AchieveMpls Seeks Volunteers to Serve as Graduation Coaches

Via a July 2 e-newsletter from AchieveMpls:

AchieveMpls Seeks Volunteers to Serve as Graduation Coaches for 9th and 12th Grade Students in Minneapolis Public Schools

AchieveMpls, the nonprofit partner of Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS), is looking for adult volunteers to serve as Graduation Coaches for 9th and 12th grade students in MPS schools during the 2017-18 school year. Whether you're a college student or a retiree, an executive or an artist, we're looking for supportive and open-minded adults who enjoy working with young people.

Graduation Coaches provide one-on-one mentoring to 12th grade students or small groups of 9th graders twice each month during the school day in a classroom setting. They offer additional support via email between sessions. A commitment of 4-6 hours per month throughout the school year is required.

Coaches help students stay on track, build study skills and academic confidence and graduate on time. They also support students in developing healthy peer relationships, connecting with resources and exploring their best options for life after high school—whether that means two or four-year college, technical school, apprenticeships, work experience or other opportunities.

AchieveMpls provides volunteer orientation, program curriculum and ongoing guidance and support throughout the year.

For more information about the program, participant videos and application form, visit  www.achievempls.org/GraduationCoaches or contact Amy Shapiro at ashapiro@achievempls.org or 612-455-1550. All applications are due Friday, June 16.

About AchieveMpls
As the strategic nonprofit partner of Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS), our shared goal is every student career and college ready. Each year we offer personalized planning resources and support for 9,000 students through our Career & College Centers in MPS high schools, provide 750 paid internships and work readiness training for Minneapolis youth through the STEP-UP Achieve youth employment program (part of the City of Minneapolis STEP-UP program), connect 800 community volunteers with students as Graduation Coaches and career exploration volunteers, raise support for MPS strategic priorities, and manage MPS school and department funds.

Washington Avenue Reconstruction Project Update

Via a June 1 e-newsletter from Hennepin County:

Partial eastbound Washington Avenue reopening

Beginning June 2, before the morning rush hour, eastbound Washington Avenue will reopen from Hennepin Avenue to 2nd Avenue. At 2nd Avenue, traffic will be routed to the existing detour using 4th Street and 5th Avenue.

Ongoing eastbound lane work

Pavement has been removed on eastbound Washington Avenue from 3rd Avenue through 5th Avenue. Crews continue replacing storm sewer pipes and watermains underneath the roadway. Additional utility crews will be relocating telecommunications, gas and electric utilities in the project area.

Crews digging down on eastbound lanes to expose pipes, watermains and utilities.

Stay safe

Motorists should continue to exercise caution while driving through the area. All roadway users should obey speed limits and limit distractions. Traffic changes, construction crews, equipment and work areas near the roadway can create unexpected situations. Bicyclists and pedestrians please continue to adhere to signage throughout the project site directing alternate routes and detours. 

Ways to stay informed

Want a quick update or have questions about the Washington Avenue reconstruction project? There is a number you can call for a brief recorded update. Or, if you want to speak with project staff. Give us a call and we will see how we can help.

Phone: 612-543-3722
Email: washingtonavenue@hennepin.us

2017 Mississippi River Paddle Share Season is Here! Reserve a Kayak Online

The Mississippi River Paddle Share is a new and exciting recreational and transportation opportunity for people who don’t own a boat and want a safe and enjoyable river experience. This is a first of its kind in a national park and in the country.

Three options:

1. North Mississippi Regional Park to Boom Island Park
   (Friday - Monday)
   Rent a single-person or two-person kayak (for $25 or $40, respectively, for three hours) from North Mississippi Regional Park and paddle 3.9 miles to the return stations located at Boom Island Park. All kayaks and equipment must be returned to Boom Island Park by the end of your rental period.
2. Lowry Avenue Bridge to Boom Island Park
   (Friday - Monday)
   Rent a single-person kayak (for $20 for three hours) from the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization and paddle 1.7 miles to the return stations located at Boom Island Park. All kayaks and equipment must be returned to Boom Island Park by the end of your rental period.
3. Coming Soon!
   Hidden Falls Regional Park to Harriet Island Regional Park
   (Friday - Monday)
   Rent a single-person or tandem kayak (for $25 or $40, respectively, for three hours) at Hidden Falls Regional Park and paddle 6.3 miles to the return stations located at Kelley’s Landing at Harriet Island Regional Park. All kayaks and equipment must be returned to the appropriate locker at Harriet Island by the end of your rental period.

