Mara at Four Seasons Hotel is Hosting Loppet World Cup Watch Party Brunches, Feb 17 & 18

Photo credit: The Loppet Foundation

Loppet World Cup Watch Party Brunch at Mara

Join fellow fans and cheer for all the COOP FIS Cross-Country World Cup skiers at Mara’s watch party brunch! Saturday, February 17 and Sunday, February 18, beginning at 10am.

These special events include complimentary valet parking, live event feed on TVs throughout the restaurant, a glass of sparkling wine and the Mara Brunch - complete with a live-action station with eggs made to order, a luxe buffet spread of breakfast meats, cold appetizers, waffles and pancakes, and an Instagramable dessert display.

Reservations and tickets are available on Tock. $89 per person plus tax and gratuities, $45 for children 12 and under. A portion of the proceeds benefit The Loppet Foundation.

Loppet Cup Room Package with Shuttle Service to and from VIP Area

Cocoon inside Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis between Loppet Cup action. Your stay includes deluxe accommodations and VIP shuttle service to and from the Loppet World Cup VIP area.

Those who take advantage of this special offer receive a spectator’s guide to the world class trails at Theodore Wirth Park. A portion of the room package proceeds also go to Loppet Foundation. Optional enhancements include The Spa’s guided sauna experience and dining with fellow fans at Mara and Nordic Village. The Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis is located 245 Hennepin Avenue.

Cuddle a Puppy this Valentine’s Day at the Meet Minneapolis Visitor Center

100% of donations benefit Healing Hearts Rescue 

Get ready to cuddle up with cuteness on Valentine’s Day at the Meet Minneapolis Puppy Cuddle. ​This event takes place Wednesday, Feb​ruary 14,​ from 11:30a ​- 1p​ at the Meet Minneapolis Visitor Center, 505 Nicollet Mall, Suite 100​ (directly across from the METRO Nicollet ​Station​).

Enjoy some snuggle time with a plethora of puppies. A $5 donation is suggested to support Healing Hearts Rescue. ​Healing Hearts Rescue is a volunteer-based nonprofit dog rescue dedicated to changing the lives of animals whom humans have failed by finding them safe and loving homes.​ For more information, visit https://healingheartsrescue.org.

In addition to cuddle time with the puppies, visitors will be encouraged to write a heartfelt letter to a local child battling illness at a local hospital. Meet Minneapolis​ partner Letters of Love will provide markers, pens and paper, and the messages will be distributed to the Children’s Minnesota.

The Year of the Pothole - 9,359 to be Exact!

Excerpt from the February 6 Mayor's Update e-newsletter

Recently, Mayor Frey, Interim Public Works Director Brette Hjelle, and Public Works staff announced a historic number of potholes filled in Minneapolis in 2023. Last year, the City filled 9,359 potholes – three times the amount in 2022 and nearly 4,000 more than ever recorded. 

Minneapolis saw its third snowiest winter on record last year with close to 90 inches of snow. The City’s Public Works department worked around the clock to ensure streets and alleyways were plowed and safe for residents to travel on. Once the snow began to melt, they shifted their efforts to potholes.

In his 2024 budget, Mayor Frey invested $470,000 for new Public Works equipment to increase the lifespan of pothole repairs and continue efficient and effective snow clearance -- as well as $500,000 in investments for a permanent snow removal and storage site.

"Our incredible city crews managed to fill 9,359 potholes," says Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. "How many pothole complaints did we have alerting us of another pothole that we needed to fill? You guessed it, 9,359. Every single time that somebody called into the city of Minneapolis to have a pothole filled, our incredible team was out there making sure that it happened."

New Ownership Promises Continued Investment in Barrel House

The Barrel House is located at 111 3rd Avenue S.           Photo: Redline Property Partners

Following a sale to new ownership last year, real estate investment and management firm Redline Property Partners recently announced that it will remain on board as the asset manager and property manager for the Barrel House - a landmark fixture in the famed Minneapolis Mill District. Redline said it will build on the prior owners’ vision to continue transforming the historic property.

Situated at the 3rd Avenue Bridge entrance with stunning views of the waterfront, Barrel House enjoys a prestigious riverfront address, prominent visibility and convenient access to all major highways and to downtown’s housing, hotels, shopping, dining and entertainment.

“Barrel House meets the needs of today’s office tenants, providing an unrivaled location in downtown Minneapolis, unique amenities and an exceptional experience at great value,” said Andrew Webb, Redline’s president and managing partner. “The building’s new owner, along with Redline, will continue to invest in Barrel House to ensure its place as a top-tier creative office property in downtown Minneapolis for years to come.”

New amenities and upgrades planned for Barrel House include upgrading its rooftop deck, converting space for retail and entertainment use and creating spec suites and a podcast room. Improvements are planned for early 2024, with anticipated delivery mid-year.

Redline was part of the previous ownership group that purchased and restored the historic 90,000-square-foot mill building to its original “brick and timber” roots in 2016. The group also added significant modern-day amenities such as an outdoor roof-top deck overlooking the Mississippi River, an indoor atrium lounge and multiple meeting spaces throughout the building.

