Out and about thanks to no snow and ice

Donald L. Hammen

I’m sitting in front of my computer’s equivalent of a blank page with a deadline approaching. What to do with this blank page. It appears I am going to do something. I have already written 59 words of a 750-word column. As long as I write what I’m thinking, learning and experiencing in my life as an elder I should be OK. I told one of you the other day it feels like this column is about me being out and about, just me and my walker, with no snow and ice creating an unsafe path.

I’m now up to 128 words. Out and about to where? I’m quite certain I know the answer. It’s Minnehaha Food Shelf, Mercado Central, and Soup for You Cafe. Lakewood Cemetery for next month. If you have read this far you have taken the plunge into the river(flow) of life experiences that is Stories and Journeys. I now know that there will be a column.

MINNEHAHA FOOD SHELF VISIT AND DONATION
It’s March 17. Metro Mobility is transporting me. I have been wanting to make this visit for a long time. I show up with the donation of some sweet potatoes, a check and a question that has been on my mind. That question is: has the impact of ICE caused some people to stay away? The answer from staff is yes.

MERCADO CENTRAL ON LAKE STREET
It’s March 30. Transportation provided by Tim Mungavin, Greater Longfellow resident and chairperson of the Minneapolis Regional Retirees Council(AFL-CIO) Democracy Action Committee.

I had read a feature article in the Minnesota Star Tribune containing a photo of Iric Nathanson, Greater Longfellow resident and contributing writer to TMC Publications standing in the front door of Mercado Central. It was a story about how he organized a group to go there to support immigrant businesses.

I began to wonder if I could be part of such an action when it was announced that a group of Minneapolis Area Retiree Council members was forming to shop, dine and learn at Mercado Central. I signed up. Our primary organizer and guide was David Dorn, an Uptown resident, MRRC member and avid supporter and volunteer in the operation of Mercado Central.

SOUP FOR YOU CAFE AT HOLY TRINITY LUTHERAN
April 15. Transportation by Metro Transit. I arrived at the church expecting to participate in a class put on through Longfellow Seward Healthy Seniors. Turned out class had been rescheduled. A volunteer with Soup for You Cafe showed up. He invited me to come back when the Soup for You Cafe opened at noon.

I did return. I went through the process of being a Soup for You diner. The longer I stayed, the more I found myself experiencing flashbacks to my days being a patron and sometime volunteer waiter at a place called St. Martins Table. The head chef that I remember was Chef

Judah. Turns out that Chef Judah is the founder of Soup for You Cafe.
So, I ask you dear reader. Were any of these three visits acts of protest and resistance? Tell yourself, tell others or tell me via tesha@tmcpub.com

NO SNOW AND ICE GRATITUDE, RETURN OF FRIEND
Gratitude for my neighbor Peter Jaueret and his son Ian. Participants in the Longfellow Community Council volunteer shoveling program back for a second year removing snow from my walks. I need folks like Peter and Ian to help me age in place. Thank you.

Return of a friend I know by the name of pain – mostly lumbar and cervical spine stenosis related to go along with my seasonal allergies.

ELDER VOICES (TELLING OUR STORIES/SHARING OUR JOURNEYS).
I will be at Fireroast Café (3800-37th Ave.S.), 10-11a.m. Fridays April 24 and May 22. I will be exploring the following southwest venues: Tao Organic Café (2200 Hennepin Ave. S.), Namaste Café (2512 Hennepin Ave. S.) and Turtle Bread (4752 Chicago Ave.). Exact days yet to be determined. Look for the table with the Elder Voices sign.

I have now written 750 words. Time to submit the draft of this column with gratitude for you reading.

Donald L. Hammen is a longtime south Minneapolis resident, and serves on the All Elders United for Justice Board of Directors.