Sign in

Nina Thorsen

@nlthorsen.bsky.social
902 followers 3.1K following 283 posts

Former Oakland A's fan and bleacher drummer now part-owner of the Oakland Ballers and Oakland Roots, cold brew devotee, book hoarder, public radio lifer, (Sinister) Minnesotan in exile.

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Nina Thorsen
Angry People in Local Newspapers @apiln.bsky.social · 10h
We don’t do the Daily Mail, but as a public service, here is someone with far too much money being attacked by an owl.
Princess Beatrice's friend Alice Naylor-Leyland is attacked by rogue owl during chaotic photoshoot.
961666370
Nina Thorsen @nlthorsen.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Looking through my State Fair crop art photos from 15 years ago today and wow, it's @ziibiing.com
A Minnesota State Fair crop art depiction of Glinda the Good Witch inquiring "are you a good seed or a bad seed?" has won a violet ribbon for its creator Ashley Fairbanks of Minneapolis
061
Nina Thorsen @nlthorsen.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
Happy Bombo Rivera's birthday to all who celebrate.
Baseball player Bombo Rivera at bat in Metropolitan Stadium, home of the Minnesota Twins, Bloomington, MN, in 1980.  He has already been up at least once in this game, because one leg of his powder blue uniform pants has a large smear of dirt below the knee, as if he slid into a base.
140
Nina Thorsen @nlthorsen.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
Has anyone considered that Jimothy may be the Psammead (lightly disguised to avoid giving away too many wishes?)
The frontispiece from E. Nesbit's Five Children and It, showing Anthea, Jane, Cyril, and Bobs discovering the Psammead, a sand-fairy, in a gravel pit.
020
Nina Thorsen @nlthorsen.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
omny.fm/shows/kqed-s...
A group of people stand outside D Gate of the Oakland Coliseum, where a large banner proclaims "Major League Cricket"
130
Nina Thorsen @nlthorsen.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
Teddy Jones and Booker T. Jones joined in celebrating #princeday in Berkeley with a superlative cover of Purple Rain. (Apologies to the lighting crew at the Freight - the lights looked much more purple than this in real life)
A younger Black man and an older Black man wearing a hat play guitars on stage with the venue's name, The Freight, behind them. The stage lights are bluish-purple.
041
Reposted by Nina Thorsen
Rachael Myrow @rachaelmyrow.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
RIP Jerry Neuman, an iconic voice on KQED-FM for 37 years until he retired in 2013. For those of us who remember those pipes, a sad day indeed. 😕https://www.kqed.org/news/106157/kqeds-jerry-neuman-retires-after-37-years
141
Nina Thorsen @nlthorsen.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
Happy Pioneer League Opening Day to all who celebrate!
The entrance to the Oakland Ballers' home field, Raimondi Park
160
Nina Thorsen @nlthorsen.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
OG Athletics Nation alert: it's Bobby Kielty
161
Nina Thorsen @nlthorsen.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
In Minneapolis for a brief visit with friends and fam, and to attend May Day festivities Sunday - where my KQED tote bag drew some smiles and comments from former Bay Area folks. One was kind enough to say that she is still a member of KQED as well as MPR. Public radio listeners are the best!
A tote bag from public media station KQED with an illustration of Bay Area landmarks including Sutro Tower, a redwood tree, and some sea lions, sits on a bench next to an unmade bed decorated in typical hotel-room fashion. There are Oakland landmarks on the other side of the bag!
170
Reposted by Nina Thorsen
A. Brad Schwartz @abradschwartz.bsky.social · 20/04/2026
To mark the passing of CBS News Radio, I wrote about how it began—with a forgotten broadcast from a Black prison inmate. I came across this incredible story while researching my biography of Edward R. Murrow, and you can read all about it @columjournreview.bsky.social. 🗃️ www.cjr.org/feature/cbs-...
cjr.org
The eyewitness.
How a prison fire and a charismatic inmate revealed a waiting audience for compelling radio news on CBS.