Built in 1880, the Barrel House was originally home to Hall & Dann Barrel Company, which made flour barrels for the booming Minneapolis milling industry.

To deliver the best service possible, Redline has engaged CBRE and Assembly as the property’s new leasing team. Team members include Ann Rinde and Joe Conzemius from CBRE and Nick Peterson and Merrie Sjogren from Assembly.

“Environments that foster connection and community are top priority for companies in the market right now, as organizational culture is more important than ever,” said the new primary leasing representative for Barrel House, Ann Rinde of CBRE. “Barrel House provides the perfect setting to achieve these goals with its inspiring onsite experience, collaboration-based amenities and prominent location along the riverfront. We look forward to welcoming new tenants to the Mill District and to Barrel House.” 

Check Out Everything the Free February 17 Community Connections Conference Has to Offer!

Community Connections Conference
9a -4p Saturday, February 17
Minneapolis Convention Center, first floor, Hall E
Lunch is included. Metro Transit offers free rides to the conference.

Minneapolis residents can sign up now for the free 2024 Community Connections Conference on February 17. Join in for a fun day of learning and connecting. Get involved in your local community. Meet the people behind important City services, community groups and other institutions. The conference is free and open to everyone.

Program

This year program is built around the theme of “Open city, your Minneapolis.” This theme was chose to showcase how Minneapolis is a transparent, accessible city open to everyone, open to new ideas and open for business. It highlight the ways you can get involved in both government decision-making and your local community, as well as celebrate the many parts of the city reopening and recovering after the pandemic.

This year's conference will have workshops, music and dance, activities for the whole family, an exhibit hall, and a community dialogue on youth and community safety.

Exhibits

Among the 150 exhibits, you can find:

• Jobs and paid internships for young people at the City of Minneapolis.
• Pathways to green careers and other job opportunities.
• The City Clerk’s booth on how to connect with the Minneapolis City Council; how to make your voice heard; and how to view the City Council’s ordinances, resolutions and meetings online.
• A free COVID vaccine clinic. No insurance needed.
• An indoor soccer field with the New Americans Youth Soccer Club.
• Minnesota Zoo animals.

Learn about:

• What all the different City departments do.
• How to save someone’s life with CPR and practice it on a mannequin.
• Immigration and other legal help.
• Opioid addiction resources.
• Crime prevention and services for victims.
• Community air pollution monitoring.
• Voting in elections.
• Resources to get rid of lead in your home. You can even bring in toys or ceramics you’d like to test for lead.

Breakout sessions

Join your choice of breakout sessions including:

• Your rights as a renter.
• Buying your first home.
• The Minneapolis Climate Equity Action Plan and how the City puts resources toward projects in communities that need it most.
• Voter engagement.
• Community dialogue on being a safe, healthy, and child friendly city.

Sad Announcement From The Cowles Center

Via a January 31 Press Release

One chapter concludes but hope and support for artists remain

The Cowles Center, a hub for the dance community on Hennepin Avenue since its establishment, announced  it will end operations of its Goodale Theater and discontinue presenting dance as of March 31, 2024, effectively ending its planned season two months early. All staff will depart the organization by April, but are extremely committed to supporting the final performances and making them a positive experience. Despite a persistent commitment over the past 14 years to support local artists and efforts to forge a sustainable operational model, The Cowles Center has more recently faced financial challenges. These challenges were exacerbated by the economic impact of a global pandemic, leading to lower ticket sales, and funding. Furthermore, The Cowles Center's largest donor and administrative partner, Artspace is unable to provide the sustaining support it has given The Cowles Center in the past. Tremendous private fundraising efforts have taken place, which have allowed the preservation of the season through March. Furthermore, while there have been discussions with potential partners to step into the operations of the Goodale and Cowles programming, no solid agreements have yet come to fruition.

The Cowles Center and Artspace remain dedicated to the communities they serve. The McKnight Fellowships for Dancers and Choreographers will continue, though the administrative home of the program is still being discussed. The Cowles Center's renowned education programs that occur in schools and through distance learning, serving nearly 6,000 students annually will continue through the end of the school year. Our community engagement program serving early career artists in space residencies will run through May. Additionally, the Hennepin Center for the Arts, which is owned by Artspace, will continue to be a home to dance studio rentals, the TEK BOX Theater, an important rental theater for artists to present their own work, and commercial and creative leasing as it has been since 1978. 

Impacts to the 2024 Spring Season:

Three dance productions slated for April and May by James Sewell Ballet, BRKFST Dance Company, and Ragamala Dance Company will be affected by the season ending March 31st. While Sewell Ballet and Ragamala face cancellations at the Goodale Theater, BRKFST Dance Company was set to be co-presented with Northrop. The Cowles Center, Northrop, and BRKFST are working together to determine if the production could be postponed or presented in a different format by Northrop alone. Ticket purchasers to the affected productions will be contacted with their options. In all three cases, Artspace and The Cowles Center remain committed to mitigating financial impacts to the artists and plan to still pay out the artist fees and box office splits as if the artists had completed their performances. 

