Preserve Minneapolis' Nicollet Island Walking Tours

Preserve Minneapolis presents 2 walking tours on Nicollet Island:

Nicollet Island - South Tip Walking Tour

Sunday, July 24, 10 – 11:30 am

Nicollet Island information kiosk at E Island Avenue and Merriam Street

Nicollet Island developed as a microcosm of early Minneapolis, with water-powered factories, storefronts, block-long rowhouses, a mansion district and a neighborhood that still stands as a sampler of the 19th century residential architecture. The 40-acre island just above St. Anthony Falls next to downtown Minneapolis is the site of the first bridge anywhere across the Mississippi River (where Hennepin Avenue crosses now), as well as an early railroad crossing that divides the island in two. It is said to be the only inhabited island the entire length of the Mississippi. The South Tip Tour focuses on the falls and the industry it attracted; the Hennepin crossing and the commerce that lined it; and the movers and shakers who populated Grove Street and built grand homes downriver from the railroad tracks. This tour walks about a half mile; the tour guide is Chris Steller. $14, plus $1 processing fee. For information and to register: https://www.preserveminneapolis.org/events/nicollet-island-south-tip-walking-tour-2022.

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Nicollet Island -- North Tip Walking Tour

Sunday, July 24, 11:30 am – 1 pm

De La Salle picnic area at E Island Avenue and Grove Street

Nicollet Island developed as a microcosm of early Minneapolis, with water-powered factories, storefronts, block-long rowhouses, a mansion district and a neighborhood that still stands as a sampler of the 19th century residential architecture. The 40-acre island just above St. Anthony Falls next to downtown Minneapolis is the site of the first bridge anywhere across the Mississippi River (where Hennepin Avenue crosses now), as well as an early railroad crossing that divides the island in two. It is said to be the only inhabited island the entire length of the Mississippi. The North Tip Tour focuses on the  neighborhood upriver from the railroad tracks where people have lived since the 1860s. Native Americans tapped maples there, houses moved within the island and onto the island, a school went up and came down and resident donkeys made friends with visitors into the 1980s. This tour walks about a half-mile; the tour guide is Chris Steller. $14, plus $1 processing fee. For information and to register: https://www.preserveminneapolis.org/events/nicollet-island-north-tip-walking-tour-2022.

zAmya Theater Project Announces "Second Chance" - August 4, 10, and 14

Who deserves a second chance? And who decides?

zAmya Theater Project announces Second Chance, a play that explores second chances through the lens of people experiencing homelessness.

What does it mean to get a second chance in life? Who deserves a second chance? And who decides? Hear the pleas to the Council of Second Chances. You, the audience, get to weigh in on whether or not a second chance is granted. What will you decide?

Originally created in 2018 through a residency with Minneapolis Central Library, Second Chance was made and performed by actors who have experience with homelessness. This summer’s production is directed once more by Maren Ward, and includes music by mick laBriola and Carlisle Evans Peck. The original production team included Carlyle Brown (playwright), Bianca Pettis and Esther Ouray (Assistant Directors), and Leah Nelson (Choreography). 

Tour partners include: Mill City Museum, North Loop Neighborhood Association and Avivo, and the Mpls Downtown Improvement District. 

Performance dates, times and locations:

Thursday, August 4, 7:00-8:00pm

Mill City Museum in the Ruin Courtyard (704 S 2nd Street - indoors if bad weather strikes)

ASL interpretation provided

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Wednesday, August 10, 7:00-8:00pm

Target Field Station Amphitheater (the corner of 5th Street N & 5th Avenue N)

Alternate rain date: Fri. August 12

ASL interpretation provided

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Sunday August 14 (rain or shine!), 2:00-3:00pm

Downtown Minneapolis Street Art Festival (Nicollet Mall between 6th & 7th)

ASL interpretation provided

Tickets are Free. Registration encouraged (but not required) August 4 and 10. No registration required for the August 14 show.

Second Chance is filled with the real life stories of people who’ve found themselves without shelter in all kinds of ways imaginable. Audiences will be asked to face the part of themselves that may judge the personal circumstances of others as they ask for help. zAmya presents Second Chance as our contribution to raising awareness and advocating for housing justice in the face of Minnesota’s housing crisis. 

