Round The Way Girl Joins Bob Davis-Podcast 630

Neighbors and friends for years. In today’s world that means family. Round The Way Girl joins the Bob Davis Podcasts to talk about life challenges. I get a street slang lesson. We talk about the new HBO Bernie Madoff movie and more. In Round The Way Girl Joins Bob Davis-Podcast 630.

Bde Maka Say What?

Let’s put the madness in Washington on hold, drink some coffee and talk. Round The Way Girl and I wonder at the new bizarre name for the main urban lake in Minneapolis. Both of us conclude people will never say, “Meet me at Bde Maka Ska”, they’ll just say, “Meet you at Calhoun”, no matter what the official name may be.

Prince Stole My Motorcycle

Whether it is Round The Way Girl’s recent adventure, when we get together a single podcast barely scratches the surface. We talk about my Prince dream, our television viewing habits and the kids playing soccer in the park next door. She tells stories about me I have long forgotten. That’s the whole point of having a neighbor and friend who knows you. In Round The Way Girl Joins Bob Davis-Podcast 630.

It’s called Having A Conversation

Before social media, twenty four hour cable news, people shouting at each other and constant provocations there was a thing called the art of conversation. Talking about nothing and yet everything. This is how people used to share the challenges of their life. To learn from others. To have fun in the evening, or anytime. Maybe even tell each other secret fears or triumphs.

Red Flag!

When I was a kid, my mom’s best friend did not have a phone. When she wanted to come over for coffee, or have my mom over, she would run a red flag up their flag pole. That’s how two friends knew it was coffee time.  At least these days we have text messaging. “Getting back from Yoga about 8:30. Come on over we’ll do a podcast!”. That’s what started Round The Way Girl Joins Bob Davis-Podcast 630.

Round The Way Girl Never Disappoints

We’re having an incredible May in the upper midwest. 2 weeks ago it was snowing. Now it’s in the 80’s and the trees full. Birds are singing. Suddenly the latest machinations on cable news and talk radio have started to fade. Of course they’ll be back. For the time being, though, it’s nice to just sit down, drink some coffee and have some fun.

Sponsored by Ryan Plumbing and Heating of Saint Paul.

Round The Way Girl Joins Bob Davis-Podcast 630

 

 

Podcast 185

Gentrification. A walk through Uptown Minneapolis on a Saturday night. What used to be a bohemian hipster paradise is lousy with 1 percenters. How Uptown was, when it changed, how it changed and what it is like now. Share memories of the Uptown Punks, the run down houses, the Port Arthur, Vonns, The Uptown Bar, Uptown diner, the Rainbow, and the beginnings of the changes in Uptown; Calhoun Square. Sure the people in the neighborhoods wanted a little more vibrant business district, but did they get more than they bargained for? Do government tax breaks, zoning laws, ‘affordable housing’ initiatives, light rail help, or hurt a neighborhood? Sure there are a lot of twenty somethings coming to the bars, and packing in roommates in the expensive new apartments, but what happens when millennials start families? Will they be able to afford houses in Uptown? Minneapolis leads the nation in gentrification; when wealthier residents and businesses pushing out middle and lower middle class businesses and residents. Moreover, tax increases to provide the tax breaks and special deals to get those expensive condos and rental apartments built means residents of the city of Minneapolis pay more, whether it is a carrot cake and coffee at a trendy cafe, or groceries. It’s no secret Minneapolis has one of the most progressive governments in the United States. Are the goals of progressives being met when the 99 percent has to move to cheaper suburbs, and the one percent moves into their old neighborhoods? And yes, I keep calling it ‘regentrification’ but it is in fact, gentrification. Sponsored by X Government Cars. Cover photo art courtesy of Mitch Rossow.