News & Views of Phillips Since 1976
Thursday December 18th 2025
Letter to the Editor
I am writing in response to Peter Molenaar’s May op-ed, “Peace Be With You.”
In this piece, Mr. Molenaar repeats a number of Russian talking points about Ukraine, all of which are refutable by listening to Ukrainian both here at home in Minneapolis or on the ground in Ukraine. But more importantly, as someone with a long academic background studying fascism and the far right, I want to speak to his accusations of Ukrainian “fascistic gangs.”
Put simply: to believe that, prior to February 24th, there were roving bands of fascists roaming the streets of Kharkiv or Mariupol is false. Fascist groups in Ukraine were and are tiny. They had no meaningful representation in the parliament, nor did the Azov Battalion–about which so much has been said–ever grow beyond about 1000 members. Putin’s brutal leveling of their home city of Mariupol has likely killed most of them. Good riddance, but let us also keep their size in perspective.
Russian (and Soviet) uses of the word ‘fascist’ are grounded in their World War II experience. After World War II, the word came to mean “anyone who is opposed to the USSR (or East Germany, etc.).” In this use, it means that the United States, Britain, and France, who supplied so much of the weapons and supplies that kept the USSR from collapsing in the German onslaught, were referred to as “fascists” themselves once the war was over.… Read the rest “Letter to the Editor”
Last Call to Apply for 2022 Edible Boulevards!
By MICHELLE SHAW
Do you live in Cedar Riverside, Ventura Village, Midtown Phillips, Phillips West or East Phillips? If so, you are a resident of the Southside Green Zone and you’re eligible to apply for participation in the Minneapolis Edible Boulevards initiative. We have funding to go towards teaching people how to transform the space between the sidewalk and curb into an edible boulevard, as well as for soil testing, seeds, organic soil, and compost. An application is posted on our Minneapolis Edible Boulevards Facebook page, which we invite you to join. If you live in another neighborhood and want to participate, contact your neighborhood association to let them know you’d like them to partner with us.
If you’re willing and able to volunteer in any way, we would greatly appreciate your help. Possibilities include co-administering our Facebook page, pick-up and delivery of compost and organic soil to garden build sites, help with gardening, photographing garden creations and tabling at events. Just contact Michelle if you’re interested!
Upcoming Events (see our Facebook page for details)
- June 4: Foraging webinar with elder Hope Flanagan of Dream of Wild Health
- July 9: Cooking from the Garden with Natalia Mendez, (location TBD)
- August 13: Kelly Shay (location TBD)
- September 10: Natalia Mendez (location TBD)
Contact Michelle at MinneapolisEdibleBoulevards@gmail.com… Read the rest “Last Call to Apply for 2022 Edible Boulevards!”
Artist Interview With Sha’Vontie Rose Juneau Jackson Hosfield
Photo credit: Photo courtesy of Youth Performance Company
Photo credit: Janelle Hosfield
By MARY ELLEN KALUZA
Sha’Vontie lives a few blocks away and she often walks by with her dad to visit her cousins near me. She always has a cheerful greeting when she passes. Makes me smile. Last summer I was invited to the cousins’ backyard for a concert the kids were putting on. That’s where I first saw Sha’Vontie sing and play piano. I was very impressed with her poise and confidence on the stage, on top of her lovely voice. I had no idea I only saw a fraction of her many talents and interests until we met for this interview.
- How old are you? What grade are you in?
I’m 11 and in 5th grade
- Describe your main art form(s).
I like to sing and dance – dancing first, then singing. And sometimes I like to play piano. I practice it every day and take lessons because adults told me I would be happy I did later on, so I do.… Read the rest “Artist Interview With Sha’Vontie Rose Juneau Jackson Hosfield”
Keep citizen journalism alive!
