August 20 public hearing on framework and funding of NRP

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On Wednesday, Aug. 20, members of the public will have a chance to respond to the proposed “Framework for the Future” report, which addresses the future of the Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP). The meeting begins at 5 p.m. in City Council chambers, room 317 of City Hall, 350 S. Fifth St. For additional information, see Neighborhood Revitalization Plan: To be continued … or not?The NRP Work Group — consisting of representatives from the City Council, mayor’s office and NRP Director Bob Miller — is recommending that NRP be transitioned to a new city department of Neighborhood and Community Relations and overseen by an 18-member advisory board with nine representatives elected by neighborhood organizations, seven appointed by the City Council and two appointed by the mayor. Continue Reading

NEWS YOU CAN USE Chance to comment on Central Corridor

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A Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS) for the Central Corridor light-rail transit project is available for public review through Aug. 25. An environmental impact statement is a comprehensive study and document intended to guide local decision-making on a wide range of impacts related to large development projects. Three public hearings will be held on the topic, including one in Cedar-Riverside on Aug. 7:
Monday, Aug. Continue Reading

Memorials include prayer service, riverfront ceremony and procession

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On Friday, Aug. 1, at 6:05 p.m., many across the city, state and country will take a moment to silently reflect and pay tribute to the victims of the collapse of the I-35W bridge. Friday marks the one-year anniversary of the tragedy. Construction of the new bridge will cease from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., and several public memorial events are planned, including a prayer service at the Basilica of St. Mary at 11 a.m., and a gathering at Gold Medal Park in Downtown East, beginning at 4:30 p.m, followed by a procession of first responders from Gold Medal Park onto the Stone Arch Bridge. Continue Reading

Gandhi Mahal brings generations of experience to East Lake dining

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I don’t know if they shake the hand of everyone who walks through the door, but the greeting from the server set the tone for my experience of dining at Gandhi Mahal, the Indian restaurant that opened at the end of May at 3009 27th Ave. S., in the former space of the short-lived Calypso. Less than a month after opening, word of mouth and several reviews were bringing customers in, said owner Arshad Rahman.Gandhi Mahal3009 27th Ave. S.612-729-5222Open daily, 11:30 a.m.–10 p.m.Lunch buffet, 11:30 a.m.–3 p.m.
“We were looking for the perfect place,” he said of Gandhi Mahal’s inception. “My idea is not from today or yesterday, it’s from before,” he said, explaining that he’s put years into the concept of the restaurant. Continue Reading

Fatal stabbing is second homicide

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Among the flowers and messages of remembrance placed by friends of Joseph Sodd III near the place of his death was John Donne’s poem Death Be Not Proud, written in chalk on the brick pavers along 19th Continue Reading

The season is the reason to roll along the river

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There’s been much ado as of late about bicycling in Minneapolis, and for good reason. Commuters especially welcomed the official dedication on May 18 of the Martin Olav Sabo Bridge over Hiawatha Avenue and the May 16 opening of the Freewheel Midtown Bike Center (just west down the Midtown Greenway, near Chicago Avenue), both celebrated during Bike/Walk Week in mid-May. Coming soon are the first of many new bike paths and lanes funded through the Non-Motorized Transportation Pilot Project — one connecting Bridge #9 to the new Gophers’ stadium and another connecting the existing Hiawatha LRT trail with Downtown. While Minneapolis ranks second in the nation in the number of people who bike to work, the arrival of summer reminds us of the best reason to ride — for the pure joy of it. And here in the heart of the city, the riverfront offers a natural setting and plenty of attractions worth pausing for. Continue Reading

‘The Once and Future Celt’

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Sitting recently at the breakfast counter at Maria’s Café on Franklin Avenue, I noticed the man next to me glancing at the book I was reading: Bill Watkins’ Scotland Is Not for the Squeamish.

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