Mill City Times Endorses Martha Holton Dimick

By David Tinjum, Publisher, Mill City Times

On August 9th, primary voters will decide which two candidates for the Hennepin County Attorney position will move on to the general election in November. Michael Freeman currently holds the seat and is not seeking reelection. In a crowded field of 7 candidates, there is one stand out candidate who will deliver both safety and sensible reform–Martha Holton Dimick. She is endorsed by downtown council members Michael Rainville and Lisa Goodman, and Mayor Jacob Frey, among others.

Dimick has a unique set of life experiences that make her the most qualified person for this seat. Crucially, she is the candidate with the most relevant professional resume. Dimick has not only worked as a Hennepin County prosecutor and served as a violent crimes judge, she has also actually managed an office of prosecutors as the Deputy City Attorney in Minneapolis. With crime at historic levels across Hennepin County, more than ever we need a County Attorney who requires no introduction to the many facets of the job, and someone who can successfully work with all public safety partners. 

Her ability to collaborate with community partners is another unique qualification she brings to this seat. Dimick was hired to serve as the community prosecutor for North Minneapolis during the Murderapolis years by then Hennepin County Attorney Amy Klobuchar. Crime was near record highs and “no one trusted the police or the prosecutors” according to Dimick. By the time she left that job for appointment on the bench, crime had fallen to record lows in North Minneapolis. Dimick says there is no secret to reducing crime given proper resources: you must create partnerships between the community, the police, and county social service providers as a broad coalition, not individual stakeholders pointing fingers at one another. 

Certainly, reform is needed, and Dimick is the person who can do this work without throwing the entire prosecutorial system into chaos. As a Black woman born and raised in Milwaukee during a time of particularly rampant crime and racism, who moved to North Minneapolis where she has lived for over 20 years, Dimick has a credibility others lack. Justice, accountability, safety – none of these things are theoretical or removed from Martha Dimick’s daily life. 

More than that, she has decades of professional experience to know where and how prosecutorial discretion can make a difference. For example, Dimick recently pointed out that keeping lower level felony immigrants from ICE detention and removal can be as simple as charging them for 364 days, rather than the more common default sentence recommendation of 365 days – 365 automatically triggers ICE involvement, 364 days does not. It’s refreshing to have a candidate with simple, practical answers that balance accountability and compassion, rather than someone ready to give up the notion of doing the job of prosecuting entirely to make a point.

Those of us living and working Downtown know that now is not a moment to indulge in experiments that other cities are rejecting. It is not time to elect another politician who will hide when difficult issues arise. Now is the moment to elect Martha Holton Dimick, a woman who can serve all of us who need a reprieve from the violence that is affecting our quality of life and the prospects of a city we love. 

- David Tinjum, Publisher, Mill City Times

July 23 at the Mill City Farmers Market

A colorful array filled our July 23rd shopping basket from the Mill City Farmers Market. Tip: If you're looking to kick your soup up a notch, try adding a generous squirt of Maazah Hot Chutney. It will take it from delicious to WOW! :D

Love seeing kids at the Market - so important to learn about nutrition and where food comes from at a young age.

Rachel of Mary Dirty Face Farm tops off the blueberry containers. 

New product from Pure Ginger for You: ginger iced tea.

Louisa Podlich of A MANO (far left in green bibs) creates decorative and functional ceramics, including kitchenware, plant pots and ornaments. She'll return the Market on August 20th.

Weekly Events at Peavey Plaza July 24-30

Green Minneapolis is excited to host these events, free and open to all!

YWCA Minneapolis Yoga on the Plaza

Tuesday, July 26 from 5:30-6:30pm

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Flow into summer with FREE yoga classes at Peavey Plaza (weather permitting). Bring a water, mat and towel. Members and nonmembers are welcome to attend. Nonmembers that attend receive a FREE three-day trial fitness pass to any of our three fitness locations. Plus, join YWCA Minneapolis as a member for just $15! Registration recommended

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MNspin Musician of the Week: Mary Bue

Thursday, July 28 from 12-1pm 

Mary Bue is a songwriter, Nada yogi, traveler, runner, vegan, retreat guide, music + yoga teacher based out of Minneapolis, often roaming this beautiful world. Named Best Songwriter of 2020 by City Pages, her music touches upon archetypal themes of the human condition: love, loss, triumph, dreams,  and the natural world. A longtime student of yoga and psychology, Mary weaves sacred subject matter into her songs, seeking of deeper levels of consciousness, and deep concern for the environment mixed into her sometimes crass, real-world hue.

