Behind the Signs
By MARY ELLEN KALUZA
The May Day Cafe sign design has changed a few times over the years. The story of the first sign that covered up the former Powderhorn Community Co-op sign is lost to memory. Two highly skilled and creative sign painters are behind the subsequent charming variations: Phil Vandervaart created the first with the sunflower in the coffee cup, and collaborated with Forrest Wozniak (http://www.forrestwozniak.com/#info) on the current sign.
Phil, an iconic artist, has been sign painting since the 1970’s. His work is EVERYWHERE in Minneapolis and beyond. You can’t leave the house without passing one of his signs, like the original Welna Hardware Store on Bloomington Avenue, the Cedar Cultural Center, the Hard Times Cafe on the West Bank, and so many more. His work has appeared on government buildings, churches, bars, the American Swedish Institute…the list is endless. See his portfolio at http://www.signpainterphil.wordpress.com.
Forrest began apprenticing with Phil in the early 2000’s. He soon made sign painting his career and now has his own impressive portfolio of signs around town. It warmed my heart to see Uncle Hugo’s and Uncle Edgar’s Bookstores’ sign from the old burned Chicago Avenue location in Forrest’s portfolio.… Read the rest “Behind the Signs”
Conundrum
By SHELIA BLAND
Conversation
Communication
People desperately trying to connect.
Trying to escape isolation,
The erroneous projection of others.
Striving to be seen as one sees oneself–
To be understood as one understands oneself.
Most times, however, one is confused about one’s own being—
Not knowing why,
One hates
Or loves
Or tries to hurt another.
Often regretting one’s own words and actions
In real time.
Wondering how such words or actions could come from one’s own person.
To be projected towards someone so undeserving of mistreatment.
So…
How to be understood by others
When one fails to understand oneself?
Conundrum.
Shelia Bland lives in Midtown Phillips. She has been writing most of her life to help herself understand the experiences and people in her shared world.
Related Images:
UNITED WE RISE, DIVIDED WE FALL
from the series Raise Your Voice…
By PETER MOLENAAR
Most of our neighbors are familiar with the 11th Avenue bridge as a way of crossing Interstate 94 to access Elliot Park. However, most are likely unfamiliar with the zigzag required to locate 620 12th Avenue South, the headquarters of the Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA) Local 563. LIUNA represents workers who build roads and bridges, schools, hospitals and energy systems. They also played host to a race and labor history training with the caption: UNITED WE RISE, DIVIDED WE FALL.
The Workers Confluence Fund spawned the event via the Minneapolis Labor Center. Justice educator from Seattle Mark McDermott presented slides and commentary, which induced round table discussions between an array of union members and folks from community organizations. Centro De Trabajadores Unidos En La Lucha (CTUL) was present. The English/Spanish translation was excellent.
According to plan, the round tables were called upon to address the entire gathering. I then rose in opposition to Trump’s attempt to divide workers in his recent statements that undocumented workers are stealing “Black jobs” and “Hispanic jobs.” Question: should millions of people be forced into concentration camps?
Then, drawing on the locally-developed Climate Equity Plan, I undertook to expand their vision of jobs training to address the infrastructure needs of our entire country.… Read the rest “UNITED WE RISE, DIVIDED WE FALL”