The Skyway Senior Center at Risk of Closing

Article by Claudia Kittock, photos by Rick Kittock

In my  ‘new’ life, I go to many meetings every week, meeting fascinating people from all over our city that do important work.  I am in awe of the work they do, and listen intently so that I can learn what I don’t know and what I need to know. Several months ago, in a span of a few weeks, at least one person in each meeting told me I had to meet Sara Goodnough and visit the Skyway Senior Center.  I decided not to question, but rather to just follow the directives.  Why was I meeting Sara?  What was I supposed to do after we met?  I didn’t have answers to those questions, but I set up a meeting out of respect for the cumulative wisdom of the people who told me to ‘go’! I’m glad I did.

Have you ever wandered around the skyways?  If you have, and have walked past Target, keep walking and around two more corners, you will find the Skyway Senior Center.  It is a charming place, usually populated with a mix of senior citizens, chatting, reading newspapers, using the computers, and just hanging out.

When I found it, I met Mary Louise.  She is 69 years old, a retired attorney who was married for 47 years to a man she calls “the one true love of my life”. They battled cancer together for 12 years, and when he died, she was confident she had prepared as best she could. What she couldn’t have planned for was the alone-ness.  A life lived with a partner had suddenly become a life she didn’t recognize. Mary Louise tried many things to help with the feelings of being alone, and none seemed to help, until she discovered the Senior Center.

The Center is for people age 50 and over. Visitors tend to live alone, and/or are low income, some of whom are experiencing homelessness. On any given day, the visitors represent every demographic and social strata.  Having a place to go, knowing other people will be there can have social and health benefits. There are 74 visitors a day on average, and in a year that can total well over 18,000 visits.

Mary Louise began coming in to have a cup of coffee.  As she talked with others there, she found discussions with other people who had lost a spouse and also were grappling with the feelings and the sadness.  She didn’t have to explain what she was feeling. Stopping in for a cup of coffee became a daily occurrence, and soon she was helping around the center. Mary Louise segued into volunteering there and is now an integral part of the center.

In addition to being a ‘hang out’ for seniors, the center offers over 600 structured activities and programs in a year, which averages to 2 ½ activities every day. During October of 2016, some of these activities include exercise classes, yoga classes, and seminars in planning health care in retirement, etc.

The Skyway Senior Center was founded in 2001 by a partnership of the City of Minneapolis, the Minneapolis Senior Citizen Advisory Committee to the Mayor and City Council, and Ryan Companies with support from the University of St. Thomas and Target Corporation.  In 2010, The City of Minneapolis and UCare established a partnership with financial support from UCare.  Augustana Care became a partial sponsor in 2015 through June, 2016.  The Minneapolis Health Department provides oversight for the Center. In addition, the Friends of the Skyway Senior Center, an incorporated 501(c) (3) organization was established in 2003 to help support the Center.

While all of this is interesting, it is also cause for great concern. The future of the Skyway Senior Center is unknown at the time. The Friends of the Skyway Senior Center have generously been supporting the Center since April in absence of a sponsor and their funding will run out the end of this calendar year. Without financial support they will close. Help is needed, and quickly.

The Friends asks for your support with a generous contribution to their annual fundraising appeal so that the Center can continue into 2017 while more sustainable funding is sought. The Friends are a 501(c)(3)organization and gifts are tax-deductible. Supporters can contribute to the Friends of the Skyway Senior Center at: https://www.givemn.org/organization/the-friends-of-the-skyway-senior-center-incorporated.

This Center is important to so many people and it will not stay open without your help.  Please contribute!

Claudia can be reached at claudia@millcitymedia.org

Friends of the Mill District Singers Update

Article by Claudia Kittock

The Friends of the Mill District Singers had a wonderful rehearsal at the Mill City Museum on October 8th.  We are so grateful for the generosity of our neighbors. The MacPhail Center for Music, the American Academy of Neurology, the Guthrie Theater, First Covenant Church, and Mill City Museum have welcomed us into their buildings for our rehearsals, and we are so very grateful.

Photo credit - Eric Best

Next week is the last rehearsal in the first section of rehearsals.  We will be back at MacPhail on October 15th, and will then have a break until November 12th.  Our next group of rehearsals, November 12-December 17 will all be held at the Guthrie.

Please join us on October 15th.  Bring your voices and spend 90 minutes singing and laughing.  ALL are welcome!

Claudia can be reached at claudia@millcitymedia.org

Scenes from the October 8 Mill City Farmers Market

Plenty of hats, scarves and gloves at the October 8 Market.

Even the guitar picker had gloves on...

Okay, that is man-made ice - but it wasn't melting very fast!

Popcorn and peanuts from the Bean Market.

Can't wait to try this Black Garlic Puree!

Milly the goat!

What is ZeSa? Find Out Oct 14 at Their Grand Opening Celebration!

If you're looking to boost your workout repertoire, be sure to check out ZeSa Fitness during their October 14 Grand Opening Celebration. I've been taking a weekly ZeSa Power class with the lovely Cindy Vavra since late August and love it!

I've done weight training for years, and incorporating these "Activator" platforms has taken me to a new level. Grace and balance have never been my strong suit, so doing everything from curls to planks while keeping steady on an unstable, rotating surface is a welcome challenge. And it's fantastic how such small movements can get the heart rate up in mere seconds.

