www.buildingminnesota.blog spot.com

In Todd Melby's well-produced blog about architecture and historic preservation, it's the original, Minneapolis-focused content that makes a mark, particularly a series of narrated slide shows: a two-parter on a modernist house designed by Julie Snow, a profile of architect James Dayton, a tour of Eliel and Eero Saarinen's landmark Christ Church Lutheran. Radio journalist Melby is a keen observer of the Twin Cities streetscape, and his wide-ranging commentary -- from the sketchy fate of the giddy Girard (formerly Teener's) building to a glimpse at the new green roof being installed at Minneapolis City Hall -- makes for compelling, locally focused reading.

RICK NELSON