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The GOPs are coming resplendent with elephant.
Dear Reader, ever rhyme that word? Bet you can’t.
Lots of people-watching and stuff to do.
Here’s hoping the hubbub is fun for you.
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NEERLAND & OYAAS ONLINE
Opins & FAQS Re the State of Affairs
WINDOWS ON…
The Stars
It has become a tradition of our Labor Day issue to make a bold and brilliant prediction about something that will occur in the last quarter of the year. Sometimes they are election predictions, other times business developments. We boldly predict in this issue that during the coming months the sun, the moon, and the stars will come into alignment on behalf of the Minneapolis Planetarium Project. As the discussion of the merger between the Minneapolis and Hennepin County Library systems became a reality, this once popular project dropped in status from favorite son to poor stepchild to tar baby. In recent months, however, positive discussions have emerged among members of a task force comprised of city, county and library leaders. Fueled by a powerful and impressive business plan drafted by Toronto-based Lord Cultural Resources, and guided by the calm presence of Frank Parisi, Interim Executive Director, officials are finally beginning to understand how they can get their arms around this project.
Recently the discussion has moved from “why” to “how” and now even “where.” The Minneapolis Central Library was designed to accommodate a 40,000 square foot structure on top. However, for a variety of reasons that is not everybody’s favorite site. While sites outside of downtown have been discussed, it is clear that there is consensus to locate this project in the core. That may mean the fallow block north of the Library or it may surface as part of another development project. Before a final decision is made by city and county policymakers, we expect several sound proposals to emerge. These developments are not only good for fans of cultural institutions like the Planetarium, they are good for Twin Citians as well; evidence that the City of Minneapolis and Hennepin County can work together productively to achieve common goals.
Home of the Brave
We were honored to be among the many civic activists from the Twin Cities business community at a fundraising reception for Washington County Commissioner Dennis Hegberg organized in part by the Minneapolis Downtown Council. Five metro area county commissioners and former Governor Arne Carlson lent their names in support of their colleague, Commissioner Hegberg, who took what many view as a brave and important vote in favor of the transit sales tax last spring. Making good on a promise to support elected officials, both at the legislative and county unit level, who supported this transit initiative, Governor Carlson reminded the many assembled why he was such an effective governor. He spoke with firsthand knowledge of the courage to make tough decisions and take tough votes to support both education and infrastructure. Governor Carlson also spoke with firsthand knowledge of the necessity for our elected leaders to break from party apparatchiks to move our community and our state and even our country forward. If you are interested in assisting Commissioner Hegberg, you can contact his campaign in care of the Hegberg Volunteer Committee, 843 12th Avenue SE, Forest Lake, MN 55425. By the way, Dear Reader, if you are involved in a similar campaign we are pleased to make a connection to our readers through our vital blog website. Just “feed us back.”
A Renew at the Redo
Style Minneapolis, the one-of-a-kind furniture and curio emporium owned by Shayne Barsness, is relocating this fall. To reduce inventory, Shayne is having a sale on Friday and Saturday, August 29 and 30, from noon until 6:00, at her current location, 1016 West 27th Street in Minneapolis. With the exception of jewelry and French market baskets, everything in the shop has been reduced, furniture 25%, all else 50% off. We can guarantee you that whether it’s a special something for your own home or a gift for that special someone in your life, this is a sale that can’t be missed.
BULLETINS and BYTES…
Much congratulations are due one of our favorite gritty area rock ensembles, The Abdomen. First, their new five-song e.p. Sketches, recorded this summer, is finished and will be available beginning tonight (August 28) on the occasion of Matt Abdo’s 21st birthday. The group is performing from 8:00 – 11:30 p.m. at Famous Dave’s in Uptown and the e.p. will be for sale there. They are also staging their fifth annual Labor Day show on Monday, September 1st, at the Lake Harriet Bandshell from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. This is always a great way to wind down a hectic Labor Day weekend. A final congratulations is due the group as they will be performing for guests of The Recording Academy (Grammy®) at a music policy reception in support of artist-friendly nonpartisan legislation at the Republican National Convention next week. For information on the recording academy’s music advocacy, visit www.grammy.com/advocacy. For information about the gritty Abdomen visit www.myspace.com/theabdomen.
