Reading the Highland Villager #25 (October 27 - November 9 Edition)

[Basically the problem is that the best source of Saint Paul streets & sidewalks news is the Highland Villager, a very fine and historical newspaper. This wouldn't be a problem, except that its not available online. You basically have to live in or frequent Saint Paul to read it. That's why I'm reading the Highland Villager so that you don't have to. Until this newspaper goes online, sidewalk information must be set free.]

Total # of articles about sidewalks: 3
Total # of articles about sidewalks written by Jane McClure*: 2

Headline: St. Paul drafts plan for a more cost-effective parks system
Reporter: Jane McClure

Short short version: An overview of some new plan for how to run the city parks. The plan involves "saving an estimated $20M over the next 20 years" and probably means cutting funding for a few buildings, including demolishing the Duluth-Case and Hayden Heights rec centers on the East Side, and privatizing the Conway and McDonough Rec Centers on the East Side and North End, respectively. The article also mentions the idea of adding parks along the Central Corridor line, and a new ice rink at Phalen Park. [The article doesn't mention the State LGA cuts that undoubtedly prompted this cutback. -Ed.]


Headline: Burgers and bowling: Nook reopens renovated RanHam
Reporter: Frank Jossi

Short short version: Piece about the re-opening of the [awesome] Ran-Ham lanes, in the basement of the complex at Randolph and Hamline (under the Nook and Kopplin's). Has some detail about how there will be better beer now, and that they hope people come bowl there. Also the hours will be more consistent. [It would be very difficult to be less consistent. The article doesn't interview the old owners. It would have been nice to do so. -Ed.]


Headline: Volley of objections launched over UST tennis court project
Reporter: Jane McClure

Short short version: [Pun alert!] Piece about how neighbors really don't like the UST plan to cut down trees and replace them with tennis courts. [This is a follow up to last issue's article on the same subject, but w/out much new detail. -Ed.]

* The hardest working woman in local Saint Paul journalism.