Public hearings on “Missing Link” start June 18

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Three upcoming community meetings will provide a space for citizen input on the route for the “mising link” of the Grand Rounds National Scenic Byway. When completed, the missing link will connect East River Parkway with St. Anthony Parkway. Three public hearings in the next few weeks offer opportunities to find out more, or to voice opinions on the currently-proposed route:• Wednesday, June 18, 6:30 p.m. at Minneapolis Park and Rec Board Headquarters, 2117 West River Road, Minneapolis.• Monday, June 23, 6:30 p.m. at Van Cleve Park, 901 15th Avenue SE, Minneapolis.• Tuesday, July 1, 6:30 p.m. at Windom Park, 2251 Hayes Street NE
The currently-recommended route begins at Stinson and St. Anthony Parkway and heads east through St. Continue Reading

Hit the streets

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The temperature has finally risen above freezing, but unfortunately gas prices are also on the rise. For savvy city dwellers, it’s time to put on a biking helmet or walking shoes and head outside. Continue Reading

An outsider looks into the turmoil of the Horn of Africa

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Editor’s note: The Horn African Americans for Peace conference, held April 13 at Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St. Paul, seemed like an event of interest to the community. We asked free-lance writers on our list who would like to cover it. Melissa Slachetka said she was interested. This is her report, along with additional information in sidebars.Some sources of information about the Horn of Africa
Horn African Americans for PeaceOgaden National Liberation FrontOromo Community of Minnesota (OCM) at 612-876-9311 Oromo American Citizen Council (OACC) at 651-917-0430Condoleezza Rice interviewSenator Russ Feingold’s statement I’ve never been to Africa, and my impressions about the continent, coming mainly through news shows, National Geographic, and an occasional conversation, are that it’s a big continent with a lot of beauty and culture, but a history of war, starvation, and disease. Continue Reading

Book note: Raw, honest “Shouting”

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The Replacements: All Over But the Shouting is really about more than just the Replacements; it encompasses an entire era of the Minneapolis music scene. Prince, Curtiss A, the Suburbs, Hüsker Dü, and Soul Asylum are seen in the periphery of the Replacements’ rise. This is a music-lover’s book and a Minnesota-lover’s book. The Replacements: All Over But the Shouting, a book by Jim Walsh. Published by Voyageur Press (2007). Continue Reading

The dirt on composting

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Spring is here, buds are forming on trees, and soon flowers will start blooming. It’s time to organize your yard and plant some seeds. It’s also the perfect time to think about composting. “Twenty five percent of the waste we throw away in the garbage is compostable,” said Suzanne Jarosz, Student Recycling Coordinator at University of Minnesota. Jarosz went on to explain the benefits of composting, “It’s really good for soil; we use it here at the university for the landscaping. Continue Reading

Brown Power Base Project fights to desegregate schools

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“Brown Power!” shouted a small, diverse group of community members. An enthusiastic Cheryl Morgan-Spencer worked quickly to rally the crowd and get them interested in the topic at hand. “Change is good,” she said with a confident smile. Morgan-Spencer is an integral member of the Brown Power Base Project (BPBP), a group whose goal is to desegregate schools in Minnesota. As a child of the Civil Rights movement, Morgan-Spencer finds this a very emotional issue. Continue Reading