@LindseySeavert is a native Minnesotan and started reporting locally for @WCCO and now reports for @KARE11. She also is a busy mom! :)

Lindsey:    I am all of those things. And I am beginning this Twitterview with a toddler insisting to be on my lap!

Juggling and Tweeting then. :) What made you want to become a storyteller?

Lindsey:    I love to offer people a voice, words come easily and you have the ability to educate, inspire, evoke emotion.

Creation and development are important. Did you have some on-the-job mentors along the way?

Lindsey:    Yes, owe so much to peers who made tv storytelling a craft. @boydhuppert has been an incredible mentor

Being a good storyteller is important, and you also have to know your audience. What do Minnesotans like?

Lindsey:    MNs are a sharp bunch. They don’t tolerate sensationalism, demand quality. We have engaged, educated news consumers

Our viewers see through a weak report and aren’t afaid to tell you. They hold us accountable. We work for the public.

With large cities as well as a large rural area, is balance also important in the types of stories covered?

Lindsey:    Balance is paramount. Have to remember this vast state, avoid being “Cities” centric, and showcase diverse groups.

As a working mom, what kinds of things do you juggle with to get “everything done” each day?

Lindsey:    Voice in my head! Honestly, feel like I come up short often. Story ideas, deadlines, housework, boy and hub to love

Try to remember I’m doing my best. Try to forgive myself. I take longer to return emails, floors aren’t as clean.

Are there any Apps, organizing tools or strategies that you use to help to keep things scheduled?

Lindsey:    No, anyone have suggestions? I use Outlook calendar. My mind used to be enough, but I can’t keep it straight anymore!

Joel:    Thank you very much for your time and comments today for #MNMOtv. When can people see you on @kare11 again?

Lindsey:    Just started my weekend w Fri/Sat off, but I’ll be back Sunday at 10pm. M-Th for 5/6pm. Thank you so much.

Thank you for your thoughtful questions and devotion to the Twitterverse. #MNMOtv Have a beautiful weekend!

Interview took place on April 3,2013.

Hello everyone! If you’ve read a @MNMOmag lately, you’ve probably seen the name @TimGihring, multiple times. Lets learn about him!

Welcome @TimGihring! Tell us a little bit about your background. Where did you grow up, go to school and what interested you?

Tim:    Milwaukee suburbs in the 70s/80s. Neighbors: brewery workers, cops, insurance salesmen. It was like Laverne/Shirley.

In HS a Brit Lit teach asked what I wanted to do with my life. I saw an issue of TIME there and said, write for mags.

Loved the Milwaukee Public Museum, which was/is full of dioramas of buffalo hunts, elephants.. Great place to dream.

Did you write say for the HS paper, or did you take more of a serious approach to writing in college?

Tim:    Wrote for HS paper, was quickly moved to columnist where I wouldn’t have to interview anyone. I called the principal..

I’d called the principal at home when she was throwing a party to ask about an ice rink. She was not thrilled.

My HS column got me into a different kind of trouble after calling the basketball players pituitary cases.

The column was a mix of opinion, serious commentary, and outright fiction. Not unlike a magazine, perhaps.

At the U’s J school, I was getting bad grades for using too many adjectives and metaphors. So I decided to go into..

I studied advertising. Joined the U’s Ad Club. Was set to be a copywriter until I graduated and was hired by the AP.

You definitely like to “stir the pot”. So what led you to come to MN from WI and work for @MNMOmag? The weather? :)

Tim:    Learned about MN from Dylan bios, was fascinated by Dinkytown. First week here I tracked down his old pals.

Also, WI/MN reciprocity: back in the day, I paid far less in tuition to go to the U than MN students.

This was in the early 90s, and the West Bank hadn’t changed that much since Dylan’s day. Saw where he came from.

I’d quit the AP in ’99 to travel (India) and first started working for @MNMOmag in ’00.

What kinds of things did you cover for @MNMOmag when you first started? Has the magazine biz changed much since then?

