Register Now for Free Open Data Code-a-thon Event, Geo:Code 2.0

Via a February 10 e-newsletter from Hennepin County:

Register Now for Free Open Data Code-a-thon Event, Geo:Code 2.0

Geo:Code 2.0 will connect civic-minded community members with geographers and technologists to create solutions that improve public services, give residents better access to government data and make a difference in Twin Cities communities. The event is free and open to people with all backgrounds, skills and ideas.

Event details: 

• Saturday and Sunday, March 5 and 6
• 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• University of Minnesota Robert H. Bruininks Hall, Room 412
• 222 Pleasant Street SE, Minneapolis

“Geo:Code 2.0 will provide community members with the opportunity to collaborate on existing projects or jumpstart new ideas that improve the places we live, work and play,” said Hennepin County District 3 Commissioner Marion Greene. “We are excited to partner with organizations from all over the metro.” 

Event organizers want to generate a cross section of coders, cartographers, data visualizers, designers, developers, dreamers, makers, mappers, students and technologists.

“You never know where a project will take you or what skills will be needed,” said event organizer Kelly Clausen. “It does not matter what you do, you have something vital to contribute.”

Come for a few hours or the entire event 

Participants may stop in for a single workshop or stay for the entire two-day event. Space is limited, so organizers ask all attendees to register in advance.

At the end of the event, teams will present their projects. Possible projects include:

• Code an open source project
• Design visuals for public data sets
• Help out with research
• Test a website or solution

At the first code-a-thon event in 2015, participants worked on eight projects, including:

• Guidelines for creating accessible maps online
• App for bikers based on Open Street maps
• Tool to identify vacant lots that would be good candidates for urban farming

Learn more and register for Geo:Code 2.0 at www.hennepin.us/geocode.

This year’s event is hosted by Open Twin Cities, Anoka County, Carver County, the Citizen’s League, city of Minneapolis, city of St. Paul, Center for Urban and Regional Affairs—University of Minnesota, Dakota County, Hennepin County, Metro GIS, MnGeo, Ramsey County, Scott County and Washington County. 

Take Advantage of Free Access to Magna's Gym February 15-20

Here's the perfect opportunity to check out what Magna, 616 S 3rd Street, has to offer. During the week of February 15-20 they are offering free access to their gym, featuring:

• 1200 square feet of open, clean space
• Squat racks
• Battle ropes
• Dumbbells up to 100 lbs.
• Tires
• Plyo boxes
• Bumper plates
• TRX straps
• Rowers, treadmills, ellipticals
• Prowler sled, and more!

To sign up, contact Ali Palm at apalm@magnausa.com or 612-424-6840, or drop in.  They're open Monday-Friday 5am-8pm and Saturdays 8am-1pm.

February 13 - Escape the Cold at the Mill City Farmers Market Inside the Mill City Museum

The Mill City Farmers Market returns to the Mill City Museum February 13 from 10am - 1pm.  Use this handy Vendor Map to help plan your trip.

While you're there, stop by the information booth and ask about renewing your membership or becoming a new member. Memberships are $40 and include $10 in MCFM tokens, weekly market specials, a package of coupons from vendors and sponsors, and a donation to the Market.

What's new in 2016? This year MCFM is offering even more valuable member specials, including MCFM token deals, member appreciation events, and continued dedication to popular programs. Sign up for the MFCM e-newsletters to receive updates on vendor specials, events, and more.

Exclusive Member Specials at the February 13 Market:
 - Ames Farm: Purchase 6 beeswax votives and receive 2 free glass candle - holders
- Bliss Granola: $1 off any gourmet granola or muesli
- Braucher's Sunshine Harvest Farm: $1 off a dozen eggs
- Horner's Corner: $1 off any $10 maple syrup purchase
- Kiss My Cabbage: $1 off select sauerkraut and kimchi
- Martha's Joy: $1 off select pickled vegetables
- Olsen Naturals: $1 off any $10 body care purchase
- Singing Hills Goat Dairy: $1 off when you purchase 2 feta
- Zula Juice: 10% off all organic cold-press juice and juice cleanse purchases
- Sassy Knitwear: 10% off organic and up-cycled women's clothing
- 1 bonus $5 token with the purchase of $40 or more in tokens at the MCFM Info Booth
Just show your 2016 Member Key Tag for all these deals and more!

