Staff Directory 6370591

Jeff Strickler

Assistant Features Editor | Lifestyle
Phone: 612-673-7392

Jeff Strickler is the assistant features editor for the Star Tribune. He has spent most of his career working for the Variety section, including reviewing movies and covering religion. Now he leads a team of a reporters who cover entertainment and lifestyle issues.


A native of New York City, Strickler studied journalism with a minor in theater at the then-College of St. Thomas (now University) in St. Paul. He and his wife have lived in St. Louis Park for 35 years — albeit in four different places over that time — where they raised their two daughters.
Recent content from Jeff Strickler
A few extra precautions can help you deal with exercising in the  heat.

Hot tips for exercising in the heat

Review: 'Dark Angel,' by John Sandford

Review: 'Dark Angel,' by John Sandford

Books in brief
What's a good volunteer opportunity for me in Minnesota?

What's a good volunteer opportunity for me in Minnesota?

“PT 109” with Cliff Robertson

TV shows to watch: 'Animal Control,' the POTUS film trilogy

What we're watching this week.
Ceola McClure-Lazo helped her grandson Vail check out some toys at the Minneapolis Toy Library.

How you can help

The Inspired volunteer calendar offers many opportunities to make a difference.
Scissors at the Kids in Need store in Roseville.

How you can help

The Inspired volunteer calendar offers many opportunities to make a difference.
How you can help

How you can help

The Inspired volunteer calendar offers many opportunities to make a difference.
How you can help

How you can help

The Inspired volunteer calendar offers many opportunities to make a difference.
How you can help

How you can help

The Inspired volunteer calendar offers many opportunities to make a difference.
How you can help

How you can help

The Inspired volunteer calendar offers many opportunities to make a difference.
How you can help

How you can help

The Inspired volunteer calendar offers many opportunities to make a difference.
Ellen Hart, Ellen Hart, author of the Jane Lawless mystery series and a three-time winner of the Minnesota Book Award, is being given the organization

World Mystery Convention brings top authors and fans to Minneapolis

Bouchercon will feature Ellen Hart, William Kent Krueger, Alexander McCall Smith and more.
Review: 'Fairy Tale,' by Stephen King

Review: 'Fairy Tale,' by Stephen King

Don't miss
Rose Gleason, 3, and James Gleason, 5, of Atlanta ate corn on the cob Thursday at the Minnesota State Fair.

Dining at the Minnesota State Fair? 6 tips on making healthier choices

Depriving yourself of the tasty treats is not necessary.
J.R. Franklin, 8, had ice cream June 14 at Conny’s Creamy Cone in St. Paul.

What really beats the heat? We separate the myths from the reality

Does drinking hot coffee, wearing seersucker or firing up the swamp cooler really work?

Ask Amy: Should a will be used to send a message?

Ask Amy: Recipient is free to share letter's content

Montana students were just horsing around

Montana students were just horsing around

Apple iPod Touch

Sound Advice: Swollen battery poses a serious fire risk

In this Feb. 12, 2000, file photo, cartoonist Charles Schulz displayed a sketch of his beloved character “Snoopy.”

A good man: Exhibits honor 'Peanuts' creator, Minnesota native Schulz on 100th

Museums celebrate the Minnesota-born cartoonist on the centenary of his birth.
News of the Weird: Tape keeps tacos in check

News of the Weird: Tape keeps tacos in check

David Housewright

Minnesota crime novelist David Housewright took a 'no pressure' route to success

His latest, "Something Wicked," touches on COVID and the aftermath of George Floyd's murder.
Pandemic unleashes a tsunami of weddings in  Minnesota

Pandemic unleashes a tsunami of weddings in Minnesota

There are too many ceremonies and not enough venues.

Ask Amy: Crisis overreaction divides family

News of the Weird: Leapin' lizards, check out this smuggler

News of the Weird: Leapin' lizards, check out this smuggler

Ask Amy: Is 'Mr. Mom' remark an insult?

Anika Christ

Sweating tops social media when it comes to feeling better

Annual survey explores a wide range of fitness issues.
Cathy MacDonald, Ramsey County employee, asks Dolores Flynn questions about the care that her son Scott needs. She checks her calendar which is filled

Want to make a New Year's promise you can keep? Try these 11 Low Effort Resolutions

Need an emotional boost as we head into what could be another tough year? Make a resolution you know you can achieve.

Ask Amy: Affair's aftershocks prevent healing

A fossil of the jaw of a crocodile that lived on the Iron Range 90 million to 100 million years ago.

Which rock will rule in Minnesota? Vote to decide what our state fossil will be

Minnesota is one of several states that doesn't have an official state fossil. The Science Museum of Minnesota aims to fix that.
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Review: 'Billy Summers,' by Stephen King

FICTION: Stephen King's tale about an assassin is right on target.
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Fitness clubs ramp up online classes: 'We want to meet people where they are'

What started as a quick fix during the pandemic has turned into a booming industry.
Minneapolis Realtors Jimmy Fogel and Tash Casso Fogel are happy about their relationship — and they don’t care what anyone else thinks about it.

