The Cowles Center Announces 2023/24 Season

A stellar 11-production season of shared performances, new work commissions, mainstage debuts, co-productions, world premieres, and a returning holiday tradition

The Cowles Center for Dance & the Performing Arts, Minnesota’s hub for dance, today announced a full season of evening-length productions from Rhythm Street Movement, Zorongo Flamenco Dance Theatre, Crash Dance Productions, Arena Dances, Taja Will, James Sewell Ballet, BRKFST Dance Company, and Ragamala Dance Company; as well as the return of the Fall Forward Festival showcasing dance by Afoutayi, Concerto Dance, Kaleena Miller Dance, Mexico Azteca, STRONGmovement, Yuki Tokuda, Katha Dance Theatre, Sapiro & Smith Dance, and Alternative Motion Project.

Co-Director Joseph Bingham remarked, “What’s so special about this season particularly is that it showcases the progression of those who engage with the Cowles Center. We have a Generating Room artist making their Cowles debut, a 2021 MERGE artist now sharing the stage for the Fall Forward Festival, two artists from last year’s Fall Forward Festival presenting full-scaled productions, reimagined pieces featured at other venues, and of course a returning holiday tradition.”

Mexico Azteca

Zorongo Flamenco Dance Theatre

Co-Director Jessi Fett added, “Presenting stellar dance productions is at the forefront of our work, but so is professional and artistic development, and this season perfectly represents that momentum-building. We’re proud of the stepping stones we’ve built into our programming and will continue to be supportive players in accelerating the careers of artists throughout the state.”

The season begins with the second annual Fall Forward Festival, a three-week festival of shared evening performances that uplifts the incredibly robust dance community and will connect a variety of artists with each other and new audiences. Week 1 (October 21 & 22, 2023) will be comprised of pieces from Afoutayi, Concerto Dance, and Kaleena Miller Dance. Week 2 (October 28 & 29, 2023) includes pieces from Mexico Azteca, STRONGmovement, and Yuki Tokuda. Week 3 (November 4 & 5, 2023) will showcase Katha Dance Theatre, Shapiro & Smith Dance, and Alternative Motion Project.

Then, back for the holiday season is Rhythm Street Movement’s Who Brought the Humbug? from December 14 - 17, 2023. What has quickly become a holiday favorite, the fun, funky, hilarious show pairs live music with amazing tap dance for a unique mix of comedy, drama, and mystery that’s sure to be a memorable evening for the whole family.

Into the new year, The Cowles Center welcomes Zorongo Flamenco Dance Theatre back to the Goodale Stage for a full-length production of Conference of the Birds on February 10 & 11, 2024. Inspired by the 12th c. Persian/Sufi poem of the same name, this performance unites Flamenco and Hip Hop, two genres that emerged “on the street” as expressions of resilience and renewal in response to life's hardships and are well suited to tell this dark, moving, and humorous story. International Flamenco composer and guitarist Juanito Pascual and Darius Strong join the production.

Next, Crash Dance Productions performs Domino on March 2 & 3, 2024. Each suspenseful performance will be completely different as 13 unique personalities blindly select who will undertake the role of the “Con.” When identities collide, some rise to power, and others become the prey. It’s only a matter of time before they all fall one by one in this dramatic interplay that establishes a hierarchy of vulnerability and influence.

Also in March, The Cowles Center presents the annual performance from its MERGES program, A Merge In March, running March 23 & 24, 2024. The program pairs artists in unconventional collaborations and culminates in evening-length performances. This year’s pairing features Mathew Janczeski's Arena Dances and Taja Will for a high-energy, club-like atmosphere of daring ecstasy, collective revolt, and queer reclamation.

James Sewell Ballet

Next, on April 6 & 7, 2024, James Sewell Ballet, in its 34th season, returns to The Cowles Center with new works by Shohei Iwahama and James Sewell. The program will also include a remount of Doo-Be-Doo which premiered in 1994 and combines high-energy playful antics with stunning technical feats, sure to delight the entire family.

Then, in a co-production with Northrop, BRKFST Dance Company celebrates their 10th anniversary with a world premiere and a reimagining of Dancers, Dreamers, and Presidents on April 27 & 28, 2024. A commentary on the American Dream filled with a mix of passion, blame, justice, love, and the company’s signature style of Breaking opens new doors for storytelling and diverse methods of creation.

Closing the season will be Ragamala Dance Company’s Avimukta, performing May 4 & 5, 2024. In an intimate ritual for the stage, mother and daughters Ranee, Aparna, and Ashwini Ramaswamy honor the memory of their ancestors with Bharatanatyam solos in contrast with the ceremonial movements and sacred unison of the company. The dancers are seekers engrossed in rituals of sacred contemplation that become an ecstatic prayer celebrating the inevitable dissolution of life.

Ragamala Dance Company’s Avimukta

Small Business Spotlight: HOTWORX Minneapolis Northeast

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

Dustin D. Bengtson

Are you curious about infrared treatments and how it can help your fitness aspirations? We have a local small business, HOTWORX Minneapolis Northeast, ready and waiting to help you reach optimum fitness and relaxation goals with this technology. We spoke with small business owner Dustin D. Bengtson about the concept of infrared technology and fitness - and all the different classes available in our neighborhood.

Q:  Please tell us about the business concept of HOTWORX.

A:  HOTWORX Minneapolis Northeast, 401 First Ave NE, is 24-hour infrared fitness studio that provides members with access to a variety of virtually-instructed infrared sauna and hot yoga workouts.

Q:  Tell us about the 24/7 access.

A:  We’re in the retail space at Odin Apartments in Suite C. We are staffed Monday - Thursday 11am - 8pm, Friday 9am - 6pm and Saturday 11- 4pm, but members will have access 24/7.

Q:  What types of memberships are available? May a new user request a trial workout?

A:  We offer affordable memberships and family member discounts! Come experience the benefits of infrared energy and heat. Sign up for a free workout here.

Q:  Please tell us about the workouts.

A:  We offer two types of workouts: a 15-minute High-Intensity Interval Training session and 30-minute isometric workouts. We also have a functional exercise zone (FX Zone) that provides HOTWORX members with an area for productive use of time before, after, or in between infrared workout sessions. Bands, weights, ropes, and other equipment are available for any combination of functional training exercises and routines. A silent trainer video is displayed on a monitor with various routines for recommended use of the FX Zone.

Here are some of the offerings: Hot Cycle (up to 3 members per session), Hot Thunder – first ever dual pulley water rower (up to 3 members per session), Hot Blast – strength, endurance and cardio HIIT (up to 3 members per session), Hot Pilates, Hot Yoga, Hot Buns (focus on the gluts!), Hot Barre None (unique ballet workout without the barre), Hot Core, Hot Warrior and Hot Bands.

HOTWORX provides members with 10 different workout Sessions from HOT Isometric Aerobic Sessions, HIIT Sessions such as HOT Spinning, HOT Rowing, HOT Blast and weights!

Q:  What do you want readers of the Mill City Times to know about this HOTWORX location? 

A:  I want them to know about the benefits of Infrared treatments. Those include muscle recovery, muscle recovery, stress reduction, weight loss, increased caloric burn, detoxification, lower blood pressure, cellulite reduction, reduced seasonal affect disorder (SAD), clearer and tighter skin, improved circulation, assists with chronic fatigue syndrome, better sleep, relief from join pain and arthritis and better sleep.