With support from the City of Minneapolis Partnership Engagement Fund, this three-show tour also kicks off a project between zAmya Project, North Loop Neighborhood Association and Avivo. The North Loop is Minneapolis’ fastest growing neighborhood, home to both high-end condos and wealthy residents, and several organizations sheltering low income residents in need of housing. Together, we aim to establish a shared vision amongst community members, housed and homeless, of what needs to happen for everyone in their neighborhood to feel safe, have shelter, and ensure support for the most vulnerable.

Since 2004 the zAmya Theater Project has been changing hearts and minds through performances and workshops in hundreds of Minnesota locations and with many partners including: Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District, Hennepin Theater Trust, Southwest Minnesota Housing Project, The Guthrie Theater, Edina Realty, Salvation Army, Thrivent Financial, Minnesota Coalition for the Homeless Annual Conference, Basilica of St. Mary, Augsburg College, and more.

July 2 at the Mill City Farmers Market

The first cucumbers and green beans of the season from GVY Fresh Produce graced our July 2 Mill City Farmers Market shopping basket.

By far THE best thing I've eaten in a very long time: the pork belly sandwich from Jabà Noodles, with a refreshing frozen watermelon juice. They return to the Market on August 6th, and I sure hope both these items will be on the menu again!

Whether it's bread, freshly milled flour, cookies, pretzels or other goodies - you can count on Baker’s Field Flour & Bread to have your carb fix.

Northwood Mushrooms Family Farm (formerly Cherry Tree House Mushrooms) offers an array of fresh, dried and powdered mushrooms, along with mushroom brownies, mushroom butter and log kits. In other words - all things mushroom!

Friends of the Falls was the July 1 Community Booth. This non-profit is working to a create a place of healing and celebration at Owámniyomni (St. Anthony Falls), and has been hosting a series of Community Conversations on the subject. Learn more on their website and follow them on Facebook to stay in the loop.

Who else can relate to this T-shirt from Shepherd's Way?

Weekly Events at Peavey Plaza July 3 – 9

Green Minneapolis is excited to host these events, free and open to all!

YWCA Minneapolis Yoga on the Plaza

Tuesday, July 5 from 5:30-6:30pm

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Flow into summer with FREE yoga classes at Peavey Plaza (weather permitting). Bring a water, mat and towel. Members and nonmembers are welcome to attend. Nonmembers that attend receive a FREE three-day trial fitness pass to any of our three fitness locations. Plus, join YWCA Minneapolis as a member for just $15! Registration recommended

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MNspin Musician of the Week: Dan Israel

Thursday, July 7 from 12-1pm

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Dan Israel is a longtime fixture on the Minneapolis music scene. He was the first guest on 89.3 The Current’s “Local Show” and has been called “the hardest working singer-songwriter in Minnesota.” He won Song of the Year (for “Come to Me”) in the 2005 Minnesota Music Awards and Songwriter of the Year in the 2006 MMA’s. Learn more about Dan Israel 

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Children’s Theatre Company Story Theatre 

Saturday, July 9 at 12-12:30pm & 12:30-1pm

Join Children’s Theatre Company for summertime fun at Peavey Plaza! Through imaginative play, collaborative storytelling, music, and family engagement, we’ll explore beloved children’s books together. Laugh, dance, and discover along with your family and friends.

For a complete calendar of our Peavey Plaza Performing Arts Series, visit greenminneapolis.org/events.

Northeast Park Summer Celebration on July 11 Commemorates 25 Years of Soccer, Twins Legends, New Playground and More

Big party at Northeast Park July 11, 4-11 pm! Celebrate 25 years of NE/SE Soccer, youth baseball honors Twins legends, dedicate the new playground, plus Movie in the Park, “Field of Dreams” at dusk!

There’s a big park party planned at Northeast Park on Monday, July 11 and everyone’s invited! Festivities kick off at 4 pm and will continue through the conclusion of a special Movie in the Park outdoor screening of “Field of Dreams” that begins at 9:15 pm.

Activities are planned throughout the park, centered near Northeast Recreation Center, 1530 Johnson St. NE.

