Civic beat

By Steve Pease

RNC volunteer deadline pushed to July 15

As of June 25, organizers for the Republican National Convention (RNC) to be held from Sept. 1–4 in St. Paul are still some 3,000 volunteers short of the projected 10,000 needed.

As a result, the Twin Cities Host Committee, charged with overseeing and recruiting volunteers for the event, has extended its deadline to July 15. Furthermore, organizers are offering two tickets to the “hottest parties in town” during the RNC for the one person who can rope the most volunteers.

July 7, 2008
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4,000 volunteers still needed for Republican convention

By Dylan Thomas

Still a long way from their goal of recruiting 10,000 volunteers for the Republican National Convention in September, the convention host committee promised June 23 to roll out the red carpet for their top volunteer recruiter.

Mayor R.T. Rybak joined with St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman to declare June 23–27 Convention Volunteer Sign-Up Week and introduce the Red Carpet Convention Package, a prize for the top recruiter. The person who brings in the most volunteers before the July 15 deadline will win tickets to three insider events not open to the public.

June 30, 2008
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City council actions

By Steve Pease

Absent: Paul Ostrow (1st Ward)

Council opts against repealing lurking ordinance

There was great debate whether the city’s lurking ordinance should be repealed, but in the end the City Council voted against taking it off the city’s books.

Council Member Cam Gordon (2nd Ward) argued it should repealed due to a very low conviction rate and questionable enforcement of the law.

An amendment that would have repealed lurking, and instead beef up the loitering ordinance to fight suspicious practices, was defeated 7-5. Council Members Elizabeth Glidden (8th Ward), Ralph Remington (10th Ward), Scott Benson (11th Ward) and Betsy Hodges (13th) supported a repeal.

June 30, 2008
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Letters to the editor

By Readers

Counting cowboys

In your article “Mad Ripple planning first outdoor Hoot at Lake Harriet Band Shell,” singer/songwriter Terry Walsh is referred to as the leader of the “Belfast Cowboy.” There are in fact nine members of the Belfast Cowboys. They play the music of Van Morrison and are, in my opinion, the most entertaining live band in the Twin Cities.

Craig Planting
East Harriet

June 30, 2008
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Time to roll out the red carpet in Minnesota

By Chris Coleman & R.T. Rybak

In less than 100 days Minneapolis-St. Paul will host the 2008 Republican National Convention, and it is time to roll out the red carpet — Minnesota style.

From Post-it Notes to pacemakers, we are a community of innovators, ideas and ingenuity. We have an amazing story to tell and more than 45,000 visitors that are ready to listen.

While the convention itself will focus attention on the Republican presidential nominee, we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to highlight all that is great about Minneapolis-St. Paul and the surrounding areas.

June 30, 2008
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Civic beat

By Steve Pease

City hall courtyard roof growing green

True to form, the roof that covers City Hall’s courtyard has gone green.

A new green roof covers 5,000 square feet of the building’s interior courtyard and includes a 10,000-gallon water tank for irrigation, according to a city news release. Another in a growing trend of “green” plans by city officials, the green aspects of the roof — such as 41 different varieties of plant life — is designed to reduce stormwater runoff and extend the life of the roof. The design also features plantlife that winds through the courtyard much like it does along the Mississippi River.

June 23, 2008
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MPD to open Uptown office

By Jake Weyer

Uptown’s daytime beat cop has had his hands full with more than crime prevention lately.

Sgt. Butch Blauert of the Minneapolis Police Department’s 5th Precinct has made a priority of revamping the old, long-underused “cop shop” space just south of McDonalds (actually part of the McDonald’s building).
Blauert cleaned and repainted the tiny room and was working in late May to get some new carpet and furniture to make it more appealing to the public.

The idea is that the space, renamed the Minneapolis Police Uptown Office, will serve as a place for officers to stop occasionally to interact with the community, fill out paperwork or take a break.

June 16, 2008
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Neighborhood notebook

By Sarah McKenzie

KENWOOD

ELECTIONS: Mike Bono replaced Gary Bennett as chair of the Kenwood Isles Area Association (KIAA) Board of Directors following officer elections in June.

Bennett did not run for re-election.

Pat Scott was re-elected vice chair, and Roy Williams was re-elected treasurer. The KIAA Board of Directors had yet to find a permanent replacement for the secretary position recently vacated by former Board Member Kathy Williams.

