the year," wrote Andy Barr, Al Franken for U.S. Senate's communications director, to campaign supporters today. "That ad is up on TV right now. And it's a despicable lie. Franken had nothing to do with this lawsuit. Norm Coleman, faced with sworn allegations of a conspiracy to funnel him improper payments, is trying to deflect blame by lying about Al Franken in a TV ad."

According to the Star Tribune, Coleman called this an "11th-hour attack" on his re-election campaign. The Star Tribune also reported that, "within an hour [of the ad's airing], Franken abruptly canceled an appearance at a campaign rally in Minneapolis to hustle over to a DFL Party news conference, where he denied the accusations and called Coleman's remarks 'insulting to voters.'"

There, Franken looked directly into the camera and flat-out discredited the notion of any wrongdoing. "Senator Coleman looks the people of Minnesota in the eye and lies," he said. "I'm being blamed for crossing a line and I didn't do a thing. And our campaign didn't do a thing."

"It has been a long campaign, and a tough one," noted Barr. "Norm Coleman has sunk to historic depths to smear Al Franken and make this election about something -- anything other than his own record and the issues that affect the people of Minnesota."

DSCC Issues Memo: "It's Time for Norm to Go"
These lawsuits come within days of a Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee memo, rhetorically asking, "Does Norm Coleman deserve to be re-elected?"

It goes on to highlight a handful of compelling numbers reflecting Coleman's service as Minnesota's senior U.S. Senator in the seat once held by the late Paul Wellstone:
* 52 free trips paid for by special interests
* Over $600,000 from big oil and drug companies
* Living almost rent-free in the $1,000,000 home of a Washington insider
* Ranked the 4th most corrupt senator in Washington
* Coleman voted nearly 90% of the time with George Bush -- together, running up a $10 trillion national debt

The DSCC memo cites dozens of credible sources -- including specific votes that Coleman has cast -- and then concludes, "It’s time for Norm to go."

GoodBiz113's take: We agree: It is time for Norm Coleman to go. After all he's done for George W. Bush, big corporations and myriad special interests, he should be able to land at least one or two consulting and/or lobbying gigs. Now, it's time for small businesses, entrepreneurs, farmers, etc., in Minnesota and across the nation to have real champions in the U.S. Senate. Al Franken will aptly fill Paul Wellstone's seat with integrity, vision, ingenuity, compassion and, very likely, some terrific post-Bush era humor, too.

SOURCES: Al Franken for U.S. Senate, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, Star Tribune
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Franken Demands Immediate Congressional Hearings re Banks' Abuse of $700 Billion Bailout

Minnesota DFL candidate Al Franken -- the only U.S. Senate candidate who opposed the $700 billion Wall Street bailout -- today called for immediate hearings in light of reports indicating that banks may not be using those funds to unfreeze credit markets but, rather, for other purposes -- with the encouragement of the Treasury Department.

"Washington sprung into immediate action when Wall Street was in trouble, but there's been no help for struggling homeowners on Main Street and no solutions for middle-class families and small businesses hurt by the failed economic policies of the last eight years," said Franken. "And now we find that the $700 billion bailout is being used not to solve the problem, but to handpick winners and losers on Wall Street. That's an outrage.

"Taxpayer dollars should be helping taxpayers, not going to pad the bottom lines of the Wall Street bankers whose bad bets got us into this mess. This is exactly why we should never have passed this bill without proper accountability. And it's time for Congress to take action."

Earlier this month, the Bush administration announced that it would use bailout funds to inject capital directly into banks. They claimed that this would allow credit to start flowing again as banks lent that money to other entities. But recent reports indicate that, instead, the banks receiving these funds are using them to buy up other, smaller banks. And the Treasury Department, according to a column by New York Times financial columnist Joe Nocera, is encouraging the practice.

Meanwhile, Wall Street financial institutions like Morgan Stanley and Merrill Lynch continue to pay out billions in bonuses, despite receiving bailout funds.

This morning, during his statewide "For The Middle Class, For A Change" bus tour, Franken stopped at Bouquets by Carolyn, a small business located in St. Paul, Minn. There, he called for:
* Immediate hearings into potential abuses of the $700 billion bailout by Wall Street banks
* Straight answers from the Bush administration on its real plans for these taxpayer dollars
* An administration guarantee that banks receiving bailout funds will use them to lend
* A revocation of U.S. Treasury Department Secretary Henry Paulson's authority to implement the bailout if he cannot explain how his plan is serving taxpayers

In an editorial today, the New York Times wrote, "Shortly after the bailout was enacted, The Times's Mark Landler reported that Treasury officials also wanted to steer the bailout billions to banks that would use the money to buy up other banks. Now, lo and behold, with $250 billion in bailout funds committed to dozens of large and regional banks, it turns out that many of the recipients of this investment from taxpayers are not all that interested in making loans. And it appears that Mr. Paulson is not so bothered by their reluctance."

Case in point: Merrill Lynch. Two days ago, Bloomberg reported that, while Merrill Lynch is laying off employees, the financial institution is paying out billions in bonuses. According to Bloomberg, "Five straight quarters of losses and a 70 percent slide in its stock this year haven't stopped Merrill Lynch & Co. from allocating about $6.7 billion to pay bonuses ... The money Merrill has set aside for bonuses equates to an average $110,000 for each of its 60,900 people, up from $108,000 a year ago because more than 3,000 jobs have been cut."

Apparently, Merrill Lynch isn't the only bailout recipient that's utilizing taxpayer funds to reward its employees. Bloomberg also reported that Morgan Stanley and Lehman are both setting aside billions for bonus payments. According to Bloomberg, "Even some employees at Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc., which declared the biggest bankruptcy in U.S. history last month, will get the same bonus they received a year ago ... Morgan Stanley, the second-biggest securities firm until it also converted to a bank, has $6.44 billion for bonuses, or $138,700 per person, down 20 percent from last year."

GoodBiz113's take: Al Franken is right: Congressional oversight is needed, post-haste, to hold the Wall Street bailout recipients accountable for seeing that taxpayer funds are used to help fuel America's economy [e.g., small businesses, homeowners, working families], as intended -- not to lavishly reward their own fat-cat executives and employees.

