Park Board Overrides Mayor Hodges Veto of Parks Funding [Video]

Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board overrides Mayor’s veto of recommended ballot language for referendum to close neighborhood park funding gap

Above: Video of discussion and vote to override veto

At its Feb. 3 meeting, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) of Commissioners overrode a veto by Mayor Hodges of the MPRB’s Jan. 20 resolution approving language for a 2016 ballot measure. The ballot measure will ask Minneapolis residents for a property tax levy to help maintain, rehabilitate and invest in its chronically underfunded network of 160 neighborhood parks.

Per the City Charter, the MPRB could only override the Mayor’s Jan. 27 veto if it took action at its Feb. 3 meeting by passing the resolution again by two-thirds vote.  The City Charter requirement of taking action on Feb. 3 didn’t allow time for any rewording of the resolution; however MPRB Superintendent Jayne Miller and MPRB President Liz Wielinski will continue working with Mayor Hodges to discuss her concerns with the resolution.

The Feb. 3 action by MPRB Commissioners reflected the MPRB’s strong position to move forward with both the proposed ballot language and elements of an agreement with the Minneapolis City Council to address sustained current funding.

This year’s actions by MPRB Commissioners follow a year of public meetings about the current condition and maintenance service level of  neighborhood parks in the city during Closing the Gap: Investing in Neighborhood Parks (Closing the Gap)initiative.

Resolution 2016-112, passed Jan. 20 and again Feb. 4 by MPRB Commissioners, includes ballot language for a November 2016 referendum and elements of an agreement with the Minneapolis City Council to address sustained current funding. Superintendent Miller also provided an overarching implementation plan for a referendum. If approved by the residents of Minneapolis, the referendum will generate the additional resources needed to provide a long-term strategy to fund annual maintenance, repair and capital investments for neighborhood parks in Minneapolis, as long as other current funding sources are sustained.

The maximum annual amount of the proposed tax levy increase is limited to .0388 percent of the estimated market value by the city per year. It would begin in 2018 and continue to be collected for the next 20 years. If the levy had been in place in 2016, it would have generated approximately $15 million and added $65.68 to the property tax bill of an owner of a home valued at $190,000.

All expenditures related to the levy would be subject to full public examination. A one-page fact sheet gives an overview of how funding generated by the levy would be spent in the first five years; Superintendent Miller will provide specifics of the 2018-2022 implementation plan in April.

City of Lakes Loppet Ski Festival - This Weekend!

From a February 4 Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board e-newsletter:

City of Lakes Loppet Ski Festival takes place in Minneapolis Parks

Thousands expected to participate in events at the Chain of Lakes, Theodore Wirth Park and The Mall this weekend

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is proud to host the City of Lakes Loppet Ski Festival this weekend, February 5–7, 2016.

The Loppet events will take place on MPRB cross country ski trails throughout the Chain of Lakes, Theodore Wirth Regional Park, and The Mall in Uptown. These parks and surrounding areas will be buzzing with activity and may make parking and navigating through the area difficult.

Expect road closures on Theodore Wirth and Calhoun parkways from 8 am–4 pm, Friday–Sunday.

Saturday, February 6

Wirth Winter Recreation Area will be open under regular hours. Ski trails from Theodore Wirth Park to Lake of the Isles will be closed to the public during Loppet ski races from 9 am– 4 pm.  Columbia, Gross and Hiawatha golf courses will be open for skiing.

Sunday, February 7

Theodore Wirth Parkway will be closed to traffic from Olson Memorial Highway (Hwy. 55) to the Wirth Chalet from 8:30–10:30 am. Access from Plymouth Avenue and Golden Valley Road will be maintained during that time.
•Ski trails from Theodore Wirth Park to Lake of the Isles will be closed to the public during Loppet ski races from 9 am–4 pm. Columbia, Gross and Hiawatha golf courses will be open for skiing.
•The snowboarding area and tubing hill at Wirth Winter Recreation Area will open at noon instead of 10 am.

