MacPhail Spotlight Series Explores Personal Side of Beethoven for 250th Anniversary - April 4

Via a March 9 Press Release:

MacPhail Spotlight Series: Anatomy of Genius uses personal letters and contemporary accounts to piece together the life of the genius composer – April 4

Regarded by many as the greatest composer of all time, like many creative geniuses, Beethoven struggled with the highs and lows of a creative life. MacPhail Spotlight Series: Anatomy of Genius shines a light on the lesser-known sides to the famous figure.

“Everyone knows something about Beethoven,” explains Mischa Santora, artistic director, MacPhail Spotlight Series. “But it was the struggles he endured throughout his life that made him a symbol for perseverance and victory which was reflected in his music. We’ve put together a program of three pieces that explore musical intricacies and stylistic evolution over the course of his life, performed by MacPhail teaching artists and members of the local music scene. The music will be interspersed with Beethoven’s letters to provide a fuller picture of the artist and genius.”

The program will feature “Septet in E-flat major, op.20” performed by Nina Olsen, clarinet; Allison Akins, horn; Marc Levine, violin; Chi-Chi Bestmann, viola; Rebecca Merblum, cello; Fred Bretschger (guest artist), bass, followed by “Piano Trio No. 1, op. 70 (Ghost)” with Marc Levine, violin; Julia Elkina, piano; Rebecca Merblum, cello, and conclude with “Piano Sonata No 30, op. 109” performed by Richard Tostenson.

MacPhail Spotlight Series: Anatomy of Genius will be held Saturday, April 4 at MacPhail Center for Music’s Antonello Hall (501 South 2nd Street, Minneapolis) at 7:30 p.m. A pre-concert lecture will be held one hour before at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 for adults, $15 for seniors (ages 55 and older) and youth (ages 6 through 18), and may be purchased by calling 612-767-5250 or by stopping by Student Services at MacPhail locations in Minneapolis, Chanhassen, Apple Valley or White Bear Lake.

The MacPhail Spotlight Series showcases the exceptional talents of MacPhail teaching artists and special guests, providing an intimate listening experience in MacPhail’s state-of-the-art Antonello Hall and locations throughout the Twin Cities and beyond. Under the artistic direction of Mischa Santora, this premier performance event is brought to life with collaborations from some of the Twin Cities’ finest artists.

MacPhail Center for Music is committed to transforming lives and strengthening communities through music learning experiences that inspire. Each year, MacPhail opens its doors to more than 16,000 students offering programming for all ages, backgrounds and abilities, at locations in Minneapolis, White Bear Lake, Chanhassen, Apple Valley and Austin, as well as 104 community partnerships across the Twin Cities and online at MacPhail Online. MacPhail has a 113-year history of excellence, promoting life-long learning and building long-term relationships between students and teachers. For more information, visit www.macphail.org.

The MPRB Invites You to Spring into Volunteering!

The Minneapolis Park and Rec Board Invites You to Spring into Volunteering!

Volunteers make a vital difference to people, parks and our community. Recruitment for Spring and Summer programs is happening now! Visit one of the pages below to learn more about current and ongoing volunteer opportunities.

Spring Sports Coaches (baseball, softball, tee ball and track & field)

Bike Adventure Program Volunteers

Track & Field Meet Volunteers

Park Ambassadors

Garden Volunteers

Summer Soccer Coaches

Click here to receive more information or to express interest in MPRB volunteer opportunities. Call (612) 230-6493 or email recvolunteers@minneapolisparks.org with questions.

Ballet Co.Laboratory Celebrates the Music of Queen and Legacy of Freddie Mercury in new ballet, Freddie – Break Free, Premiering at the Cowles Center for Dance in April

Ballet Co.Laboratory celebrates the music of Queen and legacy of Freddie Mercury in its new ballet, Freddie – Break Free premiering at the Cowles Center for Dance & the Performing Arts on April 10, 11, 17, 18, and 19. This rock ballet features a collaboration of local artists including Queen tribute band Ready Freddie.

Ballet Co.Laboratory’s 90-minute ballet is set to live Queen music with choreography by Zoé Emilie Henrot that reaches outside the classical ballet dimensions with poise and spunk. Freddie – Break Free cannot be categorized as an evening at the ballet or an exhilarating concert experience. Rather, audiences will experience a blurring of boundaries, a taste of artistic collaboration, and in the words of Freddie Mercury, a “theatrical event.”