Shanti Rainey, creator of ZeSa, with Cindy Vavra, Partner and Studio Manager

Oct 9 Street Closures near US Bank Stadium for Vikings Game and the Twin Cities Marathon

The following parkways will be closed from 7:30am-2:00pm** for the Twin Cities Marathon:

Lake of the Isles Parkway (Left side of Lake)
Dean Parkway
W Lake Calhoun Parkway
William Berry Parkway
E Lake Harriet Parkway (Bandshell to Minnehaha Pkwy)
Minnehaha Parkway (Harriet to Godfrey Parkway)
Lake Nokomis Parkway
Godfrey Parkway
West River Parkway (Godfrey to Franklin Ave)
West River Parkway (Portland to 22nd Ave)
East River Parkway (14th Ave to Lake Street)

Route Map - CLICK HERE to review a detailed detour list of each intersection impacted by the Marathon on October 9. ** All street closings by the Stadium for the marathon will end by 9:00am.

Minneapolis closing streets near US Bank Stadium for Vikings game and the Twin Cities Marathon

The City of Minneapolis will close streets around U.S. Bank Stadium for Sunday’s Minnesota Vikings game, which starts at noon, and the start of the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon and Medtronic TC 10 Mile race, which happen at 8 a.m. and 7 a.m. respectively. 

Street closings near the stadium for the marathon and 10-mile race
• Beginning at 5:00am Sunday: 
   ◦ Sixth Street, from 11th Avenue to Hennepin Avenue. 
   ◦ Portland Avenue, from Seventh Street South to Second Street South.
   ◦ Fourth Street, from Norm McGrew to Fifth Avenue South.
   ◦ Third Street South, from Chicago Avenue South to Fifth Avenue South.
   ◦ Park Avenue South, from Seventh Street South to Third Street South.

Street closings near the stadium for the Vikings game
• Beginning at 5:00am Sunday: 
   ◦ Chicago Avenue, from Fourth Street to Sixth Street.
• Beginning at 9:00am Sunday: 
   ◦ 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 event. Chicago Avenue, Fourth Street and Norm McGrew Place will reopen about one hour after the completion of the Vikings game.

Washington Avenue Reconstruction Project Update

Via an October e-newsletter from Hennepin County:

Crews began pouring new sidewalks on the north side of Washington Avenue this week between Hennepin and Second avenues. The new sidewalks will remain closed to pedestrian traffic as crews continue with other work behind the curb. The crosswalks at Hennepin and Marquette avenues have reopened.

These sidewalks are the first piece of what will be a greatly improved environment for pedestrians and bicyclists along Washington Avenue. Some other new features will include:

• Curb-separated bicycle lanes (also known as cycle tracks)
• Shorter pedestrian crossing distances at intersections
• Lantern-style lighting for pedestrians
• Street greening and landscaping
• New colored pavers between the cycle track and sidewalk
• Reprogrammed signals that give pedestrians and bicyclists a head start at intersections

In the coming week, crews will be busy:
• Digging tree pits and trenches for new enhanced landscaping
• Installing storm sewer, sanitary and watermain pipes at the intersection of Fifth Avenue
• Pouring the first portion of cycle track
• Installing curbs and gutters between Second and Third avenues
• Installing bases for new lighting fixtures

As work continues to progress, there are a few ongoing and upcoming traffic changes to consider when traveling in the area.

Second Avenue
There will continue to be some short-term lane reductions at Second Avenue while crews complete curbs and other work at the corners of the intersection. Two lanes of traffic will be maintained in each direction. This work is expected to be complete the week of October 17.

Third Avenue
There will be a minor lane adjustment at Third Avenue, as crews begin work in the northwest corner of the intersection. Two lanes of through traffic in each direction will be maintained for this portion of the work. This reduction is tentatively scheduled to occur the week of October 17, or once a northbound lane is opened at the Fifth Avenue intersection.

Fifth Avenue
Crews expect to open one northbound lane at the Fifth Avenue intersection by the end of next week, as they continue to work in the northwest portion of the intersection. They plan to fully reopen the intersection by the end of the month. However, this schedule is weather-dependent and subject to change. Motorists should continue to use the marked detour following Washington Avenue, Portland Avenue and Second Street. Please look for pedestrians crossing Washington on the east side of the intersection.

Award Winning A STRAY to be Screened by the Film Society of Mpls St. Paul Oct 14-27

Showing October 14-27, the Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul presents the 2016 Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival Award Winner - Best MN Made Narrative Feature, Musa Syeed’s (Valley of Saints) moving locally made drama A STRAY. Starring Barkhad Abdirahman (Captain Phillips) in a commanding lead performance, A STRAY brings the streets of Riverside Minneapolis and the struggles of a young Muslim immigrant to the big screen in this vivid and moving drama. Desperate to outrun his bad luck, a young Muslim refugee seems like he just might make it until he crosses paths with a stray dog.

Director Musa Syeed and members of the cast and crew will be attending screenings on Saturday, October 14 at 4:20 and 9:45pm — check the film’s webpage on mspfilm.org for additional updates.

MacPhail Announces 2016-2017 Spotlight Series Lineup

The MacPhail Spotlight Series showcases the exceptional talents of MacPhail teaching artists and special guests, providing an intimate listening experience in MacPhail’s state-of-the-art Antonello Hall.

Under the artistic direction of Mischa Santora, this premier performance event is brought to life with collaborations from some of the Twin Cities’ finest artists.

One hour before each concert, you can join us in the U.S. Bank Lobby for a special question and answer session with featured performers.

