When’s the Last Time You Went for a Nice Ride?

With the unseasonably warm weather we have been enjoying come all kinds of perks.  The lilacs are already in full bloom, BBQ grills are already blazing and every bike trail is completely ready for heavy traffic.  That means it is also the perfect time for Nice Ride to announce their springtime promotion!

In addition to their beginning the season with the announcement of the rewards program – giving users savings opportunities at local merchants – they are holding a daily drawing May 14 – 27, 2012 for individuals subscribing during that period.

If that isn’t cool enough you will also be one of the legions of new and returning users of this innovative program that has drawn international attention.  Nice ride’s slogan is “Grab summer by the handlebars” to which I add and get rid of YOUR love handles.

 

The cost of the regular subscription is $65 and for students it is $55.  If you enroll during the promotional period you will earn a chance of one of many cool prizes AND get a nice ride shirt (a $40 value)!

If you have not already subscribed, hang on until the 14th but do it before the 27th in order to be entered in the drawing.  Super secret bonus day is May 26!  If you sign up on that day you are entered into TWO drawings.

Let’s take that for a ride!

Love & Peace,

Margie

Minnesotans react to Obama’s support for marriage equality

Political leaders in Minnesota reacted to President Obama’s statements in support of marriage equality on Wednesday.

In an interview with ABC, Obama said: “I have to tell you that over the course of several years as I have talked to friends and family and neighbors when I think about members of my own staff who are in incredibly committed monogamous relationships, same-sex relationships, who are raising kids together, when I think about those soldiers or airmen or marines or sailors who are out there fighting on my behalf and yet feel constrained, even now that Don’t Ask Don’t Tell is gone, because they are not able to commit themselves in a marriage, at a certain point I’ve just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same sex couples should be able to get married.” … Continue Reading

CeCe McDonald takes plea bargain

CeCe McDonald, a transgender woman of color who was on trial for the murder of a man who allegedly attacked her, took a plea bargain on Wednesday morning to second degree manslaughter. McDonald was accused of killing Dean Schmitz, a man who had a swastika tattoo on his chest and who witnesses say called McDonald racist and transphobic slurs.

Dozens of McDonald’s supporters, clad in purple, showed up for McDonald’s hearings. Sobbing broke out in the gallery as the judge announced the plea. McDonald herself cried as she took the stand to accept the plea. McDonald insisted that she was protecting herself. … Continue Reading

William Mitchell College of Law staff vote to oppose marriage amendment

William Mitchell College of Law faculty voted on Wednesday to oppose a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage which will be on the ballot in November. In an email to faculty, staff and students, Eric Janus, Vice Dean of the school, the resolution was passed by a “substantial majority” of the faculty.

“As you may have heard, this morning the Faculty of William Mitchell adopted a resolution opposing the proposed amendment to the Minnesota Constitution that would constitutionally define marriage as between one man and one woman (That definition is currently state law in Minnesota.)” wrote Janus. “While some Faculty members opposed the resolution, the resolution passed by a substantial majority of the Faculty.

Janus was careful to explain that the resolution is not the college’s stance on the issue, just the faculty’s.

“The faculty resolution expresses the sentiment that adoption of the constitutional amendment might hinder the school’s ability to maintain our culture with respect to LGBT employees and students,” wrote Janus. “Equally as important is our bedrock principle of academic freedom and freedom of expression. The Faculty’s vote does not establish or express an official position of the college on marriage, and every single one of our employees and students remains free to adopt and express her or his own views on the subject of marriage.”

The resolution includes a statement acknowledging that some members of the William Mithcell community may disagree.

“Many people of good faith support [the] Amendment [defining marriage as between one man and one woman], including some co-workers, students, and alumni, and they have every right to do so.”

The resolution can be viewed here.

Comic book pushes for marriage equality in Minnesota

Non-profit [MN]Love and micro-publisher 2D Cloud have teamed up on a comic book called Little Heart in the hopes it will help usher in marriage equality to Minnesota.

“This project was spawned by the very urgent need to fight the 2012 referendum that seeks to instill discrimination and hate in the Minnesota state constitution,” the groups said in a statement. “Since Little Heart’s inception, the project has grown. The reason for the growth is that the issue itself is bigger than Minnesota. Which is why we have enlisted artists across the US, Canada, and a small sampling of international artists.” … Continue Reading

Energy Savings

The Bolt side of the Eagle/Bolt complex is about to show its true colors tonight when they reveal the new lighting concept of the energy efficient LED programmable overhead bulbs.  The lights – no less than carnival inspired – are both a cost savings and a curious addition to the popular night spot of many a fabulous queer!

As if that is not enough of a reveal… They are also debuting a new element in the Bolt Underground for tonight’s event benefiting Mr. Mpls Eagle | Derek Harley in an event featuring carnival games and HOT men.

 

Warm days, HOT men… what’s not to love about Minneapolis and our current scene!

 

St. Louis Park City Council votes to oppose anti-gay marriage amendment

St. Louis Park joined Minneapolis, St. Paul and Duluth on Monday when the city council voted in favor of a resolution against the anti-gay marriage amendment slated for the 2012 ballot. Every citizen speaking before the council supported the measure and every city council member voted in favor of it.

And they spoke eloquently about why the anti-gay marriage amendment is wrong. … Continue Reading

Maggie’s coming to Owatonna: NOM leader to rally support for anti-gay marriage amendment

The National Organization for Marriage’s Maggie Gallagher will be in Owatonna on Sunday, Mar. 4 to give a talk called “Defending Marriage in an Age of Confusion.”

According to the announcement in the Rochester Post-Bulletin, “NOM played a role in persuading Minnesota to pass a marriage amendment, bringing the issue to voters in 2012.” … Continue Reading

Is it any Wonder?

When it comes to an eye for the dramatic, Mark Durkop certainly has it.  Owner and creative mind behind The Event Dynamic Durkop is the most recent draft into The Saloon’s desire to keep fresh and bring amazing new energy into a club scene that has a lot of competition.  Ever since Facebook and the overnight development of every aspiring event organizer having a virtually free promotion pass, the day of driving the cattle to an event has been a bit more challenging.  Enter Durkop with a fresh approach of not simply staging an event – but transforming a space and bringing attendees to a different world entirely.  A few months back The Saloon hired Durkop to transform the entire bar complex into a Big Top with circus acts and raucous fun.  Tonight the same complex will be brought to life as Wonder – a sort of adult spin on the Lewis Carroll  favorite of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. … Continue Reading

Minneapolis ELCA opposes marriage amendment

The Minneapolis Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) voted on Friday to oppose the anti-gay marriage constitutional amendment slated for the ballot in Minnesota on Nov. 6. The synod is one of the largest in the country representing 160 churches and about 190,000 baptized members. … Continue Reading