Additionally, we provide free parking, a positive environment and a safe and secure studio! Finally, since opening last fall HOTWORX Minneapolis Northeast has been committed to community involvement.

Q:  How may we follow your news?

A:  Come check us out and start achieving your fitness goals and experience the HOTWORX difference for yourself! To schedule your tour and/or complimentary workout or have questions about Memberships, call us at 612-601-8811 or contact us at www.hotworx.net/studio/minneapolis-northeast. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

FRGMNT Coffee Mill District Location Opening May 15th

FRGMNT COFFEE's new Mill District location is opening May 15th in the Open Book building, 1011 S Washington Avenue. Open Book is a center for reading, writing, and book arts. It is a cornerstone of the Mill District and FRGMNT is excited to bring a cafe back to the space. The space was designed by Christian Dean Architecture and has several seating areas as well as bar seating with a front-row seat to the action.

FRGMNT opened its first cafe in late 2019 in the heart of the North Loop in the Nordic building at 729 Washington Ave. They are a multi-roaster focused on bringing coffee and offerings from around the globe. FRGMNT COFFEE is owned by Ben Banse, a veteran of Twin Cities craft coffee, and his business partner Sarah Roehl. They added their second location in the Spring of 2022 in the One Southwest Crossing building in Eden Prairie with a third location that opened on historic St. Anthony Main Riverplace building in January 2023. The Mill District cafe will be their fourth location.

The FRGMNT team is excited to bring their offerings to the Mill District, boasting over thirty roaster partnerships from around the globe. This location will offer FRGMNT's rotating espresso and coffee offerings as well as a retail market, baked goods from Honey & Rye, and FRGMNT fares grab-and-go food.

Hours: Monday - Friday 6:30am-6pm and Saturday-Sunday 7am-6pm. 

Social media: @frgmntcoffee

Dandelion Day at Ard Godfrey House, May 21

The Woman’s Club of Minneapolis invites you to the Annual Dandelion Day Celebration at the Ard Godfrey House in Chute Square (across from Lund's) Sunday May 21 from 1p-4p. This is a great opportunity to soak up some local history - the Ard Godfrey House is the oldest remaining frame house in the city!

The annual Dandelion Day celebrates Harriet Godfrey’s introduction of dandelion seeds to the St. Anthony Falls area. Enjoy a guided tour of the charming Ard Godfrey House with docents dressed in 1850s period costume. Admission is free, but donations are welcome.

Arrangements for special tours should be made with The Woman’s Club of Minneapolis at (612) 813-5300. The house is partially wheelchair accessible on the main floor, but has the restrictions of a historic home. Please call the Woman’s Club two weeks in advance to make arrangements for guests with special needs.

The Ard Godfrey House is the oldest wood frame house existing in Minneapolis. This Greek Revival-style home was built by millwright Ard Godfrey in 1848, near the corner of Main Street and Second Ave. SE. The house was moved several times before arriving in Chute Square Park in 1909. Ard Godfrey helped build the first dam and sawmill, which put the waterfall of St. Anthony to use in 1848. He was also the first Postmaster in the village of St. Anthony. Restored by The Woman's Club of Minneapolis, the house has been open to the public since 1979.

For information: https://www.womansclub.org/ard-godfrey-house.

May 6 at the 2023 Mill City Farmers Market - It's Good to be Back!

Just what the doctor ordered - a basket filled with goodness from the Mill City Farmers Market. New items we're enjoying this week include Ramp Salt (and ramps) from Morning Glory Farm and Gardens, hummus and veggie chips from Yummitizers, Aromatic Mist from Spoon and Theory Handmade, Fresh Face Cleanser from For They Skincare & Wellness, Polvorones D9 Edible THC Cookies from Mi Sota Essence (a vendor part of Primitiva Collective).

Opening Day - May 6, 2023 

We weren't the only ones looking forward to opening day! 

Meet some new vendors!

Mark Plunkett and Faye Jones of Morning Glory Farm and Gardens sell freshly harvested ramps and Ramp Salt (it is to die for!). They will only be at two more May markets (13th and 20th), so don't miss out!

Spoon and Theory Handmade debuted at the Market with jewelry and aromatherapy items. I love the Aromatic Mist, and look forward to trying more of their offerings.

Hanna Vomhof of WAAM Industries offers a number of reusable goods. Their grocery totes, lunch bags and other items are built to last.

YummyTizers had an incredible array of hummus, Kefir yogurts, salads and chips to choose from. In addition to dipping Mixed Veggie Chips in a tasty Cilantro Jalapeno Hummus, they worked well as a crouton substitute on a fresh salad.

Theresa Bentz of Get Bentz Farm offers yarns and roving, scarves, blankets and other items. The farm also has it's own fiber mill, along with a large natural dye garden (you can purchase a dye kit if you'd like to try your hand at it).

A new Indian food and drink option is Krishna's Delight. I tried a refreshing green smoothie that I can't wait to have again when they return for the May 27th Market.

I was excited to learn Tare Market (billed as Minnesota's first zero-waste shop) joined the Market. At MCFM, bulk food, personal care and household items will be packaged; but in their two stores, you can bring your own containers. Mill City Times posted an article on Tare last year.

For They Skincare & Wellness formulates and handcrafts their skincare products using all natural and organic ingredients. I used the Fresh Face Cleaner shortly after I got home from the Market - love it!

Pictured above is Veronika Alfaro of Mi Sota Essence. She is one of the vendors who comprise Primitiva Collective, which was founded in 2022 as an intentional community of local women artisans. She said the Polvorones D9 Edible THC Cookies (pictured below with the Traditional Mexican Cinnamon Sugar Cookie label) is her grandmother's recipe. Mill City Times posted an article on Primitiva Collective last year. 

We'll have more new vendor updates in the coming weeks.

Nettie's Green Spring Broth was over the top tasty - liquid sunshine on an overcast morning!

Have Tera Forge sharpen your knives while you shop!

Enjoying a chapati from Red Wolf Chai - they're so good!

We're not sure if this cool vehicle belongs to a vendor or shopper - but it was definitely photo-worthy! :D

See more photos from the May 6th Mill City Farmers Market here.

2023 Stone Arch Bridge Festival Collector’s Poster

The Stone Arch Bridge Festival recently revealed the 2023 Collector’s Poster by Minnesota artist Randall J Peterson. Each year the festival selects an artist to capture the spirit of the Minneapolis Riverfront for a special limited release poster. The 2023 poster features an elegantly illustrated view of the Stone Arch Bridge and the downtown Minneapolis skyline.

Peterson works in the intricate style of Pointillism. The delicate Pointillism technique of stippling ink on paper was introduced by French artist Georges Seurat in the late 1800s. Tones and shading are based on the position and density of the dots applied.

“Over the years, I have come to understand the true meaning and value of passion, patience and persistence in life. These qualities when combined together bring any vision to life. Whether I am speaking to a group of art students or folks who stop by at my art shows, it is my focus to let it be known that we all have our special gifts. With passion, patience and persistence any dream of creativity is born.” Randall Peterson

Peterson will be a featured artist at the festival this year. The 2023 Collector’s Poster and other works by Peterson will be available for purchase at his booth (#126) near the Hennepin Bridge. The image will also be featured on a reusable tote bag available for purchase at all festival information booths. View his work on https://www.etsy.com/shop/TraditionalArtwork and https://www.instagram.com/randall.peterson.art/.

