[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
www.mplsobserver.com
Vol. 3, No. 3
August 18, 2003

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THIS WEEK IN THE OBSERVER:
* Park Board Exploring Citywide Wireless Network
* Public Radio Publication Launches New Wine Magazine
* Local Health Center Cited for Innovation
* The Ethics of Public Safety
* St. Thomas Law School Set to Open August 18
* Domestic Partners Ordinance Advances
Plus: Mike Tyson explained, bathroom anarchy, the real Dean, sprinkler woes, and local solutions to the power crisis.

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PARK BOARD EXPLORING CITYWIDE WIRELESS NETWORK
The Park Board August 13 passed a resolution to explore the creation of a citywide network that would eventually allow anyone working on a wireless-ready computer within two miles of a rec center to hook up to the Internet.

As Scott Russell reports in Skyway News (http://www.skywaynews.net), Parks Commissioner John Erwin came up with the idea after purchasing a wireless-ready computer and realizing the potential for wireless at the parks. "Since Minneapolis has a network of recreation centers unlike any other city, it allows us to reach the entire city with existing technolgy," he said. (Most homes in Minneapolis are located within six blocks of a park.)

Wireless Internet is already accessible at certain coffeeshops around the city, and an informal group of computer users in the Loring Park Neighborhood has created a network that allows wireless access throughout the park. But a citywide network faces several obstacles, not the least of which are the capital and operating costs of such a system. Don Siggelkow, the Park Board's assistant superintendent of finance, said the board would need to decide whether to charge for the service or offer it as a public service and whether a free service would conflict with businesses offering similar services for a fee.

Parks Department staff will try to answer those and other questions as they put together a feasibility study in the weeks ahead.

PUBLIC RADIO PUBLICATION LAUNCHES NEW WINE MAGAZINE
The company that publishes the member magazine of Minnesota Public Radio is launching a national wine quarterly.

LOCAL HEALTH CENTER CITED FOR INNOVATION
Fremont community Health Services (FCHS) is one of three finalists for a statewide award celebrating nonprofit innovation.

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The Minneapolis Observer is published 48 times/year by Independent Media, L.L.C. �2003 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
Senior Executive Editor: Sharon Parker
Contributing writers: Chris Dodge, Leo Mezzrow
Equine consultant: Nora Cox
Perspective: Martin Cox
Thanks to: Andrew Mickel, Maria Rubenstein

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Craig Cox
Editor
The Minneapolis Observer
www.mplsobserver.com

Support the independent media! Pick up your neighborhood newspaper!