Winter Adventures at North Mississippi Regional Park

* * * * Special Events * * * * 

Groundhog Day Celebration

Come celebrate a day of weather forecasting woodchucks with art, games and activities. Hike the park with a naturalist to see if our resident woodchucks have been out to make their own predictions.
Sunday February 2^nd 1-3pm    Activity #101561

Leap Year Day      

Find out how animals battle for survival by looking at skulls, furs and live animal examples! Then take your knowledge to the trails by looking for animal signs and playing survival games.
Saturday February 29^th 1-3pm   Activity #101567

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No School Day Camp for Kids

Explore outdoors, get messy and learn by doing! 8am-4pm for ages 6-12

WINTER FUN & GAMES Friday January 17th    Activity #101576 Get ready for snow filled fun! Build shelters, snowmen and other creations outside. Hike through the park and play games on snowshoes. Make art, toss snowballs, and warm up inside with hot cocoa. Registration Fee $25.

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Winter Program Highlight

Winter Survival Challenge  Saturday Jan 25^th  1:30-3:30pm  Activity #101575
Assemble your team of family or friends and practice your winter skills in the park through nature challenges! Build shelters, maneuver through obstacles, and seek out hidden clues in the wild. Then enjoy hot cocoa and a treat by a winter campfire.

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ADULTS

Bird Watching

• Birding on Snowshoes  Saturday Feb 1^st 11:30-1:00pm  Activity #101556
  Try something different and develop new skills by birding on snowshoes with a naturalist along our prairie, woodland, and river trails! 

• Birds of Prey Wednesday, February 19^th 9-10:30am   Activity #106725
  Examine the adaptations of these superior hunters, dissect an owl pellet, and go bird watching with a naturalist to learn how to look for these majestic predators in your neighborhood.

Nature Nights

• Campfire Mingle  Thursday January 23^rd 6:00-8:00pm   Activity #101603
  Enjoy naturalist-led gourmet campfire cooking (recipes included), group games, and a senses-exploring night hike
• Valentine's Day Snowshoeing   Friday Feb 14^th 7-8:30pm   Activity #101596
  

  Get warmed up on a snowshoe hike along the river, cozy up around a bonfire while sipping hot cocoa and try your hand at crafting a candle to bring home

Hikes

• Animal Tracking by Snowshoe Thursday January 30^th 10:30am-12:00pm 
  After the hustle and bustle of the week, take a peaceful walk through the park to realign your senses with nature.  Activity #106724
• Phenology Hike Club  Every other Tuesday 4:00-5:00pm
  

  Get outside for a walk in the park to observe and track the seasonal happenings of nature then gather and submit citizen science data with a naturalist guide. Socialize, exercise and contribute to the study of Phenology.

  Jan. 14  Activity #104385

  Jan. 28 Activity #104386

  Feb. 11 Activity #104387

  Feb. 25 Activity #104388

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YOUTH & FAMILIES

Early Childhood

• Nature Play Group  6 Wednesdays 10:15-11:15am
  Get those inquisitive minds and bodies exploring nature and socializing with peers! Bring your little one to play and have fun outside with other children and parents/guardians. For kids up to age 5 with an adult
  Feb 12^th- March 18^th  Activity #101572

• Nature Tots  2nd & last Sundays 3:00-4:00pm
  

  January 12th Slithering Snakes Activity #104408

  January 26th Under the Ice Activity #104409

  February 9th Animal Babies Activity #104410

  February 23rd Paws & Claws Activity #104411

Home School Day

• Orienteering    Thursday Feb. 13^th 1-3pm   Activity #101565

  Learn about Earth’s magnetic field and how it can help you find your way. Then, practice following a trail through nature using a compass to orient you in the right direction.

Nature Art & Exploration

• Family Funday: Winter Arts & Animals  Sun Jan 19^th  1:00-3:00pm    
  Meet some MN animals up-close, then let nature inspire your creation of winter themed artwork to take home.  Activity #101560
• Nature Art: Colors & Ice   Saturday Feb. 8^th 1:30-2:30pm    Activity #101569
  

  Make a mural outside with the snow as your canvas, create beautiful mini ice castles, and use colored ice to make pictures to take home.

• Minnesota Owls  Sunday Feb. 16^th 2:30-4pm  Activity #101558
  

  Discover the owls that live in Minnesota and examine the adaptations that make them superb nighttime hunters. Then dissect an owl pellet and find out how to look for owls in your neighborhood.

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Snowshoeing

DROP-IN PROGRAM. Get some wonderful exercise while recreating in nature by checking out a pair of snowshoes for free! A naturalist will be available to show you the basics and then you are free to explore the park on your own. Ages 5 & up.

	Saturdays 11am-3pm	Sundays 1-3pm
January	18th   Activity #101579	19th   Activity #101587
	25th   Activity #101580	26th   Activity #101588
February	1st   Activity #101581	2nd  Activity #1015589
	8th  Activity #101582	9th  Activity #101590
	15th  Activity #101583	16th  Activity #101591
	22nd Activity #101584	23rd Activity #101592

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More Ways to Enjoy the Park

Stop by the front desk to check out binoculars, outdoor explore packs & nature guides.
Talk with a naturalist to meet and learn about our education animals.
Celebrate your birthday with us!

Like North Mississippi on Facebook to stay in the loop about what’s happening in our park!
Learn more about North Mississippi Regional Park at our website.

