Chris Rackley: Life As A Mall Brat Artist Reception at Kolman & Reeb, Sept. 23

Chris Rackley: Life As A Mall Brat - A Kolman & Reeb Gallery Project Space Exhibition 

Life As A Mall Brat runs thru October 21

Artist Reception: Saturday, September 23, 7:00p – 9:00p

Artist Talk: Thursday, October 5, 2023, 7:00p – 8:00p

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Visitors have a chance to step into the art of Chris Rackley at the Kolman & Reeb Gallery during the gallery’s current Project Space grant exhibition, Life As A Mall Brat.

Spending a large part of his youth at a shopping mall where his father managed a shoe store, Chris Rackley is a self-proclaimed mall "brat." On days when not in school, Rackley spent his time at the mall sketching, reading, and exploring; curiously comparing what we experience as shoppers with the hidden inner workings of the retail meccas. From these unique and humble beginnings, Rackley examines the inaccuracy of memories with how we perceive them as truths. 

Rackley uses drawings, sculptures, and an interactive video to explore his memories of a shopping mall in Duluth, Georgia. Rackley recreates miniature versions of architectural elements of the mall—a place he wandered every day for ten years in the 1980s. These recognizable facades and embellishments are presented at different scales relative to one another, emulating the way memory can be fragmented and accompanied by a longing to reconstruct significant moments from the past.

You Are Always Here by Chris Rackley

From miniature replicas of lost toys and misplaced trash as bits and pieces of memory, Rackley has opened his mind to expose a childhood of experiences, immortalizing a shopping mall from a young boy's perspective as though daring us to go back into this precious place of youth in our own minds.

"People visiting the gallery will have a chance to step into Chris' art, and that's really what interests me most about his show," says Anita Sue Kolman, Kolman & Reeb Gallery co-founder and co-partner. "With the resources he received from our Project Space grant, Chris used a variety of materials and mediums to create so many interesting pieces."

Jodi Reeb, gallery curator and co-partner, comments, "We are excited to bring this exhibition to the gallery, which features Chris' memories as drawings, sculptures, and an interactive video, where he explores his childhood at the mall that he wandered for ten years."

Rackley received his BA in Studio Art from Davidson College and his MFA in Painting from George Mason University. Rackley’s work has been featured in solo and group exhibitions nationally and internationally. Rackley currently lives and works in Rochester, MN.

Kolman & Reeb Gallery is in Studio 395, Northrup King Building at 1500 Jackson Street NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413. For more information, please visit: kolmanreebgallery.com or call 612-385-4239.  

Chef Yia Vang Announces Vinai Restaurant Will Open in the Space Being Vacated by Dangerous Man's Taproom

1300 2nd Street NE

Vinai is expected to open in Spring 2024 at 1300 2nd Sreet NE, in the Northeast Bank Building 

Chef Yia Vang has announced that his restaurant, Vinai, will move into the space at 1300 2nd Street NE in Minneapolis’ Northeast Bank Building. The announcement comes after Yia Vang first publicized the restaurant’s plans back in early 2020, prior to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The restaurant is expected to begin construction on the space in late 2023/early 2024 and is aiming for a Spring 2024 opening. 

Vinai gets its namesake from the refugee camp in Thailand where Vang’s parents met and where he was born. The restaurant is meant to serve as an homage to the heritage of Vang’s family while also continuing to share Hmong culture, traditions, and stories with the Twin Cities community and beyond. 

“The road to opening Vinai has been a much longer one than we expected, but we are finally at a point where we have a home,” said Vang. “It was a roller coaster of a process but we’ve learned so much in that time and we’ve been so thankful for the patience and support that we’ve been shown over the years.” 

While Vinai will be a tenant of the space, founder and owner, Yia Vang will also be partial owner of the building itself. 

Chef Yia Vang, Photo credit: Lauren Cutshall Over the last decade, the space has been the home of the Dangerous Man Brewing Company taproom, which has announced its closure. The brewery will continue producing and distributing its well-known brews through its production brewery location. 

“This restaurant is about carrying on my parent’s legacy. But it’s also about carrying on a piece of Dangerous Man’s legacy, and the legacy of the community here.”    Chef Vang

In the Sheridan neighborhood, Vinai will be joining a well regarded team of restaurants in the area. Ann Kim’s Young Joni is down the block, Gustavo Romero’s Oro is across the street, and Christina Nguyen’s Hai Hai is less than a mile away. “We love the neighborhood, and we feel so lucky to join the strong community that these restaurants and Dangerous Man have cultivated over the years,” said Vang. 

