Pianos on Parade Program Returns to Downtown June 1-30

Photo credit Jim Olson, as seen on the That's So Minnesota Facebook Group

Spoiler alert - squirrels playing mini pianos are not part of the program! ;)

The 2023 Pianos on Parade program, presented by PNC Bank, is produced by the mpls downtown council in partnership with Keys 4/4 Kids.

25 pianos will be placed throughout downtown, all of which are painted by local artists. The beauty of the Pianos on Parade program is anyone can use the pianos to share their talents with the community.

During the month of June, scheduled piano performances will take place Thursdays at noon.

May 13 at the Mill City Farmers Market

New in the basket this week: Rosemary Salt from Heirloomista, Blackberry Bakery's cobblers, pound cake and cookies, sourdough bread from Atacama, Well Rooted Teas' "Spring" variety featuring lemony herbs and rhubarb, a beautiful olive wood spoon from Tugi Enterprises, pea shoots from Mhonpaj’s Garden, plus a Bookstore Roadmap courtesy of Babycake's Book Stack.

Meet Some New Vendors!

Kelley Love of Heirloomista utilizes her 5-acre plot to grow heirloom tomatoes and other produce. She also makes a variety of Herb Salts. Kelley will return once per month through October.

With her pound cake, cookies and jarred cobblers (all favorite Southern bakery items from her youth), Whitney Robinson of Blackberry Bakery will quickly become a new favorite for shoppers with a sweet tooth. Whitney returns to the Market on May 27.

Tugi Enterprises offers an enormous array of rich olive wood products, all of which are antibacterial and food safe. I wasn't familiar with olive wood, but a Google search revealed just how prized it is for cutting boards, bowls, plates, serving and eating utensils. I am now the proud owner of the perfect serving spoon. The next time you'll find Tugi at the Market is June 17.

For anyone with kids, Babycake's Book Stack is a super addition to the Market! You'll find Zsamé Morgan and her impressive bus parked in front of the Market every second Saturday through October (this ties in with the Market's Story Time and Power of Produce initiatives). There is so much going on inside and out - with books, activities, toys and more - geared to be inclusive and relatable for kids of all backgrounds.

Tanaǧidaŋ To Wiŋ (Tara) of Blue Hummingbird Woman honors the traditional medicine teachings of her grandmothers and creates plant based balms, creams, soaps and more. Tara's next Market date is May 20.

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See more photos from the May 13th Mill City Farmers Market here (once there, you can drill down further by clicking on "Back to albums list" and then "Photostream" to view more).

Douglas Dayton YMCA at Gaviidae Announces June 15 Rooftop Opening Celebration / Member Appreciation Party

Douglas Dayton YMCA at Gaviidae - Thursday, June 15 

Schedule:

11:00a-1:00p: Health Fair

4:00p-6:00p: Games, Raffles, Refreshments, Live Entertainment by the Percolators and more!

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BRING A FRIEND! Visit the Service Desk for more information.

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This event is open to the public. Photo ID and completed information form are required for non-members.

You Can Contribute Materials For the Public Art Installation at the Stone Arch Bridge Festival

The Stone Arch Bridge Festival has announced a collaborative public art installation project that will be featured at the 2023 festival, made possible through a St. Anthony Falls Heritage Board grant.

The project is a collaboration between Stone Arch Bridge Festival, Mill City Museum (MCM), a local textile artist Jorie Ann Kosel and school age children who attend Mill City Museum and Mississippi Park Connection field trips during the months of April and May 2023. Mill City Museum facilitated the collaboration by inviting the students to create a piece of art that will become part of "Reflecting the River" installation. MCM provided the students with pieces of recycled outdoor banners to use as the “paper” to write, draw, color, paint, what they felt and thought when they saw the powerful waterfall and river during their visit. These submissions, as well as other donated recycled textiles, come together under the artistic directions of artist Jorie Ann Kosel to become an impactful and inclusive temporary public art pieces to be displayed during and after the Stone Arch Bridge Festival.

The art piece will be located just outside the Mill City Museum courtyard entrance on West River Parkway.

Jorie Ann Kosel

Description of Reflecting the River Art Installation by Jorie Ann Kosel

Reflecting the River is a piece of textile art. I wanted to use textiles to paint this picture for two reasons. To begin with, it is impossible to reflect upon this stretch of the Mississippi without considering the impact industrialization has had on these banks. A number of the mills that dot these shorelines were textile and wool mills. The power of this river was harvested to produce the very materials we’ll be weaving its portrait with. The second reason is impact. Modern textile production requires an enormous amount of water and leaves millions of gallons of polluted blackwater in its wake. My goal as an artist has always centered around bringing new life to something old. In this case, I get to use the donated clothes and old household textiles of my neighbors and community members to paint a reflection of the Mississippi along its banks.

Collection barrels will be at Pryes Brewing, La Dona Cerveseria and Mill City Museum for the next few weeks. Examples of Helpful Materials You Can Contribute:

Denim - Especially those jeans that are too worn to donate / Sheets, kitchen rags, towels, blankets / Tarps, Shower Curtains and Liners / Plastic shopping bags / Old IKEA bags / Tee shirts and pajamas / Any blue, purple, green, white or neutral colored clothing

Jorie Ann Kosel Artist Statement:

I have long been mesmerized by the inherent duality of water; the serenity of its stillness against the power of its motion, its ability to bring vitality and / or destruction to everything it touches. I grew up along a river on the other side of the state, most known for its incredibly rich topsoil and the catastrophic flooding that makes its valley so suited for farming. Much like the Mississippi, the power of the Red River drove the development of the community surrounding it.

In this piece, I aim to capture and honor the vitality of one of Minnesota’s most incredible natural resources. When you stand along this fence, you are standing atop the history of the twin cities. The power of the Mississippi fed these mills, the waterways allowed for transcontinental trade, the watershed fed the land and the swirling waters beneath the falls gathered the Dakota people for hundreds of years before colonization. The power of water is what has brought all of us to this place for generations, and it is my goal to capture and honor that power with this tapestry.

I am a textile artist. Textiles were always going to be my medium, but it feels particularly applicable to this piece because of the role water plays in modern textile production as well as our proximity to the former wool and textile mills of Minneapolis past.

