News & Views of Phillips Since 1976
Friday December 19th 2025
Transit Transit: Accessibility – a personal perspective
By JOHN CHARLES WILSON
There really isn”™t any transit news to speak of in the Phillips neighbourhood this month, so I am going to write on a more personal, but transit-related, topic.
If Sheldon Cooper from Big Bang Theory rode the bus, he could be me. Since the age of 17, I have been considered by society to be mentally ill. Since my fanaticism about public transit is a part of my mental state, for years I lived in the irony of having a disability that, rather than impairing my ability to use transit on an equal basis with the general public, gave me an advantage over the average user because I know all the arcane details about how the system worked.
Unfortunately, for the last few years, I have had back pain which has limited my ability to stand or walk for long periods of time without sitting down. My tolerable standing/walking time has gradually shrunk to where travel by bus is now a serious pain (pun intended).
Whereas I used to think in terms of efficiency for the average customer, I now see the wisdom of transit taking into account its less-mobile users. Moving bus routes farther apart and bus stops farther apart along those routes may be technically more efficient, but it leaves out many would-be riders.… Read the rest “Transit Transit: Accessibility – a personal perspective”
What”™s Up at the Franklin Community Library June 2019
By ERIN THOMASSON
All Ages
Learn Together: Connect & Play
Tuesdays, 6-6:30pm
Connect with your child during this drop-in program exploring early literacy activities. Join your neighbors each week for a different theme including music, art, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math), reading and creative play.
Franklin on the Green
Tuesdays, June 11, 18 & 25, 3-4:30pm
Play games outside this summer! We will have badminton, soccer, frisbee and other games set up to play, weather permitting.
Science Wednesdays
Wednesdays, June 12, 19 & 26, 3-4:30pm
Join us for a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, mathematics) activity each week!
Puzzlemania!
Thursdays, 3-5 pm
Enjoy a variety of educational and fun puzzles and games!
Game On!
Thursdays, 5-7pm
Join us for all types of gaming! Enjoy card games, board games, Xbox, VR and more. Play an old favorite or learn a new one.
Family Storytime
Fridays, 10:30-11am
For children of all ages and their caregivers. Talk, sing, read, write and play together in a format appropriate for young children. Share books, stories, rhymes, music and movement.
Brodini Comedy Magic
Saturday, June 15, 3-3:45pm
Magician Graylyn Morris will raise spirits and test kids”™ powers of concentration as he manipulates ropes, scarves, balls and other magician”™s props in a perplexing “now you see it, now you don”™t” performance!… Read the rest “What”™s Up at the Franklin Community Library June 2019”
In Brief June 2019
First East-African Chair of the MPHAÂ
Sharmarke Issa is the first immigrant and first East African to serve as Chair of the MPHA Board of Commissioners in the city”™s history. He is also the first Somali immigrant in the country to lead a public housing agency”™s governing board.Â
Mayor Jacob Frey said, “Sharmarke”™s life experience and background in urban planning are especially important to MPHA”™s mission. At a time when the federal government continues to shortchange housing funding, he will be a skilled steward of our public housing infrastructure who understands and centers the needs of residents.”Â
“I believe that everyone has a fundamental human right to housing, which ensures access to a safe, secure, habitable, and affordable home,” said Issa. “I”™m truly humbled by the Mayor”™s appointment and look forward to working with my colleagues on the MPHA board to guarantee that all of our residents can exercise this right to live in security, peace, and dignity.”
Issa grew up in Minneapolis Public Housing after coming to the United States as a refugee at age 11. Approximately one-third of Minneapolis Public Housing residents are members of the East-African community. Issa received both his bachelor”™s degree and a master”™s in urban planning from Minnesota State University in Mankato.… Read the rest “In Brief June 2019”
Keep citizen journalism alive!
