Mill City Singers' 2017-18 Season Recap

Article by Claudia Kittock

Photo credit: Ryan Ojard

What a season! The Mill City Singers' 2017-18 season surpassed every goal we set. It has been a year of singing with both old and new friends and in new venues. One of the magical things about this group is that new singers joined us at every one of the 30 rehearsals we had. Every rehearsal...think about that. It has also been fascinating to ask newcomers how they happened to join our community. The answers are always surprising. They range from "I read about it on Facebook" to a young couple sightseeing at the Guthrie being approached by a Singer who asked them if they liked to sing. Each of them is now firmly ensconced in the group.

We rehearsed for 30 Saturdays throughout the year. Our rehearsals are held at the Guthrie in a rehearsal room on the 8th floor, from 2:00-3:30pm. Everyone is welcome, and attendance is not recorded. We understand adults live real lives with real complications, so people are encouraged to come when they can. Everyone is welcome to every rehearsal.

The Singers were founded by and supported by the Friends of the Mill District charity.  Every project supported by the Friends is free to participants. We know that the only way to remove barriers...is to remove barriers, so money is never a consideration. The Friends raise the money to pay for the salaries of JD and Fred Steele through grants and donations from our generous group of donors. We are blessed with a neighborhood of friends who offer us financial support, an MRAC grant, and a charity that provides all the supportive work on a voluntary basis.

Our season began with rehearsals on September 9th. The first performance was at the Capri Theater on October 17th. If you have never been to the Capri, you have a treat coming. It is a wonderful venue on North Broadway. A restored movie theater that has now become a performance venue, the Capri is always filled to capacity and by the end of the evening, the entire audience is on their feet clapping and singing with all of us. The Capri concerts also include the Capri Glee and the MacPhail Youth Community Choir. We perform separately and then end the evening all onstage singing together.

We also discovered this group loves to party. At least twice a year, Rick and Claudia Kittock host a choir party. It is the easiest party possible. We open the doors, and a party breaks out. Everyone brings a dish to pass and a beverage of choice and that's it. We laugh, we hug, we laugh some more, we tell stories, and then we hug ‘goodbye’. To say "a good time was had by all" is an underestimate for this group.

Caroling for Winterfest, sponsored by the Friends of the Mill District, has becoming another annual event. We did that on December 2nd, and loved walking our beloved Mill District singing at the top of our voices.  People coming into the Guthrie to see A Christmas Carol joined in, honked as they drove, and some even stopped to ask who we were and where did we come from!

January is our hiatus month. It is a good time for a break for travel and/or recovery from the holidays. We have also found that as the month of January progresses, we all miss the Singers more with every passing day and the return in February is joyful and exciting.

In March, we were thrilled to perform in the Target Atrium of Orchestra Hall. The Singers were invited to become community partners with the Orchestra and were able to sing on two nights in March. Led by the magical JD and accompanied by the incredibly talented Fred, the audience grew and grew until people were spilling into the hallways. Part of this program is that each singer received a ticket for the Orchestra event on one of the evenings we sang. What a thrill! We had a wonderful time, yet again.

May and June were incredibly busy. We sang at the Capri Theater again, had another Singer party, and added performances at the Loring Park Music Festival, the Twins game (singing Take Me Out to the Ballgame), and ending the year with a moving performance at the Ordway. The Ordway event, Epilogue, was an evening of speakers, videos and music by the Singers all around the theme of the Vietnam War. We sang Glory, You’ve Got a Friend, Turn, Turn, Turn and Let It Be.

If all of this sounds too good to be true, come find out. Our new season begins on September 15th, with our first performance at CedarFest on September 16th. You read that right! It should be great fun on an outdoor stage next to The Cedar. Interested? Contact Claudia Kittock at cjkittock@gmail.com. I don’t think you want to miss the chance to make music with friends and neighbors. 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

About Claudia Kittock

Claudia is a resident of the Mill District. In addition to writing for Mill City Times, she is a founding Board Member of Friends of the Mill District. Claudia is the author of Health Through Chaos, mentors young adults at YouthLink, and has served on the Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association (DMNA).

.

Contact: claudia@millcitymedia.org

Something you don't see every day...

...a car meticulously lined with wine corks.

Thousands of Convention Visitors Bring Money and Increased Tax Revenue to Minneapolis this Summer

Via a Press Release from Meet Minneapolis:

The Minneapolis Convention Center is going to be the center of activity in downtown Minneapolis this summer, with more than 25,000 visitors attending three upcoming conventions, starting at the end of this week. The National Education Association (NEA) will hold its Annual Meeting and Representative Assembly beginning June 30, followed by the American Legion’s 100th National Convention starting August 23, and culminating with the National Baptist Convention, USA, starting Labor Day weekend.

Cumulatively, these three conventions represent 65,000 room nights for local hotels this summer, bringing additional money and tax revenue to the local economy. These events add to what is shaping up to be a banner year for the Minneapolis Convention Center (MCC). As of June 30, the MCC will have hosted 195 events for the year including Super Bowl-related events, and is currently on pace to exceed its goal of securing $20 million in revenue for the year.

By the Numbers:

National Education Association’s Annual Meeting and Representative Assembly

• June 30 – July 5
• Expecting more than 7,500 attendees and exhibitors
• More than 40,000 room nights in the greater Minneapolis area

American Legion 2018 National Convention

• August 23 – August 29
• More than 9,500 attendees and exhibitors expected
• Approximately 15,000 room nights in Minneapolis

National Baptist Convention USA, Inc.

