MCBA Presents the Minnesota Book Artist Award Winners

Via a December 16 Press Release

The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library has named a collaborative group as the winner of the 2020 Minnesota Book Artist Award for their collective efforts on the new artist’s book My Mighty Journey: A Waterfall’s Story. This annual award is presented as part of the Minnesota Book Awards with Minnesota Center for Book Arts (MCBA), and recognizes a Minnesota book artist or book artist collaborative group for excellence in new artistic work. Winners also demonstrate depth of knowledge and quality in the book arts through supporting previous work, as well as significant contributions to Minnesota's book arts community.

My Mighty Journey, written by John Coy and illustrated by Gaylord Schanilec, is the story of the only major waterfall on the Mississippi River – and the changes it has witnessed over twelve thousand years. The idea was originally conceived twenty-three years ago as Coy worked for the Minnesota Historical Society, guiding Minneapolis Riverfront tours. Through his words, and eventually his own participation in image creation, text composition, and printing, he brings to life the geology, history, and people of this place, told from the waterfall’s perspective.

Enhancing this dramatic story are stunning images created by a collaboration of book artists using materials collected along the riverbank: wood and bark from fallen trees, fossil- encrusted limestone, discarded bricks, and even a long-dead dogfish. Collected materials were prepared for direct printing, creating type-high printing blocks, inked and impressioned using Vandercook cylinder printing presses. The illustrations show the progression of the waterfall – eventually known as St. Anthony Falls – as it moved fifteen miles upriver from present-day Saint Paul to its current location in downtown Minneapolis. My Mighty Journey helps viewers realize that most of us are newcomers and that there is so much to learn about the waterfall, the land, the people who have been here, and our relationship to them.

 
The weight and impressive scale of the work fits with the subject. “It couldn’t have been any other way,” stated one juror.

Members of the award committee praised the way that the book clearly demonstrated the great amount of thought and detail that went into every aspect – from the illustration and words to the binding, paper, and typeface – and how the book itself exists as a kind of community, honoring everyone’s best abilities. The committee also commented on how the weight and impressive scale of the work fits with the subject. “It couldn’t have been any other way,” stated one juror.

Anchored by internationally acclaimed artist Gaylord Schanilec, the image development, composition, printing and binding team grew over the five years of this collaboration to include artists Sorcha Douglas, Barbara Eijadi, Paris Fobbe, Ellen Janda, Hans Koch, Greta Lapcinski, Monica Edwards Larson, Rayan Macalin, Kerri Mulcare, Paul Nylander, and Emily Pressprich, as well as papermaker Amanda Degener. 

An exhibition celebrating My Mighty Journey will be on display February 7–March 22, 2020 in the Main Gallery at Minnesota Center for Book Arts, located in Open Book (1011 Washington Avenue South, Minneapolis). A reception will take place on Thursday, February 13 from 6–8pm in MCBA’s Main Gallery, with an artist talk in the Target Performance Hall at 7pm. The group will also receive special recognition and an award at the 32nd annual Minnesota Book Awards Celebration on Tuesday, April 28, 2020 at the Ordway in downtown Saint Paul, sponsored by Education Minnesota.

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About the Minnesota Center for Book Arts (MCBA)

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Minnesota Center for Book Arts (MCBA) is a visual arts nonprofit organization that supports creative expression through traditional and contemporary book arts, including papermaking, bookbinding, and letterpress printing. MCBA’s philosophy and artistic vision challenges its artist community to think beyond the traditional notion of the “book.” Today, books can be bound and unbound, fabricated into sculptures, interpreted as metaphor, experienced as installation or performance, and interacted with virtually. What unites this varied work is a focus on the interdisciplinary expression of narrative.

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About The Minnesota Book Awards

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The Minnesota Book Awards is a year-long program of The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library that connects readers and writers throughout the state with the stories of our neighbors. The process begins in the fall with book submissions and continues through winter with two rounds of judging. Winners are announced at the Minnesota Book Awards Ceremony each spring. Woven throughout the season are events that promote the authors and connect the world of Minnesota books – writers, artists, illustrators, publishers, editors, and more – to readers throughout the state. In recognition of this and its other statewide programs and services, the Library of Congress has recognized The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library as the state’s designated Center for the Book. For more information visit thefriends.org/mnba. 

Jamie Malone’s Eastside Restaurant is Offering a 50% Bonus on Holiday Gift Cards Thru Dec. 24

Via a December Press Release:

From now until December 24, Chef Jamie Malone’s Eastside and Grand Café restaurants are offering gift givers a whopping 50% bonus on Holiday gift card purchases.

For every $100 purchase of Eastside or Grand Café Holiday gift cards, shoppers receive a $25 Bonus Card for that restaurant – plus a $25 Eastside Sunday Brunch gift card. Holiday gift cards can be purchased online or in person at each restaurant.

The Holiday gift cards can be redeemed after December 25th. The $25 Eastside Sunday Brunch Gift Card can be redeemed right away.

When Malone took over Eastside restaurant, 305 S Washington Avenue, Food & Wine called it a “massive win” for the city. And in the year since, Malone has augmented its downtown chic with world-class cooking, including a series of family-style offerings ranging from Whole Wood Roasted Duck to Pork Schnitzel and Smoked Ribs. In partnership with executive chef Ryan Cook, she has also given the restaurant its own version of the Happy Hour Snack Attack, and recently launched one of the city’s most inventive Sunday Brunches.

About that Eastside Brunch

The perfect bridge between breakfast and lunch, Eastside’s Sunday Brunch offers guests a multitude of paths to gustatory bliss. Start with Buttermilk Biscuits with Apple Butter – or tease the palate with Island Creek Oysters with seaweed mignonette and cocktail sauce. Ease in with a Spinach Salad, gently tossed with warm bacon vinaigrette, red onion and salsify – or dive into Fried Chicken with honey and espelette B&B pickles.

More traditional main courses range from an Omelette du Jour and Eggs Benedict (elevated by house-smoked pork coppa) to a Blueberry Dutch Baby with maple syrup and vanilla ice cream. They’re complemented by unexpected offerings including Braised Beef Shortrib with black pepper dumplings and fried egg, Spaghetti Carbonara, and a supremely shareable Lobster Thermidor with French fries.

