Avenue Magazine

TR ANSPORTING YOU FROM POINT A TO WHERE YOU WANT TO BE

FALL 2008

REBUILDING TRUST The 35W bridge has been rebuilt, but some drivers are taking it slow

NORTH AMERICAN CRUDE Flint Hills Resources has cleaned up its reputation in Minnesota, but is there more to refine?

TAKE A RIDE

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Scenic drives around the Cities by season

PLUS

Fashion forward looks for every mode of transportation

AVENUE MAGAZINE Fall 2008 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jessie Houlihan

MANAGING EDITORS Ashley Kirscht Andrea Wagenknecht

ART DIRECTORS Karina Holtz Denise Rath

SENIOR EDITORS

ASSOCIATE EDITORS Justine Gilbertson Megan Exl Brynn Baker Katelyn Latawiec Jennifer Brook

STAFF WRITERS Colin Barnes-Driscoll Stephanie Bennett

ASSISTANT ART DIRECTORS Joan Seah Leah Theorin

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Srijon Chowdhury

WEBMASTER Andrew Zoellner

WEB EDITORS Kelly Stolpa Lauren Olson

WEB WRITERS Sarah Arendt Candice Dehnbostel THANK YOU

Avenue would like the thank the University of Minnesota’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Elizabeth Larsen, Jeanne Schact, Scott Dierks, Wally Swanson and Al Tims. This publication is made possible by the generosity of the Milton L. Kaplan Memorial Fund.

A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Amidst the busyness of our lives it’s easy to forget about the transportation choices we make. We settle into a routine of driving, biking, walking or busing ourselves from home to school or work and back again. The process becomes mundane until something catches our attention, like the I-35W bridge collapsing into the Mississippi River. Suddenly, the impact of our decisions becomes stunningly important. Avenue magazine seeks to inform our readers about all aspects of their commuting and travel options and we encourage you to be an active part of the ever-growing culture of movement. On August 1, 2007, the I-35 W bridge fell. As the world turned their eyes to our city, we struggled to understand the safety of our infrastructure. For many of us who weren’t victims of the collapse, continuing to use and trust bridges was less of an issue. Unfortunately, for those who were on the bridge that infamous day, regaining confidence in their daily commute has been a major obstacle. Avenue associate editor Justine Gilbertson interviewed some of the I-35 W collapse victims for her article “Rebuilding Trust” on page 24. Seventy percent of the gas used in the Twin Cities region is supplied by crude oil refineries in the suburbs. The biggest refinery is owned by Flint Hills Resources, which has had a dirty environmental history in the state and country. In the past several years they’ve cleaned up their reputation, but is there more that should be done? Avenue staff writer Stephanie Bennett dug up some interesting facts on Flint Hills Resources in her article “North American Crude” on page 10. While transportation is often about getting somewhere efficiently and conveniently, travel is often about the pleasure of the journey. Avenue associate editor Brynn Baker researched the best scenic drives in the Twin Cities metro area for her article on page 6. Be sure to read about the seasonal routes she planned and follow her instructions for enjoying the area’s nature and rich local culture. With fuel costs seesawing as a result of the economic crisis and the constraints of global climate change, transportation policy needs our urgent attention. Solutions must be found that create equity among train, public transit and airplane users, pedestrians, car commuters, and bicyclists with an emphasis on local resources and sustainability. Obviously the complexity of the system requires a multi-pronged solution. Avenue magazine strives to provide relevant information so that our readers can better understand the diversity in options. Despite our political affiliation or opinions, we all need to get places. You may not be interested in every one of our articles or agree with some of the content, but I hope in reading our publication you learn a little about your fellow commuter and the past, present, and future of transportation. Sincerely,

Jessie Houlihan Editor-In-Chief

COVER: DENISE RATH, PHOTO; THIS PAGE: JESSIE HOULIHAN, SUBMIT TED PHOTO

Hilary Dickinson Mandee Hayes Megan Kadrmas Katie Christian Kelsey Fjestad

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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POLITICS 2

On the Move: Transportation News

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Road rules What you didn’t learn in driver’s ed.

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Driving while distracted Texting behind the wheel spells disaster.

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TRAVEL 5

Trail time

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Got an hour, a day, or a weekend to spare? Spend it winding through the best of Minnesota’s bike paths.

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Flying cheap

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Scenic drives by season

ENVIRONMENT 8

Car sharing gains speed

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Baby, you can drive my car Test-driving the new breed of hybrid and electric vehicles. 32

FEATURES 10

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North American crude Flint Hills Resources has cleaned up its reputation in Minnesota, but is there more to refine?

CULTURE

Pedaling prosperity

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Fashion to fit your every move.

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Traveling tunes

Wheeling and dealing

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Bus etiquette

Making the most of our commutes.

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Rebuilding trust

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Voluntourism Why people are traveling for a cause.

Party bus Leave your keys at home and take our public transportation pub crawl.

The 35W bridge has been rebuilt, but some drivers are taking it slow.

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From the catwalk to the crosswalk

Despite the weather, Twin Cities bikers take to the streets in record numbers.

HEALTH 40

Driving Miss Crazy How rush hour became stress hour.

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Healthy motion Transporting you to an active and safe commute.

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Fast but healthy food

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On the Move: Transportation News Bikers get financial boost Bike commuters are often dubbed “green,” but they may soon have some of it in their wallets. Among the 400-plus pages of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, commonly known as the federal bailout plan, lies a boost for bikers. Companies can give up to twenty dollars a month to its pedal-powered employees to fund biking expenses, reported the Boston Herald. This should be beneficial for the Twin Cities as Minneapolis boasts the nation’s second largest bike commuter population. The bill also includes credits for employees who use other alternative fuel sources, including biodiesel, renewable diesel, and plug-in electric vehicles.

Federal funding increases rail travel As more passengers opt for train travel in

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the face of rising gas prices, the nation’s train systems are getting some much-needed financial assistance thanks to recently passed legislation. The bill will devote money to rail safety, the Federal Railroad Administration, and increased passenger rail service, including Amtrak, America’s largest passenger rail system. The company will receive $13 billion over the next five years.

Seoul cracks down on motorbikes With motorcycle sales on the rise, Twin Cities’ police may want to take a page from South Korea’s law enforcement. The Seoul Metropolitan Government is cracking down on motor bikers who opt to use sidewalks and bus lanes, the Korea Times reports, because they pose a danger to pedestrians. Government officials, as well as members of

the police force, will now be able to impose fines on law-breaking riders, including those who park illegally.

Hydrogen research center open in Wales Hydrogen is number one on the periodic table, and a new center in Wales aims to give it the same prominence as an energy source. The Baglan Energy Park is home to both academic and industry research conducted by scientists interested in testing the potential of renewable hydrogen as a fuel source. The Welsh Assembly Government provided funding for the center, which is part of the University of Glamorgan. Some scientists believe hydrogen is a cleaner alternative to traditional fuel sources, meaning innovations there may affect future fossil fuel consumption here at home. –KATIE CHRISTIAN

THIS PAGE: SRIJON CHOWDHURY, PHOTO; OPPOSITE PAGE: COLIN CORRADO, ILLUSTRATIONS

NAVIGATE : POLITICS

NAVIGATE : POLITICS

Road Rules WHAT YOU DIDN’T LEARN IN DRIVER’S ED Next time you’re driving and notice someone talking on a cell phone while swerving through traffic at eighty miles per hour, keep this in mind: there are certainly more atrocious acts people could commit. Many are even punishable under law in different states across the country, says Kathe Nielsen, the director of content for the Unofficial Guide to the Department of Motor Vehicles website. Here are a few of our favorites:

Cars are not for strippers In Sag Harbor, New York taking your clothes off in a car is illegal. So either keep your clothes on, or make sure you have good tint on your windows.

Contain the loud noise to your stereo speakers In Derby, Kansas the simple act of screeching your tires is a misdemeanor and could land you thirty days in jail. If you must make extremely annoying noises while in the town, find a good chalkboard to sink your fingernails into.

Keep your vegetables under control A Chico, California law makes it illegal to plant a garden in the middle of the road. If you want to plant your rutabagas in Chico, please choose soil, not highway.

Keep your doors shut In Oregon you can be ticketed for leaving your car door open too long, so don’t try to use your car doors as wings. Besides looking like an idiot for trying to fly your car, the cops can fine you, too.

Giving new meaning to falling asleep on the road In Eureka, California it is illegal to use the road as a bed. For those of you who still find it necessary to grind gravel into your skin while snoring, keep it in the driveway.

No piñata while driving Alabama law makes it illegal to drive a car while blindfolded. Don’t play pin the tail on the donkey while at the wheel, especially in Alabama. – COLIN BARNES-DRISCOLL

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Driving While Distracted TEXTING WHILE DRIVING SPELLS DISASTER As punching keys with your thumbs becomes a more popular way to communicate, the dangers of texting and driving are becoming clearer. As of January 2009, six states will have enacted or passed laws making it illegal to text while driving. Washington, Alaska, Louisiana, Minnesota, New Jersey, and, most recently, California, have adopted laws that make it a crime punishable by a fine if you are caught texting while driving. In the United Kingdom, you might even

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face jail time for texting while driving and there are good reasons for those new laws. In a 2008 study by the U.K.’s Transport Research Laboratory, researchers found that texting while driving was more dangerous than drinking and driving within the legal limit. In the study, seventeen male and female participants were tested for reaction times, the ability to follow a car, lane control, and speed all while sending and receiving text messages. The study found that reaction time

decreased by thirty-five percent while texting compared to twelve percent while drinking and driving. In a study conducted in 2007 by the psychology department at Clemson University in South Carolina, participants texted or used MP3 players while driving. The results showed that when text messaging, drivers crossed the centerline or left their lane roughly ten percent more often than when not texting. –JENNIFER BROOK

THIS PAGE: KARINA HOLTZ, LLUSTRATION; OPPOSITE PAGE: KARINA HOLTZ, ILLUSTRATION; DENISE RATH, PHOTOGRAPH

NAVIGATE : POLITICS

EXPLORE : TR AVEL

WHEN PIGGYBANKS FLY Helpful tips on finding cheap airfare Lately it seems impossible to fly anywhere without breaking the bank. While the rocketing cost of fuel is often considered the main culprit for the jumps in fares, it isn’t the only problem. A reduction in airline capacity over the last year has also caused an increase. The competition to sell the cheapest ticket also means airlines aren’t making enough money to cover their expenses so they have started charging fees for things that they haven’t in the past, like a passenger’s first piece of baggage on a domestic flight. Still, with a little effort, it’s possible to find a good deal that won’t have you selling your livelihood to pay for the trip.

AGGREGATOR WEBSITES Some of the most valuable assets to an air traveler are aggregator websites, like those of Kayak and FareCompare.com. They search airlines, travel agencies, and third-party booking agents like Travelocity to find the top deals and display them on a single page, saving you precious time.

