Early Sunday morning en route to church, a Black woman mournfully asked, “Did you know about Dennis Green? It’s sad.” The unnamed woman affirmed how many local Blacks and others felt when the news broke Friday, July 22 that Green died at age 67 of cardiac arrest. This reporter thereafter trolled the web and other […]
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Posted inSports
Allen, Brown giving back through SAQ camp
St. Paul Highland Park student athletes are learning valuable lessons from two who walked in their shoes during the 1990s. Johnny Allen Jr. and Marc Brown — who played football for the Scots during the mid-1990s — are getting them ready for the up-and-coming season through a Speed, Agility and Quickness (SAQ) program they developed […]
Posted inArts + Culture
REVIEW | Lowertown Blues & Funk Festival
A yearly blues festival in the Twin Cities is a great idea. There are several jazz joints and more rock clubs than you can shake a stick at, but not a single place to go on a regular basis and enjoy some good old fashioned, gut bucket, down-in-the-alley original soul music. Having it in Lowertown, […]
Posted inArts + Culture
Obama’s legacy: Are we better off? Dr. Malveaux weighs in
A tip of the chapeau to Dr. Malveaux! Dr. Julianne Malveaux has long been recognized for her progressive and insightful observations. She is a labor economist, noted author, and colorful commentator. Her contributions to the public dialogue on issues such as race, culture, gender and their economic impacts are shaping public opinion in 21st Century […]
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Chef Earl serves a brisket to die for — if you can catch up to him
Stupid Hot is one of his 31 sauces Food trucks during the summer are all over downtown Minneapolis. But don’t look there for Chef Earl. He could be found anywhere across the Twin Cities. “I’ve been cooking for 40 years,” said Earl, a food vendor. He and his wife Felicia set up shop weekly at […]
Posted inOpinion
Edwards wrong: Park board employee not fired
Once again I feel it necessary to respond to misinformation and allegations included in Ron Edwards’ Spokesman-Recorder commentary, “Michael Baker is out at Theodore Wirth: Demotion as of October 1, 2016” (July 7, 2016). Quite simply, Mike Baker is not “out” at Theodore Wirth. He has been — and remains — a valued employee, and […]
Posted inOpinion
The violence that violence produces
Baton Rouge/Dallas vigilantism is endemic to our culture Yet another instance of “despicable” violence in the U.S. and yet another round of handwringing, but if we are honest, this can’t really be a surprise to anyone. We live in a violent nation, violent in every sense of the word. While preaching nonviolence to the masses, […]
Posted inOpinion
White LGBTQ community can relate to Black fears
They too have long been victims of police violence I am always worried to the point of nail-biting when my spouse leaves in the morning for Boston Medical Center if she’ll return home to me, because she’s always stopped by the Cambridge or Boston police. They don’t see Dr. Thea James. Her gender nonconforming appearance […]
Posted inOpinion
Consider not just ‘who’ matters, but also ‘what’ matters
Continued denial of underlying causes will keep violence predictable Shooting events during this bloody summer of 2016, here and across the country, have long been predictable. So why haven’t plans been devised and implemented to stop, hinder, or slow it? And why, given a half century and more of studies showing the link between violence […]
Posted inPhoto Galleries
PHOTO | Mandela Day celebrated at Sabathani
On Saturday, July 16 people gathered in the Sabathani Community Center auditorium from 1-4 pm for the third annual Nelson Mandela Day program. Retired Judge LaJune Thomas Lange, who is the honorary consul for South Africa for the State of Minnesota and president of the International Leadership Institute, was the coordinator and host for the […]
Posted inNews
VIDEO | First Lady Michelle Obama aims high — gives rousing speech at DNC
First Lady Michelle Obama helped kick off the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, Pa. Monday, July 25, with a rousing speech that brought the Democratic faithful to their feet. The First Lady gave her full and heartfelt support of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, and took aim at negative politics by relaying to the audience the lessons she […]
Posted inPhoto Galleries
PHOTO OF THE WEEK | Warm weather is good for business
Timothy and his sister Akoi took advantage of the warm weather to set up a family business — a beverage stand in front of their house. They found plenty of takers on this warm Monday afternoon, as construction workers and people walking down the sidewalk strolled on up to the stand for cold juice or water, […]
Posted inHealth + Wellness
Summertime can be learning time
Summer is here at last! Remember the excitement of the first day of summer vacation with all the freedom and adventures ahead? Though summer vacation offers children (and teachers) a much-needed break, it has its challenges for parents. Think daycare expenses, the cost of groceries, trying to come up with ways to keep kids occupied. […]
Posted inBulletin
Free family classes on mental illness in Plymouth & Chanhassen
Do you have a family member living with a mental illness? NAMI Minnesota (National Alliance on Mental Illness) is offering a free educational course that helps families gain a greater understanding of mental illnesses, discuss resources, build communication skills, reduce stress and find support. Over 4,000 Minnesota families have benefited from this course. Join others […]
Posted inSports
Vikings have spectacular new home
If you have not had the opportunity yet to see the fabulous new stadium for the Minnesota Vikings, you are in for a treat. The remarkable new home for Vikings football is finished. The historic ribbon cutting ceremony was Friday, July 22. “It’s a special day, said Vikings COO Kevin Warren. “A lot of work […]
Posted inGo Green
African Americans discuss a lack of diversity in nature
Last of a three-part series Educators and others who work in areas that “advance the children and nature movement” talked about the importance of understanding equity and inclusion in nature, to a full room of attendees at the Children and Nature Network Conference that occurred during May of this year in St. Paul. It was […]
Posted inBulletin
MSR Top Five | Drake, New Edition, Diana Ross, Brian McKnight & more
A snapshot of events around town Diana Ross: In The Name of Love Tour Don’t miss the original pop diva live in concert! July 23 | 8-10 pm Treasure Island Resort and Casino 5734 Sturgeon Lake Rd. 655, Red Wing More info: www.ticasino.com Drake: Summer Sixteen Tour Drake hits the road to support his top-selling […]
Posted inSports
Doby still overlooked
If baseball were compared to old car rental company ads, then when it comes to historic recognition Jackie Robinson would be Hertz and Larry Doby would be Avis, according to St. Paul Saints Co-Owner Mike Veeck. His St. Paul minor league club annually honors Doby, who was signed in 1947 out of the Negro Leagues […]
Posted inSports
Matadi headed to the Olympics
En route to his membership on the Liberian track team that will compete in the Olympics at Rio de Janeiro in a couple of weeks, Minnesota State University, Mankato (MSU) sprinter Emmanuel Matadi pulled one of the greatest magical acts ever performed by a Minnesota athlete. More on that in a moment. Matadi, 25, who […]