As is always the case, the 21st edition of Cities 97's "Sampler" CDs sold out this morning in less time than it takes the station to play two BoDeans songs. They were gone from Target stores in about two hours, in which time a whopping $700,000 were raised from the sales ($24.97 x about 28,000 copies).

That's not the end of it. In part to battle all the low-life weasels who've re-sold their "Samplers" at inflated prices, the station now sells copies of the discs via auction on their website (click here to get there). All that money will go to charity, too, of course. Among the recipients of the "Sampler" funds this year are Susan G. Komen, Make A Wish Minnesota, Autism Society of Minnesota and Golden Valley's Humane Society.

Among the acts featured on this year's CDs are the Jayhawks, Jazon Mraz, Snow Patrol, Adele, Rob Thomas and local newbie Meredith Fierke. Click here for a review of the discs.