ST. PAUL NOTES | Highland, SunRay libraries closing for renovation, new art installation at Rondo

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Spotlight on St. Paul reports that Rondo Community Outreach Library has a new reader bench, created by artist Seitu Jones in honor of retired librarian Alice Neve. According to the Friends of the St. Paul Public Library, Jones selected materials “to complement another major work commissioned by the library: the story tree and multicolored ‘kites’ rising into the ceiling in the children’s area.””Alice’s Storyteller Bench” was commissioned by Neve’s husband, Leon, and unveiled on October 20.Meanwhile, Highland Park and Sun Ray libraries are preparing to close for renovations at the beginning of December, not to reopen until the fall of 2014. According to the library website, the Highland renovations will help to better integrate the library and the Hillcrest Recreation Center, as well as providing additional parking and an exterior book drop, a new teen zone, new community meeting room, expanded children’s area, and more internet stations and powered furniture to accommodate personal technology.Sun Ray library is also set for renovations during 2014, including a new public plaza, sidewalks and landscaping, better car and bike parking, an outdoor reading garden, an expanded children’s section and a dedicated teen zone, “genius bar” technology counters, as well as a community room.According to the Highland District Council posting on E-Democracy, Highland Park Library will celebrate the remodeling with a Siesta Fiesta on Sunday, December 1 from 1-5 p.m. After the closing, preschool storytimes and book club meetings iwll be in the Hillcrest Recreation Center, Amharic storytimes will move to Homecroft Early Learning Center, and job search assistance, Paw Pals, and Dr. Who group meetings will be held at the Merriam Park Library. Continue Reading

The Ku Klux Klan in Minnesota: New book exposes history of racial intolerance

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Elizabeth Dorsey Hatle’s introduction to The Ku Klux Klan in Minnesota (History Press, $19.99) begins, “The overt whiteness of Minnesota in the 1920s makes the Ku Klux Klan finding a home in the state incomprehensible to residents today” — whatever that means. It is clear, however, that while the covert racism that yet prevails in this state might not do the Klan proud, it resolutely upholds its supremacist creed.

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St. Paul Avalon School students talk about censorship

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Gathered in Avalon School’s full office, Rhiannon, Miranda, Keara and Michelle were passionate about their desire to be able to read and decide for themselves what they believe. They want to read Eleanor and Park, which their school will be reading as part of the Read Brave program. That’s a St. Paul Public Library program that has teens all reading the same book at the same time — a book that “discusses important topics like bullying, abuse and love.”Rainbow Rowell, the author of Eleanor and Park, spoke to Avalon Students on October 30th, after their lunch time. She’d been scheduled to speak at an Anoka County library, but after a group of parents objected, her appearance was cancelled. Continue Reading

BOOK REVIEW | Eleanor & Park: What’s the fuss about?

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When I read Rainbow Rowell’s novel Eleanor & Park, I thought it was a wonderfully written account of a year in the life of two sixteen-year-old misfits in Omaha, Nebraska. Later, when I heard that it was being challenged by the Anoka-Hennepin School District, I could not begin to understand why. When Rowell came to speak at a community event at the Avalon school in St. Paul on October 30, I talked with her about the book before her main speech.Eleanor & Park rings true to teen life. Anybody who was not lucky enough to have a parent or friend give them a ride to school knows the delicate situation that is finding a seat on the school bus. Continue Reading

Humanism, perspective, and being a joiner

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More people are leaving churches these days than are joining them. There has been a fair amount of media speculation on “the rise of the nones.” I’ve followed it all with some curiosity as a “none” myself. Little did I realize when the study was published in late 2012 that I would be trading in my non-affiliation for a church membership just one year later. Continue Reading

La décima venta anual de libros en el barrio

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Corcoran: Ahora Aceptando DonacionesLa venta de libros en Corcoran ha sido una tradición muy querida en el barrio desde hace una década, uniendo los miembros de la comunidad con nada más que por el amor de la literatura y los productos horneados. Aunque tradicionalmente celebrada en el otoño, la venta de libros de este año se llevará a cabo en enero para evitar la superposición con el Mercado Granjero de Midtown – un programa de Corcoran Neighborhood Organization. Toda ganancia de la venta de libros beneficia al CNO, que sirve al Barrio de Corcoran a través de la organización comunitaria, la promoción del apoyo del barrio y a través de una variedad de programas tales como el Mercado Granjero de Midtown y el grupo Mujeres en Acción y Poder.CNO acepta donaciones de libros dejados entre 9am-5pm durante la semana en nuestra oficina (3451 Cedar Ave. S). Si tienes libros para donar, pero no puede llevar a la oficina, o si usted está interesado en ser voluntario, por favor contacte a Elizabeth info@corcoranneighborhood.org. Continue Reading

‘Take a book. Leave a book’: Little Brothers and Little Free Library fostering community in Corcoran

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On a perfect fall day earlier this month, a group of staff from Little Brothers and Little Free Library buried a post in the ground, secured a painted box on it, and filled it with bilingual children’s books. The little library installed at the Little Brothers office in Corcoran is the first of 20 to be installed in Minneapolis and St. Paul, thanks to a partnership between Little Free Library and AARP called Friends through the Years.The installation of the library at the Little Brothers office, and the 19 libraries to come, embody the missions of the two organizations. The goal of Little Free Library is to create gathering places “where neighbors share their favorite literature and stories,” as stated on the organization’s website. Like Little Free Library, Little Brothers strives to bring people together. Continue Reading

Eleanor & Park: Avalon School and St. Paul Public Library welcome controversial book, author

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Rainbow Rowell, author of Eleanor & Park, has faced a lot of criticism during recent weeks. Her book has been highly praised by some people (and is a best seller on the New York Times list) and torn apart by others. Initiatives against the book were raised by parents in the Anoka-Hennepin school district, who did not want their children to read it. They called it a “dangerously obscene” book. After the issue went up to the school board, most of the libraries took the novel off their recommended reading program and a planned author reading in the Anoka-Hennepin school district was cancelled. Continue Reading

TC Weekend | Fresh Ink Day, Art Attack, Rock Ink Roll: Comics & Music Gallery Show, Dia de Los Muertos celebrations & more!

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Halloween is over, but there are many events on tap — from Dia de Los Muertos celebrations, to poerty and art shows — to keep the good times rollin’.  Check below for a few of this weekend’s highlights. Also, don’t forget to fall back an hour on Saturday night for Daylight Savings Time! FRIDAYRock Ink Roll: Comics & Music Gallery Show at Altered Esthetics, Friday, November 1Altered Esthetics Gallery1224 Quincy St NE, MinneapolisRefreshments will be provided!7 pm – 10 pm | Free(An artists’ discussion will take place Saturday, November 23 at 3 pm)More information as advertised:”Our 2013 project is Rock Ink Roll, an anthology celebrating the raucous intersection of music and art. The 128-page perfect-bound book features cover art by Xeric-winning artist Brittney Sabo, and comics by more than 30 artists, writers and musicians from across the country. Musical styles ranging from classical to punk appear in the stories, which explore a variety of storytelling genres including fantasy, realistic fiction, documentary and autobiography. We will also release an ebook version with expanded content when we run out of the printed books.During the corresponding gallery exhibition, a selection of comics from the book and ebook will be on display at Altered Esthetics, along with other music-themed posters, prints and paintings. Continue Reading