Inspirational Story from People Serving People

From an October 26 People Serving People e-news:

October is Hunger and Homelessness Month, and we wanted to share a story about a homeless child who has taught our staff and volunteers a lot about how much POTENTIAL is in each child who passes through the doors of our shelter.

Because of volunteer and donor support, our Children’s Services and Family Advocacy staff are able to arrange for fun activities for the homeless children and families at our shelter.  One of the programs that we offer is Boy Scouts - a great way for boys to forget about their lives' struggles and concentrate on doing their best.

 

The other day, the scouts had set up a tent in the room, and leaders brought in bugs to show the kids.  While most kids were running around the room in a wild frenzy, one boy, Devin, sat quietly in the tent.  He had found a 3D wooden puzzle and was working to put it together.  No one had told him that it was meant to match together to form an object.  He had simply found separate pieces strewn across the bottom of the tent, and within minutes had completed the complicated puzzle. Later, some of our staff had attempted to put it together - unsuccessfully.

 

This wasn't the first time that Devin stunned our staff with his outstanding mind and manner.  Although he was only 6 years old, he spoke to staff and volunteers with respect and sincerity in a way which made us feel we were talking to an adult.  Curious about everything, Devin enjoys reading encyclopedias in his spare time.  During his stay at the shelter, Devin continually surprised us with his intelligence, kindness and heart.

 

Because of the volunteers and donors that keep our programs going, we can work directly with children like Devin to give them opportunities to discover that they are great and capable individuals – and overcome homelessness with their families.

 

With much appreciation,

 

Lauren Rimestad

Development Coordinator

People Serving People

612-277-0219

Mark Your Calendar - North Star Cocktails Book Launch Party at the Mill City Museum

Thursday, November 10, 2011, 7:00-10:00 pm

Tickets: $25, $20 for Minnesota Historical Society Members

On sale online or at 612-341-7555. Must be 21 or older to     attend.  Valid i.d. required for admittance

Sample craft cocktails and meet Johnny Michaels and other premiere Twin Cities bartenders to celebrate the publication of North Star Cocktails. This new book features 125 original, crafted cocktail recipes utilizing fresh fruits and vegetables, tips on barkeep techniques and tools, and guides to artisanal liquors and bitters.

Johnny Michaels and five other members of the North Star Bartenders’ Guild will be on hand mixing their cocktail recipe featured in the book. Participants will receive a voucher for three half-size cocktails with paid admission, and can purchase vouchers for additional cocktails. Pip Hanson of Marvel Bar will be conducting a demonstration of hand ice chipping. Nick Kosevich of Bittercube will deliver a tutorial on the art of hand-crafting artisanal bitters. Dean Phillips will have a memorabilia display highlighting the history of Phillips Distilling Company and its deep Minnesota roots. Complimentary light hors d’oeuvres will be served. North Star Bartenders Guild members will be on hand to copies of the book, which will be for sale in the museum store.

 

The six bartenders who will mix their cocktails are:

• Johnny Michaels - La Belle Vie
• Adam Harness - Cafe Maude
• Gina Kent - Bradstreet Crafthouse
• Jesse Held
• Chad Larson - Barrio Tequila Bars
• Rob Jones - Meritage

Recognized as one of the twin cities’ best drink makers, Johnny Michaels is the cocktail connoisseur’s answer to a gourmet chef. His home base is the James Beard award–winning La Belle Vie, but he’s designed the cocktail menus for several of its sister restaurants and other top metro eateries. Together with premiere bartenders such as Pip Hanson, Nick Kosevich, Jesse Held, Thea Sheffert, and others in the North Star Bartenders’ Guild, Michaels shares 125 original cocktail recipes.

Lunch Tomorrow - The Artspace Project at The East Downtown Council Luncheon

Date: Thursday October 27

Time: Noon - 1:00 pm (Registration begins at 11:30)

Location: Hosted by EDC member, First Covenant Church, 810 South 7th Street, Lower level Fellowship Hall (enter under green awning from the parking lot between 6th and 7th St on Chicago Avenue).

Join the East Downtown Council (EDC) for our October Luncheon.

Featured speakers Greg Handberg, Senior VP Properties and Heidi Kurtze, Director Property Development, with Artspace will share plans for their development project, The Artspace Liner Parcel Lofts, at 800 Washington Avenue.

This is a new mixed-use arts facility with 45 rental units of affordable live/work housing for artists and their families and 28,000 square feet of non-residential space for artists, arts organizations, and creative businesses.

Limited free parking in First Covenant designated spaces fee lot and street metered parking is available.

Cost is $15 for EDC Members and guests.  RSVP by Friday, October 21, to Diane Ingram - 612-359-0601.

(To allow us to accept payment by cash or check when attendees arrive
cancellations after October 24th will be invoiced.)

Tonight - Bryan Nichols, McKnight Winner, in Concert at MacPhail

Time:  7:00pm

Location:  Antonello Hall, MacPhail Center for Music, 501 2nd Street South

Join McKnight Fellowship winner and MacPhail faculty member, Bryan Nichols, for an evening of jazz piano works including some of his own compositions.

Peavey Plaza Debate Hits Huffington Post - Target Touted as Partner

From the  Huffington Post:

Excitement has turned to disappointment in Minneapolis, and what's happening there should be a warning about safeguarding transparency in public process and civic debate. Right now, Minneapolis has a golden opportunity to revitalize Peavey Plaza, an award-winning modernist masterwork recently determined eligible to the National Register of Historic Places, but instead it's poised to replace Peavey with what some critics have already labeled a really watered down version of Chicago's Millennium Park. That does not have to happen and Minneapolis-based Target Corporation might be the key to solving this problem. [Full disclosure, I was a member of the team originally selected last November to develop proposals for Peavey's future, but more on that and Target in a moment.]

Read the full article...

Thanks to Charles Birnbaum @TCLFdotORG on Twitter for sending this our way.

Tonight - Upper River Forum: Asian Carp Invasion: What Will It Mean for the Minneapolis Riverfront?

Date: Tuesday, October 25

Time: 5:00 pm to 7:00pm

Location: Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board Headquarters, 2117 West River Road

Upper River Forum:  Asian Carp Invasion: What Will It Mean for the Minneapolis Riverfront?

Presentation by: Dr. John O. Anfinson, National Park Service, with panel discussion.

Co-sponsored by the Minneapolis Riverfront Partnership and the Above the Falls Citizen Advisory Committee (AFCAC).

Governor Dayton is calling for quick action to prevent invasive Asian Carp from moving up the Mississippi River into Minnesota.  After the presentation, a panel of experts will answer your questions about the negative impact Asian Carp could have on the Mississippi's ecological, recreational, and economic health.  How do we slow or stop the spread of Asian Carp? What about closing Lock #1 and the Upper Lock at St. Anthony Falls?

Panelists:

John O. Anfinson, Resource Chief, Mississippi National River and Recreation Area

Don Arnosti, Policy Director, Audubon Minnesota

Greg Genz, Vice-President, Upper Mississippi Waterway Association

Brian Nerbonne, Stream Habitat Specialist, MN Department of Natural Resources

Russel K. Snyder, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers/St. Paul District

Don Arnosti, National Audubon Society