Tracking the legislature

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In less than five months of intensive activity each year, the Minnesota legislature makes decisions and laws that determine the shape of government and impact the lives of every Minnesotan. If you want to find out what they are up to, the tools are at hand. The Legislative Reference Library has hugely detailed information available on-line and the House of Representatives’ Session Weekly and Session Daily publications offer a window on issues, legislation, committee hearings, and individual legislators. The home page for the Minnesota legislature is organized with tabs for House, Senate, and Joint Departments and Commissions. From the home page, you can search for statutes (laws) or bills now pending before the House or before the Senate. Continue Reading

Help adults learn English at the Minnesota Literacy Council

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The Minnesota Literacy Council (MLC) offers tutoring for adult refugees and immigrants who want to learn English and obtain citizenship, and it is always seeking volunteers to help those individuals with the process. Previous teaching experience or knowledge of a foreign language is not necessary, and volunteering just a few hours a week can make a difference, according to MLC, which provides training and support for volunteers. Those interested should contact Allison by email at volunteer@themlc.org or by 651-645-2277, ext. 219. While opportunities are available across the Metro area and in Greater Minnesota, MLC has a local office in the Coliseum Building at 2700 E. Lake St. Continue Reading

Practicing safe peanut butter with the Girl Scouts

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Despite the nationwide salmonella outbreak linked to peanut butter, Girl Scout cookies are safe! So says the PiPress and so say the Girl Scouts, who will be happy to direct you to the nearest cookie-seller. (Girl Scout cookie sellers hit the streets last weekend, so it’s time to get your order in!) Other cookies are not so lucky. Cub Foods has recalled their own peanut butter cookies, reports MPR, and all products containing peanut butter, as well as industrial-pack peanut butter and peanut paste remain under suspicion. The bright spot? Continue Reading

Celebrating Obama in the Twin Cities

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On Tues., Jan. 20, Barack Obama takes the oath of office as the 44th President of the United States. The ceremonies begin at 10:30 a.m. CST, followed by President Obama’s inaugural address. There’s no reason to feel left out just because we’re 1,100 miles away from D.C. There’s plenty going on right here. The events below will give you a place to start. Continue Reading

Martin Luther King Day 2009

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While the biggest news about Martin Luther King Day this year is the movement to make the day “A day on, not a day off,” recruiting people to volunteer and give back to the community, as Dr. King did, there are more traditional observances as well, and many are listed below. For a more reflective look back with one of Minnesota’s civil rights pioneers, read about Matthew Little. And, if you are looking forward to Inauguration Day on January 20, which seems to many like an extension of Martin Luther King Day this year, see Kathlyn Stone’s round-up of Minnesota inauguration day events and celebrations.MONDAY, JANUARY 19Breakfast “Because of His Dream, I Can… Lead, Grow, Inspire.”Sponsored by the General Mills Foundation and United Negro College Fund7:00 amMPLS Convention Center, Ballroom A; 1301 Second Ave S; Minneapolis, MN 55403; conv_ctr@ci.minneapolis.mn.usKeynote: General Colin L. Powell, live broadcastTicket Price: $30.00 per person (sold out)Phone: (612) 335-6000Fax: (612) 335-6757http://www.minneapolisconventioncenter.com/Martin Luther King Community BreakfastsCentral Presbyterian ChurchThe Central Mission ChurchFaith United Methodist ChurchFree, but registration required. Registration period has ended.7:00 am – 9:00 amA Dream For Change with T. Mychael RamboMonday, Jan. Continue Reading

Taking it to the streets—or the meeting rooms

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Two opportunities to speak out on budgets, local and state: The Minnesota Coalition for a People’s Bailout and the Welfare Rights Committee are organizing a campaign to demand a “People’s Bailout” of increased and extended aid to the poor, protection of public education funding, and no layoffs. The campaign kicks off with a protest at the state capitol on Tuesday, January 6 at noon, during the opening session of the state legislature. The Minneapolis Public Schools’ Citizens’ Budget Advisory Committee, or CBAC, meets Wednesday, January 7 at 7 p.m. , to begin examining ways to bridge the school district’s $28 million budget deficit next fiscal year, possibly by cutting or reorganizing programs and staff. The Citizens’ Budget Advisory Committee is a part of the Minneapolis school district government open to any resident of Minneapolis, and offers a way to speak directly to the school board. Committee Chair Eli Kaplan says that the CBAC will be looking at individual school budgets for “areas which have a way of saving major dollars.” Email CBAC@sihope.com for more information, including meeting place. Continue Reading