• September 2 – September 7
• An estimated 8,000 attendees and exhibitors
• More than 10,000 room nights in Minneapolis

“Those outside of our industry might have anticipated a letdown in our business levels after Super Bowl LII.  Nothing could be further from the truth,” said Meet Minneapolis President and CEO, Melvin Tennant. “Thanks to the sales and marketing groundwork laid by our team and our community partners, we have a bevy of diverse events set for the rest of 2018 that will allow us to sustain our strong start to the year.  That’s good news for our local economy and the more than 36,000 individuals working in the travel and hospitality industry in Minneapolis.”

Another highlight for 2018 will be in the fourth quarter when the MCC hosts nearly 6,000 women engineers for the Society of Women Engineers’ 2018 Annual Conference in October. In all, Meet Minneapolis will bring well over 600 events to the city and region this year, including more than 300 events to the MCC.

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.

Anticipated attendance numbers are provided by partner organizations and are subject to adjustment based on meeting planner projections and post event results.  Forecasted room night numbers reflect historical averages of room nights for the meeting or event.

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

CONNECT WITH US

Online, deals and exclusive experiences, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram

2040 Transportation Policy Plan Update Released for Public Comment

Via a June 28 e-newsletter from the Metropolitan Council: 

The Metropolitan Council is now taking public comment on the draft update to the 2040 Transportation Policy Plan (TPP).  On Wednesday, the Council voted to release the draft plan for public comment. Since it was adopted in 2015, new investment decisions and work have been incorporated into the plan to reflect the current landscape of regional transportation.

“I look forward to feedback from people all across the region,” said Council Chair Alene Tchourumoff. “This update is the result of many months of collaboration with the elected officials who sit on the Transportation Advisory Board, the community members who volunteer their time on advisory boards, and the technical experts from our partner organizations and here at the Council. As we look to the future, our shared prosperity comes from having a shared roadmap – this plan reflects how we build a transportation system that connects our region.”

Regional system keeps growing, population mobile and connected

Population is growing throughout the region – especially in communities with major transit investments. Reliable, safe and efficient ways of getting from one point to another is a necessity. Whether driving, busing, biking, walking, or taking light rail, people need a transportation system that allows them to remain connected and reach destinations.

Many elements factor into developing and implementing a regional transportation system. The Council plays a substantial role in planning and identifying needed investments for that system, as well as  coordinating with partners across the region to build transportation options that benefit everyone.

Required by both state and federal law, the current 2040 Transportation Policy Plan serves as a blueprint for growth and establishes key transportation goals that are guided by Thrive MSP 2040, the Council’s regional policy framework.

Federal law requires that the Council update the TPP every four years. This update has been a collaborative effort between the Council, state and regional agencies, and local governments, along with the people of the region.

Focus on safety, cost-efficiency and maintaining/enhancing current infrastructure

This update continues to focus on cost-efficient and safe transportation investments that maintain our roads, bridges and transit system, and that will meet transportation needs now and into the future. At the same time, the plan emphasizes multimodal options across the region and how those modes can be strategically aligned with land use.

The TPP update highlights the Council’s work to move towards the regional outcomes found in Thrive MSP 2040 as they relate to transportation. These outcomes include: stewardship, prosperity, equity, livability and sustainability. Highlights of the update are:

• Updating fiscal projections for the highway and transit systems
• Including new major highway and transit investments that have received funding
• Identifying performance measures that will guide investment
• Addressing new and emerging trends in transportation, like autonomous vehicles and shared mobility systems
• New investments for major highway projects and transitways
• Results of recent transportation planning studies, like the Regional Truck Freight Corridor study

Get involved; comment period open til Aug. 13

The Council is ready to hear from you. Public comment will be received until 5 p.m., Monday, August 13.  To comment:

• Write to Metropolitan Council, Public Information at 390 Robert St. N., St. Paul, MN 55101
• Email to Metropolitan Council, Public Information at public.info@metc.state.mn.us
• Record a comment on the Public Comment Line at 651.602.1500 (TTY 651.291.0904)
• Comment through an online feedback form

More information on the draft update to the 2040 Transportation Policy Plan and how to participate in the public comment period.

The Council will make revisions after the public comment period and release the final TPP update later this year. 

The Metropolitan Council is now taking public comment on the draft update to the 2040 Transportation Policy Plan (TPP). On Wednesday, the Council voted to release the draft plan for public comment. Since it was adopted in 2015, new investment decisions and work have been incorporated into the plan to reflect the current landscape of regional transportation.

“I look forward to feedback from people all across the region,” said Council Chair Alene Tchourumoff. “This update is the result of many months of collaboration with the elected officials who sit on the Transportation Advisory Board, the community members who volunteer their time on advisory boards, and the technical experts from our partner organizations and here at the Council. As we look to the future, our shared prosperity comes from having a shared roadmap – this plan reflects how we build a transportation system that connects our region.”

Regional system keeps growing, population mobile and connected

Population is growing throughout the region – especially in communities with major transit investments. Reliable, safe and efficient ways of getting from one point to another is a necessity. Whether driving, busing, biking, walking, or taking light rail, people need a transportation system that allows them to remain connected and reach destinations.

Many elements factor into developing and implementing a regional transportation system. The Council plays a substantial role in planning and identifying needed investments for that system, as well as coordinating with partners across the region to build transportation options that benefit everyone.

Required by both state and federal law, the current 2040 Transportation Policy Plan serves as a blueprint for growth and establishes key transportation goals that are guided by Thrive MSP 2040, the Council’s regional policy framework.

Federal law requires that the Council update the TPP every four years. This update has been a collaborative effort between the Council, state and regional agencies, and local governments, along with the people of the region.