MCFM welcomes Spark-Y Youth Action Labs to the February 13 Market.  They'll be demonstrating their aquaponic and vermicomposting systems. Find them on the lower level and learn about their organization.

Traditional Chinese Medicine for Traditional Minnesota Winters

Article submitted by Robert Crane, Acupuncturist & Herbalist, MAGNA

Here we are, Minneapolitans; it’s that time of year again! The time when the general population is divided into two distinct groups. The first, a veritable petri dish of contagions, struggling to find the time between coughs and sneezes to utter a three-word sentence. The second, protecting themselves from the first, is living life in a near-literal bubble of sterilization with hands coated in a layer of hand sanitizer so thick the it damages the touchscreen on their smartphones. We all know about hand washing and vitamin C, but for many of us that doesn’t seem to be enough. Fortunately, we can turn to other forms of understanding about the body to help protect us from these viruses.

As a practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), part of my job is to view the body as a contiguous and integrated system. What happens on the outside is directly connected with what happens on the inside, and everything works together keep the body in relative health. That is why, when someone catches one of these seasonally ubiquitous bugs, we look not only for an unwanted external agent, but also for an underlying deficiency that has impaired the body’s ability to protect itself. The two organ systems that are primarily responsible for keeping you healthy year-round are the Spleen and the Lung systems. Sparing you the technical details (which, in TCM terms, sounds decidedly untechnical), the Spleen and Stomach, which are the primary digestive organs from our paradigm, are in charge turning the good food you eat into various essential substances that are responsible for both sustaining and protecting the body. The defensive energy is propelled outward by the Lungs to the outer surface of the body, where external pathogens are said to invade the body. We use acupuncture and TCM to both clear that virus as well as support the internal organs responsible for maintaining healthy immunity.

Between visits to your local acupuncturist, however, there are many options to help your body support its defenses and fend off unwanted bugs. Here’s a short list of Midwestern-mom tips to help you avoid catching one of these tenacious viruses.

Get some sleep!  It’s no secret that your whole body functions better after a good night’s rest, but a healthy 8-hours is especially important during wintertime. One of the primary tenants of TCM is the idea of matching your life with the seasons. During this part of the year, the nights are longer, making 7:00am bear an unnerving resemblance to 2:00am. As such, it is crucial, for both your physical health and your state of mind, that you focus on getting as much sleep as possible right now, even if that means going to bed before the late-night shows air.

Eat your soup!  Research over the last few years continues to reaffirm something that holistic practitioners have understood for ages: The key component of a healthy immune system is a healthy digestive system. When the gut is taxed with overly heavy, sweet, and greasy foods, your body has to work over-time to process the food and little energy is left for the body’s defenses. Hearty broths and soups, with thoroughly cooked root veggies and aromatic spices like ginger, are a good way to give your stomach a break. A good probiotic is another way to support your digestive system and, subsequently, your immunity. If you do start to get sick, adding a little bit of spice to your diet will help to push things out at the surface. Don't go overboard though, too much heat isn’t Spleen-friendly either!

Wear your scarf!  According to Chinese medical theory, the neck and upper back is the area of the body that is most vulnerable to external invasion. This is why one of the first signs of a seasonal cold is stiff and achy shoulders. One of the most important things you can do for yourself during this season is keep this area covered. Whether it is with a scarf, a thick hooded coat, or a bulky sweater, protecting yourself will keep you healthier longer during the winter months. This is particularly important after you have developed any of the initial signs of achey muscles, sore throat, and sneezing. After drinking a big bowl of broth cooked with ginger and scallions, wrap a thick blanket around you, watch a documentary on Netflix, and let your body sweat and push out the illness.

In short, whether you’re a person that is developing sneeze-induced whiplash or you’re the kind that’s downing Emergen-C like you’re at 2-for-1 happy hour, natural remedies like acupuncture and herbal medicine are extremely effective options for the treatment and prevention of seasonal viruses. Most practitioners are willing to do a brief consult with you at no cost, so go find your local acupuncturist and set up an appointment! You’ll be happy you did while you’re handing your coworker a kleenex and turning your dry nose smugly in the air!

Robert Crane L.Ac., Dipl.OM, MAOM
Magna Health and Fitness
616 S 3rd Street, Minneapolis, MN 55415
rcrane@magnausa.com
www.magnausa.com/acupuncture

City of Lakes Loppet Ski Festival - This Weekend!