2023 marks the 27th Stone Arch Bridge Festival. It is one of the Twin Cities' largest and longest running festivals with a strong of tradition of bringing art, music and community to the Minneapolis Riverfront on Father’s Day weekend.

This years dates are Saturday, June 17, 10a-7p and Sunday, June 18, 10a-5p.

The festival runs along West River Parkway from N 4th Avenue and S 11th Avenue.

Chef Gavin Kaysen Partners with opsi, a Workflow App for Chefs

James Beard Award-Winning Chef Stands Behind New Culinary App to Empower Kitchen Teams

Gavin Kaysen announces his partnership with opsi, a workflow app for chefs. Known across the country for his award-winning restaurants and advocacy for the culinary profession, Kaysen was opsi’s first investor and advisor.

Gavin Kaysen“If there is one thing our profession has fallen behind on, it is the power and benefit of technology. James [Passafaro] came to me with this idea years ago and we have piloted the program at Spoon and Stable, Demi, Bellecour and beyond,” Kaysen said. “It is a program that helps us with efficiency, savings and above all else consistency. I am excited to see this type of program make it into not only my kitchen, but the many kitchens it will help moving forward.”

James Passafaro and Matt Luckey founded opsi in 2019. Passafaro recognized a need for workflow tools for use in restaurant kitchens, and created opsi because he knew the best solutions would come from directly involving industry professionals.

James PassaforaShortly after Passafaro began to work on opsi, Kaysen approached him to become Chef de Cuisine at Spoon and Stable. Passafaro took on the role and shared the platform he was working on with Kaysen, who recognized the value of opsi and wanted to participate in its growth. Together, Kaysen and Passafaro incubated and tested opsi in Spoon and Stable’s kitchen, building the platform into what it is today.

"Chef GK and I share the same belief that opsi should be developed from the ground up by those who will use it. That is why our partnership with GK is so valuable to me,” Passaforo says. “We extensively tested opsi at Spoon and Stable before introducing it to other teams, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. This only reinforces my belief that those who work with these tools such as chefs, operators, and their teams deserve a say in the ongoing development of opsi."

Matt LuckeyPassafaro remained at Spoon and Stable until 2022 when he left his sixteen-year career as a chef to work on opsi full-time.

Kaysen and Passafaro share the belief that hospitality is a human-centered business. With their focus on providing comprehensive resources for chefs and their kitchen teams, opsi’s wants to bring the same approach to their technology solutions that Kaysen does to his restaurants.

As opsi’s growth advances, Passafaro and Kaysen will continue to work together to keep human-centered technology at the center of the company’s vision.

Mary Ann Key Book Club, Sponsored by Hennepin County Library, Announces 2 Events with Author Javier Zamora

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

The Mary Ann Key Book Club has returned with a great title, Solito: A Memoir by Javier Zamora. The book club is a collaboration with Star Tribune columnist Myron Medcalf and uses reading one book as a catalyst for conversation in our community to better understand past and current injustices. 

Javier Zamora, Photo credit Gerardo del ValleIn Solito, Zamora recounts his immigration experience traveling over four thousand miles from El Salvador to the United States, by himself, when he was a young boy of 9 to reunite with his parents. Zamora wrote the memoir 20 years after his excruciating experience. We talked to him in advance of the Book Club Events in May.

Q:  Congratulations on Solito, your memoir. I truly couldn't put it down. Have you noticed or been told that it is having an impact on the immigration discussion in the U.S.?

A:  Well, people do tell me that I’ve helped change the narrative of who is immigrating. I have learned that when I made the journey in 1999, there were 8 other children under the age of 12 who also arrived that year. Four of us were from El Salvador. A definite impact has been that it allows us to share our trauma and realize that we’re not alone. In terms of policy makers, I am unaware of any impact.

Q:  We welcome you to Minneapolis for the presentation to the Mary Ann Key Book Club. Who would you like to see in the audience on May 23rd?

A:  I would like to see people who have been impacted by immigration – immigrants, children of immigrants, policy makers, politicians, service providers, neighbors and allies. My experience was difficult to talk about for 20 years. It was difficult to acknowledge. If my experience shared with the audience helps anyone else learn and process the realities of immigration, I hope they will attend.

Q:  Let’s look ahead to 2024. What are your desired outcomes from the publishing of Solito? 

A:  My hope is that people begin to see immigrants not as numbers or statistics or in terms of negative stories, like the recent fire in Juarez Mexico that claimed the lives of 39 asylum seekers. The statistics tell one part of the story. Immigrants are survivors, full of the entire spectrum of emotions and experiences of being human. We like to eat delicious food; we like to laugh and dance and celebrate. We cherish our families. Please tell our entire story when you talk about immigrants.

Register for the upcoming events

Mary Ann Key Book Club Discussion - A Conversation with Javier Zamora, Tuesday, May 23, 6:30pm, Minneapolis Central Library – Pohlad Hall

Join the Mary Ann Key Book Club for an exclusive evening featuring Javier Zamora, award-winning author of Solito. The author will be joined in conversation by Star Tribune columnist and book club partner Myron Medcalf. The conversation will conclude with a Q&A session with participants and a book signing with the author.  Register to attend in-person - Register to attend online  This event will also be livestreamed and recorded.

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Mary Ann Key Book Club – A Community Discussion of Solito, Thursday, May 18, 7pm (Zoom only)

Join columnist Myron Medcalf and Latino/Latinx community leaders in an online conversation. Panelists will discuss Solito: A Memoir by Javier Zamora and how themes from the book are reflected in our community, writing as healing, and action steps for a more equitable future.  Registration required

Media partner: Star Tribune. Sponsor: Friends of the Hennepin County Library.

Glenwood Avenue Closing for Reconstruction on May 8

Excerpt from the City of Minneapolis May 5 e-news:

Hennepin County sent us this notification today that we are forwarding to all residents:

As part of Hennepin County's planned improvements to Glenwood Avenue (County Road 40), sections of the roadway between Aldrich Avenue North to East Lyndale Avenue North will close on May 8.  

The project enhances Glenwood Avenue’s infrastructure ahead of the construction of the Royalston Avenue Light Rail Station. New features will enhance connections to the surrounding neighborhoods and coming transit options – particularly for people walking, biking and rolling.  

Glenwood Avenue closures by section

To assist with access to the area, we will be working in different sections of Glenwood and will reopen parts of the roadway throughout the summer as work is completed. Dates are subject to change.

Between Aldrich Avenue North and West Lyndale Avenue North 

• Closes May 8
• Reopens late August 

Between West Lyndale Avenue North and East Lyndale Avenue North 

• Closes May 8
• Reopens early June

Between East Lyndale Avenue North and the light rail bridge construction site on Glenwood Avenue 

• Closes May 8
• Reopens early June 

At the intersection of Glenwood Avenue and East Lyndale Avenue North

• Closes June 7
• Closes late June

The West Lyndale Avenue intersection will remain open until work has been completed at the East Lyndale Avenue North intersection, at which point it will close for two months.

We will send a separate notification when that closure is officially scheduled. 

We expect all work to be completed by late August.

Detours

People driving are advised to use Highway 55 as their detour route. Access to local destinations will remain open. This includes the Minneapolis Farmer's Market, Farmer's Market Annex, and Unleashed Hounds and Hops, which people driving can access from Border Avenue off Highway 55. The International Market Square building will still be accessible via Glenwood from the west. Catholic Charities and Simpson Housing Services can only be accessed via East Lyndale Avenue.