For detailed information and a schedule of events, visit The Loppet Foundation’s website at http://www.cityoflakesloppet.com/.

Valentine's Ideas - Go Out, Stay In, or a Special Gift for Later

What to do, what to do. Looking for something a little different this year? Here are three Valentine's ideas for going out, staying in, or enjoying later.

Whether you're a foodie or a drinkie, Taste Twin Cities Food and Drink Tours has a Valentine's Couples Tour for you.

Valentine's Couples Cocktail Distillery Tour

This is the perfect way to celebrate Valentine's weekend! What's included in this 4-hour behind the scenes tour on February 13th? Visit 3 local distilleries via a luxury bus, and enjoy a cocktail and truffle pairing at each place. Featured distilleries are Tattersall Distilling, Du Nord Craft Spirits and Wander North Distillery.

Click here for more details and to purchase your tickets.

Other tour options: Valentine's Day - Couples Brewery Tour, Valentine's Couples Skyway Food Tour, Chocolate Decadence Tour

Rather stay in?  Have Local Crate do the leg work:

  

Here's a surprise your loved one would be thrilled to get - a gift certificate from Farm to Fork. Use it for services such as having a chef prepare a special dinner at your home, or a one-on-one at home cooking class. 

Minneapolis Declares Snow Emergency

Via a February 2 e-newsletter from the City of Minneapolis:

Today is Tuesday, February 2, 2016 and Minneapolis has declared a Snow Emergency. Parking restrictions begin at 9 p.m. tonight.

Go to the City's snow information website, or call the Snow Emergency Hotline: (612) 348-SNOW (7669).

Crews can only plow the full width of the street if cars are out of the way. Please follow Snow Emergency parking rules or your vehicle will be tagged and/or towed to the Minneapolis Impound Lot.

Also, be sure to shovel your sidewalks and around your garbage cart. 

Enjoy “BRAZIL!” at MacPhail with Someone You Love - February 13

BRAZIL! Here's your chance to escape the cold Minnesota winter and enter the warmth and allure of Brazilian music and culture. This Valentine’s concert from MacPhail Center for Music captures Brazil’s sensuous melodies, evoking sun drenched beaches and wild carnivals through famous works of known composers and Brazilian artists. To top it off, MacPhail presents an eight piece Jazz combo, performing some of the most beloved tunes by Brazilian legends such as Jobim, Gilberto, and Pixinguinha. The collaborative artist for this concert is Contempo Physical Dance Company.

The MacPhail Spotlight Seriesis MacPhail Center for Music’s premier performance event. This four-part concert series explores diverse musical themes performed by MacPhail Center for Music faculty and special guests - showcasing some of the finest musicians in the Twin Cities. Concerts start at 8:00 PM with a 30 minute pre-concert talk one hour before show-time to learn about the history and direction of each piece.

Tickets may be ordered by calling 612.767.5250 or by stopping by Student Services at MacPhail locations in Minneapolis, Chanhassen, Apple Valley or White Bear Lake. Since many performances may sell out, advance purchase is recommended. All tickets are general admission.

Historic Grain Belt Beer Sign Acquired by August Schell Brewing Company

Brewery and preservationists working together to gain historic designation for the landmark

August Schell Brewing Company, Minnesota-based brewers of Grain Belt beer, has finalized its purchase of an iconic Minneapolis landmark — the Grain Belt Beer sign on Nicollet Island.

The sale marks the culmination of longtime efforts on the part of the brewery to acquire the sign and the land on which it stands. Since purchasing the Grain Belt brand in 2002, August Schell had been in ongoing discussions with the property owners, the Eastman Family Trust, about the sign’s stewardship and restoration.

To help preserve and protect the sign in perpetuity, August Schell has partnered with local historical consultants Hess, Roise and Company to have the sign named to the National Register of Historic Places. Hess Roise worked previously on the rehabilitation of the old Grain Belt brewery in Northeast Minneapolis and was involved with the renovation of the North Star Blankets sign in downtown Minneapolis.