Brunch is offered every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Two distinct experiences. One extraordinary talent. 

When Jamie Malone took over the much-loved South Minneapolis restaurant, Grand Café, 3804 Grand Avenue S, recognition came quickly. Food & Wine named it “Best New Restaurant” for 2018. And the magazine further credited Jamie for creating its “Dish of the Year” (her sweet & savory Paris-Brest: “a swirl of choux pastry painted with black honey sandwiching ethereal chicken liver mousse.”

Grand Café’s menu changes often, but patrons can count on Malone for offering inventive takes on French classics, heavy on flavor, light on pretense. Adding further intrigue to the menu: the chef’s unique take on Happy Hour fare: her multi-dish Snack Attack offering, featuring a succession of small shareables that can be paired with select $25 bottles of wine.

About Jamie Malone

Jamie received her first James Beard Award nomination in 2013 when she was named a “Rising Star Chef” semifinalist. This was followed by “Best Chef Midwest” nominations in 2014, 2015 and 2018. Food & Wine magazine named her as “Best New Chef” in 2013, and subsequently singled out Grand Café as “Best New Restaurant” in 2018, serving its 2018 “Dish of the Year.”

Celebrate Responsibly this NYE with Miller Lite Free Rides on Metro Transit

MILLER LITE® RINGS IN THE NEW YEAR BY GIVING FREE RIDES TO PARTYGOERS ON METRO TRANSIT

Miller Lite is Providing Free and Safe Rides on all Metro Transit Routes on New Year’s Eve

For the ninth consecutive year, Miller Lite is proud to continue its partnership with Metro Transit and J.J. Taylor Distributing to encourage the Twin Cities community to Celebrate Responsibly® and let Metro Transit be their designated driver. Miller Lite Free Rides will provide safe and free rides on all Metro Transit routes starting at 6pm on Tuesday, December 31 until 3am.

The Free Rides program has provided more than 6.7 million people in 28 communities safe rides as part of an ongoing commitment to helping consumers Celebrate Responsibly®. The program encourages partygoers to have good taste and not drink and drive. 

“Miller Lite believes that the only way to ring in the New Year is to do so responsibly,” said Diane Wagner, alcohol responsibility manager for MillerCoors. “Through our partnerships with Metro Transit and J.J. Taylor Distributing, we are making sure that beer drinkers in the Twin Cities have a range of options to get home safely and prevent drunk driving.”

Miller Lite Free Rides has provided more than 1,494,337 safe rides to residents and visitors of Twin Cities since the program began locally in 2011.

“Metro Transit’s partnership with Miller Lite encourages residents and visitors of the Twin Cities to celebrate one of the biggest nights of the year responsibly,” said Metro Transit General Manager Wes Kooistra. “Metro Transit’s bus and train operators are all proud to be your designated drivers this New Year’s Eve.”

“Through our partnership with Miller Lite, we’re proud to kick off the new year by providing free, safe and convenient transit to the Minneapolis-St. Paul community,” said Billie Jo Smith of J.J. Taylor Distributing.

This national program supports Molson Coors Brewing Company’s 2025 goal to implement impactful programs to prevent drunk driving in every market where the company sells beer.

Miller Lite is supporting a national holiday program where consumers 21+ can pledge to be responsible and enter for a chance to win Rides with Uber for a Year. To date, over 280,000 pledges have been received for the four promotional windows they were available for, including the holidays.

Downtown Section of West River Parkway Reopens December 16

West River Parkway will reopen between Fourth Avenue North and Portland Avenue on Monday, Dec. 16, 2019. The parkway and adjacent trails will remain open throughout the winter.

The parkway closure was necessary to accommodate work on Water Works, a new riverfront park project currently under construction.

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board appreciates everyone's patience while this exciting new waterfront amenity is constructed.

About this project

Water Works is a transformative park development project adjacent to St. Anthony Falls and the Stone Arch Bridge that will bring significant new historic, cultural, and recreational amenities to one of the most iconic locations in Minneapolis.

A Fort in Paradise: Part I

Article by Michael Rainville, Jr.

Fort Snelling and the surrounding land it sits on are home to some of the most important moments in our history. The beginning of cities, states, and a nation started in this small, yet vital area. The historic fort and state park are going through a transformation over the course of the next few years; transitioning from informing visitors about the importance of the fort itself to telling the many stories of not only the soldiers, veterans, and their families, but also enslaved and free African Americans, Japanese Americans and their roll in WWII, and Native Americans, whose land we occupy. With the coming changes, there is no doubt that Historic Fort Snelling will continue to educate the public on the very diverse history of that land.

1848 paintings by Seth Eastman, "The St. Peters River near its Confluence with the Mississippi"

"Pilots Knob. Mouth of the St. Peters River" by Seth Eastman - 1846-48

For over 12,000 years, Native Americans have traversed the waterways of the Upper Midwest and have called this vast area home; where the forest ends, and the prairie begins. The confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers was, and still is, the most important spot in the world to the Dakota people. According to their oral traditions, this is the very site where life began for them. Known as Bdote, or “where two waters come together,” many Dakota believe that spirits came down from the Spirit Road, Caŋku Wanaġi, also known as the Milky Way, and when they arrived on Earth, the Creator shaped the first people from the clay of Maka Ina, “Mother Earth.” These people were the Oceti Ṡakowiŋ, or Seven Council Fires, historically known at the Sioux.

Carver's Cave, 1913

The Mdewakanton Dakota consider this area to be their “Garden of Eden.” The center of the world is not the only sacred place located in the surrounding area. The village of Kaposia, Taku Wakan Tipi, or Carver's Cave, Mni Sni, or Coldwater Spring, and Oheyawahi, or Pilot Knob are all located within a mile or so from Bdote. Thousands of years of building a culture and community with Bdote as their paradise, the origin of their people, would be briefly disrupted as colonizers in the east were slowly encroaching.