While navigating the funding hurdles of Vinai’s opening, Vang has been operating Union Hmong Kitchen for over 7 years. Union Hmong Kitchen has two locations in Minneapolis – one in the North Loop and one on West Lake Street – and has expanded the brand to serve Hmong food at the Minnesota State Fair, Target Field, and US Bank Stadium. Union Hmong Kitchen was nominated for a James Beard in 2022 for Best New Restaurant and Vang has received multiple James Beard nominations for Best Chef Midwest. 

Food Waste Reduction App, Too Good To Go, Launches in Minneapolis, Promoting Savings and Sustainability

Too Good To Go is available in 19 cities across the U.S. and has saved more than 6.8 million meals from waste 

A popular food-saving and money-saving app, Too Good To Go, is launching in Minneapolis on September 20.

Too Good To Go partners with local food businesses to reduce food waste by rescuing unsold food from being thrown out and selling it for a reduced price. The app a win-win-win as it allows local businesses to recoup food costs, and consumers can access great food at affordable prices, and it helps with the massive food waste problem that our planet faces. 

Minneapolis Launch Partners Include:

Mama Sheila's House of Soul

• Black-owned, family-owned & operated business in the heart of Minneapolis. 

• A museum styled restaurant in Minneapolis where you'll find great down-home soul food and more in an elegant environment.

• Sheila, who also serves as the main cook, grew up in Chicago. Starting off in the kitchen at 15 years old, she developed a love for cooking and the skills to cook.  

T-Rex Cookie Kitchen

• Women-owned & operated business.

• Dinosaur-themed hangout with jumbo cookies in creative flavors, locally roasted coffee & light fare.

• Baking nationally recognized 1/2 pound and 5 pound cookies in 200+ Flavors. Small but mighty company with big cookies! 

The Buttered Tin

• Women-owned & operated business. Founded by James Beard-recognized chef and Cupcake Wars winner Alicia Hinze. Fun fact: she competed on The Food Network’s hit show Cupcake Wars several times with competition-winning results!

• Serves up house-made sweets and scratch-made breakfast, brunch, and lunch in St. Paul and Minneapolis. All items are made with simple, clean ingredients and love. 

Backstory Coffee

• A specialty coffee roaster that sources from relationship-focused producers and importers.

• Very rooted in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul community–many local coffee shops roast Backstory coffee. The company’s mission is to cultivate deeper connections between people by sharing their love of delicious coffee. 

Butter Bakery Cafe

• Locally owned, independent business rooted in Southwest Minneapolis since 2006 and deeply committed to producing not only good food, but also good community.

• They partner with Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative, a local non-profit working to end homelessness, in giving youth living at Nicollet Square supportive work experience. 

• As a Social Benefit Corporation, they’re focused on being a business for good, modeling sustainable practices, advocating for improvements to worker rights, and bringing positive change to our food service industry. 

With approximately 10% of greenhouse gas emissions stemming from discarded food, reducing food waste is key to solving the world’s climate problem. Too Good To Go forges a direct connection between conscientious consumers and forward-thinking food businesses. Through the free mobile app, consumers gain access to high-quality, surplus food at an average discount of ⅓ the full retail price, while businesses can recoup otherwise lost revenue  from selling fresh surplus food.

By partnering with Too Good To Go, local businesses gain a powerful platform to showcase their commitment to sustainability. By reducing their surplus food inventory, they also lower disposal costs and play a pivotal role in creating a more sustainable food system. With more partners added weekly, consumers are encouraged to check back often to see what new stores and categories have joined.

According to MPCA’s recent report on the state of waste, food makes up 18% of landfills in Minnesota, where it breaks down and produces methane, a greenhouse gas with heat-trapping potential 25 times greater than carbon dioxide. Minnesotans throw out approximately 62% of food that could have been eaten or donated. A family of four in Minnesota could save $1,200 a year by reducing their wasted food. Since launching in the US, Too Good To Go has saved more than 6.5 million meals from more than 14,000 partners, resulting in over $50M in savings for consumers to-date.

“We are excited to bring Too Good To Go to Minneapolis, a city that shares our values of sustainability and community engagement,” said Chris MacAulay, Too Good To Go US Country Director. “Our app empowers individuals to make a positive impact on both the environment and their wallets, while supporting local businesses."

