First Crack Podcast with Garrick Van Buren

Rich Huelskamp built a 100% off-grid, renewable-energy home down in Red Wing, MN. He and I talk about how he got his home down from the average 25kWh/day to 6. Along the way, he goes through the steps to making a urban/suburban home more efficient.

If you’re looking to replace your home’s appliances, Rich recommends picking from ACEEE.org’s list of most energy efficient appliances

Listen to Rich Huelskamp on Making an Energy Efficient Home [36 min]

Just in time for a mid-production fund drive, St. Paul, MN-based independent filmmaker, Melody Gilbert and I talk about her latest documentary, Urban Explorers into the Darkness and the independent, DIY, MacGyver, hack-your-environment, attitude shared by Urban Explorers, podcasters, and other high-tech geeks.

Check out excerpts of film and support Minnesota independent filmmaking by attending the sneak preview of Urban Explorers into the Darkness on October 15, 2005 - $12 / ticket (or $35 for VIP).

Listen to Urban Exploring with Filmmaker Melody Gilbert [26 min]

David Motzenbecker, Mark Hinds, and I talk about how to get a bridge built. Specifically, a pedestrian bridge to re-connect the Bryant and Kingfield neighborhoods of south Minneapolis, two neighborhoods long separated by interstate highway 35W.

Listen to Building Community, Building Bridges [33 min]

A conversation with Minneapolis urban planners Sam Newberg, from Joe Urban, and Jay on how making a place distinct takes a hundred years.

This conversation was recorded at Keegan’s Irish Pub in Minneapolis with two Radio Shack lapel mics going into an iPod running Podzilla.

Listen to the Long Term Commitment of Placemaking [12 min]

Got questions about coffee or comments about the show? Call: 206-20-BEAN-1

Like the show? Support the First Crack Podcast

Kurt Fischer, Program Manager for HourCar - Minnesota’s non-profit car sharing venture, and I sat down at Nina’s Coffee on Dale and Western in St. Paul. HourCar is planning to introduce car sharing to Minnesota in early May 2005. We talk about car sharing, who is a good candidate for car sharing, and how car sharing positively impacts a community.

If you’re in the Twin Cities, this might be the easiest way to get your hands on a 2005 Toyota Prius.

Nina’s is an excellent place, old building, great decor, very popular neighborhood hangout. Unfortunately no wireless and noisy.

Links Mentioned:

Listen to HourCar Brings Car Sharing to Twin Cities [32 min]

Got questions about coffee or comments about the show? Call: 206-20-BEAN-1

Like the show? Support the First Crack Podcast

Jon Steinhorst is a designer and film maker I’ve known for years. In part 2 of our conversation he describes his new journaling system, public v. private writing, his impressions of Chicago, and his new do-it-yourself car-share venture.

Listen to Jon Shares His Geo [18 min]

Got questions about coffee or comments about the show? Call: 206-20-BEAN-1

Like the show? Support the First Crack Podcast

The fourth installment of my conversation with Minneapolis urban planners Sam Newberg and David Motzenbecker. In this episode, they discuss what makes a good city (Portland, Denver, Celebration, and Seaside) and how to make more of them, affordable housing, corruption in cities, and how to get stuff done.

Listen to Good Cities [25 min]

Got questions about coffee or comments about the show? Call: 206-20-BEAN-1

Like the show? Support the First Crack Podcast

This is the second of many shorter excerpts from my extremely lengthy conversation with Minneapolis urban planners Sam Newberg and David Motzenbecker.

In this installment we discuss what you don’t find in new American developments.

Listen to the Value of 1-Legged Barflys and Toothless Boxers [3 min]

Got questions about coffee or comments about the show? Call: 206-20-BEAN-1

Like the show? Support the First Crack Podcast

This is the second of many shorter excerpts from my extremely lengthy conversation with Minneapolis urban planners Sam Newberg and David Motzenbecker.

In this installment we discuss what makes a good Minneapolis bar - no, windows aren’t on the list.

Listen to A Good Minneapolis Bar [3 min]

Got questions about coffee or comments about the show? Call: 206-20-BEAN-1

Like the show? Support the First Crack Podcast