‘Cover Stories’ Archives
East Phillips Park Cultural and Community Center at 2300 17th Ave. Exemplifies reward of unity after 40 years of vision and six years of struggle
: It has been forty years since hopes and visions of improvement to the two blocks of land between 17th and Cedar Avenues and 22nd and 24th Streets began. Initial plans and proposals for dense housing were halted by limited citizen initiated political “arm twisting” that was nonetheless effective. That effort led to park development limited to the barest of un-staffed, built facilities. Six years ago that same awareness and tenacity of local residents-- knowing their numbers and needs were greater than were being met and propelled by the obvious inequity of program and facility availability for local youth compared to other parts of the city””initiated concentrated focus on further improvement. The January 22, 2011 Building Opening and Ribbon Cutting marks the culmination of six years of creative and determined effort by neighborhood organizations, residents, and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board with city, county, and state support. The [...]
ReUse Center Closed after 15 years
by Harvey Winje The Reuse Center in Phillips closed on Dec. 11th, held a one week on-line auction, gave away the remains, and was ended by Dec 31st. The Mpls. Reuse Center, which began as the first retail sales store selling reusable building materials in an urban shopping center in the United States, opened at the Hi-Lake Shopping Center on October 15, 1995. An Elder from Little Earth, Gladys Cain, opened the program with a traditional American Indian smudging and blessing followed with remarks by Senator Paul Wellstone, David Morris, city, county and state political representatives, environmental activists and community residents. This event topped off the culmination of 2 years of writing a business plan, fundraising, and conducting a pilot project in local warehouses in Phillips. The ReUse Center did not originate from an idea of a few nor did it come from an entirely environmental perspective. Instead, it arose out of a controversy between Hennepin County and the City of [...]
The Alley”'s Annual Fundraising event persevered through record snowfall!
The record-setting snowfall the evening of The Alley Newspaper”'s Annual Meeting and Fundraising Auction understandably limited attendance and income for this important event. Bravo and thanks to the three dozen who were able to navigate the streets and snowdrifts. Thank you also to the individuals and businesses whose donations were auctioned. The Alley does need additional financial contributions donations to accomplish our work this New Year. In spite of enormous snow drifts and narrowed streets, the US mail is still getting delivered remarkably well. Please consider using the mail and making a tax deductible contribution to Alley Communications, the community-owned nonprofit that produces The Alley Newspaper. Assist The Alley in 2011 to continue to ENGAGE and INFORM about life in the neighborhoods of Phillips Community and also reaching into the Backyards of Central, Powderhorn Park, and Corcoran Neighborhoods. Every increment of $5 is appreciated. Give [...]
