June 24, 2007 - June 30, 2007

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House Arrest: Minneapolis city council sets size limits on new homes

Is your modest-size home currently dwarfed by your neighbor's ostentatious quasi-mansion? Do you endure pangs of inadequacy every time you drive by that smug bastard's oversize monolith of a house, what with its soaring overhangs and looming facades mocking your every sense of conventional modesty? Well fear not! That sumbitch's oneupmanship is henceforth outlawed! [shaking fist]

In a unanimous vote on June 29, the Minneapolis city council approved an ordinance that "address[es] resident concerns over the size and bulk of new homes" and "encourages traditional building features." After the ordinance takes effect (most likely next week after Mayor Rybak okays it), new homes will be forbidden from exceeding half the square footage of their lots and will be prohibited from surpassing 35 feet in height or two-and-a-half stories, whichever is less.

"This was one of the biggest issues I heard about when I knocked on doors in 2005," said 13th Ward Council Member Betsy Hodges in introducing the ordinance. "I think this strikes a balance between the modern desire to build larger homes with the desire to keep what we love so much about our city and its neighborhoods."

In voicing what can only be interpreted as support for the code (considering he voted for it), 2nd Ward Council Member Cam Gordon noted that, "Around the University area, there's been a lot of tearing down small houses and building large homes, often for rental purposes."

The ordinance pertains only to new homes and remodels. No standing houses will be affected.

Posted by Matt Snyders at June 29, 2007 4:21 PM | Comments (6)

 

South St. Paul: New home to Chuck Norris Park?

Filed under: Minnesota Politics

No good deed goes unpranked it seems. The South St. Paul Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission is inviting residents to submit a name for the Port Crosby Area to be officially named as a park. What was once a demolition landfill will soon be a public park, quite possibly the Chuck Norris Park if pranksters filling out the naming form on the South St. Paul city website have their way. Rumor has it the e-suggestion box has been getting stuffed with the name of the aging martial arts artist, with the "significance of name" field peppered with those beloved Chuck Norris facts, such as "There is no theory of evolution, just a list of creatures Chuck Norris allows to live." The inspiration for these monkeyshines comes from an online poll conducted last year by Hungarian officials to name a new bridge across the river Danube in Budapest. The Walker, Texas Ranger star held the lead in that poll over Hungary's first king and a beloved children's book character for much of the voting.

Posted by Corey Anderson at June 29, 2007 4:18 PM | Comments (5)

 

Spotted: iPhone line, AT&T store, Ridgedale Drive, Mtka, 10:00 a.m.

Filed under: Spotted

City Pages art director Nick Vlcek spotted a dozen people patiently waiting outside of the AT&T store near Ridgedale at 10:00 this morning. The trucks should be rolling in around 4:00 this afternoon, delivering the coveted iPhones that will go on sale at AT&T and Apple stores at 6:00 p.m., as well as at apple.com.

Posted by Corey Anderson at June 29, 2007 3:41 PM | Comments (1)

 

Doh! A Deer!

Filed under: Environment

The Department of Natural Resources has a question: What do you think of Minnesota's population of cloven-hooved rats?

Ecologists have indicted the species—better known to the public as the white-tailed deer—for all manner of crimes against humanity and the natural world. (See "Bambi Must Die," 11/04/04.) The species' rap sheet includes: spreading bovine TB, plundering crops, consuming gardens, stripping new growth in forests, devouring ground-nesting birds, and spoiling the grills on 20,000 Minnesota vehicles each year.

In response, Minnesota's Department of Natural Resources has started to take the first toddling steps toward getting the state's deer population under firmer control. This has mostly involved expanding the hunt for antlerless deer—that is, reproducing does.

So why does it look like the DNR is equivocating like Elmer Fudd? In recent months, the agency has gathered teams of citizens to talk about deer numbers, and now they've launched an online survey to ask all Minnesotans how they feel about the state's number-one ungulate. Why assemble a jury of civilians when science has already judged the deer guilty—and handed down a few hundred thousand death sentences?

"Historically, and this is true nationally, deer has been a hunting commodity," explains Lou Cornicelli, big game program coordinator at the DNR. "We have 500,000 deer hunters in this state. They spend about a quarter of a billion dollars pursuing white-tailed deer. Deer hunting, it's been said, is actually more valuable than the wheat crop in this state."
It's a new paradigm, then, to ask Bambi to behave for farmers, ecologists, exurban gardeners, and long-haul commuters.

While the white-tail has proved hard to wrangle, the DNR seems to be having better luck mustering a consensus out of the most ornery of upright apes. "We've gotten 600 or 700 responses this year," Cornicelli says. "We're using a social process to implement science-based population goals."

Posted by Michael Tortorello at June 29, 2007 9:32 AM | Comments (1)

 

6/29 Morning Communiqué

Filed under: Morning Communique

THESE DAYS

Preliminary studies by the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg suggest that daytime napping in young children may be linked to poorer sleep and mental functioning than in their peers who only sleep at night.