Using community-sourced textiles (old clothes and household linens), organic materials (grasses, flowers and woven baskets) and recycled vinyl banners I will render a reflection of the Mississippi River onto the fence at the base of the Gold Medal Flour Grain Elevators. There will also be space for others to leave their own reflections: dotted along the shores will be clusters of artwork created by local students after their classroom visits to the Heritage Zone. Folks that visit during the Stone Arch Bridge Festival will have the opportunity to create and leave their own impressions behind as well. In the end, we will have a community-created tapestry, telling the story of what this river means to us now while honoring what it has meant to us for generations.

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2023 marks the 27th Stone Arch Bridge Festival. It is one of the Twin Cities largest and longest running festivals with a strong tradition of bringing art, music and community to the Minneapolis Riverfront on Father’s Day weekend. 

Stone Arch Bridge Festival Schedule:

Saturday, June 17, 10am - 7pm

Sunday, June 18, 10am - 5pm

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Location: Along West River Parkway from 4th Avenue N and 11th Avenue S

Admission: FREE! 

Minneapolis Park and Rec Board Announces Extensive 2023 Programming

The Minneapolis Park and Rec Board has announced their Minneapolis Music and Movies in the Parks programming for 2023. These programs are very important to creating a safe and welcoming downtown for everyone who lives, works and recreates here. A vibrant park with robust programming is key to addressing important safety issues downtown, and data shows a drop in police calls when there is programming happening in the parks.

Below is an overview of the program, followed by movie and music schedules.

• 100 concerts (up from 30 in 2022) throughout the downtown core with concerts five days a week including lunch time concerts and evening concerts
• Movies at The Commons including a partnership with the Twin Cities Black Film Festival
• Minneapolis Park Markets featuring local vendors and artisans
• Grant funded program in partnership with Mill City Museum to show Whoosh!
• Free youth centered dance programming from Dance Co MN
• Free Shakespeare in the Park
• Adult Bags and Bocce leagues
• Pop-Up Dog events

* * Movies in the Parks 2023 Schedule * * 

Wednesdays in The Commons, 425 Portland Ave S

JUNE

07-June The Lost City PG-13

14-June Fantastic Mr. Fox PG

21-June King Richard PG-13

28-June Twin Cities Black Film Festival presents Black Daddy: The Movie NR

JULY

05-July Knives Out PG-13

12-July Black Adam PG-13

19-July Best in Show PG-13

26-July Top Gun: Maverick PG-13

AUGUST

02-August Where the Crawdads Sing PG-13

09-August Strange World PG

16-August Raiders of the Lost Ark PG-13

23-August Till PG-13

30-August Miss Congeniality PG-13

Consult the website for the music schedules:

Music at The Commons, 425 Portland Ave S kicks off the last week in May. 

Music at Loring Park, 1382 Willow Street kicks off Friday, June 2nd. 

Music at Water Works, 425 West River Parkway, kicks off Friday, June 2nd.

Pollinator Protection Plans - A Discussion with Becca Tucker, Program Manager, Great River Greening

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

Becca TuckerDo you want to help Minnesota pollinators survive? Our pollinators face challenges on many fronts, including habitat loss, pesticides, climate change, diseases and parasites. We talked to Becca Tucker, Program Manager for Great River Greening about community engagement to help our pollinators – there’s a lot we can each do. Keep reading. 

Q:  You’re presenting at the  Society for Ecological Restoration (SER) Midwest Great Lakes chapter conference on "Building lasting stewardship of pollinator habitats on restoration projects through community engagement." Congratulations! What is a pollinator protection stewardship plan?

A:  Current urban corridors are largely undeveloped habitat for pollinators, often with turf or degraded woodlands in parks or on school properties. These vegetation patches provide opportunities for municipalities and educational institutions to develop low-maintenance, high-reward ecological areas by planting native blooming flowers and grasses that are used by pollinators like monarch butterflies and bumble bees. This benefits both the pollinator community and the neighborhoods that these parks, schools, and public spaces serve.

This “pollinator protection stewardship plan” engages the community in both the creation of these planting areas as well as the hands-on monitoring of the pollinator populations in order to understand how pollinators interact with these restored spaces. Through this work, the public learns why the native restoration is being done, what the pollinator insects are, how pollinators are crucial to the health of the overall nature of an area, and what they as individuals can do in that particular public space (or in their own spaces) to help pollinators. They then have the knowledge to steward these areas going forward, observing the areas into the future, and hopefully being involved in keeping the work going forward to the benefit of both the people and the wildlife of the area.

June 2022 in Spring Lake Regional Park – Photo Credit, Amy Kilgore

Q:  What can we do in Minneapolis to help save pollinators?

A:  Folks can participate in funded programs such as “Lawns to Legumes” or get information directly from the City of Minneapolis and support public efforts in community gardens through volunteer planting efforts there. The Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bid Sanctuary is a great place to continue learning about native plants as well. If folks have their own space, they could plant flowers that bees use, create nesting habitat by keeping some areas “natural” - or make observations of pollinators through public websites such as iNaturalist or Bumble Bee Watch. The University of Minnesota Bee Lab has great information here: https://beelab.umn.edu/actions-help-bees.

2017 Bee Survey – Photo Credit, Bruce Nimmer

Photo Credit, Sara Nelson 

Bee Survey photo by Ben Somberg

Q:  So many programs! Please give us your advice for community engagement around pollinator protection. 

A:  Great River Greening is hosting a number of public events for people to directly be engaged in this work. Information can be found on our website: https://www.greatrivergreening.org/events. Please do join us.

Q:  How can we follow Great River Greening news?

A: You can learn more about Great River Greening, read our blog, or sign up for our newsletter at www.greatrivergreening.org. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. I also want to point out that we gratefully receive funding from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund from the Minnesota State Treasury.

Everything You Need to Plan Your May 19-21 Art-A-Whirl Experience!

Mark your calendar for May 19-21, 2023, and celebrate the creativity and community spirit of Northeast Minneapolis.

To get educated on the Art-A-Whirl experience, NEMAA has compiled artist directories, a dining and activities guides, and maps to help you navigate driving, parking, and the galleries themselves. They also have some pro tips to keep in mind when planning ahead.

Whether you're an art collector, a casual observer, or just looking for a fun weekend activity, Art-A-Whirl has a niche for everyone!

