‘State of the River Report’ Reveals Progress

MINNEAPOLIS (Sept. 21, 2016) — Over forty years after the passage of the Clean Water Act, a new report on the health of the Mississippi River shows that while progress has been made we must maintain our vigilance and explore new solutions to preserve the health of the river.

The State of the River Report, which was just released by Friends of the Mississippi River and the National Park Service Mississippi National River and Recreation Area unit examines the status and trends of 14 key indicators of the river’s health, including bacteria, phosphorus, nitrate and sediment levels, as well as the river’s viability for recreation and wildlife. It also addresses new or emerging contaminants of concern, such as microplastic fibers and chloride.

“The Mississippi River is a complex natural system, with many factors affecting its overall health and vitality,” said Whitney Clark, executive director of the Friends of the Mississippi River. “‘State of the River’ serves as a report card, helping us determine how the river is doing compared to the past, and which efforts have been effective at improving its health. In short, this report reveals that there has been a great deal of progress, but we must maintain our vigilance and push for new solutions — particularly in regard to agricultural pollution — to adequately conserve and protect the river for generations to come.”

Among the positive trends, bald eagle, mussel and fish populations are increasing, which are signs of a restored river that is home to healthy and abundant wildlife. However, there are also disturbing trends in lead levels for eaglets, and fish consumption advisories are in place throughout the river due to elevated levels of contaminants like PFOS and mercury.

Recreation and aquatic habitat on the river is being increasingly degraded by excess sediments and phosphorus, and some portions of the river are impaired with excess bacteria. Much of this can be attributed to agricultural sources.

Several indicators show disturbing trends and are causes for serious concern moving forward, according to the scientific advisors who helped compile the report: 

1.     River flows have multiplied to worrisome levels (24% increase since 1976). This leads to destabilization and also flushes large amounts of pollution into the river.

2.     Nitrate concentrations have increased substantially (44% increase since 1976), potentially expanding the Dead Zone in the Gulf of Mexico.

3.     Invasive Asian carp continue to move upstream, threatening aquatic life and recreation throughout much of the state.

4.     A number of additional contaminants, such as triclosan, pharmaceuticals and microplastics  — tiny pieces of plastic shed from everything from car tires to washing our polyester and synthetic clothing — present risks to the river that, while not yet fully understood, are cause for concern due to their potential impacts on human and aquatic health.

“To solve these problems, we need to better understand their causes and consequences,” said John Anfinson, Superintendent, National Park Service, Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. “This report provides a solid base from which to spur a public conversation about how to preserve and improve the river, and develop strategies for doing so.”

Three companion guides have been published with the report, 1) a Stewardship Guide that provides practical steps for individuals to take in their homes, yards and communities to improve the health of the Mississippi River, 2) a brand-new Teacher’s Guide to help teachers and students carry the lessons of the report into the classroom, and 3) Friends of the Mississippi River’s Policy Guide that offers priority actions that federal, state and local leaders can take for the river. The State of the River Report and companion guides are available at www.stateoftheriver.com.

The "State of the River Report" was funded by the McKnight Foundation, the Patrick and Aimee Butler Family Foundation, the Mortenson Family Foundation, the Capitol Region Watershed District, the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District, and Mississippi Park Connection.

Full report and all guides available to download at www.stateoftheriver.com
About Friends of the Mississippi River: www.fmr.org
About the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area: www.nps.gov.miss

Hennepin Gallery Exhibit: Fusing and Faces - The Quilts of Carol Hancuh on display September 20 - November 27

Carol Hancuh traded paints for fabric five years ago and hasn’t looked back. She uses no kits or patterns; her quilts are original in design, piecing and quilting. Hancuh’s work is influenced by Esterita Austin, who introduced her to the art of fusing. “My first fused quilt was a wall hanging – a face named ‘Bruce’.” The next, “Feed My People,” was of the homeless hungry in America.  It won the President's Award at the Minnesota Quilters 2015 show, was shown at the Houston Festival of Quilts 2015 and published in Quilters Newsletter Magazine in 2016. In September of 2014, she made the 50th anniversary quilt for her church. “Helping Hands” portrays three priests who have served at Mary, Mother of the Church in Burnsville, where the quilt hangs in the sanctuary.