SOURCES: Al Franken for U.S. Senate, Bloomberg, New York Times
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'Jobs, Baby, Jobs': Al Franken Wins Fourth Debate by Focusing on Minnesota's Middle Class, Small Businesses; Kicks off GOTV Bus Tour

By all accounts, Al Franken won his fourth consecutive U.S. Senate debate last night -- not by yelling the loudest or throwing the most elbows at his opponents, but by focusing on his middle-class economic agenda.

"Al Franken is proving that you don't need to be a career politician to win debates if you're the candidate of change in an election that's all about change," said Andy Barr, Al Franken for U.S. Senate communications director, just after the debate ended.

"Tonight, Minnesota voters saw that it's Al Franken who will be a strong voice for the middle class," Barr noted. "It doesn't matter how slick his opponents' rhetoric is, or how many elbows come his way. Al Franken won this debate for the same reason he'll win this election: He's the candidate of the middle class, and the candidate of change."

Perhaps in recognition of Al Franken's recent lead in public polls, both Norm Coleman and Dean Barkley frequently attacked Franken. But Franken stayed focused on his core economic message.

"The reason I voted against -- or would have voted against -- the bailout package, is that it didn't really do anything on golden parachutes and bonuses," Franken noted during the dabate. "That's one of the many reasons...

"Look, people are hurting, and we need to get the economy working again. Now my mantra is 'jobs, baby, jobs,' and here are the things that I would do to keep the jobs that we have and create new jobs:

"One, build. Build new bridges and roads and schools... infrastructure. We've always built infrastructure, and it always has a multiplier effect and creates good jobs.

"Secondly, let's address the housing crisis head-on. I agree with Barack Obama: We have to help families -- who, through no fault of their own, are in trouble -- stay in their homes.

"Third, let's stop rewarding companies that are offshoring our jobs, American jobs, overseas. They're getting tax breaks; we should stop that.

"OK, let's get credit into the hands of small businesses. That's fourth.

"Fifth, a green economy. Let's make Minnesota the epicenter of a green economy that can create hundreds of thousands of jobs.

"Finally, [get] tax cuts into the hands of the middle class. The middle class is the engine of our economy. We have to stop tilting all these tax cuts and tax giveaways to the special interests."

"For The Middle Class, For A Change"
This morning, Al Franken kicked off his "For The Middle Class, For A Change" get-out-the-vote bus tour at a DFL get-out-the-vote rally in St. Paul. The rally launched a statewide barnstorm of Minnesota for the last 10 days of the campaign.

Franken called for fundamental change in Washington, detailed a bold economic agenda for Minnesota's middle class, and urged supporters to take action as part of the DFL's grassroots GOTV campaign. The unprecedented campaign will involve 77,000 volunteers making 1.5 million phone calls and 2.8 million door-knocks before Election Day.

"Folks are frustrated, they're anxious, and, frankly, they're outraged -- and they have a right to be all three," Franken declared. "Washington just isn't working for Minnesota's middle-class families. And if we want change, we're going to have to work for it.

"I want to go to Washington and work with President Barack Obama and Sen. Amy Klobuchar to stand up for Minnesota's middle-class families. And I'm calling on everyone who's ready for change to stand with me in this campaign."

Al Franken also detailed his plan for rebuilding the middle-class economy:

* Bring back oversight on Wall Street and address the housing crisis
* Cut taxes for middle-class families
* Make health care and college more affordable
* Protect Social Security
* End giveaways to special interests, like big drug and oil companies
* Repeal tax breaks for companies that ship American jobs overseas
* Create jobs by investing in infrastructure and renewable energy
* Make credit available to small businesses

Today, Franken headed to St. Paul, Albert Lea, Austin and St. Peter; Vice President Walter Mondale joined Franken in Austin and Albert Lea. Tomorrow, Franken will campaign with Congressman Keith Ellison in St. Paul and Minneapolis.

On Monday, Franken will visit St. Cloud, Morris, Crookston, Climax, Moorhead, Brainerd and Bemidji. Congressman Collin Peterson will join Franken for several events throughout the 7th Congressional District.

GoodBiz113's take: It's no wonder that Al Franken carried the day with his strong, clear and focused economic agenda for Minnesota's middle-class families and households, and small businesses. Franken truly is the candidate of change for Minnesotans, and all Americans will benefit from his win-win-win vision and service in the U.S. Senate.

SOURCES: Al Franken for U.S. Senate, Twin Cities Public Television
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Franken Proposes Bold Economic Solutions for Middle Class, Main Street

DFL U.S. Senate candidate Al Franken today addressed the Humphrey Institute 2008 Candidate Forum at the University of Minnesota. In his remarks, Franken called for bold action to help Minnesota's middle class: cutting taxes on working families; ending giveaways to special interests and companies that outsource; creating jobs by investing in short-term infrastructure projects; and helping small businesses find credit in an uncertain economy.

Franken also reiterated his opposition to the $700 billion Wall Street bailout, describing his concerns with the lack of oversight for the financial-services industry and the failure of Washington to address the housing crisis that sparked the economic downturn.

"We have got to change the way Washington handles the economy," Franken told the audience. "There are too many people there who believe that wealth comes from the top -- that what drives our economy is when a CEO gets a big tax cut and builds, oh, I don't know, a seventh house.

"Well, I guess that does create a few jobs, especially if it's a really fancy house. But I grew up in a middle-class family in St. Louis Park [Minn.]. And I know that it's the middle class that is the engine of prosperity in America. And what drives our economy is when everyone has a good job, and makes a decent wage, and we're building millions of homes.

"So, I believe that if we're going to re-build our economy in the wake of this massive collapse, it's going to start with re-building the middle class. That means stopping the giveaways to the special interests and putting more money in middle-class family budgets. And it means creating and protecting good jobs that offer people a chance to get ahead.

"This bailout was the exclamation point on eight years of economic mismanagement. Now is the time for us to change fundamentally the ways of Washington, so that at least it might, indeed, be the end of the sentence.

"And if we make that change, we'll be alright. We are Americans. We are the country that beat communism and beat fascism, and we can beat this crisis.

"But the people who will get our economy moving again don't work on Wall Street. They work here on Payne Avenue and in every city and town in this country. They own body shops and hair salons, and they sell bicycles and lawnmowers and homemade cookies. And, you know what? They need help. They need it now. And it's time Washington got to work."

