Kudos: Little Earth Urban Farm
Little Earth Urban Farm
By Harvey Winje
The May 2010 KUDOS is the Little Earth of United Tribe Urban Farm Project for its ambitious conversion of vacant land into many raised beds for growing food locally.
Last year a busload of people went to Milwaukee to see Will Allen”'s farm project. The group came back excited about the possibilities for growing food, developing jobs and even preserving traditional culture.
Last year 40 residents of Little Earth of United Tribes signed up as did 25 people from other organizations. This year on Earth Day the Little Earth Urban Farm project began the growing season by clearing stones and unwanted objects from the very large plot between the Hiawatha sound wall and the road east of Little Earth. People of all ages hauled wood chips, mixed in compost, and thus made rich one-foot beds of soil. They also planted lilacs along the wall and other plants and seeds in the beds.
A sign of pure enthusiasm and optimism was carried in on the shoulders of several adults; a wooden picnic table brightly painted by pre-school students and placed beneath a nearby tree ready for the first harvest picnic.
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2010 Minnesota American Indian Month Kickoff Parade and Celebration Friday, April 30th 9 AM
Minnesota American Indian month began as American Indian week in 1969 as a way to educate the broader community about American Indian people and cultures. More than 40 years later, south Minneapolis continues to be an important neighborhood in the urban American Indian community.
The 2010 Minnesota American Indian Month Kickoff celebrates the special role American Indians have played in south Minneapolis and throughout Minnesota.
Over 1,000 participants will be involved from around the metro, state, and region in the largest Indian Month celebration in the state.
The Banner Unveiling is of newly designed banners to be installed from Chicago Avenue to 16th Ave. The banners were a joint project between Native American Community Development Institute, Ventura Village, and Franklin Avenue Business Association.
9:00 AM Gather/Opening Ceremony
Cedar Field ”“ Little Earth of United Tribes, Cedar Ave. and 25th St.
10:00 AM Parade of Nations Community Walk
Cedar Field to Minneapolis American Indian Center/Wakiagun Lawn
11:00 AM American Indian Cultural Corridor Banner Unveiling
E. Franklin Ave. and 11th St.
11:30 AM Veterans and Warriors Dedication
Minneapolis American Indian Center/Wakiagun Lawn
12:00 PM Community Photo
Minneapolis American Indian Center/Wakiagun Lawn
12:30 PM Feast/Live Music
Minneapolis American Indian Center/Wakiagun Lawn
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“Thoughts From Powderhorn Lake”
by Peter Molenaar
At every mid-month, contributors to The Alley are pressed into duty (or are otherwise moved by a profound love). Consequently, this writer missed ice-out day at Powderhorn””so be it. Now, at mid-April, a nice start towards a summer tan has been achieved thanks to the early spring warm-up.
Folks who descend each year to feed ducks and geese are greeted as well by the raucous demands of visiting gulls””intelligent birds who speak directly. Having satisfied them, a small group formed next to me upon the concrete ledge which holds the shore line. I was awe-struck. Gulls are utterly handsome and exquisitely evolved birds. Sensing my new-found admiration, in unison they turned to display the V formed by their black trim tail feathers. I had been invited to join the flock.
Question: Does an early spring coupled with a cold winter mean that the global warming disbelievers club can have its cake and eat it too?
It was supposed to have been a warm El Nino winter. Right? What happened to the associated upper air current which normally then restricts the Arctic air mass to the north of us? Contrary to expectations, we endured the usual infusions of cold air which press south across mid-continent all the way to Texas.… Read the rest ““Thoughts From Powderhorn Lake””