“The overarching theme of this production is to inspire everyone to break free and celebrate their own unique self,” revels Henrot. In true Freddie fashion, this ballet will encourage audiences to interact with the performers by singing along to the music and dancing in their seats. This will be like no other night at the ballet.

February 2020 by the Numbers

Downtown real estate market update from Cynthia Froid Group:

Refined Performance + Rehabilitation Opens in Former Key North Space

Via a March News Release:

Old Town Minneapolis got a brand new fitness facility in November 2019 when Refined Performance + Rehabilitation opened in the former Key North boutique space at 515 First Avenue Northeast.

Owner Chad Scheitel found Old Town to be the perfect location for their fitness facility, as it complements the nearby massage and yoga studios and will serve the many residents currently residing in and moving into the area.

Chad ScheitelThe gym offers state-of-the-art training equipment including cardio, free weights, TRX, Sorinex basecamp racks, kettlebells, and more.

Members use a key card to access the gym seven days per week from 5 AM – 11 PM, and may work out independently or hire one of the gym’s personal trainers. Staff hours are by appointment.

Chad Scheitel holds a Bachelors degree in Health Promotion Science from Augsburg University and an MA in Kinesiology from the University of Minnesota. He has 19 years of experience as a personal fitness trainer.

Breanne GrannChad’s wife, Breanne Grann, provides chiropractic services at the gym, and has 10 years of experience. Dr. Grann earned her Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Northwestern Health Sciences University.

Amara KamaraA third team member, Amara Kamara, holds a BA in Exercise Science from Tulane University, with 21 years of personal training experience.

Specials include a free one-week trial and $99 for three personal training sessions.

Visitors interested in touring Refined Performance + Rehabilitation should call 612-559-4923 or email info@refinedmpls.com to make an appointment.

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Meet Minneapolis to Give Away a Chevy Equinox at Twin Cities Auto Show This Weekend

Via a March 4 News Release from Meet Minneapolis:

Meet Minneapolis and Select Heartland Chevy Dealers have teamed up to give away a two-year lease on a Chevy Equinox at the 2020 Twin Cities Auto Show. The Grand Prize will be awarded on the morning of Saturday, March 7 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Five finalists will be randomly selected and must be present for a chance to win the brand-new SUV.

Event Information
- Drawing will be held at 8:15 a.m., on Saturday, March 7 at the Minneapolis Convention Center
- March 7 is the opening day of the 2020 Twin Cities Auto Show with the doors opening at 10 a.m.

Sweepstakes Details:
Only one entry per person. No purchase necessary to win. Open only to legal residents of Minnesota, as well as Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Must be 21 years or older at the time of entry. Some residency restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. The five randomly selected finalists eligible for the grand prize must be present for the live drawing on Saturday, March 7 to win.

*For full sweepstakes information and rules, including eligibility, prize descriptions and other details, click here.

“Your Table is Ready: Dining Out in Hennepin County through the Decades” in Hennepin Gallery March 4 through May 26

Via a March 4 announcement from Hennepin County:

“Your Table is Ready: Dining Out in Hennepin County through the Decades” in Hennepin Gallery March 4 through May 26

Hennepin Gallery is celebrating our love of food and fine dining in the new exhibit, “Your Table is Ready: Dining Out in Hennepin County Through the Decades.”

Thanks to the Hennepin County Library Special Collections, the Hennepin Gallery exhibit features menus, photographs, postcards and more celebrating the restaurant scene from the 1880s through the 1970s. Do you remember the lavish Minneapolis restaurants like The Nankin or Charlie’s Cafe Exceptionale? Do you still visit the iconic Murray’s and the northeast favorite, Jax’s Café? How about the first drive thru or drive in?

Through times of prosperity and times of shortage -- World War I, Prohibition, the Great Depression, and World War II – Minnesotans continued to eat out. Even with the advent of fast food, fine dining continued to flourish because many of these restaurants served more than just food: They featured stimulating, opulent interiors and memorable live entertainment. Eating out was an experience.

We hope you are hungry because your table is ready. Come to the Hennepin Gallery and enjoy.

About the Hennepin County Library Special Collections

The Hennepin County Library Special Collections at the Minneapolis Central Library houses over 1,000 local menus from the 1880s to today. View more menus online in the Library’s Digital Collections www.hclib.org/digitalcollections.

