Minneapolis Water Meets New Federal Standards for PFAS

Excerpt from the May 2 City of Minneapolis e-newsletter

The City of Minneapolis is proud to provide city residents and businesses with safe, high-quality drinking water. You can look at monthly water quality reports on the City’s website or watch a video about how the City’s water is brought from the river to the tap.

Earlier this month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the federal agency responsible for regulating drinking water, issued new standards for several per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in drinking water. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS, are a large group of human-made chemicals.

PFAS are used in many products, including:

• Nonstick cookware
• Food packaging
• Stain-resistant carpets
• Fire-suppressing foam

Unfortunately, research suggests that exposure to PFAS may result in adverse health impacts. The good news for Minneapolis residents is these regulated compounds have not been detected in the Mississippi River, which is our water source, or in the finished water that we send out to your tap.

The City of Minneapolis has been monitoring for PFAS for nearly 10 years. Minneapolis tap water has always met and continues to meet the new federal standards.

For continued information about Minneapolis drinking water, watch for our annual Consumer Confidence Report. This report has data and information about various water quality metrics we provide to customers and state and federal regulators. The new Consumer Confidence Report will be posted by the end of May on the City website.

Mill City Farmers Market Opens May 4, Welcomes 10 New Vendors for the 2024 Season

A treat in May - the scent of lilacs and lilies of the valley wafting from Goldfinch Flowers

Mill City Farmers Market (MCFM) returns to the Chicago Mall and historic Train Shed with fresh local produce, sustainable groceries and handmade goods on Saturday, May 4 from 8am to 1pm. 

This year, an additional 10 new vendors joined the MCFM roster for a total of 115 vendors. MCFM is a primary storefront for many of the farms and local businesses showcased each Saturday. Customers can find a wide variety of local businesses including fruit and vegetable farmers, food makers with staple pantry items, textile and ceramic artists, jewelers, bakers, skin and body care, ready-to-eat food and more.

What you can expect this season:

Thanks to the Market’s Charitable Fund (MCFM-CF), educational programming will be back at the Market, including live cooking lessons with Market Chefs, veggie sampling for kids, Storytime and more.

Alongside food education, the Market and its Charitable Fund will continue their mission to give everyone in our community access to fresh, nutritious food through their food access programming. SNAP and EBT users can get their purchase tripled up to $10 each Market day (spend $10, get $30). In addition, beginning in July, MCFM’s Greens for Good food rescue program will return in partnership with Augsburg University’s Campus Kitchen, purchasing excess produce from farmers and distributing it weekly to low-income seniors in the Cedar Riverside neighborhood.

MCFM welcomes 10 new vendors for the 2024 season, with initial appearances scheduled as following:

May 4:

• Mom’s Garden Hmong woman-owned farm using organic practices to grow fresh produce.
• Zeytoon Bread & Co. Woman-owned bakery crafting sourdough with Mediterranean flavors.
• Chocolate San Jose Latino woman-owned business providing ethically sourced chocolate.
• Menoush Bakery Family owned company making and selling home baked Middle Eastern desserts.

May 11:

• Feather Thief Fly Fishing Custom curated, one of a kind hand-tied flies for fly fishing.
• Janna’s Gluten Free Bakery Woman-owned bakery offering gluten-free baked goods.

May 25:

• Suki's Chateau Gems and bracelets (formerly with Mhonpaj's Garden).
• Dervish Mazza Middle Eastern flavors showcased in a variety of spreads and dips.

June 15:

• Stone Fruit Creative Handmade crochet granny-square totes and produce bags.

July 13:

• Mi Sota Essence Latino Woman-owned cannabis company (formerly part of Primitiva Collective).

MCFM runs every Saturday, May through October, from 8am to 1pm (October markets open at 9am).