From a February 4 Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board e-newsletter:

City of Lakes Loppet Ski Festival takes place in Minneapolis Parks

Thousands expected to participate in events at the Chain of Lakes, Theodore Wirth Park and The Mall this weekend

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is proud to host the City of Lakes Loppet Ski Festival this weekend, February 5–7, 2016.

The Loppet events will take place on MPRB cross country ski trails throughout the Chain of Lakes, Theodore Wirth Regional Park, and The Mall in Uptown. These parks and surrounding areas will be buzzing with activity and may make parking and navigating through the area difficult.

Expect road closures on Theodore Wirth and Calhoun parkways from 8 am–4 pm, Friday–Sunday.

Saturday, February 6

Wirth Winter Recreation Area will be open under regular hours. Ski trails from Theodore Wirth Park to Lake of the Isles will be closed to the public during Loppet ski races from 9 am– 4 pm.  Columbia, Gross and Hiawatha golf courses will be open for skiing.

Sunday, February 7

Theodore Wirth Parkway will be closed to traffic from Olson Memorial Highway (Hwy. 55) to the Wirth Chalet from 8:30–10:30 am. Access from Plymouth Avenue and Golden Valley Road will be maintained during that time.
•Ski trails from Theodore Wirth Park to Lake of the Isles will be closed to the public during Loppet ski races from 9 am–4 pm. Columbia, Gross and Hiawatha golf courses will be open for skiing.
•The snowboarding area and tubing hill at Wirth Winter Recreation Area will open at noon instead of 10 am.

For detailed information and a schedule of events, visit The Loppet Foundation’s website at http://www.cityoflakesloppet.com/.

Valentine's Ideas - Go Out, Stay In, or a Special Gift for Later

What to do, what to do. Looking for something a little different this year? Here are three Valentine's ideas for going out, staying in, or enjoying later.

Whether you're a foodie or a drinkie, Taste Twin Cities Food and Drink Tours has a Valentine's Couples Tour for you.

Valentine's Couples Cocktail Distillery Tour

This is the perfect way to celebrate Valentine's weekend! What's included in this 4-hour behind the scenes tour on February 13th? Visit 3 local distilleries via a luxury bus, and enjoy a cocktail and truffle pairing at each place. Featured distilleries are Tattersall Distilling, Du Nord Craft Spirits and Wander North Distillery.

Click here for more details and to purchase your tickets.

Other tour options: Valentine's Day - Couples Brewery Tour, Valentine's Couples Skyway Food Tour, Chocolate Decadence Tour

Rather stay in?  Have Local Crate do the leg work:

  

Here's a surprise your loved one would be thrilled to get - a gift certificate from Farm to Fork. Use it for services such as having a chef prepare a special dinner at your home, or a one-on-one at home cooking class. 

Minneapolis Declares Snow Emergency

Via a February 2 e-newsletter from the City of Minneapolis:

Today is Tuesday, February 2, 2016 and Minneapolis has declared a Snow Emergency. Parking restrictions begin at 9 p.m. tonight.

Go to the City's snow information website, or call the Snow Emergency Hotline: (612) 348-SNOW (7669).

Crews can only plow the full width of the street if cars are out of the way. Please follow Snow Emergency parking rules or your vehicle will be tagged and/or towed to the Minneapolis Impound Lot.

Also, be sure to shovel your sidewalks and around your garbage cart. 

Enjoy “BRAZIL!” at MacPhail with Someone You Love - February 13

BRAZIL! Here's your chance to escape the cold Minnesota winter and enter the warmth and allure of Brazilian music and culture. This Valentine’s concert from MacPhail Center for Music captures Brazil’s sensuous melodies, evoking sun drenched beaches and wild carnivals through famous works of known composers and Brazilian artists. To top it off, MacPhail presents an eight piece Jazz combo, performing some of the most beloved tunes by Brazilian legends such as Jobim, Gilberto, and Pixinguinha. The collaborative artist for this concert is Contempo Physical Dance Company.

The MacPhail Spotlight Seriesis MacPhail Center for Music’s premier performance event. This four-part concert series explores diverse musical themes performed by MacPhail Center for Music faculty and special guests - showcasing some of the finest musicians in the Twin Cities. Concerts start at 8:00 PM with a 30 minute pre-concert talk one hour before show-time to learn about the history and direction of each piece.

