‘Share the River Nordeast’ Canoe Event Returns on June 26

Experience the Mississippi River in an evening of community, canoeing and cookies.

The Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO), 2522 Marshall Street NE, invites the public to a family-friendly evening of cookies and canoeing on the Mississippi River on Wednesday, June 26, 2019, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The fourth annual Share the River Nordeast event offers visitors the chance to take a free introductory canoe ride on the Mississippi River with experienced guides. Attendees can also enjoy a complimentary cookie from local nonprofit bakery Cookie Cart and tour indoor and outdoor exhibits at the MWMO’s Stormwater Park and Learning Center in Northeast Minneapolis.

“Share the River Nordeast offers a fun, safe, and family-friendly way to experience the Mississippi River,” said MWMO Executive Director Doug Snyder. “The more people connect with the river, the more they will see it as something worth cherishing and protecting.”

Paddlers will follow a route that will provide an up-close look at the heron rookery north of the Lowry Avenue Bridge, as well as the Upper Harbor Terminal site. Canoe trips will be led by National Park Service rangers and staff from the Mississippi Park Connection and Wilderness Inquiry.

In addition to learning how to paddle on the river, participants will have opportunities to learn about the river’s history, water quality, plants, animals and more.

The event is open to kids and adults of all ages. Visitors who wish to take a canoe ride must be at least 30 pounds in order to fit the provided life jackets.

Attendees are advised to use on-street parking, as the MWMO’s parking lot will be off-limits for the event. Bike parking, a Nice Ride station and bus transit options are also available in the area.

The Preserve Minneapolis 2019 Walking Tour Season Announced

The Preserve Minneapolis 2019 Walking Tour season has arrived. Enjoy the Downtown Riverfront Walking Tour, Warehouse District Walking Tour, Historic East Hennepin Walking Tour and many more. 

Check the Preserve Minneapolis Walking Tours page for the full list and to purchase tickets.

Build Labs LLC Works to Ease the Tech Talent Shortage Utilizing Space at WeWork

Small businesses are a crucial component of our economy, and they are being recognized May 5 -11 during National Small Business Week.

One example is Build Labs LLC, founded in 2017 by serial entrepreneur JD Dietricha. It's a small business in downtown Minneapolis that is working to train people for high-paying technology jobs. They are based out of WeWork in Capella Tower, and work with the tech community within WeWork often.

On a daily basis we hear how companies scramble for tech talent - and Build Labs LLC is looking to change this. They are an immersive coding experience for developers and designers launching their careers in technology. Their structured apprenticeship provides these newly minted technologists with the experience, training, mentorship and environment they need to accelerate their capabilities. At the end of their apprenticeship, they are hired full time by Build Labs LLC clients.

Having grown from two people to a staff of six in a short period of time, the flexible and amenity-rich WeWork space is the perfect office option for Build Labs LLC. There is a growing demand for coworking office spaces like WeWork. In addition to Capella Tower, WeWork has two other Minneapolis locations - 729 N Washington Avenue and 1330 Lagoon Avenue. They also have numerous locations around the globe.

A-Mill During Art-A-Whirl and Doors Open Minneapolis present: A-Mill Behind Closed Doors

For the first time in its history, the Pillsbury A-Mill, 315 SE Main Street, will open its hidden museum to the public for Art-A-Whirl + Doors Open Minneapolis, while resident and guest artists display and sell their work at A-Mill durning Art-A-Whirl 2019. A-Mill is the only venue that will open their doors for both Art-A-Whirl and Doors Open!

Come see what’s behind A-Mill’s doors during Art-A-Whirl + Doors Open Minneapolis May 17 (5pm-10pm), May 18 (12pm-8pm), and May 19 (12pm-5pm). Admission is free.

The Pillsbury A-Mill is honored to have been chosen for Minneapolis’s inaugural event, “Doors Open Minneapolis” - a “weekend-long event that allows the public free, behind-the-scenes access to buildings in the City of Minneapolis that are architecturally, culturally, or socially significant.” In addition to showcasing an exclusive view down the tunnels beneath A-Mill, Mill City Museum will provide graphics throughout the building showing the Pillsbury A-Mill’s historical timeline.

In the Gallery on -1, visitors will be dazzled by a unique show from 3 local artists entitled “Eidolon.” In the photography studio on -2, our sponsor Wooden Hill Brewing Company has created an interactive community art project. Aptly named “Crafting Community”, guests will be able to paint a pop-up mural drawn by local artists.

