Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and Smith Foundry: No Update

By H. LYNN ADELSMAN

On January 11, 2024 the Climate Justice Committee and EPNI held a community meeting to address Smith Foundry’s hazardous emissions with no Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) staff in attendance. (See chair above: sign courtesy of: Stacey Gurian-Sherman)

In late December the MPCA repeatedly wrote and spoke of their concern for the Phillips community saying they “continue to work with neighborhood, groups and local state and federal partners to address your concerns to protect the health and well-being of East Philip residents.” But there are no statements or actions other than the MPCA noting it has installed air quality monitors in the neighborhood and is awaiting a mid April 2024 Emissions Monitoring Plan from Smith.

Ongoing delays, after decades of no interest, response or complying with the Clark Bergin Cumulative impact law from 2008, result in business as usual.

Save the date:
Smith Foundry community meeting February 7

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency will host a community meeting on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, at the East Phillips Community Center (2399 17th Av S) to engage in conversation and answer questions about the Smith Foundry (1855 E 28th St) facility and their actions to monitor and prevent pollution in East Phillips.… Read the rest “Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and Smith Foundry: No Update”

Community Journalism is a Tool for Justice and Community-Building

By CIRIEN SAADEH, Journalism of Color Training Center

Over the next few months the alley newspaper will be working alongside the Journalism of Color Training Center and Phillips West Neighborhood Organization to offer a series of free community journalism training workshops (see announcement on Community Journalism Tab). These workshops are an opportunity for every one of us to explore the power and purpose of community journalism.

The journalism produced by the Star Tribune or Minnesota Public Radio is not the same as community journalism, yet most of us do not have the opportunity to learn how the alley (or any other local community-specific news organization) differs from those big news sources we tend to hear most about. Community newspapers like the alley, North News, or the Minnesota Women’s Press, for example, serve a specific community that shares common interests or shared experiences.

Community journalism also functions differently than traditional legacy or mainstream news sources. While mainstream news organizations are staffed by professional journalists, community news organizations are often made up of folks with both professional experience and those with grassroots “do it yourself” (DIY)-style experience. In short, organizations like Alley Communications, nonprofit publisher of the alley, bring together people with professional experience (in journalism or otherwise) with folks like you who want to tell stories about your community, and to counter some of the unjust (and inaccurate) stories that present a picture of the community that doesn’t feel or look right to those within it.… Read the rest “Community Journalism is a Tool for Justice and Community-Building”

We Really, Really, Really Thank You, Carz Nelson!

This February 2024 issue is the first in several years that Carz Nelson’s byline has not appeared in the alley pages. Carz let us know she has to step back from volunteering with the alley.

Carz served on the Editorial Leadership Committee (ELC) since its beginning in 2019. On top of ELC duties – which are significant – Carz faithfully produced the Library News feature in the alley. (Not to worry – Ari Baum-Hommes from our beloved Franklin Library has graciously volunteered to take over Library News).
Additionally, Carz found time to produce notable features for the paper, including a pandemic lockdown piece on “learning pods” for school aged children in September 2020; a moving tribute to Bob Albee and his contributions to our Phillips Community after his death in 2020; the Bridge Fest, celebrating the long awaited opening of the new 24th Street bridge over I-35W in October 2021; the Never Homeless Before 1492 art installation on the Wall of Forgotten Natives in November 2021; the fate of Uncle Hugo’s Science Fiction and Uncle Edgar’s Mystery bookstores, from their building being destroyed in the George Floyd uprising in May 2020, to the opening a new location in the Fall of 2022.… Read the rest “We Really, Really, Really Thank You, Carz Nelson!”