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Winter Building Hours

9am-4pm               Tuesday-Friday

10am-4pm                 Saturday

12pm-4pm                Sunday

CLOSED                  Monday

Kroening Interpretive Center at North Mississippi Regional Park

4900 Mississippi Court, Minneapolis, MN 55430

Phone: 612-370-4844

Email: NorthMississippi@minneapolisparks.org

The Fillmore Minneapolis and Trax Burgers and Bar to open in February

The Fillmore Minneapolis opens its doors February 12. The 36,000-square-foot venue features two floors and an 1,850-person capacity. Box seats and premium tickets are on the venue’s mezzanine level alongside upscale food and beverage offerings and dedicated hospitality.  

The Fillmore Minneapolis expects to produce 175 annual concerts and events and is operated by Live Nation, a longtime promoter in the Twin Cities. Live Nation currently operates Varsity Theater in Dinkytown and has produced shows at Target Field, U.S. Bank Stadium, Xcel Energy Center, Target Center, The Armory and The Hennepin Theaters.  

The music hall will open with the first of three sold-out nights of music by Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile, followed by sold-out dates from Motion City Soundtrack. 

Trax Burgers and Bar opens February 3, 2020. Trax will serve customers lunch, dinner, and late-night hospitality seven days a week. 

Trax will be a new player in the hand-crafted burger scene, with a menu using ingredients sourced locally, from farms and pastures within 200 miles of the restaurant. Local providers include Ranchers Legacy Meat company; PJ Murphy’s bakery; produce from Bix Produce in St. Paul; cheese from Grantsberg, Wisconsin’s Burnett Dairy Cooperative; eggs from Locally Laid in Wrenshall; and poultry from Ferndale Market in Cannon Falls.

The beverage program at Trax includes a selection of rotating craft beers on tap. For the initial lineup, customers will find favorites from local breweries including Surly, Indeed, Insight, and Fulton, as well as taps from other regional independent breweries. The spirit list will also include Minnesota-made products from local small batch distilleries including 11 Wells Spirits Co., Crooked Water Spirits, and Far North Spirits.

The 2019 Market By The Numbers, A Year In Review

2019 Downtown real estate market review from Cynthia Froid Group:

It’s Free Movie Season at the Minneapolis Convention Center

Once a month through April, enjoy “Movies Under the Domes” in an auditorium at the Minneapolis Convention Center

For the second straight year, the Minneapolis Convention Center (MCC) is offering complimentary feature films one night a month through April, thanks to Movies Under the Domes, powered by Pepsi. The features set to be shown in one of the MCC’s auditoriums include “Toy Story 4,” “Green Book,” “The Lion King” and “Frozen II.” 

Date night, family night or a hang-out-with-friends night, each Movies Under the Domes evening is free to the public. Movie-goers must RSVP through Eventbrite for General Admission tickets, as seating is limited. The first 100 people through the door for each movie will receive a gift from Pepsi.

Doors open at 5 p.m., with showtime at 6:30 p.m. Here is this year’s line-up:
•    Jan. 23 – Toy Story 4 (G) 
•    Feb. 27 – Green Book (PG-13)
•    March 19 – The Lion King (2019) (PG)
•    April 16 – Frozen II (PG)

“We talk a lot about the Minneapolis Convention Center being a ‘relationship building,’ and Movies Under the Domes is one of the events that helps strengthen the bonds between the MCC and the surrounding community,” said Minneapolis Convention Center Executive Director Jeff Johnson. “We’re excited to welcome Minneapolis residents, thank them for their support and offer everyone a fun, free night in our venue.”

Prior to the complimentary feature films, the Craft Bar and Lounge, located in the Convention Center, will be serving craft brews and food starting at 5 p.m. Popcorn, snacks and soda will also be available for purchase.

Inside The Art : What Were They Thinking?

Article by Lynn Kittel, Photos provided by the Bridgewater Lofts Art Committee

On a wintry Saturday in December, residents of The Bridgewater Lofts gathered around a painting of what appeared to be bolts of fabric. They learned about the artist, Patricia Canney, and that the image came from the entry of the costume shop at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres. They learned that the artist had always been intrigued by dresses and other garments (particularly those of the legacy designers). She calls them the objects of life.

Patricia Canney, In The Works

As the group moved through the lobby exhibit, the question on everyone’s mind:  What were the artists thinking?

Perhaps you’ve asked yourself that question browsing the collections at one of the hundreds of galleries, museums and studios that pepper the Twin Cities art landscape. Or maybe you’ve scratched your head over that oversized abstract great Aunt Lucy painted during her student days at MCAD. Either way, you’re not alone.

As a newbie art collector it’s important to understand that art is inherently personal. “I know what I like,” or “It just speaks to me,” are both legitimate ways of articulating our preferences. Some say art should challenge our perceptions of the world around us. Ultimately, though, art should move us in some way, emotionally or intellectually.

As viewers we may not relate to or even like a particular piece of art. However, learning something about an artist’s background, inspiration, style and choice of medium can go a long way in developing an appreciation for a piece of art to which you may not be immediately drawn.

With those thoughts in mind, the idea of a docent-led event attached to the current Art@thebridgewater exhibit, Inclusive Spaces, took shape. The brainchild of program curator Alison Price and led by Jerry Lee and Deb Bly, both longtime members of the condo’s Art Committee, the event was designed to develop interest in participating artists and encourage sales of the art.

Nine artists, including Canney, mentioned above, are featured in the current show. A thumbnail sketch of the artists and their work shows a wide range of styles and inspiration. Perhaps there’s something here that “speaks” to you?

