Tag Archives: sports

Three Great Teams=Three Great Blogs

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Okay, I realize not everyone will agree with me that all three of these teams are great! (Commence the arguing Packer and Viking fans) But the fact is The Minnesota Vikings, The Green Bay Packers and The North Dakota State University Bison all find themselves in post-season play this weekend, so all rivalries aside, one could argue these are pretty awesome teams.

To keep you in the loop, I wanted to recommend three Areavoices blogs that you’ll want to see. They provide in-depth analysis, injury reports and those little details only rabid fans would notice. Check them out:
And finally: Who are you rooting for?

 

Gregor’s Packer Analysis: Packer news and reports from fan Greg Gillis.
Gillis provides a detailed recap of Packer action from week to week and previews what’s to come.
http://packeranalysis.areavoices.com/

The Armchair Kicker – The Best Minnesota Vikings Blog in the Western Hemisphere. From the author: “My name is Mark Walters. Originally from Hibbing, Minn. My obsession with Vikings football started when my father took me to the Metrodome for the first time in October 1983. Win or lose, I bleed purple”
http://thearmchairkicker,areavoices.com

And for Bison fans, you need to get plugged into the Bison Media Blog. Forum sportswriter and columnist Jeff Kolpack and WDAY-TV sports director Dom Izzo run down the action (and occasionally each other) in this very popular blog. It usually in our top five most read blogs.
http://bisonmedia.areavoices.com

 

So enjoy the games this weekend everyone. And if you’re writing a Vikings, Packers or Bison blog you think we should feature or would like to start one, for heaven’s sake just email me. I’m happy to get you started. tracy.briggs@forumcomm.com

 

Countdown to Bison kickoff – Areavoices Digest #88

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For all of you Bison fans out there…the day is approaching:  the kickoff to Bison Football 2012.

If you’d like the latest info from the guys who know the Herd inside and out…check out Jeff Kolpack and Dom Izzo’s Bison Media Blog. They’ve been doing it for years now and it’s consistently one of the most viewed blogs on Areavoices. This year is promising to be even better for the boys. (Dom and Jeff, I mean. I wouldn’t dare call the Bison “boys.” I don’t want to offend them. Dom and Jeff, I’m not too worried about. Anyway, I digress.) Dom and Jeff are planning big things for their video blog this year. It’s always fun when they dissect the season, and this year is no different.

If you want the fan’s perspective, the Bison Fan Blog is a lot of fun.

Those are just the first of this weeks’ recommended blogs. Enjoy!
Bison Media Blog
bisonmedia.areavoices.com
The Forum’s Jeff Kolpack and WDAY’s Dom Izzo preview the kickoff to Bison football 2012.

Bison Fan Blog
bisonfans.areavoices.com
As long as we’re talking Bison, check out this blog for Bison fans by Bison fans.

Jeremiah Program Fargo Moorhead
jeremiahprogramfargomoorhead.areavoices.com
Changing Women’s Lives for Their Children’s Futures.

No Time to Be Cool
notimetobecool.areavoices.com
Just a simple dude trying to glow in the dark.

Middle Aged Plague by Carolyn Henderson
middleagedplague.areavoices.com
Carolyn tells us why she’s reluctant to buy cookies from children at her door, but what is definitely not off limits.

A real life Eva Gabor? – Areavoices Digest #80

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If you’re over a certain age…ahem…you grew up not only watching this ridiculous show but singing it’s catchy lyrics.

Green acres is the place for me.
Farm livin’ is the life for me.
Land spreadin’ out so far and wide
Keep Manhattan, just give me that countryside.

Green Acres ran from 1965 to 1971 and starred Eddie Albert as Oliver Wendell Douglas, a frustrated New York City banker who longed for simple country life. His pampered wife Lisa, played by Eva Gabor wasn’t as ready to chuck everything.

New York is where I’d rather stay.
I get allergic smelling hay.
I just adore a penthouse view.
Dah-ling I love you but give me Park Avenue.

He convinces or rather drags (“You are my wife!”) Lisa to Hooterville,  USA to start farming. What ensues is 1960′s era hilarity as Oliver drives his tractor wearing a suit and Lisa parades around the house in silk robes and feather boas.

But in our midst on Areavoices we might have a real life Eva Gabor.

Cloey is a native New Yorker who now finds herself a farmer’s wife in rural Minnesota. Her fish out of water stories are a hoot (she was surprised when the movie theatre employee let her help herself to the butter).