25 Years of NE/SE Soccer

The Northeast Park Summer Celebration will commemorate 25 years of the NE/SE Soccer program, which was founded at Northeast Park by Sally Jones and Carol Kalberer (Green). 

This program provided opportunities for elementary- and middle school- aged youth to participate in a low-cost, high-quality soccer instruction and leagues in NE and SE Minneapolis. Past, present, and future coaches, players, refs, Board Members and park staff are welcome to celebrate alongside Northeast neighbors.

Playground Dedication

A new ‘adventure course’ playground opened behind Jim Lupient Water Park in June. Located near the new Northeast Recreation Center, this new playground will be dedicated in a short ceremony at 5:45 pm. Bring the kids to check out this super fun new park attraction!

RBI Baseball Twins Legends Tribute and “Field of Dreams” Movie in the Park

A pair of RBI youth baseball games will feature special player uniforms honoring Twins legends Rod Carew, Kirby Puckett, Tony Olivia, and Jim “Mudcat” Grant. Cheer on the teams and then stick around for a special Movie in the Park outdoor screening of “Field of Dreams” that starts at 9:15 pm.

Activities Schedule

4-8 pm: Pop-Up Park activity trailer and staff will be onsite

4-8 pm: Book Buggy gives away free books for youth and families

5:30-8 pm: Free face painting

5:45 pm: New playground dedication ceremony

6-8 pm: Balloon Artist

6-8 pm: WOW Mobile Metal Lab (Art Bus)

6:15-8:30 pm: NE/SE Soccer games

6:30-8:30 pm: RBI Baseball games: Stan Cyson Field hosts 15U Tournament game, Sid Hartman Field hosts 15U NE Mets vs 15U Red Bears

9:15-11 pm: Special Movie in the Park outdoor screening of “Field of Dreams”

Smack Shack's Crayfest Returns to the North Loop August 6th

Popular All-You-Can-Eat Crayfish Block Party Returns to the North Loop August 6th

After a two-year pause due to COVID-19, Smack Shack announced the return of Crayfest, the annual block party in the North Loop, Saturday, August 6. The party will take place on 6th Avenue N, next to the restaurant, from 12:00 – 7:00 p.m. Guests can expect live music, all-you-can-eat crayfish boil, and all-you-can-enjoy beer and hurricanes.

Crayfest began as a way for Smack Shack to further their commitment to serving sustainable seafood. When an invasive species of Rusty Crayfish was identified as a threat in Woman Lake in Northern Minnesota, Smack Shack partnered with local organizations to fish the invasive species of crayfish out of the lake and utilize them at Crayfest. After several years of Crayfest, Woman Lake had been restored and the invasive Rusty Crayfish were depleted. Now, Smack Shack is fishing the invasive species out of other Minnesota lakes, helping to keep the aquaculture clean and healthy.

Crayfest tickets are $75 in advance ($80 at the door). Purchase online at smack-shack.com.

Mayor Frey’s Community Safety Work Group Outlines Strategies for Improving Public Safety, Police Accountability

Excerpt from the City of Minneapolis' June 29 e-newsletter:

On June 27, Mayor Jacob Frey’s Community Safety Work Group outlined recommendations for improving public safety in Minneapolis. The recommendations include strategies for strengthening oversight of the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD), bolstering officer recruitment efforts and accountability systems, and expanding violence prevention and behavioral crisis response programs.

Frey convened the Community Safety Work Group on Dec. 4, 2021, which is co-chaired by Nekima Levy Armstrong, attorney and civil rights activist, and Rev. Dr. DeWayne Davis, lead minister for Plymouth Congregational Church. The 22-member volunteer work group includes community members and experts engaged on the full spectrum of community safety initiatives.

Highlights of the work group’s recommendations include:

• Improving oversight and coordination within MPD, including creating a new leadership position focused on the coordination of community safety related functions within the City enterprise.
• Strengthening MPD’s recruitment and hiring process by implementing a first-in-class police recruitment and training program focused on building a pipeline of future candidates who live in Minneapolis.
• Significantly improving the quality of MPD training with a series of action steps.
• Strengthening MPD’s disciplinary and accountability systems.
• Expanding violence prevention programs and the City’s behavioral crisis response strategy. 