Mary Simon Casati

Casati’s current work revolves around the concept of energy. Her sculpture, Transformation, was created to her specifications by a glass blower and is meant to represent human ribs. The piece was inspired by the death of her mother and the transformation of the body after death. www.mscasati.com

Mary Simon Casati:  Transformation

Davie Duke

Duke’s oil painting Father and Sons is not only a commentary on his own bi-racial family (he has two adopted children of color) but is meant to represent atomic physical reality and the mysterious wonder of our universe. It simultaneously suggests how micro and macro forces work together to bring a family together. www.davieduke.com

Davie Duke, Father and Sons

Michael Johnson

While titled Support, Michael Johnson’s painting is open to the viewer’s own interpretation. Like famed expressionist Jackson Pollock, Johnson begins his painting on a flat surface and then mounts the canvas, creating undulations throughout the piece. His intent is to create a sense of urgency that compels closer examination. www.michaeljohnsonart.org

Michael Johnson, Support

Brendan Kramp

Kramp, a former graphic designer, specializes in urban scenes in the Twin Cities and other places he has visited in his ten years living abroad.  His large-format oil, Spyhouse Northeast Autumn, is an evocative scene that seems to capture an entire story in a single image. www.brendankramp.com

Brendan Kramp, Spyhouse Northeast Autumn

Gerri Reid Skjervold

We all have a bit of the Voyeur in us, and in this painting Skjervold lets us know that we, too, are under the scrutiny of others. While her subject matter is identifiable, she mixes in abstraction, narrative, and atmospheric perspective to transport us to that balcony on Santorini. www.gerrireidskjervold.com

Gerri Reid Skjervold Skjervold, Voyeur

Susan Wagner

Wagner’s Landscape #2 and Landscape #12 are part of her White Series in which she challenged herself to a limited pallet of color to create atmosphere. Her technique for these works utilizes Venetian plaster as the base (think fresco only rough, not smooth), oil paint and handmade Korean Hanji paper, which she loves for its color, texture and durability. www.susanwagnerart.com

Susan Wagner, Landscape #2

Susan Wagner, Landscape #12

Denise S. Tennen

An architect by training, ceramic artist Denise S. Tennen’s pieces can be found in many public buildings throughout the Twin Cities. Ovoid is part of her Poetry Series and is inspired by rocks along Lake Superior. Pieces like From Whence I Came capture the relaxation and tension found in the human body combined with shapes of plant life. www.mnartists.org/denisetennen

Denise S. Tennen, Ovoid

Denise S. Tennen, From Whence We came

Pam McCrea

You may know Bridgewater resident McCrea from her extensive involvement in the Mill District community.  Living and working downtown has served as inspiration for her unique impressions of local landscapes. Her image Gold Medal Lights began as a photograph and emerged as a watercolor-like landscape through the use of the grid method of painting in combination with a digital paintbrush to distort and blend the photo.

Pam McCrea, Gold Medal Lights

Be a Census Taker – Earn Extra Income, Help Our Community, Be a Part of History

The 2020 Census will shape the future of America. Get involved to help your community get a complete and accurate count of everyone. Learn how: 2020Census.gov.

The 2020 Census is coming. As mandated by the U.S. Constitution, the census is a once-every-decade count of everyone living in the country. You can shape your community’s future by getting involved and helping the 2020 Census count everyone.

Here are three ways you can get involved:

1) Apply to work for the 2020 Census and spread the word. The Census Bureau is hiring hundreds of thousands of people across the country to serve as census takers. The positions for census taker are part-time temporary jobs, with flexible hours, so even someone with a full-time job could work and earn extra money. Pay is competitive and training is paid. For more detail on census jobs: 2020Census.gov/jobs.

The pay rate for Hennepin County is up to $27.50 per hour.  Census workers are paid for training and work flexible hours.

Timeline for Census Taker Jobs: 

• Apply NOW – Peak recruitment is through early 2020 

• January 2020 – Selection process and background checks begin

• March and April 2020 – Job training begins 

• May to July 2020 – Work in the field 

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2) Become a Partner in 2020 Census.  Census partners are vital to ensuring a complete and accurate count. As trusted voices in your communities, you play a key role in raising awareness that the 2020 Census is easy, safe, and important. Contact your local or state government, or local nonprofit about how to start or join a Complete Count Committee. Find out more about 2020 Census Partners and Complete Count Committees: 2020Census.gov/partners.

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3) Respond to the 2020 Census, and encourage others to respond. In March of 2020, the U.S. Census Bureau will send every household an invitation to complete a simple questionnaire about who lives at your address on April 1st. You will have the opportunity to respond online, by phone, or by mail, and federal law keeps those responses safe and secure. 2020Census.gov.

By being counted in the 2020 Census, you will help inform funding for local school programs, emergency services, and roads in our community. The census also determines how seats in Congress are distributed among the 50 states.

December by the Numbers

Downtown real estate market update from Cynthia Froid Group:

Parade Stadium hosts Hockey Day Minnesota 2020

Via a January 2 e-newsletter from the Minneapolis Park and Rec Board:

Hockey Day Minnesota 2020 will be held at Parade Park on January 16, 17 and 18! The 14th-annual statewide hockey celebration features two boys' and two girls' high school games, an NHL Alumni game, a State of Hockey Women's All-Star Game and a University of Minnesota women's hockey game.

