THIS WEEK: It's Showtime for the Mill City Players!

Article by Claudia Kittock

It is show time for the Mill City Players!  Rehearsing since mid-June, this energetic and talented group of young people are ready to perform. We hope you can join us August 21st at 7 p.m. in MacPhail Center for Music's Antonello Hall, or on August 25th at 1:30 p.m. in Central Library's Pohlad Hall. Performance will be in 3 sections: Movement, Drumming, and Acting. The actors have been writing - you can expect to hear their own words, and they are powerful. COST: FREE.

We are so honored to have an incredible team of professionals leading the Mill City Players. James A. Williams is the Artistic Director and comes to this project with 42 years of theater experience and incredible skills. JW (as he is known) has been a professional actor, director, producer, and writer for almost 40 years.  Patricia Brown, adjunct professor of dance at the University of Minnesota and Macalester, teaches movement and serves as Associate Director. Ahanti Young, professional percussionist, actor, and spoken word artist teaches our actors drumming on paint pails and also serves as Associate Director.     

This troupe was created and is sponsored by the Friends of the Mill District. We began a year ago and are now preparing to make this troupe a permanent group. The mission of the Friends is to create and support activities that build community, and are free of charge to all participants. We hit a home run with this group!  Come and see for yourself. You do not want to miss a chance to see what these actors have to say.

The Players' motto is “Process over Product”. They want the audience to know that everything is a work of ongoing art. We grow, we learn, we change, and we do not have an endpoint.

If you have any questions or comments or want to know more about supporting the work of the Friends of the Mill District, please contact Claudia Kittock at cjkittock@gmail.com. 

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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).

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Contact: claudia@millcitymedia.org

zAmya Theater Project announces SECOND CHANCE

Via an August 17 Press Release: 

zAmya Theater Project announces SECOND CHANCE

September 11 - 14 in the amphitheater outside Minneapolis Central Library on Nicollet

  

zAmya Theater Project announces SECOND CHANCE, a new play that explores what a second chance looks like for people experiencing homelessness. SECOND CHANCE was created by weekly workshops (primarily people experiencing homelessness) with playwright Carlyle Brown, choreographer Leah Nelson and theater artists Bianca Pettis and Esther Ouray. SECOND CHANCE is directed by Maren Ward.

Who deserves a second chance? And who decides? SECOND CHANCE explores the concept of what it means to get a second chance in life. A woman has a criminal charge that has been following her around and she can’t seem to get rid of it no matter what she tries. We hear her plea to the Council of Second Chances and the audience weighs in on whether or not she gets a second chance. What would you decide?

SECOND CHANCE will be performed by Stayci Bell, Charles Hilton, Caroline Mannheimer, Greg Tromiczak, Arminta Wilson, D. “Lurch” Yundt, Shannon Kemp, Tahiti Robinson, Sol Moran, Robert Blood, Calvin Wright, Annette Bryant, David Schnell, and Kamp Welch.

SECOND CHANCE is the culmination of ACTivation: Changing the Conversation on Homelessness Downtown. ACTivation is zAmya’s year-long residency at the Hennepin County Library – Minneapolis Central on Nicollet Mall. The goal of the residency is to engage library patrons experiencing homelessness in creative projects which will build relationships between homeless and housed patrons of the library and, by extension, Minneapolis – particularly downtown employees and residents. Activities have included weekly workshops and performances on Nicollet Mall.

It is said in the housing advocacy world that people with criminal backgrounds are the hardest to house. The phrase Second Chance is a term housing advocates use to refer to this challenge. Second Chance implies there is someone who messed up. With this housing or this job we’ll give that person a Second Chance at life. As it is now, these Second Chances are hard to come by. While we generally believe in the idea of serving time and paying dues, our systems do not support this idea. As the truth gets louder around racial covenants in housing practice, Criminal Justice System as the new Jim Crow, huge racial disparities in shelters and on the streets – it must be asked – was there ever a first chance? Maybe it is America that needs a Second Chance to fulfill the dream for all Americans?

These are the questions and contradictions that fuel the latest project of zAmya Theater Project, a company embedded in St. Stephen's Human Services, a social services agency devoted to ending homelessness. Created by actors who have experience with homelessness, zAmya’s plays tell stories related to this vital issues that increase awareness and understanding and build the public knowledge and will to address this problem. As with all zAmya productions, SECOND CHANCE will include humor, song and spoken word.

SECOND CHANCE is created with support from Hennepin County Library, Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District, National Endowment for the Arts and the Carolyn Foundation.

SECOND CHANCE will run September 11, 12, and 13 at noon and September 14 at 5pm at the amphitheater outside of Minneapolis Central Library, 300 Nicollet Avenue. All performances are free, but donations are gladly accepted. More info is available at ststephensmpls.org/learn-advocate/zamya.

zAmya Theater Project is a unique creative process that brings together homeless and housed individuals to create and perform a theatrical production. zAmya turns “homeless” from a word back into a person. Or persons. Living, breathing, laughing, singing persons. Who act — yes, act — in entertaining, genre-defying productions that are guaranteed to change your mind, if not your life.

zAmya Theater Project uses creativity, collaboration and community-based theater to build understanding and connection between citizens with and without experience in homelessness toward a vision of a community with safe, stable, affordable housing options for all. zAmya is a Sanskrit word that means “aiming for peace”.

