TC Weekend | Open Streets Saint Paul and Lowry Avenue, Fall Fine Arts Show and more!

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This weekend offers a number of colorful outdoor events, from hip-hop fests and fine arts shows, to beer fests and Open Streets. Taking place in Minneapolis and Saint Paul, the events encourage you get out and savor the last official summer weekend of the year.Let us know how you will spend the weekend by sending your photos and comments to tcweekend@tcdailyplanet.net or tag them with #tcdpic or the name of the event, and we’ll add them to our story. If you know of an event fit for TC Weekend, use our calendar to upload the event or use the email address above. Fall Fine Arts Show: Opening Reception, September 19The Fall Fine Arts Show is sponsored by the Northeast Minneapolis Arts Association (NEMAA) and features works from over 150 artists. The Opening Reception offers the opportunity to view and purchase a diverse collage of paintings, photography, sculpture, mix-media art, while enjoying hors d’oeuvres from Create Catering, wine from Indeed Brewing, and live music from Upton Mixx. See the Facebook page for updates.Solar Arts Building711 15th Ave NE, Minneapolis6 p.m. – 9 p.m.Free  PARK(ing) Day, September 20This event is billed as the “largest Park(ing) Day celebration in the Twin Cities,” the second annual PARK(ing) Day, and is sponsored by Experience Southwest and the Minneapolis Government’s Great Streets program. Continue Reading

This week in Saint Paul: Monday, September 15–Sunday 21, 2014

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Our neighbors are fabulous and brought that to Thursday’s book release party, as they do to everything Saint Paul. Even though the festiveness of the summer weather is escaping, our warmth and energy were enough to make it a great gathering. I hope you had a chance to get your copy of the 2015 Saint Paul Almanac. If not, there are still many chances, at our local coffee shops, bookstores, and even at the airport (a great idea as you are headed out of town to meet people who need to know Saint Paul). The community of arts events continues. Just check out the Almanac arts calendarand keep reading! Continue Reading

OPINION | I am a Muslim American and I deserve respect

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After reading about Chris Lollie’s arrest in St. Paul and the terrible treatment he received, I was inspired to come forward with my own bad experience with local law enforcement.In August 2013, I had a court date that I had missed. I had a $300 ticket for driving with a suspended license for not having insurance. The ticket was almost three years old, and I know driving a car without insurance was wrong. But poverty was something continuous in my life and so insurance was just something I couldn’t afford.I decided to try to negotiate and so I had made arrangements with the court to appear in front of the judge to speak about the price of my ticket. Continue Reading

2014 St. Paul street repairs — An opportunity for complete streets

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In response to widespread public outrage about rutted, ice-clad streets, and jolting potholes throughout the City of Saint Paul in the winter and spring of 2014, Mayor Chris Coleman has proposed a plan to resurface eleven of the “Terrible Twenty” worst arterial streets before the end of the fall construction season. Continue Reading

TC Weekend | Selby Jazz Fest, Nicollet Open Streets, Community Garden Day and more!

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The fun continues this weekend with an array of community events to help you get the most out of the last days of summer. From free jazz fests and county fairs, to celebrations of caramel, community and urban gardens — there’s a lot to love about this weekend’s lineup! Scroll down for details.Let us know how you will spend the weekend by sending your photos and comments to tcweekend@tcdailyplanet.net or tag them with #tcdpic or the name of the event, and we’ll add them to our story.  If you know of an event fit for TC Weekend, use our calendar to upload the event or use the email address above. Nativity County Fair, September 12 – 14 Join parishioners, parents, local businesses and community members for the 40th anniversary Nativity County Fair! Some of the activities and attractions include an art market, Bingo, children’s games, dodgeball, rides, a Twinkie walk, a talent show and more. Continue Reading

Bicycle infrastructure: Minneapolis vs. Saint Paul

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In January this year, when the Draft Saint Paul Bikeways Plan was released to the public, people in the media called to ask me what I thought of the plan and why I thought Minneapolis was so far ahead of Saint Paul when it came to bicycle infrastructure. I couldn’t comment on the plan because I hadn’t seen it but I told them that, unlike Saint Paul, Minneapolis had the “Holy Trinity” of forces necessary to get stuff done– an eager mayor and elected officials, a willing Public Works Department, and lots of money. Minneapolis also had more bicycle culture and a public that supported cycling. Continue Reading

Bike lanes in the Twin Cities

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Making bikers feel safe and recognized on the road has become a priority for policy makers in the Twin Cities. By implementing protected and buffered bikeways, bicyclists gain more elbow room and separation from cars. There have been a number of different changes to bikeways in the Twin Cities over the past few years with more in the works, so it’s important for drivers and cyclists alike to understand these changes.

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Situational ethics in St. Paul

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Does the City of St Paul have a code of ethics for it’s elected officials so the public can be clear as well as elected officials when a situation erupts as happened in the Black Bear Crossings settlement? Underlying the $800,000 settlement is the personal relationship that’s between Councilperson Amy Brendmoen and the St Paul Director of Parks and Recreation Michael Hahm. Did it play a factor in St Paul’s interaction with Black Bear Crossings and the large settlement? Some people may believe it did, while others do not. The public may never know. Continue Reading