Minneapolis Bicycle Coalition is now Our Streets Minneapolis

Via a May 31 News Release:

The Minneapolis Bicycle Coalition is now Our Streets Minneapolis. The name change comes after the Minneapolis Bicycle Coalition announced last fall its expansion to work on walking issues as well as biking.

“After eight years of successfully advocating for safer bicycle infrastructure, our new name and mission really underlines the importance of walking advocacy to this organization as we move forward,” said LaTrisha Vetaw, Our Streets Minneapolis Board President. “The expansion of our work and rebrand aligns with the Coalition’s goal to reach out to and better serve communities of color. I see this change as a big win for the community members I work with daily. We are excited to continue working to bring people together to support a great city for everyone.”

The rebranding comes after months of conversations following the announcement of the expansion to serve those walking and rolling, and includes an expanded mission, vision, and priorities.

Mission

Our Streets Minneapolis works for a city where biking, walking, and rolling are easy and comfortable for everyone.

Vision

We envision a city where:

• Biking, walking, and rolling are easy and joyful for people of all backgrounds and identities in all parts of Minneapolis;

• Streets and trails are vibrant community spaces with people walking and biking year-round;

• Kids and families feel safe and comfortable walking and biking to neighborhood schools, parks, and businesses;

• Older adults and people with mobility challenges are healthy, independent, and connected with their communities through streets and sidewalks designed for them; and

• Abundant biking and walking contributes to happy people, a healthy environment, and a strong economy.

Our Streets Minneapolis’s initial priorities for walking and rolling include working to:

• Make street crossings safer for people walking and rolling;

• Improve winter sidewalk maintenance; and

• Improve stop lights for people walking.

Our Streets Minneapolis, formerly the Minneapolis Bicycle Coalition, formed in 2009. It unites a network of more than 12,000 people and 1,300 volunteers. Our Streets Minneapolis organizes Open Streets Minneapolis events, which in 2016 attracted more than 80,000 people to walk, bike, and play in car-free streets for a weekend day. The first Open Streets Minneapolis event of 2017 is Sunday, June 4 on Lyndale Avenue. Our Streets Minneapolis also engages community members for protected bikeways, safer street crossings for people walking and rolling, and other improvements that make our streets safer and more inviting for everyone.

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Get Your Our Streets Minneapolis Spoke Card

Get yours at Open Streets Lyndale June 4 (by 31st Street) or Open Streets downtown June 11!

Homeless Youth to Compete in National Street Soccer USA Cup June 9-11

Via a May 31 News Release:

It’s more than a game for Minneapolis homeless youth competing in National Street Soccer USA

Overcoming all odds, local YouthLink’s team sets out to win 6^th national championship

Sports have always been a means for young people to play and compete, while teaching them how to win and how to lose. Sports build character through team-building, comradery, trust and friendship through practice, competition and lots of hard work. But for youth experiencing homelessness, opportunities to participate in high-level organized sports are minimal.

Enter Street Soccer USA, a national organization that uses soccer as part of social change to help transition homeless teens and young adults into safer, healthier communities. Each year, Street Soccer USA holds a national series featuring teams consisting of homeless youth and at-risk young adults.  And a Minneapolis team is on its way to this year’s tournament in Philadelphia. 

The 2017 Street Soccer USA Cup Series kicks off with the “National Cup” in Philadelphia June 9-11, followed by the “Times Square Cup” in New York City on July 15 with the final tournament in San Francisco on August 5-6.

The Minneapolis team is named Up Top and is sponsored by YouthLink, a local nonprofit that helps young people between the ages of 16 and 24 on their journeys from homeless to hopeful. The team has participated in the tournament for nine years. Last May, Up Top won its fifth national championship with a come-from-behind victory to clinch the title.

Up Top’s team was created in 2008, led by Coach Jose Acuna, YouthLink’s outreach manager and longest-serving employee.

“Street Soccer USA is a program that uses soccer to help youth achieve their goals,” says Coach Jose. “The same rules we use on the soccer field, we use in real life. We also find that team sports are a special way to help build a critical support system needed by these kids.”

Up Top was named by a former player as a nod to Minnesota’s placement on the map. It also represents where the team wanted to be in the league. Up Top is unique among the United States teams because of its diverse mixture of religions, nationalities and experiences. The team includes members of the Twin Cities’ large Somali population and others who are refugees and asylum seekers. The one common thread among all team members is that they have experienced homelessness prior to joining the team.

