Sep
01
Uncompromised cash hauling
By Katie Kieffer
This week, I was one of a few people who were lucky enough to see Ford unveil the all-new 2011 Ford Explorer at the Minneapolis Club.
Here’s my exclusive video interview with Ford’s Explorer Chief Engineer, Jim Holland. Video produced by Charles Eide of EideCom:
Aug
31
After the sushi…
By Katie Kieffer
…came the photos of sushi.
Last Monday night, I hosted a special event called Affari for young professionals in the Twin Cities in collaboration with the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal. It was held on the elegant rooftop of SEVEN Sushi Ultralounge and SKYBAR.
If you’re curious to see what Affari was all about, then here is a tasting of Affari – courtesy of Alicia Orvik Photography:
Aug
26
Vornado State of Mind
By Katie Kieffer
Let’s hear it for New York. Let’s hear it for the New York City Council’s vote on Wednesday in favor of a new, 1,200-foot tower, Vornado Tower.
The Tower:
Vornado Tower is the new kid on the block. She will become the second tallest building in Manhattan. Vornado Tower will be built on Seventh Avenue near Madison Square Garden and Penn Station at the site of the tired Hotel Pennsylvania. This is widely considered the perfect location for a lofty building.
Aug
16
Meet me on the rooftop
By Katie Kieffer
If you are a young professional and rising star in the Twin Cities, I invite you to join me on the rooftop of SEVEN Sushi Ultralounge and SKYBAR next Monday, August 23rd from 6-9 pm for Affari. Admittance is complimentary, but you need to pre-register here as all guest names will be checked upon entry. Space is limited, so register now. Affari is filling up and is just a week away!
Agenda
6:00 – 9:00 pm networking and hors d’oeuvres
7:30 pm presentation by Katie Kieffer
Highlights
- Free t-shirts to the first 150 guests, courtesy of Katie Kieffer
- Hors d’oeuvres, courtesy of the The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal
- Door prize drawing, courtesy of the The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal
Aug
11
Minnesotan wins free speech
By Katie Kieffer
A Coon Rapids, Minn. man named Michael Boardley won big last week. He succeeded expanding free speech in national parks for all Americans. In Michael Boardley v. Department of Interior, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit determined that Americans do not need permits in order to ‘demonstrate, distribute brochures or engage in other “expressive” activities in parks,’ reports the Los Angeles Times.
The appellate court’s decision is worthy of celebration given the scrutiny that the current administration is giving to free speech. Remember when I told you about the FCC bubble wrapping the internet? Politicians clamping down on Facebook? Comedy Central micromanaging South Park? Today, it is my pleasure to report a positive story about free speech.
Aug
09
Paying for suicide
By Katie Kieffer
Suicide hurts people. It hurts the person who commits suicide. It also hurts their friends, family, neighbors and coworkers.
So, who should have to pay for suicide? Who should have to shoulder the burden and cushion the fall of those who choose death?
The Board of Directors of the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District in San Francisco, California thinks the taxpayer should have to.
Aug
04
Cornered in a museum
By Katie Kieffer
Imagine living in a place where things rarely improved or modernized. Imagine living a modern life in a quaint museum of ancient ruins. There are real people living in such a place today. Welcome to Italy.
I recently returned from spending a month abroad and I had the opportunity to talk to many of the locals in Rome, Venice, Bologna, San Miniato and Florence.
Aug
02
Hailing the Reagan of Rome
Part 3 in a series
By Katie Kieffer
America can find hope and direction during recession by looking to Rome. Specifically, the U.S. would be wise to follow in the footsteps of the ‘Ronald Reagan of Rome.’
When you think of Rome, you probably think of Julius Caesar. But, in fact, Rome was not always governed by a dictator. Caesar was a politician and a military conqueror. He appointed himself dictator and thereby contributed to the end of Rome’s Republic and the beginning of a more imperial system that ultimately weakened Rome to the point of destruction.
Jul
29
Watching Rome burn
Part 2 in a series
By Katie Kieffer
If Rome was so prosperous and peaceful during the first and second century AD, why did she fall?
You’ve probably heard people say, “Rome was not built in a day.” Well, Rome also did not fall overnight. It took repeated corruption and poor governance over time for Rome to reach a point of such extreme weakness that German barbarians were able to conquer her.
Jul
27
‘Roma-romama!’
Part 1 in a series
By Katie Kieffer
Our founding fathers were obsessed with the Roman Republic. They studied it meticulously and their goal was to form a democratic republic in the United States of America that would replicate and mirror the Roman Republic’s strengths while avoiding Rome’s mistakes.
In the first and second centuries AD, Rome was governed by a balanced constitution. The Roman Republic was a decentralized government. There were checks and balances on power, which our founding fathers liked. There was a Senate and three law-making citizen assemblies that had the power to influence and guide the decisions of the consul or the commander-in-chief. Rome held popular elections for the offices of chief magistrates.