Portrait of Lieutenant Zebulon Pike, 1810French Canadian fur traders frequented these waterways starting in the 1600s, but it wasn’t until 1805 when the course of Dakota history would change forever. In the summer of 1805, Lieutenant Zebulon Pike was ordered to locate the source of the Mississippi River, explore the northern portion of the newly created Louisiana Territory, and expel Canadian fur traders who were illegally conducting business within the borders of the United States. On August 9th, he began his journey up the Mississippi from St. Louis. His first major stop was in Prairie du Chien, now in Wisconsin, where he was joined by guides who were familiar with the upper Mississippi and a half-French Canadian half-Mdewakanton Dakota translator, Joseph Renville, my first cousin, nine times removed.

Almost a month later on September 21st, Pike and his crew arrived at Bdote. Unfortunately, without permission, he negotiated a treaty that would hand over land at the mouth of the St. Croix River, the land around Bdote, and land up the Mississippi to St. Anthony Falls, Owamni. In total, the treaty gave the United States over 150,000 acres of Dakota land. Only two of the seven Dakota leaders present signed the treaty. It took Washington DC another three years to finally address Pike’s unapproved treaty discussions. With no Dakota representatives present, the Senate agreed to give the Dakota $2,000, or over $31,500 after inflation, even though Pike initially valued the land to be worth $200,000, or over $3,150,000 after inflation. In other words, the Senate agreed to give the Dakota $3,118,500 less than what was agreed upon when they signed the treaty.

Even though the U.S. Senate knew the treaty was invalid, because Pike never had permission to negotiate, they continued to act as though it was a legally binding document and set plans in motion to go forward with putting a military fort somewhere on that land. The need for a fort in this area was immediate. The United States was struggling to keep British Canadian fur traders off U.S.-claimed soil as the nation was trying to expand to the west, but the lack of military forts in the northern frontier made that task almost impossible.

The British claimed land in what is now northern Minnesota, and tensions were rising between the Dakota and Ojibwe because of the pressures the westward expansion of the U.S. was putting on them, so many Native Americans joined the British cause during the War of 1812. This meant that building a fort on the Pike-negotiated land was put on the back burner until the U.S. and British could come to an agreement on their shared border. Bdote, a beautiful land, a sacred land, a land that is the center of the world for the Dakota, will be untouched for the time being, but the arrival of soldiers and settlers is imminent.

Stay tuned for Part II of the story!

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About Michael Rainville, Jr.

A 6th generation Minneapolitan, Michael Rainville Jr. received his B.A. in History from the University of St. Thomas, and is currently enrolled in their M.A. in Art History and Certificate in Museum Studies programs.

Michael is also an intern at the Hennepin History Museum and a lead guide at Mobile Entertainment LLC, giving Segway tours of the Minneapolis riverfront for 7+ years. Contact: mrainvillejr@comcast.net.

Click here for an interactive map of Michael's past articles.

Mill City Summer Opera Announces 2020 Production

Via a December 10 News Release:

Katherine M. CarterMill City Summer Opera (MCSO) announced today that its 2020 main stage production will be Verdi’s Rigoletto, directed by dynamic stage director Katherine M. Carter.

Six performances of the operatic masterpiece will be presented in July at Paikka, a unique 200-seat performance/event space in the Midway neighborhood of Saint Paul. The industrial chic venue, located in an historic mattress factory, features both an interior and courtyard space, creating an al fresco feel. 

“It’s going to be another thrilling summer of opera. With Katherine’s bold vision paired with an acclaimed cast of artists, Season 9 promises to be our most imaginative yet!”

Cory Johnson, MCSO Executive Director

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Carter’s production of Rigoletto will be faithful to the text and music of the classic 1851 opera while setting the action within a new contemporary backdrop – a celebrity fashion product launch event – and framing the story in the context of modern-day issues of consent and power. Carter will bring an innovative approach to reveal a more nuanced story behind one of the world’s most beloved operas, highlighting its relevance to today’s world while avoiding clichés of villains and victims. 

Director Carter has long admired the strong Twin Cities arts community and said she is thrilled to be making her debut here with Rigoletto and MCSO. “I look forward to the opportunity to connect with vibrant, engaged audience members who have shown themselves to be energized by seeing opera in non-traditional venues. This site-specific version of Rigoletto, where the performers can move throughout the space, will change the way they see opera yet again with an intimate, immersive experience,” she said.

The cast includes Eric McKeever (Rigoletto), Amy Owens (Gilda), Daniel Montenegro (Duke), and Hidenori Inoue (Sparafucile). The role of Maddalena will be played by Metropolitan Opera star, Renée Tatum. Conducting sensation, Emily Senturia, boasting recent performances with Opera Philadelphia and Boston Lyric Opera, will lead a 12-member orchestra.

MCSO also confirmed that it will again perform at the Icehouse after a successful run with La Serva Padrona last year. In 2020, the company will present The Impressario, Mozart’s one-act comic opera, at the Minneapolis music space/bar/restaurant. 

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TICKETS

Rigoletto Opening Night tickets ($200), which include a gala reception, reserved seating for the performance and a dazzling after-party with the cast, will be on sale at 10am on Monday, February 3 online at millcitysummeropera.org or through MCSO at 612-875-5544. 

Tickets for all other Rigoletto performances ($30-$125) will be available for purchase for donors of $250 or more beginning 10am on Monday, May 4, online at millcitysummeropera.org or through MCSO, 612-875-5544. Tickets for both Rigoletto and The Impressario will be on sale to the general public at 10am on Monday, May 11 through MCSO, 612-875-5544, or online at millcitysummeropera.org.

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PERFORMANCE DATES AND TIMES

Rigoletto

Paikka, 550 Vandalia St., Saint Paul

- Friday, July 17, Opening Night – gala reception at 6 pm, performance at 7:30 pm, with after-party

- Saturday, July 18 at 7:30pm

- Sunday, July 19 matinee time TBD

- Tuesday, July 21 at 7:30pm

- Wednesday, July 22 at 7:30pm

- Thursday, July 23 at 7:30pm

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The Impressario

The Icehouse, 2528 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis

- Monday, July 27 at 6:30pm and 9:00pm

- Wednesday, July 29 at 6:30pm and 9:00pm

For more on Mill City Summer Opera, visit millcitysummeropera.org or connect on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @mcsummeropera.

Become a Winter Sports Coach with MPRB

Via a December 9 e-newsletter from the Minneapolis Park and Rec Board:

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is seeking enthusiastic volunteer coaches for youth hockey, basketball and wrestling.