Focus on safety, cost-efficiency and maintaining/enhancing current infrastructure

This update continues to focus on cost-efficient and safe transportation investments that maintain our roads, bridges and transit system, and that will meet transportation needs now and into the future. At the same time, the plan emphasizes multimodal options across the region and how those modes can be strategically aligned with land use.

The TPP update highlights the Council’s work to move towards the regional outcomes found in Thrive MSP 2040 as they relate to transportation. These outcomes include: stewardship, prosperity, equity, livability and sustainability. Highlights of the update are:

• Updating fiscal projections for the highway and transit systems
• Including new major highway and transit investments that have received funding
• Identifying performance measures that will guide investment
• Addressing new and emerging trends in transportation, like autonomous vehicles and shared mobility systems
• New investments for major highway projects and transitways
• Results of recent transportation planning studies, like the Regional Truck Freight Corridor study

Get involved; comment period open until Aug. 13

The Council is ready to hear from you. Public comment will be received until 5 p.m., Monday, August 13.  To comment:

• Write to Metropolitan Council, Public Information at 390 Robert St. N., St. Paul, MN 55101
• Email to Metropolitan Council, Public Information at public.info@metc.state.mn.us
• Record a comment on the Public Comment Line at 651.602.1500 (TTY 651.291.0904)
• Comment through an online feedback form

More information on the draft update to the 2040 Transportation Policy Plan and how to participate in the public comment period.

The Council will make revisions after the public comment period and release the final TPP update later this year.

Celebrate the 4th of July at Annual Red, White and Boom

Celebrate the Fourth of July during Minneapolis' Red, White and Boom, a celebration hosted by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. The event, held along the downtown Minneapolis Riverfront, features live music, great food, fun activities for the whole family, and the grand finale – fireworks!

On Wednesday, July 4, Father Hennepin Bluff Park will offer FREE family activities in the Family Fun Zone, 6–9:30 pm including balloon twisters, caricature artists, hair painters and face painters. Bands performing this year include:

Father Hennepin Bluff Park
6–7:30 pm Tre Aaron
8-10 pm  Funktion Junction

Mill Ruins Park
6–10 pm DJ music from Superbrush427

The Red, White and Boom Celebration closes with a spectacular fireworks display along the Riverfront at 10 pm. For more information please go to www.mplsredwhiteboom.com.

If interested in being a sponsor or donating to the Minneapolis Fireworks Fund, please call Erica Chua at 612-230-6479.

THIS WEEK AT CITY HALL: THE GRUMPY'S PROJECT

Thursday, June 28, 4:30 p.m. | City Hall, Room 319 | Planning Commission COW

Developers TE Miller and Solhem Cos. are proposing a 8-story, z-shaped building that would wrap around the historic Day Block Brewing building. The plans call for 150 market rate apartments.

Excerpt from the staff report:

The applicant is proposing to construct an 8-story building with 150 market-rate apartments. The gross floor area proposed for the building is 120,254 square feet resulting in a floor area ratio of 4.88. In the B4N district building height is limited to 10 stories and there is no maximum FAR. One commercial space of 1,423 square feet is proposed along Washington Ave S. The space would be occupied by OX-OP Gallery. A tenant common space of 2,398 is also proposed along Washington Ave S. Three two-story live/work apartments are proposed along 11th Ave S. The proposed second story is a mezzanine level containing 7,475 square feet of floor area. The third through seventh floors are each proposed to be 21,184 square feet in size. Parking for the building is proposed within one story of underground parking and a partial story of at-grade garage parking resulting in a total of 103 parking spaces. The project has no minimum off-street parking requirement. There are 220 bicycle parking spaces proposed as part of the project.

The applicant has proposed to add a new curb cut along 11th Ave S to access the upper garage. There is a protected bikeway that runs along 11th Ave S. The project proposes to create a curb elevated bikeway in front of the building. The area along 11th Ave S is also proposed to have an uncovered loading and ride share drop off zone accessible via the new curb cut. There are improvements planned to the protected bikeway along 11th Ave S. The plastic bollards will be replaced by a concrete curb this summer.

Download staff report, including photos (4.5MB)...

View complete agenda...

Scenes for the June 23 Mill City Farmers Market

June 23 was Brain Health Day at the Mill City Farmers Market. For the seventh consecutive year, the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) gave away 1,000 children and adult bike helmets. 

Officer Mike with the Minneapolis Police Bike Cops for Kids program was on hand for the bike helmet giveaway event.

The Meet Your Vegetables team is back. Stop by their booth to sample recipes featuring seasonal produce. This week it was Radish Salad.

This was also Pride weekend, and Loon Organics showed their support.

Above, local legend Sue Zelickson visited with Celina Kane. Celina recently rebranded her business from Hat Make to Celina Kane.

Milly the goat!  :)

 

Absentee Voting for 2018 Primary Election Begins June 29

Via a June 21 e-newsletter from Hennepin County:

Vote early through August 13

All eligible voters in Hennepin County can vote absentee - either in-person or by mail - beginning Friday, June 29.  

Vote early in person

In-person absentee voting will be available June 29 through August 13 at city halls across Hennepin County and at the Early Vote Center in downtown Minneapolis at 217 S. Third Street. Each city location can accommodate voters who live in that particular city.

Voters who live anywhere in Hennepin County can in-person absentee vote at the Hennepin County Government Center – 300 S. Sixth Street, Minneapolis – skyway level. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Learn more about absentee voting in person. 

View a sample ballot from the Secretary of State’s website.

Vote early by mail 

Voters must fill out an application online or on paper to receive a ballot. Paper applications are available in English, Spanish, Hmong, Somali, Vietnamese, Russian, Chinese, Lao, Oromo, Khmer and Amharic.

