Open Eye Theatre Announces the 2021 Summer Driveway Tour

Via an April 13 News Release from Open Eye Theatre:

THE AMAZING COWBOAT returns with a revised story and an all new cast

Open Eye Theatre announces the return of its award-winning summer Driveway Tour, the perfect outdoor neighborhood get-together. Since 2002, Open Eye has been building grassroots community with fun-filled, all-ages traveling puppet shows performing outdoors throughout the Twin Cities. Learn more at openeyetheatre.org/driveway-tour.

THE AMAZING COWBOAT, one of most popular shows in the Driveway Tour repertory, has an exciting revised storyline and cast for 2021, guaranteed to delight kids and grownups alike.

It’s time for Binh to take a bath! Binh’s imagination comes alive as he pretends he is the captain of a boat that is part cow, part boat, and totally amazing! Together Binh and his Cow Boat set sail on a high seas adventure to search for the lost crown of Lac Long Quân, the Dragon Lord of Vietnam, making friends as they go, all before sailing home to his bathtub before bed time!

Earlier this year, with generous support from the Jim Henson Foundation, puppetry artists Liz Howls and Oanh Vu redeveloped the script and the design of the main puppet character to reflect the image and experience of a young Vietnamese-American child. Puppeteers Tri Vo and Ty Chapman will perform in THE AMAZING COWBOAT.

The Driveway Tour features hand-crafted puppets, two performers and a live musician. Members of the community are invited to host a Driveway Tour show in their own backyard, garden, or driveway. Open Eye offers private shows and public performances for festivals, parties, and other events. The traveling production can set up almost anywhere! Learn more at openeyetheatre.org/host.

“The kids loved meeting the puppets after the show! We had a great mix of people — neighbors, family, kids, adults... And I have to say how absolutely special it was to have an accordion player on my driveway!” — 2019 Driveway Tour host

All performances of THE AMAZING COWBOAT will be outside and Open Eye will follow CDC guidelines for COVID-19 safety.

Visit openeyetheatre.org/driveway-tour for more information and to learn about hosting a show this summer.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Liz Howls Schachterle (she/her) is a puppeteer, performer, teacher, and artistic director of the Full Moon Puppet Show, a popular adult puppetry slam. Her work has been recognized with two Ivey Awards, and grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board and the Jim Henson Foundation. She has worked as a mentor, teacher and consultant for Monkeybear’s Harmolodic Workshop, and most recently designed video animations for Kevin Kling’s Best Summer Ever at the Children’s Theatre Company.

Oanh Vu (she/her) is an educator, artist, and community organizer. She has a long history in film but has recently found a home in puppetry. As the daughter of Vietnamese refugees, she uses humor and the playfulness of puppetry to tell stories of healing for her community. She was a 2020 Puppet Lab Artist and her work has been shared through the Full Moon Puppet Show and Monkeybear's New Puppet Works.

Tri Vo (he/she/they) is really into punk music. Tri brings punk energy into everything they do, from music, improv, and theater, to puppets and podcasting. Tri would really love to play with more punk rock musicians, especially those who are melanated and have strong working class politics. You can listen to Tri share their thoughts on the podcast that they make called GLAMMUMP. You can learn more about the podcast by visiting facebook.com/GLAMMUMP, and listening to it wherever you listen to podcasts.

Ty Chapman (he/him) is a Twin Cities based author, poet, puppeteer, and playwright of Nigerian and European descent. He has been creating art with social justice themes for many years, and is passionate about creating art that speaks to the Black experience in America. His recent accomplishments include writing four children’s books through the Loft’s Mirrors and Windows program, creating a one-man shadow puppet and marionette show for Puppet Lab, and publishing poems through SOFTBLOW and Oyster River Pages. Check out Ty's other work at TyChapman.org.

New Driveway Tour photos featuring this year’s cast will be available soon.

Here are some photos from previous shows:

About Open Eye Theatre

Open Eye Theatre is nationally recognized as a vibrant home for artists who create imaginative and profound experiences that open eyes, hearts, and minds through the power of amazing stories and unforgettable performances. Experience a thrilling array of original theatre, inventive puppetry, live music, and world-class storytelling from local, national, and international artists year-round in our cozy 90-seat theater in South Minneapolis, or find us in neighborhoods throughout the Twin Cities with our summer Driveway Tour! More information is available at openeyetheatre.org. 

MSP Int'l Film Festival Announces Minnesota Made Films and Outdoor Screenings

Via a recent e-announcement from MSP Film Society:

MSP Film Society is thrilled to announce the first slate of films for the 40th Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival (MSPIFF40): the Minnesota Made films! Representing the abundance of talent and diversity of vision in local filmmaking, the Minnesota Made program is always a highlight at MSPIFF, and this year offers another exciting mix of fiction and documentary films from Minnesota-based and Minnesota-native filmmakers.

“MSPIFF has an impressive track record of lifting up Minnesota filmmakers by presenting their films alongside some of the greatest filmmakers from around the world,” said Susan Smoluchowski, Executive Director of the MSP Film Society, parent organization of MSPIFF. “We are honored to be able to continue to offer Minnesota filmmakers our full support, including compensation for their participation in MSPIFF again this year, when filmmakers are facing even more financial challenges than ever before.”

MSP Film Society continues our commitment of year-round support to Minnesota filmmakers in multiple ways, from waiving submission fees to MSPIFF, to highlighting the selected films in MSPIFF’s publicity efforts, and offering weeklong theatrical runs and one-off screening opportunities at St. Anthony Main Theatre for festival favorites. Most recently, we have begun to offer our virtual platform so filmmakers can securely screen their films to audiences throughout Minnesota.

MSPIFF is Minnesota’s largest film festival and, at 40 years running, a Minnesota cultural institution. MSPIFF40 will present 150+ films from both veteran and emerging filmmakers from around the world.

MSPIFF40 will take place Thursday, May 13 through Sunday, May 23, 2021 as a hybrid festival, with most of the films screening virtually to audiences throughout Minnesota, panels and filmmaker Q&As available for free throughout the US, and special in-person outdoor screenings in both Minneapolis and St. Paul.

MSPIFF Opening Weekend – May 13/14/15 – will take place at the Como Lakeside Pavilion, 1360 Lexington Parkway North in St. Paul.

MSPIFF Closing Weekend – May 21/22 – will take place at a pop-up drive-in at Bohemian Flats Park, 2150 West River Parkway in Minneapolis.

The complete MSPIFF40 lineup, along with info on how to purchase tickets to the outdoor screenings, will be announced on Thursday, April 22, 2021.

MINNESOTA MADE FEATURE FILMS AT MSPIFF40

After America - Directed by Jake Yunza, USA, 2020, Fiction In 2019, director Jake Yuzna put out an open call in Minneapolis to criminal justice de-escalators to explore, through performance, the failures they saw in their work and in daily life. The result is an unconventional and eye-opening look at policing in America.

After Antarctica - Directed by Tasha Van Zandt, USA, 2021, Documentary In 1989 Will Steger travelled across Antarctica, the longest and most treacherous crossing of the continent in history. Now, over 30 years later, director Tasha Van Zandt follows him again across the continent, which is slowly coming apart due to the global warming crisis.

The Co-Op Wars - Directed by Deacon Warner, USA, 2020, Documentary Today, Co-ops are multi-million dollar businesses, so successful they’ve prompted mainstream grocery stores to stock organic food. But in the 1970s, it almost ended before it began, as internecine battles and even hostile takeovers threatened this burgeoning movement.

Hollywood Fringe - Directed by Megan Huber & Wyatt McDill, USA, 2020, Fiction Samantha and Travis have been trying to break into movies for years. When their dream project is finally green-lit, the producers want Travis for the male lead, but a younger actress for the female lead. What is Samantha to do but resurrect her “Alien Play” for the Fringe Festival?

Wet House - Directed by Benjamin May, USA. 2021, Documentary Benjamin May’s compassionate documentary pulls no punches nor casts any aspersions as he explores a residential facility for aging alcoholics, where they’re allowed to drink and ride out this last refuge in an unending storm of neglect, self-abuse and despair.

...and over 30 Minnesota Made Short Films, including:

Say His Name, Five Days for George Floyd - Directed by Cy Dodson, USA, 2021, Short Documentary The incomprehensible police killing of George Floyd on May 25th, 2020, sparked a global uprising. Director Cy Dodson captures an immersive observation of unrest in the days between the police killing of George Floyd and the charges filed against police officer Derek Chauvin.