SOLUTIONS FOR THE MIDDLE-CLASS ECONOMY: AL FRANKEN'S PLAN TO CREATE JOBS IN MINNESOTA

Al Franken believes that we need fundamental change from the policies that have put our economic security at risk. But the best way to emerge from the current economic downturn is by creating and protecting middle-class jobs here in Minnesota.

A Lifeline for Minnesota Small Businesses
Minnesota's small businesses -- which create four out of every five jobs in our state -- are paying the price for the mess on Wall Street. They are finding it harder and harder to obtain the credit they need to cover start-up costs, expand their operations, or hire new employees. To help them, Al Franken will work to unfreeze the credit market.

* Expand the Small Business Administration's Loan Guaranty Program by $1 billion, and make another $4 billion available for direct loans to small businesses.

* Simplify the loan approval process and eliminate fees for lenders and borrowers, and expand the network of lenders to increase liquidity and help small businesses get better loan rates.

Create Jobs by Investing in Infrastructure
According to the Department of Transportation, each $1 billion invested in transportation development creates over 47,500 jobs and over $1.3 billion in worker income -- and up to $6 billion in additional gross domestic product. Right now, there are projects ready to be started -- and Minnesotans ready to do this important work.

* Create nearly 150,000 jobs by investing $2 billion to pay for deferred infrastructure repair projects, and another $1 billion for capital costs of facilities and equipment needed to improve multi-modal transportation options like the Midwest Regional Rail Initiative.

An Apollo Program to Create Green Jobs
Our energy crisis could be a huge opportunity for Minnesota. With an Apollo program for renewable energy and energy efficiency, we can end our dependence on foreign oil, make our nation more secure, improve our environment -- and create "green" jobs by making Minnesota the epicenter and the engine of a new energy economy.

* Invest in research and development into new and existing renewable energy technologies: wind, solar, biofuels, carbon sequestration, and more.

* Support U.S. House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Chairman Jim Oberstar's work to make increased availability and use of rail -- light rail, commuter rail, inter-city passenger rail -- a reality.

* Work with entrepreneurs in Minnesota to support energy-efficient technologies, such as windows and other "green building" initiatives.

End Tax Breaks for Companies That Ship Jobs Overseas
We've lost over 600,000 jobs in America just this year. Now, Minnesota's unemployment rate is the highest it's been in 22 years -- with 170,000 people unable to find work. Part of the problem is that we've seen our tax code changed to encourage companies to ship American jobs overseas. Al Franken will work to reverse that.

* Strip companies of the nearly $40 billion in tax breaks they received to ship American jobs overseas, and use that money to promote domestic manufacturing.

* Support worker re-training programs that help those whose jobs have been lost.

GoodBiz113's take: Al Franken's proposed solutions are bold -- and very much needed in order to help get small businesses, and our nation, moving again. Kudos to Al Franken for having the vision and guts to conceive and articulate such a far-reaching strategy.

SOURCE: Al Franken for U.S. Senate, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Department of Transportation, U.S. Small Business Administration
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Not sure where your polling place is? At VoteForChange.com, you can find out exactly where to vote and get crucial voting information.

Franken Campaign Releases Two New Ads Focusing on the Economy, Middle-Class Families and Small Businesses

Just one day after Minnesota's U.S. Senate candidate Al Franken unveiled his proposal to unfreeze credit and help small businesses create jobs, his campaign released two new television spots highlighting Franken's strong message on middle-class economic issues and supporting small businesses. The ads -- "Get to Work" and "Honest Differences" -- began airing this morning and will run statewide.

"The election comes down to a simple choice," said Andy Barr, communications director of the Al Franken for Senate campaign. "Norm Coleman chose Bush economics over Minnesota's middle class. And, now, Minnesotans have a chance to choose a new direction. In these ads, Al Franken lays out his plans to help the middle class: Cut taxes for middle-class families, create jobs, bring real oversight to Wall Street, and work to put our economy back on track."


SCRIPT: "Get To Work"
Al Franken: It's such a tough time. People's life savings are literally slipping away. We have got to change the disastrous policies of the Bush administration. I don't have all the answers – but here's where we start. Let's stop the billions of dollars in giveaways to big oil and drug companies. Bring real oversight to Wall Street. Work to make college affordable. And fix the economy to help the middle class. I'm Al Franken. I approve this message. Because it's time to get to work.


SCRIPT: "Honest Differences"
Announcer: Honest differences on the issues that matter to your family. The economy: Al Franken supports tax breaks for the middle class. A five thousand-dollar tax credit to help families pay for college. Stop giveaways to the special interests. Norm Coleman? He supported George Bush's economic plan all the way, voting for budgets that have left us ten trillion dollars in debt. It's Al Franken who will stand up for the middle class. For a change.

Al Franken: I'm Al Franken, and I approve this message.


GoodBiz113's take: During this election year, while far too many candidates have stooped to unleashing petty, baseless and mean-spirited attacks on their opponents, it's refreshing to see and hear specific, pragmatic and forthright proposals -- especially those that pertain directly to economy-propelling small businesses.

SOURCE: Al Franken for U.S. Senate
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Joined by Sen. Dorgan, Franken Proposes New Lifeline for Minnesota Small Businesses

Joined by Sen. Byron Dorgan [D - N.D.] and two local small-business owners, DFL U.S. Senate candidate Al Franken [D-Minn.] today offered a new proposal to unfreeze credit for Minnesota small businesses. His initiative is part of an economic recovery plan designed to create jobs and help Minnesota families in these tough economic times.

Franken unveiled the plan today at a news conference, joined by Dorgan and two local entrepreneurs:

* Mallard Teal is the owner of Payne Ave. Body Shop. A small-business loan enabled him to renovate his storefront and expand his business.

* Mary Leonard is the owner of Chocolat Celeste. She applies for a seasonal loan each year to expand production and hire additional employees for the busy Christmas season -- but this year, has been unable to acquire that capital.