MCFM has long been a champion for the local food movement and has put farmers first since its founding in 2006 by farm-to-table pioneer and James Beard nominated restauranteur Brenda Langton. All vendors meet a high standard for local sourcing and are committed to market’s sustainability statement, which ensures the use of farming practices aligned with building healthy soils, sustainable water use, humane treatment of livestock, honorable workplace practices, and rejects synthetic inputs, pesticides and GMO seed. MCFM vendors are not required to be USDA Certified Organic, as the time and costs associated with certification are a barrier to many BIPOC, immigrant and emerging farmers. Customers at the Mill City Farmers Market can feel confident they will find high-quality, naturally grown and made products no matter which vendor they support.

New for the 2024 Art-A-Whirl: Art Passports on Parade, a Chance to Win $500 Worth of Art

Collecte 10 or more stamps to be entered into a drawing for $500 worth of art from a participating Art Passports on Parade artist of your choice.

Every year Art-A-Whirl draws over 40K visitors to the NE Arts District, which has ranked as the best, or one of the 10 best, art districts for a number of years by the US Today Readers Choice Awards. For 2024, non-profit Art to Change the World (ACW) is introducing Art Passports on Parade - an opportunity to visit artists who belong to ACW in their studios during Art-A-Whirl, May 17-19.

How Art Passports on Parade works:

Pick up a free Art Passport at the new ACW office and meeting space at 699 Lowry Ave NE (follow the ACW signs to the upper level), or from one of the participating artists. There will only be 100 Art Passports so be sure to get yours early!

Next, you will visit at least 10 of the participating ACW artists in Solar Arts, The Casket Building, The Carriage House, The California Building, The Northrup King Building and Flux Arts to see their work, interact with the artist, scope out what work you might choose if you win and have them stamp your Art Passport. Most artists will also host activities in their studios.

Participating Artists: Anna Karena, Frances Bates, Josh Blanc, Madeline (Lin) Boemer, Barbara Bridges, Rose Cooper, Rebecca David, Marko Fields, Kelly Frankenberg, Sara Hanson, Paul Kellett, Candy Kuehn, Layl McDill, Natalie McGuire, Catherine A. Palmer, Debra Ripp, Lucienne "Lucy" Schroepfer, and Sadie Ward.

Finally, Passports must be dropped off at the Flux Arts/ACW World Headquarters to be entered in the drawing. The winner will be notified by May 26, 2024.

Getting Around:

If you're driving, find parking on Monroe Street. Be aware that construction will be happening in the area. 

Not driving? A free shuttle driven by Eric Boyum of Boyum Enlightening Art Services will loop around from Lowry/Monroe to Solar Arts and the Carriage House at Casket Arts Building all three days. Once you are at Casket Arts, it will plug you into the Art-A-Whirl trolly route. Click here for map. 

2024 Art-A-Whirl Schedule:

May 17, Friday: 5pm – 10pm

May 18, Saturday: Noon – 8pm

May 19, Sunday: Noon – 5pm

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2024 Art Passports on Parade sponsors include East Side Food Coop, Central Ave Liquor and MPLSART.

Full Moon With A River View by Ric Rosow

Submitted by Ric Rosow

Full Moon With A River View

On April 23rd the moonrise in the East was around 8:15pm coming over the natural horizon. It was 8:27pm when it rose over a tall building. Even though it was past sunset, the sky was not too dark so I was able to capture the entire scene with one image. At other times of the year, from the location where this image was taken, the moon rises in locations now blocked by structures in the foreground. A different place from which to have shot this image is the Stone Arch Bridge, but of course half of that bridge is now closed for repairs.

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Art-A-Whirl, A NEMAA sponsored event, is only weeks away! Visit us at Price Krishnan Gallery in Studio 171-173 of the Northrup King Building. The Gallery is open Fridays 12-4pm and Saturdays 12-5pm.

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During Art-A-Whirl, the hours are:
Friday, May 19, 5 - 10 pm
Saturday, May 20, Noon - 8pm
Sunday, May 21, Noon - 5pm 

Theatre in the Round Players' 72nd Season Continues with Men on Boats by Jacklyn Backhaus May 10 - June 2

An audience discussion with the cast and director will be held immediately after the performance on Sunday, May 26.