• Practices start in December
• Athletes are ages 6-18 
• Teams practice 1-2 times per week
• Games are scheduled for a weeknight and/or Saturdays (January-February or March)
• MPRB will provide orientation for all new coaches
• Can't coach this winter? We'll need coaches for Baseball, Softball, T-ball, and Track & Field next spring/summer

Click here to receive more information or to express interest in MPRB volunteer opportunities.

Contact (612) 230-6493 or recvolunteers@minneapolisparks.org.

City Council & Mayor Frey Agree to Public Safety Amendments to Mayor's Proposed 2020 Budget

Via a December 9 e-newsletter from 3rd Ward Council Member Steve Fletcher:

On Friday, the City Council debated and unanimously passed a series of amendments to Mayor Frey’s Recommended 2020 budget. These amendments represent weeks of challenging, productive, and collaborative work between the Council and Mayor. It resulted in an agreement that honors Mayor Frey’s proposed investment in the police force while improving the way we budget for MPD staffing to be more predictable and transparent in the future, and that renews and expands our investments in violence prevention.

The Mayor had proposed adding 14 officers to the police department. However, as I have noted to many of you over the last few months, no matter how we voted on that proposal, no additional officers above our current authorized force of 888 would have been in the field next year, due both to the length of our training timeline and the fact that MPD is projected to be behind the staffing curve; MPD is currently projecting we’ll be about 50 officers below our current 888 in June of 2020. If we voted for 14 new officers, MPD planned to use that extra money to fund a bigger recruit class. 

Every time a constituent called me to ask me to support the Mayor’s 14 new officers because we need them on the street this summer, it reminded me that we had work to do to align the public conversation about our budget with the way the Department would actually spend the money we allocate. This isn’t the fault of Mayor Frey or Chief Arradondo - MPD’s staffing curve has been a curious puzzle for outsiders to unravel through many Chiefs and many Mayors. I wrote an op-ed several months ago in the Star Tribune outlining the problem, and started talking with my colleagues and the Mayor’s office about solving it. Mayor Frey and my colleagues listened, and together, we found a way to improve the Mayor’s proposal. 

Instead of adding 14 new positions, Mayor Frey offered an amendment to keep our authorized sworn force at 888 and instead take the $2.4 million proposed for those new positions and put it towards a new, ongoing training investment. Next year, the department will add an additional academy class to get caught up, which, to be clear, is exactly what MPD would have done in 2020 if we had approved Mayor Frey’s original proposal. It is neither an increase nor a cut to the Mayor’s budget proposal for sworn staffing. By budgeting this way, we’re hoping that residents understand more clearly how their investment is being spent, and we’re taking a step toward ensuring that in future years the department will be able to keep a more stable number of officers in the field.

I have also heard from constituents calling for more emphasis on community-based violence prevention. I agree, and I’m committed to getting upstream to address the root causes of crime, and work to prevent the circumstances of poverty, addiction, mental health crises, and desperation that result in crimes in the first place. Council Member Cunningham and I worked with Mayor Frey and our colleagues on the Council to make critical investments of nearly $500,000 in violence prevention. As evidence of their support for these efforts, Mayor Frey and Chief Arradondo collaborated to contribute $242,000 of that from non-critical items in the MPD budget. 

I offered an amendment with Council Vice President Jenkins to restore $142,000 to the Office of Violence Prevention (OVP), $105,000 of which is ongoing funding. Council Member Cunningham added $150,000 to the Group Violence Intervention program and partnered with Council President Bender to allocate $50,000 towards a new Intimate Partner Violence Prevention initiative.  Council Member Warsame added additional funds to OVP and the Youth Coordinating Board (YCB) for targeted neighborhood work. The Mayor and the Council working together, unanimously, to invest in the Office of Violence Prevention, and in a holistic range of violence prevention strategies sends an undeniable signal that we consider violence prevention central to the values, vision, and work of Minneapolis.   

Council Member Goodman and I wrote a separate amendment allocating $267,000 to the Downtown Improvement District for collaborative public safety strategies, including a Late Night Ambassadors program next summer, and funding for groups like Mad Dads and YouthLink for outreach and de-escalation. Knowing that MPD will be on the low end of the staffing curve heading into the summer, it is critical that we invest in violence prevention initiatives -- in downtown and across the city -- to help shoulder the load of public safety work and let the police department focus on what they are able to do best. 

Finally, Council Members Ellison, Johnson, and Schroeder offered an amendment to fund one of the recommendations of this year’s 911/MPD Workgroup, continue that workgroup in 2020, and fund an outside evaluation of the police department’s budget and staffing to make sure we are running it efficiently.  Building on the budgeting improvements we made this year, I believe these efforts will provide much-needed transparency and data to inform future decisions, and help us respond to every emergency call with the right resource funded at the right level to meet our public safety goals.   

I’m proud of the role I played in these negotiations, and of the result, and I’m grateful to my colleagues - especially Mayor Frey and Council Members Cunningham and Goodman for their willingness to debate, listen, compromise, and work to bring the best ideas we all brought to the table into the budget. I hope people are reassured by both the outcome and the process that the entire city is prioritizing public safety, and doing the hard work of collaborating and compromising for the good of Minneapolis.

There’s more work ahead, and there are more good ideas that didn’t make it into this year’s budget, or that aren’t yet sufficiently developed for investment this year. I’ll continue prioritizing public safety, and collaborating with anyone and everyone who has ideas to offer.  We have one more public hearing on the amended budget before we take our final vote, this Wednesday, December 11 at 6:05 P.M. If you have feedback on these amendments, or ideas you’re still hoping to get in this year’s budget, I encourage you to bring them forward there. If you want to be part of the ongoing work of improving our city’s approach to public safety, I’m happy to have your energy and ideas as we continue the momentum of this season’s work into 2020.

Mill District Residents Adapt a Houseful of Holiday Cheer to Condo-sized Christmas Wonderland

Article and photos by Becky Fillinger

What to do if you really, really love decorating for the holidays but you’ve moved from a large single family home in the Maplewood suburbs to a Mill District condo? You learn to curate your collection to fit your new space – and do it with panache!