Explaining how Wooden Hill Brewing, a local brewery in Edina, chose to be involved in A-Mill during Art-A-Whirl + Doors Open, owner Sean Ewen explains, "My brother and I started Wooden Hill Brewing Company to share the joy of craft beer with others. And going beyond beer, we created the non-alcohol beverage, Steeped, so that everyone can experience the joy of drinking a locally crafted, small batch beverage. It's really about crafting community, which is why we host rotating art displays in our taproom and regularly host give back events. A-Mill during Art-A-Whirl + Doors Open is the perfect fit because we can promote local artists and locally made beverages at the same time. Our friends at Stray Dog NE will also be onsite providing speciality sausages, sandwiches, and snacks that pair perfectly with our beer."

From the caves down below to the specular rooftop views up above, there is truly something for everyone to enjoy. To further entice visitors to explore the building and shop for art from over 50 resident and guest artists, there will be an interactive scavenger hunt with prizes using a mobile app!

2019 WALK & TALKS Series Exploring Minneapolis Parks Announced

Via an e-announcement from the Minneapolis Parks Foundation

Back by popular demand, our Walk & Talk series is especially curated with Parks Foundation supporters in mind. This year, you'll find wildlife on the wing and artistic wonders aplenty, plus get a sneak-peek of what's in store for the Central Riverfront. Groups will be led by local subject-matter and parks experts who will share with you insights into an intriguing place or topic.

Three events to choose from:

 Birdwatching in Wirth Park

May 17 • 8-10am

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Join enthusiastic birdwatcher Jamie McBride to look for and listen to spring songbirds as they travel on their annual migration. For 16 years, Jamie led naturalist programs for the Minneapolis Park Board, where he developed a deep knowledge of the wildlife in our city’s abundant natural areas and honed his skill as a guide. On this walk, you’ll be near Wirth Lake and Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden and Bird Sanctuary, part of the Minneapolis Chain of Lakes IBA (Important Bird Area). 

RiverFirst Riverfront Tour

June 25 • 5-7pm

Get an insider’s view of how the Minneapolis Riverfront will soon transform through the most visionary parks-building effort in generations. You’ll learn about the storied history and exciting future of the Central Riverfront. Sights you’ll see include the Stone Arch Bridge and St. Anthony Falls, and the on-the-brink-of-construction Water Works park project.

Sculpture Garden & Loring Park Tour

July 9 • 3-5pm

Architect and art-lover Paul Bauknight will guide you on a tour he first gave as an instructor with the University of Minnesota College of Design. You’ll delve into the unique urban design that connects Nicollet Mall to Loring Park and the Sculpture Garden – establishing a world-class public space on par with those in New York and Paris. Along the way, discuss the sculpture and its role in the public commons and discover stories behind Loring Park, one of the earliest parks in the Minneapolis system.

2019 Mill Ruins Park Volunteer Demonstration Prairie Maintenance Dates Announced

A National Park River Site, Native Plants, and You! 

Looking for something fun and rewarding to do on a Saturday morning? Consider joining a group of volunteers to maintain a demonstration prairie at Mill Ruins Park. This native prairie attracts many bees, butterflies, and birds while improving the Mississippi River shoreline habitat.

The crew will meet at the St. Anthony Falls Visitor Center on the following Saturday mornings from 9am-noon:

May 18, June 8 & 29, July 13 & 20, August 17 & 31, September 14 & 21, and October 5 & 12

Led by a trained National Park Service (NPS) volunteer, this crew is also sponsored by the Mississippi Park Connection and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. All tools, such as gloves, are provided.

To sign up for crew projects and for more information: Contact Andrew at amarotz@parkconnection.org

Come every time or just when you can!

Neighborhoods 2020 Revised Framework

Via a May 2 e-announcement from the City of Minneapolis:

Good morning, neighborhood and community leaders.

The City of Minneapolis Neighborhood & Community Relations Department is pleased to announce that the revised Neighborhoods 2020 Framework Recommendations document is now available to view.

The completion of the revised framework is an important step forward in the Neighborhoods 2020 process, and incorporates feedback that the City received during its 63-day public comment period. To make the revisions, NCR worked with a public comment review committee, which made recommendations for revisions to the framework and provided valuable feedback based on the public comments.

The next step is for the Council’s Public Health, Environment, Civil Rights, and Engagement Committee (PECE) to vote on the document before it is put before the full City Council.

The PECE Committee meeting is set for May 6 at 1:30 p.m. in Council Chambers on the 3rd floor of Minneapolis City Hall. There will also be a public hearing, so if you have comments on the revised Neighborhoods 2020 Framework Recommendations document you can attend the public hearing and share them directly to the PECE Committee. If you are unable to attend the public hearing or prefer to submit your comments in writing, you can submit comments to the City Council at councilcomment@minneapolismn.gov.