Hancuh, a member of Minnesota Quilters, has done abstracts, one original patterned quilt and several landscapes. Some quilts went to her church's Prayer Shawl ministry, others to silent auctions for non-profit organizations, visiting nurses, safe houses, and dignity quilts for a nursing home. Her quilts can be seen at http://chancuhquilts.com/.

This collection is presented by Minnesota Quilters, Inc. Minnesota Quilters celebrates the art of quilting in all its forms, educates about this time-honored craft, and promotes the work of newly emerging quilt artists at its annual show and other events each year.

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. S. Sixth St., Minneapolis. The exhibit is sponsored by Hennepin County Communications.

The Gallery is a project of Hennepin County Communications.

Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District (DID) Announces 2016 Greening & Public Realm Award Winners

MINNEAPOLIS (September 20, 2016) — The Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District (DID) announced today its 7^th annual Greening & Public Realm Award winners, a group that included four new winners among the 12 categories decided by an interactive public vote.

The Greening Awards aim to showcase greening efforts by organizations and companies that help beautify the downtown area through enhancing the public realm. Among the 12 award winners [full list below] in this year’s categories are first-time winners The Living Bus Shelter (Small Green Space Activation), The Times They Are A-Changin’ — Mural by Eduardo Kobra (Public Art), Wells Fargo Towers (Streetscape Green Infrastructure) and The Commons (Public Realm Improvement).

This year’s winners also includes Loring Greenway in the Best Large Green Space category—its seventh consecutive year earning a Greening Award. Target Plaza South Entry (Small Green Space) won its sixth Greening Award, and The Local (Outdoor Café) won its fifth.

“Each year the Greening Awards offer a chance for us to recognize and showcase organizations that truly help take the vibrancy of our downtown to a new level,” said Steve Cramer, President & CEO of the Minneapolis Downtown Council & Downtown Improvement District. “We congratulate all who were nominated and selected as finalists, and we look forward to seeing what enhanced green spaces will be part of next year’s vote.”

Winners will receive a commemorative Greening Award created by Wood from the Hood, a Minneapolis-based company that reclaims discarded trees from urban neighborhoods and creates high-quality wood products. Each award will display the year the award was issued.

The Minneapolis DID accepted public nominations for green spaces through the middle of August, and finalists were announced on August 25. Voting for finalists remained open from August 25 through September 14.

The finalists, nominated by the public, were selected by members of the Minneapolis DID staff based on criteria including overall year-over-year enhancements as well as continued excellence in adding vibrancy to the public realm.

This year’s results include the following winners:

Small Green Space Activation
• The Living Bus Shelter* — 30.78%
• The Loon Street Café* — 28.11%
• Parklet at 13th & Hennepin (Espresso Royale & Salon Rouge) * — 27.41%
• Living Room Station* —13.7%

Small Green Space
• Target Plaza South Entry — 41.28%
• Federal Courthouse Plaza — 36.58%
• American Academy of Neurology — 22.13%

Large Green Space Activation
• Target Field Station — 43.12%
• Hennepin County Government Center South Plaza — 28.94%
• Convention Center Plaza — 27.93%

Large Green Space
• Loring Greenway — 36.92%
• The Commons* — 34.99%
• Triangle Park — 28.09%

Façade Greening
• Kenosha Building — 40.73%
• JB Hudson — 26.88%
• MSFA Parking Ramp* — 19.72%
• 4Marq Apartments* — 12.68%

Public Art
• The Times They Are A-Changin’ – Mural by Eduardo Kobra* — 63.62%
• Gold Medal Park — 20.14%
• The Horn (Medtronic Plaza Sculpture)* —10.98%
• Greg Gossel Mural* — 5.26%

Outdoor Café
• The Local — 40.16%
• Bachelor Farmer* — 32.22%
• 8th Street Grill — 18.53%
• Mason’s Restaurant Barre — 9.09%

Streetscape Greening
• Target Plaza Commons — 49.14%
• Central Lutheran Church — 38.51%
• The Carlyle — 12.34%

Streetscape Green Infrastructure
• Wells Fargo Towers* — 42.84%
• 1st Street North Streetscape Improvements — 37.99%
• Boulevard Gardens at 4th & Hennepin* — 19.17%

Entryway Greening
• City Hall — 60.84%
• Textile Building* —  23.33%
• Lindsay Lofts* — 15.83%

