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Questions on race and racism in the school board debate
UPDATED August 25, 2008, 11:45am
By Dylan Thomas
Eight of nine candidates for three open seats on the Minneapolis school board met for a sparsely attended candidates’ forum Aug. 21 at the Sabathani Community Center in South Minneapolis.
The candidates addressed the district’s declining enrollment and a proposal to revamp school board elections, as well as answering audience questions on plans for English-language learner students, school uniforms, a moratorium on suspensions and a variety of other topics during the two-hour forum.
Incumbents Sharon Henry-Blythe and Lydia Lee took the stage along with challengers Doug Mann, Carla Bates, Mary Buss, Jill Davis, Kari Reed and Thomas Dicks. Candidate Allison Johnson did not attend.
Forum moderator Al McFarlane of Insight News opened the forum with the argument that Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) was “not making the grade” and that the school board, in particular, was “failing.” McFarlane asked the candidates what they would do to improve the quality of education.
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Transportation roundup
By Steve Pease
A plan for potholes
Mayor R.T. Rybak heeded constituents’ calls to 311 to fix the city’s countless potholes over its 1,000 miles of roads and called for a public works windfall. After all, Rybak (an East Harriet resident) has to drive his plug-in Prius around Southwest just like everyone else. “Our city, our state and our nation have not invested as we must in roads, bridges and transit,” he said of recent decisions to focus spending on public safety. “I say this standing in a city recovering from a tragic bridge collapse that was not an act of God, but a failure of man.” In the past five years, General Fund expenditures on public safety grew 30 percent, while spending on Public Works grew only 10 percent (or below inflation), Rybak noted. This may have been one reason why this last spring was, perhaps, one of the worst on record for potholes.
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Bringing SUCCESS to Washburn
By Dylan Thomas
Project SUCCESS expands role in schools
TANGLETOWN — For about 50 Washburn High School freshmen, the first day at their new school came early. They visited Washburn during the first full week in August to learn the layout of the school, meet teachers and Principal Carol Markham-Cousins and, hopefully, ease what for some students can be a rocky transition to high school — a place that is larger, moves faster and requires a great deal more self-reliance than middle school. The experience was coordinated by Project SUCCESS, a nonprofit youth development organization that has been in Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) for nearly 16 years. During the school year, Project SUCCESS works with middle- and high school students, using theater as a springboard for discussions about decision-making and planning for the future. That track record made Project SUCCESS the school district’s choice to lead Camp 2012, a program intended to get young teens thinking ahead to graduation day even before their first day of high school.
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Community prompts Judge to reconsider sex offender’s sentence
By Jake Weyer
Neighborhood presence in court caused a Hennepin County judge to back out of a plea agreement for level-three sex offender and neighborhood nuisance Damon Moore When Hennepin County District Court Judge Peter Albrecht negotiated a plea agreement to release sex offender and chronic neighborhood nuisance Damon Moore on probation following an April arrest, residents in Stevens Square and Whittier were shocked. Moore had been arrested for nuisance crimes such as trespassing and consuming alcohol in public 17 times in the past year, 10 times in Southwest. He was on the city’s list of the top 100 chronic offenders and was a level-three sex offender — deemed the most likely to re-offend. The April incident involved sexual assault, theft, drug possession and public alcohol consumption. In an attempt to change Albrecht’s mind about Moore, three Stevens Square community members showed up to read impact statements in court, something they’ve done countless times before without success. But this time was different. “I think I made a bad decision when I reached the agreement,” Albrecht said in court.
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Kudos for fitting in
By Adam Epperson
The Fulton neighborhood runs an award program that encourages developers to build homes that blend with the community In response to recent zoning changes designed to curb the construction of oversized homes — frequently called McMansions or Monster houses — the Fulton Neighborhood Association (FNA) created an award program that recognizes developers whose houses blend into the neighborhood.
Last year, City Council Member Betsy Hodges (13th Ward) authored an ordinance creating zoning codes to prevent the building of oversized houses. Since then, the FNA zoning subcommittee has had to review several variance applications, which are required to be submitted to the subcommittee if the proposed new home or a remodeling project makes a home bigger, wider or taller than zoning allows.
