MetaFilter posts tagged with minneapolis

Minnesota nice

ardgedee — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 09:04:21 -0800

The Unconvention wants Twin Cities residents to make an effort to help the Republicans feel comfortable while visiting a city that might not be full of people who think or look like they do. (multilink YouTube post.) The project organizers also solicited videos from the public and posted their picks.

Bust Em Before They Bite

Xurando — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 13:33:33 -0800

Since at least February, the St, Paul police and the FBI have been trying to infiltrate protest groups planning to demonstrate and the RNC. Apparently they were successful because they have begun arresting protestors before the convention actually starts. They even went after the press. I have to wonder if any MeFites were busted?

Stroll Down 35W bridge

localhuman — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 08:04:39 -0800

Take a stroll down the Minneapolis 35W bridge using Google's street view (now with more cities) I can only guess about the timing of this street view, but it looks eerily similar to what the bridge looked like in the months/days before its demise street view resources: streetvwr streetview sightings street view fun other finds: Frank Gehry's Walt Disney Concert Hall man bending over decapitated man walks girls sunbathing so many possible hours of interesting and or fun things, so many privacy fears to ignore...

The Elephant in the Room

ericb — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 15:19:02 -0800

The logo for the 2008 GOP convention was unveiled this past week. People are like, what? “Wide stance? Check. In Minneapolis? Check. Prison stripe-wearing? Check. Starry eyed? Check.”^* “The emblem features the words ‘Republican National Convention, Minneapolis-Saint Paul’ encircling the silhouette of a sex-crazed Elephant mounting the year 2008.

‘Choosing our logo is another important milestone in planning the 2008 Republican National Convention,’ said convention President and Chief Executive Officer Maria Cino in a press release. ‘This design highlights the spirit of the Republican Party and it will adorn everything from the Xcel Energy Center to t-shirts and other souvenirs.’

As of press time, RNC officials refused to explain the sexual overtones of the logo, though some have suggested the elephantine carnality is a metaphor for seven years of GOP chutzpah. Those with a less cynical interpretation disagree and maintain that the image symbolizes the lovin' the party has in store for the nation come 2008. Whatever the case, the RNC is keeping mum. When asked about the reasoning behind the salacious depiction, GOP pressman Matt Burns replied flatly, ‘If you have any serious questions, you can call me.’ This elephant in the room debuted two days before local newspapers trumpeted stories of Sen. Larry Craig (R-Bathroom Stall) vowing to remain in the Senate. Fitting, for the elephant in the logo also seems to prefer a wide stance.”^*

There's no returning from this chartered trip away

psmealey — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 08:24:05 -0800

Something to Hüsker : Bob Mould, Grant Hart and Greg Norton live with Joan Rivers on the Late Show. Also live versions of the Byrds' Eight Miles High, The Girl Who Lives on Heaven Hill/I Apologize, Pink Turns to Blue, Every Everything, Makes no Sense at All, Ticket to Ride, New Day Rising, These Important Years, Every Everytime, and a video for Don't Want to Know if You Are Lonely.

Now I'm going to suck your feet

Astro Zombie — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 15:09:44 -0800

You know it's a bad day when this man mugs you and then sucks your toes.

Critical Mass Arrests

taursir — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 01:34:51 -0800

Police overreact, and attack bikers with no provocation at Minneapolis Critical Mass. Responses from witnesses tell one picture of what happened, but local news says "nobody was hurt" despite squad cars knocking bicyclists from their bikes. What gives?

Collapsed bridge leaves mess, quarantines locals

taursir — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 17:03:57 -0800

Deliberately turning her camera from the wreckage, That Red Girl gives us a look at what's going on in her now quarantined life mere blocks from the recent Minneapolitan bridge collapse.