I would also like to share the 2018 Neighborhood Programs Annual Report with you. Each year, NCR compiles a report summarizing the neighborhood organizations' activities and highlighting their great work, contributions from volunteers and collective outcomes. You can find NCR's annual neighborhood programs reports at www.minneapolismn.gov/ncr/programs.

Again, NCR thanks the countless volunteers, neighborhoods and commenters who worked on Neighborhoods 2020 for their time and dedication. Minneapolis is a better place because of your contribution.

Respectfully,

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

Bridgewater Lofts Partners with Interact Center for the Visual and Performing Arts for New Art Exhibit

“WORK WITH YOUR QUIRK” EXHIBIT TO SHOWCASE LOCAL ARTISTS WITH DISABILITIES

Partnership between Minneapolis’ Bridgewater Lofts and Interact Center for the Visual and Performing Arts set for May 11-June 8, 2019

The Bridgewater Lofts is known throughout the Mill District for its vibrant building-wide art exhibits. Now, the downtown condominium community is partnering with noted St. Paul arts organization Interact Center for the Performing Arts on a four-week exhibit set for the building’s main floor gallery space at 215 10th Avenue South in Minneapolis.

The exhibit’s title, “Work With Your Quirk,” is a motto of Interact, which provides adults with disabilities the opportunity to grow their artistic skills in a creative and safe environment. The exhibit will include more than forty works by eighteen Interact artists. Several pieces by Bridgewater resident Lena Osman also will be featured.

“Work With Your Quirk” is presented under the banner of Art @ the bridgewater, a rotating exhibit program organized by a committee of Bridgewater Lofts residents. “We are thrilled to showcase the work of these talented artists and introduce our residents and the larger community to the exceptional work being accomplished by Interact,” said Art @ the bridgewater committee members Dianne Walsh and Peter Zenner.

“Work With Your Quirk” is the latest in a series of rotating art exhibits presented under the banner of ART @ the bridgewater. There have been nine exhibits since the program’s official launch in July 2016.

“We have received tremendous positive feedback on ART @ the bridgewater not only from our residents but from local realtors, potential home buyers and other building visitors, noted Zenner. “It’s a wonderful amenity that has added to the day-to-day quality of life," he added.

Interact Center for the Visual and Performing Arts is a community of artists who choose to go through their disabilities rather than around them. The Bridgewater exhibit is a celebration of the organization’s culture of mutual inspiration and support.

“We are excited to be partnering with Bridgewater Lofts to introduce new audiences to the exceptional work of Interact artists challenging perceptions of disabilities,” said Interact Artistic Director Jeanne Calvit. “We commend the Bridgewater for its passionate commitment to the arts.”

About ART @ the bridgewater

ART @ the bridgewater is an ongoing program developed in 2014 by the Bridgewater Neighbors and Friends of the Arts, a resident-driven steering committee whose mission is to enhance, enliven and enrich the condominium community.  The program is curated by artist Alison Price, owner of Tres Leches Gallery in the Northrup King Building.

In addition to rotating exhibits, the condominium community also has embarked on an acquisition program, The Bridgewater Collection, purchasing works for permanent display from local artists including ceramic artists Maren Kloppmann, Leila Denecke and Warren MacKenzie, painter Michael Schmidt and sculptor Peter Vanni.

About Interact Center for the Performing Arts

Founded by Artistic Director, Jeanne Calvit, in 1996, Interact Center for the Visual and Performing Arts has transformed lives through its mission to create art that challenges perceptions of disability.  Its overriding vision is to lift all voices through the stories it tells – through original devised theater, through original visual artwork, and through the collaborative stories generated when artists with disabilities connect with their peers in a wide diversity of communities and situations.

Interact Theater has won two Ivey Awards, multiple National Endowment for the Arts awards, and has been presented by the Guthrie Dowling Studio, as well as mounting performances at The Lab, Pantages and Southern Theaters, Theater Latte Da, The Cowles Center and other venues.

Interact Visual Arts Studio shows have taken place in venues throughout the area, including Soo Vac Gallery, the Rochester Museum of Contemporary Art, NE Minneapolis’ Art-A-Whirl, Highpoint Center and its own Interact Gallery. In 2018, Interact won a prestigious grant from the state of Minnesota's Department of Human Services for “Proclaiming Our Place,” an initiative to help its artists better market their art through an expanded website featuring their work, exhibitions, workshops and networking opportunities.