“We’ve been seeing several (variance applications) in addition to common knowledge in the community of this sort of backlash against homes that were built either not to scale or proportions or the materials were not in keeping with the neighborhood,” said Phil Rader, an architect working on the Fulton Neighborhood Association’s Zoning committee. “The city has zoning regulations, of course, for housing or property, but there were no local design guidelines for the Fulton neighborhood, so the city decided to prepare design guidelines.”
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Fulton neighborhood
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Biz buzz
By Dylan Thomas & Jake Weyer
1 Comment
38TH & GRAND Kingfield boutique Fairy Godmother closed its 38th Street & Grand Avenue location Aug. 16 after nearly five years of business. Ballgown-wearing storeowner and self-proclaimed Fairy Godmother Terre Thomas expanded her business into Calhoun Square just before the closure. That space is much smaller than the original store, but Thomas is hoping to hang on to it and find another, larger space in Uptown. Thomas has said that business at the 38th & Grand store was slow this year and she was hoping to move to Uptown because of its better foot traffic. She called the closure of her original store “bittersweet and exciting” in an e-mail notice to customers. “Being the Fairy Godmother on Grand Avenue has been a life-changing experience and I know that we’ve touched many lives as well in these last five years,” she said.
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Crime reports
By Michelle Bruch
Editor’s note: Alleged crimes against persons (assault, rape, murder, etc.) will feature the + symbol. Note, this compilation of crime reports provides highlights of area criminal activity. It’s not intended to be a comprehensive overview of Southwest crime. Stevens Square +Aug. 10, 11:58 p.m., 1915 Clinton Ave. S. A 28-year-old man was put in a choke hold, punched and then robbed. The victim declined medical attention.
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Calhoun Area neighborhood, East Harriet neighborhood, East Isles neighborhood, Kingfield neighborhood, Lowry Hill East (The Wedge) neighborhood
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Neighborhood notebook
By Cristof Traudes
FULTON ELECTIONS SOON: The Fulton Neighborhood Association will hold elections at its annual meeting, set for Sept. 10. Six current board members will be up for reelection. Anyone interesting in joining the board should call neighborhood coordinator Tara Kumar at 922-3106 or e-mail info@fultonneighborhood.org. FESTIVAL SOON: The Fulton Neighborhood Association is looking for more volunteers for its neighborhood festival, which will be 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Sept. 13 at Pershing Park. Anyone interested in participating can call 922-3106 or e-mail info@fultonneighborhood.org.
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Fulton neighborhood, Kenny neighborhood, Linden Hills neighborhood
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The art of politics
By Dylan Thomas
The UnConvention is the massive umbrella over most of the arts events scheduled during the Republican National Convention, but it is by no means the end-all of RNC-related cultural happenings. There is yet more to see and do in late August and early September at tiny galleries, major institutions and many places in between. Take the Mad Ripple Hootenanny, the weekly musical round robin hosted by Southwest Journal columnist Jim Walsh. Walsh is teaming up with former Minnesotan Lizz Winstead, who will bring her off-Broadway show “Wake Up World” to the Parkway Theater in South Minneapolis for three nights of fake news satire and music (see accompanying story on page B8). Still, Minneapolis by no means must import its political satire. We have the longest-running satirical comedy theater in the nation right here in Southwest: the Brave New Workshop. “Every major election and most minor ones, too, we’ve done an election-based show,” said Caleb McEwen, director of “The Lion, the Witch, and the War Hero; Or is McCain Able?” — the theater’s follow-up to this spring’s 50th anniversary show. The election-themed show opened in July, but the sketches will continue to grow and evolve as the campaign season picks up steam on the way to Nov. 4.
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Representing the 'hoods
By Cristof Traudes
T-shirts and merchandise give neighbors a common bond Neighborhoods provide people a relatively small bond, certainly not one as recognized as being a Minneapolitan or a Minnesotan or an American. Yet they somehow still succeed at bringing a sense of unity to their regions.
While demographics aren’t always that different from one neighborhood to the next, each has its own stories to tell and its own unique interests.
One way that’s reflected is in merchandise — mainly, in T-shirts. They represent the stories of relatively small East Harriet wanting to build a strong brand, Kenny feeling like one mind, Linden Hills going green.