“Everyone at Hess Roise is delighted to be involved,” said Charlene Roise, president of Hess, Roise and Company. “It’s a gem, a bodacious Minneapolis landmark — and a rare survivor among the once common supersized signs that advertised products and attractions across the United States. It deserves to join the iconic Las Vegas sign in Nevada on the National Register of Historic Places.”

The sign was last lit in 1975, and plans are already underway to restore and relight it. The brewery is working with local architects, engineers and preservationists and hopes to have the sign relit by the summer of 2017.

 “The Grain Belt Beer sign both reflects and contributes to the downtown Minneapolis character as a historic industrial and commercial city,” said Ted Marti, president and fifth-generation descendant of brewery founder, August Schell. “As a historic Minnesota brewery, we’re committed to preserving our history and the history of our state.”

In celebration of the purchase, Grain Belt is releasing a new brew — Lock & Dam, named for another nearby landmark on the Mississippi River — in April.

ABOUT THE GRAIN BELT BEER SIGN

The Grain Belt Beer sign is one of Minneapolis’ best-loved landmarks.  It is a reflection of the industrial and commercial history of the St. Anthony Falls area of the city, and it has remained important to the community because of it’s iconic and enduring presence.

• The porcelain-faced sign, which contains more than 800 feet of neon tubing and 1,100 incandescent lamps, is approximately 50 feet wide and 40 feet tall.

• Constructed for $5,000 in 1941, the sign originally stood atop the Marigold Ballroom, (now demolished), at 1330 Nicollet Avenue.

• It is the last remaining of four signs placed around downtown Minneapolis by the Minneapolis Brewing Company, original brewers of Grain Belt Beer.

• The sign was relocated to Nicollet Island, across from the Great Northern Depot, in 1950.

• The lighted portions of the sign include the spelling out GRAIN BELT BEER and displaying one of the GRAIN BELT BEER logos.

DESIGN SIGNIFICANCE

The sign has been noted as a unique and singular example of mid-century design.

• It is one of 100 items included in the Walker Art Center’s Minnesota by Design, a web-based initiative documenting “the rich landscape of design across the state.”

• The Walker Art Center refers to the Grain Belt Beer sign as “a local landmark and an excellent example of the great-lighted signs of the twentieth-century city.”

• The sign’s porcelain facing, use of neon and incandescent lighting were all new technologies for their time and represent the first stages of outdoor advertising as it related to the automobile.

• To help preserve and protect the sign in perpetuity, August Schell has partnered with local historical consultants Hess, Roise and Company to have the sign named to the National Register of Historic Places.

• Hess Roise worked previously on the rehabilitation of the old Grain Belt brewery in Northeast Minneapolis and was involved with the renovation of the North Star Blankets sign in downtown Minneapolis.

• If accepted, the Grain Belt Beer sign will be one of only a handful of iconic freestanding signs on the National Register, including the “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign and the Shell Oil “Spectacular” sign in Cambridge, MA.

THE PURCHASE OF THE SIGN

After many years of discussion and planning, the August Schell Brewing Company purchased the Grain Belt Beer sign and the land upon which the sign is located from the Eastman Family Trust in January 2016.

The Eastman family had continuously owned the property since Minneapolis was incorporated in 1867.

It is the last remaining parcel of property in downtown Minneapolis to be sold by the Eastman family, who once owned the greater part of Nicollet Island.

Since purchasing the Grain Belt brand in 2002, August Schell had been in ongoing discussions with the Eastman Family Trust about the sign’s stewardship and restoration.

PRESERVATION PLANS

• Plans will begin immediately to restore and relight this piece of illuminated art that has been dark for nearly 20 years, turning it back into the best-known lit sign in Minneapolis.

• The brewery is working in consultation with local architects, engineers, sign experts, preservationists and members of the community on the project.

• August Schell hopes to have the sign relit by the summer of 2017.

