Culture

Wanna start a fight?

December 13th, 2017

Ask your computer friends which spreadsheet application is the best and you will probably get into a fight.

Spreadsheets are pretty boring, but are a necessary part of your computer life that you should at least have a passing knowledge of.

The definition of “spreadsheet” is as follows: a table of data arranged in columns and rows, often used in business and financial applications.

Spreadsheet software programs are widely used computer applications that allow the user to organize…

A TechSpark of creativity in North Dakota

December 13th, 2017

A 4-H youth volunteer helps Kindred Elementary School students through the Minecraft Hour of Code tutorial - photograph by John Showalter Ever since the Industrial Revolution, human technological advancement has been occurring at an unparalleled pace. Just as innovations such as the steam engine and electrical lighting have caused paradigm shifts in human life, so has the advent of the computer, and following that, the internet. Computers have pervaded industry and the workforce, creating new jobs and making tasks easier.

However, the change has occurred so quickly that naturally some have been left behind wondering what…

Laughter amid despair

December 8th, 2017

john.d.showalter@gmail.com

Stand-up comedian Adam Quesnell departed for greener pastures in Minneapolis, and surprisingly soon I found myself interviewing him about his upcoming return to Fargo to record his new album, “Despair 2,” at the Red Raven.

The Red Raven only made sense as a stage for the recording of the follow-up to Quesnell’s first popular “Can We Afford This Much Despair?” comedy album and his second full-length album with Stand Up! Records. After all, it has had…

Community activism: How to start and where to get involved

December 8th, 2017

fayeseidler@gmail.com

Last week I wrote about what it means to be an activist. It can be very hard and emotionally draining work, but it can also be incredibly fulfilling. It can be a summer volunteer opportunity that individuals take on in order to spruce up their college application or it can be devotion to a cause year after year.

What matters is that individuals know where they want to volunteer their time, what they’re getting out of it, and how much time they can commit. Easy,…

‘Amerigeddon,’ with Christopher Titus

November 29th, 2017

Christopher Titus is never one to shy away from rattling cages. The most memorable comedians are the ones that walk that tenuous line between insanity and hilarity, between having the audience busting their guts laughing and rioting in the streets. Perhaps it’s that quality that made him stand out to me when his eponymous show “Titus,” about a semi-fictional version of himself, aired on Fox for three seasons, back in 2000.

It was truly a sitcom ahead of its time. Here I saw a man…

Real talk: what it means to be an activist

November 29th, 2017

The very first thing to understand is that most activists work like hell and don’t get the appreciation they deserve. There typically isn’t glory or even thanks at the end of the day. Depending on what you’re doing the people you’re helping might even come to resent you.

There typically isn’t any employment or job opportunities that result from being an activist, and activism can actually have repercussions on your current job. At the utmost being an activist means risking…

Fargo SantaCon: 8 years of Santas helping the homeless and veterans

November 29th, 2017

Fargo SantaCon for Charity is a holiday-themed pub crawl that raises money and collects needed items for the Gladys Ray Shelter and Veterans Drop-In Center.

For the eighth year, a small group of friends organize this event, in the spirit of fun and giving. Pub crawls may be plentiful in Fargo, but SantaCon’s purpose and charitable focus make it stand out.

There is no admission fee; you are not being charged for some mug or trinket; you are just asked to bring something to donate to…

Last call forever: farewell to the Nestor

November 29th, 2017

Art by Kim Jore

Live music, worn carpet, colorful bar flies, writing on the bathroom walls, a strong drink pour and trusted bartenders come to mind when the Nestor Tavern is mentioned. Whatever your memory of the Nestor Tavern, a part of Fargo’s entertainment history has passed with its closing.

The Nestor had a history as a tobacco store, cigar store, and pool hall on 1st Ave N, Fargo, around 1913. It became a bar sometime in the late 30s to mid 40s. It has been in its current…

Hosting LGBTQ+ family members during the holidays

November 24th, 2017

Thanksgiving is upon us and we’re looking at Christmas next month, unequivocally the time of the year to focus on family, friends, and loved ones.

If you grew up in this area, regardless of where you are now, we’re a people bred of farmers and we value hard work and family above everything else. It certainly helps that our harsh winters keep us indoors and together.

A few months back I wrote an article about why people should move away from North Dakota. I followed that up with a…

Plaid Friday in Downtown Fargo

November 24th, 2017

Thanksgiving is around the corner and we give thanks for the blessing of the harvest. Everyone is getting ready for the Thanksgiving feast.

After Thanksgiving, we can easily imagine the endless long lines in early morning for the best deals. Especially in the Fargo-Moorhead area, it does not sound fun at all reminding us, “No pain and no gain.”

To make this thankful weekend better and warmer, Plaid Friday and Small Business Saturday have returned to Downtown Fargo. Nicolette Berge,…