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Armatage neighborhood, East Harriet neighborhood, Kenny neighborhood, Linden Hills neighborhood
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Businesses on park property under scrutiny for taxes
By Cristof Traudes
In May, it appeared Twin City Catering had fallen upon difficult financial times. The private business, which operates within the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board’s headquarters on West River Road, had asked the Park Board whether it could renegotiate its lease. Hoping to lower its rent, it was seeking to jettison its event center space. Before any contract renegotiations could get started, the Park Board commissioners had to give approval. They were supposed to do so at their May 21 regular meeting. But in the days leading up to that meeting, citizen watchdogs cried foul. Park Watch, a common critic of the Park Board, pleaded with President Tom Nordyke not to approve the renegotiations based on one fact: Twin City Catering, under contract since 2003, had just been given its very first tax bill. The company had not been dodging taxes — it turned out they had never before been assessed.
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City shuts down Restaurant Miami
By Jake Weyer
New restaurant the Favor Café has taken the place of the controversial ‘80s-themed establishment Since the day it was proposed as a late-night restaurant called Afterbar in the summer of 2006, Robert Serr’s business at 913 W. Lake St. was controversial. Community worries about parking, noise and drunken behavior sprang up immediately and when Serr opened his ’80s-themed venture under the name Restaurant Miami in February 2007, the city listened to neighborhood recommendations and temporarily restricted his hours. Some of the neighborhood’s concerns were realized after the restaurant opened and tension between Serr and the community never faded, even after he pleaded with them to support later hours when business took a turn for the worse because of Lake Street reconstruction. He got the hours last August, but license violations recently killed Restaurant Miami, ending two years of drama. Serr transferred ownership of the restaurant in July after the city’s licensing division hosted a conference with the business to resolve compliance issues. Those included untimely renewal of its license and failure to comply with the conditions of serving food with alcohol and not having a bar area, said Linda Roberts, lead license inspector for Minneapolis.
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‘More to Tri’ series showcases city’s parks during RNC
By Sarah McKenzie
A three-day athletic event, “More to Tri,” will be held Sept. 1–3 to promote the city’s parks system and the Twin Cities image as a fit, healthy place.
Each event will start at 6:30 a.m. The first activity on Sept. 1 is a 5K run through Minnehaha Falls Park. The run starts and ends at Minnehaha Falls, 4825 Minnehaha Ave. S. The second day, participants will bike through downtown Minneapolis and the riverfront district. The ride starts at the Stone Arch Bridge. The final event starts at Thomas Beach at Lake Calhoun. Competitors can swim, canoe or kayak across the water.
The “More to Tri” series has been organized by Mayor R.T. Rybak’s office, Meet Minneapolis, Life Time Fitness, Humana and Hoigaards.
“We
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RNC at a glance
By Jake Weyer
Overview
What: The 2008 Republican National Convention
Where: The Xcel Energy Center, 175 Kellogg Blvd.
When: Sept. 1-4.
Who
2,380 delegates 2,230 alternates 15,000 media members 25,000 family, guests, volunteers and security personnel
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Republican National Convention
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Property taxes to rise under mayor’s proposed budget
By Steve Pease and Cristof Traudes
However, Rybak will attempt to seal-coat the deal
In his budget address Aug. 14, Mayor R.T. Rybak reflected on five years of fiscal responsibility and his plans for the next generation of Minneapolis roads and bridges.
But those plans will come at a cost. Under Rybak’s proposed $1.5 billion budget, property taxes would rise 6.86 percent, equaling about a $65 increase in 2009 for a Minneapolis home valued $216,000.
Notably, the increase was the first time under the Rybak administration that property taxes have gone up less than 8 percent since a five-year fiscal plan was implemented in 2003, according to Rybak spokesman Jeremy Hanson.
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Schools notebook
By Dylan Thomas
More schools miss student achievement goals In what has become a grim annual ritual, Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) reported in August that fewer of its school met goals for student proficiency in reading and math in 2008. Once again, district leaders pointed to a continually rising bar for student achievement established in 2001 under the federal No Child Left Behind law. “There are some excellent schools throughout the state that have been labeled as if they were failing,” said David Heistad, director of district research. MPS students made small gains in math and reading proficiency as measured by their performance on state standardized tests. Still, only 11 of 77 schools made Adequate Yearly Progress, or AYP, the benchmark for student achievement, a decrease from 2007. Just more than half of all schools statewide hit their AYP targets this year, the Minnesota Department of Education reported. Of the 1,920 schools that reported an AYP status, 983 schools met their goals for student improvement.