Mayor Frey will consider the implementation of these recommendations in the coming weeks as he prepares to finalize and present his recommended 2023 City budget.

Watch Monday's news conference.

Gamut Gallery Presents "In Your Own Words" - July 22-August 20

In Your Own Words, July 22 – August 20

This July, Gamut Gallery is pleased to welcome nationally recognized artist, designer, independent curator, and adjunct faculty at Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) Suyao Tian for her latest interactive solo exhibition, In Your Own Words.

The intimate relationship Suyao has observed between her work and the unique experiences of her collectors is the inspiration behind the upcoming exhibit. Through the liberal use of water in her painting application, Suyao embraces the spontaneity of shapes as they organically unwind across her composition. “My inspiration comes from my childhood memories. I try to think like a child, without the constraints of space and time.” Her choice of vivid color strengthens this notion, illustrating whimsical scenes full of life and movement. In doing so, she encourages the viewer to embark on an exploration of their inner world, interpreting the path her paints take through the lens of their own childlike imaginations. 

During the exhibition, visitors are encouraged to share their favorite pieces from the collection online, along with a few comments about their individual interpretations of her art. “I don’t try to force viewers to understand my work. More importantly, I hope my work can inspire viewers' curiosity and a new understanding of themselves and the world.” Meanwhile, buyers will be offered the opportunity to name their piece upon purchase. In Your Own Words sets out to weave together a narrative echoing Suyao’s recognition that we each autonomously navigate events, demonstrating how experiences color our interpretation of the world around us.

MEMBERS ONLY PREVIEW NIGHT: Thursday, July 21, 7-9pm Meet & Greet with Suyao Tian • RSVP Required • Memberships required, become a member today!

PUBLIC OPENING NIGHT: Friday, July 22, 6-9pm  $10 day of the event, $7 pre-sale - FREE for Members • Pre-sale tickets available, order your pre-sale today! • Entry will be available at the door

ARTIST TALK: Wednesday, August 10, 6:30pm  A multifaceted conversation and a look into the mind of Artist Suyao Tian, hosted at Gamut Gallery. Moderated by Russ White of MPLSART, followed by open Q & A  $10 day of the event, $7 pre-sale • $5 for members • This is 30 person limited capacity event • Pre-sales available and recommended.

Mill City Farmers Market Welcomes New Vendors Dragonfly Bay Garlic Co and Tera Forge Knives at the June 25

Our shopping basket from the June 25th Mill City Farmers Market included garlic scapes and garlic scape powder from Dragonfly Bay Garlic Company. I used them in a pesto with hazelnuts, hazelnut oil, baby kale, cilantro, Friesago cheese, Maazah Aioli, honey and an Indian spice blend.  

Dragonfly Bay Garlic Company debuted at the June 25th Market with fresh garlic scapes and garlic scape powder, along with recipes and other items. We look forward to their garlic bulbs when they return to the Market in August. Per their very informative website, "Our garlic varieties vary in flavor from mild and nutty, to hot and spicy, to sweet and creamy." Learn about their varieties here.

Stephen Aysta of Tera Forge Knives offers “while you shop” knife sharpening during Market hours. His next MCFM date is July 9th, so if you have some dull knives in your kitchen, plan to bring them with you on that date!

First squash of the season!

Amy Britt, MCFM Development Manager (far left), and Martha Archer, MCFM Executive Director (grey t-shirt) engage with visitors.

The June 25th Community Booth was Friends of the Hennepin County Library. The beautiful and inviting Central Library at 300 Nicollet Mall offers an incredible array of services and events.

I load up on Pure Ginger For You juices every week.

Kiss My Cabbage displayed some Pride.

Op-Ed: Reflections on My Life as a Black Prosecutor

Submitted by Martha Holton Dimick. Martha Holton Dimick is a retired judge and candidate for Hennepin County Attorney. 

Martha Holton Dimick

When I was 13 years old in the late 60s there were race riots near my house in Milwaukee. Black people in my hometown and around the country were rising up against the housing discrimination and police brutality that we had been living with since we moved into cities in the early 20th Century. My family lived in fear of Milwaukee Police Chief Harold Breier. With my hair in an afro in imitation of Angela Davis, I told my father I would be going to a protest instead of going to school one day in early 1967. My dad was a stern man, a lawyer who represented poor Black people in the inner city. He took me aside and said “go to school, get an education, become part of the system, and make a difference from within. That’s how you change things.” The Holtons were some of the only Black kids in school that day.