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2016 - 2017 Schedule:
 
November 5, 2016: MacPhail Spotlight Series: Jefferson: An American in Paris
February 11, 2017: MacPhail Spotlight Series: Schubert: A love letter to Music
April 8, 2017: MacPhail Spotlight Series: From the Balkans to the Holy Land
May 6, 2017: MacPhail Spotlight Series: Music in the Wild

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Tickets and Info 

Vote For Your 2016 Mississippi Minute People's Choice Award Between Now and Noon on Oct 21

Voting is now open for the Minneapolis Riverfront Partnership's Mississippi Minute Film Festival People's Choice Award. A panel of judges will rate most of the films and award honors in several categories, but the winner of the People’s Choice Award is determined by the general public. The film receiving the most votes by Noon on Friday, October 21, wins.

Using the below link, play each video, and if you like it, click the Like icon. It’s that simple! (If you prefer to Like, Love, Wow or Haha the post on Facebook itself, those will be counted, too.)

Cast your ballot now!

The winners will be announced during the annual Mississippi Minute Film Festival, October 24, at the Mill City Museum. Minneapolis City Council member Jacob Frey, a member of the board of the Minneapolis Riverfront Partnership, will be the keynote speaker. Doors open at 5:30pm and program begins at 6:00pm. Come hear how the Mississippi River is an engine for change in our city.

What $2 Million Buys: Phoenix on the River

Rarely available corner residence at Phoenix on the River. Enjoy unobstructed Mississippi River and spectacular downtown skyline views. Highly efficient and thoughtfully designed floor plan featuring two bedroom suites and third bedroom/office, large recessed balcony, three parking stalls and private storage. The Phoenix is a world class building with unmatched amenities and services in one of the most desirable neighborhoods along the river.

3 bed | 3 bath | 3 parking | 2,740 sf | $2,195,000

More details, photos…

One Year at the Loft: Executive Director Britt Udesen tackles some lofty issues

Article and photos by Susan Schaefer

Last year, as The Loft Literary Center turned 40, so did Minnesota native, Britt Udesen. Together, they shared a birthday and a merger of sorts as Udesen stepped into the very big shoes of her popular predecessor, Jocelyn Hale, as executive director of the nationally recognized literary center.

This is a year where much new blood has been infused into major Twin Cities’ cultural establishments, as with Sarah Rasmussen’s ascendency as artistic director at the Jungle Theater (see my Mill City Times’ profile from March 6, 2016) to Joseph Haj replacing Joe Dowling at the venerable Guthrie Theater. Taking over the top spot in any organization can be daunting, but particularly when the organization and the individual have enjoyed high profile status.

Loft executive director, Britt Udesen, flooded in sunlight

From her sundrenched corner office, a keffiyeh style scarf twined high around her neck, vintage black-rimmed banker’s eyewear propped on her youthful face, Udesen, who looks every bit the role of a cultural non-profit executive, shared reflections on her first year at the Loft’s helm.

“Taking over after Jocey was one of the more daunting parts of the job,” she admits. “She was an exemplary ED and a force in the community. One of the kindest things she did for me, and for the Loft, was to plan out her departure with both the staff and the board.”

Udesen, who was actively recruited for the job from the Cabin literary center in Boise, Idaho, was the Loft’s hands down winner in a wide-ranging search. Known for having encouraged collaborative programs with other artistic organizations during her two-and-a-half-year tenure at the Cabin, I suggest introducing her to Rasmussen, who embraces collaboration and actively seeks more diversity and inclusion in her dramatic work at the Jungle. She nods to the idea.

Speaking of inclusion and diversity, I’m curious as to how Udesen is going to tackle this thorny issue – diversification– that has dogged the Loft’s historic rarified base. Back in 1993, then-Loft program director Carolyn Holbrook quit, stating there were too many roadblocks to making the Loft more diverse. More recently Holbrook has acknowledged that the Loft has tried doing things better for diverse populations. In fact, she has returned to serve as a mentor.

Indeed, the Loft, with a budget of over $2 million, has a storied history forged over many years, dating back to the humble Dinkytown Book Loft over Marly Rusoff’s bookstore in the 1970s. It has hosted such luminaries as Robert Bly, Patricia Hampl and Garrison Keillor, among many others, enjoying a great reputation with world-class publishers and authors alike. Yet, this very provenance still causes some ‘elitist’ perception problems in an increasingly diverse literary scene. Udesen faces the challenge of serving the Loft’s core mission while opening its doors to the vibrant wider communities that have long since made the Twin Cities their home.

Udesen alludes to new programming that will address this critical gap, particularly by diversifying the teaching core. She echoes Holbrook who once stated that all organizations “have a culture and it takes time to change that culture.”

It’s not only the books that are dog-eared at the Loft!

Key to changing any culture begins internally. A first step, she states, is “that we need to break down perceived barriers between departments.” Her four-legged office companion, Lou Lou, resonates with this task, ever so slightly acknowledging the work ahead with a wag of a tail. (Support from all quarters, especially hindquarters, is always helpful!)

A resident of the Bancroft neighborhood, Udesen is re-embracing the Twin Cities she once called home. She grew up in a St. Paul suburb, and partly in Duluth, a place that obviously reaches deep into her core identity.

“Even when we lived in the Twin Cities, my dad, a Duluth native, made sure I was raised with a deep love of the North Shore and the north woods,” she notes. “Every possible weekend was spent outside, under pine trees. That has stuck with me and was certainly one of the things that drew me back to the area. There are few places I know where you can access incredible arts programming, great food, and a canoe trip or a ski trail within the same few miles.”