For information about ART @ the bridgewater,  please contact Peter Zenner, pczenner@comcast.net or Dianne Walsh, dwalsh2009@comcast.net

For information on Interact Center for the Visual and Performing Arts, please contact Raleigh Wolpert, Interact Director of Advancement, Cell: 612-802-7479, Desk: 651-209-3575.

Minnesota Center for Book Arts Presents "Playing With Words"

Via an April 30 News Release from Minnesota Center for Book Arts (MCBA)

Minnesota Center for Book Arts Presents Playing With Words 

Minnesota Center for Book Arts (MCBA) presents Playing With Words, an exhibition in collaboration with the Loft Literary Center’s first annual Wordplay, Minnesota’s largest celebration of readers, writers, and great books. MCBA has commissioned 14 letterpress printers from around the country to create an edition of broadsides featuring selections of text by writers Jericho Brown, Anders Carlson-Wee, Tina Chang, Franny Choi, Mark Conway, Ross Gay, Dobby Gibson, Mary Karr, Ed Bok Lee, Gregory Pardlo, Morgan Parker, and Natasha Trethewey.

A large sheet of paper printed on one side only, broadsides are a popular and historically important form of street literature, a work of art designed to be read in public spaces, encouraging a communal reading experience. Plastered onto walls or sold in town squares, broadsides were used to inform the public about current news, publicize protests and events, issue proclamations in the form of ballads, and share poetry with a wide audience. Broadsides were the social media of their day, offering vivid insights into the daily activities and attitudes of individuals and communities. Today, broadside printing is often a fine art variant of poems, illustrations, and designs. Broadside printers for Playing With Words include Kent Aldrich, Tia Blassingame, H. R. Buechler, Mary Clare Butler, Angela Davis Fegan, Chris Fritton, Amos Paul Kennedy Jr., Amy Leners, Rachel Melis, Kelly Taylor Mitchell, Scott Murphy, Austin Nash, Radha Pandey, and CB Sherlock.

Please join MCBA for a public reception and free community broadside printing event in collaboration with Minneapolis-based Proof Public on May 11th, 2019 from 12-3 pm in MCBA’s studios. Prints by Proof Public will also be on view in MCBA’s Outlook Gallery on Washington Avenue.

Minnesota Center for Book Arts (MCBA) is a visual arts nonprofit organization that supports creative expression through traditional and contemporary book arts, including papermaking, bookbinding, and letterpress printing. MCBA’s philosophy and artistic vision challenges its artist community to think beyond the traditional notion of “book.” Today, books can be bound and unbound, fabricated into sculptures, interpreted as metaphor, experienced as installation or performance, and interacted with virtually. What unites this varied work is a focus on the interdisciplinary expression of narrative.

Outdoor & Nature Programming at Kroening Interpretive Center

Kroening Interpretive Center at North Mississippi Regional Park, 4900 Mississippi Court, 612-370-4844, email NorthMississippi@minneapolisparks.org  Facebook

Nature Programs

Bird Watching

Join us for a morning of bird watching! We’ll hike through prairie, woodland and along the river while keeping our eyes and ears open for our feathered friends. Binoculars provided.

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Spring Migration 8:30-10am May 4th: look the first of our summertime birds and many others just passing through.  Ages 8 & up. Activity #93953

Spring Migration Series 8-9:30am May 15th-29th: develop your bird watching skills while looking for migratory birds along the river with a naturalist. All experience levels are welcome. $15  Ages 18+.  Activity #98019

Beginner Basics 8:30-10am June 1st:  Come learn the basics of watching birds. Find out how to use binoculars and strategies for getting a closer look as we hike the park. All ages.  Activity #93954

Nature Hikes & Outdoor Exploration

Trail Trekkers Inclusive Hikes 10-11am May 4th & June 1st: Spend the morning walkin’ or a rollin’ on park paths with a naturalist guide in search of nature’s treasures during this program for adults with developmental disabilities. Ages 18+. Activity #97112 & Activity #97190

Family Trail Trekkers Inclusive Hikes 11:15-12:15pm May 4th & June 1st: During this program for families that have children with disabilities, use different tools like binoculars and magnifying glasses to examine high up in the trees or down low under logs. All ages. Activity #97186 & Activity #97187

Signs of Spring 1-2pm May 11th: Explore the park with a naturalist to search for the quick-changing signs of spring. Find out how plants and animals are preparing for the busiest time of year. All ages. Activity #93981

Fantastic Fish  2-3:30pm May 25th: Watch the fish in our freshwater aquarium feed while finding out more about river and lake habitats in your neighborhood. All ages. Activity #93977

Nature Play Group & Family Funday

Come with your little one to play and have fun in nature with other children and parents/guardians. For kids up to age 5 with an adult. Registration Fee $16 (for 4 weeks of classes).