Thirty years later in 1999, I was the only Black female attorney in the criminal division at Hennepin County. During my first few years of trials, judges and jurors frequently assumed I was the public defender. I was called a “sellout”, an “oreo” and every other synonym for race traitor that you can imagine. How can you work with police and against your own people? One time, I got a booking photo of a defendant who was being prosecuted for battery against a police officer. The officer had a scratch on his arm, the defendant was severely battered. I called the police officer into my office and told him I wouldn’t be charging his case. In retrospect, I should’ve gone further, but I was worried for my standing and job security as a young prosecutor. I weighed my father’s words against those of Thurgood Marshall: “You do what you think is right and let the law catch up.” Not charging the case was my compromise, and that was fairly progressive for the time.

In my 13 years as a prosecutor from 1999 to 2012, the paradigm shifted. The law, and especially the office, did catch up. As the crime wave of the 1990s faded out of memory, compassionate prosecution of lower-level offenses became the norm. The “public health approach” to prosecution that is so trendy now across the country has been in practice in Minnesota for quite some time. In Hennepin and Ramsey counties, we are even more progressive than the state at-large. And after George Floyd’s murder, we went further on bail reform, closed a juvenile detention facility, and further scrutinized pretextual traffic stops.

Since then, the paradigm has shifted again. In the last two years, after a sharp rise in shootings and homicides in my neighborhood in North Minneapolis, something interesting is happening. Some of the most passionate activists who I’ve known for years and used to see me as the enemy now thank me for my work as a judge and a prosecutor. Mothers who have children that have gone through the juvenile justice system tell me that there should be more consequences, not less. And less than a year and a half removed from a clear and indefensible police murder of a Black man, most of my Black neighbors voted to keep the police department. These shifts are not the result of hypnotism or campaigning, but a reaction to the real changes in the system and in our community. People who come in contact with the system know what’s happening in the real world.

I still do get called a “sellout” from time to time, though it generally comes out of the mouths of White millennials who haven’t been through the system. And I am more comfortable with my line of work than ever before. I realize that the conflict is not something to shy away from - it is my greatest gift to the profession and the community. I carry Thurgood Marshall’s words alongside those of my father. Do what you think is right, and make sure you keep your seat at the table if you intend on making real change.

Martha Holton Dimick is a retired judge and candidate for Hennepin County Attorney. 

Northeast Parade Returns After Two-Year Absence

Submitted by Michael Rainville, Sr.

If you’ve never been to the annual Celebrate Northeast Parade, it’s a great way to kick off summer with your neighbors. And it was so great to have it back this year after the COVID cancellations of the past two years.

I’ve been enjoying this parade since I was a one-year-old, looking down from my parent's apartment window overlooking Central Avenue. For 19 years, I had the privilege of doing color commentary on the cable TV broadcasts of this parade.

This year, it was a great honor to ride in the parade as a Minneapolis city council member representing Ward 3.

We put together a little highlight video for you. Many thanks to all the wonderful volunteers who make this parade possible.

Video produced by Mike Binkley

Positions Open at the Minneapolis Park and Rec Board

The MPRB Crew Needs You! The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is now hiring for a wide range of summer jobs. Whether you want to gain experience at your first job, or grow your skill set for a future career, they have something for you! Information and applications are online at www.minneapolisparks.org/jobs.

Recreation, coaching, events Assistant Childcare Specialist Event Attendant & Lead Attendant Outdoor Playground/Supervision Recreation Facility Supervision Recreation Program Leader Recreation Specialist - Pop-Up Park Seasonal Event Technician Referee youth and adult sports Sports Official Work outdoors Park Patrol Agent, Part-Time Seasonal Equipment Operator Seasonal Park Maintenance Worker Work at headquarters Customer Service Assistant More jobs with Minneapolis parks To view a full list of job postings and to apply for any opening at MPRB, visit www.minneapolisparks.org/jobs.