ABOUT GRAIN BELT

Grain Belt, “The Friendly Beer®,” has a rich history that traces a 123-year legacy of midwestern brewing. Owned by the Minnesota-based August Schell Brewing Company, Grain Belt produces three American Lagers: Premium, Premium Light, and Nordeast®.  Grain Belt’s longevity, dedication to quality, and approachable nature are what make its Minnesota brews iconic. For more information, visit www.grainbelt.com.

ABOUT AUGUST SCHELL BREWING COMPANY

August Schell Brewing Company specializes in brewing quality craft beer and boasts a proud heritage of 156 years of continuous family ownership. Founded in 1860 in New Ulm, MN, Schell’s is the oldest brewery in Minnesota and second oldest family-owned brewery in the United States. It became the largest brewery in Minnesota when the company acquired Grain Belt Beer in 2002. From innovative German brews to award-winning American lagers, the Schell’s brewing process begins and ends with quality-crafted beer.  For more information, go to www.schellsbrewery.com.

Izzy's 3rd Annual 13 Days of Giving Starts February 1

Izzy's 13 Days of Giving 2016 kicks off Monday, February 1. $2 from every single cup or cone purchase will go towards the non-profit of the day.  Sounds like a good excuse to try 13 new flavors!  :D

Community Keg House!

Received an e-newsletter from Community Keg House today.

Their official hours are:

Monday: 4-10
Tuesday: 4-10
Wednesday: 4-11
Thursday: 4-12
Friday: 4-12
Saturday: 1-12
Sunday: 1-10

Location: 34 13 Avenue NE (in the Grain Belt building complex)

They showcase only Minnesota craft beers, plus two ciders at all times, and support local artists.  Learn about the beers from the tap tender, sample, and pour yourself a pint. They have food, too. Yum!  :D

General Mills commemorates 150th anniversary with $3M “birthday gift to Minneapolis”

Lead gift made to the RiverFirst Campaign at the site of General Mills’ early beginnings as a company

The Minneapolis Parks Foundation today accepted a $3 million “birthday gift to Minneapolis” from the General Mills Foundation in the form of a three-year lead corporate contribution to the RiverFirst Campaign. Ken Powell, Chairman of the Board and CEO of General Mills, presented the gift at an event in the Mill District on the Minneapolis Central Riverfront, the birthplace of General Mills 150 years ago.

RiverFirst is a Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board-led vision for regional riverfront parks and trails that will transform the Upper Mississippi into a world-class cultural and recreational destination for residents and visitors, as well as a regional economic engine for the 21^st century. The Minneapolis Parks Foundation is the Park Board’s primary philanthropic partner in the public-private RiverFirst Initiative.

“We are truly honored to be playing a key role in an initiative that is so intertwined with General Mills past, present and future,” said Kim Nelson, Senior Vice President of External Relations and President of the General Mills Foundation. “Our investment, along with other funding from the private and public sectors, will enable RiverFirst projects to transform disjointed and formerly industrial stretches of the Minneapolis riverfront into a vibrant destination and community asset that can be enjoyed for the next 150 years.”

General Mills Foundation is making the RiverFirst grant in honor of the company’s 150^th birthday and to commemorate the company’s community roots.

“150 years is cause for celebration and what better way to celebrate this milestone than to give a birthday gift to the very birth place of our company,” Powell said in his remarks at the event. “All that General Mills is today ties back to this very place [the river front] and is intrinsically woven into the foundation of this city. Our history is the city’s history.”

The multi-year grant will go toward three RiverFirst signature projects on both sides of the Minneapolis Central and Upper Riverfronts, including a critical trail link and pier at 26^th Ave N, a future riverfront park and beach at Hall’s Island (Scherer site), and Water works, an iconic destination on the Central Riverfront.

The Water Works project is on the Central Riverfront, where General Mills was born. The area is already home to popular landmarks such as the Stone Arch Bridge, St. Anthony Falls, the Pillsbury “A” Mill and original Washburn Mill. An expansion of Mill Ruins Park, the Water Works project will result in an iconic destination for residents and visitors – including a park pavilion, historic ruins, a natural classroom and play and picnic spaces.