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is proud of its hockey tradition, building and maintaining 19 outdoor hockey rinks each winter, in addition to indoor rinks at Parade Ice Garden and Northeast Ice Arena. Proceeds of the event will benefit MPRB Youth Hockey and other Minneapolis youth hockey organizations, including the DinoMights, Minneapolis Storm Youth Hockey and Minneapolis Titans Youth Hockey.

Learn more about the event at the Hockey Day Minnesota page.

Stadium Parkway Closure

The action will take place on a rink constructed at Parade Stadium. Park users may have noticed construction activity near the stadium in preparation for this event. Stadium Parkway will be closed to the general public between Dunwoody Boulevard and Kenwood Parkway during the periods listed below:

Thursday, Jan. 16: 4pm-10pm

Friday, Jan. 17: 5pm-10pm

Saturday, Jan. 18: 7:30am-9pm

Parking

Event parking will be available in the lot at Dunwoody College of Technology and the Vineland Place Parking Ramp next to the Walker Art Center. A rideshare pick-up/drop-off point has been established at the corner of Aldrich Avenue and Ontario Avenue.

Event Schedule

DATE	TIME	GAME
Thur., Jan. 16	6 pm	Holy Angels vs. Minneapolis – Girls’
Thur., Jan.16	8 pm	Grand Rapids-Greenway vs. Blake – Girls’
Fri., Jan. 17	6 pm	State of Hockey Women's All-Star Game
Fri., Jan. 17	7:30 pm	NHL Alumni Game
Sat., Jan. 18	9:30 am	Warroad vs. Minneapolis – Boys’
Sat., Jan. 18	1 pm	Blaine vs. Blake – Boys’
Sat., Jan. 18	4:30 pm	Ohio State vs. University of Minnesota – Women’s

Hockey Day Minnesota 2020 caps off with the Minnesota Wild vs. Dallas Stars at 8 pm on Saturday, January 18 at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. All of the Saturday games will be televised live on Fox Sports North.

Elliot Park Skate Park and Field Lighting Update

Via a January 2 e-newsletter from the Minneapolis Park and Rec Board:

A bird's eye view illustration of the skate plaza planned at Elliot Park

New athletic field lighting and upgraded pedestrian lighting will be installed in 2020

Hennepin County awards $200,000 grant for skate plaza, which is in final stage of design

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A project to expand the skate park, add athletic field lighting and upgrade path lighting at Elliot Park was delayed in 2019, but is on track for 2020.

Original construction bids came in well over the project budget due to an extremely competitive construction market that affected many public and private projects this year. The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) bid the lighting project in the fall and awarded a construction contract on Dec. 18, 2019 – made possible with allocation of additional Elliot Park neighborhood Park Dedication Funds. Work is anticipated to begin in spring 2020.

The Elliot Skate Plaza project was awarded a $200,000 Hennepin County Youth Sports Grant on Dec. 12, 2019. This funding is critical to completing the skate park expansion, which is in the final stage of design. The MPRB plans on bidding the skate plaza project this winter, and if successful, construction would likely begin in summer 2020. MPRB staff is still seeking additional funding/grants to help fully realize the skate plaza design, including a patio area with seating.

Project Background

The Elliot Park skate park opened in 2004. Phase Two will be a highly visible, premier street-style public skate park that supports multiple activities - a skate plaza. The plaza adds a new sidewalk connection to the corner of S Eighth Street and S Ninth Street and a variety of new features, like a skateable seat wall, quarter pipe, rail and ledges. The Minneapolis Skate Park Activity Plan, approved in January 2018, helped guide the Phase Two design.

The athletic field, which was upgraded and expanded in 2015, will be outfitted with four new light poles to extend play into the evening. Existing pedestrian and path lighting will also be replaced throughout the park. 

The lighting project is funded through an allocation from Elliot Park neighborhood Park Dedication Funds (new field lighting) and 20-Year Neighborhood Park Plan park rehabilitation funds (upgraded pedestrian lighting). The skate plaza is funded through a Hennepin County Youth Sports grant and Elliot Park neighborhood Park Dedication Funds.

More about this project.

Mill District Resident, Kathy Franzen, One of Ten Artists Featured in Upcoming James J. Hill House Botanical Exhibit, Art from the Edge of the Boreal Forest: Reflecting Biodiversity

Exhibit runs from January 18 - June 21, 2020 at the James J. Hill House, 240 Summit Avenue, St. Paul

Ten Minnesota botanical artists working with a forest ecologist, an ornithologist and an entomologist have created a visual archive of ten trees in Minnesota’s northern boreal forest most vulnerable to climate change. The Art from the Edge of the Boreal Forest: Reflecting Biodiversity exhibit opens soon at the James J. Hill House in St. Paul and will feature 120 original works of art. The birds, insects and plants associated with the trees, plus those expected to migrate into the forest are also included, as are several decorative wood vessels created by Bob Carls, woodturning artist and co-owner of the Ripple River Art Gallery in Aitkin, MN.

This collection is important as an archival record because the ecology is undergoing slow, silent but significant change due to disturbances caused by fire, invasive insects and stressful climate conditions. The ecosystems on the lower edge of the boreal forest, such as those in northern Minnesota, are much more susceptible to these environmental disturbances.

