Rich Wagner Looks Back on a Successful Career at Dunwoody College of Technology

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

A Discussion with Rich Wagner, President of Dunwoody College of Technology

Rich WagnerRich Wagner will retire this summer after 13 years at the helm of Dunwoody College of Technology. He led the college through the development and execution of strategic plans, raised $125 Million to fund scholarships and campus renovations and expansion, among many other accomplishments. Wagner started out as an electrical instructor in 1996 and rose to the position of President. We talked to him about the history of Dunwoody (a pioneering institution for technical education, founded in 1913!), innovative programs during his tenure and what’s next for him. 

Q:  During Your tenure as President of Dunwoody College of Technology there were some major unanticipated challenges – the Great Recession of 2007-2009 and the COVID-19 shutdown. How did you keep the College on track? 

A:  One of Dunwoody’s strengths is the people who work here and who believe so strongly in our mission and what we do. Staying focused on that mission during challenging times has been a crucial part of Dunwoody’s continued success – guiding our decisions during times of disruption.

I also believe in being transparent with employees, so they not only understood the challenges we were facing, but how we were addressing those challenges.

Finally, having discipline around our financials has been key to ensuring we lived within our means. As a private, non-profit institution of higher education, that has meant understanding enrollment trends and industry needs. For more than a century, Dunwoody has built a reputation as a leader in hands-on, technical education, educating students for great-paying, in-demand careers. Our graduates continue to be essential to keeping our community and economy thriving, especially during challenging times.

Dunwoody College of Technology is located at 818 Dunwoody Boulevard

Q:  You have always supported technical education for underserved, underrepresented and under-resourced student populations. Why is this important to you? 

A:  For many of our students, Dunwoody provides a pathway to a great-paying career and a secure future. If we are going to address the issues of equity in our communities, access to these pathways is an essential part of the solution. We are faced with a critical skills gap, one that if left unchecked, will prevent industries and the economy from growing. That means that we need to ensure that more people, from all backgrounds, have the option to pursue a technical degree, so we can continue to build the talent pipeline needed to keep industries and the Minnesota economy healthy. 

Q:  You started at Dunwoody as an Electrical Instructor in 1996, rising to the President of the College – congratulations! Did you always have an interest in the administrative aspects of higher education? 

A:  No, but I was always passionate about Career and Technical Education because of how it changed my life. What I saw as I took on the role of program director is I could have a bigger impact on Career and Tech Ed from an administrative side. I could work to create awareness around the pathways that a Dunwoody education provides – and to do that best I felt I would need to be outside the classroom. I love teaching, but I wanted to make this type of education available to as many people as possible.

Q:  You are instrumental in forming partnerships in the Twin Cities that further opportunities for Dunwoody students. Could you tell us more about your thinking around partnerships and how they’ve benefited students, the College, and the Twin Cities? 

A:  There is no organization that can go it alone. There is so much to be gained by reaching out and understanding all of the different partnerships available. From non-profits, to businesses, K-12 and higher education, we can do more together. Those organizations are eager to partner with us. If we capitalize on that, everyone benefits – students, agencies, and business. The industries in Minnesota and the Twin Cities have been wonderful to work with. They help inform our curriculum, they provide state-of-the-industry equipment and software for our labs, shops, and studios, and they employ our students when they graduate.

Q:  Dunwoody makes great use of social media – I love the Tik Tok channel. Are you involved in the social media messaging?

A:  Our social media presence has always been a reflection of the great things that are happening at Dunwoody. We are fortunate to have an internal team committed to sharing the Dunwoody story. 

Q:  What is Pathways to Careers?   

A:  The Pathways to Careers (P2C) Program is focused on preparing underserved and under-represented people for success at Dunwoody, immediate jobs, and great careers. The program works with community organizations and industry partners to support students through scholarships, mentoring, and academic support.

P2C works directly with community partners to create greater awareness and access to a Dunwoody education to meet the growing workforce needs of business and industry. This program is a critical part of our strategic plan as we work to interrupt disparity gaps in college retention, graduation, and job placement rates.

Q:  You’ve been instrumental in promoting Dunwoody as an educational option to women. Please tell us about Women in Technical Careers. 

A:  The Women in Technical Careers program is another essential part of our strategic plan. WITC works to raise awareness and break down barriers for more women to pursue careers typically considered non-traditional.

Similar to P2C, students enrolling in WITC receive tuition assistance, childcare support, intensive academic advising, access to internships and part-time employment; and, upon graduation, support in securing full-time work with family-supporting wages. They also benefit from a mentor program, monthly cohort meetings, field trips, and other professional development activities to promote their success in male-dominated education and work environments.

Both P2C and WITC are programs Dunwoody has implemented to address disparity gaps in our community, and we know more work needs to be done. This spring the College held a Community Summit with close to 100 representatives from industry, education, and non-profit organizations to discuss ways we as a community can tackle these issues.

Q:  Will you mentor your replacement?    

A:  Yes, and while that is up to the Board of Trustees, I plan on being available to help provide continuity in our relationships and our strategic initiatives, and to ensure the institutional memory is captured.

Q:  Congratulations on a meaningful and impactful career! What’s next for you in 2024?    

A: My wife and I are still trying to figure that out. There will certainly be some transitional work when the new President is hired, along with travel, golf, and time with grandkids - and then we’ll figure out what’s next.

September 2 at the Mill City Farmers Market

I filled our September 2nd shopping basket from the Mill City Farmers Market with the fixings for a gigantic pot of soup.

Chef Jenny Breen worked on a demo using a rainbow of produce.

