pick of the week: Minneapolis native Kent Nerburn won a Minnesota Book Award in 2009 for his novel "Neither Wolf Nor Dog," a story about a Lakota elder who takes a white writer on a road trip that also serves as a tour of contemporary American Indian life. Now it's an indie film that stars Dave Bald Eagle, who has died at 97 since filming was completed. Nerburn's alter ego (it isn't all that altered; the character is even named Kent Nerburn) is played by Los Angeles stage actor Christopher Sweeney. Nerburn (the real one) wrote the script with director Steven Lewis Simpson, a native of Scotland who has focused his films on Indian life, including "A Thunder-Being Nation," a documentary about the Pine Ridge reservation. "Neither Wolf Nor Dog" is showing at the Marcus Elk River Cinema.
Cheat sheet: May 1 doesn't hold much special significance in this country, but May Day is a big deal in other parts of the world.
• For many European countries, it's their version of Labor Day.
• The festivities have long included dancing around the maypole and delivering May baskets — although both traditions have largely fallen out of practice.
• The international distress signal "mayday" has nothing to do with May Day. It tracks its roots to the French "venez m'aider," which means "come help me."
Day by day: Beer lovers can raise their mugs in a toast to national Homebrew Day on Sunday. Don't worry if you miss it; the entire week of May 15 has been designated American Craft Beer Week — as if we need an excuse to have a beer.
recommended reading: Tired of high-tech? Then jot down this: Notebooks — the kind with paper — are making a comeback. Put a reminder into your phone to check out the report in Tuesday's Variety.
JEFF STRICKLER • jeff.strickler@startribune.com
