the alley Newspaper | News & Views of Phillips Since 1976

Vote for your Favorite Light-emitting Sculpture Design!

Written by editor on 01 March 2022

By Tim Springer

Want to help determine a new sculpture in the neighborhood? Phillips residents and Midtown Greenway users are invited to vote for your favorite design from among three finalists for the proposed Light-emitting Sculpture. The sculpture will be owned by the Midtown Greenway Coalition and installed at the top of the Greenway’s 18^th Avenue entrance ramp. The sculpture will bring beauty and joy, provide light, and become a landmark helping people find their way to and from the Greenway. Thank you to the design phase donors: Circulo De Amigos, Ingebretsen’s, East Phillips Improvement Coalition, and the City of Minneapolis Southside Green Zone.

You are eligible to vote if you live in the greater Phillips Neighborhood or are a Midtown Greenway user who lives in the Twin Cities.

Which sculpture makes you say “Wow!”, inspires joy, whimsey, laugher, or awe, and/or welcomes you, and conveys peace, love, and unity? Consider the three options below and cast your vote!

The voting deadline is March 31, 2022.

Vote Online: visit www.midtowngreenway.org and scroll down on the homepage to find a link to the poll.

Vote by Text: Text 612-355-9600 and answer the following questions: (1) Which voter category are you in, greater Phillips Neighborhood resident or general Greenway User?… Read the rest “Vote for your Favorite Light-emitting Sculpture Design!”

Do Whatever You Want

Written by editor on 01 March 2022

Peace House Community

By MARTI MALTBY

When people find out that I have worked with the homeless, they sometimes ask me if they should give money to panhandlers. I used to give the standard social work answer: “If you give them money, it could be used for drugs or alcohol. It’s better to give them a snack, or to donate money to agencies that help the homeless.” Eventually I realized how insulting and hypocritical that answer was.

It’s insulting because it reinforces the stereotype that people are homeless because they use drugs and alcohol, or that all the homeless use drugs and alcohol. It also implies that they don’t know any better than to blow their money on things that won’t improve their situation. And this coming from social workers who say we’re trying to reduce the stigma of homelessness, and that we care for the people we “serve”.

It’s also hypocritical because it implies that the homeless shouldn’t drink, even though it’s okay for others. If you have dinner at my house, I’m likely to offer you wine or beer with the meal. Not only am I removing any doubt about whether the money will be used for alcohol, I’m actively promoting the consumption of “spirits”.… Read the rest “Do Whatever You Want”