Check out her blog and the rest of the recommended blogs in this weeks digest:


From NY Life to Farmer’s Wife
greenacresrevisited.areavoices.com
Cloey is a former New Yorker who now finds herself married to a farmer in rural Minnesota. You can take the girl out
of New York, but can you take New York out of the girl?

18 Holes with Jack…Daniels
fmgolfguy.areavoices.com
Corey Herlickson, head golf professional at The Meadows Golf Course in Moorhead, provides tips and advice for golfers.

Golf
golf.areavoices.com
Self-proclaimed “worst golfer in the region” Paul Stein writes about golf in the Twin Ports area of Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Live It!
liveit.areavoices.com
A regional lifestyle magazine designed to take an up-close and personal look at the
people, places and things that make west central Minnesota a great place to live.

The Public Square
thepublicsquare.areavoices.com
Jay Milbrandt is an attorney and author from Worthington, Minnesota. His blog seeks to recreate
the old time town square where people meet to exchange ideas and participate in civil debate.

 

 

Areavoices Digest #76 – Running, Minnesota Vikings, and Season-Ending TV

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I decided for this week’s list of recommended blogs, I’d go with the real HOT TOPICS. What’s making news? What’s the buzz? What are you talking about around the water cooler?

At my office, it’s been a lot of chatter about the upcoming Fargo Marathon, which attracts 20 thousand runners from around the nation. We’re also talking about the newly-passed Viking stadium. And TV talk is always big:  “Who’s going to win American Idol or Dancing with the Stars?”

That being said these Areavoices blogs hit on those topics. Check them out! And if you’re interested in writing your own blog, don’t forget to drop me a line. I’d love to hear from you: tracy.briggs@fccinteractive.com

Fargo Marathon
http://fargomarathon.areavoices.com
The official blog of the Fargo Marathon written by race director Mark Knutson. This year’s race is expected to attract 20,000 runners from all over the United States.

Addicted to Running
runningspud.areavoices.com
Running enthusiast Steve Wagner talks about training, nutrition and more.

On TV
http://ontv.areavoices.com
TV talk from a TV lover. On TV covers the buzz from primetime and beyond.

Life in the Patch
http://patchlife.areavoices.com
“Life in the Patch” is a Forum Communications blog documenting the good, the bad, the ugly and the pretty in oil-rich Western North Dakota.

Minnesota Sports Shorts
http://louiestgeorge.areavoices.com
An overview of Minnesota’s often vexing sports scene with Duluth News Tribune copy editor Louie St. George III.

Areavoices Digest #67 – More than just Marilyn Hagerty

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That title you see above is my cheap ploy to get you to click on my blog. I’m not beneath trickery. But the fact is: Marilyn Hagerty is hot. Stories about her and now her Areavoices blog are generating huge traffic from around the world for this website and many more. I love it! Not just because of my position as Areavoices cheerleader, but because Marilyn seems like a wonderful woman who deserves all the attention and accolades she’s getting. I’m just wishing I could have been the one to accompany her to New York City, instead of my co-worker Ryan Babb. Anyway, I told him to say “hi” to Anderson Cooper for me.

That being said, my point is this. I wanted to let you know Marilyn Hagerty isn’t the only  hot commodity on Areavoices. Check out this week’s group of new and recommended blogs. Enjoy!
Financial Planning: Information and Resources
http://financialplanning.areavoices.com
Paul Jarvis specializes is a Certified Financial Planner who helps clients accumulate, grow, protect and distribute wealth through comprehensive financial plans tailored to their needs and goals.

Across and Abroad with Devin
http://devinberglund.areavoices.com
Devin Berglund is from Twin Valley, Minnesota. She’ll blog about her adventures living in Australia.

2 Wheeler
http://2wheeler.areavoices.com
Gary Miller of The West Central Tribune in Willmar, Minnesota blogs about all things bicycling, including stories and pictures from his national and international bicycling trips.

Levi’s Catching Radius
http://leviscatchingradius.areavoices.com
Levi Weber writes about Minnesota sports and entertainment

Rep. Dean Urdahl
http://repdeanurdahl.areavoices.com
Rep. Urdahl is in his fifth term serving House District 18B of Minnesota which spans most of Meeker County and the western portion of Wright.

Are you ready for some lacrosse???? Areavoice Digest #65

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In the Land of 10,000 lakes (and nearby) we have our sports. Some say hockey is king (and queen). Football and basketball are right up there and soccer is gaining ground.

We don’t often tell our friends that we’ll be tailgating at the next Lacrosse game. But maybe we will soon.