35W@94 Downtown to Crosstown Construction Update

Upcoming closures

• I-94 overnight closures Aug. 23 and 25
• Project webcam views available
• Upcoming I-94 and I-35W overnight closures tentatively scheduled for late Aug. and early Sept.

Project status

We’re continuing to make progress on some of the new bridges we’re constructing. As a result, we need some overnight closures on I-94 and I-35W later this month. If you’re interested in watching progress of the I-35W and I-94 interchange, we have good news for you, views from our project webcam are now available.

Details on each update are provided below.

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I-94 overnight closures scheduled Aug. 23 and 25

As work progresses on the new bridge that will carry traffic to/from the downtown exits over I-94, we need to set bridge beams in preparation of deck construction. To do this, some nighttime highway closures are needed and scheduled for the following dates:

• On Thu, Aug. 23, an overnight closure of eastbound I-94 between I-394 and I-35W from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. The detour route is WB I-394 to SB Hwy 100 to EB Hwy 62 to NB I-35W
• On Sat, Aug. 25, an overnight closure of westbound I-94 between I-35W and I-394 from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. The detour route is SB I-35W to WB Hwy 62 to NB Hwy 100 to EB I-394. 

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Project webcam views available

We’ve installed a project webcam at the north end of the construction area. From the webcam you can see progress being made on:

• The new I-35W tunnel bridge which will be the new alignment for traffic traveling from westbound I-94 to southbound I-35W.
• The new bridge over I-94 that will carry traffic to/from the downtown exits.
• The I-35W/I-94 interchange

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Upcoming I-94 and I-35W overnight closures scheduled for late Aug. and early Sept.

There will be additional overnight closures on I-94 and I-35W in late Aug. and early Sept. Additional details will be provided in future email updates as dates are finalized.

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More about this project

To learn more, including all current traffic impacts and detour routes, visit the project website at: www.mndot.gov/35w94. 

Metro Transit bus routes will be impacted as a result of construction. For updated route information, and to sign up for Rider Alerts, visit: www.metrotransit.org/35W.

Minnesota Valley Transit Authority routes will be impacted as a result of construction. For updated route information, visit: www.mvta.com.

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Stay Connected

• Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/mndot and Twitter: @mndotnews
• Email the project team at: info@35w94.com
• Call the project hotline at: 612-284-6125 

For real-time travel information anywhere in Minnesota visit: http://www.511mn.org/or dial 5-1-1.

The Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul announces the 7th annual CZECH THAT FILM, Aug. 24-26

The Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul announces the 7th annual CZECH THAT FILM, a series of contemporary Czech cinema showing August 24-26 at the Film Society’s St. Anthony Main Theatre Screen #3.

The 2018 slate features seven critically acclaimed Czech productions, six productions from the last two years and one special restoration screening.  Established in 2012, Czech That Film is a festival of the best contemporary and classic Czech films held throughout the United States every year, and this is the fourth year that the Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul has hosted the event in Minnesota. Czech That Film was established to accommodate increased interest in Czech cinema and culture in the United States and is dedicated to raising the profile of current Czech films at an international level.

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Notably, 2018 marks 100 years since the formation of the sovereign nation of Czechoslovakia, 50 years since the Prague Spring reform movement, and 25 years since the formation of two sovereign nations: the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic.

ICE MOTHER (Bába z ledu)

Winner of the best screenplay award at the Tribeca Film Festival and the Czech Republic’s submission to the 90th Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language. Sixty-year-old Hana is unexpectedly given the impulse to break out of her routine when she meets the nonconformist, Brona who encourages her to join him in taking up a new activity, ice swimming. Directed by Bohdan Sláma. Czech Republic, France, Slovakia. 106 min. Czech w/English subtitles. Friday, 8/24/2018 7:00pm | Sunday, 8/26/2018 7:00pm

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8 HEADS OF MADNESS (8 hlav šílenství) 

8 Heads of Madness follows the life of the talented Russian poet Anna Barkova (1906-1976), who spent twenty-two years of her life in the Gulags. She survived thanks to the help of her poetry, hope for better days, and passionate love for a woman named Valentina. Directed by Marta Nováková. Czech Republic, Slovakia. 107 min. Czech w/English subtitles. Friday, 8/24/2018 9:30pm

 

MILADA

Set against the complex, political landscapes of post-WWII, Milada tells the story of a strong woman, Milada Horáková, a heroine fighting for democracy, who survived imprisonment in Nazi concentration camps only to be arrested and executed by the Communists in 1950. Her execution shook the world and triggered powerful and fervent responses from many nations and renowned individuals across the globe–Winston Churchill, Albert Einstein, and Eleanor Roosevelt, to name a few. Directed by David Mrnka. Czech Republic, USA. 124 min. Czech w/English subtitles. Saturday, 8/25/2018 4:00pm

 

BAREFOOT (Po strništi bos)

Set in Czechoslovakia during the Nazi occupation, a young boy named Eda opens up a world of trouble when he inadvertently reveals that his father has been listening to resistance broadcasts from London. As a result, the Nazi requisition their apartment, and they are forced into exile in the countryside. Shot from the perspective of the 8-year-old boy, Eda finds his own adventures and discovers a new crop of friends during the extraordinary times. Along the way, Eda’s innocent perspective of the world contrasts with the shadow of World War II weighing heavily upon the country. Directed by Jan Svěrák. Czech Republic. 111 min. Czech w/English subtitles. Saturday, 8/25/2018 7:00pm

