News & Views of Phillips Since 1976
Friday December 19th 2025
City Songs for Loving the Earth: “Wherever we protest we will go planting”*
By LINDSEY FENNER
As I write this in the middle of October, I am surrounded by the last blazing russet leaves of the wild plum and the rich burgundy leaves of the serviceberry. Most of the goldenrod and aster blossoms have turned into fluffy seedheads, all but the aromatic aster, which remains a spangled purple cloud even after snow and a hard freeze.
Winter hasn’t quite begun yet, but I am already planning for spring in my garden because I have applied for a Lawns to Legumes grant. Lawns to Legumes is a program of the State of Minnesota’s Board of Water and Soil Resources that provides folks with up to $350 to create pollinator habitat in their yards. Most specifically, these grants are to help provide pollinator habitat for endangered insects like the rusty patched bumble bee (Bombus affinis).
Why does it matter what you plant in your yard? Surely there are more pressing neighborhood concerns? Because it is still the little things. I cannot singlehandedly solve the homelessness crisis or the opioid epidemic, or stop climate change, or any of the other million big things we struggle with and worry about.… Read the rest “City Songs for Loving the Earth: “Wherever we protest we will go planting”*”
November 2022 Events
Picture Gallery of the Soul
Through December 10
University of Minnesota Regis Center for Art (East)
405 21st Avenue South
Free
The Katherine E. Nash Gallery presents A Picture Gallery of the Soul, a group exhibition of over 100 Black American artists from the 19th through 21st century whose practice incorporates the photographic medium, including Phillips’ own Walter Griffin. The exhibition honors, celebrates, investigates, and interprets Black history, culture, and politics in the United States. For gallery hours and information on related events, go to https://cla.umn.edu/art/galleries-public-programs/katherine-e-nash-gallery
she who lives on the road to war
Through December 15
All My Relations Arts
1414 East Franklin Avenue
Free
she who lives on the road to war is an immersive installation and dance performance created by Rosy Simas in response to global loss and the collective need to come together in peace and reconciliation. The project takes its title from one of the names of Haudenosaunee historical figure Jigonhsasee, whose wisdom and vision helped Hiawatha and the Peacemaker bring the Nations together as the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.… Read the rest “November 2022 Events”
Metro Transit: December Disaster!
By JOHN CHARLES WILSON
The latest news out of Metro Transit isn’t good. Thanks to a shortage of drivers, one of the worst cutbacks in recent years is coming soon. Unlike past cutbacks, this isn’t due to lack of funding, lack of riders, or a pandemic. It is literally because they can’t hire enough drivers.
As of 15 October 2022, Route 27 (26th/28th Streets between Hiawatha and I-35W) has been suspended. People are recommended to take Route 21 (Lake Street) instead.
In addition, the following cutbacks in the Phillips community will start 3 December 2022:
The Orange Line will be reduced from once every 15 minutes to once every half hour during the weekday midday period.
Route 9 is being reduced from once every half hour to once an hour except during rush hours.
Route 67 is being reduced from once every half hour to once an hour except during rush hours.
Many other transit routes in various areas of the Twin Cities are also being cut. However, the 9 and the 67 are pretty important to Phillips as they run along Franklin Avenue. The 9 provides access to downtown Minneapolis, Saint Louis Park, and the Longfellow area. The 67 makes it possible for people to go from Phillips to Saint Paul.… Read the rest “Metro Transit: December Disaster!”
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