The Cowles Center Announces 2023/24 Season

A stellar 11-production season of shared performances, new work commissions, mainstage debuts, co-productions, world premieres, and a returning holiday tradition

The Cowles Center for Dance & the Performing Arts, Minnesota’s hub for dance, today announced a full season of evening-length productions from Rhythm Street Movement, Zorongo Flamenco Dance Theatre, Crash Dance Productions, Arena Dances, Taja Will, James Sewell Ballet, BRKFST Dance Company, and Ragamala Dance Company; as well as the return of the Fall Forward Festival showcasing dance by Afoutayi, Concerto Dance, Kaleena Miller Dance, Mexico Azteca, STRONGmovement, Yuki Tokuda, Katha Dance Theatre, Sapiro & Smith Dance, and Alternative Motion Project.

Co-Director Joseph Bingham remarked, “What’s so special about this season particularly is that it showcases the progression of those who engage with the Cowles Center. We have a Generating Room artist making their Cowles debut, a 2021 MERGE artist now sharing the stage for the Fall Forward Festival, two artists from last year’s Fall Forward Festival presenting full-scaled productions, reimagined pieces featured at other venues, and of course a returning holiday tradition.”

Mexico Azteca

Zorongo Flamenco Dance Theatre

Co-Director Jessi Fett added, “Presenting stellar dance productions is at the forefront of our work, but so is professional and artistic development, and this season perfectly represents that momentum-building. We’re proud of the stepping stones we’ve built into our programming and will continue to be supportive players in accelerating the careers of artists throughout the state.”

The season begins with the second annual Fall Forward Festival, a three-week festival of shared evening performances that uplifts the incredibly robust dance community and will connect a variety of artists with each other and new audiences. Week 1 (October 21 & 22, 2023) will be comprised of pieces from Afoutayi, Concerto Dance, and Kaleena Miller Dance. Week 2 (October 28 & 29, 2023) includes pieces from Mexico Azteca, STRONGmovement, and Yuki Tokuda. Week 3 (November 4 & 5, 2023) will showcase Katha Dance Theatre, Shapiro & Smith Dance, and Alternative Motion Project.

Then, back for the holiday season is Rhythm Street Movement’s Who Brought the Humbug? from December 14 - 17, 2023. What has quickly become a holiday favorite, the fun, funky, hilarious show pairs live music with amazing tap dance for a unique mix of comedy, drama, and mystery that’s sure to be a memorable evening for the whole family.

Into the new year, The Cowles Center welcomes Zorongo Flamenco Dance Theatre back to the Goodale Stage for a full-length production of Conference of the Birds on February 10 & 11, 2024. Inspired by the 12th c. Persian/Sufi poem of the same name, this performance unites Flamenco and Hip Hop, two genres that emerged “on the street” as expressions of resilience and renewal in response to life's hardships and are well suited to tell this dark, moving, and humorous story. International Flamenco composer and guitarist Juanito Pascual and Darius Strong join the production.

Next, Crash Dance Productions performs Domino on March 2 & 3, 2024. Each suspenseful performance will be completely different as 13 unique personalities blindly select who will undertake the role of the “Con.” When identities collide, some rise to power, and others become the prey. It’s only a matter of time before they all fall one by one in this dramatic interplay that establishes a hierarchy of vulnerability and influence.

Also in March, The Cowles Center presents the annual performance from its MERGES program, A Merge In March, running March 23 & 24, 2024. The program pairs artists in unconventional collaborations and culminates in evening-length performances. This year’s pairing features Mathew Janczeski's Arena Dances and Taja Will for a high-energy, club-like atmosphere of daring ecstasy, collective revolt, and queer reclamation.

James Sewell Ballet

Next, on April 6 & 7, 2024, James Sewell Ballet, in its 34th season, returns to The Cowles Center with new works by Shohei Iwahama and James Sewell. The program will also include a remount of Doo-Be-Doo which premiered in 1994 and combines high-energy playful antics with stunning technical feats, sure to delight the entire family.

Then, in a co-production with Northrop, BRKFST Dance Company celebrates their 10th anniversary with a world premiere and a reimagining of Dancers, Dreamers, and Presidents on April 27 & 28, 2024. A commentary on the American Dream filled with a mix of passion, blame, justice, love, and the company’s signature style of Breaking opens new doors for storytelling and diverse methods of creation.

Closing the season will be Ragamala Dance Company’s Avimukta, performing May 4 & 5, 2024. In an intimate ritual for the stage, mother and daughters Ranee, Aparna, and Ashwini Ramaswamy honor the memory of their ancestors with Bharatanatyam solos in contrast with the ceremonial movements and sacred unison of the company. The dancers are seekers engrossed in rituals of sacred contemplation that become an ecstatic prayer celebrating the inevitable dissolution of life.

Ragamala Dance Company’s Avimukta

Small Business Spotlight: HOTWORX Minneapolis Northeast

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

Dustin D. Bengtson

Are you curious about infrared treatments and how it can help your fitness aspirations? We have a local small business, HOTWORX Minneapolis Northeast, ready and waiting to help you reach optimum fitness and relaxation goals with this technology. We spoke with small business owner Dustin D. Bengtson about the concept of infrared technology and fitness - and all the different classes available in our neighborhood.

Q:  Please tell us about the business concept of HOTWORX.

A:  HOTWORX Minneapolis Northeast, 401 First Ave NE, is 24-hour infrared fitness studio that provides members with access to a variety of virtually-instructed infrared sauna and hot yoga workouts.

Q:  Tell us about the 24/7 access.

A:  We’re in the retail space at Odin Apartments in Suite C. We are staffed Monday - Thursday 11am - 8pm, Friday 9am - 6pm and Saturday 11- 4pm, but members will have access 24/7.

Q:  What types of memberships are available? May a new user request a trial workout?

A:  We offer affordable memberships and family member discounts! Come experience the benefits of infrared energy and heat. Sign up for a free workout here.

Q:  Please tell us about the workouts.

A:  We offer two types of workouts: a 15-minute High-Intensity Interval Training session and 30-minute isometric workouts. We also have a functional exercise zone (FX Zone) that provides HOTWORX members with an area for productive use of time before, after, or in between infrared workout sessions. Bands, weights, ropes, and other equipment are available for any combination of functional training exercises and routines. A silent trainer video is displayed on a monitor with various routines for recommended use of the FX Zone.

