From readers

PUMPKINS ARE A TARGET

Rant: A concerned reader writes, “I wonder if Target knows the pumpkins they have on display have a cautionary statement on the bottom. It states a warning about the paint used to cover the pumpkins. It has lead in it. The statement goes on to tell anyone who has touched the pumpkin to wash their hands because of the lead. I bet there are little kids who have touched those pumpkins without their parents knowing it was lead-based paint. Hopefully, Target will remove those dangerous pumpkins immediately.”

LAST-MINUTE HEROES

Rave: A reader writes a word of thanks: “The homecoming dance was on Saturday night. I’m sure all the local flower shops were extremely busy. However, at the last minute, the fabulous ladies at Stems and Vines were gracious enough to put together a corsage. I’m sure they get a lot of those last-minute needs, as I was there and so was another mother. They took my order and put together a beautiful wrist corsage without batting an eye. They have done this several times in the past as well for me, so I just want them to know how appreciative this mother of two boys is for their accommodating style.”

From staff

WINTER MADNESS

Rant: Was it really that light of a news week? Last week, KARE-11 had a story on what the favorite toys will be this holiday season. We haven’t even had Halloween yet –it was barely October when they aired the story. If they needed a fluff piece, couldn’t they have talked about the most popular Halloween costumes for kids, or the most popular candy? I’m sick of Christmas talk beginning before the first hard freeze of the year. Don’t our winters last long enough as it is? – Joanna Miller

STOP AND SEE THE BEAUTY

Rave: I had fun checking out an art opening at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design last Friday. I don’t understand all art, but in serious times (war/financial crisis), art can express emotions about the world that newsprint sometimes can’t. It can also offer escape from harsh realities in a splash of color. In our chaotic lives, it’s nice to take time to appreciate something with the sole purpose of being intriguing or beautiful. – Joanna Miller

FANTASY VS. REALITY

Rant: I will start by saying I am a huge fan of fantasy football. I have been in several leagues every season for the past 10 years, but the one thing I have come to hate about fantasy football is that sometimes a Vikings win just isn’t so sweet. As I was going into Monday night’s game, I needed about 30 yards and a touchdown from Adrian Peterson, and what did the pathetic Vikings offense give me by the way of their best player? Something like 25 yards. Ouch! Although I was thrilled the Vikings somehow won that game, fantasy football made it somewhat bittersweet. As I was driving home, I found myself more disappointed in Peterson’s performance than excited for a big Vikings win. Since I don’t plan on quitting my fantasy league anytime soon, I guess I have to figure out how to deal with a big win by the Vikings and a disappointing loss by my fantasy team.—Shawn Hogendorf  

SORRY, TOM

Rant: Sorry, but I have to go presidential for a rant. As I was watching the second debate on Tuesday night, I couldn’t believe how out of control moderator Tom Brokaw seemed to be in keeping the two candidates within the scope of the pre-set rules. Now, I respect Brokaw as a journalist, and I also understand he is retired, but his lack of controlling the time limits made me wonder what the debate would have been like if Tim Russert was conducting it. I would have liked to see Brokaw take a stronger stance on cutting the candidates off as they went back and forth outside the time constraints. I just don’t believe anything productive for the viewers happened in those extra minutes. If rules for the debate are set, I think they should be followed. I would have liked to see a moderator who kept the candidates on task, and I just don’t think Brokaw did a very good job at that.—Shawn Hogendorf

Do you have a rant or a rave? Send us your musings:

E-mail: rantsandraves@swpub.com

Address: Prior Lake American, Attn: Rants and Raves, P.O. Box 538, Prior Lake, MN, 55372

Guidelines: Reader rants and raves must be no more than 100 words. The deadline is noon each Wednesday.

Rants and raves that are potentially libelous will not be printed or will be edited.

Submissions will not be refused because staff disagrees with their content. Anonymous submissions are acceptable; however, including a contact name and/or phone number is helpful for staff, who may have questions about the submission.

Rants and raves may be edited as space requires. All publication decisions will be made by the editor.