Good morning everyone! Thanks for joining the #MNMOtv Twitterview of @burkcity. An assistant editor and #TCCulture blogger at @MNMOmag.

Ellen:    Hey all! Nice of you to join us :)

So to start @burkcity, where did you grow up, attend school and what did you want to be when you grew up?

Ellen:    I grew up in Burnsville. Then I decided it would be a great idea to go to UND in Grand Forks. I lasted a year.

After that, I transferred to the U where I majored in journalism (shocker) and minored in Spanish.

Growing up, I wanted to be a few things: speed skater, vet, hair stylist… luckily, my mom pointed me toward writing.

And for the record, I have no idea how the heck to speed skate. It just looked sweet in the Olympics.

It does looks cool. :) How did you get your first job using your journalism skills?

Ellen:    Well, I guess it’s time to come clean: this is my first “real” journalism job. I’m the baby of the office.

I interned at @metromag my senior year, developing my writing/editing chops, getting clips, making connections.

That experience and my witty cover letter convinced @mnmoeditor I could do this job. I’ve been here since Nov. 2010.

Nothing wrong with that! Have to get your start somewhere. :) So what kind of topics or subjects do you write about?

Ellen:    I cover all sorts of topics (loons, yoga, bike trails), but my main beats are theater reviews for #TCCulture & travel

What are some awesome theaters that people should be aware of that are “Gems in Hiding”?

Ellen:    Oh man, there’s so much great theater in the Twin Cities. In St. Paul, @PenumbraTheatre and @ParkSquare are amazing.

In Mpls: @GuthrieTheater (of course), @JungleTheater, Theater Garage (on Lyndale), all the @hennepintheatre stages

I’m going to @YellowTT for the first time Fri. to see “Glass Menagerie.” You could see a new show every night.

Oh and @theaterlatteda and Ten Thousand Things theater. I could keep going and going. It’s amazing.

Any BIG shows that are coming to the Twin Cities that people should look to get tickets for in the next 1-6 months?

Ellen:    “BIG” makes me nervous! I’ll tell you what I’m really excited about: @PenumbraTheatre’s ‘The Amen Corner’ in May…

@GuthrieTheater ‘Sunshine Boys’ with Raye Birk and Peter Michael Goetz in July…

Summer is kinda slow. But looking way ahead, I’m pumped for ‘Book of Mormon’ & ‘War Horse’ in 2013 at @hennepintheatre

With your diverse writing assignments, any Spring or Summer activities people should be excited about?

Ellen:    The new Harriet Island music festival should be awesome. I’m a huge @MinnStateFair fan and can’t wait for August.

Joel:    Great suggestions Ellen. Thanks for your time and comments today on #MNMOtv. Have a great week and enjoy your work!

Ellen:    My pleasure. Happy Wednesday all!

So you’ve started your very own Twitter account. You’ve got a great Twitter handle. You’ve got your BIO all filled out and it describes you and your wonderful personality. You’ve got a URL link for your blog or your business posted. You’re ready to go and connect with people on Twitter now! So you get busy and start following people that you know. Following businesses and celebrities that you like, appreciate and want to stay connected to.  You want to hear what they’re saying and sharing with their followers.

You keep doing so, but then you when you get to following 2,000 Twitter account, you hit a road block. You’re following more people than are following you in return. You’ve been stopped in your tracks, but you want to keep going. What’s the deal?  It’s like this, Twitter has a limit set, and if you hit it and try to go over it, you’re stopped. You can’t be following more than 2,000 people and only have 100-1900 be following you in return. Why does Twitter have this “Golden 2,000″ rule? Here’s their explanation:  “Limits improve site performance by ensuring that when we send a person’s message to all of their followers, the sending of that message is meaningful. Follow limits cannot be lifted by Twitter, and everyone is subject to them, including verified and developer accounts. Based on current behavior in the Twitter community, we’ve concluded that this is both fair and reasonable.”

So Twitter has nothing against you as a user.  They’re just trying to set up some barriers so that spammers and “bots” don’t go crazy-wild when setting up a new account. The good news for you though is once you’ve  hit the “Golden 2,000″ mark of followers, have fun, and reach for the stars! Follow who and what you want.  You’re in control!