Randy Goetz, now a resident at The Legacy, grew up in Halliday, N.D. In the late 50s early 60s, the North Dakota prairie town of a few hundred people strung colored lights from street lamp to street lamp. Randy’s father built a large wooden star decorated with blue C9 bulbs for display outside the home. Randy took over tree and other interior decoration duties in the 5th grade. “I remember the decorating as a time of family engagement – Dad and I could bond over our plans for the holiday season."  

Jump forward to Randy’s home in Maplewood in the 1990s. He would put up three 7-foot fully decorated trees, and every room would be tastefully decked out for Christmas. He would begin decorating the Friday before Thanksgiving and it would take three full days to finish. Moving to the Bridgewater Lofts 10 years ago presented a dilemma for Randy. It was necessary to cull his collection by half. A subsequent move to The Legacy required another downsizing. As a result, this year it took Randy only 4 hours to decorate, but the outcome is still spectacular.

In addition to a beautiful white flocked Christmas tree with red decorations, his display this year includes Christopher Radko bottle brush trees, vintage tulle and aluminum trees, Gurley candles and a fresh advent wreath. Randy prefers vintage ornaments to mass produced items – finding many of them online at Etsy and eBay. Organic, fresh floral arrangements are also on display throughout the holidays. 

Why does he continue the traditions? “It makes me feel good. I have wonderful memories of decorations in my childhood and later on in my adult homes, and even going to Minneapolis to look at Dayton’s displays.” Randy and his husband, Kevin, have another Christmas tradition. They make cookies, and a lot of them.  This year cookie day was December 6, during which 22 varieties were baked for a grand total of 1,314 Christmas cookies!

How do you celebrate the winter holidays? Do you have long-standing traditions you'd like to share with Mill City Times readers? Let us know via our Facebook page.  

November by the Numbers from Cynthia Froid Group

Downtown real estate market update from Cynthia Froid Group:

Holiday Cheer at the December 7 and 14 Mill City Farmers Market

The Mill City Farmers Market will be in full swing December 7 and December 14 inside the Mill City Museum - just in time for your holiday preparations!

Check out the list of vendors you'll find at the December 7 Market via this handy link.

At a loss for gift ideas? You can't go wrong with a stack of $5 Market Tokens, which can be used same as cash with any vendor at the Market.

Take advantage of complimentary gift wrapping at both December Markets!

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

Sanitary Sewer work on Phase 1 of the project is complete.  The Xcel and Fiber work will continue on Phase 1 throughout the winter months.

Xcel is continuing to progress on Phase 2 north of 7th and will continue through the winter as well.

What's Coming Up 

Xcel continues with structural work between 7th and 10th.  Their work will be moving south of 10th in the coming weeks.  Xcel is also working north of 5th with structural and cable pulling tasks.

Please see attached update for more details: 

Hennepin_Update_Vol18.pdf

For more information on this project contact: 

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

www.hennepindowntown.com

MPRB Seeks Residents Interested in Serving on a Community Advisory Committee

Three advisory committees are now accepting applications

Applications for 2020 appointments are due Wednesday, December 18, 2019

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The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) Board of Commissioners is seeking applications for appointments to five ongoing community advisory committees:

• St. Anthony Falls Heritage Board (one appointee) to begin serving on January 2, 2020
• Minneapolis Tree Advisory Committee (five appointees) to begin serving on January 2, 2020
• Racial Equity Community Advisory Committee (one appointee) to begin serving immediately. The appointee may continue serving on the Committee for a two year term commencing on July 1, 2020, if interested.
• Glyphosate Technical Advisory Committee (three appointees) to begin serving immediately, the term will end on November 30, 2020
• Neighborhood & Community Engagement Committee (one appointee) to begin serving on July 1, 2020
• HomeGrown (one appointee) – to begin serving on January 2, 2020
• Minneapolis Bicycle Advisory Committee (three appointees) – to begin serving on July 1, 2020
• Pedestrian Advisory Committee (one appointee) – to begin serving on July 1, 2020

Service commitment may vary based upon needs, expectations and policy goals. However, most advisory committee members can expect to approximately 10-15 hours of work per month. Most terms are two years and all board and commission members are not subject to term limits.

Some Boards/Commissions have a need for specialized skills, but most people will find a Board or Commission that is a great fit for their knowledge base. Public members of Board and Commissions are people who may not have regular, ongoing experience in a specific topic area, but have a general interest in a Board or Commission’s work area. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about an area of interest and contribute a perspective that is fresh and unique to the service area.

Applications must be received no later than 4 p.m., Wednesday, December 18, 2019.  Following submission, applicants will receive an email confirming receipt of the application and describing the general process for appointment. Appointments for open positions will be made at the January 2, 2020 business meeting of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. For a full description of each committee and to complete the application please visit: https://www.minneapolisparks.org/abca.

Applicants with questions about the appointments process should email their questions to board.appointments@minneapolisparks.org or contact Radious Guess at 612-230-6419.

Please click here to sign up to be notified of all advisory committee opportunities.

Contact:  

Radious Guess, Community Outreach, Equity and Inclusion Manager, 612-230-6419, rguess@minneapolisparks.org

MSP Film Presents Palme d'Or Winner PARASITE Opening December 6 at MSP Film's St. Anthony Main Theatre

Via a December 3 Press Release:

MSP Film presents PARASITE, Bong Joon Ho's Palme d'Or winning pitch-black modern fairytale, opening December 6 on Screen #3 at St. Anthony Main Theatre.

Meet the Park Family: the picture of aspirational wealth. And the Kim Family, rich in street smarts but not much else. Be it chance or fate, these two houses are brought together and the Kims sense a golden opportunity. Masterminded by college-aged Ki-woo, the Kim children expediently install themselves as tutor and art therapist, to the Parks. Soon, a symbiotic relationship forms between the two families. The Kims provide “indispensable” luxury services while the Parks obliviously bankroll their entire household. When a parasitic interloper threatens the Kims’ newfound comfort, a savage, underhanded battle for dominance breaks out, threatening to destroy the fragile ecosystem between the Kims and the Parks.

By turns darkly hilarious and heart-wrenching, PARASITE showcases a modern master at the top of his game.