Festival Passes are on sale now at mspfilm.org. All-Access Passes for MSP Film Society Members are $200. All-Access Passes for Non-Members are $250 and include a 1-year MSP Film Society core membership. Film Industry and Student Passes are available for $99.

MSPIFF40 is presented by the MSP Film Society, 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. Connect with us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Dandelion Day at Historic Ard Godfrey House set for May 16

32nd Annual Dandelion Day Celebration

at the historic Ard Godfrey House

Minneapolis’ Oldest Surviving Wood Frame House

Sunday, May 16, 2021  1:00 - 4:00 pm

Masks are Required

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The Woman's Club of Minneapolis invites you to the 32nd Annual Dandelion Day Celebration at the The Ard Godfrey House. Built in 1849, it is located at the corner of University and Central Avenues SE in Chute Square. Here are the details:

 Dandelion Day celebrates Harriet Godfrey’s introduction of dandelion seeds to the St. Anthony Falls area.

 Learn how to make dandelion necklaces, bracelets and crowns, just as Helen Godfrey did as a child.

 Take home a complimentary recipe booklet which includes recipes for dandelion coffee, tea, salad, etc.

 Free Godfrey buttons for the kids.

 Enjoy a guided tour of the charming Ard Godfrey House with docents dressed in 1850s period costume.

 Admission is FREE, donations are welcome, Reservations necessary.

 Reservations available at Eventbrite. For more info, call Kevin at 612-813-5324. 

 Restored by The Woman’s Club of Minneapolis, the House has been open to the public since 1979. Dandelion Day marks the beginning of the summer tour season at the Ard Godfrey House.  

 The Ard Godfrey House is partially wheelchair accessible on the main floor, but has the restrictions of a historic home. Please call Muriel (612-781-8791) two weeks in advance to make arrangement for guests with special needs.

 Private group tours may be arranged year-round for a fee by calling 612-781-8791.

Metered street parking available. Off-street parking in River Place Ramp, with entrance on 2nd Street SE, off East Hennepin Avenue, or at St. Anthony Falls Public Ramp, on 2nd Street SE off Central Avenue.

Please note: the Third Avenue Bridge will be closed when this event takes place.

Last Chance to Check out the Virtual Minneapolis International Festival!

The virtual International Festival will be coming to a close next week. Don't miss this opportunity to celebrate the many different cultures in the City of Minneapolis and surrounding communities with music, dance, art, food demos AND MORE. All activities accessed through the event website.  

This event has typically taken place the first Saturday in December at Central Park Gym. The event has grown in popularity with more than 2,000 people in attendance in 2019. 

Art
We have artists representing Latin American cultures, African cultures and Native American cultures as well. 

Music
Talented musicians and performers from Brazil and Thailand are on display. 

Food
The Sioux Chef will be offering demonstrations of local indigenous foods. 

Learning Opportunities
There are chances to learn about Ethiopian Culture, learn Origami or visit the beautiful country of Croatia are all available to you! 

For additional information, visit the website.

April 17 Nature's Way Artist Reception at Kolman & Pryor Gallery

Via a recent e-announcement from Kolman & Pryor Gallery:

Work by Kolman & Pryor Gallery Artists

Inspired by Nature

April 10 – June 19, 2021

Artist Reception: Saturday, April 17, 7:00–9:00pm

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Over the past year we've found solace in the outdoors and in the natural world. To celebrate the balm and calm of Nature and the sense of discovery and refreshment that it gives us, Kolman & Pryor Gallery announces its Spring exhibition, Nature’s Way. Curated by gallery co-founder, Patrick Pryor, with works by gallery artists, Betsy Ruth Byers, Kate Casanova, Jil Evans, Kelly Jean Ohl, Jodi Reeb, Julie Snidle, and Cameron Zebrun; and guest artist, Abby Mouw, the exhibition begins April 10 and runs through June 19, 2021. An artist reception will be held on April 17, from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. during Northrup King Nights (6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.), the Northrup King Building’s quarterly open studio evening. Nature’s Way is available now to view online  as well as in person in the gallery.

Becoming II by Betsy Ruth Byers

Nature is a theme and a passion shared by Pryor and gallery co-founder, Anita Sue Kolman. “Every few years we revisit this theme,” Pryor says, “as it brought Anita and I together. Through our shared passion for nature-inspired work, we selected the gallery artists we’ve worked with for the past 10 years. We’re thrilled to show fresh work by our artists through the lens of nature.”

Jil Evans’s new abstract works, Kolman says, “are infused with found light, whether the light has streamed in through her windows or she’s experienced light and shadow shifting while on a walk. The work is bright and light-infused.” In contrast, Kelly Jean Ohl’s sculptures, made with such natural elements as clay, water, and fire, “resemble something you might pick up on a beach, or in a forest like pinecones, seedpods, or sticks.” 

The small conceptual sculptures assembled by Kate Casanova “express our connection to nature and our physical bodies, with a combination of synthetic and biological materials,” Pryor explains. Teetering between the abstract and the representational, with shapes bulging and flowing with color, the work of Betsy Ruth Byers may be “rooted in the tradition of landscape painting,” he continues, “but addresses the materiality of paint to examine how our relationship with water and ice is changing.” 

Gold Beach by Julie Snidle

Other gallery artists in the exhibition include Cameron Zebrun, who infuses layers of carved wood with images of northern Minnesota woods and water; and Julie Snidle and Jodi Reeb who work with beeswax.

In addition to enjoying individual artworks, visitors to the exhibition “can look forward to experiencing the ways in which these works will connect with each other,” Pryor says. Adds Kolman, “The works are in dialogue with each other, not overtly, but through a shared sensibility grounded in the artists’ gratitude and appreciation for nature.” 

For a preview of the show, please contact Anita Sue Kolman at anita@kolmanpryorgallery.com or 612-385-4239 or Patrick Pryor at patrick@kolmanpryorgallery.com or 612-280-7812. 

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Nature’s Way begins Saturday, April 10, 2021, and closes Saturday, June 19, 2021.

Artist Reception: Saturday, April 17, 2021, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Kolman & Pryor Gallery is located in Studio 395, Northrup King Building at 1500 Jackson Street NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413. For more information, please call: 612-385-4239 or 612-280-7812 or email: anita@kolmanpryorgallery.com or patrick@kolmanpryorgallery.com or visit kolmanpryorgallery.com.

March 2021 by the Numbers from Cynthia Froid Group

Downtown real estate market update from Cynthia Froid Group:

The Loft Announces Wordplay 2021

The Loft Literary Center recently announced their 2021 edition of Wordplay, happening virtually, May 2 - 8. Thanks to generous sponsors, all Wordplay events are free of charge.

Wordplay 2021 Lineup

You can register for general admission tickets at any event page below. If you would like to purchase an enhanced ticket ($35) to Wordplay, which guarantees access to every event, plus facilitated post-event conversations by Zoom and signed bookplates from authors, you can do that via the registration link.

AxeBridge Wine Co. opens March 27 - Here's Everything You Need to Know!

Wow! There's a lot going on at Minneapolis' first urban winery - AxeBridge Wine Co., located at 411 Washington Avenue N in the North Loop. In this video, co-owner Aaron Schram provides background and what you can expect to experience, learn and enjoy.

Here's a link to Mill City Times' interview with Aaron and Ashley Schram from December 2020.

Third Avenue Bridge Renaissance by Ric Rosow

Submitted by Mill District resident Ric Rosow

Lots of construction repair work being performed on the Third Avenue Bridge. The original photograph, before creation of this stylized version, appeared to me to resemble a Middle Ages fair on the side of the bridge. I decided to work with it to see what else I could turn this photograph into. I used a technique that increases the vibrance of colors along vertical and horizontal lines in the image. An additional surprise effect is how the reflection of the bridge is picked up in bright blue and gold in the water. My wife likes the photograph so much that we had it printed on aluminum with a matte finish at 30 x 20. We display it in our kitchen over the stove. You can view more of my work at www.traveltheglobephotography.com.

Northern Lights.mn Announces Northern Spark 2021: Alchemy

Via a March 22 e-announcment from Northern Lights.mn:

Design by Matthew Rezac

The annual festival returns in the summer of 2021 with two weeks of healing, transformative programming focused on the theme Alchemy .