Voters do not need to be registered to vote to apply to vote absentee. To make the process easier, voters may want to register or ensure you are registered before applying for an absentee ballot.

Ballots will be mailed to voters within one to two days of receiving the application. 

Completed ballots must be received on or before Primary Election Day, August 14. Voters can return ballots by mail or in person.

Learn more about absentee voting by mail.

Election judges still needed for Primary Election Day, August 14

Cities throughout Hennepin County are looking for election judges to handle all aspects of voting at the polling place during the 2018 elections. Training occurs during the summer, so interested community members should sign up now.

Watch the election judge recruiting video (1:07).

Many cities are particularly looking for multilingual election judges who speak English and Spanish, Somali, Hmong, Vietnamese or other languages.

Residents who are eligible to vote are eligible to be election judges. Students who are 16 or 17 years old and who are in good academic standing are also eligible.

Judges should be available for one paid training for a few hours plus a paid shift on Primary Election Day, August 14, and/or Election Day, November 6. Pay and shift lengths vary by city.

Interested residents can contact election officials in any city, or use Hennepin County’s online form. Hennepin County elections staff will forward all completed forms to local election officials. Residents may be election judges in cities other than where they live.

Sign up to be an election judge in Hennepin County.

For more information about elections in Hennepin County, visit www.hennepin.us/elections.

“Hennepin History Museum: Celebrating 80 Years” on Display in Hennepin Gallery thru August 16

Via a June 21 Hennepin County e-newsletter:

The Hennepin Gallery exhibit of photos, artifacts, and archival items, from the Hennepin History Museum’s collection, shows the diverse history of Hennepin County. All seven county districts are represented, such as a Robbinsdale mail stamp box, Hopkins Minneapolis Moline booklet, Excelsior Gideon Farm bell, Champlin brochure, Bloomington Mall of America grand opening poster, Northrup King lawn spreader, Foshay Tower sheet music, pharmacy bottles, a coffee roaster, and more.

History of the museum:

On April 11, 1938, a group of residents interested in the preservation of local history gathered in the Hennepin County Commissioners’ chambers to discuss the creation of a new organization. “One of the main objects of the proposed society should,” they agreed, “be to obtain pioneer specimens now as the pioneers of Hennepin County were rapidly passing away.” The Hennepin County Board was happy to help; the County had been given a $60,000 Works Progress Administration (WPA) grant for the specific purpose of collecting historical material, and the Commissioners supported using the funds to staff the new historic society and museum. (Hennepin County still supports the museum; the County provides approximately 45% of the annual operating budget, with individuals, corporations, and foundations providing the bulk of the remainder.)

In addition to collecting historic items relating to Hennepin County’s past, the museum’s early leaders focused on sharing history with the public. “From the beginning the Society has endeavored to make the Museum an educational force,” says one of earliest brochures. Shortly after opening, the museum published Bohemian Flats, written by WPA writers and sponsored by the museum. This book is still in print today.

In 1938, the new Hennepin County Historical Society opened in one large “display room” on the second floor of Oak Hill School in St. Louis Park. Within months, the museum had taken over the entire second floor. Historic treasures from the county’s past flowed into to the newly formed museum, and in 1939 organizers reported that the collection “cannot be adequately shown to the public on account of lack of space and proper display conditions.” In 1944, the museum moved to a new home, this time located at 1516 Harmon Place in Loring Park.  In 1958, the museum moved into its current home. 2303 Third Avenue South, the former residence of philanthropist Carolyn McKnight Christian, was selected for its size, its fire-resistant materials, and adequate parking.

The museum’s first magazine, then a quarterly bulletin, was published in April 1941, and today is one of the longest continuing historic publications in the state. Hennepin History has published articles on hundreds of local history topics. A commitment to telling the full story of Hennepin County has long been part of the museum’s mission. In 1991, for example, the museum became one of (and possibly the) first local history organizations in the nation to publish an article about local LGBTQ history.

That same year, following extensive community research, Hennepin County Historical Society changed its name to Hennepin History Museum. While the name may have changed, the commitment to preserving and sharing the history of Hennepin County remained the same.

2018 museum programming:

For 2018, the museum selected “why do people collect?” for its anniversary theme. Throughout the year, the museum is delving deep into this theme through a year’s worth of programs and exhibitions, including a behind-the-scenes “visible storage” laboratory-turned-gallery. Here, visitors can watch as museum volunteers and staff conduct an exhaustive inventory of its collection, and observe as tens of thousands of historic artifacts are recorded, photographed, and entered into a searchable database.

Exhibit hours:

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 South Sixth Street, Minneapolis.

The exhibit is sponsored by and the gallery is a project of Hennepin County Communications. 

American Academy of Neurology (AAN) 7th Annual Bike Helmet Giveaway this Saturday, June 23

Excerpts from a recent American Academy of Neurology News Release:

For the seventh consecutive year, the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) will be giving away 1,000 bike helmets to children and adults on Saturday, June 23, at the AAN headquarters and in conjunction with the Mill City Farmers Market themed day focusing on healthy brain foods. The free bike helmet giveaway is designed to raise awareness of and help prevent head injuries in Minnesota. It will take place between 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early as quantities are limited.

“The AAN Bike Helmet Giveaway is an important way to support our local community and help prevent head injuries,” said Catherine M. Rydell, CAE, Executive Director and CEO of the American Academy of Neurology. “We want to encourage everyone to protect their brain as they enjoy their favorite recreational activities this summer.”

In acknowledgement of the day, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has proclaimed Saturday, June 23, 2018, Brain Health Awareness Day in the city.