Interested in donating menus to the collection? Contact specialcoll@hclib.org.

This exhibit is presented by Hennepin County Library Special Collections.

The Hennepin Gallery is free and open to the public Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the Hennepin County Government Center, A-Level, 300 S. Sixth St., Minneapolis.

DMNA Approves Resolution to Fund Mill District Police Substation

At its February 24, 2020 meeting, the Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association (DMNA) unanimously approved a resolution to fund a police substation on South Second Street in the Mill District.  Working with Sherman Associates, owner and developer of the Vicinity, and the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD), Joe Tamburino, former chair of the DMNA, spent several years making the police substation a reality. 

The DMNA will be signing a five-year license giving the MPD’s Homeless Initiative officers a base of operations.  It is hoped that having the substation in the neighborhood will assist with local outreach and provide an enhanced police presence in the neighborhood. The substation will be available for use by any licensed Minnesota peace/police officer.

Pam McCrea, chair of the DMNA, applauded the work that went into making the substation happen with “special thanks to Joe Tamburino who took the leadership and never dropped the ball.” Steve Fletcher, city council member and neighborhood resident, when asked about the substation, noted that the anticipated use of the space would put eyes on the street without drawing resources away from higher priority tasks.

Meet Minneapolis Coronavirus Update

Via a March 3 e-announcement from Melvin Tennant of Meet Minneapolis:

In mid-February, we shared initial information on COVID-19 (also commonly known as the Coronavirus). Today, I’d like to provide you with an update, as our Meet Minneapolis team continues to monitor, prepare and navigate new developments locally, nationally and internationally. Over the next 90 days, approximately 140 meetings and conventions booked Meet Minneapolis are scheduled to take place. Currently, there have been no cancellations at the Minneapolis Convention Center (MCC) due to COVID-19, and we have only learned of one reported meeting cancellation at a local hotel. What we have encountered, thus far, are more than a dozen inquiries from groups looking for on-the-ground information on what we are doing. How is Meet Minneapolis addressing COVID-19?

We have been proactively gathering information from multiple entities and providing details to meeting planners with groups scheduled to be Minneapolis. We are in regular communication with our main tourism assets and organizations to learn about the proactive and preventative measures they are taking. More details can be found below. We added information to the MCC website, which can be found here. We are responding to media requests with the facts and not speculation. (We have had two requests so far.) Internally, we are reviewing our business continuity plans and addressing the needs of our staff members, as it is essential for Meet Minneapolis to remain operational should circumstances deteriorate.

Organizationally, Meet Minneapolis is committed to providing accurate information to and about our tourism and hospitality community.

All of our health information and guidance that we share will come from official sources such as the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). We will collect and disseminate as much information as we are able regarding the state of the tourism and hospitality industry from partners and associations. We will continue to utilize national resources for information on a broad scale including U.S. Travel, Meeting Professionals International and others.

We are also making sure our customers know that, currently, no cases of COVID-19 have been identified in the Minneapolis-St. Paul region or the state of Minnesota. We are emphasizing that there are no domestic travel advisories or restrictions. Plus, we are providing customers with information from the MDH, CDC and WHO. Our tourism and hospitality industry supports more than 37,000 workers in Minneapolis. We know COVID-19 has the potential to greatly impact the lives of our residents and the livelihoods of many others.

Helpful 2020 Census Information from the City of Minneapolis

The 2020 Census is almost here!

Ten Days Away:

• As of March 2nd, we are only ten days away from the 2020 Census going live and being able to complete the 2020 Census. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, on March 12th, the community will be able to visit My2020Cenus.gov to complete the census questionnaire.
• Invitations to respond to the 2020 Census will arrive between March 12-20 with instructions for responding online.
• You can respond online or by phone.

Where can I get help completing the census?

• If you need assistance to complete the 2020 Census, we encourage you to visit one of our Trusted Spaces questionnaire assistance centers (QAC). Our QAC's are community spaces staffed by familiar faces available to assist you with completing the 2020 Census. For more information about locations and hours please click here.

Click to watch a short video on how to complete your census questionnaire online.

What questions will you be asked on the 2020 Census?

• The U.S. Census Bureau has provided the questions that they will ask here.

Click to view the U.S. Census Bureau's "Why We Ask" factsheet

How will people experiencing homelessness be counted?