Northern Lights.mn announces this year’s Northern Spark theme, projects and artists. Northern Spark will span two weeks (June 12-27) instead of one all-night festival or two late-nights.  The public will come together in creative, unconventional ways, engaging with artist projects online, through the mail, and in person in St. Paul. The Theme: Alchemy The theme for this year's Northern Spark was created by the 2021 Artist Council with Northern Lights.mn. Artists are the modern-day alchemists. We mix form, materials, and ideas to transform the collective emotional matter of this world into new shapes. If art were a universal elixir for healing, how do we hold space for grief and loss as well as concoct recipes to honor our hunger for joy? How do we transform isolation into intimacy? Orbits into intersections? What community wisdom might we mix together for recovery? In 2021 the festival supports artist projects that encourage our communities to safely connect and still inspire the kind of experimental, surprising experiences we love at Northern Spark. Bring your grief, your joy, yourself and be part of the elixir of magical transformation. New project forms for 2021 Mail Art has populist, anti-institutional and experimental roots, as artists looked to disrupt traditional gallery systems by sending handmade or printed postcards, letters, stickers, collages and even small objects through the postal service. Northern Spark loves to support artists who tap into systems such as the mail service to connect people, places and ideas in unconventional ways. For residents of St. Paul’s Eastside and Rondo/Frogtown neighborhoods. Mail Art Artists and their projects:  Seed Paper of Hope by Milkweed Collective (Kallie Melvin and Eva Adderley). Collaborative Blocking: a Community Map by Corinne Teed and Tia Simone-Gardner. Friends are Silver and Gold by L. Kling and The Support Local Hustle Collective. There is an opportunity for BIPOC, Eastsiders to be included in Friends are Silver and Gold. See the open call here. Virtual Connections is a platform that invites artists in many disciplines to create an art experience that connects people using online meeting technologies.  Virtual Connection Artists and their projects: Virtual Solstice Sound Garden by Dameun Strange. Vigil by Gabrielle Civil. The Wind Always Strikes the Highest Mountain by Yeej Moua. Title TBD by Lightning Rod. Braiding our Generations Together - A Virtual and Public Art Storytelling Project: In collaboration with Indigenous Roots, American Indian Family Center, Elder’s Lodge and Metro State University, led by Reyna Day and Ruti Mejia of International Indigenous Youth Council - Twin Cities.   More details about the project and artists will be announced soon.

Northern Spark Background Northern Spark is a late-night, participatory arts festival that lights up the Twin Cities in early summer. In 2021, the festival takes new forms: in the mail, online, and in person in St. Paul, MN during a two week span of time.  In past years during Northern Spark, tens of thousands of people gathered throughout the city on one night to explore giant video projections, play in temporary installations in the streets, and enjoy experimental performances in green spaces. From dusk to dawn the city surprised you: friendly crowds, glowing groups of cyclists, an unexpected path through the urban landscape, the magic of sunrise after a night of amazing art and experiences. In 2018 we introduced a two-night model, so people could experience the artful magic of Northern Spark for two nights until 2 am. As our city still grapples with the effects of COVID-19, in 2021 festival still support artist projects that encourage our communities to safely connect and still inspire the kind of experimental, surprising experiences we love at Northern Spark. Northern Spark is produced by Northern Lights.mn, a Twin Cities non-profit arts organization whose work ranges from large-scale public art platforms like Northern Spark to Art(ists) On the Verge, a year­long mentorship program for 5 emerging artists working with digital culture. We support artists in the creation and presentation of art in the public sphere, such as at St. Paul's Union Depot (Amateur Intelligence Radio), "choir karaoke" at the Minnesota State Fair (Giant Sing Along) and Illuminate South Loop, a mini outdoor festival of nine interactive projects in Bloomington, MN’s South Loop in the days leading up to the 2018 Super Bowl. Through projects such as Aquanesia, a location-­based environmental mystery game, and large scale festivals themed around social issues, our work helps audiences explore expanded possibilities for civic engagement through art.

The Great Northern Announces a Special Release, T R A C K I N G: A Polyrhythm of Winter

Via a March 20 e-annoucement from The Great Northern:

Special Release
T R A C K I N G: A Polyrhythm of Winter

As the winter season thaws and Earth enters the vernal equinox, we are thrilled to announce the release of T R A C K I N G—a collective, sonic remembrance of time and place by architecture/art duo Dream the Combine, artist Isaac Gale, and 264 others. 

The project was launched during The Great Northern 2021 as a series of movement prompts and multimedia responses exchanged via text message that explored the ways in which we are all bodies of water in relation to one another. Today’s release is the final output of the work, featuring a combination of participant submissions pieced together and reworked into one audio track.

Listen to T R A C K I N G in a special episode of The Great Northern Podcast following a brief conversation between Jennifer Newsom and Tom Carruthers (Dream the Combine) and Isaac Gale on how they produced this unique polyrhythm of winter.

10th Ave Bridge and Watermain Project

This project will rehabilitate the historic 10th Ave SE bridge over the Mississippi River and W River Pkwy. A new water main will be installed under the river as part of the project.

Latest Project News

Construction Update Meeting - Friday, March 19, 2021 at 10:30 am

Project staff will hold a virtual construction update meeting next Friday using GoTo Meeting. Members of the public are invited to join the online meeting and hear updates on construction progress and speak with project staff.

Please use this link to join the 10th Ave Bridge Online Construction Update Meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone: https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/784924461

You can also dial in using your phone: 1 (224) 501-3412, Access Code: 784-924-461 

The bridge was closed on March 30th, 2020 and the contractor has been actively working on repairs. For more details on the repairs, schedule and bridge deck changes, please see the latest Construction Update or go to the project page 10thavebridge.com.

What's Coming Up

The 10th Ave Bridge will remain closed to all traffic including, vehicles, bikes, and pedestrians until fall 2021.

West River Parkway (roadway only) will be closed to motor vehicles through April 2021. The adjacent trail will remain open for bicyclists and pedestrians.

Work requires the use of heavy equipment that will increase noise, vibration, and dust in work areas.

Access to adjacent apartments and businesses will remain open during the construction activity.

For more information on this project contact:

Bridge Contact: Meseret Wolana, meseret.wolana@minneapolismn.gov or 612-673-3527

Water Main Contact: Shahin Rezania, shahin.rezania@minneapolismn.gov

Project website: 10thavebridge.com

March 12 Ward 7 Updates from Council Member Lisa Goodman

Emergency Rental Assistance Through Hennepin County

Apply now for emergency rent assistance from Hennepin County. Households with unpaid rent and low incomes may qualify for help paying for rent and utility bills.

The deadline to apply is Friday, March 19 at noon.

Apply for help paying rent and utilities at www.hennepin.us/rent-help

This is an initial short-term program to get urgent help to households with high need. More help will be offered to even more households through a statewide COVID-19 Emergency Rent Assistance program opening later this month.

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Emergency Assistance Programs from the State and County

ApplyMN is a simple, secure online application that connects you with Minnesota and Hennepin County services to help meet your and your family's basic needs. You can use ApplyMN to apply for:

• Cash assistance.
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
• Child care assistance.
• Emergency assistance for situations such as eviction or loss from a fire. Contact the county office where you live for more information. In Hennepin County, that’s 612-596-1300.

Find more information on the Minnesota Department of Human Services website.

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Free and Affordable Food

There are many places to get local, affordable or free emergency food in Minneapolis this winter.

Emergency food

Find a map and hours of food shelves and food distribution pop-ups for emergency food in Minneapolis.

Free food boxes for all youths

All families are invited to pick up free meal boxes for their children. Food boxes contain a week’s worth of breakfasts and lunches that meet Minneapolis Public Schools’ high standards for nutrition and quality ingredients. In every box, children will find school favorites, whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables. Milk is offered on the side.

• Youths do not need to be enrolled in Minneapolis Public Schools.
• Youths, parents or siblings can pick up one box per child, per week.
• Pick up at any of the 15 school sites. No registration is required.

• All sites are open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Learn more and find a food box location.

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Hennepin Ave South Project Seeks Your Input

This past week, planning staff held online open houses to share the draft concept designs for the reconstruction of Hennepin Avenue South between Douglas Avenue and West Lake Street.

Those plans are now available to view on the project web page. This site also offers you the opportunity to share your thoughts on the Option 1 and Option 2 design layouts. Comments and input will be accepted through Friday, April 16, 2021.

http://www2.minneapolismn.gov/cip/futureprojects/HennepinSouth

The City plans to reconstruct this section of Hennepin Avenue starting in 2024. The reconstruction project provides an opportunity to redesign Hennepin Avenue to meet the needs of current and future users of the street.