Attendees will be able to sign up for a free subscription to the American Academy of Neurology’s popular magazine, Brain & Life^TM. The magazine and website are excellent resources for people with neurologic disorders, caregivers, and anyone interested in brain health.

Rounding out the fun, the AAN is hosting a piano through Pianos on Parade, a summer program from the Minneapolis Downtown Council. Uniquely designed pianos are placed throughout downtown in June, offering residents and visitors the opportunity to take part in impromptu concerts. Music is sometimes used as supplemental therapy along with traditional treatments for neurologic disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and dementia. The piano is placed in the sensory garden area in front of the AAN headquarters for the public to play every day from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. until June 30, 2018.

To extend its impact on Minnesotans’ brain health, the AAN has donated an additional 1,000 helmets to the Minneapolis Police Department Bike Cops for Kids, St. Paul-Ramsey County Public Health, Extended Learning Summer School/MPS, Nice Ride, Brain Injury Alliance Minnesota and Hennepin County Health Care for the Homeless.

Learn more about concussion and brain health at www.BrainandLife.org, the American Academy of Neurology’s patient and caregiver website and online home of Brain & Life, a free magazine focused on the intersection of neurologic disease and brain health.

About the American Academy of Neurology

The American Academy of Neurology is the world's largest association of neurologists and neuroscience professionals, with 34,000 members. The AAN is dedicated to promoting the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as Alzheimer's disease, stroke, migraine, multiple sclerosis, concussion, Parkinson's disease and epilepsy.

The American Academy of Neurology headquarters is located at Chicago Avenue and 2nd Street, across from the Mill City Farmers Market.

For more information about the American Academy of Neurology, visit www.aan.com or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and YouTube.

Help Restore Habitat on Nicollet Island - Attend June 25 Meeting for More Info

 

The Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO) is partnering with Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR) to help restore natural areas on Nicollet Island, and we need your help!

On Monday, June 25, FMR will be hosting a kickoff informational session at DaLaSalle High School from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Attendees can learn more about the project timeline, what to expect during the restoration process, and how they can get involved. All are welcome!

More info

City Announces June 28 Viewing Event for the Hennepin Avenue Reconstruction Project

Via an e-newsletter from the City of Minneapolis:

Project Gallery - Hennepin Avenue Reconstruction Project

Please stop by Thursday, June 28 for a gallery-style viewing of the Hennepin Avenue Reconstruction Project proposed roadway layout and vision for streetscape enhancements.

The City of Minneapolis is designing the reconstruction of Hennepin Avenue between 12th Street and Washington Avenue. We are excited to show the results of months of public input, stakeholder coordination, and technical analysis on the project. The project will be presented to the Transportation and Public Works Committee and City Council in July 2018, but we want YOU to have a first look.

Stop by for a gallery-style viewing to see how public comment has influenced the proposed roadway layout and vision for streetscape enhancements. City Council approval of the layout in July will set the curb lines and be the base for further design refinement in coming months. The proposed vision for streetscape enhancements sets the stage for continued discussion with property owners to determine the level of investment. See what your input has helped create!

WHERE:
Hennepin Theatre Trust, 900 Hennepin Avenue

WHEN:
Thursday, June 28, anytime between Noon and 5 pm

FOR QUESTIONS:
Construction details including timing and potential closures are not known at this time, but that information will be available by the end of the year.

Visit the project website at http://www.hennepindowntown.com/ (Gallery materials will be posted Friday, June 29.)
Contact the project at Hennepin.downtown@minneapolismn.gov or call 844-887-8330.

Scenes from Northern Spark 2018

Article by Brianna Ojard, Photos by Ryan Ojard

The theme of this year’s Northern Spark, an all-night art festival that lights up Minneapolis with art installations, was “commonality”. A fitting theme for a time in our country that would make you believe that we have more that divides us than we have in common.  But one thing all Minnesotans have in common, whether you are brand new to the state or have lived here your entire life, is an appreciation for nice weather.  And that commonality was evident by the thousands of area residents that came out this weekend to take in a multitude of art exhibits and support our local art scene.

As a first time attendee I wasn’t expecting the experience to be so interactive.  (Northern Spark started in 2011, I can’t believe it took me this long!) Many of the exhibits had some way to interact with the art, but it was still enjoyable for the person that likes to hang back and take things in.  Another thing I wasn’t expecting was how beautiful it was.  I loved the performance of “Smart Wars: Mni Wiconi Alliance” by Wakemup Productions as the sun went down, and then watching the lights of the art exhibits begin to glow as the darkness settled in.  It was also beautiful to see the mix of people all enjoying a shared experience.

I’m glad I finally made it out to Northern Spark.  My first experience definitely won’t be my last.  If you’ve been meaning to partake but haven’t yet, put it on your to-do list for the summer of 2019.

Local Theater Teaching Talent Elevates Mill City Players' Summer 2018 Production

Article by Claudia Kittock

The Mill City Players' third session will begin on June 19th. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we have been very fortunate to be able to offer this program three times in less than a year, and the young actors who are part of this group are excited to begin. There have been a number of additions to this session that we are anxious to share.

James A. WilliamsCreated and supported by the Friends of the Mill District, we have hired our first Artistic Director, James A. Williams. Also known a JayyDubb, he has been a mainstay of the Twin Cities theater scene since 1976. He is a founding member of Penumbra Theatre Company, where he helped create new works with noted playwrights Carlyle Brown and Charles Smith. His work at Penumbra also laid the foundation for life-long relationships with celebrated director Marion McClinton and playwright August Wilson. Williams’ collaborative contributions were essential to the development of several Illusion Theatre touring shows: For Adults Only, Family and Amazing Grace. These productions covered a wide variety of social justice issues (including sexual violence prevention, building stronger families and one of the first HIV/Aids education pieces in the country) and allowed for the creation of main stage work with Steven Dietz, Matthew McGuire and Ping Chong.

