‘Cover Stories’ Archives
Challenging Responsibility
Interview with Amy Koehnen of Ebenezer Senior Living, Part One Editors note: When this article was first published online we incorrectly stated that if you are unvaccinated you can work at Ebenezer. This error has been corrected. By DWIGHT HOBBES The corona virus contagion threw South Minneapolis businesses for a loop. Those that haven’t closed are fighting to hold on. On top of which the highly contagious Omicron variant continues spreading across the country, eclipsing those fueled by the Delta variant over last summer: businesses are far from full strength. "There are many places in the country where hospitalizations now are increasing," Dr. William Schaffner of Vanderbilt University Medical Center, told CNN in December. As of January, the rate of infections in Hennepin County is “very high”, according to the New York Times. Ebenezer shoulders the unenviable responsibility to not only stay in business – after all, the bottom line [...]
Uncle Hugo’s Bookstore to Open in New Location
by Carz Nelson Uncle Hugo’s Science Fiction Bookstore and its twin, Uncle Edgar’s Mystery Bookstore, will reopen soon in a new location. The two stores, known collectively as the Uncles, were burned to the ground during the George Floyd Uprising in 2020. In the January 28, 2022 edition of the store’s newsletter, How’s Business, owner Don Blyly announced his plan to purchase the building at 2716 E 31st St. as the new site for the Uncles. It’s conveniently located - within walking distance of a light rail stop and Lake Street buses. Off-street parking won’t be available; however, there is always plenty of free street parking in the area. The 5000 square foot building was built in 1932, and reportedly has a WPA painting of Minnehaha Falls on an interior wall. If all goes well, the sale will close on March 24. After some work on the building, Blyly anticipates the store will open in June. He cautions that projects like this often take longer than planned, so this [...]
East Phillips Needs Harm Reduction Solutions for the Drug Problem
By Stephen Gregg In the eight years I’ve owned my home near 26th St and Bloomington Ave, I have been stuck by a discarded syringe, seen multiple overdoses, two deaths, and countless ambulances and police vehicles. I have watched in horror as entwined problems increase: the number of people experiencing homelessness, open air drug use, and crime. When approaching neighborhood issues, I try to practice empathy. From the beginning I’ve wanted to be involved in the work to find solutions, attending countless neighborhood meetings of all sorts. The problems here are deep-rooted and complex. I’m not a social worker–actually I’m an agricultural plant scientist. So I also comb research for solutions to problems. And this search has pointed me strongly towards harm reduction practices and services, practices endorsed by the CDC. Harm reduction has the potential to reduce short term harms while creating space for long lasting change. The city is already funding harm reduction [...]