CHECK AIRLINE WEBSITES Many airlines guarantee that if there’s a cheaper ticket than what they offer, they will refund the difference and give a voucher worth up to $100. Some have newsletters that give special discounts and offers to subscribers.

BUY ONE TICKET AT A TIME IF NOT TRAVELING IN A GROUP Some sites won’t show the cheapest ticket if there is only one ticket available and the search was for several.

BE FLEXIBLE When traveling for spring break, don’t go Friday after class, go Saturday or Sunday. Traveling when others aren’t and checking several airports near the intended destination are other ways to save money. Many websites—like Kayak and Northwest Airlines—have calendars with the ticket prices available for each date to help you find the cheapest day to travel.

PLAN IN ADVANCE Tickets are generally less expensive when bought at least two weeks prior to traveling. Avoiding last minute trips also allows more time to watch airfare prices.

USEFUL WEBSITES For help in the quest for a good deal, check Kayak. com, Airfarewatchdog.com, FareCompare.com, Compete4YourSeat.com and Farecast.com. –SRIJON CHOWDHURY

Trail Time GOT AN HOUR, A DAY, OR A WEEKEND TO SPARE? SPEND IT WINDING THROUGH THE BEST OF MINNESOTA’S BIKE PATHS If you have an afternoon off, try the Grand Rounds Bike Trail. In the heart of Minneapolis, the Grand Rounds Trail takes you by the Downtown riverfront, the Chain of Lakes, and Victory Memorial Drive—an area that honors the Hennepin County servicemen of World War I. The path totals fifty miles and is easily shortened if you don’t want to commit to the full ride. The paved and easy route has a few hills and is lined with parks, beaches, and restaurants along the way. The route also takes you through Minnehaha Falls Park. While you’re there, be sure to stop at the Sea Salt Eatery for fresh oysters or fish tacos. Prices range from $2 to $60 a plate and there’s great outdoor seating. Call ahead though—they’re only open seasonally. If you bike through the park during the summer, you can usually catch live concerts in Minnehaha Park. For more information go to minneapolisparks.org/grandrounds. SEA SALT EATERY, 4825 MINNEHAHA AVE., MINNEAPOLIS, 612.721.8990.

If you’re looking for a whole day to get away, try the Cannon Valley Trail. The Cannon Valley Trail begins less than an hour drive from Minneapolis and features a twenty-mile one-way route that starts in Cannon Falls, Minnesota, passes through Welch, and ends in the quaint and historic Red Wing. The trail is quiet and secluded, with thick curtains of trees. Go during the fall to enjoy the vivid reds, yellows, and oranges or catch a glimpse of local wildlife. After the ride, stop in Red Wing at Staghead Restaurant for phenomenal—but inexpensive—burgers and a broad beer and wine list. For more information go to cannonvalleytrail.com. STAGHEAD RESTAURANT, 219 BUSH ST., RED WING, 651.388.6581.

For a whole weekend away, try the Luce Line Trail. Beginning in Plymouth, a suburb of the Twin Cities, the Luce Line Trail stretches sixty-three miles to the town of Cosmos in west-central Minnesota. The trail runs along an historic railroad line, starting as a limestone path and changing to natural surfacing about halfway through the trek. The trail is tucked neatly into the countryside, highlighting Minnesota’s natural splendor, running alongside lakes and weaving across forests and prairies. The trail has three rest stops before reaching Watertown. Pack a picnic so you can stop for lunch at the fishing dock just south of Crow River. If brown bagging it isn’t your style, grab a bite to eat at Bavarian Haus Restaurant, where they serve up traditional German fare at reasonable prices. Camping is popular among weekend revelers, and there are plenty of campgrounds along the trail to choose from. Since you’ll be far from city lights, cozy up at night and check out the stars so rarely seen in the metro. The Luce Line Trail is open to bikers, hikers, horseback riders, snowmobilers (in mapped out areas along the trail), and cross-country skiers. BAVARIAN HAUS RESTAURANT, 36 MAIN STREET N., HUTCHINSON, 320.587.4560. –LEAH THEORIN

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EXPLORE: TR AVEL

Scenic Drives by Season BY BRYNN BAKER

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Summer

È Minnetonka Drive-In, 4658 Shoreline Dr. Spring Park, MN 55384. 952.471.9383 È Bayside Grille, 687 Excelsior Blvd. Excelsior, MN 55331. 952.474.1113

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fter a harsh Minnesota winter, spring is the perfect time to immerse yourself in the outdoors. Spend a day exploring St. Paul’s Como Park neighborhood. Start the day with brunch while relaxing in the sun’s warmth on the patio of Muffuletta in the Park on Como Avenue. The internationally influenced bistro constructs its menu around what is in season at local farmers markets and the historic library across the street is a charming morning view. After noshing on some delectable fare, take a scenic drive around Como Lake to admire the budding trees and gorgeous greenery finally overtaking winter’s barren landscape. Walk around the lake or rent a paddleboat from the Como Lakeside Pavilion to fully appreciate the warm spring day. Down the road at the Como Park Zoo, animals are released back outside and the baby animals are debuted during this time of year. On your way out, wander through the Marjorie McNeeley Conservatory, housing breathtaking landscapes and hundreds of exotic plants that will leave you feeling like summer is already here.

Spring

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È Muffuletta in the Park, 2260 Como Ave. St. Paul, MN 55108. 651.644.9116 È Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, 1225 Estabrook Dr. St. Paul, MN 55103. 651.487.8201

THIS PAGE: JESSIE HOULIHAN, AUTUMN PHOTO; DENISE RATH, WINTER, SUMMER PHOTO; SRIJON CHOWDHURY, SPRING PHOTO

hen the sultry days of summer have arrived, gather your friends, hop in the car, and hit the open road for a cruise around Lake Minnetonka. As the largest lake in the Twin Cities, Lake Minnetonka is a summer hot spot located only twenty minutes west of Minneapolis. The drive includes historic towns, mansions, elaborate shopping centers, and perhaps surprisingly, beautiful views of wetlands, woods, and private bays. Stop in the northwestern corner of Spring Lake Bay and pick up a famous shake from the Minnetonka Drive-In, which is only open seasonally. Then take to the water for the afternoon. Go swimming or, if you’re really lucky, head out for a day on the boat. After a long day in the sun, unwind at Bayside Grille on the south end of Excelsior Bay. Sit back with a cold beer or fruity margarita and enjoy the casual atmosphere and waterfront dining on the docks.

EXPLORE: TR AVEL

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pend an evening this winter starting a memorable holiday tradition with your family—a tour of holiday lights and decorations is a creative way to spend time with your loved ones and celebrate the joy of the holiday season. After dinner, take a drive around Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis, taking in the hundreds of beautifully lit trees that light the lake’s shoreline, and then drive north into the Kenwood neighborhood to ice-skate amongst elegant mansions. When your fingertips and toes start to tingle, hop in the car to warm up and drive seven miles north on Penn Avenue to the annual Holiday on 44th festival. Enjoy the Christmas carolers, craft fair, ice sculptures, and of course, a sleigh ride with Santa. Be sure to stop at Steamworks Coffee & Tea Co. for a steamy mug of hot chocolate. Then drive two blocks north and venture down Victory Memorial Drive. It is one of the most elaborately lit boulevards in Minneapolis, so crank up the holiday tunes and enjoy the spectacle. È Steamworks Coffee & Tea Co., 2201 44th Ave. N. Minneapolis, MN 55412. 612.287.8399

Winter

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njoy a romantic afternoon driving past thick groves of trees and picturesque small-town streets that line the St. Croix River bluffs in Stillwater. To get there, take Highway 36 twenty minutes east of St. Paul into Stillwater’s historic downtown area. As you cruise into town, the chill of the crisp autumn air will entice you to stop at the Daily Grind, Stillwater’s oldest coffee shop. Grab a pumpkin spice latte and stroll down Main Street holding your date’s arm in one hand and your drink in the other, browsing the bounty of odds and ends at locally owned antique shops and bookstores. Be sure to sit at the Lowell Park riverfront and watch the historic drawbridge rise against a backdrop of brilliant fall colors. When you return to your car, turn the heat up and enjoy the breathtaking colors of the Minnesota fall out the window as you return west on Highway 36. Turn north on Manning Avenue and cruise the country road until you reach Aamodt’s Apple Farm. Stroll through the orchard picking fresh produce and relax on a hayride. Treat yourself to hot apple cider and a piece of Aamodt’s famous apple pie. After dessert, walk next door to Saint Croix Vineyards and pick up a bottle of locally produced wine. Then snuggle into a heavy quilted blanket and watch the sunset on the pond. If you’re lucky, you can catch some live music from local artists while you enjoy the scenery. È Daily Grind, 317 South Main St. Stillwater, MN 55082. 651.430.3207 È Aamodt’s Apple Farm, 6428 Manning Ave. Stillwater, MN 55082. 651.439.3127 È Saint Croix Vineyards, 6428 Manning Ave. Stillwater, MN 55082. 651.430.3310

Autumn

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Car Sharing Gains Speed A CONCEPT THAT STARTED IN EUROPE IS CATCHING ON IN THE U.S. There’s a new trend sweeping the nation, and its mission is to save the environment and save you money. Its name? Car sharing. Instead of stressing about the financial responsibilities and upkeep that comes along with owning a vehicle, car sharing programs allow members to use cars by the hour or the day, with pickup and drop-off occurring at designated hubs around the city. With gas, insurance, maintenance, and occasionally parking included in the fees, it can be a money-saving alternative to owning or leasing a car, proving that sharing isn’t just for the preschool set anymore. Two companies aim to bring the trend to Twin Cities' streets: HOURCAR, which boasts a fleet of fifteen hybrid vehicles and has more than 650 members, and Zipcar, a nationwide car sharing program that currently serves more than 225,000 members.