• In 2020, the Census Bureau will devote three days to counting people who are experiencing homelessness across the country. These days follow months of outreach and coordination with local census offices, partners, shelter directors, service providers and others. The dates are as follows:
  • March 30, 2020: Counting people who are in shelters.
  • March 31, 2020: Counting people at soup kitchens and mobile food vans.
  • April 1, 2020: Counting people in non-sheltered, outdoor locations, such as tent encampments and on the streets.

How to avoid census scams online:

Phishing is a criminal act in which someone tries to get your information by pretending to be an entity that you trust. Phishing emails often direct you to a website that looks real but is fake—and may be infected with malware.

It is important to know that the Census Bureau will not send unsolicited emails to request your participation in the 2020 Census. Further, during the 2020 Census, the Census Bureau will never ask for:

• Your Social Security number.
• Your bank account or credit card numbers.
• Money or donations.

  In addition, the Census Bureau will not contact you on behalf of a political party.

What’s at stake?

The responses to the 2020 Census will determine how the federal government will distribute billions of dollars to community. We invite you to view and share the following 2020 Census videos, featuring local community members speaking about what’s at stake for Minneapolis communities:

1. VJ-African American Community
2. Cassandra-Native American Community
3. Ser Lee-Hmong Community
4. Bihi-Somali Community
5. Rico-Latinx Community
6. Bosteya-Somali Community
7. Nadia-Latinx Community

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Census Events/News

Learn about Census Statistics in Schools (SIS Week)

Click to view the "Getting an Accurate Count" video

Click to view "What Will you do After High School?" video

Click to view the Census 101 for students factsheet

• March 2nd-March 6th is Census Statistics in the Schools
• March 12^th – Don't forget to apply for $750 in Grant money from the State of MN via The Minneapolis Foundation for census engagement.
• Minneapolis Complete Count Committee Meeting, Tuesday March 17: Are we ready for the census?
  • 6:00 – 8:00 PM
    UROC
    2001 Plymouth Ave N
    Minneapolis, MN 55411
    *Dinner will be provided
• Census on the radio
  • La Raza (95.7 FM) March 3 and March 31, 3:00-4:00pm
  • KALY (101.7 FM) March 12, 2:00-3:00pm
  • KMOJ (89.9 FM) March 25th, 1:30-2:00pm
• The National League of Cities has just announced an open call for proposals.
  • Grants of $2,500-$40,000 are available for cities, towns, villages, and their local partners to improve or increase Get Out The Count activities that target historically under-counted and hard-to-count communities.

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Translated materials and resources

The City of Minneapolis has translated census outreach materials into additional languages not available on the Census Bureau website. Visit minneapolismn.gov/census/wecountresources for information in: Hmong Lao Somali The resources page also includes existing translations on the US Census website in: Spanish English Other major languages.

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More information about the City of Minneapolis We Count campaign: Read more about the Minneapolis We Count campaign, including materials, resources and door-knocking and volunteer opportunities at wecountminneapolis.org Follow the City of Minneapolis on our platforms and help us to spread the word about being counted by sharing our videos and resources: Twitter: CityMinneapolis Facebook: CityofMinneapolis Instagram: Mplsgov Youtube: CityofMinneapolis

MSP Film Announces Wicked Women Screening Series

In celebration of the upcoming release of breakthrough filmmaker Rose Glass’s divine horror tale SAINT MAUD, MSP Film presents the Wicked Women Screening Series, including SUSPIRIA on 3/18, ROSEMARY'S BABY on 3/25, and a free advance screening of SAINT MAUD on 3/31. Admission for the retro titles are just $5. St. Anthony Main Theatre, 115 Main Street SE.

SUSPIRIA -  In Dario Argento's horror classic, an American newcomer to a prestigious German ballet academy comes to realize that the school is a front for something sinister amid a series of grisly murders.

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ROSEMARY'S BABY - A young couple moves in to an apartment only to be surrounded by peculiar neighbors and occurrences. When the wife becomes mysteriously pregnant, paranoia over the safety of her unborn child begins to control her life.

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SAINT MAUD - The debut film from writer-director Rose Glass, Saint Maud is a chilling and boldly original vision of faith, madness, and salvation in a fallen world. Maud, a newly devout hospice nurse, becomes obsessed with saving her dying patient’s soul — but sinister forces, and her own sinful past, threaten to put an end to her holy calling.