Public Realm Improvement
• The Commons* — 41.37%
• The Times They Are A-Changin’ – Mural by Eduardo Kobra* — 29.2%
• Bachelor Farmer Outdoor Café* — 7.92%
• Wells Fargo Towers Streetscapes* — 7.09%
• The Horn (Medtronic Plaza Sculpture)* — 4.26%
• Boulevard Gardens at 4th & Hennepin* —  4.02%
• 4Marq Apartments Façade Greening* — 3.43%
• Greg Gossel Mural* — 1.89%
• MSFA Parking Ramp* — 0.83%

Best Neighborhood
• Loring Park — 33.18%
• Mill District — 32.83%
• North Loop — 16.99%
• Elliot Park — 16.99%

* = New Nominee in this category

Update on Gold Medal Park - Tonight's Movie Canceled

Note from the Gold Medal Park management company:

Last week the park started showing a number of areas of brown grass. This is highly unusual considering the amount of rain we have along with a pretty good watering system. After examination we found that the park lawn was inundated with beetle grub worms. These grubs eat the roots of the grass and without controlling them the park lawn would greatly diminish convert to weeds quickly. We have been proud that the majority of products used to keep the park in pristine condition are organic products. The park foundation has accepted the fact that the process of organic is substantially more expensive then normal chemical but defiantly worth it not only because it is environmentally the right thing but also for the consideration of all the people and the pets that use the park. We have hit one ugly issue of not being able to find a very effective way to stop the grub damage without using a chemical application. That is what took place today and why the caution tape is around the park. The chemical will be washed into the soil with the watering and will quickly dissipate within 24 hours. It is possible that another application will need to be applied next spring to completely eradicate the grubs.

Although immediate treatment was optimum we thought that closing down the park over the weekend when the highest park use takes place was not in the best interest. We pushed treatment off to Monday without remembering the park movie schedule. With that chemical treatment it is not advisable to  have heavy grass activity.  Hopefully the continual result of a great lawn will mitigate any inconvenience this may have caused. 

Making Connections, Building Community

By Claudia Kittock

In the fall of 2013, I was asked to run for the Downtown Minneapolis Neighborhood Association (DMNA).  I had taken early retirement from my full-time job as a college professor, and while I was still teaching part-time, I was looking for something new.  I knew nothing about DMNA, but was excited to learn more about our neighborhood, and to find ways to give back.

I spent the first few months of my tenure at DMNA listening, reading, and learning. The more I learned, the more I looked for ways I could contribute and knew it had to be some way that used my education and expertise. 

There were many false starts on the way to finding my niche. Everyone who worked with me over the decades knows of my horror of meetings, and now I was voluntarily going to meetings.  What I discovered was that I enjoyed meetings when things were actually accomplished!  Who knew???  It became very easy for me to ‘sort’ meetings according to purpose.

I also became a volunteer for an organization called Mile in My Shoes at the same time.  Mile in My Shoes is a group of volunteers who run with people who are experiencing homelessness and are living in either a shelter or supportive housing. It was a life changing decision.

The first day I arrived at the shelter at 5:45 a.m. for a 6:00 run.  A very tall young man came up to me immediately, introduced himself and said, “Just remember, I always have your back.” . . . .and he did.  It wasn’t until I had been running with the group for several months that I found out this young man was also experiencing homelessness.  I assumed he was a volunteer, because he seemed to be just like me!!

After a few months of running with Mile in My Shoes, the decision was made to start a cohort of runners at Emanuel Housing, just 3 blocks from my home at the Bridgewater. I was thrilled and excited. When I was asked to take over the leadership of the group, I happily volunteered. Within a few weeks, we had become a group of tight knit runners.

Emanuel Housing serves economically disadvantaged single men and women. The program includes specialized housing that serves 11 homeless veterans through the VASH Program, 54 units of housing that prefers GRH eligible homeless disabled adults, 14 units of housing that serve Chronically Homeless Disabled (CHD) adults through the Shelter + Care Program, 11 Affordable units, and 6 project based Section 8 subsidized units.

Running with a partner is a unique experience. Everyone is fueled by the desire to run and the difficulty of the task. When you run, you talk freely and complain just as freely. As one runner said, “This is the only time all day I just get to be me.  No demands, no meetings, no one wanting anything from me. Just a run with people doing the same thing.”