June 16, 2008
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Read more stories about: Republican National Convention, Kenwood neighborhood, Linden Hills neighborhood, Lowry Hill Neighborhood, Lynnhurst neighborhood

4,000 volunteers still needed for Republican convention

UPDATED June 23, 2008, 11:48am

By Dylan Thomas

June 23–27 is Convention Volunteer Sign-Up Week

Still a long way from their goal of recruiting 10,000 volunteers for the Republican National Convention in September, the convention host committee promised Monday to roll out the red carpet for their top volunteer recruiter.

Mayor R.T. Rybak joined with St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman to declare June 23–27 Convention Volunteer Sign-Up Week and introduce the Red Carpet Convention Package, a prize for the top recruiter. The person who brings in the most volunteers before the July 15 deadline will win tickets to three insider events not open to the public.

 

June 23, 2008
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Minneapolis, ready to party? Let’s make it a day

By Cristof Traudes

Local organizers are hoping to warm up RNC visitors with 24 hours of festivities



If you think Minneapolis can’t throw a party, Scott Mayer is out to prove you wrong.

Really wrong.

Mayer, perhaps best known as the organizer of the annual Ivey Awards, which celebrate the best in Minneapolis theater, for the past two months has been planning a giant celebration to kick off the Republican National Convention.

How giant? Well, he wants it to last for 24 hours.

June 9, 2008
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Civic beat

By Steve Pease

Exploring planetarium possibilities

With plans at an impasse, the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners is considering forming an exploratory committee to ignite discussion about future funding options for the planetarium planned to top the Central Library.

At the May 20 meeting, commissioners and city officials went back and forth over how $16.5 million in private funds could be raised for the roughly $40 million project.

City Council Member Scott Benson (11th Ward), a proponent of the planetarium, reminded commissioners that the city of Minneapolis has already sunk nearly $2 million into the Downtown project and encouraged commissioners to make a decision.

June 9, 2008
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Civic beat

By Steve Pease

Council committee looks at repealing lurking ordinance

City Council Members are considering repealing a city ordinance addressing lurking because some feel it targets minorities and the homeless.

The Council’s Public Safety and Regulatory Services Committee held a public hearing May 21 to consider wiping the ordinance off the city’s books. It states: “No person, in any public or private place, shall lurk, lie in wait or be concealed with intent to commit any crime or unlawful act.”

Council Member Cam Gordon (2nd Ward) introduced the motion to repeal the ordinance. He has been working with the Coalition to Repeal the Lurking Ordinance on the issue.

An independent study of arrest data from 2003–2007

June 2, 2008
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Minneapolis, ready to party? Let's make it a day

By Cristof Traudes

Local organizers are hoping to warm up Republican National Convention visitors with 24 hours of festivities

If you think Minneapolis can’t throw a party, Scott Mayer is out to prove you wrong.

Really wrong.

Mayer, perhaps best known as the organizer of the annual Ivey Awards, which celebrate the best in Minneapolis theater, for the past two months has been planning a giant celebration to kick off the Republican National Convention.

How giant? Well, he wants it to last for 24 hours.

Mayer began developing the idea after learning the Twin Cities weren’t going to do much to promote the arts during the convention, set for Sept. 1–4. While the thousands of expected visitors will be surrounded by the arts communit

June 2, 2008
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City council actions

By Steve Pease

New pet policies

Council members adopted significant changes to the city’s pet policy May 2.

City Council Member Gary Schiff (9th Ward) called the reform “significant.”

Changes include:

• Pets that are “micro-chipped” and have registered licenses with Minneapolis Animal Care & Control are no longer required to wear tags in public. Instead, enforcement officials can “wand” pets, instantly bringing up information on the four-legged friends.

May 12, 2008
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Civic beat

By Steve Pease

MPD’s new squads have ’70s-style paint jobs

Over the course of many years, aging Minneapolis squad cars will be replaced with so-called state-of-the-art Ford Crown Victorias.

The first two of 200 replacements rolled out of the police garage April 29. The squads will be equipped with louder sirens to pierce sound-proof cars and some will be stocked with Automatic License plate Recognition (ALR) technology to capture car thieves and track down offenders during Amber Alerts, a statement read.

May 12, 2008
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Rybak, Coleman unveil community bike program

UPDATED May 9, 2008, 3:06pm

By Cristof Traudes

In a move fitting with the Twin Cities’ focus on taking a “green” direction, mayors R.T. Rybak and Chris Coleman at a news conference today unveiled an initiative to get people around without their cars during the Republican National Convention.

Developed and sponsored by health organization Humana, the program — called “Freewheelin” — will bring 1,000 bicycles to the cities for anyone to use for free.