38 years apart in age, Minneapolis couple are happily together in love

Only 8.5% of married couples in the U.S. have more than a 10-year age difference.
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Resolve to keep your resolutions

By now, most of us have ditched our New Year's resolutions. Here's how to hang onto yours.
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Minnesota's 'Happy Doc' turns personal happiness into a DIY project

Instead of waiting for circumstances to change, we can make an attitude adjustment.
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When social distancing isn't all bad: 10 of the pandemic's bright spots

The quarantine has a number of tantalizing opportunities we can use to our benefit. Here are some to consider.
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Baby name trends: Suddenly there are lots of Kamalas but fewer Karens

Annual list of popular baby names reflects 2020.
Provided by Hormel

A meat-lover's mask: Hormel is giving away bacon-scented face coverings

"Don't just eat bacon," the company's website advises. "Inhale it."
Jules Rivera's take on the "Mark Trail" comic strip: Mark, Rusty, Andy the dog and Cherry.

Starting Monday, 'Mark Trail' takes a new path

Monday's strip is the first by Jules Rivera, a new artist who has taken over the comic strip. But she's not jettisoning everything that has made "Mark Trail" part of readers' daily routines since 1946.
Fitness coach teaching yoga online to group of people. Yoga trainer demonstrating yoga poses to students via video conference.

You can't blame the pandemic anymore: It's time to exercise again

Twin Cities trainer/dietitian says it's time to quit using COVID-19 as an excuse: "We're not as fit as we were before."

Minnesota historian raises a glass to women, bars and suffrage

Multimedia journalist traces the lines between temperance and suffrage movements.

Video workouts get a second wind thanks to COVID

Shelter-at-home rules caused the market to explode among serious exercise fans.
Yellow rubber duck isolated on white background

Do Siri and Alexa hate Minnesota?

Word-recognition programs have trouble understanding us.
Artist Linda Christensen carved a solid block of butter in the Dairy Building at the Minnesota State Fair in 2018.

Minnesota State Fair's famous butter sculptures will go on this year

The carving process will be streamed on the Princess Kay Facebook page.

With no drinks to serve this year, Minnesota State Fair is selling its spare plastic cups

You won't be able to sip your favorite cool beverage at the State Fair this year, but you can drink it from an official cup.

Exercise caution when returning to the gym

Gyms have been closed for three long months, so while the spirit is willing, the muscles may be weak.
We salute four Twin Cities women who have risen to the challenge

4 resilient Minnesota moms have advice for Mother's Day: 'Be kind to yourself'

This Mother's Day, we salute four Twin Cities women who have risen to the challenge during chaotic times.
Step by step instructions to make your own no-sew mask to protect yourself from Covid-19.
Developed by Dr. Christian Schrock, a Twin Cities epidemiolo

How to make a face mask, without having to sew a stitch

A Minnesota doctor and his wife have designed a no-sew face mask that simulates a surgical mask. It can be made in about 10 minutes from materials you probably have on hand.
Seen from behind healthy woman in fitness clothes at modern home watching fitness tutorial on internet via laptop while doing exercises on fitness mat

How to strengthen your resolve to exercise during quarantine

If you treat exercise as something you simply have to do — and try to make it fun — you're more likely to stick with it.
Ann Wood's work displayed as a botanical wall in her Minneapolis studio.

Minneapolis artist crafts incredibly lifelike re-creations of flowers, fruits and insects

Minneapolis artist sees the beauty in nature — and then re-creates it.
As the Twin Cities Auto Show was preparing for it's opening Friday, crews were busy building displays and polishing up the cars that will be on displa

Twin Cities Auto Show revs up car buffs

For some folks, it's an annual tradition.
"Ancient Caves" was filmed with a shoebox-sized digital camera.

'Ancient Caves' shows off Science Museum's new movie technology

The movie is narrated by Bryan Cranston of TV's "Breaking Bad" fame.
Karl Erickson coached a group of first-time ice anglers on the importance of keeping quiet. "Noise scares away fish," he said.

Twin Cities teacher has introduced more than 1,000 kids to ice fishing

Over the last five winters, the middle school teacher has worked to promote the favorite Minnesota past-time by working with schools, community groups and veterans' family organizations.
Hannah Peine, of St .Paul, poured water onto the head of her friend, Lindsey Hostetler, of Northfield, after they emerged from a sauna Thursday night.