Cine Latino Returns to The Main Cinema October 11-15

MSP Film Society celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with the 11th Annual Cine Latino Film Festival at The Main Cinema from October 11 – 15. As the upper Midwest’s largest celebration of the best new Latin American and Ibero Cinema, Cine Latino once again pays homage to the diversity and greatness of the inhabitants of this vast region, to the immensity and beauty of its geography, and fundamentally, to the richness and magic of its culture.

This year’s Cine Latino features five days of new award-winning films from Sundance, Berlin, Malag, a classic from master filmmaker Luis Buñuel, filmmaker conversations, and nightly parties at Pracna to engage the Twin Cities’ growing Spanish-speaking populations and vast community of global cinephiles.

Cine Latino kicks off Wednesday, October 11 with RADICAL, Christopher Zalla’s 2023 Sundance award-winning film about a teacher who takes radical steps to engage his underperforming students in new and creative ways.

Cine Latino’s Closing Film on Sunday, October 15 is the 2023 Berlinale and Malaga Film Festival award-winning film 20,000 SPECIES OF BEES, a delicate family drama centered around an 8 year old who ponders her gender identity and everything else while tending to her grandmother’s beehives.

All-Access Passes are on sale now for $75 – or just $50 for MSP Film Society Members! Tickets to individual screenings are $8 for MSP Film Society Members/$12 General Public/$6 for Students – or purchase a 4 Pack for just $24 for Members / $36 for General Public.

* * * * Pre-Festival Events! * * * * 

The Main Cinema and Mia are both getting an early jump on the festivities with these screenings in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month with ¡CINE LATINO APERITIVO! SCREENINGS:

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CASSANDRO - Opens September 15 at The Main Cinema

Saúl Armendáriz (Gael García Bernal), a gay amateur wrestler from El Paso, rises to international stardom after he creates the character Cassandro, the “Liberace of Lucha Libre.” In the process, he upends not just the macho wrestling world, but also his own life. Based on a true story.

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CARLOS: THE SANTANA JOURNEY - GLOBAL PREMIERE!

Carlos Santana                                                Photo courtesy of MSP Film Society

Special Event Screenings September 23, 24 & 27 

A music industry legend for 50 years and a 10-time Grammy-winning global sensation, Carlos Santana continues to be one of the music world’s premiere artists, blending jazz, blues, and the Mariachi sound with a rock n’ roll spirituality and a sense of connection to music’s primal connection to our deepest emotions. Celebrate the life of one of music’s greatest icons in this special premiere event. Includes exclusive intro content with director Rudy Valdez and Carlos Santana.

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¡HOLA CINE! - October 8 | FREE at Mia!

A family-friendly collection of Spanish-language short films screening for free all day at Mia. Curated annually by the New York International Children’s Film Festival, ¡HOLA CINE! delivers the best Latinx short films from around the world, transporting audiences to the chilly mountains of Argentina and reminding them of the power of family, perseverance, and believing in magic. 

Red Lake Nation College Opens New Educational Site in Downtown Minneapolis

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

Have you seen the new campus of the Red Lake Nation College at 900 S 3rd Street? We were curious about the opening date for the college, curriculum offered and if tours would be available. Kayla Duane, Communications Director, had the answers for us. "Boozhoo!" to our new neighbors!

Kayla DuaneQ:  Please tell us the history of Red Lake Nation College and the new location in downtown Minneapolis.

A:  Red Lake Nation College (RLNC) is a two-year tribal college located on the beautiful shores of Red Lake in Northern Minnesota. Its state-of-the-art facilities, combined with Ojibwe language and culture, and globally-relevant courses, offer a unique combination of Native innovation and tradition that prepares students of all backgrounds for the twenty-first century job market. RLNC is accredited with the Higher Learning Commission, an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. In 2021, RLNC took the step of securing a location in downtown Minneapolis for its distance education site, dedicated to serving the large and growing Indigenous population in the Twin Cities metro area. 

Q:  What courses of study and degrees will the college offer at the Minneapolis site?

A:  Our Minneapolis site offers an Associate of Liberal Arts degree, a two-year degree designed intentionally as an exploration of, and exposure to, many disciplines in order to develop a wide breadth of understanding of liberal education and to prepare for transfer to a four-year institution. This Degree Program is infused with culturally-relevant material with the intent of exposing students to the Ojibwe language and allowing them the opportunity to understand Anishinaabe values and how these values can provide a foundation for lifelong learning and community involvement. The credits earned at RLNC are designed to transfer for continuing education in a baccalaureate program.

Artist rendering of the aerial view of the building site

Q:  How do you incorporate Ojibwe culture into your curriculum?

A:  Red Lake Nation College utilizes the most effective learning methods available depending on the subject area and instructional activity. We develop course offerings that are grounded in Anishinaabe values and culture, and specifically use the seven Ojibwe Grandfather Teachings of Humility, Bravery, Honesty, Wisdom, Truth, Respect and Love to form the basis of our learning outcomes. All course offerings evolve from this cultural basis.

Q:  How will you pursue students to enroll in the new location? Do you have plans to do outreach to the local Native and non-Native communities?

A:  Red Lake Nation College looks to where students are. For example, we pursue students to enroll at our Minneapolis site by having a presence at a number of different events across the Twin Cities Metro, and are currently offering different modalities of learning. RLNC currently offers in-person classes, Hy-Flex classes and asynchronous classes to cater to different learning styles. Our typical students demand flexibility in their learning to accommodate busy lives, so we strive to provide opportunities that meet those needs to help our students achieve their educational goals and provide them with a great first start on their education journey.

Q:  May we tour the facility?

A:  Currently our educational space is under renovation. We anticipate opening our space to all guests for tours in February 2024 when we plan on having our grand opening. However, we are currently leasing a building at 1001 S Washington Avenue. If you would like a tour, you can reach out to Rachel King (rachel.king@rlnc.edu) who is the Director of Student Success at our Minneapolis Office.