4th Street Reconstruction Project Update - June 24

4th Street Reconstruction Project Overview

The City of Minneapolis is reconstructing 4th St. between 2nd Ave. N and 4th Ave. S in downtown Minneapolis. The reconstruction will include wider sidewalks, improved crossings, a new bi-directional off-street bike path on the north side of the street, lighting, trees, and planting beds. Construction is underway and is expected to be complete by the end of 2022.

What's Happening Next Week?

Roadway reconstruction continues on 4th St. between 2nd Ave. N and Hennepin Ave. Fourth St. is currently closed to vehicle traffic between 1st Ave. N and Hennepin Ave. Local access is being maintained between 2nd Ave. N and 1st Ave. N.

• Crews continue sidewalk and planter bed work between 2nd Ave. N and Hennepin Ave.
• At the 1st Ave. N intersection, crews continue roadway work and paving.

*Please note that the construction schedules are subject to change due to weather and other unforeseen circumstances.

What to expect during construction?

• During roadway construction, 4th St. will be closed to through traffic between 2nd Ave. N and Hennepin Ave. Local access will be maintained from 2nd Ave. N to 1st Ave. N. 
• Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout construction. Be aware of your surroundings when walking or biking near the construction zone. 
• Expect additional noise, dust, and vibration as crews complete work.

Upcoming Events

4th Street Weekly Stakeholder Meeting

Weekly project newsletters are sent out weekly and virtual stakeholder meetings occur bi-weekly. Join us at the next stakeholder meeting to get project updates, talk with project staff and get your questions/concerns answered.

Upcoming Stakeholder Meetings:

July 1, 9-9:30 a.m. - CANCELLED

July 15, 9-9:30 a.m.

Teams Meeting: Click here to join the meeting

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: www.minneapolismn.gov/government/projects/fourth-st-n-and-s/  

Provide questions, comments or concerns on the interactive map: https://zan.mysocialpinpoint.com/4thstreetreconstruction

Email the project team: info@4thstmpls.com

Contact the project hotline: 612-412-9774

Hennepin Avenue Downtown Reconstruction Project - June 23 Update

Hennepin Avenue Downtown Reconstruction Project

Hennepin Ave. will be reconstructed between 12th Street and Washington Avenue. The City will reconstruct the pavement from building face to building face, including improvements to public and private utility infrastructure, and improved space for pedestrians, bicycles, transit, and vehicles.

Latest Project News

Progress continues in the 6th Street intersection, which is the last remaining intersection to do on the project. 2 of the 3 lanes are paved through the intersection.

Bus station foundations were poured on the last two stations this week and more sidewalk was completed. 

What's Coming Up

6th will remain at a single lane next week but will shift to the south side of 6th and work begins on the north half.

Vehicle access to parking between 5th and 6th will change to the 5th Street end.  This will be two way access.

The 7th St intersection will be fully open for this weekend and moving forward.

See attached update for more details.  Hennepin_Update_Vol97 (002).pdf

Contact Info

For more information on this project contact: 

Project email: hennepinCM@minneapolismn.gov

Phone: 612-255-4049

Website: www.hennepindowntown.com 

City of Minneapolis Earns Gold-level ‘Walk Friendly’ Designation

The City of Minneapolis has once again earned a gold-level designation from Walk Friendly Communities – a national recognition program developed to encourage cities across the country to support safer walking environments.

Minneapolis is one of four cities in the country to earn the gold designation this cycle, an honor it also received in 2017. Overall, 23 cities and towns were recognized by the Chapel Hill, North Carolina-based organization with a Walk Friendly designation on June 21. Since 2010, 82 communities have received designations, including 15 gold-level honors. 

The Walk Friendly Communities program cited Minneapolis as a gold-level community for several initiatives, including the Transportation Action Plan, Complete Streets Policy and Vision Zero Action Plan, among many others. The plans create safer, more equitable, walkable, bikeable and transit-friendly communities, the organization noted.

The Walk Friendly Communities program is the first national program to highlight walkability initiatives and programs. At the core of the program is a comprehensive web-based assessment tool that evaluates community walkability and pedestrian safety related to engineering, education, encouragement, evaluation, and planning.

Learn more about the City’s walk-friendly policies.