On one of those runs, a friend remarked that we needed more music in the neighborhood.  I agreed.  His suggestion was to talk to someone from MacPhail, so I did. When I broached the subject with people at MacPhail, the answer was, “What would you think about having JD Steele as your director?” I was stunned!

We now have a community choir with over 115 names on the roster.  JD and his brother Fred, who is the accompanist, lead us in joyful music on Saturday afternoons. Neighborhood businesses happily donate rehearsal space and we practice in Guthrie rehearsal spaces, at the American Academy of Neurology, MacPhail, and the Mill City Museum.

When I stop and think about how this all happened, it comes back to one word, connections. This story is about the first and most powerful lesson I learned and continue to learn.  Listen . . . . ask . . .  .and be prepared to be stunned by the responses of the good and kind people in our community.  Change can only happen person to person, and that is the essence of the work we all need to do. Connections matter.  Not the connections that lead to power, but the human connections that build us all up. I am better and stronger because of the people I know and count as my friend.

Claudia can be reached at claudia@millcitymedia.org

Update From Friends of the Mill District

The second rehearsal of this season of the Mill City Emanuel Singers was held at the MacPhail Music Center.  We continue to attract more singers and are becoming a truly diverse choir, representing our community in the truest sense.  Today's rehearsal was about sharing individual stories and getting to know each other better as we continue to form our musical identity.

The Singers will be part of a massed choir on Sunday, September 25 at International Market Square. We will be singing at the Concert Across America to End Gun Violence. There will be similar events going on all over the country at the same time with the same goal, ending the violence that has so plagued our city and our country.  For more details, go to https://www.facebook.com/events/281769912173312/

Please feel free to join the singers.  Our next rehearsal is on September 24th at 2:00-3:30 at the Mill City Museum.  The only requirement is a love of singing and a desire to be part of a community.  All are welcome.  Please contact Claudia Kittock at cjkittock@gmail.com with any questions.

Scenes from the September 17 Mill City Farmers Market

That cute little bee manning the Great River Coalition booth at the September 17 Mill City Farmers Market is none other than former Minneapolis City Council Member Diane Hofstede. This member-supported nonprofit organization works collaboratively within the community to enhance the vitality of the river environment and create pollinator pathways.

It was a music-filled Market, featuring the Orange Mighty Trio as the main attraction. Prior to their arrival, guests were greeted by two fiddlers and there was a sweet little piano onsite available for anyone to play.

Vegetable humor - compliments of Urban Roots:

Keepin' it clean!

The Market was one of the stops for the Mill City Running The Fast and the Curious scavenger hunt.  (I resisted the urge to help them find what they were looking for.)

Milly the goat! :)

Sept 18 Traffic Alert/Street Closures for Vikings-Packers 7:30p Game

Minneapolis closing streets near U.S. Bank Stadium for Sunday’s Vikings game

The City of Minneapolis will close streets around U.S. Bank Stadium for Sunday’s 7:30pm Vikings game. 

Beginning at 1:00pm Sunday, the City will close:
• Chicago Avenue, from Fourth Street to Sixth Street.

Beginning at 4:30pm Sunday, the City will close:
• Fourth Street from Park Avenue to Interstate 35W.
• Norm McGrew Place from Third Street to Fourth Street.

These street closings are for traffic safety and security needs related to a large stadium event. All streets will reopen about one hour after the completion of the game.

Community Corner – News from Local Neighborhood Associations

News & resources from the Downtown & Riverfront Neighborhood Associations

Loring Park | Pedestrian Hit By Car, Seeking Witnesses. A woman was hit by a car while crossing Spruce Place on Friday, 9/9/2016. More details…

St. Anthony West | Your Neighborhood Needs You. Volunteer for the 13th Annual Historic Riverfront 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, Oct. 1. More details…

Downtown Minneapolis | Read the Latest Newsletter…

North Loop | Planning+Zoning Committee Meeting September 21. More details…

Marcy-Holmes | Board Meeting September 20. More details…

Nicollet Island/East Bank | NIEBNA Board Meeting Schedule…

Elliot Park | Free Arts Day. More details…

Enneagram Cafe with Becky Gorman at The Loft

Enneagram Cafe with Becky Gorman

Would you like to improve your relationships?  Feel more "in tune" with who you are?  Then you're invited to Becky's Enneagram Cafe.  During these sessions, identify your Enneagram type, learn how it impacts nearly everything you do, and help you find ways to harness the strength of your type.  The Enneagram is used around the world and is a tool proven to improve lives.

