The Minnesota Child Protection League is at it again. The anti-LGBTQ organization paid for a second full-page anti-transgender ad in the Star Tribune’s Sunday paper this week. The ad comes as the Minnesota State High School League reconsiders this week whether or not to allow transgender high school students to participate in athletics based on their gender identity.“The end of girls’ sports?” reads the ad in bold letters at the top. “Her dreams of a scholarship shattered, your 14-year-old daughter just lost her position on an all-girl team to a male … and now she may have to shower with him. Are you willing to let that happen?”The MPCL published an anti-transgender ad in the Star Tribune last September, just before an October vote by MSHSL to allow transgender students to play sports based on their gender identity.However, MSHSL decided to table that decision because of significant pressure from opposition, and postponed the vote until Dec. Continue Reading
Ready or not, the holiday season is here, with the trifecta of big shopping days Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday kicking off this weekend. Sure, Small Business Saturday may not create the frenzy as the other two, but for many, that’s part of the day’s charm. Aimed at boosting sales for local independent shops, the day gives smaller mom-and-pop stores a chance to shine and garner focused community support.Small Business Saturday received a boost in popularity with the sponsorship of American Express in 2010, offering a rebate for cardholders who spend $10+ on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Also, the American Express site and the Small Business Saturday Facebook page offer promotional tips (use hashtag #Shopsmall and #SmallBizSat on social media, for example) and other resources to help promote the day.Below we’ve placed a spotlight on a few shops and attractions around the Twin Cities that could use your support this Small Business Saturday and all year long! We invite you to add your favorites in the comment section.Related articles and blogs:Heads up Twin Cities, Plaid is the new Black FridayIndie First Day/Small Business Saturday, November 29<a href=”http://polldaddy.com/poll/8482325/”>When is your fave time to shop for the holidays?</a>The Nicollet DinerHave you heard about the new 24-hour diner in Minneapolis? Continue Reading
You can hear from the songs on the radio, the ads in the newspaper, and the commercials on TV that the holiday season has begun. This week Cyber Monday and Black Friday will have consumers opening up their wallets to grab the perfect present for their loved ones.According to USA Today, an estimated $12.3 billion in sales were brought in last Black Friday and Thanksgiving weekend. But with store hours expanding and merchandise prices dropping, local small businesses have a hard time competing against large retailers.In order to keep up with the competition, local businesses have used this week’s hype to shop as a means of promotion. This weekend, local business owners in the Twin Cities will be celebrating Plaid Friday and Small Business Saturday.Originally started in Oakland California in 2010, Plaid Friday encourages customers to wear plaid and shop at their local business rather than big box retailers. On Nov. Continue Reading
Since same-sex marriage became legal in Minnesota, Heidi Garrido has shot for more than a dozen same-sex weddings. The St. Paul photographer said she’s already seen a major increase in her profits since the state legalized same-sex marriage last summer.And Garrido isn’t the only one that thinks the wedding industry is going to see a major uptick from the ruling. According to a study released by Nerd Wallet earlier this month, Minnesota could stand to gain $38 million dollars annually in the wedding industry from same-sex marriages. The study estimates around 1,300 same-sex marriages in the state per year, and bases its predictions off of the 2.9 percent of Minnesota’s population who identify as LGBTQ and the state’s average wedding cost of $28,265.“This is not only a short-term development,” said the author of the study Sreekar Jasthi. Continue Reading
If the Storify story doesn’t appear, refresh your browser. [<a href=”//storify.com/tcdailyplanet/hundreds-block-lake-and-minnehaha-protest-lack-of” target=”_blank”>View the story “Hundreds block Lake and Minnehaha, protest lack of indictment” on Storify</a>] Continue Reading
This December, you might notice people wearing more dresses than usual. For 31 days, “Dressember” ask participants to wear dresses in order to embrace the inherent freedom and femininity of all women, while fighting against crimes of sexual violence.
Stoned to death. Stabbed 33 times. Pushed out of a moving car then run over. When hate and fear rage out of control, people destroy by any means necessary. Eighty-one transgender people were murdered in the past year throughout the world.This is a Community Voices submission and is moderated but not edited. Continue Reading
The midfielder is moving the ball through the center circle. He’s dribbling past a defender, looks for a teammate, passes the ball and it stops because of a bump in the field, right in front of the eighteen-yard box. Welcome to the game of Puckelball.
By now, you’ve heard of #Grapegate. But, if you’ve been living in a snow bank, here’s a quick update.On Nov. 18, the esteemed New York Times ran a piece called The United States of Thanksgiving; 50 States (and D.C. and Puerto Rico). Food writers at the Times apparently “scoured the nation for recipes that evoke each of the 50 states,” and published each one along with photos of the foods and complete recipes.Some were hits. For Alabama it was Oyster Dressing. Continue Reading
When a University of Minnesota student got arrested for drunk and disorderly conduct, instead of finding himself in front of a judge, he found himself in front of Bill and Susan Engel.