Here are some of the offerings: Hot Cycle (up to 3 members per session), Hot Thunder – first ever dual pulley water rower (up to 3 members per session), Hot Blast – strength, endurance and cardio HIIT (up to 3 members per session), Hot Pilates, Hot Yoga, Hot Buns (focus on the gluts!), Hot Barre None (unique ballet workout without the barre), Hot Core, Hot Warrior and Hot Bands.

HOTWORX provides members with 10 different workout Sessions from HOT Isometric Aerobic Sessions, HIIT Sessions such as HOT Spinning, HOT Rowing, HOT Blast and weights!

Q:  What do you want readers of the Mill City Times to know about this HOTWORX location? 

A:  I want them to know about the benefits of Infrared treatments. Those include muscle recovery, muscle recovery, stress reduction, weight loss, increased caloric burn, detoxification, lower blood pressure, cellulite reduction, reduced seasonal affect disorder (SAD), clearer and tighter skin, improved circulation, assists with chronic fatigue syndrome, better sleep, relief from join pain and arthritis and better sleep.

Additionally, we provide free parking, a positive environment and a safe and secure studio! Finally, since opening last fall HOTWORX Minneapolis Northeast has been committed to community involvement.

Q:  How may we follow your news?

A:  Come check us out and start achieving your fitness goals and experience the HOTWORX difference for yourself! To schedule your tour and/or complimentary workout or have questions about Memberships, call us at 612-601-8811 or contact us at www.hotworx.net/studio/minneapolis-northeast. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

FRGMNT Coffee Mill District Location Opening May 15th

FRGMNT COFFEE's new Mill District location is opening May 15th in the Open Book building, 1011 S Washington Avenue. Open Book is a center for reading, writing, and book arts. It is a cornerstone of the Mill District and FRGMNT is excited to bring a cafe back to the space. The space was designed by Christian Dean Architecture and has several seating areas as well as bar seating with a front-row seat to the action.

FRGMNT opened its first cafe in late 2019 in the heart of the North Loop in the Nordic building at 729 Washington Ave. They are a multi-roaster focused on bringing coffee and offerings from around the globe. FRGMNT COFFEE is owned by Ben Banse, a veteran of Twin Cities craft coffee, and his business partner Sarah Roehl. They added their second location in the Spring of 2022 in the One Southwest Crossing building in Eden Prairie with a third location that opened on historic St. Anthony Main Riverplace building in January 2023. The Mill District cafe will be their fourth location.

The FRGMNT team is excited to bring their offerings to the Mill District, boasting over thirty roaster partnerships from around the globe. This location will offer FRGMNT's rotating espresso and coffee offerings as well as a retail market, baked goods from Honey & Rye, and FRGMNT fares grab-and-go food.

Hours: Monday - Friday 6:30am-6pm and Saturday-Sunday 7am-6pm. 

Social media: @frgmntcoffee

Dandelion Day at Ard Godfrey House, May 21

The Woman’s Club of Minneapolis invites you to the Annual Dandelion Day Celebration at the Ard Godfrey House in Chute Square (across from Lund's) Sunday May 21 from 1p-4p. This is a great opportunity to soak up some local history - the Ard Godfrey House is the oldest remaining frame house in the city!

The annual Dandelion Day celebrates Harriet Godfrey’s introduction of dandelion seeds to the St. Anthony Falls area. Enjoy a guided tour of the charming Ard Godfrey House with docents dressed in 1850s period costume. Admission is free, but donations are welcome.

Arrangements for special tours should be made with The Woman’s Club of Minneapolis at (612) 813-5300. The house is partially wheelchair accessible on the main floor, but has the restrictions of a historic home. Please call the Woman’s Club two weeks in advance to make arrangements for guests with special needs.

The Ard Godfrey House is the oldest wood frame house existing in Minneapolis. This Greek Revival-style home was built by millwright Ard Godfrey in 1848, near the corner of Main Street and Second Ave. SE. The house was moved several times before arriving in Chute Square Park in 1909. Ard Godfrey helped build the first dam and sawmill, which put the waterfall of St. Anthony to use in 1848. He was also the first Postmaster in the village of St. Anthony. Restored by The Woman's Club of Minneapolis, the house has been open to the public since 1979.

For information: https://www.womansclub.org/ard-godfrey-house.

May 6 at the 2023 Mill City Farmers Market - It's Good to be Back!

Just what the doctor ordered - a basket filled with goodness from the Mill City Farmers Market. New items we're enjoying this week include Ramp Salt (and ramps) from Morning Glory Farm and Gardens, hummus and veggie chips from Yummitizers, Aromatic Mist from Spoon and Theory Handmade, Fresh Face Cleanser from For They Skincare & Wellness, Polvorones D9 Edible THC Cookies from Mi Sota Essence (a vendor part of Primitiva Collective).

Opening Day - May 6, 2023 

We weren't the only ones looking forward to opening day! 

Meet some new vendors!

Mark Plunkett and Faye Jones of Morning Glory Farm and Gardens sell freshly harvested ramps and Ramp Salt (it is to die for!). They will only be at two more May markets (13th and 20th), so don't miss out!

Spoon and Theory Handmade debuted at the Market with jewelry and aromatherapy items. I love the Aromatic Mist, and look forward to trying more of their offerings.

Hanna Vomhof of WAAM Industries offers a number of reusable goods. Their grocery totes, lunch bags and other items are built to last.

YummyTizers had an incredible array of hummus, Kefir yogurts, salads and chips to choose from. In addition to dipping Mixed Veggie Chips in a tasty Cilantro Jalapeno Hummus, they worked well as a crouton substitute on a fresh salad.

Theresa Bentz of Get Bentz Farm offers yarns and roving, scarves, blankets and other items. The farm also has it's own fiber mill, along with a large natural dye garden (you can purchase a dye kit if you'd like to try your hand at it).

A new Indian food and drink option is Krishna's Delight. I tried a refreshing green smoothie that I can't wait to have again when they return for the May 27th Market.

I was excited to learn Tare Market (billed as Minnesota's first zero-waste shop) joined the Market. At MCFM, bulk food, personal care and household items will be packaged; but in their two stores, you can bring your own containers. Mill City Times posted an article on Tare last year.