The Too Good To Go app is available for iOS download in the Apple App Store and Google Play for Android.

Too Good To Go is a certified B Corp social impact company, on a mission to inspire and empower everyone to fight food waste together. Through its marketplace, Too Good To Go’s community connects to save unsold food from a variety of business partners, including retailers, bakeries, cafes, restaurants, and manufacturers. In 7 years of operation, Too Good To Go has helped to save over 220 million meals from going to waste - the equivalent of 550,000 tonnes of CO2e avoided. Since its launch in 2016, Too Good To Go has grown to over 80 million registered users and 140,000 active business partners across 17 countries in Europe and North America, making it the leading company in the fight against food waste. To learn more about Too Good To Go and its impact, visit toogoodtogo.com and follow on Instagram.

Ric Rosow's Downtown Skyscrapers

Submitted by Ric Rosow

On August 29th a group of 20+ Mill City Commons (MCC) members took a 2-hour sidewalk tour of downtown Minneapolis buildings, led by MCC member David Evelo. David provided excellent commentary as we walked, and provided to each of us a multipage document describing each building.

On the walk I took the opportunity to experiment with taking vertical panoramas. Normally I take horizontal panoramic photos of the city from a vantage point giving me a view of all that lies below the horizon. In this instance I was of course on street level. Normally for a panoramic I would use a tripod to make sure the stitching of the images went smoothly. In this case I hand held the camera as I did not bring a tripod. For each series of photos that would go into making the panoramic I turned the camera to a “portrait” orientation. Taking anywhere from five to ten photos of each building, I started composing at the street level of the building and with each subsequent photo I raised the camera lens higher, taking care to overlap each image with the prior image. Photoshop then did its job of seamlessly stitching together the series of photos of each building into one image. I love the way surrounding buildings are reflected on the buildings that have a glass exterior.

150 S 5th Street

AT&T

Capella Tower

Foshey Tower

Four Seasons

Marquette Plaza

US Bank Plaza

Well Fargo Center

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I also took time to take a photograph (below) of the beautiful chandelier that hangs from the high ceiling of the first level of the Star Tribune Building. That is a building I worked in for about 20 years when it was known as the IBM Building. To highlight the beauty of the chandelier, in processing the image I masked out the surrounding ceiling and walls so that all one sees is the chandelier.

Downtown is a short walk from the Mill District, so anyone can easily take their own tour. Be sure to stop at each building and LOOK UP!

Riders in the Sky are Coming to Dakota, September 28

America's favorite two-time Grammy Award-winning comedy cowboys, Riders In The Sky, are performing at Dakota on September 28. Ranger Doug, Too Slim, Woody Paul and Joey the Cowpolka King believe in preserving the heritage of Western music and presenting it to a new generation, and have been doing so for 40 years. Their list of accomplishments include 7,200+ appearances, 35 years on the Grand Ole Opry, 40+ records, and tours of all 50 states and all over the world.

This is what we love about Dakota - performances in every genre imaginable. And the food, drinks and service is pretty darn good, too!

September 2023 Minneapolis Central City Tunnel Project Update

Via an September 8 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 to work on lining the existing storm tunnel at the Mississippi River with concrete. Excavation will resume later this fall when they can access the storm flow again.

2nd Ave

• Crews continue to work on lining 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 to work on lining 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 August, crews continued to work on the concrete tunnel lining pouring about 1,400 cubic yards of concrete. To date 8,200 cubic yards of concrete have been poured. As noted in the infographic above, this is just over two and a half times the volume of an Olympic swimming pool. This process is approximately 52.6% 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 has reopened.
  • During the summer, the trail will have flaggers to allow concrete trucks to pull into and out of the work site.

• 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.

Stay Connected

There are multiple ways to get information including email updates and ongoing stakeholder meetings. Visit the project website for more information and to sign up for project updates.

Email the project team: info@mplscentralcitytunnel.com

Contact the project hotline: 612-888-9418

Wilderness Inquiry Announces 2023 Great River Race on the Mississippi River

The September 16 event marks the 13th anniversary of racing to close the opportunity gap for thousands of youth in the Twin Cities and beyond

Wilderness Inquiry, a nonprofit providing equitable access to the outdoors through guided trips and educational programs, has announced its annual fundraising event, the Great River Race, will take place September 16 at Hidden Falls Regional Park where more than 25 teams will race down the Mississippi River in 10-person canoes. The big race centers around closing the opportunity gap for thousands of youth across Minnesota and beyond by raising funds for Canoemobile, Wilderness Inquiry’s outdoor education program that engages youth and communities in environmental learning and water-based recreation close to where they live.