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These programs help ease traffic congestion and reduce emissions while relieving owners of the burdens of vehicle maintenance, according to Zipcar. They also estimate that each of the organization’s vehicles take at least fifteen private cars off the road. If you don’t hop in a car every day, car sharing can be a viable alternative to owning your own vehicle. HOURCAR, formed in 2005, offers flat rate and pay-as-you-go plans beginning at five dollars per month with additional hourly and mileage rates. They also offer discounts for off peak hours. The Zipcar program has a base rate of nine dollars and fifty cents per hour, with an annual fee of fifty dollars in addition to mileage costs. As a perk, University of Minnesota students and staff get discounted rates. Zipcar estimates that members save as much as $435

a month by using their car sharing services. Whether pocketbooks, environmental concerns or convenience motivate their members, car sharing programs are growing in popularity. The McKnight Foundation, a Minnesotabased private organization that invests in local communities with environmental issues, recently gave HOURCAR a grant to assist in expanding their fleet over the next couple of years, says Christopher Bineham, the company’s member services and marketing coordinator. Companies that want to help expand HOURCAR can purchase a hub for half the regular cost and the grant will match the amount the company invests. The success and continued growth of car sharing programs in the Twin Cities proves residents are more than happy to share. –KELSEY FJESTAD

THIS PAGE: SRIJON CHOWDHURY AND DENISE RATH, PHOTO ILLUSTRATION; OPPOSITE PAGE: TOYOTA INC., SUBMIT TED PHOTO

IMPACT NAME : DEPARTMENT : ENVIRONMENT

IMPACT : ENVIRONMENT

UNDER THE HOOD How hybrid and electric cars work Our society has experienced accelerated technological growth in recent decades: cell phones are almost permanently attached to our palms; laptops can slide into manila envelopes. As we make progress in this hightech age, it’s no surprise that automotive companies are using advanced technology to make their vehicles more fuel efficient and environmentally friendly. Hybrid cars are one part electric and one part conventional car, according to Jon Ziegler, a sales consultant at Cushman Motor Company in Minneapolis. Powered by an electric motor and a gasoline-fueled internal combustion engine, they’re much quieter than conventional cars during start up because only the electric motor is being utilized. Hybrid cars will run solely on electricity up to about 40 mph—if the driver doesn’t turn on the air conditioning or heater immediately and eases the car forward, says Larry Sievers, a sales and leasing consultant from Tousley Ford in White Bear Lake. During full or heavy acceleration, the roles are reversed: the gas engine is the main source of energy while the electric motor provides assistance where needed. Contrary to popular belief, many hybrid cars don’t need to be plugged in. Instead, the vehicle’s nickel metal hydride batteries are recharged when the driver steps on the brakes—a process called regenerative braking. The gas engine shuts down as a car decelerates, and the electric motor captures and stores moving energy in the battery for future use. In a conventional car, this energy would be wasted during normal braking because there’s nowhere for the energy to go. Most hybrids—like Toyota’s popular Prius—are series parallel hybrids. Depending on driving conditions, they can be powered solely by the electric motor or by both the electric motor and internal combustion engines. The majority of Honda’s fuel-efficient models, on the other hand, are mild hybrids and require the use of the gasoline engine at all times, with the electric motor serving only as a form of support. Technology continues to march on, though, and these hybrids may have to soon move aside for the introduction of plug-in hybrids. Like the up-and-coming Chevrolet Volt, these hybrids run mainly on electricity and give drivers the option of charging their cars before hitting the road. – JOAN SEAH

Baby You Can Drive My Car TEST DRIVING THE NEW BREED OF HYBRID AND ELECTRIC VEHICLES Until last October, the only kind of car I’d ever driven ran on good, old-fashioned gasoline, and that was the way I liked it. Frankly, the thought of getting behind the wheel of Toyota’s Prius and Camry and ZENN’s electric car made me nervous. But with the environmental and financial cost of gasoline, vehicles like these are becoming more and more common. While Toyota’s hybrids are powered by an electric motor and a gasoline-fueled engine, the ZENN is fueled solely by an electric motor. Even though I’d done my homework by reading all the Prius and Camry literature, I had a bad case of the pre-test drive jitters when I walked into the Maplewood Toyota dealership last October as images of hybrids short-circuiting and breaking down floated through my mind. It turned out I had nothing to worry about: the Prius and Camry are simply ordinary cars with extraordinary fuel efficiencies and environmentally friendly capabilities. While driving them was intuitive, the bonus features took a little getting used to. Both models operated with the Smart Key system, which allow the car to start as long as the key is close to or inside the car—good for anyone tired of rummaging for their keys. The dashboard included meters not found on a conventional car: one measured how efficient the driver is at conserving fuel, while another indicated the energy flow from the batteries to the wheels and vice versa. I managed to understand the display’s icon for regenerative braking—the recharging of batteries via braking— but only because of the research I had done beforehand. Both the Prius and Camry were so quiet during start up that the dashboard lights were my only clue the cars were on. Despite the Camry’s silence, it zooms from zero to sixty in a mere nine seconds—that’s according to Toyota sales consultant Larry Bain (I wasn’t willing to test this claim, lest I crashed the car). Compared to the Prius, the luxurious Camry was definitely more intimidating— it’s bigger, smoother on the road, and a lot quieter. The Prius, though smaller, boasts a similarly impressive zero-to-sixty time of eleven seconds. And let’s not forget about the Prius’ large trunk, either: even on a road trip with friends, bulging bags in tow, the car would have no shortage of leg room. While my experiences driving the Toyota hybrids may have been near ordinary, driving the ZENN electric car was anything but. Short for Zero Emission, No Noise, the car—manufactured by the ZENN Motor Company—is free from the burden of fluctuating gas prices. Having never even heard of electric cars, walking into the ZENN dealership was like wandering around blindfolded. I knew instantly that navigating the ZENN would be a far cry from driving a normal car: while the dashboard was similar to a conventional car, everything else was different. I was hesitant about stepping on the accelerator because the car never seemed to come to a complete stop during braking, and the steering wheel was not as easy to maneuver as a normal car’s. Running solely on electricity, the ZENN is suitable for those who commute in areas with low speed limits. It can only be driven in areas with a speed limit of thirtyfive miles per hour or less, so don’t think of taking it on a road trip. If given the chance, the Prius would be first choice. I felt at ease with its handling and maneuverable size. Even with my inexperience, test-driving the electric and hybrid cars left me itching to get one for myself—if only I could afford it. –JOAN SEAH

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FLINT HILLS RESOURCES HAS CLEANED UP ITS REPUTATION IN MINNESOTA, BUT IS THERE MORE TO REFINE? WRITTEN BY STEPHANIE BENNETT. PHOTOGRAPHS BY SRIJON CHOWDHURY.

NORTH AMERICAN

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CRUDE

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or most Americans, a trip to the gas station often signals the beginning of a journey. Whether it’s a morning fill-up before your daily commute or the fuel for a much-needed vacation, the time a person spends in front of the pump is most likely filled with thoughts of where they are going, not where their gas is coming from. In reality, the gas station is more like the last stop of a long journey, the end result of a complex process that impacts everything from politics to the food sold at the local grocery store. According to the Energy Information Administration, Americans consume more than 20 million barrels of oil every day. The current political climate bombards Americans with warnings of hostile Middle Eastern nations, soaring and then plummeting gas prices, and an all but unanswered call to develop renewable energy. The Pine Bend Refinery in Rosemount is the largest refinery in Minnesota and is owned by Wichita, Kansas-based Flint Hills Resources, which is a subsidiary of Koch Industries, one of the most infamous big

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oil conglomerates in the nation. Used to create everything from asphalt to jet fuel, the oil pumped through Pine Bend does not come from the United States but instead originates in the oil sands of Alberta, Canada. While Pine Bend has made recent strides toward making their operation more sustainable, it’s a politically charged and environmentally questionable business that takes place literally in Minnesotans’ backyards. The towering metal spires of the Pine Bend Refinery can be seen in the distance from Highway 55. Lit up like a giant city, at night this fortress of energy creation seems like a spectacle out of a sci-fi movie, not a mass producer of some of the most coveted and controversial material on the planet. The Pine Bend facility and the Marathon Refinery in St. Paul Park together produce seventy percent of the oil used in Minnesota. Pine Bend’s current production is approximately 320,000 barrels of crude oil per day, making it one of the largest refineries in the United States without an in-state oil well. So, where does this massive amount of bubbling crude come from and how does it end up in a tranquil midwestern suburb like Rosemount? The answer is a matter of plumbing.

THE REFINERY AND THE FARM ine Bend gets unrefined crude oil via a series of pipelines that run from oil reserves in Alberta, Canada to several refineries in the Midwest. Pine Bend owner Flint Hills Resources was formerly known as Koch Petroleum Group, also based in Wichita, until the name was changed in 2002. Koch currently operates the Minnesota Pipe Line, which carries oil from a facility in Clearbrook directly to the Pine Bend and Marathon refineries. In 2006, the Minnesota Pipe Line Company (MPL) applied for a permit to expand their pipeline, an endeavor called the MinnCan Project. The additional pipeline will be co-owned by the MPL, based in Clearbrook. According to Patty Dunn, media contact for the MPL, acquiring a permit from the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission was a tedious process. A series of public hearings were held in all thirteen counties the pipeline would cross. The MinnCan Project will create an additional 295-mile pipeline, two feet in diameter and aptly called the MinnCan pipeline. When finished, the pipeline will be routed to circumvent the Twin Cities,

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delivering more oil from Clearbrook to Rosemount. According to the initial routing plan, the pipeline was supposed to cut across miles of Minnesota farm land, including a direct path through Gardens of Eagan, an organic farm. Atina Diffley, Gardens of Eagen co-founder, did not passively accept that crude oil would be flowing alongside her organic sweet corn crop. “The first thing Atina did was call lawyers who listed themselves as doing energy work,” says Paula Maccabee, Diffley’s attorney from Just Change Consulting, a Minnesota public interest advocacy firm. To Diffley’s dismay, all the attorneys she found with energy qualifications had represented energy corporations, not the communities they were disrupting. Through a contact in the Sierra Club, an environmental organization based in San Francisco, Diffley got in touch with Maccabee, who previously worked with the Sierra Club on air pollution reduction initiatives. “We did not have enough resources to challenge MPL alone, and Atina wanted to make sure other organic farms were protected as well,”says Maccabee. Diffley and Maccabee devised a plan that would add extra provisions

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for organic farming to an already existing agricultural mitigation process. When a company applies for a permit, it must present an agricultural impact mitigation plan to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. The mitigation plan explains how the company will minimize impact on local agriculture, although the outcome usually favors the interests of the corporation, says Maccabee. While Maccabee and Diffley strategized, MPL was diligently seeking permit approval. Maccabee planned to attach an appendix to the mitigation plan that set certain standards pertaining specifically to organic farms. They enlisted the help of two experts on organic farming and National Organic Certification standards to give testimony on their behalf, says Maccabee. The testimony set a strong case for Diffley, but community reaction was also a factor. “It’s partially who cares about this issue,” Maccabee says. “The input of the citizens matter.” More than 3,000 public comments were filed in support of Diffley, Maccabee says, with strong support from the Wedge Co-Op of Minneapolis and other local organic grocers. A hearing began on September 5, 2007 to evaluate Diffley’s case. Less than a week later, MPL settled. “Cases are made on evidence and we had strong evidence,” Maccabee says. The pipeline was re-routed around Gardens of Eagan, but more importantly, a precedent was set. Although gas and oil pipeline construction projects still have the ability to disrupt organic farmland, a new set of standards specifically designed for organic farms is now part of the process. Permit standards for construction projects that cross organic farms will now be examined under stricter scrutiny than non-organic farms by the PUC before a permit is granted. Recently, a gas and oil pipeline case in Wisconsin adopted similar standards, using Diffley’s case as a precedent, says Maccabee. Currently, three organic farms are affected by the pipeline, which began construction in August 2007. The MinnCan pipeline is expected to be operational this year but, for now, it is still in the testing phase, and a 24 hour monitoring system is in place to ensure the pipeline is safe and running smoothly, said Dunn.