Tickets may be ordered by calling 612.767.5250 or by stopping by Student Services at MacPhail locations in Minneapolis, Chanhassen, Apple Valley or White Bear Lake. Since many performances may sell out, advance purchase is recommended. All tickets are general admission.

Izzy's 3rd Annual 13 Days of Giving Starts February 1

Izzy's 13 Days of Giving 2016 kicks off Monday, February 1. $2 from every single cup or cone purchase will go towards the non-profit of the day.  Sounds like a good excuse to try 13 new flavors!  :D

Community Keg House!

Received an e-newsletter from Community Keg House today.

Their official hours are:

Monday: 4-10
Tuesday: 4-10
Wednesday: 4-11
Thursday: 4-12
Friday: 4-12
Saturday: 1-12
Sunday: 1-10

Location: 34 13 Avenue NE (in the Grain Belt building complex)

They showcase only Minnesota craft beers, plus two ciders at all times, and support local artists.  Learn about the beers from the tap tender, sample, and pour yourself a pint. They have food, too. Yum!  :D

MPRB Agrees to Purchase Key Connection Along North Minneapolis Riverfront

Land sits in between North Mississippi Regional Park and Upper Harbor Terminal

At its Jan. 20, 2016 meeting, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) of Commissioners authorized a purchase agreement for the acquisition of 4022 ½ Washington Ave. N and 4050 ½ Washington Ave. N.

The 4022 ½ Washington Ave. N property covers approximately 3.88 acres of land containing more than 500 linear feet of shoreline. Someday that land will become part of the continuous network of parks and trails along Minneapolis’ Upper Riverfront envisioned the Above the Falls Master Plan and RiverFirst Initiative.

“This purchase is a big step forward as we work with our partners to accomplish the exciting vision laid out for the Upper Riverfront,” said MPRB Assistant Superintendent for Planning Michael Schroeder. “In the short-term we can use the land for our own operational needs and help pay down the acquisition cost by renting it to existing private businesses, while working toward the long-term plan of creating dynamic park land and river connections in North Minneapolis. It’s win now, win later.”

Acquiring this piece of North Minneapolis riverfront real estate is vital to developing Above the Falls Regional Park, which covers both sides of Minneapolis’ Upper Riverfront from the Plymouth Avenue Bridge to the Camden Bridge [MAP].

It’s important to distinguish Minneapolis’ regional parks from its network of 160 neighborhood parks. Regional parks like Above the Falls, Minneapolis Chain of Lakes, Minnehaha and Theodore Wirth serve many people from outside Minneapolis and rely on funds from the state, Met Council and other public agencies with broad constituencies to develop and maintain park amenities. Neighborhood parks are smaller, primarily funded by local tax dollars and predominantly serve nearby residents.

The 4022 ½ Washington Ave. N property is a key link in redeveloping the Minneapolis’ Upper Riverfront. The Upper Harbor Terminal site – 48 acres of city-owned land the MPRB and City of Minneapolis are jointly redeveloping – sits one block south, and the southern boundary of North Mississippi Regional Park sits directly north.

The 4050 ½ Washington Ave. N property is not within the Above the Falls Regional Park boundary, but the seller refuses to separate it from the sale of the riverfront parcel. MPRB staff recommends reselling the approximately half-acre parcel of land.

Remembering David Bowie with the Minneapolis St. Paul Film Society (Jan 27 - 28)

Remembering David Bowie

Join the Minneapolis St. Paul Film Society January 27 and 28 as they celebrate one of the most influential artists of our time: David Bowie. For two nights the Film Society will screen Bowie’s striking first leading role in a film, The Man Who Fell to Earth, and the cult-classic fantasy adventure Labyrinth, back-to-back.