In 2023, Canoemobile will reach more than 20,000 youth in 50+ communities across the country, teaching them about science, history, geography, and culture while navigating local waterways in 10-person canoes. 

Great River Race partners include the National Park Service and Mississippi Park Connection. Past attendees include Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, who have paddled in the race. 2023 presenting sponsors are Nature Valley, Thomson Reuters, and Winnebago Industries. For a full list of sponsors and more details about the Great River Race, visit www.greatriverrace.org. 

“Our proud sponsors and strong partnerships are key to creating a successful event that champions equitable outdoor connections for all youth,” said Wilderness Inquiry’s Executive Director Erika Rivers. “The Great River Race is a day full of fun, purpose, and impact. This year, our goal is to raise $150,000 for programs that will engage more than 20,000 youth in life-changing outdoor educational and recreational opportunities.” 

Mark Your Calendars - Ward 3 and Ward 7 City Council Candidates Forums are Scheduled for September

This year all 13 City Council seats are on the ballot. Below is information on the Ward 3 and Ward 7 Candidate Forums - a chance to meet the candidates and learn about their ideas, positions, priorities, qualifications, etc. The below links include live streaming options and additional information.

Ward 3 City Council Candidates Forum Thursday, September 21, 6p-7:30p, Central Public Library

Ward 7 City Council Candidates Forum Thursday, September 28, at 6p-8p, The Woman's Club of Minneapolis

Voting for 2023 DID Greening and Public Realm Awards Opens Today

The Mpls Downtown Improvement District (DID) announced today that public voting for the 2023 Greening and Public Realm Awards is open.

The Greening and Public Realm Awards, a DID initiative since 2010, celebrates outstanding examples of greening and placemaking that improve public spaces in downtown Minneapolis. Winners will be selected by public vote at mplsdid.com/greeningawards. The public vote will be open September 5 through September 20.

Finalists were divided into eight categories based on project size and other characteristics. Among the finalists selected were 10 new nominees – a sign of continued growth in downtown greening efforts – as well as 12 past winners.

“Efforts to enhance our public greening and vibrancy are invaluable,” said Steve Cramer, Mpls Downtown Improvement District President & CEO. “Downtown is grateful for all the finalists and their efforts to improve vibrancy and greening in the city’s core.”

Winners will receive a commemorative Greening and Public Realm Award created by Wood from the Hood, a Minneapolis-based company that reclaims discarded trees from urban neighborhoods and creates high-quality wood products. Each award will display the year the award was issued.

The Greening and Public Realm Awards were created to celebrate the outstanding examples of private greening and placemaking happening in downtown Minneapolis and are intended to inspire all to work towards making downtown a greener and more vibrant place.

Each category will showcase the finalists along with a photo of each location for easy viewing and identification. This year’s eight categories are: Small Green Space, Streetscape, Large Green Space, Entryway and Outdoor Café, Activated Space, Public Art, Public Realm Improvement and Best Neighborhood.

The public is not only encouraged to vote for a winner in each category, but also celebrate downtown greening year-long. Send your greening photos to @MplsDID on Facebook and/or Instagram using the hashtag #GreenAwardsMpls.

Here's a recap of the 2022 winners:

September 2 at the Mill City Farmers Market

I filled our September 2nd shopping basket from the Mill City Farmers Market with the fixings for a gigantic pot of soup.

Chef Jenny Breen worked on a demo using a rainbow of produce.

Cine Latino Returns to The Main Cinema October 11-15

MSP Film Society celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with the 11th Annual Cine Latino Film Festival at The Main Cinema from October 11 – 15. As the upper Midwest’s largest celebration of the best new Latin American and Ibero Cinema, Cine Latino once again pays homage to the diversity and greatness of the inhabitants of this vast region, to the immensity and beauty of its geography, and fundamentally, to the richness and magic of its culture.

This year’s Cine Latino features five days of new award-winning films from Sundance, Berlin, Malag, a classic from master filmmaker Luis Buñuel, filmmaker conversations, and nightly parties at Pracna to engage the Twin Cities’ growing Spanish-speaking populations and vast community of global cinephiles.

Cine Latino kicks off Wednesday, October 11 with RADICAL, Christopher Zalla’s 2023 Sundance award-winning film about a teacher who takes radical steps to engage his underperforming students in new and creative ways.