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Though Diffley and Maccabee’s victory is a new stride in protecting agriculture from industry, the controversy over oil pipelines does not end there. The most provocative aspect of this issue begins at its source.

CANADA’S DESTRUCTIVE GOLD MINE undreds of miles northwest of Rosemount are the oil sands of Alberta, Canada, home to the earth’s second largest known oil reserve. “People talk about Alberta like it’s another Saudi Arabia,” says Chuck Laszewski, communications director for the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy. The MCEA has worked closely with Pine Bend for the last ten years, helping to monitor air emissions. The vast oil deposits the sands of northern Alberta feed the pipelines that run to Pine Bend. The immense ecological ramifications of the oil sands industry have become the center of environmental concerns in Canada, says Terra Simieritsch, policy analyst for the Pembina Institute, an environmental advocacy organization in Calgary, Alberta. The way oil is extracted from the sands is different from a traditional rotary well, says Simieritsch. The sands contain deposits of bitumen, a viscous form of crude oil. For deposits close to the surface, less than 100 meters underground, the sand is dug like an open pit mine. For deeper deposits, oil industries pump steam or other diluents into the ground making the bitumen fluid enough to extract through pipes, says Simieritsch. “There is an irony here,” says Kevin Reuther, legal director for the MCEA. “Oil companies use natural gas to fuel the extraction from the oil sands at an astounding rate. They are using one of the cleanest fuel energies to produce the dirtiest.” Both processes use three times more energy than traditional wells and vast amounts of water, most of which comes from Lake Athabasca, which sits adjacent to the oil sands in Alberta. According to Simieritsch, sixty-five percent of the water used for oil extraction is withdrawn from the Athabasca. After the water is used in the mining process, it’s too toxic to return to the river, so it sits

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in uninhabitable, poisonous pools known as tailing ponds. “Oil extraction has a huge effect on the landscape,” says Simieritsch. “Emissions travel though the soil and water supply.” Down stream from the oil sands lives a community of Chipewyan American Indians. “Not only has their traditional lifestyle been affected by the mining, but they have been reporting an increased rate of rare cancers,” says Simieritsch. The environmental impacts of the oil sands have not gone unnoticed by the Canadian public. Efforts to clean up the oil sands have become a focal point of Canadian politics. “All federal nominees had to have a plan pertaining to the oil sands,” says Simieritsch. In October 2008, Canada re-elected Stephen Harper as their prime minister, a conservative opposed to immediate restrictions of oil production. “The current administration has a very hands-off approach,” explains Simieritsch. “They leave it up to the provinces.” There are federal regulations in place that could trigger consequences for hazardous environmental practices in Alberta, but according to Simieritsch, it’s a matter of enforcement. “We don’t want to change regulation; we want to see federal regula-

dent from the local government and Koch Industries.” Johnson still serves as the facilitator to the CAC, a twenty-person council that holds monthly meetings. “The council has provided a credible arena for the community to have impact and be heard,” Johnson says. According to the MPCA, Pine Bend reduced its emissions by fifty percent from 1998 to 2004. Today, emissions have been reduced by seventy-one percent, says Jake Reint, media spokesman for Pine Bend. “The CAC was an essential part of Flint Hills’ transformation ten years ago, but we still work with them on a regular basis,” Reint says. The CAC keeps Pine Bend’s environmental and safety policies in tune with the community and, in turn, helps Pine Bend alert the community of upcoming projects. “We recently went through a major equipment update in which we needed to haul two 140-square foot pieces of equipment into the plant and had no idea of the best way to go about it,” Reint says. Through cooperation with the CAC, Pine Bend was able to shut down part of Highway 55 and move the equipment through safely, Reint says. An open dialogue is not the end of Pine Bend’s involvement with

OIL COMPANIES USE NATURAL GAS, ONE OF THE CLEANEST FUEL ENERGIES, TO FUEL THE EXTRACTION OF THE DIRTIEST. tion enacted in a stronger way,” says Simieritsch. The environmental turmoil in Alberta seems like a far cry from the glittering exterior of Pine Bend. But only a decade ago, Koch Industries was going head to head with the Environmental Protection Agency, and Pine Bend had its own petroleum-based demons to expel.

KICKING BAD HABITS n 2000, after nearly a decade of unchecked production and acquisition, Koch Industries was indicted by a federal grand jury on ninety-seven counts of environmental regulation violations. The company was responsible for more than 300 oil spills across five states and for releasing ninety-one metric tons of benzene, a known carcinogen, from its Corpus Christi facility. In 1998, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency fined Pine Bend $6.9 million dollars for air and water quality violations. During that time, the Minnesota communities of Apple Valley, Rosemount, and Inver Grove Heights saw the rate of asthma and child respiratory illness hit double the national average.

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the community. The facility has been sponsoring local events for years and is investing money into clean energy projects like Project Green Fleet, a statewide initiative that retrofits school buses with pollution control technology that allows them to burn fuel cleaner and more efficiently. “Flint Hills was a founding member of Project Green Fleet. We’ve helped convert 1,400 buses statewide so far,” Reint says. In addition, Flint Hills is the title sponsor of the International Children’s Festival at the Ordway Center, an event that draws around 40,000 people annually, and sponsors school field trips to the Science Museum of Minnesota. “Our employees bring science to everyday life,” Reint says. “We want the next generation to have an active interest in science as well.” All this good-will coupled with the drastic decrease in emissions garnered Pine Bend an Environmental Excellence Award in June 2008, awarded by the EPA.

THE NEXT STEP? A REFORMED VILLAIN fter Pine Bend’s initial run-in with the MPCA, the facility decided to clean up its act, but wouldn’t be doing it alone. The MCEA stepped in to monitor Pine Bend’s air emissions and the Community Advisory Council (CAC) was formed to foster communication between the company and the community. “When the council first started the community was up in arms,” says Jackie Smith, administrator for the CAC. Smith says that an outside consultant, Mariann Johnson, was hired to evaluate the formation of the council. “I was hired by a steering committee to help form the advisory council,” says Johnson. “We needed oversight and evaluation indepen-

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espite the refinery’s efforts, oil sand production is still growing unchecked. The amount of oil coming out of Pine Bend will increase by 50,000 barrels when the MinnCan pipeline is complete. “This type of oil production just feeds our bad habits,” Laszewski says. “The amount of money and energy put into these projects could be well spent on developing cleaner fuels.” The person at the gas pump now becomes the next step in the long journey oil makes from a remote spot deep within the earth to your car. Taking responsibility for our energy consumption is essential to kicking our dependence on crude oil. “We are all in this together,” says Reuther, “We need to move on to the next generation of fuels.” „

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PEDALING PROSPERITY

Despite the weather, Twin Cities bikers take to the streets in record numbers. Written by Colin Barnes-Driscoll. Photographs by Srijon Chowdhury.

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ay Walljasper, a local writer who has been active in the Twin Cities’ cycling community for more than thirty years, remembers a time when biking in the area was a daily adventure, with peril waiting around every corner. “Drivers used to try to scare the daylights out of you,” he says. “I was utterly staggered by the arrogance some of them had.” An enormous jump in the number of bikers around the Twin Cities has Walljasper seeing things quite differently today. “The local biking community is dramatically different than when I moved here,” he says. “The attitude towards biking has really changed in the last few years.” According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Minneapolis now has the second largest percentage of people who bike to work on a regular basis. This means 7,200 people in Minneapolis alone are exerting force upon their pedals, zooming towards their destinations at breakneck speed while burning calories along the way. When you include suburbanites, St. Paul residents, and college students, the number of bikers making their way to their destinations without a motor exceeds 10,000. This is double the number of Twin Cities’ bikers two years ago, and Minneapolis now has the fastest-growing biking community in the United States. With more than 160 miles of bike paths slated to wind through the city by 2010, the local cycling community has plenty of room to roam, and makes good use of it. The state of Minnesota has made biking accessibility a priority, including a statute that says that Minnesota intends to expand biking for environmental and healthful purposes. Don Pflaum, the bicycle coordinator for the city of Minneapolis, feels part of the growth in biking can be attributed to the city’s efforts. “The city has added many miles of bike lanes in the last few years, and that has been very helpful in the jump,” he says. He also attributes the rise to city-hosted events such as Bike to Work Day and The Bicycle Film Festival. “It’s amazing the diverse crowds the events get,” says Pflaum. “You are always seeing new faces.”

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Grant Thompson, a local cyclist who often bikes from his hometown of Stillwater, Minnesota to Minneapolis, sees the biking culture of the area as another major reason for the growing cycling population. “There is a really good biking community here, especially with all of the biking groups and shops the city has to offer,” he says. Groups like Critical Mass, the Twin Cities Bicycling Club, and Minneapolis Bike Love help create an identity for the bikers of the area, where they can meet like-minded people who also find biking an enjoyable hobby. While many of these groups have different ideas on what the ideal biker may be, they all share the common goal of bringing people into the area’s thriving bike culture. Dan Robinson, the vice president of the Hiawatha Bicycle Club, says that it is the lure of other bikers that makes these clubs so appealing. “It becomes a social activity, just people getting together to have a good time,” says Robinson. “But they want to get exercise while doing it.” He thinks the nation’s recent fitness revolution has been another aid to the biking community, as people are beginning

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to see biking as a good way of getting the exercise they need. Although more bikers on the road is certainly a plus for the metro area, there are two sides to every coin. “There are more bikers, and there will be more accidents,” says Jameson McGuine, an employee at Varsity Bike and Transit in Minneapolis.

“People have to understand their bike laws and respect them,” he says. “You see tons of people riding on sidewalks, going the wrong way on one ways.” Following the law is one of the best ways to ensure your safety while riding, but equipment is essential as well. “Be visible, use lights and full body reflective gear,” says McGuine.

Safety Tips Consider yourself a driver Minnesota law states that every person operating a bicycle is responsible to follow the same rules as those operating a motor vehicle, including stopping at stoplights and stop signs, signaling for turns through arm gestures, and riding in designated lanes.

Move with traffic Unlike pedestrians, cyclists should travel with the flow of traffic. Respect pedestrians and be vocal Cyclists must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and should announce their presence before passing them on sidewalks.

Keep your hands free Under Minnesota law, cyclists can’t carry anything that prevents them from keeping at least one hand on the handlebars. Wear a helmet Biking without a helmet can be tragic: around two-thirds of bike deaths are related to traumatic brain injury. Know where you’re going Always plan your route before going into uncharted waters to make sure you don’t get confused in the midst of busy traffic.

