Midtown Global Market--Minneapolis

Today was the grand opening of the Midtown Global Market in Minneapolis's midtown area. The building, formerly a huge Sears, with a tower, has been reborn, in a fairly short space of time, as a mixed use development with condos, lofts, office space, and an international food court. No Burger King or Wendy's allowed--only local entrepreneurs. There is a wide range of Mexican, African, and Asian food, with a few ethnic gift shops thrown in. There were huge numbers of people, music, free flowers, and a lovely day. I hope this endeavor really takes off. You Twin Cities types may remember St. Anthony Main, the shopping center that occupied some old warehouse buildings in NE Minneapolis. It lasted about 12 years or so, after a burst of great popularity, and now rents itself out as space for artists and office--a sad comedown. The Midtown Global Market is more centrally located than St. Anthony Main,with many bus lines stopping at the door. That should give it some legs. My only hope is that it doesn't drive out the other businesses on Lake Street.

OLGS and I looked at the lofts. As such things go, they aren't horribly expensive. But they are really dark, with only corner units having more than one window. If we abandon the single family house mode of living, it will be for a place with more, not less, light.

Last bratwurst before America

Don't laugh. On the Cabo de Sao Vicente, about as far west in Portugal as you can go without being in the Azores, there's a hotdog stand. Well, a bratwurst stand, for all the German tourists that swarm around the outpost of Prince Henry the Navigator (he actually preferred other parts of the Algarve--too windy here). There are lots of poncho, sweater, and other vendors along the path to the fort, and if you say nothing, they will address you in German. And the letzte bratwurst vor Amerika is really, really,good. I haven't enjoyed one so much since OLGS took me to a Brewers game back in the dark ages, circa 1973. I believe the Brewers won that day.

Memo to Garrison re Unitarians

Hey GK,

What's with the constant Unitarian-bashing? You did it again last night, making fun of those who talk about the "journey". Frankly, I'd rather be in in the company of those who are unafraid to admit they don't have all the answers, and are not required to believe six impossible things before breakfast (sorry, Lewis). But, I, and my Unitarian co-religionists, don't bray about our distaste for your type of certainty on national radio. We don't make fun of those who recite the Nicene Creed every Sunday.

A little factoid for you. Did you know that in the 19th century, US Episcopalians and Unitarians were joined at the hip, fighting the good fight against sabbatarianism, prohibitionism, evangelicalism, and the other movements that, then and now, threaten the fabric of our republic? Perhaps if we spent our energies doing that now, together, rather than making fun of each other on the national airwaves, there might be a little traction in the struggle against those whose stated desire is to turn us into a theocracy. A theocracy would not be good for you. It would not be good for those who think they want it.

So, next time you have a cute little joke about a Unitarian walking into a bar, try to resist. So-called liberal Christians are even more endangered than Unitarians, though they don't yet know it. They might be the target of a new generation of radio show gurus. Think about it.