Q:  How may we stay up to date with the college's plans and events?

A:  You can stay up to date with the college’s plans and events by visiting our website and on our Facebook page, where we upload all of our upcoming events. 

Green Minneapolis' Peavey Plaza Last Splash Fundraising Event, September 21

Celebrate Summer's Last Splash at Peavey Plaza!

You’re invited to celebrate the success of Summer at Peavey Plaza, co-hosted by Bond & Devick Wealth Partners. Enjoy food and drinks while watching artist in residence Phil Thompson and his band perform their acclaimed Billy Joel and Elton John Tribute Concert! Green Minneapolis will highlight the amazing music, dance and theater events that took place on the plaza this summer and share updates on the work they are doing to keep our community green and vibrant.

Thursday, September 21, 5:00-7:30PM, Target Atrium at Orchestra Hall

Please RSVP by September 14

If you aren't able to attend, but would like to support free future Peavey Plaza Programming, please consider a donation to Green Minneapolis here: Donate Now!

Waxing Crescent Moon Over Downtown East by Ric Rosow

Submitted by Ric Rosow

Not yet the full Super Moon, but close to it - a Waxing Crescent Moon photograph taken on the evening of August 28th, two days before the Full Super Blue Moon. A moon is named a Blue Moon when there are two full moons in one month.

Last night when the moon was low in the horizon clouds covered it up, but I waited to see if the sky would clear. Eventually it did rise above the cloud layer. Setting the shutter speed to 1/200 of a second to keep the moon sharp (it’s always moving) meant the foreground and sky were dark. I took another photograph of the scene exposed for the foreground. This photograph then is a blend of two images, one a proper exposure for the moon and another a proper exposure for the foreground. I’ll be back out again tonight for my final tune up before the hopefully clear skies on August 30th for the Super Blue Moon. On August 30th there is only 12 minutes between the sun setting and the moon rising. I might be able to get good detail in the moon and a proper exposure of the foreground with one shot if there are no clouds at the horizon. The sky will still be light enough to set the shutter speed at 1/200 of a second while at the same time setting the exposure so the foreground is revealed. If there is a layer of clouds at the horizon or fire dust low in the sky, it will again require a blend.

You can see more of my work at ricrosowphotography.com.

Groundbreaking Event for Graco Park Rescheduled to Tuesday, August 29, 1 pm

A groundbreaking event for Graco Park is scheduled Tuesday, August 29, 1-2 pm. This event was originally scheduled August 14, but was postponed due to rain. MPRB Superintendent Al Bangoura, MPRB President Meg Forney, MPRB District 1 Commissioner Billy Menz, Graco President and CEO Mark Sheahan, District 6 Met Council Member Robert Lilligren, Mississippi Watershed Management Organization Executive Director Kevin Reich are scheduled to speak. 

Graco Park is a new 9-acre riverfront park in Northeast Minneapolis, across from Hall's Island and just north of the Plymouth Avenue Bridge. It is expected to initially open in fall 2024, with a new park building and trail underpass connection to Boom Island Park expected to open in fall 2025. Park features will include:

• A multiuse net-zero energy building with public restrooms, community space and a Spark’d Studios location.
• Native habitat restoration and stormwater management features, including a geothermal snowmelt system.
• A trail under the Plymouth Avenue Bridge that connects to Boom Island Park.
• The Mississippi East Bank Trail realigned through the park and safety upgrades at the intersection of Plymouth/8th Avenue NE and Sibley Street NE.
• Gathering spaces, walkways and river access.

A series of agreements reached in 2018 between the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and Graco Inc., which is headquartered next to the park, led to the creation of Graco Park. Grants from the Metropolitan Council and Mississippi Watershed Management Organization also helped fund park construction.

Explore Minneapolis Ecology Via New Online Mapping Tool

A screenshot showing map layers for all parkland and stormwater pipe watersheds

Ecological System Plan online mapping tool illustrates relationship between park system and water, air, land, and life in Minneapolis

A new interactive mapping tool is available to explore maps included in the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Ecological System Plan. This customizable online resource can display more than 60 layers of information across four main topics: water, air, land, and life. 

People are encouraged to explore the map layers to learn about how Minneapolis' park system, public infrastructure and ecology interact!

Ecological System Plan Mapping Tool

About the Ecological System Plan

The Ecological System Plan was adopted in fall 2020. It outlines how and where to address environmental consideration in the work the MPRB does on its own and in partnership with other organizations. This plan is the first of its kind and one of many referenced and used in the development of park plans and implementation of park projects.

Creating this tool completes Goal M, Strategy 46 in the Ecological System Plan. Review the Recommendations and Next Steps chapter linked below, along with the rest of the plan, for more information about plan goals, strategies and recommendations.

Ecological System Plan

Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Water
Chapter 3: Air
Chapter 4: Land
Chapter 5: Life
Chapter 6: Recommendations and Next Steps
Appendix: Maps 

X-Men Immersive X-Fandom Convention Coming to Minneapolis September 16 & 17

2-Day Immersive X-Fandom Convention - Enroll in the Xavier Institute Now!

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September 16 & 17, 2023

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The Uncanny Experience has revealed their programming of panels and classes for this inaugural event.  Highlights include an appearance by X-Men film actor Daniel Cudmore who famously portrayed the character Colossus in X2: X-Men United, X-Men: The Last Stand, and X-Men: Days of Future Past. Previously announced guests such as Chris Claremont, the cast and creatives of X-Men: The Animated Series, Nathan Szerdy and more will give talks on their work in the X-Men Universe.