“You see people riding around in all black, just begging to get hit,” Thompson says. “Not enough bikers treat themselves as vehicles.” Equally important is the need for a helmet. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that ninety-two percent of cyclists killed in 2007 weren’t wearing helmets. Although it may not be viewed as the stylish

choice, a helmet is the safest way to ride. While statewide statistics may show a rise in the number of bike-related accidents, Pflaum says that the increase has not affected the metro area as severely as other parts of the state. Minneapolis is estimated to have about 250 bike-related accidents, similar to what the city has seen in recent years.

MINNESOTA’S DEEP FREEZE CAN SPELL DISASTER FOR CYCLISTS TRAVELING ON STRETCHES OF WET AND ICY ROADS Here’s how you can make your ride safe and comfortable during less-than-desirable weather Clothing It’s important to realize that wind will be a factor. Brace yourself by including headbands, hats, face masks, and even neck protection in your winter biking wardrobe.

Bikes Studded tires provide better traction and easier steering and braking for winter biking conditions. Check to make sure your bike has sufficient reflectors and lights to ensure added safety for those darker ride.

Riding The fear of ice can be conquered if navigated correctly. If your bike begins to spin, making small changes can get you back on track without swerving out of control. If you find yourself on the most slippery of ice, try not to brake. If absolutely necessary, use only your back brake.

This is partly due to better understanding from drivers. As more bikers share the road with cars, drivers have become increasingly aware of them. For many, choosing to ride their bike simply comes down to a financial decision. When gas prices went through the roof in the summer of 2008, many people started biking to save money. “People are jumping on their bikes trying to save money however they can, especially as the economy goes downhill,” says Thompson. No matter what has caused the sharp rise in biking around the Twin Cities, it is doubtful this community is going anywhere any time soon. What may be most amazing is that the icebox of the United States can sustain a strong cycling community. “I’ve noticed a lot more people biking in the winter,” Pflaum says. “It shows how dedicated to biking people around here are.” With the number of cyclists going up by almost fifty percent from 2006 to 2007, the Twin Cities’ dynamic bike scene is only getting stronger. “There is something about biking that’s just fun,” says Walljasper. “It really is an enriching experience.” „

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WHEELING AND DEALING MAKING THE MOST OF OUR COMMUTES. WRITTEN BY KATELYN LATAWIEC.

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very day, Donna Forsman leaves her home in Annandale, Minnesota, to drive thirty-five miles to her job at an outlet mall in Albertville, Minnesota. Her route is filled with winding back roads, farmers’ fields, rolling hills, and beautiful lakes. While making the half hour trip, she usually listens to the radio and reflects on her day. “When you’re leaving work you kind of just unwind,” she says of her commute.

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benefits of this daily ritual. Despite heightened environmental concerns and unstable gas prices, commuting solo is more common now than it was thirty years ago, while carpooling has been declining since the 1960’s.

He also credits the decline in ride sharing with a shift in priorities: people value their time more and don’t want to commute on other people’s schedules. Another reason for the decrease in carpooling is that more

NEARLY 2.25 MILLION PEOPLE ARE DRIVING TO WORK SOLO IN THE TWIN CITIES. David Levinson, an associate professor of civil engineering at the University of Minnesota, says people have more money to use toward driving costs. “Carpooling is a hassle,” Levinson says.

people live in suburban regions where housing is more spread out, making it harder to establish an efficient transit system. “Transit works best when populations are dense,” Levinson says.

Downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul aren’t the popular work destinations they used to be, meaning that people are not all traveling in the same direction anymore, according to Levinson. With more jobs moving to the suburbs, a transit system wouldn’t be able to accommodate everyone and wouldn’t be economical. So, who are these solo commuters, and what motivates them to brave rush hours, slow moving traffic, and long periods behind the wheel, all without the relief of a carpool lane? For Wisconsin resident Tom McNurlin, the ninety minutes he spends commuting to and from Roseville each day are worth it to be able to live and raise his children in the country. He considers his

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Each day, Americans spend an average of twenty-five minutes getting to work, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. While some of these commuters take the bus, walk, or bike, a large number of Americans don’t have those options as more than seventy-six percent commute via car. In the Twin Cities area, nearly 2.25 million people are driving to work solo. Almost no other daily experience in America is as dreaded as driving to and from work. Not only does commuting eat up precious minutes—even hours—of the day, but it’s expensive. But scratch beneath the surface and what you find is a nation that has accepted commuting as a part of their lives and in turn has developed an appreciation for the

morning drive to be relaxing, and spends it listening to gospel music or talk radio. Stresses of commuting set aside, the driver’s seat also provides some commuters a place to prepare for and recover from the day. Mary Stransky, who for the past fourteen years has driven twenty-five minutes to her human resources job in Spring Lake Park, says she likes her commute because it gives her time to think and plan her day. And Maria Crownhart, who lives in Wisconsin and works in Minnesota, says her twenty-five mile ride home gives her a chance to wind down after a long day. She also likes to occupy her commute time with satellite radio and audio recordings of books. Though gas has become a real concern for a lot of commuters, it isn’t a concern for Crownhart. Her job provides her with a company-owned vehicle and gas, leaving minimal stress for car fuel, maintenance, and insurance. “If I was driving an hour and fifteen minutes every day with my own vehicle and my own gas, I would probably reconsider my living options,” she says. While commuting alone can be enjoyable, adding children to the mix definitely shakes things up a bit. Susan Trombley, of Mounds View, is a mother of three who adds her son’s daycare drop off to her morning commute. After several years of this daily routine, Trombley found that taking city streets has less stop-and-go traffic than the freeway, which eases her ride. To keep herself busy, she utilizes the time to practice her Catholic faith through prayer and meditation. While commuters have found plenty of ways to pass time during their commute, it should never threaten their safety. Traffic accidents are the leading cause of death worldwide, says Minnesota State Patrol Lt. Mark Peterson, and distractions play a significant part in many accidents. Even though there are many things commuters can do to utilize their

TIPS AND TRICKS Keeping busy in the car Commuting doesn’t have to be boring—there are things you can do that are not only enjoyable, but could also make you a better driver. In a British study published in the “Psychology of Music” journal, researchers found that playing dance music was associated with more accidents for drivers ages eighteen to twenty-nine than was other genres. Researchers also found that at the time of an accident, most people were not listening to their usual choice of music. These researchers also cited a study that suggested that music increases positive mood, which may increase considerate driving. Picking a genre you enjoy may help tone down the road rage. È If you’ve always wanted to read Shakespeare or Hemingway but never had the time, audio recordings of books might be for you. Many websites, such as theaudiobookstore.com or simplyaudiobooks.com, offer a wide selection of books through rental programs, CDs, and downloads for digital audio players. If you’re paying less attention to other drivers and road conditions, it’s time to turn down the volume.

Safety According to Minnesota State Patrol Lt. Mark Peterson, there are four major factors involved in traffic crashes: illegal or unsafe speed, failure to wear a seatbelt, impairment due to drugs or alcohol, and inattentiveness. Peterson says that two cars running into each other can be prevented, making them crashes instead of accidents. Here are some things you can do to be a safer driver: Don’t multi-task. Save the eating, shaving, and makeup application for home. Always wear your seatbelt. More than half of those killed in traffic crashes in Minnesota this year were not wearing seatbelts, according to Peterson. If you are injured in a crash, you should stay where you are and call for emergency assistance. If there is only property damage, stay in your vehicle and move it to a safe place when possible. Exchange driver’s license, insurance, and license plate information with people involved in the crash. Contact local law enforcement.

Gas saving tips Here are some things that you can do to cut down on the amount of gas you use, according to Fuel Economy, a government website. Avoiding quick acceleration or sudden braking can lower gas mileage by thirtythree percent on the highway and five percent in the city. Drive slower. Typically, once you start driving more than sixty mph, your gas mileage greatly decreases and you could spend an additional twenty-four cents per gallon of gas for every five miles per hour you drive over sixty. Use cruise control. It helps avoid the need of repeated acceleration on the highway. See if your employer will allow you to alter your work schedule so that you can avoid sitting in rush hour wasting gas. È In addition to the Fuel Economy tips, you can also check AAA’s Fuel Daily Gauge Report at fuelgaugereport.com to see how your local gas station compares to the city average.

Carpooling Carpooling is another way to save gas and reduce the amount of wear on your car. You could cut costs in half by riding with other commuters. Try checking your workplace to see if others live in your area. If not, Metro Transit has a Rideshare program that can match you with other commuters living in your area. Another organization, 494 Commuter Services, operates along the Interstate 494 corridor and offers free resources to commuters on carpooling, in addition to other services. Potential carpoolers indicate their preference for driving or riding when they sign up on the organization’s website and obtain a list of other commuters in their area they can contact. È Carpoolers decide who drives and how costs are determined. Check out 494corridor.org for more information.

time spent in the car, it’s important to plan ahead and not depend on the drive to attend to things. “People don’t take driving seriously, Peterson says. “Traffic deaths

are happening all the time.” With an ever-changing population, economy, and environment, the future of commuting is uncertain. No matter what the future

holds, driving to work doesn’t have to be a drag—there are things you can do to not only cut costs and reduce harm to the environment, but to enjoy the ride as well. „

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REBUILDING TRUST THE 35W BRIDGE HAS BEEN REBUILT, BUT SOME DRIVERS ARE TAKING IT SLOW. WRITTEN BY JUSTINE GILBERTSON.

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ixed emotions accompanied the opening of the new Interstate 35W St. Anthony Falls Bridge on September 18. While some Minnesotans itched in anticipation to cross the newly rebuilt bridge, others were more hesitant in driving across the 501-foot-long main span over the Mississippi River. Bridge collapse survivors aren’t the only ones struggling to make amends with the haunting memories of the tragedy. The completion of the new bridge doesn’t entirely alleviate feelings of sorrow and worry shared by a portion of uneasy residents throughout the state. In fact, some people are skeptical about the bridge’s safety and the short amount of time it took to reopen. Yet for the first time in almost fourteen months, bridge collapse survivors faced the reality that the Minnesota community is inevitably starting to move on from the catastrophic event.

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Since the I-35W bridge collapse, there have been nearly half a dozen notable collapses worldwide The Tuo River bridge in Fenghuang, China collapsed on August 13, 2007 as construction workers removed scaffolding from it. Reported death rates range between twenty-eight and thirty-six, and more than twenty were injured. A section of the Can-Tho bridge in Vietnam collapsed on September 26, 2007. Reported death rates range from thirty-six to sixty and the number of injuries ranges from eighty-two to 180. A suspension bridge near Kathmandu, Nepal collapsed on December 25, 2007. Between 400 and 700 people were supposedly standing on it when it fell. More than thirty were reported injured, and an estimated 100 or more people are missing. A motorway bridge collapsed near Prague on August 8, 2008 and derailed an international express train with 400 passengers. Seven people were killed and at least sxity-three were injured.