Tim:    First thing I wrote for @MNMOmag: an essay about visiting Laurie Ingalls Wilder museum with a Japanese friend.

Visiting from Japan, all she wanted was to visit Walnut Grove. Buying souvenirs turned into a major culture clash.

Wrote about a Hmong pastor who disappeared in Laos. Rural auctions. Judy Garland Festival in Grand Rapids.

There were tears, apologies, and some pewter Little House figures. That essay led to my full-time hiring

Mags have less room now, fewer pages, tighter budgets, thus less room to play.

5 years ago, you’d decamp outstate for three days to report, fly to Mexico, etc. Not since the recession.

That said, mags still offer the best opportunity for storytelling, in words/pics that I can think of @MNMOmag

When you’re not writing a story or doing research, what do you like to do, or where do you go to relax in the TC’s?

Tim:    I show photography at Studiopolis in the Northrup King Building. XC skiing when I can: Wirth Park is my backyard.

Sparks is my local resto. Shopping at BlackBlue. The Cedar, Fitz.

Also subscribe to ridic # of mags: New Yorker, Nat’l Geo, Smithsonian. I’m a serial subscriber.

Joel:    I know that you’ve got to be going, so thank you for your time and sharing some of your thoughts on #MNMOtv today! Take care. :)

Tim:    Thanks, Joel!

Chris Stanford is a reporter and anchor for WCCO-TV in the Minneapolis/St. Paul television market. Chris primarily covers stories relating to consumer products, but he also covers the latest current news going on in the community.

How and why did Chris get interested in working in the news business?  Any interesting stories that stand out to him in his career?  When he’s not working, what kinds of things does Chris enjoy doing?  If he wasn’t cover the news or consumer products, what would he be doing? Get to know Chris from this 3-part interview with him.

In Part 1 of his interview, he shares what he first wanted to be when he grew up, how he got interested in journalism and reporting the news. Learn also where he got started in the news business.

In Part 2 of Chris Stanford’s interview, he talks about his start as a journalist in Wisconsin. He then talks about coming to WCCO and discusses the kinds of story ideas he’s sent from businesses and PR firms to cover.  He shares one company’s interesting subject line in an email that was for a new kind of bathroom product.

In the Part 3 of the Chris Stanford interview, he talks about his favorite sport, favorite thing to do when he has free-time, his perfect meal and what goal he has for himself.

Hi everybody! Welcome to today’s @MNMOmag Twitterview with interior designer @opulencebyT (Tiffany Hanken). Lets get started!

Hi Tiffany! Tell us a little bit about your background. Where did you grow up and how did you get interested in design?

Tiffany:    Hi Joel! Thank you for having me. I grew up in WI on a farm. I decided to remodel a old hunting shack at age 12.

This is where my love for interior design started!

Whoa! At age 12?!?! So what did you do to the hunting shack. Was it for you or someone that you knew?

Tiffany:    I turned it into a small home, added windows, built a shower out of a cow trough and metal pipping.

It was just a playhouse/fort for us kids.

Me and the neighbors were able to shower as it rained. Talk about Eco-friendly! Ha

Sounds like a good start. So did you take schooling on design and construction in HS and a vocational school?

Tiffany:    I was exposed to construction in HS than, went 2 Community Colleges for Interior Design.

How would you say that your design-style developed? What kinds of things did you expose yourself to creatively?

Tiffany:    My design style has developed by my travels to Europe and abroad. I exposed myself to all works of art and fashion.

Most of my inspiration comes from Hotels around the world or anything inspiring.

That’s a good idea. So what kind of projects do you and your company do now? Single rooms? Entire houses?

Tiffany:    We do anything from a Loft remodel downtown to an entire house remodel, to restaurants in Mpls.

We will also just remodel a master bedroom or bathroom, while staying in tune with the rest of the home.

What are some trends in colors and materials that you are seeing right now that are popular?

Tiffany:    Neons – pinks, turquoises and bright blues, also my fav color trend Midnight Mystery, influenced by The Great Gatsby.

Midnight Mystery is dark charcoals, grays, saturated browns and navy’s. All eluding mystery.

