December 2021 by the Numbers from Cynthia Froid Group

Downtown real estate market update from Cynthia Froid Group:

January 7 Updates From the City of Minneapolis

This newsletter provides updates on important news and information from the City of Minneapolis and partners. Find more at minneapolismn.gov/news.

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New regulation allows businesses to temporarily expand during the pandemic

A new emergency regulation takes effect today that allows Minneapolis businesses to add temporary expansions for more socially distanced customer spaces during the pandemic.

Businesses can install temporary structures on their property for no fee during the remainder of the City’s public health emergency plus 45 days to allow for the proper removal of the structures. The structures cannot be placed in the public right of way, such as on a sidewalk or in the street.

Winter patio dining supports Minneapolis restaurants’ ability to keep moving while keeping patrons and employees safe and healthy.

Businesses should contact Fire Inspections Services to obtain a permit.

Read the emergency regulation. 

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Mayor Frey reinstates citywide mask requirement

Because of the surging, highly contagious omicron variant, everyone in Minneapolis businesses and areas of public accommodation must wear a mask. Mayor Jacob Frey has signed emergency regulation No. 2022-1 reinstating the citywide mask policy, which requires patrons, employees and visitors to wear a mask in businesses and places of public accommodation. The policy took effect Jan. 6. Masks reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection for unvaccinated and vaccinated people. They’re an important way to help keep our businesses and schools open. Areas of public accommodation include any indoor locations where members of the public may gather, visit or patronize including bars, restaurants, museums, theaters, schools, recreational facilities, retail locations and service offices. Business owners are encouraged to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s guiding principles for: Promoting behaviors that reduce virus spread. Maintaining healthy environments and operations. Preparing for when an employee gets sick. The City of Minneapolis has a limited supply of masks for public distribution, particularly for vulnerable populations. Businesses that would like to request personal protective equipment (PPE) should send a request to the Minneapolis Health Department. The full text of Mayor Frey’s emergency regulation can be found on the City website. Find more information about the regulation on the City website.

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City’s inaugural ceremony set for Jan. 10

The City of Minneapolis inaugural ceremony for Mayor Jacob Frey and all City Council members will be livestreamed Monday, Jan. 10 from the Minneapolis Convention Center. Elected officials will take the oath of office and Mayor Frey will give an inaugural address.

Due to COVID protocols, this event is only open to City officials and their guests. 

Michael A. Goze, CEO of the American Indian Community Development Corporation (AICDC), will serve as the master of ceremonies. The invocation will be offered by Bishop Richard D. Howell Jr. of Shiloh Temple International Ministries. The oath of office will be administered to the mayor and City Council members by City Clerk Casey Joe Carl, after which Mayor Frey will deliver his inaugural address.

Following the ceremony, the City Council will hold its organizational meeting online. Council members will elect a president and vice president, make committee assignments, and set a schedule of regular meetings.

Mayor and City Council inaugural ceremony
9 a.m. Monday, Jan. 10
Minneapolis Convention Center, 1301 Second Ave. S.
Watch the ceremony on the City YouTube channel. 

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Mayor Frey to nominate Margaret Anderson Kelliher to lead Public Works Department

Mayor Jacob Frey will nominate Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) Commissioner Margaret Anderson Kelliher to serve as the City’s next Public Works director.

Anderson Kelliher brings deep expertise in transportation policy and finance, climate action, and organizational leadership. As MnDOT commissioner, Anderson Kelliher leads a team of more than 5,000 State employees. During her time as commissioner, she also created a new Office of Tribal Affairs to expand the agency’s work consulting with tribal nations, established the Sustainable Transportation Advisory Council to help reduce carbon pollution from transportation, and has worked to deepen relationships with community leaders and local governments across the state and city.

Anderson Kelliher is a Minneapolis resident who previously served as the speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives and president and CEO of the Minnesota High Tech Association.

The mayor’s nomination will be transmitted to the Minneapolis City Council at its organizational meeting on Monday, Jan. 10, their first official meeting of the new year. Under the new government structure, the length of charter department head terms is four years.

Learn more. 

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State announces expanded COVID-19 testing capacity

To provide families with more options to help keep their kids safe, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has secured an additional 1.8 million at-home rapid tests for Minnesota schools, on top of the initial 1 million announced last month. In addition to the State’s free rapid and PCR community testing sites and no-cost at-home testing program, the State’s free school testing options allow each educational institution to determine the best testing strategy for them. In partnership with local public health, tribal health, food banks, and MDH COVID-19 Community Coordinators, the State of Minnesota will distribute 150,000 at-home rapid antigen test kits. Each test kit contains two tests. Providing free at-home rapid testing will reduce barriers and expand access to Minnesotans who are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. How Minnesotans can get a COVID-19 test: Walk in or schedule an appointment for a test at one of the State’s free community testing sites across Minnesota: COVID-19 Community Testing Sites. Order a test through the State’s free at-home COVID-19 testing program: COVID-19 Test at Home. Find a testing option near you through the State’s Find Testing Locations map: Find Testing Locations.

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Park building hours scaled back due to rise in COVID-19 cases, staff shortages

Due to a rise in COVID-19 cases, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is temporarily discontinuing public drop-in hours at recreation centers and returning to buildings open only for pre-registered and ActivePass programs until Feb. 14. Existing recreation center room rentals will be honored, but no new rentals will be accepted through Feb. 14. Due to staffing shortages, warming room hours will be reduced beginning today through the end of the skating season. New hours are 4-7 p.m. Monday-Friday and 1-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Lights will continue to remain on until 9 p.m. and outdoor rink-side benches and picnic tables will be added. Masks are required for all park building visitors, including instructors and sport spectators.

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Resolve to be ready for emergencies

You could make many resolutions this year. Resolving to become prepared for emergencies is one that could save your life. Resolve to be ready in 2022 with small steps that could make a big difference in your ability to be resilient. Schedule it. Use a tool like the calendar on www.Do1Thing.com to make it easy on yourself. Or build your own calendar and focus on what makes sense for your household. Find ideas to get you started.

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Office of Violence Prevention’s Blueprint Approved Institute accepting applications for 2022 fellowship

The eighth cohort of the City of Minneapolis Office of Violence Prevention’s “Blueprint Approved Institute” (BPAI) is now open and accepting applications. The Blueprint Approved Institute is designed for individuals and smaller grassroots community organizations doing violence prevention work. Through BPAI, individuals receive funding to provide summer youth violence prevention programming, learn skills and build capacity for further development of their organizations and get hands on support and technical assistance.

As part of BPAI, participating agencies will receive $3,000 to support their organization’s capacity, as well as a $3,000 micro-award to implement a violence prevention project, for a total award amount of $6,000. Selected agencies will be eligible to send up to two individuals to participate in the cohort.

A pre-application virtual meeting via Microsoft Teams will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 11. A dial-in option will be available. The link for the meeting can be found in the application materials at the link below. The completed application is due by 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 25. 