Sauna Village is the new hidden hot spot in the Twin Cities

Minnesotans behind 612 Sauna Society's mobile sauna operation want to promote "thermaculture."
Surfer Randy Carlson of Duluth is coated in ice but happy after riding waves on New Year's Day on Stoney Point, Tuesday, January 1, 2019 in Two Harbor

Minnesota's 2019 weather was wet, wild and record-breaking

The year's weather was a record-breaker. Twin Cities precipitation totaled more than a foot above average.
Bryan Cranston

Bryan Cranston narrates Imax film premiering at Science Museum of Minnesota

Recently retired St. Paul museum exec hired "Breaking Bad" star for "Ancient Caves."
Making a few home improvements for your pets can help prolong the life of your furniture and flooring. (Dreamstime/TNS)

What's this? Cat lovers and dog lovers agreeing on something? Yes

They think alike when it comes to naming their cherished four-legged friends.
Chief Confetti Officer Kylee Leonetti's company adds a human touch to confetti.

Locally made, artisan confetti? 'It's much more photogenic.'

Addie Olin, 6, pondered a possible Christmas tree choice in the pre-cut lot with her dad, Alex, and younger brother, Beckett, 4. She was crestfallen m

At Minnesota Christmas tree farm, everyone is family: 'We want everyone to feel good'

At this Christmas tree farm, everyone is family — from four generations of owners, to staff, visitors, even the evergreens.
A close up horizontal photograph of some commercially canned cranberry sauce on a small white plate surrounded by fresh cranberries and a can.

Is it time to can the canned cranberry sauce?

Nearly half of Americans say canned cranberry sauce is "disgusting," a survey found.
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How to keep trick-or-treating safe

Kwidzyn, Poland – February 27, 2014: Snickers chocolate bar isolated on white background. Snickers bars are produced by Mars Incorporated. Snic

Minnesotans aren't so sweet on Halloween candy survey

Founding director of the Omnitheater Mike Day and Omnitheater technical director Chris Demko posed for a photo in from of the new digital Omnitheater

Science Museum of Minnesota reopens state-of-the-art Omnitheater

The new digital laser dome is only the third of its kind in the world.
In Brainerd, they're racing the worst cars they can find

In Brainerd, they're racing the worst cars they can find

An endurance race for junker cars has entrants channeling their inner MacGyver.
Les Heggernes' bath baskets are a thank you gift to Union Gospel Mission.

Oak Park Heights man repays 80-year-old debt to group that helped him as a teenager

Les Heggernes, 94, collects towels and toiletry items for the 400 homeless people who find shelter at the Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities each night.
Still from "Brittany Runs a Marathon." (Amazon Studios/TNS) ORG XMIT: 1399532

Jillian Bell's 'Brittany Runs a Marathon' races to an inspiring finish

This comic drama is a call to action for anyone who's facing a challenge.
"Paris is Burning," 1991 documentary

A look back at a benchmark documentary 'Paris Is Burning'

This image released by Annapurna Pictures shows Beanie Feldstein, left, and Kaitlyn Dever in a scene from the film "Booksmart," directed by Olivia Wil

The 10 best movies of the summer (so far), from 'Aladdin' to 'Yesterday'

Do we really need another version of "The Lion King"? Another rock bioflick? Another "Aladdin"? Yes, we do.
On July 1, 1994, Joan Monson of Golden Valley started a fitness program that involved walking 3 miles a day. She's still at it.

For the past 25 years, this Minnesotan has walked 3 miles every single day

Golden Valley woman has notched 25 years of daily walks without missing a single one.
A recent study from more than 30 years of global race results found that Americans are slowing down, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing.

U.S. runners are devoted but slow, study finds

We run more than in other countries, but it takes us longer.
Ron Howard at the Whitby Hotel in Manhattan, April 20, 2019. Howard decided to make a documentary about opera’s Sultan of Swat: Luciano Pavarot

With new film 'Pavarotti,' Ron Howard gives Ken Burns a run for his money: 'I love history'

Ron Howard took us to the moon and into hyperspace. Now he profiles a stratospheric singer.
Luciano Pavarotti in "Pavarotti," documentary by Ron Howard.

Pavarotti documentary hits a personal note: 'His life was an opera'

Documentary focuses on the man more than his music.
Barry ZeVan, the flamboyant retired Twin Cities weatherman, in the studio after a taping of his Retro Weather show.

Minnesota's Barry ZeVan 'the Weatherman' offers old-school forecasts

Longtime TV personality Barry ZeVan offers old-school weathercasts.
Jessica Chastain, left, and Sophie Turner in Twentieth Century Fox’s DARK PHOENIX. Photo Credit: Courtesy Twentieth Century Fox.

Sophie Turner and Jessica Chastain turn X-Men franchise into X-Women with 'Dark Phoenix'

"Dark Phoenix" works a nifty gender reversal on the superhero sci-fi series.
Fraser and his wife, Arvonne (who died last year), shown here in 1986, shared a passion for helping the less fortunate.

Vintage Minnesota: Don Fraser dedicated his life to helping people

Longtime politician exuded calm and humility.