Lacrosse is a centuries old sport first played by Native Americans. In modern day America the East Coast has been the hub of activity. But like many good things, Lacrosse is spreading west.

Interest in Lacrosse is growing and now children in the region have a place to play. Fargo Warriors Lacrosse is one of our newest Areavoices blogs. It’s a great place to go to learn more about the sport and the club.

It’s the first in this week’s list of recommended blogs:

 

Fargo Warriors Lacrosse
http://fargolacrosse.areavoices.com
Spreading the word about Fargo-Moorhead’s premiere youth lacrosse organization

NDAD Insight
http://ndad.areavoices.com
NDAD Insight will feature news items and stories of interest to people with disabilities and their advocates in the state of North Dakota.

Signs of Improvement
http://doubletakingdiscoveries.areavoices.com
Rethinking whatever was learned yesterday, in Adobe and in life.

March of Dimes – North Dakota
http://marchofdimes.areavoices.com
Working together for stronger, healthier babies

Doing it Downtown
http://doingitdt.areavoices.com
One downtown. One blog. One million possibilities.

Areavoices Digest #63 – Hockey, concerts, racing and more

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The other day I ran into a former co-worker of mine, Scott Sailer from WDAY-TV. He was decked out in a red hoodie with “The Racing Life” emblazoned on the front. (Check it out in this is a photo of him taken with Barry Weiss from Storage Wars, when he appeared on WDAY’s “The Christopher Gabriel Program”)

I knew Scott was writing an Areavoices blog about racing in the region, but I had no idea that he had become a media mogul. Well, not quite, but almost.

The Racing Life is everywhere these days from online to broadcast.

He’s doing an awesome job telling us about racing through pictures and video on his blog, Facebook page and website and on television in his half-hour racing show which runs on all North Dakota ABC affiliates at 5:00pm on Saturdays.

He’s selling DVD’s and T-shirts and is attracting quite a following. (I think he even gave Barry some swag). That’s why I felt the need to once again recommend his blog to those of you who haven’t seen it. If you like racing, you need to know The Racing Life. It’s just the first of this week’s five recommended blogs. Enjoy!
The Racing Life
http://theracinglife.areavoices.com
Covering behinds the scenes of racing in the upper Midwest.

 
Jade Presents
http://jadepresents.areavoices.com
Concert promoter Jade Nielsen blogs from the road as he tours with hip-hop sensation T-Pain.

Jimmy Jabber
http://jimmyjabber.areavoices.com
Sports. Music. Pop Culture. Humor.

Fargo Star
http://fargostar.areavoices.com
One of Areavoices most popular blogs showcasing some of the best singing talent in the region.

Slightly Chilled
http://slightlychilled.areavoices.com
Where we let the puck and the beat drop.

Areavoices Digest #61

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Here is this week’s list of recommended blogs. Enjoy!

Healthy Lifestyle

http://healthylifestyle.areavoices.com

Better health through nutrition

While you were in

http://fun.areavoices.com

Duluth News Tribune arts and entertainment reporter Christa Lawler covers “a hodgepodge of nonsense, including overflow from interviews with rock stars, reviews, and links to things you should read/watch/hear.”

Minnesota Sports Shorts

http://louiestgeorge.areavoices.com

An overview of Minnesota’s often vexing sports scene with Duluth News Tribune copy editor Louie St. George III.

North Dakota Outdoors and Beyond

http://dougleier.areavoices.com

Outdoors, hunting, fishing, trapping and more.

Fargo School Talk

http://fargopublicschools.areavoices.com

The official blog of Fargo public schools. Great pictures! Great info!

Areavoices Digest #55 – Talking Baseball and more

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The snow might be starting to fall outside my window, but at Areavoices we’re talking Major League baseball. I’m excited that one of our favorite bloggers, Chad Jacobsen of Twins Focus has taken on the task of starting a new blog entitled: MLB Talk. Maybe it’s because the Twins were less than stellar this year, or maybe it’s just because there’s so much baseball news outside the state.  Either way, I’m happy to see that Chad is spreading his wings and broadening his topic. It’s just the first of several new blogs on Areavoices that you might want to check out. Enjoy!



MLB Talk
mlbtalk.areavoices.com
Chad Jacobsen writes Twins Focus on Areavoices, but admits sometimes baseball news
goes beyond Minnesota. MLB Talk offers the latest news from Major League Baseball.

