All Entries in the "Family" Category
A Marathon, a Dad and a Daughter’s Gift (audio)
This year’s Fargo Marathon was run on May 21st with more than 22,000 runners taking part in the annual event. And as it is in any marathon, with thousands of runners comes nearly as many stories. This is one of those stories. As parents, we shower our children with endless and unconditional love, support and, hopefully, the [...]
Spotlight: Sandy Boren-Barrett, Part 2
If you haven’t already done so, make sure and read Part 1 of my interview with Sandy Boren-Barrett. She’s got a lot to say and every word is well worth your time. Here’s Part 2: CG: Sandy, over the years during rough economic times people have gravitated to the arts for a bit of an escape. What kind of [...]
Spotlight: Sandy Boren-Barrett
Today is the beginning of the Spotlight series at Blog Harbor. In the coming months you’ll be reading interviews with an eclectic mix of professionals at the top of their game in the arts, media, sports, politics, child psychology, business and environmental issues. You’ll even meet a group of 13 pretty amazing teens in middle school and high school. And of course [...]
Eye on Monday: Stages Theatre Company, Hopkins, MN
This week’s Eye on Monday has a dual purpose. It not only will highlight one of the two professional theatre companies for young audiences in the Twin Cities, but it will also serve as what amounts to an opening act for a new Blog Harbor feature called Spotlight. Spotlight will be an interview series that does exactly what the [...]
Eye on Monday: Cannon Beach, Oregon
I went to Oregon for the first time about 30 years ago. Although I wouldn’t return for another 14 years, it left an indelible impression on me. Have you ever gone somewhere and got the distinct sense it was speaking to you? As if it reached out, tapped you on the shoulder and said “hey, you and me – [...]
Eye on Monday: Finger Puppet Theater
Blog Harbor was given a rare behind-the-scenes look at the Gabriel Finger Puppet Theater. They’re currently in rehearsals for the world premiere production of Le Vol de la Princesse. Notice the minimalist set design in stark contrast to the elaborate costumes. This is the signature style of director and legendary performer Caleigh Gabriel. Le Vol de la Princesse
A Trophy for Everyone: The Seeds of Entitlement
When I was growing up, I played sports. Basketball was what I eventually settled on by high school but prior to that I also played baseball and ran track. When there was a tournament during the year or the playoffs at the end of the season, there were winners and there were losers. The winners got [...]
The Lady in Purple
It all starts so innocently. A daily workout with my family. Fun times, lots of laughs. But no one’s laughing anymore. Not since we crossed paths with . . . The Lady in Purple. My wife, two daughters and I (henceforth known as “we”) jog or walk in a recreation “bubble” here in suburban Minneapolis. [...]
The Christmas Spirit and Customer Service: Return of the Grinch
By Christopher Gabriel, CGabriel.com Part 2 of The Christmas Spirit and Customer Service. Part 1 was published December 8, 2007 I look forward to the month of December and Christmas more than any other time of the year. The music, the decorations, the meaning of the holiday, the snow - so much good cheer in the air. [...]
Merry Bailouts to All, and to All a Good Night
By Christopher Gabriel, CGabriel.com Since 1927, TIME Magazine has chosen a Man of the Year. The honor was later renamed Person of the Year for the man, woman or idea that “for better or worse, has most influenced events in the preceeding year.” I believe we have arrived at a point in our history that TIME must now select [...]
Giving Thanks Shouldn’t Be So Hard
By Christopher Gabriel, CGabriel.com Every year in late November families and friends gather to eat, watch football, eat a little more and watch even more football. It happens on a Thursday, usually early in the afternoon. Sometimes there’s wine and other assorted alcoholic beverages to go with the food. Other times it’s simply water and [...]
End of the World? No, It’s Just the Economy
By Christopher Gabriel, CGabriel.com As one who has been around the block a few dozen times, I’ve seen our country weather many things. Vietnam, the Iranian hostage crisis, Desert Storm, the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, the tragic events of September 11, 2001 and certainly others that have both united and divided us. In every case [...]
Food News: Are Turkeys Mobilizing?
By Christopher Gabriel, CGabriel.com Driving on a major highway in suburban Minneapolis today, traffic nearly came to a halt. The reason for the hold-up was: A. An accident B. Road construction C. Turkeys Of course the answer is turkeys. Two enormous birds that looked as though they were spawned from a master race of Super Turkeys simply [...]
U.S. Healthcare: Bending Your Bank Account
By Christopher Gabriel, CGabriel.com A few months ago, my 18-month-old daughter hurt her left elbow. There was no bruising, no blood . . . absolutely nothing my wife and I could see that was causing her to be in what clearly was excruciating pain. She walked around with her arm hanging down beside her, tilting her body [...]
Sugar and Spice Not Always So Nice
By Christopher Gabriel, CGabriel.com My wife and I live in a lovely suburb of Minneapolis. Good schools, lots of parks and lakes, plenty of restaurants . . . nice. The other day, I went to a nice coffee shop in our nice suburb and saw a picture on the wall that wasn’t so nice. The photo showed approximately 20 young women in [...]
When Teens Take Over the Playground
It’s tough being a teen. While they’re busy trying to find their own identity, adults are busy trying to find it for them. Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, teachers, television shows, movies, advertisers selling them things . . . the list is endless. And then there’s their friends. The crowd they hang out with often has the greatest impact on them, nudging [...]
The “Dangerous” Sarah Palin
By Christopher Gabriel, CGabriel.com At a major political convention, a young politician bursts onto the national scene. A gifted speaker who is tough, smart, poised and knows how to turn a phrase to get a laugh. This individual is hailed as one of America’s great leaders of the future. That person was Barack Obama. When he spoke at the [...]