For They Skincare & Wellness formulates and handcrafts their skincare products using all natural and organic ingredients. I used the Fresh Face Cleaner shortly after I got home from the Market - love it!

Pictured above is Veronika Alfaro of Mi Sota Essence. She is one of the vendors who comprise Primitiva Collective, which was founded in 2022 as an intentional community of local women artisans. She said the Polvorones D9 Edible THC Cookies (pictured below with the Traditional Mexican Cinnamon Sugar Cookie label) is her grandmother's recipe. Mill City Times posted an article on Primitiva Collective last year. 

We'll have more new vendor updates in the coming weeks.

Nettie's Green Spring Broth was over the top tasty - liquid sunshine on an overcast morning!

Have Tera Forge sharpen your knives while you shop!

Enjoying a chapati from Red Wolf Chai - they're so good!

We're not sure if this cool vehicle belongs to a vendor or shopper - but it was definitely photo-worthy! :D

See more photos from the May 6th Mill City Farmers Market here.

2023 Stone Arch Bridge Festival Collector’s Poster

The Stone Arch Bridge Festival recently revealed the 2023 Collector’s Poster by Minnesota artist Randall J Peterson. Each year the festival selects an artist to capture the spirit of the Minneapolis Riverfront for a special limited release poster. The 2023 poster features an elegantly illustrated view of the Stone Arch Bridge and the downtown Minneapolis skyline.

Peterson works in the intricate style of Pointillism. The delicate Pointillism technique of stippling ink on paper was introduced by French artist Georges Seurat in the late 1800s. Tones and shading are based on the position and density of the dots applied.

“Over the years, I have come to understand the true meaning and value of passion, patience and persistence in life. These qualities when combined together bring any vision to life. Whether I am speaking to a group of art students or folks who stop by at my art shows, it is my focus to let it be known that we all have our special gifts. With passion, patience and persistence any dream of creativity is born.” Randall Peterson

Peterson will be a featured artist at the festival this year. The 2023 Collector’s Poster and other works by Peterson will be available for purchase at his booth (#126) near the Hennepin Bridge. The image will also be featured on a reusable tote bag available for purchase at all festival information booths. View his work on https://www.etsy.com/shop/TraditionalArtwork and https://www.instagram.com/randall.peterson.art/.

2023 marks the 27th Stone Arch Bridge Festival. It is one of the Twin Cities' largest and longest running festivals with a strong of tradition of bringing art, music and community to the Minneapolis Riverfront on Father’s Day weekend.

This years dates are Saturday, June 17, 10a-7p and Sunday, June 18, 10a-5p.

The festival runs along West River Parkway from N 4th Avenue and S 11th Avenue.

Chef Gavin Kaysen Partners with opsi, a Workflow App for Chefs

James Beard Award-Winning Chef Stands Behind New Culinary App to Empower Kitchen Teams

Gavin Kaysen announces his partnership with opsi, a workflow app for chefs. Known across the country for his award-winning restaurants and advocacy for the culinary profession, Kaysen was opsi’s first investor and advisor.

Gavin Kaysen“If there is one thing our profession has fallen behind on, it is the power and benefit of technology. James [Passafaro] came to me with this idea years ago and we have piloted the program at Spoon and Stable, Demi, Bellecour and beyond,” Kaysen said. “It is a program that helps us with efficiency, savings and above all else consistency. I am excited to see this type of program make it into not only my kitchen, but the many kitchens it will help moving forward.”

James Passafaro and Matt Luckey founded opsi in 2019. Passafaro recognized a need for workflow tools for use in restaurant kitchens, and created opsi because he knew the best solutions would come from directly involving industry professionals.

James PassaforaShortly after Passafaro began to work on opsi, Kaysen approached him to become Chef de Cuisine at Spoon and Stable. Passafaro took on the role and shared the platform he was working on with Kaysen, who recognized the value of opsi and wanted to participate in its growth. Together, Kaysen and Passafaro incubated and tested opsi in Spoon and Stable’s kitchen, building the platform into what it is today.

"Chef GK and I share the same belief that opsi should be developed from the ground up by those who will use it. That is why our partnership with GK is so valuable to me,” Passaforo says. “We extensively tested opsi at Spoon and Stable before introducing it to other teams, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. This only reinforces my belief that those who work with these tools such as chefs, operators, and their teams deserve a say in the ongoing development of opsi."

Matt LuckeyPassafaro remained at Spoon and Stable until 2022 when he left his sixteen-year career as a chef to work on opsi full-time.

Kaysen and Passafaro share the belief that hospitality is a human-centered business. With their focus on providing comprehensive resources for chefs and their kitchen teams, opsi’s wants to bring the same approach to their technology solutions that Kaysen does to his restaurants.

As opsi’s growth advances, Passafaro and Kaysen will continue to work together to keep human-centered technology at the center of the company’s vision.

Mary Ann Key Book Club, Sponsored by Hennepin County Library, Announces 2 Events with Author Javier Zamora

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

The Mary Ann Key Book Club has returned with a great title, Solito: A Memoir by Javier Zamora. The book club is a collaboration with Star Tribune columnist Myron Medcalf and uses reading one book as a catalyst for conversation in our community to better understand past and current injustices. 

Javier Zamora, Photo credit Gerardo del ValleIn Solito, Zamora recounts his immigration experience traveling over four thousand miles from El Salvador to the United States, by himself, when he was a young boy of 9 to reunite with his parents. Zamora wrote the memoir 20 years after his excruciating experience. We talked to him in advance of the Book Club Events in May.

Q:  Congratulations on Solito, your memoir. I truly couldn't put it down. Have you noticed or been told that it is having an impact on the immigration discussion in the U.S.?

A:  Well, people do tell me that I’ve helped change the narrative of who is immigrating. I have learned that when I made the journey in 1999, there were 8 other children under the age of 12 who also arrived that year. Four of us were from El Salvador. A definite impact has been that it allows us to share our trauma and realize that we’re not alone. In terms of policy makers, I am unaware of any impact.

Q:  We welcome you to Minneapolis for the presentation to the Mary Ann Key Book Club. Who would you like to see in the audience on May 23rd?

A:  I would like to see people who have been impacted by immigration – immigrants, children of immigrants, policy makers, politicians, service providers, neighbors and allies. My experience was difficult to talk about for 20 years. It was difficult to acknowledge. If my experience shared with the audience helps anyone else learn and process the realities of immigration, I hope they will attend.