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Minnesota Orchestra: Summer at Orchestra Hall

Thursday, Friday and Saturday, July 28, 29 and 30 (see calendar for daily times)

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Summer at Orchestra Hall is a new take on the Minnesota Orchestra’s traditional summer festival, celebrating the Orchestra’s home in the city and its proximity to the revitalized Peavey Plaza. The community is invited to participate in special food experiences and free entertainment by outstanding local performers at Peavey Plaza. Complete list of upcoming performances.

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Children’s Theatre Company Story Theatre 

Saturday, July 30 at 12-12:30pm & 12:30-1pm

Join Children’s Theatre Company for summertime fun at Peavey Plaza! Through imaginative play, collaborative storytelling, music, and family engagement, we’ll explore beloved children’s books together. Laugh, dance, and discover along with your family and friends.

YWCA Minneapolis Family Yoga Class

Saturday, July 30 from 1-1:45pm

Join YWCA Minneapolis for Free Family Yoga at Peavey Plaza. In this body-friendly space for all ages, families and fitness levels, we’ll combine breathing and yoga poses with joy and creativity. Come ready to explore balance, find strength and softness and connect our minds and bodies. 

For a complete calendar of Peavey Plaza Performing Arts Series, visit greenminneapolis.org/events.

Amy Simso Dean, Founder of The Kestrels Birding Group

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

Amy Sisco Dean

Starting out as a new birder can be daunting – Where do I go? Will I be safe? I know nothing about birds but I’m interested. Meet Amy Simso Dean, founder of The Kestrels. We talked to Amy about the group’s inclusive policies which makes it easy for women and non-binary individuals to enjoy birding experiences without fear or self-doubts.

Q:  The Kestrels was formed in 2021 to create a safe and inclusive birding experience for women. Can you tell us more about this idea?

A:  The Kestrels focus is on creating a safe space and a shared community for anyone who identifies as female or non-binary - that is what we mean by an inclusive birding group for women.

Women birders face a few different challenges. For some there are safety issues - they don’t feel safe birding alone - for obvious reasons - or meeting up with a male birder or birders they don’t know.

The birding world also has traditionally been a very white male dominated space - the trip guides, leadership in organizations, who you see profiled in magazines, etc. So, for some it is a comfort issue - they don’t feel they are heard or taken seriously as a birder in male-dominated settings (and let’s be honest, sometimes they aren’t).

Others don’t feel comfortable because they are a new to birding and this group just feels more accessible. For others it is just another way to connect with like-minded people. Granted not every space is like that and not every woman feels that way. Have men joined our outings? Yes, for sure. But, our focus is creating a safe space for this population.

Q:  Why was the group named The Kestrels?

A:  We played around with a few different names. We wanted our name to tie to Minnesota birding and be as inclusive as possible. So, we voted on names until we narrowed it down. The American Kestrel is one of the few raptor species where the female looks distinctively different from the male. She’s a badass little predator so a great mascot for some badass birders.

Q:  How often do you hold events?

A:  We try for at least one event per month whether that is a meet-up to go birding, an event with another organization (like a tour of The Raptor Center or a Birds and Beers meet-up) or trips that we organize. Last winter a group of us went up to the Sax-Zim Bog for some delightful (and very cold: -30) winter birding. We also have a wine-tasting party where all the wine has to have a bird on the label.

At the Sax-Zim Bog

Wine-tasting party

Q:  The events seem fun and educational! Is there a vetting process to join?

A:  We have a series of membership questions to join our Facebook group. We do have a very small website, but right now almost all our communication and planning happens through the Facebook group.

Q:  I started researching inclusive outdoor groups after finding Kestrels and there are so many groups across the country working towards similar goals of creating intentional safe outdoor spaces. Will Kestrels expand to include people with mobility or vision issues?  

