Amged Yusef, Spoken Word artist at the Alley Media Social
Alley Communications, publisher of The Alley Newspaper, held its annual meeting on Friday, Nov. 16, at St. Paul”'s Assembly Hall in the Phillips Community. But, just like in years past, this was not what one would expect from an annual meeting of an organization. No bylaws were negotiated, no board seats were contended, no organizational policy tensions were permeating the air! Instead, over 75 people gathered from various political persuasions and cultural groups to celebrate 38 years of this community-governed media source, The Alley Newspaper!
This year”'s event involved a huge, used book sale with volumes of nonfiction and fiction books donated for the event. Over $1,300 was raised to continue the work of this vital and vibrant community organization.
Delicious food was provided by the Backyard Initiative”'s Growing the Backyard CHAT and over a dozen performers offered their services to help us celebrate. These performers included:
- Dave Moore, Phillips”' resident cartoonist and Wendell Phillips enthusiast
- Carlos Zhingre, Ecuadorian folk singer and guitarist
- Amged Yusef, Nomadic Expressions- Somalian Spoken Word artist
- Patrick Cabello Hansel, co-pastor of St. Paul”'s, poet and community activist
- Sue Hunter Weir, Friends of the Cemetery and writer of over 100 tales of Pioneer and Soldiers Cemetery
- Siama, community resident and African and reggae musician and guitarist
The evening”'s entertainment was moderated by Loren Niemi, E.D. of In the Heart of the Beast Theatre.
A terrific time was had by all. If you would like to be part of Alley Communications or would like to play an active role in The Alley Newspaper, call Harvey Winje, 612-990-4022 or email editor@alleynews.org. Hope to see you at next year”'s event!
In 2013, the Alley Newspaper”'s expenses were approximately $2000 per month. But, if this newspaper is to be sustainable, we need to build a reserve to be able to employ an editor and/or other staff at a living wage. For only a donation of $5.00 per month or 50 cents per issue, you can make that happen! Hope we can count on YOU! Contribute $5 today. If the 15,000 people in the Backyard area each contributed $5, we would be able to improve our delivery strategies, hire an outreach coordinator and more. Help us to make this happen.
