[Mpls] This Week in The Minneapolis Observer

[Craig Cox]

T H E M I N N E A P O L I S O B S E R V E R
A Weekly Digest of All Things Minneapolitan
Vol. 1, No. 25
February 4, 2002

This is a preview edition of The Observer. To subscribe to the full-text weekly edition ($12/48 issues), e-mail us at [EMAIL PROTECTED] and we'll set you up.

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THIS WEEK IN THE OBSERVER:
* End of the Housing Crunch?
* Crime is Down--and Up
* Lake of the Isles Detour Ahead
* Advance to Boardwalk
* Niland's Agenda, Thurber's Complaint
* How to Fight Police Brutality
Plus: Dopplegangers we all know, the winners of our Get-to-Know-Your-Council Member quiz, Brian Herron resurfaces, and Charlie Stenvig's cold day in Hell.

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HOUSING VACANCIES RISE, BUT WILL IT RELIEVE OUR HOUSING CRISIS?
Apartment vacancy rates are rising, according to a new report, but it may not be enough to alleviate the city's affordable housing crisis.

CRIME IS DOWN--AND UP
Citywide crime totals for 2001 showed a slight decrease over a year ago, but December figures portend trouble ahead.

ISLES' WALKERS WILL FACE DETOURS THIS SUMMER
The Park Board will close three large sections of the walking path around Lake of the Isles this summer as part of its $10.5 million restoration plan, but pressure from neighborhood groups has forced the board to delay a controversial plan to create a new wetland area.

ADVANCE TO BOARDWALK
West River Parkway will be getting a makeover this spring as part of the Downtown Mill Ruins Park project. But instead of a new coat of asphalt, drivers will be rumbling over 600 feet of white oak.

HERRON SITING
Former 8th Ward Council Member Brian Herron, who awaits sentencing for his role in a bribery scandal that rocked City Hall last fall, emerged January 21 to speak at the opening of an education center in North Minneapolis.

GROUP WILL CHALLENGE POLICE ABUSE
Calling police brutality an effort to "control, harass, and repress, not protect," a small network of activists has created an organization designed to help victims of police misconduct and respond to "cop lies."

SHOW ME THE MONEY
Getting and Spending By Your City Council at Its February 1 Meeting

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR COUNCIL MEMBERS QUIZ WINNER
Last week, we challenged our well-connected readers to test their insider knowledge of our seven new council members with the following quiz. Only one entrant, 7th Ward Council Member Lisa Goodman, aced the quiz, including the bonus question. Another faithful subscriber, Erik Reise, sliced through the quiz, but failed to answer the bonus question correctly. The correct answers:
1. Which two members are lawyers?
Scott Benson and Paul Zerby
2. Which three cohabitate with someone other than a legal spouse?
Gary Schiff, Scott Benson, and Dean Zimmermann
3. Which one has a degree in Women's Studies?
Gary Schiff
4. Which one worked as a Crime Prevention Specialist with the Minneapolis Police Department?
Dan Niziolek
BONUS: Two other council members in recent years won election after working as a Crime Prevention Specialist. Who are they?
Sharon Sayles Belton and Brian Herron
5. Which one has a serious interest in opera and beer?
Scott Benson

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RAVES, RANTS, AND OTHER CONSIDERED OPINIONS
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IT'S JUST MY OPINION, BUT . . .
The Super Bowl is history, New England has proven superior to St. Louis, mobs of football fans will converge in Harvard Square and in bars throughout the Northeast and lift a glass to the Patriots. Monday, sleep-deprived fans will slap high-fives around the water cooler and recount the great plays that brought their team the NFL crown. By Tuesday, the adrenaline will have worn off, leaving a sort of smug satisfaction. Wednesday, a couple of thumbs-up and knowing smirks among compatriots in the hallway. Thursday or thereabouts, the team holds a parade downtown and maybe you watch it on the news. Friday, you get up and on your way to work you think about buying a commemorative T-shirt and maybe a video of the game's highlights. Saturday, the heroic quarterback is quoted in the paper as saying he maybe will test the free-agent market next year. Sunday, you start thinking about spring training.
For this, we obsess about stadiums.

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The Minneapolis Observer is published 48 times/year by Independent Media, L.L.C. �2002 Independent Media, 4152 Snelling Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55406; www.mplsobserver.com. No part of this publication may be reprinted without the permission of Independent Media. Subscriptions: $12/yr. To unsubscribe, send us an e-mail ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) and we'll get you off the list and refund the unused portion of your subscription.

Editor: Craig Cox
Associate Editor: Sharon Parker
Contributing writers: Nora Cox, Mark Engebretson, Tim Herwig, Leo Mezzrow, Sarah Wash
Occasional research assistance: Martin and Nora Cox
Online technical assistance: Christopher Pollard
Thanks to: Mark Plenke, Steve Shier, and Jacqueline White

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