"This is a heartbreaking convergence of all circumstances, but our goal is to support these artists as equitably as possible. Nothing replaces their ability to showcase their live performance, but we hope that lessening the financial burden will help them look towards the future," said Cowles Center Co-Directors Joseph Bingham and Jessi Fett in a mutual statement. 

The Goodale Theater will still operate in February and March and will celebrate the final four performances of the shortened spring season, including three dance productions and a community rental. 

• Zorongo Flamenco Dance Theatre | February 10th and 11th In an enchanting performance brought to the stage, flamenco and hip hop unite to adapt the 12th century Persian poem of the same name. This dark, moving, and humorous story will bring together hip hop artist Darrius Strong along with original music performed by international flamenco composer and guitarist Juanito Pascual. 
• Final Goodale Rental: Sound of Gospel | February 17th and 18th Directed by Javeeta Steele and presented by 2nd Chance Outreach, the performance is an Anthology depicting the rich history and evolution of Gospel music. 
• Crash Dance Productions | March 2nd and 3rd Growing tension stacks onto high drama as the visceral ensemble blindly selects who among them undertakes the role of The Con. When identities collide, the 13 unique personalities clash as a story of hierarchy, vulnerability, and influence develops in real-time. Anyone could be the villain. No one knows who it will be. And every performance will be different. 
• MERGE In March: Mathew Janczewski's ARENA DANCES & Taja Will | March 23rd and 24th A club-like atmosphere of daring ecstasy, collective revolt, and personal reclamations. This year’s MERGE pairs Mathew Janczewski’s high-intensity, super-charged movements with Taja Will’s nuanced, emotive, and improvisational boldness. Their collaboration will culminate in an evening of performance which includes ARENA repertory favorite, Judged House, and the premiere of a haunting new solo by Will. The commission for the new work created for this program is supported by the National Endowment for the Arts.

Background: The Cowles Center's Role and Partnership

The Cowles Center has played a pivotal role by:

• Providing supportive programs and spaces for dancers, including free or below-market-rate offices, studios, and stages.
• Fostering new work with programs like Generating Room and MERGE.
• Subsidizing marketing and production support for performances.
• Offering practical guidance on health care, tax filing, and work samples.
• Serving as the administrative home for the McKnight Fellowships for Choreographers & Dancers.

In recent years, the Goodale Theater has hosted 11-14 dance productions annually, carefully curated to reflect artistic innovation and diversity. Since 2020, at least 50% of programming has featured BIPOC artists or BIPOC-led companies. 

The Cowles Center’s legacy is built upon a decades-long partnership with Artspace, which originally developed the organization when it moved the historic Shubert Theater and connected it to the Hennepin Center for the Arts. In addition to raising millions of dollars for the move and renovation of the Shubert, and starting an impactful distance learning program, Artspace has invested on average $500,000 annually from its general operating funds to support The Cowles Center, along with staff and other in-kind support. 

"Throughout the years, Artspace's investment in the arts on Hennepin Avenue has been an example of our commitment to the enduring power of creative community. Although The Cowles Center's current chapter on this historic avenue is drawing to a close earlier than we hoped, our belief in the arts as a cornerstone of our society remains unwavering. Artspace is prepared to assist in this transition and continues to be dedicated to nurturing the arts on Hennepin Avenue as operator of Hennepin Center for the Arts," said Kelley Lindquist, President of Artspace.

The pandemic's onset in 2020 was a catalyst for unprecedented challenges for the performing arts, an industry reliant on live, physical interaction. The Cowles Center, alongside many arts organizations, faced a critical loss in earned revenue and philanthropic support. A Dance/USA survey highlighted this sector-wide plight, noting a more than 75% loss in ticket revenues relative to pre-COVID seasons.

The Cowles Center encourages the community to join in celebrating the arts during this time of change by attending February and March performances in the Goodale Theater, supporting artists whose performances have been canceled, and continuing to attend performances in the TEK BOX in the Hennepin Center for the Arts.

Dario Now Open in the North Loop

Find Dario in the T3 building, 323 N Washington Avenue

Two Minneapolis Restaurant Veterans Open Their First Concept In The North Loop

First time restaurateurs Chef Joe Rolle and Bartender Stephen Rowe open the highly anticipated Dario, an Italian restaurant with global influences located in the North Loop neighborhood of Minneapolis. 

Joe Rolle spent his career working in top kitchens in Minneapolis starting at the Dakota Jazz Club with his mentor, the late Jack Riebel, before moving onto the esteemed kitchens at Borough, Il Foro and Martina.  Stephen Rowe, who also started his career at Dakota Jazz Club, made his way behind the bar and worked for a decade at the award-winning Marvel Bar, a pioneer in the craft cocktail scene in Minneapolis. Joe and Stephen’s experience working in the top places in Minneapolis positioned them to embark on their first solo project, Dario.

A true reflection of Joe’s family background, diverse cooking experience and travels, the menu at Dario is rooted in Italian yet influences are seen from France, Asia and other parts of the world. 