"George Bush and Norm Coleman just don't get it: giveaways to the special interests and tax cuts for millionaire CEOs don't create jobs," Franken declared. "Small businesses create jobs. And, while Washington rushed to bail out huge corporations on Wall Street, we're going to lose jobs here in Minnesota if we don't do something to unfreeze credit for our small businesses. My proposal will ensure that folks like Mallard and Mary can continue to grow their operations and get our economy moving again."

Dorgan wholeheartedly agreed. "Al and I both opposed the bailout because it didn't protect taxpayers by adding in provisions to make sure this type of meltdown would not happen again," he said. "Al Franken is now proposing smart ideas to get this economy moving. We need him in the Senate to help fight for the middle class and stand up to the special interests."

Franken's proposal generates $4 billion for direct loans to small businesses through the Small Business Administration [SBA], and adds another $1 billion to the SBA's loan guaranty programs. It also simplifies the process of obtaining these loans; eliminates associated fees; and expands the network of lenders to increase liquidity and secure better loan rates for small businesses.

The initial $5 billion investment will be repaid by small businesses, resulting in no net cost to taxpayers over time. But Franken called for the $5 billion upfront cost to be paid for, in the short term, by taking it out of the $700 billion earmarked for the bailout package, or by eliminating unwarranted and excess stock-option deductions on executive compensation.

SOURCE: Al Franken for U.S. Senate
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Franken Frames U.S. Senate Race at Farmfest Debate

As today's three-day 27th Annual Farmfest kicked off at the Gilfillan Estate in Redwood County, Minn., U.S. Senate challenger Al Franken took on incumbent Sen. Norm Coleman [D-Minn.] during their first debate of the general election.

During the course of the debate, Franken effectively framed the race while making his case that Minnesotans need a senator who will stand up for them -- not the myriad special interests with which Coleman has been linked. The upshot: Franken's strong performance demonstrated that he's ready to bring change to Washington as a United States Senator.

"Al Franken kept this debate focused on the issues -- the economy, energy prices, farm policy -- and on Norm Coleman's record of selling out the middle class," said Andy Barr, communications director of the Franken campaign. "That's how Al won the debate, and that's how we'll win this election."

Franken discussed his vision to create new opportunities in Greater Minnesota by supporting our family farmers, revitalizing rural Minnesota, and investing in education, health care, R&D, and infrastructure. Franken believes farming is vital to Minnesota and to the country's well-being. He highlighted the need to strengthen the middle class and change the broken system in Washington.

Franken also effectively used the debate as an opportunity to hold Norm Coleman accountable for his record of backing George W. Bush, putting special interests ahead of Minnesotans, and supporting Big Oil.

According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Coleman has received more contributions from the oil and gas industry than any other senator in Minnesota history. Coleman has taken at least $244,900 from the oil and gas industry since 2002 -- over $60,000 more than the next senator, Rod Grams.

Coleman Has Supported President Bush Almost 90% of the Time
On June 29, 2008, shortly after interviewing Sen. Coleman, award-winning WCCO-TV reporter and Sunday morning news anchor Esme Murphy spoke on-air with Larry Jacobs, a University of Minnesota professor and esteemed political analyst.

"Let's talk about the campaign ad I mentioned, in which the senator's wife brings up the point that a lot of people think that he is a rubber stamp for the Bush administration," said Murphy. "If you look at the record, definitely for the first four years, he was. I mean, he really did vote with the president. In the past two years, he has clearly distanced himself."

Want proof? Check out CQ Vote Studies, a service provided by Congressional Quarterly's CQ.com. On the site's "Bush Era Scores" chart, one can see that, during his time in office, Norm Coleman has supported President Bush an average of 83% of the time -- including a whopping 98% of the time in 2003, his first year in the Senate.

Rubber stamper? You decide.


GoodBiz113's take: U.S. small businesses fuel nearly 75% of our nation's economy -- and family farmers play no small part in that. Al Franken's common-sense proposals are good for all small businesses -- including farmers -- and for America as a whole.

SOURCES: Al Franken for U.S. Senate, Center for Responsive Politics, Congressional Quarterly, WCCO-TV
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Al Franken Kicks Off Weeklong Statewide Tour, Offers New Solutions to Ease the Middle-Class Squeeze

This morning, U.S. Senate candidate Al Franken unveiled new common-sense solutions to ease the squeeze on Minnesota's middle class. Franken discussed his new proposals at a campaign rally that attracted hundreds of people outside the locally owned Harvest Moon Coffee House in his hometown of St. Louis Park, kicking off a week of traveling the state to contrast these common-sense solutions with the disastrous Bush-Coleman economic legacy.

"Norm Coleman wants to stay the course with the Bush economic 'plan,'" said Franken. "But that 'plan' has put Minnesota's middle class into a deep hole – and it's time to stop digging.

"The solutions I'm proposing today will help Minnesotans care for their kids and aging loved ones, balance work and family, and save for retirement. Easing the middle-class squeeze isn't just about helping those who are suffering in the Bush-Coleman Recession. It's about restoring the sense of hope and opportunity that my family enjoyed when I was growing up in St. Louis Park."

After sharing a few horror stories he's heard along the campaign trail -- e.g., one about an independent trucker who now nets just $200 per week, thanks to astronomical gas prices -- Franken offered three new proposals:
* Kitchen Table Tax Relief: A set of tax credits designed to ease the burden on families caring for children or elderly loved ones
* 21st Century Family Leave: A new family leave policy to address 21st-century family structures
* The 401[U]: A revolutionary new type of retirement account to help every Minnesotan develop long-term financial security

More details on these proposals is available at www.alfranken.com/easethesqueeze.

Franken's next stops on this week's statewide tour include the following:
* July 22, 11:00 - 11:45 a.m.: Duluth -- Beaner's Central Concert Coffeehouse, 324 N. Central Avenue
* July 22, 3:00 - 3:30 p.m.: Cambridge -- DFL Offices, 237 2nd Avenue SW
* July 23, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.: Rochester -- Rochester Labor Center, 11 4th Street SE
* July 23, 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.: Burnsville -- Ironwood Electronics, 11351 Rupp Drive, Suite 400
* July 24, 1:15 - 2:15 p.m.: St. Cloud -- Mississippi Bean & Tea Co., 819 W. Germain St.