General Mills’ $3 million commitment to RiverFirst brings fundraising to $9 million in the first six months of the Minneapolis Park Foundation’s $15 million philanthropic fundraising campaign, with other funding coming from private individual donors. The Minneapolis Park Board is providing public sector support to RiverFirst primarily through grants from local, state and Federal sources.

RiverFirst: Unlocking the Potential of the Upper Riverfront

When the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board was founded in 1883, community leaders envisioned protecting the city’s lakes and riverfront for the public good. Already developed and heavily industrial, the 5.5 miles Upper Riverfront was the only stretch of the Mississippi River unavailable to early parks leaders, leaving North and Northeast Minneapolis scarce access to regional natural resources.

“Now we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to complete our legacy and connect North and Northeast Minneapolis with the larger Grand Rounds and all that this chain of excellence has to offer,” said Liz Wielinski, President of the Minneapolis Park Board of Commissioners. “Visionary philanthropic investment from General Mills echoes the dedication of early leaders and carries forward a tradition of true public-private partnership.”

“Through RiverFirst, the city will provide access for under-served neighborhoods, support ecological systems, and establish new parks and trails in iconic locations, including where General Mills, and Minneapolis, were born,” said Tom Evers, Executive Director of the Minneapolis Parks Foundation. “We are grateful that a legacy company like General Mills is reaffirming its commitment to our community by investing in our parks for this generation and generations to follow.”

The Minneapolis Park Board, with philanthropic support from the Minneapolis Parks Foundation, will break ground on Water Works and Hall’s Island in late 2016.

To learn more about RiverFirst, visit www.mplsparksfoundation.org/riverfirst. For more information on General Mills’ 150-year history, visit www.generalmills.com.

About the General Mills Foundation

General Mills and its Foundation contributed more than $150 million to charitable causes in fiscal year 2015. The General Mills Foundation partners with remarkable nonprofits across the globe to strengthen communities and nourish lives through grantmaking and employee volunteerism focused on our hometown communities. To learn more about our philanthropy and community engagement, join us on Facebook at Facebook.com/GeneralMillsGives or visit us at http://www.generalmills.com/en/Responsibility/general-mills-foundation.

About the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is an independent, semi-autonomous body responsible for the Minneapolis park system. With 179 park properties totaling 6,801 acres of land and water, the Park Board provides places and recreation opportunities for all people to gather and engage in activities that promote health, wellbeing, community and the environment. More than 21 million annual visits are made to the nationally acclaimed park system. Its Grand Rounds Scenic Byway, neighborhood parks, recreation centers and diversified programming have made the park system an important component of what makes Minneapolis a great place to live, play and work. Visit www.minneapolisparks.org for details.

About the Minneapolis Parks Foundation

The Minneapolis Parks Foundation is an independent, donor-supported nonprofit that brings visionary leadership, philanthropic investment and private sector expertise to support innovation and equity throughout the Minneapolis park system. It co-leads the RiverFirst Initiative with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and is responsible for private fundraising and implementation of the Water Works and 26^th Ave N to Ole Olson projects. It also supports innovative projects for Minneapolis parks through equity funding and champions world-class design through its Next Generation of Parks™ Lecture Series. Get involved at MplsParksFoundation.org.

MPRB Agrees to Purchase Key Connection Along North Minneapolis Riverfront

Land sits in between North Mississippi Regional Park and Upper Harbor Terminal

At its Jan. 20, 2016 meeting, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) of Commissioners authorized a purchase agreement for the acquisition of 4022 ½ Washington Ave. N and 4050 ½ Washington Ave. N.

The 4022 ½ Washington Ave. N property covers approximately 3.88 acres of land containing more than 500 linear feet of shoreline. Someday that land will become part of the continuous network of parks and trails along Minneapolis’ Upper Riverfront envisioned the Above the Falls Master Plan and RiverFirst Initiative.