The Man Who Fell to Earth
Wednesday, January 27, 7:00pm | Thursday, January 28, 9:30pm
Visiting from a distant planet that’s slowly dying from drought, Thomas Jerome Newton (David Bowie) has left his wife and two children in the hope of finding a solution on Earth.
Tickets

Labyrinth
Wednesday, January 27, 9:45pm | Thursday, January 28, 7:00pm
Frustrated by her little brother’s crying, Sarah secretly imagines the Goblins from her favorite book, LABYRINTH, carrying Toby away. When her fantasy comes true, a distraught Sarah must enter a maze of illusion to bring Toby back from a kingdom inhabited by mystical creatures and governed by the wicked Goblin King (Bowie).
Tickets

Alchemy Northeast January 30 Grand Opening Celebration

Andrea Jones, Alchemy Chief Marketing Officer, invites you to the Grand Opening of their new Northeast location from 9:00am-1:00pm Saturday, January 30.  Try a free class to see (and feel) what all the buzz is about!  :)

  

 

A-Mill Artist Lofts Video

This short film was produced for Dominium Corporation by Jennifer Kramer.  Nice!  :)

New online resource: Open Rivers Journal

We learned about a new digital journal, Open Rivers, via a recent edition of the River Current. Open Rivers is produced by the staff at the University of Minnesota’s RiverLife program, and brings community and academic knowledge together to examine issues associated with water, sense of place and urban community and identity.

                         

Open Rivers will gather multiple voices in one place, focusing on issues, ideas and trends that inform how we might collectively think about the future of the Mississippi River, its watershed and the communities that depend on it. It will feature a variety of academic perspectives, as well as insights from scientists, planners and agency staff. It will be a priority to include a diverse range of voices, particularly from native people. You will also see perspectives and reporting on people and places outside the Mississippi watershed; we can and must learn from voices and practices everywhere.

Upper Harbor Terminal Planning Process Begins

Via a January 19 Minneapolis Park and Rec Board e-newsletter: 

Stay informed on the Upper Harbor Terminal redevelopment process by subscribing to email updates

At its Jan. 20 meeting, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) of Commissioners will discuss a collaborative process with the City of Minneapolis to jointly plan park development on the Upper Harbor Terminal property in North Minneapolis. At the Jan. 20 meeting -- held at MPRB headquarters, 2117 West River Road -- MPRB staff will present an overview of the planning process to MPRB commissioners.

The easiest way to stay informed on the Upper Harbor Terminal redevelopment process is to subscribe to email updates. To subscribe, go to minneapolisparks.org/subscribe and add “Upper Harbor Terminal” to your list of subscriptions, or visit the Upper Harbor Terminal Site project page and enter an email address into the box below “Subscribe to Email Updates.”

Day Block Brewing Company to Celebrate 2 Years in Business

Congratulations to Day Block Brewing on thier 2 year anniversary at 1105 Washington Avenue South! They are holding a week long Anniversary celebration from Monday, January 25 - Saturday, January 30.

Day Block Brewing Company to Celebrate 2 Years in Business

Minneapolis, MN, January 19^th, 2015—Day Block Brewing will be hosting a Two Year Anniversary party at their property located off Washington Avenue and 11^th Avenue in the Downtown Minneapolis Mill District, starting Monday, January 25^th. The brewery will host a variety of different events throughout the week, including a Bacon Raffle, Beer Bingo, and live music from Michael Warren Jazz and Trench Size Trio. On Wednesday, January 27^th they will host their popular Bands That Brew event, an event which invites local bands to brew local beer. This month will feature local band, Gentlemen’s Anti Temperance League and their special release Double IPA.

Limited free parking will also be available.

About Day Block Brewing

Day Block Brewing opened its doors in January of 2014.  A year and a half later, it is a go-to Mill District neighborhood hangout for those who value quality craft beer, a menu with a focus on local ingredients and cutting edge live music several nights a week.

To learn more and see a detailed schedule of events, please visit the Day Block Brewing website or call them at 612.617.7793.

Winter Cycling Congress 2016 Minneapolis Saint Paul

Winter Cycling Congress 2016 Minneapolis Saint Paul

The fourth annual Winter Cycling Congress, Winter Cycling Congress 2016 Minneapolis Saint Paul, is taking place February 2 - 5, 2016, with events in both Minneapolis and St. Paul. It's a three-day professional development event uniting a diverse and international group of people with a shared vision of increasing mass bicycling and walking among people of all ages and abilities through the winter.  This will be the first time a US city hosts the event.

Home Tour Needs Nominations Soon

The Minneapolis & Saint Paul Home Tour, April 30-May 1, 2016, is accepting nominations at www.MSPHomeTour.com, click on “submit a home” for the option to apply online. Or, request an application by calling Margo Ashmore at 612-867-4874. 