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Kenwood neighborhood, Linden Hills neighborhood
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Parks update
By Cristof Traudes
Milfoil remains steady issue for Park Board Eurasian water milfoil is out in full force this year. Just ask Bob Fine, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board commissioner. He’s used to fielding a lot of phone calls and e-mails from his constituency, but he said he’s been surprised at how dominant the topic of milfoil has been this summer. While he hears about the discomfort the invasive underwater plant species brings every year, Fine said that this year, in particular, people in the parks’ sixth district are asking about it a lot. That doesn’t mean the situation is getting worse, according to Park Board staff. It makes sense to hear people talking milfoil in August, said Mike Schmidt, the Park Board’s general manager of operations and recreation. “This is the worst time of year,” Schmidt said, “but I would not characterize things as worse than before. We don’t have a milfoil explosion any worse than in any of the past dozen years.”
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East Harriet neighborhood
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Green report
By Cristof Traudes
So far, 21 idling complaints, but no fines Minneapolis’ idling ordinance passed June 6, but drivers don’t have to worry just yet about being ticketed for leaving their vehicles idling for more than three minutes. As of Aug. 5, 21 complaints of long-term idling had been reported to the city’s Environmental Services department, city spokesman Matt Laible said. However, that hasn’t translated to any fines — yet. It isn’t until the fall that citations, which can be as much as $200, will be given out, Laible said. The city currently is in public education mode, he said, with a focus on companies that make frequent use of large trucks and vehicles, such as bus companies, taxi companies and trucking companies. Stores and restaurants that get regular deliveries from trucks also are likely to receive education, Laible said. There are a few exceptions to the idling ordinance, such as for buses that need to stay running to keep on-board passengers comfortable or for trucks that have to keep cargo refrigerated.
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Questions on race and racism in the school board debate
UPDATED August 25, 2008, 11:45am
By Dylan Thomas
Eight of nine candidates for three open seats on the Minneapolis school board met for a sparsely attended candidates’ forum Aug. 21 at the Sabathani Community Center in South Minneapolis.
The candidates addressed the district’s declining enrollment and a proposal to revamp school board elections, as well as answering audience questions on plans for English-language learner students, school uniforms, a moratorium on suspensions and a variety of other topics during the two-hour forum.
Incumbents Sharon Henry-Blythe and Lydia Lee took the stage along with challengers Doug Mann, Carla Bates, Mary Buss, Jill Davis, Kari Reed and Thomas Dicks. Candidate Allison Johnson did not attend.
Forum moderator Al McFarlane of Insight News opened the forum with the argument that Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) was “not making the grade” and that the school board, in particular, was “failing.” McFarlane asked the candidates what they would do to improve the quality of education.
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City council actions
By Steve Pease
Life after NRP update
Framework for the Future, a special report that is meant to act as a blueprint for future governance, structure and funding sources for Minneapolis neighborhoods, was adopted Aug. 8 by the City Council. However, the Council won’t act on many of the recommendations until it hears from the public at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 20 in Council Chambers. The report, culled from work done by a special Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) Work Group, calls for the creation of a new city department and citizen advisory board. Some of the ideas currently used in NRP are included in future plans; however, the structure will change. The Neighborhood Community Advisory Board (NCAB) could largely replace the 17-member NRP Policy Board. However, the creation of this board has been delayed until public comment can be heard. The report also called for the creation of the Neighborhood and Community Relations (NCR) Department, which would effectively serve as a centralized office between neighborhoods and other city departments.
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Civic beat
By Steve Pease
Closing time deadline
A number of local establishments answered the last call for alcohol. A total of 28 Minneapolis venues will be granted special liquor licenses to stay open until 4 a.m. during the Republican National Convention (RNC), from Sept. 1–4. The deadline to apply for an extension to a late bar-time was Wednesday, Aug. 13. As expected, many applications were submitted at the last minute. A few Council members were initially concerned that the demand for applications would not cover the costs associated with an estimated $31,000 in additional police overtime to staff them. So the City Council approved an exception to the steep $2,500 fee: those hotels or businesses holding private parties, with personal security, could receive a license for $100. In the end, 19 private establishments or hotels Downtown received the $100 licenses.
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A crowded field in the school board race
By Dylan Thomas
A total of nine candidates — seven newcomers and two incumbents — will vie for three open seats on the Minneapolis school board this election season. There are only six slots on the general election ballot, so the Sept. 9 primary will serve to narrow the field by three candidates. The three top vote getters on Election Day, Nov. 8, will each serve two-year, at-large terms on the Board of Education. The Southwest Journal spoke briefly with all the candidates in August.
