Category Archives: Events

Traumatic April Fool’s Day experience

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I have the sweetest, most wonderful, beautiful wife…BUT yesterday she pranked me hard. I came home from lunch to find her sitting on the couch, crying. Confused, I attempted to figure out what was wrong so I could “fix” it. I am a guy, after all. She simply sobbed, “I left something on the kitchen table for you.”

Even more confused, I made my way to the kitchen to find the above: a CUTE little photography-related onesie with a little pink stick laying on it. Huh? I looked at it, saw two lines, read the writing on it, and internally FREAKED. Putting on my best calm, reassuring husband facade, I came back to the living room to assure her that everything will be okay. We’re all going through a lot of lifestyle changes right now, including her becoming a stay-at-home mom, so really this isn’t as scary as it could be. Of course, inside my head are all the flashes of guy-type panic, but I’m not going to let her know that.

That’s when, through her genuine tears, she sobbed, “April Fool’s, honey!” And started laughing. I was so shocked, I didn’t know how to react! Internally, of course, I felt enormous relief…but I was still off-balance emotionally from trying to process the idea of a Baby Number Three.

Of course, I can appreciate a good prank as much as the next guy. I wasn’t angry (again, probably due to relief) and simply gave her a hug and assured her that even if it HAD been true, I’d still have been okay and that I love her very much.

I later found that she borrowed the stick from a friend who’s expecting. You’ve got to love a girl who will go the extra mile for a little fun. Thank God that this day only comes once a year!

Luke Graner at the Belle Project

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My pal Luke Graner got a great opportunity last weekend: performing at the Belle Mehus civic auditorium as part of the Belle Project, an effort to bring local musicians to the auditorium. Naturally I took the opportunity to stop in with a couple of cameras.

If you aren’t familiar with Luke’s music, you don’t know what you’re missing. Using a Boomerang digital looping device, he redefines the term “one man band”. He’ll lay down multiple tracks of percussion, vocals, guitar, or even didgeridoo until he’s constructed an elaborate song. Sometimes he’ll peel back the layers at the end, and sometimes the song ends cold with all the Lukes in unison. I learned a lot about music simply watching this process.

One new treat was eldest son Jaxon chipping in for a couple of tracks. He seems quite comfortable on stage, even a stage such as this. As a dad myself I can only imagine how proud Luke must be that his boy can come up and partake in his passion on stage!

I don’t make many endorsements on this site. One that I will make is Luke’s music, which you simply must experience for yourself. In the meantime, you can visit him at lukegraner.com and find links to his MySpace page. Keep an eye out for his next performance, because you won’t want to miss it!

Wallbuilders’ Rick Green visits Bismarck for all-day Constitution class

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Many thanks to New Song Church for hosting Rick Green, one of my favorite podcast personalities! On the 20th of January I attended an event where Rick spent the day teaching us about something we should all study more: American history. In particular he gave us a few hours of background on the mindset of the nation’s founders and authors of our founding documents, using their own writings to put some context to their work in creating the framework for this great nation.

The rest of the morning and the afternoon session consisted of step-by-step study of the United States Constitution. There’s some extremely interesting stuff in there, and our country has gone down the wayward path it’s on largely because of our ignorance (average citizen and politicians alike) of this document.

I bought a lot of books by various authors and also won a couple, as Rick occasionally rewarded people who could belt out answers to tough questions. One I got was means for addressing judicial misconduct (impeachment), and the other was John Quincy Adams’ signature issue, one which he pursued as a member of Congress after serving as President: abolition of slavery. He was one of only two Presidents to return to public service in Congress after his term, by the way.

I cannot give enough of an endorsement of Rick Green and David Barton and the work that they do. Rick is a former legislator and full time Texan, by the way. I told him that I can’t be a Texan, but at least I married one.

You can learn some very interesting things about our nation, its founders, and the documents which created these United States by tuning into the Wallbuilders Live podcast, a free daily half-hour podcast featuring David Barton and Rick Green. They give a lot of interesting news and background on what they call “the intersection of faith and politics” and refer back to the words of those who wrote the framework of our great nation.

Click here to visit the Wallbuilders website.

Click here to visit the Wallbuilders Live podcast website.

Here’s a link to Wallbuilders Live through iTunes.

Fix the Tax meeting

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Last week I attended a “town hall” style meeting for the Fix the Tax movement. I was interested in hearing what they have to say, and to me it makes sense: keeping North Dakota’s oil extraction tax competitive with other states will keep the oil companies drilling here, which in turn generates revenue and jobs (in other words, prosperity) for North Dakota.

