Thursday, May 16, 2013
Gov. Mark Dayton’s signature Tuesday didn’t end the heated debate around same-sex marriage.
Whatever side of the debate you fall on, there’s no denying that this week’s passage of a bill legalizing same-sex marriage was a historical moment. Minnesota became just the 12th state to sanction gay marriage when Gov. Mark Dayton signed the bill Tuesday. Patch readers quickly wrote in to share their thoughts on the moment. Eagan Patch reader Kathi Malone echoed the view of legislators who voted yes in seeing same-sex marriage as a civil right: I am so happy that finally gay people will be able to have the civil right to marry. This is truly an American vote for freedom. I applaud Sen Clausen and all other legislators who voted for this historical bill. James N added: Thank you Senator Carlson and the entire MN legislature for extending …
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
‘Today, I’m prouder than ever to call Minnesota home,’ the 5th District congressman said.
Fifth district Rep. Keith Ellison applauded Minnesota for becoming the 12th state in the country to legalize same-sex marriage. The Democratic congressman released the following statement Tuesday shortly after Gov. Mark Dayton signed the bill into law: Today, I’m prouder than ever to call Minnesota home. Last fall, the people of Minnesota stood against discrimination for loving, same-sex couples. Our representatives in the state responded. Today is a great day for those who know love makes a marriage. Once again, equality has found a home in Minnesota. The law will take affect Aug. 1.
Saturday, May 11, 2013
The 2013 fishing season in Minnesota includes a several fishing events in the Three Rivers Park District.
Information provided by the Three Rivers Park District. Fly Fishing Basics for Women Get the tools to master fishing techniques from instructors. Learn beginning casting techniques and how to choose proper flies. 6-8 p.m. Thursday, May 16 at Silverwood Park in St. Anthony and Bryant Lake Regional Park in Eden Prairie. Free. Restricted to participants age 10 and older. Sponsored by Take Me Fishing. Reservations required. Fly Fishing Basics Get the tools to master fishing techniques from our instructors and be sure your time on the water is well spent. Learn beginning casting techniques and how to choose proper flies. 6-8 p.m. Monday, May 20 at Lake Minnetonka Regional Park in Minnetrista and Coon Rapids Regional Dam in Brooklyn Park. Free…
Sunday, May 5, 2013
The state dropped two spots in the League of American Bicyclists’ annual rankings.
(Editor's Note: The map above was created by the League of American Bicyclists.) Minnesota is still among the top states in “bike friendliness,” but its ranking fell a couple notches in 2013, according to the League of American Bicyclists. The state was ranked fourth this year, down from second in 2012. It ranked high in legislation and enforcement, policies and programs and education and encouragement. But it was middle of the pack in infrastructure and funding and lower tier in evaluation and planning. Minnesota was also missing three of the league’s “Top 10 Signs of Success: Use the map above to see how Minnesota compares to other states in the various categories. Do you think Minnesota needs to do more to support cycling? Share your …
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Two explosions occurred the afternoon of Monday, April 15, 2013 near the marathon finish line on Boylston Street in Boston, MA.
During the Boston Marathon April 15, two explosions occurred near the finish line—killing three and injuring more than 100 people, according to a report from Fenway-Kenmore Patch. Among the 23,000 runners at the annual race were approximately 500 Minnesota residents, according to StarTribune.com. Here is what some of the runners shared about the incident and their experience. Click on the headline to read the full story. Roseville Runner: Boston Marathon Bombings "Surreal" Eric Kronback said he thought the two explosions were cannons. Blocks Away from Boston Marathon Explosions: Lake Elmo Woman Recounts 'A War Zone' “All of a sudden I heard two huge blasts—and everything went silent," Chris Hess-Withbroe said from her Boston hotel room …
Monday, April 8, 2013
Snow will start following in earnest Wednesday night.
(Updated 8:14 a.m. April 9 to show that the National Weather Service had upgraded the winter storm watch to a winter storm warning.) *** The Twin Cities office of the National Weather Service on Tuesday declared a winter storm warning for much of west central and central Minnesota, including Hennepin and Anoka counties. A winter storm warning means “significant amounts of snow, sleet are ice are expected or occuring.” The warning is in effect until 1 p.m. Thursday Some parts of the west central Minnesota could see six to 12 inches of snow fall between Tuesday morning and Thursday morning, according to the National Weather Service. In the west metro, the forecast calls for rain until Tuesday night, when ice will start accumulating. One to …
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Did you know there are hidden treasures (caches) at local parks?
Whether you go solo or as a family, geocaching is one way to get outdoors at local parks – and find a small prize at the end. The treasure hunt is initiated when an individual hides a cache—normally a waterproof container with small items inside—and records its location with a GPS unit, according to Three Rivers Park District. The coordinates are then entered on a geocaching website, such as those shared by Minnesota Geocaching Association website. The Three Rivers Park District website states parks with caches include Baker Park Reserve, North Mississippi Regional Park, Bryant Lake Regional Park, Gale Woods Farm, Lake Minnetonka Regional Park, Lake Rebecca Park Reserve, Hyland Lake Park Reserve, Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve, Fish Lake …
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
A windchill of minus 10 on the first day of spring. Have you considered moving out of state to get away from this climate?
It's 5 degrees above zero on the first day of spring—10 degrees below zero if you count wind chill. Why do you live in Minnesota again? Today is the vernal equinox, when the Earth decides which end it wants to tip toward the sun. Why do our chances of being warm again seem less than 50-50? Spring has sprung, but the climate seems to have sprung a gasket. It's the coldest it's been this late in the season since 1996. Why haven't you moved someplace warm yet? Watch the video above, titled Why We're Here: Twin Cities. It was shot two years ago—entirely in the summer. Coincidence? Leave a comment below and share five good reasons you still live in Minnesota—one reason for each degree above zero this morning.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
As some school districts struggle with budget reductions, elementary music programs might be the first areas cut.
It has become a common scenario across many Twin City school districts. No passage of an operating levy in November equals a spring of budget reductions. Some school boards have been considering cutting some of the music programs out of their district offerings. A recommendation in District 834 to cut fifth- and sixth-grade instrumental music programs to save $300,000 if a November levy doesn’t pass brought criticism from the Stillwater Area High School Orchestra Director. “The elementary cost center’s suggestion appears disingenuous and may lack the integrity that the Stillwater community expects from its schools and from its School Board,” Stillwater Area High School Orchestra Director Jerry Jones said. “This elimination looks as …
Friday, February 22, 2013
Minnesota is among a number of states considering legalizing the growth of industrial hemp.
A pair of Minnesota legislators teamed up this week to introduce a bipartisan bill aimed at creating an industrial hemp production industry in the state. Reps. Phyllis Kahn (DFL-Minneapolis) and Mary Franson (R-Alexandria) introduced HF 736—also known as the "Industrial Hemp Development Act"—which aims to develop the use of industrial hemp to "improve the state's economy and agricultural vitality." Industrial hemp, as defined in the legislation, includes all parts and varieties of the plant Cannabis sativa L containing less than three-tenths percent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Hemp plants can be used to create fabrics, plastics, paper, ropes and other merchandise. While it's perfectly legal to own, purchase or sell hemp products in the U.S…
Dan Johnson
7:21 pm on Thursday, May 23, 2013
Anti-gay prejudice is taught early in life before the ability to think critically is developed. That makes assimilation of new and conflicting information difficult, though it can be done. Many have changed their understanding of gay people and positive change continues, though all gay people have lived their entire lives waiting for equal treatment under the law as promised in the founding … more ›