The event takes place at the Minneapolis Club, 729 2nd Avenue S.

X-Men film actor Daniel Cudmore will appear at this inaugural event.

During the immersive classes, attendees can mold themselves into mutant students of Xavier Institute.  Classes include Intergalactic Social Studies of the Shi’ar Empire, Getting Hellfire Gala Ready, A History of X-Villainy, Mindful Meditation with Psylocke, Professor Logan’s Phys-Ed, and Mutant History 101 with Professor Claremont. See the official website for the full program

Stay up to date on news from The Uncanny Experience on their social media platforms: Instagram, Twitter, Discord, Facebook

Giant-Size Productions, LLC is a curated events company that creates unique in-person and virtual events that connect fandoms to the creative talent that make geek culture content. The company was founded in 2021 by Chandler Poling, Dylan Carter, and Chris Riley.

The Uncanny Experience and Giant-Size Productions are not endorsed, sanctioned, or in any way associated with Marvel Entertainment, Marvel Studios, or The Walt Disney Company. The X-Men characters, names, and related likenesses are trademarks and copyright of Marvel Entertainment.

Theatre in the Round Players Open 72nd Season with Arsenic & Old Lace on September 8

Theatre in the Round Players (TRP) opens its 72nd season with the dark comedy classic, Arsenic & Old Lace by Joseph Kesselring, running weekends September 8 to October 1, with a Monday Pay-What-You-Can performance on September 18.  

Every family has secrets, and the eccentric Brewster family is no exception. However, when Mortimer Brewster discovers his two sweet aunt’s macabre hobby of poisoning lonely old men, having skeletons in the closet takes on a whole new meaning. The mad-cap romp begins as Mortimer fights to keep his new-found knowledge from the police (and his fiancée)!  With witty dialogue and unforgettable characters, this hilariously twisted play will have you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

George M. Roesler directs the thirteen-member cast with sets designed by Lee Christensen, costumes by Rebecca Karstad, lighting by Mark Kieffer, props by Roxanne Miller, music composed by Donald Sweet, and sound by Robert Hoffman.

Arsenic & Old Lace runs September 8-October 1. Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm, Sundays at 2pm. A post-show discussion with the cast and director will be held immediately following the performance on Sunday, September 24.

Tickets are $25. For information, call the theatre’s box office at 612-333-3010 or visit the website.

Small Business Spotlight: Jayded AF, a New Line of Ready-to-Serve Gin Martinis

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos providedAlexa Jayde Fitzpatrick

A Discussion with Alexa Jayde Fitzpatrick, CEO

August is Black Business Month, and before the month slips away, we wanted to highlight a local black female entrepreneur. Meet Alexa Jayde Fitzpatrick, the imaginative creator and CEO behind Jayded AF ready-to-serve gin martinis. The name Jayded AF came from Alexa’s middle name, Jayde; and the AF stands for Alexa Fitzpatrick. We talked to Alexa about the inspiration for her line of ready to serve, delicious and high-quality cocktails and where to find them.  

Q:  What was the inspiration that led you to create Jayded AF Cocktails?

A:  Anyone who knows me knows I am a Lemon Drop girl. No matter the entree: chicken, steak, fish, or tacos, I am having a lemon drop martini! I was at home one evening and my significant other asked me if I wanted something from the liquor store that he was on his way to. At that moment I realized it would be great to have a sophisticated cocktail from an upscale bar, in the comfort of home. Unfortunately, that did not exist. Nothing ready-to-drink on the shelf met the standards that the art of this cocktail demands (to my knowledge). I didn't have the skill to create one from scratch either. From that, a spark was lit, and I immediately felt that I had to rectify the situation and create a product not just for myself but others.

Q:  Your brand seeks to permanently reconfigure liquor sales. Talk to us about this very unique niche you’ve discovered.

A:  Honestly, I know there are numerous ready-to-drink options out there. However, I never felt personally marketed to. Trends come and go, be it ciders or the current craze of seltzers. Besides wine, I just have not seen a premium, cost-effective, effortless, and flavorful option that simply hits on all cylinders. I find that discovery is made more difficult by the bombardment of different variations of the same thing. I thought, rather than attempt to recreate the wheel, why not focus on a new spin of an old classic? Martinis are a staple - elegant and satisfying. The obvious limitation is access and know-how. I chose to solve it.

Q:  Was Jayded AF part of a local business incubator program?

A:  I launched 3 months ago and went full tilt with marketing. I created social media handles, promo videos on YouTube and Instagram, as well as displays on multiple buses and digital screens in Minneapolis. We have been picked up by a few magazines and have had segments on a couple of shows. If you have heard of us, I am truly glad our efforts are paying off. 

To answer your question, however, no. We are not part of an incubator program. This is simply my brainchild, two years in the making with the dividends of sweat equity hopefully paying off.

Lemon Drop

Laxly Cucumber

Q:  What products do you offer? Where will we find your products?

A:  A line of sinfully edgy, incredibly chic, and effortlessly cool ready-to-serve, gin-based martinis in 3 flavors and 2 sizes. Our flavors are Lemon Drop, Lavender, and Laxly Cucumber. 

We are at a handful of independents including: 

• Underground Leaf and Vine in the North Loop
• Zipps Liquor in the Seward neighborhood
• Central Avenue Liquors in NE and Princeton’s Liquor in Maple Grove
• We are also in the Maple Grove and Minnetonka Total Wine locations, and coming to all Kowalski’s Wine Shop locations.

We are working diligently to get to a location near you and have a big desire and initiative underway for consumers to find us at your local concert venues such as the Armory and First Avenue. Another goal is to enjoy the martinis while you attend your next sporting event. (Yes, we have an eager eye on our beautiful local stadiums.) So, fingers crossed!