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Below are five samples of the botanical art you'll see at the Art From the Edge of the Boreal Forest: Reflecting Biodiversity exhibit:

Marj Davis, Hexagonal-pored Polypore Mushroom, Polyporus alveolar

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Kathleen Franzen, Two Spot Sphinx Moths: male, Smerinthus jamaicensis

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Julie Martinez, Bay-breasted Warbler, Dendroica castanea

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Mary Anne O'Malley, Black Ash Branch in Summer, The Intertwining, Fraxnux nigra

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Bruce Wilson, Pitcher Plant, Purple or Side-saddle Flower, Sarracenia purpurpea

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The exhibit runs from January 18 - June 21, 2020. The James J. Hill House is located at 240 Summit Avenue in St. Paul. Admission to just the gallery is free. The $6/$10 admission fee for the House includes the gallery. Minnesota Historical Society members are free. The exhibit opening reception will be in the spring. To keep informed on current events, programs, and special offers related to the exhibition, subscribe to the MNHS e-newsletter.

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Editor's Note: 

Our Mill District neighbors Kathy Franzen and her husband Phil Hage are world travelers, and every year Kathy sketches plant life at the location they're visiting. Kathy has gifted us with a frameable image, complete with the history of the land and flora, every Holiday season for a number of years. We treasure these works of art and hope you have the opportunity to view her work at the upcoming Art From the Edge of the Boreal Forest: Reflecting Biodiversity exhibit. (An added bonus is touring the spectacular James J. Hill House!)

Firefighters For Healing Ends 2019 on a High Note

A recent e-newsletter from Firefighters For Healing reminded me of the incredible work this organization does to assist victims of fire, including the residents displaced by the recent Drake Hotel fire. If you would like to help further their work, please donate online or send a check to: Firefighters for Healing, PO Box 374, Champlin, MN 55316.

While they are busy all year long, here are some highlights of how they ushered out 2019:

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On December 17, Firefighters for Healing hosted their 8th Annual Operation Christmas Blessing at the Hennepin Healthcare Burn Center by delivering gifts for patients, meals for staff, 1000 socks for the homeless and joy to all. The Burn Center provides intensive, acute and rehabilitative burn care to children and adults from the Twin Cities and surrounding states who have sustained burn injuries and other complex wounds.

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On December 7, over $750,000 was raised at the Red Tie Gala. These funds will go towards providing for burn survivors and their families, the Camp RED campers who have survived burn trauma, and the firefighters who need support.

At the Gala, Dr. Jon Gayken (above, middle) received the 2019 Red Heart Award for his dedication, leadership and constant pursuit of excellence. Hennepin Healthcare's Burn Center is one of the busiest centers in the nation. It is verified by the American Burn Association and the American College of Surgeons. At Hennepin Healthcare, Dr. Gayken leads a highly trained team who work closely with patients and families in a supportive, state-of-the-art environment to meet their unique needs and achieve the highest level of functioning.

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Broken Clock Brewing Cooperative has released Code 3: Back Draft with a portion of the proceeds going to benefit Firefighters for Healing.

This brew is described as is a sweet stout infused with Morita peppers and a touch of lactose to mellow the pepper. 6.5% ABV, 32 IBU.

This is a limited run, available at the following locations:

On Tap at: Broken Clock Brewing Coop Bluenose Gopher Bunny’s NE Tasty Pizza In Stores at: 1010 Washington Wine & Spirits Blue Max Liquors Brooklyn Center Liquor Central Ave Liquors Fridley on University

Haskells Fairbault Haskells Maple Grove Hyvee Brooklyn Park Hyvee Cottage Grove Hyvee Eagan Hyvee Maple Grove Hyvee New Hope Hyvee Oakdale Hyvee Plymouth Lowery Hill Liquors Lunds Golden Valley Lunds Saint Louis Park MGM Minnetonka

MGM Roseville Ombibulous Savage Wine and Spirits Sentryz Stinson Wine and Spirits Top Ten Andover Top Ten Chanhassen Top Ten Saint Louis Park Top Valu Liquors

Scam Alert from the MPD 1st Precinct

Via a December 26 e-announcement from the Minneapolis Police Dept. 1st Precinct:

Periodically, we get calls and/or reports of suspected scam activity or a theft by swindle.

Additionally, we get reports, often after the fact, of individuals soliciting fraudulent funds from well-meaning people. Many times, using youth as a “prop”.

Scams happen frequently this time of year and often in the busy skyways downtown.

PLEASE BE AWARE

Two of the primary ways people are relieved of their money are through direct face to face contact and electronic calls/emails.

Face to face contact is a more elaborate form of panhandling for an immediate cash gain.

Many panhandling type solicitors will approach busy people as they move along the street or skyway, or may door-knock, asking for donations to phony youth sports teams, to support a charity or request assistance for a benefit fundraiser. This is a common scam.

All will have a very good, convincing and sometimes tragic story and many will have phony paperwork to support their mission. The goal is to take your hard-earned money. If you feel compelled to give, ask for organization information and donate through the proper channels and not to individual Pal-pal type accounts. Do your research. Legitimate organizations (like the bell ringers) will gladly supply the information you request and will have other avenues in place for you to contribute to their cause.   The others are there to only make money by your immediate, emotional response to help and most likely only benefits that one individual.

The other known scams are through phone calls or email and are either after your personal financial information or access to gift card numbers.

Phone/email scams have two main goals. One is you must make a payment by providing a credit/debit card number or bank account number. Typically, these payment methods are different from your normal payment method. They may also request that you buy gift cards and then submit the gift card numbers to rectify your “arrears”. The other is for you to give up a piece of information: a password, PIN, date of birth, social security number, account number or a device number - like a serial or registration number from your computer or phone.

If you receive a phone call NEVER assume the caller ID is correct.

Scammers use a variety of tactics and they will create a sense of urgency.