For materials, it is natural elements, wood, faux bois patterns, and metals or gadgets with a whimsical edge.

Good to know. If someone is looking to make a change or update in their home, what’s the best way to contact you?

Tiffany:    By email – tiffany@tiffanyhankendesign.com or phone 952.454.4294. I am happy to consult on any project!

Joel:    Super! Thanks for your time today Tiffany and sharing some of your story on #MNMOtv. Have a great day!

Tiffany:    Thanks again Joel! Have a fabulous day too!

Hello everyone! Welcome to today’s @MNMOmag Twitterview. Today’s guest is the owner of @goldenfig in St. Paul, Laurie Crowell.

So Laurie, tell us a little bit about yourself. Where did you grow up and what kinds of things interested you as a kid?

Laurie:    I grew up in Eau Claire Wi. Food was always a big part of my life. Cooking with my Mom, canning with my Grandma.

A good memory to have. Did you always want to work with food, or did you do other work before you opened your shop?

Laurie:    I actually studied architecture and interior design in college. But one summer spent in East Hampton, NY rerouted me!

A summer at Barefoot Contessa turned into a few years there and a whole new level of food “love” was born.

upon returning to the Midwest in the 90′s I just navigated the good food world until I found my Figgy home.

Niiiice! So did you actually get to work with and learn about food from @inagarten? What was that experience like?

Laurie:    I was lucky enough to work with Ina and I adore her. She really introduced me to the logic of local!

@inagarten She was and is much like our own Lenny Russo. Doing the local push twenty years ago.

That’s just awesome! So share some things about your store. Like when did you open and what was the initial concept?

Laurie:    I have been making a line of about 100 food products since 1996. I opened the store in 2006 with the mission of local

Local AND best quality. No HFCS/food color/msg etc allowed on our shelves Working hand in hand with farmers, producers

the Fig brand is available at local groceries/co-ops as well as Macy’s and other specialty retailers nationwide.

Can you share some of the items that you offer, and what are some of the more popular ones?

Laurie:    Our house made Chocolate Salted Caramel sauce is amazing, local cream and butter and our Chocolate Salt.

our fresh Basil Limeade with a splash of gin could actually make you cry (in a good way!)

our Sel de Cuisine spice blend is actually legendary. We ship it all over the world. People (and I) LOVE it :)

Is that the same caramel sauce that John on @TwinCities_Live raves about? Where are you located?

Laurie:    Yes! I actually created the sauce for an ice cream segment for TCL…John Hanson dreams of it I think.

Golden Fig is located at 790 Grand Avenue in St. Paul. We are on the East end of the Avenue. 1 block from Cafe Latte

That’s in a GREAT neighborhood! What are your hours and are there any deals or specials going on right now or soon?

Laurie:    10-8 Mon-Sat, 11-6 Sun. 4-7 tonight is Gluten Free night. Tons of local gluten free companies sampling and educating.

And of course we’re gearing up for all local Thanksgiving! Turkeys, fresh pies, cranberry sauce. YUM!

I always say the deal is you get the best customer service, best products AND support local. What better deal is there!

Joel:    Your shop would be VERY dangerous for people, especially on an empty stomach! :) Thanks for being a part of #MNMOtv today.

Laurie:    We offer tons of samples so no empty stomachs here :) Thanks for inviting me to chat and hope to see you soon!

Naomi Pescovitz is a news junkie, she just loves to learn what’s going on in the world by taking in information from all kinds of news sources. But she doesn’t keep it all to herself, she uses her passion and shares what she’s learned with others. Naomi is a reporter at KSTP-TV in the Twin Cities, and she has had her assignment there since late Summer of 2011. Naomi brings an energy and a good spirit to every story that she covers.

So when Naomi is covering a story about weather conditions. A story about a neighborhood or a business, what kinds of things does she enjoy doing? What are her passions in life, and who is her “news idol” when it comes to the national scene?  With 1 year under her belt, does she have any goals for herself as to what she would like to achieve or accomplish in the next year?  Get to learn more about Naomi and what makes her “tick” from a 3-part “Faces of MN” interview with her.

