50 years later: Minneapolis march to close the gap

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“The urgency of now” is one of the messages that Minneapolis school board member Tracine Asberry, one of the organizers of the August 24 event, hoped people would take away from the March to Close the Gap, a commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.The Minneapolis event was coordinated by members of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Park committee.  The occasion began with a series of speeches and prayers, some from Minnesota residents who were participants of the 1963 D.C. march.  “The theme is March to Close the Gaps,” explained Dr. Tracine Asberry, an organizer for the event working in partnership with the Legacy Council, “based on the gaps in employment, in education, in housing and gaps in voter rights.”  The march began at Sabathani Community Center and concluded at the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Park where a jazz festival was held.  During the year prior, Dr. Asberry and the Legacy Council held a march to create awareness on voter id laws being pushed forward. Continue Reading

Unify University celebrates neighborhoods in St. Paul

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The August 17 Unify University parade featured organizations as diverse the community itself. Children from Heart and Soul Drum Academy sent the parade off to vibrant rhythmic beats. Giants puppets operated by youth from the Center for Hmong Arts and Talent towered overhead. Unifying University refers to University Avenue, which divides the neighborhoods of Frogtown and Rondo.”Unify University is about bringing this neighborhood together,” explained organizer John Slade, “…it’s about bringing the white community, the black community, the Hmong community, the Asian community, the immigrant community who live here, together.”Since this is an election year, campaign workers representing mayoral and city council races frequently darted from the parade to greet and apply stickers to spectators. The parade began at Maxfield School and concluded at the West Minnehaha Rec Center where an open microphone provided community residents the opportunity to share their unique talents. Continue Reading

What is Eid ul-Fitr? Minnesota Muslims explain

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Eid ul-Fitr saw members of the Muslim community gathered at the Islamic Center of Minnesota in Blaine on Thursday August 8.  The three-day holiday marks the end of the month-long observance of Ramadan, during which Muslims abstain from food and drink between the break of dawn and sunset.  For Muslims in Minnesota this meant enduring up to 14 hours of fasting each day because of the state’s northern latitude. Click on video to see Eid prayer and explanations by Minnesota Muslims. Ramadan and other Islamic holidays occur according to the Islamic lunar calendar, so Ramadan occurs on different dates each year. The conclusion of the Eid prayer was for many the beginning of celebratory feasting with family and friends. Continue Reading

Celebrating Somali Independence Day in Minneapolis

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On June 30, a portion of Lake Street was blocked off for festivities honoring Somalia’s Independence.  This year’s event was hosted by the community organization Ka Joog.  In addition to providing entertainment organizers sought to provide educational opportunities on Somali culture for both the younger generation and external community. Along with traditional east African foods, the event featured a reconstruction of an aqual, a traditional dwelling structure of rural Somalia.  Goats, horses, and even a camel were on hand as examples of utilitarian animals still used by pastoral peoples on the Horn of Africa.  Somali Independence Day is July 1.  The occasion marks the historical expulsion of British and later Italian colonial powers from the east African nation.  CORRECTION: The celebration was on Sunday, June 30. Reporting for this article supported in part by Bush Foundation. Continue Reading

Celebrating Somali Independence Day in Minneapolis

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On June 20, a portion of Lake Street was blocked off for festivities honoring Somalia’s Independence.  This year’s event was hosted by the community organization Ka Joog.  In addition to providing entertainment organizers sought to provide educational opportunities on Somali culture for both the younger generation and external community. Along with traditional east African foods, the event featured a reconstruction of an aqual, a traditional dwelling structure of rural Somalia.  Goats, horses, and even a camel were on hand as examples of utilitarian animals still used by pastoral peoples on the Horn of Africa.  Somali Independence Day is July 1.  The occasion marks the historical expulsion of British and later Italian colonial powers from the east African nation.  Continue Reading

One neighborhood’s story: Whittier and the big storms

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Uprooted trees, smashed cars and downed power lines marked the path of weekend storms that battered the Twin Cities. On June 22, South Minneapolis residents in the Whittier neighborhood told storm stories as trees still lay across streets, sidewalks, cars and homes in the blocks at 24th and Lyndale and 25th and Garfield. Power was still out in some Minneapolis homes and businesses on June 24.  Minneapolis Public announced that power was still out at Broadway High School at Longfellow and that the Tuesday, June 25 summer school classes at that location were canceled. Power had been restored at the other summer school locations by the end of day on June 23. The City of Minneapolis issued this advice about tree contractors:Tree contractorsSince there are so many downed trees in yards throughout the city, many residents will be looking for a contractor to take care of the problem. It’s important to make sure the tree company you use is licensed, because unlicensed companies may not be insured for damage they might cause to your property, and their workers may not be properly trained to protect themselves and your property from damage. Continue Reading

OUR STORIES | Behind the sign: Kim’s story, from “sheltered life” to street corner

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At 24 Kim is easily one of the most visible faces in Minneapolis.  Each day thousands of commuters see her on the corner of Lyndale Ave beneath the 94 bypass.  She has stood at that spot smiling and waving with her cardboard sign for the past two years.  Kim is homeless and spends her nights at a shelter.  Two years have been too long, and she’s desperate to find a job as a way out.”I grew up sheltered. Continue Reading

OUR STORIES | Behind the sign: Josh’s story

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“For me being homeless is nothing but a long vacation,” explains Josh, swaying in place for warmth. “It’s actually a thing that brings me back to myself.”  Since 2001 Josh has endured bouts of homelessness. He acknowledges having condition that makes him “different” that makes staying in the shelters difficult. For Josh a night’s sleep may be found in a bus or train.Commuters frequenting Dunwoody Boulevard and Lyndale Ave routinely encounter people displaying flimsy cardboard signs. The demographics of these corner occupants varies though the overwhelming majority is male. Continue Reading

OUR STORIES | Behind the sign: Mark’s story

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“It’s a lot like fishing,” explained Mark who asked that his real name be withheld.  Mark is one of a group of panhandlers that work the intersection of Lyndale Ave  and Dunwoody Boulevard.  A relative newcomer to the scene, Mark has been “flying a sign” for about a year.  “I remember one time I stood out here all day… and I think I just got six bucks,” Mark recalled.This is the first in a four part series on intersection panhandlers or ‘street signers.’ Continue Reading