DFL Education Foundation

We Need Your Help!

Know good speakers? We need your help! Don Ostrom has done yeoman work finding good speakers to populate our 3rd Thursday downtown conversation, but he's looking to step down. Could you step in? If you have some good ideas for speakers and can make a few phone calls, we'll do the rest! Contact Us if you are interested. And thanks!

Preview (2/13): David Gee of Minnesota Business

FEBRUARY 13 Publishing and Business Trends with Minnesota Business editor David Gee Saturday, Feb 13 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM Gardens of Salonica 19 5th St NE, Minneapolis (map) David Gee is the Executive Editor of Minnesota Business magazine and Principal at strategic communications firm G-Force Communications. David, on the heels of the recent bankruptcy of Morris Communications, is sharing concerns he has about reading trends, the viability of journalism and the challenges of covering business trends while the publishing industry is simultaneously under siege. He can also take questions and share anecdotes on the business environment in Minnesota. See some of his recent articles at minnesotabusiness.com: Winds of Change - Juhl Wind is helping rural Minnesota generate a multi-million dollar cash crop. Ethics Epicenter - Local ethics pioneers are driving the corporate ethics conversation around the community, the country and beyond. *** Only 3 blocks north up E. Hennepin Avenue (County Road 52) from our old meeting place, and a half block west. As usual, invite anyone interested--free and open to the public. Come, buy your coffee (the law is you can't bring food or drinks into a restaurant), learn a lot and have your questions ready.

Caucuses in Minnesota

It is Caucus time in Minnesota.  Regardless of political affiliation Minnesotans across the State will meet tomorrow to express preferences for candidates, pass resolutions to platforms, elect delegates, and shake hands with neighbors.  Some will stay home because, in the words of Jack Paar, "voting only encourages them."  Regardless of your choice tomorrow, party choice or abstaining, do it because it's a political statement, and not because you're overly concerned with Gibbs and Zeva.  

Check out the below information if you don't know where to go.

The Republican Party at 651-222-0022 or http://mngop.com/inner.asp?z=16

The Independence Party at 651-487-9700 or http://www.independenceminnesota.org

The Green Party at 651-288-2820 or http://www.mngreens.org/caucus2010

The DFL Party at 651-293-1200 or http://www.dflcaucuses.org/

Not going is a choice too, but do it because you don't want "to encourage them" and not because you're apathetic.

Jeremy Wieland

Representative Loeffler on what to do with Taxes

Rep. Diane Loeffler came to Stone Arch to talk taxes.  More specifically, throw out what you think you know about taxes and look at them differently.  Are there really dumb taxes we should cut?  Sure.  Are there taxes that we could look at raising?  Sure.  Point is, government spending evolves and it's something we should look at.  Why should my Abelour A'bunadh be immune from tax increases (by the way, wine and beer are taxed even more lightly) when when people are talking about putting a tax on my socks?  It's all here.

Check it out by clicking here.

This podcast is brought to you by The DFL Education Foundation and iDream.tv.

Posted by Jeremy Wieland, a constituent of Rep. Loeffler, and a big fan of Abelour A'Abunadh.

Preview (1/9): Rep. Diane Loeffler

Saturday, January 9
8 to 9:30 AM
Gardens of Salonica
19 N. E. 5th St., Minneapolis (map)

Rep. Diane Loeffler is an Assistant Majority Leader in the state House of Representatives and a health policy analyst and planner for Hennepin County. She'll be addressing the Stone Arch group in January.

See her voting history on major issues at MPR's Votetracker.

Invite anyone interested, come, buy your coffee--the law is you can't bring food or drinks into a restaurant--and join the discussion. And if you're looking for holiday gifts, Iric will have books for sale at an author's discount.

Iric Nathanson on Minneapolis in the 20th century

The Downtown Discussion Group hosted historian Iric Nathanson, appropriately speaking about his new book, Minneapolis in the 20th Century: The Growth of An American City. 

Click here to listen to the history of Minneapolis.

This pod cast is produced by The DFL Education Foundation and iDream.tv.

John Kaul, a progressive lobbyist's insight into 2010

In November the Stone Arch Discussion Group welcomed John Kaul, a prominent progressive lobbyist, to discuss the 2010 legislative session and probable tensions between the Governor and the Legislature.  Though not hopeful, feeling that the Governor, and Minnesota Republicans in general, are intransigent on their positions, his insights into the history and dynamics of Minnesota Government are exciting, and entertaining.

Click here to listen to John Kaul

This podcast is produced by The DFL Education Foundation and iDream.tv.

Preview (12/12): Minneapolis in the 20th Century: The Growth of An American City

Saturday, December 12
8 to 9:30 AM
Gardens of Salonica
19 N. E. 5th St., Minneapolis (map)

"From civic corruption, anti-Semitism and racial tension to the rebirth of downtown, the riverfront and rail transit..."  

A former community organizer, congressional aide, and city development agency employee, Iric Nathanson is also a good historian and great story teller.  His new book, "Minneapolis in the 20th Century: The Growth of An American City," was just published by the Minnesota Historical Society Press.  His talk will focus on how downtown Minneapolis responded to the challenge of suburban development in the second half of the 20th century.

For more in Iric:

• See coverage of his new book in the Star Tribune here.
• See an article by Iric on the failure of the Minneapolis charter amendment at Minnpost.com

Invite anyone interested, come, buy your coffee--the law is you can't bring food or drinks into a restaurant--and join the discussion. And if you're looking for holiday gifts, Iric will have books for sale at an author's discount.

Preview (11/14): A Progressive Lobbyist's Preview of the 2010 Legislative Session

Saturday, November 14
8 to 9:30 AM
Gardens of Salonica
19 N. E. 5th St., Minneapolis (map)

John Kaul of Capital Gains, Inc. will provide a preview of the 2010 session, the last with Gov. Tim Pawlenty.  A longtime student of the Minnesota legislature and progressive politics, and once Senator Nick Coleman's chief of staff, Mr Kaul is
also a filmmaker. 

As usual, invite anyone interested--free and open to the public. Come, buy your coffee, learn a lot and have your questions ready.

Preview (11/12): Minneapolis in the 20th Century

Thursday, November 12
12:00-1:00 PM
Fredrikson & Byron law firm, 200 S. 6th Street
40th floor, Minnetonka Room (map)

Update 11/5: See coverage of his new book in the Star Tribune here.

Update 11/6: See an article by Iric on the failure of the Minneapolis charter amendment at Minnpost.com

Iric Nathanson, a long-time political activist and community development official, has published many articles in recent years on Minneapolis political history.  In November his new book, "Minneapolis in the 20th Century: The Growth of An American City," will be published by the Minnesota Historical Society Press.  His talk, with the first public presentation of his book, will focus on how downtown Minneapolis responded to the challenge of suburban development in the second half of the 20th century.

This event is free and open to the public. Join us with your brown bag lunch for this fascinating conversation (drinks provided).

Preview (11/8): Reclaiming Fairness in Minnesota

Did you know the poorest Minnesotans have a tax rate three times higher than the richest?  Hear Rep. Ann Lenczewski's far-reaching proposals that would restore fairness and stability to Minnesota's tax system. 

Sunday, November 8
2:30-4:00 PM
St. Louis Park City Hall, 3rd Floor - map

Followed by Q and A moderated by Dane Smith, President, Growth and Justice.

Light refreshments will be served.

BACKGROUND -- House Republican Representative Pat Garafalo accused House members voting for the 2009 legislative tax package of riding "shotgun on the Pogiemobile." He was wrong. The surprise compromise tax omnibus bill was really the brainchild of House Taxes Committee Chair Ann Lenczewski.