News & Views of Phillips Since 1976
Monday January 12th 2026
Introduction to The Alley”'s New Series: STORIES FROM OUR BACK YARD
Inside of the area called the “Backyard”, there are 15,000 households. Inside of each of those homes or apartments are stories waiting to be told. There are stories of kids getting good grades at school, friendly gestures between strangers, overcoming addictions, stories of incredible hope amidst despair.
This month”'s story is written by Khusba Seka from the Backyard”'s Anchor Family CHAT (Community Health Action Team). She tells us of what her life has been like on her block.Â
Tell us YOUR story or a story about a neighbor, your block, or a family member. Stories help heal. Stories have power. They teach us about each other. Email editor@alleynews.org or call 612-990-4022 for support and assistance.Â
“I am headed out, do you need anything?”
By Khusaba Seka
When I am asked, “What are Anchor Families?” there are two things that I think of: my sons”' description of our neighborhood and my neighbors who make me feel like I am part of their family.
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Out in the Backyard
Out in the Backyard is an initiative to connect LGBT community from the
backyard to each other and to resources.
We are currently have a once a week kettlebell class at Pillsbury House every Tuesday from 6pm to 7pm.
It is FREE for all the Backyard LGBT community members.
Our instructor here is Yolanda Womack from Infinitely Fit (www.infinitelyfit.com).
More information please find “Out in the Backyard”' on facebook.
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Keep citizen journalism alive!
Time Won”'t Wait
By Peter Molenaar
Gone is the brush pile which housed the winter”'s flock of sparrows. It was a cold day then. Does the city inspector harbor a mean spirit or merely a sense of duty? It is warm today. The sparrows are sampling freshly strewn seed.
And so”¦
Will the Occupy Movement return as a visible hub around which broader movements revolve and develop?
It depends. Occupy has yet to formally resolve its internal debate on the question of tactics. Should we publicly disavow actions of a provocative nature? Or should we consent to the concept “respect for diversity of tactics”?
It would seem that common sense dictates two things. Don”'t pull stunts which satisfy the agents of reaction. Don”'t pull stunts which alienate potential allies. What then is the difficulty?
“Respect for diversity” does have a nice ring to it and there are kind hearts among us who prefer to avoid contentiousness. Secondly, it is said: “We can”'t control those people anyway!”. Any suggestions?
The third argument for ”diversity” is a tad mystifying. It proceeds along the line: If we press our tactics to the extreme we will create space behind us for others to fill in. Such is the light which radiates from the Realm of Autonomous Individuals, upheld by the voice from the Red Star Galaxy.… Read the rest “Time Won”'t Wait”