Theatre in the Round Players (TRP) continues their 72nd Season with Men on Boats by Jaclyn Backhaus, the true(ish) story of John Wesley Powell’s 1869 expedition down the Colorado River, running weekends May 10 to June 2 with a Monday Pay-What-You-Can performance on May 20. Showtimes are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays at 2pm. 

This rollicking adventure offers a fresh perspective on the American West and the nature of adventure itself, telling the story of the all-male explorers with a cast women and gender-expansive performers. With humor, heart, and a thrilling narrative, Men on Boats uses unconventional storytelling to create a thrilling theatrical experience.

Sophie Peyton directs the ten-member cast with movement direction by Kelly Nelson, sets designed by MJ Leffler, costumes by Claire Looker, lighting by Bill Larsen, props by Vicky Erikson, and sound design by Christy Johnson.

Sign Up for City of Minneapolis Emergency Text Alerts via Smart911

Excerpt from the April 25 City of Minneapolis e-news

Sign up for the City of Minneapolis’ new alert system. You can get text alerts, create a full profile if you’d like alerts on specific subjects, and even download the mobile app to your phone.

Alert topics

The City of Minneapolis will use the new system, Smart911, to send alerts on many topics including:

• Snow emergencies
• Severe weather
• Public safety incidents
• Major infrastructure issues
• Major special event impacts

Smart911 replaces the City’s former alert system, Swiftreach. If you were subscribed to Swiftreach, you'll get alerts in the new system. You are encouraged to create a Smart911 profile for more precise alerts.

Sign up for alerts

To subscribe, text MPLSAlerts to 77295 or create a full Smart911 profile online.

Read more about the new alert system on the City website.

Lidia Bastianich to Feature Sean Sherman in an Upcoming Episode of Lidia Celebrates American: Changemakers

Lidia and Sean by Water Works Pavilion with the 3rd Avenue Bridge in the background. Photo credit Owamni

Italian-American cooking icon Lidia Bastianich was recently in town interviewing Sean Sherman for her special Lidia Celebrates America: Changemakers. Sean talked to Lidia about indigenous food knowledge, how his nonprofit, North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems (NĀTIFS), is uncovering, collecting, and disseminating that knowledge, and how understanding these very different ways of gathering food and eating can benefit everyone in our society.

Mark you calendar with a reminder to look for the episode this December on Twin Cities PBS!

Lidia samples dishes, ingredients and drinks with Sean at Owamni. Photo credit Owamni

Eagle Watches Over the Stone Arch Bridge Project

Submitted by Ric Rosow

The tug boats are doing yeoman work on the Stone Arch Bridge repair project. Above, a tug boat is pushing and guiding a new barge, the third, into place. Note the eagle perched atop a tree branch in the bottom center of the second image watching over the project. Below, a tug boat returns from one of the barges.

Clay Squared Gallery Announces Grand Opening, May 10

Image: ReUse On the Range, mixed media sculpture by Layl McDill, 55"x100"x9", 2023

Grand Opening May 10, 6:00 - 8:00pm

Mixed media sculptor Layl McDill is expanding her gallery and studio. The newly renovated storefront space at Lowry and Monroe will showcase Layl’s sculptures of all sizes and shapes. The Grand Opening is May 10 from 6:00 to 8:00pm. There will be door prizes and snacks, and an opportunity to play with some clay, too! 

Check out her latest teapots that have transformed into birds and whimsical worlds. Take your time searching the bead collection to find just the perfect grouping for a personalized bracelet. You'll also find a life-size bison made of found objects and polymer clay! 

The new gallery space (above) will be open Monday-Saturday from 12:00 to 5:00p, or by appointment or chance. Direct entrance is located at Monroe and Lowry, or enter at the main entrance of the Flux Arts Building, 2505 Howard Street NE (below).

Also open in the Flux Arts Building will be: Clay Squared to Infinity tile showroom and studio, Art to Change the World and Potek Glass.

Clay Squared Gallery will also be offering classes, parties and workshops in this new space. With several newly trained instructors, classes will be offered regularly. You will learn amazing magical techniques and then create a finished project such as a vase, frame or switchplate cover. Take it home and bake it in your own oven or let Clay Squared bake it for you. 