The team’s diversity uses its differences to learn and grow together. 

“We practice indoors at Gethsemane Episcopal Church’s basketball court. Many of our players are Muslim and some are Catholics,” said Coach Jose. “We have great discussions about theology and religion as a unique way to learn and to create an inclusive environment. Soccer really is an international language.”

No matter what’s happening on or off the court, Coach Jose marvels about how they work together and support each other.

“We’ve worked very hard to create harmony.  In last year’s national tournament, we were losing 4–1,” recalled Coach Jose. “It would have been so easy for a team to get discouraged, but these guys knew their opportunities would come. We teach them to be patient and stick with the plan – and that you cannot give up.”

Coach Jose is hopeful that he and YouthLink can restart the Street Soccer USA women’s team, which was suspended due to lack of funding. The women’s team claimed the national championship title all three years it competed.

After this month’s tournament in Philadelphia, players will be chosen to represent the United States in the Homeless World Cup to be held August 29 – September 5, 2017 in Oslo, Norway. In past years, Up Top players were selected to play in World Cups in Brazil, Italy, Poland, France, Mexico, Netherlands and Scotland.

About YouthLink

For over 40 years, YouthLink (www.youthlinkmn.org) has provided a safe and supportive refuge, along with the resources needed by young people experiencing homelessness. Last year, more than 2,200 young people from the Twin Cities accessed YouthLink—which is also home of the Youth Opportunity Center (YOC)—in downtown Minneapolis. At the YOC, YouthLink and over 30 community partner agencies come together to provide a holistic array of services to help young people become educated, employable, and stably housed. 

Twin Cities River Rats Return to the Mississippi June 1!

 

The 2017 Twin Cities River Rats shows are scheduled for 7pm Thursday nights through August, and take place at 1758 West River Road (between the Plymouth and Broadway bridges).

The River Rats perform an hour long show combining various water skiing acts with skits and music. Acts include Barefooting, Pyramids, Doubles, and more. All shows are free and concessions are available.

6:30pm – Development show: River Rat members under the age of 18 and our new members get the opportunity to perform for the crowd before jumping into the “big” show.

7:00pm – The Big Show: The ski show is a 1 hour long themed-show. In between daring and beautiful acts on water, a storyline unfolds. Audience participation is encouraged!

8:00pm – Photos: Photo opportunities with the cast of the show, visit with the skiers, and even take a ride in our “triple-rig” boat.

Their home site is located just north of downtown Minneapolis on the Mississippi River. The hillside along the river provides excellent viewing for the best show in the Twin Cites. Grab a blanket or a chair and come on down! Directions 

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June 5 Career Fair Will Connect Job-seekers with Recruiting Employers

Job-seekers can connect with actively-recruiting companies at a career fair next week sponsored by the Hennepin County Work and Economic Resource Center. The event is free and open to the public. 

Event details

• Monday, June 5 
• 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. 
• Hennepin County Library - Brookdale
• 6125 Shingle Creek Parkway, Brooklyn Center

Job-seekers are encouraged to dress professionally and bring copies of their resumes.

This location is served by several bus routes. Visit www.metrotransit.org or or call 612-373-3333 for more details.

Participating employers

All participating businesses are aiming to fill multiple openings. Recruiters from the following organizations will attend the career fair:

• ACR Homes
• Atlas Staffing
• Caribou Coffee
• CobornsDelivers
• Comcast
• Delta Global Services
• Doherty Staffing Solutions
• Domino’s
• Endeavor Air
• Family Dollar
• First Student
• Frito Lay
• Goodwill-Easter Seals
• Hennepin County
• HMSHost
• Indrotec
• Jerry’s Enterprises
• Living Well Disability Services
• Mains’l Services
• Mall of America
• Mary T. Inc.
• Minneapolis Marriott Southwest
• O’Reilly Auto Parts Distribution Center
• Pinnacle Services
• SUPERVALU Distribution Center
• United States Postal Service
• WIS International
• Wells Fargo

Find out more about Hennepin County employment services.

St. Anthony Falls Visitor Center and Lock and Dam Tours Start June 11

The Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam will be open from 9:30am to 5:00pm daily from Sunday, June 11, through Labor Day weekend. Tours of the lock and dam are offered daily at 11:00am, 1:00pm, and 3:00pm, but visitors are welcome at any time during open hours. Subjects of the staff-led tours include the lively history of the river, milling, and other topics. For more information call 651-293-0200.

