Inspiration is something we all use to start new and exciting things in our lives. In Jenna Mernin's case, her love for playing the guitar was inspired by her own brother. Her drive to get better, is inspired by her faith. "My faith is definitely what drives me."
Jenna started playing the guitar at the age of 13. Though her brother "has been playing ever since" she "can remember," she always wanted to be like her older siblings. She looked up to them. "You always want to be like your older siblings, right?"
Jenna recorded a CD in a home studio last spring, but she doesn't imagine herself doing this as a career as of yet. For now, she's "looking more into the Media Communications department for college." Though music is something she loves very much, Jenna doesn't believe it is essential to her happiness.
She continues to practice, but has found a love to play and collaborate with her worship band at her church. "That is probably my favorite thing to do with music; collaborating with others," she says.
Though never a part of choir, band or orchestra at school, Jenna believes the music she plays now enhances her life. This is something she enjoys. It also involves her more with church which is important to her.
For the adults and younger kids that are thinking of taking up this inspiring hobby, Jenna can only speak from experience. "Be patient," she says. "That's all I can really say. It takes so much patience. But once you get past the chord formations and strumming, you can go really far. But, it's those first few essential things that can make someone give up, so be patient."
Monday, October 12, 2009
Sunday, October 11, 2009
'Fearless Tour' Takes Target Center.
Minneapolis - Country/pop star Taylor Swift swept into Target Center Sunday evening for the last show of her first headlining tour. The 15,000 fans in the packed arena were treated not only with her award winning hits, but also a few good natured pranks among Swift and her two opening acts; Gloriana and Kellie Pickler.
-Star Tribune
http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/music/63976557.html?page=1&c=y
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Interview Transcript With Lucina Mendez
Romance Novels
Q: Who are the four authors you keep up with now?
A: The four romance authors I keep up with (read all there books) gets a little tricky, as one author writes under several names. So number one is;
1.Janie Ann Krentz, Amanda Quick, Jayne Castle, and Stephaine James. She writes contemporary romances (takes places in the last 30 yrs (or so), historical romances, and sci-fi romances, all of which I read.
2. Nora Roberts
3. Julia Quinn
4. Janet Evanovich
Q: What do you like about these particular authors?
A: I like books that are funny. Some novelist I mentioned tends to have an element of comedy in their books, or their heroines are women I can identify with. They also tend to be fast paced and have many surprises and are also informative, without trying to be.
Q: What was the first romance novel you ever read called?
A: Wander Lust by Danielle Steele. This is amazing that I remember this because I've read thousands; also I was 13yrs old when I read my first. You never forget that first book that grabs you. My mother was complaining at the time because she was handing me money left and right to buy baby- sitter club books, which by that time were taking me about 15 minutes to read. She grabbed a book off her shelf and told me "This will take you a while." and I was hooked.
Q: When did you read your first romance novel?
A:(See above)
Q: What was this first romance novel about?
A: The first novel I ever read was about a woman who was orphaned at age 13, and went to live with her grandfather who is sickly. Even though she was very young she ends up taking care of them. She finally gets the guts up to travel the world like she has always wanted, but them she has to deal with world war one, and all sorts of drama with her lover. It was awesome.
Q: What are the titles of some of your favorite romance novels?
A: Rendezvous- Amanda Quick Scandalous- Amanda Quick
Table for two- Nora Roberts Romancing Mr. Bridgerton - Julia Quinn
Q: What did you like about these favorites?
A: Scandalous is a book about a women fossil collector living a small town in England during the turn of the 18th century, who falls in love with a man with a scarred face and dark past, I liked it be cause the female character was mentally and physically very strong in an age when women weren't supposed to be.
The thing that all of these books have in common is a very smart female lead, who is devoted to her craft, but still very good people. I like these books because I strive to be like those women, I guess.
Q: Who were these stories about?
A: The main characters of all these books were smart women, who are successful in their field.
Q: Where did some of these stories take place?