16831
Nina Thorsen @nlthorsen.bsky.social · 03/05/2026
Happy May Day from the corner of 31st and Bloomington where we expect the Mayday parade in a little more than an hour! Plenty of space for spectators right now. Cars can proceed south on Bloomington until 31st, then they need to turn. #powderhornmayday
010
Nina Thorsen @nlthorsen.bsky.social · 02/05/2026
If you're anywhere near Lake and Minnehaha in the beautiful city of Minneapolis (not my home town but you can see it from here) come on down to #MinneHONK at Arbeiter Brewing for excellent bands - this is Forward! from Madison
A group of people mostly in fun red and black clothes playing brass band music in a parking lot
061
Nina Thorsen @nlthorsen.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
Such a delight to listen to @warriorsvox.bsky.social call a game like this
020
Nina Thorsen @nlthorsen.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
I never heard of the town of Brookdale in Santa Cruz County, where the quake that just rattled everyone in the Bay Area was apparently centered. As an expat Minnesotan, I only know it as a mall that didn't quite make it.
240
Nina Thorsen @nlthorsen.bsky.social · 27/03/2026
www.kqed.org/news/1207765...
kqed.org
How a Bay Area Attorney Aims to Hold US Agents Accountable for Violence in Minneapolis | KQED
Oakland-based civil rights attorney John Burris is leading a legal coalition filing 10 claims alleging abuse by federal agents during the immigration enforcement surge in Minneapolis.
031
Nina Thorsen @nlthorsen.bsky.social · 23/03/2026
A lovely story with a lot of quotes from beloved-in-Oakland Chris Bassett:
030
Nina Thorsen @nlthorsen.bsky.social · 20/02/2026
I'm just glad that I could bring Oakland to a lot of people.’’ 💚💛🥁
3113
Reposted by Nina Thorsen
Melissa Lockard @melissalockard.bsky.social · 20/02/2026
In two plus years, the @oaklandballers.bsky.social have made an indelible mark on Oakland. After a record-breaking season, they are ready to take the next step as a franchise & they’ve hired the person they believe will lead them there. On new team president Yeshayah Goldfarb’s vision for the team:
nytimes.com
Former Giants exec aims to spread the Oakland Ballers experience to entire Bay Area (Gift Article)
Yeshayah Goldfarb joins the Ballers as the team's first president after 24 years as a key member of the Giants' baseball operations group.
0122
Nina Thorsen @nlthorsen.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
Eight years ago today I was volunteering at Super Bowl 52 in Minneapolis. We were told there was a special guest, and the guest jumped up and thanked us all for representing the city. A couple of other volunteers asked me afterward if I knew who that nice young fellow was. "It's the mayor", I said.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, in a flannel shirt and casual jacket, stands in front of a small group of seated people wearing parkas and sweatshirts that say "Crew 52"; they are volunteers at the 2018 Super Bowl.
110
Nina Thorsen @nlthorsen.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
We're in a poem @jorgeleon17.bsky.social @ross-coe.bsky.social @cassmoni.bsky.social @denny149.bsky.social @rfwill149.bsky.social
250
Nina Thorsen @nlthorsen.bsky.social · 08/01/2026
The Minnesota Star Tribune has identified the shooter (gift link). www.startribune.com/ice-agent-wh...
startribune.com
Star Tribune identifies ICE agent who fatally shot woman in Minneapolis
Jonathan Ross was dragged in a separate incident last year by a fleeing driver, according to court records.
150
Nina Thorsen @nlthorsen.bsky.social · 30/12/2025
I'm sure all other expat Minnesotans listening to KDFC in the Bay Area winced along with me just now when Lara Downes was backannouncing a Scott Joplin piece by talking about other highlights of the year it was published, 1902, and said it was the year when "the first Target store opened" 1/2
260
Nina Thorsen @nlthorsen.bsky.social · 09/12/2025
I haven't had a chance to watch this yet, but if Jeff says it's good, it goes on my list.
040
Nina Thorsen @nlthorsen.bsky.social · 02/11/2025
You know what would make this ballgame better? Drums in the stands.