Blogging Molly
bloggingmolly.areavoices.com
Observations and stories from WDAZ-TV anchor Molly Thorvilson. So far Molly is blogging about whatever pops into her mind, from her first visit to the Ralph Englestad Arena to her first bite of a McRib. It could be fun.

Diversion Discussion
diversiondiscussion.areavoices.com
News and updates about a potential Red River diversion project gathered by reporters from The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead.

Paw Printz
4luvofdog.areavoices.com
A blog written by 4 Luv of Dog Rescue – an effort to rescue and rehome dogs. This blog also offers practical tips and advice about caring for dogs.

Doubleduty
doubleduty.areavoices.com
Two babies….one year. Following the adventures of a mom who’s been pregnant for a year-and-a-half straight. So far I’ve enjoyed this blog from a mom who obviously has her hands full.
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Areavoices Digest #50 – Our most popular blogger and more!

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In this week’s digest of recommended blogs, I wanted to highlight a couple of old favorites and three newbies. Enjoy!

Astrobob
http://astrobob.areavoices.com
Celestial happenings you can see from your own backyard. I realize many of you are already reading this blog from Bob King of the Duluth News Tribune. But I thought I’d remind you about him just in case.He is consistently the #1 blog on Areavoices (excluding the Topics blog). His blog is well written, visual, and interesting. 41,000 people around the world read it. It’s really a great blog!

 

Confessions of a [Former] Fatgirl
http://fatgirl.areavoices.com
The emotional rollercoaster of losing – and – gaining weight over and over again. I really love this blog written by Celeste Beam. She writes about what so many of us live. The ups and downs of trying to live a healthy lifestyle. She gives us a weekly healthy recipe, but she also writes very honest, inspirational and sometimes funny posts about falling off the wagon. For example, she writes one morning about how she replaced her yogurt and fruit breakfast with 2 cupcakes and tortilla chips. But then she reminds us not to give up and shows us how to get back on track. Great information!

 

A Pinch of This
http://apinchofthis.areavoices.com
Home-created meals and ideas to fit anyone’s budget. This stay at home mom says she’s not a chef, but she wants to chronicle how she manages to put food on the table for her family every night.

 

Cobbers on the Brain
http://cobbersonthebrain.areavoices.com
Neurochemistry students at Concordia College (Moorhead, MN) break down technical information on brain science so the average reader can understand it. I love this idea. A chemistry professor at Concordia College wanted to teach her students, some of whom will go onto medical school, how to communicate complicated medical information to the average person. This blog is their effort in doing this. I hope it leads to some future doctors with great communication skills!

 

The Armchair Kicker
http://thearmchairkicker.areavoices.com
Mark Walters describes his blog as “The Best Minnesota Vikings Blog” in the Western Hemisphere.

More outdoors news coming on Areavoices – Areavoices Digest #49

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For those of you craving more hunting, fishing, and camping news, we’ve got it on Areavoices. Brad Dokken of The Grand Forks Herald is supplementing his outdoors coverage from the paper with a blog. He hopes it will provide space for outdoors news that might not otherwise make it into the Sunday paper or is better suited to the timeliness of the blog.

It’s just the first  in this week’s recommended blogs. Enjoy!

Compass Points
http://braddokken.areavoices.com
Brad Dokken has been an outdoor writer for The Grand Forks (N.D.) Herald since February 1998. This blog will provide hunting, fishing, camping and other outdoor information.

The Hawthorne Neighborhood Blog
http://hawthorne.areavoices.com
Hawthorne is a beautiful old tree-line neighborhood in South Fargo. This blog shares news and happenings with its residents.

Volunteer Bemidji!
http://volunteerbemidji.areavoices.com
Your link to community stewardship in the Bemidji, Minnesota region

Not So Vintage Packers
http://notsovintagepackers.areavoices.com
Sara Boom is new to blogging. But as a Packer lover she has a lot to write about in what’s been a very successful season for the boys from Green Bay.

The Book Shelf
http://pleasurereading.areavoices.com
Sherry Pekas is also new to the blogging world, but is anxious to get rolling in her first book blog. Stay tuned for reviews, recommendations and more.

Areavoices Digest #47 – Do you eat dinner with your family?

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It’s something we used to see on “Leave it to Beaver.” June Cleaver clad in heels and pearls serving a meat and potatoes dinner around the table. Wally and Beaver shared details from their day. (I don’t remember what Beave said about this black eye incident pictured to the left.)  Most dinners with the Cleavers weren’t that dramatic except maybe if Eddie Haskell was involved. Family dinners were just the thing you did back then. Heck even the Bradys gathered around their ginormous table presumably to talk about trips to Hawaii or the Grand Canyon.