Neighborhoods 2020 Program Guidelines Available for Review and Comment

Via an e-announcement from David Rubedor, Director of Neighborhood and Community Relations for the City of Minneapolis:

Dear community leaders,

The draft Neighborhoods 2020 Program Guidelines are now available for review and public comment. The official public comment period will be held from February 28 to April 17, 2020.

Since 2016, the NCR department has been holding conversations with community and neighborhood leaders and elected officials about the needs and goals of our growing and vibrant city and identifying the role that neighborhoods should play in meeting them. We are excited to bring forward this culmination of work.

There has been a tremendous amount of volunteer and staff time dedicated to Neighborhoods 2020 and the best ways to support and enhance the City’s 70 neighborhood organizations starting in 2020 and beyond. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the hundreds of volunteers and community members that contributed their time, talent and energy into this initiative. The tremendous value neighborhoods play in our city was reflected in your commitment and dedication.

The draft Neighborhoods 2020 Program Guidelines are centered on building equity in our community. The City has worked closely with neighborhoods, community members and the University of Minnesota’s Center for Urban and Regional Affairs (CURA) on the development of the guidelines. The guidelines align with the City’s adopted Strategic Racial Equity Plan and the Minneapolis 2040 Comprehensive Plan, which states that “Minneapolis will have an equitable civic participation system that enfranchises everyone, recognizes the core and vital service neighborhood organizations provide to the City of Minneapolis, and builds people’s long-term capacity to organize and improve their lives and neighborhoods.”

To view the draft Neighborhoods 2020 Programs Guidelines, go to: http://www.minneapolismn.gov/ncr/2020. NCR will be holding community informational meetings. All meetings will have interpreters available. These meetings provide a space where residents can submit public comments. Current meeting dates include:

• March 9: Urban Research and Outreach Engagement Center (UROC) - 6:00-8:00p.m.- 2001 Plymouth Avenue N. Minneapolis, MN 55411
• April 2: Northeast Park and Recreation Center - 6:00-8:00p.m. - 1530 Johnson Street NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418

You may allow submit comments in the following ways:

Email - Neighborhoods2020@minneapolismn.gov

Phone - 612-673-3737

Text Messaging and Voicemail

Español: (612) 404-2978
Hmoob: (612) 367-6548
Soomaaliga: (612) 404-2978
English: (612) 518-8743

US Postal Service Mail

Neighborhood and Community Relations
105 Fifth Avenue South, Suite 425
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401

Comments must be received by 11:59p.m., April 17.

The NCR department plans to bring final Neighborhoods 2020 Program Guidelines to the City Council’s Public Health, Environment, Civil Rights and Engagement (PECE) Committee in May 2020.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to your neighborhood or community specialist at NCR.

Thank you very much for your time and contributions.

Regards,

David Rubedor

Director of Neighborhood and Community Relations
ADA Title II Coordinator
City of Minneapolis – Neighborhood and Community Relations
Crown Roller Mill, Room 425
105 5th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Office: 612-673-3129 David.Rubedor@minneapolismn.gov www.minneapolismn.gov/ncr

10th Avenue Bridge to Close March 2020 for Extensive Rehab

The 10th Avenue SE Bridge will close to all traffic (vehicles, bikes, and pedestrians) in March 2020 for repairs. The bridge will be closed and detours will be in effect for approximately 18 months, until Summer 2021. More info.

Tourism and Hospitality Industry Success Highlighted at Meet Minneapolis Annual Meeting

Via a recent e-announcement from Meet Minneapolis:

The organization provided information on its key performance goals which help support more than 37,000 tourism and hospitality workers in Minneapolis

Meet Minneapolis held its 2020 Annual Meeting at the Minneapolis Convention Center on Februay 25th. The city’s convention and visitors’ bureau noted successes in 2019 and presented an insider’s look at the future of meetings, events and tourism in Minneapolis from the perspectives of meeting planners, sports events rights holders and leisure travelers. In addition, Meet Minneapolis announced the newest members of its Board of Directors and recognized several individuals and organizations with special awards.

In 2019, Meet Minneapolis exceeded its key performance indicators in hotel room nights, convention center revenue, and private revenue. The organization brought more than 700 events to the Minneapolis region, and helped support more than 37,000 tourism and hospitality workers.