The menu is separated into five sections with the idea that every section stands on its own. A section of Raw items includes Oysters Dario, a dish inspired by a local Thai spot Rolle used to frequent. In this dish, Rolle serves a half dozen East Coast oysters topped with a Thai-style beef tartare and a spherification of lime juice. Also in this section is the Hiramasa Crudo with Calamansi ponzu, gooseberry, Yuzu Kosho, and avocado. 

Vegetables are celebrated at Dario and showcase the many different cuisines that influence Rolle. Examples include the Flowering Cauliflower, a Silician-inspired dish served with brown butter bagna cauda, capers and fried sourdough; a French-style salad of Red Endive with Roquefort cheese, candied walnuts, dates and poached Asian pear; and a Greek Cucumber Salad served with whipped feta tzatziki and covered with trout roe, sesame seeds and dill. 

Rolle became known for his pasta and Dario’s menu has something for everyone. Short rib Agnolotti is a love letter to Northern Italy with red wine jus, bacon, and gorgonzola.  Piccino Paccheri Verde is Rolle’s homage to bolognese served with spinach pasta and a 24-month parmesan fonduta and Doppio Ravioli is a double-sided stuffed pasta with ricotta on one side and caramelized sunchokes on the other, served with honey, hazelnuts and rosemary.  

The Fish & Meat section includes favorites from the land and sea. Sauteed Trout is complemented with saffron mussel emulsion and a salsa verde while Brick Chicken is deboned and served with brown butter piccata sauce.  The section's nod to Asia is the Skate Wing with honeynut squash curry as well as the Char Siu Belly with fermented black bean clam sauce.  There also is a choice between two peppercorn crusted steaks, Prime Hanger Steak and a Niman Ranch Prime New York Strip, both with a veal peppercorn jus.  

For sweets, opt for the Cake & Ice Cream, a chocolate ricotta cake with gianduja cremeux, vanilla ice cream, and a pizzelle, the Pineapple & Passionfruit, pineapple sorbet layered with macadamia nut brittle, passionfruit granita and whipped coconut cream or the Affogato with vanilla bean ice cream and butterscotch. 

A robust beverage program includes craft cocktails created by Rowe.  While there is a selection of classics or what he is calling house cocktails, Rowe’s goal with Dario’s original cocktails is to have the drinks be memorable with strong flavors that do not necessarily translate to high alcohol.  Examples include Future Dancer made with Destilerias Acha Axtra Dry Vermouth, lime, and Maleza Hierbas bitters and Synclaire After Hours, a mix of Dimmi, Maify Aranciata, hibiscus tea, and sparkling water. Additionally, there is a large selection of non-alcoholic cocktails including Agatha 2.0 made with Shiitake tea, cherry, prune, cranberry and elderberry tea and Is It Juice with coconut, orange juice, pineapple juice, and rooibos chia.  The wine list leans towards Italy but also includes bottles from Spain, France and America.  The drink menu also features local and Italian beers. 

Designed by Wittkamper Studio, the space has a feminine, punk rock feel with notes of pink, fuzzy iridescent teal velvet and an articulate lattice of white-washed millwork. Floor-to-ceiling windows line the space with banquette seating throughout the dining area. A glass-enclosed pasta room transitions from a work space by day to a dining area by night providing guests with an “eat-in-the-kitchen” vibe. 

Dario is open for dinner Sunday to Thursday from 5pm-10pm and Friday and Saturday from 5pm-11pm. It is located at 323 N Washington Avenue and reservations can be made at www.dariorestaurant.com.

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Black History Month Events

To celebrate Black History Month, the City of Minneapolis is offering free, public events under the theme African Americans & the Arts.

Upcoming Black History Month Events:

• Black Music and the Arts – The Minneapolis Sound
  A panel discussion to explore the history of Black contributions to music with a focus on the “Minneapolis Sound.”
  Noon-1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 7
  City of Minneapolis Public Service Building, Conference Room 100
  505 Fourth Ave. S.

• Black and Belonging
  A community discussion around belonging to a collective and creating welcoming spaces where we all belong.
  Noon-1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14
  City of Minneapolis Public Service Building, Conference Room 100
  505 Fourth Ave. S.

• Family Feud: Black History Month Trivia
  Featuring Hennepin County and City of Minneapolis employees: a live event to have fun, laugh, show off what you know about Black history, or learn something new.
  Noon-2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21
  North Point Conference Center, Fifth Floor, Suite 5200
  1256 Penn Ave. N.

• History Makers at Home
  The Minneapolis Civil Rights Department will recognize leaders in the areas of business, criminal justice, education, economic development, health, housing and government.
  11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22
  Capri Theater, 2027 West Broadway Ave.

• Rock Your Crown
  This is the event where hair rules! With the State of Minnesota signing the Crown Act into law, we will celebrate the history of Black hair and the art of styling it.
  Noon-1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28
  City of Minneapolis Public Service Building, Conference Room 100
  505 Fourth Ave. S.