But the fact is now many American families don’t take the time to sit down together. We’re rushing off to soccer practice, hockey practice or play rehearsal. We’re over-scheduled and overwraught.

One of our featured blogs of the week takes a second look at dining together and give tips on how you could make it work. It’s just the first of five great Areavoices blogs you might want to check out. Enjoy!
Time at the Table
http://timeatthetable.areavoices.com
Study after study show the benefits of having families eat dinner together at least a few times a week. This blog looks at strategies for
making it happen in today’s over-scheduled world.

Vlog
http://vloghd.areavoices.com
Go behind and beyond the scenes as WDAY-TV news photographers share natural HD videos from around the region. This is the video you might not get
to see on the news. But it’s definitely worth the look.

Prairie Business
http://prairiebusiness.areavoices.com
A business resource for the northern plains. I think this has widespread appeal throughout our region.

Roger Maris – 50th of 61
http://maris.areavoices.com
A blog chronicling New York Yankee and Fargo native Roger Maris’ record breaking season. The Forum started this blog at the beginning of this
baseball season. But I’m mentioning it again now because the 50th anniversary of that 61st hit is coming up soon. (October 1st).

Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity
http://lakeagassizhabitatforhumanity.areavoices.com
LAHFH partners with volunteers to help build simple, decent and affordable housing for low-income families in Cass/Clay counties.

Areavoices Digest #46 – Should I watch the game or read a book?

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I was torn this past Sunday. The Minnesota Vikings were playing late that afternoon but I was also smack dab in the middle of a great book. I’ve never claimed to be a huge Vikings fan. In fact, I grew up cheering for the Washington Redskins because my family is originally from that area. But over the last couple of years, I’ve started to become a Vikings fan too. I think its a combination of a couple of things. First, I now have three members of my family liking the team. I didn’t pay much attention when it was just my husband cheering for the Vikes, but now that both daughters are joining in it’s hard to stem that tide. I guess I figured if you can’t beat ‘em join ‘em. Second, I kind of liked watching the Vikings when Brett Favre joined the team. I enjoyed watching a player about my age still out there playing the game. Inspired my old creaky bones. But I’m not going to lie. I think Brett Favre is also kind of cute in that Wrangler rugged stubbly kind of way. But I digress.

I was saying that I was torn this weekend. I did want to watch the game, but I was just about finished reading “The Help,” the bestselling book about the relationship between black maids in the South and their employers in the 1960′s. Great book! Should I read it or watch the game?

For those of you torn between a good book and a good game, this digest is for you. My recommended blogs of the week are geared around football and literature. Enjoy! And for those of you, like me, torn between a good book and a good game, remember that’s what timeouts are for.

Literary Engineer
http://literaryengineer.areavoices.com
Suzi Retzlaff writes this blog “because reading and writing are my two obsessions.”

The Book Nook
http://thenook.areavoices.com
A collaborative Areavoices blog where writers review local literature.

Purple Haze
http://purplehaze.areavoices.com
Random thoughts on the Minnesota Vikings by fan Eric Coughlin.

Minnesota Vikings Talk with Brian Shawn
http://bshawnsblog.areavoices.com
Fan Brian Shawn recaps Minnesota Vikings football throughout the season

Gregor’s Packer Analysis
http://packeranalysis.areavoices.com
Greg Gillis previews and reviews Green Bay Packer action

The Catch with Jeff Plattner
http://thecatch84.areavoices.com
Professional and collegiate sports with a Minnesota feel.

 

 

 

Areavoices Digest #44 – Share your September 11th stories

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Chances are if you were over the age of 7 on September 11, 2001 you can recall in great detail where you were when you heard the news that America was under attack. It’s a news event much like the assassination of President Kennedy or the bombing of Pearl Harbor. It will not be forgotten by those who lived through it. Those stories are cathartic for some; sharing a common tragedy bonds us together and perhaps helps us grieve even 10 years later.

That’s part of the reason behind one of our recommended blogs of the week. Remembering 9/11 is an attempt to share stories of that tragic day. We invite you to participate. Check it out along with our other blogs of the week.

Remembering 9/11: Your stories and reflections 10 years after a day that changed us
http://september11.areavoices.com
Forum Communications has set up this blog as a forum to allow readers, viewers and listeners throughout North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin the opportunity to share their thoughts on the 10th anniversary of the attack on America.