Public is Invited to the Annual MPD 1st Precinct Open House, May 14

Inspector Billy Peterson and the entire MPD 1st Precinct staff cordially invite you to the 1st Precinct Open House, taking place Tuesday, May 14, 11a-2p at 19 N 4th Street.

The Classical Music Project Returns to Westminster on June 2nd

June 2, 3pm Westminster Presbyterian Church

Sponsored by The Dakota

The Classical Music Project, launched in 2023, seeks to offer audiences intimate and thought-provoking musical experiences that highlight the beauty and complexity of classical music of the 17th-19th centuries. As a member of the Incubator Program at Springboard for the Arts, the project is committed to exploring new and creative approaches to presenting older music in a modern context.

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The first concert of the 2024 season promises to be a captivating exploration of love, revenge, and the beauty of Italy through the music of three influential composers. Get your tickets now and immerse yourself in an afternoon of musical mastery and storytelling.

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The program includes:

• Sinfonia Avanti II Barcheggio - Alessandro Stradella (Marissa Benedict, Trumpet Solo)
• Suite from the Ballet Pulcinella - Igor Stravinsky
• Symphony No. 4 in A, Op. 90 (Italian) - Felix Mendelssohn

Marissa Benedict will be featured as a solo performer. Her impressive resume includes being the first woman trumpet player to record on prestigious scoring stages and being featured on numerous blockbuster film and television soundtracks.

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Jere Lantz, Conductor, has been recognized with many awards for his contributions to the world of classical music, and his dedication to the arts has left a lasting impact on the communities he has served. His passion for sharing the joy of music with audiences of all ages and backgrounds has made him a beloved figure in the world of classical music. 

Tickets Now Available for Puccini’s Suor Angelica at The Basilica of Saint Mary, June 26-29

Puccini’s Suor Angelica will be the first-ever opera to be performed at The Basilica of Saint Mary - June 26-29

TICKETS

Out of the Box Opera, which designs productions that get to the heart of what makes opera exciting, is a pioneer of popup opera. Past production venues include Uppercut Boxing Gym, Weisman Art Museum, A-Mill Artist Lofts and Canopy Hotel. For this historic first, The Basilica of Saint Mary is acting as co-producer.

Few places in the Twin Cities can rival the Basilica’s power to stun. The iconic building is a place of beauty, mystery, and drama - the perfect complement to Suor Angelica, an intense one-act work set in a convent and sung by an all-female cast. As the tragic story of Sister Angelica unfolds, audiences will visit three separate locations within the Basilica: the Teresa of Calcutta room, the Chapel, and the majestic Nave. As if swept along by the music itself, at times actually mixing with the performers, the audience will have a uniquely immersive opera-going experience that will be unforgettable to first-time opera goers and veterans alike.

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Side note  - Learn more about this production when Mill City Times publishes a Becky Fillinger interview with Out of the Box Opera President, Noah Eisenberg, in May!

Sherman Associates Completes Ladder 260 Apartments in the Mill District

Ladder 260 is a six-story, 82,225-square-foot low-rise apartment building, featuring 90 affordable housing units. 

Now pre-leasing - learn more at Ladder260.com

Sherman Associates has completed Ladder 260, a new $34 million affordable housing development located at 260 Portland Avenue in the Mill District neighborhood.

Kraus-Anderson (KA) is the general contractor for the multi-phase project for Sherman, which is redeveloping most of an under-utilized city block at Washington Avenue and Portland Avenue. The first phase of the overall $161 million development project was a new $12 million fire station for the City of Minneapolis, which was completed in 2022. The final phase, called O2, is a 22-story, 240-unit market-rate apartment tower at 250 Portland Avenue, expected to be completed in early fall of 2024.

Designed by ESG Architects, Ladder 260 is a six-story, 82,225-square-foot low-rise apartment building, featuring 90 affordable housing units.  Amenities include a hotel-like lobby and leasing center, fitness room, 2nd floor lounge and a rooftop deck, bike storage/parking and pet spa.  Walk-up units on the street level provide a unique unit type to the market and will enhance the vibrancy along 3^rd Street.  The location has proximity to light rail and bus routes and is highly walkable and bike-friendly.

