'I get a lot of hate mail'

Steve Hofstetter says this during his sets — a lot.

In fact, there’s even a section of the comedian's Web site dedicated to archiving the particularly nasty letters he receives (as well as his spot-on rebuttals).

While it's too late to catch his set at Dubh Linn (it was Saturday night, sorry chuckles), it's never too late to read my DuluthBudgeteer.com-exclusive Q-and-A with the MySpace and Facebook favorite.

Elsewhere in the bin...

"More to Bayfield than a Couple (Thousand) Apples" :: With Bayfield’s celebrated Apple Festival right around the corner, it seemed like the right time to learn more about Wisconsin’s little city that could. To do so, the Budgeteer spoke to Mary Motiff, director of Bayfield County Tourism & Recreation. This is the second installment in our "Fun on One (Tank of Gas)" series, after Ironworld in Chisholm. (Note: Due to some unforeseen technical difficulties with our Web site, I won't be able to post the additional photos of Bayfield like I promised in the print edition -- until further notice, that is. My apologies in the meantime.)

"Minneapolis' Keri Noble Returns to Sacred Heart" :: It’s not just Keri Noble fans who are looking forward to her performance at Sacred Heart Music Center Sept. 26. A feature on the always-delightful Miss "Talk to Me."

"The Secret Delights of Tim Nelson's 'Sub-Underground' 550 Million Society" :: 550 Million Society, which features former Gild members Tim Nelson, Jim Hagstrom and Dicky Brooks, recently recorded a podcast for LocalM.com at Subterranean Productions in Superior. This is a good thing. DuluthBudgeteer.com exclusive!

"Election Protection Ready for Election Day" :: We’ve all heard Election Day horror stories, so many will probably consider Election Protection a good thing for the United States’ democratic system. The Budgeteer (I) recently traded e-mails with Election Protection’s Jon Greenbaum to find out more about the organization, which is being billed as the largest nonpartisan voter protection coalition in the nation. DuluthBudgeteer.com exclusive!

"CD Reviews: Aaron Espe, Jeremy Messersmith and Spearhead" :: Albums reviewed this week: Aaron Espe’s “Songs From a Small Town," Jeremy Messersmith's “The Silver City" and Michael Franti and Spearhead’s “All Rebel Rockers." For the first time in a long time, three bonafide winners!

Thus concludes THIS WEEK'S SHAMELESS BUDGETEER PLUG!