Holiday Music at the Hennepin County Government Center

The Hennepin County Government Center will continue its annual tradition of season and holiday performances, free and open to the public. Performances will take place in the Skyway Level, 300 S 6th Street from Noon - 1 p.m. unless otherwise noted in the below schedule.

SCHEDULE:

December 10 and 19
City-County Chorus
Hennepin County, City of Minneapolis and 4th Judicial District Court employees perform a variety of songs of the season.

December TBD
Ameriprise Holiday Choir
Sponsored by Ameriprise Financial, Inc. Since 1986, 25 members perform secular, Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa holiday songs.

December 20
Chippewa Middle School, noon - 12:45 p.m.
8th grade string orchestra of 69 students perform Hanukkah and Christmas music.

December at the Dakota

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

Sunday, December 1

Humbird + The Aida Shahghasemi, Jeremy Ylvisaker & Jacqueline Ultan Trio

A Homecoming Co-bill - 7pm - $30/25/20

https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/humbird-the-aida-shahghasemi-jeremy-ylvisaker-jacqueline-ultan-trio/?utm_source=MillCityTimes&utm_campaign=MillCityTimes/

Monday, December 2

Travis Anderson Trio: Celebrates Vince Guaraldi Holiday & George Shearing Centennial - Added Show

7pm - $20/15

https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/travis-anderson-trio-celebrates-vince-guaraldi-holiday-george-shearing-centennial-2/?utm_source=MillCityTimes&utm_campaign=MillCityTimes/

Tuesday, December 3

Travis Anderson Trio: Celebrates Vince Guaraldi Holiday & George Shearing Centennial

7pm - $20/15

https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/travis-anderson-trio-celebrates-vince-guaraldi-holiday-george-shearing-centennial/?utm_source=MillCityTimes&utm_campaign=MillCityTimes/

Wednesday, December 4

Willy Porter Well-rendered Tales With Spitfire Strumming

7pm - $30/25/20

https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/willy-porter/?utm_source=MillCityTimes&utm_campaign=MillCityTimes/

Thursday, December 5

Southside Aces: Christmas in New Orleans - "'Zat You, Santa Claus?" 

7pm - $15/10

https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/southside-aces-christmas-in-new-orleans/?utm_source=MillCityTimes&utm_campaign=MillCityTimes/

On Sale Fri, Nov 22 at 10am

Friday, December 6

Nicholas David’s Annual St Nick’s Day Show - (on actual St. Nick’s Day)

Alt Soul Celebration - 7pm - $45/35/30

9:30pm - $45/35/30

https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/nicholas-davids-annual-st-nicks-day-show-3/?utm_source=MillCityTimes&utm_campaign=MillCityTimes/

Saturday, December 7

Tuck & Patti  -  First Couple of Soul Jazz

7pm - $55/50/45

https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/tuck-patti/?utm_source=MillCityTimes&utm_campaign=MillCityTimes/

Sunday, December 8

Tuck & Patti - First Couple of Soul Jazz

7pm - $45/40/35

https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/tuck-patti-2/?utm_source=MillCityTimes&utm_campaign=MillCityTimes/

Monday, December 9

Mick Sterling Presents: “At Christmas”

Theatrical Holiday Favorites - 7pm - $25/20/15

https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/mick-sterling-presents-at-christmas-2/?utm_source=MillCityTimes&utm_campaign=MillCityTimes/

Tuesday, December 10

Richard Johnson Quartet: Ramsey Meets Nancy

A Tribute to Ramsey Lewis & Nancy Wilson - 7pm - $30/35

https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/richard-johnson-quartet/?utm_source=MillCityTimes&utm_campaign=MillCityTimes/

Wednesday, December 11

Holiday Swing w/Maria Muldaur & John Jorgenson - 7pm - $50/45/35

https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/holiday-swing-w-maria-muldaur-john-jorgenson/?utm_source=MillCityTimes&utm_campaign=MillCityTimes/

Thursday, December 12

Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles: Navidad Mexicana - Dakota Debut

America's First All-female Mariachi

7pm - $65/55/45

https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/mariachi-reyna-de-los-angeles/?utm_source=MillCityTimes&utm_campaign=MillCityTimes/

Friday, December 13

Holiday Har Mar Experience Benefitting One Heartland

10pm - $35 General Admission

https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/holiday-har-mar-experience-benefitting-one-heartland/?utm_source=MillCityTimes&utm_campaign=MillCityTimes/

Saturday, December 14

Holiday Har Mar Experience Benefitting One Heartland

10pm - $35 General Admission

https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/holiday-har-mar-experience-benefitting-one-heartland-2/?utm_source=MillCityTimes&utm_campaign=MillCityTimes/

Sunday, December 15

Bonerama

Rock Funk Brass Explosion  -  7pm - $45/40/35

https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/bonerama/?utm_source=MillCityTimes&utm_campaign=MillCityTimes/

Monday, December 16

A Melodious Christmas w/Robert Robinson & Special Guests feat. Mary Beth Carlson and 29:11 from Cape Town, South Africa 

7pm - $35/30

https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/a-melodious-christmas-w-robert-robinson-and-special-guests/?utm_source=MillCityTimes&utm_campaign=MillCityTimes/

Tuesday, December 17

The Best of Sting & The Police – A Tribute Show by Toast In The Machine

Zenyatta MNdatta

7pm - $25/20/15

https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/the-best-of-sting-the-police-a-tribute-show-by-toast-in-the-machine/?utm_source=MillCityTimes&utm_campaign=MillCityTimes/

Wednesday, December 18

Alexander O’Neal’s Holiday Concert

One of R&B's Most Iconic Names

7pm - $50/45/40 - 9pm - $45/40/35

https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/alexander-oneals-holiday-concert/?utm_source=MillCityTimes&utm_campaign=MillCityTimes/

Thursday, December 19 - Date Added

Alexander O’Neal’s Holiday Concert

One of R&B's Most Iconic Names

7pm - $50/45/40 - 9pm - $45/40/35

https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/alexander-oneals-holiday-concert/?utm_source=MillCityTimes&utm_campaign=MillCityTimes/