 

ACCUMULATOR 1 (Akumulátor 1)

In this 1994 sci-fi drama, Olda suffers from a total lack of energy and falls into a coma. A natural healer tries to rejuvenate him. In doing so, he learns that Olda has an “alter ego” inside the TV that sucks the energy from Olda every time he tunes in. Can Olda resist watching TV and live a more fulfilling life in the real world, or will the television world take over? Accumulator 1 won the Czech Lion Award for Best Editing and was the most popular film in the Czech Republic in 1994. Directed by Jan Svěrák. Czech Republic. 102 min. Czech, English, Slovak w/English subtitles. Saturday, 8/25/2018 9:30pm

 

A PROMINENT PATIENT (Masaryk)

Winner of 12 of the prestigious Czech Lion Awards, A Prominent Patient is based on the true story of Czech diplomat and politician Jan Masaryk, the son of Czechoslovakia’s founding father Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk. Set just before World War II breaks out, Jan serves as Czechoslovak Ambassador in London. He desperately tries to save his homeland from Nazi occupation, appealing to his French and British allies. Directed by Julius Ševčík. Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany. 113 min. Czech, English, Slovak, French w/English subtitles. Sunday, 8/26/2018 1:00pm

 

GARDEN STORE: FAMILY FRIEND (Zahradnictví: Rodinný přítel)

Three young women and two children await the return of their imprisoned husbands and fathers from Nazi concentration camps. A family friend and doctor named Jiri watches over the women forced into a family union by the war. The film tells a story of forbidden love that remains unfulfilled, friendship bigger than life, desire, departures and returns. Love, friendship and loyalty leave deep imprints on the family lives of women brought together by destiny. Directed by Jan Hřebejk. Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia. 130 min. Czech, Polish w/English subtitles. Sunday, 8/26/2018 4:00pm

Veterans Job Fair Thursday, August 16, at TCF Bank Stadium

Via an announcement from RecruitMilitary:

Veterans Job Fair Thursday at TCF Bank Stadium: Jobs for Military Spouses 

Recently, the President signed a bill to provide expanded federal job opportunities to military spouses. This new bill is part of an executive action being taken to promote military spouse hiring across the federal government, and the nation at large.

According to a recently released report from the Council of Economic Advisers, “American military spouses, who number approximately 690,000, are a diverse population. Like their active duty husbands and wives, they come from varying racial and ethnic backgrounds, and bring a diversity of skills to the labor market. But military spouses face a particular challenge: they often find their labor market activities, including choices over whether to work, how many hours, and in what occupation, to be subject to the geographic and temporal constraints imposed by their active duty spouse.” 

This Thursday, August 16, Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and RecruitMilitary are providing Minneapolis-area military spouses and veterans the opportunity to explore new career opportunities at the Minneapolis Veterans Job Fair at the TCF Bank Stadium from 11am to 3pm.  The event will feature nearly 60 exhibitors looking to fill hundreds of job openings – with military spouses and transitioning military personnel as two of their top hiring targets.  Facebook Event

August 14 Primary Voting Info

Minneapolis polling places listed below will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m, Tuesday, August 14:

• Ward 1, Precinct 10 – Columbia Manor/golf club, 3300 Central Ave NE
• Ward 3, Precinct 9 – Open Book, 1011 Washington Ave S 
• Ward 5, Precinct 9 – Harrison Park Recreation Center, 503 Irving Ave N
• Ward 9, Precincts 2 & 7 – Powderhorn Park gym, 3400 15th Ave S
• Ward 12, Precinct 5 – Nokomis Community Ctr, 2401 Minnehaha Pkwy E
• Ward 12, Precinct 12 – Roosevelt High School, 4029 28th Ave S

Election results get reported after polls close and both Election Day and absentee ballots are counted for a specific precinct.

All results are posted on the Secretary of State’s election results website and at the Hennepin County elections results website.

County elections staff work with city elections staff to ensure that every ballot, no matter how it was cast, is counted and verified before reporting election results. To ensure integrity of the ballot counting process, elections workers do not leave their counting location until all votes are counted and reported.

Pre-registered voters
Hennepin County has 749,000 pre-registered voters for the Minnesota primary. Voters can register at their polling place on Minnesota primary day, August 14. Voters also can look up their polling place, sample ballot, voter registration status, and absentee ballot status at mnvotes.org. For more information about elections and voting in Hennepin County, visit hennnepin.us/elections.

Mill City Players Ready to Perform August 21 at MacPhail and August 25 at Central Library

Article by Claudia Kittock

“Ago”

“Ame”

With that call and response, the Mill City Players begin rehearsals. Both of these words are from the Twi dialect, spoken in Ghana. "Ago" is a call to community or attention, and "ame" is a response meaning the responder is here and is listening.

This energetic and talented group of young people have been rehearsing since mid-June. Rehearsals are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays and begin with lunch, provided by community volunteers. If you have forgotten what it means to feed 20 young people, you need to remember the enthusiasm and energy they bring to lunch. With lunch decisively consumed, rehearsal begins.