“This purchase is a big step forward as we work with our partners to accomplish the exciting vision laid out for the Upper Riverfront,” said MPRB Assistant Superintendent for Planning Michael Schroeder. “In the short-term we can use the land for our own operational needs and help pay down the acquisition cost by renting it to existing private businesses, while working toward the long-term plan of creating dynamic park land and river connections in North Minneapolis. It’s win now, win later.”

Acquiring this piece of North Minneapolis riverfront real estate is vital to developing Above the Falls Regional Park, which covers both sides of Minneapolis’ Upper Riverfront from the Plymouth Avenue Bridge to the Camden Bridge [MAP].

It’s important to distinguish Minneapolis’ regional parks from its network of 160 neighborhood parks. Regional parks like Above the Falls, Minneapolis Chain of Lakes, Minnehaha and Theodore Wirth serve many people from outside Minneapolis and rely on funds from the state, Met Council and other public agencies with broad constituencies to develop and maintain park amenities. Neighborhood parks are smaller, primarily funded by local tax dollars and predominantly serve nearby residents.

The 4022 ½ Washington Ave. N property is a key link in redeveloping the Minneapolis’ Upper Riverfront. The Upper Harbor Terminal site – 48 acres of city-owned land the MPRB and City of Minneapolis are jointly redeveloping – sits one block south, and the southern boundary of North Mississippi Regional Park sits directly north.

The 4050 ½ Washington Ave. N property is not within the Above the Falls Regional Park boundary, but the seller refuses to separate it from the sale of the riverfront parcel. MPRB staff recommends reselling the approximately half-acre parcel of land.

Remembering David Bowie with the Minneapolis St. Paul Film Society (Jan 27 - 28)

Remembering David Bowie

Join the Minneapolis St. Paul Film Society January 27 and 28 as they celebrate one of the most influential artists of our time: David Bowie. For two nights the Film Society will screen Bowie’s striking first leading role in a film, The Man Who Fell to Earth, and the cult-classic fantasy adventure Labyrinth, back-to-back.

The Man Who Fell to Earth
Wednesday, January 27, 7:00pm | Thursday, January 28, 9:30pm
Visiting from a distant planet that’s slowly dying from drought, Thomas Jerome Newton (David Bowie) has left his wife and two children in the hope of finding a solution on Earth.
Tickets

Labyrinth
Wednesday, January 27, 9:45pm | Thursday, January 28, 7:00pm
Frustrated by her little brother’s crying, Sarah secretly imagines the Goblins from her favorite book, LABYRINTH, carrying Toby away. When her fantasy comes true, a distraught Sarah must enter a maze of illusion to bring Toby back from a kingdom inhabited by mystical creatures and governed by the wicked Goblin King (Bowie).
Tickets

Alchemy Northeast January 30 Grand Opening Celebration

Andrea Jones, Alchemy Chief Marketing Officer, invites you to the Grand Opening of their new Northeast location from 9:00am-1:00pm Saturday, January 30.  Try a free class to see (and feel) what all the buzz is about!  :)

  

 

A-Mill Artist Lofts Video

This short film was produced for Dominium Corporation by Jennifer Kramer.  Nice!  :)

New online resource: Open Rivers Journal

We learned about a new digital journal, Open Rivers, via a recent edition of the River Current. Open Rivers is produced by the staff at the University of Minnesota’s RiverLife program, and brings community and academic knowledge together to examine issues associated with water, sense of place and urban community and identity.

                         

Open Rivers will gather multiple voices in one place, focusing on issues, ideas and trends that inform how we might collectively think about the future of the Mississippi River, its watershed and the communities that depend on it. It will feature a variety of academic perspectives, as well as insights from scientists, planners and agency staff. It will be a priority to include a diverse range of voices, particularly from native people. You will also see perspectives and reporting on people and places outside the Mississippi watershed; we can and must learn from voices and practices everywhere.