1102
Nina Thorsen @nlthorsen.bsky.social · 22/10/2025
www.kqed.org/news/1206082...
kqed.org
State Sen. Scott Wiener Is Running for Pelosi’s House Seat, Saying ‘It Was Time’ | KQED
It was widely assumed that Wiener would wait until Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi announced her retirement to launch his campaign, but he told KQED he could no longer wait until she decides.
051
Nina Thorsen @nlthorsen.bsky.social · 21/10/2025
Very happy for Chris Bassitt, who was always a friend to Oakland fans.
061
Nina Thorsen @nlthorsen.bsky.social · 06/10/2025
Some nice photos of the Ballers parade including the @oakland68sofficial.bsky.social
kqed.org
Fans Cheer on Oakland Ballers After Championship Victory | KQED
The Ballers brought home the city’s first baseball title since 1989.
050
Nina Thorsen @nlthorsen.bsky.social · 05/10/2025
Oakland Ballers championship rally at City Hall. The party moves to West Oakland shortly for a parade around Raimondi Park and party at Prescott Market. Let's go Oakland!!!
A crowd of fans outside Oakland City Hall with Mayor Barbara Lee at the podium
084
Nina Thorsen @nlthorsen.bsky.social · 27/09/2025
This was a year ago today, I haven't seen an MLB game since, and I don't know that I ever will again.
The Oakland Coliseum right field bleachers at the last Oakland A's home game on September 26, 2024. It's sunny and crowded, with some fans standing in the aisles. Many fan-made banners are displayed including "Unforgivable", "Moneyball (crossed out)/Major League", "Doris Get Ur Kid",
"Goodbye MLB", and "SELL".
3110
Nina Thorsen @nlthorsen.bsky.social · 25/09/2025
www.kqed.org/news/1196291...
kqed.org
Groundbreaking Journalist Belva Davis Dies at 92 | KQED
Davis, a legend of Bay Area journalism, was the first Black woman to be hired as a TV journalist on the West Coast.
150
Nina Thorsen @nlthorsen.bsky.social · 23/09/2025
Be sure to read to the end:
093
Nina Thorsen @nlthorsen.bsky.social · 23/09/2025
www.latimes.com/california/n...
latimes.com
It's pro-sports redemption for Oakland as Ballers win the Pioneer League championship
Your morning catch-up: Pro-sports redemption for Oakland, ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ will return to ABC tonight and more big stories.
050
Nina Thorsen @nlthorsen.bsky.social · 22/09/2025
www.kqed.org/news/1205707...
kqed.org
Ballers Bring Home Oakland’s First Baseball Title Since 1989 | KQED
After the A’s departed the Bay Area, the Oakland Ballers came back from near-elimination to win the independent Pioneer League championship.
2167
Nina Thorsen @nlthorsen.bsky.social · 22/09/2025
All the @oaklandballers.bsky.social fans and players who JUST got to sleep after winning the Pioneer League championship....I think the Hayward Fault wanted to join in the celebration
041
Nina Thorsen @nlthorsen.bsky.social · 07/09/2025
I spy the @djgloverepair.bsky.social sticker on the hot dog warmer of @mayorofoakland.bsky.social at Raimondi Park @oaklandballers.bsky.social
A red-haired white man in a Cal cap sits behind a hot dog warmer covered with a variety of stickers at the Oakland Ballers gameCloseup on the stickers on Mike Davie's hot dog rig
151
Nina Thorsen @nlthorsen.bsky.social · 26/08/2025
Purely anecdotal but I noticed way more bees and hornets at the Minnesota State Fair than in the past - every time we ate or drank anything, or went within 10 feet of a trash bin. My cousin got stung. But I got the "Stinger" from Beans & Beignets (cold brew, whipped honey, and a pinch of cayenne).