Kathleen O’Donovan, an education specialist at the University of Minnesota, says the new bridge construction could be a metaphor for how our culture deals with significant loss. “There is a tendency to fill the void and move on,” she says. O’Donovan, who has only been on the new bridge three times since it opened, was in her office located at East River Road when the bridge collapsed. She tries to avoid the bridge by taking Hwy. 280 and side roads from her home in Roseville because she says it brings home the fragility of life and the vulnerability of infrastructure. “I wasn’t enticed by going over the new bridge because, to me, it will always be a place of reflection,” O’Donovan says. “It’s interesting it was replaced so quickly, yet so many lives and memories remain. What occurred there has left an indelible imprint.” Flatiron and Manson construction workers and local engineers constructed the new bridge, which was designed by Tallahassee-based Figg Engineering Group, Inc., more than three months earlier than its December 24 deadline. The fact that a monetary bonus was at stake may, however, cause concerns about the bridge’s safety to arise. Sarah Mondshane, a University of Minnesota anthropology student, says the new I-35W bridge makes her uneasy not only because of the collapse but because it was rebuilt so quickly. “It’s unnerving that the workers received a bonus for finishing the bridge early,” Mondshane says. “I haven’t gone over it yet, but I already have my route planned out. Even if I needed to take it I probably still wouldn’t go over it.” It’s normal and healthy to be afraid of driving over bridges immediately following a tragic event, says psychotherapist Jerilyn Ross, who is the president and CEO of the Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA). “The closer people are physically to a tragic event involving a bridge,” Ross says, “the more personal experience they’ve had with it and the more chances are of them dealing with anxiety and fear about bridge safety.” The new I-35W bridge, which has a 100-year life span, contains over 300 sensors that help determine whether the bridge is behaving the way it is expected to. The data collected from the sensors not only verifies the effectiveness of the design methods used but also helps engineers design bridges that are more financially practical.

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“For us [the new bridge opening] is almost like pouring salt into our wound, because everything is still so close to the surface,” 25-yearold survivor Lindsay Petterson, of St. Louis Park, says. “It feels like, if we can’t move on from it, why should anyone else?” A fractured vertebra in her lower back was the only major physical injury Petterson suffered, but she continues to battle the repercussions of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), such as depression, fear, anxiety, and nightmares. She also lost her job at a group home, where she worked with adolescents who have emotional behavioral issues. “My emotions were way too off-kilter,” she says. “I couldn’t deal with my emotions and the youth I worked with.” Over the past year, Petterson has tried to take a proactive approach to her healing process. She has found solace in a soul painting class, Reiki healing touch therapy, a group support session for bridge collapse survivors, and spending time with close family and friends. Petterson is also going to start working with an exposure therapist to overcome her fear of water and drowning. “I have an intense fear of water now, so the therapist will help me experience different levels of water again. We will start at Underwater Adventures so I can just stand near the glass, and eventually I will move up to having my head underwater,” Petterson says. “I haven’t done that in over a year. It’s the next big hurdle in my recovery.” People who suffer from PTSD relive the traumatic experience recurrently through nightmares and flashbacks, says Dr. Abigail Gewirtz, clinical psychologist and assistant professor in the University of Minnesota’s Department of Family Social Science. It’s normal to avoid things that serve as reminders of the trauma because it’s the simple, every-day occurrences that can trigger flashbacks, she says. Although Petterson has been able to evade close contact with water, city living has made it difficult to avoid crossing bridges. In fact, on Saturday, October 4, Lindsay went over the new bridge for the first time. “My boyfriend drove and I held on tight,” she says. “It’s going to take 100, 200, 300 trips over it before I start to trust again, even though it took just that one day to take it all away.” Garrett Ebling, a survivor from Plymouth, says he hasn’t crossed the new bridge yet and doesn’t know when it will happen. “I have no desire to cross it. When I’m over near that part of town, I can envision the whole collapse scene,” he says. “It was a tough thing. I am not making a point to cross it or hang out in that part of town. It isn’t fear or anger, it’s just not high on my priority list.” Unlike Petterson, Ebling, 33, doesn’t have fear and anxiety related to bridges or other man-made structures, which he attributes to an inability to remember the events that immediately followed the collapse. He says that he made the naïve assumption that his physical recovery would be quick, which has made adjusting to a “normal” lifestyle again the most difficult struggle. As Ebling gradually recovered from each of his injuries—a collapsed lung, severed colon, ruptured diaphragm, shattered arm, broken jaw, facial fractures, and broken feet—he found himself feeling irritable, frustrated, and angry toward his family and then fiancée (now wife), Sonja. The emotional effects Ebling experienced jeopardized his relationship with Sonja, so he started seeing a mental health counselor. “I felt this disconnect with the world, with my family and my fiancée,” Ebling says. “The world was able to pick up and move on, and I wasn’t able to.” Both Ebling and Petterson are making the most of their circumstances and are on the road to emotional recovery. The two survivors have endured much hardship over the past fourteen months, and the reopening of the I-35W bridge has, in a sense, put pressure on them to suddenly heal and get on with life.

BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION

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THE NEW BRIDGE

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I-35W Bridge Victim Compensation Fund

STOCKXPERT, PHOTO

In October 2007, Representative Ryan Winkler, DFL-Golden Valley, drafted a bill to create a compensation fund for bridge collapse survivors. The bill was signed into law on May 8, 2008. Had the new law not been mandated, the state of Minnesota would have been responsible for offering a total of $1 million, or $8,000 each, to survivors. That is the best case scenario, however, because they most likely would have received nothing. “The survivors have been overwhelmingly positive and grateful,” Winkler says. “The existing law would have frozen them out so even though [the new law] is not perfect, it’s better than what they would have seen otherwise,” he says. The compensation funds total $36.64 million. Each survivor will receive a maximum amount of $400,000 out of a $24 million primary fund for injuries, medical bills, lost income, pain, suffering, disability, and emotional distress. A $12.64 million supplemental fund is available for the most severely injured victims in compensation for exceptional medical expenses, long-term health costs, and lost wages. The deadline for survivors to submit a claim for compensation was October 15. Settlement offers will be issued no later than February 28, 2009, and survivors have forty-five days after receiving the settlement offer to accept. “One thing that is good about the fund is that it’s a way for Minnesota to make a permanent statement to these people that their personal pain is not something they are forgetting about,” Winkler says.

“You can never say with 100 percent certainty that a structure will never have a problem or reach its limit state,” Catherine French, University of Minnesota civil engineering professor, says. “A bridge cannot carry an infinite load, it’s just not economical to build.” French added, however, that all possible variables (weather, site constraints, rights of way, and time schedule) were accounted for and that the bridge is designed to carry a load that it most likely would never have to endure. Ben Jilk, a civil engineering graduate student working with French and other professors in the department, assisted in the installation of the sensors and has been conducting research since the construction of the new bridge. He explains that there were several “truck orientations” tested before the bridge reopened in order to better understand its behavior when experiencing two types of loads, static (stationary trucks) and dynamic (trucks moving across the bridge). Now that the new I-35W bridge is complete, Jilk collects data and will assist in the creation of a computergenerated model of the bridge that will be compared to the data retrieved by the bridge sensors. “The new bridge is very safe,” Jilk says. “It is a completely different kind of bridge than the one that it is replacing. There are many safety factors put into the bridge design, and there were many skilled people involved in designing and constructing it.” Despite how safe the I-35W St. Anthony Falls Bridge may be, it will rekindle a myriad of bittersweet emotions and memories of lost loved ones. While its reopening on September 18 has been advantageous for many practical reasons, the bridge is also emblematic of a community bound together in solidarity and, especially, the survivors’ shared kinship of suffering, healing, and renewal. “When you almost die, you realize how precarious life is. It’s a good thing, because you don’t take things as seriously,” Petterson says. “You realize that your place in life doesn’t depend on what house you have, what money you have, what things you have; what really matters is how you helped people and how good you were to people.” „

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ABOVE: Tanya Schmitt displays the craft

she made with Ruby Scott, a resident at Princeton Healthcare Center in Princeton, West Virginia during the Pay It Forward Tour in March 2008. RIGHT: Annie Fischer and other volunteers hike up Mount Pureora where the team removed invasive pine trees in order to preserve a New Zealand rainforest. FAR RIGHT: Matt Perpich clears tree limbs while restoring prairie land in Chicago during the 2008 Pay It Forward tour.

VOLUNTOURISM

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s a teenager, Abby Kordosky discovered she had a passion for Australia. She immersed herself in television programs, magazines, and brochures—anything she could get her hands on that brought her closer to experiencing her dream country. Finally, Kordosky landed upon an answer to her infatuation: volunteer travel. A couple of Kordosky’s friends had volunteered abroad and raved about their experiences. One said she discovered an undeniable inner strength; another gained an innate urge to travel. They all shared stories about bettering themselves, but Kordosky ached to make her own memories. In the summer of 2008, the 21-year-old found herself on a plane to Portland, Australia to plant trees, install protective fencing to shield plants from animals, and do other conservation work. “I’m still high off the experience,” Kordosky says. “I have to go back there at least once before the end of my life.” Inspirational excursions like those taken by Kordosky and her friends may be contributing to the recent rise of volunteer traveling. The Travel Industry Association of America noted an eleven percent increase in volunteer travel from 2001 to 2006. A concept that combines traveling and volunteering, voluntourism can cost more than a spring break in Mexico, but giving back makes it all worthwhile. Contributing to humanity also helps to increase social awareness and involvement, qualities that don’t have a price tag. “A lot of people are looking for an opportunity to integrate into local culture that you can’t get from just traveling,” says Emelee Volden, associate program director for the Learning Abroad Center at the University of Minnesota. Meeting people from the community and working to benefit them is a unique experience that cannot be matched, Volden says. Voluntourism provides a view of the country that a tourist wouldn’t see.

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“We were removing rat traps. We had to climb on unknown, unmarked trails, over fallen trees and rivers and all of the Department of Conservation [guides] can just hop from place to place,” says Annie Fischer, a University of Minnesota student who volunteered in New Zealand. “Meanwhile we’re struggling to get up cliffs…it was pretty intense. One time we had to walk over this tree that was over a fifteen foot drop to water. You just had to figure out how to do it on your own and trust that you’d be okay.” Fischer used a month-long journey around New Zealand to learn about the culture, environment, and herself. The eight-hour days of volunteer work ranged from strenuous to mild and involved anything from removing invasive species of trees using only handsaws to hauling railroad stakes out of caves that were four-hundred meters below ground. During what Fischer called her “easiest and most boring day,” volunteers fished through unwanted museum materials while longing to hit the dirt trails of the wild bush. “We were covered in mud almost every day. There was a time when I stepped wrong on a tree log and just fell—really fast—and my leg was stuck in this hole of mud,” Fischer says. “It’s not glamorous but that was all part of the experience, too. It was a good dirty feeling.” Volunteers received minimal instruction from their guides, who trusted them to figure things out, says Fischer. The unexpected assurance helped Fisher accomplish things she never thought possible and contributed to the inner growth she experienced on the trip. “Traveling changes you as a person no matter what you do, but when you do something for another country or a different type of people you’re also helping and benefiting yourself. I grew more from that month than I would say I’ve grown in two years at the university,” Fischer says. “It pushed me to be a more assertive person and more self-controlled, but in a good way. I grew into a more self-assured self-confident person.”