GoodBiz113's take: Skol to you, Al Franken! Your innovative proposals deserve serious consideration and buy-in by citizen-voters, entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, and current and would-be elected officials at all levels of government. The very fact that you chose a small business from which to announce these solutions to help lift the beleaguered middle class, speaks volumes about your purely good intentions and actionable ideas for much-needed change. Minnesotans are fortunate that you're willing to represent them in the U.S. Senate.

SOURCE: Al Franken for Senate
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Franken Announces New Labor Endorsements

Today, the Al Franken for U.S. Senate campaign announced that four new labor organizations have joined its ever-growing coalition that's fighting to send a senator to Washington who will stand with Minnesota's middle class.

The endorsements come on the heels of a false negative ad produced by a Norm Coleman front group, attacking Al Franken for his support of the Employee Free Choice Act. Meanwhile, Republican Sen. Coleman continues to repeat publicly the lie that EFCA "eliminates the secret ballot" for workers.

Today's new endorsements include:
* Bakery, Confectionary, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers Union
* Minnesota State Council of UNITE HERE!
* Minnesota Postal Workers Union
* Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers, Local Union 1

"Minnesotans need a senator who understands the needs of Minnesota families, and who won't abandon them in a time of need," declared Mark Froemke, education director of the Bakery, Confectionary, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers Union, Local 167G.

"Norm Coleman had a chance to support the families of the Red River Valley on CAFTA and, instead, he supported President Bush," Froemke noted. "Al Franken will stand with farmers and workers and Minnesotans, and that's why we stand with him in this election."

"Unlike Norm Coleman, Al Franken is a candidate who will never privatize social security and will continue to fight for the middle class and workers' rights," added Jim Lundquist, president and secretary-treasurer of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers, Local Union 1.

For a complete list of Franken's endorsements , including elected officials, visit: Al Franken for U.S. Senate.

SOURCES: AFL-CIO, Al Franken for U.S. Senate, Wikipedia
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Minnesota Native Al Franken Files to Run for U.S. Senate

Today, Al Franken officially filed with the Minnesota Secretary of State to run for the U.S. Senate.

Franken was joined by his wife, Franni [pictured], his daughter, Thomasin, and more than 100 cheering supporters on the steps of the Minnesota State Office Building.

"I would say I'm excited to get to work," said Al Franken. "But we're already working hard to spread our message of ending the war, rebuilding our economy, and fixing our broken health care system across the state. I'm so proud to have my family, my team, and my coalition for change standing alongside me -- and I'm ready to go to Washington to stand up for the people of Minnesota."

DFL-endorsed Franken -- a true ally of small business, farmers, labor, environmentalists, educators, students, soldiers, veterans, consumers and countless others seeking a new direction for our nation -- was born in St. Louis Park, Minn. He's challenging Sen. Norm Coleman, a Democrat-turned-Republican from Brooklyn, N.Y., for the seat once held by the late Sen. Paul Wellstone, who died in a plane crash in October 2002.

SOURCE: Al Franken for U.S. Senate
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To learn more about Al Franken's politics, check out his New York Times bestseller, "Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right."

Al Franken Wins Minnesota DFL Nomination to Run for U.S. Senate in 2008

Editor's note: This weekend, during Minnesota's DFL convention at Rochester's Mayo Civic Center, Al Franken won the nomination to challenge Republican Norm Coleman for the U.S. Senate in 2008. Following, is the acceptance speech delivered by Franken -- a true ally of small business, farmers, labor, environmentalists, educators, students, soldiers, veterans, consumers and, well, everyone else seeking a new direction for our nation.

Thank you.

I want to start by thanking my family. I think you all know Franni, don't you? My daughter Thomasin. You might not know Joe, he's been kind of -- he's been doing a lot of work. And my sister-in-law Carla, who looks suspiciously like Franni.

I also want to thank my staff, my volunteers, the interns. We've been at this awhile, we've been at this awhile. Thank you, guys, thank you. I want to thank my supporters, elected officials who supported me, stuck by me. I want to thank all of you, most of all. But first let me say something about Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer.

You know, earlier in the questions-and-answers, I was asked why am I a Democrat. You know, I'm a Democrat because this is the only party that would have a Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer. This is the only party that would have a man of such compassion and wisdom and energy, such a pure heart, and such a strong soul. It has been an honor to share the stage with you, sir, and I hope to do so for the next five months and beyond.

And the same goes for Jack's supporters, to his staff, to his volunteers, to his interns. I'd be honored to share a stage, or share a convention, or share a meeting, or share a campaign rally, or share anything with you. You are fantastic.

I want to thank Amy Klobuchar, who will make a great senior senator in Washington. And I want to thank our congressional delegation, from whom I will continue to learn so much.

But most of all, I want to thank you delegates who have put your faith in me. And it is in that spirit, with tremendous gratitude and tremendous humility, that I accept your endorsement.

You know, we have been waiting for eight years to take this country back. And this year, we have seen the emergence of a new progressive majority in this state and in this country.

You saw it on Feb. 5, Caucus Night, when over 215,000 DFLers showed up for the caucus, to say they're ready for a new direction. And a lot of you hung out in hot, crowded rooms for a few hours, and I thank you for going through that process and being here today.

We have a new progressive majority in this country, and we know what we want.

We want universal health care.

We want an economy that works for everyone, not just the special interests.

And I want to thank my friends in labor, who have been through me with this all the way. Thank you.

We want to address global warming and create "green" jobs in renewable energy and energy efficiency.

We want a world-class education for all our kids so they can compete in a 21st century economy.

And we want to restore our standing in the world, starting with getting out of Iraq and bringing our troops home.

We have a lot of work to do together.

We're going to canvass until our feet hurt, and when our feet hurt, we'll start picking up the phone, start phone-banking. We're going to get up early and stay up late.

And we're going to do it because five million Minnesotans need a voice in Washington, and they don't have one in Norm Coleman.

On issue after issue, he hasn't brought people together to get things done. He's sold people out to get ahead.

Minnesota has the second-highest rate of subprime foreclosures in the country, and families I talk to every day are worried about losing their home equity and their chance at building wealth. These families need help. But Norm Coleman doesn't work for them. He works for the mortgage companies. That's why he voted against helping people who have gone bankrupt because of health-care crises from keeping their homes.