We are so honored to have an incredible team of professionals leading the Mill City Players. James A. Williams is the Artistic Director and comes to this project with 42 years of theater experience and incredible skills. JW (as he is known) has been a professional actor, director, producer and writer for almost 40 years.  Patricia Brown, adjunct professor of dance at the University of Minnesota and Macalester College, teaches movement and serves as Associate Director. Ahanti Young, professional percussionist, actor and spoken word artist, teaches our actors drumming on paint pails and also serves as Associate Director.

Patricia Brown (center) instructing dance.

Ahanti Young (far left, pink shirt) teaches drumming.

The most exciting news is that we have agreed to make the Mill City Players a year-round troupe. Stay tuned for the details as they are still being planned. The overall plan is to offer 8-week sessions throughout the calendar year with hiatuses in between. We have seen what our actors have been able to accomplish in this short amount of time and are even more excited to have the time to keep building on their accomplishments with a predictable calendar.   

Antonello Hall at MacPhail Center for MusicOur first set of performances with this group are coming soon. Please mark your calendars to join us on August 21st at 7 p.m. in MacPhail Center for Music's Antonello Hall, or on August 25th at 1:30 p.m. in Central Library's Pohlad Hall. Performance will be in 3 sections: Movement, Drumming, and Acting. The actors have been writing - you can expect to hear their own words, and they are powerful.

Pohlad Hall, Minneapolis Central Library

This troupe was created and sponsored by Friends of the Mill District. Our mission is to create and support activities that build community, and are free of charge to all participants. We hit a home run with this group! Come and see for yourself. You do not want to miss a chance to experience what these actors have to say.

If you have any questions or comments, or want to know more about supporting the work of the Friends of the Mill District, please contact Claudia Kittock at cjkittock@gmail.com.

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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).

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Contact: claudia@millcitymedia.org

Scenes from the August 11 Mill City Farmers Market

Freewheel Bike, Nice Ride Minnesota, Move Minneapolis and Our Streets Minneapolis were on hand for the Mill City Farmers Market's August 11 "Bike to the Market Day." 

Milly the goat!

Chance to Win Free State Fair Tickets!

Minneapolis Visitor Information on Nicollet at 5th Street is celebrating the Minnesota State Fair with a special event and giveaway on Thursday, Aug. 16, noon to 2 p.m. Come by during the event to: 

· Register to win FREE MINNESOTA STATE FAIR TICKETS

   o Registration to win free tickets will begin at 9 a.m. when store opens

   o No purchase necessary. Must not be present to win.

   o Beginning at noon, staff will draw one entry form every 10 minutes. Winners will get a pair of Minnesota State Fair Pre-Fair Discount Admission Tickets. A total of 24 tickets will be given away! If winners are not present, they will be contacted to pick up tickets.

· Receive 10 percent off retail merchandise

· Purchase fair admission tickets, Midway/Kidway ticket sheets and bargain books (while supplies last)

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Minneapolis Visitor Information is the only place you can purchase fair admission tickets in downtown Minneapolis! Sales will run until Aug. 22 during store hours.

Green and Blue Line Updates for Aug 11-13

Due to scheduled maintenance, buses will replace trains beginning Saturday, Aug. 11 during a partial shutdown on the METRO Blue & Green Line. Customers can board replacement buses near the affected stations. Buses run on similar schedules as trains but can take more time. Customers are urged to plan accordingly.

From 12:15am Saturday, August 11 until 3:30am Monday, August 13, buses will replace Blue and Green Line trains for these stations:

BLUE LINE
- 38th St. (Northbound only)
- Lake St./Midtown
- Franklin Ave.
- Cedar-Riverside

GREEN LINE
- Stadium Village (Westbound only)
- East Bank
- West Bank

DOWNTOWN MPLS-SHARED STATIONS
- U.S. Bank Stadium
- Government Plaza
- Nicollet Mall
- Warehouse-Hennepin Avenue
- Target Field

See maps for boarding locations

Work being conducted includes ramp demolition, railbox repair work, Franklin Avenue bridge work and asphalt work on 11th Avenue.

Also note:

Green Line /Blue Line Detour starting August 11 at 8 AM - 4th St Closed between 1st Ave N and 2nd Ave N until August 12 at approximately 3 AM

Why: Pizza Luce Been Round the Block Party
Board eastbound Green Line/southbound Blue Line replacement buses at:
• 5th St Transit Center
• 4th St at Nicollet
Eastbound Green Line/southbound Blue Line replacement buses will not pick up at:
• 4th St at Hennepin 

MCT Facebook

MPRB Seeks Youth Soccer, Football and Volleyball Coaches

Via an August 10 e-newsletter from the Minneapolis Park and Rec Board:

Join our team! The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is seeking enthusiastic volunteer coaches for youth soccer, flag football, and volleyball.

• Practices start in August for soccer and football, October for volleyball
• Athletes range from 5-18 years old
• Teams practice 1-2 times per week
• Games/meets are scheduled for a weeknight and/or Saturdays
• MPRB will provide orientation for all new coaches
• Can't coach this Spring? We'll need coaches for basketball, hockey, gymnastics, and wrestling this winter

Click here to receive more information or to express interest in MPRB volunteer opportunities. 