KA and Sherman have worked together on several projects that have enhanced the downtown Minneapolis community. Most recently, the 10-story Moment Apartments opened its doors in January 2023. The mixed-use, 222-unit development also includes the Transitional Healing Center for Firefighters For Healing. The center located on the 2nd floor includes 12 fully furnished suites for families of burn survivors, firefighters and first responders traveling to the Twin Cities for care at nearby Hennepin Healthcare.

Cirrostratus Clouds Over Downtown by Ric Rosow

Submitted by Ric Rosow

It was January 29th and the sun had set behind downtown building. The glow of the setting sun continued to light up the sky and the cirrostratus clouds. I had gone out specifically to photograph the sunset. The cloud formation was stunningly beautiful. Mother nature put on quite a show.  

Art A Whirl, a Northeast Minneapolis Arts Association (NEMAA) sponsored event takes place May 19-21. You can see more of my work during Art A Whirl, at Price Krishnan Gallery and at  ricrosowphotography.com

Cirrorstratus Clouds Over Downtown

Don't Get Towed - Spring Street Sweeping Starts April 16

Public Works crews are gearing up to start the City’s comprehensive street sweeping program to clear away what has accumulated in the streets over the winter. The City has scheduled Tuesday, April 16, for the first day of sweeping. Beginning Monday, April 15, drivers should watch for hot pink temporary “No Parking” signs to avoid a ticket and tow.

Starting April 16 for approximately four weeks, sweeping crews will take care of more than 1,000 miles of city streets. To make sure the crews can do the most complete job possible, temporary “No Parking” signs will be posted at least 24 hours in advance to make sure streets are clear of parked vehicles. Drivers need to follow street sweeping parking rules or they may have their cars ticketed and towed to the Minneapolis Impound Lot.

Find your street on the schedule! Starting Friday, April 12, you can see when your street is scheduled to be swept by visiting the interactive street sweeping map.

Learn more about street sweeping.

Going Out, Coming In: LGBTQ+ Spaces in Downtown Minneapolis Returns to Mill City Museum

Exhibit showcases the history of the city’s LGBTQIA+ community spaces

On April 18, the photography exhibit Going Out, Coming In: LGBTQ+ Spaces in Downtown Minneapolis returns to Mill City Museum. The public is invited to view the free exhibit, which will be located in the museum’s central Mill Commons area.

Previously displayed during the summer of 2023, Going Out, Coming In showcases the importance of downtown Minneapolis’ LGBTQIA+ community spaces throughout the 20th century. The exhibit details how queer history is present and intertwined with the neighborhood’s development during that time period.

Through this exhibit, visitors can deepen their understanding of downtown Minneapolis and those who lived in and visited the community. Images highlight places where the city’s queer community gathered to address the systemic challenges of discrimination, urban renewal, and HIV/AIDS.

This exhibit is part of an ongoing partnership between Twin Cities Pride and the Minnesota Historical Society. It is inspired by the Twin Cities LGBTQ+ History Tours developed by TC Pride and MNHS in 2022.

Going Out, Coming In will be on display during regular museum hours from April 18 to July 14 2024.

The exhibit is made possible through funding provided by the Minnesota Legacy Amendment Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Assist the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency - Join the Volunteer Water Monitoring Program

As spring arrives in Minnesota, it’s time for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) to kick off its popular program that relies on Minnesotans to monitor our 12,000+ lakes and 92,000+ miles of streams: the Volunteer Water Monitoring Program. 

The MPCA is currently recruiting volunteers to measure water clarity in numerous lakes and streams – including several high-priority sites across the Twin Cities Metro Area – and then report back to the agency. This is the perfect opportunity for outdoor enthusiasts and those interested in protecting our state’s natural resources! 

Over 50 years of environmental stewardship

When the University of Minnesota launched the Volunteer Water Monitoring Program in 1973, it would go on to become the second oldest, and still active, volunteer water monitoring program in the nation. Transferred to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency in 1978, it has since become a roaring success, empowering Minnesotans from all corners of the state to support the health of our beloved waters.