Find more information and the application. 

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Take a virtual tour of the City’s Public Service Building

You can now take a guided tour of the City of Minneapolis Public Service Building and its beautiful artworks – virtually. The Public Service Building is a welcoming, sustainable, accessible public amenity. Close to City Hall, the office building is a central place to get services and information. It offers a higher quality of service to the public, reduces the City's real estate footprint, and provides effective space for the diverse needs of employees. Take a virtual tour or book an appointment online to get help with a permit, license or utility bill. You can also see and learn about the artworks on this virtual map.

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City holding online open house Jan. 13 on recommended design for Hennepin Avenue South Reconstruction Project

The City is hosting a virtual open house Jan. 13 to share the recommended design for the Hennepin Avenue South Reconstruction Project. The City plans to reconstruct Hennepin Avenue between West Lake Street and Douglas Avenue. Public Works has recommended a design that best meets the City’s Transportation Action Plan and aligns with the Vision Zero Action Plan, the Complete Streets Policy and the Climate Action Plan. The recommended design features: Pedestrian facilities that improve safety and comfort for people walking. A two-way protected bikeway between Lake Street and Franklin Avenue to improve safety and access for people biking. Dedicated transit lanes for more efficient and reliable transit service. Two vehicle lanes, with left turn lanes at key intersections, to maintain mobility for people in cars. Parking/loading bays where feasible. City staff plan to advance the recommended design to the City Council for approval in the spring. Construction is expected to begin in 2024. Watch a prerecorded presentation on the recommended design.  Online open house 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 13 Link to participate Visit the project web page to learn more about the reconstruction project, see the recommended design and provide comments.

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Using less sidewalk salt protects fresh waters, saves money, melts better

Winter road and sidewalk de-icing salt is a major – and permanent – polluter of local freshwater lakes and streams. Seventy-eight percent of salt applied in the metro area ends up in groundwater or local lakes and rivers. If de-icer is needed, people should use as little as possible. It’s easy to use too much, but more salt does not mean more melting. Removing snow and ice early and often is the best approach. Shoveling instead of using chemicals will protect our waters. Pledge to salt wisely Any residents and businesses can take a pledge on the City of Minneapolis website to salt wisely. A 30-minute course with self-guided readings and videos will teach anyone about the consequences of using too much salt and about how to protect beloved Minnesota waters from this permanent pollution.

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New date for Community Connections Conference: May 21

Save the date: The 2022 Community Connections Conference will now be held Saturday, May 21.

The conference was rescheduled from a February date in light of high transmission rates of COVID-19 and uncertainty surrounding the omicron variant.

The location has also moved up to Hall B on the first floor of the Minneapolis Convention Center.

To stay up to date on this year's conference, visit the Community Connections Conference webpage.

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METRO Blue Line Extension Project releases Draft Route Modification Report for public comment

The METRO Blue Line Extension project team has released the Draft Route Modification Report. This report describes the overall process, public input, and technical evaluation that will inform the recommendation of a community supported route. The METRO Blue Line Extension Light Rail Transit project will extend the existing Blue Line from Target Field Station northwest to Brooklyn Park and connect communities along the way. This comment period is an opportunity for Minneapolis residents to weigh in on whether they prefer a route along West Broadway or Lowry avenues for the extension. The Draft Route Modification Report is available for public review at www.BlueLineExt.org. Comments on the report will be accepted through Jan. 25  and will inform the final evaluation and route recommendation in the spring. You can share your input through any of the following ways: Submit a comment through the project website. Fill out and mail the comment form included in the report document. Email your input to Sophia.Ginis@metrotransit.org. The Metropolitan Council and Hennepin County will review the input received along with the findings from the technical analysis completed to date. Staff will recommend a community-supported route for further evaluation in spring 2022. Following that recommendation, design and technical evaluation of the recommended route will advance to an environmental review and further engineering. Find information about upcoming meetings about the Draft Route Modification Report.

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Renters have a right to know the energy use and costs for their next apartment

Under a new City of Minneapolis rule, property owners must provide building energy cost reports to potential renters for apartment buildings with five or more units that are smaller than 50,000 square feet. These reports can help renters learn which buildings have been more energy efficient and less costly so they can compare different housing options against each other and their budget.

Sample energy report

This example of an energy cost report shows what to expect from a property owner and how to use the information.

Cost and comfort

A more energy efficient apartment allows people to pay less in monthly bills and is more comfortable: warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. When the heat and electricity cost more, the renter pays more either directly in utility bills or indirectly through higher rent.

Renters can find information by going to the City of Minneapolis website and searching for “rental energy costs” or by calling 311.

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Free and affordable food resources

In need of food? Or are you looking for ways to support hunger relief in your community? Check out the updated Minneapolis food security resources on the City website. You can find locations, hours, contact information, and volunteer/donation needs of local food shelves and food distributions. To see food shelves by location, explore our map. Find winter market schedules and locations. Nearly all accept SNAP-EBT benefits.

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Minneapolis Public Works is hiring

Join the teams that keep Minneapolis running, and help spread the word about these opportunities with friends, family and community. Minneapolis Public Works is hiring and training for several job openings: Public Works service worker 1 trainee: performs manual labor, learns to drive and operate equipment. Supports the department’s construction and maintenance activities. You will be supported in obtaining your CDL Class B license. Public Works service worker 1: performs manual labor and drives and operates equipment to support construction and maintenance work. Public Works service worker 2: performs manual labor, drives and operates heavy specialty equipment to support construction and maintenance work. Water distribution operator 1: performs manual labor and semi-skilled work to maintain the City’s water distribution system. Water distribution operator 1 trainee: performs manual labor to maintain the City’s water distribution system. Applications are accepted through Jan. 16. Read more information online and attend one of several upcoming virtual and in-person information sessions throughout the application period. Applicants can apply online on the City website.

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Share your input on draft neighborhood traffic calming process

Minneapolis Public Works wants your input on a proposed process to address traffic safety concerns and traffic calming requests on neighborhood streets. The process provides a way for community members to request traffic calming and for Public Works to review those requests fairly, transparently and equitably. 

Find more information about the proposed traffic calming process and share feedback. Comments on the draft will be accepted through Jan. 31. 

After reviewing feedback, Public Works will finalize the process early in 2022 and share details in the spring about how to request traffic calming measures. 

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Get your free COVID-19 vaccination

Vaccination is the strongest defense against COVID and its variants. Get a free COVID-19 vaccine at a Minneapolis Health Department clinic. Walk-ins are welcome, and the vaccinations are free. You don’t need insurance, you don’t need an appointment and you don’t need an ID. Questions about the vaccines? Watch and share this video for 11 things you should know about COVID-19 vaccines.

Find more information, updates and new free community vaccinations on the City website.

Hennepin County vaccination events

Hennepin County offers free COVID-19 vaccinations including boosters. Get a $50 Visa gift card when you get vaccinated (while supplies last).