Friday, December 20 - Date Change

The Vic Volare Lounge Orchestra’s Holiday Party

Retro-Smooth Sass & Swing - 7pm - $15/10

https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/the-vic-volare-lounge-orchestras-holiday-party/?utm_source=MillCityTimes&utm_campaign=MillCityTimes/

Saturday, December 21

BoDeans

Acclaimed Heartland Rock

7pm - $65/55/45 (Acoustic Show) / 9:30pm - $60/50/40 (Electric Show)

https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/bodeans-2019-1/?utm_source=MillCityTimes&utm_campaign=MillCityTimes/

Sunday, December 22

BoDeans

Acclaimed Heartland Rock

6pm - $65/55/45 (Acoustic Show) / 8:30pm - $60/50/40 (Electric Show)

https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/bodeans-2019-3/?utm_source=MillCityTimes&utm_campaign=MillCityTimes/

Monday, December 23

George Maurer Group: 21st Annual Holiday Show

Clever Contemporary Christmas Tunes - 7pm - $30/25/20

https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/george-maurer-group-21st-annual-holiday-show/?utm_source=MillCityTimes&utm_campaign=MillCityTimes/

Wednesday, December 25 - Saturday, December 28

The Bad Plus

Progressive Jazz Scientists

7pm - $45/40 / 9pm - $45/40

https://www.dakotacooks.com/event/the-bad-plus-9/?utm_source=MillCityTimes&utm_campaign=MillCityTimes/

Are You Ready to Holidazzle? The 2019 Season Opens in Loring Park on Friday, November 29

The Minneapolis holiday tradition Holidazzle returns to Loring Park on Friday, November 29 for four weekends of community festivities. This year’s Holidazzle adds new programming and offerings to the favorite weekly activities enjoyed annually at Holidazzle, offering a free outing filled with activities and holiday cheer for all ages and abilities. Holidazzle 2019 Thursdays – Sundays, November 29 – December 22 Thursdays from 5 pm – 9 pm | Fridays from 5 pm – 10 pm Saturdays from 11 am – 10 pm | Sundays from 11 am – 7 pm Loring Park | holidazzle.com | Free & open to the public “Holidazzle welcomes you and yours to Loring Park to celebrate the holiday season and create memories in our downtown Minneapolis community,” said Leah Wong, vice president of external relations, mpls downtown council. “There is a great lineup of activities to enjoy, and each weekend will include different festivities and shopping opportunities making each visit unique and special.” This year’s Holidazzle presents a number of new things to see and do: Lampworking Style Glass blowing demonstrations each Friday from 5-10 pm Story time sessions featuring authors and Santa on Saturdays and Sundays Local adoptable rescue animal visits on Saturdays and Sundays Pop-up ice rink skating performances Most Epic Dog Day featuring events & giveaways on Sunday, Dec. 8 Yeti Day giveaways on Sunday, Dec. 15 Expanded Holidazzle Kids Zone presented by U.S. Bank Performance deck Introduction of the new Yeti illuminated interactive art installation Cooking demos featuring the talented Minneapolis culinary scene New food vendors featuring a variety of styles, tastes, and options (including vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free). Exclusive items on Thursdays & Sundays only. Added offerings from Fulton Beer (the exclusive “Small Talk Stout” Chocolate Oatmeal Stout, as well as “Goodwill Gold” Golden Lager and Lime seltzer) and Sociable Cider Werks Candy Apple cold beverage The Wandering Mug coffee, lattes and hot chocolate Contact: Meredith Kessler mkessler@tunheim.com (651) 308-6224 Marika Kelly (763) 412-2198 mkelly@tunheim.com Mpls Craft Market, hosting makers daily at Holidazzle, providing a rotating mix of holiday shopping options each weekend in addition to nine flagship, full-run Holidazzle gift vendors Plus, annual favorites returning to this year’s Holidazzle include: Holidazzle Fireworks presented by Xcel Energy (Nov. 29, Dec. 7, 14, 21 at 7 pm) Meet Santa and take photos for free during all Holidazzle hours Eight Holidazzle Movie Nights presented by Metro by T-Mobile (featuring Elf, Home Alone, A Christmas Story, The Grinch [2018], Miracle, Polar Express, Smallfoot and Christmas with the Kranks) Free skating with complimentary skates available at Mpls WinterSkate Local Musical Performances • Bonfires & Warming Houses The Thwing, an interactive multi-person swing Photo and Instagram opportunities inside giant snow globes Alpacas from The Abbey Alpacas on site each Sunday Silent disco skating on Thursday nights SolSta Vinyl Night in Fulton Beer Garden on Thursday nights Drag Queen Bingo at the Fulton Beer Garden on the final Friday nights (Dec. 6, 13, 20) Exclusive Holidazzle brunch each Sunday Visit the Holidazzle schedule page for details: www.holidazzle.com/schedule Holidazzle offers an incredible assortment of on-site prepared food and beverages representing Minnesota’s culinary scene, including limited time items: the exclusive Holidazzle sausage (featuring wild rice and cranberries) from Kramarczuk’s, two new Fulton Beers including a Chocolate Oatmeal Stout called Small Talk Stout and Golden Lager called Goodwill Gold, and Sociable Cider Werks’ Fat Bike hot mulled apple cider and a cold Candy Apple cider released first at Holidazzle. Other food offerings in the lineup include: Cinnamon Roasted Almonds Fair Faves Fresco Foods  Gorkha Palace Heavenly Feast Bar-B-Que iPierogi K-Town Street Foods Kramarczuk’s MSP Pretzel Poffertjes (The Littlest Pancake) Root to Rise Kitchen  Tasty Gyros Twin Cities Paella  Complementing the prepared food and beverages, Holidazzle will have an assortment of shopping options including clothing, accessories, ornaments, craft artwork, syrups and more. The Abbey Alpacas The Beer Dabbler Cabin Customs Hippy Feet KCM Woodworks Northern Drift Three Rivers Farms North Shore Apparel MN/Martin’s Simple Trends The Mpls Craft Market will also be bringing makers each day to Holidazzle. Their space will be packed full of local artists and makers selling handmade jewelry, clothing and accessories, woodwork, home decor, prints, fiber art and more. The lineup of artists will be different each day, so visit us throughout the weekend and you’ll always find something new. For daily updates on the full listing of Mpls Craft Market makers, visit Holidazzle.com. Also, of note: lighting and ambiance will be part of the Holidazzle experience, including twinkle lights within Loring Park, and a new illuminated interactive art Yeti exhibit by Christopher Lutter-Gardella, who created the Wolf and Moose found exclusively at Holidazzle from 2016- 2018. Exclusive food items on select days include Thursday Night Bites (including Fresco’s Foods’ beer braised beef pie, Heavenly Feast Bar-B-Que’s burnt mac & cheese with pork or beef, Root To Rise’s butternut squash & cashew ricotta fried veggrolls with maple cream dipping sauce and more) and Sunday Brunch (including K-Town Street Foods’ breakfast burrito, iPierogi’s beer soup, Fresco’s Foods’ sausage gravy and egg pie and more). Pair your brunch offerings with a Mimosa from Sociable Cider Werks or a Bloody Beer at Fulton Beer. When planning a trip to Holidazzle, visitors can enjoy Free Ride Nights courtesy of Metro Transit each Saturday throughout the run. Get there by bus or light rail with a free-ride pass, which can be downloaded at Holidazzle.com. Print or digitally show your pass for each passenger to enjoy your free ride. The free-ride pass is good from 10 am-11 pm each Saturday from Nov. 30 through Dec. 21. Other arrival opportunities include parking for $5 or less during all Holidazzle hours at Minneapolis College’s parking ramp (1420 Hennepin Avenue). A drop-off and pick-up location will be available on the corner of Yale Place and Willow Street includes Uber and Lyft zones, and ADA-accessible parking spots are available along Willow Street. For more information on Holidazzle scheduling, vendors and entertainment, visit www.holidazzle.com and follow along on social media via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #Holidazzle. While at the event, patrons are also encouraged to use Holidazzle’s Snapchat filter. Holidazzle imagery can be found at www.holidazzle.com/media. About Holidazzle: The 2019 Holidazzle is managed and produced by the mpls downtown council. Holidazzle is an annual holiday tradition in downtown Minneapolis that offers free programming and activities for all ages and ability while also highlighting local people, places and products that make our community unique. The 2019 Holidazzle is sponsored by Xcel Energy, Fulton Beer, CenterPoint Energy, Metro by T-Mobile, U.S. Bank, Power Partner Minnesota, Parsons Electric, Comcast, Metro Transit, Mpls St. Paul Magazine, Sociable Cider Werks, Minneapolis College, Minneapolis Recycles and Premium Waters. About the mpls downtown council: Founded in 1955, and one of the most historic central business associations in the nation, the mpls downtown council (mdc) is a membership-based entity that works to create an extraordinary downtown. The mdc’s collaborative developments of Intersections: The Downtown 2025 Plan was designed to help downtown businesses, community leaders and citizens build on downtown assets and implement future goals. For more information, please visit www.mplsdowntown.com.