May 15th - June 5th 10:45 - 11:45am   Activity #93929

June 12th - July 3rd 10:15 - 11:15am   Activity #91949

Toads, Frogs and Polliwogs 1-3pm June 2nd: Discover the difference between frogs and toads then search for them in the park. Play games and make a toad home for your yard. All Ages.  Activity #93967

Homeschool & Nature Art

Homeschool Day Reptile or Amphibian 1-3pm May 16th: What’s the difference between a reptile and amphibian? Compare and contrast these fascinating creatures to find out as you meet local examples of each. Learn what makes them different from other animals and their secrets of survival.  Registration Fee $5 Ages 5-13  Activity #93992 

Nature Art: Fairy Gardens 1:30-3pm May 18th: Add a touch of whimsy to your world! Craft an enchanting living work of art that will invite the good luck fairies bring to your home. Explore an imaginary world and create a delightful miniature garden to bring home for the fairies. All Ages  Registration Fee $10 Activity #93972

Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a registered adult.

Summer Day Camps for Kids

Sign your 6-12 year olds up for a summer outside with week long, naturalist-led camps. Explore outdoors, get messy and learn by doing! Spend summer days playing in neighborhood nature at North Mississippi Park. Full and half days available.

Click here for full list. (Note, you'll need to filter by Location = N Mississippi Regional Park; check off all 7 days of the week, Starting date = June 1, ending date August 30.)

FINNEGANS Garth Brooks Pre-Concert Patio Party, May 3 and 4

With Garth Brooks playing at U.S. Bank Stadium on Friday, May 3 and Saturday, May 4, stadium neighbor FINNEGANS Brew Co. is kicking off patio season by hosting pre-parties before both shows. With local country music artists, tasty BBQ eats and Garth Brooks ticket giveaways, the FINNEGANS patio is the place to be for those going to the show and for people just looking for a reason to party outside.

Friday May 3

WCCO is broadcasting live from the FINNEGANS patio from 3-6 and giving away tickets to Saturday’s Garth Brooks show. Must be present to win.

Music lineup:

3 PM – TJ Christensen

4 PM – Anderson Daniels

5 PM – Jason McNabb & The Reign

Saturday May 4

The Wolf K-102.9 is broadcasting live from the FINNEGANS patio from 12-6 and giving away Garth Brooks tickets. Must be present to win.

Music lineup:

12 PM – Eric Grand

1 PM – Todd Hurst

2 PM – The Plott Hounds

4 PM – Ben Johnson and Band

Elliot Park Hotel is supplying the eats: 10-Hour Minneapolis smoked pork shoulder on sesame seed hoagies served with pickles, cole slaw and a trio of escalating hot sauces: MN Nice, Carolina Sweet Heat and Caribbean WAHPAH! Neighboring Elliot Park Hotel has also set FINNEGANS up with a more permanent food menu in the taproom. 

Meet Local Artists during a Showcase of the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District at the Meet Minneapolis Visitor Center, May 2

On May 2, enjoy free baklava samples and register to win a pair of Theater Latte Da theater tickets while interacting with local artists preparing for Art-A-Whirl

Celebrate the showcase of the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District on May 2 at the Meet Minneapolis Visitor Center on Nicollet and 5th Street (505 Nicollet Mall, Suite 100, directly across from the METRO Nicollet station). Visitors will be able to sample free baklava (Greek pastry) from Holy Land and purchase original art from Minnesota Makers while meeting local artists Mercury Mosaics, Lintu Art and Studio 2 Ceramics between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. There will also be a chance to win a pair of Theater Latte Da tickets for a performance at the Ritz Theater in Northeast Minneapolis.  

Mercury Mosaics, along with nearly 800 Northeast Minneapolis artists can also be found at more than 60 locations during this year’s Art-A-Whirl. The annual, three-day festival is filled with local art, live music, food and plenty of fun activities. Art-A-Whirl will take place May 17-19. 