Minneapolis Parks Foundation Announces Sunrise on the Mississippi 2022

Save the Date!

 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2022
7:30am - 9:00am
Under the Big Tent at Boom Island
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The Minneapolis Parks Foundation has announced Sunrise on the Mississippi 2022 will return as an in-person celebration on Boom Island Park. This year’s featured speaker is Al Bangoura, Superintendent of the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board, now serving in his 4th year in this role. Superintendent Bangoura will speak about the future of Minneapolis parks and how innovative, diverse programming and partnerships will continue to make Minneapolis a city of world class parks and public space.

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Click here for more information and scenes from past events.

June 18 at the Mill City Farmers Market

The first peas and carrots of the season rounded out our June 18 shopping basket from the Mill City Farmers Market.

Tim Page of Holistic Health Farms had fresh turmeric - packed with health benefits!

Friendly staff from the downtown YMCA manned one of the community tables. If you missed them at the Market, you can learn about their classes, services, amenities, etc., via this interview with Executive Director, Andrew Hoffman by our own Becky Fillinger. It's quite an impressive facility!

Be sure to check out the new bone broth vendor, Superior Provisions. The broth is sold frozen, but they provide hot samples - I tried the Ham & Sage at the June 18th Market...YUM! I have a container of the chicken broth in the freezer, and as soon as the current hot spell passes I'll be making a batch of soup.

Shopper tip: I bring plastic bags and other containers to the market as a favor to the vendors, as their cost for containers has gone up exponentially. Please also return jars to vendors who provide honey, jams, pickles, etc., as well as egg cartons. A little effort by all of us will make a positive impact on our valued vendors who operate on very low margins. Thanks! :)

There's a lot of love to go around at the Market!

I'm embarrassed to admit I consumed an entire bag of Bliss granola over the course of the weekend. It just kind of happened...

Keeping James I. Rice Park Healthy is a Labor of Love for Neighbors, With Help from Friends of the Mississippi River

Editor's Note: This is an excerpt from Laura Domyancich-Lee's June 14 article on the Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) website. I thought it was important to call out, as it shows why we should feel vested in our downtown neighborhoods, and how we can make a positive impact.

A community-driven restoration at James I. Rice Park provides a new stewardship model for beloved parks. Friends of the Mississippi River provides technical guidance, and neighbors take the lead.

Local love for a park turns into dedication

At 16 acres, James I. Rice Park in the North Loop neighborhood of Minneapolis is among the smaller parks in the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board system. But its size doesn't diminish how special it is to the community of people who spend time in this stretch of woodland along the Mississippi River, or how important it is for providing habitat and water quality benefits.

From early morning until dark, people move through the park trails, finding peace and calm along the banks of the river in an often-busy part of the city. Wildlife abounds just a stone's throw from downtown Minneapolis.

However, over time, a beloved place can start to show wear. Heavy use, trash and yard waste were beginning to degrade the park's beauty and ecological function. Foot traffic across the sandy slopes had created bare areas in the park increasing erosion. Invasive plants dominated the shrub and ground layers, reducing native plant diversity and limiting the site's habitat value for birds, pollinators and other wildlife. Some areas were so shaded by invasive shrubs that the woodland ground was bare, contributing to erosion and soil movement into the river.

A few years ago, a group of neighbors and frequent park users saw these issues and jumped into action. With a modest amount of funding from their North Loop Neighborhood Association and support from the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board, these community volunteers organized work days to collect trash, pull weeds, cut back invasive shrubs and return ecological health to a place that was important to them. Many properties in the neighborhood don't have outdoor space — these neighbors came to see the park as their shared backyard and dedicated themselves to its restoration.

A "volunteer-centric" management plan for James I. Rice Park

James I. Rice Park is managed by the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board, and park board staff identified a need for the community volunteers to be guided by a thoughtful planning process and technical knowledge. Through a long-standing partnership between the park board and FMR, park board staff engaged FMR ecologists to assist the neighborhood association with restoration efforts.

We saw an opportunity for a connection deeper than a one-off volunteer training and immediately sought funding to write a management plan that would engage and guide the community in their restoration efforts.

