Friday, July 31, 2009

Free Speech Friday, And A Photo That Is "One For The Ages"

Photo By John Hoff, hookers by tree

A few days ago, Dennis "DW" Wagner and Deb Wagner planted flowers where Logan Ave. N. meets 27th, where there is a great view of the Jordan Pond. As I snapped a picture of "Double Dee Double U" planting flowers with hookers visible in the background, I said to myself, "Now there's a picture for the ages, when the history of NoMi is written about how we completely turned this place around."

I thought it was a fine image for the "free speech thread." If you have something to say, feel free to add comments below.

Oh, in case you're playing Where's Waldo, the two (alleged) hookers and their (suspected) pimp are at the base of the middle tree.

(Do not click "Read More")

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

These two ARE what's good in and about NOMI. Deb & Dennis have given more of themselves over the last 20+ years to this community than any other two people that I know of.

Anonymous said...

That's two guy's and a lady you dumb ass jerk! Who da fuck do you get off on by calling people Hookers.

If anybody is a pimp, your broke ass is a Pimp!

You need to go find you a fucking Job!

I can't wait to get a hold of your public records, you fucking coward!

Anonymous said...

That is a great photo! I have a random N MPLS comment for today. One of the things I love about N MPLS, but seems to be so undervalued, is the river frontage. S MPLS makes a big deal about their lakes - however, I find the river in N MPLS to be fascinating. Lakes are pretty, but rivers have movement and have deeper connections with history and travel - the imagination. I just read the entire Above the Falls Master Plan. This should be required reading for everyone on the Northside. Some really cool visionary stuff! I also found a blog of a guy named Mike Anderson (CleanUptheRiver.com) who reminds me of the "ecological" version of JNS. While you are cleaning up the neighborhoods, this guy has been a loner, hands on, renegade, cleaner upper of the river. It is interesting how the river has been neglected, abused, undervalued, and overlooked - just as the neighborhood has. Mike Anderson has video of going in the river to remove all sorts of crazy, random debris from the river's neglected and abused industrial past. What the river holds also is very telling of the history of crime on the Northside as well. He has found no less than 10 safes or lock boxes that were dumped into the river - some with bullet holes through them! I found out over the Acquatennial that there were even water ski shows Over North along the River front. NoMi should do more to claim, promote, and connect with the river front. It truly is a treasure!

Anonymous said...

I know Denny loves him some free speech!!!! It's good times in NoMi...

Anonymous said...

Hey Anon @ July 31, 2009 10:49 PM your angry message trigger by thug-hugging alert!! And, why would you be soooo offended by calling the prostitutes hookers? Do you support you the local hookers?Also, doesn't seem logical that one that is "broke ass" would also be a "Pimp" -- seems oxymoronic -- you know, like Jumbo Shrimp.

DLW said...

JNS, You missed Carolyn as one of the flower planters. She and her husband Bruce are missionaries that spend ~ 1/2 the year preaching out side the country and the other 1/2 preaching inside, they have been a great addition to NOMI. J&A&A as well as A&Y&CC have been donating significant amounts of water to help get the flowers up and blooming.

Anonymous said...

I doubt they are hookers and Johns. Moore than likely they're just having a neighborhood meeting.......

Johnny Northside said...

DLW, No I haven't missed her. I'm going to get more pictures up, don't worry.

Anonymous said...

Speaking of free speech, I'm surprised so few people have commented on the NMTF post. Was it perhaps too boring? Or are folks concerned about yet another Jerry Moore/Jill Clark lawsuit?

And I should point out that the lead article online for Insight News is titled, "Transformation: Time to Move Beyond Change." The article itself isn't half bad. But the title...oh my is it terrible. I feel stupider every time I think of those words in that sequence.

Anonymous said...

anon 11:46 said:

"Speaking of free speech, I'm surprised so few people have commented on the NMTF post. Was it perhaps too boring? Or are folks concerned about yet another Jerry Moore/Jill Clark lawsuit?

And I should point out that the lead article online for Insight News is titled, "Transformation: Time to Move Beyond Change." The article itself isn't half bad. But the title...oh my is it terrible. I feel stupider every time I think of those words in that sequence."


Maybe, just maybe the "neighbors" are focused on issues that typically relate to a neighborhood, like quality of life, crime prevention, livability. It might amaze you if you tried it sometime.

Anonymous said...

@anon 3:42

The reason I'm staying anonymous is because I made a negative statement about Jerry Moore and Jill Clark, and despite my confidence that I would ultimately be victorious, I do not want to waste my time and money on a lawsuit of my own.

I contend, however, that the abject failure and outright dysfunction of the NMTF *IS* a neighborhood and livability issue. If north Minneapolis were to do a better job of marketing itself, we'd have more houses filled with new owner-occupants, who would then shop at our businesses; those businesses would have a higher profile and be more profitable, and those two factors combined would give our neighborhood more political clout without needing to rely on the social services model that too many people want to cling to.

If you knew who I was, you would not accuse me of a lack of focus on neighborhood livability issues. Or wait...I think I know who YOU are, and if I'm right, that's EXACTLY what you would do.