Having graduated from Macalester, she and her dog, cat and journalist husband Matt (mentioned in that order) have more than passing familiarity with the Cities – Matt, too, attended a few years at Eden Prairie High. But, they’ve spent many years in Idaho, and as in all transitions, they are still finding their way around.

“We've been pretty busy starting new work and finding a home, so neither of us have been able to ride our bikes, make art, or go fishing as much as we would like.” It’s no secret – Udesen is an avid fisher woman!

Yet, she says she is settling in nicely – hitting her stride at work and at play. Last February, she participated in the Art Shanty program with poet Julie Strand, “and loved it. Where else can you spend the month of February on a lake, with artists?” she beams.

With the critical first year under her belt I ask what other changes we might expect from the Loft.

“The Loft is at a very exciting moment in its history. We're headed into middle age as an organization and it's time for us to look at what we do well, what we could refresh, and how we can open the doors open even wider to invite in more readers and writers.”

She acknowledges that she and staff are “very excited about the challenges ahead and hope people will notice a difference,” emphasizing that their first priority is “putting literature at the center of conversations around big ideas, while of course, continuing to offer the amazing readings, classes, events, and programs that we've always done, but reimagining how these programs might feature new voices.” 

Udesen, herself at middle age, nevertheless possesses that youthful vigor that we are seeing infused into leadership roles at many of the Twin Cities’ established cultural organizations. Such gusto is needed, and promises to invigorate a cultural landscape that otherwise could become a bit tired and musty.

Look for Udesen with trusty companion, Lou Lou, on their daily morning walks along Washington Avenue and say hello.

Susan Schaefer can be reached at susan@millcitymedia.org.

Street Sweeping Begins October 18

Crews are preparing for the fall street sweeping across Minneapolis. Drivers will need to park out of their way so they can do a thorough job cleaning our roadways.

Minneapolis Public Works will begin the big task of curb-to-curb sweeping and leaf collection on streets throughout the city Tuesday, Oct. 18. During the four weeks of the comprehensive fall street sweep, crews will clean up about 1,100 miles of city streets. To make sure the sweepers can do the best job possible, temporary “No Parking” signs will be posted at least 24 hours in advance so streets will be clear of cars when they’re swept. The first signs will be posted Monday, Oct. 17, and sweeping will begin the next day. Anyone who parks on the street will need to follow street sweeping parking rules or their cars may be ticketed and towed.

Making it easy to follow parking rules: 

• “No Parking” signs – City crews will post “No Parking” signs at least 24 hours before sweeping any streets. Parking will be banned from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on the day a street is swept. The “No Parking” signs will be removed as soon as possible after a street has been completely swept to allow people to resume parking. Vehicles not in compliance with “No Parking” signs may be ticketed and towed to the Minneapolis Impound Lot.
• Social media – The City will use Facebook and Twitter to post periodic street sweeping updates and information.
  • Facebook: To “like” the City of Minneapolis Facebook page, go to www.facebook.com/cityofminneapolis.
  • Twitter: To follow the City’s Twitter account, go to www.twitter.com/CityMinneapolis.
• Phone calls to residents – In addition to the “No Parking” signs that will be posted the day before sweepers come through, the City will make about 3,000 automated phone calls each evening to let residents know their street will be swept the next day. There’s no guarantee that the calls will reach everyone, so residents should be sure to check the schedule and watch for signs.
• Interactive web tool – Folks can use a feature on the City’s website to find out when the sweepers are coming through their neighborhoods. The tool will be available by Oct. 14 at www.minneapolismn.gov/streetsweeping. The fall street sweep takes four weeks, and the website will show which week any street is scheduled to be swept. Then, starting on each weekend, the daily sweeping schedule for the upcoming week will display.
• Video

Clean streets mean a healthier environment

Minneapolis is known for its sparkling lakes and waterways, and we want to keep it that way. That’s why protecting and enhancing our environment is one of the City’s top priorities. Street sweeping is one way we work to protect our environment because it keeps leaves and debris from clogging our storm drains and polluting our lakes and rivers. It also helps keep our neighborhoods clean and livable.

Minneapolis streets are swept completely curb to curb once in the spring and once in the fall. Residents should not push leaves, grass clippings, or other debris into City streets – it’s bad for our lakes and waterways, can cause safety hazards, and is against the law. Anything that goes down a storm drain flows directly into our lakes and river, and decomposing plant material in the water encourages the growth of harmful aquatic plants and algae. 

October 10 Job Fair at Central Library Will Connect Job-seekers to Employers with Positions to Fill

Via an October 3 Hennepin County e-newsletter:

The Hennepin County Work and Economic Resource Center will sponsor a career fair on Monday, October 10 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Minneapolis Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall, 2nd Floor, Minneapolis.

This is part of a series of events to pair employers looking for workers with employees looking for job opportunities. All participating businesses are actively recruiting for multiple openings.

The event is free and open to the public. Click here for more information

This location is served by several bus routes. To find the best one, visit www.metrotransit.org or call 612-373-3333.   

New Feature: Great River Digest

Our city was born on the Mississippi River over 150 years ago. After decades of abuse & indifference, it's once again central to the future of Minneapolis. Stay on top of the the news, events and people impacting our Great River. This week's Great River Digest...

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.

A River at Risk
The Mississippi is North America’s greatest river. But in Minnesota, home to its headwaters, sweeping changes in the landscape are putting water quality at risk.

