Week Ahead: Rube Goldberg And A Special Election

What: City Charter Commission Meeting, 1/4/12, at 4:00 p.m.

Where: Room 317, City Hall

What's up: It sounds like a bad joke: man convicted of bribing a former city councilmember tries to change city charter to undercut opponents. That, however, is what appears will be happening at a Minneapolis Charter Commission meeting on Wednesday. Developer Basim Sabri will be bringing an assortment of amendments—through Political Action Committee called Power By The People—for the commission to consider that propose slashing the number of city councilmembers in half, limiting their and the mayor’s terms to two years, and reining in the city’s Planning Commission.

What: Candidate forum for House district 61B Special election, 1/4/12, at 7:30 p.m.

Where: Powderhorn Park Recreation Center.

What's up: DFLer and independent candidate will face off in a community forum on Wednesday for the last time before next Tuesday’s special election. The two are vying to replace now-Sen. Jeff Hayden as the state representative for Kingfield and much of South Minneapolis. Sponsored by the Powderhorn Park Neighborhood Association and the League of Women Voters, the forum will also have sign language interpretation.

What: Rube Goldberg comes to Kingfield, 1/7/12, at 1 p.m.

Where: , beneath at 43rd and Nicollet.

What's up: Didn’t get the kitchen gadget you wanted for Christmas or Hanukkah? Why not make it? Leonardo’s Basement is hosting a kitchen gadget-themed Rube Goldberg-style building party for teens. Register here.