Metro Transit's August 2018 Newsletter

Via an August 10 e-newsletter from Metro Transit:

Routes are changing on Aug. 18
Beginning Saturday, August 18, changes will be made to routes operated by Metro Transit, MVTA and Maple Grove Transit. You can review changes here.
Please visit metrotransit.org on Aug. 18 for new schedule information.
If you know your route and just need departure times, call NexTrip at 612-373-3333.

Get your State Fair Express tickets now
You go to the State Fair for the good, the animals, the rides and more! Getting there on the bus is a fun, blue ribbon tradition, too. Instead of driving, park your car for free and take a stress-free, non-stop, air-conditioned ride straight to the fairgrounds.

Make your plans now for the Minnesota State Fair (Aug. 23 - Sept. 3) and save yourself time and money when you buy your State Fair Express tickets in advance. And with the Metro Transit mobile app, you can save money all through the fair.

Buy now and save up to 25 percent per ticket. But don’t wait – online discounts are only available through Aug. 22. After the fair starts, online tickets will be sold at full price.
Note: Service starts at 9 a.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. on weekends and Labor Day unless otherwise noted at all Metro Transit locations.

Bus Bargain Ticket Prices (Aug. 1-22)
• Single ticket: $4.50 (reg. price $5)
• Group ticket (for 2): $9 (reg. price $10)
• Group ticket (for 4): $15 (reg. price $20)
Mobile app ticket prices remain at discount shown above for the duration of the fair. Get the Metro Transit mobile now on iTunes or Google Play and save now all the way through the end of the fair! Find out more about State Fair service at metrotransit.org/state-fair.

Buses will replace Blue and Green Line trains Aug. 11-13
Buses will replace Blue and Green Line trains beginning Saturday, Aug. 11 through Monday, Aug. 13 during a partial shutdown of the METRO Blue and Green Line to allow for scheduled maintenance. Work being completed includes ramp demolition, Franklin Ave. bridge work, rail box modifications and 11th St. asphalt work.
Beginning at 12:15 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 11, buses will replace Blue Line trains from 38th Street to Target Field station and Green Line trains from Stadium Village to Target Field station in both directions.
Trains will resume by 3:30 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 13.
During the disruption, customers can board replacement buses near each affected station.
> See maps for boarding locations.
> Sign up for Rider Alerts to stay up-to-date about upcoming rail maintenance this spring and summer!
 
Ride Metro Transit to the Irish Fair of MN
Get it touch with your Celtic side and take Metro Transit to the Irish Fair of Minnesota.
 
The event will be held Aug. 10 – 12 on beautiful Harriet Island in St. Paul. Irish Fair of Minnesota is the largest free Irish festival in the country and includes music groups, traditional dance, animals, sports and more!

For more information about Irish Fair Minnesota and how to get there with Metro Transit, visit irishfair.com/getting-fair.

Rail lines on pace for another year of record ridership
Ridership on the Green Line, Blue Line and Northstar Commuter Rail Line is ahead of last year’s totals through the first half of 2018. All three rail lines saw record ridership in 2017.
Northstar has seen the largest increase in ridership, which is up 5 percent through the end of June. Ridership on the Green Line is up 2.6 percent and ridership on the Blue Line is up 1 percent.
“Growing rail ridership is an indication that this region appreciates reliable, high frequency transit,” General Manager Brian Lamb said. “We’re thrilled to serve so many members of our community and look forward to building on this success moving forward.”
 
Take Metro Transit to the remaining Twins games
Take Metro Transit to the remaining Twins games! There is still plenty of season left for the boys of summer. Both the METRO Blue and Green lines and Northstar Commuter Rail drop you off within feet of Target Field. With such convenience you could probably justify a couple of more games!
Visit metrotransit.org/twins to plan your next trip (or two) to the ballpark!

Vikings pre-season games are gaining yards!
The Minnesota Vikings begin their pre-season at U.S. Bank Stadium on Aug. 18 and Aug. 24!
Ride with fellow fans and take Metro Transit to all Vikings games this coming season. With both the METRO Blue and Green lines and multiple bus routes taking you right to the gates of U.S. Bank Stadium, there is no reason to worry about parking fees or downtown traffic woes.

There is Northstar service for all Vikings games. Transfer for free at Target Field Station to the METRO Blue or Green Line. Learn more at metrotransit.org/Vikings.
 
Transit service on Labor Day
Metro Transit buses and METRO Blue and Green lines will follow Sunday/Holiday schedules on Labor Day (Monday, Sept. 3). The METRO Red Line will follow weekend/ holiday schedules that day. Northstar trains do not operate on Labor Day.

Help Keep Minneapolis in the Swim!

Via an August 8 e-newsletter from the Minneaplis Park and Rec Board:

Help keep Minneapolis in the swim!
Donate new and gently used swimwear for children, youth, women and men.

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is committed to helping everyone use and enjoy the park system's Jim Lupient and North Commons water parks, Webber Natural Swimming Pool (NSP) and the new Phillips Aquatics Center. 