      For over 3 years for me, every Friday on my Twitter Feed, I’ve seen Tweets from people that have the #FF hashtag included in them, often then proceeded by a long list of Twitter handles. They were doing a good thing in showing appreciation for the people that have followed them, and giving a digital “shout out” to all of those people or businesses, but they weren’t giving any reason for it. Just a “Follow these people because I said to” mentality. Really though, if a person is going to say “Hey, you should follow this person and or that person”, provide a reason. Like “These people have inspired me” or “These people make me laugh”.  Even better, how about just doing a solo #FF for just one person, and then use the rest of the 140 characters in a Tweet to explain why people should follow that person or Twitter handle. What makes them great, good, special, inspiring, fabulous and the like. That person will be touched by your thoughtful reasons and it shows you as being a more authentic person and not just being a “follower of crowds”.

#FF or “Follow Friday” on Twitter does not seem to be done as much as it had been in the past.  It’s a great idea, but is Friday the only day we should think about someone that we appreciate? Is Friday the only day we should Tweet about someone that effected us in a small or large way? I don’t think so, and I don’t think you do either. So the next time someone that you’re connected to on Twitter does something great or awesome and you want them to be recognized for it, don’t wait until Friday to praise them. Tell them right away in a Tweet. Or better yet, tell them on the phone or in person. Being social is connecting with people, online, and face-to-face.

Hello #MNMOtv followers! Today’s guest is @Vruno (Kristine Vruno Huson), and we don’t want to keep her waiting, so lets start!

Tell us a little bit about your background. Where did you grow up, go to school and what did you want to be when you grew up?

Kristine:    Grew up in S. St. Paul, (Go Packers). Wanted 2B marine biologist to dive w/great white sharks; still want to do that

So would you say you’re an adventurer, you like to face danger or that you like challenges?

Kristine:    Not an adrenaline junkie, but have done some brave things, I suppose. Being “arctic warrior” in Army in Alaska, might qualify

I suppose having some courage in my blood helps me when I meet kids who are dying of cancer & their parents

I would also say that I love challenges – hoping to help docs cure cancer, or make progress on that monster problem, is one

Lets talk about the work that you do. How did you get involved with being a fundraiser for children with cancer?

Kristine:    Childhood cancer research was my women’s fraternity’s chosen cause so I fundraised while in college at University of North Dakota

So I have always admired @childrenscancer, so pursued a position here & am very impressed by the work of this organization

Children’s Cancer Research Fund provides $millions in seed grants for innovative “proof of principal” studies

What are some of the ways that you and @childrenscancer are able to get contributions to help with valuable research.

Kristine:    This proof of principal research oft attracts other funding from NIH, NCI & other nonprofits. Our ROI is $1 we give turns into $18

Our researcher turned our $10K seed grant into $3.5M in NIH funding. Our $100K grant for brain tumor research got $3.9M That’s ROI!

Besides seed grants we fill in gaps of funding for capital expenditures, underwrite quality-of-life programs @UofMChildrens..

We fund SIX endowed chairs at U of MN – that’s the most by any philanthropic organization giving to the U! We are very vital to U.

Raising money for this is great, but it sounds like you’ve been able to interact with some who’ve been helped too right?

Kristine:    Indeed, it’s sharing stories of kids affected by our research, the young patients & their families, that is my most important role.

I sat in hospital, w/young man who battling neuroblastoma for 3rd time while he had is final, last ditch, stem cell rescue

This kid died, & can’t bring myself 2 delete emails he send 2 me along the way. His mom & I still correspond. In his memory I work!

I take it personally when we lose a child we’ve worked with. #Cancer is the devil & I’ll fight it as long as I have fight in me

Wow! You are obviously very passionate about your work! :) In addition to your work, any other passions that you have?

Kristine:    I consider myself an “art patron” & my art of choice is local, indie music. I also try to invest in visual artists too when I can

Rocking out at a gig helps me blow of steam from my sometimes emotionally taxing vocation

We have an embarrassment of riches of art in the Twin Cities, we are so lucky! Get out there & be an art patron & support the arts!

I also have a 14 yo son who keeps me on my toes.

Would you also say that you’re a fashionista as well? What kinds of things are you drawn to?