Letter from the Executive Director of GiveMN re: Cedar Riverside Fire Emergency Fund

Via a November 27 email from GiveMN.org: . Dear friends, . I don't often write to you about a specific need in our community, but as many of us are preparing to gather with family and friends for the Thanksgiving holiday, more than 100 of our fellow Minnesotans have suffered an incredible tragedy. Wednesday morning's fire at the Riverside Tower in the Cedar Riverside community of Minneapolis claimed the lives of multiple people and injured many others. . In addition to the first responders who worked to extinguish the fire and ensure the safety of residents and neighbors, the staff of People's Center Clinic and their partner organizations are working to provide for the needs of victims who are displaced from their homes, in need of food and clothing and medical care, and will need additional support in the weeks to come. They have established a specific fund to support those impacted by the Riverside Tower fire. . Please consider making a donation to the Riverside Tower Fire Emergency Fund. Your gift, together with mine and those of our neighbors, will provide crucial support to those whose lives were forever changed by this tragedy. . In gratitude,

Jake Blumberg Executive Director, GiveMN

Event-related Road Closures for November 28 and 30

The Minneapolis Park and Rec Board has announced the following event-related road closures:

Thursday, November 28

Turkey Day 5K, 7am-11am

West River Parkway - Plymouth Ave to 11th Ave S

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Saturday, November 30

Moustache Run, 8:30am-1:30pm

Main Street - 6th Ave SE to Plymouth Ave

West River Parkway - Plymouth Ave to E 38th St

Stone Arch Bridge

Here's What to Expect in Minneapolis Parks When Snow Arrives

Via a November 26 e-announcement from the Minneapolis Park and Rec Board:

After each snowfall of at least two inches (accumulated), MPRB maintenance crews

clear snow from about 107 acres of parking lots, 140 miles of sidewalks, paths and regional trails; and (in season) ice rinks at 24 locations. 

Locations are prioritized as follows:

1. Parking lots
2. Trails in regional parks and regional trails
3. Perimeter sidewalks - all parks
4. Interior pathways - all parks 
   
   Note: Parkways are cleared of snow by the City of Minneapolis.
   The City's snow emergency webpage has parking rules, routes for city streets and parkways and other info.
   MPRB's parkway webpage has additional information on parkway maintenance. 

MPRB makes every effort to have snow removed throughout the park system within 24 hours after the snowfall ends. Delays may occur due to blizzard or other severe weather conditions. Thanks for your patience and understanding in these circumstances. Get more information on winter maintenance in Minneapolis parks.

Report a snow-removal issue: If it's been more than 24 hours since a snowfall ended and an area needs attention, please email maintenance@minneapolisparks.org or call MPRB Customer Service: 612-230-6400, from 8 am­ to 4:30 pm, Monday–Friday.

Recreation centers and programs

• Recreation center hours are noon to 9 pm on Wednesday, November 27 and Friday, November 29 (school-release day hours, as Minneapolis Public Schools are not in session). 
• Athletics, recreation and Rec Plus programs: Cancellations are not likely, but if they occur, registered program participants will be notified. Families enrolled in MPRB's Rec Plus school-age childcare program can check the MPRB website or WCCO /CBS Minnesota for information. 

Safety Tips

• Use caution and take your time when walking, biking or driving in parks and on parkways.
• Yield to pedestrians on shared-use trails in winter. 

Get up-to-date information from the National Weather Service Hazardous Weather Outlook report.