Minnesotans are paying four dollars a gallon at the pump. But Norm Coleman doesn't work for them. He works for the oil companies. That's why he voted to give them billions of dollars in tax subsidies while they were already raking ridiculous profits.

Minnesota seniors are paying too much for their prescription drugs -- so much that they can't afford to take the medications that they need. But Norm Coleman doesn't work for them. He works for the big drug companies. That's why he voted to prohibit Medicare from negotiating with the pharmaceuticals for lower drug prices.

Minnesota veterans need the health-care benefits they were promised. Minnesota students need the loan aid that will help them to make tuition payments. And the young Minnesotans serving bravely in Iraq need a senator who will bring them home. But Norm Coleman doesn't work for them.

Norm Coleman went to Washington to play a game. The game works like this. Norm Coleman accepts hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign checks from corporate interests. He votes to give them special handouts and tax breaks that come out of our pockets. Then he comes back to Minnesota and pretends it didn't happen. Everybody wins, except the people of Minnesota.

It's time we had a senator who took this job seriously. And that's what this election is about.

It's not enough that we take back the White House. It's not even enough that we take more seats in Congress. We have to take back this government. We have to tell the special interests, you're not so special anymore. We have to elect people who will stand up to the oil companies, stand up to the insurance industry, stand up to the drug companies, and stand up for the working families across this state.

So, to the people of Minnesota, let me say this: I'm not a perfect person. And I'm not going to pretend to have all the answers.

But I'll tell the truth. I will keep my spine and I will work for you.

I will wage a campaign you can be proud of, whether you're a DFLer, or a Republican, or an Independent, or somebody who's never even thought about what party you might belong to.

And I'll be a senator you'll be proud to have working for you in Washington.

Last fall, I went on a 10-college tour. Some of the kids I met with were 11 years old when this president took office. They don't remember that the federal government is supposed to work. They saw Katrina. They saw Iraq. And even sadder, they don't remember when we were once the most respected country on the face of this planet.

After all, we are the country that sent a man to the moon, the country that mapped the human genome, the country that beat fascism and communism, the country that re-built Europe after World War II, and still had enough juice left over to invent rock-and-roll and the Internet.

I believe we can be that country again.

Paul Wellstone said, "The future belongs to those who are passionate and work hard."

I don't think I have to tell you how passionate the people in this room are about taking back our country. Tomorrow, we get to work.

Thank you.

SOURCE: Al Franken for U.S. Senate
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To learn more about Al Franken's politics [and satirical style], check out his latest best-selling book, "The Truth [With Jokes]."

Nov. 21: Diversity Council to Be Featured on NBC's "TODAY"; "Stop Hate Speech Now" Campaign Debuts

This Wednesday, Nov. 21, GoodBiz113's favorite not-for-profit group is scheduled to be featured on NBC's "TODAY" show. Sometime between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. CST, coverage of Diversity Council's far-reaching Prejudice Reduction Workshops will air.

That morning, Diversity Council's individual and corporate members will gather for a free celebration breakfast buffet in Rochester, Minn.'s Radisson Plaza Hotel, where they'll watch the "TODAY" show. Afterwards, they'll get to see the premiere of Diversity Council's fresh-from-the-editing-room TV commercial, which launches the group's new "Stop Hate Speech Now" campaign.

Each year, Diversity Council conducts Prejudice Reduction Workshops in classrooms throughout Rochester and other cities in southeastern Minnesota. In 2006, trained PRW facilitators reached a record number of 17,708 K-12 students, engaging the youths in a series of 13 presentations that build respect for human differences; e.g., race, body size, disability, sexual orientation, social class, gender, religion.

Diversity Council's PRW curriculum is available for licensing to schools and community groups nationwide. A 30-hour facilitator training seminar is also available. For availability and pricing, phone 507.282.9951, or e-mail info@diversitycouncil.org.

Diversity Council also teaches adults. Last year, the organization reached more than 2,000 business managers, teachers, graduate students, human-resource professionals, social workers and others with its innovative education programs on diversity. Facilitators conduct free business training for Diversity Council's corporate members, who receive public recognition of their support and commitment to diversity as a value-added membership bonus.

For more information about Diversity Council's expansive aims to educate, communicate, collaborate and celebrate diversity in all its myriad forms, visit http://www.diversitycouncil.org/.

SOURCE: Diversity Council
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Oct. 1: Minnesota Vikings to Host Annual Taste of the NFL Celebrity Dinner, Raffle Off 2007 MINI Cooper

Next Monday, Oct. 1, from 6 to 9 p.m., the Minnesota Vikings will host their annual Taste of the NFL Celebrity Dinner at the Vikings Field House, in Eden Prairie, Minn. While supporting efforts to promote hunger relief efforts and organizations, guests will get to enjoy fantastic food from the Twin Cities' top restaurants, sip fine Gallo of Sonoma wines, and mix and mingle with local athletes and celebrities -- including current and alumni Vikings players.

During the evening, a raffle will determine the winner of a Chili Red 2007 MINI Cooper, courtesy of Motorwerks MINI, plus a full year of car insurance from Calhoun Insurance Agency. Guests will also have the opportunity to bid on several items -- including an opportunity to travel to a 2007 Vikings road game.

All proceeds from this annual event benefit Hunger Solutions Minnesota, through the Viking Children's Fund.

Participating Restaurants
This year, chefs from 20 of the Twin Cities' leading eateries will be serving up their specialties at TNFL Minnesota:
* B.A.N.K.
* Bar Abilene
* Brackett's Crossing
* Canyon Grille
* The Capital Grille
* Cosmos
* Dakota
* Edina Grill
* Firelake
* Franklin Street Bakery
* HazelleWood Grill & Tap Room
* Jensen's Supper Club
* Joe Senser's
* Kincaid's
* Maggiano's Little Italy
* Murray's
* Northcoast Restaurant
* Rudolph's Bar-B-Que
* Tejas Restaurant
* Wildfire

TNFL Partners
In order to help channel as much money as possible to hunger-related efforts via the evening's ticket and silent auction sales, raffle, etc., TNFL Minnesota has partnered with several generous Twin Cities organizations and businesses:
* Ecolab
* Faegre & Benson LLP
* First Commercial Bank
* Gallo Family Vineyards
* Miller Lite
* Minnesota Vikings
* Motorwerks MINI
* Pepsi
* Qwest

MINI Cooper Raffle
Starting today, people can buy raffle tickets at $100 each for a chance to win a Chili Red 2007 MINI Cooper and a full year's worth of auto insurance. Tickets my be purchased by cash or check [no credit cards accepted] at Hunger Solutions Minnesota, Tejas Restaurant, Bar Abilene or Motorwerks MINI.