Mighty Mississippi River faces mounting ecological threats
The greatest river in North America begins in Minnesota. But our pristine stretch of the Mississippi faces mounting environmental threats.

Northern Metal: The present and future
The Northern Metal recycling location at 2800 Pacific St. N. in Minneapolis has been in the news recently because of complaints, then legal action regarding pollution standards.

East Bank Trail offers river views in Northeast
If you’re looking for a new trail to refresh your bike path options before winter sets in, check out the new East Bank Trail in northeast Minneapolis.

Mississippi River: Wildlife making a comeback, but please don't swim
A million people in the Twin Cities drink water pumped from the mighty Mississippi River, and more than 50,000 Minnesota kids play in it every year.

Mississippi River requires agriculture's help to stay healthy
If Minnesotans want to leave a river future generations can enjoy and tap for drinking water, greater contributions are needed from individual consumers and, in particular, a powerful state industry — agriculture.

Report finds a new pollutant — tiny bits of plastics and fiber — building up in the Mississippi
Microscopic fibers and pieces of plastic are accumulating at the bottom of the Mississippi River in the metro area, posing a rising threat to fish and other wildlife and reflecting changes in urban life along its banks.

Next Week: MRP Backyard by the River
What’s in a revitalized Mississippi Riverfront for you? Access to the river via the new Paddle Share program? A cleaner river water body thanks to the population growth of clams? New concert venues with our dramatic downtown skyline? The extension of pedestrian and bike trails adjacent to the shoreline of the longest river in the world? These are but a few of the exciting changes happening at the Mississippi River that runs through the heart of Minneapolis.

Chocolate Chip Cookies (fresh from the oven) as an Educational Tool

By Claudia Kittock

‘What are those?’

‘Chocolate chip cookies, still warm from the oven!’

‘Can I have one?’

‘Of course!’

‘These are really good!  What do I have to do to get 2?’

‘Come to GED and chat with us!’

That was how I started my work at YouthLink. My career has been in education, and I was instantly excited about the GED program there. Tutoring someone to help them earn their GED is gratifying work, and work that helps people move along in their journey through life.

The average dropout can expect to earn an annual income of $20,241, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That's a full $10,386 less than the typical high school graduate, and $36,424 less than someone with a bachelor's degree. In 1970, the United States had the world’s highest rate of high school and college graduation. Today, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, we’ve slipped to No. 21 in high school completion and No. 15 in college completion, as other countries surpassed us in the quality of their primary and secondary education.

Only 7 of 10 ninth graders today will get high school diplomas. A decade after the No Child Left Behind law mandated efforts to reduce the racial gap, about 80 percent of white and Asian students graduate from high school, compared with only 55 percent of blacks and Hispanics.

YouthLink is a day shelter for people ages 16-23. The mission and vision of YouthLink is to support and empower young people on their way to self-reliance. Dr. Heather Huseby, Executive Director, explains that the most important work we do at YouthLink is to help our youth to identify themselves as someone on a journey. Once a young person identifies themself as ‘homeless’ it becomes a much more difficult journey.  Identifying as “Jonnie who wants to be a musician, but is temporarily experiencing homelessness’ is a stronger position, and one that is hopeful, healthy, and realistic.

The GED program at YouthLink is headed by Educational Navigator, Sarah Crompton.  She recruits young people who do not have their diploma yet, tells them about the program, and does an intake interview.  Sarah also trains and supervises a small group of volunteers who tutor the youth.

Once a student is identified, they take the GED practice tests in the computer lab at YouthLink.  There are 4 categories (reasoning and language arts, social studies, science, and math), and are taken one at a time. A passing score for each subtest is 145.  After taking each practice test, the student will get a score that indicates whether they are likely to pass.  If they are not likely to pass, there is a printout of sources that can be used to study, and even pages in those books the student will need to go over.  That is where the tutor comes in.

As a tutor, I may do the intake interview, set up the pretest, go over the test results and/or work on the suggested work with each student. Each person has different needs, different strengths, and different areas of concern.  We work on whatever will help.  As we work, we get to know each other, exchange stories, and discuss how to do well on the GED test.  Taking a test is an entirely different skill than understanding math.  While we work on understanding in all of the test areas, it is also essential to teach and help with test taking skills.

Most of the students I work with believe that they aren’t very smart, and, hopefully leave understanding that just isn’t true. These are tough, resilient people.  As Sarah Compton says, “Seeing youth work toward their educational goals and plan for the future despite the obstacles they face in the present is the highest honor. Working with our youth is an education in fortitude.”  I leave every day inspired and uplifted because of the true courage I see in my students.

If the idea of helping at YouthLink is something you want to consider, there are several ways.

Volunteer—Go to http://www.youthlinkmn.org/get-involved/volunteer/

Financial Donations---Go to http://www.youthlinkmn.org/donations/

Donate Items—Go to http://www.youthlinkmn.org/get-involved/donate-items/

Springboard Fund---Go to http://www.YouthLinkmn.org/donations/

The young people I have met are working to better their lives, to find work, and to further their education.  They dream like every other person of their age and working with them on that dream matters, to them, and to us!

Claudia can be reached at claudia@millcitymedia.org

Scenes from the October 1 Mill City Farmers Market

Marty and Darrold Glanville of Sunrise Flour Mill and Jonathan Kaye of Heritage Breads hosted the annual Bread Festival at the October 1 Market.

Guest speaker Chris Boles of Fire & Flour demonstrated his "Slap and Fold" method of working bread dough.