Kristine:    I would be in denial if I didn’t say that I love my vintage dresses & coats. It’s my contribution to keeping the planet greener

If you haven’t been to Lula in St. Paul & met Hayley Bush, you’re missing out. She is clothing whisperer! Beautiful vintage there!

To close, do you have any favorite eateries or shops that you like frequent locally that you care to share?

Kristine:    Love chef-driven indie restaurants serving local fare. Adore Moscow on the Hill, WA Frosts, Saffron. Lula, Blacklist 4 Vintage

I love getting lost at the Goodwill & Savers. Find lots of designer treasures there. Found a suede Celine coat for $6!

Joel Carlson:    Thank you VERY MUCH for all that you do to help people with cancer! Thanks also for being a #MNMOtv guest today. Good work! :)

Kristine:    Thank you 4 opportunity @joelecarlson & @MNMOmag! Our cause @childrenscancer always needs help. Check us out: http://ow.ly/a4V6g!

For the May JMU612 (Java MeetUp 612) MeetUp, the topic was Apps. In particular, what Apps had people in the group  tried, and also enjoyed using. In the health and fitness portion, there were a number of Apps that were mentioned, and so here is a list of some of them for you to try out yourself. See what works for you. As well as a few others that I came across that might assist you as well in your journey to a healthier and better you.

Click on the highlighted link to get the App from the iTunes store.

GymPact – Lets you earn cash rewards by going to a gym. (Free)

Tap & Track – A calorie counter App. ($3.99)

RunKeeper – Uses GPS to track your fitness activity. (Free)

100pushups – A 6 weeks training program to get you capable of 100 consecutive push ups.  (Free)

Run 5k - Personal workout training coach. Helps you get into shape from a beginner to running a 5k in 8 weeks. ($3.99)

Fitness Buddy – 1700+ unique exercises at your disposal. ($0.99)

MapMyFITNESS - Personal training log for tracking runs, rides and gym workouts. (Free)

MapMyRIDE  GPS Cycling – Map the route that you take when biking. (Free)

Good afternoon! Lets get the Twitterview with @ChefJasonRoss, a judge for the #ChefChallenge, rolling!.

So @chefjasonross, when did you know that you wanted to get involved with cooking as a career?

Jason:    I went to cooking school young-17, but had no plans on being a chef until later.

after a while I realized that I was always in a kitchen and around 1997 I began in earnest to go after it as a career.

age 25ish

So where did you go for schooling, and could you tell the kind/type of cooking you wanted to do early on?

Jason:    I went to a school in Manhattan that no longer exists. I would go on weekends and after class sometimes…

It was like a hobby that I was really into as a teen. I guess kind of like sports or an instrument…

I didn’t really no much about types of food but once I got into a professional kitchen and felt the energy…

I was blown away. My specific food style education in a restaurant was place called Christers(Swedish)…

Off Broadway in NYC. Christer interviewed me, hired me, and I was on the line within an hour during an opening night.

So how did you end up going from NYC to MSP? What other restaurants did you work at?

Jason:    Don’t they say you come here for love, money or treatment? :) I came for love. My wife was coming home for schooling…

The plan was to stay for a year. That was back in 1994. As for restaurants I’ve worked -embarassingly long list

D’amico Cuccina (now gone) was the first place with a great local chef -JP Samuellson…

at the time D’mico was the place to be and lots of chefs in town got their training in that kitchen

A great way to learn and network with other chefs! How did you end up becoming a Chef Instructor?

Jason:    A job in the schools restaurant came up. I looked at it as another kitchen job. Over time I realized, I love the …

I love the teaching as much as the cooking. I thought I’d be at Le Cordon Bleu 3 years, tops. It’s almost 7 now…
it’s coming up on 7 years soon.

Must be having fun! So on @KARE11 they are covering the #ChefChallenge right now. What can people expect this wknd?

Jason:    You really never know! The competition is at a really high level this year. It’s really the best of the best..

This is the first year for most of the field.We have 2 returning Champs.There’s sure to be some curve-balls…

I heard there are brackets in twin cities kitchens.I’d love to see the spreads.Well I guess not as a judge :)

Probably something for you to avoid. :) Are there categories, and what happens Saturday versus on Sunday?

