Minneapolis, MN
Counterpoint | My response to the ‘Precarious State’ critics
Then there is the “not my problem” theme. “I live in the suburbs” or “greater Minnesota” so Minneapolis is not my problem. We saw this in Aaron Brown’s column, in which he did a “what about my issues” for greater Minnesota (“We do live in ‘A Precarious State,’ but place-baiting won’t solve that,” Oct. 8). Greater Minnesota has serious issues, too, and deserves a documentary just like the metro area, except there is only so much time in one documentary.
But most concerning is what former legislator Pat Garofalo called the “strategy of denial.” Brown’s column reflected this — how he strolled safely from the University of Minnesota’s Twin Cities campus to downtown Minneapolis. Eric Roper did a column for the Star Tribune (“Doomsday docs aside, Mpls.’ lush urbanity makes it a special place”) that literally talked about walking down a passageway of sunflowers in Minneapolis. With a picture of sunflowers and sunshine. He said:
“I’ll be biking up a protected bike lane and whiz past charming homes near quaint clusters of small businesses. I’ll be running around the lake and see sailboats framed beneath the downtown skyline. I’ll be at the annual alley dance party with my neighbors, a little toasted.”
The message was clear. Minneapolis has “lush urbanity,” not the crime and decline shown in the documentary. Well, only if you read through the literal picture of sunshine and flowers, then the picture of beautiful, well-maintained homes, then past the picture of happy people at a street festival, then pictures of joyous people wandering around downtown on a warm Saturday night, and then past the people lounging by the river did you get to the picture of drug dealers, people passed out on the street, trash, filth and garbage right on his protected bike lane. My friend in the Phillips neighborhood understood the real message – what is happening in your part of the city doesn’t matter because it isn’t what I experience. This was mirrored by many commenters from Minneapolis.
You see the same strategy of denial from columnist Evan Ramstad in the Star Tribune (“Crime isn’t our biggest problem,” Oct. 17). First, Ramstad brings up the question of who funded the documentary. Then he notes it has gone viral in business and right-leaning circles. Apparently he thinks moderates and the left are not watching it, which is depressing if true, because the issues in the documentary are real.
Crime is the one issue Ramstad talks about. He states:
Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis salon mixes rock and roll with haircuts: Inside HiFi Hair and Records
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – A Minneapolis salon is turning heads by mixing rock and roll with haircuts, creating a one-of-a-kind experience for music lovers.
A salon where music and haircuts go hand in hand
What we know:
HiFi Hair and Records sits on the edge of downtown Minneapolis, marked by a leopard print awning and a vibe that’s all about community through music.
“I tried to model it after a barbershop,” said Jonny Clifford, owner of the salon.
Clifford opened the shop in 2011, inspired by his father who introduced him to music and was battling terminal cancer at the time.
The salon brings together the hum of blow dryers and the sounds of rock and roll, with Clifford saying, “Music is the uniter. Most everyone who is alive today grew up on rock and roll.”
He added a record store the following year, letting customers browse new and used vinyl and CDs while waiting for their appointment.
“I jokingly refer to it as the coolest waiting room in the city,” said Clifford.
The shop is filled with memorabilia from music legends like Elvis, David Bowie and The Monkees. There’s even a wall dedicated to Minnesota’s local music scene.
Clifford said, “We’ve got Bobby V who I think never gets enough credit for his contributions to music in Minnesota.”
Clifford’s journey from punk haircuts to community hub
Why you should care:
Clifford started cutting hair in the early 1980s because he and his friends in southwest Minneapolis couldn’t afford the punk haircuts they wanted.
Now, he not only looks the part—”Ronny Wood, Jeff Beck, Keith Richards, I’m always like old Keith Richards or young Keith Richards”—but he helps others feel like rock stars too.
“People are like make me look like a rock star and that is sort of a universal term right. Everyone wants to look like a rock star,” said Clifford.
His goal is simple:
“If I can make a living and raise my family, pay my bills, have a business and be a part of a community, that is important to me. I win. That’s everything,” said Clifford.
He is passionate about giving a boost to local musicians, saying, “I think they need it more. I love Lady Gaga and The Rolling Stones, but they are doing fine. Our local people haven’t made it national yet. They could use a voice. They could use a boost, and they need to be heard.”
The salon’s rhythm is all about joy, music and community, and Clifford plans to keep it going.
“Til I kick over. I’ll probably be back standing behind the chair. And someone will complain I didn’t finish their haircut,” said Clifford.
HiFi Hair and Records continues to be a place where music and style meet, giving Minnesota’s music scene a little extra volume.
Minneapolis, MN
Edina shooting leaves 1 dead, suspects on run
EDINA, Minn. (FOX 9) – A deadly shooting in Edina sparked a massive police response and forced a lockdown at nearby businesses at Southdale Mall on Wednesday as police are searching for the suspects.
Deadly Edina shooting
What we know:
Edina police responded around 12:30 p.m. to the report of a shooting along West 66th Street near Southdale Mall.
At the scene, officers found one victim with a gunshot wound. Officers tried to revive the victim but say they ultimately died from their wounds.
Local perspective:
Police say the suspects ran from the scene. As a precaution, they advised nearby businesses to go into lockdown. FOX 9 learned that MHealth Fairview also went into lockdown procedures as a precaution.
Aerial video from the scene showed the investigation appeared to be focused around an apartment building across from the mall. Police say the apartment building is described as a transitional housing.
Avoid the area
Big picture view:
Police are asking the public to avoid the area as the investigation is underway. Officers have blocked off West 66th for the time being.
Police say they are looking for more than one suspect involved in the shooting.
What we don’t know:
Police say some people were taken into custody at the scene but it’s unclear what their role was in relation to the shooting.
Law enforcement near the 3300 block of W. 66th Street in Edina. (FOX 9)
Minneapolis, MN
Ellison, Minneapolis, St. Paul update lawsuit against Operation Metro Surge with new data
(ABC 6 News) – Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and Minneapolis and Saint Paul updated their lawsuit over Operation Metro Surge with new survey data on economic harm.
Researchers at the University of California San Diego conducted two surveys tied to the amended lawsuit. The lawsuit says the federal operation violated the Constitution and caused lasting economic damage.
The first survey was done between February and March and included nearly 1,400 residents. It found workers lost more than $240 million in wages during the operation.
A separate newly released survey of about 900 businesses found more than $600 million in lost revenue. The updated lawsuit from Keith Ellison and the cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul adds that new data to its claims.
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