An opaque golden brown drink in a Minnesota State Fair cup
141
Nina Thorsen @nlthorsen.bsky.social · 26/08/2025
I Survived The Crop Art Slow Lane #mnstatefair
A crop art depiction of Minnesota State Fair mascots Fairchild and Fairborne doing the Drake Hotline Bling meme of "Other
State Fairs yuck, Minnesota State Fair yum" by Gayle Deutsch of Bloomington: it won a yellow ribbon
0324
Nina Thorsen @nlthorsen.bsky.social · 09/08/2025
Great analysis here from Gabe Lacques of the continuing impact beyond Oakland of the SELL movement @oakland68sofficial.bsky.social @lastdivebar.bsky.social
usatoday.com
'Sell the team': Fed-up fans' passionate cry is spreading through sports
Fans are becoming increasingly vocal in their displeasure with the owners of their favorite teams.
061
Reposted by Nina Thorsen
Linda Holmes @lindaholmes.bsky.social · 02/08/2025
I’m trying to figure out the right way to say this, because: Look, the CPB closing is devastating, and I don’t in any way want to blow even a wisp of smoke that it isn’t. But twice today, I’ve seen people express how sad they are that all of public television and radio is over. Not true! (1/3)
11713522
Nina Thorsen @nlthorsen.bsky.social · 01/08/2025
My first time flying out of the new Harvey Milk Terminal 1 at SFO, it's very nice! I didn't realize @suncountryair.bsky.social had moved out of the International Terminal, but since I was early I still had plenty of time.
A large display of photos illustrating the life of Harvey Milk at the new SFO Terminal 1.
030
Nina Thorsen @nlthorsen.bsky.social · 27/07/2025
July is often hot chocolate weather in Oakland, even at day games, and @oaklandballers.bsky.social serve an excellent version
A hand holds up a covered paper cup in front of an Oakland Ballers baseball game on a cloudy afternoon at Raimondi Park.
050
Nina Thorsen @nlthorsen.bsky.social · 13/07/2025
If you've been missing the drums that used to play at that other team's games, come to Raimondi Park for the @oaklandballers.bsky.social! 7 Drums 7 from the @oakland68sofficial.bsky.social
Six people sit with drums (the seventh is the photographer's and out of frame) before the start of an Oakland Ballers baseball game
171
Nina Thorsen @nlthorsen.bsky.social · 12/07/2025
Scrappy sox? @oaklandballers.bsky.social
030
Reposted by Nina Thorsen
Bryan Cantrill @bcantrill.bsky.social · 29/06/2025
The end game for John Fisher bcantrill.dtrace.org/2025/06/29/t...
bcantrill.dtrace.org
The end game for John Fisher | The Observation Deck
35012
Nina Thorsen @nlthorsen.bsky.social · 29/06/2025
We have converted @radiobwatt.bsky.social to the drums, there is no going back. @oaklandroots.bsky.social @oakland68sofficial.bsky.social
A man laughs as he plays a drum in the Oakland Coliseum
191
Nina Thorsen @nlthorsen.bsky.social · 13/06/2025
I saw my first cricket match today, and it was a very good one. Apparently everything we've heard for years about the Oakland Coliseum's suitability for cricket was true. I'm not sure whether it's bush league to do the Wave in cricket, as it is in baseball - but the Wave was done. #oaklandunicorns
1140
Reposted by Nina Thorsen
BART @bart.gov · 09/05/2025
Use the map below to find Transbay Service from BART stations. Due to a computer networking problem BART service is suspended system wide until further notice. Seek alternate means of transportation. Find more info at bart.gov/alternatives
Transbay Service from BART Stations
22817
Nina Thorsen @nlthorsen.bsky.social · 05/05/2025
It may have been a rivalry game, but @oaklandroots fans and the Tower Bridge Battalion and traveling supporters of Sacramento Republic united in a rousing chant that involved John Fisher! Because everyone hates that guy.
020
Reposted by Nina Thorsen
Tamara Keith @tamarakeithnpr.bsky.social · 23/04/2025
In honor of Senator Durbin's @durbin.senate.gov retirement announcement, I share the greatest House floor speech of all time via @c-span.bsky.social. www.c-span.org/clip/house-p...
c-span.org
Dick Durbin floor speech on baseball bats
Dick Durbin floor speech on baseball bats #
4101