Project goals include improving the sidewalk and intersections for all users, evaluating bicycle network connectivity, providing space for enhanced transit stops for future METRO E Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service, replacing aging infrastructure and maintaining and enhancing traffic flow for transit and motor vehicles.

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Resources to Stay Up to Date on the Chauvin Trial

• City of Minneapolis has a special section on our web page “Trial Support and Safety”
  • www.minneapolismn.gov
    • Get trial updates
    • See current street closures
    • Report suspicious activity
    • Sign up for news, updates and alerts
• City of Minneapolis News Page
  • https://news.minneapolismn.gov/
• Operation Safety Net has launched its own web page
  • https://safetynet.mn.gov/Pages/default.aspx
• Watch the trial
• https://www.courttv.com

• Additional Resources/avenues to be informed/connected to information
  • Follow “City of Minneapolis” on Facebook and Twitter
    • https://www.facebook.com/cityofminneapolis
    • https://twitter.com/CityMinneapolis
  • Follow “Operation Safety Net” on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
    • https://www.facebook.com/MNOperationSafetyNet
    • https://twitter.com/MinnesotaOSN
    • https://www.instagram.com/mnoperationsafetynet/

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Police Recruitment Opens; City Prioritizes Minneapolis Residency and Social Service Experience

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, Police Chief Medaria Arradondo and Chief Human Resources Officer Patience Ferguson announced new recruitment priorities for incoming Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) recruits. Throughout every level of the hiring process, the City is assigning greater weight to applicants who have experience in social service and live in Minneapolis.

Amid a significant opportunity to recruit new officers into the department, placing a higher value on residency and social service experience will help ensure the MPD is better embedding Minneapolis’ values throughout its recruitment and hiring practices.

The changes also include assigning greater weight to volunteer experience, educational and on-the-job experience in social service, mental health work, and substance use disorder counseling. The department will also emphasize degrees in criminal justice, social work, social sciences (psychology, sociology, criminology), counseling and other related fields. These new recruitment priorities will begin with summer class recruitment.

Find the job postings and more information on the City website.

Read more.

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How to Become a Firefighter

The City of Minneapolis is recruiting firefighters. The firefighter cadet application window is April 19-30. Come to an information session to learn more.

Find more information about becoming a City of Minneapolis firefighter on the City website. Explore job qualifications, steps for getting hired, training and tests. You can even take a video tour of a fire station.

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COVID-19 Situation Update as of March 10, 2021

Situational updates: Minneapolis

• As of March 10, there are 33,266 cases in Minneapolis and 394 deaths. The total number of cases and hospitalizations increased by less than 1% over the previous week. ICU admissions increased by slightly more than 1% over last week. Minneapolis-specific data are available at www.minneapolismn.gov/coronavirus/dashboard.
• Over the past week, there have been about 44 new cases per day on average. The seven-day rolling average case rate for Minneapolis is just under 10 cases per 100,000. These rates have decreased significantly since the beginning of the year and are now plateauing.
• This month marks two milestones in the pandemic – one year has passed since the first COVID case in Minneapolis (March 11, 2020) and the first COVID death in Minneapolis (March 27, 2020). We are exploring ways to acknowledge COVID's impact on our community including supporting a Mayoral proclamation, special lighting of the 35W bridge, and recognition of community-nominated COVID heroes.
• Mayor Frey’s Emergency Regulation 2020-17, which banned seating at bar counters in Minneapolis businesses, was lifted on February 18. Current rules for Minneapolis businesses are available on the City’s Guidance for Restaurants, Bars and Breweries and Distilleries web page.
• Mayor Frey’s Emergency Regulation No. 12 regarding masks remains in effect. The regulation requires people to wear face masks in all indoor public places.

Situational updates: Minnesota

• As of March 10, there are 493,013 cases in Minnesota out of over 7.6 million tests completed. There have been 6,705 deaths from COVID-19 in Minnesota. There are 102,270 cases and 1,621 deaths in Hennepin County.
• The State uses a color-coded map to track a seven-day rolling average of new cases. As of March 2, Minnesota is reporting 13.3 cases per 100,000.
• The State continues to work with the CDC to conduct surveillance of newly identified strains of COVID-19 in Minnesota. To date, 78 cases of the B.1.1.7 variant (first found in the U.K.) and two cases of the P.1 variant (which first emerged in Brazil) have been detected in Minnesota.
• The statewide mask mandate remains in effect. People are required to wear masks in all indoor public places and some outdoor venues where physical distancing is difficult.
• Governor Walz’s Executive Order 21-01, and subsequent modifications in Executive Order 21-07, regulating COVID operations at bars, restaurants, gyms, and other businesses, remain in effect.
• With the pace of vaccinations accelerating, the Governor recently expanded vaccine eligibility for new priority groups. These include people with certain high-risk health conditions, workers at food processing plants and other essential workers, and adults over age 50 who live in multigenerational households. Sign up at the State’s Vaccine Connector website to receive updates when you are eligible for vaccination.

Health Department Incident Command updates

• The Health Department is offering more than a dozen testing and vaccination clinics every week. We are seeking volunteers (City employees only) to help at these community events. If you are interested in volunteering, please complete this brief survey. Staff who volunteer will receive training and personal protective equipment, including COVID vaccination for those volunteering at multiple events.

Case investigation/Contact tracing

• We continue to conduct contact tracing and case investigation activities. Of the cases in Minneapolis, 66% have been interviewed and 2.5% have refused. Thirty-two percent of cases have been lost to follow-up and less than 1% of new Minneapolis cases still need to be interviewed. We are conducting about 20% of interviews in languages other than English.
• Approximately 8% of interviewed cases have completed their interview online. Fourteen percent of those interviews required additional follow-up by a Minneapolis staff to ensure appropriate contact tracing was completed.
• We have 41 active case investigators, including two non-MHD enterprise staff and 17 AmeriCorps staff. Case investigators are interviewing an average of 30 cases per shift and making an average of 80 calls per shift, plus conducting workplace and other contact follow-up.
• We continue to conduct case investigations and contact tracing for Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) and are providing advice to school leaders as cases and exposures occur. We also assist other schools in Minneapolis with contact tracing and related questions as needed.

COVID-19 vaccination planning and distribution

• To date, we have given out over 7,900 doses through 85 vaccine events. Last week we hosted 13 clinics and provided 2,125 vaccinations to educators, school staff, assisted living residents, Blue and White taxi drivers, and MPD. We have not yet received our first shipment of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, but hope to access doses shortly.
• This week, we are hosting 17 clinics and have begun to provide vaccinations to Minneapolis Public Housing Authority (MPHA) residents living in 39 MPHA high-rise buildings. Buildings with large concentrations of senior residents are being prioritized. First doses were administered on March 8 at Horn Towers. Interpretation services are provided and the Minneapolis Fire Department is providing on-site post-vaccine observation support.
• The CDC has issued new guidance for fully vaccinated (FV) people. People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving their second dose of the Pfizeror Moderna vaccines, or two weeks after receiving their Johnson & Johnson single-dose vaccine.

O FV people can be indoors with other FV individuals without wearing a mask or physically distancing.

O FV people can gather indoors with unvaccinated people from one other household without masks (for example, visiting with relatives who all live together), unless any of those people or anyone they live with has an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

O In addition, FV people don’t need to quarantine or get tested if exposed to the virus as long as they don’t have symptoms. This does not apply to those living in congregate group settings.

COVID-19 vaccination education

• We have given 19 virtual presentations to community organizations and neighborhood groups regarding COVID-19 vaccination, testing, and virus mitigation. An additional thirteen presentations are scheduled with MPHA high rise resident councils and neighborhood groups this week and beyond. To request a presentation, fill out a request form on the Minneapolis Vaccine webpage—see link below (forms are available in English, Spanish, Somali, and Hmong).
• We invite you to use the new Minneapolis COVID Vaccine webpage. This site provides the public with information about vaccine safety, a timeline for local vaccine distribution, and answers to frequently asked questions. Visitors can use the Google Translate function located on the left side of the page to view the information in multiple languages. It is also linked to information from the CDC, and the State’s Vaccine Connector tool. Please help us promote this resource widely.
• The State’s COVID-19 Vaccine Connector helps Minnesotans find out when, where, and how to get their COVID-19 vaccine. Those unable to sign up online can call 833-431-2053 for assistance signing up over the phone. Interpretation is available by phone in all languages.
• We are hosting vaccine briefings for City Enterprise leaders every other Monday from 2:00 –3:00p.m. The next briefing is scheduled for Monday, March 22. Past recordings can be found on the COVID Vaccination Channel.