Solar-powered kiosks will be stationed throughout Minneapolis and St. Paul during the convention, which will be Sept. 1-4. People will be able to take bikes from these kiosks, travel anywhere and drop them off when they’re done. The only requirements will be online registration and a credit card number — not to be charged,

May 5, 2008
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Rybak, Coleman unveil community bike program

UPDATED May 9, 2008, 3:03pm

By Cristof Traudes

In a move fitting with the Twin Cities’ focus on taking a “green” direction, mayors R.T. Rybak and Chris Coleman at a news conference today unveiled an initiative to get people around without their cars during the Republican National Convention.

Developed and sponsored by health organization Humana, the program — called “Freewheelin” — will bring 1,000 bicycles to the cities for anyone to use for free.

Solar-powered kiosks will be stationed throughout Minneapolis and St. Paul during the convention, which will be Sept. 1-4. People will be able to take bikes from these kiosks, travel anywhere and drop them off when they’re done. The only requirements will be online registration and a credit card number — not to be charged, but to hold people accountable when bikes are damaged or go missing.

April 28, 2008
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Gearing up for summer

By Janee Harteau

With the clock springing forward and the weather getting warmer, plans are underway for our summer safety strategies. This year, there will be a return of the many successful tactics you saw last year with our “Visibility equals Livability” campaign. We are again teaming up with our law enforcement partners to increase police presence in SafeZone areas, focusing on street and bus stop safety Downtown. Officers will continue to actively enforce livability crimes, including aggressive solicitation, disorderly conduct, trespassing and curfew.

Building upon the momentum gained last summer though these tactics, we continue to look for innovative ways to improve the safety and perception of Downtown, leveraging our existing resources and new technology. One of the latest t

April 14, 2008
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The city pulse

By Brady Gervais

A look at what's in store for City Hall this year and a recap of last year's actions

The city’s 2008 agenda

Unfinished business could dominate the agenda in 2008 at City Hall, at least early in the year.

Some Minneapolis City Council members said they plan to work on a range of issues from addressing the mortgage foreclosure crisis to carrying out the city’s vision for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) on I-35W to deciding the future of the Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) to re-evaluating the property tax policy.

Council President Barbara Johnson (4th Ward) predicts that national issues will be felt at the local level this year and could affect the Council’s agenda. She is particularly concerned o

January 14, 2008
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The pulse of the city

By Brady Gervais

A look at what's in store for City Hall this year and a recap of last year's actions

Unfinished business could dominate the agenda in 2008 at City Hall, at least early in the year.

Some Minneapolis City Council members said they plan to work on a range of issues, including addressing the mortgage foreclosure crisis, carrying out the city's vision for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) on I-35W, deciding the future of the Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) and re-evaluating the property tax policy.

January 7, 2008
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Civic Beat

By Kari VanDerVeen

Using grants to go green
Armed with $1,000 and a plan, a handful of community groups will work to make the city a little greener.

As part of the city’s “Mobilizing Citizens for Grassroots Climate Change” program, 20 community organizations each received $1,000 grants for their plans to encourage residents to reduce energy use. Recipients of the grants were announced during the July 9 meeting of the City Council’s Health, Energy and Environment Committee. They include neighborhood organizations, churches, recreation centers and nonprofit organizations. A few projects on the diverse list include:

• The Kingfield neighborhood will use handheld electricity calculators to measure the electrical usage of residential appliances in one month. The data collected will be used to promote energy savings for all residents in the neighborhood
newsletter.

July 30, 2007
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Read more stories about: Republican National Convention, Linden Hills neighborhood, Kingfield neighborhood, Whittier neighborhood

Civic Beat

By By Michael Marchio and Chros McDougall

July 16, 2007
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Making fun of Republicans? Not 'Tonight.'

UPDATED July 11, 2007, 1:44pm

By Kari VanDerVeen

Comedian Mo Rocca and a Tonight Show with Jay Leno crew will hit the streets of Minneapolis July 12 to film a segment for the late-night talk show.

The segment will be filmed along Nicollet Mall, in the Warehouse District and around the Chain of Lakes, as well as in several locations in St. Paul. The show is coming to the Twin Cities because it is the site for the 2008 Republican National Convention. It will also film in Denver, the site of the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

The segment will feature Rocca talking with local residents about what to see and do in Minneapolis and St. Paul, how they are preparing for the election and their thoughts on the politicians who will be in the cities during the upcoming convention. He’ll also interview Minneapolis May

July 9, 2007
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Conventional approach: Going for the Green

UPDATED July 12, 2007, 12:01pm

By Michael Metzger

Minneapolis is already set to co-host the 2008 Republican national convention with St. Paul, but city leaders are intent on being home to the 2008 Green Party national convention as well.