Cine Latino’s Closing Film on Sunday, October 15 is the 2023 Berlinale and Malaga Film Festival award-winning film 20,000 SPECIES OF BEES, a delicate family drama centered around an 8 year old who ponders her gender identity and everything else while tending to her grandmother’s beehives.

All-Access Passes are on sale now for $75 – or just $50 for MSP Film Society Members! Tickets to individual screenings are $8 for MSP Film Society Members/$12 General Public/$6 for Students – or purchase a 4 Pack for just $24 for Members / $36 for General Public.

* * * * Pre-Festival Events! * * * * 

The Main Cinema and Mia are both getting an early jump on the festivities with these screenings in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month with ¡CINE LATINO APERITIVO! SCREENINGS:

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CASSANDRO - Opens September 15 at The Main Cinema

Saúl Armendáriz (Gael García Bernal), a gay amateur wrestler from El Paso, rises to international stardom after he creates the character Cassandro, the “Liberace of Lucha Libre.” In the process, he upends not just the macho wrestling world, but also his own life. Based on a true story.

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CARLOS: THE SANTANA JOURNEY - GLOBAL PREMIERE!

Carlos Santana                                                Photo courtesy of MSP Film Society

Special Event Screenings September 23, 24 & 27 

A music industry legend for 50 years and a 10-time Grammy-winning global sensation, Carlos Santana continues to be one of the music world’s premiere artists, blending jazz, blues, and the Mariachi sound with a rock n’ roll spirituality and a sense of connection to music’s primal connection to our deepest emotions. Celebrate the life of one of music’s greatest icons in this special premiere event. Includes exclusive intro content with director Rudy Valdez and Carlos Santana.

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¡HOLA CINE! - October 8 | FREE at Mia!

A family-friendly collection of Spanish-language short films screening for free all day at Mia. Curated annually by the New York International Children’s Film Festival, ¡HOLA CINE! delivers the best Latinx short films from around the world, transporting audiences to the chilly mountains of Argentina and reminding them of the power of family, perseverance, and believing in magic. 

Green Minneapolis' Peavey Plaza Last Splash Fundraising Event, September 21

Celebrate Summer's Last Splash at Peavey Plaza!

You’re invited to celebrate the success of Summer at Peavey Plaza, co-hosted by Bond & Devick Wealth Partners. Enjoy food and drinks while watching artist in residence Phil Thompson and his band perform their acclaimed Billy Joel and Elton John Tribute Concert! Green Minneapolis will highlight the amazing music, dance and theater events that took place on the plaza this summer and share updates on the work they are doing to keep our community green and vibrant.

Thursday, September 21, 5:00-7:30PM, Target Atrium at Orchestra Hall

Please RSVP by September 14

If you aren't able to attend, but would like to support free future Peavey Plaza Programming, please consider a donation to Green Minneapolis here: Donate Now!

Waxing Crescent Moon Over Downtown East by Ric Rosow

Submitted by Ric Rosow

Not yet the full Super Moon, but close to it - a Waxing Crescent Moon photograph taken on the evening of August 28th, two days before the Full Super Blue Moon. A moon is named a Blue Moon when there are two full moons in one month.

Last night when the moon was low in the horizon clouds covered it up, but I waited to see if the sky would clear. Eventually it did rise above the cloud layer. Setting the shutter speed to 1/200 of a second to keep the moon sharp (it’s always moving) meant the foreground and sky were dark. I took another photograph of the scene exposed for the foreground. This photograph then is a blend of two images, one a proper exposure for the moon and another a proper exposure for the foreground. I’ll be back out again tonight for my final tune up before the hopefully clear skies on August 30th for the Super Blue Moon. On August 30th there is only 12 minutes between the sun setting and the moon rising. I might be able to get good detail in the moon and a proper exposure of the foreground with one shot if there are no clouds at the horizon. The sky will still be light enough to set the shutter speed at 1/200 of a second while at the same time setting the exposure so the foreground is revealed. If there is a layer of clouds at the horizon or fire dust low in the sky, it will again require a blend.

You can see more of my work at ricrosowphotography.com.

Groundbreaking Event for Graco Park Rescheduled to Tuesday, August 29, 1 pm

A groundbreaking event for Graco Park is scheduled Tuesday, August 29, 1-2 pm. This event was originally scheduled August 14, but was postponed due to rain. MPRB Superintendent Al Bangoura, MPRB President Meg Forney, MPRB District 1 Commissioner Billy Menz, Graco President and CEO Mark Sheahan, District 6 Met Council Member Robert Lilligren, Mississippi Watershed Management Organization Executive Director Kevin Reich are scheduled to speak. 

