BY DEBRA KEEFER RAMAGE Openings, closings and other changes I guess I’m going to keep this section. Lulls are only temporary; change is the only constant, according to Olivia Butler and other wise ones. Tavern on Grand will close permanently in June 2024, after nearly 35 years in business. It’s…
BY KAY SCHROVEN The Minneapolis Frank Theatre players in “Ironbound” subtly and eloquently connect us to important matters of our time – immigration; women’s independence or lack thereof; domestic violence; class; economic issues; relationships; addiction; and parenting. Love is a luxury for Darja, a 30-something mother and Polish immigrant living…
BY KAY SCHROVEN This iconic thriller has had multiple lives since it was first written in the early 1950s by Frederick Knott, an English playwright. Seventy years later the story still resonates and fills theaters. It is best known in the U.S. for the 1954 film version directed by Alfred…
BY ED FELIEN 1. The U.S. is in the unique position, as Israel’s storehouse of ammunition and weaponry, to demand an immediate end to hostilities. 2. With support from the U.N., the U.S. must commit to the restoration and rebuilding of Gaza. 3. The U.S. and the U.N. must recognize…
BY DANIEL COLTEN SCHMIDT Daniel Colten Schmidt: How does it feel that the city decided not to evict Camp Nenookaasi yesterday? Jorge “Chico” Grijalva: It’s a feeling you’re not used to, because you’re used to getting evicted. I used to move camp every day. So I didn’t deal with evictions…
BY CAM GORDON Part 1 – The Rise Last year, the city of Minneapolis saw an exodus of staff in two of its smaller and newer departments: Racial Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, and Performance Management and Innovation. Both lost all their staff in 2023. One of those who left was…
BY DEBRA KEEFER RAMAGE Change without pain Sometimes you know you need a change in your home environment. Kids have moved, your partner has passed away, or your marital status has changed. Your ability level may have changed, or you’re just tired of all the STUFF. You would move to…
BY ED FELIEN Erica Bouza Fragile and delicate. The last time I saw her was in their bedroom. I looked at her and almost wept. The sadness and loss she read in my eyes frightened her. But she was strong as steel when convinced of a righteous cause. I wrote…
BY MIKE MADDEN Veterans for Peace Chapter 27 joins Southside Pride in its call for a cease-fire and an end to the war on Gaza. Like Editor Ed Felien, we recognize that the United States, functioning as Israel’s arsenal, is in a unique position to accomplish this goal by simply…
BY DIANE J. PETERSON AND JOHN KOLSTAD Our Minnesota Legislature keeps allowing ever-increasing billions of our tax funds to pay private corporations to manage the health care of people who cannot afford their own medical care. However, most legislators and patients do not comprehend how this government function operates. On…
BY ED FELIEN The Star Tribune missed an opportunity to fully explain the extent of Donald Trump’s connection to the white supremacy movement when it published “Trump denial strikes familiar tone; Professing ignorance on Hitler similar to remarks about Klan, QAnon, Proud Boys” by Jill Colvin on Dec. 28. They…
BY LARRY A. ETKIN While I certainly agree with Ed Felien’s statements that most Palestinians and Israelis want nothing other than peace (commentary in “News” section, December 2023 issue) I’d disagree with his ultimate concluding solution to the problems. The creation of a single nation across the region, whatever it…
Koski abolishes Ward 11 meetings I was at the Ward 11 “Public Safety Meeting” last night. Council Member Koski denied all opportunities for her constituents to ask about or present any community problem. The constituents were forbidden from raising a hand and asking a question. “Ward meetings” are abolished. Koski…
Using less phosphorus improves water quality There is a huge problem across Minnesota: algae in our lakes, ponds and other bodies of water – specifically, Minneapolis’ Lake Harriet, which in the past was very healthy and rarely had problems with harmful algae. The algae I am referring to is blue-green…
Opioid crisis preparedness In the past 20 years, the fentanyl epidemic has markedly expanded. Both the “Just Say No” and “D.A.R.E.” educational models from the past are inadequate to meet our societal needs. While preventing drug use is the ideal, the reality is that some people will continue to use…