Tonight at 6:30 p.m., there will be a meeting at Wolves Den Coffee Shop, 1201 E. Franklin Ave., to finalize Minneapolis’ pitch to the party.

Chicago and Detroit are also in the running to host the convention, which would bring an estimated 1,500 people to its host city.

According to a city statement, “Minneapolis has already submitted its application to host the convention, and City Council Member [Cam] Gordon and Parks and Recreation Board Member [Annie] Young

July 9, 2007
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Public input sought on protesters' rights

UPDATED July 2, 2007, 9:02pm

By Michael Marchio

City officials are seeking public input on a set of proposed guidelines that aim to protect demonstrators’ rights to free speech and assembly during the 2008 Republican National Convention that will be held in the Twin Cities.

The Free Speech Work Group, a committee set up by the City Council to address concerns about balancing security measures while ensuring the rights of protesters, developed the so-called “operating principles” and held the first of several meetings to gather public input June 26 at City Hall. The operating principles outline the city’s civil rights priorities and will be integrated into Minneapolis’ comprehensive plan for the convention.

July 2, 2007
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Twin Cities lands 2008 GOP National Convention

By Michelle Bruch

Minneapolis leaders are bracing themselves for a business boom surrounding the Republican National Convention in 2008.

“People are going to start to reserve their rooms right away,” said Steve Sherf, head of the hospitality consultant group at GVA Marquette Advisors. He anticipated that residents will rent out homes and rooms to accommodate the crush of visitors. “Between the delegates and the press, the demand is huge. The activity will start almost immediately.”

The convention planned for Sept. 1-Sept. 4, 2008 is expected to attract from 15,000 to 20,000 delegates and their family members. Meet Minneapolis officials anticipate that the convention will f

October 2, 2006
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Downtown leaders want to raise city’s national profile

By Michelle Bruch

Before the Republican National Convention announcement last week, business leaders boasted of the city’s chance to draw a Democratic or Republican National Convention here during an address titled “Our Dynamic Downtown Minneapolis.”

“It’s important sometimes to get ourselves on the map,” said Mayor R.T. Rybak in a speech at the Minneapolis Club on Sept. 25. “When people know about this incredible city, they love it.”

The mayor’s comments reflected the campaign of Meet Minneapolis — the newly rebranded Greater Minneapolis Convention and Visitors Association — which is working to brand the city as a smart, vibrant community with lots of tourist attractions.

Business leaders such as Sam Grabarski, president

October 2, 2006
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DNC would use Xcel Center for possible convention

By Kari VanDerVeen

If the Democratic National Convention is held in the Twin Cities in 2008, major events would be held at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul rather than the Target Center or Metrodome.

But Minneapolis officials said the recent decision by the Democratic National Committee (DNC) isn't bad news for the city. While the major evening events for the convention would be held at the Xcel Center, the DNC would use the Minneapolis Convention Center and other hotels and Downtown office spaces for the convention headquarters and a grassroots organizing center. Convention attendees would be shuttled between Minneapolis and St. Paul.

“It really cements the cooperation between the two cities,” mayoral spokesperson Jeremy Hanson said, adding that many of the entertainment venues

July 31, 2006
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Arranging for elephants

By Jake Weyer & Dylan Thomas

With the Twin Cities-hosted Republican National Convention around the corner, Southwest has joined the rest of the metro in preparing for an unprecedented stampede of guests  

In about two months, 45,000 people will converge on the Twin Cities to take part in an event the area hasn’t seen for more than a century.

The 2008 Republican National Convention (RNC), though based in St. Paul, will bring politicians, protesters, media and the national spotlight to the entire metro. Many Southwest residents, business owners and other stakeholders expect their community to be well attended during the Sept. 1–4 event and are preparing to roll out the welcome mats, make a little money and do a little showing off.

July 14, 2008
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Preparing for company

By Jake Weyer

Minneapolis St. Paul 2008 Host Committee President Cyndi Lesher shares insights on convention preparation

On a floor intentionally missing from the directory of a downtown St. Paul office building, about 15 staff members and a few interns that make up the Minneapolis St. Paul 2008 Host Committee are getting ready for the most company the Twin Cities has ever had. 

