The Angler
Lots of community news to report this month, beginning with an idea for readers looking to spread some holiday cheer. Brian Monroe, a well-known member of the Cedar-Riverside and Hard Times Café communities, and his two daughters, Marcy Open students Claudia and Annika, were the recipients of proceeds raised at a benefit on Nov. 11 at the Bedlam Theatre, 1501 S. 6th St. The event was organized by Monroe’s friends and colleagues to help him out after a very tough year during which Claudia and Annika’s mother Karlyn Rosa died and Monroe was diagnosed with cancer of the tongue. In addition, the Hard Times Café, Monroe’s main source of income, has been closed by the city, pending renovations.
The family-friendly event featuring music, food, raffles and a silent auction drew the largest crowd yet to Bedlam’s new space, and a substantial (though undisclosed) sum of money was raised to help the Monroes. Still, the family could use additional help, and donations are being taken at Associated Bank, 1801 Riverside Ave. You may also contact Miki Takata, the event’s main organizer, at 612-724-7028 or by email at miki.takata.shiatsu@gmail.com
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On the subject of the Bedlam Theatre, congratulations to Maren Ward, co-artistic director of the theater, who was recently awarded a $25,000 McKnight Theater Artist Fellowship. Ward has extensive directing credits, including “West Bank Story,” a neighborhood collaboration about the Cedar-Riverside community.
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Congratulations also to Michael Sommers, co-founder with wife Sue Haas of the Open Eye Figure Theater, for receiving a $50,000 artistic fellowship from United States Artists. Sommers, a University of Minnesota professor whose work explores myths through puppetry and music, traveled to Los Angeles with Haas to receive the award on Nov. 17.
The Open Eye Figure Theater recently moved into a permanent home at 506 E. 24th St., though many people in Bridgeland neighborhoods have enjoyed the group’s community performances during their annual Driveway Tour.
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Congratulations to Prospect Park resident Jean Emmons, who received the 2007 Adult Volunteer Recognition Award from the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board for her work at Luxton Park. Emmons received her award at the board’s annual recognition banquet on Nov. 13. Lee Hibbard received the award, as well, for his work at Van Cleve Park.
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With the start of winter, it’s time for ice skating, which you can do with friends and neighbors at the R&R Social Club’s December gathering on Wed., Dec. 5, from 5:30–9 p.m. at the Minneapolis Depot ice rink. Discounted admission of $5 for adults and $3 for kids gets you open skating, free skate rental and free appetizers (there will also be a cash bar). Instructors from the Figure Skating Club of Minneapolis will offer free skating lessons, and skaters from the club will perform a short exhibition. For more information, go to www.rrsocialclub.org.
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Marcy Open School will be holding an all-school photography show on Thurs., Dec. 13, featuring a framed photograph by every one of Marcy’s approximately 660 students, whom professional photographer Usry Alleyne has been teaching the art of photography. The theme for the photographs is “I Can Change the World.” While you’re there, enjoy a snack from the French Café, which middle-school students will be hosting to raise money for their spring trip to French Camp at Concordia Language Village.
Speaking of changing the world, Marcy was set to host Hoops of Hope on Dec. 1 (as this issue hit the streets) Participants plan to shoot 6,000 free throws and raise $2,500 towards the construction of a clinic to test and treat children and their families with HIV/ AIDS in Sinazongwe, Zambia.
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Congratulations to the Marcy boys’ flag football team and the girls’ volleyball team, which each won the city championship title. Cheers also for the Marcy chess teams, which took first place in the city for grades 4–6 and third place in the K–3 division.
South High School is celebrating the success of its girls’ swimming and diving team, which upset a strong St. Paul Central team to win the Twin City Championship for the fifth year in a row. Great job, Tigers!
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There’s a new addition to the Bridgeland restaurant scene: the Red Stag Supper Club opened on Nov. 19 at 509 NE First St. The restaurant is the latest venture of innovative restaurateur Kim Bartmann, of Uptown’s Café Barbette and the Bryant-Lake Bowl, and it will be the first LEED-certified restaurant in the Twin Cities. LEED stands for “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design,” and it is the benchmark standard for the construction and operation of “green” buildings. The Red Stag’s chef is Bill Baskin, formerly of Cosmos, who has put together a menu of contemporary supper-club fare, including casseroles, meat and game, sandwiches, salads, and Sunday brunch.
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Prospect Park resident and ceramic artist Susan Warner is busy with two projects. The first is her annual open house and sale, to be held on Sat., Dec. 8, noon–6 p.m. at her Seward studio, Mississippi Mud Works, 2600 31st Ave. S. Along with great gifts, the open house will feature glass-blowing demonstrations throughout the day. Warner’s second project is a giant mosaic travel postcard, which she is working on for the state’s sesquicentennial celebration. Warner says she plans to get as many people as possible throughout the state to help create the giant postcard, which is expected to be installed on a building on the State Fair grounds.
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Finally, a big welcome to two new little members of the Bridgeland community. Adele Violet Feinberg arrived on Oct. 2, the daughter of Greg and Sarah Feinberg, who deliver The Bridge to our Southeast-area drop sites each month. And on Nov. 11, James De Sota, director of the Southeast Como Improvement Association, and Caitlin Carroll welcomed son Eamon Ray, who arrived hale and hearty at 10 lbs., 3 oz. Best wishes to the new parents!
If you have community news you’d like to share, please contact Linda Lincoln at lmlincoln@comcast.net or call 612-379-4301.
last revised: December 17, 2007