• 4-7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 7. Centro Nazareno de Compasion Agape, Inc., 6421 45th Ave. Crystal  Pfizer (5 and older, boosters for 16 and older) 
  Información del evento traducida al español

Find more information and register at hennepin.us/vaccineregistration or call 612-348-8900.

Other ways to get a vaccine

Being fully vaccinated and boosted remains the highest protection against serious complications from COVID. If you haven’t been vaccinated yet, get a free vaccine as soon as you can. About nine out of 10 Americans live within 5 miles of a COVID-19 vaccination site.

• To find the site closest to you, visit vaccines.gov, text your ZIP code to 438829 (GETVAX); or call 1-800-232-0233.
• Find COVID-19 vaccine appointments at the CDC’s VaccineFinder. You can filter by location and search for Pfizer only for 12-17-year-olds.
• Find vaccine locations and providers near you using the State’s interactive map.
• Sign up for the Minnesota COVID-19 vaccine connector in English, Spanish, Somali or Hmong to get contacted about vaccine in your area.
• Contact your primary health care provider or a local pharmacy.

Sick and safe time covers vaccine appointments

Accrued sick and safe time hours can be used to receive a COVID-19 vaccine and recover from any side effects. Learn more about the City's Sick and Safe Time ordinance.

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Public health resources: Slow the spread of COVID-19

Minnesota Department of Health COVID-19 situation update Minnesota vaccine data dashboard  Minnesota COVID-19 Vaccine Connector  Minneapolis COVID-19 vaccine information City of Minneapolis mask guidance  Find COVID-19 testing locations Minnesota Department of Health COVID-19 information in multiple languages Spanish/English COVID-19 hotline: 651-304-6145 Minnesota Black Community COVID-19 hotline: 612-254-1145 Refugee and Immigrant COVID Care hotline: 651-318-0989 The City of Minneapolis created six multilingual videos in collaboration with MIGIZI, Insight, UnidosMN, Somali Community Resettlement Services and The Southeast Asian Diaspora Project to increase confidence in the COVID-19 vaccines among communities with lower vaccination rates: Vaccination is protection: English (African American community). Vaccination is protection: English (Native American community). Vaccination is protection: Spanish. Vaccination is protection: Somali. Vaccination is protection: Hmong. Vaccination is protection: Lao. Compilation video: All languages.

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City's Cultural Radio Programs

Tune into the City's cultural radio programs for COVID-19 updates and other City news. The City has programs on KMOJ 89.9 FM (English); La Raza 95.7 FM (Spanish); KALY 101.7 FM (Somali); and WIXK AM 1590 (Hmong.) Radio shows schedule and audio files of past programs

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Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) Recognized With the Gold Standard for Museum Excellence

Via a January 4 e-announcement from the Minnesota Historical Society:

The Minnesota Historical Society Announces Reaccreditation by the American Alliance of Museums

The Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) is pleased to announce it has been reaccredited by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the only organization representing the entire scope of the museum community. According to AAM, accreditation demonstrates the Minnesota Historical Society’s quality and credibility to the entire museum community, to governments and outside agencies and to the museum-going public.

“Reaccreditation upholds that our organization continues to meet national standards and best practices for museums in the United States, and that we remain a community of institutions that have chosen to hold ourselves publicly accountable to excellence,” said Kent Whitworth, director and chief executive officer of the Minnesota Historical Society. “The Minnesota Historical Society has proven through this comprehensive process of self-assessment and peer review to be a responsible steward of our resources, one which is deeply committed to institutional excellence.”

In the AAM reaccreditation report, the visiting committee expresses that in all areas of museum practice—research, collections care, exhibitions, education, publications, public programs and administration—MNHS relies on skilled, knowledgeable and committed staff to carry out its mission, remain relevant to the changing needs and interests of the communities it serves, while making important advances and structural changes to promote the principles of diversity, equity, access and inclusion.

MNHS a Model Institution

“The Minnesota Historical Society continues to be a model institution in many ways,” wrote Evans Richardson, accreditation commission chair of the American Alliance of Museums. “We commend the Society for its commitment to actively exploring ways to better serve a broad, diverse, and broadening stakeholder base as evidenced in the museum's excellent Institutional Plan.”

The reaccreditation report also states, that while the environment in which all museums operate has changed dramatically in the past 15 years since MNHS’ last reaccreditation—heightened more recently by the pandemic, economic uncertainty, environmental stress, and ideological polarization—MNHS has adapted appropriately and thoughtfully to these pressures and changing circumstances. Most notable in this regard is the adoption of a new strategic plan (2021-2026) that includes updated and poignant mission and vision statements, clear goals and objectives, and the installation of a culture of inclusion and accountability along with measurable outcomes at all levels of the organization and for all functions.

Accreditation Program and Comments

The Accreditation Program helps to ensure the integrity and accessibility of museum collections, reinforce the educational and public service roles of museums, and promote good governance practices and ethical behavior. To earn accreditation or reaccreditation, a museum submits a self-study questionnaire and key operational documents for evaluation, then undergoes a site visit by a team of peer reviewers which produces a report for the Accreditation Commission. The Commission uses these materials and its collective expertise to determine whether to grant accreditation or reaccreditation. Comments from the reaccreditation report include:

“The organization has completed an inclusive and all-encompassing strategic planning process that sets a bold, purposeful, and sustainable course for the future. The Visiting Committee was very impressed with the width and breath of staff and community engagement and the very purposeful way resources are being aligned with intended outcomes.”

“The strategic plan is of the highest quality, is concise and clear, appears to have garnered significant support and is a signature guiding document to help the organization transition into its inspiring future.”

“Exhibitions, programs, and services are informed by a high degree of scholarship and audience knowledge. The Leadership Team is well credentialed, committed, and demonstrates the hallmarks of a true team. The new strategic plan is outstanding. Clearly, the organization is committed to listening to its staff and external partners and has built trust through a thorough process that resulted in a clear forward path and high levels of energy and enthusiasm. The structure is in place to operationalize the strategic plan.”

About the American Alliance of Museums

The American Alliance of Museums (AAM) is the only organization representing the entire museum field, from art and history museums to science centers and zoos. Since 1906, AAM has been championing museums through advocacy and providing museum professionals with the resources, knowledge, inspiration, and connections they need to move the field forward.

AAM’s Alliance of 35,000 museums and museum professionals seeks to better our communities, and our world, through collaborative human-centered experiences, education, and connection to histories, cultures, the natural world, and one another. AAM’s members spark curiosity and wonder, widen horizons and understanding, and create community connection through a shared commitment to equity and learning. For more information, visit www.aam-us.org.

About the Minnesota Historical Society

The Minnesota Historical Society is a nonprofit educational and cultural institution established in 1849. MNHS collects, preserves and tells the story of Minnesota’s past through museum exhibits, libraries and collections, historic sites, educational programs and publishing. Using the power of history to transform lives, MNHS preserves our past, shares our state’s stories and connects people with history. Visit us at mnhs.org.