A crowd of no fewer than 45,000 delegates, alternates, media and other guests will engulf the area Sept. 1–4 for the Republican National Convention (RNC). The host committee is working overtime to make sure the whole deal goes down in the best way it possibly can.

July 14, 2008
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Performers, venues signing up for spark24

UPDATED July 10, 2008, 12:51pm

By Cristof Traudes

Here’s something you don’t see everyday: the Minnesota Opera, the Alarmists, the Children’s Theatre Company and White Light Riot — all scheduled to play in the same festival.

But it is happening.

Scott Mayer, organizer of spark24, made the official announcement today at the IDS Center. Planning for acts and venues is coming together quickly for Minneapolis’ giant 24-hour pre-Republican National Convention party.

July 7, 2008
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Building owners gear up for RNC

UPDATED July 17, 2008, 3:04pm

By Michelle Bruch

Building owners across Downtown will soon provide police with their emergency contact information for the Republican National Convention, and a series of public meetings are on the calendar to brief the public on convention plans.

1st Precinct Insp. Janeé Harteau described some of the preparation work at a neighborhood committee meeting in Loring Park on July 16.

Days off were canceled for Minneapolis police when word came that the Republican National Convention was coming to town. Locals can expect to see officers working 12-hour shifts and blanketing Downtown on more horses, T3s and bicycles than usual.

July 7, 2008
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Arranging for elephants

By Jake Weyer & Dylan Thomas

With the Twin Cities-hosted Republican National Convention around the corner, Southwest has joined the rest of the metro in preparing for an unprecedented stampede of guests  

 

In about two months, 45,000 people will converge on the Twin Cities to take part in an event the area hasn’t seen for more than a century.

The 2008 Republican National Convention (RNC), though based in St. Paul, will bring politicians, protesters, media and the national spotlight to the entire metro. Many Southwest residents, business owners and other stakeholders expect their community to be well attended during the Sept. 1–4 event and are preparing to roll out the welcome mats, make a little money and do a little showing off.

They’re also preparing for the hassles and headaches that accompany a major political event: congested streets, crowds of protesters and normal city life turned on its head, at least for a few days.  

July 21, 2008
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Preparing for company

By Jake Weyer

Minneapolis St. Paul 2008 Host Committee President Cyndi Lesher shares insights on convention preparation

On a floor intentionally missing from the directory of a downtown St. Paul office building, about 15 staff members and a few interns that make up the Minneapolis St. Paul 2008 Host Committee are getting ready for the most company the Twin Cities has ever had. 

A crowd of no fewer than 45,000 delegates, alternates, media and other guests will engulf the area Sept. 1–4 for the Republican National Convention (RNC). The host committee is working overtime to make sure the whole deal goes down in the best way it possibly can.

 Leading the effort is Cyndi Lesher, a fireball of energy who fittingly worked supplying power throughout Minnesota and two other states before she was selected for the Host Committee. She’s been on leave for a year and a half from her job as CEO of Xcel Energy’s Northern States Power Company and the four days she’s been preparing for are almost here. 

July 21, 2008
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Rooms for rent, but not many takers

By Dylan Thomas

Few choose private housing for RNC

KINGFIELD — Ryan Foltz was among the dozens of Twin Cities homeowners who hoped to get in on a rental bonanza when the Republican National Convention came to town.

Like many others, Foltz found rumors of a gold rush were a bit exaggerated.

In the spring, he logged onto Craigslist and posted his three-bedroom, two-bathroom house in the Kingfield neighborhood for rent to convention-goers who couldn’t or didn’t want to find a hotel room. Asking price: $1,000 a night.

July 14, 2008
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Read more stories about: Linden Hills neighborhood, Kingfield neighborhood, Republican National Convention

Partners in protest

By Steve Pease

Some City Councils members plan on joining protests during RNC

City Council chambers is a place where fiery oratories are to be expected. However, with the arrival of the Republican National Convention (RNC) — and its protesters — literally around the corner, some might not expect that City Council Members are planning to join those protesters on Twin Cities streets.

August 11, 2008
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City Council actions

By Michelle Bruch

RNC license fee

The Council decided to allow liquor establishments hosting private parties during the Republican National Convention to pay a license fee of $100 to stay open until 4 a.m., rather than pay the $2,500 fee required of clubs that want to remain open to the public until 4 a.m.

Council Member Lisa Goodman (7th Ward) said that if city officials respond to a late-night incident at a private party, the licensee must reimburse the city for that cost. The deadline to apply for the 4 a.m. license was Aug. 4, and city staff said they expected to see many applicants file closer to the deadline. The fees would help cover police overtime costs projected at $31,000.