COVID-19 testing

We continue to offer regular community testing events, which are free and open to everyone. In the past week, we provided 40 COVID-19 saliva tests at a community event and School Based Clinic staff were able to continue testing athletes and coaches at Roosevelt High School. Last week we provided MPS with 1,000 Zoom saliva tests to for MPS students, their families and staff.

Local and state testing rates have decreased significantly. Despite the vaccine roll-out, it is still important to get tested to help stop the spread of the virus. In particular, we encourage young people and their families to get tested every two weeks from now until the end of the school year.

Please help us promote the following Minneapolis Health Department free saliva testing events (no preregistration required):

• Columbia Manor, 3300 Central Ave. N.E., March 11, 18, and 25 (4 p.m. to 7 p.m.).
• Minneapolis Public Schools Davis Center, 1250 West Broadway, March 13 and 20 (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.). Conducted with Power of People Leadership Institute.
• Phyllis Wheatley Community Center, 1301 10th Ave N, March 27 (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.).

The State also offers free testing at the following locations (visit the State’s COVID-19 testing web page to register):

• Minneapolis Convention Center - 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends.
• Brooklyn Park Starlight Center – 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends.
• Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport - 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week.
• We are offering free saliva testing kits and on-site testing for schools, community partners, organizations, and businesses. To date, we have received 131 requests and provided more than 10,500 test kits. Please use this form to submit a request for testing kits or onsite testing.
• Any person in Minnesota can order a free at-home saliva test kit from the State’s COVID-19 Test at Home program. The test will be delivered to your home with rush shipping.
• The City's testing web page offers information on testing sites and guidance about what to do while you wait for COVID-19 test results. Staying away from others while you wait for your results is extremely important, especially if you have any symptoms.

Businesses

• Health inspectors continue to follow up on all COVID-19 complaints at licensed businesses, including completing night inspections at three bars/restaurants over the weekend. Inspectors are also investigating positive COVID clusters at businesses as they occur, however no new outbreaks were reported during this past week.
• The majority of our inspectors have returned to the field to perform routine health inspections in addition to reviewing COVID preparedness plans and protocols. However, some inspectors will continue to help out with contact tracing and other emergency response activities.
• Inspectors continue to distribute COVID testing kits to businesses upon request and are promoting free community testing events to employers and their staff.

Responding to community needs

• This past week, we delivered 5,000 surgical masks to NCR staff to re-distribute to community groups around the Derek Chauvin trial and 500 N-95 masks to Minneapolis Animal Care and Control. We also continued to fulfill requests for saliva testing kits from schools, businesses, and other groups.
• We are able to provide personal protective equipment, including masks, hand sanitizer, and gloves, to community groups (including those organizing events related to the Chauvin trial), businesses, and individuals. Please submit requests using the COVID-19 Requests and Inquiries form on the City’s website.
• We are receiving close to100 emails per day from community members to our COVID19@minneapolismn.gov inbox. Questions are mostly related to vaccine distribution and scheduling, but all COVID-related questions are welcome.

The City specific COVID email address is: COVID19@minneapolismn.gov.

Welcome Back The Herons - March 27

Saturday, March 27

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Marshall Terrace Park, 2740 Marshall St NE

(map)

Great blue herons start returning to their rookery on the Mississippi River toward the end of March. The Mississippi Park Connection invites you to join Park Ranger Sharon at Marshall Terrace Park in Minneapolis to watch them rebuild nests and do a little flirting.

More information and registration

Open Eye Theatre presents DIARY OF A MADMAN

Via a March 9 e-announcement from Open Eye Theatre:

Master Storyteller and Open Eye favorite Kevin Kling collaborates with celebrated composer/musician Victor Zupanc to dramatize Nikolai Gogol’s DIARY OF A MADMAN in a radio/audio play. Audiences can listen for free during March as part of the OPEN EYE @ HOME series. Visit openeyetheatre.org for more info and to register. All donations will support the artists.

“I’m drawn to Gogol's short stories,” Kling says. “The frustrations, loves and desires of office clerks and service workers are as profound as those of any king, queen or mythic hero. DIARY OF A MADMAN is bizarre, heartbreaking and very funny. I also find that stories such as these are occurring now, to any number of individuals searching for connection and creating new and sometimes disturbing realities.

“The soundscape and music are composed by my dear friend, the superbly talented Victor Zupanc. He and I have collaborated on many children’s plays, orchestral and theatrical productions. Victor's ability to compose for the spoken word is a rare gift and I'm excited for listeners to experience this masterful work.”

A long-time performer at Open Eye, Kevin Kling is known for his hilarious recounts of true events on NPR's All Things Considered. Kling's autobiographical tales are as enchanting as they are true to life: hopping freight trains, getting hit by lightning, performing his banned play in Czechoslovakia, growing up in Minnesota, and eating things before knowing what they are. He has performed regularly at Open Eye, including GREATEST HITS & JUICY BITS, CHICKEN SHIP, TENDER MERCIES, FOUR DIRECTIONS, and many more. Read more about Kevin at kevinkling.com.

Victor Zupanc has been one of the most prolific theater artists in America involved in nearly 300 theatrical productions as composer, musical director, sound designer and performer. He has worked at some of the most respected theaters in America, including the Guthrie Theatre, Mixed Blood, Theatre de la Jeune Lune, Children’s Theatre Company, and Open Eye Theatre in Minneapolis. Read more at victorzupanc.com.

Since spring of 2020, Open Eye has offered free viewing of popular productions for audiences to watch at home through the OPEN EYE @ HOME series, with donations supporting the artists who created the productions. In the last year, more than 5000 audience members have viewed performances that spark our imaginations, bring a smile to our faces, and remind us that we’re all in this together. 

About Open Eye Theatre

Open Eye Theatre is nationally recognized as a vibrant home for artists who create imaginative and profound experiences that open eyes, hearts, and minds through the power of amazing stories and unforgettable performances. Experience a thrilling array of original theatre, inventive puppetry, live music, and world-class storytelling from local, national, and international artists year-round in our cozy 90-seat theater in South Minneapolis, or find us in neighborhoods throughout the Twin Cities with our summer Driveway Tour! More information is available at openeyetheatre.org.

The Mill City Times Interview: Erin Horne McKinney, CEO, WomenVenture

Article by Becky Fillinger 

Erin Horne McKinneyMeet the new CEO of WomenVenture – Erin Horne McKinney.  She is passionate about social impact, equitable entrepreneurship, and inclusive innovation - and brings all of that to bear in her leadership at WomenVenture. We talked to Erin about the history of WomenVenture, success stories and how we all may participate in their important work.   

Q:  Congratulations on your appointment as CEO of WomenVenture! Please tell us the history of WomenVenture.   

A:  WomenVenture is the result of the 1989 merger of CHART and Women’s Economic Development Corporation (WEDCO), the former founded in 1977 to provide training for women re-entering the job market or negotiating career transitions, and the latter founded in 1981 to help women develop and expand entrepreneurial ventures. In 2012, WomenVenture streamlined its strategic vision to focus solely on supporting women entrepreneurs as they start and expand businesses.

WomenVenture has been empowering women in the Twin Cities metro area to achieve economic success through small business ownership for 44 years, providing more than 106,000 women with the tools and resources they need to run a profitable business. Although all are welcome in our programs, we focus on BIPOC women and women from low-income households.

WomenVenture is one of only three Women’s Business Centers in Minnesota, as designated by the US Small Business Administration (SBA). We are part of a network of more than 100 centers across the country designed to level the playing field for women entrepreneurs who face unique obstacles in the world of business. We ensure that critical resources are available to all women entrepreneurs, and specifically those who are economically or socially disadvantaged.

The secret to an entrepreneurial woman’s success lies in WomenVenture’s four pillars: training, 1:1 business advice, access to loan capital and a community of support. 

WomenVenture’s comprehensive training programs serve small business owners of all types, from those running part-time side hustles to robustly profitable owners positioned for exponential growth. 

We have several business consultants on staff to help clients overcome hurdles, and have a network of more than 200 committed, skilled professionals who volunteer to provide business advice and mentorship tailored to women business owners.