Indonesia's vice president believes marijuana should remain an illegal drug, but those who sprinkle it in traditional dishes shouldn't be punished.

MINNESOTA BLOG OF THE DAY

Sascha is a cyclist from Minneapolis who blogs about the Nature Valley Grand Prix, packing a bike for air travel, and elevation profiles of her races at First and Last and Always.

[Minnesota-based blog directory]

TIME WASTERS

Beef jerky underwear

Will Ferrell and little Pearl are back in Good Cop, Baby Cop

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

"Well, it's jail food. It's not supposed to be good."

— Paris Hilton, on Larry King Live, describing the cuisine in the slammer

Posted by Corey Anderson at June 29, 2007 6:36 AM | Comments (0)

 

Easy like Sunday morning

Filed under: Media

It's not every day—or every decade—that a local TV station adds a public affairs program. And a public affairs program devoted to the multicultural experience in the Twin Cities? You might as well look through a telescope for a show like that to arrive on the Kuiper belt.

Granted, Channel 45 isn't far from the outer reaches of the television universe. KSTC is the kooky sister to KSTP-TV (Channel 5)—a place for monster movies and Matthew Lesko infomercials to run wild—and it's there that Hubbard Broadcasting has installed Crossroads. Since its kick-off a month ago, the program has examined mission work in Haiti, domestic violence, stand-out dads, and "Mocha Moms" (a support group for stay-at-home women of color).

Hosting the show each week is Sheletta Brundidge, who describes herself on her blog as a part-time assignment editor at KSTP news, a "full-time mom," a regular guest on KTCA's Almanac, a columnist for the Spokesman-Recorder (whew...take a deep breath; we're almost done), and a semifinalist in Nick at Night's Funniest Mom in America competition.

On the subject of comedy, KSTC has devoted an unusual time slot to Crossroads, namely 5:30 a.m. on Sundays. "There actually are some people watching," Brundidge says. "We're booked through the month of August. I honestly didn't think we'd get guests who'd wake up that early. I'm surprised that anyone is up at 5:00 in the morning—is it methheads or people like me with small children? I have an 11 month old. I'm up at 5:00 am. I'm up at 3:00 a.m.!"

Brundidge adds that owing to positive feedback, Hubbard now plans to move the show up to the less ungodly hour of 7:30 a.m. It's a nice reward for Brundidge's work. It's also the only reward: The host and her producer currently create the program for free. Could Crossroads make it to 8:30 if Brundidge had her own publicist to push the show?

"Forget a publicist," Brundidge says. "I need a check!" I've told KSTP if you don't start paying me soon, you're going to find out that I've been stealing formula and Pampers."

Posted by Michael Tortorello at June 28, 2007 4:29 PM | Comments (0)

 

6/28 Morning Communiqué

Filed under: Morning Communique

THESE DAYS

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology reported that they had successfully reversed mental retardation in mice.

British landlord Bob Beech is getting around a forthcoming cigarette ban by turning his bar in Southampton into an embassy for the uninhabited island of Redonda, which is 35 miles off Antigua.

MINNESOTA BLOG OF THE DAY

Philip and Alvey conduct interviews and record podcasts about beer, with a local angle, at What Ale's Thee?

[Minnesota-based blog directory]

TIME WASTERS

Canadian family band The Bordens' 1980 cover of the Star Wars theme [via BoingBoing]

Some Novelty Items That Never Caught On [via McSweeney's]

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

"I've heard he's been called Bush's poodle. He's bigger than that."

— Pres. George W. Bush, on British Prime Minister Tony Blair's leaving office, replaced by former Treasury chief Gordon Brown

Posted by Corey Anderson at June 28, 2007 6:26 AM | Comments (0)

 

The b-girls have their say

Filed under: City Pages

In this week's cover story, Where the Ladies at?, writer Peter S. Scholtes profiles local female hip hop artists and the struggles they face in the broader community of MCs. An excerpt: "[Crazy] Amy doesn't remember the name of her attacker. 'I try to forget the bad things that I can't really do anything about,' she says. But the incident illustrates the hard edge of a broader stupidity: the producer who withholds services from a female rapper unless payment is made with sex, the male graffiti writer who spreads rumors about the girl who spent all night spray-painting with the boys, even a well-meaning parent who warns a daughter of the physical risks of breakdancing.'" Check out the cover story here and the gallery of B-Girl Be artists here, then come back to join the conversation.

Editor's note: Our cover story on B-Girl Be misattributed an off-color remark to choreographer Amy Sackett, a.k.a. Suga Mama of the Rhythm QueenZ. In fact, the banter came from another b-girl present at the same photo shoot. At no time did Sackett—a veteran dancer, teacher, and scene supporter—make any sexual joke or gesture. City Pages regrets the error. The online version reflects the corrected text.

Posted by Corey Anderson at June 27, 2007 9:01 AM | Comments (22)

 

6/27 Morning Communiqué

Filed under: Morning Communique

CITY PAGES BLOGS AND NEWS

Check out Dessa, Protegee, Mad Fresh, Desdamona, and other participants in B-Girl Be in our gallery section.