Ross and Dr. Dan:A Tale of Two Centuries
http://rossfcollins.areavoices.com
A clever blog written by North Dakota State University Professor Ross Collins. As himself, Collins writes about current events and assorted topics. As the persona of Dr. Dan, Collins writes as an historian from the next century looking back on our life today. This is a fun, yet thought-provoking blog.

No Cows No Pigs No Problems
http://nocowsnopigsnoproblems.areavoices.com
Susie Ekberg Risher is an accomplished writer who decided to give up red meat and pork products to see if she would feel spiritually lightened. This blog documents her fascinating journey of discovery.

Talkin Vikings
http://talkinvikings.areavoices.com
A blog written by self-proclaimed “rabid” Minnesota Vikings fan Jason Schufletowski.

Love Those Pants
http://lovethosepants.areavoices.com
Beth Olson unabashedly admits to liking football at first because of the pants. But she says she and her girlfriends have turned into serious fans.

Areavoices Digest #43 – Rah Rah Sis Boom Bah or is it Shish Boom Bah?

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Remember those first few days of school? Your notebooks remain undoodled upon, your pencils sharpened, and your new Keds were still unscuffed? But after a few days, the novelty of the new school year wears off and then it’s all about getting up early for class and doing homework when you get home. But in between the humdrum of the school routine, you did have something to look forward to: the big game. There’s just something about going to a high school or college football game. The smell of the popcorn in the crisp fall air, the night getting chillier as the sun goes down. It’s just good fall fun! That’s why I’m excited to tell you about some of our latest Areavoices bloggers. Over the summer, we’ve been working to get more school sports blogs up and running. We met with athletic directors and sports information officials from high schools and colleges. We’re happy to say, a few of them have jumped on board and are ready to share their sports news by setting up their own blog. So check out some of our newest Areavoices blogs and Go team!

NDSU Athletics – http://bisonathletics.areavoices.com News and Information from North Dakota State University’s athletic department

Cobber Sports Information – http://cobbersportsinformation.areavoices.com The official blog from the Concordia College sports information office.

Park Christian Athletics -http://parkchristianschoolathletics.areavoices.com – Sports news from Park Christian School in Moorhead, Minnesota.

Fargo Force – http://forcetoreckonwith.areavoices.com – The official blog for the Fargo Force hockey team.

Sound the Horn – http://soundthehorn.areavoices.com – A Minnesota Vikings Fan blog

Sioux Football Insider – http://siouxfb.areavoices.com – Celebrating University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux football 365 days a year.

UND Sports – http://undsports.areavoices.com – The official blog from UND’s athletic department.

Dragon News – http://dragonnews.areavoices.com This is the news blog for Minnesota State University Moorhead, but it also includes information from the athletic department.

Western Wisconsin Sports – http://westwisport.areavoices.com – Stories from the local and regional sports scene in Western Wisconsin.

Up North Sports Report – http://northsports.areavoices.com Eric Stromgren’s blog on sports in Bemidji and Minnesota.

Areavoices Digest #42 – A terrific twosome

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When it rains it pours. These days in addition to some of my regular duties I find myself immersed in two pretty cool projects here at Forum Communications. You could say I’m just getting my feet wet with our water project “Living with Water.”  (Pardon the pun, but I couldn’t help myself.) The project involves  FCC’s print, online, and broadcast journalists chronicling how water impacts our lives. And most importantly, we need your input too! To read more about it, click on my blog post from a couple of days ago or go to http://water.areavoices.com to learn more about it.

Beautiful Women of Committee

Now, we’re undertaking another special project that is near and dear to my  heart. It’s called “Beautiful Women of: Letting Inner Beauty Shine.” As a mom of two daughters I’m well aware of the media imagery they face everyday. Knowing the effect the media has on body image among young girls and women in our society, our organization has an opportunity to create awareness and have a positive influence on our community. Using the multimedia platforms of Forum Communications, including here on Areavoices, we will celebrate the stories of the beautiful, inspiring women in our area. You will be able to nominate the deserving women in your life. We will then select a few women each month to feature here, and readers will vote for woman they most want to see featured on an upcoming WDAY news broadcast, in The Forum, and on WDAY radio and these companies websites. The woman you select also will be treated to a generous prize package.

Two very different undertakings but so worthwhile and fun! Those are just two of the blogs I’m recommending in this week’s digest:

Living with Water – http://water.areavoices.com A Forum Communications Special Project with the goal of building understanding about water and its impact on our lives across the region.

