Minnesota Climate Change and the Minnesota River Presentation
Climate Change in Minnesota: Minnesota River Expanding, Raising Flooding and Erosion Concerns
By Bradley Carlin
There’s no doubt that climate change is having effects on temperatures and weather patterns globally, but here in Minnesota we’re seeing some pressing environmental concerns that are causing policymakers and local residents to seek immediate efforts to help address the side effects of global warming.
One such concern is the expansion of the Minnesota River. The river’s width has nearly doubled in some areas since the 1940’s, encroaching on and threatening personal property, roads, and ecosystems. Higher-than-average rainfalls are a large contributing factor to the river’s overflow, with last year being the wettest year on record for Minnesota. According to a 2017 study by Utah State University, the increase of rainfall and severe storms more generally has caused the river’s flow to double since the 1950’s. This added volume of water has raised concerns of both flooding and erosion along the river bank. For instance, in Mankato, Minnesota, the river has expanded outwards over 50 feet, bringing it just 8 feet away from the well the town uses for drinking water.
Policy makers and local residents are quickly seeking both temporary and long-term solutions to help relieve the river’s overflow, reduce erosion, and improve water quality.
It is hoped that these solutions, while currently only treating the symptoms of global warming, will spark more changes aimed at a more holistic approach to addressing climate change.
You can read a great write-up of some of the more pressing environmental concerns related to the Minnesota River in this recent article in the Minneapolis StarTribune.
Medium Post – Events in Minneapolis this Weekend (Feb. 7 2020)
Check out the latest Medium.com post with some cool events in Minneapolis this weekend. Here’s the highlights:
Flannel Fest
When: Sunday, February 9th from 12:00–2:30pm
Location: Columbia Manor | 3300 Central Ave. NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418
Event Website: https://www.esns.org/northeast-flannel-fest
Blue Man Group
When: February 5th-9th
Location: State Theatre | 805 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55402
Things to Know: Show times vary | Advanced ticket purchase required
Event Website: https://hennepintheatretrust.org/events/blue-man-group-broadway-tickets-minneapolis-mn-2020/
Family Skate and Bonfire Night
When: Friday, February 7th
Location: Bryant Square Park | 3101 Bryant Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55408
Things to Know: Advanced ticket purchase required
Event Website: https://www.active.com/minneapolis-mn/classes/family-skate-and-bonfire-night-february-7th-2020
Full Medium Article: Bradley Carlin on Medium
Bradley Carlin: 3 Events to Check out in Minneapolis-St Paul this Weekend
Winter Fest Craft Beer Tasting
Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild’s WinterFest is going on this Friday, January 17th from 7:00 – 10:00pm. The annual event brings over 100 Minnesota breweries under one roof for a night of craft beer tastings and food pairings. Your $80 admission ticket gets you unlimited beer tastings, unlimited small-plate food pairings, and a commemorative tasting glass. All proceeds go to benefit the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild.
When: Friday, January 17 from 7:00 – 10:00pm
Location: Polaris Club | US Bank Stadium | 401 Chicago Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55415
Things to know: No guests under 21 admitted (Photo ID required). No pets.
Event Website: https://www.mncraftbrew.org/event/winterfest/
Acoustic Guitarathon
The Minnesota Guitar Society is hosting its annual Acoustic Guitarathon on Saturday, January 18th at 7:30pm. The concert will feature both up-and-coming and established artists from a variety of musical backgrounds.
When: Saturday, January 18 at 7:30pm
Location: Sundin Music Hall | 1531 Hewitt Ave, St. Paul, MN 55104
Event Website: https://www.mnguitar.org/sundin-concerts-19-20/2019/mgq-c23lm-l25se-d7k2m-2n6l6
Spring Brook Nature Center’s Winterfest
If you’re looking for some outdoor adventures this weekend, look no further than the Spring Brook Nature Center’s Winterfest in suburban Fridley, Minnesota. Enjoy family-friendly adventures like snowshoeing, trail activities, a medallion hunt, and a visiting dog sled team. The event will last from 12:00 – 3:00pm on Saturday, January 18th.
When: Saturday, January 18 from 12:00 to 3:00pm
Location: Spring Brook Nature Center | 100 85th Ave, Fridley, MN 55432
Event Website: https://www.springbrooknaturecenter.org/Calendar.aspx?EID=1152
Minneapolis Live Music: Three Local Music Spots to Check Out this Weekend
The Minneapolis music scene is as diverse as it is ubiquitous. No matter your genre of preference, you’re destined to find a great local spot to enjoy some of your favorite artists, as well as discover new bands and artists just getting started in their careers.
Whether you’re a local or are just passing through, check out this latest Medium.com Post with a few legendary Minneapolis music venues to check out.
New Medium Post: 4 Strategies for Marketing your Band
There’s a lot more that goes into a successful band than just playing great shows. Effectively marketing and promoting your band will be crucial to your ultimate success.
Check out the new Medium.com Article for some helpful tips!
https://medium.com/@brad_carlin/4-strategies-for-marketing-your-band-29b5a1016d08
Brad Carlin on Medium.com: Three Characteristics of a Good Statistical Consultant
Statistical consulting can be a very rewarding and lucrative career path for those interested in data and statistics. However, this field of work requires a skill set that often isn’t taught in most undergraduate and graduate statistics programs.
When considering a career in statistical consulting, it’s important to acknowledge that having a solid understanding of statistical methods and theories is the bare minimum — and that a great statistician does not necessarily make a great statistical consultant. Consulting requires a separate non-technical skill set that needs to be developed and honed over time.
Checkout the full Medium Article below:
Brad Carlin and Homeward Bound Live at Blackwater Coffee
Brad Carlin and Homeward Bound Live at Blackwater Coffee covering “It’s All Been Done” by Barenaked Ladies and “Can’t Get Enough of You Baby” by Smash Mouth.
Brad Carlin – “Take Two” – Original Composition
New original composition: “Take Two”
Music and Lyrics by Brad Carlin
All parts played or sung by Brad Carlin *except* tenor saxophone, played by Austin Albert
This song is about making the most of second acts in one’s life. Obviously there is a lot of duality in the song. The main theme in the chorus is just two notes, which are then repeated in the backing vocals (which are sung in two-part harmony). The saxophone echos in this section add a new form of duality. Lyrically, all of the lines in the song rhyme with “two”, something I initially resisted, but finally decided to make into a fun exercise with the help of an online rhyming dictionary. I’m kind of proud of the reference to John and Abigail Adams in the second verse, which was inspired by my family’s annual July 4 viewing of the movie musical “1776”. The last verse also pays tribute to the song “Unknown”, written by my fellow Homeward Bound band member, Susan Thompson.
For more on Homeward Bound and its music please see: homewardboundband.com