Barber pole chat in St. Paul

Curt Brown will answer the central question stemming from his new project -- why a book on barber poles? -- Feb. 17 at Common Goods Books in St. Paul. Brown's book chronicles the chutzpah, innovation and endurance of the Marvy family -- the last makers of barber poles in the country. Barber poles date back to the Middle Ages when barber-surgeons hung bloody rags to dry in the wind. But William Marvy's 1950 sleek innovation changed the game and his 85,000 creations now punctuate street corners across the country. Common Good Books is located just north of Snelling and Grand Avenues in St. Paul -- a half-mile from the Marvy plant. The discussion starts at 7 p.m.