These facilities require everyone to wear appropriate swimwear, which can pose a barrier for some. That's why MPRB is collecting swimsuits again this year. Here's how you can contribute:

What to donate

• New and gently used swimsuits in all sizes and styles
• Boys swim trunks in youth sizes 6 to 16 are especially appreciated
• Swim trunks for men and boys must have a mesh liner

Where to donate 

• All 48 MPRB recreation centers
• MPRB headquarters
• North Commons and Jim Lupient Water Parks 
• Phillips Aquatics Center 
• Webber NSP

Details 

• Swimsuit drive runs through Labor Day: Monday, September 3.
• Patrons can receive swimsuits at no cost at Lupient and North Commons water parks, Webber NSP and the Phillips Aquatics Center. 
• Swimsuit size and availability depends on supply. 
• Burkinis are available on a limited basis.

MPRB thanks you for your generosity!

Joint Beats collaboration highlighted at annual National Night Out Kickoff event Tuesday, Aug. 7 in downtown Minneapolis

Via an August 6 News Release from mpls downtown council:

Joint Beats collaboration highlighted at annual National Night Out Kickoff event in downtown Minneapolis
NNO Kickoff event set for Tuesday, Aug. 7 from 3-5 pm on Nicollet

The Mpls Downtown Improvement District will hold its annual National Night Out Kickoff event on Tuesday, August 7 from 3-5 pm at the DID Pop-Up Satellite Office outside Gaviidae Common (6th Street & Nicollet).

With Minneapolis being a national leader in the number of National Night Out neighborhood events hosted each year, the NNO Kickoff Event in downtown Minneapolis features games, treats and information about where you can find your neighborhood’s NNO event as well as overall community safety.

This year’s NNO Kickoff Event on Nicollet will feature: 

• Appearances by local law enforcement and public officials
• Free treats and giveaways (ice cream, lemonade, popcorn and more)
• Games (chess, connect4, bean bags, little kids waffle blocks, tic-ta-toe and more)
• Live Street Show musical performances
• Time/location list of NNO events in the City of Minneapolis on August 7
• And more

Great visuals are available of community gathering together to play games and meet local officials during the NNO Kickoff event on Nicollet.

Joint Beats collaboration on display at National Night Out

National Night Out also brings members of the ongoing Joint Beats law enforcement collaboration led in partnership with the mpls downtown council and Downtown Improvement District together to meet members of the community and interact while helping promote neighborhood safety.

Now in its 12th year, the Joint Beats program showcases collaboration between MPD, HCSO and Metro Transit Police Department that increases law enforcement visibility on the streets and helps enhance collaboration with street outreach teams—all in an effort to keep downtown safe during the summer months.

The 2018 Joint Beats program launched on Memorial Day and will run through Labor Day. During that span, more beat officers are being placed in downtown’s core as a way to enhance real and perceived safety during the summer months. Below are highlights from the partnership’s leaders on the impact it has downtown.

“We strive to create a consistently compelling experience downtown—one that everyone who lives, works, plays and visits here can enjoy,” said Steve Cramer, president & ceo of the mpls downtown council and Downtown Improvement District. “Partnerships with law enforcement agencies help make that possible through their visibility on the streets and their support of our other strategies like outreach and activations downtown.”

“Collaborative safety plans require collaboration—and Joint Beats is a perfect example of why that’s especially true of public safety efforts.” said Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. “Every year, Joint Beats brings our law enforcement partners and the community together to help achieve the goal of keeping downtown safe and inviting for all.”

“The Joint Beats collaboration really highlights the importance of relationships between our law enforcement partners, as we collectively provide a visible presence downtown,” said Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo. “I’d also like to recognize the tremendous contribution of social service ‘street outreach’ workers; everyone is working together to increase public safety for those who live, work and visit Downtown.”

"Downtown is the heart of this county, and the entire Metro area," Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek said. "It needs to be safe and secure for residents and visitors."

“Working together and collaborating with our fellow law enforcement agencies is something we at Metro Transit Police feel is very valuable to the community,” said Metro Transit Police Chief John Harrington. “Keeping the visitors, riders and operators safe is our top priority, and the Joint Beats initiative is one that annually yields results doing that.”

The continued efforts this summer communicates a serious and shared focused on downtown safety, which is the foundation of any successful community. The Joint Beats program works in tandem with City of Minneapolis leadership, the downtown business community, and street outreach organizations to help meet the needs of all who live, work and play downtown.

Hennepin County Weekly Voting Progress

Via an August 6 e-newsletter from Hennepin County:

Each week, Hennepin County will provide the latest stats on absentee voting progress and pre-registered voters for the 2018 Minnesota primary.

Absentee voting
As of Monday, August 6, at 8 a.m. in Hennepin County:
• Total ballots issued (mail and in-person absentee voting) – 26,600
• Ballots issued since Monday, July 30 – 6,700
• Total ballots received and accepted (mail and in-person absentee voting) – 15,300
• Ballots received and accepted since Monday, July 30 – 5,800

For comparison, the final count of absentee ballots received and accepted in the 2016 primary was nearly 8,000. The final count of absentee ballots received and accepted in the 2014 primary was just over 9,000. The 2018 primary has already surpassed these two elections, with 15,300 ballots received and accepted to date in Hennepin County.

Hennepin County cities with the highest numbers of absentee voters:
• Minneapolis: 7,390
• Bloomington: 1,015
• Plymouth: 835
• Edina: 800

Pre-registered voters
Hennepin County has 749,000 pre-registered voters for the Minnesota primary. Voters can register at their polling place on Minnesota primary day, August 14.

Voters also can look up their polling place, sample ballot, voter registration status, and absentee ballot status at mnvotes.org.