Q:  How may we follow your news?

A:  Check out our website jaydedaf.com. There you can enter your zip code in our interactive map to see the locations where we currently are on shelves and keep up to date as we add more. You can also find us on social media! Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

FINNOVATION Fellowship Selects Nine for Sixth Cohort of Social Entrepreneurship Program

Top row, left to right: Brittany, Marcus, May; Middle row, left to right: James, Anisa, Elizabeth; Bottom row, left to right: Karina, Erik, Haggai

The program continues to draw diverse applicants who run early-stage, impact-driven businesses aimed to address a range of cultural, social, and environmental issues.

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FINNOVATION Institute, the non-profit arm of FINNOVATION Lab, announces the selection of nine local, impact-driven entrepreneurs to join the sixth cohort of its immersive FINNOVATION Fellowship Program, which aims to support and empower entrepreneurs who have bold ideas for sustainable, positive impact. By providing educational resources, mentorship, and collaboration, the program encourages fellows to address cultural, social, and environmental issues through innovative business models. The program will run from September 2023 through June 2024.

The FINNOVATION Fellowship Program continues to attract a diverse group of applicants. A committee of program alumni and community leaders selected the new group—55% identifying as women and 77% identifying as BIPOC—from a highly competitive pool. The extraordinary fellows and their areas of impact include: 

• Marcus Carpenter (Route 1) – supporting BIPOC farmers in their quest to alleviate food insecurity.

• Brittany Clausen (Envision Greatness) – working towards achieving racial justice, devising new strategies for DEI initiatives.

• James Everest (Sound Garden Arts) – crafting immersive healing environments for those with neurological disorders, utilizing spatial sound installations.

• Anisa Hagi-Mohamed (Anisa Hagi, LLC) – promoting mental well-being through products that incorporate positive affirmations of Somali culture, identity, and history.

• Erik Halaas (Live On Minnesota) - establishing Minnesota’s first natural organic reduction facility.

• Karina Kelton (Raices Latinas) - connecting the Spanish-speaking, Latino community to resources and information through user-friendly mobile applications.

• May Lee-Yang – amplifying the Asian-American experience through captivating board games.

• Haggai Simon (Diddit) – helping college students with ADHD stay on top of their homework and on track to graduate, using a mobile app that leverages behavioral science.

• Elizabeth Zalanga (Creeble Midwest Local News Initiative) - increasing access, readership, and enduring financial sustainability of local news organizations.

“This cohort of social entrepreneurs will be a wonderful addition to our growing community of founders, continuing our mission to create positive change throughout the region,” said Connie Rutledge, Executive Director of the FINNOVATION Institute. “We have a long history of supporting unique approaches to economic disparity, racial equity, and planetary health. We hope to give the new FINNOVATION Fellows a launching pad for growing their businesses that they won’t find anywhere else.” 

Fellows receive a $50,000 living stipend, a healthcare stipend, and access to a dedicated workspace at the FINNOVATION Lab in downtown Minneapolis. Tailored curriculum is designed to teach the leadership skills necessary to run a successful social enterprise while working towards individual goals for personal and professional progress. Additionally, each fellow is matched with mentors and coaches to support them throughout the program. 

The sixth cohort brings the FINNOVATION Fellowship Program participants to 50 entrepreneurs who positively impact their communities. Alumni of the program have gone on to create revenue-building businesses, raise capital funding, and serve as visible leaders in our entrepreneurial ecosystem. Visit www.finnovationinstitute.org to learn more.

The Fellowship Program is made possible through generous support from the Bush Foundation, known for its commitment to innovation and creative problem solving.

August 19 at the Mill City Farmers Market

August 19 at the Mill City Farmers Market! Chinese Long Beans are a favorite veggie of mine. They are only available from the Bean Market, and only for a limited time.

Tickets still available for the annual Harvest Dinner!

The annual Harvest Dinner, a major funding source for MCFM, is scheduled for September 10th. Taking place in the Mill City Museum Courtyard, the event features a market-to-table dinner prepared with farm-fresh ingredients by market chefs Nettie Colón and Jenny Breen, craft cocktails and live music. The evening ends with a live auction and fund-a-need support for MCFM's Next Stage Grant program for farmers and food makers. Learn more here.

First Brussels sprouts of the year!

Wedge Community Co-ops is a MCFM Sponsor, and they were on hand demonstrating how to pickle a number vegetables.

Small Business Spotlight: Rise Bagel Co.

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

Kate Lloyd

Rise Bagel Co. is on a mission to elevate the bagel experience one organic bagel at a time. Rise debuted at the Fulton Farmers Market in 2014, and opened up shop in the North Loop at 530 N Third Street in 2017. We talked to founder/owner Kate Lloyd about the bagel business, their partnerships and why their bagels are just so good!

Q:  Please tell us about this ode I saw on your website: 

The sun will RISE in the morning.

Wheat will RISE from the Earth.

Dough will RISE to bake.

You will RISE from your slumber.

Together, we RISE to the occasion.

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A:  We celebrate the power of the word RISE. It’s a bold name that inspires and evokes a positive emotional connection. I wrote the ode with these thoughts in mind.

Q:  Rise Bagel Co. partners with Northern Waters Smokehaus for your Smoked Salmon Bagel. You have frequent collaborations with merchants such as Allbirds and Madewell. What’s your philosophy on business partnerships? Any collaborations on the horizon that you can tell us about at this time?

A:  We believe in protecting planet Earth, cultivating community, and supporting brands and causes that share our values. We are specifically drawn to partnerships focused on food and the environment—two things closely related to Rise and the work we do.

We have some exciting collaborations in the works with Madewell and Stigma Cannabis Co. Stay tuned!