In 2021, the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization awarded a planning grant to FMR, which covered FMR staff costs to document the park's historical and current conditions, hold engagement events to understand the community's goals for the park and develop a comprehensive management plan.

Typically, FMR implements management plans by hiring subcontractors who employ crews to carry out restoration tasks over several years. But because James I. Rice Park has a committed crew of volunteers with growing ecological knowledge, we wrote the park's management plan specifically for the community to implement.

The plan, completed this spring, outlines straightforward tasks that small groups of people can complete in a few hours. We also organized tasks by time of year and work units within the park.

As with other management plans, the goal is that the ecological conditions will improve over time, and the park will become more self-sustaining, needing only a small amount of yearly tending for a healthy, balanced landscape.

Final Editor's Note: There's a lot more to the article - please continue reading here!

4th Street Reconstruction Project Update - June 17

4th Street Reconstruction Project Overview

The City of Minneapolis is reconstructing 4th St. between 2nd Ave. N and 4th Ave. S in downtown Minneapolis. The reconstruction will include wider sidewalks, improved crossings, a new bi-directional off-street bike path on the north side of the street, lighting, trees, and planting beds. Construction is underway and is expected to be complete by the end of 2022.

What's Happening Next Week?

Roadway reconstruction continues on 4th St. between 2nd Ave. N and Hennepin Ave. Fourth St. is currently closed to vehicle traffic between 1st Ave. N and Hennepin Ave. Local access is being maintained between 2nd Ave. N and 1st Ave. N.

• Crews continue roadway repaving and sidewalk work between 2nd Ave. N and 1st Ave. N.
• Next week, crews will begin excavation for planter beds between 2nd Ave. N and Hennepin Ave.

*Please note that the construction schedules are subject to change due to weather and other unforeseen circumstances.

What to expect during construction?

• During roadway construction, 4th St. will be closed to through traffic between 2nd Ave. N and Hennepin Ave. Local access will be maintained from 2nd Ave. N to 1st Ave. N. 
• Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout construction. Be aware of your surroundings when walking or biking near the construction zone. 
• Expect additional noise, dust, and vibration as crews complete work.

Upcoming Events

4th Street Weekly Stakeholder Meeting

Weekly project newsletters are sent out weekly and virtual stakeholder meetings occur bi-weekly. Join us at the next stakeholder meeting to get project updates, talk with project staff and get your questions/concerns answered.

Upcoming Stakeholder Meetings:

July 1, 9-9:30 a.m. - CANCELLED

July 15, 9-9:30 a.m.

Teams Meeting: Click here to join the meeting

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: www.minneapolismn.gov/government/projects/fourth-st-n-and-s/  

Provide questions, comments or concerns on the interactive map: https://zan.mysocialpinpoint.com/4thstreetreconstruction

Email the project team: info@4thstmpls.com

Contact the project hotline: 612-412-9774

MacPhail at Water Works presents Sounds of Summer, July 9th

MacPhail at Water Works presents Sounds of Summer with performances by MacPhail faculty and students. All are welcome at this free event taking place on Saturday, July 9 from 3 to 7 pm at Water Works at Mill Ruins Park. A variety of ages, styles, and instruments will make this an afternoon to remember. Moving into evening, the event culminates with a special concert by Nachito Herrera and his trio.

The schedule of performances is as follows:

3:00-3:30 pm Student Performances

3:45-4:30 pm MacPhail Percussion Ensembles featuring Rimshots! and Triptych

4:45-5:05 pm MacPhail Community Youth Choir (MCYC) led by J.D. Steele

5:15-6:00 pm Michael Cain Trio, with Kevin Washington and Anthony Cox

6:15-7:00 pm Featured Guest Artist: Ignacio “Nachito” Herrera

Nachito HerreraIgnacio “Nachito” Herrera’s talent was recognized early on; he performed Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with the Havana Symphony Orchestra at age 12. Well known to North American jazz audiences, he’s toured America with the Afro-Cuban All Stars and was lead pianist and musical director of ¡Cubanismo!

This is the second of five MacPhail Center for Music events at Water Works this summer. Still to come: August 2, “Summer Sing” Choir Concert at noon; August 3, Dementia Friendly Sing-a-long, 6:30 pm; and a Broadway Sing-a long, 6:30 pm.