4 Saturdays October 1, 8, 22 and 29,   9:00am to Noon

Oct 1:  Your 3 Centers of Intelligence:  Head, Heart, Body

Oct 8:  How the 9 Enneagram Styles Function and Impact You

Oct 22:  Bringing the Enneagram Alive in Your Day-to-Day Life

Oct 29:  How to Optimize Self Care Based on Your Enneagram Type

Boom Island-Nicollet Island Bridge Repairs Open House, October 6

Originally built as a railroad bridge in 1890, the Boom Island-Nicollet Island Bridge was acquired by the MPRB in the 1970s and installed in its current location in the early 1980s.

Via a September 16 e-newsletter from Minneapolis Park and Rec Board:

Public invited to review plan to repair bridge between Boom Island Park and Nicollet Island

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) will host an Open House for the Boom Island-Nicollet Island Bridge Repairs project on Thursday, Oct. 6, 6-7:30 pm at MPRB headquarters, 2117 West River Road.

The public is encouraged to attend to learn more and provide input regarding bridge repairs and improvements planned as part of the project, which will provide structural stability for the 126-year-old bridge and improve its overall usability.

At the meeting, closure and detour information and decking and railing options for bridge repairs will be available for public review. All are welcome to attend this public meeting to ask questions and share ideas, comments and concerns.
 
Public Meeting
Date: Oct. 6, 2016
Time: 6-7:30 pm
Location: MPRB Headquarters
Address: 2117 West River Road
Topic: Overview of a project that will repair the Boom Island-Nicollet Island Bridge.

Project Website

MPRB Requests Your Feedback on the 2016 Music & Movies in the Parks Season

Via a September 15 e-newsletter from the Minneapolis Park and Rec Board:

2016 Music & Movies in the Parks Complete!

Thank you for a wonderful 2016 season of our Music and Movies in the Parks series!  We truly hope you enjoyed your experience in the parks with us over the summer and will continue to support the program by coming to the shows in the future.

We are asking for one final favor as we wrap up the season.  We are always looking to improve the program, and we're asking you to spare a few moments to fill out our survey.  In doing so, you give us information on ways we can make the 2017 season even better.  Thank you in advance for taking the time to answer our questions!

Survey Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WKYY5ZG

Thank you once again for an enjoyable summer in our Minneapolis Parks!  Check out our Facebook page for more pictures.

YogaFit Offers Free Yoga to Striking Allina Nurses Now thru October 31

Nurses are amazing people who take great pride to care for people, most of whom they don’t even know. YogaFit would like to return the care by taking care of the nurses now. In an effort to help the nurses who are on strike, YogaFit is providing unlimited free yoga classes to all the nurses on strike from today until October 31st.

We have four locations in the metro area – Linden Hills, Loring Park, Northeast Minneapolis and Excelsior. To get started on the free classes, please email Ashok Dhariwal at ashok@mspyoga.com. To learn more about YogaFit, our locations, and our class formats please visit www.yogafitstudios.com.  We have classes for all levels of experience.

Fall Colors Segway Tours run thru November 30

Take in the best fall colors on a Segway Tour! The Minneapolis Magical History Tour runs through November 30. The tour office is located at 125 Main Street SE.  952-888-9200 Facebook

Back by Popular Demand: Preservation Alliance to Host Two Photography Walking Tours

(ST. PAUL, MN – September 13, 2016) Old building and photography enthusiasts have two new opportunities to tour historic neighborhoods while honing artistic skills. The Preservation Alliance of Minnesota (PAM) is excited to host a pair of smartphone photography tours this fall, both of which debuted in the spring of 2016.

Mill District Smartphone Photography Tour
Wednesday, September 28th
5:00pm-8:00pm
A-Mill Artist Lofts
Registration: $25

This evening tour begins at the old/new A Mill Artist Lofts with an introductory drink and presentation by professional photographer Eric Mueller. Mueller goes beyond filters, teaching how to capture the built and natural environment of the neighborhood. 