A:  People with vision, hearing or mobility challenges are already welcome to join. We try to explain trail and parking conditions for all our outings so that people can make informed decisions. When we hear of outings - like a recent birding outing for people with mobility challenges that I led through another organization - we let our members know. Or a friend of mine runs a group specifically for LGTBQ+ and BIPOC birders and we’ll let our members know about those events.

Q:  How may we follow the group’s news?

A:  The best way to stay up to date is through our Facebook group. People can also reach out to us at TheKestrelsMN@gmail.com and check out our website, KestrelsMN.com. We hope to see you at an upcoming event. 

4th Street Reconstruction Project Update - July 22

4th Street Reconstruction Project Overview

The City of Minneapolis is reconstructing 4th St. between 2nd Ave. N and 4th Ave. S in downtown Minneapolis. The reconstruction will include wider sidewalks, improved crossings, a new bi-directional off-street bike path on the north side of the street, lighting, trees, and planting beds. Construction is underway and is expected to be complete by the end of 2022.

What's Happening Next Week? 

Roadway reconstruction is near completion on 4th St. between 2nd Ave. N and Hennepin Ave.

• Paving of all roadways, sidewalks, and trails has been completed on the project corridor.
• Beginning Tuesday, an additional lane on the north side of the roadway will be open to local access.
• Crews are finalizing signal, lighting and landscaping work and will be cleaning up the construction zone in preparation for road opening in early August.

*Please note that the construction schedules are subject to change due to weather and other unforeseen circumstances. 

What to expect during construction?

• During roadway construction, 4th St. will be closed to through traffic between 2nd Ave. N and Hennepin Ave. Local access will be maintained from 2nd Ave. N to 1st Ave. N. 
• Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout construction. Be aware of your surroundings when walking or biking near the construction zone. 
• Expect additional noise, dust, and vibration as crews complete work.

Upcoming Events

4th Street Weekly Stakeholder Meeting 

Weekly project newsletters are sent out weekly and virtual stakeholder meetings occur bi-weekly. Join us at the next stakeholder meeting to get project updates, talk with project staff and get your questions/concerns answered.

Upcoming Stakeholder Meeting:

July 29, 9-9:30 a.m.

Teams Meeting: Click here to join the meeting

Stay connected

There are multiple ways to get information including email updates and ongoing stakeholder meetings. Visit the project website for more information and to sign up for project updates: www.minneapolismn.gov/government/projects/fourth-st-n-and-s/  

Provide questions, comments or concerns on the interactive map: https://zan.mysocialpinpoint.com/4thstreetreconstruction

Email the project team: info@4thstmpls.com

Contact the project hotline: 612-412-9774

Bridge 9 Improvement Project Update

Bridge No. 9 was constructed in 1922 by the Northern Pacific Railroad to carry freight over the Mississippi. The City of Minneapolis acquired this bridge in 1986 and converted the bridge to a pedestrian use bridge in 1999. The bridge currently provides a Mississippi River crossing for the Dinkytown Greenway bike trail.

Beginning in July 2022, the City of Minneapolis started making repairs and improvements to Bridge 9, Pier 5.

Latest project news

Construction Update Meeting (online meeting)

Virtual monthly project stakeholder meetings will be held at 9:30 am the 1st Thursday of each month using Microsoft Teams. Please use the link below to join the meeting.

Join on your computer or mobile app

Click here to join the meeting

Or join by entering a meeting ID Meeting ID: 213 161 635 706 Passcode: KyceBr

Or call in (audio only)

+1 612-428-8778,,6668421#   United States, Minneapolis

Phone Conference ID: 666 842 1#

These meetings help us to give you more detailed information about work progress on a monthly basis and to have discussion on any concerns or questions you have about the project. Please send an email or give a call to the project engineer if you have difficulty using the link above.

If no one joins the meeting within 15 minutes the meeting will end, but you can still contact the meeting coordinator via phone or email:

Rich Revering, Design Team Project Manager; 612-718-8412 or Richard.Revering@Bolton-Menk.com

Schedule

Construction activities for Pier 5 repairs started in July 2022. The scheduled completion date is December 1, 2022.