Graco Park is a new 9-acre riverfront park in Northeast Minneapolis, across from Hall's Island and just north of the Plymouth Avenue Bridge. It is expected to initially open in fall 2024, with a new park building and trail underpass connection to Boom Island Park expected to open in fall 2025. Park features will include:

• A multiuse net-zero energy building with public restrooms, community space and a Spark’d Studios location.
• Native habitat restoration and stormwater management features, including a geothermal snowmelt system.
• A trail under the Plymouth Avenue Bridge that connects to Boom Island Park.
• The Mississippi East Bank Trail realigned through the park and safety upgrades at the intersection of Plymouth/8th Avenue NE and Sibley Street NE.
• Gathering spaces, walkways and river access.

A series of agreements reached in 2018 between the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and Graco Inc., which is headquartered next to the park, led to the creation of Graco Park. Grants from the Metropolitan Council and Mississippi Watershed Management Organization also helped fund park construction.

Explore Minneapolis Ecology Via New Online Mapping Tool

A screenshot showing map layers for all parkland and stormwater pipe watersheds

Ecological System Plan online mapping tool illustrates relationship between park system and water, air, land, and life in Minneapolis

A new interactive mapping tool is available to explore maps included in the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Ecological System Plan. This customizable online resource can display more than 60 layers of information across four main topics: water, air, land, and life. 

People are encouraged to explore the map layers to learn about how Minneapolis' park system, public infrastructure and ecology interact!

Ecological System Plan Mapping Tool

About the Ecological System Plan

The Ecological System Plan was adopted in fall 2020. It outlines how and where to address environmental consideration in the work the MPRB does on its own and in partnership with other organizations. This plan is the first of its kind and one of many referenced and used in the development of park plans and implementation of park projects.

Creating this tool completes Goal M, Strategy 46 in the Ecological System Plan. Review the Recommendations and Next Steps chapter linked below, along with the rest of the plan, for more information about plan goals, strategies and recommendations.

Ecological System Plan

Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Water
Chapter 3: Air
Chapter 4: Land
Chapter 5: Life
Chapter 6: Recommendations and Next Steps
Appendix: Maps 

X-Men Immersive X-Fandom Convention Coming to Minneapolis September 16 & 17

2-Day Immersive X-Fandom Convention - Enroll in the Xavier Institute Now!

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September 16 & 17, 2023

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The Uncanny Experience has revealed their programming of panels and classes for this inaugural event.  Highlights include an appearance by X-Men film actor Daniel Cudmore who famously portrayed the character Colossus in X2: X-Men United, X-Men: The Last Stand, and X-Men: Days of Future Past. Previously announced guests such as Chris Claremont, the cast and creatives of X-Men: The Animated Series, Nathan Szerdy and more will give talks on their work in the X-Men Universe.

The event takes place at the Minneapolis Club, 729 2nd Avenue S.

X-Men film actor Daniel Cudmore will appear at this inaugural event.

During the immersive classes, attendees can mold themselves into mutant students of Xavier Institute.  Classes include Intergalactic Social Studies of the Shi’ar Empire, Getting Hellfire Gala Ready, A History of X-Villainy, Mindful Meditation with Psylocke, Professor Logan’s Phys-Ed, and Mutant History 101 with Professor Claremont. See the official website for the full program

Stay up to date on news from The Uncanny Experience on their social media platforms: Instagram, Twitter, Discord, Facebook

Giant-Size Productions, LLC is a curated events company that creates unique in-person and virtual events that connect fandoms to the creative talent that make geek culture content. The company was founded in 2021 by Chandler Poling, Dylan Carter, and Chris Riley.

The Uncanny Experience and Giant-Size Productions are not endorsed, sanctioned, or in any way associated with Marvel Entertainment, Marvel Studios, or The Walt Disney Company. The X-Men characters, names, and related likenesses are trademarks and copyright of Marvel Entertainment.

Theatre in the Round Players Open 72nd Season with Arsenic & Old Lace on September 8

Theatre in the Round Players (TRP) opens its 72nd season with the dark comedy classic, Arsenic & Old Lace by Joseph Kesselring, running weekends September 8 to October 1, with a Monday Pay-What-You-Can performance on September 18.  