People walking are advised to use Van White Boulevard and Dunwoody Avenue to cross under Highway 94. People walking may also use the Irene Hixon Whitney Bridge that connects the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden to Loring Park.

Stay Informed

For questions, please contact:

Stan Lim, construction project manager

612-596-0292

stanley.lim@hennepin.us

For more information about the planned work and to receive updates on the progress of construction, visit https://www.hennepin.us/glenwood-mpls.

FINNOVATION Fellowship Calls for Entrepreneurs Passionate About Creating Social Impact

Applications now being accepted for early-stage social entrepreneurs with bold ideas for sustainable businesses with positive impact.

FINNOVATION Institute, the nonprofit arm of FINNOVATION Lab, recently announced applications are open for the sixth consecutive immersive Fellowship Program, which helps early-stage impact entrepreneurs build leadership and business acumen as they develop innovative social business models. Up to nine fellows will join a growing community of local business leaders creating lasting impact in their communities.

Program curriculum focuses on leadership development, business strategy, and creating financially sustainable business models with a clear social impact. Each fellow will receive a $50,000 living stipend, $3,000 health care stipend, access to an ecosystem of advisors and mentors, and dedicated workspace in the FINNOVATION Lab in downtown Minneapolis.

“This is an opportunity for budding leaders to refine their skills and grow ideas into mission-driven businesses, while we take care of their living expenses. What’s more, this network provides meaningful support and connections along the way” said Connie Rutledge, CEO at FINNOVATION Institute. “Ideal candidates are lifelong learners and problem solvers who are passionate about applying the tools of business to create a lasting, scalable social or environmental impact.”

Applicants should have a strong tie to Minnesota, a growth mindset, a deep understanding of a social or environmental issue they want to solve, and an idea or method to tackle the issue through entrepreneurship. All areas of impact are welcome. Entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to build their business in a community of like-minded, mission-driven peers and experienced mentors. The Fellowship Program has fostered an impressive ecosystem of sustainable social impact businesses.

Of the 31 fellows in cohorts 1-4, well over half continue to build the businesses they developed during the Fellowship Program. An additional 20% have taken leadership positions related to social impact, innovation, and entrepreneurial support. A few alumni highlights include:

● Junita Flowers (Cohort 1): Founder of Junita’s Jar, a mission-driven cookie company carried in Target stores nationwide, and a featured BIPOC brand in February 2023. Cookie purchases support creative approaches to ending relationship violence.

● Shaunie Grigsby (Cohort 2): Opened Flava Café, becoming the second Black-owned coffee shop in the Twin Cities. With a mission to build job skills and confidence in young women of color and non-binary people, Flava supplies St. Paul with delicious coffee and future leaders. Shaunie is recognized by Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal as a 2023 Women in Business honoree.

Marlee James● Marlee (Dorsey) James (Cohort 3): Founder of Reviving Roots Therapy & Wellness, a Black-centered wellness center expected to open in Minneapolis this year.

● Ashleyn Przedwiecki (Cohort 4): Founder of LUUM Collective, a sustainable event design agency launched in 2022. LUUM has brought together hundreds of wedding and event professionals at educational events, built an online directory of audited vendors, and developed a food recovery program for venues and caterers.

● Jennifer Glickstein (Cohort 5): Founder of Dress Up to Calm Down, which has launched pre-orders for a new line of weighted clothing for children with sensory disorder and anxiety.

“Now, more than ever, entrepreneurs can make a huge impact through business. We’re helping them to lead the way.” said Jacquie Berglund, founder of FINNEGANS Brew Co. and FINNOVATION Lab. “The Fellowship Program was founded with the goal of harnessing entrepreneurial spirit, providing educational opportunities to build practical skills and logistics, and turning ideas into functioning businesses. It’s been incredible to see our fellows succeed – and the next cohort will add even more ingenuity to this evolving community.”

Applications will be accepted through May 14 and the program runs September 2023 through June 2024. The sixth cohort will be selected by a group of community leaders and alumni of the Fellowship Program. The program is operated by the FINNOVATION Institute, a 501c3 funded by a grant from the Bush Foundation, which is known for its commitment to innovation and creative problem solving.

Interested applicants are encouraged to attend one of the following information sessions and the FINNale event to learn more:

May 8 – 12-1pm / Virtual

June 15 – 5-7pm / In Person

More details about FINNOVATION Lab and the Institute’s Fellowship Program, including application information, eligibility requirements and frequently asked questions, are available at finnovationinstitute.org.

The 2023 Mill City Farmers Market Season Opens May 6, and it's Going to be a Glorious Year!

The Mill City Farmers Market (MCFM) will open its 2023 outdoor season this Saturday, May 6th from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Look forward to 115 rotating small local businesses, including a record number of new vendors. Enjoy a wide variety of local and sustainable businesses including farmers, food makers, textile and ceramic artists, jewelers, bakers, skin and body care, prepared food vendors and more.

The list of May 6th vendors is posted online, including the following new vendors Morning Glory Farm and Gardens, TunTum BlackHill Farm, Yummitizers, Krishna's Delight, For They Skincare & Wellness, Get Bentz Farm, Minneapolis Mehndi & Henna, Primitiva Collective, Spoon and Theory Handmade, Tare Market, and WAAM Industries. Find more info on new vendors here.

Programming at the Market will be back in full force this season after scaling down in previous years due to the pandemic. Mill City Cooks (MCC) will be on the first and third Saturdays of each month for chef-led cooking demos with market ingredients. Power of Produce (PoP) Club, a food access program that gives children the opportunity to try a new fruit or vegetable in exchange for a $2 market token, will be held on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month.

Mill City Cooks returns in 2023! Look for these demos twice per month. Nettie Colón kicks it off May 6th, with Jenny Breen and Beth Jones also returning to share their vast knowledge. View the 2023 line up: https://millcityfarmersmarket.org/cooks/PoP Club (Power Of Produce) will be paired with Story Time with the Guthrie on the second Saturdays of each month for Mill City Kids Day. In addition to Story Time and PoP, on second Saturdays the Market will welcome Babycake’s Book Stack, a mobile bookstore that carries a highly curated inventory of books designed to include the culture and/or languages of the indigenous, immigrants, refugees, African American and many other backgrounds from our community.

MCFM has championed for the local food movement and put farmers first since its founding in 2006 by farm-to-table pioneer and James Beard nominated restauranteur Brenda Langton. While not all of its vendors are USDA Certified Organic, they all adhere to the Market’s Sustainability Statement, which, in addition to a 25% Local Sourcing Standard, supports healthy soils, sustainable water use, humane treatment of livestock, honorable workplace practices and rejects synthetic inputs and GMO seed.

MCFM is also the first zero-waste market in Minnesota, with over 90% of market waste being diverted from the landfill each season.

Adventurama 2023 Happens June 4! Compete in an Urban Adventure While Benefiting Hennepin Healthcare Foundation

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

You’ve all seen the Amazing Race television show where teams of two race around the world and compete to win $1 million. Here’s your chance to experience the same fun two-person team competition here in Minneapolis and raise money to support Hennepin Healthcare Foundation during Adventurama 2023. We spoke to Paula Wilhelm, Annual Giving & Engagement Manager for the Hennepin Healthcare Foundation, about what you’ll experience at the event, getting a team together and volunteer opportunities.