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Coasting
By Jake Weyer
High gas prices, a growing green movement and a more bike-friendly city have helped boost business at local bike shops
Brian Rose’s business has got to have one of the worst storefronts in the city. It isn’t even a storefront, really. It’s a door in an alley with a small, faded piece of computer paper taped to it that says “Shockspital.” A step through the doorway, even a walk down a flight of stairs, won’t immediately get visitors to the shop, but Rose doesn’t fuss over such details. His business is bikes. And these days, business is booming. “I’m in a basement, and I’ve got no sign and no ads and I’m swamped,” said the self-proclaimed shock doctor, who specializes in mountain bike suspension and hydraulic brake repair in a tiny space near 34th Street & Lyndale Avenue.
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Bike Walk Ambassadors: engineering an effort
By Steve Pease
1 Comment
Shanai Matteson isn’t your typical sash-wearing ambassador. She prefers a bike helmet any day of the week. Matteson, 26, is one of eight Bike Walk Ambassadors recently hired by the city to get more people to use their feet, rather than an engine, to get from A to B. “It’s really just as simple as we want more people to bike and walk for transportation and drive less,” Matteson said. “We want people to have the tools they need to bike and walk safely and conveniently.” The Whittier resident said she lives within walking distance of The Wedge Community Co-op, and doesn’t feel the need to own a car. As gas prices rise, city stuides suggest a growing number of residents are also opting for nonmotorized commutes. The Midtown Greenway bike trail is more popular than it’s ever been, seeing a 30 percent spike in ridership from spring 2007–08. Downtown, there was a 51 percent increase in bike usage between 2003 and 2007. The statistics go on and on, showing an increase in nonmotorized transit in Minneapolis on the streets and the sidewalk.
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CivicFest showcases state, national history
By Steve Pease
While the main attractions for the Republican National Convention (RNC) will be held in St. Paul, the Minneapolis Convention Center will be home to a nonpartisan affair. “I think it’s an opportunity to be a part of history and involved in the convention experience,” said Minneapolis-St. Paul Host Committee Producer Maxene Fernstrom. “And there are very few cities that [can] host political nomination convention and be a part of history.” And Fernstrom should know — she was the chief operating officer of the 1996 and 2000 Republican National Conventions. In coming weeks, crowds wearing everything from Brooks Brothers to Birkenstocks to baby booties will pack the Convention Center, 1201 2nd Ave. S., during CivicFest (Aug. 29–Sept 4). Fernstrom said she expects two-thirds of the attendees to be local, and the other convention visitors.
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Aiming for growth
By Dylan Thomas
ECCO couple starting fourth season of youth musical ensemble
EAST HARRIET — The crowd of retired couples and young parents with children might have happily listened to anything when they took their seats at the Lake Harriet Band Shell on a warm August evening. On this particular night, the couple on stage was the Uptown Duet — Paul and Caren Umbarger on the guitar and violin, respectively — accompanied by a bassist. The early evening sun cast an orange glow on stage as they began a set of jazz standards, gypsy jazz, folk and classic rock tunes, and a few youngsters ran up front to dance. “I bet you haven’t really heard Beatles songs arranged for the guitar and violin before, but we have a fun time doing it,” Caren Umbarger told an audience munching on popcorn and ice cream from a nearby concession stand. “Yeah, we’re the Fab Two,” her husband quipped just before launching into the Beatles’ “Norwegian Wood.” After the final verse, Paul Umbarger, who is laid-back and unafraid to use the word “groovy” in conversation, continued his gently funny stage banter.
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East Harriet neighborhood
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Difficult movies, unearthed
By Dylan Thomas
Minneapolis Underground Film Festival offers ‘real art films, done by artists ... on their own’
WHITTIER — Ted Dewberry spent a year living on a movie set. Considering the movie was “Group Home,” based on Dewberry’s sometimes touching, sometimes troubling experiences working for seven years in a group home for the developmentally disabled, it was less than pleasant. “Grim and dismal” was how Dewberry put it, actually, describing the grubby furniture scavenged from the streets of Eagan in order to transform his home into the location of the title. But that’s the kind of commitment it takes to produce a film on a shoestring — no, make it dental floss — budget of around $800.
