“Zuckerberg IPO Haul Could Top $28 Billion” — WSJ So, exactly how much is $28 billion, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg’s reported stake in the about-to-go-public company? Enough to buy the nicest home in the Twin Cities. And every other home, too. (Actually, just in Minneapolis and St. Paul). I got that by dividing $28 billion by...Read More
Would That Be Product Un-Placement? It’s disconcerting enough to see the (all too) realistic depiction of social breakdown, martial law, etc. that follow in the wake of a nightmarish global health epidemic. However, when the one of the cities so portrayed is Minneapolis . . . it’s almost literally a little too close to home. Story...Read More
“The Martian Bananas Aren’t in til Next Week” I’ve previously had some fun with Whole Foods’ somewhat preening labeling and marketing practices (see, “Stolen Bread“; “Conformist Grapefruit“). OK, not “somewhat” — a lot. In that vein, it’s hard not to poke a little fun at a display I saw while shopping yesterday labeled “Earth Bananas.”...Read More
“Buy By the Acre Ton, Sell By the Square Foot Ounce” No, I’m not calling the housing bottom. But, I’m willing to predict that Yogurt Lab, the new self-serve yogurt shop on Excelsior Blvd. near Uptown, is going to be a hit. How do I know? It was mobbed — on a recent weeknight! —...Read More
First Lady: ‘Mrs. Theabove’ My two-part plan for getting elected President, courtesy of Kim Dotcom, now-infamous force behind rogue website “Megaupload”: Step #1: legally change my name to Noneof Theabove (“Mr. Theabove”). Step #2: start a grass-roots campaign to have voters write in “none of the above” this Fall. You don’t suppose there’d be more...Read More
Buyer’s Temperament — and Timetable Are you a good candidate to buy a foreclosure? To find out, ask yourself these five questions: One. Will you be willing to sign the bank’s “As Is” Addendum and various waivers? That comes with the territory. Which means . . . you’d better have your arms around the property’s condition. Depending on how...Read More