On the panel above are radio host Scott Hennen, Dustin Gawrylow (ND Taxpayers’ Association), former Governor Ed Schafer, Brett Narloch (ND Policy Council), and Grover Norquist. Each had something very interesting to say from a different standpoint.

After each presented their ideas about the extraction tax, microphones made their way around the room for people to chime in. There were plenty of stories about rigs moving to states with lower taxes, even now. Governor Ed made the point that North Dakota only sees revenue when oil is extracted from the ground, not when one pilot well is drilled.

The math would seem to be in their favor: where one well is being drilled now, three or four would be drilled with a lower extraction tax. Knock off a percentage point in order to compete with Montana, for instance, and triple the output, and the result is more revenue for North Dakota. That means more money for infrastructure, et cetera.

Want more details to make up your own mind? Visit FixTheTax.com to hear what they have to say.

The Big Event

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Last weekend we took our little boys to The Big Event, which is a free event held annually by Child Evangelism Fellowship. They’ve done this for four or five years now, although this was only our second time attending. It was fantastic, just ask the boys!

This event is staffed and supported by many local churches and helps collect donations of food for charity from participants. It takes up the entire Convention Center portion of the Bismarck Civic Center with an enormous variety of activites and prizes for the children.

Naturally the kids love the inflatables the best! Mom and dad are pleased with the way the kids get tired out from all the running, bouncing, and climbing…making for some very peaceful naps afterward!

There’s nothing like a couple of hours of padded obstacle courses to harness a little boy’s energy. You can keep an eye out for next year’s event by visiting the website, bigeventbismarck.com.

I can’t believe I took this long for legislature photos

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But here they are! I spent some time breaking in my press badge while perusing the legislature last week. This photo is from the House…

and this is the Senate. This was during a normal day’s business, but I’m hoping that the legislature decides to participate in an event I’ve enjoyed during the past two sessions: Citizens Night at the legislature.

Curious? Check this link and this link for more.

Capitol Christmas Memories for a pair of three year olds

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Last night my boys and I went to partake of the Christmas tree lighting ceremony in the North Dakota state capitol building’s Great hall. As I’ve posted before, this isn’t their first time to witness this event. Even though they were only two years old last year, they remember it well. They think the Great Hall should have a Christmas tree every day. Who can argue with that?

This year my little fellas got to meet some people afterwards and work their charms. I have such polite little men, I’m overflowing with pride at how well they behave and conduct themselves at events like this. They got to introduce themselves to the Hoevens.

The bright lights shining on the tree from above were bothering their eyes, but they still did their best to politely pose with Brandi Schoenberg, Miss North Dakota for 2010-2011. They told her how Daddy was taking them out for cheeseburgers after they were done.

The star of the evening: a glorious Christmas Tree with decorations made and donated by North Dakotans. It will be on display in the Great Hall, so come take a look! It’s best viewed at the end of the day when it gets dark outside.

The display is also visible from outside as you drive by or, if you’re crazy, hike up the snow-covered steps to get a closer look.

Yes, the window display is in full effect. The North and South faces of the capitol tower are sporting their familiar red and green Christmas Tree shape.

The ceremony was grand, with a brass quartet from the Bismarck-Mandan Symphony playing as well as pianist Joel Gilbertson and a brief performance by Dakota Stage. My favorite part was that the entire assembly sang Silent Night and God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, two songs that are very clear in mentioning the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Okay, folks…we’re in full swing. We have approximately two and a half weeks of Christmas season remaining. Let’s enjoy this time to its fullest and cherish our Christmas memories!

The last piece of the Bismarck-Mandan Christmas puzzle falls into place Monday evening

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Monday’s the day! Not only does the official Capitol Christmas Tree lighting ceremony take place in the Great Hall, but the Christmas Window Display begins as well! Bill Jundt and his crew will be doing their part, pulling window shades and leaving the lights on for the next few weeks. I can’t wait! Neither can my toddlers.

Make sure you check out the capitol building this holiday season! Driving by after dark will not only give you a glimpse of the Christmas trees in the north and south faces’ windows, but the Christmas tree in the Great Hall will be lit and visible through the enormous windows facing the Capitol mall.

Merry Christmas!

Look who’s at the capitol, waitin’ to get lit

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The Capitol Christmas Tree arrived today and will be decorated and dressed up for the lighting ceremony next Monday evening. I’m ready…Christmas is my favorite time of the year!

My toddlers were at the lighting ceremony last year, earning them a cameo in the local Christmas movie production “Best Christmas Ever.” They still talk about the big tree at the Capitol and were dismayed when it was removed after the Christmas season had passed. I haven’t told them yet that there’s a new tree in the Great Hall, but they’ll be excited when I do! Me too.