Speaking of the Convention, and we just did, three cheers for the UnConvention, a nonpartisan collective of citizens who have come together to create a forum in which to promote the democratic and free exchange of ideas on important issues. It exists as a counterpoint to the highly-scripted and predetermined nature of the contemporary presidential nomination process and conventions which we of course have seen this week at the DNC and will in our own back yard at the Republican National Convention. Some creative geniuses at Campbell Mithun have put together as part of that endeavor “Make An Effort,” a print and video ad campaign with the simple message to all of us to be welcoming and be participative. It’s not about politics—it’s about encouraging Twin Citians to be gracious hosts no matter what their political leanings are. They have created six posters and three videos for the campaign which are all available to be viewed at www.campbellmithun.com. Just look for the pink elephant on the home page and you can access the work. Congratulations to all of those involved.
Our good friends at the oft-touted Community Reinvestment Fund are hosting a ginormous reception featuring a number of “cutting edge” Republicans considered emerging and promising young leaders in the grand old party. Senator Norm Coleman will join nine members of Congress along with former Congressman, business leader and broadcast commentator J.C. Watts, former Maryland Lt. Governor Mike Steele, and NFL Hall of Famer and business and charity leader Lynn Swann. The event will be held Tuesday, September 2nd, 10:00 – noon, in the CRF office suites, 1700W, 801 Nicollet Mall. For further information contact Katelyn Bednarski, 612-305-2550 or Katelyn@crfusa.com.
Denizens of downtown Minneapolis have a special Minneapolis Safe Zone tool (www.mplssafezone.org), a public-private partnership between the Minneapolis Police Department and the downtown business community. The site will provide information on events and activities related to the RNC occurring in Minneapolis. A word to the wise: during the convention, road traffic in Minneapolis is expected to be heaviest between 1:00 and 4:00 p.m. as delegates are transported to Saint Paul.
Eventually, the convention will be over, and the first step in the process will occur in the form of a primary on September 9. If you’re curious as to how the rest of the Fall will unfold in Minnesota, you may wish to attend the program put together by the gurus at Politics in Minnesota along with its sister publication, the Saint Paul Legal Ledger Capitol Report. The program, which will feature House Speaker Margaret Kelliher (DFL-Minneapolis) and House Minority Leader Marty Seifert (R-Marshall) will be held on Wednesday, September 10, beginning at 3:00 p.m. at the Saint Paul Hotel. There is a charge of $35 for pre-registrants, and $50 at the door. For further information contact Sarah Janecek, Publisher of Politics in Minnesota, sarah.janecek@dolanmedia.com.
Finally, Dear Reader, if with politics you’ve had your fill and you’re looking for an entertainment thrill, look no further than the return of the storied Ruby’s Cabaret at the Lab Theater (700 North 1st Street, Minneapolis) which will premiere Sisters featuring Jearlyn Steele, Jevetta Steele and Isabell Monk O’Connor. Sisters is all about the richness and impact of sisterhood, but not without including the brothers. It features selected songs and tales from a dog-earned journal of favorites which promise to add up to a rich and hilarious evening. In addition to the aforementioned talents, Sanford Moore will perform his magic on the piano.
The Theater Lab is the brainchild of one of the area’s most dynamic cultural and civic couples, Mary Kelly Leer and her husband Chuck Leer. Mary is the new artistic director of the Lab and hard at work re-outfitting the space with lighting and sound equipment. It will be operated in the spirit of adventurous performing arts cabaret Ruby’s in the old warehouse space. In addition to use as a performance space, the Lab is available for private function, video and photo shoots, and endless other possibilities. For further information on Sisters or the Lab itself, www.thelabtheater.org.
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