During the showcase at the Meet Minneapolis Visitor Center, guests may:

• Celebrate the showcase of Northeast Minneapolis Arts District
• Eat free baklava samples from Holy Land
• Register to win a pair of tickets to Theater Latte Da (need not be present to win)
• Purchase local art available for sale from Minnesota Makers, the exclusive retailer for Meet Minneapolis Visitor Center
• Learn more about the Northeast Arts District from representatives

For more information and daily hours, visit www.minneapolis.org/visitor-information/

Road Closures for April 28 Get in Gear Races

The following roads will be closed Saturday, April 28, from approximately 8:30a - 1pm for the Get in Gear 5K, 10K & Half Marathon:

- Godfrey Parkway

- West River Parkway (from Godfrey to Portland Ave S)

Jennifer Weber Named Youth Coach of the Year

Article by Claudia Kittock 

The 6th Annual Women Coaches Symposium took place on April 19, and it included the first ever Youth Coach of the Year award. We are thrilled to announce that our very own Coach Jennifer Weber was the recipient. Jennifer is a board member of the Friends of the Mill City, and an integral member of our community. I was honored to nominate her, and am even more honored to share some of her story.

Dr. Nicole M. LaVoi, Brian Klempke of Jostens, Coach Weber, Gretchen Hunt, Cheryl Reeve. Submitted photo

Three years ago, I felt the need to connect with our neighbors in the Cedar Riverside community. Building a community involves many coffees, many meetings, and a willingness to talk with everyone. After an initial meeting with Bihi Abdirizak, he urged me to meet with “Coach.” As he explained, everyone in the community knew her, respected her, and she would be the best person to guide me in my work. As she told one of the kids we were working with, “If you find yourself in Cedar Riverside and aren’t sure if you are safe, just say, ‘I’m with Coach Jennifer’ and you will be fine.” She was right.

When we met we immediately ‘recognized’ each other as we share many interests and passions. Coach Jennifer began as a volunteer in the Cedar Riverside Community School while finishing her teaching degree at Augsburg. She has worked in the community for 25 years. Upon graduation she was hired as a behavior specialist and founded the Cedar Riverside Community Traveling Basketball program five years ago.

Jennifer is indomitable. There are no problems she cannot and will not tackle and solve. Her entire approach to athletics is to use them to teach young people responsibility, hard work, command of their bodies, and doing things the right way. Her teams are consistently good. They play up-tempo, intelligent basketball. As a long-time aficionado of the game, I love to watch Cedar Riverside basketball. At one game I attended, her team was up by 10-15 points throughout the game, then got sloppy and lost. She let them lose, and used the game as an excellent lesson in intensity, hard work, and respect for their opponent. It was an amazing sports moment.

Her Muslim athletes have experienced poor sportsmanship from other adults and other teams. She uses each and every instance to show her players how to respond, and her athletes do as they are taught. They respond with dignity, calmness, never answering with anything other than calmness and respect, even when they are not shown the respect they deserve.

Coach Jennifer works equally with the girls of Cedar Riverside, and in predominately Muslim community, that has been anything but easy. She started with the elders of the community, explaining what she wanted to do and asking them what she needed to do to be able to teach these young women the game of basketball. One strenuous objection was modesty. Coach Jennifer worked with a fashion designer to design a sport hijab that was acceptable to the elders of the community. I don’t know any other coach who would do that.

Jennifer helped me start the Mill City Players, a theater program for young people from the Cedar Riverside neighborhood and for teens experiencing homelessness. For ease we refer to ‘her kids’ and ‘my kids’.  Jennifer loves to say that even though we refer to them that way, they are all ‘our kids’, and they are. One of ‘my kids’ is, once again, living on the street. Jennifer is working with him to help him qualify as a basketball referee. He is a devoted basketball player, works two jobs, and, with her help, will be able to work three.

Jennifer holds a multi-day garage sale every spring to fund her programs. Her athletes solicit the contributions, price them, and work the sale. It is hard work, and her student/athletes do all of the work.

I know I have missed many, many things Jennifer has accomplished, because it is impossible to list everything she has done as a teacher and as a coach. As an educator, I am incredibly critical of other educators, and very picky about who should work with children. Jennifer passes all tests with flying colors. I would put ‘my’ children on her teams and be thrilled by what they are learning.

She is extraordinary in every way. I am honored to know Jennifer. I am even more honored to work with her. I am even more honored to be able to watch what she does. She is my friend and a woman I admire with all my heart.

Minneapolis Veterans Job Fair April 25 at TCF Bank Stadium

DAV and RecruitMilitary will host the Minneapolis Veterans Job Fair on Thursday, April 25 at TCF Bank Stadium from 11am to 3pm for veterans, transitioning military personnel, National Guard members, Reservists and military spouses. This event features 55+ employers and coincides with RecruitMilitary’s new partnership with Google and its MOS Job Search Tool for military trained talent.