The mayor and City Council passed a resolution honoring Black History Month. The resolution states that “the Mayor and City Council do hereby commemorate the achievements of Black Americans as history makers and legacy trailblazers and their role in the development of the region and the nation since its inception, and we join in recognizing the annual celebration of Black History Month and the anniversary of the Minneapolis Black Employee Network.”

The events for Black History Month are presented in partnership with the City of Minneapolis and Hennepin County through the efforts of these employee resource groups: City of Minneapolis Black Employee Network, Hennepin County People of Color Employee Resource Group and Hennepin County African American Employee Resource Group. History Makers at Home is presented by the Minneapolis Department of Civil Rights.

Power Plant Glow by Ric Rosow

Submitted by Ric Rosow

Power Plant Glow

On January 14th I set up to take photographs of the St. Anthony Main side of the Mississippi River, including focusing on the Stone Arch Bridge, the St. Anthony Falls and the University Power Plant. The Power Plant photographs were taken several hours after sundown. The bright lights of St. Anthony Main made the landscape very interesting. It was, however, challenging to edit the photograph so that the very bright points of light did not distract from or overwhelm the remainder of the image. The camera can apply only one exposure to an image. But some areas, such as where there are bright lights, should be exposed differently from the rest of the photograph. I can do that by taking multiple images with different exposures, or in post-processing by selectively lowering the exposure of some areas by using luminosity masks before I adjust the exposure. It was the second method that I chose for this photograph.  

Power Plant Glow, Painted

The second photograph (above) is the same image as the first, but with additional processing to give it a painterly look. Photoshop’s AI technology was used in part to create this look for the image. I wrote out commands to Photoshop as to what I wanted and kept changing the command until I got what I wanted. This was an editing process I learned in the 5th Annual Photoshop Summit in October of last year. The instructor used the same process on a photograph he took. He liked it so much he printed it and displays it in his photography office. I’ll be interested to see how my image looks when printed on canvas.

You can see more of my work @ricrosowphotography.com and @PriceKrishnanGallery. This photograph and others on my website are available for purchase either from my website or by contacting me directly.

Scents to Scene by Cheryl LeClair-Sommer Opens February 10 at Kolman & Reeb Gallery

Aglow by Cheryl LeClair-Sommer

Exhibition opens February 10 and runs through March 23. The gallery will host an artist reception on Saturday, February 17, 7:00-9:00p, and an artist talk on Thursday, March 7 at 7:00p

Kolman & Reeb Gallery is pleased to announce its next Project Space grantee exhibition, Scents to Scenes, with works painted exclusively for this show. Plein air artist Cheryl LeClair-Sommer pairs visual and olfactory stimuli to whisk us off to those romantic little hideaways of Minnesota. By pairing essential oils with her expertly painted landscapes, LeClair-Sommer hopes to deeply immerse the viewer into the scene and encompass the entirety of the artist’s experience.

With the resources provided by a Kolman & Reeb Gallery Project Space Grant, LeClair-Sommer used fragrance as a catalyst to search for locations that embodied the properties of those scents. This allowed for the characteristics of each perfume to inspire the mood and help predict the color palette of the work. Scents to Scenes features paintings paired with the corresponding scent, in hopes that the viewer will deeply connect to the location and atmosphere depicted. Gallery patrons will have the opportunity to sample the scents associated with each painting to fully appreciate the experience.

As an example of her concept for the show, in her painting, A Promise of Renewal, LeClair-Sommer set out to visually capture a scene encompassing fragrance notes of both, intensely warm and deeply cool. To accomplish this, in early spring, she searched for a place where the winter snow was stubborn to melt. In her skilled and masterful technique, LeClair-Sommer captured a warm breeze as it swept down the hillside. The intense sun caressed the remnants of winter, snowmelt trickling from beneath; from this came the rich odors of mossy decay as it blended with the light grassy aroma of new life.

"Following the curve of a river, silhouette of a tree, or billowing cloud formation, Cheryl’s work conjures the mood of the place," says Anita Sue Kolman, Kolman & Reeb Gallery co-founder and co-partner. "By pairing the essential oils chosen for each scene is a real treat. With her Project Space Grant show, Cheryl has brought many beautiful paintings to the gallery space.” 

Salmon Sunset Over the Marsh by Cheryl LeClair-Sommer

Per Jodi Reeb, gallery curator and co-partner, "Cheryl’s work beautifully captures Minnesota's many seasons and notable places. With her plein air paintings, she's able to summon the feeling of a moment. The softness of Cheryl's palette and the concept of blending scents with her scenes fit well with the gallery's contemporary style."

LeClair-Sommer lives and works in a suburb of St. Paul. To create her plein air paintings she travels throughout Minnesota, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and the Tahoe, California area. Cheryl has been recognized for her paintings with artwork regularly juried into national exhibits, awards at outdoor painting competitions, a Master Circle award from the International  Association of Pastel Societies, an award of a two-week residency, and a feature on the television show MN Original in 2011.