Bison Sports Blog: Bison Rubes talk NDSU – http://ndsubisonsports.areavoices.com Kyle Roth is senior at North Dakota State University majoring in broadcasting. He writes for Bison Illustrated and the NDSU Spectrum and started the Bison Sports Blog as a place for fans to talk Bison sports.

Joe Fitness: Personal Training and Bootcamps - http://joefitness.areavoices.com   Joe Ketterling is a personal trainer specializing in fat loss.  In addition to his personal training business he runs FM Bootcamps, in Fargo, North Dakota.

Cover to Cover – http://covertocover.areavoices.com -  Krista Thom is an avid reader who reviews books from the local region and beyond.                               

Beautiful Women of: Letting Inner Beauty Shine – http://beautifulwomenof.areavoices.com   A multi-media project from Forum Communications celebrating and recognizing remarkable women throughout the region.
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Areavoices Digest #35 – Father’s Day blogs

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His words resonated through the 1990′s. UH, UH, UH…More Power!

I couldn’t help but grunt Tim the Toolman’s words to myself today (quietly….I didn’t want my co-workers to think I was odd….any more odd than they already think I am). 

I noticed, almost by accident, that some of the new blogs crossing my desk this week were pretty testosterone heavy. Kind of serendipitous considering Father’s Day is fast approaching.

So for all the dads out there these blogs are for you (lots of women will like them too):  

Midwest Outdoor Journal – http://midwestoutdoorjournal.areavoices.com  Here’s a blog for the Dad who loves hunting, fishing and the outdoors. Chris Larsen is an outdoor writer and television producer residing in River Falls, Wisconsin. He’s a former TV sports anchor who is now the Content Editor of Foremosthunting.com and Producer of Foremost Outdoor TV, a regional program highlighting the outdoor lifestyle in the Upper Midwest.  

The Racing Life – http://theracinglife.areavoices.com  Talk about “MORE POWER!” This blog is written by Sailer Productions in conjunction with their television show “The Racing Life.” Their goal is to show all the aspects of dirt track racing in parts of North Dakota and Minnesota , highlighting interviews with race car drivers and all the people that work together to put on a night at the races.

Red River Kart – http://redriverkartclub.areavoices.com This blog is also written by Sailer Productions to promote the Red River Kart Club which started in 2010. The club holds races at the Red River Valley Fairgrounds in West Fargo, ND.

How to Survive the Back 9 – http://mysticlakegolf.areavoices.com – For the dads (moms and kids too) who spend their weekends on the course, PGA golf professional Al Pehrson from The Meadows at Mystic Lake offers golf tips and advice.

Culture Builds Community – http://theartscenter.areavoices.com Some dads are into the arts. This blog out of Jamestown, North Dakota will share weekly aspects and aspirations of The Arts Center’s Culture Builds Community Story. It will highlight art, artists, volunteers, programs and activities to show how powerful the arts can be in building and strengthening our communities.

Areavoices Digest #33 – I love Medora! (and more)

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I just adore Medora, North Dakota. If you’ve never been there, you’re missing out. Home to Theodore Roosevelt National Park, The Medora Musical and the famous (and yummy) pitchfork fondue. )These folks actually slap a big ole’ steak on the end of a pitchfork and fry it up right. It’s gooooood.)

That’s why I’m extra excited about Medora starting a blog on Areavoices. It’s just the first of our recommended blogs of the week. Here they are:

Medora – http://medorand.areavoices.com Billed as ND’s #1 tourist destination this blog will tell us more about events happening in Medora throughout the year.

On TV - http://ontv.areavoices.com – Okay full disclosure here. I write this one. I noticed a couple of weeks ago how many movie and theatre blogs we had but nobody was tackling TV. I was also finding all kinds of buzz on Facebook about TV, so figured I’d dive in. I’m hoping to talk about those water cooler type stories. IE: who will win Dancing with the Stars, American Idol, etc. Maybe I’ll bring up old shows or tackle trivia as well. I’m having fun with it anyway.

Nascar Dad – http://nascardadin.areavoices.com This blogger has been writing for about 2 years now. He provides news and analysis about the races and the drivers.

Color Me Green – http://colormegreen.areavoices.com Simplifying your life by living greener. Carrie Brusven offers tips and suggestions about healthier, more eco-friendly living.

Riverwalk Market Fair - http://riverwalkmarketfair.areavoices.com This blog provides news about the Riverwalk Market Fair in beautiful historic Northfield, Minnesota. You’ll also find profiles of the participating artists and farmers as well as recipes.