Gamut Gallery Announces First Show of 2022: Rock Johnsen's Earth's Alchemy

Via a recent e-announcement from Gamut Gallery:

With the new year in full swing, the transformative power of winter in the Twin Cities sets the stage for Gamut Gallery’s first show of 2022: Earth’s Alchemy. We are thrilled to host Minnesota State Arts Board recipient, Rock Johnsen, who shares his passion for chemistry and geology in his first solo gallery exhibition.

Through his experimental glazing methods, the distinctive and delicate crystal structure highlighted in Rock’s body of work evokes the familiarity of ice cracking under the weight of heavy-soled snow boots this February. From everyday objects like plates, mugs and bowls to his larger-than-life periodic table installation, Rock explores the intersection of art and science by way of the earth’s rare elements and his pottery wheel. In doing so, he shows us that elements can interact with one another within the confines of solid and functional objects.

Just like no two snowflakes are alike, each piece featured in this exhibit is one of a kind, inspiring us to remember science in everyday life and its inherent influence on societal progress and inclusivity. Rock’s work represents the certainty of constant evolution at an atomic level, the diversity that stems from these atomic interactions, and their eventual influence on our collective appreciation and interest in expressing ourselves through art.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Rock Johnsen is a scientist and potter living in Minneapolis, who grew up in Kansas and Missouri. He obtained a Bachelor degree from Pittsburgh University in studio arts with a focus on ceramics and chemistry. Rock’s work explores concepts of duality that he has been perpetually confronted with growing up as a queer person of mixed race in the United States. He uses human anatomy and creatures to examine our comfort level with functional items and also explores the links between chemistry and geology in ceramic glaze. 

His unique crystal growing process is really the recreation of an environment. Rock uses a kiln to simulate the earth’s mantle. Over several hours, between 1800-2200 degrees Fahrenheit, the mixture of basic elements transition to a liquid state. While the vessel’s surface is still fluid, zinc and silica atoms attract one another due to their natural polarities, migrating through the liquid to form larger molecules. With each new piece, Rock mimics environmental conditions by making slight adjustments to the temperature and holding times of the ceramic media; the chemical properties of each element emerge from the crystal solution as the final size, shape, and reflection of each piece becomes an individual representation of material science.

Rock Johnsen is a fiscal year 2021 recipient of an Artist Initiative grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. 

MEMBERS ONLY PREVIEW NIGHT:

February 3, 2022, 6-9pm Meet & Greet with Rock Johnsen

This event is for Gamut Gallery Members, become a Member today!

PUBLIC OPENING & ARTIST BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION:

February 4, 2022, 6-9pm Meet & Greet with Rock Johnsen

This event is FREE in thanks to Artist Initiative grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board

ARTIST TALK:

February 19, 2022, 10AM
Moderated by Cassie Garner
This event is FREE in thanks to Artist Initiative grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board
Coffee provided by Segue Coffee

GALLERY & GIFT SHOP OPEN HOURS RETURN FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2022

Gamut Gallery’s brick and mortar is currently closed for holiday break. We will open without capacity restrictions for in-person viewing of the exhibition. We are also available by appointment; please request an appointment 48 hours in advance. Masks required indoors.

FREE open hours starting February 5, 2022: Wednesday - Friday, 11am - 6pm; Saturday 11am - 4pm. We are inviting members of the education community who wish to schedule field trips to the gallery during this exhibit. Please email: Cassie@gamutgallerympls.com to schedule a class trip. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for further details and information regarding the event.

Water Works Named One of 10 Best New Attractions by USA Today

Via a December 31 e-announcement from the Minneapolis Park and Rec Board:

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is pleased to announce Water Works was named a winner in the 2021 USA Today 10 Best Readers' Choice travel award contest for Best New Attraction. After a panel of USA Today travel experts chose 20 top new attractions, USA Today readers voted Water Works into the top 10 to win the award.

Water Works was created in Mill Ruins Park, overlooking the Mississippi River, St. Anthony Falls and the Stone Arch Bridge. Water Works brings significant new historic, cultural and recreational amenities to one of the most visited and iconic areas in Minneapolis. The new park amenities were made possible due to the Minneapolis Parks Foundation’s $18.1 million RiverFirst Capital Campaign and its partnership with the MPRB. 

“Water Works has been a wonderful success so far and I’m pleased to see so many people out enjoying the new riverfront space,” says Al Bangoura, Superintendent of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. “I’d like to thank the Minneapolis Park Foundation and its supporters, who appreciate the shared benefit of thoughtfully designed riverfront parks.”

"Water Works is located at one of the most culturally and spiritually significant locations on the Mississippi River and the design honors our region's history and our promise,” adds Tom Evers, Executive Director of the Minneapolis Parks Foundation.” This recognition is shared with countless people who helped bring the site into reality. I hope everyone who visits Minneapolis has a chance to visit and connect to the stories Water Works has to offer and gains a deeper connection to the people who live here."

Water Works Pavilion is two-story park pavilion and visitor center is located at 425 West River Parkway. The second floor of the building hosts Owamni by The Sioux Chef, a new all-season restaurant from partners Sean Sherman and Dana Thompson offering dine-in and take-out Indigenous cuisine. Owamni was recently named Restaurant of the Year by the Star Tribune.

Alanna Morris Returns to The Cowles Center with Black Light a re:Search performance

Via a recent e-announcment:

Photo credit: Canaan MattsonAlanna Morris returns to The Cowles Center February 4-6, 2022 with Black Light a re:Search performance, a collaborative solo project that doubles as a personal archive and research project. A copresentation with The Great Northern and Northrop, Black Light is available in-person and via livestream. Tickets are $20-$35, fees included. Live music will accompany the work. This show contains mature content and frontal nudity. Learn more at thecowlescenter.org/black-light.

“Many life transitions inspired this piece, and awakenings to new information that brought down old ways of performing ‘Alanna’ and relating to the cosmos and to the source of life,” shared the artist when describing the inspiration for Black Light. “This pandemic afforded me the life crisis of going into the quiet, the stillness, and the darkness. From there I am discovering vast information that I was not conscious of in my former life practice.”  

Morris achieves this reflection in the work through researching the nobility of Black-ness; the divinity of feminine creative energy; and the harnessing of sensual expression.  

Additionally, they are working with a team of esteemed collaborators—artists and cultural practitioners—who informed all aspects of Black Light a re:Search performance from research and development, to dance and design. Morris’ collaborators include Gabrielle Abram, Andréa Potter, Demetrius McClendon (Imagine Joy), Afoutayi Haitian Dance, and Music and Arts Co. Costume design by Trevor Bowen. Lighting design by Beaudau Banks.