"Several neighbors and I stood in our driveway late into the night debriefing the day. We now live in lockdown. Police must escort us around. We must meet any guests at the corner, they cannot approach the building alone. Residents are told to ask people they do not recognize to show their keys and prove themselves. We joke about seeing everyone’s “FOBs” to those we know well. The dogs are all leashed, tying themselves together as they try to play like normal. It’s frustrating to everyone that we can’t run around as normal. The word “quarantine” is tossed around. People are nervous. One of the residents hasn’t been seen since Wednesday morning. She may be on vacation… no one knows. We see one of the neighbors being interviewed on the corner and a few young girls trying to flirt with the police to gain entrance to our complex. The dogs continued to wrestle and we continued to talk."

I-35W collapse

baphomet — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 17:27:06 -0800

The I-35W bridge by the University of Minnesota campus has collapsed. The bridge, one of the most heavily traveled freeway bridges in the Twin Cities metro area, collapsed around 6:05 this evening. Sections of the freeway are said to be floating in the Mississippi as cars are stranded on standing portions of the bridge. Slideshow of images. Real-time updates at MPR.

'The Family' Reunion

dagarrat — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 20:47:09 -0800

'The Family' Has Reunited. Members of the studio band created in the wake of The Time's disintegration, who never toured and who only released one self-titled album (featuring the beautiful photography of Horst and lavish orchestration by Clare Fischer, like much of Prince's other projects at the time) have reunited. No word yet about any involvement from either Prince (writer of nearly all the band's songs, including their gigantic hit Nothing Compares 2 U - well, at least for Sinead O'Connor) or his Revolution cohorts Wendy (twin sister of Family co-lead vocalist Susannah Melvoin) & Lisa, now a successful scoring team for film and television.

Mayday!! MayDay!!

wheelieman — Sun, 01 May 2005 06:21:04 -0800

Happy May Day one and all. It's a holiday that's largely ignored here in the USA except in Minneapolis This event is massive with puppets, Music , and zaniness . The parade is simular to the Fremont Soltice Parade with more of a story and less nudity. If you are in the Twin Cities, get out and see it. More here. Happy May Day!!

Because Distractions are Fun!

ScottUltra — Wed, 06 Apr 2005 11:06:04 -0800

Better known for their modernist take on contemporary furniture design, Minneapolis furniture studio Blu Dot has just introduced a series of film shorts entitled Blu Dot Shorts. Their first short film, Seven Twenty (embedded Quicktime warning), was directed by Christopher Arcella (Flash warning). While is is not earth shattering conceptually, it is a jaunty and fun little piece of cinema.

Southeast Asian refugees

etaoin — Tue, 29 Mar 2005 06:52:15 -0800

Southeast Asian refugees, like other immigrant populations, have had a mix of experiences and successes since they began arriving in the U.S. in the 1970s. Among the refugees, two groups, the Mien and the Hmong, tribes who populate the mountains of Laos and Thailand, fled when the Communists took over. Today, some Mien, also known to some Asians as the Yao, continue to live in China, where they are a recognized minority group and elsewhere. Large numbers of the Mien people have settled in Portland, Ore., and California, and appear to be doing pretty well. The Hmong settled primarily in Minneapolis and St. Paul because their military leader, Gen. Vang Pao settled there. You may have read about the Hmong man who killed six white hunters, claiming racial animosity, but before that occurred, the Hmong themselves have experienced one tragedy after another.

Best Radio Station Ever

RKB — Fri, 28 Jan 2005 19:27:57 -0800

Revolution Radio is a concept that died in Minneapolis years ago. It never had a chance to take off before being assimilated by the RadioBorg -- the idea that you play good songs, regardless of whether or not they fit under some canned "format." The Suburbs. The Beatles. G-Love and Special Sauce. X. Tori Amos. Adam and the Ants. Loretta Lynn. Trip Shakespeare.Their playlist definitely leans more toward the "alternative" side of the dial than anything else, but now, thanks to Minnesota Public Radio's brand-new station, you'll be pleasantly surprised by the musical variety. Submit a request online. Not fortunate enough to live in Minnesota? You can still listen along to commercial-free radio a couple of different formats. Viva la revolution!