Every family has secrets, and the eccentric Brewster family is no exception. However, when Mortimer Brewster discovers his two sweet aunt’s macabre hobby of poisoning lonely old men, having skeletons in the closet takes on a whole new meaning. The mad-cap romp begins as Mortimer fights to keep his new-found knowledge from the police (and his fiancée)!  With witty dialogue and unforgettable characters, this hilariously twisted play will have you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

George M. Roesler directs the thirteen-member cast with sets designed by Lee Christensen, costumes by Rebecca Karstad, lighting by Mark Kieffer, props by Roxanne Miller, music composed by Donald Sweet, and sound by Robert Hoffman.

Arsenic & Old Lace runs September 8-October 1. Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays at 2pm. A post-show discussion with the cast and director will be held immediately following the performance on Sunday, September 24.

Tickets are $25. For information, call the theatre’s box office at 612-333-3010 or visit the website.

FINNOVATION Fellowship Selects Nine for Sixth Cohort of Social Entrepreneurship Program

Top row, left to right: Brittany, Marcus, May; Middle row, left to right: James, Anisa, Elizabeth; Bottom row, left to right: Karina, Erik, Haggai

The program continues to draw diverse applicants who run early-stage, impact-driven businesses aimed to address a range of cultural, social, and environmental issues.

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FINNOVATION Institute, the non-profit arm of FINNOVATION Lab, announces the selection of nine local, impact-driven entrepreneurs to join the sixth cohort of its immersive FINNOVATION Fellowship Program, which aims to support and empower entrepreneurs who have bold ideas for sustainable, positive impact. By providing educational resources, mentorship, and collaboration, the program encourages fellows to address cultural, social, and environmental issues through innovative business models. The program will run from September 2023 through June 2024.

The FINNOVATION Fellowship Program continues to attract a diverse group of applicants. A committee of program alumni and community leaders selected the new group—55% identifying as women and 77% identifying as BIPOC—from a highly competitive pool. The extraordinary fellows and their areas of impact include: 

• Marcus Carpenter (Route 1) – supporting BIPOC farmers in their quest to alleviate food insecurity.

• Brittany Clausen (Envision Greatness) – working towards achieving racial justice, devising new strategies for DEI initiatives.

• James Everest (Sound Garden Arts) – crafting immersive healing environments for those with neurological disorders, utilizing spatial sound installations.

• Anisa Hagi-Mohamed (Anisa Hagi, LLC) – promoting mental well-being through products that incorporate positive affirmations of Somali culture, identity, and history.

• Erik Halaas (Live On Minnesota) - establishing Minnesota’s first natural organic reduction facility.

• Karina Kelton (Raices Latinas) - connecting the Spanish-speaking, Latino community to resources and information through user-friendly mobile applications.

• May Lee-Yang – amplifying the Asian-American experience through captivating board games.

• Haggai Simon (Diddit) – helping college students with ADHD stay on top of their homework and on track to graduate, using a mobile app that leverages behavioral science.

• Elizabeth Zalanga (Creeble Midwest Local News Initiative) - increasing access, readership, and enduring financial sustainability of local news organizations.

“This cohort of social entrepreneurs will be a wonderful addition to our growing community of founders, continuing our mission to create positive change throughout the region,” said Connie Rutledge, Executive Director of the FINNOVATION Institute. “We have a long history of supporting unique approaches to economic disparity, racial equity, and planetary health. We hope to give the new FINNOVATION Fellows a launching pad for growing their businesses that they won’t find anywhere else.” 

Fellows receive a $50,000 living stipend, a healthcare stipend, and access to a dedicated workspace at the FINNOVATION Lab in downtown Minneapolis. Tailored curriculum is designed to teach the leadership skills necessary to run a successful social enterprise while working towards individual goals for personal and professional progress. Additionally, each fellow is matched with mentors and coaches to support them throughout the program. 

The sixth cohort brings the FINNOVATION Fellowship Program participants to 50 entrepreneurs who positively impact their communities. Alumni of the program have gone on to create revenue-building businesses, raise capital funding, and serve as visible leaders in our entrepreneurial ecosystem. Visit www.finnovationinstitute.org to learn more.

The Fellowship Program is made possible through generous support from the Bush Foundation, known for its commitment to innovation and creative problem solving.

August 19 at the Mill City Farmers Market

August 19 at the Mill City Farmers Market! Chinese Long Beans are a favorite veggie of mine. They are only available from the Bean Market, and only for a limited time.