THIS PAGE: TANYA SCHMITT, KELLY STOLPA AND KARI FOLEY, SUBMIT TED PHOTOS; OPPOSITE PAGE: ABBY KORDOSKY, KELLY STOLPA AND BECCA PICHA, SUBMIT TED PHOTOS

Why people are traveling for a cause. Written by Megan Exl.

BELOW: Abby Kordosky weeds

out invasive species in Portland, Austrailia. RIGHT: Nadine AbouKaram paints the new city hall building in Blue Mounds, Wisconsin during the Students Today Leaders Forever PIF Tour. FAR RIGHT: Annie Fischer stands next to the sign she put up in New Zealand's Pureora Forest Park.

Finding yourself and helping others doesn’t require thousands of dollars and an airplane ticket, though. Students Today Leaders Forever (STLF) gives volunteer groups—from middle school to college—the opportunity to plan and participate in a domestic version of voluntourism. Formed in 2003 by four students at the University of Minnesota, STLF serves communities across the United States and helps inspire future leaders through community service and also extra responsibilities—each tour is planned entirely by the students participating in the program. Turning vision into action, they created Pay It Forward (PIF), a bus tour that travels from the hometown of the participating school to designated “celebration city,” stopping at cities along the way for different volunteer activities. STLF embarked on its inaugural tour in March of 2004 with forty-

Making the most of your volunteer vacation Ask questions What is included in the overall fee? Airfare? Food? Housing? Transportation? Guided tours? Ask more questions What do you want to get out of this vacation? Family bonding? An adventure? Prioritize Some groups base vacations on destination while others focus on activities. At Cross-Cultural Solutions, participants complete a survey before traveling to ensure involvement in an activity of personal interest. Find the right fit Voluntourism groups can be for-profit or not-for-profit and may have religious or political associations. Make sure their choices align with your environmental and ethical concerns before taking a trip. Talk to someone—or lots of people When deciding who to tour with, Abby Kordosky called two potential matches and spoke with representatives. “One was trying to sell it to me,” she explains. “The other one was concerned with whether I was going to get what I wanted out of it.” Some organizations also allow you to talk with people who have completed a program. Be flexible These vacations are beneficial in the big picture sense, so if everything doesn’t go exactly as planned, think of it as an opportunity to make a larger impact. È For more suggestions, visit the International Volunteer Program Association at volunteerinternational.org.

three students on a single bus that lasted one week. Just four years later, interest has increased enough to expand the tour season to an entire year with thirty-six tours. The 2008-2009 season corresponds with the academic school year and already has sixty-five scheduled tours. “Voluntourism is still in its infancy, but it is catching on quick,” says Nick Lindberg, co-founder of STLF and PIF tour alumnus. “People enjoy helping others out. It makes them feel good knowing they are making a difference in someone else’s life. So when travel and volunteering are matched together you are getting the best of both worlds.” With a price tag of only about fifty dollars per day that includes the bus ride, food, lodging, and a hotel room at the final stop, this tour allows even people with the tightest budgets to ride. It may not be a trip to Mexico, but $425 gets you a nine-day spring break with memories and friends that last a lifetime. “When our bus got to D.C., our final destination, I saw all the other [volunteers] wearing the same t-shirt and we were all ready to jump in a dirty river and start pulling garbage out,” says Megan O’Laughlin, another PIF tour alumna. “To know that for a week all of these people were doing the same thing that I was doing—sleeping on floors, [staying] up all night getting to know each other, getting up really early to move boxes for churches or paint walls for a battered women’s shelter. I loved being a part of something bigger than me.” Student groups aren’t the only ones jumping on the hypothetical voluntourism wagon, though. Organizations like STA Travel, which added volunteer vacations in 2005, are capitalizing on this rising trend. For each year the company has offered volunteer packages, interest has increased, says Patrick Evans, marketing communications coordinator for STA Travel. This general curiosity has inspired the company to add the option of a “hybrid spring break” trip in the Dominican Republic to their 2009 package options, Evans says. As sightseers around the country relinquish their cherished vacation days to give a little back, a phrase uttered by generations of parents deterring conformity comes to mind: If everyone else jumped off a bridge, would you jump too? Well, if good old mom and dad knew this trend has the potential to benefit humanity as a whole, they might just supply the bungee. „

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PATHWAYS : CULTURE

From the Catwalk to the Crosswalk FASHION TO FIT YOUR EVERY MOVE. PHOTOGRAPHS BY SRIJON CHOWDHURY. It’s always a challenge to find the perfect outfit for work and play, and it can be especially difficult if you plan to go somewhere. With transportation in mind, we found some fun, stylish, and comfortable outfits that fit the lifestyle of those who walk, bike, commute, and fly. Avenue’s fashionable outfits are sure to set you up for the workweek and a weekend of fun. –LEAH THEORIN

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The Walker ON HER: blouse, blazer,

satchel, Club Monaco; vest, Ella Moss; skirt, Lauren Conrad, shopcovered.com ON HIM: vest, shirt, belt, blazer; Club Monaco; jeans, William Rast, shopcovered.com

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The commuter ON HER: jacket, Club Monaco;

top; Bobi; skirt, Lauren Conrad; shoes, Lovely People, shopcovered.com ON HIM: shirt, pants, blazer, belt; Club Monaco, clubmonaco.com

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The flyer Scarf, cardigan, pants, sweater, belt; Club Monaco, clubmonaco.com

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PATHWAYS : CULTURE

Traveling Tunes FOR LOCAL SINGER-SONGWRITER JEREMY MESSERSMITH, THE TUNES AND THE TRAVEL ARE ONE AND THE SAME

Q With songs like “Light Rail” and “The Commuter” would you say the overarching theme of The Silver City is transportation? A Yeah, I would say that. I’ve been thinking a lot about the city as a living organism and really transportation is the circulatory system of the city. Q What to you is so inspiring about transportation? A The thought that when you’re traveling that you’re going somewhere, you’re doing something, accomplishing something with your life is the feeling I get. It symbolizes freedom. Q Do you write your music while commuting yourself ? A Yeah, I do. I have written stuff while I’m riding on the light rail or driving. Or I’m a big walker when I’m looking for a song idea. Your body is engaged in something so it frees up your mind to think. Q How do you get around the city? A By every means possible. I drove the car to work today, but I biked all over Uptown earlier. I use everything. I am a big fan of the light rail. I just wish it went more places instead of just downtown and to the mall. Q Why did you want to create a song about the light rail? A I just decided there needed to be more songs about mass transit. I’d be really happy if it made its way out into the world and was the best song written about mass transit. I’m not going to write the best song

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about war or love, so if I’m nichey enough maybe I have a shot. But it would be great if it unconsciously influenced people positively towards the idea to build more light rails in the city. Q What do you like about the light rail? A I’m a supporter of mass transit, but the problem with it is it’s only effective if you have a lot of it like in New York or Chicago. If everyone takes a train, it’s the easiest way to get around. Q It is very “meta” to think that people could be listening to “Light Rail” while riding the light rail. What do you think of that? A It’s funny. I’ve had friends call me and I have to ask, “Are you listening to my song or riding on the light rail right now?” It’s kind of goofy. Q How did you get the realistic light rail sounds for the song? A I took a mini-disc recorder and rode the light rail and got a bunch of sounds and edited it together. The song begins with me getting the ticket and ends when the trip’s over. Q The Silver City is named after Minneapolis’ skyline and Franklin Avenue is a local street. What are you trying to say about the city? A I don’t know if there’s one thing I’m trying to say about Minneapolis. I’m trying to set a stage for the characters in the song and maybe someone’s genuine experience living here. Q If people aren’t from Minneapolis or don’t even know what a light rail is, what do you hope listeners will take away from these songs? A I hope listeners take away from the songs not just the transportation theme, but emotionally connect to the songs and the characters in them. A lot of the transportation themes and the city background is just a really nice setting—like it’s a movie or TV show or something. È For more information, see jeremymessersmith.com. You can buy his albums at his website, iTunes, or eMusic. –HILARY DICKINSON

THIS PAGE: SRIJON CHOWDHURY, PHOTO; OPPOSITE PAGE: COLIN CORRADO, ILLUSTRATION

Commuting around Minneapolis may seem like a mundane part of our daily lives, but local singer-songwriter Jeremy Messersmith found a reason to sing about it. On his second CD, The Silver City, released earlier this month, he sings about Minneapolis transportation in songs like “Light Rail,” “The Commuter,” and “Franklin Avenue.” Before setting out on his tour of the West Coast this fall, Messersmith, 29, chatted with Avenue about his songs, the metaphor of transportation, and why he loves the light rail.

PATHWAYS : CULTURE

BUS ETIQUETTE Survival tips for the occasional to daily bus rider You know the type: The guy who ignores the ten open seats to still snuggle up right next to you. The woman who ignores your ear buds to try to start a conversation. Or the teenager who sings out loud while those around her are trying hard to read. Try as you might to ignore them, these annoying bus riders can ruin your ride. But sometimes you don’t even notice you’re the one irritating others. Here are four simple suggestions to improve our collective bus etiquette.

Give up your seat for the poor old lady desperately clinging to the pole for balance. You’ll feel better because you did a good deed, and she’ll maybe start to think the youth of America aren't as terrible as the six o’clock news says. Wait for the last person to get off the bus before getting on. Plowing like a bowling ball over that person taking their sweet time will actually make you look like the bigger jerk.

Don’t laugh at the person who just wiped out exiting the bus. Yes, it is hilarious, but chances are, that will be you someday, and you don’t want a bunch of strangers laughing at your mishap, do you?

