News & Views of Phillips Since 1976
Monday December 22nd 2025
Compassion and Courage During the Coronavirus
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
By LEE LEICHENTRITT
During the month of March, when John Charles Wilson and I came down with the coronavirus, two brave people came to our aid. Marge Beard and Ben Painter brought us food and drinks in a socially distanced manner, which made our COVID-19 ordeal manageable. The fact that these two people showed compassion for us during our illness is something to be lauded.
Ben Painter said that his friend Scott H. brought him groceries when he had the coronavirus last year, so in keeping with Scott”™s spirit of selflessness Ben decided to “pay it forward”, in his own words. Marge Beard puts others”™ needs front and center; her compassion and courage comes from her upbringing and faith.
I am sharing our story with the readers of the Alley to show our gratitude for the people who helped us. Remember that you can perform socially distanced acts of courage and kindness for people you know who come down with the virus.
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Re-Doing Lake Street
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
By Shirley Heyer
Metropolitan Transit continues its projects for improving bus service with a Lake Street Line B (Lake/Marshall/Selby/downtown St. Paul) fast bus. Work start is planned for this fall.
Because longer wait times, increased walking distances, redesign of all traffic lanes are major changes, Midtown Phillips Neighborhood Association, Inc. (MPNAI) questions if the changes are equitable, necessary, beneficial, accessible, and include the Chicago Transit Station.
- Line B will make stops every 10 minutes
- Local buses every 30 minutes, + 10 minutes leeway if late or early
- Traffic lane design varies from block to block; cross streets and less on-street parking can cause confusion, congestion
MPNAI welcomes nearby neighborhoods, residents, workers, businesses, and organizations to 3 virtual engagements. Dates to come.
Contacts: MPNAI
shirleyconsults@gmail.com
d_nestea@yahoo.com
Cody.Olson@metrotransit.org (He can send you a 15+ page PDF detailed plan description)
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On Entering the Twilight Zone
RAISE YOUR VOICE
By PETER MOLENAAR
Sales of color televisions began in 1954, but it was not until September of 1961 that the premiere of Walt Disney”™s World of Color persuaded consumers to purchase color televisions. Having entered the realm of consciousness prior to ”™61, “baby boomers” like me now imbibe black and white reruns as a type of “food for the soul”. Indeed, we have existed long enough to relive The Twilight Zone.
“The Twilight Zone is a place that exists at any moment of Time, of space or of mind”¦ but always when you least expect it. When you find yourself in this realm of unlimited possibility, be careful what you say or do. The right decisions may help you find your way back out”¦”
Sunday, April 11, 2021”¦
Fading after a long day, before turning in I became aware that Daunte Wright had been killed. With apologies to the family, I will state that my arthritis was earned at Smith Foundry, here in South Minneapolis. Which is to say: I am no longer a foot soldier in the people”™s movement. Okay?
Next day”¦
Yet, committed to the belief that “hope is alive”, I returned to the drawing board. My vertical-axis-wind-harvester will eventually desalinate sea water”¦ irrigate deserts”¦ help avert climate catastrophe”¦ after all, our youthful multi-racial activists will tend to Daunte”™s memory.… Read the rest “On Entering the Twilight Zone”
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