Paula WilhelmQ:  Adventurama 2023? Please tell us what the participants will experience on June 4th.

A:  FOMO is real! You do NOT want to miss out on the fun at this event. Register for Adventurama – an amazing urban adventure for you and a friend or family member to experience together. Participants of Adventurama are going to have so much fun being outside on Sunday June 4th to see downtown architecture and parks in a new way. They will meet other teams for friendly competitions at 12 pit stops.

With the help of more than 80 high energy and helpful volunteers, the day will be fun, interactive and highly engaging (sign up to volunteer here). You might be rolling a barrel, building something, climbing a staircase, or solving a puzzle AND for sure you will be walking, creating memories, smiling, posing for photos and more!

The first 15 teams to return with a fully stamped passport will win a Hennepin Healthcare cinch bag and bragging rights. All teams will receive a token to redeem one free beverage at Finnegans.

The after party at Finnegans Brew Co. is open to teams, spectators, volunteers and sponsors. Share the highlights of the day, enjoy the music and food trucks, and relax on the patio until 5pm.

You can put the FUN in FUNdraising for $60 per team of two! That’s a great price for priceless bonding time and memories. Join us!

Q:  What if I'm out of town on June 4 - may I participate in the event virtually?

A:  The event does NOT have a virtual option, BUT anyone anywhere can make a donation at online. Event proceeds will benefit patient comfort and care at Hennepin Healthcare. This includes out-of-town family lodging, two emergency clothing closets, music and art therapy, immediate food support, appointment transportation, spiritual care, Child Life in pediatrics and more.

Q:  Do you have sponsors? Do you need more sponsors?

A:  We so appreciate companies and organizations who reach out to sponsor our events. At time of publishing, Sherman Associates and Medica are committed pit stop sponsors, and KARE 11 is our media partner. Sponsors wanting to be recognized on event day signage must commit by May 12. Visit www.hennepinhealthcare.org/rama23 to see the full list of event sponsors or sign up to sponsor.

Q:  Please give us a brief history of the Hennepin Healthcare Foundation. 

A: The magic of Hennepin Healthcare is who we serve. As our state’s largest safety-net hospital by a wide-margin, our mission keeps our doors and hearts open to all. With over 75% of our patient population on financial assistance, our revenue does not always cover the services that enhance the care and comfort of those we are so honored to serve. This fundraiser will directly impact patients.

While the hospital is 130 years old, the Foundation is less than 15 years old. Hennepin Healthcare Foundation has the honor of connecting the generosity of the community to the mission of Hennepin Healthcare. Caring for anyone at any time with any condition takes resources and a team of exceptional staff. The Foundation team inspires donor generosity. That generosity removes barriers to healthcare access, enhances the patient and family experience, and advances efforts in medical education, clinical research, and community health. Learn more at hennepinhealthcare.org/foundation.

Q:  What a fantastic organization! How may we follow your news?

A:  Updates about Adventurama will be on social media (@HennepinHC) and our event website.

Counterpoint: 600 Main Street SE a Tale of Competing Needs and Visions….

By Steve Minn

In her April 24 commentary, Cordelia Pierson offered her perspective on a privately held piece of land near the river that my partners and I have owned for the last 21 years. Ms. Pierson suggest that this small parcel is critical to implementing the Central Mississippi Riverfront Regional Park (“CMRRP”) Master Plan, adopted by the Park Board in 2016. We have a different vision – providing 80 units of affordable family housing that the city desperately needs.  We are in the middle of the most confounding housing crisis of a generation, and action must be taken.  Can these two competing plans co-exist?  We believe they can.

The CMRRP Master Plan does not prohibit commercial or residential uses within the area it designates as “regional park.” In fact, as Ms. Pierson was a member of the same rulemaking working groups that I participated in, I know she is aware that the plan encompasses a number of permissive development zones, including residential.

The very same 2040 Comprehensive Plan that guides our parcel as future park also sounds a clarion call for affordable housing. 2040 Plan Policy # 33 directs the city to embrace opportunities to create affordable housing – particularly affordable family housing.  Production of 80 units of affordable family housing at this location, comports with Policy 33 - Action Items: a, b, e, h & k.

Here are the links to reports guiding action on affordable housing:

https://minneapolis2040.com/goals/affordable-and-accessible-housing/

https://www2.minneapolismn.gov/media/content-assets/www2-documents/departments/The-Way-Home-Progress-Report.pdf

https://itascaproject.org/wp-content/uploads/Itasca-Housing_Affordability_Report_September_2020.pdf

It is true that the MPRB and others opposed the rezoning of 600 Main in 2009 when we proposed luxury housing. At the time, there was no housing crisis, no Unified City Housing Plan, no “The Way Home” Progress report, no Inclusionary Zoning Policy and no 2040 Comprehensive Plan with a complete Affordable Housing program. The Metropolitan Council had not yet called for the creation of 180,000 units of housing in the Metropolitan region by 2030, and Minneapolis had not yet committed $50 MM in its Affordable Housing Trust Fund (AHTF) to expedite affordable housing production. Welcome 2023.

Ms. Pierson suggests that our parcel is one of the few selected for regional park protection.  That is not quite the whole story, either.  An objective reading of the CMRRP Master Plan is that our parcel is one of many private inholdings the Park Board might like to acquire from a willing seller, but by no means the critical piece. 600 Main Street is not riverfront property and has no riparian access to the river. It sits behind the University Steam plant and has only been identified as “additional gathering” space to the existing Father Hennepin Bluffs Park in the CMRRP. There are several other large commercial properties on the river side of Main Street within the CMRRP boundary that are called out for acquisition in the CMRRP Master Plan.  And what pray tell are these other parcels?  Why none other than:  De LaSalle High School, Xcel Energy St. Anthony Falls Hydroelectric Plant, and the University of Minnesota Steam Plant. It is highly doubtful the MPRB will be acquiring those other private properties any time in the next century. 

Nor is our parcel intended to be trail property. The CMRRP Master Plan instead identified the University Steam Plant Coal Haul Road as the most logical route connecting the East River Road to Main Street. Our parcel would not facilitate either trail or riverfront lands.

The Park Board offers they “…will continue… policy of negotiating with willing sellers for acquisition of land within the regional park boundary… where it is not possible to acquire land, the MPRB will work to create partnerships with landowners with the goal of obtaining easements as necessary to promote trail connectivity throughout the park and along the riverfront…”

We emphatically state that we are NOT willing sellers.  The parcel provides critical resident and visitor parking for our existing 221-unit apartment complex at 601-701 Main Street SE. If not for the ability to include supplemental parking below grade as part of our proposed new project, we could not otherwise develop or part with this land or devalue our huge residential investment. This has been our position for the 21 years.  

Consistent with other stated MPRB policies, we are not opposed to cooperating on easements to facilitate trails or other public uses in conjunction with housing development. It is important to point out that we have partnered with the MPRB on two other sites to provide: “…users with unencumbered and protected access to park spaces…” (page 8-4). We therefore believe the MPRB’s goals can be achieved by means other than blocking affordable housing called for in the city’s 2040 Plan.    As noted in the recent Greater MSP Partnership/Itasca Project Housing Innovation Report, Innovation 1L is to: “…unlock land supply by selling or leasing strategically-located public or private land for affordable housing development...”  Releasing this parcel from future park guidance meets that criterion.