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A blogger's view
By Brian Voerding
Documenting life at 26th & Lyndale
I spent countless hours each week working in the spare room in my second-floor apartment, seated at a desk in front of a window that overlooks the intersection of 26th & Lyndale. Sometimes the streets are quiet. I work. Sometimes they’re so active and vibrant I can’t get a thing done. I stop. I watch the city pass by. It used to be enough to simply watch. Now, driven by some half-understood desire to chronicle and share, I’ve decided to write what I see. I began writing this month in a Southwest Journal-sponsored blog at www.26thandlyndale.com. It’s a place where I’ll tell the stories of the intersection in a variety of forms, from essays and observations to conversations and overheard dialogue. There will be some original reporting. But the overall tone and approach will focus more on the experience of an observer.
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Whittier neighborhood
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RNC irreverence
By Sarah McKenzie
Lizz Winstead is bringing her New York-based comedy troupe to Minneapolis for a satirical take on the morning news
When Lizz Winstead, a Southwest native, heard the Twin Cities would be the destination for the Republican National Convention (RNC), she decided she had to take action. She wanted to create a “liberal oasis” for her friends. So during three days of the RNC, Sept. 2–4, Winstead is bringing her New York-based “Shoot the Messenger” troupe to the Parkway Theater in South Minneapolis for some comic relief. Her show “Wake Up World” is a satirical morning show that entertains a live audience with on-air and off–air vignettes from the fictional television crew. The audience will be able to take in a live view and r
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Republican National Convention
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A carbon-light diet
By Sarah McKenzie
Co-ops promoting month-long ‘Eat Local’ challenge
The Linden Hills and the Wedge Community co-ops in Southwest have teamed up with 70 natural foods co-ops across the country for the “Eat Local America” challenge. The challenge started Aug. 15 and runs through Sept. 15. The Southwest co-ops are among 11 in the Twin Cities taking part in the eat local campaign. Those interested in the challenge can sign up at a participating co-op by signing a poster pledging their intent to have at least 80 percent of their food come from local sources within the five-state area and less than eight hours away. Elizabeth Archerd, member services manager for the Wedge, said it’s nice to see that interest in local food has been on the rise. Area co-ops, she noted, have been promoting local food for three decades. “It’s important for our local economics that we support local producers, whether it’s a locally owned bookstore or a local grower,” she said. “... It’s part of affirming stewardship in our area, and any number of studies have shown that every dollar spent locally recycles in the community more than a dollar spent on something outside of the community.”
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Linden Hills neighborhood, Lowry Hill East (The Wedge) neighborhood
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Sugar, we're goin' down
By Carla Waldemar
Sampling the kamikaze pancakes at Egg and I You can tell the first-timers by the look of amazement bordering on terror that crosses their faces when a waitress — who’s tried to warn them — sets down their orders: two cakes. Two kamikaze pancakes represent a death wish, while a single signifies nirvana on a plate (actually, overflowing it and threatening to take over the table). Critter of habit that I am, it’s the only thing I’ve ever ordered at the Egg and I. No matter how light the eggs, how crisp the bacon and healthful the fruit, forget it. Otherwise fellow diners would bear witness to a big, blubbery case of buyer’s remorse. The kamikazes come in four options. I’ve stuck with multigrain, which masquerades as healthful. But you can also order them crafted from buckwheat, sourdough starter, or the original buttermilk version Into this heavenly batter goes a plentiful mix of walnuts, blueberries and banana slices, which, after tanning on the griddle, you’re free to paint with table syrup or, for a few pennies more, baptize with the pure maple version made by proprietor Eric Grutbeck’s brother in Wisconsin.
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Unconventional voices
By Ashley Goetz
Would it be a protest to display a melting ice sculpture of the word “democracy,” to perform gay liberation art, to speak out on a soapbox or parade down Nicollet Mall for liberty? Not exactly. The UnConvention is not about protesting. It is a collective umbrella — bringing together nonpartisan alternative art and media — with a mission to project the voices of the public. With nearly 20 projects and events planned during the Republican National Convention, The UnConvention is certainly going to be noticed. Intermedia Arts, 2822 Lyndale Ave. S., will be the hub of The UnConvention activities. Marlina Gonzalez, programs manager of Intermedia Arts, says, “our building will be transformed into the gathering place for local and national artists, educators, alternative journalists and the general public to interact around issues related to participatory democracy.” Every inch of the space will be spewing with alternative political voices. Even the air will be transmitting new types of media; photographs, video loops, and audio/visual art will possess the gallery walls and screens. The UnConvention is in no way part of the assembly that plans to protest in front of the Xcel Energy Center.