While there wasn't a baking contest this year, local bakers were encouraged to bring in loaves of their bread to sample, and to share the stories behind the recipes.  We live in a community of talented bakers!

Rays of sun work their way thru the train shed, spotlighting shoppers and vendors:

Kids!

Thank you for being a MCFM Sponsor, Mill City Credit Union!

One of life's simple pleasures - a hot breakfast on a cool morning at the Market. :)

Bagels and breads from Baker's Field Flour & Bread:

Milly the Goat!

Remember - in October the Market hours are 9:00am - 1:00pm. :)

Sheriff's Office Jail Mental Illness Study, Crime Tips and Swap Spot

From a September 30 Hennepin County Sheriff's Office e-newsletter:

One-Day Snapshot Study

This past Thursday we announced the results of a major study regarding mental illness in our jail. The study showed that approximately half of the inmates would benefit from or are in need of mental health services while incarcerated in the Hennepin County Jail.

On July 27, we conducted a One-Day Snapshot Study of all inmates in the jail. Study partners also reviewed other verifiable information for the 680 inmates, including medical histories, public court records, incidents during previous incarcerations, and county records from County Departments.

The study showed that 52% of the inmates had confirmed indicators or met other criteria associated with mental illness. 36% of the inmates had a confirmed mental health diagnosis or concern in the jail’s intake health assessment, or had confirmed prescriptions for neuroleptic medications. An additional 16% of the inmates displayed behaviors associated with serious mental illness or had a significant history connected to mental illness.

We conducted this study to better understand the issues our inmates deal with while in our custody, and how we can provide the best possible services. The Sheriff’s Office and other Hennepin County agencies have partnered to identify several innovations that we hope will provide enhanced services for inmates who are mentally ill, including the following new initiatives:

• Registered Nurses will conduct 24/7 health screenings for all inmates during the booking process.
• Housing/Classification decisions for inmates with mental illness will be based upon acuity levels as determined by Jail medical staff.
• Inmates will be provided 24 hours’ worth of medications upon release from the Jail, RN’s from HCMC also will oversee this service.
• The Sheriff’s Office Court “expediter” works to ensure inmates are making reasonable progress through court hearings and evaluations while in custody.

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Anonymous Crime Tips

 Want to partner with us to fight crime? All four of the methods below allow you to submit a crime tip anonymously to the Sheriff's Office. We need your tips about drug activity, cold cases, suspicious activity, or general crime. 

• Call: 1-888-988-TIPS (8477)
• Text: 847-411, start your text with “HCSOtip” then enter your tip
• App: Search "HCSOtip" to download the app
• Online: www.HennepinSheriff.org then fill-out the form

Do NOT use these tip services if you need an urgent response. In case of emergencies, call 911.

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Swap Spot

Do you buy or sell online items from sites like Craig's List? If so, try our Swap Spots for a safe place to conduct in-person transactions.

Swap Spots are designated public places where residents may exchange items that they have purchased/sold online. This allows people to have a public location to make legal transactions. 

Swap Spots are located in the lobby of three Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office facilities. 

• Sheriff's Water Patrol, 4141 Shoreline Drive, Spring Park, MN
• Enforcement Services Division, 9401 83rd Ave. N., Brooklyn Park, MN
• Public Safety Facility, 401 S. 4th Ave., Minneapolis, MN

Swap Spots are available during regular business hours of operation: 8am-4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday, excluding holidays.

Reflections On Radiance: The Photography of Susan Schaefer

Article by Bob Ingram, photos by Susan Schaefer

Riverview Tower is a Minneapolis condominium high rise overlooking the mighty Mississippi, T.S. Eliot’s “strong brown god,” Huck Finn’s magic carpet into the American soul, and a visual preoccupation of mine each time I visit the upper floor unit of Mill City Times’ reporter and photographer, Susan Schaefer.

Long ago and far away, she and I were married, and only since then have I learned so much more about her, each stay in that welkin aerie and the now unarmed flow of our voices at table and at rest adding leaves of insight and wonder to the book of a life I had only glimpsed through the blinkered eyes of the rude boy I was then, married or no. It is a big life, and fool that I was, I let it pass through me.

But enough of that. Let us talk now of radiance and visibility coaxed from the invisible, to use Susan Schaefer’s very words, that is all taking place in the Lobby Gallery of that same Mississippi-marked Riverview Tower in an exhibition of the photographic art of this same Susan Schaefer, whom I had known only as a writer – albeit talented and lucid – in my green and stumbling years with her.  

There are women from whom festive events – parties, weddings, and the like – provoke a visible radiance, always there, slightly subsumed, but streamlined by the heightened interaction inherent in these social mixes. 

So it was at the opening of Susan’s one-woman Riverview Tower show this past Saturday, September 24th. She flowed among the throng of neighbors and friends, totally into each moment and person: a touch here, a laugh there, a quick discussion of this or that piece. Dance time to inner music. Wonderful to watch.

Which is as it should be because the many photo portraits on the lobby walls partake of this same radiance. She finds it and gently grasps it in her subjects with a simple click of the shutter (not that simple, truth to tell; she studies this art with the quiet dedication of a medieval scholar).

One series of photos I’ve been especially taken with and always thought was a telling concept of Susan’s involves getting everyday people to pose in the Namaste position, hands clasped, fingers pointed up, at chest level. It is Sanskrit-derived and still used as a greeting in India.