Minnehaha Creek water monitoring

How does it work? 

Volunteers conduct a simple water clarity test in a body of water twice a month from April-September. MPCA provide all the equipment and training, so no experience is needed. 

The MPCA uses the data to help determine whether lakes and streams are meeting water quality standards, which are designed to protect aquatic life and recreational activities, such as fishing and swimming. 

In some cases, the information gathered by volunteers is the only monitoring done on a particular lake or stream!

A Secchi disk is an 8-inch (20 cm) disk with alternating black and white quadrants. It is lowered into the water of a lake until it can no longer be seen by the observer. This depth of disappearance, called the Secchi depth, is a measure of the transparency of the water.

Community Meeting Regarding Scooters on May 13 The Depot

Council Member Michael Rainville has arranged a Town Hall Meeting at The Depot, 225 3rd Avenue S at 6 pm on Monday, May 13.

Allen Klugman of Traffic Control, Dillon Fried of the Department of Public Works’ Mobility Team and Park Commissioner Elizabeth Shaffer will answer questions and concerns about the upcoming scooter season. Residents who live near the Lakes will also be in attendance to discuss their concerns.

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Join the meeting to learn more, discuss problems observed and get your questions answered. 

Volunteer Opportunities to Help Care For Our Mississippi Riverfront

Public is invited to participate in shaping the Natural Resource Management for East Owamniyomni/Father Hennepin Bluff Park Lower Trail.

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1 - April 16, 6:30pm, Pillsbury A-Mill Performance Hall, 315 Main Street SE - Community Discussion: Caring for East Owamniyomni/Father Hennepin Bluff Riverfront 

Friends of the Mississippi River and Full Circle Indigenous Planning and Design will offer regional context for this planning and share their initial assessment and draft recommendations. Participants will be invited to offer ideas, respond to draft concepts, and sign up to participate in caring for nature at East Owamniyomni. You can sign up for care events this season here. 

Marcy-Holmes Neighborhood Association (MHNA) has partnered with Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board for several years by engaging volunteers in nature restoration activities at Father Hennepin Bluff Lower Trail, part of the Central Mississippi River Regional Park. As the Dakota name for the falls is Owamniyomni, volunteers are calling this lower trail area East Owamniyomni.

In 2023-24, MHNA received funding from the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization to complete a 10-year natural resource management plan for volunteer-led restoration at East Owamniyomni. Friends of the Mississippi River and Full Circle Indigenous Planning and Design are working together on this plan.  Essential parts of this planning process are evaluating its ecological health, and engaging Indigenous people and community members both in shaping the plan and playing a role in caring for nature in this special Mississippi River sanctuary. 

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2 - Thursday, April 25, 6:30-7:30p - Join a site visit about this plan, led by volunteers. Following the meeting, you are welcome to comment, including online, until May 16. The plan will be finalized in July 2024.

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3 - Tuesday, Sept. 10, 5:30-7:30p - The group will be planting shrubs as they launch implementation of the plan. This event is part of the 2024 season of care days - please sign up here for April - November dates!

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For more information or to join the volunteer leadership team, please contact Cordelia Pierson at cordelia.pierson@gmail.com, 651-815-1268 cell, LinkedIn, Facebook.

Help Shape the Future of Travel and Tourism in Minneapolis!

Destination Minneapolis: Charting the Future of Minneapolis Tourism

You can help shape the future of travel and tourism in Minneapolis! 

Meet Minneapolis, the city’s Convention and Visitors Association, is conducting a survey of Minneapolis residents. The information gathered will be part of an effort to develop an updated 10-year tourism master plan to increase the appeal of Minneapolis as a destination for travelers.

Please share you thoughts and be part of this important work. The survey, which closes on May 3, will take approximately 5 minutes to complete and all responses will be kept confidential.

The survey is available in four languages:

English - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MinneapolisEng

Hmong - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MinneapolisRShmong

Somali - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MinneapolisRSsomali

Spanish - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MinneapolisEsp