The Star Tribune's Changing Headlines
Jim Foti of the Star Tribune quoted me in a story today about the I-35W Bridge redesign, Debate begins: Elegant simplicity or uninspired slab?.
Aaron Landry of Minneapolis said his first reaction was that the state was replacing "a structurally deficient bridge with an aesthetically deficient one," but his views softened Tuesday after he visited the Minnesota Department of Transportation website and checked out the designs that didn't win. "Out of the choices, this is the best one," he said.People who follow me on Twitter heard the same quote a couple days ago. While what I said might be harsh, it was honestly my first reaction when the design was released. Since I've taken more time to look at it, my opinion has changed a bit. In my conversation with the Star Tribune I mentioned a few things that I almost wish would have gotten published instead. For example, one of the main feelings I get when looking at the bridge design now is that it's a simple, strong-looking bridge. Jim Foti joked with me that hey, if it looks strong, it must be strong! Honestly, I think that makes a big impact with people's impressions considering the circumstances. It's a strong-looking bridge! I also spent a bunch of time talking about the lighting. If you look at the full proposal (88mb PDF) you can see a rendering of it at dusk with a nice blue glow to it. I suggested that under the bridge the lighting could be changing or moving, joking that if it took example of from the lighting atop of the Target Headquarters building, perhaps it and the bridge could talk to one another through the night. I thought about it a bit more and realized it may not be a bad idea. Perhaps it could be pulled off in an decent and artful manner without it being obnoxious. It's one of the few bridge locations where a creative lighting solution like that would be appropriate. Of course, this would only be on the underside of the bridge as to not distract motorists. I think it could be a relatively inexpensive, appropriate and unique way to make our new bridge augment our cityscape at night. What do you think?
Dear Par, We at the Daily Mole were saddened to hear of your abrupt exit from the Newspaper of the Twin Cities this morning. We can only hope it spells an end to the scorn and mockery you have endured in your time of trial. People can be so judgmental. Especially judges. As your friends have no doubt pointed out, sometimes the best thing one can do with such adversity is to turn the page. In that spirit, we want to be the first to offer you a chance at clearing the slate and earning back your good name. (And make no mistake: Ridder, under normal circumstances, is a very good name.) We're talking work. A job. And by "job," I mean unpaid internship. If you will agree to sell advertising for the Daily Mole for a period of six months, gratis, we will pledge to consider hiring you full-time. As a Daily Mole intern, your perks would include a desk (with chair), access to a telephone, and a whole box of business cards. You would need a laptop computer of your own, but we assume that's not an issue. Courage! Best wishes, The Mole PeopleConsidering he's on a year long vacation from the Star Tribune publisher position I think he should take it.
City Pages: MPLS police administer tear gas, beat down cyclists in Loring Park
WCCO: 19 Arrested In Minneapolis Bicycle Protest Flickr: Minneapolis Critical Mass Photoset capthek: View from above Star Tribune: 19 bicyclists arrested after rally turns into melee YouTube: Adepter's Videos [via] UPDATE Sept 1: Steve Marsh was there and sums it up. The one big thing I think people are really missing about this story is that this might be more about this than it is about Critical Mass. They, the bloggers and media are all giving CM a bad rap. I think this whole story might be more about the pReNC who decided to join up with CM this time around. Check out Michelle Gross' email after visiting those who were arrested. UPDATE Sept 3: Well, maybe I was on the right track. Jason DeRusha writes:Heather Brown is working on a story for our news at six, looking at the Republican Welcoming Committee group of anti-RNC protestors. Of all the 19 arrested, about half are connected to that protest group, not Critical Mass. Too bad for CM. It seems that some outsiders are tarnishing a group of people who love riding, and are out for a monthly good time.
MinnPost.com will offer exclusive front-page news stories as well as “posts," a new format in which professional journalists engage in an informal conversation with readers about what they're learning and what to make of it. Posts will be a bit like blogs, but unlike many blogs, they will be built around original reporting – not just opinions or links to other people’s work. MinnPost.com, which will publish Monday through Friday, also will offer daily roundups providing perspective on metro, state, national and international news, stories from selected content partners (currently under discussion), commentary from community leaders and experts, and comment from and involvement of readers.--Joel Kramer's Announcement this morning as relayed by Brian Lambert. (Now on minnpost.com/news) I'm not excited. I don't see yet how this is going to be all that different than startribune.com or twincities.com. It quacks like a newspaper "gone online but a little different." What would separate this from MPR ramping up their local news site, hiring a few of these journalists and throwing in a little of their "new media initiative" magic fairy dust for a little citizen-involvement twist?