Google’s new MOS Job Search Tool changes the way Minnesota military trained talent can find civilian jobs based upon their military job experience. Job candidates can now use RecruitMilitary’s job board to preview available job opportunities near Minneapolis/St. Paul or nationwide and experience a refined search that’s powered by Google’s machine learning algorithms and built-in military occupational specialty (MOS) understanding to civilian job matching.

• The new search function is key to those veterans or service members who are actively seeking new career opportunities but are unsure of where to begin.  Now with help from Google’s search, RecruitMilitary provides an enhanced running start that is needed by job seekers who are new to the civilian job search process.  
• This functionality will make it easier for veterans to find the next step in their career in the civilian workforce.
• In early testing of this service, RecruitMilitary’s average daily job searches by logged in job seekers is up 37%.
• Daily job applications submitted by job candidates are up 91%.
• According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s February report, the rate of veteran unemployment holds steady at an all-time historic low – currently at 2.7%, which means military trained talent is in demand by civilian employers.  
• Now Google and RecruitMilitary are making it easier for both job seekers and employers by changing the job search and job placement processes for both parties.

Details on the new Google search tool can be found here: http://bit.ly/GoogleRM.

Exclusive Luxury Condo Planned for North Loop; Features Twin Cities First Mass Timber Residences

Developer Unveils Plans for Glass and Terracotta Structure with Sustainable Features

The North Loop in Minneapolis will soon play host to a Minnesota first. Todd Simning and Colin Oglesbay announced that they will break ground on a 10-story, 7,500 square foot retail, 79-unit LEED Gold luxury mixed-use condominium building, TMBR^TM, this fall with completion early 2021.

Simning is president of Excelsior-based luxury homebuilder Kroiss Development and Oglesbay is managing principal of Minneapolis-based D/O Architecture. Simning and Oglesbay are developing the project under newly formed TMBR Development, LLC.

TMBR, planned for a half-acre parcel located at 100 North Third Avenue, will feature the Twin Cities’ first residency constructed using mass timber frame. Mass timber construction creates an efficient, sophisticated and durable post-and-beam system while incorporating minimal steel and concrete. It is also sustainable, renewable, durable and uses the least amount of energy to build and contributes to lower greenhouse emissions.

TMBR, the vision of Oglesbay, will be a showcase of sustainable features, including a partial green roof and gardens, high performance thermal windows and electric car charge stations. The design features a singular mass of glass and terra cotta paneling resting upon a base of black steel. Residents will be treated with expansive views of the Minneapolis skyline and the Mississippi River, within easy walking distance of the North Loop retail shops, grocery and restaurants. Reservations for this new residence are limited to 79, with options for one, two, three-bedroom and penthouse units, starting at $450,000.

“TMBR will appeal to those seeking a boutique style luxury home but who also want more than just another condo. They are seeking something different, something smarter, more ecological, sustainable and with high end finishes,” said Simning. “We’re starting a new revolution in development.”

Simning believes TMBR will do for residential construction what T3 did for office buildings. In 2016, T3 became the first mass timber construction office building in the Twin Cities.

Visit TMBRnorthloop.com for more information. To get your name on the insider’s list, contact Joe Grunnet of Downtown Resource Group. Follow TMBRnorthloop on Facebook and Instagram.

Sports Fans: Enter Your Nominations Now for the 3rd Annual “Minnesota Sports Awards”

Via an April 23 e-announcement form Meet Minneapolis:

The Sports Minneapolis awards gala highlights Minnesota’s top high school, college and professional athletes plus the 2019 Minnesota Sports Hall of Fame inductees

Nominations are open now for the third annual Minnesota Sports Awards, hosted by Sports Minneapolis, and powered by Meet Minneapolis. Sports fans from around the state are encouraged to nominate their favorite athletes and coaches who have demonstrated excellence in their sports and leadership within the community. The deadline for high school and college athlete nominations is June 21. Nominations for professional athletes, Courage Award, Coach of the year and Sports Moment of the Year close in August. Winners will be announced at the Minnesota Sports Awards on December 11 at a celebration that also features the Star Tribune’s 2019 inductees to the Minnesota Sports Hall of Fame.

The Minnesota Sports Awards categories available for nomination submissions include:

High School Athlete of the Year (Girls/Boys)

Awarded to the high school athlete who has set the highest standard for excellence in their sport and in their contributions to the community during the 2018-2019 athletic season.

Collegiate Athlete of the Year (Women/Men)

Awarded to the collegiate athlete who has set the highest standard for excellence in their sport and in their contributions to the community during the 2018-2019 athletic season.

Professional Athlete of the Year

Awarded to the professional athlete who has set the highest standard for excellence in their sport and in their contributions to the community during the 2018-2019 athletic season.