For more information about elections and voting in Hennepin County, visit hennnepin.us/elections.

A Creek, a Library, and a Pool

Article by Michael Rainville, Jr.

For six of the past seven years, the Minneapolis park system has been rated as the best in the U.S. A great example of this success is Webber Park in North Minneapolis. It has seen its ups and downs, but for over 100 years this park has been an important focal point in the Camden community.

Second dam on Shingle Creek

For almost twenty years the Minneapolis Park Board planned on acquiring land near the Mississippi River in Camden for a new park. As the need for a park in the area became more apparent, Superintendent Theodore Wirth and his colleagues gathered enough votes to establish a park along Shingle Creek. While the neighbors and businesses in the area were split 50/50 on the idea of having to pay for the new park, the foundation was in place. In 1909 Camden Park officially opened, with one of its key features being a pond that the park board put there by damming Shingle Creek. The nucleus of the park would be a new recreation building next to the pond, featuring a library on the 2nd floor. This was made possible by Charles and Mary Webber, who donated the money for the construction with three conditions. The building had to be named after their 9-year-old son, John Deere Webber, who had recently passed away, a new dam had to be built along the creek, and an outdoor playground had to be installed for the children of the neighborhood to enjoy. Charles Webber, who was the grandson of John Deere, owned and operated the Minneapolis branch of his grandfather’s company, which made it possible for his family to give back to the community by helping create one of the nicest parks in the city. It is because of the Webber’s contributions that Camden Park was renamed Webber Park in 1939.

The pool and pond quickly became a popular spot to cool off during the summer, and events such as log rolling contests and canoe races were a frequent sight at the park. The pollution that ran through the creek eventually became too much of a hazard, and in 1927 a new pool was made that used city water and filtration and chlorination systems. These upgrades saw its popularity rise, and in the 1930’s, as many as 1,400 children per day would use the pool during the Summer months. It wouldn’t be until 1979 when significant upgrades to the pool would be made again, with the most recent renovations coming in 2015. The current pool went back to its roots and used natural filtration from the creek and pond, thus making it the nation’s first public natural swimming pool when it reopened in on July 24th, 2015.

From 1910 to 1953, the library on the second floor of the recreation building was a huge hit for the children in the area. During the early years of the first iteration of the library, Ms. Countryman noted that “when [the children] are tired of playing they come up and settle down happily with their books. The library to them is one of their happy recreational spots, a feeling that is shared by their parents, who also participate in the community pleasures offered in the park." In 1953, the park board and library system came to an agreement to renovate the first floor of the recreation building so the library could expand.

Original Webber Park Library

Webber Park Library

The current Webber Park Library sits in a brand-new building that opened just over a year ago in May of 2017. This came after a 17-year debate about what to do with the old library. Renovate it or build a new one? The new library is once again a place where children can go once they tire themselves out from a long day of swimming and playing, and is a state-of-the-art facility that will without a doubt contribute to the growth of the community.

While buildings, park equipment, and other amenities have been replaced throughout the long history of the park, one thing has stayed the same, and that is the importance it holds within the Camden community. For over 100 years people have enjoyed the trails, fields, pool, and library of Webber Park, and in this constantly changing world, it is always nice to have an anchor in this community that never fails to spread peace, joy, and love to everyone who calls North Minneapolis their home. 

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About Michael Rainville, Jr.

A 6th generation Minneapolitan, Michael Rainville Jr. received his B.A. in History from the University of St. Thomas, and is currently enrolled in their M.A. in Art History and Certificate in Museum Studies programs.

Michael is also a lead guide at Mobile Entertainment LLC, giving Segway tours of the Minneapolis riverfront for 5+ years.

He can be reached at mrainvillejr@comcast.net.

Opinion: Finger Pointing will ensue if "14 Boss" Plan for Police Passes

Submitted by Joe Tamburino

Dear Editor:

The Minneapolis City Council is about to decide whether to allow the city’s charter to be amended by ballot question in November to give the council shared power with the mayor over the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD).  Mayor Frey and Chief Arradondo strongly oppose this amendment and argue that the enforcement of laws must remain the prerogative of the mayor’s office - they are absolutely right.

The city’s charter, which has remained intact since 1920, is the foundational law of the city.  It directs the mayor (executive authority) to be responsible for the police and the council (legislative authority) to institute policy and legislation. The proposed charter amendment would drastically change these sound and well-established governing rules and permit the 13-member council to govern the MPD.  This would be a disaster.

One can imagine the finger pointing that would occur if the council obtained even partial control over the MPD.  For example, if something goes wrong and someone, a police officer or citizen, is harmed or injured, any council member can blame other council members, who can then blame the mayor, who can in turn blame the 13-member council.  No one is ultimately accountable. 

Interestingly, this imprudent proposed amendment, in its current form and wording, hangs by a thread.  Its passage appears to depend on one person - Council Member (CM) Steve Fletcher of the Third Ward, our council member for downtown.  Thankfully, CM Fletcher has publicly stated his position and opinion that all executive authority over the MPD must remain with the mayor. We should expect him to keep his word. 