Traffic Impact

West River Parkway is scheduled to be open for vehicular traffic subject to occasional one-way traffic w/ flaggers during certain equipment and material loading operations. Pedestrian and bicycle traffic are open to traffic, with pedestrians sharing the bike path through the project area.

Current work

For the month of July, the following construction operations were performed: Setting up traffic and erosion and sediment controls and driving H-pile and Sheet pile to prepare for forming and pouring concrete foundations and encasement of the pier.

Coming up

For the month of August, the following construction operations are scheduled: Forming and pouring concrete foundations and pier encasements.

Stay Connected

For more details and to sign up for email updates please visit the Bridge 9 Improvement project webpage.

Project Engineer: Petru Vizoli, 612-673-2368, Petru.Vizoli@minneapolismn.gov

Proposed MPRB 2023 Tax Levy to Serve Youth in Crisis, Build Safer communities, and Care for Park Assets

At its July 20 meeting, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) Commissioners voted unanimously to support a 2023 tax levy increase request to the Board of Estimate and Taxation (BET) of 6.16 percent to maintain current park service levels and to invest in youth, safety and security, and care for park assets. If passed by the BET, the levy increase for the MPRB will result in a 1.1 percent increase in city 2023 property taxes overall, which amounts to an approximate $18 annual increase in property taxes - less than $2 per month - for owners of a median value home.

“This Board is focused and committed to our youth, particularly those who are in crisis, to providing safe parks, and to streamlining and maximizing how the parks are taken care of,” explained Meg Forney, MPRB President.

The proposed tax levy includes three distinct elements: 

• The first is to maintain current service levels, including $260,000 needed to support the MPRB’s 2021 six-year arrangement with the city for the historic $2.6 million youth investment that began in 2022, and $576,000 to offset the State of Minnesota Local Government Aid funding decrease due to the current legislative session ending without passage of a new tax bill.
• The second element is $389,000 for system equity investment largely due to the activation and increased use of parks within the downtown service area and regional park system. This investment will provide for increased safety and security with the addition of two Park Police Officers and the conversion of Part-Time Park Patrol Agent hours to two full-time Park Patrol Agents.
• The third element is $443,000 to support the Board adopted Strategic Direction to care for park assets to meet evolving needs and practices. This investment will provide professional staff, two Project Managers and one Systems Analyst, to identify and implement asset lifecycles to maximize maintenance, repair, rehabilitation and capital investments.

“We have the places and services to enrich the lives of every Minneapolis resident. We use racial equity tools and criteria for budgeting park investments and recreation funding, to ensure services and investments are directed to those who need them the most,” said Al Bangoura, Superintendent for the MPRB.

Currently, of every dollar homeowner’s pay for property taxes, 7.6 cents go to the MPRB.

As required by State Law, the BET sets the maximum tax levy for the City of Minneapolis, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, Municipal Building Commission and the Public Housing Authority on an annual basis. The BET is scheduled to set these maximum property tax levies on September 21, 2022. 

If approved by the BET, the Superintendent will present a balanced 2023 recommended based on a 6.16 percent property levy increase on October 12, 2022. There will be public comment opportunities October 26, November 2 and 16, and December 7 and 14. The Board will consider the Superintendent’s budget and adopt the 2023 tax levy and 2023 budget on December 14, 2022.

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is an independently governed park system featuring 180 park properties totaling 6,817 acres of land and water. It provides places and recreation opportunities for all people to gather and engage in activities that promote health, well-being, community and the environment.  Its Grand Rounds Scenic Byway, waterfront access, trail system, neighborhood parks, recreation centers, recreation amenities and diversified programming have made the park system an important component of what makes Minneapolis a great place to live, visit, play and work. An estimated 29.6 million annual visits are made to the nationally and locally acclaimed park system.

YWCA Minneapolis Unveils Kid-Designed, Community-Built Playground in Midtown

The YWCA Minneapolis Midtown, 2121 E Lake Street, is the most visited YWCA Minneapolis facility, averaging more than 13,000 check-ins per month, over the past six months, in what is perhaps the most economically-challenged and culturally-diverse community in the city. This community is finding the YWCA vital to their lives - in the form of child care, youth programs, fitness and social awareness.