Morris performed an earlier iteration of this project called Black Light re:Search during a virtual MERGES IN MARCH performance streamed in March 2021. This project builds on its earlier iteration and features live music. Cowles Co-director Jessi Fett reflects: “It is really special to be able to present Black Light a re:Search performance, and to have this wonderful privilege of presenting multiple works in this series by Alanna on our Goodale Stage.”

Black Light a re:Search performance is an expression of season and interwoven local and global identities. The work falls between contemporary, modern, and Afro-Diasporic dance genres. This is the first co-presentation between the Cowles and the Great Northern. Learn more at thecowlescenter.org/black-light.

January 2022 Happenings at Northup King Building

Via a December 28 e-announcement from Northrup King Building:

Happy new year, art lovers! We're ready to hit the ground running in 2022 to fill your year with new events, new creations, and new ways to inspire! We hope you'll join us - and what better time to start than now?  Plenty of Free Parking, Passenger Elevator, and Comfortable Spaces. Come On In and Explore Minnesota's Largest Arts Complex! Please see below for our COVID-19 policies and guidelines.

First Thursday is on Jan. 6

The First Thursday of the year is a great night to visit the artists and discuss the process and inspiration behind the incredible art, and to find and take home your one of a kind treasure. First Thursday at the Northrup King Building Thursday | Jan 6 | 5-9pm

Northrup King Nights is Back on Jan. 22

A perennial favorite among art lovers, a night full of color, inspiration and beauty is always a welcome adventure on a cold winter night. Northrup King Nights offer a chance to visit over hundreds of artists and multiple gallery openings and events, all under one enormous (and warm!) roof. With Four Enormous Floors to explore, this history filled building is truly a Twin Cities iconic destination. Northrup King Nights Open Studios Saturday | Jan 22 | 6-10pm Photo credit © M. Bellotti Fine Art

Gallery Happenings

Print NKB | Spotlight on Printing Presented by the Northrup King Printmakers  ───────────── Curious about the art of Printmaking? This event is not to be missed! This month printmakers at the Northrup King Building will open up their studios to share their works and creative process with the public. Learn all about fine art printing methods such as relief, intaglio, lithography, and more! Visit gallery 361 to view Print NKB: A group show put together by a multitude of creative printmakers who call the Northrup King Building home. Featuring works by Lynn Bollman (334), Beth Dorsey (226), Bonnie Lauber-Westover (267), Gwen Partin (452), Ingrid Restemayer (401-B), Patty Scott (447), Solvei Stohl (214), Dawn Wing (205) and Dean Trisko (361)  Thursday | Jan 6 │ 5-9pm  Saturday | Jan 8 │ 12-8pm Studio 361 | Group Show Individual studios listed will also be open during set hours Image provided by Dean Trisko

The Color Series: Part 5, Blue Opening Exhibition Presented by Kolman & Pryor Gallery ───────────── The color blue, many painters’ favorite for its cool and dramatic yet serene and calming tones, has always been more expensive than other colors. During the Renaissance, true blue (ultramarine) was five times more expensive than gold as its color derived from lapis lazuli. Today, according to the study, The Colors, Emotions, and the Auction Value of Paintings,  abstract paintings in which blue dominates are top sellers. Due to recent supply chain disruptions, blue paint is becoming costly as manufacturers struggle to locate the ingredients necessary to make blue paint.  All of which adds to the mystique of Kolman & Pryor Gallery‘s upcoming exhibition, The Color Series: Part 5, Blue, the fifth show in the gallery’s ongoing Color Series. The exhibition, which features work by gallery artists, Betsy Ruth Byers, Jil Evans, Kelly Jean Ohl, Jodi Reeb, Julie Snidle, and Cameron Zebrun, opens January 8, and runs through March 5, 2022. An artist reception is happening on Saturday, February 12, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. during Northrup King Nights, a Northrup King Building open studio evening.  Opening Jan 8  On Display Through Mar 5 Artist Reception: Saturday | Feb 12 | 7-9pm Gallery Hours: Saturday | 12-4pm First Thursdays | 5pm - 9pm Also available by appointment Studio 395 | Kolman & Pryor Gallery Image Courtesy of Jodi Reeb

yödoishëndahgwa’geh (a place for rest) Ongoing - Reservations Required Presented by Rosy Simas Danse ───────────── yödoishëndahgwa'geh is inter-sensorial space of moving image and sound by Seneca artist Rosy Simas and her collaborative composer François Richomme. The intention of the space is to contribute to the healing of generations on the river behind us - our ancestors, and in front of us - generations yet to be born. This iteration installation was created by Rosy Simas, Heidi Eckwall and Sam Aros Mitchell. Reservations needed for a peaceful and socially distanced visit. Please make your reservation here. Only 5 visitors will be allowed in the space per hour.  Read an interview of Rosy Simas and performer Sam Mitchell by Juleana Enright on Simas’ yödoishëndahgwa'geh installation at All My Relations Arts. Dec 28 - Jan 2 6-9pm Reservations Required Studio 331 | Rosy Simas Danse  Image courtesy of Rosy Simas Danse

White Out Current Exhibition Presented by Gallery Equus ───────────── This exhibition celebrates the themes of lightness and joy all through the cold and white of the winter season. On Display Through Feb 19 Open Gallery Hours: Saturdays 12pm - 4pm First Thursdays 5pm - 9pm We are always available by appointment! Studio 222 | Gallery Equus Image Courtesy of Deneena Hughes

Small Works Sales & Exhibition 2021 Closing Jan 8 Presented by Studio Pintura  ───────────── Over 80 works by 25 local and regional artists. All images 10"x 12" or smaller. Thursday, | Jan 6 │ 5-9pm  Saturday, | Jan 8 │ 10am-6pm Most Weekday Afternoons by Appointment  Studio 293-295 | Studio Pintura Images by Deborah Ann Kirkeeide, Carolyn C.S. Kleinberger, Dian Flanagan, and Karin Jacobs

Make Art. Support Art. Get Inspired. Get Involved

Makwa Studio Fundraiser Ongoing ───────────── Moving Native Art and Fashion Forward with Stoll Technology Makwa Studio's Maggie Thompson is a Native identifying artist, curator of contemporary Native art and small business owner. As a textile artist and designer she derives her inspiration from the history of her Ojibwe heritage, exploring family history as well as themes and subject matter of the broader Native American experience. In 2019, Thompson received her certification in Stoll (CMS) Industrial Knitting at the Stoll Training Center in Reutlingen, Germany. Thompson believes introducing the Stoll technology with her community and making it accessible to other artists will create financial stability, push artistic boundaries, allow for collaborations and provide an efficient and effective response to community needs. Thompson shares: "Native art and fashion is often viewed as something static; that in order for it to be “authentic” it needs to look traditional or reference something historical. Although many Native artists do create work rooted in culture and history, we are still contemporary people, moving forward just like everyone else. There is no reason why, what is considered to be Native art, cannot change or shift with the advancement of technology and new processes." Follow the fundraiser and consider support of this initiative here: makwastudio.com Image Courtesy of Makwa Studio