It is concerning, however, that CM Fletcher has also supported language in the current proposal that gives the council the “authority to adopt policies, rules and regulations of the police department subject to the approval of the mayor as defined in section 4.4(c).”  Section 4.4(c) allows the council to override a mayor’s veto on any proposed law by a two-thirds vote. In other words, the council would still ultimately control all of the rules, policies, and regulations of the MPD. 

I have been practicing law for 29 years, have litigated thousands of matters in court, and have argued many cases in the appellate courts.  I can unequivocally state that CM Fletcher’s position that the mayor should have all executive power while the council would have all regulatory power over the MPD is what’s called a legal incongruity. It’s literally contradictory.

By definition, executive authority makes and enforces rules over a government agency.  The mayor cannot have executive authority over the MPD if the council dictates the MPD’s rules and regulations.  The council’s authority is, and should remain, limited to making ordinances for the city.  The rules and regulations by which the MPD operates must rest with the mayor if the mayor is to retain executive authority. 

CM Fletcher has already stated his position that the mayor must retain executive powers over the MPD.  We should hold him to his word and urge him to vote against this proposal without any further amendments or changes.

Joe Tamburino

Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association, Chair.

Neighborhood Alliance, Chair.

Hennepin Ave. Stakeholders Committee, member.

Hennepin Ave. Safety Committee, member.

Coach Jennifer Wigchers Weber Joins the Board of Friends of the Mill District

Article by Claudia Kittock

A few years ago, I asked for a meeting with Ilhan Omar’s chief of staff. The purpose of the meeting was to learn the best way to invite the Cedar Riverside community to events in the Mill District. Her immediate response was, “Do you know Coach Jennifer Weber?” I didn’t, but quickly set up a meeting. We ‘clicked’ and began a friendship and working relationship that continues to click!

Jennifer Wigchers Weber, or ‘Coach’ as she is known by everyone, is an extraordinary woman. She is the mother of 3 grown children, and decided when the last had left the house that she was going back to college. She chose Augsburg and began her work toward a teaching license in special education. Part of that degree is working as an aide in a school, and Jennifer chose the charter school, Cedar Riverside Community School. After earning her degree, Jennifer became the behavior specialist at the school and recently added the title of Community Liaison.

The first project Jennifer and I collaborated on was the founding of the Mill City Players. Jennifer has been incredibly successful in getting many young people from the Cedar Riverside community interested in becoming actors in our troupe. Everything we have been able to do with the Players has been because of our partnership with Jennifer and the community.

Coach Jennifer with Cedar Riverside youth and their innovative Sports Check It Out program.

Jennifer also noticed the lack of youth sports in the Cedar Riverside community. Her plan for changing that was sheer genius. Jennifer decided to begin every sport with a girls team. She consulted with the elders in the community, and with other partners was able to design a sports hijab that allowed the girls to play sports while satisfying the need to be modest in dress. Once the girls team started, the boys were clamoring to have a team too! Notice the genius of her brain! There are no limits to Coach Jennifer’s creativity, her drive, nor her devotion to our neighboring community.

Friends of the Mill District is pleased to announce the addition of Jennifer Wigchers Weber to their board. With coach Jennifer comes the addition of the sports programs she designed, founded and continues to coach. The future of our charity just got a lot more interesting! Stay tuned for more announcements.

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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).

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Contact: claudia@millcitymedia.org

Free August Activities for You to "Go Outside" with Hennepin County for Fitness, Family Fun and More

Downtown Minneapolis and Hennepin County encourage you to Go Outside this August!

Join in Go Outside with Hennepin County events this August for fitness classes, family fun, the Minneapolis Farmers Market, piano performances and more. There is no cost to attend any of the following events.

Events at Target Field Station
 
Alchemy 365 outdoor fitness classes
- Mondays, August 6, 13, 20
- 5:30-6:30pm
- More about Alchemy 365

Most Epic Family Day
- Sunday, August 12
- Noon - 4pm
- Animals, arts and crafts, games, bounce house and more

Outdoor movies
- Wednesday, August 8, 7 p.m.: “Coco”
- Wednesday, August 22, 7 p.m.: “Mary Poppins”

Events at Hennepin County Government Center

- Downtown Farmers Market: Tuesdays 9am - 3pm, now - October
- Yard games and activities: Wednesdays 11:30am - 1:30pm, now - end of August
- Pianos on Parade performances: Thursdays Noon - 1pm, now - end of August

Full schedule and details.

Vote Early for State Primary August 7-13

Hennepin County voters place ballots directly into counting machines

Hennepin County eligible voters can directly place their ballots into a ballot counter when voting in person the week before the Minnesota primary.

Voting machines will record votes as they are turned in August 7-13, but will not report results until after polls close on election day, which is August 14.

Direct balloting provides many benefits to voters:

• Vote at a convenient time   
• Have confidence that a ballot is immediately counted  
• Verify ballot was properly filled out and accepted by the counting machine 
• Avoid hassle of placing absentee ballots in series of envelopes       

It also helps election officials by providing:

• Faster results reporting on election night
• Increased savings in time and materials to administer the election 

In-person absentee voting is available now through August 13 at most 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.  Check available locations.

Voters who live anywhere in Hennepin County also may vote in person 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. Pre-primary extended hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, August 11, and until 5 p.m. Monday, August 13.

Find information about voting and elections in Hennepin County at hennepin.us/elections.

The public can contact Hennepin County Elections at 612-348-5151 or hc.vote@hennepin.us