WomenVenture is a microlender, with $2,000 to $50,000 in loan capital available for small business owners who want to start or grow a business. Throughout the life of the loan, clients can access WomenVenture’s mentorship program and business advice services free of charge.

Q:  Why do you believe that supporting women and their small businesses is important?  

A:  Women-owned businesses are the fuel that fires the US economy. We are increasingly reliant on the work and devotion of these women who are providing the jobs and services that their local communities need, yet female founders still face unique challenges. Women own 40% of small businesses in the US today but are only able to access 4% of small business loans through banks, 4% of government contracts, and 7% of venture capital. Last year, 1,821 women-owned businesses were opened every day, and 64% of those were started by women of color.  Women, particularly women of color, don’t have the same support networks or assets that their male counterparts have.

It is vitally important to us that we help women succeed as business owners. We exist to provide the education, support and access to funding business-owners need to run profitable businesses that pay living wages.

Q:  Do you have partners in your important work?

A:  We have a variety of wonderful partners. We partner with libraries and community centers to deliver training, we partner with MN Deptartment of Employment & Economic Development and MnDOT, as well as the City of Minneapolis, counties, foundations, corporations, banking partners and other women’s organizations. Each one contributes to our mission, whether they are hosting training sessions, donating resources or contracting with us for services. We also work with the other economic development organizations in the Twin Cities, partnering on loans for small businesses and referring clients to each other to ensure the business owner is served by the organization that is the best cultural fit for them.

Q:  Has the SBA noticed what you're doing? 

WomenVenture is fortunate to have a strong relationship with the SBA district office. We represent SBA as a primary resource partner.

As a designated Women’s Business Center, we are funded in part by the SBA. We are also an SBA microlender, which means we can lend up to $50,000 to new and existing businesses within the 16-county Twin Cities Metro Area.

The SBA relies on us to provide help and guidance to SBA loan clients, so we partner with them regularly and speak to our local Minneapolis office often! Last year, we were fortunate enough to win SBA’s Women’s Business Center of Excellence for the Midwest Region award.

Q:  Could you please tell us a few success stories?

A:  I’m pleased to tell success stories.

Hour Kids Child Care

Kristinah DvorakBetween motherhood and being a full-time student at a university, Kristinah Dvorak knew there was a need for flexible, reliable childcare in the Twin Cities. Her solution was a center that took children in on a walk-in basis with availability by the hour, and with that Hour Kids Walk-In Childcare was born. When she began voicing her doubts, WomenVenture client and past award winner Angel Rogers gave her the boost of confidence she needed and referred her to WomenVenture.

At WomenVenture, Kristinah took the Guided Business Plan course and later received a loan from WomenVenture in December 2017, which allowed her to purchase the Hour Kids location in Eagan. Since then, Hour Kids has found immense success and popularity with parents in the Twin Cities metro. Kristinah has trademarked the phrase ‘walk-in childcare’ and is planning to provide after-school programming in the future.

Lisa Lounsbury (right)

Art Lab Rx

Certified marriage and family therapist Lisa Lounsbury believes art is for everyone. As a professional artist and group art facilitator, she understands the power art holds. Combine art with therapy, and transformation can happen – but only if clients can get to their art therapy appointments. That’s where Art Lab Rx and Lounsbury’s art therapy bus come in.

Lounsbury combined her artistic skills and experience as a certified therapist to create an art therapy practice, Art Lab Rx. In November 2018, with the help of a business loan from WomenVenture and Cherokee Bank, art bus Maggie, a mobile art studio housed in a specially designed coach bus, was funded. Shortly thereafter, Maggie’s design was completed, and the art bus was open for business. “One of the barriers for clients was getting to the appointment. Many people had trouble with transportation. Now we can bring art therapy to where our clients need it,” says Lounsbury.

Scrapbusters

Devi JamesDevi James, owner of Scrapbusters and daughter of an entrepreneur in her home country of Guyana, always knew she would be a business-owner eventually.

After she finished college and worked in accounting for a few years, she decided it was time to follow her dream. That’s when she bought Scrapbusters, a demo and junk removal company. Devi was up for the challenges of business ownership: learning new skills, becoming a project manager, and successfully making in-roads into a male-dominated world.

With the help of WomenVenture’s classes and a small business loan, Devi’s business expanded from a staff of 2 to 20, and she recently moved into a new, larger location.

We have so many stories of client successes on our website, where you can watch their videos: https://www.womenventure.org/success-stories.html.

Q:  Does your organization have a need for volunteers? If so, how may we participate?

Yes! In order to run our programs each year, we rely on a strong group of 200 professionals who volunteer their time and expertise to help emerging and existing entrepreneurs be successful. There are three main volunteer opportunities at WomenVenture:

• Trainer - Teach a WomenVenture course or session. Curriculum provided.

• Mentor - Provide advice on business area of expertise in 1:1 consultation meetings to WomenVenture loan clients and course participants. 

• Expert Advisor - Support clients through the Small Business Essentials course. Help hold clients accountable to their goals of successfully completing the course and creating a business plan, help clients problem solve.

If you are interested in volunteering, check out our website. Join a Volunteer Information Session to find out more. If you choose to volunteer with us, we will provide volunteer training and orientation.

Q:  How may we follow your news?  

A:  You can sign up for our newsletter on our website and choose “Join our Mailing List” at the bottom of the home page. And you can follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter for regular updates.

Great River Coalition Announces 2021 Earth Day Events

Saturday, April 17-24, 2021

 Virtual 5K Bee Run/Walk/Treadmill/Bike on your own schedule – Bee Healthy!

Fun, family friendly event hosted by:

• Great River Coalition

• Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board

• The National Park Service

• St. Catherine University

• Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet

• Mill City Running/Saint City Running

Register online 

Participants receive a tech t-shirt. Donation is $25. A portion of the proceeds go to pollinator plantings.

This link is for virtual options to Run/Walk/Bike: https://www.minneapolisparks.org/parks_destinations/trails_pggarkways/pedestrian_and_bike_trail_distancesBring family and friends to Virtual 5K Bee Fun Run/Walk/Treadmill/Bike. Bee creative with pollinator costumes and post pics to our Facebook or Instagram sites!

Pick up race swag at Mill City Running, 411 E Hennepin Avenue on Friday, April 17–24. (20% off any purchase at Mill City Running that week for all registrants.)

For more information, visit the Great River Coalition Facebook page, website, or contact diane@greatrivercoalition.com. A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Facebook Event Pages:

2021 5K Bee Run - Earth Day Fun Run/Walk & River Cleanup

Earth Day Virtual Bee Run/Walk 2021

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“Our bees (all of them, honey and wild bees), need good clean food (flowers)! Lots of flowers that grow over the growing season will help bees have good nutrition, immunity, and health.”

Dr. Marla Spivak, Entomologist, Distinguished McKnight University Professor Apiculture/Social Insects.

MSP Film Society Announces 12th Annual Cuban Film Festival, March 24 - April 1

The Minnesota Cuba Committee, in partnership with MSP Film Society and the Cuban Film Institute (ICAIC), presents the Minnesota Cuban Film Festival, March 24 - April 1, 2021.

The full 2021 lineup of films is available here.

Website Launched for Updates and Related Info re: Chauvin Trial

Via a March 5 e-announcement from the City of Minneapolis:

A new web resource launched today offers information and updates around the upcoming trial of former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin, who is charged with murder in the death of George Floyd.

City information and links to partners in the new web section will help residents, businesses and others:

• Find current street closures.
• Sign up for trial updates from MN District Court.
• Report suspicious activity.
• Look up mental health and well-being resources for support during traumatic times.

You can also explore ways to prepare and stay informed, learn about security preparations and updates during the trial, follow impacts to traffic and transportation, and find public data on the officers involved.

The web pages will be updated as new information becomes available and as situations change.

For questions, contact:

Renee Allen, Crime Prevention Specialist
Minneapolis Police Department, First Precinct
renee.allen@minneapolismn.gov
(612) 673-5163

March 5 Ward 7 Updates from Council Member Lisa Goodman

Good afternoon Ward 7 residents and friends.  The trial of Derek Chauvin will begin on Monday and I know that this topic and the uncertainty of the outcome is weighing heavily on our community.  The death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis Police officers was a tragic event that occurred in our city, and the manner of his death and the unrest that followed ignited trauma as well as an important discussion on race and the police throughout the entire City of Minneapolis and our nation. 

At this time, city leadership is tasked with striking a critical and important balance of protecting everyone’s constitutional right to free speech and right to assemble with our equally important responsibility of protecting our people and infrastructure from violence and potential destruction.