Fourteen Years is a long time and circumstances are certainly different than 2009. However, let me point out that in those 14 years, the Park Board has never once made an offer to purchase this property, never once set aside a single dollar for acquisition in any Capital Improvement Plan and did not program any acquisition dollars in their 2020 budgeting for the Father Hennepin Bluffs Park renovation now in progress.

Actions speak louder than words. Weighing the ambiguous against the specific, and the possible against the improbable – our housing project is a realistic, near and long-term achievement.  Given how unlikely it is that the University or Xcel will give up their power generation properties on the riverfront – the “inholdings” that are truly key to expanding the regional park – that improbable vision should not be allowed to stand in the way of creating 80 new, affordable homes for families in the near term. If an easement is needed to help make a trail… we are ready to cooperate.

Sincerely,

Steven M. Minn, on behalf of

Bluff Street Development, Llc

Sustainable Design: Guthrie Theater Summer Camp for Middle Schoolers

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

Photo: Eric Melzer

Art to Change the World, in partnership with the Guthrie Theater, invites students entering grades 6–8 to attend Sustainable Design — a new Guthrie summer camp about making art from recycled and found materials.

Do you know young people interested in theater or saving the environment? That may seem like an odd combination, but keep reading. The Guthrie Theater has a new offering in their summer camp line-up this year – Sustainable Design. Over a one-week period from July 10-14, the students will collect materials from the Guthrie’s backyard along the Mississippi River that would otherwise end up in a landfill or compromise our clean drinking water, and use them to create costumes, props and scenery. We spoke to Alli St. John, Education Program Manager at the Guthrie, and Barbara Bridges, Founder and Director of Art to Change the World, about this innovative summer program.

Q:  What was the impetus to create the Sustainable Design summer camp?

Alli St. JohnAlli:  As we began planning our 2023 summer youth experiences, we wanted to expand our offerings from last year. Our performance camps for middle schoolers are very popular, but we didn’t offer any non-performance-based camps for the age group. After meeting with Barbara Bridges and Kelly Frankenberg from Art to Change the World (ACW) to learning about their goals and values, we identified a summer camp as an opportunity to serve both organizations’ goals. Our inspiration came from the original Broadway production of Peter and the Starcatcher, which won multiple Tony Awards for its sustainable design work in its costumes, props and scenery. Our Sustainable Design camp will run in tandem with a middle school musical theater camp, creating production elements for those students to utilize in their final sharing at the end of camp. We know there are many young people passionate about climate change solutions, so we are excited to offer an opportunity to merge that initiative with the Guthrie’s mission to create exceptional theater with a commitment to our home in Minnesota.

Q:  Can you please tell us more about Green Theater? Will the Minneapolis Green Theater Alliance participate in the summer camp?

A:  Our lead teaching artist for the camp, Sadie Ward, is the Executive Director of the Minneapolis Green Theatre Alliance (as well as a member of ACW). While the alliance itself is not directly involved in the camp, Sadie brings with her invaluable experience as a theater designer and community organizer around the Green Theatre movement. Green Theatre, as a practice, prioritizes sustainable efforts to limit the creation of waste in the theater-making process. The goal is to use found or recycled objects or to provide a second life to previously used theater materials which would otherwise been thrown away

Sadie WardQ:  Do students need any background in theater or environmentalism to participate?

A:  All of our summer youth experiences are accessible for first-time theater-makers! While no experience is necessary to participate in Sustainable Design, we hope students will come with an interest in learning more about how to be cognizant of our individual and collective impact on our environment while gaining experience in theatre design fundamentals.

Q:  How will the week be structured?

A: Barbara and Kelly from ACW will join us the first day of camp to facilitate a workshop about their previous sustainable art projects. This will give students inspiration for what is possible before they go down to the Guthrie’s backyard which features the Mississippi River. Students will learn how to safely collect items from the river and riverbank that will be cleaned and used as crafting material for the week. The rest of the week will invite students to think creatively about how “trash” can become art. Another middle school camp, Making a Musical, will run in tandem with Sustainable Design. These camps will collaborate with each other, and by the end of the week, our design students will see their creations on the Guthrie stage in the final performance of the musical theatre camp.

Q:  What is your desired outcome of the week?

A:  Our hope for this camp is that students will feel empowered to make sustainable choices as artists and citizens of the planet. I also feel that it’s valuable to offer technical theater education opportunities. I hope that our students find an appreciation for the technical elements of the theater-making process- it takes more than actors to make theatre!

Q:  How do students register for the program?

Students can register by visiting the Summer Camps page on the Guthrie website. We also offer the option to add on a boxed lunch, as well as scholarships. I’m also happy to help families register directly if they need assistance or have any questions. Email me at alli.stjohn@guthrietheater.org.

Barbara BridgesWe also wanted to hear from Barbara Bridges on the project.

Q:  Congratulations on partnering with the Guthrie on Sustainable Design! When I read the program name, I knew that Art to Change the World must be involved. Please tell us how ACW will be involved in the summer camp.

Barbara: The Mississippi Watershed and Management Organization Stewardship Fund Community grant supported 10 people selected from the larger MWMO neighborhood population, to meet, collect trash along the Mississippi and participate in an immersive curriculum unit which was collaboratively developed by me and the participants themselves. So, we have experience in this type of creative, sustainable activity.

ACW will join the Sustainable Design Guthrie summer camp and talk about the making of the Mississippi River Pearl. Kelly Frankenberg will lead a Land Message in a Bottle activity and a river pick up. The middle school participants will collect objects to incorporate in their stage and costume camp during the week of July 10-14.  

Q:  Will these students be the youngest you’ve worked with at ACW? 

Barbara:  Yes, the Sustainability Design project will be ACW’s first programming project with middle schoolers. I was a K-12 art teacher for 20 years, and Kelly was also a teacher. We are excited to discover sustainable design possibilities with the Guthrie summer camp students.

Q:  Do you have other partnerships on the horizon?

Barbara:  Oh yes, ACW is a collective. We currently have partnership projects in motion with Haven Housing, Harriet Tubman and Emma Norton Transformational Housing facilities, Solar Arts Studios, Grand Hand Gallery, the Mississippi Watershed and Management Organization (MWMO), and are in design stage discussions with several others. Follow our calendar of events at Art to Change the World. 

Paddle Bridge Kayak Tours Announces 2023 Events

Paddle Bridge Kayak Tours is celebrating its 5th anniversary this year. Book a tour to learn about the Mississippi River and its ecosystems, regional history and its impact on our lives, and how Paddle Bridge sees its role as river stewards and is working to improve access to this beautiful and natural resource for all. There are multiple tours to chose from, ranging from 1.5 to 3 hours in duration:

City of Birds Tour - Meet at Boom Island and shuttle up to Anoka County Riverfront Regional Park. After a paddle skill introduction on land, you’ll wind downriver past islands and under bridges, toward the old Port of Minneapolis. You’ll pause to gawk at the squawking residents of two special islands that make up the great blue heron rookery - or as they like to call it, the City of Birds - also home to great egrets and cormorants and turtles.

Mississippi River Gorge Adventure - This trip starts with a shuttle pickup outside Sea Salt Eatery at Minnehaha Falls Regional Park. After a short drive up to Bohemian Flats Park, experienced guides will give a short safety and paddling demo before setting off with you on a 6.5-mile journey through the beautiful Mississippi River Gorge.