Jason:    It’s a 2 day cooking tournament. 8 chefs, then 4, then 2, then 1. New secret ingredient for each 1 hour round.

finals on Sunday afternoon. Winner take all for $10,000

And the #ChefChallenge is FREE! Thanks for your comments and time today today. Have a foodtastic weekend!

Jason:    Great talking to you -lots of fun. See you at the Mall Rotunda on Saturday from 10-4.

Good morning! Today’s Twitterview with @CathyWurzer is now going to begin. Welcome everyone!

Cathy:    Hi Joel! Nice to join you in cyberspace.

To begin, share with us a little background about yourself. Where did you grow up and attend school?

Cathy:    I’m a south Mpls native. Grew up a few blocks off Lake St. Proud grad of Mpls South High

What kinds of things were you interested in while growing up? Did you aspire to want to do TV and radio?

Cathy:    Other than horses, I was always fascinated with the weather. I wanted to be the first TV meteorologist in the metro.

That dream was dashed by my utter inability to handle math and physics. I’m kind of an arm chair weather geek now.

Did I want to be in radio/TV when I was a kid? Nope. Had NO plans! :)

Would you ever try being a storm-chaser? After HS, what did you do and what was your first job as an adult?

Cathy:    I’ll take the storm chaser question first. HECK YES I would love to chase and while at WCCO-TV did a little chasing.

I have never seen a tornado in person. I would love to. They are fascinating creations of Mother Nature.

Maybe when I get some time, I’ll head down to Tornado Alley and chase with one of the groups that do.

Your second question about life after Mpls South High? I went to college at UW-River Falls. Very good, small school.

I deliberately went to River Falls because I thought the U of M was a tad too big for me at the time and…

I really wanted to get away from home. @uwrf had/has a really good journalism program.

I was lucky that before graduating from UWRF I had a job at KSTP-AM radio. I couldn’t believe it!

My first job at KSTP-AM radio was as the Capitol reporter. That was one of the most fun jobs I’ve had!

Oh. You asked about first job as an adult? I guess the VERY first one was as a switchboard operator at…

Lets move forward a bit. When did you start at @wcco and then how long have you been with @tptAlmanac?

Cathy:    I started at @WCCO in the late ’90′s. I’ve been doing @tptAlmanac for 18 years. I just called my producer to ask!

Also, what moved you to get into the worlds of writing and filmmaking ?

Cathy:    Thanks for asking about my other “lives”–writing and documentary filmmaking. I LOVE history and always wanted to…

produce documentaries. I wanted to “test” myself in a sense to see if I could do such a thing.

@talesoftheroad was the result. I set out to do a historical documentary about Hwy 61 and wound up writing a book.

@talesoftheroad was a labor of love. I really didn’t have a clue about the amount of work both would entail.

The book and documentary were years in the making but it was such great fun, I’m working on a sequel!

Was book 1 about going North on Hwy 61 and book 2 is about going South? j/k So you like road trips?

Cathy:    Of course, with a sequel, I’m really hoping the 1946 era Cadillac we used will be in fine motoring form and usable!

he book/documentary is about the whole highway in Mn. from Grand Portage to LaCrescent. The sequel…

…will focus on stories I left out. (RedWing Pottery, 3M in St. Paul, a haunted inn near the No. Shore.

Ultimately, I hope to do a longer form, multi-part documentary taking the road from Grand Portage, Mn. to New Orleans.

If I succeed in making it all the way down the road I’ll be a happy woman. Yes, I love roadtrips and…

Cathy:    Do you like road trips Joel?? (Sorry, I’m used to asking questions…!)

Joel:    Yes, when I have time for them. I’d love to do one from MSP through the Rockies. :)

What’s been one of your most memorable road-trips that you’ve taken? Have you ever traveled by train?

Cathy:    One of the most memorable was a family trip, out west, in a pop-up camper. I’m shocked we didn’t kill each other!

That kind of trip was exactly what we did as a family. Quite memorable! You asked about trains? LOVE ‘em.

Haven’t enjoyed train travel since I was a kid going to Chicago. Would love to take the Empire Builder out West.

Joel:    I can imagine. :) I wish we had more time, but we don’t. Thank you for your time and comments today! Have a good week!

Cathy:    Thanks so much Joel! I’ve had a ball chatting!!