Peter Schilling Jr. offers analysis on last night's Twins-Blue Jays duel at Balls.

We're adding new articles like DVD and game reviews every day. Use our Recent Article RSS feed to check for new content:

THESE DAYS

Despite receiving more than ten thousand comments from consumers and family farmers opposing various aspects of a late May 2007 proposal, the USDA has approved a rule that will allow 38 new non-organic ingredients to be allowed in products bearing the "USDA Organic" seal.

State Secretary William Galvin says the federal Justice Department is pressuring Boston election officials to translate political candidates' names into Chinese characters in precincts with prominent Chinese-speaking populations.

MINNESOTA BLOG OF THE DAY

Find posts on cooking with soft drinks, becoming a Home Depot addict, and the joys of heating pads at the Prudent Hedonist.

[Minnesota-based blog directory]

TIME WASTERS

The Picasso car

A laser-etched Mr. Spock Matza [via BoingBoing]

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

"The combination of the triple stacker, the lack of good water, and the heat is a bad combination for them."

— Border Patrol agent Jesus Rodriguez, discussing the drugs and energy drinks some illegal immigrants are using to assist their trek across the U.S. border. A "triple stacker" is an ephedrine pill, an aspirin, and a can of Red Bull to wash it down.

Posted by Corey Anderson at June 27, 2007 12:30 AM | Comments (0)

 

6/26 Morning Communiqué

Filed under: Morning Communique

CITY PAGES BLOGS AND NEWS

It was a night of a thousand blunders as the Twins fell to the Blue Jays. Peter Schilling Jr. accompanies on movie house piano at Balls.

We remember the Swiss climber whose expedition team forged the path Sir Edmund Hillary used to reach the peak of Mt. Everest at Corpus Obscurum.

The City Pages Media Taster lets you actually hear the great music you read about in City Pages—just launch, click, and listen. Simply download the Media Taster and you'll automatically receive a digital mixtape of music on a semi-regular basis (including free MP3s), legal and free of charge. A new taster has been posted today.

THESE DAYS

Moritz Embroidery Works in Pennsylvania contracted with the U.S. military to make more than three million American flag patches, but federal prosecutors are claiming the patches were outsourced to a company in Thailand.

Canadian students could soon be graduating from "Taco Bell High" or "Wal-Mart Public School" if trustees go ahead with a plan to sell school naming rights to corporations to raise extra funds.

MINNESOTA BLOG OF THE DAY

The Armato Design & Press studio of Minneapolis blogs about print, industrial, and logo design and more at Green Zebra.

[Minnesota-based blog directory]

TIME WASTERS

A New Jersey Chinese Crested and Chihuahua mix named Elwood has been crowned the World's Ugliest Dog—a pale substitute for the original

A 1982 commercial starring General Hospital's Anthony Geary hawking Members Only jackets [via This Just In]

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

"Do you know what you're planning on getting your beautiful wife? Whatever she wants, right?"

— Country singer Wynnona, asking President Bush if he had done his Christmas shopping yet, during a June 24 taping at Ford's Theatre of an ABC holiday special airing in December

Posted by Corey Anderson at June 26, 2007 6:09 AM | Comments (1)

 

6/25 Morning Communiqué

Filed under: Morning Communique

CITY PAGES BLOGS AND NEWS

Check out dozens of photos from yesterday's Ashley Rukes GLBT Pride Parade in our gallery section.

Steve Monaco has posted this week's Monday Movie Quiz at Couch Pundit.

Japanese punkers Melt Banana had the Entry quaking last night. Read Christopher Matthew Jensen's review and view Daniel Corrigan's photos in our gallery section.

Peter Schilling Jr. recaps the Twins' victory over the Marlins, including some heavy hitting by Johan Santana, at Balls.

We're adding new articles like DVD and game reviews every day. Use our Recent Article RSS feed to check for new content:

THESE DAYS

The sugar found in fruit such as apples and oranges can be converted into a new type of low-carbon fuel for cars, according to scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. [via Undernews]

Four percent of U.S. adults have never had sex in their lives, and the figure climbs to 12 percent in the case of Mexican-Americans, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

An Alaska man has pleaded guilty to selling more than 100 fur seal penises to a local gift shop that intended to sell the items as an aphrodisiac.

MINNESOTA BLOG OF THE DAY

Steve McPherson reviews concerts, discusses local music, and interviews musicians at Signal Eats Noise.

[Minnesota-based blog directory]

TIME WASTERS

2007 Key Art Awards for best movie poster artwork

The 25 Worst Movie Sequels of All Time

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

"It was Iwo Jima to us when we took it. We'll recognize whatever the Japanese want to call it but we'll stick to Iwo Jima."

— Retired Marine Maj. Gen. Fred Haynes, commenting on Japan's renaming the island of Iwo Jima to its pre-World War II name, Iwo To, at the urging of its original inhabitants

Posted by Corey Anderson at June 25, 2007 6:44 AM | Comments (0)

 

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