The drawing will be held during next Monday night's TNFL Minnesota event. Winner need not be present to collect on his or her prize.

FYI: Just 500 raffle tickets are available, so enter ASAP!

Tickets
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For more information about this year's Minnesota Vikings Taste of the NFL Celebrity Dinner, call 612.338.4537.
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Alexis Bailly Vineyard Helps U of M Cultivate Wine Industry in Minnesota, "Where the Grapes Can Suffer"

The Company
Alexis Bailly Vineyard
18200 Kirby Avenue
Hastings, MN 55033
Phone: [651] 437-1413
Web: http://www.abvwines.com

Founded: 1973, when the late David A. Bailly, a Minneapolis attorney, bought a 20-acre field of winter rye near historic Hastings, Minn., and planted it with French grapes. In 1977, Alexis Bailly Vineyard's first wines were produced -- using 100% Minnesota-grown grapes -- and then released for sale in 1978.

Employees: Two full-time, plus several seasonal volunteers

Contact: Nan Bailly, owner/master winemaker

The Business
Thirty-three years ago, viticulturalists scoffed at the notion of wine grapes actually being able to survive Minnesota winters. Unfazed by the naysayers, David Bailly, an amateur enologist with an educated palate, aspired to make a truly excellent Minnesota wine. After all, he reasoned, French winemakers have long held that, in order to produce great wine, the grapevines must endure hardship -- e.g., wind, sleet, snow, drought. Enthusiastically, he adopted ABV's motto -- "Where the grapes can suffer" -- and proceeded to establish Minnesota's very first commercial winery.

During ABV's early years, Bailly and his six kids worked weekends in the vineyard and winery. Since his death in 1990, daughter Nan has continued to pursue her father's romantic fantasy of producing quality wines from Minnesota-grown grapes.

Today, ABV has two full-time employees: Joan, the retail manager, runs the tasting room, where customers can sample and purchase wines; and Wioletta, the vineyard manager, cultivates ABV's 13 acres of surrounding grapevines to create a rustic and bucolic setting.

During harvest time, lots of volunteers come out to help. "The wine is only made during harvest, so as soon as the grapes are picked, they are brought to the winery for crushing, fermentation and the winemaking process," Nan explained. "The harvest is a celebratory time for family and friends to help pick the grapes in the time-honored tradition of small communities toiling together."

The end products of all that toil and celebration? ABV now produces nine wines: Country White, a semi-dry white table wine; Seyval Blanc, a dry white table wine; Country Red, a dry red table wine; Frontenac, a dry red table wine; Ratafia, a red fortified sweet dessert wine, infused with other fruits, herbs and spices; Country Rosé, a semi-sweet rosé wine; Hastings Reserve, a red fortified sweet dessert wine; Ice Wine, a sweet white wine; and the just-released Voyageur, a bold red wine of blended Old World French grapes and new varieties developed to survive Minnesota winters.

ABV wines are distributed and sold exclusively in Minnesota, and are available in restaurants and retail stores from border to border. "Minnesota people drink Minnesota wine," said Nan. "Besides, Prohibition created barriers that prevent small wineries like ours from selling across state lines."

The Buzz
To date, ABV has received more than 50 awards in national competition -- primarily, for their dry table wines. Most recently, the company has already won two two silver medals for its Voyageur, which was just released in June 2006. And last month, Minnesota's leading newspaper, the Star Tribune, hailed Voyageur as "the best Minnesota wine, ever, by far."

Such attention is met with a vintage blend of great frustration and pride in having pioneered an entire industry in a state whose climate isn't ideal for growing grapes and forging ahead to make high-quality, award-winning wines. "The Voyageur represents 30 years of working with unknown, untried, obscure Minnesota grape varieties, and struggling," said Nan. "Not just to get them to grow, but to try and figure out how to make commercial-quality wines from grapes where no winemaker has gone before.

"The decision to move away from varietal wines and create a proprietary blend is based partly in the narrow selection of grapes I have to choose from, and looking for the best qualities of each to balance each other. It's also from the confidence I've gained from 25 years of winemaking to produce a superior wine that's based on my ability to taste and create a superior wine."

ABV's kudos come as no surprise to Sam S. Haislet, "owner, president, sole proprietor and shopkeeper" of Sam's Washington Avenue Wine Shop, one of the Twin Cities' premier retailers for wine enthusiasts. He's sold ABV wines in restaurants and retail stores for 15 years. Since opening his own shop in May 2006, ABV wines have consistently ranked among his top 10 bestsellers.

"For Minnesota wines, that's a bit high for overall bestsellers," said Haislet, who then attempted to classify ABV wine buyers. "New wine drinkers are willing to try anything as they go along in the world. People interested in Minnesota products are always interested. Real connoisseurs have a definite interest in the wines, as they are so unique. It is only the people in the middle -- i.e., the ones who think they know a lot about wine, but, in fact, are intimidated by the whole thing [drinking Minnesota wines] -- that hold up their noses at the wines."

Even with all the company's awards for what's inside their bottles, one of ABV's most gratifying accolades thus far is for its package design. "At the prestigious San Francisco International Wine Competition, we received a bronze medal for our Ratafia, in the package-design category," said Nan. [See bottle on far right, above photo.] "This is the event everyone in California attends, with their new, fancy bottle designs...

"What I enjoyed so much about winning, is that industry statistics indicate wineries typically spend a minimum of $200,000 to develop a wine's new package design," Nan beamed. "Well, mine was free because I designed it myself!"

The Catalyst
When trailblazer David Bailly first planted the vineyard in 1973, pure passion, faith and groundbreaking spirit led the way. He had no real road map, how-to manual, nor anything else of analytical substance to help him grow wine grapes and make wine in Minnesota -- much less, truly good wine grapes to suit his refined tastes.