August 11, 2008
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Update on bars extending hours during RNC

UPDATED August 7, 2008, 2:36pm

By Michelle Bruch

The list of clubs that will stay open until 4 a.m. during the Republican National Convention is in: the list includes a couple of places on Nicollet Mall, a couple of strip clubs and a couple of bars on 1st Avenue.

Nine establishments are paying $2,500 to stay open late, and the fees will help pay for police overtime. Those venues are The Local, 931 Nicollet Mall; The Saloon, 830 Hennepin Ave.; Aqua Nightclub, 400 1st Ave. N.; The Seville Club, 15 Glenwood Ave. N.; The News Room, 990 Nicollet Mall; Schieks Palace Royale, 115 S. 4th St.; Brothers Bar & Grill, 430 1st Ave. N.; First Avenue, 701 1st Ave. N.; and Rick’s Cabaret, 300 S. 3rd St.

 

August 4, 2008
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A Republican hotbed

By Michelle Bruch

The Hyatt Regency will be home to the Republican National Committee headquarters during the convention

Loring Park has a history of hosting protests and demonstrations, so the fact that the Republican National Committee’s headquarters will be stationed at a hotel overlooking the park has caught the attention of nearby residents.

The Hyatt Regency has devoted its entire facility at 1300 Nicollet Mall to the Republican National Convention (RNC). The Republican National Committee headquarters could occupy up to 74,000 square feet of meeting space, and all 533 hotel rooms are committed to the Republican staff and delegates from Idaho, Kentucky, Vermont and Maine.

“It certainly is a unique opportunity for our city and for our hotel, and we want to make certain that we do it right and put on a good show for these attendees,” said Hyatt General Manager Randy Thompson. He said the hotel is reviewing its procedures and retraining staff. “It’s just a matter of preparing for another convention, although a high profile one at that.”

Staff at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Coalition to March on the RNC to Stop the War said they haven’t heard of any demonstrations planned for the Hyatt, but said they wouldn’t be surprised to see spontaneous picketing there.

August 18, 2008
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With convention in sight, fair offers ways to get around Downtown congestion

UPDATED August 19, 2008, 9:55am

By Cristof Traudes

Hoping to stave off a collective headache for Downtown residents and workers during the Republican National Convention, Commuter Connection is hosting an alternative travel fair all day today.

The fair shares alternative options such as biking, using mass transportation and carpooling, according to a news release. Along with maps and bicycle parking information, commuting experts are helping to plan routes for those considering biking. They’ll give demonstrations, too, on what to do if a tire goes flat and how to use the bike racks on buses.

Staff also is helping to plan mass transportation and match rides for carpools.

August 18, 2008
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City council actions

By Steve Pease

New pet policies

Council members adopted several changes to the city’s pet policy May 2.

City Council Member Gary Schiff (9th Ward) called the reform “significant.”

May 19, 2008
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Read more stories about: Lowry Hill East (The Wedge) neighborhood, Republican National Convention

‘More to Tri’ series showcases city’s parks during RNC

By Sarah McKenzie

A three-day athletic event, “More to Tri,” will be held Sept. 1–3 to promote the city’s parks system and the Twin Cities image as a fit, healthy place.

Each event will start at 6:30 a.m. The first activity on Sept. 1 is a 5K run through Minnehaha Falls Park. The run starts and ends at Minnehaha Falls, 4825 Minnehaha Ave. S. The second day, participants will bike through downtown Minneapolis and the riverfront district. The ride starts at the Stone Arch Bridge. The final event starts at Thomas Beach at Lake Calhoun. Competitors can swim, canoe or kayak across the water.

The “More to Tri” series has been organized by Mayor R.T. Rybak’s office, Meet Minneapolis, Life Time Fitness, Humana and Hoigaards.

“We

August 25, 2008
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RNC at a glance

By Jake Weyer

Overview

What: The 2008 Republican National Convention
Where: The Xcel Energy Center, 175 Kellogg Blvd.
When: Sept. 1-4.