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Heart of Minneapolis Tour - Find out what puts “Minne” in Minneapolis. After a paddle skill introduction on Boom Island, you’ll head upriver toward the old industrial Port of Minneapolis on the Northside. On the way back down, enjoy the river’s current and a close-up skyline view.

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Full Moon Floatilla - This monthly special tour will start in the golden hours of the day. Working your way from Thomas Beach on the south shore of Bde Maka Ska, you'll navigate the channel to Lake of the Isles as the moon takes over the sky and nocturnal wildlife emerges.

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Happy Hour Sunset Tour - A lite version of the Heart of Minneapolis tour, this paddle begins in the magic hour and ends as darkness falls, in and out of the Boom Island marina. Catch long shadows and soft orange glows on the downtown skyline and learn some of the history that makes this spot special.

Additionally, custom tours can be arranged.

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Additionally, you can Paddle Bridge can customize private outings to meet the needs of your group. Drop them an email at info@paddlebridge.com with your needs.

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Monthly Tour Spotlight 

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All of our adventures have unique elements that make each a special experience. That said, there are seasons when specific tours are particularly impressive and worth planning for. As part of celebrating our 5th anniversary in 2023, we’re featuring one of our tours every month and offering discounts on select dates to help you experience what makes each of our paddles special.

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May: Custom Outings and Lessons

June: City of Birds (discounted dates: 6/14, 6/23, 6/30) 

July: Heart of Minneapolis (discounted dates TBD)

August: Happy Hour Sunset (discounted dates TBD) 

September: Mississippi River Gorge Adventure (discounted dates TBD)

October: Special Tours: Full Moon Floatilla and Saint Paul

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Special Events for Avid Paddlers!

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Mississippi River Paddle Weekend, June 9-11, organized by Two Paddles, offers competitive and recreational divisions for races, tours and relays of any paddling style (canoe, kayak, SUP) on the Mississippi River. Lengths vary from 5- to 150-mile sections between Brainerd and Minneapolis. Entering its second year, the event will welcome over 200 participants from the U.S., Canada and beyond, and provide paddlers of all levels a chance to experience the river's natural beauty and promote an accessible and diverse paddling community. Community-accessible equipment rental and registration discounts are available.

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About the races:

• The MR 150 is a multi-day ultra endurance race that begins at 3:00 pm, Friday, June 9, in Brainerd. Individuals, tandems and teams—in their choice of racing or recreational divisions—have 50 hours to paddle the 150-mile length of the Mississippi River in self-powered watercraft.

• All other events—the MR 48, MR 25 (with relay option), MR 10 and MR 7.5 (in partnership with Paddle Bridge Guide Collective)—take place on Sunday, June 11. The races and tours launch in the north Metro from a variety of starting points along the Mississippi River. These events are open to solo, tandem and team paddlers in both racing and recreational divisions.

Also on June 11, the MR Family Challenge and MR High School Challenge (sponsored by the Minnesota Canoe Association) are 5-mile racing and recreational events for families and teens of all skill levels that start at Peninsula Point Park in Anoka.

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Paddle Bridge disclaimer:

The route and duration of all our tours are subject to flexibility depending on weather conditions, water level, flow-rate, and group dynamics. Our guides take all of these elements into account in order to make everyone’s experience enjoyable and safe.

Thank You to All Who Participated in the Great River Coalition 2023 Earth Day Bee Run/Walk/River Clean Up Event

Great River Coalition extends a huge Thank You to all who helped make the 2023 Earth Day Bee Run/Walk/River Clean Up event at Boom Island Park and BF Nelson Park a success!

Rory, the official mascot of Minnesota Aurora FC, was on hand to cheer on participants.

Honey (a.k.a. Great River Coalition President Diane Hofstede) with mascot Buzz and Mayor Frey. 

Buzz and Honey (Diane Hofstede) with former member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, Phyllis Kahn. Among her many achievements, Representative Kahn was the chief author of the Minnesota Clean Indoor Air Act (controlling smoking in public places) and authored laws to require gender equity in athletics (the state law strengthened the federal Title IX regulations). A former Minneapolis City Council Member, Hofstede was instrumental in the legalization of beekeeping in Minneapolis.

Kids had the opportunity to build bird houses as part of the festivities.

Founded in 2014, Great River Coalition is a 501(c)(3) committed to a healthy, sustainable environment and our pollinators. The first annual Earth Day Run/Walk/River Cleanup event was held in 2016.

2023 event photos will be posted on Facebook in the near future.

Time to Speak Up for a Strong Plan and Great Idea: Protect Our City’s Riverfront Vision for Healthy Growth, and Reject the 600 Main Street SE Development

By Cordelia Pierson

Bad ideas can be like bad dreams: even after you calmly address and dismiss them, surprise – they come back.  The City of Minneapolis and Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board thoughtfully plan so that good ideas provide clear guidelines, encouraging proposals that create a better city for us all.  This clarity ensures that we are not distracted by ideas that conflict with our vision for healthy growth.  And when bad ideas do come forward, our city leaders should act quickly to stop them.

For our nationally significant Mississippi riverfront, the City and Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board approved clear plans for growth, encouraging residential development adjacent to riverfront parks while identifying specific properties to protect as parkland to support those new residents.  The Central Mississippi Riverfront Regional Park Master Plan was built with extensive community engagement and approved by the Metropolitan Council, and the 2040 Plan for Minneapolis honored that riverfront development pattern as well. 

One of the few properties selected for regional park protection and guided for park is 600 Main Street SE. A triangular one-acre parcel, it lies between Main Street SE and the riverfront, with Sixth Avenue SE bordering one side, and on the other, the Stone Arch Bridge’s former rail alignment, which connected Minneapolis with St. Paul.   People walking on the Stone Arch Bridge from the Mill District to the East Bank see this property – now used as a parking lot – before even glimpsing Father Hennepin Bluffs Park on the left. 

And so – here we go again, with a new development proposal in the works for 600 Main Street Southeast, after city leaders denied a similar project in 2009.  This time, the developer is asking to amend the 2040 Comp Plan to change the future land use from park to urban neighborhood, and amend the built form guidance from park to Corridor 6.  There is absolutely no question now that leaders have a clear plan to follow: defend the long-term vision of protecting this land, and deny this bad idea, once again.  

We can remind our leaders:

Honor official plans for growth and quality of life: The City’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan encouraged growth that protects our environment and health, including the Mississippi River and parks, and was approved by many jurisdictions following substantial public engagement. This plan clearly identified areas to increase development and the parkland needed to serve that development, referencing Metropolitan Council-approved regional parks such as the Central Mississippi Riverfront Regional Park Plan.  This parcel - 600 Main Street SE – is one of the precious few sites that was clearly selected for future park use in MPRB and regional plans.  It would be an addition to the Regional Park System, within the Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area and Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, a unit of the National Park Service. The developer’s proposed 2040 Plan amendments and land use are inconsistent with the city's Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area ordinance and the regional park plan.

Find no grounds for amending the comprehensive plan for one parcel: Since the 2040 Comprehensive Plan was approved, nothing about this site has changed to warrant the extensive reviews by Minneapolis, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, Metropolitan Council Parks and Open Space Commission and other affected jurisdictions that are required for comprehensive plan amendment.  This proposed amendment would impede protection of the regional park, and would not conform, or be consistent or compatible with the 2040 Plan.

