Monday, October 31, 2011

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

Sunday, October 30, 2011

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

Saturday, October 29, 2011

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

Friday, October 28, 2011

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

Thursday, October 27, 2011

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

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

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

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Seafood Always Fresh

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

Photo: Jo Ann Musumeci

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Friday, October 21, 2011

Flying witch

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

Photo:  Jo Ann Musumeci

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

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

Monday, October 17, 2011

Nite Lites


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

Photo: Francesca Davis DiPiazza

Sunday, October 16, 2011

plastic crystal

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

Photo: Michael Wright  

Saturday, October 15, 2011

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

Friday, October 14, 2011

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

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Reading on the Bus


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

Photo: Francesca Davis DiPiazza

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

ooh, shiny!

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

Photo: Michael Wright