Smack Shack restaurant: Same great lobster rolls, minus some of the funky charm

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I love the original Smack Shack—the food truck that parks downtown on Marquette Avenue during the warmer months and sells lobster rolls and shrimp po boys. The lobster rolls are delicious, and there is definitely a huge cool factor to a gourmet food truck. A food truck isn’t literally a shack, but it’s kind of the same idea—great food, no frills.I also loved discovering that I could have Smack Shack’s food at the 1029 Bar in Northeast Minneapolis (except for Mondays). The 1029 Bar isn’t a shack, either, but it’s the kind of funky neighborhood joint that has karaoke, pull tabs, and dozens of their customers’ autographed bras hanging from the ceiling.The lobster rolls are as good as ever, but I gotta say, I didn’t have quite as much fun at the new Smack Shack restaurant at 603 North Washington in Minneapolis’s Warehouse District. Part of it was probably my fault, for showing up on a Sunday night without a reservation. They don’t keep a waiting list, so walk-ins just have to grab the first seat in the bar area that opens up—which, in our case, was a back counter facing a low gray divider. Continue Reading

Black History Month calendar of events, through Wed., Feb. 20

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Friday, February 15 10 am & 2 pm — Funny Family Folktales, Sumner Library, 611 Van White Mem. Blvd., MinneapolisLibrarian and storyteller Jerry Blue will enliven Black history and culture with funny family folktales.For preschoolers to sixth-graders and their familiesThis event is free. For more information, call 612-543-6875 or go to www.hclib.org.12-2 pm — African Gris Gris, Merriam Park Library, 1831 Marshall Ave., St. PaulA gris gris is a decorated pouch that holds something that might bring good luck. The gris gris is worn around the neck or can be attached to the belt. Using leather or fabric create your own shape, size, and color of gris gris to hold your good luck charm or other special contents.For kids in grades 3-6This event is free. Continue Reading

Brett Buckner wants to shake up Minneapolis’ 5th Ward politics

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“Close to 40 percent of men 16 to 25 in north Minneapolis are unemployed.” That quote was the answer given by Brett Buckner, when asked why there needed to be a shake-up in 5th ward politics. “How do we prepare the young people to build a career right here in north Minneapolis? When you have that many men not connected and not contributing, it affects everyone,” said Buckner, who is seeking to be the DFL candidate for 5th ward councilman.Buckner recently held a gathering for supporters at Broadway Pizza, 2025 West River Road N., where he discussed his plans for the district, if elected. According to Buckner, creating jobs is his top priority.”The issues of North Minneapolis are not isolated to North Minneapolis,” said Buckner, who has lived in the area all of his life, except for when he attended Hampton University in Virginia. Continue Reading

FREE SPEECH ZONE | Farview Hmong Soccer Players Help Sanneh Foundation at Gala 4 Goals Fundraiser

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Farview soccer players with Tony Sanneh, at Gala 4 Goals fundraiserOn February 2, Farview Hmong soccer players went to support the Sanneh Foundation’s Gala 4 Goals fundraiser.The Hmong soccer players went on stage to let others know how the Sanneh Foundation has helped their players and  team. Talking in front of hundreds of people at Gala 4 Goals Fundraiser10 Year old Jee Vue had to stand on a chair to reach the microphone.  She said:“My name is Jee Vue.  We play soccer for Farview Park in North Minneapolis.  We are Hmong refugees,were born in Thailand, and are still learning English.  Our families are very poor.  The Sanneh Foundation donated soccer shoes to half our soccer players.  We loved coming to the Sanneh soccer camps this summer.  With the Sanneh Foundation’s help, we won two city championships last year and  two more championships this year.  Thank you Sanneh Foundation.”Trying new foodsThe Farview soccer players also had the chance to sample new foods they couldn’t pronounce, such as Gorganzola cheese and Portabello mushrooms.Good job, girls!The Sanneh Foundation’s Gala for Goals was held at the Depot in downtown Minneapolis.  Farview Park is located in North Minneapolis.Last summer, over 50 soccer players participated in the Sanneh soccer camp at Farview ParkSanneh soccer camp at Farview ParkGet the ball away from Tony Sanneh!Having fun at Sanneh soccer campThe Sanneh Foundation donated soccer shoes to half the Farview soccer playersFree Speech ZoneThe Free Speech Zone offers a space for contributions from readers, without editing by the TC Daily Planet. This is an open forum for articles that otherwise might not find a place for publication, including news articles, opinion columns, announcements and even a few press releases. The opinions expressed in the Free Speech Zone and Neighborhood Notes, as well as the opinions of bloggers, are their own and not necessarily the opinion of the TC Daily Planet. Continue Reading

What’s going on at the “new” North High: Small classes, emphasis on arts and communication

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In fall 2012, North High School in Minneapolis kicked off a revitalization effort that effectively separated “old North” from the incoming class of 2016. The freshmen enrolled in the new North Academy of Arts and Communications, which is structured as a small learning community. Having just completed the first semester of NAAC, Principal Shawn Harris-Berry says things are looking up.“Students have bought into the program,” she said. “They’re true Polars and they’re performing very well academically.”Dr. Harris-Berry’s new office is located on the second floor of Minneapolis North High, right in between the freshman classrooms. Normally, she’d be in the corner of the administration office.  However, now that North Community High School operates as one school with two separate academies (Senior Academy and the Academy of Arts & Communications), that office space belongs to Senior Academy principal David Branch. Harris-Berry prefers it this way. Continue Reading

Borough: a cure for the jaded palate

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I can’t say that I was really looking forward to the arrival of Burough and Parlour, the new restaurant and cocktail bar In the North Loop, with very much enthusiasm. Maybe I am just getting jaded, or bored, but it seems like every week, some new hipster hangout opens up somewhere in Minneapolis (why so seldom in St. Paul?), and they mostly seem to follow a familiar formula – they all have a big selection of craft beers, and they all have something with pork belly on the menu, and small plates at what used to be big plate prices, and signature cocktails prepared by a celebrity bartender.  And they are mostly crowded and noisy.Okay, maybe I exaggerate. They don’t all have celebrity bartenders. Continue Reading

K Jay wows at Acme Comedy Company

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It has been a long time since I’ve had a chance to write about K Jay. So, when I invited him to be my guest for Tracey Ashley at Acme Comedy Company, it was a pleasant surprise to learn he was on the bill. Such a pleasure, in fact, that I didn’t bother feeling insulted. K Jay always treats me like a wet food stamp. Never gives a heads-up on his gigs—including nights he’s opened for Fancy Ray McCloney, my other favorite Twin Cities comedian. Continue Reading

Where does North Minneapolis go for night life?

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Where does North Minneapolis go for night life? The answers include “home” and “to church” as well as “out.” For this third article in a three-part series on dining out in North Minneapolis, NorthNews looks at places that serve alcohol and are open in the evenings.

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Ana Lena Copeland: A subtle singer-songwriter it’s worth getting to know

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Shared a bill with singer-songsmith Ana Lena Copeland at Corner Coffee over in the Warehouse District—with Wenso Ashby having pulled a sneak surprise, to come down and check out my set. Had just encountered, last time down there, one impressive artist, name of Nancy Olson. That was maybe a month ago. And now, here comes Copeland, with strong chops on some very nice, real special material.She was pushing Lovers Do, her fine debut EP, recorded at Silver Art Studios. It took her a minute to find her footing, but, after the first couple numbers, she settled into a comfort zone and sang with authority. Continue Reading