His latest project: a dance opera score blending Black and Indian genres By Dwight Hobbes Contributing Writer JD Steele is, of course, even if you have been hiding under a rock, a household name in Twin Cities’ music and, by extension, theatre. For that matter, he’s internationally renowned along with his siblings as a vocalist-songsmith, […]
October 2013
Posted inSports
Plenty of action in semifinal playoffs
In the prep football semifinal playoffs last week, one team avenged an early season loss, top seeds from Minneapolis and St. Paul moved a step closer to a state playoff birth, two more top seeds representing each of the Twin Cities didn’t make it past the semifinals, and a brilliant career ended after a loss. […]
Posted inOpinion
Black clergy push ‘Obamacare’ enrollment as glitches get fixed
By Hazel Trice Edney Guest Commentator A team of African American preachers has sent a letter to President Barack Obama affirming their ”commitment to the Affordable Care Act” even as the president has ordered the website overhauled. ”We believe that access to quality health care is a fundamental civil and human right in America. Historically, […]
Posted inOpinion
Security reduced at Vikings games
Sheriff Richard Stanek objects: Why didn’t others? The National Football League’s directors of security ordered all 32 NFL teams to ban law enforcement officers working NFL games from being armed: no more bringing their weapons to work at the stadium. Besides “why,” why did they try to keep it secret? Two stood up against […]
Posted inOpinion
The Matthew Shepard we don’t know
There are numerous hagiographies on the Matthew Shepard murder. Twenty years after Shepard’s murder, they’re being challenged. Are we ready for the tale investigative journalist Stephen Jimenez, himself gay, spins? I had the pleasure of meeting him at his book reading in the Harvard Coop this month. I told Stephen, referring to his book, that […]
Posted inOpinion
The Black codes: framework for today’s laws
By Jessica Wright Guest Commentator In 1777, slavery was abolished and with that the slavery codes became stagnant. Slave owners who fought against the abolition of slavery were athirst for a turnabout against the new law. The general assembly of several states inducted the black codes in an attempt to perpetuate their perfidy. Eventually the […]
Posted inGo Green
Bev Lambkins shapes a culture of hope for those in need
CenterPoint Energy’s consumer advocate explains how to keep the heat on Bev Lambkins, a 30-plus year employee of CenterPoint Energy who holds the title of Supervisor Agency Programs Consumer Advocate, has lifelong experience working closely with low-income residents, military veterans, and families in need. As fall slowly makes way for the cool of winter, […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Ten tips to getting the most out of your doctor’s visit
Every minute of your doctor’s visit should count. Most typical medical visits, especially in primary care, last about 15 minutes. To optimize your visit with the doctor, you need your visit to be as efficient as possible. Here is a list of 10 steps to ensure your medical visit goes well and gives you the most benefits. […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Rondo R.I.P.
Memorial planned for final Rondo neighborhood building on November 2 Memorial services are being planned by Rondo Avenue, Inc. (RAI) for one of the last two remaining members of the original Rondo neighborhood family of buildings in St. Paul, which succumbed suddenly to the wrecking ball on Saturday, September 18. The building at 820-822 Rondo […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
There is no safe level of lead in human bodies
Child lead poisoning remains a threat While significant progress has been made in recent decades in decreasing children’s exposure to lead, several thousand Minnesota children last year still had elevated levels of lead in their blood. What’s more, recent research has led health experts to conclude there is no safe level of lead in […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Hair on display — oh my!
Many women have been asked the dreaded question from a stranger, “Can I touch your hair?” Or they may have taken a risk and reached out and touched your hair before asking or not asking at all. Would you say this is a sanitation issue, a violation of personal space, an insult, okay, or just […]
Posted inArts + Culture
Shapeshift hip hop dance group to perform
Shapeshift, a Minneapolis-based hip hop dance group, performs Friday and Saturday, November 1-2, at the New Century Theatre, 615 Hennepin Avenue, in Minneapolis. This exciting show is choreographed and passionately produced by Ashley Selmer and Herbert Johnson, well-established dance artists who have worked with the likes of Iluminate and Prince’s new band 3rd Eye Girl. The […]
Posted inSports
New food choices at Timberwolves games not for everyone
Fans looking for basic fare and affordable options might just be out of luck The Minnesota Timberwolves has new concessions items this season. A first-ever sampling party was held October 23 for “a mix of media and season-ticket members,” including the MSR at the downtown Minneapolis arena. This reporter however did not taste any of […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Sensitivity to persons with disabilities
I am a volunteer member of the speakers’ bureau for the Minnesota Brain Injury Alliance. I and one other speaker were asked to present our stories at the University of Minnesota—Mankato campus to a classroom of students taking a class titled as above. On one aspect of this class, I asked them: “Why does a […]
Posted inArts + Culture
Keith mulls over Samantha Smith, object of Lesli’s jealousy
One thing at a time, Keith reasoned, sipping his coffee, chewing the bagel, debating whether to change clothes or keep on what he’d passed out in. He’d deal with the prospect of Lesli getting jealous over his working with Samantha Smith if and when he ever got her back. Right now, he had work to […]
Posted inArts + Culture
This Week’s Spotlights
WAR Fri., Nov. 1, 7:30 pm • Medina Entertainment Center, 500 Highway 55, Medina • Call 763-478-6661 or visit http://medinaentertainment.com/featured/war/ for more information Living Colour Fri., Nov. 1, 8 pm • Mill City Nights, 111 N. 5th St., Minneapolis • visit www.millcitynights.com, or call 612-333-3422 Shemekia Copeland Fri., Nov. 1, 8 pm • Dakota Jazz Club […]
Posted inSports
The WNBA: where it’s been, where it’s going
WNBA media coverage still far short of equitable Second of a four-part series Although it’s America’s longest running women’s pro league, the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) is still seen by too many as below major league status. The MSR talked about this and related issues […]
Posted inArts + Culture
Billy Cobham’s Spectrum 40 Tour stops at the Dakota
By Charles Hallman Staff writer The energy he displayed during a recent show in town truly belies Billy Cobham’s age. The 69-year-old jazz fusion drummer has been on the road with his Spectrum 40 tour. “We have been accelerating as we went along. We started in St. Petersburg [Florida] then went to Atlanta; up to […]
Posted inNews
Mayoral candidate Don Samuels: two-term Minneapolis City Council member
By Charles Hallman Staff Writer Councilmember Don Samuels says he is the only mayoral candidate that has “clarity of vision” to work on eliminating the city’s racial disparities. “Nobody has the clarity of vision and the loftiness of vision that I have for this community,” he claims. “I made sure that I penned with my […]