Namaste Izzy’s

And my favorite in the Namaste series was taken of workers at the iconic Izzy’s ice cream parlor in Mill City. The red-haired young woman between two of her co-workers moves me in a sweet, complete way: she is her own version of an unconsciously, slyly, shyly modern-day beatific – a budding double-dip saint, if you will.     

Namaste Kieran

Namaste Worker

Fate favors the prepared, and the mailman in the Namaste pictures was actually completing his last day before retirement, and might have been giving prayerful thanks for a career well spent for the public good. Another telling photo in this series has a construction worker posing naturally in front of a heavy-duty machine whose brand name, Vermeer, becomes both part of the image and, of course, a reminder that art is afoot here.

The Director

The woman in a photo titled simply “The Director” makes me wish I worked where she directs. There is a responsible kindness and strength in that face that says more about what we call work in all its elements than a shelf of books in the business section. Sign me up, direct me, we’ll get it done together. I trust you, ma’am.

Chester

On an easel, separate and apart, as he was in real life, sits the portrait of Chester, bearded, top-hatted, the local nomad – alcoholic and grubby – whose jury-rigged lean-to sits behind Riverview Tower’s parking lot, still occupied by his woman. Chester is dead now, and the Riverview receptionist, a pleasant, well-spoken man, said that during the day of the evening opening, he had to inform passing residents who commented on Chester’s portrait, that he had indeed passed away. He said it with a sad, slow shake of his head.

Karla’s Wash

Besides the portraits in the show, there is a photo called “Karla’s Wash,” taken in Plum City, Wisconsin. It is wildly popular each time she has shown it, Susan says, and I think this disarmingly simple shot of drying, flapping wash on a clothesline evokes to those of a certain age memories of when laundry was hung out to absorb the freshness and subtle smells of the clean, fresh air that is part and parcel of the blue-drenched sky overhead in that picture. If I were a marketer at, say, Oxydol, I would grab that photo and build a campaign around it.

Crushed Cans

The happiest, brightest piece at the Riverview is a 2014 photo called “Crushed Cans.” (All the photos were taken beginning in 2014 and most in the last two years, an amazing progress.) In it the local artist Brant Kingman stands before a dazzling panoply of the crushed cans with which he has made part of his wide range of art, a riotous whirligig mosaic of color and texture. His arms are outstretched and the blue of his patterned shirt blends into his kingdom of cans. He is very somber-faced and wearing a beige vest and a light tan, straw pork pie hat. The whole effect is simultaneously one of the seriousness with which he takes his work and the playful, hi res color that is its basis. You want to reach out and shake his hand and wait for him to break down and laugh with you.

Red Door

“Red Door” is just that, yet it could be a magic door: the textures of the worn wood and faded color bring to mind the Walker Evans Appalachian cabin walls of “Let Us Now Praise Famous Men.” What lies behind that red door? Enter and see.

My Lost Yiddish Civilization

Finally, Susan Schaefer has recently been working in collage and the result in the Riverview Tower show is a deeply religious work entitled, “My Lost Yiddish Civilization”, of two parallel strips of her collaged poetry, faded photos of her ancestors, and excerpts from the Kabbalah. It is a thoughtful and thought-provoking work of achieved reverence and respect.

Riverview Tower Lobby Gallery is located at 1920 S. 1^stStreet, Minneapolis, MN. The phone number is 612-338-1920. Hopefully, a call ahead will admit you to see this memorable exhibit that runs until November 25, 2016. Her next one-woman show opens March 21, 2017 at the Birchwood Café in the Seward Neighborhood.

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Editor’s Note: Bob Ingram is a writer/journalist/editor/filmmaker whose work has appeared in Philadelphia Magazine, Atlantic City Magazine, South Jersey Magazine, the Philadelphia Daily News, Philadelphia Weekly, Atlantic City Weekly, the Drummer, and the South Street Star, among others. A recipient of the Philadelphia Bar Association Scales of Justice Award for a story on Juvenile Court, and an award from Sigma Delta Chi, the national journalism fraternity, for a story on Vietnamese refugees, Ingram has also co-written, co-produced and narrated a documentary film about the Boardwalk in Wildwood, NJ, called Boardwalk: Greetings from Wildwood By-The-Sea that airs regularly on local PBS stations.

A Sip of Science Returns to the Aster Cafe October 20

A Sip of Science returns to the Aster Café's River Room on Thursday, October 20, with the topic Invasive Mammals vs Endemics: Who will be voted off the island?

Invasive species are the leading cause of bird extinctions on islands worldwide. Eradication of these animals is an increasingly used conservation tool to protect endemic island species. Protecting biodiversity through conservation actions can be an inexact science and a dirty proposition in a race against time — a high stakes contest to save species, protect populations and preserve biodiversity. Join us as Dr. Julia Ponder talks about the challenges and rewards in the effort to eradicate invasive rodent populations and protect endemic species in the Galapagos Islands.

ABOUT THIS MONTH'S SPEAKER

Julia Ponder is Executive Director of The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota’s College of Veterinary Medicine. She received her degree in veterinary medicine from Texas A&M University and has a Masters in Public Health from the University of Minnesota. Dr. Ponder has presented around the world on avian and raptor medicine. In addition to her clinical work, she is currently focused on the wildlife health component of Ecosystem Health, raptors as sentinels for infectious disease and environmental contaminants, and identifying emerging issues related to raptor health and populations. She has worked with endangered and threatened raptor populations, and consulted globally on raptor health issues. 

Please note - Due to the increased popularity of the Sip of Science program, RSVPs and tickets will be required at the door. Please be sure to RSVP early and bring your ticket to the event!