Fine Art Opening Event at Washburn Lofts, February 1

Free Art Opening event submitted by the Washburn Lofts

The Stone Arch Bridge in January - Photos by Ric Rosow

Submitted by Ric Rosow

Dusk on the Mississippi River

This photograph was taken about 2 & 1/2 hours before the nighttime photograph below. I took photographs of this scene the day before, but the sky was cloudy with little interest. I was pleased to see a blue sky earlier in the day and hoped it would continue that way as late afternoon and evening approached. In this image I like the sky, the water vapor coming off the river, the texture of the Stone Arch Bridge, the golden glow of lights near and far from the river, the white arch of the Lowry Avenue Bridge and the smoke cloud coming from a flue stack in the upper right. They create areas of interest throughout the photograph. 

Night Lights on the River

On the night of January 14th, the lights under the Stone Arch Bridge and the lights in the City all around the river illuminated a beautiful scene. I used a neutral density filter which allowed me to take a 15 second time exposure of the scene. The filter helped in softening the glow of the lights under the bridge and the water coming down the slope of the concrete apron of the dam. It appears that the City or Park Board replaced a light under one the arches that has been dead for quite a while. I want to thank whoever did that, as it makes photographs of the bridge and river better looking.

You can see more of my work @ricrosowphotography.com and @PriceKrishnanGallery.

Minneapolis Winter Kite Festival Returns to Lake Harriet on January 27

2023 Lake Harriet Winter Kite Festival, photo MPRB

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board hosts the 22nd annual Minneapolis Winter Kite Festival at Lake Harriet on Saturday, January 27 from 12-4 pm

The Kite Festival is a FREE outdoor event for people of all ages and abilities. Activities are centered around the north end of Lake Harriet near the Bandshell, 4135 West Lake Harriet Parkway. Kites of all shapes, sizes, colors and themes will fly over frozen Lake Harriet in a fun family festival featuring a kid’s DJ, s’mores, nature hikes and yard games.

Minnesota Kite Society experts will demonstrate maneuvering spectacular kites throughout the day and offer expertise to anyone interested in flying a kite. Bring your own kite or buy one at the lake – look for the East Harriet Neighborhood Association table near the Kids DJ.

Shuttle and Parking info

Free shuttles will run continuously between the Executive Building parking lot on the west side of Bde Maka Ska, 3033 Excelsior Blvd., and Lake Harriet on January 27, 11 am-5 pm. Aside from biking or walking, this is the best way to get to and from the Minneapolis Kite Festival.

Only accessible parking is available onsite. Limited parking is also available throughout the neighborhood but expect delays navigating through the neighborhood as there will be event congestion, parking restrictions, and road closures.

Ice Safety

The safety of event attendees is the top priority. Staff are monitoring ice thickness and will provide updates on MPRB social media and the Minneapolis Kite Festival website as conditions evolve.

Lake ice is never 100% safe. Stay away from channels, open water and areas where warning signs have been placed or cordoned off with caution tape or cones. Visit the MN DNR Ice Safety page for more information.

Ice Luminary Workshop at Water Works, February 10

Saturday, February 10, 3-6 pm

You don't need to be an expert - or even an adult - to make beautiful winter decorations for your home. Learn how to make a radiant ice luminary to add everyday sparkle to your home, both inside and out. In this introductory class, delve into the fundamentals of crafting captivating ice lanterns, exploring essential techniques such as design elements, textures, and lighting effects. Each participant will go home with a Fluted 5-gallon Ice Lantern Mold (5-gallon bucket not included). The class will be guided by experienced Ice Wrangler, Jennifer Shea Hedberg, of Wintercraft.

Tailored for beginners, this class provides an ideal entry point into the magical world of ice lantern creations. Suitable for ages 14 and above or accompanied by an adult. No prior experience is necessary! Optional Luminary DIY book, "Ice Luminary Magic" will be available for purchase during checkout.

Register online

This class is hosted by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. Visit minneapolisparks.org/register to search thousands of youth and adult programs across the park system. 

The Big Tiny Show, a Juried Group Exhibition at Kolman & Reeb Gallery, January 13 – February 3, 2024

Artist Reception Saturday, January 20, 2024, 6:00pm–8:00pm

The Kolman & Reeb Gallery is excited to ring in 2024 by showcasing art created by over 50 artists from across Minnesota with a juried group exhibition, The Big Tiny Show, Saturday, January 13 through February 3, 2024.

From its inception, the Kolman & Reeb Gallery has focused on ways to support Minnesota artists. This juried group show allowed the prestigious Minneapolis gallery to expand on this mission with a call inviting artists to submit their work to be considered for this show regardless of subject matter, media, and expression. The tremendous response shows Minnesota artists are passionate to share their unique perspectives.

From tried-and-true oil on canvas to pine needles and artificial sinew, gallery patrons can expect an inspiring and diverse exhibition. Adopting its name from the guideline that no one piece of art can be larger than 12 inches, The Big Tiny Show involves a variety of subject matter and media. With the varied assortment, the depth of the show has allowed for an innovative and contemporary curation.