Visitors can have their National Park Service (NPS) passports stamped at the visitor center and can purchase National Park and Federal Lands passes (annual, senior, military, and access) here, credit cards only.

You can also follow them on Facebook.

Scenes from the May 27 Mill City Farmers Market

We met some new businesses at the May 27 Market: Darling Pickle Dips, Inesse Ceramics and Homegrown Foods. Look for these vendors in future "Get to Know" articles on our Farmers Market blog.

What's a Pickle Dip? Why, it's a tasty, versatile spread that starts with a white bean and cream cheese base, flavored with pickled veggies and spices. Sara Doherty and Britt Jungerberg, creators of Darling Pickle Dips, will be back for the June 24 Market.

Ben Fiess of Inesse Ceramics (below, right) creates what I would describe as functional art. You can put these beautiful pastel pieces to work as dishes or display them as art. Ben also has a line of arc necklaces. Inesse will return for the July 8 Market, plus several Saturdays in September.

Aleks Till of Homegrown Foods does the meal planning and grocery delivery for you - featuring wholesome, local, organic dinner kits. Condiments and seasonings are included, so all you need to do is follow the instructions and dinner is served!

Power of Produce! Every week this popular free program introduces kids to produce available at the Market, and provides them with a $2 chip to shop with. :)

If you pay attention, you'll discover something new at Market with each visit. This week it was lovage from Cherry and Tim of Holistic Health Farms. The cool thing about lovage is it has a celery flavor, with hollow stems sturdy enough to be used as straws in a Bloody Mary.

Pie maker extraordinaire Susan Dietrich of Very Prairie also makes aprons from vintage feed sacks. How special are they? Regular MCFM shopper and local author, Kathleen Novak, wrote an ode to them!

Shoppers enjoying breakfast on the steps while a group of yogis practiced with YogaFit Northeast.

Love this girl! Kelli McManus and her business partner Jeff Casper of Dumpling and Strand where recently featured in a Pioneer Press article. At the May 27 Market they celebrated the company's 1 Year Anniversary with a Spin the Wheel game in which customers tried for a chance to win free pasta and many other prizes. We wish them continued success!

Talin Spring of Spring Finn & Co prepared to wrap one of her exquisite bracelets around a shopper's wrist.

Young parents checking out some sassy baby pants from Sassy Knitwear. Cute!

Milly the goat!

 

Buses Will Replace Downtown Minneapolis Trains June 1-5

Due to scheduled maintenance, buses will replace trains beginning Thursday, June 1 during a partial shutdown on the METRO Blue & Green Line. Customers can board replacement buses near the affected stations. Buses run on similar schedules as trains but can take more time.

Customers are urged to plan accordingly. Consider walking or biking from U.S. Bank Stadium Station to your downtown destinations.

From 6:45 p.m. Thursday, June 1 until 5 a.m. Monday, June 5, buses will replace Blue and Green Line trains for these stations:

- U.S. Bank Stadium (northbound/westbound only)
- Government Plaza
- Nicollet Mall
- Warehouse-Hennepin Avenue
- Target Field

See maps for boarding locations

Reminder - 2017 Music & Movies in the Parks Series Kicks off May 29!

Music in the Parks May 29 - September 4

Featuring over 200 free outdoor concerts, the 2017 schedule has something for every musical taste including Jazz, Latin, Swing, Folk, Rock, Bluegrass, Classical and much more.  See and enjoy great local talent at one of these six venues:
 
Lake Harriet Band Shell (Monday-Saturday 7:30pm, except Wednesdays; Sundays 2:00pm & 5:30pm)
Nicollet Island Park (Mondays 7:00pm)
Father Hennepin Bluff Park (Tuesdays 7:00pm)
Minnehaha Park (Wednesday-Friday 7:00pm)
Bryant Square Park (Tuesdays & Thursdays 6:30pm)
Loring Park (Wednesdays 11:30am-1:30pm)
 
Movies in the Parks June 5 - August 26

The mobile program takes place Monday through Saturday evenings and will travel to more than 50 parks throughout the summer, which includes a partnership with the Twin Cities Black Film Festival.  Music-movie combo sites include Tuesdays at Father Hennepin Bluff Park, select Fridays at Lake Harriet Bandshell, and the Live on the Drive series in north Minneapolis.  Movies start 15 minutes after sunset.
 