A: All take place in England (which many historical romance novels take place in) except the Nora Roberts one that takes place in New York.
Q: Where do you like reading these novels?
A: Wherever I can, but mostly in a rocking chair I keep in my room for just that purpose.
Q: What do you like most about romance novels?
A:The adventure aspect. Think Indiana Jones.
Q: What made you start reading romance novels?
A:They are more fun than other genres. Most have morale, and a happy ending. When I am entertaining myself, I like to have fun. I've read some weightier stuff, and enjoy it, but for a quick read the romance is the way to go.
Q: How long does it take you to finish one of these novels?
A: I read about 80 pgs and hour and most books are about 3-5 hundred pages.
Q: What novel are you reading now?
A: I just got done reading Dan Browns latest book The Lost symbol. This is not a romance novel, but it might as well b, because he always involves an attractive, smart heroine who helps him solve the crime in the Robert Langdon series, also the author always suggests a possible something going on between characters. He just refrains from telling you when, and how they consummated their friendship which is why romance novels are superior, as they describe them in detail.
Q: What other type of books do like to read?
A: I read a lot of biographies, autobiographies, and non-fiction stuff about religion and the occult, but I judge by author not by genre, since they often overlap. Some other favorite authors of mine are:
Dan Brown
Carl Sagan
Terry Goodkind
John Grisham
J.K Rowlings
J.D Robbs (who is also Nora Roberts)
Jane Austin
Emily Bronte
I could literally go on forever, there are hundreds.
Q: Who are the four authors you keep up with now?
A: The four romance authors I keep up with (read all there books) gets a little tricky, as one author writes under several names. So number one is;
1.Janie Ann Krentz, Amanda Quick, Jayne Castle, and Stephaine James. She writes contemporary romances (takes places in the last 30 yrs (or so), historical romances, and sci-fi romances, all of which I read.
2. Nora Roberts
3. Julia Quinn
4. Janet Evanovich
Q: What do you like about these particular authors?
A: I like books that are funny. Some novelist I mentioned tends to have an element of comedy in their books, or their heroines are women I can identify with. They also tend to be fast paced and have many surprises and are also informative, without trying to be.
Q: What was the first romance novel you ever read called?
A: Wander Lust by Danielle Steele. This is amazing that I remember this because I've read thousands; also I was 13yrs old when I read my first. You never forget that first book that grabs you. My mother was complaining at the time because she was handing me money left and right to buy baby- sitter club books, which by that time were taking me about 15 minutes to read. She grabbed a book off her shelf and told me "This will take you a while." and I was hooked.
Q: When did you read your first romance novel?
A:(See above)
Q: What was this first romance novel about?
A: The first novel I ever read was about a woman who was orphaned at age 13, and went to live with her grandfather who is sickly. Even though she was very young she ends up taking care of them. She finally gets the guts up to travel the world like she has always wanted, but them she has to deal with world war one, and all sorts of drama with her lover. It was awesome.
Q: What are the titles of some of your favorite romance novels?
A: Rendezvous- Amanda Quick Scandalous- Amanda Quick
Table for two- Nora Roberts Romancing Mr. Bridgerton - Julia Quinn
Q: What did you like about these favorites?
A: Scandalous is a book about a women fossil collector living a small town in England during the turn of the 18th century, who falls in love with a man with a scarred face and dark past, I liked it be cause the female character was mentally and physically very strong in an age when women weren't supposed to be.
The thing that all of these books have in common is a very smart female lead, who is devoted to her craft, but still very good people. I like these books because I strive to be like those women, I guess.
Q: Who were these stories about?
A: The main characters of all these books were smart women, who are successful in their field.
Q: Where did some of these stories take place?
A: All take place in England (which many historical romance novels take place in) except the Nora Roberts one that takes place in New York.
Q: Where do you like reading these novels?
A: Wherever I can, but mostly in a rocking chair I keep in my room for just that purpose.
Q: What do you like most about romance novels?
A:The adventure aspect. Think Indiana Jones.