Upper Harbor Terminal Planning Process Begins

Via a January 19 Minneapolis Park and Rec Board e-newsletter: 

Stay informed on the Upper Harbor Terminal redevelopment process by subscribing to email updates

At its Jan. 20 meeting, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) of Commissioners will discuss a collaborative process with the City of Minneapolis to jointly plan park development on the Upper Harbor Terminal property in North Minneapolis. At the Jan. 20 meeting -- held at MPRB headquarters, 2117 West River Road -- MPRB staff will present an overview of the planning process to MPRB commissioners.

The easiest way to stay informed on the Upper Harbor Terminal redevelopment process is to subscribe to email updates. To subscribe, go to minneapolisparks.org/subscribe and add “Upper Harbor Terminal” to your list of subscriptions, or visit the Upper Harbor Terminal Site project page and enter an email address into the box below “Subscribe to Email Updates.”

Day Block Brewing Company to Celebrate 2 Years in Business

Congratulations to Day Block Brewing on thier 2 year anniversary at 1105 Washington Avenue South! They are holding a week long Anniversary celebration from Monday, January 25 - Saturday, January 30.

Day Block Brewing Company to Celebrate 2 Years in Business

Minneapolis, MN, January 19^th, 2015—Day Block Brewing will be hosting a Two Year Anniversary party at their property located off Washington Avenue and 11^th Avenue in the Downtown Minneapolis Mill District, starting Monday, January 25^th. The brewery will host a variety of different events throughout the week, including a Bacon Raffle, Beer Bingo, and live music from Michael Warren Jazz and Trench Size Trio. On Wednesday, January 27^th they will host their popular Bands That Brew event, an event which invites local bands to brew local beer. This month will feature local band, Gentlemen’s Anti Temperance League and their special release Double IPA.

Limited free parking will also be available.

About Day Block Brewing

Day Block Brewing opened its doors in January of 2014.  A year and a half later, it is a go-to Mill District neighborhood hangout for those who value quality craft beer, a menu with a focus on local ingredients and cutting edge live music several nights a week.

To learn more and see a detailed schedule of events, please visit the Day Block Brewing website or call them at 612.617.7793.

Winter Cycling Congress 2016 Minneapolis Saint Paul

Winter Cycling Congress 2016 Minneapolis Saint Paul

The fourth annual Winter Cycling Congress, Winter Cycling Congress 2016 Minneapolis Saint Paul, is taking place February 2 - 5, 2016, with events in both Minneapolis and St. Paul. It's a three-day professional development event uniting a diverse and international group of people with a shared vision of increasing mass bicycling and walking among people of all ages and abilities through the winter.  This will be the first time a US city hosts the event.

Home Tour Needs Nominations Soon

The Minneapolis & Saint Paul Home Tour, April 30-May 1, 2016, is accepting nominations at www.MSPHomeTour.com, click on “submit a home” for the option to apply online. Or, request an application by calling Margo Ashmore at 612-867-4874. 

For 11 hours, homeowners and contractors open their doors to share ideas with other home enthusiasts, based on their remodeling experience.

Visitors are particularly interested in period-accurate restoration and expansions sensitive to the surroundings. Being on the tour gives homeowners great feedback as well as the incentive to finish those last few projects. If you or someone you know needs more information, contact coordinator Margo Ashmore at mfashmore@aol.com. Organizers want to have visited nominated homes by early February, so inquire “today.” Later nominations will be considered if they help reach tour goals.

Margo Ashmore, CoordinatorMinneapolis & Saint Paul Home Tour April 30-May 1, 2016 www.MSPHomeTour.com 612-788-9003 (o) 612-867-4874 (c)  612-788-3299 (f) 

http://www.facebook.com/#!/MSPHomeTour

The State of Minnesota is Strong

The State of Minnesota is Strong

(Via a January 13 e-newsletter from the Office of Governor Mark Dayton & Lt. Governor Tina Smith.) 

Yesterday, ahead of President Obama’s final State of the Union Address, Politico released its third annual analysis on “The States of our Union.” For the third straight year, Politico ranked Minnesota one of the two strongest states in the nation.