Meet Minneapolis Key Performance Indicators for 2019*
• Group Room Nights: 556,700 nights (104% of the goal set for 2019)

• Minneapolis Convention Center Revenue: $21.1 million (103%)

• Private Revenue: $2.9 million (110%)

“We take great pride in promoting and selling Minneapolis as the destination of choice for meeting planners and their attendees, sports events rights holders and leisure travelers,” stated Meet Minneapolis President and CEO Melvin Tennant. “Tourism plays a critical role in the economic success of Minneapolis, and our goal is to continue to support our local businesses, neighborhoods and workers while also showing off our city’s assets and amenities.”

Minneapolis Convention Center
One of the roles of Meet Minneapolis is to attract events to the Minneapolis Convention Center (MCC). Last year, the MCC:

• Hosted nearly 350 conferences, meetings and events

• Generated $21.1 million in revenue

• Helped to support more than 8,000 jobs in the community

• Was honored with a pair of awards from Exhibitor Media Group which recognized North America’s best convention centers for trade show and events. The MCC earned a Centers of Excellence Award and a Best Customer Service & On-Site Support Award.

“With hundreds of thousands of visitors every year, the Minneapolis Convention Center is a significant economic engine for the tourism and hospitality industry in the city and region,” said Minneapolis Convention Center Executive Director Jeff Johnson. “As we embark on our 30th anniversary of serving as Minneapolis’ meeting place, we’re proud of the role we play in welcoming visitors to our city and creating and supporting jobs in Minneapolis.” 

Sports Minneapolis
Sports Minneapolis highlighted its major role in bringing key sports events to the region such as last year’s NCAA Men’s Final Four, CONCACAF Gold Cup matches, ESPN’s X Games and the USA Taekwondo National Championships.

Seventy-seven (77) future sporting events were secured by Sports Minneapolis in 2019, including the 2020 U.S. Paralympic Team Trials, the 2021 NHL Winter Classic and the 2022 Gay Softball World Series.

Additional Highlights

• Nearly 42,000 visitors from 59 countries and all 50 states stopped into the Meet Minneapolis Visitor Center, located in the Centerpoint Energy building at 5th and Nicollet.

• More than 2 million people visited the Meet Minneapolis website (www.minneapolis.org) in 2019, to learn more on where to visit, eat, drink, shop and be entertained, resulting in 4.5 million page views and over 719,000 outbound clicks to partner websites.

• Six (6) new neighborhood guides (for a total of 18) were added to www.minneapolis.org, introducing visitors to the unique areas of the city like West Broadway, the North Loop and Kingfield. 

• Meet Minneapolis social media channels had nearly 6.9 million total impressions in 2019.

• In partnership with Great Streets and the West Broadway Business Association, Lake Street Council and West Bank Meet Minneapolis audited more than 3,000 businesses that are located within those boundaries and over 600 partner businesses, to see where our small businesses need help showcasing their offerings.

Board of Directors

• Six new members were welcomed to the Meet Minneapolis Board of Directors: Lester Bagley (Minnesota Vikings), Amol Dixit (Hot Indian Foods), Chelsie Glaubitz Gabiou (Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation, AFL-CIO), Andrea Mokros (Weber Shandwick), Mark Nerenhausen (Hennepin Theatre Trust), Jennifer Ridgeway (Minnesota Timberwolves & Lynx)

• A ceremonial passing of the gavel took place as Julie Batliner (Carmichael Lynch) became the new Chair, replacing Mark Andrew (Greenmark Enterprises). 

Awards and Recognition

• Lifetime Achievement Award: Tricia Johnson, Brede Exposition Services

• Innovation in Tourism Award: Peavey Plaza for the renovation and redesign which restored the area to create a lively gathering space in the heart of downtown Minneapolis

• President’s Award: First Avenue for drawing musical artists and visitors from around the world to the city’s iconic landmark for 50 years 

• Excellence in Meetings, Events & Conventions Award: Target, which has held more than 500 meetings and events at the Minneapolis Convention Center since 2000

To access the 2019 Meet Minneapolis Annual Report, please go here. To learn more about how tourism and hospitality impact our community, check out this video:

* Unaudited. Key performance indicators will be verified by an independent auditor.

MNspin Open for Submissions thru March 25

Via a February 25 e-newsletter from Friends of the Hennepin County Library:

Launched in 2017, MNspin is an online music streaming platform with a growing collection of Minnesota's own albums curated by local experts. The platform connects library card holders with Minnesota music, giving artists exposure to new audiences and listeners the opportunity to explore the rich local music scene.