Q:  Let’s look ahead to 2024. What are your desired outcomes from the publishing of Solito? 

A:  My hope is that people begin to see immigrants not as numbers or statistics or in terms of negative stories, like the recent fire in Juarez Mexico that claimed the lives of 39 asylum seekers. The statistics tell one part of the story. Immigrants are survivors, full of the entire spectrum of emotions and experiences of being human. We like to eat delicious food; we like to laugh and dance and celebrate. We cherish our families. Please tell our entire story when you talk about immigrants.

Register for the upcoming events

Mary Ann Key Book Club Discussion - A Conversation with Javier Zamora, Tuesday, May 23, 6:30pm, Minneapolis Central Library – Pohlad Hall

Join the Mary Ann Key Book Club for an exclusive evening featuring Javier Zamora, award-winning author of Solito. The author will be joined in conversation by Star Tribune columnist and book club partner Myron Medcalf. The conversation will conclude with a Q&A session with participants and a book signing with the author.  Register to attend in-person - Register to attend online  This event will also be livestreamed and recorded.

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Mary Ann Key Book Club – A Community Discussion of Solito, Thursday, May 18, 7pm (Zoom only)

Join columnist Myron Medcalf and Latino/Latinx community leaders in an online conversation. Panelists will discuss Solito: A Memoir by Javier Zamora and how themes from the book are reflected in our community, writing as healing, and action steps for a more equitable future.  Registration required

Media partner: Star Tribune. Sponsor: Friends of the Hennepin County Library.

Glenwood Avenue Closing for Reconstruction on May 8

Excerpt from the City of Minneapolis May 5 e-news:

Hennepin County sent us this notification today that we are forwarding to all residents:

As part of Hennepin County's planned improvements to Glenwood Avenue (County Road 40), sections of the roadway between Aldrich Avenue North to East Lyndale Avenue North will close on May 8.  

The project enhances Glenwood Avenue’s infrastructure ahead of the construction of the Royalston Avenue Light Rail Station. New features will enhance connections to the surrounding neighborhoods and coming transit options – particularly for people walking, biking and rolling.  

Glenwood Avenue closures by section

To assist with access to the area, we will be working in different sections of Glenwood and will reopen parts of the roadway throughout the summer as work is completed. Dates are subject to change.

Between Aldrich Avenue North and West Lyndale Avenue North 

• Closes May 8
• Reopens late August 

Between West Lyndale Avenue North and East Lyndale Avenue North 

• Closes May 8
• Reopens early June

Between East Lyndale Avenue North and the light rail bridge construction site on Glenwood Avenue 

• Closes May 8
• Reopens early June 

At the intersection of Glenwood Avenue and East Lyndale Avenue North

• Closes June 7
• Closes late June

The West Lyndale Avenue intersection will remain open until work has been completed at the East Lyndale Avenue North intersection, at which point it will close for two months.

We will send a separate notification when that closure is officially scheduled. 

We expect all work to be completed by late August.

Detours

People driving are advised to use Highway 55 as their detour route. Access to local destinations will remain open. This includes the Minneapolis Farmer's Market, Farmer's Market Annex, and Unleashed Hounds and Hops, which people driving can access from Border Avenue off Highway 55. The International Market Square building will still be accessible via Glenwood from the west. Catholic Charities and Simpson Housing Services can only be accessed via East Lyndale Avenue.

People walking are advised to use Van White Boulevard and Dunwoody Avenue to cross under Highway 94. People walking may also use the Irene Hixon Whitney Bridge that connects the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden to Loring Park.

Stay Informed

For questions, please contact:

Stan Lim, construction project manager

612-596-0292

stanley.lim@hennepin.us

For more information about the planned work and to receive updates on the progress of construction, visit https://www.hennepin.us/glenwood-mpls.

FINNOVATION Fellowship Calls for Entrepreneurs Passionate About Creating Social Impact

Applications now being accepted for early-stage social entrepreneurs with bold ideas for sustainable businesses with positive impact.

FINNOVATION Institute, the nonprofit arm of FINNOVATION Lab, recently announced applications are open for the sixth consecutive immersive Fellowship Program, which helps early-stage impact entrepreneurs build leadership and business acumen as they develop innovative social business models. Up to nine fellows will join a growing community of local business leaders creating lasting impact in their communities.

Program curriculum focuses on leadership development, business strategy, and creating financially sustainable business models with a clear social impact. Each fellow will receive a $50,000 living stipend, $3,000 health care stipend, access to an ecosystem of advisors and mentors, and dedicated workspace in the FINNOVATION Lab in downtown Minneapolis.

“This is an opportunity for budding leaders to refine their skills and grow ideas into mission-driven businesses, while we take care of their living expenses. What’s more, this network provides meaningful support and connections along the way” said Connie Rutledge, CEO at FINNOVATION Institute. “Ideal candidates are lifelong learners and problem solvers who are passionate about applying the tools of business to create a lasting, scalable social or environmental impact.”

Applicants should have a strong tie to Minnesota, a growth mindset, a deep understanding of a social or environmental issue they want to solve, and an idea or method to tackle the issue through entrepreneurship. All areas of impact are welcome. Entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to build their business in a community of like-minded, mission-driven peers and experienced mentors. The Fellowship Program has fostered an impressive ecosystem of sustainable social impact businesses.

Of the 31 fellows in cohorts 1-4, well over half continue to build the businesses they developed during the Fellowship Program. An additional 20% have taken leadership positions related to social impact, innovation, and entrepreneurial support. A few alumni highlights include:

● Junita Flowers (Cohort 1): Founder of Junita’s Jar, a mission-driven cookie company carried in Target stores nationwide, and a featured BIPOC brand in February 2023. Cookie purchases support creative approaches to ending relationship violence.

● Shaunie Grigsby (Cohort 2): Opened Flava Café, becoming the second Black-owned coffee shop in the Twin Cities. With a mission to build job skills and confidence in young women of color and non-binary people, Flava supplies St. Paul with delicious coffee and future leaders. Shaunie is recognized by Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal as a 2023 Women in Business honoree.

Marlee James● Marlee (Dorsey) James (Cohort 3): Founder of Reviving Roots Therapy & Wellness, a Black-centered wellness center expected to open in Minneapolis this year.