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True story
By Jim Walsh
There is someone sitting not far from you today as you read this, wherever you are, wherever you will be today. He or she is your neighbor, or a stranger, and if you’re like me, you wonder what their story is. So you ask a few questions. You make a little chit-chat. You talk about the weather. You get blindsided. I had every intention of filing a column for you to read today. I had conducted the interview, was all set to put on the village storyteller hat and say, “Step right up and read a tale so harrowing and redemptive it will make you stop and smell the crickets, count your mixed blessings, feel the burn of life and how to live it in a way that only the truly awake do.” Sorry, not today. No details today. Her story is unnerving and ultimately uplifting but you will need to go elsewhere for your daily survivor fix because you will not hear it from me. She doesn’t want me to tell it, because it is the kind of story that, if you’re the one who has lived it, is put away in a box and put on a shelf where no one can ever get to it.
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Welcome, Republicans!
By Glenn Miller
Hello, fellow Republicans! OK, full disclaimer time: I must say that “fellow” may not perfectly capture the true essence of my perceived relationship with you and yours, but nevertheless, welcome, welcome, welcome. I have no doubt your party planners have you on a strict schedule of events right up until your nappy time at 4 a.m., when some of your conference rooms will be forced to shut down. But if you do have a moment, I’d love to show you around our fair metropolis. All aboard! I call this first part the Bridges Tour — if you’ve ever been to London (or maybe you, too, take pride in never setting foot outside of our own nation — well done!), you may have taken the beautiful Bridges Walking Tour. We have a slightly smaller version, but here are the highlights: the site of the collapsed I-35W bridge, and the site of the I-35E bridge which, one day last month, attempted to collapse (amusing aside: St. Paul always does things on a smaller scale than Minneapolis). The more curious of you might ask how this happened. It’s at this point that I must do a little do-si-do and attempt to answer as tactfully as I can. Let’s see, how best to put this … Well, there are certain, ahem, segments of our political world that, uh, feel it’s better to not invest in infrastructure upkeep and that, well, government should actually be cut back to the point of being drowned in a bathtub, or river, if you prefer. That may have had something to do with it. No further questions, moving on!
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Corrections
By Southwest Journal staff
A story about a Windom fundraising effort in the Aug. 11 issue of the Southwest Journal incorrectly identified the recipient. Money raised at introductory Pilates classes at Time Out Pilates and Fitness Studio Sept. 15–18 will only go toward a photography project by Windom resident Dawn Vogel. Also, Betsy’s Back Porch Coffee is not opening a new wine bar. A photo credit for the “Horse wisdom” feature in the Aug. 11 issue should have listed Terry Faust.
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Weathering a summer of pests and drought
By Meleah Maynard
It’s a weird feeling to aim a squirt bottle filled with poison at a creature and pull the trigger. But I did it this morning. Can you tell I still feel kind of bad about it? Yes, today I murdered some fourlined plant bugs right after I’d finished my oatmeal. If you’re wondering what a fourlined plant bug is, you can look them up on the University of Minnesota’s extension website: www.extension.umn.edu. Just go to the insect section and type in their name. These critters aren’t much bigger than, say, two and a half ladybugs. They’re yellow and are said to have four black stripes on their bodies. (It looks like more than four to me but, hey, I’m no entomologist.) They’re fairly common garden pests and when you have them you’ll know it. While some pests chew holes here and there, these guys feed on plants until there’s nothing left but the stem and maybe a vein or two of a leaf. Generally, my bug philosophy is live and let live. I don’t really care if they snack on my plants as long as they leave some for me to enjoy. (OK, I know I killed some slugs with beer last year, too. They were way out of line.) Anyway, these fourlined plant bugs have skeletonized every last Chinese lantern in my garden, probably about 50. I love Chinese lanterns. They’re old-lady plants, really, something from our grandma’s gardens, so you don’t see them very often for sale. Their leaves are nothing special. But the flowers are bright orange and they’re shaped like little lanterns. Once they’ve dried in the fall, I cut some of them and keep them in a vase in the kitchen. Not this year.
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