Minneapolis Airport Security Official Threatened Screeners

busbyism — Fri, 30 Jan 2004 13:44:04 -0800

"If you don't do as I tell you, I'll personally take you out in the woods and shoot you." A top federal security official at the Minneapolis-St.Paul International Airport angrily threatened to "shoot" baggage screeners and financially ruin their families if they did not do their jobs to his satisfaction, airport employees have told the Department of Homeland Security's inspector general.

All jokes about bombs, guns and killing will be taken seriously?

Big Urban Game

mrbula — Wed, 03 Sep 2003 21:36:44 -0800

The Big Urban Game: Minneapolis and St. Paul have just been turned into a 108-square mile game board. The game ends Sunday, so you still have plenty of time to play.

America's Most Literate Cities

mrbula — Tue, 15 Jul 2003 23:48:12 -0800

America's Most Literate Cities - A study authored by the chancellor of the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater looked at factors ranging from newspaper circulation to library and bookstore penetration within the 64 largest cities in the United States. His conclusion? Minneapolis is the most literate city in the country, directly followed by Seattle and Denver. San Francisco ranked fifth, Boston 13th, Chicago 45th and New York 47th.

A new meaning to

4midori — Sat, 18 Jan 2003 09:57:21 -0800

According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune Some twin cities churches are holding services in novel places. Like Champps sports bar.

Lisa Walker attends Wooddale and likes the idea of Champps. "It's something new and fun," she said as she sat at a table with a friend before services Sunday. They said they were planning to stay for brunch. "It's friends, food, fun and faith, all in one," Walker, of Richfield, said. Her friend, who does not normally attend church and was hesitant to give her name, said she would attend Wooddale but liked the informal setting.

Don't forget alcohol and heavy food, Ms. Walker.

Claes Oldenburg

entrustNoOne — Sat, 23 Nov 2002 20:03:22 -0800

Claes Oldenburg is a contemporary sculptor known for making common objects larger than life. Among other pieces, he has placed a spoon and cherry in Minneapolis, a giant clothespin in Philadelphia (the City of Brotherly Love), and last Thursday he anointed San Francisco as the City of Love.

bingo — Sun, 25 Aug 2002 00:58:18 -0800

"It was amazing," says 101, "we went to club after club. We never paid a cover, we never paid for drinks. We were escorted to the VIP tables. In Minneapolis the Geek Squad has been around for 10 years -- they're treated like rock stars. I mean, when has a computer tech ever been treated like a rock star?" "The Geek Squad offers a flat-rate service. You call them with a problem; they quote you a price; they fix the problem. No matter what. No matter how long it takes. And, each agent guarantees his work -- forever."

esch — Tue, 28 May 2002 13:01:13 -0800

Suspicious package found in downtown Minneapolis. Ok, this is a little too close to home...

mrbula — Thu, 02 May 2002 22:33:41 -0800

Minneapolis declares war on Krispy Kreme. Maybe it's about time something like this happened. After all, considering how ever-growing food conglomerates like Starbucks and McDonald's always seem to be getting attacked from all sides, it's sort of surprising Krispy Kreme has had so little trouble expanding.

manero — Mon, 24 Dec 2001 01:40:25 -0800

Restroom Ratings is a site where you can scope out the possible nastiness of a bathroom before you need to go use it. Most of the rated bathrooms seem to be centered around the Minneapolis, MN area. You can even send a restroom e-card to your friends (or enemies).

mrbula — Tue, 27 Nov 2001 09:39:23 -0800

Minneapolis declared a snow emergency this morning. That means parking will be banned on all parkways tomorrow. What's a parkway? The city has a simple answer.

So, the question is, how does your city torment you?

kittyb — Fri, 21 Sep 2001 06:16:49 -0800

Arab-Americans kicked off NWA flight. Three Arab-Americans from Utah have been kicked off a flight from Minneapolis because the other passengers refused to fly with them.