They may ask you to help someone in need or claim one of your loved ones is hurt or in jail; often impersonating a relative to generate an “emergency”.

A scammer may offer an incentive or something of value in return for your personal information (you send us this and we will give you this). There will be a message of insistence or that the offer is good for a limited time. If it seems like a good deal, inevitably, it is not.

Scammers will impersonate government agencies (IRS, Police or SSA). They may say your taxes are past due, you have outstanding unpaid violations or your Social Security number has been compromised. For example, they will threaten that you will lose your utility service if you don’t act now or that an arrest warrant has been issued if you don’t pay. The IRS, Police or SSA will not call you, will not ask you to pay over the phone and along with utility providers, they DO NOT accept gift cards as a form of payment. NEVER WIRE MONEY to someone you don’t know.

They will also frequently reference computer vulnerabilities by saying, “your device needs new software”, or “your computer has a virus” many times referencing Microsoft or Apple.

If you receive a suspicious call, hang up or delete the email without opening it. Do not give out any information. Do not make any payments or give out your banking information. If you receive a voice message, don’t return the call. If you have doubts, contact the company you have a business relationship with, directly. Get the company’s contact information from a separate source (off a billing statement or the back of your card. Don’t use any number or email given to you by the caller.

Remember these scams are to evoke a physical or emotional reaction from you. Some will attempt to instill fear or to catch you unaware, others will play on your caring, emotional sense of wanting to help. Many will pressure you to act quickly. Stop a minute and think logically. Remain calm. Take a breath. Ask yourself and the caller questions. Make donations only through reputable charities. If you have given any financial information out, contact credit monitoring and your financial institutions immediately.

REPORT. Whether you are approached and asked for money by someone representing what seems like a fake organization and their activity raises your suspicion or you have been a victim of a swindle; PLEASE report it to Law Enforcement by calling 911.

A scam is theft – do not become the next victim

For questions, contact:

Renee Allen, Crime Prevention Specialist
Minneapolis Police Department, First Precinct
renee.allen@minneapolismn.gov
(612) 673-5163

January at the Dakota

We've been going to the Dakota for years, and are sharing this list of January shows in case anyone out there wasn't aware of this local treasure. Every month you'll find a varitey of local, national and international music genres.  Photo: Meet Minneapolis

Wednesday, January 1 - Davina and the Vagabonds New Years Day Celebration 

Thursday, January 2 - Louis Armstrong Night! w/Southside Aces Traditional New Orleans Jazz

Friday, January 3 - Joyann Parker Band Passion, Power & Soul

Saturday, January 4 - Johnnie Brown & The Sound of Philadelphia feat. Music of The O'Jays 

Sunday, January 5 - Sam Miltich & Friends Brilliant Beloved Guitarist

Tuesday, January 7 - Atom String Quartet  

Wednesday, January 8 - Mick Sterling Presents: The Gospel According to Elvis 

Friday, January 10 - Nachito Herrera Classical to Cuban Pyrotechnics  

Sunday, January 12 - The Aida Shahghasemi, Jeremy Ylvisaker, Jacqueline Ultan Trio  

Monday, January 13 - Peter Asher: A Musical Memoir of the 60s and Beyond - Multimedia Retrospective Experience

Tuesday, January 14 - Peter Asher: A Musical Memoir of the 60s and Beyond - Multimedia Retrospective Experience 

Wednesday, January 15 - Masters of Hawaiian Music feat. George Kahumoku Jr., Led Kaapana & Kawika Kahiapo  

Thursday, January 16 - The Sweet Remains Three Tantalizing Harmonizing Troubadours

Friday, January 17 - Bruce Henry: The Music of Curtis Mayfield Electrifying Singer & Entertainer  

Saturday, January 18 - Tina Schlieske Sings Sinatra to Simone An Evening of Torch and Swing  

Sunday, January 19 - Delvon Lamarr Organ Trio Soul Groove Jazz  

Thursday, January 23 - Kneebody Explosive Exploratory Jazz  

Saturday, January 25 -Rebirth Brass Band Incomparable NOLA Brass  

Monday, January 27 - HeartSong: An Acoustic Tribute to Ann & Nancy Wilson Performed by Cate Fierro & Katie Gearty 

Thursday, January 30 - Afro-Cuban All Stars Voice of Traditional Cuban Music  

Friday, January 31 - Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials Bottleneck Boogie Blues   

New program - Nature Connections - Welcomes Adults 55+ for Free Activities This Winter

Via an e-newsletter from the Minneapolis Park and Rec Board:

Join MPRB naturalists at Loring Park or Matthews Park

This January, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) launches Nature Connections, a new program designed for adults 55 & up.

• Enjoy varied activities focused on nature, including bird-watching, winter tree identification and flower arranging
• Get insights from an MPRB naturalist
• Choose outdoor or indoor sessions —  or both!

Outdoor Sessions

Enjoy a stroll or a snowshoe around the park and neighborhood. Walking poles and ice cleats available for use. Sessions focus on topics such as birdwatching and winter tree identification. Time outside depends on the weather, and we'll warm up with a beverage afterward.

Indoor Sessions

Bring nature inside with activities like birdwatching, floral arranging and growing indoor plants.

Nature Connections program details

All sessions for adults 55+ and Free

Loring Park (Downtown) - meet at Loring Community Arts Center, 1382 Willow St.

January 7 to February 13

Indoors: Tuesdays, 2 - 3 pm

Outdoors: Thursdays, 2 - 3 pm 

Matthews Park (Seward) - meet at Matthews Recreation Center, 2318 S 29th Ave.