Leather Workshop Class Presented by Strey Design ───────────── New this year - Strey Designs is opening up their studio to YOU! After 11 years of playing with leather, it was only a matter of time until they combined their love for leather crafting with a hands-on workshop that engages excited customers and crafters! Roll up your sleeves and get an in-depth, hands-on experience of working with leather while getting to take home your own special item made by YOU!  Classes are available starting in January, these are open to the public with class sizes ranging from 5-8 participants, masks are encouraged and required for those that don't have proof of vaccination.  Have a party idea? We would love to host your party or team building event at Strey! Contact us to plan! info@streydesigns.com Workshops currently offered: Wallet Workshop | 5-8 people | 45 minutes | skill level: moderate Belt Workshop | 3-5 people | 3 hours | skill level: difficult Rove Painting | 5-10 people | 2 hours | skill level: easy *classes are recommended for people 16 and up For more information on individual workshops or to sign up go to: www.streydesigns.com/workshop   Image Courtesy of Strey Designs

And Don't Forget About Open Studio Saturday!

Every Saturday! Open Studio Saturdays are our weekly retail hours and feature open studios, breathtaking galleries and fun boutiques, making them a perfect time to take a quiet afternoon stroll around our lovely building. Beat the crowds, find a treasure, and talk with the artists who work and create here every day.  Open Studio Saturdays Every Saturday | 12-4pm

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING COVID-19 Please note any interaction with the general public poses an elevated risk of being exposed to COVID-19 and we cannot guarantee that you will not be exposed while in attendance during these open studio hours. Masks are required for all visitors during all events. When shopping during non-event hours, masks are strongly recommended for everyone in indoor public spaces in Hennepin County, and are required in the building for anyone who is not fully vaccinated.  Individual galleries and studios are able to set their own COVID and masking policies. Please bring a mask with you on your visit for that reason. We are still in this together. Let's protect each other. Artists and businesses will continue to set their own hours or availability; we encourage you to contact artists ahead of time to ensure they will be open and operating during our retail hours. You can use our online Studio Directory to do so.

Christmas Lights on U.S. Bank Stadium

Submitted by Ric Rosow

On Christmas evening the roof of U.S. Bank Stadium flowed like a river with large bands of red, blue and green. I edited the image twice, once for a realistic look and a second time with a fun "starlight" filter. Christmas comes but once a year, but a photo allows you to enjoy the scenes of Christmas celebration year round. 

See more of my work @ricrosowphotography, @treslechesartgallery @nemaa.

Celebrate NYE with the Kids at EaTo's Family-oriented Event

EaTo, 305 Washington Avenue S, is hosting a Pre-New Year's Eve Party for family and friends on Friday, December 31 from 5 to 7 p.m. It's a great way for parents to share a portion of New Year's with their kids before heading out for their adults-only party.

Make two different kinds of noisemakers, join indoor snowball throwing games, toast with non alcoholic fizzy drinks and top-your-own hot chocolate with both familiar and novel toppings. There will also be passed appetizers (just like at a fancy cocktail party) and EaTo's full drink and food menu will be available for purchase.

Stop by and join your downtown neighbors to celebrate a new year! Contact nancywmoroe@gmail.com for more information.

MSP Film Society to Take Over St. Anthony Main Theatre in 2022

Via a December 21 e-announcement the MSP Film Society:

MSP FILM SOCIETY CELEBRATES OUR 60th YEAR IN 2022 BY EXPANDING OUR YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMMING TO ALL FIVE SCREENS OF ST. ANTHONY MAIN!

MSP Film Society is thrilled to share the news that we will be taking over operations at the St. Anthony Main Theatre and programming all five screens beginning in 2022! Regular screenings will continue through the holidays. Then, on January 3, 2022, the doors close as work begins on refreshing and relaunching the theater as MSP Film at The Main —just in time for the 2022 MSP International Film Festival, slated for March 31 – April 14, 2022.

For the past 60 years, the MSP Film Society has been the regional go-to for international and independent cinema. From our humble but groundbreaking beginnings in 1962 as the U Film Society, armed with the mission of bringing Arthouse film and New Wave masters to the Twin Cities, MSP Film Society has grown into the Upper Midwest’s leading nonprofit exhibitor of bold and exciting films by established and emerging filmmakers from around the globe and here at home. Now, we are poised to expand those offerings.

“For so long, we have dreamed of becoming even more of a cultural magnet by creating a year-round community cinema space where we can experience the expansive, inspiring, and entertaining world of international and independent film together,” said Susan Smoluchowski, Executive Director of MSP Film Society. “We are eager to launch MSP Film at The Main and to invite our film loving and filmmaking community to join us as we continue to provide a unique window on the world for the next 60 years.”

MSP Film Society looks forward to bringing more of the bounty of MSPIFF’s inclusive, extensive, and groundbreaking programming to the Twin Cities and expanding our year-round programs, including hosting more insightful guests and inspiring filmmakers. Operating all five screens also allows us to expand our MN-Made program, providing opportunities for our homegrown talent to screen their films for local audiences, and for our community partners to share the theater for special screenings and events.

“Connecting independent storytellers with audiences is what we’re all about, and this exciting new venture will create untold opportunities for that cinematic intersection to grow,” said Jesse Bishop, MSP Film Society’s Program Director. “Daily programming on all five screens at The Main is a big step forward for us, and we are excited to begin crafting a destination where you are certain to be surprised, entertained, comforted, informed, seen and heard, through the movies.”

In 2008, MSP Film Society expanded the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival (MSPIFF) by moving to the St. Anthony Main Theatre, which proved to be the perfect venue for our festival headquarters. It allowed us to program on all five screens for the run of MSPIFF and create a true festival experience, where audiences could easily go from one screening to the next and mingle with other film lovers and filmmakers in between. In 2010, we began year-round programming in SAM’s Theatre 3, with the intent that one day we might take over operations of the entire theater and carry over the experience of MSPIFF into year-round programming on all five screens.

“As the longtime owner of the Stone Arch Cinema (aka St. Anthony Main Theatre), I look forward to working with the MSP Film Society to create the neighborhood theater we have always wanted here at St. Anthony Main,” said John Rimarcik. “There couldn’t be a better entity to make this happen than the Film Society.”

MSP Film Society has been making plans to refresh the entire theater complex for an upgraded experience, from the moment you approach our building along the Mississippi riverfront, to moving through the ticketing and concessions stand in the lobby, to the screenings rooms themselves.

Changes will include:

●   Renaming and rebranding the St. Anthony Main theater as: MSP Film at The Main.

●   A rich and varied mix of film programming on all 5 screens all year long.

●   New theater marquee incorporating the current historic lightbulb sign: The Main.

●   Updated and modernized theater - to be completed in phases.

●   Upgraded projection equipment and closed caption options in each screening room.