Have your money or bus pass ready when you get on. Other riders will not be pleased if they have to wait for you to dig through every pocket you have. - KELSEY FJESTAD

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PATHWAYS : CULTURE

Party Bus LEAVE YOUR KEYS AT HOME AND TAKE OUR PUBLIC TRANSPORATION PUB CRAWL Ready to paint the town red but don’t have a designated driver or the cash for a cab? Stop worrying. Avenue has crafted a full night out that allows the whole entourage to imbibe safely. The solution: hop onto the city bus. Besides being safer for you and your friends, the bus provides a great way to take in all a city has to offer without burning through your wallet. Although this pub crawl meanders through Minneapolis, it’s easy to plan a bus-propelled adventure anywhere using the trip planning feature found on most major cities’ transportation websites. –MEGAN KADRMAS

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7:00 PM - START: DINKYTOWN n Kitty Cat Klub, 315 14th

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The party starts a little earlier in this college enclave than in most parts of the city, so it’s an ideal location to get a head start on the evening. The Kitty Cat Klub provides a comfortable and upscale place to sit back and sip a glass of wine from their refined list amid lush foliage and chic vintage furnishings.

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8:00 PM Walk to the bus stop on the University’s East Bank campus at Eddy Hall and catch a 3. Get off on the University’s West Bank campus at Willey Hall. From here, walk south on Cedar Avenue.

Cedar Avenue, Minneapolis 612.338.6424

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If it’s nice outside, make sure to sit on the Nomad ’s patio or play one of their free lawn games. As the name suggests, the Nomad offers an invigorating mixture of cultures, reflected in its culinary offerings and beer menu. The eclectic nature of this charming pub is also reflected in its music selections, which range from hip hop and reggae to jazz and acoustic guitar. While you’re there, try a beer from their extensive list.

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9:30 PM Return to the Willey Hall bus stop. Get on the 115 limited stop toward Uptown. Get off at Hennepin Avenue and Lagoon Avenue.

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KARINA HOLTZ, ILLUSTRATIONS; DENISE RATH, PHOTOS

8:15 PM NEXT STOP: WEST BANK o The Nomad World Pub, 501

PATHWAYS : CULTURE

9:55 PM NEXT STOP: UPTOWN p The Independent, 3001

Lagoon Ave.

Hennepin Avenue S, Minneapolis 612.378.1905

Lake St. W. Girard Ave. S.

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The area of Uptown centered around Hennepin Avenue and Lake Street offers a wide selection of bars within walking distance. From the trendy but spendy Chino Latino to the alwayspacked Stella’s Fish Café, this locale has it all. The Independent, tucked away above Figlio’s, is a sexy retro-themed lounge with a lofty urban patio overlooking the Hennepin and Lake intersection. They serve amazing appetizers—try the bruschetta—and if you’re still thirsty, the Independent has a long list of specialty cocktails with spunky names that are sure to please everyone in your group.

31st St. W.

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At the northeast corner of Hennepin Avenue and Lake Street, catch the 6U bus toward Downtown Minneapolis. Get off at Hennepin Avenue and South Fourth Street.

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12:15 AM - NEXT STOP: DOWNTOWN q The Imperial Room, 417

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The Imperial Room’s lounge offers the 6t

right combination of plush leather couches, dark wood accents, mood lighting, and thumping beats to amp the suave factor on the night. Sip one of their classic martinis or get down to hip-hop served up by one of the Twin Cities’ best DJs.

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1:20 AM Return to Hennepin Avenue and South Fourth Street and get back on the 6U. Get off at the corner of 13th and University Avenues. Fo

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1:33 AM - LAST STOP: DINKYTOWN r The Library Bar, 1301 4th

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Although this is a college bar, it’s the perfect place to end the evening even if you’re long past that phase of your life. The other bar-hopping patrons will unintentionally entertain you and if you’re itching for one more drink, the Library offers one dollar rail drinks. Another option: Mesa Pizza on Fourth Street is open until after bar time during the weekends. Stop in, their original combinations are sure to satisfy.

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FRESH AIR : HEALTH

HEALTHY MOTION Transporting you to an active and safe commute DRIVING

HOW RUSH HOUR BECAME STRESS HOUR When Rita Skamser lost her job earlier this year, she returned to work at her parents’ restaurant in Forest Lake, a distant suburb of the Twin Cities. Although she is grateful for the family business to fall back on, she says the forty minute drive from St. Paul is more stressful than she anticipated. “Waiting tables is a stressful job,” she says. “But it’s harder to keep a good outlook on the day when I’m showing up to work stressed out.” Skamser, 22, is not the only one feeling haggard by her drive time. According to recent studies, those rush-hour commutes raise blood pressure and release stress hormones. The distance of your drive, as well as gender, affects your stress level. For instance, women feel that commuter stress carries over into other parts of their day more than men. Over time, this stress may cause increased frequency of illness and work absence, as well as a decline in job stability and overall life satisfaction. Stress reduces a driver’s ability to multitask, says Michael Manser, director of the HumanFIRST Program at the University of Minnesota’s Center for Transportation Studies. The HumanFIRST Program uses psychology and human factors to improve scientific understanding of driver performance and cognitive functions. “In high stress situations, attention narrows and you focus on fewer of the elements involved in driving,” he says. This may cause drivers to make more errors, like not checking their blind spots before switching lanes or not signaling a turn. Stress has other effects on the body, Manser says, such as quickening the heart rate, tensing muscles, and producing sweat. Over time, these effects take their toll. Studies show stress can raise blood pressure, induce chronic headaches and muscle tension, and even cause heart attacks and strokes. Although you may not be able to completely cut out driving or the stresses associated with it, here are some tips to help you have a more relaxed commute:

Cocoon your car: Play calming music like Minnesota Public Radio’s classical music station, (99.5 in the Twin Cities).

Be nice: Instead of challenging aggressive drivers, make the drive safer by letting them have their way. Doing nice things releases stress-fighting endorphins.

Avoid it all together: Studies have shown that full-time ride sharers or public transportation users are significantly more satisfied with their commutes than solo drivers. Also, try adjusting your workday to avoid the 9-to-5 crowd. If you can’t, join a gym near work to avoid the evening rush hour and work off some of the day’s tension. –MEGAN KADRMAS

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TAKING THE BUS Pros: Riding the bus can reduce stress by taking away the strains of driving, sitting in traffic, and the hassle of parking. Cons: If you don’t like sharing your ride with several dozen other people, a crowded bus can be daunting. Tips: Listen to your iPod or bring a book.

WALKING Pros: According to the Mayo Clinic, walking is not only good for your cardiovascular system, but your memory as well. It also helps prevent Type 2 diabetes by keeping blood sugar within normal range. Cons: Walking at the wrong pace or with the wrong posture can cause injury. Tips: If you’re breathing too hard to speak, you’re probably walking too fast. Your stomach should be tight and your shoulders should move freely. Wear supportive shoes and avoid high heels.

BIKING Pros: According to the New York Bicycling Coalition, biking is good aerobic exercise and can help improve sleeping habits by reducing stress hormones. Cons: Bikers face dangers of falling or getting hit by a car. In 2006, 44,000 cyclists were injured in traffic crashes, according to the National Center for Statistics and Analysis. Tips: Make sure you’re wearing your helmet level on your head rather than tilted forward or backward and that the inside pads are “comfortably snug all the way around,” says Randy Swart, director of the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute in Arlington, Virginia. Always wear fluorescent or bright clothing and use reflectors and lights at night. –KATELYN LATAWIEC

THIS PAGE: KARINA HOLTZ, ILLUSTRATION; OPPOSITE PAGE: STOCK.XCHNG, PHOTO ILLUSTRATION

Driving Miss Crazy

Pros : Driving a car protects you from extreme temperatures during the winter and summer. Cons: You aren’t getting exercise sitting in your car and traffic congestion can be stressful. Tips: Park at the far end of the parking lot or a block away from your destination. If you’re stressed, listen to music. Calming, relaxing, familiar music consists of a structure and form that mimics a resting, slow heart rate, says Dr. Linda Chlan, a music therapy researcher from the University of Minnesota.

FRESH AIR : HEALTH

Fast But Healthy Food Are you on the go all day driving from one place to the next while your stomach is growling as loud as your engine? Don’t starve yourself—snack. Christine Twait, a nutritionist at the University of Minnesota Boynton Health Service gave Avenue some ideas for healthy, delicious snacks you can eat in your car.

Fruits and Veggies

cocoa content, which means more antioxidants that may help reduce inflammation.

Dried Fruit The real deal is always better, but dried fruits are a healthy alternative to candy and potato chips. They contain antioxidants and are also high in fiber, potassium, and iron and are easy to store.

It turns out that Mom had a point when she forced you to eat broccoli at dinner. Nothing is a better snack than some sliced and diced fresh fruits and vegetables. Not only are they easy to bag up, they also reduce your risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Granola Bars

Fruit Smoothies

Popcorn

Besides being convenient for the car, smoothies made with yogurt and whole fruit provide a good source of calcium, fiber, and protein. Whip one up at home or stop at a juice bar.

Believe it or not, plain popcorn is a healthy snack because it’s a whole grain and has lots of fiber. It’s also low in calories and sodium.

Low-Fat Ice Cream and Frozen Yogurt

Skim and soy lattes contain caffeine for a metabolism and energy boost and are generally lower in calories than drinks made with whole milk. A twelve-ounce latte has the calcium of a glass of milk.

If you want ice cream, you can still have it. Reduced or low-fat ice cream can even help you meet your calcium requirements. Even better, frozen yogurt has fewer calories than ice cream and is just as delicious.

Dark Chocolate For those who love chocolate, you don’t have to give it up. Just switch to dark. Dark chocolate has less fat than milk chocolate and a heavier

One hundred percent whole grain granola bars are just as portable and low in cholesterol. If you’re concerned with calories, make sure that they aren’t embellished with candy and coated in chocolate.

Skim/Soy Latte

String Cheese It might be difficult to pick off tiny strings while driving but feel free to take a bite. Reduced-fat string cheese is a good source for calcium and protein. –MANDEE HAYES

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BACKSEAT Whether you are waiting at an airport or riding on a city bus, Avenue’s Backseat is the perfect companion for your journey.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Refer to the page numbers listed after the question to help find the answer, and then fill in the boxes with the answer.

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ACROSS 1. Jeremy Messersmith is a big fan of this type of transportation and even wrote a song about it (page 36) 3. America’s largest passenger rail system (page 2) 5. Scientists are testing this element to be used as a fuel source (page 2) 7. Have your money or this form of payment ready when you board a bus (page 37) 12. It’s illegal to have one of these in the middle of the road in Chico, California (page 4) 13. Doing nice things to other drivers releases these (page 40) 14. A system that allows the car to start when the key is just close to the car (page 9) 15. Walking helps your memory and can prevent a type of this disease (page 40) DOWN 2. The Nomad World Pub offers this as free, outdoor entertainment (page 38) 4. The ultimate college bar in Dinkytown (page 38) 6. Stillwater’s oldest coffee shop (page 6) 8. A great snack while driving that also works as an activity (page 41) 9. Hybrid cars can run solely on electricity up to about miles per hour (page 9) 10. Studies show this factor affects your stress level with commuting (page 40) 11. An electric car that can be driven only thirty-five miles per hour or less (page 9)

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