Q:  We certainly will stay tuned – be sure to let us know when the announcement is ready. What makes Rise bagels so delicious?

A:  Our bagels are organic and made from scratch with a short list of simple ingredients.

We took inspiration from the two bagel meccas (New York and Montreal) to create a one-of-a-kind bagel. Our bagels are proper and far from imposters - not those “rolls with holes” that weigh you down all day. Boiled and baked, they are crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. Made here in Minneapolis, just the way we like them.

Q:  How often are seasonal products added to the menu? 

A:  Our business continues to grow year over year. Our menu is intentionally small and focused. This helps us keep up with demand and maintain quality when it comes to our product and customer experience.

The Artisan

Catering Spread

Q:  What will autumn bring to Rise bagels? 

A:  Summer is still here! Our house-made Lemon Blueberry Cream Cheese is officially back on the menu for summer. Salted Maple Cream Cheese will return this fall.

Q:  Congratulations on your wholesale partnerships which make Rise bagels so easy to find! Do you bake all of your bagels at the North Loop location?

A:  Thank you! Our organic bagels are baked fresh every morning at our North Loop shop.

Our bagels naturally have a one-day shelf life. That's because we don't add unnecessary ingredients like preservatives.

Our bagels are found in the freezer aisle in many local stores, including Lakewinds Co-op, Wedge Co-op, Eastside Co-op, Linden Hills Co-op, Mississippi Market and Windside. Freezing is nature’s best preservative and maintains the integrity of our product. Minnesota bagels freeze nice! Our bagels reheat wonderfully, enabling a freshly baked bagel experience at home.

Q:  How may we follow your news?

A:  Social media - Facebook and Instagram - are the best way to stay up-to-date on all-things Rise. Come visit us in the North Loop.

It Might Be, A Lowbrow Art Exhibit opens September 8 at Gamut Gallery

It Might Be curated by Chuck U

You may find yourself asking, “What is Lowbrow Art?” Lowbrow emerged in the 1960’s in California as an extension of Surrealism, Fauvism, and Dadaism. Recognized as an illustrative street style, lowbrow works traditionally invoke humor and whimsy with imaginative compositions that tell a story. During the 1980’s, Minneapolis had a thriving punk and alternative music scene that fostered lowbrow styles incorporated by local artists. Tom Halzelmeyer, owner of Amphetamine Reptile Records was a pioneer in the movement in the Twin Cities with his former gallery Ox-Op, which featured the works of Shepard Fairy, Camille Rose Garcia, Shag, Delak, and more! By the 1990’s when Robert Williams (“the godfather of lowbrow art”) founded Juxtapoz Art & Culture magazine, lowbrow art had intersected with other subcultures such as street art, tattoo art, and illustration, heavily influencing and cross-pollinating commercial art and fine art.

Originally, this artistic approach was highly criticized, however, it began to gain popularity due to its stark contrast to “traditional” art. Rejecting “high art” and instead celebrating popular culture inspired by comic books, B-movies, hot rods and kitsch, the lowbrow movement established a platform for artists to create works with fantasy, surreal, and cartoon elements. It Might Be curator, Chuck U’s interpretation will be aesthetically represented in the roster of international, national, and local artists he has assembled whose illustrative lowbrow styles are expanding the definition of fine art, story, and fantasy, continuing this narrative.

"I hope to embolden people to explore the inclination to seek narrative and meaning within illustrative art and how this commonality is shared between both viewer and artist whether making or digesting artworks. This exploration is a part of the natural human experience of encountering and digesting art. It is important to me to curate and participate in a show that encourages viewers to find meaning in art that resonates with them and to facilitate opportunities for people to connect with art on a personal level regardless of the intent of the artist. The world-building artists involved each creates illustrative works that are accessible to artists and non-artists alike, evolving the idea of what fine art is, what kind of art is valid in gallery spaces, and how anyone can interpret what they see and know they aren’t wrong." - Chuck U

Public Opening Night: Friday, September 8 / 7-10pm

Featuring Alex Kuno, Briana Hertzog, Chuck U, Evan Weselmann, Ewok, Jennifer Davis, John Sauer, Michael Koehler, Riiisa Boogie, Rodrigo Oñate, Swartz Brothers, Tim Molloy, Vivian Le, WingChow. Artist info

• $10 presales available
• $15 day of event, FREE for members
• DJ set by Mike 2600
• Sponsored by Indeed Brewing

Extended Open Hours: Saturday, September 9 / 11am-6pm

Guests are invited to RSVP for a special extended hours. This will be a relaxed setting compared to the “It Might Be” opening party the previous night. Chuck U will be hanging out all day too!

• 15 Guest per hour
• RSVP for FREE soon!

It Might Be Artist Talk - Thursday, September 21 / 7pm

• $5 presales coming soon!
• $10 day of the event
• Limited capacity event
• Free for Gamut Gallery Members, RSVP required. Not a Gamut Gallery member? Become one today!

It Might Be curator, Chuck U, and moderator, Cass Garner sit down for a conversation; Join us to learn about his processes, ideations, and perspectives on his body of work and lowbrow art as a whole.

Chuck U is an illustrator, painter, and muralist from Minneapolis MN. He has been making and exhibiting work professionally for over 15 years and is known for his signature intensive line work and imaginative subjects, color palettes, and compositions. With It Might Be, Chuck U adds his influence to his first curatorial debut and hopes to embolden people to explore the viewers inclination to seek narrative and meaning within illustrative art and how this commonality is shared between both viewer and artist whether making or digesting artworks.

August 12 at the Mill City Farmers Market: Fruit, Fruit Everywhere!