Who

2,380 delegates
2,230 alternates
15,000 media members
25,000 family, guests, volunteers and security personnel

August 25, 2008
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RNC irreverence

By Sarah McKenzie

Lizz Winstead is bringing her New York-based comedy troupe to Minneapolis for a satirical take on the morning news

When Lizz Winstead, a Southwest native, heard the Twin Cities would be the destination for the Republican National Convention (RNC), she decided she had to take action. She wanted to create a “liberal oasis” for her friends. So during three days of the RNC, Sept. 2–4, Winstead is bringing her New York-based “Shoot the Messenger” troupe to the Parkway Theater in South Minneapolis for some comic relief. Her show “Wake Up World” is a satirical morning show that entertains a live audience with on-air and off–air vignettes from the fictional television crew. The audience will be able to take in a live view and r

August 25, 2008
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A rundown of RNC parties

By Michelle Bruch

Most of Downtown’s special events during the Republican National Convention are private or require sizable donations, but it’s still nice to know who is partying into the wee hours next door.

Ron Paul’s followers are staking out Club Jäger, for example, and Newt Gingrich hosted a documentary presentation Aug. 31 at the Hennepin Center for the Arts. Ralph Nader is at Orchestra Hall, and Google is throwing a party at the Walker Art Center.

Many states are hosting delegate luncheons Downtown at places like Brit’s Pub, a venue that will completely shut down to the public during the convention.

The 1st Precinct reports that most Downtown road closures probably won’t last more than 30 minutes, and extra staff are assigned t

September 1, 2008
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CivicFest opens today

UPDATED August 29, 2008, 9:05am

By Steve Pease

When CivicFest, a massive exhibit of both Americana and Minnesota history, opens at 9:30 a.m. today when the first of 150,000 expected patrons will step through the Convention Centers doors at 1201 2nd Ave. S.

However, only the first 5,000 will be admitted free of charge.

If you’ve ever wanted to step aboard Air Force One (well, technically it’s not Air Force One until George W. Bush is aboard), CivicFest has got you covered. Ever wanted to take a peek at ornatechina used during the Ulysses S. Grant administration? CivicFest has it. Interested in spotting a political celebrity? CivicFest just might feature it’s fair-share.

The weeklong festival will feature 35 exhibits and is being billed as having something that will cater to all ages and political bents. The “nonpartisan” exhibits will feature a smorgesboard of local and national politics and patriotism. A smattering of Minnesota-based exhibits, including a Minnesota Wall of Fame, has been erected over the last week.

August 18, 2008
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Thousands pour into Target Center to rally for Ron Paul

UPDATED September 2, 2008, 2:46pm

By Cristof Traudes

Watch video of the rally 

What are expected to be thousands of supporters of former Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul descended upon the Target Center this morning. They’re expected to stay all day for Paul’s “Rally for the Republic.”

Supporters headed toward the Center in the middle of the morning, and by 11 a.m., they were chanting loudly and inspiring passersby to honk their horns. Never mind the fact they were doing it in the cold of a never-ending drizzle.

James Gragg stood on the corner of 1st Avenue & 7th Street with goosebumped arms stretched out holding a “Dump McCain” sign. A former and current member of the Republican Party, Gragg said he hadn’t been inspired by a Republican candidate since Richard Nixon — until he heard about Paul. Presumed Republican candidate John McCain doesn’t fit his tastes.

September 1, 2008
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Sparked: Reporters’ notes from spark24 — the 24-hour party

By Cristof Traudes, Dylan Thomas, Steve Pease and Sarah McKenzie

Opening festivities

“I got lit.”

That was the -theme for spark24 — the 24-hour party that showcased the Twin Cities cultural scene the weekend before the Republican National Convention.

Mayors R.T. Rybak and Chris Coleman kicked off the festivities shortly after 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 30 in Peavey Plaza.

Rybak said they could have attracted any number of national artists to perform during the RNC, but decided with the international spotlight on the Twin Cities, they had a prime opportunity to showcase local talent.

“There isn’t another community in this country that has such a strong arts scene,” Rybak said.

Members of the Minnesota Orchestra kicked off 24-hours of music in Peavey Plaza. More than 60 other venues in Downtown featured entertainers

September 8, 2008
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CivicFest: 200 years of history under one roof

By Steve Pease

Convention week in Minneapolis featured countless parties, a veritable who’s who of Grand Old Party and protesting worlds.

But the Convention Center was home to one of the greatest private collections of political memorabilia in American history — CivicFest.

One of those collections is owned and shown by John Zweifel. To call Zweifel a collector is an understatement; he’s a patriot. The Floridian has spent the last 55 years — and upwards of $1 million — gathering a nearly unmatched cache of American political memorabilia.

September 8, 2008
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Political theater in the park

By Michelle Bruch

Delegates watched from sidewalk cafés while the oversized heads of George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld and Condoleeza Rice passed by in striped jail outfits on Nicollet Mall.