In 2017, YWCA Minneapolis Midtown playground equipment was deemed no longer safe and it was removed. Since then, the space has been a simple outdoor play area for our young participants. 

Last week, Welly Health PBC and KABOOM! partnered with YWCA Minneapolis to build a playground at their Midtown facility in the heart of the Corcoran neighborhood. Together, they are dedicated to ensuring all kids have equitable access to places to play so they can learn and thrive to help end playspace inequity.

Here is a clip of KARE11's coverage.

Photo credit: Rachel Palomo, YWCA Senior Marketing Specialist

"Play is essential to healthy development, and we are dedicated to supporting the communities where we live, work and play to live life to the fullest," said Laura Conlon, Vice President of Marketing at Welly. "We are excited to see this new project come to life and support kids in the community where Welly was founded and with amazing partners like YWCA Minneapolis and KABOOM!.”

Because Welly was founded in Minneapolis, this project with YWCA Minneapolis hits home to the full team and community. Together, Welly and KABOOM! are committed to ensuring that children in the Early Childhood Education program at YWCA Minneapolis will have the opportunity to experience the simple joys of childhood that begin on the playground. In April, Welly donated $120,000 to support the design and construction in the resurging Midtown community. Members of the program, including children, participated in the design and planning process in May, culminating in an unveiling of the completed playspace July 15 at YWCA’s Midtown location - for use by YWCA Minneapolis.

YWCA Minneapolis has been building an inclusive community, furthering racial and gender equity, empowering women and girls to be leaders, and improving health and wellness for over 130 years. From health access to racial justice, the leaders of YWCA Minneapolis have long been at the forefront of change. Last year alone, YWCA programs helped 720+ children receive high-quality, anti-bias education, 5,000+ individuals learn about civic engagement and how to combat racial inequities, 1,250+ girls and youth become creators of change in their community, and 24,200+ fitness members achieve better health and wellness. YWCA Minneapolis has been building stronger and more open-minded communities for 130+ years.

“These challenging times make capital expenditures like play spaces almost unimaginable, but thanks to this exciting partnership with like-minded organizations like KABOOM! and Welly, YWCA Minneapolis is able to give our children precisely what they deserve and need - a play space that provides a foundation for social-emotional connection. Play is essential, and our children later draw upon skills for collaboration rooted in play in their lifelong learning journeys. Our gratitude for this partnership will be enduring.” – Shelley Carthen Watson, President and CEO, YWCA Minneapolis.”

“Playgrounds are an iconic and important part of childhood. They’re not only where kids collect some of their best memories, but also where crucial skills are developed that nurture their physical, mental, and emotional well-being,” said Danielle Turnage, vice president of development at KABOOM!. “KABOOM! is thrilled to work with Welly to build a new playspace in Minneapolis to ensure that kids have a place designed just for them, where they can play, learn, and unlock their greatest potential.”

Last year, YWCA Minneapolis served more than 30,000 people in our community through high-quality programs and advocacy focused on racial justice, early learning, youth development and wellness. To learn more, visit ywcampls.org or join the conversation at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Small Business Spotlight: Kobi Co., Mother/Daughter Co-Founders, Tasha Harris and Kobi Gregory

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

Tasha Harris and Kobi Gregory

The pandemic gave birth to many things – check out this mother/daughter business that arose from the stress of distance learning! We talked to Tasha Harris and Kobi Gregory about the origins of the business, sticking to their intentions and their delightful self-care products.

Q:  Please tell us about the formation of Kobi Co. What are the core tenets of the business?

A:  Kobi Co. was founded in 2020 by 17-year-old Kobi Gregory, my daughter, as self-care ritual to help her cope with the stress of distance learning during the pandemic. The candles started selling - Kobi’s hobby turned into a full-on business and it was time for me to step in and help manage. It was great timing for me as well - I was burned out by a long career in corporate finance. I’ve been securing partnerships and new retails spots throughout Minneapolis and focusing on growing the company.