Q: What made you start reading romance novels?
A:They are more fun than other genres. Most have morale, and a happy ending. When I am entertaining myself, I like to have fun. I've read some weightier stuff, and enjoy it, but for a quick read the romance is the way to go.
Q: How long does it take you to finish one of these novels?
A: I read about 80 pgs and hour and most books are about 3-5 hundred pages.
Q: What novel are you reading now?
A: I just got done reading Dan Browns latest book The Lost symbol. This is not a romance novel, but it might as well b, because he always involves an attractive, smart heroine who helps him solve the crime in the Robert Langdon series, also the author always suggests a possible something going on between characters. He just refrains from telling you when, and how they consummated their friendship which is why romance novels are superior, as they describe them in detail.
Q: What other type of books do like to read?
A: I read a lot of biographies, autobiographies, and non-fiction stuff about religion and the occult, but I judge by author not by genre, since they often overlap. Some other favorite authors of mine are:
Dan Brown
Carl Sagan
Terry Goodkind
John Grisham
J.K Rowlings
J.D Robbs (who is also Nora Roberts)
Jane Austin
Emily Bronte
I could literally go on forever, there are hundreds.
Monday, October 5, 2009
North Point Inn Murder
A bookkeeper at the North Point Inn was just doing her job when she was robbed at knife point. She soon found a fellow employee of hers murdered not far from her office.
At around 9 a.m., Nina Cortez, a bookkeeper at the North Point Inn for seven years, was starting her normal workday on this fateful morning. She first chatted with Kevin Blohm, one of the cooks but also her boss and walked with him to a nearby corridor. This was the last time anyone had seen Blohm alive.
Not long after, Cortez started her normal count of the previous night's receipts at her desk. Only a few minutes later, "a man came around the corner, carrying a knife," she said. Startled, Cortez screamed and kicked before falling to the floor. The assailant reached across her desk and left her office with $130 dollars. Cortez was not harmed.
A few minutes later the police arrived. "I went into the hallway with the police and saw the blood on a door in the reception area," she said. "It was awful. There was blood on the walls and floor."
Cortez believes the assailant is in his early 20s and between 5 feet 10 and 6 feet tall with a medium build. She added that the suspect had on "blue jeans, a blue plaid shirt and blue tennis shoes" with a floral scarf, "tied around the lower part of his face, cowboy style."
At around 9 a.m., Nina Cortez, a bookkeeper at the North Point Inn for seven years, was starting her normal workday on this fateful morning. She first chatted with Kevin Blohm, one of the cooks but also her boss and walked with him to a nearby corridor. This was the last time anyone had seen Blohm alive.
Not long after, Cortez started her normal count of the previous night's receipts at her desk. Only a few minutes later, "a man came around the corner, carrying a knife," she said. Startled, Cortez screamed and kicked before falling to the floor. The assailant reached across her desk and left her office with $130 dollars. Cortez was not harmed.
A few minutes later the police arrived. "I went into the hallway with the police and saw the blood on a door in the reception area," she said. "It was awful. There was blood on the walls and floor."
Cortez believes the assailant is in his early 20s and between 5 feet 10 and 6 feet tall with a medium build. She added that the suspect had on "blue jeans, a blue plaid shirt and blue tennis shoes" with a floral scarf, "tied around the lower part of his face, cowboy style."
Insurance Giant Cutting Employee's Benefits
WellPoint health insurance company has cut its employee's health insurance after having them lobby against health care reform. The insurance giant has blamed the recession for the cut backs. "Like many employers in today's economic environment, we are looking at all aspects of our business," wrote Chief Human Resources Officer Randy Brown.
According to Consumer Watchdog, WellPoint illegally pressured California employees this summer to fight health care reform. The proposals would hurt the company by "causing tens of millions of Americans to lose their private coverage and end up in a government-run plan," wrote the company's Anthem Blue Cross unit in a company e-mail.