● Ashleyn Przedwiecki (Cohort 4): Founder of LUUM Collective, a sustainable event design agency launched in 2022. LUUM has brought together hundreds of wedding and event professionals at educational events, built an online directory of audited vendors, and developed a food recovery program for venues and caterers.

● Jennifer Glickstein (Cohort 5): Founder of Dress Up to Calm Down, which has launched pre-orders for a new line of weighted clothing for children with sensory disorder and anxiety.

“Now, more than ever, entrepreneurs can make a huge impact through business. We’re helping them to lead the way.” said Jacquie Berglund, founder of FINNEGANS Brew Co. and FINNOVATION Lab. “The Fellowship Program was founded with the goal of harnessing entrepreneurial spirit, providing educational opportunities to build practical skills and logistics, and turning ideas into functioning businesses. It’s been incredible to see our fellows succeed – and the next cohort will add even more ingenuity to this evolving community.”

Applications will be accepted through May 14 and the program runs September 2023 through June 2024. The sixth cohort will be selected by a group of community leaders and alumni of the Fellowship Program. The program is operated by the FINNOVATION Institute, a 501c3 funded by a grant from the Bush Foundation, which is known for its commitment to innovation and creative problem solving.

Interested applicants are encouraged to attend one of the following information sessions and the FINNale event to learn more:

May 8 – 12-1pm / Virtual

June 15 – 5-7pm / In Person

More details about FINNOVATION Lab and the Institute’s Fellowship Program, including application information, eligibility requirements and frequently asked questions, are available at finnovationinstitute.org.

The 2023 Mill City Farmers Market Season Opens May 6, and it's Going to be a Glorious Year!

The Mill City Farmers Market (MCFM) will open its 2023 outdoor season this Saturday, May 6th from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Look forward to 115 rotating small local businesses, including a record number of new vendors. Enjoy a wide variety of local and sustainable businesses including farmers, food makers, textile and ceramic artists, jewelers, bakers, skin and body care, prepared food vendors and more.

The list of May 6th vendors is posted online, including the following new vendors Morning Glory Farm and Gardens, TunTum BlackHill Farm, Yummitizers, Krishna's Delight, For They Skincare & Wellness, Get Bentz Farm, Minneapolis Mehndi & Henna, Primitiva Collective, Spoon and Theory Handmade, Tare Market, and WAAM Industries. Find more info on new vendors here.

Programming at the Market will be back in full force this season after scaling down in previous years due to the pandemic. Mill City Cooks (MCC) will be on the first and third Saturdays of each month for chef-led cooking demos with market ingredients. Power of Produce (PoP) Club, a food access program that gives children the opportunity to try a new fruit or vegetable in exchange for a $2 market token, will be held on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month.

Mill City Cooks returns in 2023! Look for these demos twice per month. Nettie Colón kicks it off May 6th, with Jenny Breen and Beth Jones also returning to share their vast knowledge. View the 2023 line up: https://millcityfarmersmarket.org/cooks/PoP Club (Power Of Produce) will be paired with Story Time with the Guthrie on the second Saturdays of each month for Mill City Kids Day. In addition to Story Time and PoP, on second Saturdays the Market will welcome Babycake’s Book Stack, a mobile bookstore that carries a highly curated inventory of books designed to include the culture and/or languages of the indigenous, immigrants, refugees, African American and many other backgrounds from our community.

MCFM has championed for the local food movement and put farmers first since its founding in 2006 by farm-to-table pioneer and James Beard nominated restauranteur Brenda Langton. While not all of its vendors are USDA Certified Organic, they all adhere to the Market’s Sustainability Statement, which, in addition to a 25% Local Sourcing Standard, supports healthy soils, sustainable water use, humane treatment of livestock, honorable workplace practices and rejects synthetic inputs and GMO seed.

MCFM is also the first zero-waste market in Minnesota, with over 90% of market waste being diverted from the landfill each season.

Adventurama 2023 Happens June 4! Compete in an Urban Adventure While Benefiting Hennepin Healthcare Foundation

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

You’ve all seen the Amazing Race television show where teams of two race around the world and compete to win $1 million. Here’s your chance to experience the same fun two-person team competition here in Minneapolis and raise money to support Hennepin Healthcare Foundation during Adventurama 2023. We spoke to Paula Wilhelm, Annual Giving & Engagement Manager for the Hennepin Healthcare Foundation, about what you’ll experience at the event, getting a team together and volunteer opportunities.

Paula WilhelmQ:  Adventurama 2023? Please tell us what the participants will experience on June 4th.

A:  FOMO is real! You do NOT want to miss out on the fun at this event. Register for Adventurama – an amazing urban adventure for you and a friend or family member to experience together. Participants of Adventurama are going to have so much fun being outside on Sunday June 4th to see downtown architecture and parks in a new way. They will meet other teams for friendly competitions at 12 pit stops.

With the help of more than 80 high energy and helpful volunteers, the day will be fun, interactive and highly engaging (sign up to volunteer here). You might be rolling a barrel, building something, climbing a staircase, or solving a puzzle AND for sure you will be walking, creating memories, smiling, posing for photos and more!

The first 15 teams to return with a fully stamped passport will win a Hennepin Healthcare cinch bag and bragging rights. All teams will receive a token to redeem one free beverage at Finnegans.

The after party at Finnegans Brew Co. is open to teams, spectators, volunteers and sponsors. Share the highlights of the day, enjoy the music and food trucks, and relax on the patio until 5pm.

You can put the FUN in FUNdraising for $60 per team of two! That’s a great price for priceless bonding time and memories. Join us!

Q:  What if I'm out of town on June 4 - may I participate in the event virtually?

A:  The event does NOT have a virtual option, BUT anyone anywhere can make a donation at online. Event proceeds will benefit patient comfort and care at Hennepin Healthcare. This includes out-of-town family lodging, two emergency clothing closets, music and art therapy, immediate food support, appointment transportation, spiritual care, Child Life in pediatrics and more.

Q:  Do you have sponsors? Do you need more sponsors?

A:  We so appreciate companies and organizations who reach out to sponsor our events. At time of publishing, Sherman Associates and Medica are committed pit stop sponsors, and KARE 11 is our media partner. Sponsors wanting to be recognized on event day signage must commit by May 12. Visit www.hennepinhealthcare.org/rama23 to see the full list of event sponsors or sign up to sponsor.