Concerts and movies are free, and everyone is welcome to attend. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, bug spray and pack a picnic. For the most up-to-date schedules and weather related information, follow Twitter and Facebook. For a complete schedule, visit www.mplsmusicandmovies.com.

Thank You to the Minneapolis Park and Rec Board for bringing us Music & Movies in the Parks!

The Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul Announces NT Live Summer Schedule

Starting Monday, May 29, the Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul kicks-off the Summer 2017 season of National Theatre Live screenings at the St. Anthony Main Theatre. The Film Society’s Summer Season of NTL will feature new afternoon encores at 1:00pm on the Wednesday following each production's first screening. These matinees will be available at a 30% discounted admission.

Full NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE Summer Season Schedule:

 

ROSENCRANTZ & GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD - May 29, May 31, June 3 - Directed by David Leveaux and Tim Van Someren. Starring Daniel Radcliffe, Joshua McGuire, David Haig, Luke Mullins, Helena Wilson.

 

PETER PAN - June 10, June 12, June 14 - All ages production. Directed by Sally Cookson. Adapted from J.M. Barrie’s classic tale.

 

WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? - June 19, June 21, June 24 - Directed by James MacDonald. Starring Imelda Staunton, Conleth Hill, Imogen Poots, Luke Treadaway.

 

OBSESSION - July 3, July 5, July 8 - Directed by Ivo van Hove. Starring Jude Law.

 

TWELFTH NIGHT - July 17, July, July 22 - Directed by Simon Godwin. Starring Tamsin Greig, Tamara Lawrence, Daniel Ezra, Daniel Rigby.

SALOMÉ - July 31, August 2, August 5 - Directed by Yael Farber. Starring Isabella Nefar, Raad Rawi, Olwen Fouere, Theo TJ Lowe

ANGELS IN AMERICA PART 1, MILLENNIUM APPROACHES - August 14, August 19 - Directed by Marianne Elliott. Written by Tony Kushner. Starring Andrew Garfield, Nathan Lane, Susan Brown, Denise Gough, Amanda Lawrence, James McArdle, Nathan Steward-Jarrett, Russell Tovey

ANGELS IN AMERICA PART 2, PERESTROIKA - August 21, August 26 - Directed by Marianne Elliott. Written by Tony Kushner. Starring Andrew Garfield, Nathan Lane, Susan Brown, Denise Gough, Amanda Lawrence, James McArdle, Nathan Steward-Jarrett, Russell Tovey

Here's the Schedule of Free Outdoor Movies at Target Field Station

Schedule of free outdoor movies at Target Field Station announced

Hennepin County is hosting free movie nights this summer at Target Field Station in partnership with the mpls downtown council and the Minnesota Twins. 

Residents can bring a lawn chair or blanket, find a spot on the grass outside the ballpark and watch movies on the video board. The digital screen at Target Field Station allows for movies to be shown in crisp quality and before dusk, making the events ideal for all ages.

All movies begin Thursdays at 7:00pm

• June 1: “The Sandlot”  
• June 8: “Footloose” (1984)  
• June 29: “The Parent Trap” (1961)  
• July 13: “Inside Out”  
• August 10: “Finding Dory”  
• August 24: “Free Willy”  

Getting to Target Field Station

• Address: 335 5th Street North, Minneapolis, MN 55403
• Parking available in Target Field Station ramp – Entrances and exits located on Fifth Street North and Sixth Avenue North
• Transit and bicycle routes to the station – Target Field Station is a stop along the METRO Blue and Green lines, located directly next to Target Field

Go Outside with Hennepin County

The movie nights are part of Go Outside with Hennepin County, a series of free, family-friendly events. Events will take place this summer at Target Field Station and the Hennepin County Government Center. 

Share your experiences at Go Outside events. Interact on social media using the hashtag #GoOutside. 

See this year's full schedule of Go Outside with Hennepin County events.

My North Series - 52 Minnesota Stories Leading up to the 2018 Super Bowl (Episodes 11-15)

Count down to Super Bowl 52 with this weekly video series of 52 love letters to Minnesota from notable Minnesotans. My North is an editorial video series created by Mpls.St.Paul Magazine and presented by Explore Minnesota. Hear from tastemakers and stylemakers. Artists and athletes. Authors and entertainers. These are their odes to the state they love. Below are episodes 11-15 - click here to see more! 

