Target Field's new bullpen A long-awaited bar in the shadow of Target Field will finally open -- but as Cowboy Jack's. After taking over the suburbs and Uptown, the outlaw-decorated local chain will debut in downtown Minneapolis in late April or early May. For two years the prime corner has been the subject of much speculation. In early 2010, Ahern's Irish Pub announced plans for a 14,000-square-foot pub at 5th Street and 2nd Avenue N., next to Epic nightclub. But it never made much progress, and owner Kelly Jaedike got tied up in bankruptcy problems with another of her businesses, the Melting Pot. So Chris Diebold and Brian Asmus of Cowboy Jack's are moving in, with loads of reclaimed wood furnishings, faux-rifles as door handles and peanut shells littering the floor. This location will boast a large mezzanine and rooftop bar. The menu is typical big-bar comfort food: ribs, wings, burgers and "country meatloaf." They'll feature live music -- solo or duo performers doing covers. Let's hope it has a smoother opening than its new neighbor across the street, the Brick. -TOM HORGEN
Shelby on the radio
Anyone who thought Don Shelby would be leaving the news business just because he left WCCO in 2010 doesn't know Don Shelby. The veteran newsman is joining BringMeTheNews, run by former KARE personality Rick Kupchella. Starting April 4, Shelby will be the morning voice of BringMeTheNews' radio network, which consists of 30 stations. "I am so pleased that I'll be back in the game -- not just to be back in the game, but to satisfy the needs of people who, for 32 years, trusted me to tell them the truth," Shelby told I.W. "I miss them and I miss the opportunity to do that." Because of the new job, Shelby will be discontinuing his column for MinnPost.com. Let's hope this radio gig doesn't cut into his flourishing theater career. By the way, he's been cast as the voice of "Paul Bunyan," the Benjamin Britten opera to be presented next year by VocalEssence. -NEAL JUSTIN
New man out
Allan Naplan's resignation this week as president and general director of the Minnesota Opera is a curious thing. Naplan arrived with great plans and ideas one year ago. On his watch, the opera staged the world premiere of "Silent Night" by Kevin Puts and commissioned another new work, "Doubt," which was recently workshopped and is slated for production next year. Michael Christie was hired as music director, something of a milestone in itself, and the opera's first webcast, of "Werther" in February, reached 77,000 viewers. The organization said that Naplan left for personal reasons. Kevin Ramach, production director for the past six years, has been appointed interim managing director. -GRAYDON ROYCE
Mary on Marc
Comedian Marc Maron can't get enough of Minnesota. One week after blowing the roof off Acme with a string of great shows, he has chosen our very own Mary Mack for his latest "WTF" podcast. The popular show, featuring chats with the likes of Conan O'Brien and Dane Cook, is funny, fascinating and often confessional. Maron's interview with Mack is no different: She talks about digging outhouse holes in northern Wisconsin, life at her sister's bait shop and angry roosters. (Listen to the podcast on www.wtfpod.com). As is her calling card, Mack was her usual awkward self. Or as she told I.W.: "I didn't sleep much the night before so I was really crappy and I forgot to say that I really like doing comedy." -TOM HORGEN
Doughty's dirt