Politico’s annual analysis is based on 15 separate categories that demonstrate the educational attainment, quality of life, and economic health of each of the 50 states. Ranking overall as the 2nd-strongest state in the nation, here is how Minnesota scored in each category, according to Politico. 

Annual Per Capita Income – At $31,642, Minnesota’s per capita income is the 10th-highest in the nation. Median household income in Minnesota is $61,481, which is also the 10th-highest in the nation.

Percent Unemployed – At 3.5 percent, Minnesota’s statewide unemployment rate is the 7th-lowest in the nation. But communities of color and some other pockets of Minnesota’s workforce are still experiencing higher levels of unemployment.

Percent Below Poverty Level – Minnesota ranks 8th-lowest for the percent of those living below the poverty level. According to Politico’s analysis, 11.2 percent of Minnesotans are living below the poverty level – which is still far too many Minnesotans.

Homeownership Rate – With 71.7 percent of Minnesotans owning their own homes, Minnesota ranks 2nd in this category.

High School Graduation Rate – Minnesota ranks 2nd, only behind Alaska, for the percent of our students (92.6 percent) who graduate from high school.

Life Expectancy at Birth – Minnesotans live longer than almost anyone else in the country. With a life expectancy of 81.1 at birth, Minnesota ranks 2nd in the nation in this category. Hawaiians live just three months longer, on average, than Minnesotans. 

Infant Mortality – Minnesota ranked 15th-lowest in the number of infant deaths per 1,000 births. Read what the Minnesota Department of Health is doing to improve the health of mothers and babies, and reduce the incidence of infant mortality in our state. 

Obesity – Roughly 24.8 percent of Minnesotans are considered obese, ranking us the 9th-slimmest state in the nation. Read what the Minnesota Department of Health is doing to prevent and reduce obesity.

Wellbeing – Minnesota has a wellbeing score of 62.8, ranking us 9th in this category. 

Average Math Scores in 8th Grade – Minnesota 8th Graders have the 6th-highest math scores in the country.

Average Reading Scores in 8th Grade – Minnesota 8th Graders have the 6th-highest reading scores in the country. 

Income Inequality – According to the GINI Index, which measures the income distribution of a state’s residents, Minnesota ranks 13th in the country in income inequality. Given the economic disparities facing Minnesotans of color in particular, Governor Dayton and his administration are working hard to secure economic opportunity for all Minnesotans. 

Violent Crime Rate – Minnesotans are the 10th-safest from violent crime, according to Politico’s analysis, and records provided by the FBI. 

Jobs in Science, Engineering, and Math – Minnesota has the 7th-highest percentage of our workforce employed in jobs involving science, engineering, and math. 

H.L. Mencken’s 1931 Rankings – As a benchmark, Politico lists the rankings of each individual state from a 1931 study by H.L. Mencken and Charles Angoff. According to that study, Minnesota was the 6th-strongest state in the nation in 1931.

LEARN MORE

To learn more about Politico’s analysis, click here.

To read Lt. Governor Smith’s reaction to the State of the Union, click here.

To read AND watch President Obama’s State of the Union Address, click here.

New Job Opening: Preserve Minneapolis

We're looking for a Summer Waking Tours coordinator!

Preserve Minneapolis plans and executes a series of summer walking tours that explore some of the city’s most unique historic places. The Tour Coordinator will be responsible for developing and executing the 2016 program, consisting of 25-27 tours (typically a mix of returning tours and new ones).

For the job description and more details, please click here: 2016 PM Tour Coordinator posting [PDF]

Compensation: This is a contract position, with pay of $6,000

How to apply: Please send resume, letter of interest (maximum 400 words), and list three references to the email address listed below. Include one brief article (maximum 400 words) that you have written; this article shall best represent your written communication skills. Please list past projects that you have executed or supervised, and describe the scope of work and skill needed for these projects.

Send your application to: Peter Sussman, Preserve Minneapolis Tour Committee Chair psussman@preserveminneapolis.org

Open until January 29th, 2016.

The full list of last year's tours is on our website.