Art history and architecture professor Kristin Anderson will lead us up Main Street to share historical and architectural context of the area. Participants can employ new photography techniques along this tour as we stop at notable buildings. The tour finishes on the Stone Arch Bridge. PAM is bringing back this tour after its sold-out first run in May.

- - - - - - - - - - -

Stillwater and Lift Bridge Brewery Tour
Thursday, September 29th
5:30pm-8:00pm
Pioneer Park
Registration: $25, includes flight of beer at Lift Bridge Brewing Co. 

PAM’s second Stillwater tour of 2016 will start at Pioneer Park overlooking downtown. Instagrammer extraordinaire Emily Falkenberg will share favorite photography techniques, and local history buff Sally Erickson will guide the group through the North Hill neighborhood, stopping at the Warden’s House, Lowell Inn, and Isaac Staples Sawmill.

The group will loop back to Pioneer Park and take a sojourn over to the critically acclaimed Lift Bridge Brewing Co. Here, we will enjoy a flight of beer and take a tour of their beautiful beer lab. Beer is included in registration cost.

- - - - - - - - - - -

These classes are hosted by the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota (PAM), a statewide nonprofit organization that leads and inspires people to connect to valued places in their communities. Whether it’s an old home or storefront on the corner, a rural community’s old high school, or an urban neighborhood’s long-retired factory, PAM works to preserve and protect the bond felt by community members toward these places, the memories such places represent, and the distinct characteristics they display. 

This project has been financed in part with funds provided by the State of Minnesota from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the Minnesota Historical Society.

Thursday Musical Announces 2016-2017 Season of Thursday Morning Artist Series and Home Programs

Via a September 12 Press Release from Thursday Musical:

MINNEAPOLIS/ST PAUL - Thursday Musical announces its 125^th season for the Thursday Morning Artist Series, including Living Concert Notes with MPR announcer Steve Staruch and composer David Evan Thomas, and the Home Programs.
 
HOME PROGRAMS
 
A time-honored tradition, the Home Programs are the heart of the organization’s membership community. Members of Thursday Musical on October 20, 2016 and April 20, 2017 will open their homes for a total of six programs to season subscribers/members for an intimate, “salon-style” concert experience. Programs will feature several returning performing members and two Thursday Musical debuts by pianist Otto Loehrke (Oct. 20) and mezzo-soprano April Hansen (Apr. 20). Please see thursdaymusical.org/home-programs for a complete schedule.

THURSDAY MORNING ARTIST SERIES

The Thursday Morning Artist Series has been presented since 1892 on Thursdays. It is the organization’s longest-running recital and chamber music series with a legacy of featuring some of the most talented classical musicians in Minnesota. Programs are currently being held at 10:30 a.m. in the acoustically impressive Antonello Hall at MacPhail Center for Music, Minneapolis. Complimentary coffee and donuts are provided in the lobby starting at 10:00 am served by members of Thursday Musical. Detailed program information will be announced throughout the season.
 
Kicking off the season is a free concert on October 6 including a preconcert reception at 9:30 am with Living Concerts Notes hosted by Guest Moderator MPR announcer Steve Staurch.

On the program will be Amy Morris, flute and Mary Goetz, piano performing Malagigi the Sorcerer by Venezuelan-born composer Efrain Amaya and Tango Etude by Astor Piazzolla; the Başgöze – Pinto Piano Duo (Susana Pinto, piano and Pinar Başgöze, piano) will perform works by Brazilian composers Ernesto Nazareth, Zequinha de Abre and Francisco Mignone; and clarinet trio (Janet Greene, Pat O'Keefe, and Nina Olsen) will be performing Eight Bagatelles by local composer Sarah Miller who has been teaching composition and piano at MacPhail Center for Music, Minneapolis,for seventeen years. 

Tickets and Memberships
 
Concert Memberships for the 2016-17 concert season are now available to renewing and new subscribers. Thursday Musical continues its legacy of providing outstanding concert programming at affordable prices. Subscribers can access 12 Thursday Morning Artist Series concerts and 4 Home Programs for under $8 each ($95 general\$85 seniors). (Note: Home Programs are only available to season subscribers.) Subscriptions can be purchased online, by phone or in person at any Thursday Morning Artist Series concert. 
 