In Part 1 of her her interview, she talks with Joel Carlson about how she decided to become a journalist, and the route she took to get there.

In Part 2 of her interview, Naomi talks about her path to KSTP-TV. She talks about some of the stories that she’s covered in MN and shares how she prepared for a Minnesota winter. Naomi ends in talking about her life as a foodie and what restaurants that she’s tried in the Twin Cities.

In Part 3 of Naomi’s interview, she talks about where she likes to shop in the Twin Cities. Goes through a “rapid fire” round of questions and then talks about what kinds of things she enjoys reading. She shares which national news anchor is her favorite and a story of getting to interviewing them. She then closes with sharing a goal of hers to achieve in the next year.

Art can be a difficult subject for people to agree on. Art to one person can be confusing or unappreciated to another. It’s hard to unite people on exactly what art is all of the time. What though if it has elements that allow everyone to understand what it is? Say images of a neighborhood or community, all combined into one piece of art, like a collage.  That’s exactly the type of art that you’ll findGiesla Hoelscher working on and sharing with others.  Get to learn more about her and her art that honors cities and neighborhoods from around the country.

Hello, and welcome to today’s @MNMOmag Twitterview with Twin Cities collage artist, @GieslaAnne. Lets get this started!

Tell us a little bit about your background. Where you grew up and when your interest in art started.

Giesla:    I’m a lifelong MN resident & currently live in St. Paul.

When asked in kindergarten what I wanted to be when I grew up, I said “an artist”!

I never really faltered from that. I studied psychology for a brief period, then interior & graphic design.

Where did you go for your interior and graphic design schooling? What kind of art were you drawn too?

Giesla:    I went to the U of MN. I graduated with an Associate’s in Graphic Design from Globe College (now Globe University).

I appreciate all kinds of art, it’s really hard to pick an absolute favorite. I’m really drawn to modern art.

As far as graphic design, I have a soft spot for vintage design, particular graphics from the 50s and 60s.

When did you start making your own art for selling publicly, and what made you choose collages?

Giesla:    I had a difficult time finding a job after 9/11. There were more layoffs than hiring so I started doing freelance.

I just wasn’t crazy about the work. I started making things by hand at the encouragement of a co-worker at the time.

I started my own business in 2002 & started doing art fairs. The collage work wasn’t the main focus initially.

I started doing collages b/c it was my favorite college project. I chose the local theme b/c I love where I live.

Can you describe some of the pieces that you’ve done to give people an idea of your local themes?

Giesla:    The artwork is mostly done with my own photography, but I’ve also used vintage postcards & maps in some pieces.

The theme is either a major city or focuses on part of the city, for example, San Francisco or Bourbon Street.

Here in MN, I generally focus on parts of Saint Paul or Minneapolis or areas of MN, like the North Shore.

I’ve had a great deal of requests for MN colleges as they make great gifts & I’m slowly building a collection.

I also like to highlight the greatest parts of the Twin Cities, like the lakes and the arts, for example

When it come to MN and the arts community, is their a good network to connect with, or lots of independent people?

Giesla:    There is an AMAZING arts community here in MN. One of my favorite parts of doing art fairs is connecting w/artists

We also have great organizations like @mnartistsdotorg and @SpringboardArts that do excellent work w/artists.

Great to know about @mnartistsdotorg and @SpringboardArts. Any location offline that people can see your work at?

Giesla:    Absolutely! My favorite independent shops are the Artist Mercantile in St. Paul or Your Art’s Desire in Minnetonka.

If you prefer shopping at a mall, my work is at Deck the Walls in @mallofamerica or their new Rosedale location.

I’ll be at the Rosedale location on October 20th for a signing event from 1-4pm.

Joel:    Thanks so much @GieslaAnne for sharing some of your life and activities on #MNMOtv today. Have a great rest of the week!

Giesla:    Thank you, @JoelECarlson, for having me on #MNMOtv. It was my pleasure!