Coach of the Year Award

Awarded to the coach – at the high school, collegiate or professional level – who has set the highest standard for excellence for their team, their sport and in their contributions to the community during the 2018-2019 athletic season.

Minnesota Sports Moment of the Year Award

Recognizing a single Minnesota sports moment from a game or competition in the past year that energized sports fans, displayed remarkable athletic skill or demonstrated incredible sportsmanship.

Courage Award

Awarded to an athlete or sports figure who overcame significant challenges on or off the playing field, inspiring others with their courage, perseverance and determination during the 2018-2019 athletic season.

This year’s Sports Minneapolis Minnesota Sports Awards gala dinner will take place Wednesday, December 11, 2019, at the Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel, The Depot. Ticket sales will be announced in September. The evening features honorees, iconic Minnesota athletes and team representatives to share stories about their teams and sports. In addition, the award program will be carried live by FOX Sports North across multiple digital platforms and rebroadcast at a later date.

For recaps of past years’ Minnesota Sports Awards, go here.

ABOUT SPORTS MINNEAPOLIS 

Sports Minneapolis leads the region in bidding, winning and executing major professional and amateur sporting events that impact the city of Minneapolis and beyond. Sports Minneapolis, a division within Meet Minneapolis, has played a major role in securing events such as the Super Bowl, NCAA Men’s Final Four, Major League Baseball All-Star Game, USA Girls’ Jr. Volleyball, CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer, X Games and more. Amateur and professional sports events increase visitor spending and tax revenue that benefits the local community.

In addition to securing upcoming NCAA championships and major events, such as the 2020 
Division I Wrestling Championships, 2021 Division I Men’s Gymnastics Championships, and the 2021 Division I Men’s Basketball Regional, Sports Minneapolis and its partners will be the local organizing committee for the 2022 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Final Four. For more information on Sports Minneapolis, visit www.sportsminneapolis.org.

ABOUT MEET MINNEAPOLIS

Meet Minneapolis is a private, not-for-profit, member-based association. It actively promotes and sells the Minneapolis area as a destination for conventions and meetings, works to maximize the visitor experience and markets the city as a desirable tourist destination to maximize the economic benefit to the greater Minneapolis area. 

Meet Minneapolis is accredited by the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP) of Destinations International.

Friends of the Mississippi 2018 Annual Report

Friends of the Mississippi invites you to enjoy their interactive online annual report. Listen to the amphibian chorus at a restored wetland, play before and after videos of a soybean field transformed into prairie, and maybe even spot yourself in photos of volunteers replanting the river’s banks. They shine a spotlight on the river and dedicated supporters in this 25th Anniversary video.

Neighborhoods 2020 Public Comment Report

Via an April 19 e-announcement from the City of Minneapolis:

Good afternoon, neighborhood and community leaders.

I am pleased to share the Neighborhoods 2020 Public Comment Report with you today.

NCR received over 300 statements, comment cards and letters from the community during the 63-day public comment period. NCR attended 40 presentations to neighborhoods, community groups and the general public, reaching over 1,000 people, to solicit this valuable feedback.

A small, multi-perspective group reviewed the comments and created a set of recommendations to the Neighborhoods 2020 Framework in response. You can view the summary, original comments and the original Neighborhoods 2020 Framework at www.minneapolismn.gov/ncr/2020.

Based on this community input, NCR is revising the framework and will be presenting to the City Council’s Public Health and Community Engagement Committee on May 6. We expect to publicly release the proposed Neighborhoods 2020 Framework with revisions by April 26.

As always, please contact the Neighborhood and Community Relations Department at 612-673-3737 or email to ncr@minneapolismn.gov if you have questions or concerns. Thank you for your time and contributions to this process.

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

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For reasonable accommodations or alternative formats please contact Nick Ngo at ncr@minneapolismn.gov or 612-673-3737. People who are deaf or hard of hearing can use a relay service to call 311 at 612-673-3000.  TTY users can call 612-673-2157 or 612-673-2626. Para asistencia 612-673-2700, Yog xav tau kev pab, hu 612-673-2800, Hadii aad Caawimaad u baahantahay 612-673-3500. 

Eleven Project Prep Gets Underway

Submitted photo

If you travel West River Parkway between 11th Avenue S and 12th Avenue S, you'll notice the Eleven condominium project prep is underway, starting with a fence wrap pictured above. (Picture was taken from Gold Medal Park across 11th Avenue S.)

Thank you to Evans Larson Communications, a communications firm working with developer Ryan Companies, for providing us with periodic project updates to share with our Mill City Times readers.