Twin Cities Daily Planet (https://www.tcdailyplanet.net/author/melissa-slachetka/page/5/)
by Virginia Wright-Peterson • Iraq, 3/9/08 • Shortly after five every morning when it is still dark, I hear automatic weapons rattle across the base from a firing range somewhere. I am amazed at how accustomed I’ve become to hearing that tat-tat-tat as I sit in bed reading, waiting to feel drowsy enough to sleep after my shift. If it doesn’t begin at the usual time, I find myself checking the clock, wondering why it hasn’t started.
Starting in April 2010, Minnesota Twins fans for the first time in decades will get to experience the sights of outdoor baseball. The open sky, pennants rippling in the breeze, the natural green grass, and … the smokestacks of a giant garbage incinerator? The Hennepin County Energy Recovery Center, or HERC, is a just a long foul ball from the new stadium site. The facility burns household trash to power steam turbines, which generate electricity for about 26,000 homes. Continue Reading
Instead of discouraging any mention of sex, Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) have filled the halls with sexual awareness. MPS joined with Girls in Action, UCare, Freemont Clinics, and Twin Cities Public Television (TPT) to produce a documentary about sex. “Sexy without Sex” is a short documentary that provides information; not scare tactics. The documentary airs Sunday, February 10 at 7 p.m. on TPT Channel 17 (for Minneapolis Comcast subscribers it’s on Channel 13). North Community High School students got a special viewing of the film on Friday, February 8. Continue Reading
“Make way for the true kings of the Winter Carnival!” Vulcans bellowed excitedly as they circled the snow sculpture competition on a red fire truck dressed in their signature blazing red. Earlier this January the competition was cancelled due to lack of funds. The Vulcans came to the rescue with funds and a new location for the event: the State Fairgrounds. The legend of the Fire King and his Vulcan Krewe has been around since the first Winter Carnival in 1886. The king’s name has changed slightly over the years, but in 1940, Fire King Rex had his Krewe ride on a red fire truck and that has remained their chosen chariot. Continue Reading
No less than 40 concerned Northeast residents gathered together at the Salvation Army amidst the first snowstorm of the year. They gathered to discuss the lifeblood of Northeast: Central Avenue. Councilman Paul Ostrow started the meeting with glowing words: “I feel good about being here. This will become a reality; an incredible and great transformation.”
As the third public community meeting discussing the Central Avenue plan, the ideas given were clear and concise. The changes talked about will take time to be implemented, but now is the time for residents to voice opinions about the future of Northeast. Continue Reading
Fringe Festival runs August 2-12. Unique one-act plays, controversial playwrights, inspiring actors, exciting new venues. Every year experimental artists gather to perform original works in the Twin Cities’ numerous theaters. This year, the Fringe Festival will include the Ritz Theater as a venue, and feature the work of a young Northeast playwright in his début as a writer and director. “I hope I’m still young,” laughed 26-year-old Matthew J. Hanson. Continue Reading
“I love living in the city,” Jen Markey said. “Women in Northeast seem to support each other more. There is no competition.”
Markey has a rich laughing voice and whimsical fairy tattoos. Singer and guitarist, she originally started her career singing Janis Joplin on karaoke and taking her talented voice to open mics. After singing came the guitar. Continue Reading