Theater Critic Graydon Royce Calls Shoals’ Performance As Booker T. Washington “Excellent Work”

Theater Latte Da opened its 19th season Saturday in its new permanent home, the Ritz Theater in northeast Minneapolis, with a poignant revival of Ragtime, a musical adapted from E.L. Doctorow’s sweeping novel. The show, with music by Stephen Flaherty and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, is a string of vignettes stitched together to tell a larger parable. Longtime Minneapolis Star Tribune theater critic Graydon Royce offered a must-see endorsement of the production in his review of the opening night performance. Royce’s review gave a special nod to Solve team member Andre Shoals who maintains a blossoming musical theater career outside the Solve office. A preview of rehearsal can be seen here.

“Bravo! We’re proud of Andre’s creativity and work in our theater community,” said Solve CEO John Colasanti.

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Brand Unveils Extensive Initiatives Including DreamWorks Trolls Film Partnership

True Value retailers, vendors and members of Solve’s agency team recently returned from Denver, after attending the fall version of the hardware retailer’s bi-annual meetup. The conference highlighted recent business successes, marketing plan upgrades and upcoming logistical improvements.

The gathering also provided a grand stage for Blake Fohl, Chief Customer Officer, to announce True Value’s partnership with the soon to be released DreamWorks animated blockbuster Trolls, starring Justin Timberlake and Anna Kendrick. The partnership is highlighted by exclusive Trolls themed paint and accessories. Look for Solve’s True Value Trolls co-marketing campaign debuting soon.

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North Carolina State University Unveils Statue To Honor Legendary Coach Jim Valvano

Last week North Carolina State University unveiled statues of four legendary coaches, including Jim Valvano – founder and namesake of Solve client The V Foundation. The ceremony kicked off a day celebrating the coliseum renovation and the induction of a new class into the University’s Hall of Fame. The unveiling of Valvano’s statue was especially emotional for his close friends and family, including his widow Pam Valvano Strasser, former star player Derek Whittenburg and brother Nick Valvano. The statue of Coach Valvano perfectly captures his spirit and smile as well as the nets from the 1983 NCAA title game in his hand.

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Porsche Destination Drives Making Multi-City Tour Across US

A team from Solve recently participated in an exclusive Porsche driving event called Porsche Destination Drives. This traveling event is stopping in five US cities offering invitees a unique opportunity to experience the driving dynamic of multiple Porsche models. From Sonoma to Long Island and Houston to Tampa, small groups of customers and prospects have a chance to participate in a variety of driving scenarios, ranging from lifestyle-city driving to high-performance auto-cross.

With close guidance from Porsche Sport Driving School instructors, attendees feel the true thrill of these cars. To cap off the day, every person receives an exhilarating hot lap, driven by a professional driver.

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Solve Rooting For Rally Cycling Rider To Break Long-Standing American Hour Record in Mexico

Everyone at Solve hopes their cheers of encouragement will be heard in Mexico later this week. On Friday, September 16, client Rally Cycling’s Tom Zirbel will attempt to write his name in the history books and break the American Hour Record in Aguascalientes, Mexico. Zirbel, a noted time trialist, will attempt to break the almost two-decade-old record of 51.505 km set by Norm Alvis in 1997. One of the toughest feats to attempt in athletics, it will serve as a farewell ride to Zirbel’s professional career as he will retire at the end of the season. Zirbel, who spent 10 years in the professional ranks, is one of the hardest working and most well-respected riders in the domestic peloton.

The velodrome in Aguascalientes was chosen due to its high elevation (6,194 ft) and reputation as one of the fastest tracks in the world. Zirbel has been training at altitude for the past month at the Boulder Valley Velodrome. The velodrome is the same dimensions and was designed by the same person, Peter Junek, as the track in Aguascalientes. “Those of us who know and love cycling understand what a big deal this is,” said Solve CEO John Colasanti, adding “we’re all rooting for Tom.”

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Former University Of Minnesota Head Football Coach Jerry Kill Book Signing Benefit Raises Nearly $200,000

Solve client Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota (EFMN) staged a successful benefit on Friday, September 9. Former University of Minnesota head football Coach Jerry Kill returned to Minnesota to serve as host of the benefit in conjunction with the release of his new book, “Chasing Dreams: Living My Life One Yard at a Time.” Kill’s book chronicles his successful coaching career, national advocacy work for people with epilepsy and his message that all people should have the chance to chase their dreams.

Event proceeds supported the Chasing Dreams Coach Kill Epilepsy Fund, founded by Coach Jerry and Rebecca Kill through the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota. “Coach Kill coming back to Minnesota to support epilepsy through the release of his new book underscores the commitment he pledged two years ago to the 60,000 people with epilepsy in our community,” said Heidi Fisher, EFMN Executive Director.

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NFL Player And Award-Winning Homebrewer Tells ESPN.com Founders All Day IPA One Of His Three Favorite Beers

Arizona Cardinals left tackle Jared Veldheer stays busy doing more than protecting Carson Palmer’s blind side. The Grand Rapids, MI native has evolved an off-season hobby into an award-winning passion for homebrewing. In the National Homebrew Competition, the world’s largest international amateur beer competition where 7,962 entries were judged this year, Veldheer won a blue ribbon for his homebrewed IPA.

Veldheer lists his all-time favorite beers as Russian River’s Pliny the Elder, Bell’s Two Hearted Ale and Founders All Day IPA. In response to the interview and shout out for All Day, Solve client Founders Brewing tweeted an invitation to the NFLer for a personal brewery tour and homebrew sampling session on his next visit home.

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