One of the best ways to clean up troubled spots in the city is to support attractive small businesses and cultural activities located there. Once word gets around local commerce will grow, and as I've learned from visiting cities like London, Amsterdam, Paris, New York City and San Francisco, a high volume of "tourists" (and I'm talking about local citizens as well as out of towners) is the best crime deterrent.
So if you want to see an improvement on Franklin Avenue, support services like Peace House which do much to keep our most vulnerable citizens safe (and as we all know it's the poor and other outcasts of society who make up the majority of crime victims). Support two of our city's best, funky restaurants which happen to be on Franklin Avenue: Maria's and Seward Cafe. Support the Franklin Library which is every bit as attractive as the local branch in Linden Hills. And support one of the city's most interesting arts venues which also happens to be on Franklin Avenue: The Playwright's Theatre. Right now PWC is presenting the world premier of <Small Tragedy>, a play by Craig Lucas (who wrote the screenplays for <Longtime Companion> and <Prelude to a Kiss>). While the writing in the second half is a bit uneven and could benefit from another draft, I can't think of another play, old or new, that has more to say about our troubled American empire. The production is impeccable, and the cast (which includes Brent Doyle, arguably the best local thespian working these days) is stellar. Unfortunately, attendance hasn't been the best, which is a shame because a northern midwestern city like Minneapolis needs a thriving arts scene to make up for the long, cold winters that keep many folks away. While I never hesitate to say that we ought to looking in our own backyard before criticizing other governments or cultures, Minneapolis needs to look no further than its own backyard to enjoy some our nation's most precious cultural gems.----Peter Schmitz CARAG TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. 2. If you don't like what's being discussed here, don't complain - change the subject (Mpls-specific, of course.) ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