"There was little, if any, research with grapes at the University of Minnesota then," said Nan. "There was, however, a young student in Horticulture who took an interest and, in fact, was the man who created the Frontenac grape [the red grape now used by most Minnesota winemakers]. There was also a rogue grape hybridizer named Elmer Swenson who was working with cold-hardy table grapes, and the University adopted his plant material to help form the foundation of their research department.

"The credit for the program at the University can be handed partly to my father for his pioneering ideas, and to then-Gov. Rudy Perpich, who spent a day harvesting grapes with us and saw the potential for a new cottage industry. He signed the first grant giving funds to the U of M to start the research into cold-climate viticulture."

The Partners
While the U of M is an ABV collaborator, of sorts, Nan counts others, too. "My No. 1 partner will always be my husband -- and my dog, Leon, too, who passed away this summer -- mostly, because this has been a long, hard road, and a winemaker needs lots of love in this climate," she related.

Then there's the Three Rivers Wine Trail, a joint-marketing venture of six wineries in the Mississippi River Valley. "It has been a great deal for us," said Nan. "We've been the only winery for a long time, and it has been a real benefit to promote ourselves with other wineries in the area."

Last, but definitely not least, there's ABV's distributor, The Wine Company, and its president, Larry Colbeck. "He's been more of a helper, supporter, advisor and friend to my winemaking than anyone else in bringing me to where I am today with the winery," Nan noted.

The Process
ABV has a two-acre experimental vineyard of University of Minnesota hybrids, and gives feedback to the U of M -- both on the cultivation of the new varieties, and on the flavors they find for winemaking. Nan has also worked closely with the U of M's Entomology Department on research re the Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle [MALB], an insect that's posed a real problem for grape growers in the region, and has played a key educational role in advancing Minnesota's wine industry.

The Upshot
Minnesota now has 19 wineries, approximately 50 commercial vineyards and more than 100 small hobby vineyards. They and the University of Minnesta can all thank ABV, the only commercial winery in Minnesota for more than a decade, for having the vision and fortitude to plow the way.

"In the mid-1980's, when I started here at the U, we set up a test pilot of unnamed selections from our grape breeding program at ABV with Nan and her father, David," recounted Peter Hemstad, University of Minnesota grape breeder. "Those vines provided us with some valuable information about their performance on very sandy soils. Since then, we've gotten feedback in a more anecdotal way about how our new cultivars have performed for Nan."

Anna Katharine Mansfield, head of the University of Minnesota's new Enology Project [she relocated here from North Carolina in 2001 for the job] also has high praise for ABV's contribution to Minnesota's growing wine industry. "Nan Bailly, like many other regional producers, has generously donated wine for various educational events we've run," she said. "She and her late father, David, have certainly succeeded in a difficult wine market, and have inspired many others to do the same."

As for ABV's most recent release, the well-traveled Mansfield praised, "Voyageur is certainly a well-made wine, and would be recognized anywhere as such."

The Financials
ABV is at the hub of Minnesota's wine industry, which accounted for 293,000 bottles sold retail in 2005. The total value of U.S. wine shipments in 2005 was an estimated $10 billion.

The Takeaway
Aside from the occasionally fruitful and mutually rewarding synergies, small-business owners, as a whole, are a very determined, independent and, sometimes, lonely lot. In order to succeed in our chosen, uh, fields, we have to be in order to stay true to our vision of the possible.

Nan Bailly is no exception. In trial-by-fire style, she's toiled and experimented and politicked, and now has a seemingly secure hold on what works and doesn't work -- at least for ABV's high-quality products -- and she's courageous enough to speak her mind in the land of Minnesota Nice.

Case in point: ABV's relationship with the U of M. "Developing cold-hardy plant material is a long process, and we realize the length of time it takes to sort through all the variables to find the one vine that will do it all," Nan noted. "Unfortunately, we are not there yet.

"The Frontenac [grape] was supposed to be our panacea, but has proven to be a difficult grape to make wine from. There is a new variety, Marquette, which was just released, but the plant material is in great demand, and there is little available for us to plant. Given the years it takes to bring a new grapevine into production, I am reluctant to commit to any new vines at this time. Although the University is funded with our state tax dollars, it seems they are making a lot of money selling plant material to growers in other states, and we in Minnesota do not get priority."

Then there's Nan's seasoned, real-world take versus the U of M's academic approach to winemaking. "I am critical of the advice they are giving to winemakers in the region to promote the 'acid-style' of wines being made with primarily the Frontenac grapes," Nan continued. "I contend that consumers reject that style, and further reject the notion that Minnesota wines need to be approached as unique and different from wines produced elsewhere.

"I have also been at odds with the Minnesota Grape Growers Association, which works closely with the University -- both of the wines produced and promoted by them, and in their legislative pursuits, which have inflated the price of grapes sold in Minnesota and, in my opinion, have contributed to the degradation of the quality of wines made."

What does Nan view as the most valuable components of the U of M's Enology Project? "The hiring of our state enologist, Anna Katharine Mansfield, is, perhaps, the most profound aspect of the program at the University," she replied. "As both an advisor and consultant who understands the unique qualities of the grape varieties we are working with, she provides us with a great advantage in promoting the success of our winemaking, and replaces the expensive and elusive wine consultants the industry would otherwise provide."

Looking forward, where does Nan see ABV's relationship with the U of M headed? "I will continue to support the program, take advantage of the opportunities to have excellent consultation from their enologist, and look forward to any new varieties developed for winegrowing," she responded.

So, what lessons has Nan learned, and what nuggets of seasoned wisdom would she share with other would-be Minnesota winemakers? "I've learned that I am alone in this world and need to figure out what I am doing all by myself, and when I succeed, to trust my instincts and never look back," she candidly replied. "To others, I'd simply suggest that they move somewhere south or wait for global warming to arrive in the Midwest."

On a more serious note, Nan expressed genuine gratitude for her father, and imparted a lesson to anyone embarking on a dream: "I was given a gift from my father, thankfully recognized it at a young age, and thank him for providing me with the template for my life. I have needed to remind myself of my father's tenacity to never give up -- but, maybe more, for the love he had in working with his hands and pursuing a dream without trepidation."
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