Honor the long-standing, well-recognized boundary of Main Street SE between residential development and protected riverfront: Protection of 600 Main Street SE respects long-standing city design of protecting land next to our river and lakes with a clear boundary: a parkway or street, like SE Main Street, West River Parkway, and the Grand Rounds.  That city design in the Central Riverfront was reflected in city, park, and neighborhood plans before the 2040 Comprehensive Plan.  Since 1999, MHNA’s policy has been that any land south of Main Street along the river should be reserved only for river-related recreation.  

Respect consistent opposition: Opposition to development in 2009 was fierce, and is not likely to have changed.  Many organizations quickly acted to renew their opposition - Friends of the Mississippi River, the Sierra Club – and other reactions are pending.  Opposition in 2009:

·         The University of Minnesota: The U of M does not want incompatible residential expansion next to its industrial steam plant, potentially exacerbating conflicting uses. 

·         The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board: MPRB urged denial of rezoning because the land is within the regional park and would contribute to the regional park if acquired.

·         The National Park Service: Development conflicts with recognized parks and trails goals of creating a gateway to the nationally significant Stone Arch Bridge and completing a continuous trail and open space corridor along both sides of the Mississippi River through the 72-mile length of the national park. 

·         Department of Natural Resources: The DNR opposed it as inconsistent with the Mississippi River Critical Area standards.

·         The Marcy-Holmes Neighborhood Organization: MHNA opposes private development in the public realm along the Mississippi River, particularly in this environmentally sensitive, historic area.  

Join me in encouraging our city officials to follow these approved plans, deny this project, and protect our vision for a healthy future for our Mississippi riverfront city.

Cordelia Pierson, former Citizen Advisory Committee member, Central Mississippi Regional Park Master Plan; former Regional Commissioner, Mississippi River Parkway Commission; volunteer leader, Father Hennepin Bluff Stewards, Marcy-Holmes Neighborhood Association

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Editors Note: Council Member Rainville's office has asked for community feeback on this project, please email him at ward3@minneapolismn.gov 

Dine, Drink and Discover with Minnesota Les Dames d'Escoffier's First Online Culinary Silent Auction

Minnesota Les Dames d'Escoffier's popular culinary silent auction, which promises unique dining and drink experiences you won’t find anywhere but here, is going online May 1-13. Funds raised by the auction support local women in the culinary fields through academic scholarships and professional grants, as well as high school youth through Urban Roots, a Mill City Farmers Market vendor.

Past Dame It! events have included an in-person sampling of gourmet food and drinks, along with a silent auction, but as the dine-out world has shifted, Dame It! has adapted to provide this robust online experience everyone can participate in.

What’s compelling about this auction is that the majority of items focus on personal experiences provided by Les Dames members, as opposed to items you can find elsewhere in stores or the Internet.

The auction will go live at 8am on May 1 and can be accessed here. The last bid will be taken prior to 6pm on May 13, and winners will be notified how to receive their items.

Among the items to bid on are:

- Dine out with a member of the Star Tribune’s Taste staff at one of its review features;

- A private cooking class for 12 by award-winning cookbook author Amalia Moreno-Damgaard based on her recent travels to Oaxaca, Mexico, and the Guatemalan Mayan highlands;

- Chowgirls Catering founders Heidi Andermack and Amy Brown will guide guests in the Art of the Board, including both the ingredients and the architecture of an artisan grazing board;

- A 4-hour baking class for two by Kim Ode, a baking instructor who led the Star Tribune’s Baking Central feature for many years, at Kim’s home in Edina;

- A private, customizable wine tasting for 6 led by wine expert Allison Sheardy at Quincy Street Kitchens in Northeast Minneapolis.

In addition, there are numerous wine experiences with sommeliers, meals prepared in your home by professional chefs, a takeaway lifestyle box from Paris Dining Club, as well as picnic ingredients and cooking accouterments - all in time for Mother’s Day gifts or the start of summer entertaining.

Minneapolis’ Mounted Police Unit

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

A discussion with MPD Mounted Police Executive Director, Sgt. Adrian Infante

Have you seen the mounted police officers in downtown Minneapolis or at community events? The horses are striking and unflappable. We were curious about the history of the mounted unit and talked to Executive Director Sgt. Adrian Infante to learn more.

Sgt. Adrian InfanteQ:  How many years has Minneapolis had a police equestrian unit?

A:  Before modern times, Minneapolis obviously used mounted patrols. In early 1992, the Minneapolis Police Department started to discuss having a unit for special events. In 1994, we assembled the first unit, and 1995 was our first riding season. 

Q:  When are the mounted patrols utilized?

A:  Policing on horseback continues to be one of the most effective crime fighting tools. The Mounted Patrol Unit helps with large crowd control, crime control (on horseback, an officer is at least 10 feet tall which helps deter crime over a large area). Horses can go quickly where a squad car cannot, we help with search and rescue and can last longer than officers on foot in search and rescue situations.

However, our unit is used for much more than crime control. People are drawn to the horses and we know that they definitely break down barriers between the police department and the community. Kids love seeing the mounted patrols. You’ll see us at the Aquatennial, we’re downtown in Spring, Summer and Fall – we’re at large concerts, sporting events, parades, senior homes and at National Night Out.

MPD Detective Maurice Salmon, 1930Q:  How many horses are in the MPD equestrian unit? Are there minimal standards for the horses? Where are the horses stabled?

A:  We have 12 horses in the program now. We stable them in the West Metro in the Maple Plain area. There are standards for our horses – they must be at least 15.3 hands in height and they must have a calm demeanor. Maintaining composure is vitally important for these horses. The horses must also have a great deal of stamina.

Q:  How many officers are assigned to the mounted patrol? Do they serve full time as mounted officers?

A:  We have two full time police officers assigned to the mounted unit. They train and take care of the horses and help train new mounted officers. The MPD has another 15 part time riders that are available for specific events. Seven new part time officers were just trained in for the mounted unit.

Q:  Could you tell us about the training for newly appointed mounted riders?

A:  Yes – it is intensive! Some officers tell us that it is much more strenuous than SWAT school. Officers interview for the patrol and take a practical assessment. Then, if accepted, there is a 6-week mounted class - 80-90% of the training is done in the saddle. No prior horse or riding experience is needed. Our trainers work with the officers to learn elements of confidence, dressage and etiquette. I never thought that I would be a "horse cop" – but I joined the unit in 2017 and I absolutely love my assignment.

Q:  How do your officers in the equestrian units stay current on strategies and best practices for mounted police?

A:  This is one of my primary concerns. We are members of professional associations, which provide extraordinary initial and refresher courses for our officers and horses. We also have ongoing good conversations between units with larger mounted units – such as New Orleans or New York City – we learn from their experiences and we share ours with them. 

Q:  How may we support your department?

A:  The Minneapolis Police Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that was founded to provide ongoing financial support to the Mounted Police Unit. Follow us on Facebook and check here for other ways to donate and be involved. 

In the community:

 

Chloe by Vincent is Now Serving Sunday Brunch

Savory buckwheat crepe

Delicious news! Chloe by Vincent, 700 Third Street S, is now serving Sunday brunch, 10a-2:30pm. Make your reservation here. We very much enjoy the food, drinks, service and all-around vibe at Chloe - they are a valued addition to the neighborhood!