It was a "fruitful" trip to the August 12th Mill City Farmers Market! First Kiss apples from Ames Farm, strawberries and Strawberry Shrub from Twin Cities Berry Company, pears from Mary Dirty Face Farm, yellow watermelon from Nistler Farms, raspberries from Green Earth Growers and watermelon ginger juice from Pure Ginger for You. To go with the wonderful variety of fruit? Why, Big Woods Blue cheese from Shepherd's Way Farm, of course! My favorite combo! 

Tickets still available for the annual Harvest Dinner!

The annual Harvest Dinner, a major funding source for MCFM, is scheduled for September 10th. Taking place in the Mill City Museum Courtyard, the event features a market-to-table dinner prepared with farm-fresh ingredients by market chefs Nettie Colón and Jenny Breen, craft cocktails and live music. The evening ends with a live auction and fund-a-need support for MCFM's Next Stage Grant program for farmers and food makers. Learn more here.

This sign was created by Green Earth Growers.

Week after week I am in awe of the incredible abundance at the MCFM, given this summer's challenging growing conditions. Our farmers have my utmost respect and gratitude.  :)

Utepils Brewing, Silver Award Winner at the World Beer Cup 2023

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

World Beer Cup 2023 Winners! Brewers Association President & CEO Bob Pease presents Eric Harper and Dan Justesen of Utepils Brewing with their Silver Award for Helles

Eric Harper, Utepils' Brewmaster, enjoying a giant pretzel at Oktoberfest in MunichTo win a Silver Medal at the World Beer Cup Competition is a major accomplishment. That’s just what happened for Utepils Brewing this year with their entry in the Helles competition. We talked to Eric Harper, Master Brewer, about Helles beer, his start in the beer brewing business and the brewery taproom offerings at 225 Thomas Ave N (in the Harrison Neighborhood). Keep reading – you also learn a new Norwegian word.

Q:  Congratulations to you and Utepils for winning the silver medal at the World Beer Cup Competition in Nashville earlier this year. Your winning entry was Helles, a Munich-style Helles beer. Could you tell us more about Helles and Munich-style Helles beer?

A:  Munich-style Helles is a pale, golden lager. It's slightly sweeter and fuller bodied than a Pilsner. The style was first created in Munich, Germany in the late 1800's as a response to Czech Pilsner's rising popularity. I'd say it's the beer most commonly associated with the famous beer halls and beer gardens of Bavaria. For our Helles, we import malted barley from a family maltster in Bamberg, Germany, and use just a touch of hops from Germany's Hallertau region to try and create the most authentic version of the style as we can.

A perfectly poured glass of Utepils Brewing's award winning Munich-style HellesQ:  Please tell us about your experience at the competition. Is this your first time competing?

A:  We've entered beers into the competition twice before, but never won. This year there were over 10,000 entries from 51 different countries in the competition. We had to ship our entries back in March. They were then judged by an international panel over multiple days. The awards were announced May 10th in Nashville at the conclusion of the Craft Brewers' Conference, the largest educational brewing conference and tradeshow in the U.S. It was super exciting to be in a giant convention hall, full of brewers, and hear your name get called! I'm extremely proud of my team and the work they put into brewing our beers, and am really happy to share this award with them.

Q:  How may we experience your Helles beer?

A:  Our Helles beer is available at retailers across the state in 4-packs of 16 oz. cans and 12 packs of 12 oz. cans. It's also on draft at a number of local bars and restaurants, and of course is available in our taproom. We have a neat beer finder on the website that will let you search for locations serving our beer, as well as filter results by beer style.

Q:  The beer finder tool is awesome! When and how did your interest in brewing beer come about?

A:  I started home brewing when I was in high school. A friend's parents had all of the equipment, and they thought it would be a fun hobby for us to try out. I kept brewing during college, but really just became more and more interested in the huge variety of beer and breweries that exist. At some point I decided I wanted to pursue a career in beer, so I started taking courses that seemed applicable. After finishing my undergrad degree, I went on to a dedicated brewing program at UC-Davis.

Q:  What does the word Utepils mean?

A:  Utepils is a Norwegian word that translated literally means "outside beer." The Norwegians might use it any time they talk about enjoying a beer outside, but we like to say, "Utepils means the first beer enjoyed outside after a long, dark winter."

Utepils Brewing's inviting taproom, located on the banks of Bassett Creek in Minneapolis

Q:  What do you recommend we try when we visit your taproom?

A:  The Helles, of course, but my other favorite beers are our Czech-style Pils and Ewald the Golden, a Bavarian-style Hefeweizen. If you're looking for something hoppier, Hoppestokk is a dry hopped lager beer that's also really excellent.

Q:  The best of luck with future competitions. How may we follow your news? 

A:  Thanks! Social media is probably the best way to keep up with what's happening at the brewery. We're always posting news and events to Facebook and Instagram. For more general info, and where to find our beers, the website is the best bet.

Groundbreaking Event for Graco Park is Scheduled for August 14

New Northeast Minneapolis riverfront park next to Plymouth Avenue Bridge will feature restored wildlife habitat, upgraded trail connections and intersection safety improvements, outdoor gathering spaces, and new net-zero energy park building

A groundbreaking event for Graco Park is scheduled Monday, August 14, 1-2 pm. This new 9-acre riverfront park is in Northeast Minneapolis, across from Hall's Island and just north of the Plymouth Avenue Bridge. The event will take place next to the intersection of Sibley Street NE and 9th Avenue NE. Free street parking available along Sibley Street NE.

Speakers include: MPRB Superintendent Al Bangoura, MPRB President Meg Forney, MPRB District 1 Commissioner Billy Menz, Graco President and CEO Mark Sheahan, District 6 Met Council Member Robert Lilligren, Mississippi Watershed Management Organization Executive Director Kevin Reich. 