Per Anita Sue Kolman, Kolman & Reeb Gallery co-founder and co-partner, “What excites me about this show is the opportunity it provides the Kolman & Reeb Gallery to suspend its usual aesthetic and instead display artwork from a wide variety of Minnesota artists regardless of medium, subject, style.” 

Jodi Reeb, gallery curator and co-partner, added, “With this show Anita and I were eager to open the call to all media types and expressions. The results were overwhelming, and we received a significant response from Minnesota artists interested in showing their work. Our panel of judges was delighted by the superior quality of the art submitted. We’re eager for our patrons to come and view the diverse collection from across Minnesota. Opening the call to all types of media offered me a unique experience as the show’s curator."

All are invited to come and view this interesting blend of styles and range of talent from this large assortment of artists. All art on display during The Big Tiny Show will be available for purchase.

Kolman & Reeb Gallery is in Studio 395, Northrup King Building, 1500 Jackson Street NE.

Downtown Beneath Stone Arch by Ric Rosow

Submitted by Ric Rosow

Downtown Beneath Stone Arch

This is a composite of a photograph of the Stone Arch Bridge and a photograph of Downtown Minneapolis as seen from the University Walking Bridge. But of course this blended image is not what you see when you cross that bridge. The City, which abuts the Mississippi River is in the river in this image and the Stone Arch Bridge, which connects the City and St. Anthony Main, now stands over the City. Along the way of editing the images, I discarded two or three versions that just did not work well. I went through a lot of experimentation, applying various blend modes, different levels of opacity and a number of masks to get a look I was pleased with. It is colorful and it is busy. It draws me in.

You can see more of my work at ricrosowphotography.com and Price Krishnan Gallery.

Firefighters 12th Annual Gift Delivery to Hennepin Healthcare Burn Center Patients

For the 12th year in a row, firefighters and volunteers spread some holiday cheer by delivering gifts to Hennepin Healthcare Burn Center patients and provided meals for the frontline staff.

The Burn Center at Hennepin Healthcare is nationally recognized for its expertise in treating burn patients of all ages. Staffed by specially trained burn care nurses and physicians, the inpatient unit and ambulatory care clinic provide comprehensive burn care to patients from throughout the Midwest. 

On the morning of December 21, wrapped gifts for each Burn Center patient arrived via fire trucks. As volunteers lined the sidewalk to wave to the patients peering from the 4th floor windows, nurses and staff waited curbside with carts ready to transport gifts from the rig to the Burn Unit.

Above, the prep. Below, the delivery.

What a group of amazing human beings!

“This annual tradition of bringing gifts to the Burn Center patients started the year I was a patient in 2010,” explains former Minneapolis firefighter and burn patient Jake LaFerriere who is the Founder and Executive Director of Firefighters For Healing. “My world changed overnight when I survived a backdraft explosion. Those who helped me through the darkest days were my family, close friends, the nurses and fire community. The first Christmas Blessing in 2010 was my way to thank the nurses and Burn Center teams for all they do. It was a blessing to me to be able to pay it forward. I wanted to provide the burn survivors and their families with a reason to smile and feel joy. It truly aligns with the reason for the season and helps families know they are not alone.”

“Helping families through the multiple stages of grief and healing is what we do. Each year as this gifting event has grown and impacted more families and new frontline staff, they repeatedly tell us that this simple act of kindness means the world to them,” said Jake LaFerriere. “Donating to Firefighters For Healing supports our mission to support burn survivor families and injured firefighters. Visit firefightersforhealing.org.”

Firefighters For Healing supports burn survivors and helps firefighters and first responders pivot after a line of duty injury by providing emergency housing and support.They meet and serve families 24/7 and 365 days a year from Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. This non-profit 501(C)(3) charitable organization thrives on community partnerships, volunteer support and fundraising events.

If you're not familiar with Firefighters for Healing, here are two short videos that will introduce you to the founder, Jake LaFerriere, as well as one of their numerous achievements, the creation of Camp Red.

Miller Lite’s Free Rides Program Returns to the Twin Cities for New Year’s Eve!

Molson Coors extends its 35-year commitment to responsible celebrations into 2024

Twin Cities residents are encouraged to plan their free ride before the countdown to midnight begins. Riders can visit http://metrotransit.org/ to review transit routes and make arrangements for their journey into 2024.

As anticipation builds for the countdown to midnight, Molson Coors is helping Twin Cities residents celebrate the holiday season by offering complimentary mass transit on New Year’s Eve through its 2023 Miller Lite Free Rides program. Partnering with Metro Transit, residents can enjoy fare-free rides on Sunday, December 31 from 6pm until the end of service on all Metro Transit routes and The Northstar Line.

“As we embrace the new year, Molson Coors remains committed to championing alcohol responsibility in the communities it serves. It’s an honor to contribute to the night’s festivities across the Twin Cities and welcome in 2024 together,” said Alison Hanrahan, community affairs manager, Molson Coors. “By partnering with Metro Transit our hope is to not only provide free rides, but to foster a sense of community and responsibility as we collectively celebrate this new chapter.”