●   New concession selections –but we are sticking with the famed “best popcorn in the Twin Cities!”

●   Expansion of our community programming partnerships.

●   New screening opportunities for Minnesota filmmakers and MN-Made films.

●   Year-round film festivals, including MSPIFF and CINE LATINO, on all 5 screens.

●   Expanding our COVID-19 policies to the entire MSP Film at The Main building.

As we transition into this exciting new cinematic era, MSP Film encourages the entire film loving community to help ensure a vibrant future for cinematic arts in Minnesota by donating, becoming members, or renewing memberships. These will become all the more valuable in 2022!

The MSP Film Society is a dynamic 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to fostering a knowledgeable and vibrant appreciation of the art of film and its power to inform and transform individuals and communities. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

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December 18 is the final Mill City Farmers Market for Singing Hills Goat Dairy

Via a December 15 e-announcement from the Mill City Farmers Market:

Coffee Toast to Singing Hills Farm

Saturday, December 18, is Singing Hills’ last day at our market until the business is sold and someone else picks up the hard work of Lynne, Nancy and everyone who built Singing Hills Goat Dairy. 

To celebrate the contributions Singing Hills has made to our market for the past 12 years and Lynne and Nancy’s retirement from markets, we will be hosting a coffee, bread and cheese hour at the market on Saturday morning. Find us outside the front doors of the Mill City Museum at 10 a.m to thank, send love, say goodbye and stock up on cheese with Lynne and Nancy.

Singing Hills is working with Renewing the Countryside and American Farmland Trust to facilitate the farm’s transition to an emerging farmer. For more information and to support this work, visit: https://tinyurl.com/2p9xx8ty.

MPRB Shares Updated Concept for Graco Park

Via a December 14 e-announcement from Minneapolis Park and Rec Board:

A view of Hall's Island, Plymouth Avenue Bridge and East Bank Trail running through the future Graco Park. Image courtesy of Mississippi Watershed Management Organization.

Let MPRB know what you think about refined concept for new Northeast riverfront park!

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is developing a new park along the Northeast Minneapolis riverfront called Graco Park! Last summer MPRB staff collected initial feedback from the community and researched opportunities and constraints at the site, which is located just north of the Plymouth Avenue Bridge with a gravel beach and Mississippi East Bank Trail running through it.

In the fall, three distinct design concepts for Graco Park were published for public feedback. After considering that feedback, a new single, preferred concept debuted today. Use the link below to learn more about Graco Park, including:

• Results from community engagement so far
• Graphics, illustrations and a flythrough video explaining the new, single preferred concept
• A short survey to let us know your thoughts on the preferred concept

Graco Park Concept

The online survey will be open through Friday, Jan. 21, 2022. Feedback on the preferred concept will be used to refine the concept further, then there will be a public hearing on the final concept, which will be subject to approval by Park Commissioners. Visit the Graco Park project page and sign up for email updates to stay informed as the process continues.

Illustration of the Graco Park entrance from Sibley St NE and Plymouth/8th Ave NE

Graco Park Concept

The preferred Graco Park concept features:

• A multiuse building with public restrooms, a non-MPRB tenant and public community space
• A trail under the Plymouth Avenue Bridge that connects to Boom Island Park
• Native habitat restoration, rain gardens and stormwater management features
• Gathering spaces, walkways and river access
• The Mississippi East Bank Trail will continue to travel through the park, with safety upgrades at the intersection of Plymouth/8th Avenue NE and Sibley Street NE

A phased construction approach is planned for Graco Park. Work is tentatively planned to start in 2022, with the park opening in 2024. Future phases would include additional park elements as funding becomes available:

• Picnic shelter
• Watercraft rental
• Additional park building
• Public art on Hall's Island
• Hall's Island river overlook

Please visit the Graco Park concept page for more information and take a short survey to weigh in on the plan. The survey is open through Friday, Jan. 21, 2022.

A bird's eye view of the concept plan for Graco Park. Click or tap the image to open a larger file in an internet browser.

Get Involved

In addition to the online survey, there's a virtual community open house on Tuesday, Jan. 11, 2022, 4:30-6 pm on Zoom. Use the link below to join the event online, where you can view an in-depth presentation of the concept, ask project staff questions and give feedback.

Join Open House

Meeting ID: 837 1774 1549

You can also invite MPRB staff to present the Graco Park concept to your group or organization in December 2021 or January 2022! Please email cchristensen@minneapolisparks.org for more information.

To learn more about this project and others, visit www.minneapolisparks.org/planning.

Topsy Turvey Minneapolis

Submitted by Ric Rosow

I was editing a sunrise photo of the cityscape and had to redo it several times. In the process I came up with the idea of flipping and mirroring the photo. This involved some thought and lots of trial and error. The image could be, but is not, a statement on the current state of the city, state and nation. Or it could be, and maybe is, a science fiction depiction of an alternative world. I had no "artistic statement" in mind while creating this. I was simply exploring what I could do with my art and having fun doing it.

See more of my work @ricrosowphotography @treslechesartgallery @nemaa.

Waxing Crescent Moon Over Campbell Mithun Tower

Submitted by Ric Rosow

The moon made a repeat appearance to set over the top of the Campbell Mithun Tower early on the morning of December 12th. After seeing it over the US Bank Stadium during the evening, I projected that its trajectory would take it low over the Tower around 12:30 A.M. It did just that.

This photograph is the result of processing one image twice. I processed it first to bring out the detail in the surface of the moon. That left the rest of the image in the dark of night. I processed the same image a second time to increase the exposure so that the Tower was visible, just as it was when I was viewing the scene. That blew out all the detail in the moon and made it a white hot featureless object. I could have used two images and then blended them together. I took those types of images but when it came to processing, it was more straight forward and effective to use one image.

.

The Tower itself is very interesting at night. When lit up this way at night it takes on the features of a mask of a lion’s face. When viewing the Tower at night I immediately think of the lion from a rather famous play that premiered in Minneapolis in 1997 before going onto Broadway. If you did not see the play on one of its repeat appearances here, then perhaps you saw the movie or have heard the music.

See more of my work @ricrosowphotography @treslechesartgallery @nemaa.

Miller Lite Offers Free, Safe Transit in Minneapolis-St. Paul This New Year’s Eve

Via a recent Press Release:

The 33rd annual Free Rides program is part of the company’s mission to help individuals celebrate the new year responsibly

This holiday season, Molson Coors is spreading more than holiday cheer – it is also spreading awareness for making safe, responsible choices when celebrating by offering free rides on New Year’s Eve through its 2021 Miller Lite Free Rides program. Miller Lite will offer free rides in Minneapolis-St. Paul on the Metro Transit beginning at 6 p.m. The Lightrail will be free until 11:30 p.m. on December 31 and bus lines will be free until 3 a.m. on January 1.