A SIP OF SCIENCE bridges the gap between science and culture in a setting that bridges the gap between brain and belly. Food, beer and learning are on the menu in a happy hour forum that puts science in context through storytelling. This science happy hour is sponsored by the National Center for Earth-surface Dynamics (NCED) and is a chance to hear about new and exciting research over beer, in a cool bar. Come talk with the experts about their efforts to address some of the Earth's most pressing problems. NCED's A SIP OF SCIENCE brings the wonder of science to happy hour.

2016 MiX to Shape Visionary Ideas Through Improv, Impact & Inspiration on October 12

MINNEAPOLIS (September 27, 2016) — The Minneapolis Idea Exchange (MiX), an initiative of the Minneapolis Downtown Council’s Intersections: The Downtown 2025 Plan, will host its third annual gathering on Wednesday, October 12 from 4:30-7:00 p.m. at Brave New Workshop in downtown Minneapolis. Networking begins at 4:30 p.m., with the program beginning at 5:00 p.m.

MiX, a free event that is open to the public, aims to bring all different groups from within our community together to discuss major topics affecting our city in an interactive, engaging and entertaining way.

This year’s event includes insight into the improvisational mindset and exercises by John Sweeney, owner of the Brave New Workshop, as well as interactive questions, networking, food and beverages and a panel focused on discussing the thesis of University of Minnesota’s Metropolitan Design Center director Tom Fisher’s new book, “Designing Our way To A Better World.” Sign up for free online through October 10 at www.minneapolisideaexchange.com.

“Minneapolis has always been an innovative city, and through the 2025 Plan this MiX event will provide an opportunity to bring our community together to engage in thought-provoking dialogue while taking part in an entertaining program,” Minneapolis Downtown Council President & CEO Steve Cramer said. “The end goal is to walk away having discussed opportunities to help create a thriving and more vibrant community for all of us who live, work, play and explore here.”

Those who attend MiX will enjoy a thought-provoking conversation about design thinking—during the event, Fisher will outline the design thinking process leading into audience breakout sessions focused on answering a pointed question while creating one key action. The topics will be centered around transportation, education, economy, the environment and healthcare.

A panel comprised of Dan Collison (East Town Business Partnership), Peter Frosch (Greater MSP) and Sondra Samuels (Northside Achievement Zone) will share stories and foster the discussion. Brave New Workshop will support the conversation through improvisational performances that provide humor and entertainment while moving the conversation forward.

“This year, with the broader vision of an ideas festival in the making, we’re focusing on the process of design thinking,” MiX co-chairs Eric Caugh and Jennifer Gilhoi said. “Design thinking is a way for people to share challenges and their experiences in a conversation that focuses on an open-minded process, not a predetermined outcome. That’s where you get the really collaborative, inclusive and innovative ideas.”

The key to MiX is initiating a compelling dialogue between people of all different backgrounds within our community in an effort to create positive change for the future. To ensure diversity and inclusivity in our conversations, MiX will again tap into our Luminaries. The MiX Luminaries are Minneapolis leaders in areas from government and culinary to manufacturing and the arts.

This will be the third MiX event since officially launching in 2014. It has continued to evolve to provide a forum for the community to come together. Building off the momentum of previous years, MiX is primed as the vehicle to bring Minneapolis’ vision of ideas to a national and global audience—especially as the Twin Cities prepares itself for 10-day festival surrounding the February 2018 Super Bowl, currently titled Bold North.

MiX is supported by The Minneapolis Downtown Council, The Brave New Workshop, Ryan Companies and media partner The Line Media. The evening’s entertainment and beverage sponsors include MacPhail Center for Music and FINNEGANS. FINNEGANS will be providing beer sampling throughout the event, and food will be on-site for participants to enjoy. Attendees may purchase books prior to and during the event including Tom Fisher’s Designing Our Way to a Better World and John Sweeney of Brave New Workshop and Elena Imaretska, co-authors of The Innovative Mindset. All three authors will be available for book signing after the program’s main portion.

About the Minneapolis Downtown Council:

Founded in 1955, and one of the oldest central business associations in the nation, the Minneapolis Downtown Council (MDC) is a membership-based entity that works to create an extraordinary downtown. The MDC’s collaborative developments of Intersections: Downtown 2025 Plan was designed to help downtown businesses, community leaders and citizens build on downtown assets and implement future goals. For more information, please visit http://www.downtownmpls.com/.

About the 2025 Plan: 

The Downtown 2025 Plan is a vehicle to help leaders and citizens build on Downtown’s assets and guide its development in ways that reflect the community’s aspirations for a Downtown Minneapolis that is thriving, livable, green, connected and welcoming in the decades ahead. This includes initiatives to double downtown’s residential population, transform Nicollet Mall into a must-see destination, implement a Gateway area and other green elements throughout downtown, create a compelling and walkable environment around the clock, lead the nation in transportation options, end street homelessness, forge connections with the University of Minnesota and more. The 2025 Plan is a Minneapolis Downtown Council initiative established in 2010.

About the Minneapolis Idea eXchange:

MiX is a community-powered event that encourages discourse on the topics impacting our city and celebrates the nationally recognized ingenuity and talent rooted in Minneapolis. The Minneapolis Idea eXchange is an initiative of the Minneapolis Downtown Council and supported through community leaders, our MiX Luminaries, including Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges.  For more information, visit http://www.minneapolisideaexchange.com/ or follow along @MiXMpls on Facebook and Twitter.