It is expected to initially open in fall 2024, with a new park building and trail underpass connection to Boom Island Park expected to open in fall 2025. Park features will include:

• A multiuse net-zero energy building with public restrooms, community space and a Spark’d Studios location.
• Native habitat restoration and stormwater management features, including a geothermal snowmelt system.
• A trail under the Plymouth Avenue Bridge that connects to Boom Island Park.
• The Mississippi East Bank Trail realigned through the park and safety upgrades at the intersection of Plymouth/8th Avenue NE and Sibley Street NE.
• Gathering spaces, walkways and river access.

A series of agreements reached in 2018 between the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board and Graco Inc., which is headquartered next to the park, led to the creation of Graco Park. Grants from the Metropolitan Council and Mississippi Watershed Management Organization also helped fund park construction.

Minneapolis is Making Progress

Photo credit: Star Tribune

Excerpts from the August 10th City of Minneapolis e-news:

City of Minneapolis credit rating upgraded

Bond rating agencies S&P Global and Fitch Ratings have assigned the highest credit rating possible to the City of Minneapolis, reflecting strong confidence in the City’s financial health ahead of a bond sale later this month.

“The upgrade to ‘AAA’ from ‘AA+’ reflects Fitch’s belief that the City’s long-term liability burden will remain moderately low over time driven by moderate future borrowing plans, statewide pension reforms and strong trends of population and income growth,” the rating agency noted. “The ratings also incorporate the City’s strong revenue growth prospects driven by an expanding population and income levels, broad independent revenue-raising ability, and solid budgetary management that has resulted in healthy reserves and considerable gap-closing capacity.”

This is the first time since 2016 that the City has gone to market with AAA ratings from both Fitch and S&P Global rating agencies. The City plans to sell $113.85 million in bonds within the next few weeks and these high ratings affirm the City’s creditworthiness and provide confidence to the bond holders. This also allows the City to borrow funds to finance critical capital projects at a lower interest rate and save taxpayer dollars. 

The City goes through an extensive review process with the rating agencies where they evaluate factors such as the strength of management, City’s institutional framework, financial policies, financial measures in place, the amount of debt, long-term financial planning, current economic conditions and the amount of reserves the City has to withstand any unexpected revenue loss.

Learn more about the City’s credit ratings.

Stable Homes Stable Schools program expands for housing Minneapolis Public Schools students

Beginning in the fall, about 350 families a year will be served by the Stable Homes Stable Schools Housing Stability Fund. The fund provides emergency assistance to families at risk of losing their home. It will be offered to all 43 elementary schools in the Minneapolis Public School district.

The program’s multi-year rental assistance will also add five schools for a total of 24 eligible school sites. The program helps get families experiencing homelessness into safe and stable affordable housing and will serve about 250 families at any given time as a result. The expansion will also increase the number of participating families at existing school sites and staff to support them.

First piloted in 2019, Stable Homes Stable Schools has helped house or prevent homelessness for more than 1,500 Minneapolis Public Schools families and more than 4,200 students. More than 70% of families served through the program are single-parent households and approximately 90% are Black families, Indigenous families and families of color.

Stable Homes Stable Schools offers two types of rental assistance:

• The multi-year rental assistance program helps place and keep families of elementary students experiencing homelessness in safe, stable, and permanent affordable housing. See the City website for a list of the 24 eligible schools.
• The Housing Stability Fund helps prevent homelessness by helping families at risk of losing their housing. All 43 elementary schools in the Minneapolis Public Schools district are now eligible.

For families who immediately need eviction prevention resources, find resources listed on the City website.

Learn more about Stable Homes Stable Schools program

City leaders approve $5.8M investment in Minneapolis Homes program

Mayor Jacob Frey and the Minneapolis City Council have approved a $5.8 million investment in Minneapolis Homes, an umbrella program with products that help households access and sustain affordable home ownership in Minneapolis.

Minneapolis Homes was created with the vision of eliminating disparities in homeownership so that all families have access to the wealth-building opportunities that homeownership provides.

The investment will allow the City to convert 21 vacant lots or buildings into 40 affordable homes. Through the Council approval, an additional 18 project sites were awarded exclusive development rights with future plans for an additional 47 affordable homes.

Learn more about Minneapolis Homes.

Additionally...

This Star Tribune article, "Twin Cities has one of the lowest inflation rates in U.S., down to 1%" 

This Star Tribune article, "Why downtown is the fastest growing neighborhood in Minneapolis"

This Bring Me The News article, "Minneapolis enters Top 20 of 'America's Best Cities' 2023 list"

Third Avenue Bridge Progress Continues

Submitted by Doug Verdier

In December 2022, sheets of plastic covered a cement retaining wall that was constructed below First Street S between the woonerf and the end of the Third Avenue Bridge, at the intersection with First Street S. The above photo was the scene throughout the winter months.

This July the plastic was removed, and in August workers began the next phase of the project, which will see forms installed and concrete poured to create a solid wall that will extend from the woonerf to where the bluff ends at Third Avenue. The workers here are preparing the surface for construction of forms and concrete pouring.

Work on the Third Avenue Bridge surface has continued with the pouring of concrete barriers between the vehicle lanes and the guardrails along the edge of the bridge to form lanes for pedestrians and bicycles. The original ornamental guardrails can be seen along the edge of the bridge where they are being installed between new concrete pillars. They were removed at the start of the project and repaired as needed so they could be reinstalled now.

The new surface of the bridge looks very smooth and you can see the protective barriers for pedestrians and bicycles along the edge of the traffic lane.

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Editor's Note: As of today, the project page lists October, 2023 as the tentative opening date. Fingers crossed!