Since its inception, Metro Transit has provided over 1.5 million safe rides to the Minneapolis-St. Paul community through the Free Rides program. Free Rides began in Minneapolis-St. Paul in 1997 with its St. Patrick’s Day program, which has since provided over 1.2 million rides. Its New Year’s Eve program began in 2011, providing on average 34,000 free rides per year.

“We are proud to offer safe and convenient rides every day of the year, and especially on New Year’s Eve when we know people appreciate having more options to travel responsibly,” Metro Transit General Manager Wes Kooistra said. “This continued partnership is part of our commitment to enhancing public safety for our riders and the communities we serve.”

In partnership with local mass transit, the Free Rides program has provided free access to the bus, rail or train systems in key markets across the country for more than three decades to encourage celebrating responsibly. Since the beginning of the program, over eight million people have gotten home safely because of Free Rides. This year, the program will serve six different metro areas across the country, including Denver, Milwaukee, Chicago, Dallas, Minneapolis/St. Paul and Phoenix.

“I’m incredibly proud to be part of an organization that is so committed to the communities it serves. At Molson Coors, we want the places where we work to be even better places to live and that includes ensuring safety in those communities,” said Tami Garrison, Community Affairs Director, Molson Coors. “Our Free Rides program is just one of many ways Molson Coors helps others celebrate responsibly. People can ring in 2022 knowing they have a transportation alternative on New Year’s Eve.”

Along with the Free Rides program, the company offers other opportunities throughout the year to prevent drunk driving, all which align with the company’s commitment to implement initiatives to prevent alcohol-related incidents. Riders can make their plans for a safe ride home by reviewing routes on the local public transit website at https://www.metrotransit.org/.

The City of Minneapolis Public Works Requests Your Input on Draft Neighborhood Traffic Calming Process

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

Minneapolis Public Works wants your input on a new process we are proposing to address traffic safety concerns and traffic calming requests on neighborhood streets. The process provides a way for community members to request traffic calming and for Public Works to review those requests fairly, transparently, and equitably. 

The proposed process for neighborhood traffic calming seeks to provide a process that:

• better considers the overall network;
• is data-driven and transparent; and
• is more equitable.

An overview of the new neighborhood traffic calming process is available here. 

You can find additional details about the proposal here, including the link for sharing comments. We are accepting comments on the draft through December 31.

After reviewing feedback, Public Works will finalize the process early in 2022. We will share final details on how you can request traffic calming in the spring.

Experience the Twin Cities Offers Minnesota Gift Boxes with Twin Cities Delivery by Santa Claus

Experience the Twin Cities is now offering its unique holiday gift option of locally-curated gift boxes delivered locally by Santa Claus via the colorful Experience the Twin Cities bus. This year the company is offering a selection of five gift boxes, with options for any age and relationship. Santa Claus will deliver the gift box within a 20-mile radius of the Twin Cities.

The gift boxes are curated with goods from local businesses, including The Cookie Store, North Mallow, Annie B.’s Candy, NorthMade Co., We Are Nuts, and more. The children box, Armful of Hugs, comes with a Minnesota activity book, vinyl sticker, Santa cookie, and hot cocoa bomb. The MinneSNOWta box offers to warm hearts with a knit hat from Northern Print Co., chocolates from Abdallah Candies, mittens, a hot cocoa kit, and more. Other gift box options include the Sota Vibes gift box and two sizes of the deluxe Season of Joy gift box. Prices range from $40 to $99, with local Santa delivery included for free. Nationwide shipping and customized corporate orders are also available.

Armful of Hugs

MinneSNOWta

Season of Joy

Experience the Twin Cities has been in business for ten years and is typically known for its guided specialty tours to local breweries, wineries, restaurants, and more. When tours were cancelled last year due to COVID-19 restrictions, the company developed the gift box offerings as a special way for Minnesotans to support and enjoy local businesses from home.

“We had so much fun delivering these gift boxes last year, we made it bigger and better this year with more local brands involved and more gift box options,” said Rebecca Pfeiffer, owner of Experience the Twin Cities. “The Santa delivery really gives it a special touch. It’s quite a scene when we pull into a neighborhood with our colorful bus and Santa Claus at the wheel. It has also appealed to businesses who are trying to stay connected to their work-from-home employees. We’re happy to be part of that connection and deliver a fantastic gift box with Minnesota goodies in the process.”

Experience the Twin Cities gift box offerings are available through their website. The company is also offering a variety of festive tours through the holiday season. Follow them on Facebook.

Experience Thermaculture This Winter with Hewing Hotel's Rooftop Pool and Sauna

Photo credit Hewing Hotel

With spectacular views of the Minneapolis skyline, the Hewing Hotel's rooftop spa pool is the largest commercial sauna in Minneapolis. In true Minnesota winter fashion, the pool is an ideal destination for a polar plunge before warming up in the accompanying sauna.

After a COVID-induced hiatus, the hotel is bringing back weekly Thermaculture Thursdays starting December 9. Experience a guided sauna experience on the Hewing Hotel’s magnificent rooftop terrace, led by veteran guide Ericka Jones. Guests 21 and older are welcomed for a gentle sauna steam meditation with essential oils, followed by rooftop hot pool soak and social. Thermaculture Thursday events are comprised of three rounds of guided sessions, followed by a 20 minute cool-down session. During the cool-down rounds, attendees have the opportunity to use the cold plunge, rehydrate, sample essential oils, and enjoy a spectacular view of the Minneapolis skyline from the pool.

Reservations

Photo credit Hewing Hotel

November 2021 by the Numbers from Cynthia Froid Group

Downtown real estate market update from Cynthia Froid Group:

U of M College of Science and Engineering (CSE) Winter Light Shows Scheduled for Dec. 9, 10, 11

Join the University of Minnesota College of Science and Engineering (CSE) for three dazzling light shows designed by science and engineering students. The high-tech light show features more than 250,000 LED lights set to music written and recorded by University of Minnesota students.

The 2021 CSE Winter Light Show dates are: 

• Thursday, December 9
• Friday, December 10
• Saturday, December 11

Shows are at 5:30, 6 and 6:30 p.m. on the Civil Engineering Building Courtyard, 500 Pillsbury Drive SE. Each show will last about 20 minutes. All events are free and open to the public. No tickets or reservations required.

Now in its 10th year, the show has become a campus winter tradition. Lights will surround the semi-circular Civil Engineering Courtyard and will be synchronized to music for a 360-degree sensory outdoor experience. Features include a giant 22-foot lighted tree, two 8-foot 3D snowman signs, 8-foot lighted arches, a 5-foot-by-12-foot lighted pixelated changeable sign, a 6-foot circular light structure, 10 two-foot lighted snowflakes, and several lighted trees. The students estimate that the show includes more than five miles of lights and extension cords.

The light show is presented by the University of Minnesota Tesla Works student group. The show features the technical and creative skills of University of Minnesota science and engineering students and their ability to have fun on campus—even in the winter.

Location: Civil Engineering Building Courtyard, 500 Pillsbury Drive SE