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 www.mplsobserver.com Vol. 1, No. 44 July 1, 2002
This is a preview issue of The Observer. To subscribe to the full-text edition ($12/yr.) just hit 'reply' and we'll set you up. To view a sample issue, go to www.mplsobserver.com. Thanks. ********************************************************** THIS WEEK IN THE OBSERVER: * Park Board: Things Go Better With Coke * Black Candidate Files Discrimination Complaint Against State GOP * Ford Bridge Gets a Makeover * New Central Library Will Be 'Planetarium-Ready' * No More Fireworks in Camden Plus: Minneapolis history, Jesse's future, faith-based funding, iguanas in Whittier, turning on red, repelling mosquitoes, and a sad farewell to Grain Belt beer. *********************************************************** PARK BOARD LOOKS TO SOFT-DRINK DEAL TO INCREASE REVENUE In an ongoing effort to increase revenue, the Park Board last month agreed to investigate a more lucrative beverage contract. But the results may not go down too well with park users. As Scott Russell reports in the Southwest Journal (www.swjournal.com), commissioners were presented several options for the new contract, including increased advertising (on vending carts, scoreboards, and baseball fences, etc.) and beverage sponsorships (logos on youth sports uniforms, park vehicles, lifeguard boats, etc.). An enhanced beverage contract would bring more than $225,000 into Park Board coffers, a 170 percent increase over the current $82,750 Coca Cola deal. Having sparked a small tempest with an earlier proposal to turn over its Lake Harriet concession stand to Dairy Queen, Park Board commissioners are prepared to move cautiously on the matter. Commissioner John Erwin calls the parks "an oasis" from advertising. But board president Bob Fine is more than willing to consider an expanded advertising presence. "If someone is going to give us a lot of money, we ought to look at it," he said. The board's Administration and Finance Committee will discuss a new Request for Proposals for the beverage contract at its July 3 meeting. CANDIDATE CHARGES STATE GOP WITH DISCRIMINATION An African American City Council candidate who ran as a Republican in November has filed a discrimination complaint against the State Republican Party, alleging racist, sexist, and discriminatory practices. FORD BRIDGE MAKEOVER BEGINS NEXT WEEK The long-delayed rehabilitation of the Ford Parkway Bridge will begin next week, reports Jane McClure in the Longfellow-Nokomis Messenger. The project, which will widen the 75-year-old span, replace railings, and add bicycle lanes and viewing platforms, will take about 30 months to complete and cost about $20.2 million. NEW LIBRARY WILL BE 'PLANETARIUM-READY' The New Minneapolis Central Library Implementation Committee on June 18 endorsed a plan that would allow for a planetarium to be built on the roof of the new Central Library. 25-YEAR FIREWORKS CELEBRATION COMES TO AN END A quarter-century tradition will end this week when the Fourth of July comes and goes without Showboat Days in the North side neighborhood of Camden. The popular festival featured one of the city's largest fireworks displays and at its height boasted everything from a neighborhood parade and polka bands to helicopter rides and fishing contests. NATIONAL NIGHT OUT DEADLINES SET Folks thinking about closing off their street to celebrate National Night Out on August 6 must notify the City Clerk's office by July 9 to get free barricades. From July 10 to 23, there will be a $15 fee for the barricades. After that date no applications will be accepted. Last year, more than 35,000 people celebrated National Night Out with more than 850 block parties around the city. To get an application for your free barricades, call the City Clerk's office at 673-2215. ************************************************************** AND NOW WE'RE ON TELEVISION, TOO!!! See firsthand why none of us ever went into TV as a career. Tune in to The Minneapolis Observer on MTN cable channel 17 Sunday nights at 8:30 for news, weather, and sports with a Minneapolis perspective. This week, check out part two of our interview with 11th Ward Council Member Scott Benson. ********************************************************* 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, Laine Bergeson, Chris Dodge, Mark Engebretson, Tim Herwig, Leo Mezzrow, Sarah Wash Occasional research assistance: Martin and Nora Cox Online technical assistance: Christopher Pollard ******************************************************* Fight media consolidation! Support the independent press! Pick up your neighborhood newspaper! ******************************************************* _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