The Aug. 31 parade that wound into Loring Park was called Liberty Parade 2008, and it was designed to be a nonpartisan celebration, sort of a positive antidote to the more intense protesting expected across the river that week.

The parade marchers were charged with answering the question: “What does Liberty mean to you?”

Their answers varied from an ambling polar bear to a multi-person pedal-pub-style contraption. There were parade walkers in Guy Fawkes masks who alternated between sword fights and air guitar. There were bikes decked out to look like fish. There was an elephant hoisted onto a bicycle with painted banners that read “Forever in your debt” and “$9.6 trillion.” There was a horn band, a group of rowdy street sweepers, and a costumed Gandhi followed by a giant inflated globe.

At the parade terminus in Loring Park, a truckful of Summit beer and bands provided entertainment.

September 8, 2008
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Reflections on the RNC
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By Steve Pease

While St. Paul was a hotbed of political activity during the Republican National Convention (RNC), Downtown was transformed into a bedroom community of sorts.

A total of 50,000 police, delegates, guests and media streamed into Downtown’s Central Business District during the 39th quadrennial RNC. An estimated 90-to-95 percent of Downtown’s 6,000 hotel rooms were booked, more than doubling occupancy over Labor Day 2007.

“It’s normally a very slow time of year for us, but not with a large convention in town,” said Meet Minneapolis spokeswoman Laura McCarthy. “It was really a nice time to have a major piece of business like this; it was icing on the cake.”

Aside from hosting thousands of delegates, Downtown was also home to the majority of RNC-related events, fundraisers and parties. But because the RNC was somewhat subdued due to Hurricane Gustav, it was still unclear on the last day of the convention whether delegates would spend the estimated $150 million experts predicted.

September 15, 2008
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Neighborhood notebook: How Downtown handled the RNC

By Michelle Bruch

RNC arrests

After the delegates left town and the dust settled, police reported that Downtown tallied a total of 102 convention-related arrests, all of them following the Rage Against the Machine concert on Sept. 3.

“We had no property damage, no vandalism, no serious assaults — that was it,” said Amelia Huffman, Minneapolis’ Homicide Unit commander.

She said small protests that yielded no arrests took place outside a few delegate events, as well as the Hilton (protesting reportedly broke out as Gov. Sarah Palin’s bus pulled up) and the Minneapolis Depot (during the Sept. 2 AgNite celebration of the country’s agriculture industry).

After the Rage concert ended, Huffman said police temporarily diverted traffic away from 13,000 people leaving the Target Center and spilling into the street. When the time came to reopen the streets, Huffman said a group of people sat down at 7th Street and 2nd Avenue South and refused to honor dispersal orders to leave the area.

September 15, 2008
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Sparked: Reporters’ notes from spark24 — the 24-hour party

By Cristof Traudes, Dylan Thomas, Steve Pease and Sarah McKenzie

Opening festivities

“I got lit.”

That was the -theme for spark24 — the 24-hour party that showcased the Twin Cities cultural scene the weekend before the Republican National Convention.

Mayors R.T. Rybak and Chris Coleman kicked off the festivities shortly after 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 30 in Peavey Plaza.

Rybak said they could have attracted any number of national artists to perform during the RNC, but decided with the international spotlight on the Twin Cities, they had a prime opportunity to showcase local talent.

“There isn’t another community in this country that has such a strong arts scene,” Rybak said.

Members of the Minnesota Orchestra kicked off 24-hours of music in Peavey Plaza. More than 60 other venues in Downtown featured entertainers
for spark24.

September 15, 2008
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Read more stories about: Republican National Convention

Reflections on the RNC

By Steve Pease

While Minneapolis was a hotbed of political activity during the Republican National Convention (RNC), Downtown was transformed into a bedroom community of sorts.

A total of 50,000 police, delegates, guests and media streamed into Downtown’s Central Business District during the 39th quadrennial RNC. An estimated 90–95 percent of Downtown’s 6,000 hotel rooms were booked, more than doubling occupancy over Labor Day 2007.

“It’s normally a very slow time of year for us, but not with a large convention in town,” said Meet Minneapolis spokeswoman Laura McCarthy. “It was really a nice time to have a major piece of business like this; it was icing on the cake.”

Aside from hosting thousands of delegates, Downtown was also home to the majority of RNC-related events, fundraisers and parties. But because the RNC was somewhat subdued due to Hurricane Gustav, it was still unclear on the last day of the convention whether delegates would spend the estimated $150 million experts predicted.

September 22, 2008
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