I recently visited Reno, Nevada to write an article for Urban Land magazine. I was quite impressed with the city, particularly its downtown and recent development along the Truckee River there. Read the article here. Reno Article Read about Las Vegas, Reno and a host of other topics in this months Urban Land, found at www.uli.org. While you are at it, consider joining the Urban Land Institute.

I love airplanes. I grew up under a glidepath to the Minneapolis St. Paul Airport, so planes have always been in my blood (and ears). I’m a complete geek about it, I freely admit. When a plane goes over, my fellow south Minneapolitans cover their ears and curse, while I gaze up and try to read the plane’s registration number. As a kid playing tee-ball, I spent more time looking up at flying planes than at flying baseballs. I suppose that’s why they put me in the outfield – less chance of getting hurt out there. I have had good…

Due to a recent tussle with the city of Minneapolis, Tillie’s Bean, my local coffeeshop no longer offers live music at night, and consequently is starting to close earlier on weekends. This is unfortunate for music performers and the neighborhood in general, as it takes away evening activity and “eyes on the street” along 38th Street, and also takes away a critical element of a valued “third place” in our neighborhood. The city requires an annual $400 licensing fee for venues that offer live entertainment. This may seem like chump change, but for a coffeehouse with small capacity that has…