Patricia BrownPatricia Brown will be teaching dance to the Mill City actors. For the last 24 years she has been an active member of the Twin Cities arts community as a dancer, instructor, performer and choreographer. Patricia is an African-based movement instructor whose fusion style is rooted in dance of West Africa and other regions, the Caribbean, and the Americas. She is a teaching artist who works with students of all ages, in a wide variety of settings, including primary and secondary schools, juvenile detention facilities, summer programs, dance studios and community centers. Additionally, she works with dance groups, choirs, and organizations such as Arts-Us, Penumbra Theatre Company’s Summer Institute, and the VocalEssence WITNESS School Program. Patricia is an adjunct faculty member in the Theatre Arts and Dance departments at both Macalester College, and the University of Minnesota, where she received the 2004 College of Continuing Education Distinguished Teaching Award, and the 2007 Century Council Diverse Community Award. In 2013, Penumbra Summer Institute created the Patricia A. Brown scholarship in her honor. She was also nominated for a 2013 Sage Award in the category of “Outstanding Dance Educator,” and in 2015, Arts-Us presented her with the Legacy Arts Recognition Award for excellence, leadership and legacy in and through the arts.

Ahanti YoungAhanti Young has been hired to teach drumming. He has been a professional performer for over twenty years. A seasoned actor, musician, spoken word artist, choreographer, and teaching artist, Ahanti is also a company member at Penumbra Theatre. Most recent credits include Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Two Trains Running, Zooman and the Sign, and Jitney. An international artist, Ahanti has appeared at The Guthrie Theater, Ten Thousand Things, History Theatre, The Fitzgerald Theater, The Illusion Theater, Intermedia Arts,  Walker Art Center, Round House Theatre (MD), Alchemy Theatre (NY), Arizona Theatre Company, Herberger Theater (AZ), Paramount Theatre (CA), and Patinoire Saint-Léonard (Switzerland). As a musician, Ahanti has toured internationally with Edupoetic Enterbrainment (spoken word band), producing three albums. He was most recently seen in Pillsbury House Theatre’s The Brothers Size. His pioneering work with such groups as Sirius B (black male performance artist collective), African Perfection (drill team), In Da Belly (social change theater), Royal Guard (drum and bugle corps), and his work as a teaching artist at Walker West Music Academy, VocalEssence, SteppingStone Theatre, and many more have made Ahanti Young a recognizable face within the national arts community.

The actors will be rehearsing at Common Table in the Cedar Riverside community from June 19-July 19, and we will hold the remaining rehearsals at YouthLink from July 24-August 25. We are asking the community for help with lunches. Each rehearsal will be held from 1:30-3:30P, with lunches provided from 12:30-1:30P. Ask anyone who has done this during the past two sessions, and you will find it is a great joy. Talking to a group of teens who are acting and inhaling their food...it doesn’t get much better than that!

The performances will take place in Antonello Hall at MacPhail Center for Music on August 21st at 7:00P, in Pohlad Hall at the Central Library on August 25th at 1:30P, and at CedarFest on September 16 (time to be determined). Mark your calendars now. All performances are sponsored by the Friends of the Mill District and are free.

If you want to become involved, there are a number of ways you can help:

• Contact Claudia Kittock at cjkittock@gmail.com to bring lunches.

• Donate to Friends of the Mill District. Every program we sponsor is offered at no cost to participants. We provide our labor on a volunteer basis and our expenses include hiring the best professionals we can find.  Donations can be sent to Claudia Kittock, 210 10th Avenue S, Apt. 102, Minneapolis, MN 55415.

• Mark your calendars for the performances and bring a friend, a neighbor, and anyone you know who would enjoy watching this vibrant group of talented young people.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

About Claudia Kittock

Claudia is a resident of the Mill District. In addition to writing for Mill City Times, she is a founding Board Member of Friends of the Mill District. Claudia is the author of Health Through Chaos, mentors young adults at YouthLink, and has served on the Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association (DMNA).

.

Contact: claudia@millcitymedia.org

June 15 Boom Island-Nicollet Island Bridge Repairs Update

The Boom Island-Nicollet Island Bridge opened as a railroad bridge in 1901. It was converted into a pedestrian bridge in the early 1980s.

Bridge on schedule to reopen this fall; Onsite work slows for steel fabrication

The Boom Island-Nicollet Island Bridge rehabilitation project is making good progress and the bridge is expected to reopen this fall. 

Onsite work will slow for a few weeks while steel necessary for structural repairs is fabricated offsite. Please continue to follow the posted pedestrian and bike detours and stay out of the construction area.

The Mississippi River East Channel below the bridge is closed to all boat traffic until the bridge reopens, so the Paddle Share kayak return station has been relocated to the Boom Island Boat Launch.

Please read the Discussion Item submitted to the Heritage Preservation Commission last spring for more information on the updated design of the bridge rehabilitation.

Project page

Weekend Road Closures for Stone Arch Bridge Festival and Ugly Tie 5K

Stone Arch Bridge Festival 

June 15 - June 17

Main Street - From Hennepin Avenue to 6th Avenue SE

.

Sunday, June 17 - Star Tribune Ugly Tie 5K

8am - 11:30am

West River Parkway - N 4th Avenue to 22nd Avenue S

First Covenant Church Seeks Volunteers to Assist with Expanded Year-Round Services

Editor's note - This is a submitted community request from First Covenant Church:

.

