Minneapolis Citywide WiFi Not Getting Rave Reviews

Over on the Minneapolis Issues Forum, there is a long thread (for that forum, anyway) about the Minneapolis Citywide WiFi network being built out by USI Wireless, a subsidiary of US Internet. The long and short of it seems to be that the node density needs to be at least twice what USIW has built it out to, people are frustrated with their lousy connectivity and the requirement to purchase or rent a Ruckus router/adapter, the promised Minneapolis Civic Garden is a nonstarter and folks are canceling their service.

I've been considering signing up and relieving myself of my Comcast bill, but this information doesn't encourage me to do that at this time. YMMV.

Blast from the Past: Urban Guerrillas

On the Minneapolis Issues Forum, Dean Carlson posted about a local band that he used to listen to in the mid-1980s -- Urban Guerrillas. I also witnessed some of that band's complete debauchery, with its lead singer, Larry Sahagian, regularly outdrinking most of his audience and preferring to sing table-top rather than on stage. Other stories about UGs included that they were the musical act at Highland Park High School's winter dance circa 1982 and were asked to leave mid-show due to some bad behavior.

Apparently Dean and his friend, Timmy the Freak, are trying to collect remembrances of UGs as well as any mp3s that may be out there (which would've had to have been transferred from vinyl). They've started a Myspace page (of course) for fans of UGs. So if anyone has word of what's up with the former members of UGs or any fond remembrances, get in contact via the Myspace page. There's also a post on Dean's (?) blog with some great comments about the band.

Shimmy shimmy coco-pop, y'all.

Fire Arts? Yes, We Will Have Fire Arts!

Saw a nice post on the Minneapolis Issues Forum about something called
The Chicago Avenue Fire Arts Center (CAFAC). I was pretty sure that "Fire" was a typo and that the poster meant "Fine," as in The Chicago Avenue Fine Arts Center, but NO! I was wr-wr-wr-incorrect. Turns out that the building that used to be the Nokomis Theater at 3749 Chicago Avenue South, which now houses Wreck Bros. Auto Body, will be converted into the CAFAC through Neighborhood Revitalization Plan funding and the work of committed community organizers. According to the website, it will be focused "on fine and industrial art forms that are produced by heat, spark or flame, including sculptural welding, blacksmithing, glasswork, jewelry making, electronics and others. The umbrella term for these forms is 'fire arts.'" I did not know that.

Here's where you can get involved and help make it happen:

CAFAC will be holding a fundraiser and informational event at:

Bancroft Elementary School - Old Gymnasium
1315 East 38th Street
Thursday, March 13th from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.

So, go! And get your fire arts on!