Posts Tagged ‘East Phillips’
East Phillips Needs Harm Reduction Solutions for the Drug Problem
By Stephen Gregg Photos courtesy of PHS Community Services Society In the eight years I’ve owned my home near 26th St and Bloomington Ave, I have been stuck by a discarded syringe, seen multiple overdoses, two deaths, and countless ambulances and police vehicles. I have watched in horror as entwined problems increase: the number of people experiencing homelessness, open air drug use, and crime. When approaching neighborhood issues, I try to practice empathy. From the beginning I’ve wanted to be involved in the work to find solutions, attending countless neighborhood meetings of all sorts. The problems here are deep-rooted and complex. I’m not a social worker–actually I’m an agricultural plant scientist. So I also comb research for solutions to problems. And this search has pointed me strongly towards harm reduction practices and services, practices endorsed by the CDC. Harm reduction has the potential to reduce short term harms while creating space for long [...]
Call for Sculpture Concepts Deadline Extended
By Abdi Hassan Jr. and Tim Springer An example of whimsical art on Portland Avenue. Photo by Tim Springer. The deadline has been extended for proposing designs for a new Midtown Greenway light-emitting sculpture. An advisory team composed of East Phillips residents who live near the site of the future sculpture voted to extend the deadline for responses. The previous deadline was December 3, 2021. Now artists have until February 4, 2022, to submit sculpture concepts. The sculpture will be in the public space above the Midtown Greenway entrance ramp at 18th Avenue South, where it will provide joy, light, and wayfinding. It will be owned and maintained by the Midtown Greenway Coalition. The 29-year-old nonprofit organization stewarded the creation of the Midtown Greenway and currently serves as the community’s voice in promoting Greenway improvements, maintenance, and use. The revised Call can be found linked at www.midtowngreenway.org. The most important criteria [...]
