Macalester College is considered a premier small liberal arts institution. We rank among other colleges such as Carleton, Bowdoin, Middlebury, etc. This is not news to the people who go here, but the question of what distinguishes Macalester from comparable institutions remains elusive at times. The most salient difference between Macalester and its comparable institutions…
Columns, Features, Love Thy Neighborhood
Love Thy Neighborhood: Enjoying the twin cities outdoors during the spring thaw
Yes, it’s that time of year again, when Minnesotans emerge from the indoors after surviving a long and bitterly cold winter; in fact, Wednesday was the first 70 degree day in six months! We put away our ice skates and winter coats and head outside to enjoy the beautiful outdoors: in the Twin Cities, spring…
Food & Drink
Twin Cities taco tour: Local options reviewed
There are two food items in this world I could eat every day: Milkshakes and tacos. When the weather gets to -40 I tend to shy away from the former, but I can’t think of many scenarios in which I would turn down a good taco. If you feel the same way, here’s a short…
Food & Drink
Across the River Restaurant Reviews: Bryant-Lake Bowl
I have an internship in Minneapolis, but because I take the limited-stop bus No. 144, in my mind I never leave campus, leading the sort of comatose existence that continual work and academia will bring about. When Noah Koch, friend and fellow Mpls intern, proposed that I meet him after work at the Walker Art…
Food & Drink
Across the River Restaurant Reviews: Modern Times Cafe
This past weekend, my parents were in town and wanted to take me out to breakfast. Let that sink in for a moment. Other times I may have been relegated to the delicious breakfast joints within walking distance—Shish, the Neighborhood Café, and the like—but this time, my parents had a car, making the whole Twin…
Columns, Psyched About Cycling
Baby, you can ride my bike: Outings for two on four wheels
Besides the obvious contributions to your physical and mental health, biking also carries social benefits—bike “dates” are a great way to get to know your neighborhood and your neighbor better. When I say “date,” I mean it in the general sense: no matter who you pedal out with—roommate, casual friend, or perhaps someone you’re more…
Sports
Magic at Medtronic
Over 9,000 people participated in the 32nd Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon last weekend. In their ranks were several Macalester students. Alex Klopp ’16, Nina Storniolo ’14, Megan Schwartz ‘14, and Julia Turner ’16 all participated in the 26.2 mile-long run, which started in downtown Minneapolis through the cities to finish up at the Capitol building in St. Paul.
Columns, Love Thy Neighborhood
Love Thy Neighborhood: an overview of transit projects in the twin cities
Things seem to be picking up speed here in the Twin Cities when it comes to mass transit. The Twin Cities are having nothing short of a mass transit boom, and these days everyone from the cities and suburbs seems to be getting on board, pun intended. From new stations to new light rail lines…
Food & Drink
Think global, drink local: brewery tours in the Twin Cities
Editors note: Rachel Quay ’14 and Charlie Argyrou ’14 are both of age to have sampled beer. Disclaimer: I am no beer expert, and definitely no connoisseur. I’m just a person who likes to drink beer and explore what the Twin Cites has to offer. Do you like beer? Are you of legal age to…
Columns, Psyched About Cycling
Psyched About Cycling: The roads most traveled by, Bikeways in the Twin Cities
An experience that got me excited about biking in the Twin Cities right away when I came to Mac was a trip to Lake Calhoun. Though the distance seemed a bit formidable, especially to an uninitiated first year, I was amazed at how easy this ride was—if you take a look at the map above, you’ll see that I was able to pedal down Summit to the River Parkways, hop on the Greenway and make a beeline to my destination.