From now until March 25, MNspin is looking for the next group of Minnesota artists to join the collection! Whether to browse the collection or submit your recording, click here to find out more!

From Atmosphere to Spider John Koerner, Bob Dylan to Prince, Cantus to Semisonic, Cloud Cult to Trampled by Turtles, the Minnesota Orchestra, Bobby Vee, the Replacements, Maria Jette, The Steeles, Robert Robinson, Owl City, and so many others - they all had their start in Minnesota.

One Lane of West River Parkway will be Closed Weekdays Near Bohemian Flats Park thru March

Via a February 25 e-announcement from Minneapolis Park and Rec:

A short section of West River Parkway between Bohemian Flats Park and the 10th Avenue Bridge will be closed down to one lane, 7 am-6 pm, Monday-Friday, beginning this week through March 30. Construction flaggers will guide traffic around the closure, but please plan for delays traveling through this area of the parkway.

The closure is necessary for the City of Minneapolis to perform repairs on Bridge #9. Bike/pedestrian trails will remain open through the area.

Please follow the posted detours and stay away from areas where work is being performed. The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board appreciates the public's patience during the closure.

Neighborhoods 2020 Program Guidelines Release Moved to February 28

Via an e-announcement from David Rubedor, Director of Neighborhood and Community Relations for the City of Minneapolis:

Dear neighborhood and community leaders,

In order to further define the recommendations, the City has postponed the release by a few days of the Neighborhoods 2020 guidelines for public comment. We anticipate releasing the guidelines by next Friday afternoon, February 28. 

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact Steven Gallagher, policy specialist, at steven.gallagher@minneapolismn.gov

Thank you for your time and patience.

Best,

David Rubedor
Director of Neighborhood and Community Relations
ADA Title II Coordinator

City of Minneapolis – Neighborhood and Community Relations
Crown Roller Mill, Room 425 105 5th Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55401
Office: 612-673-3129
David.Rubedor@minneapolismn.gov
www.minneapolismn.gov/ncr

Destruction & The Book: Minnesota Center for Book Arts Hosts 3-Part Lecture Series with Hill Museum & Manuscript Library; First Event is Tonight, February 20

Via a February 19 News Release:

Destruction & the Book: Minnesota Center for Book Arts Hosts 3-Part Lecture Series with Hill Museum & Manuscript Library

Attendees will have the opportunity to handle rare books from HMML's special collections

You can’t judge a book by its cover, unless the cover is 300 years old, worm-devoured, or from a remote archive in the Mediterranean Sea. Then, an archival expert can conclude a lot—not just about the individual book, but about the culture and society that produced it.

The public will have the opportunity to learn about this and more from HMML archival experts at three lectures taking place this spring at Minnesota Center for Book Arts:

Malta, Slavery & Archives: The Legacy of 
Human Trafficking in Early Modern Documents
Thursday, February 20; 7-9pm

Cut, Eaten, Burnt, Stained: The Perilous Life of Old Books
Thursday, March 26; 7-9pm

Books Ripped Away: Secularization and the 
Removal of Monastic Books to State Libraries 
Thursday, April 16; 7-9pm

Before and after the presentations, attendees will have the chance to handle rare books, some close to 350 years old.

“We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with HMML for the third year, and to offer audiences the chance to learn from HMML’s vast collections of digitized and physical rare books and manuscripts from cultures across the world. Our partnership reflects each organization’s commitment to preserving the material culture of the book in the 21st century,” says Elysa Voshell, Executive Director of MCBA.

The first lecture in the series features Dr. Daniel K. Gullo, the Joseph S. Micallef Curator of the Malta Study Center and Coordinator of Digital Humanities. He will look at the role of small archives in Malta to discuss the nature of slavery and what it tells us about human trafficking, law, and international communication in the 18th century.

In the second lecture, HMML’s Assistant Director for Strategic Development, Dr. Melissa Moreton, will explore the world of damaged medieval books and demonstrate the resilience of these carriers of knowledge. The manuscripts and early printed books that have survived across the centuries have endured use by many hands and abuse in many forms. Manuscripts have been cut up, their illuminations sold and dispersed, eaten by book worms and rodents, damaged in floods and fires—but often survive these ravages to carry forward the messages held within their covers.