Our police chief and other public safety departments and staff have been working with local, state and federal entities for the past eight months to create what is being called Operation Safety Net.  This operation has focused on safety, security, and community outreach. Our mutual aid partners have all received special training in preparation with a focus on de-escalation.

Multiple city departments have been involved in the planning and trail preparation including the Office of Violence Prevention, neighborhood and community relations, and our communications team. These groups were involved in the planning to ensure that information is disseminated when needed and those who have assembled peacefully to protest are safe and have the full ability to express their right to free speech.  Our partners in neighborhoods, the clergy, nonprofits and others have been focused on keeping our community safe and connected.

I want you all to know that I remain optimistic that we are prepared to face whatever lies ahead. We are well positioned for more peaceful outcomes as we go through this trial that will be viewed across the nation and throughout the world.  Many ask what they should be doing as this trial unfolds and my advice is to stay informed and aware but to also go on with your daily life and activities.  We need to maintain a sense of normalcy as this monumental period unfolds.  Jury selection begins on Monday, this process will take time and the actual trial isn’t scheduled to start until March 29.  The peak time will come once we enter the closing arguments which will happen mid to late April.

In closing, please know that I will continue to pass along information and resources as I receive them.  My hope is to help keep you tuned into what is happening and I’m always here to answer questions you might have on this topic or any other city related item.

Lisa

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City Leaders Provide Briefing on Preparations for Derek Chauvin Trial

Mayor Jacob Frey and other City leaders held another briefing March 4 to share updates on preparations for the upcoming trial of former MPD officer Derek Chauvin. Jury selection for the Chauvin trial is scheduled to begin Monday, March 8.

Briefing highlights

• The Minneapolis Police Department, along with its Operation Safety Net Partners, are committed to honoring First Amendment rights as demonstrations are scheduled to begin this weekend. MPD has held de-escalation training in preparation for the upcoming trials.
• The City’s Office of Violence Prevention (OVP) plans to fund a network of community-based groups that can be activated during periods of heightened tension during the remainder of 2021, including during the trials of the former officers involved in the killing of George Floyd.
• How to contact the City:
  • Call 311 for non-emergency City information.
  • Call 911 for life safety emergencies requiring police, fire or emergency medical services.
  • Call the MPD Tips Line at 612-692-TIPS (8477) to report suspicious activity not requiring an immediate response.
  • Businesses and property owners can call 612-673-2499 with questions about advanced preparation before the trial, business operations during the trial and general information about regulations and resources.

Reminders

• Sixth Street South (the street and both sidewalks) is closed between Third and Fourth avenues next to the Hennepin County Government Center. Currently, other streets will remain open. The City will provide updates when other closures are anticipated.
• The City of Minneapolis is committed to working with the community to reconnect 38th and Chicago after the conclusion of the Chauvin trial. The City has sent out surveys to residents and businesses near the intersection to determine a preferred option to preserve the memorial and art while ensuring delivery of critical services in the area. Learn more.
• Follow the City of Minneapolis on Facebook and Twitter and sign up for the City Update newsletter to stay up-to-date on the latest news and information. Stay tuned to news from Operation Safety Net on Facebook and Twitter.

The City plans to hold regular briefings throughout the trial.

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Minneapolis Downtown Council Provides Additional Resources Surrounding the Chauvin Trial

We encourage you and your organization to follow the official Operation Safety Net social media channels for additional timely and accurate information. Here are the handles to follow:

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

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Sign Up for Updates from the Minnesota Judicial Branch on the State of MN vs. Chauvin Case

Everyone is invited to sign up for updates on the State of MN vs. Chauvin case from the Minnesota Judicial Branch webpage.

The webpage includes all public documents filed in the case and other information. This case was filed in Hennepin County District Court May 29, 2020.

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Hennepin Ave South Reconstruction Project Seeks Your Input

This past week, planning staff held online open houses to share the draft concept designs for the reconstruction of Hennepin Avenue South between Douglas Avenue and West Lake Street.

Those plans are now available to view on the project web page. This site also offers you the opportunity to share your thoughts on the Option 1 and Option 2 design layouts. Comments and input will be accepted through Friday, April 16, 2021.

http://www2.minneapolismn.gov/cip/futureprojects/HennepinSouth

The City plans to reconstruct this section of Hennepin Avenue starting in 2024. The reconstruction project provides an opportunity to redesign Hennepin Avenue to meet the needs of current and future users of the street.

Project goals include improving the sidewalk and intersections for all users, evaluating bicycle network connectivity, providing space for enhanced transit stops for future METRO E Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service, replacing aging infrastructure and maintaining and enhancing traffic flow for transit and motor vehicles.

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Minneapolis Property Owners Can Buy a $25 Tree this Spring

Minneapolis property owners will soon be able to order a 5- to 8-foot tree for $25 each to plant on their private property. This year, Minneapolis property owners in Green Zones, rental property owners and property owners who haven’t gotten a tree in the City Trees program in the last two years will get a chance to order a tree earlier.

The 2,000 trees in 24 varieties this year include large and medium shade trees, fruit trees, evergreens and smaller flowering trees. Comparable trees cost about $125 at a nursery.

Tiered purchasing windows

1. Green Zones property owners can order up to three trees starting at 8 a.m. Monday, March 8. Just fill out a separate order for each tree.
2. Rental property owners citywide can order one tree per property, maximum of 10 properties, starting at 8 a.m. Monday, March 8. Just fill out a separate order for each tree.
3. Minneapolis property owners who haven’t received a tree from the Minneapolis tree sale in the last two years, who aren’t in a Green Zone, can order one tree per address starting at 8 a.m. Monday, March 15.
4. All Minneapolis property owners can order one tree per address starting at 8 a.m. Monday, March 22.

Purchasing will close April 16 or when the trees run out, whichever is first.

• Low-cost trees are available first-come, first-served.
• People will need to pick up their tree May 15, 16 or 17 (subject to change). Location is to be determined and will be emailed to people who bought a tree. Volunteers onsite will help load each new tree and a complimentary bag of mulch into vehicles on request.

Order

People can find more information and order their tree through Tree Trust.

More about City Trees

In the past 16 years, the City Trees program has provided approximately 20,000 trees for planting on private property. Since 2006, the City of Minneapolis has funded the City Trees program, a low-cost way for folks to help the city’s tree canopy grow and enjoy all the benefits of trees.

Trees help filter pollutants out of the air and reduce the heat island effect in a city. They save energy by providing shade in the summer and protecting against wind in the winter. Trees reduce the amount of stormwater runoff into lakes and rivers. They even help reduce stress. Larger trees provide more benefits than smaller trees.

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Interested in Rooftop Solar for Your Home?

If you’re considering the benefits of going solar, make sure to look into these options. The City of Minneapolis has a 10% local solar goal as part of its climate action plan to reduce greenhouse gases, and we are at 6%.

Twin Cities Region Solar Co-op

Twin Cities Region Solar Co-op launched to help Minneapolis homeowners get rooftop solar. The solar co-op is neighbors joining together to get the best price and service from a solar installer, tap into the expertise at Solar United Neighbors and learn about solar incentives. The City of Minneapolis is partnering in this effort.

Membership is open through May 1. Learn more at www.solarunitedneighbors.org/twincities.

Xcel Energy’s Solar*Rewards

With Xcel Energy’s Solar*Rewards program, if you produce more energy than you need, the extra energy is added to the grid, and any excess energy will be credited to your bill.

Learn more on the Xcel Energy website.

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$15 Online Workshops: Creating Resilient Yards

Ready to spend more time in your yard? Do you want to improve it but don’t know where to start? Learn with experts to plan and create beautiful, functional spaces that also protect the local ecosystem whether you want a raingarden and native prairie, or a low-maintenance lawn that also helps pollinators.

Workshops

This spring, webinars feature experts in landscape design, pollinator habitat, soil health, native plants and yard maintenance. Presentations are followed by a Q&A, or discussions in small groups or one on one with a Blue Thumb landscape designer and UMN Extension Master Gardener volunteer – Hennepin County.

Scholarships are available on request. Space is limited. For more information and to register, go to bluethumb.org/events or call 651-699-2426.