Individual tickets for the Thursday Morning Artist Series can be purchased at the door for $15. All concerts are open seating and take place at MacPhail Center for Music, 501 S 2nd Street. For more information, call (612) 333-0313 or visit thursdaymusical.org/membership.

All concerts are at 10:30 AM.

See full Press Release

Welcome Claudia Kittock to the Mill City Times Team!

Publishers note: Claudia will be covering the local non-profit scene for Mill City Times.

My name is Claudia Kittock and my husband and I have lived in Downtown Minneapolis for 8 years. We are avid lovers of ALL things in our neighborhood and are truly blessed to live here.

Our move to downtown was planned for years of raising our children in a small town.  We knew we wanted to move to this neighborhood and be part of downtown living.  What we didn’t know was how vibrant this experience would be and continues to be.  We also didn’t know anything about how caught up we would become in the formation of our neighborhood.

I have been in education all of my adult life, and have a Ph.D. in child psychology from the University of Minnesota. While working as a college professor and raising our two children, I felt the pull to do more, to be involved with volunteering, and to give back some of the blessings I have had in my life.

We moved here during the first year of our youngest son’s college career, which meant that I was simultaneously experiencing the newness of more time for me, and the experience of living in this neighborhood.  Within a short period of time, I found myself immersed in volunteering, and particularly any experience having to do with children, and specifically children who faced challenges in their lives.

After 4 years of commuting two hours a day, I had the chance to take early retirement, and I grabbed it.  I loved my job, but I was excited for new challenges and new activities, and I found myself with seemingly endless time to commit to volunteering. As a lifelong child psychologist, with great listening skills, I decided to devote my first year to attending meetings and listening and learning. I found an inexhaustible supply of ways to get involved.

My goal in this column/blog is to share what I learn while listening.  I want to tell the reader what I know, share needs, and, as in the past, be prepared to be stunned at the generosity and heart of this community.  Every time I tell a story of need, someone responds, and I am overwhelmed with gratitude and awe of the heart of this community.

I have a list of things to write about, but I live to learn more.  Please feel free to contact me with things I don’t know and with ideas you know about that I need to explore.  My role in life right now is to listen, to learn, and to share!

Claudia Kittock can be reached at claudia@millcitymedia.org

New Season Underway for Mill City Emanuel Singers

The Mill City Emanuel Singers are back!  We began rehearsal on Saturday, September 10th at MacPhail. There were many singers who returned and several new singers.  It was a wonderful rehearsal with introductions and singing together . . . and we sounded pretty good, too!  Remember, you are welcome ANY time and we are blessed every time you can attend. Our schedule for the first five weeks of practice is as follows:

September 17     MacPhail Center for Music     2:00-3:30

September 24     Mill City Museum                  2:00-3:30

October 1            MacPhail Center for Music     2:00-3:30

October 8            Mill City Museum                  2:00-3:30

October 15          MacPhail Center for Music    2:00-3:30

There are at least 2 performances, with more to come.  The first is on Sunday, September 25, directed by JD in a massed choir, singing Hold On. You can read about it at  http://concertacrossamerica.org/ or at https://www.facebook.com/events/281769912173312/. We have also been asked to be part of a massed choir for an event on Ending Street Homelessness in Minneapolis on Sunday, November 13th. 

It was an exciting start!  Our goal is to need a BIGGER room.  Please invite your friends and neighbors.  Give them the 'JD challenge".  Come once, and if you can resist us after that, it is all good, but I am betting you won't be able to resist the attraction of this experience.  If you have any questions, suggestions, and/or any help, please contact Claudia Kittock at cjkittock@gmail.com

Scenes from the September 10 Mill City Farmers Market

September 10 was Hunger Solutions Day at the Mill City Farmers Market. Food access for all is key to Mill City Farmers Market's mission of nourishing the community. Staff from Hunger Solution Minnesota were on hand with information on their programs. Hunger Solutions is a comprehensive hunger relief organization that works to end hunger in Minnesota. The organization was created in 2001, as a result of the merger between Minnesota Food Bank Network and Minnesota Food Shelf Association.

