Podcasts about town

In this era of user-generated content and multi-media marketing, it's no surprise that tourism bureaus are turning to online videos and podcasts to market their destinations. Meet Minneapolis has produced a series of short videos about various aspects of the city--things to see and do, shopping, food and drink. Several of these videos are hosted by really interesting individuals, like fashion designer Katherine Gerdes and food critic/TV show host Andrew Zimmern and they give viewers a glimpse into why the city and the state are cool destinations. They've also uploaded footage from national programs where Minneapolis is getting its props (e.g. the Chambers Hotel on the Today Show)

The site also has a couple of audio podcasts, but this is where I think there could be some real upgrades. Go Philadelphia--the web arm of the tourism bureau--has this amazing program called "SoundAboutPhilly." As the website says:

"SoundAboutPhilly is a new series of free, customizable sound-seeing tours told by "real" Philadelphians. The stories are accompanied by dynamic mapping, audio, text and vivid photography that provide a more intimate illustration of Philadelphia and can help you find your way around once you arrive. Concentrated on insider, lesser-known Philadelphia experiences, SoundAboutPhilly combines interesting tales, fun facts and lively music to tell not only stories from the city's rich past, but also its vibrant present."

How cool is that? It's like having your own hipster insider taking you to neighborhoods that you'd probably never find on your own! Even if you don't care about Philadephia, check out the website to see how cool these podcasts are. We definitely need this for Minneapolis-St. Paul!

A park...there?!?!

This summer, I was walking home from the Midway YMCA and noticed official-looking brown signs along a strip of grass on the north side of University Avenue that said "Park hours sunrise to 10PM..." I looked around trying to figure out where on earth this park was. Turns out, I'm not the first person to be confused. University United provides some history of this swath of greenspace:

"Dickerman Park is a linear green space on the north side of University Avenue in St. Paul, between Fairview Avenue and Aldine Street. It was donated to the City in 1909 by the Dickerman Investment Company and Griggs, Cooper and Company at a time when University Avenue was envisioned to become a grand landscaped boulevard. Because it has the appearance of private property, many people in the surrounding community are unaware that this plot of land is a City-owned park. It abuts the Griggs Midway Building; Midway Family YMCA; Metro Sound and Lighting; Community Learning Centers Building; and Marsden Maintenance/American Security."

Right now, there's not a lot to do there,....watch cars go by on University, have a picnic and feel like you're trespassing. There's also not a lot to look at as you pass by on University Avenue either. In 2004 or so, University United partnered with the Minneapolis-based landscape architecture firm Coen + Partners and the photographer Wing Young Huie (who I wrote about last month), to develop a design plan for the park. There are some interesting ideas in it, but it's not clear that anything is happening any time soon...so for now, as you cruise down University, you can tell surprised passengers "hey, you see that lawn in front of that building? That's a city park!"

Image: University United

Neighborhood Cafes: The Great Third Place

The "third place" (i.e. the place that is neither your home nor your job, but a gathering spot where you like to hang out) was popularized in Ray Oldenburg's 1999, The Great Good Place: Cafes, Coffee Shops, Bookstores, Bars, Hair Salons, and Other Hangouts at the Heart of a Community.

Cafes are surely my favorite third place since I love coffee, like to freeload WiFi, and enjoy a change of scenery every now and again. Since moving to St. Paul, I've discovered some great little cafes tucked right into residential neighborhoods. My current favorites include:

J & S Bean Factory
-- Hamline Midway location @ Thomas and Hamline
-- Highland location on Randolph just off of Snelling

Java Train-- in the Como Park neighborhood on Pascal, just north of Midway Parkway.

Swede Hollow Cafe -- in the Swede Hollow/Dayton's Bluff neighborhood on East 7th.

Nina's Coffee Cafe (pictured above)--in the Cathedral Hill neighborhood on Selby @ Western.

Jerabek's on the Westside is on my list to check out ASAP-- but I haven't made it there yet. Readers, what are your favorite St. Paul and Minneapolis coffee shops?

Image: Allen Zumach photo art.

Most Literate Cities in the US: Minneapolis #1 and St. Paul #3

It seems like someone is ranking some facet of city-life every other day, but I thought it was nice to see our lovely cities ranked for their bookishness (only Seattle squeaked in between them!) With our great libraries, two fairly strong newspapers, and independent booksellers like Micawbers, Common Good Books, Magers & Quinn, and Wild Rumpus I guess it's no surprise that we get some quality reading in! Oh yeah, and the winters too. See the rankings and the story here.

Image: Country Mouse Minnesota Daily Photographs, see: http://countrymouse.blogharbor.com/blog

MK's 5 Twin Cities New Year Resolutions

If I had perhaps a bit more time and energy, these "resolutions" might be more than the simple dreams they are now...but sometimes, putting pen to paper (or keystrokes to screen), breathes reality into fantasy.

1) Invite and secure affirmative RSVP from Calvin Trillin on invitation to sample the culinary delights of University, Franklin, and Central Avenues. Determine whether or not St. Paul's version of the Bahn mi sandwich can live up to others that he has eaten.

2) Find an arts group interested in turning the smooth white and curvy former Midway Chevrolet building into an installation arts space like the Mattress Factory in Pittsburgh.

3) Help start a real estate company that is focused on bringing small commercial/office tenants (e.g. a mix of small businesses and sole proprietors looking for a studio/office) into small, cool spaces with the goal of revitalizing neighborhoods. The Cool Space Locator model is a good one!

4) Explore the city neighborhoods that I don't know at all (e.g St. Paul's neighborhoods east of 35E and North Minneapolis), take photos and write about them. [All the while convincing the toddler that this is great use of her time!!]

5) Through this blog and by more intensive means, show the world how great it is to live in the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul!

Image: Leithauser Condominium Lofts, 800 E. 3rd, St. Paul. Robert Roscoe, archictect, who specializes in historic renovations and traditional infill buildings. See his projects at: http://www.designforpreservation.com/index.html

Roadside America

Since I am in the land of big things and roadside attractions (these links really are things that are less than 2-miles from me at the moment)--I thought I'd let folks know about some of the advances one of my favorite vacation planning websites has developed. Roadside America--the online guide to offbeat tourist attractions--now has a city version. Check out the Minneapolis-St. Paul area's local curiosities. Surely there must be more than this?!? Calling all kitsch-finders--give Roadside American more MSP material!

Merry Christmas, Y'all.

The MN Baileys are headed south to spend Christmas with the Texas Baileys. If you celebrate the holiday, have a merry one. I'll be back online late next week.

Image: thefrenchknot.com