Since 2010, First Covenant Church has been pleased to host a 50-bed emergency homeless shelter in partnership with Hennepin County and, most recently, St. Stephen’s Human Services.

This year, we've shifted from a 6-month, winter overflow shelter to a year-round operation, giving priority to adult women experiencing homelessness. Our partnership with St. Stephens has also brought significantly more client resources to the space. We are excited for all of the ways that these changes have better served our guests in attaining their goals of finding sustainable permanent housing! That said, the shift from 6-month to year-round operations requires greater community engagement to provide basic hospitality for our guests, particularly in regard to our evening meals. We are looking for individuals and groups (4-6 people) to help fill the gap as we enter our first summer of operation.  Would you consider gathering a few friends, family, neighbors, or co-workers to purchase, prepare and serve a meal at the First Covenant Shelter? Here’s how you can help:  

• Gather a small group (4-8 people) to serve
• Choose an open date from our online calendar at www.1stcov.org/shelter  
• Contact our Shelter Volunteer Coordinator to schedule your meal (see below)  
• Plan a meal and purchase the food for 50 shelter guests
• Prepare the meal either at home or on-site at First Covenant
• Serve and clean up after the meal - Approximate time frame is 5:30-7:45pm, dinner served at 6:30pm

For more information or to sign up for a meal, contact our Shelter Volunteer Coordinator at shelter@1stcov.org. 

New Nature Play Areas and Interpretive Exhibits Coming to North Mississippi Regional Park

Via a June 12 e-newsletter from Minneapolis Parks and Rec Board:

Superintendent Mary Merrill announced a series of recently awarded grants from local, state and national nonprofits and government agencies at last week's meeting of the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board (MPRB). Totaling more than $700,000, the grants will fund major new features at North Mississippi Regional Park, situated on the Mississippi River in North Minneapolis, and the park's Carl W. Kroening Interpretive Center.

 

Nature play area and adventure trail

A new nature play area and adventure trail are planned for sites in the park adjacent to the interpretive center. Using materials like logs, sticks, rocks and water, nature play areas are designed to foster imaginative play and a deeper connection to the natural world; the park's adventure trail will feature dynamic components to entice children of all ages and adults to climb, hop, run, swing, and jump their way through the park. Both features will be designed with input from local communities in North and Northeast Minneapolis, and were made possible through two grants:

• $35,000 from People for Parks. This grant, the largest in the Minneapolis nonprofit's 41-year history, made the project eligible for matching funds through the Meet Me at the Park program.

• $30,000 from Meet Me at the Park, a nation-wide program administered by the National Recreation and Park Association and funded by the Walt Disney Company. Meet Me at the Park grants went to two dozen other park agencies throughout the U.S. to support projects focused on inclusive play spaces and increasing physical activity and play for children and families.

"Nature play areas provide a wonderful way to promote discovery, creativity and imagination through outdoor experiences,” said Superintendent Merrill. “We’re excited about diversifying outdoor play opportunities at Minneapolis parks and grateful for partners like People for Parks to help make that happen.” 

The Minneapolis park system welcomed its first nature play area near the Lake Nokomis Community Center in south Minneapolis last summer, and additional nature play areas are included in plans for a range of other parks as part of MPRB's master plans for the city’s neighborhood park system. 

"Nature in the City" interactive exhibits

The existing exhibits at Kroening Interpretive Center, which date back to the building's opening in 2002, have been partially dismantled due to safety concerns. Thanks to the funders listed below, they'll be replaced with new, hands-on "Nature in the City" exhibits that incorporate citizen science and themes including water (Shingle Creek runs into the Mississippi River at the park's south end); native plants and pollinators; wildlife such as coyotes, crows and beavers and its adaptation to city life; and flight (dragonflies, Mississippi flyway, migration). The project has received final approval and funding from the the following sources:

• $500,000 grant: Environment & Natural Resources Trust Fund 
• $100,000 funding support: Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (MWMO)
• $50,0000 funding support: City of Minneapolis Public Works           

Guthrie Theater Presents “West Side Story”

Article and photos by Merle Minda

Guthrie Theater Presents “West Side Story”

Theater event of the summer opens June 22nd

Show logo of red and white roses on a chain-link fence. Photo: Guthrie Theater 

The Guthrie Theater musical this year presents one of the great classics of Broadway and the American Theater: “West Side Story”, which first opened in 1957 and set the Broadway world alight with its originality, gorgeous music by Leonard Bernstein, spectacular choreography and the heart-rending story of two lovers divided by race and background. Using the basic story of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”, the star-crossed lovers are, not unexpectedly, doomed by divisions of race and prejudice.

Mia Pinero plays Maria, Photo: Guthrie TheaterThe Sharks and the Jets will be exploding on the Guthrie stage, carrying with them the great acclaim garnered by the stage production, which ran for 700 performances, and the subsequent film, which won 10 Academy Awards. Bernstein’s beloved score includes such great classics as “Maria”, “Tonight”, “Somewhere” and “I Feel Pretty.” In addition to Bernstein’s score, the original production features the heralded lyrics of Stephen Sondheim, a book (script) by Arthur Laurents and is based on a conception of famed choreographer/director Jerome Robbins.

Mark Koeck plays Tony, Photo: Guthrie TheaterThe Guthrie’s production will be directed by its artistic director Joseph Haj, who said, “It has long been a dream of mine to direct “West Side Story” and I couldn’t be more excited to embark on this journey with a dream team of collaborators.”