According to Consumer Watchdog, WellPoint illegally pressured California employees this summer to fight health care reform. The proposals would hurt the company by "causing tens of millions of Americans to lose their private coverage and end up in a government-run plan," wrote the company's Anthem Blue Cross unit in a company e-mail.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
My Earliest Memory
My earliest memory was watching the rain soaked field underneath a sheet of clear plastic being lightly pelted by raindrops. We were wondering when the rain would end so the Twins game could start. I must have been only a few years old at the time.
This was at the old Met Stadium. I don't remember much about that day, but I do remember the Twins having those blue and red looking dairy queen uniforms. It's always fun remembering things like that. Every now and then that memory pops in my head.
This was at the old Met Stadium. I don't remember much about that day, but I do remember the Twins having those blue and red looking dairy queen uniforms. It's always fun remembering things like that. Every now and then that memory pops in my head.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Commissioners Vote 5-2 Against More Funding
Commissioners struck down a $580,000 request from the local sheriff department.
Sheriff Gus Dicesari, with the support of commissioners Anita Shenuski and Raymond Laybourne, petitioned the county for eight new police cruisers and five additional deputies.
Dicesari feels these vehicles, with more than 150,000 miles on each of them, are unsafe and undependable. "It is getting too costly to maintain the older vehicles and they spend too much time in the repair shop. My deputies can’t keep driving these old vehicles. Something bad is going to happen”, he said.
Commission President Anne Chenn with the support of fellow commissioners Valerie Dawkins, Faith Ellis, Jose Gardoz and Roland Grauman are opposed to the sheriff's request. Chenn believes the county has no money left for funding. According to Chenn, the county has already reached its $127 million budget for the year. She feels that increased costs of employer health care, fuel and $30 million for a new prison contributed to the money shortfall.
Shenuski and Laybourne believe the overall shortage in funds has to do with the migrant workers who come to the county to work. "They are a problem for law enforcement, our schools and our health care system," Shenuski said. "We need to protect local residents from them." Chenn couldn't disagree more. "Those people who come here to work are descent, hardworking people," she said. "They add a great deal to the local economy and they pay taxes."
The commissioners estimate that there are around 5,000 migrant families now in the county working in agricultural, construction and service industry jobs.
Dicesari believes the commissioners are “shortchanging” the sheriff’s department to save money. “This is the first time in my 27 years as sheriff that the county hasn’t allocated money to the sheriff’s department to buy equipment,” he said. Despite Dicesari's complaints, commissioners voted 5-2 against his request.
Sheriff Gus Dicesari, with the support of commissioners Anita Shenuski and Raymond Laybourne, petitioned the county for eight new police cruisers and five additional deputies.
Dicesari feels these vehicles, with more than 150,000 miles on each of them, are unsafe and undependable. "It is getting too costly to maintain the older vehicles and they spend too much time in the repair shop. My deputies can’t keep driving these old vehicles. Something bad is going to happen”, he said.
Commission President Anne Chenn with the support of fellow commissioners Valerie Dawkins, Faith Ellis, Jose Gardoz and Roland Grauman are opposed to the sheriff's request. Chenn believes the county has no money left for funding. According to Chenn, the county has already reached its $127 million budget for the year. She feels that increased costs of employer health care, fuel and $30 million for a new prison contributed to the money shortfall.
Shenuski and Laybourne believe the overall shortage in funds has to do with the migrant workers who come to the county to work. "They are a problem for law enforcement, our schools and our health care system," Shenuski said. "We need to protect local residents from them." Chenn couldn't disagree more. "Those people who come here to work are descent, hardworking people," she said. "They add a great deal to the local economy and they pay taxes."
The commissioners estimate that there are around 5,000 migrant families now in the county working in agricultural, construction and service industry jobs.
Dicesari believes the commissioners are “shortchanging” the sheriff’s department to save money. “This is the first time in my 27 years as sheriff that the county hasn’t allocated money to the sheriff’s department to buy equipment,” he said. Despite Dicesari's complaints, commissioners voted 5-2 against his request.
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