January 9 to February 14

Indoors: Thursdays, 10:30 - 11:30am

Outdoors: Fridays, 10:30 - 11:30am

Registration encouraged / Walk-ins welcome!

Go online: bit.ly/MPRBnatureconnections

Call Matthew Recreation Center: 612-370-4950

Call Loring Community Arts Center: 612-370-4929

Questions? Email LBretheim@minneapolisparks.org

December 2019 E-Newsletter from 3rd Ward Council Member Steve Fletcher

Click here for the full December 2019 Ward 3 E-Newsletter.

Closing the Book on 2019 and a Look Ahead to 2020

In this newsletter:

• 2020 Budget, Inclusionary Zoning, and Other Highlights from Our Final City Council Cycle of the Year
• Join Me to Celebrate 2019 with the 3rd aWards!
• Wednesday, January 15: Good Morning Ward 3
• Coffee With Your Council Member
• Changes to Ward 3 Social Media Accounts
• City Council Approves Inclusionary Zoning Policy to Increase Development of Affordable Housing
• City Council approves Minneapolis Vision Zero Action Plan
• Minneapolis Declares Climate Emergency
• City Council Approves Resolution Reaffirming Support for Resettlement of Refugees in Minneapolis
• Updates on My Ordinance & Policy Initiatives
• Ordinance Prohibits ‘Conversion Therapy’ in Minneapolis
• 2020 4d Affordable Housing Incentive Program Application Window Now Open
• City Seeking Comment on Draft Plan to Remove Accessibility Barriers in Public Right of Way
• Critical Times for Democracy: Census & Election

Click here for the full December 2019 Ward 3 E-Newsletter.

Pre-registration is Now Open for the 2020 Community Connections Conference

Two significant moments for democracy are coming up soon: the 2020 census and the presidential nominating primary. Connect with others in our community to discuss how the census and primary election will affect you, your family and your community on February 1, 2020, at the Community Connections Conference from 9am-4pm. Networking and light refreshments start at 8am.

Pre-registration is now open here, and breakout sessions and bilingual community dialogues will be announced shortly.

This conference is a free, public event that brings together residents of Minneapolis, community groups, neighborhoods and decision-makers to connect, learn and address community issues.

The conference will feature:

• Free food.
• Performances by local artists.
• Kids activities, pickup soccer and goodie bags.
• Bilingual community dialogues on topics including violence prevention and recovering lost wages due to wage theft.
• Resources for maintaining or purchasing a home.
• Job training opportunities and small business assistance.
• Health and addiction treatment resources.
• Free and low-cost legal aid.
• Information about elections and a preview of the 2020 census questions.
• Presentations and success stories from organizations doing census outreach and voter registration.

Find out more about the conference including breakout sessions, lunch vendors and exhibitors once information becomes available at: minneapolismn.gov/connectionsconf.

About the Census

April 1, 2020, is census day in the United States. This vital count of the population determines funding for important things such as schools and cities, as well as how many representatives we get in Congress. It is critical for everyone in Minneapolis to answer the census questionnaire, and we must work to ensure that no one goes uncounted because of fear, misinformation, language barriers or any other barriers. At the Community Connections Conference, you can learn about the census, how to get involved, how to complete the census, how we use its data, the challenges Minneapolis faces, and how we’re working to ensure that everyone counts in 2020.

Sign up here for conference updates.

Get Involved!

There are many ways to get involved in the Community Connections Conference. You can volunteer, exhibit or sponsor the conference.

Hennepin Avenue Downtown Reconstruction Project Update

Hennepin Avenue Downtown Reconstruction Project

Hennepin Ave. reconstruction project, led by City of Minneapolis Public Works, will be reconstructed between 12th Street and Washington Avenue beginning Spring 2019.  The project will reconstruct the pavement from building face to building face, including improvements to public and private utility infrastructure, and improved infrastructure for pedestrians, bicycles, transit, and vehicles.

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Latest Project News

Winter has come but the work continues.  Xcel Energy continues to progress in multiple areas along the corridor.

What's Coming Up 

Not much is changing with regards to what contractors are working and where over the next couple months.  Xcel Energy will continue work through the winter months.

See update attached

Hennepin_Update_Vol19.pdf

For more information on this project contact: 

Construction Manager, hennepinCM@minneapolismn.gov or 612-225-4049

www.hennepindowntown.com

Doug Verdier Shares His Latest Progress Photos of the Water Works Project

Editors Note: Mill District resident Doug Verdier continues to document the progress of the Water Works project. 

Per Doug, watching them unload the 14,000 pound (each) poured concrete blocks with the crane was the most exciting activity. 

Positioning the crane along 1st Street S in preparation for unloading cast concrete blocks.

Flatbed trucks loaded with concrete blocks being positioned for unloading. Crane is on the right of photo.

Workers attaching cables from concrete blocks to crane preparatory to lifting from truck bed.

Concrete block being lifted from flatbed.

Blocks are stacked along 1st Street perimeter of park site, awaiting final placement. Each block weighs 14,000 pounds.

Block marked with recognition of Bank of America City Steps.

Despite snow and sub-freezing temperatures, work continues on the former Bassett and Columbia Mill structures:

On December 18, another crane arrived on the Water Works site, and workers began placing precast concrete sections on the historic ruins of the Bassett Mill, which will become a new park pavilion, housing event spaces and The Sioux Chef restaurant. The following photos show the careful lifting and placement of the sections.