Throughout every step of our growth, we’ve remained intentional. We believe businesses bear a responsibility to take care of their customers, to be stewards of the planet, and to do their part to create a more just and equitable world. We believe in taking care of ourselves, so we can go out into the world and make some good trouble. We believe in Black Girl Magic. We believe mental health, especially Black mental health, is paramount. We believe self-care doesn’t have to be expensive, time consuming, or reserved for a privileged few. We believe music has the power to heal. (Especially Prince’s music.)

At Kobi Co. we are committed to giving back. A portion of our profits go toward our annual scholarship for BIPOC women, and our limited edition #BlackLivesMatter candle supports families affected by gun violence and police brutality. We will always do our part to uplift fellow Black-owned, women-owned companies, especially if they’re Minnesota grown (like we are), and we aim to provide a gender-affirming, LGBTQ+ aligned, antiracist workplace.

Q:  Is it difficult to separate business discussions from mother/daughter discussions?

A:  To be quite honest, this is something we struggled with for quite some time - especially in the beginning. Needless to say, it would make for a very long and hard day. This is the most time we’ve spent together - ever (since Kobi was a toddler). It was hard for me not to bring up her not doing the dishes or doing some chore as we were working together. I found myself parenting her while she was working and neither one of us liked it. Kobi was discovering her new found skills as a business owner and wanted me to respect her as a business partner. I had a lightbulb moment when I heard her sharing her ideas and knowledge about the business in a pitch meeting. I was so impressed, I immediately saw her in a different light - a knowledgeable, capable partner. So today, we are super intentional about separating work/home discussions - and talk parent/family business outside of the office. It’s all about work/life balance. 

Q:  Each of your candles comes with a curated playlist – please tell us more. Why the combination of scent and music?

A:  We want our candles and music to foster a calming, restorative vibe. We want you to be your best self, do your best work, and be the best friend, steward, and ancestor you can be. We are Minneapolis born-and-raised, and you can feel the hometown pride throughout all of our products, our relationships, and our dope taste in music.

Q:  Who creates the playlists? Do you feature local musicians?

A:  Kobi here. Sometimes I’ll let my mom add a few of her faves from the olden days, but funny enough we have the same music taste. I love a lot of old school songs.

We absolutely feature local musicians: Of course, our #PurpleRain candle has tons of Prince on the playlist. Our #♥️Minnesnowta candle has the most variety of local MN musicians, and our recently released #Feelin’GoodAsHell candle has a lot of Lizzo (and yes, we consider her local since she lived here for over five years!).

The Angel Essence candle was created in honor of Erika De Salvatore.

Q:  The Angel Essence candle has a lovely backstory. Please tell us about it. How did Erika De Salvatore assist Kobi Co.? 

A:  In 2020 we were accepted into Target Corporation’s pro bono program. Target found and assigned a dream team to work on a rebranding project for Kobi Co.

It was an amazing experience for us, to have insight to what real, professional creatives do on a day-to-day basis. It was a blessing for us to be on the receiving end of their amazing work. We worked together closely/remotely for over three months (this was during the height of Covid) so we never got to meet in person, but that didn’t stop us from bonding over mutual admiration. This incredible team of amazing women worked as hard for Kobi Co. as they did for Target. Shortly after the project wrapped, we learned one of the project team members, Erika De Salvatore, passed away (she was the biggest Kobi Co. fan - as shared by her colleagues and family). 

It hurt us more than we could have imagined. We felt for her husband, small children, family and friends. We were so grateful for the love she had shown for us we felt super compelled to do something to honor her legacy. Upon attending her funeral service, we learned her family asked that in lieu of flowers, friends and family could support Kobi Co. Needless to say, we were beyond moved at this beautiful gesture. We were compelled to find a way to honor her legacy - we consulted with her family and colleagues and learned her favorite fragrances. The Angel Essence candle includes scents of vanilla, sandalwood, patchouli and citrus.

Q:  Besides candles, what other products does Kobi Co. offer?

A:  We offer 3-in-1 sprays (body, room + linen), bath bombs, bath salts, and wax tarts.

