Get Minneapolis biking directions, now in Google Maps!

You can now chart your biking route in Google Maps. No longer must you calculate your trip, from here to there, on the oppressive automobile roads. Although incomplete, the bike map for Minneapolis is looking great. After the flood waters recede, I'm ready for a good long ride! Bike strong Minneapolis!

Profoundly Historic Artist Home Threatened By Corrupt "Development" Practices

The historic home of Pauline Fjelde, creator of the Minnesota state flag, is being threatened with demolition.
A mindless "developer" thinks he needs the space for parking, even though the entire Minneapolis community is against this action and the proposed store will likely go out of business, being that the huge Midtown Global shopping market is only 2 blocks away.

I'd like to use this space to show a visual study of the area.

Please click the button above to explore this photosynth!

Update Christmas eve 2009. The developer somehow scammed his way into an emergency demolition order and destroyed the house, along with a trunk full of important historic artifacts, still inside.

Video by Johnny Northside

R.I.P BUNGE

Rest in peace BUNGE Silos. (Or more accurately, unrest in pieces)
GOOGLE EARTH PLACEMARK
Housing redevelopment - PPL is planning to remove all of the hazardous materials from the site in March. They will then begin the demolition of the silos parallel to 12th Ave SE in April. This demolition will last for approximately two or three months. The next step will be to start construction on the road, the sewer and the first building in July of 2007. That building will take about one year to complete.

Our neighboors to the west

GeoNews views will have to go out of state, to bring you this report.
It seems our neighboors in North Dakota have obtained the world record for most snow angels ever created!
I took an image and tryed to make an overlay, but it's unprofessional. Still it's sort of cool.....

ALMOST 9000 SNOW ANGELS AT THE CAPITAL OF N.D

Al Franken for Minnesota Senate

MINNEAPOLIS -- Comedian Al Franken said Wednesday he will run for U.S. Senate in 2008, confirming his long-suspected plans to seek the Democratic nomination to challenge Republican Sen. Norm Coleman.

Franken's announcement came on the final day of his radio show on Air America. The former "Saturday Night Live" performer's celebrity instantly makes him a heavyweight contender and brings national attention to the Minnesota race.

POINTS OF INTEREST (Google Earth)
Albert Lea
Saint Louis Park
Minnesota State Capital

Boundry Waters Forest Fires now LARGEST IN HISTORY

Here is a firemap of the area currently burning in northren Minnesota. It is a truly huge fire consuming near 15,000 acres at last estimate. It has grown to become the largest fire in the history of Minnesota.

Wcco News
Pioneer Press
Kare News

Body found in Lake Minnetonka

MINNEAPOLIS - Police are investigating an apparent drowning after a body was found in Lake Minnetonka this afternoon.
(story)

Downtown landmark Peter’s Grill closes

Peter’s Grill, a vintage Minneapolis restaurant that has been a downtown institution since 1914, has closed, the apparent victim of financial problems.
(story)

New Guthrie Open for YOU!

The world class new Guthrie on the riverfront is now open for business.

It has been open for a few weeks as the city enjoys wonderfull firworks displays of the summer and awaits the seasons first production, The Great Gatsby.

Wild Thing Jumps Track

Out at Valleyfair, Minnesotas tallest coaster, "Wild Thing", glitched out just in time for the busy summer season. No fatalities, but much pain.

New Sports Stadiums approved for Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS -- State lawmakers gave final approval at 5.am Sunday to finance an open-air stadium for the Twins, and University of Minnesota football team.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty said he plans to sign the bill, possibly at a Twins game this week.

A new $522-million Twins ballpark, paid for mostly by taxpayers, is scheduled to open in 2010.

The 42,000-seat stadium is earmarked for the west edge of downtown Minneapolis.

Minneapolis' New Library Opens

Feel like time traveling back to the old library??

The NEW ONE opens in the morning.

"It's one of the best libraries I've ever seen in my life," Brett says. "It's got so many book selections and it's probably got a set of every book I've ever wanted to read."

"It's so different," Layla says. "Usually any library you go to they don't have these kind of things so this is what will make people want to come. I'd love to come here."

Grand Opening footage

Art-A-Whril 2006

It's Art-A-Whirl time again! All this weekend there will be open studios, live music and fun events permeating North East Minneapolis.

The North East Arts District is ground zero for most of the activities. Here is a map overlay to open in GE.

There are more events outside the district(but the map is huge).

Check NEMAA for more information.

Welcome to Geo News Views!

On this site you will find Google Earth placemarks relevant to local current events in the Twin Citys.

I had the idea last night, to create this new media approach to watching the news. Now you can fly around the city and SEE WHERE as well as what, is going on. This seems to provide a whole new perspective which I think is very cool.

Hopefully I can keep it up to date with news feeds from mnspeak, KSTP, WCCO, KARE, and every other source I can utilize.

Enjoy!
R.Rolfe