First Thursday Films at North High presents LOVE THEM FIRST: LESSONS FROM LUCY LANEY ELEMENTARY with Conversation Leaders Lindsey Seavert and Ben Garvin, January 2

First Thursday Films at North High presents

LOVE THEM FIRST: LESSONS FROM LUCY LANEY ELEMENTARY

With Conversation Leaders Lindsey Seavert and Ben Garvin

7pm Thursday, January 2

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MSP Film Society, in partnership with the Capri Theater and the Minnesota Historical Society, presents the 2019 MSPIFF Winner for both Best Minnesota Made Documentary and Audience Choice New American Visions Documentary Feature, Love Them First: Lessons from Lucy Laney Elementary, at 7pm Thursday, January 2, at North Community High School, Door 18, 1500 James Avenue North in Minneapolis. North High serves as the alternate location for this film series while the Capri Theater is closed for expansion and renovation.  A map and directions to North High are available online at thecapritheater.org. 

Tickets to First Thursday Films are $5 and can be purchased in advance at mspfilm.org or at the door the night of the show. 

With unprecedented access over the course of a year, Love Them First: Lessons from Lucy Laney Elementary follows the determination of a charismatic north Minneapolis school principal, Mauri Melander Friestleben, as she sets out to undo history. With Lucy Laney at the bottom of the state's list of underperforming schools for two decades, standardized test scores from most black students began rising for the first time under Friestleben's leadership. However, when the school encounters a heartbreaking setback, Friestleben is forced to confront the true measure of student success at Lucy Laney in this story of inspiration, heartbreak, perseverance and the power of love.

Each First Thursday Films screening is followed by a fervent discussion of the movie, this month led by Love Them First directors Lindsey Seavert and Ben Garvin. After graduating from Indiana University's Ernie Pyle School of Journalism and working as a reporter at five news stations stretching from Northern Minnesota, to Nevada and Ohio, Seavert has been a reporter at Minnesota-based news station KARE 11 since 2012. Garvin, a photojournalist for KARE 11, was named 2011 Journalist of the Year by the Minnesota Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. In 2017 he served as president of the Minnesota Society of Professional Journalists where he helped overturn a ban on photography in state prisons. Both Seavert and Garvin have received Emmy and Edward R. Murrow awards for their work. 

The First Thursdays series continues with Harriet Tubman biopic Harriet on February 6, featuring discussion leader Professor John Wright, and Cine Latino Audience Award runner-up The Radical Monarchs on March 5.

Topical and relevant in these turbulent times, First Thursday Films aims to create a space for dialogue and better understanding.  Come for the movies. Stay for the conversation.

Holiday Shopping and Disposal Tips from Hennepin Green Partners

Via a December 16 e-newsletter from Hennepin Green Partners

Shopping and disposal tips for the holiday season

It’s that time of year – string lights are blinking, trees lots are selling out, and menorahs are on sale. The holiday season often contains a substantial amount of consumption and waste for many Americans. So making low waste and sustainable choices during the holidays is a lofty and sometimes daunting goal.

Planning ahead is an important part of sustainability during the holidays – many shopping decisions made early in the season have a big impact on what you’ll need to dispose of after the holidays.

Here are a few shopping and disposal tips for commonly asked about items during the holiday season:

Gift Wrap

Wrapping paper is problematic in the recycling process. A lot of it contains glitter, foil, or plastic and it may be covered in bows or ribbons – all of which makes it not recyclable.

Balled up wrapping paper is also an issue. Recycling sorting facilities are set up to sort flat or slightly crunched up paper, so balls of paper likely won’t get sorted correctly.

There are a lot of good alternatives to wrapping paper, including gift bags, cloth wrapping, and decorative reusable boxes. If you do use paper to wrap gifts, use plain paper, avoid anything with glitter, foil, or plastic, and flatten it before recycling. And save those bows and ribbons to reuse next year.

Cards

When purchasing cards, buy or order cards printed on recycled-content paper, consider using a postcard to reduce paper use and avoid envelopes, and opt for cards printed on plain paper so they can be recycled.

Cards that have glitter, foil, or plastic pieces or cards printed on photo paper cannot be recycled. Any cards that make sounds or light up have a battery that should be removed and recycled – batteries are accepted at Hennepin County drop-off facilities.

After the holidays, consider saving cards that have holiday or winter decorations to reuse as gift tags next year!

Trees

Shop at thrift stores for artificial trees – many locations stock up on these this time of year (which also means it’s a good time to donate anything you no longer use).

For real trees, visit a nursery or farm that supports organic and sustainable growing or harvesting practices. After the holidays, check with your hauler or city to see if they offer special pickup options or bring trees to a yard waste site.

String Lights

String lights and cords cannot go in your recycling at home because they get tangled in the equipment at recycling sorting facilities. But they are accepted for recycling at Hennepin County drop-off facilities.

Decor

It’s a bummer when your favorite light up Christmas tree or musical carolers display stopped working, but there’s a good chance you can fix it! If you need help, consider visiting a Fix-It Clinic to get free, guided assistance from handy volunteers.

If you’re shopping for décor to make your home more festive, visit a local thrift store. Many of them have a great selection of holiday decorations for a fraction of the price.

Disposable plates, cups, utensils, or napkins

It’s so tempting to purchase disposable plates, cups, utensils, or napkins with cute holiday and winter designs, and it seems like they’ll make your holiday party much simpler and convenient.

But most of this stuff is not recyclable or compostable (unless you choose certified compostable products and have organics recycling), and you still have to deal with all that extra trash.