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COVID-19 Situation Update as of March 3, 2021

Situational updates: Minneapolis

• As of March 3, there are 32,950 cases in Minneapolis and 389 deaths. The total number of cases and hospitalizations increased by less than 1% over the previous week. ICU admissions increased by slightly more than 1% over last week. Minneapolis-specific data are available at www.minneapolismn.gov/coronavirus/dashboard.
• Over the past week, there have been about 44 new cases per day on average. This rate has decreased significantly and is now on par with September 2020 levels.
• The seven-day rolling average case rate for Minneapolis is just over 10 cases per 100,000. This rate has now plateaued after decreasing for several weeks.
• Mayor Frey’s Emergency Regulation 2020-17, which banned seating at bar counters in Minneapolis businesses, was lifted on February 18. Current rules for Minneapolis businesses are available on the City’s Guidance for Restaurants, Bars and Breweries and Distilleries web page.
• Mayor Frey’s Emergency Regulation No. 12 regarding masks remains in effect. The regulation requires people to wear face masks in all indoor public places.

Situational updates: Minnesota

• As of March 3, there are 486,434 cases in Minnesota out of over 7.3 million tests completed. There have been 6,507 deaths from COVID-19 in Minnesota. There are 100,913 cases and 1,586 deaths in Hennepin County.
• The State uses a color-coded map to track a seven-day rolling average of new cases. As of February 22, Minnesota is reporting 13.7 cases per 100,000.
• The State continues to work with the CDC to conduct surveillance of newly identified strains of COVID-19 in Minnesota. To date, 78 cases of the B.1.1.7 variant (first found in the U.K.) and two cases of the P.1 variant (which first emerged in Brazil) have been detected in Minnesota.
• The statewide mask mandate remains in effect. People are required to wear masks in all indoor public places and some outdoor venues where physical distancing is difficult.
• Governor Walz’s Executive Order 21-01, and subsequent modifications in Executive Order 21-07, regulating COVID operations at bars, restaurants, gyms, and other businesses, remain in effect.

Health Department Incident Command updates

• The Health Department is offering more than a dozen testing and vaccination clinics every week. We are seeking volunteers (City employees only) to help at these community events. If you are interested in volunteering, please complete this brief survey. Staff who volunteer will receive training and personal protective equipment, including COVID vaccination for those volunteering at multiple events.

Case investigation/Contact tracing

• We continue to conduct contact tracing and case investigation activities. Of the cases in Minneapolis, 65% have been interviewed and 2.4% have refused. Thirty-two percent of cases have been lost to follow-up and less than 1% of new Minneapolis cases still need to be interviewed. We are conducting about 20% of interviews in languages other than English.
• Approximately 8% of interviewed cases have completed their interview online. Fourteen percent of those interviews required additional follow-up by a Minneapolis staff to ensure appropriate contact tracing was completed.
• We have 41 active case investigators, including two non-MHD enterprise staff and 17 AmeriCorps staff. Case investigators are interviewing an average of 30 cases per shift and making an average of 80 calls per shift, plus conducting workplace and other contact follow-up.
• We continue to conduct case investigations and contact tracing for Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) and are providing advice to school leaders as cases and exposures occur among staff and students. We also assist other schools in Minneapolis with contact tracing and questions as needed.

COVID-19 vaccination planning and distribution

• We are partnering with Hennepin Healthcare to provide vaccinations in Minneapolis. To date, we have given out over 6,000 doses through 73 vaccine events. Last week we hosted 14 clinics and provided 1,300 vaccinations to educators, school staff, assisted living residents, and Metro Transit drivers who are often at high risk.
• This week, we are hosting 13 clinics to provide 2,000 vaccinations to some of the same groups listed above, along with childcare workers, second doses for Blue and White Taxi drivers, and MPD. This week we will partner with the University of Minnesota to hold our first mass vaccination event at TCF Stadium for childcare workers and older adults working at the University.
• We are partnering with the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority (MPHA) to offer vaccinations for public housing residents living in 39 MPHA high rise buildings. Buildings with large concentrations of senior residents will be prioritized. First doses will be administered starting March 8 at Horn Towers. Interpretation services will be provided, and the Minneapolis Fire Department will provide on-site post-vaccine observation support.

COVID-19 vaccination education

• We invite you to use the new Minneapolis COVID Vaccine webpage. This site provides the public with information about vaccine safety, a timeline for local vaccine distribution, and answers to frequently asked questions. Visitors can use the Google Translate function located on the left side of the page to view the information in multiple languages. It is also linked to information from the CDC, and the State’s new Vaccine Connector tool. Please help us promote this resource widely.
• The State’s COVID-19 Vaccine Connector helps Minnesotans find out when, where, and how to get their COVID-19 vaccine. Minnesotans unable to sign up online can call 833-431-2053 for assistance signing up over the phone. Interpretation is available by phone in all languages.
• We are providing virtual presentations to community organizations, City boards and commissions, neighborhood organizations, and other groups interested in learning more aboutCOVID-19vaccination, testing, and virus mitigation. For example, over 16 presentations have been completed, scheduled, or requested by MPHA high rise resident councils. To request a presentation, fill out a request form on the new Vaccine webpage (forms are available in English, Spanish, Somali, and Hmong).
• We are hosting vaccine briefings for Enterprise Leaders every other Monday from 2:00–3:00 p.m. The next briefing is scheduled for Monday, March 8. Past recordings can be found on the COVID Vaccination Channel.

COVID-19testing

• We continue to offer regular community testing events, which are free and open to everyone. In the past week, we provided 96 COVID-19 saliva tests at two community events.
• In addition, our School Based Clinic staff have tested 28 athletes and coaches at Washburn and Henry High Schools. Roosevelt will begin to offer testing this week.
• To date, we have provided MPS with 1,850 Zoom saliva tests to distribute to families so that they can take the test at home.1,200 of these same tests have been provided for teachers.
• Six community testing events have been held at MPS Davis Center for all community members, including MPS students and families (emails went out to all district parents advertising these events). Additional events are scheduled for March—see below for dates and times.
• Local and state testing rates have decreased significantly. Despite the vaccine roll-out, it is still important to get tested to help stop the spread of the virus. In particular, we encourage young people and their families to get tested every two weeks from now until the end of the schoolyear.
• Please help us promote the following Minneapolis Health Department free saliva testing events:
• Columbia Manor, 3300 Central Ave. N.E., March 4, 11, 18, and 25(4p.m. to 7 p.m.). No pre-registration required.
• Minneapolis Public Schools Davis Center, 1250 West Broadway, March 13 and 20 (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.). No pre-registration required. Conducted with Power of People Leadership Institute.
• The State also offers free testing at the following locations:
• Minneapolis Convention Center-10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends. Visit the State’s COVID-19 testing web page to register.
• Brooklyn Park Starlight Center –11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends. Visit the State’s COVID-19 testing web page to register.
• Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport -7 a.m. to 7p.m. seven days a week. Visit the State’sCOVID-19 testing web page to register.
• We are offering free saliva testing kits and on-site testing for schools, community partners, organizations, and businesses. To date, we have received 115 requests and provided more than 10,500 test kits. 
• Any person in Minnesota can order a free at-home saliva test kit from the State’s COVID-19 Test at Home program. The test will be delivered to your home with rush shipping.
• The City's testing web page offers information on testing sites and guidance about what to do while you wait for COVID-19 test results. Staying away from others while you wait for your results is extremely important, especially if you have any symptoms.

Businesses

• While the past year has been difficult for business owners, there are positive developments happening. Currently, there are 173 Food Plan Reviews in flight. These are either new businesses, remodels, or businesses ready to open under new ownership.
• This past week, health inspectors investigated two complaints related to restaurants/bars violating the City’s mask ordinance and staying open past 11pm.Weareworking with Business Licensing on appropriate enforcement actions to address these violations. Staff also followed up on COVID case clusters among employees and customers at three restaurants.
• Inspectors continue to distribute COVID testing kits to businesses upon request and promote free community testing events to employers and their staff.

Responding to community needs

• We have a good supply of personal protective equipment (cloth and surgical masks, hand sanitizer, and gloves) available for community groups, businesses, and individuals. Requests can be submitted using the COVID-19 Requests and Inquiries form on the City’s website.
• We are supplying NCR staff with 5,000 surgical masks to distribute to the community during the upcoming trial of Derek Chauvin. If you plan to participate in a public gathering or protest event, please wear a mask to help reduce the spread of the virus.
• We are responding to an average of 40 emails per day to our COVID19@minneapolismn.gov inbox. Questions are primarily about vaccine distribution and scheduling.

The City specific COVID email address is: COVID19@minneapolismn.gov.