In the third lecture, Dr. Matthew Heintzelman, Curator of Western Collections and Rare Books at HMML, will look at the history of monastic collections that were built over centuries and their removal to the Bavarian State Library, state libraries and archives in Austria.

Free and open to the public, the lectures will take place in the Target Performance Hall at Open Book, with wine receptions to follow.

The Mill Yard at Stonebridge Lofts Announces Winter Art Show Opening, February 23

Opening Reception Sunday, Feb 23  5:00-7:00PM

Stonebridge Lofts, 1120 S 2nd Street

Show runs February 23 – June 1, 2020

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You're invited to The Mill Yard opening reception for wine, beverages, snacks and beautiful art. Local popular food truck, Taqueria Victor Hugo, will be out front selling a variety of Mexican cuisine.

About The Mill Yard at Stonebridge Lofts

The Mill City. Residents celebrate our area’s industrial heritage of the mighty Mississippi River and the mills. Today, what we see are the most recognizable Minneapolis landmarks. However, this is only part of the story. Rail lines were key to Minneapolis’ growth, and were particularly integral to the Mill District, bringing in wheat and timber and shipping out flour and lumber. We also honor the history of the mills, the reason for the rail yard’s existence. The Mill Yard aims to be both a gathering place for art and artists and a conduit by which art can be shared with and disseminated into the wider community.

ARTIST DETAILS:

Laura Donovan

Laura Donovan: E Marooned

Laura describes her oil paintings as “suggestive of landscapes in a world just beyond this one. The moods can be dark while the colors vivid and provocative.” Elements in her work are inspired by her surroundings and her travels. A Twin Cities native, her education focused on International Relations at the University of Minnesota but she has pursued art throughout her life.  Her paintings have been displayed around the Twin Cities and she is currently an exhibitor at Gustaf’s Up North Gallery in Lindstrom, MN.

Tim Harding

Tim Harding: Koi Cloud Reflections

After working in painting and photography Tim became intrigued with the intimacy of fiber/textiles, their textural, tactile richness, the pliable plane, and the inherent grid of the weave, as well as the complex cultural roles of this medium. Inspiration for his work emerges from historical references, world cultures, modern art and artists with a key influence being the profound connection between modern painting and primitive ethnographic artifacts. Tim uses a unique, self-developed physical technique (a complex, free-reverse applique) that creates a compelling interplay of surface and structure. He has received numerous prestigious awards and Tim’s pieces are in museums and corporate collections across the country.

Steve Hemingway

Steve Hemingway: Tree Vase

Steve explains the material that best suits his work is clay. “Clay, especially wet clay, allows for sensuous immediacy. The clay responds immediately to your touch and in return you respond back and a dialog is created. It immerses you into the present moment. I find this a wellspring for creative thought and process.”  A native of Flint Michigan, and where he trained as an artist, Steve taught part time which allowed him to develop as an artist. In 1992 Steve moved to Minneapolis and in 1996 moved to Minnetonka where he built another studio and soon after devoted himself full-time to his art.  Steve creates tablets, tiles, vessels and sculpture. Most of his work is Raku fired.

Nanci Yermakoff

Nanci Yermakoff: Series 14 #21

Nanci’s luminous watercolors majestically radiate color, space and emotion. She currently lives and works in St Paul and has a studio in the Northrup King Building. In addition, she has a studio in north-central Minnesota where the lakes of the north woods inspire her work. Nanci has been a featured artist in American Artist Watercolor magazine as well as Watercolor Artist magazine. She taught watercolor at the Botanical and Zoological Art and Illustration Program at the Como Conservatory in St Paul from 2004-2009.

Friends of the Hennepin County Library Invites you to Share Your Library Love this Valentine's Day!

An open invitation from Friends of the Hennepin County Library:

Dear Friend,

As Valentine's Day approaches, we want to say thank you for loving our library! Your generosity and support show just how much you care about our library and the thousands of your neighbors who depend on its programs and resources.

To celebrate this Valentine's Day, we're inviting you to write a special message to your local library! Your kind words will mean so much to our librarians and staff who make the promise of our library come to life. Click the link below to submit your Valentine's Day message online by February 21.

Send your Valentine now!

Whether you share a personal story, write a quirky poem, or simply say "thank you," please know that your kindness will truly be appreciated. After receiving your Valentine's Day messages last year, one librarian said, "Thank you so much for sharing this heartwarming message...it made my day!"

Thank you again for supporting our library, and Happy Valentine's Day!