Q:  Please give us a brief history of the Hennepin Healthcare Foundation. 

A: The magic of Hennepin Healthcare is who we serve. As our state’s largest safety-net hospital by a wide-margin, our mission keeps our doors and hearts open to all. With over 75% of our patient population on financial assistance, our revenue does not always cover the services that enhance the care and comfort of those we are so honored to serve. This fundraiser will directly impact patients.

While the hospital is 130 years old, the Foundation is less than 15 years old. Hennepin Healthcare Foundation has the honor of connecting the generosity of the community to the mission of Hennepin Healthcare. Caring for anyone at any time with any condition takes resources and a team of exceptional staff. The Foundation team inspires donor generosity. That generosity removes barriers to healthcare access, enhances the patient and family experience, and advances efforts in medical education, clinical research, and community health. Learn more at hennepinhealthcare.org/foundation.

Q:  What a fantastic organization! How may we follow your news?

A:  Updates about Adventurama will be on social media (@HennepinHC) and our event website.

Counterpoint: 600 Main Street SE a Tale of Competing Needs and Visions….

By Steve Minn

In her April 24 commentary, Cordelia Pierson offered her perspective on a privately held piece of land near the river that my partners and I have owned for the last 21 years. Ms. Pierson suggest that this small parcel is critical to implementing the Central Mississippi Riverfront Regional Park (“CMRRP”) Master Plan, adopted by the Park Board in 2016. We have a different vision – providing 80 units of affordable family housing that the city desperately needs.  We are in the middle of the most confounding housing crisis of a generation, and action must be taken.  Can these two competing plans co-exist?  We believe they can.

The CMRRP Master Plan does not prohibit commercial or residential uses within the area it designates as “regional park.” In fact, as Ms. Pierson was a member of the same rulemaking working groups that I participated in, I know she is aware that the plan encompasses a number of permissive development zones, including residential.

The very same 2040 Comprehensive Plan that guides our parcel as future park also sounds a clarion call for affordable housing. 2040 Plan Policy # 33 directs the city to embrace opportunities to create affordable housing – particularly affordable family housing.  Production of 80 units of affordable family housing at this location, comports with Policy 33 - Action Items: a, b, e, h & k.

Here are the links to reports guiding action on affordable housing:

https://minneapolis2040.com/goals/affordable-and-accessible-housing/

https://www2.minneapolismn.gov/media/content-assets/www2-documents/departments/The-Way-Home-Progress-Report.pdf

https://itascaproject.org/wp-content/uploads/Itasca-Housing_Affordability_Report_September_2020.pdf

It is true that the MPRB and others opposed the rezoning of 600 Main in 2009 when we proposed luxury housing. At the time, there was no housing crisis, no Unified City Housing Plan, no “The Way Home” Progress report, no Inclusionary Zoning Policy and no 2040 Comprehensive Plan with a complete Affordable Housing program. The Metropolitan Council had not yet called for the creation of 180,000 units of housing in the Metropolitan region by 2030, and Minneapolis had not yet committed $50 MM in its Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF) to expedite affordable housing production. Welcome 2023.

Ms. Pierson suggests that our parcel is one of the few selected for regional park protection.  That is not quite the whole story, either.  An objective reading of the CMRRP Master Plan is that our parcel is one of many private inholdings the Park Board might like to acquire from a willing seller, but by no means the critical piece. 600 Main Street is not riverfront property and has no riparian access to the river. It sits behind the University Steam plant and has only been identified as “additional gathering” space to the existing Father Hennepin Bluffs Park in the CMRRP. There are several other large commercial properties on the river side of Main Street within the CMRRP boundary that are called out for acquisition in the CMRRP Master Plan.  And what pray tell are these other parcels?  Why none other than:  De LaSalle High School, Xcel Energy St. Anthony Falls Hydroelectric Plant, and the University of Minnesota Steam Plant. It is highly doubtful the MPRB will be acquiring those other private properties any time in the next century. 

Nor is our parcel intended to be trail property. The CMRRP Master Plan instead identified the University Steam Plant Coal Haul Road as the most logical route connecting the East River Road to Main Street. Our parcel would not facilitate either trail or riverfront lands.

The Park Board offers they “…will continue… policy of negotiating with willing sellers for acquisition of land within the regional park boundary… where it is not possible to acquire land, the MPRB will work to create partnerships with landowners with the goal of obtaining easements as necessary to promote trail connectivity throughout the park and along the riverfront…”

We emphatically state that we are NOT willing sellers.  The parcel provides critical resident and visitor parking for our existing 221-unit apartment complex at 601-701 Main Street SE. If not for the ability to include supplemental parking below grade as part of our proposed new project, we could not otherwise develop or part with this land or devalue our huge residential investment. This has been our position for the 21 years.  

Consistent with other stated MPRB policies, we are not opposed to cooperating on easements to facilitate trails or other public uses in conjunction with housing development. It is important to point out that we have partnered with the MPRB on two other sites to provide: “…users with unencumbered and protected access to park spaces…” (page 8-4). We therefore believe the MPRB’s goals can be achieved by means other than blocking affordable housing called for in the city’s 2040 Plan.    As noted in the recent Greater MSP Partnership/Itasca Project Housing Innovation Report, Innovation 1L is to: “…unlock land supply by selling or leasing strategically-located public or private land for affordable housing development...”  Releasing this parcel from future park guidance meets that criterion.

Fourteen Years is a long time and circumstances are certainly different than 2009. However, let me point out that in those 14 years, the Park Board has never once made an offer to purchase this property, never once set aside a single dollar for acquisition in any Capital Improvement Plan and did not program any acquisition dollars in their 2020 budgeting for the Father Hennepin Bluffs Park renovation now in progress.

Actions speak louder than words. Weighing the ambiguous against the specific, and the possible against the improbable – our housing project is a realistic, near and long-term achievement.  Given how unlikely it is that the University or Xcel will give up their power generation properties on the riverfront – the “inholdings” that are truly key to expanding the regional park – that improbable vision should not be allowed to stand in the way of creating 80 new, affordable homes for families in the near term. If an easement is needed to help make a trail… we are ready to cooperate.

Sincerely,

Steven M. Minn, on behalf of

Bluff Street Development, Llc