Leading the cast as the two tragic lovers are Mark Koeck, as Tony, and Mia Pinero, playing the role of Maria. Both are making their Guthrie debuts; both have long listings of performance credits in this show and others and should be spectacular in these roles. There is a huge cast with many who are new to Guthrie but others who have been seen on the Guthrie stage often, such as Bill McCallum as Officer Krupke. Ana Isabelle, also making her debut here, plays the pivotal role of Anita, played in 1957 by the now legendary Chita Rivera. Chita’s role as the firebrand Anita in the original production made her a star.

In addition to a huge cast, many of whom are performing at Guthrie for the first time, the show features original choreography by Maija Garcia who noted, “It is 2018 now and the idea of what it means to be an American has changed as our relationship with race and immigration has evolved. So how do these kids move? The answers led us to a more grounded gritty style of movement.”

Joseph Haj, artistic director of Guthrie Theater and director of "West Side Story" Photo: Guthrie TheaterJoe Haj also shared: “When I think of “West Side Story” I think of immigration tensions and a community divided in a brutal and violent world. I also think of love, dreams and ambitions, and my own family’s journey to become ‘American'.” What could be more relevant today, accompanied by one of the greatest and soaring musical scores in Broadway history.

A final word: Get your tickets now. Although previews begin on June 16, these previews are entirely sold out. The first few weeks after opening are close to sold out as well – so get online fast at www.guthrietheater.org and order.

Shop Guthrie Store’s “West Side Story” collection.

Kay McGuire, director of Retail for the Guthrie Store, holds a logo purse mirror.Kay McGuire, director of retail for the Guthrie Store, has pulled together a wonderful collection of West Side Story paraphernalia to buy as keepsakes of the production. From logo’ed pocket mirrors to T-shirts, books and cuff bracelets, there’s something for every taste. The show’s logo of the juxtaposition of red and white roses on a background of a chain-link fence is particularly striking. From Sharks and Jets socks, to Sharks and Jets gummy packs, there is a terrific collection on hand. I particularly like the “I Feel Pretty” T-shirt and I am going back for one for myself.

T-shirt from the collection.

From the West Side Story collection in the Guthrie Store.

One of the many books in the special West Side Story collection.Wonderfully, the shop is filled with an assortment of books about the production, lyrics from Sondheim, a book about working with Leonard Bernstein, CDs and more.

Stop in here either before or after your performance or during intermission – there’s so much to choose from. 

-  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  

About Merle Minda

Journalist and free-lance writer Merle Minda writes about travel, business, people profiles and other subjects for a number of national and regional publications, including Delta SKY, Mpls/St. Paul Magazine, Twin Cities Business, Star Tribune, Twin Cities Statement, Minnesota Monthly, and now Mill City Times. She can be reached at mminda@earthlink.net or TravelOverEasy.com on the web.

Local Boxer Joe Amouta - a Force for Good

Article by Claudia Kittock

****************

WEDNESDAY 9:00AM: BOXING AT GOLD MEDAL PARK
Join Professional Boxer Joe Amouta in Gold Medal Park for a free boxing based fitness class, sponsored by Friends of the Mill District:

Boxing instruction + Whole Body Workout + Light Cardio
Cost: Free
For: All ages, fitness & skill levels
Meet at Gold Medal Park on 2nd Street S.

****************

How many of you grew up watching the Cavalcade of Sports on Friday nights? I did. I have 3 sisters, so watching something like this with my Dad was a great treat because my sisters thought it was terrible. I have to admit I didn’t get it, nor even like it very much, but it was time alone with my Dad and I treasured it. As I grew up I came to understand the discipline, the strategy, the problem solving, and incredible physical skill it takes to be a boxer.

Joe (right) in a training session. Photo credit Pioneer Press, John Autey

Joe Amouta is the man I just described. He is ranked #1 in his weight class in Minnesota and #43 in the country. His journey to Minneapolis and to this point in his career is far from typical and is a story worth telling.

I met Joe through Dave Tinjum, who trains with him. Dave told Joe about the Friends of the Mill District and the programs we are sponsoring with teenagers from the Cedar Riverside neighborhood and YouthLink. Joe asked if he could help, particularly if he could teach these young people to box. We were thrilled and began a fascinating conversation.

Joe was born in American Samoa, and lived there until he emigrated to California at the age of 13. He arrived here with no English skills and was promptly enrolled in school. Imagine being placed in a junior high school thousands of miles from your home and you can’t speak the language. Joe learned English with no formal instruction, just picking it up from everything around him. He became the first person in his family to graduate from high school.

After high school, Joe wanted to get away from home, so he just left. He found himself in Albuquerque, then on to Texas, and eventually ended up in Minneapolis because he had coffee with an intriguing young woman, who would become his wife. A job followed, but two car accidents slowed his ability to save money. He took a job at the Northside Boxing Club in North Minneapolis where he quickly became a lead coach while continuing to hone his boxing skills.

Joe began studying boxing in California and went to the nationals in 2009 as the Champion from California.  He turned pro in 2010 and joined Manny Pacquiao’s camp shortly after.

Today, Joe is a self-employed boxing instructor and teaches students privately and in classes in St. Louis Park and the Seward neighborhood. His generosity and joy are apparent in the work that he does and the ways he wants to help those whose lives can only get better through the discipline of boxing.

On June 27th Joe will instruct a free 9 a.m. boxing class in Gold Medal Park, sponsored by the Friends of the Mill District. Participants should wear comfortable workout clothes and bring water. That’s it. Show up! When I asked Joe what happens after this, he said, “...to be continued.”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

About Claudia Kittock

Claudia is a resident of the Mill District. In addition to writing for Mill City Times, she is a founding Board Member of Friends of the Mill District. Claudia is the author of Health Through Chaos, mentors young adults at YouthLink, and has served on the Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association (DMNA).

.

Contact: claudia@millcitymedia.org