June 21: Book It to the Parks!

Book It to the Parks!

On Wednesday, June 21, Minneapolis parks will open more than 50 new Little Free Libraries - a gift from The Minneapolis Foundation to local families in honor of Minnesota Public Radio’s 50th anniversary. MPR hosts, local authors, and other guest readers will celebrate by reading children’s books at story times in parks all over the city, from sunrise to sunset on summer’s longest day.

Book donations are welcome – help stock your neighborhood’s newest Little Free Library.

Bring your kids and Book It to the Parks!

Get to Know The Commons!

The Commons is more than just a huge expanse of luxurious grass to run your toes through.  Check out all the programming scheduled for this summer and fall. FUN! :D

 

Daily Amenities – Free and open to the public:   

• Umbrellas – Colorful umbrellas provide shade at amenity areas and within program rooms. 

• Games Cart – A variety of favorite lawn and board games, including Corn Hole, ladder ball, bocce, chess, checkers, Connect Four, etc. Available free of charge, to borrow from our games cart. Opens June 1.

• Reading Cart – Explore best sellers and titles from local publishers as well as daily newspapers, available for use in the park. Make The Commons your stop over lunch to read up on news. Opens June 1. With support from Bond & Devick Wealth Partners.

• Ping Pong – Challenge your friends, family and colleagues to a game. Free paddles and balls available for use in the park. Opens June 1.

• Public Art Installation - Orbacles by MINN_LAB is presented as part of the City of Minneapolis Creative City Challenge. The winning submission by MINN_LAB addresses how climate change affects birdlife in Minnesota, and launches in conjunction with the Northern Spark Festival June 10.

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Series – Free and open to the public

• Kubb Lessons • Hip Hop Dance • Fly Feet HIIT & Run • Silent Disco • Summer Extravaplaza • Spoken Word Workshops • Sing Play Learn – Early Childhood • Film Festival • Mill City Farmers Market • Bike with a Ranger

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Single Events – Free and open to the public

Storytime with Nancy Carlson • Northern Spark • German Student Orchestra Performance • Lit Community Picnic • Storytime with John Coy & Wing Young Huie • Make Music Day Twin Cities • Aquatennial Yoga with CorePower Yoga • Storytime & Sing-A-Long with Trisha Speed Shaskan and Stephen Shaskan

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External Events

Badass Dash - X Games Concerts - Vikings Activations

Northern Spark Launch Party, June 10 at Thresher Square

Northern Spark’s 7th year kicks off with the Launch Party from 7 – 9 pm on Saturday, June 10 at Thresher Square.

Start your adventure with artful food created by 8 amazing local restaurants, beer from Fulton Brewing, a Northern Spark specialty cocktail crafted by Crooked Water Spirits, and musical guests ZULUZULUU! The historic Thresher Square building is just steps from The Commons, Northern Spark’s downtown Minneapolis neighborhood, so as the sun sets at 8:59 pm, you’ll already be in the prime spot for the festival’s opening celebrations.

Featured restaurants: Mercy, Cafe Alma, Eastside, Red Stag Supperclub, French Meadow, Handsome Hog, Silhouette Bakery & Bistro, Cafe Latté

Beverages: Fulton Brewing, Crooked Water Spirits, Barefoot Bubbly, Sociable Cider Werks, Peace Coffee

Tickets are available on Eventbrite: 

$50 Adapt Ticket - Entrance to the Launch Party from 7-9pm along with two hours of hosted libations, the specialty Northern Spark Launch Party cocktail, and a concert by stellar artists ZULUZULUU

$100 Sustain Ticket - Entrance to the Launch Party from 7-9pm along with two hours of hosted libations, the specialty Northern Spark Launch Party cocktail, and a concert by stellar artists ZULUZULUU, plus artistic hors d'oeuvres from 8 local restaurants

.

The Launch Party is presented by the Northern Spark Host Committee and is the annual fundraiser for Northern Lights.mn, the producers of the Northern Spark festival. The launch party funds a large portion of Northern Spark activities. 

Scenes from the May 20 Mill City Farmers Market

Sure it was soggy at the May 20 MCFM, but the shoppers who braved the weather did not go home disappointed!

Melanie Ebertz of ArtAndes with Peruvian photographer Humberto Valdivia, who was in town in conjunction with Art-A-Whirl.

Milly the goat!