Tickets still available for the annual Harvest Dinner!

The annual Harvest Dinner, a major funding source for MCFM, is scheduled for September 10th. Taking place in the Mill City Museum Courtyard, the event features a market-to-table dinner prepared with farm-fresh ingredients by market chefs Nettie Colón and Jenny Breen, craft cocktails and live music. The evening ends with a live auction and fund-a-need support for MCFM's Next Stage Grant program for farmers and food makers. Learn more here.

First Brussels sprouts of the year!

Wedge Community Co-ops is a MCFM Sponsor, and they were on hand demonstrating how to pickle a number vegetables.

It Might Be, A Lowbrow Art Exhibit opens September 8 at Gamut Gallery

It Might Be curated by Chuck U

You may find yourself asking, “What is Lowbrow Art?” Lowbrow emerged in the 1960’s in California as an extension of Surrealism, Fauvism, and Dadaism. Recognized as an illustrative street style, lowbrow works traditionally invoke humor and whimsy with imaginative compositions that tell a story. During the 1980’s, Minneapolis had a thriving punk and alternative music scene that fostered lowbrow styles incorporated by local artists. Tom Halzelmeyer, owner of Amphetamine Reptile Records was a pioneer in the movement in the Twin Cities with his former gallery Ox-Op, which featured the works of Shepard Fairy, Camille Rose Garcia, Shag, Delak, and more! By the 1990’s when Robert Williams (“the godfather of lowbrow art”) founded Juxtapoz Art & Culture magazine, lowbrow art had intersected with other subcultures such as street art, tattoo art, and illustration, heavily influencing and cross-pollinating commercial art and fine art.

Originally, this artistic approach was highly criticized, however, it began to gain popularity due to its stark contrast to “traditional” art. Rejecting “high art” and instead celebrating popular culture inspired by comic books, B-movies, hot rods and kitsch, the lowbrow movement established a platform for artists to create works with fantasy, surreal, and cartoon elements. It Might Be curator, Chuck U’s interpretation will be aesthetically represented in the roster of international, national, and local artists he has assembled whose illustrative lowbrow styles are expanding the definition of fine art, story, and fantasy, continuing this narrative.

"I hope to embolden people to explore the inclination to seek narrative and meaning within illustrative art and how this commonality is shared between both viewer and artist whether making or digesting artworks. This exploration is a part of the natural human experience of encountering and digesting art. It is important to me to curate and participate in a show that encourages viewers to find meaning in art that resonates with them and to facilitate opportunities for people to connect with art on a personal level regardless of the intent of the artist. The world-building artists involved each creates illustrative works that are accessible to artists and non-artists alike, evolving the idea of what fine art is, what kind of art is valid in gallery spaces, and how anyone can interpret what they see and know they aren’t wrong." - Chuck U

Public Opening Night: Friday, September 8 / 7-10pm

Featuring Alex Kuno, Briana Hertzog, Chuck U, Evan Weselmann, Ewok, Jennifer Davis, John Sauer, Michael Koehler, Riiisa Boogie, Rodrigo Oñate, Swartz Brothers, Tim Molloy, Vivian Le, WingChow. Artist info

• $10 presales available
• $15 day of event, FREE for members
• DJ set by Mike 2600
• Sponsored by Indeed Brewing

Extended Open Hours: Saturday, September 9 / 11am-6pm

Guests are invited to RSVP for a special extended hours. This will be a relaxed setting compared to the “It Might Be” opening party the previous night. Chuck U will be hanging out all day too!

• 15 Guest per hour
• RSVP for FREE soon!

It Might Be Artist Talk - Thursday, September 21 / 7pm

• $5 presales coming soon!
• $10 day of the event
• Limited capacity event
• Free for Gamut Gallery Members, RSVP required. Not a Gamut Gallery member? Become one today!

It Might Be curator, Chuck U, and moderator, Cass Garner sit down for a conversation; Join us to learn about his processes, ideations, and perspectives on his body of work and lowbrow art as a whole.

Chuck U is an illustrator, painter, and muralist from Minneapolis MN. He has been making and exhibiting work professionally for over 15 years and is known for his signature intensive line work and imaginative subjects, color palettes, and compositions. With It Might Be, Chuck U adds his influence to his first curatorial debut and hopes to embolden people to explore the viewers inclination to seek narrative and meaning within illustrative art and how this commonality is shared between both viewer and artist whether making or digesting artworks.