Areavoices Digest #32 – Focusing on the Minnesota Twins and more

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Somehow it seemed fitting last night that the Minnesota Twins should end their 9 game losing streak on what had been a very sad day for Minnesota sports fans. Earlier in the day, Twins great Harmon Killebrew lost his battle with cancer at the age of 74.

Michael Cuddyer, who knew Killebrew, told reporters he felt like Killebrew was looking down on them last night.

You can read more about Killebrew and other Twins news in one of our newest Areavoices blogs. It’s called Twins Focus and it’s just one of the great blogs I’m recommending this week.

Twins Focus - http://twinsfocus.areavoices.com
I’m really excited to get Twins Focus on Areavoices. It’s written by Chad Jacobsen, an uber Twins fan! He has a Twins Focus Facebook page too. He’ll use Twins Focus to offer insight and opinion about Minnesota’s boys of summer.

Pet Pellets: a blog about pets, their care and more - http://petpellets.areavoices.com
Pet Pellets will address pet care and pet topics in the news.  Pet owners can also ask questions and get advice about everything from kangaroos to hermit crabs.
Positively Beautiful: Art & Science of Mind*Body*Beauty Balance – http://positivelybeautiful.areavoices.com
Dr. Susan Mathison shares thoughts, tips, insights about health, wellness, beauty and life. Mathison calls this “a personal journey as well, for some of what I share are practices and rituals that I aspire to, yet haven’t quite mastered. I have years of medical learning, and I hope to serve you by making this knowledge accessible. I welcome your feedback and questions–even the ones you are afraid to ask in person!”

Shakespeare in the Park -  http://shakespeare.areavoices.com
Following the process of putting together an outdoor Shakespeare experience! Old Bill would be proud of this blog out of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota.

Isaac on Tech – http://isaacontech.areavoices.com
I’ve recommended this blog before, but thought it was worth another look. Isaac Grover does a really nice job covering technology. I’m not a techie person, but even I found his posts interesting. His recent posts have included advice on 3D movies and taking pictures on your Smartphone.
Red River Orthodox: Orthodox Christianity in the Red River Valley and North Dakota - http://holyresurrection.areavoices.com
Red River Orthodox is a blog on behalf of Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church, an Orthodox Christian community in Fargo, ND (www.holyresurrectionfargo.org).

Areavoices Digest #30 – Let’s Talk Movies, Golf and More!

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After a couple of pretty heady news days, some Areavoices bloggers are looking to have a little fun. This week’s list of recommended blogs includes a couple of new movie review blogs as well as blogs about golf, running, politics and education.

Let’s Talk about Movies – http://film.areavoices.com – “Let’s Talk About Movies” is an Areavoices blog where community members can offer up reviews and opinions on film and engage one another in discussion. It’s a chance for film lovers who might not have the time to start their own blog to  participate and contribute their opinions.

 Cinema Bazaar – http://cinemabazaar.areavoices.com  “Cinema Bazaar” is a blog where you will find weekly movie recommendations for your viewing pleasure. These recommendations will vary from week to week and will feature anything from mainstream blockbusters, indie films, cult classics, midnight movies, and everything in between.
Rep Bruce Vogel – http://repbrucevogel.areavoices.com I’m so happy to see more politicians taking advantage of the Areavoices platform to talk to constituents. Representative Bruce Vogel represents District 13B in the Minnesota House of Representatives. Vogel is a Republican serving the Willmar area. 

 
 
Dakota County Technical College – http://dctc.areavoices.com This is a nice looking blog full of news and information about Dakota County Technical College in Rosemount, Minnesota. They’ve only been blogging a short time, but they’re doing a great job.
 

18 Holes with Jack…Daniels – http://fmgolfguy.areavoices.com Many of us  are looking forward to getting out on the golf course. Corey Herlickson is the head golf professional at The Meadows Golf Course in Moorhead and his blog will provide tips and advice for the golfer and highlight some of the best holes and courses in the area. 
 
Adventures with Amanda – http://adventureswithamanda.areavoices.com Amanda started this blog to document her efforts as she trains for the Fargo marathon later this month. She’s a frequent contributor to the community running blog, but this blog is her personal journey
 

FM Community Theatre – http://fmcommunitytheatre.areavoices.com Since its founding in 1946, the Fargo-Moorhead Community Theatre (FMCT) has provided a wide range of dramatic experiences to the Fargo-Moorhead metropolitan area and surrounding rural communities. This blog shares news, information and photos about the theatre’s many productions.