For 11 hours, homeowners and contractors open their doors to share ideas with other home enthusiasts, based on their remodeling experience.

Visitors are particularly interested in period-accurate restoration and expansions sensitive to the surroundings. Being on the tour gives homeowners great feedback as well as the incentive to finish those last few projects. If you or someone you know needs more information, contact coordinator Margo Ashmore at mfashmore@aol.com. Organizers want to have visited nominated homes by early February, so inquire “today.” Later nominations will be considered if they help reach tour goals.

Margo Ashmore, CoordinatorMinneapolis & Saint Paul Home Tour April 30-May 1, 2016 www.MSPHomeTour.com 612-788-9003 (o) 612-867-4874 (c)  612-788-3299 (f) 

http://www.facebook.com/#!/MSPHomeTour

The State of Minnesota is Strong

The State of Minnesota is Strong

(Via a January 13 e-newsletter from the Office of Governor Mark Dayton & Lt. Governor Tina Smith.) 

Yesterday, ahead of President Obama’s final State of the Union Address, Politico released its third annual analysis on “The States of our Union.” For the third straight year, Politico ranked Minnesota one of the two strongest states in the nation.

Politico’s annual analysis is based on 15 separate categories that demonstrate the educational attainment, quality of life, and economic health of each of the 50 states. Ranking overall as the 2nd-strongest state in the nation, here is how Minnesota scored in each category, according to Politico. 

Annual Per Capita Income – At $31,642, Minnesota’s per capita income is the 10th-highest in the nation. Median household income in Minnesota is $61,481, which is also the 10th-highest in the nation.

Percent Unemployed – At 3.5 percent, Minnesota’s statewide unemployment rate is the 7th-lowest in the nation. But communities of color and some other pockets of Minnesota’s workforce are still experiencing higher levels of unemployment.

Percent Below Poverty Level – Minnesota ranks 8th-lowest for the percent of those living below the poverty level. According to Politico’s analysis, 11.2 percent of Minnesotans are living below the poverty level – which is still far too many Minnesotans.

Homeownership Rate – With 71.7 percent of Minnesotans owning their own homes, Minnesota ranks 2nd in this category.

High School Graduation Rate – Minnesota ranks 2nd, only behind Alaska, for the percent of our students (92.6 percent) who graduate from high school.

Life Expectancy at Birth – Minnesotans live longer than almost anyone else in the country. With a life expectancy of 81.1 at birth, Minnesota ranks 2nd in the nation in this category. Hawaiians live just three months longer, on average, than Minnesotans. 

Infant Mortality – Minnesota ranked 15th-lowest in the number of infant deaths per 1,000 births. Read what the Minnesota Department of Health is doing to improve the health of mothers and babies, and reduce the incidence of infant mortality in our state. 

Obesity – Roughly 24.8 percent of Minnesotans are considered obese, ranking us the 9th-slimmest state in the nation. Read what the Minnesota Department of Health is doing to prevent and reduce obesity.

Wellbeing – Minnesota has a wellbeing score of 62.8, ranking us 9th in this category. 

Average Math Scores in 8th Grade – Minnesota 8th Graders have the 6th-highest math scores in the country.

Average Reading Scores in 8th Grade – Minnesota 8th Graders have the 6th-highest reading scores in the country. 

Income Inequality – According to the GINI Index, which measures the income distribution of a state’s residents, Minnesota ranks 13th in the country in income inequality. Given the economic disparities facing Minnesotans of color in particular, Governor Dayton and his administration are working hard to secure economic opportunity for all Minnesotans. 

Violent Crime Rate – Minnesotans are the 10th-safest from violent crime, according to Politico’s analysis, and records provided by the FBI. 

Jobs in Science, Engineering, and Math – Minnesota has the 7th-highest percentage of our workforce employed in jobs involving science, engineering, and math. 

H.L. Mencken’s 1931 Rankings – As a benchmark, Politico lists the rankings of each individual state from a 1931 study by H.L. Mencken and Charles Angoff. According to that study, Minnesota was the 6th-strongest state in the nation in 1931.

LEARN MORE

To learn more about Politico’s analysis, click here.

To read Lt. Governor Smith’s reaction to the State of the Union, click here.

To read AND watch President Obama’s State of the Union Address, click here.