Since its inception in 1988, the Free Rides program has been a cornerstone of Molson Coors' commitment to promoting responsible celebrations. Through collaborative efforts with local mass transit, the program has extended fare-free rides to more than 8 million individuals across the U.S., with more than 200,000 riders benefiting from the program in the Twin Cities alone.

During last year’s New Year’s Eve Free Rides in the Twin Cities, nearly 18,000 individuals took advantage of complimentary transit to welcome in the new year.

“Metro Transit is pleased to partner with Molson Coors to offer free rides across our system, providing loyal and first-time riders alike another reason to make transit a part of their New Year’s experience,” said Metro Transit General Manager Lesley Kandaras.

The New Year’s Eve Free Rides program concludes this year’s annual Free Rides initiative. This year, the program was offered in nine cities over the course of five events including St. Patrick’s Day, major holidays and professional sporting events. Molson Coors has expanded the Free Rides program over the past two years, providing increased access to free transportation options and reinforcing the company’s commitment to the communities it serves. 

Meet New Ward 7 Council Member Katie Cashman, January 16

A conversation with newly elected Ward 7 Council Member, Katie Cashman

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Tuesday, January 16, 2024

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8:00am - 9:30am at Minneapolis College.

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RSVP by January 15

December 2023 Minneapolis Central City Tunnel Project Update

Via a December 22 e-announcement from the City of Minneapolis:

Project Overview

The City of Minneapolis Public Works Department is constructing a new parallel storm tunnel, enlarging a portion of the existing storm tunnel, and constructing a new tunnel access in Downtown Minneapolis.

The new tunnel is being constructed parallel to the existing tunnel located under Washington Ave S between Nicollet Mall and Chicago Ave. The existing tunnel under Chicago Ave between Washington Ave S and the Mississippi River is being expanded to handle the increased stormwater capacity. The purpose of this project is to reduce pressure in the existing tunnel, provide more room for future growth, and to reduce the need for future repairs and tunnel failures.

Project Map

Latest Project News

Mississippi River Portal

• Crews continue reconstruction of the storm tunnel outlet at the Mississippi River; excavation activities are almost complete.

2nd Ave

• Crews continue construction of a concrete liner for the new parallel storm tunnel under Washington Ave from the new tunnel access shaft in the southbound lanes of 2nd Ave S, just north of the Washington Ave intersection.

Portland Ave

• Crews continue construction of a concrete liner for the new parallel storm tunnel under Washington Ave from the existing tunnel access shaft at the northeast corner of the Washington Ave and Portland Ave intersection.

Lining progress

In November, crews continued to work on the concrete tunnel lining, pouring about 1,450 cubic yards of concrete. To date 12,750 cubic yards of concrete have been poured. As noted in the infographic above, this is just under four times the volume of an Olympic swimming pool. This process is approximately 90% complete.

Long-term closures/restrictions

• The north westbound lane, bike lane, and parking lane remains closed on Washington Ave between Portland Ave and Park Ave. These closures will remain in place until the project is completed.
  • During this closure, pedestrians can still use the sidewalks along Washington Ave.
  • Crosswalks across Washington Ave and Portland Ave will remain open.
  • Bicyclists will share the traffic lane.
  • The existing left turn lane on Washington Ave at the Portland Ave intersection will temporarily become a left turn and through lane.

• Northbound lane of Portland Ave will be periodically closed between Washington Ave and 2nd Closures will happen during the workday only.
  • Closure is for the placement of concrete into the tunnel.
  • East crosswalk across Washington and north crosswalk across Portland will be closed.
  • Sidewalks will remain open to businesses and residences.

• The north sidewalk along Washington Ave remains restricted between Hennepin Ave and Nicollet Mall.
  • During these restrictions, pedestrians share the bike lane on Washington Ave.
  • The crosswalks at the Washington Ave intersections of Nicollet Mall and Hennepin Ave remains open.

• The sidewalk on the east side of 4th Ave S remains restricted through the end of the project. The dewatering well and pumps are installed in this area.
  • Pedestrians can use the sidewalk on the west side of 4th Ave S.
  • The crosswalk at the Washington Ave and 4th Ave intersection remains open.
  • Access to driveways off 4th Ave S remains open.

• The west sidewalk of Portland Ave south of Washington Ave will remain restricted to pedestrians around the dewatering well and pumps until the project is completed.

• The parking lot and trail near Mill Runs Park is closed for the winter.

• 2nd Ave S remains a single lane in each direction using the northbound lanes between Washington Ave and 1st St S. Access will be restricted until the project is completed.
  • Access to driveways off 2nd Ave S remain open. There may be short-term access delays while crews move equipment and materials around.

What to expect

• Expect additional noise, dust, and vibration as crews complete work.
• Schedule is tentative and subject to change due to weather and other unforeseen circumstances.
• Working hours will vary in the coming weeks due to the holiday and scheduled training.
• The next project update will be in February 2024.

Stay Connected

Visit the project website for more information and to sign up for project updates: https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/projects/central-city-tunnel/

Email the project team: info@mplscentralcitytunnel.com

Contact the project hotline: 612-888-9418