KEATON TRADITION: Classic fun in the Cemetery

BY SUE HUNTER WEIR

It”'s become a Memorial Day weekend tradition:  a Buster Keaton silent film accompanied by local musicians Dreamland Faces.  You”'ll never have more fun than this in a cemetery. This year”'s classic film, “Steamboat Bill Jr.” was the fourth Keaton film shown in Minneapolis Pioneers and Soldiers Memorial Cemetery.  It was a perfect evening for a movie with beautiful weather and no mosquitoes.  About 200 people attended this year”'s screening.  There will be three other opportunities to see movies in the cemetery this season.  On Saturday, August 26th, we”'ll be showing “The Last Man on Earth,” the first of three Vincent Price films.  On Saturday, September 9th, the movie will be the not-to-be-missed film, “The Conqueror Worm.”Â  We”'ll close out the season on September 23rd with “The Abominable Dr. Phibes.”Â  Gates open about an hour before the sunsets.  Tickets are $10; kids under 12 get in for free.  Bring a blanket or lawn chair to sit on.… Read the rest “KEATON TRADITION: Classic fun in the Cemetery”

“Shade Tree Mechanics to Multi-Car Service Centers are asked to help: “Squeaky wheel gets the grease,” but it doesn”'t stop there!

BY MADDIE NORGAARD

Do you want to make a difference in neighborhood air quality? Locally, poor air quality affects Minnesotans by triggering a range of health problems, from itchy throats to asthma attacks. It also contributes to smog and acid rain, leading to contamination of water bodies. That”'s why the Minnesota Technical Assistance Program (MnTAP) has teamed up with the Lake Street Council and the Franklin Area Business Association to assist businesses in the Phillips Community to improve air quality.

This summer, a MnTAP intern is working with auto repair shops and other businesses that use degreasing products to evaluate products and find safer alternatives that work. Auto repair facilities can improve the air by switching to safer cleaning and degreasing products. The major challenge is finding safer products since many look similar, but contain different ingredients with a wide range of impacts on health and the environment.

Choosing safer products is not easy, but this summer”'s intern is helping businesses identify the safest products available to them that still get the job done. Shops interested in taking advantage of this opportunity receive a free assessment of their current products, samples for testing safer products, and if they choose to make a change, some free product to get started (while supplies last).… Read the rest ““Shade Tree Mechanics to Multi-Car Service Centers are asked to help: “Squeaky wheel gets the grease,” but it doesn”'t stop there!”

Blue Line Changes & Driver “Picks” Plus “Peeing” PUBLIC TRANSIT

BY JOHN CHARLES WILSON

Well, last month I promised my next column on public transit would be more Phillips-specific. My original plan was to write about the June 17, 2017 schedule changes. Fortunately for Phillips but unfortunately for me, there are very few changes this time around that affect Phillips. One morning and one evening trip daily on the Blue Line is being cancelled, an early morning trip on Route 5 is moving three minutes later, and minor adjustments to better reflect real travel times are being instituted on Route 21. The most significant change will affect weekend Night Owl service on the Blue Line. Since last Fall, the Mall of America station has been closed from 2:10 to 3:45 AM, Monday to Friday, probably to discourage the homeless from making it an unofficial shelter. Now the Mall has extended the closure to seven days a week. There are two Blue Line trains which arrive at MOA between those hours on weekends only. As I understand it, they still will operate, but no one will be allowed to leave the train at the Mall. In addition, the last weekend train, which arrives at 3:39 AM, will remain in service back as far as Franklin Avenue instead of going off duty.… Read the rest “Blue Line Changes & Driver “Picks” Plus “Peeing” PUBLIC TRANSIT”