Statewide Parks Association Recognizes Minneapolis Parks for 20-Year Neighborhood Park Plan

Via a May 18 e-newsletter from the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board:

On May 17, 2017, Michelle Snider, executive director of the Minnesota Recreation and Park Association (MRPA), presented Jayne Miller, superintendent of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB), with a 2016 Award of Excellence. 

Each year, the MRPA recognizes agencies or organizations throughout Minnesota for a range of outstanding achievements, including communications, parks and facilities, programming and events, sponsorships and partnerships, sustainability and volunteer initiatives. 

MPRB was awarded for its 2016 adoption of the 20-Year Neighborhood Park Plan (NPP20), in the Administrative and Management Strategies category. 

"We are thrilled to receive this award," said Superintendent Miller. "It affirms how essential neighborhood parks are to the livability and the vitality of Minneapolis. We hope other park systems can use NPP20 as a model to find ways to fund and carry out much-needed repairs, replacements and updates." 

NPP20 is the MPRB's response to a problem facing heavily used urban park systems across the country: a combination of chronic underfunding and overall aging of neighborhood parks.

MRPA Executive Director Michelle Snider and MPRB Superintendent Miller with the 2016 MRPA Award of ExcellenceA historic agreement between MPRB and the City of Minneapolis, NPP20 was approved as an ordinance in 2016 to accomplish the goal of revitalizing the city’s 160 neighborhood parks for current and future generations of park users. The plan protects current levels of park funding received from city and state sources and provides an additional $11 million annually for 20 years, with those funds dedicated to three areas: park maintenance, rehabilitation and capital investments. 

Just as important, NPP20 addresses disparities within a city that has grown far more racially and ethnically diverse in the past 20 years. An equity ordinance accompanying the NPP20 agreement ensures that funding for rehabilitation and capital investments is prioritized using a set of data-driven criteria that are focused on racial and economic equity. 

About the MRPA

The Minnesota Recreation and Park Association is a professional membership association serving nearly 900 members statewide. Its mission is to improve the quality of life in Minnesota by enhancing the profession of parks, open space, recreation, and leisure services.

Summer Activities at the Hennepin County Government Center South Plaza and Target Field Plaza

Go outside with Hennepin County this summer!

Enjoy these outdoor activities at Hennepin County Government Center South Plaza, 300 S 6th Street (June 1 – August 31):

Tuesdays (12 pm – 1 pm)
Stop by for piano performances each Tuesday throughout the summer during your lunch hour! Through Pianos on Parade program, a partnership between mdc, mpls downtown improvement district & Keys 4/4 Kids, a piano at South Plaza will include programmed musical performances each Tuesday. Grab some food and enjoy a gift of music each week. You never know who will be tickling the ivories!

Wednesdays (11:30 am – 1:30 pm)
Every Wednesday, South Plaza will be transformed into an outdoor recreation room! The space will feature a food truck each week, yard games (bean bags, connect four, etc.), an art card (adult and youth coloring, bubbles, plado, yarn, paper, wasabi tape), a meditation area with colorful blankets and yoga mats there for you to enjoy a brief get-away, and the Pianos on Parade piano if you’d like to play a song or two yourself.

Thursdays (6 am – 6 pm)
Beginning May 5 and running through October, the Downtown Farmers Market will be on site at South Plaza again in 2017. The farmers market moved here during the Nicollet Mall Project, and it provides a great way to bring people together on the South Plaza lawn to browse fresh produce, flowers and more. The farmers market has a wide variety of friendly local vendors that have great products to share.

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Enjoy these outdoor activities at Target Field Station, 335 N 5th Street (June 1 – August 31):

Tuesday trivia nights
Trivia has always been a fun and trendy after work activity! We are bringing trivia outside at Target Field Station on select Tuesdays this summer. Gather a group of colleagues, friends or family and test your knowledge. Questions will be read aloud along with use of the big screen.

Thursday movie nights
On select Thursdays throughout the summer, you can enjoy outdoor movie nights at Target Field Station. Bring a lawn chair or blanket, find a spot on the green grass outside the Twins’ ballpark and enjoy an evening watching a movie under the stars and the downtown skyline.
 
Family events, outdoor fitness & more
Throughout the summer, you’ll be able to enjoy family events like our Most Epic Family Day, fitness classes outdoors on the Target Field Station grass and much more. Our Monday fitness nights in September will coincide with National Yoga Month.