The theme of Market Chef Jenny Breen's Mill City Cooks demo was Cooking on a SNAP Budget, during which she provided suggestions on how to incorporate healthy ingredients into nutritious, economical and tasty meals. The Curried Chick Peas with Autumn Vegetables recipe she prepared costs less that $3 per serving. 

YogaFit Studios Northeast conducted a donation-based outdoor class from 9a-10a.

Rosemary in cookies? That's right, and it's a wonderful thing! I'm just thankful there were only 6 in the package or I would have snacked myself into a shortbread stupor...

The info booth is always hoppin'.

Sunflowers! Immediately put a smile on your face, don't they?

A child's body language as to when they no longer want to carry something...

Rug shopping at Art Andes.

Milly the goat!

Don't Skip The Commercials!

Event at Commons Park will feature the very best of the best local ads

There was a time when Minneapolis-based ads were known as “Minneapolis Cute”—an affectionate term coined by judges at national advertising shows in the 1980s referring to the fresh, new and unique style produced by up-and-coming agencies in the Twin Cities area. It was a time when Minneapolis was not yet known for producing hit commercials but began showcasing its creativity one spot at a time.

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Doug Spong remembers it well. The founder of The Doug Spong Co. is in his 35th year in the advertising business, and he recalls back in the 1980s and 1990s how local agencies began making names for themselves and the creative community as a whole with their wit, humor and philosophy on advertising.

Back then, Minneapolis agencies were making their name. Now, they’re maintaining their reputation as a national power.

“Most Minnesotans have no idea how large and robust the creative economy is in Minneapolis,” Spong said. “There are roughly 50,000 talented professionals who make their living in the commercial arts. Minneapolis ranks among the Top 7 creative markets in the U.S. and boasts some of the most award-winning agencies in the world.

To help celebrate our booming local creative industry, the Minneapolis Downtown Council in partnership with AdFed MN and Intersections: The Downtown 2025 Plan Downtown Experience Committee are hosting Northbest: Ads of Minnesota on Thursday, September 22 at The Commons. The event is free and open to the public, will include food trucks and beverages on hand, and will showcase the very best of the best in the local creative community.

Beginning at 8 pm, a 60-minute highlight reel of locally-produced advertisements will provide a look at some of the nationally- and internationally-recognized commercials that were born right here in the Minneapolis area.

There were 138 advertisements submitted for this event by 19 different creative agencies, and of that group a curation committee comprised of Spong, Sue Crolick, Nancy Rice and Steve Wehrenberg selected roughly an hour’s worth—27 individual ads—of the very best commercials to be part of Northbest.

“There are global brands that bring their advertising creative needs to Minneapolis agencies, including leading automotive brands such as Subaru, fast-casual restaurants like Arby’s, retail work for Target and a host of local and regional brands that are Minnesota favorites,” Spong said. “See for yourself the inspiring ideas and creative execution that stir a love affair between consumers and brands.”

Our local creative community and its overall reputation has been built up by workers at ad agencies, design studios, PR firms, digital shops, production houses plus countless freelance writers, designers, art directors, animators, video editors, broadcast producers, print producers, digital producers and more.

Periscope, one of the local creative agencies here in the Minneapolis area, designed the Northbest and came up with naming ideas for the event. Periscope, very involved with AdFed and a supporter of the local energy within the creative community, was excited to join in on the action.

“I think most people will be surprised at the amazing work that has been created right here in their own back yard,” Periscope business development manager Brittany Hestad said. “Great advertising has been here for 50-plus years. The general public will be proud to see this.”

With so many successful local businesses in the Minneapolis area, the creative industry has a strong foundation to build upon.

“The creative community of Minneapolis is extremely strategic and business-minded,” Hestad said. “We have 17 of the Fortune 500 companies here. It’s the heart of retail. Being exposed to that business enables us to root our creativity in solutions, helping to solve real business problems. We are a vibrant community—it’s a tight network that continues to grow.”

Spong originally brainstormed this event two years ago and has seen it come to life. Now, on September 22, he’ll be on hand as our local creative community is recognized for its hard work and continued excellence.

“Someone will have to wipe the smile of anticipation off my face the moment the reel starts in The Commons,” Spong said. “Having already viewed and curated the 27 pieces of creative work, I will be watching the faces of the crowd to see their reaction to our city’s creative product.”

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Reprinted with permission from the Minneapolis Downtown Council