Preparing for Trick-or-Treaters

5 PM: Jenise puts up last-minute decorations to welcome the incoming hordes of treat seekers.

Photo: Francesca Davis DiPiazza

Climbing Wall

 The owner gave us an impromptu tour of the  new climbing place, Vertical Endeavors,
 going in on the Nicollet alley, near 26th St.  Opening Nov. 12

Photo: Marz Haney

Phillips' Namesake

In this time of Occupy Wall Street, it might be interesting to recall activists of former times.

Phillips Neighborhood, for instance, is named for activist Wendell Phillips (1811–1884, click to link to Wikipedia). 

Here he is, pictured below. [Candy corn frame, for this Halloween weekend, courtesy of free photo editing site picnik.com.]

Phillips worked for Native American and women's rights and for the abolition of slavery.

 Phillips said:

"Revolutions are not made: they come. A revolution is as natural a 

growth as an oak. It comes out of the past. Its foundations are laid far back."

Photograph taken between 1853 and 1860 by famous Civil War photographer Matthew Brady;
from the Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division (click for link).

Post by Francesca Davis DiPiazza

Ghouls and Dolls

I think Halloween is great fun, a chance for all of us to be kids again.  I reaally enjoy looking at how people decorate their houses and yards.  This one shows off severed hand, foot and head.

Photo: Jo Ann Musumeci

Guerrilla Knitting: Hot Tea & Cupcakes

 

Some local examples of street art that is called, variously, knit graffiti, yarn bombing, or guerrilla knitting.

LEFT: Yarn tag from the HOTTEA Project, on 22nd St. near Lyndale Ave.
RIGHT: "Cupcake," Unknown Artist, on 26th St. near Blaisdell Ave.

Yarn artist "Hot Tea" says of his work [click here for full interview]:

"I have always been close with my grandmother and have always had a spiritual connection with her. She taught me how to knit at a very early age. The HOTTEA project’s foundation are my relationships with the people closest to me which is why I began using yarn. 
I pulled from my cherished childhood memories to create the meaning behind the project and was inspired by the medium. I am very shy and non-confrontational which is why I wanted to project to be non-destructive as well to stay out of legal trouble."

Photos: Francesca Davis DiPiazza

impressionistic tree

There is something about the blur and the color which appeals to me, there are still a wide range of leaf colours, some green some yellow and some red. Some trees are looking a bit bare. Tis the season.

Photo: Michael Wright

Seafood Always Fresh

These ocean creatures seem to be ready for Halloween, dressed in their everyday outfits.

Photo: Jo Ann Musumeci

Christmas in California

Photo: Marz Haney

Nest of Leaves

What made this nest, birds or wind?  Can you tell?

By: Nadine

Cherry

 Vacant lot at 26th and Lyndale Ave. S.

Photo: Marz Haney

Flying witch

Where's she off to now?  Maybe your  house will be next.  Be ready for Halloween fun.

Photo:  Jo Ann Musumeci

Name the Place?

Can you tell where I took this photo?

Photo: Francesca Davis DiPiazza

Will build to suit.

Waiting for better days on Lyndale.



Photo: Michael Wright 

My Secret Garden

I don't remember how I found this garden squeezed in behind these buildings.  I like to go back to look at it from time to time to see how it has changed with the seasons.

Photo: Jo Ann Musumeci

Nite Lites

Shooting a flick on 28th and Lyndale Ave. S. (Note performer at right.)

Photo: Francesca Davis DiPiazza

plastic crystal

OK, so it is inside, but I liked the finest chandelier that plastic can create.

Photo: Michael Wright  

Trapped by Cat

I've not been keeping up with my weekly pix because this cat is holding me prisoner in nearby CARAG neighborhood.
Luckily I am kept well supplied with reading materials.

(In other words, I'm housesitting.)

Photo: Francesca Davis DiPiazza

Renovation In Progress

This building at 109 26th St. is being renovated.  It was constructed in 1887.  Walk by it to see the artisan-created, tooled-in-metal design over the entrance--original with the building.

Photo:  Jo Ann Musumeci

Reading on the Bus

Going up Lake Street on the #21 bus, somewhere in Phillips neighborhood.

Photo: Francesca Davis DiPiazza

ooh, shiny!

Windy days in the fall lead to big gutters of leaves, but this shiny Kymco was quite cheering.

Photo: Michael Wright 

Ghost Mansion

 Fair Oaks, the W. D. Washburn residence, as it looked in 1886 in the location that is now Fair Oaks Park.  The house was donated to the Minneapolis Park Board in 1912, after W.D. died;  It bacame too expensive to maintain and was razed in 1924.  It seems so sad that such a magnificent building wasn't saved.  Fortunately, other residences around the park from that era are still in use and preserve the grandeur of the young city of Minneapolis.

Photo of the W.D. Washburn residence, courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society.

Photo compositie: Jo Ann Musumeci

On the Phone

Construction worker on Nicollet Ave. S.
Photo: Marz Haney

Hard Changes

This tree seems to be at war with itself; half of it wants to go back to summer and half of it is putting itself whole-heartedly into fall!

By: Nadine

barbers, bus, bloomington

A speedy bus blurs past the barbers on Bloomington.

Photo: Michael Wright 

Old Arizona Up Close

Old Arizona sign; this is a funky restaurant which has a patio and a theater space.  It's at the corner of 29th and Nicollet.

Photo: Jo Ann Musumeci

12+ months to go...

The presidential elections are more than one year away, but campaigns are already in swing.

Photo: Francesca Davis DiPiazza

Yellow

Buses and trees outside Whittier IB School.



Photo: Michael Wright  

Just Breathe Mural

Perfect message for this incredible fall weather:  Just Breathe.  The building is for sale or lease.  

Photo: Jo Ann Musumeci

Mapps Coffee

Mapps coffee shop in Midtown Global Market
Photo: Francesca Davis DiPiazza

Autumn Moon

This fall moon looks gorgeous behind the golden leaves on this tree.

By:Nadine

The wedge

Everyone welcome every day.

Photo: Michael Wright