Q:  Where can we find your products? How may we follow your news?

A:  We are currently sold at the Mill City Farmers Market, Electric Fetus, all eight Patina stores, all three Down in the Valley stores, MinnyRow Market, and Lutunji’s Palate.  Please follow us on social media - Facebook and Instagram.

Kobi Co. is popular with Mill City Farmers Market shoppers. Photo: Mill City Times

Minneapolis Ranked on Livability.com’s List of the Top 100 Best Places to Live in the U.S.

Article submitted by Journal Communications

Minneapolis has been named a Top 100 Best Place to Live in America by Livability.com, outpacing more than 2,000 cities with populations between 20,000 and 500,000 in this data-driven ranking. 

The new rankings, sponsored by eXp Realty, are the culmination of months of extensive research into relocation trends, economic variables and factors that influence the quality of life. Thirty-six states are represented from coast to coast. 

The 2022 ranking categories were influenced by an exclusive study conducted by Livability.com in partnership with Ipsos. More than 1,000 adults, aged 18 and up from across the country, were surveyed to determine the characteristics of livability they would value in a prospective home community with an emphasis on how rising costs are affecting their relocation decisions. Respondents were asked which factors would be most heavily considered when choosing to relocate and how their housing needs and priorities have changed due to record-breaking inflation. The research shows that 7 in 10 adults consider affordability to be a top three factor influencing a decision to relocate.

The 2022 Top 100 Best Places to Live list broadly reflects the findings that affordability and local amenities are top priorities for people looking to relocate.

“As remote work trends continue and affordability becomes more elusive amidst high inflation, people are thinking about where their money goes the farthest,” says Amanda Ellis, Livability.com Editor in Chief. “Our Top 100 Best Places to Live list celebrates the amazing small and mid-sized communities across the U.S. – the ones who really  shine when it comes to offering affordability alongside amenities and opportunity.”

This year, Livability partnered with eXp Realty, the fastest-growing real estate brokerage in the world, on the annual community ranking. The company, which has been fully remote since its founding in 2009 and operates in a cloud-based virtual platform, understands that today many people are choosing lifestyle over their work location when deciding where to live.

“The popularity and flexibility that remote work offers has changed the dynamics of how people decide where to live,” said Dawn Conciatori, VP, Referral Generation, eXp Realty. “A recent study by Upwork shows over 19 million Americans plan to relocate due to remote work and flexible work options. Relocating to a new city is an exciting time, but also a big decision. Our partnership with Livability can help people find the kind of livable community they’re looking for, whether they’re looking to make a move now or in the near future.”

This year, the list was centered around mid-sized cities (generally defined as a population of 500,000 people or smaller) that are attracting big waves of young people. More than 2,000 cities were ranked on 50 data points measuring economics, housing, amenities, infrastructure, demographics, social and civic capital, education and health care. Sources included the best public and private data available from organizations like the U.S. Census Bureau, Lightcast and Esri.

This year’s top 10 cities are:

1. Madison, Wisconsin
2. Ann Arbor, Michigan
3. Rochester, Minnesota
4. Naperville, Illinois
5. Overland Park, Kansas
6. Minneapolis, Minnesota
7. Fishers, Indiana
8. Salt Lake City, Utah
9. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
10. Carmel, Indiana

The complete list of the 2022 Top 100 Best Places to Live is featured on Livability.com, along with each city’s LivScore and some of the specific attractions, activities and amenities that make it a great place to live.

Aquatennial Safety Update from Ward 3 Council Member Michael Rainville

City of Minneapolis highlights safety preparedness ahead of Aquatennial festivities

The Aquatennial, the official civic celebration of Minneapolis, kicks off today and runs through Saturday. The City of Minneapolis has collaborated on a safety plan with organizers of the Aquatennial and other local law enforcement partners to create an environment where everyone can enjoy a safe and fun experience.

Public safety is always a top priority of the Aquatennial, which is produced annually by the mpls downtown council. The safety plan for festivities is reviewed annually with local law enforcement agencies, including the Minneapolis Police Department, the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, Metro Transit Police and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Park Police Department, among other safety partners.

The Minneapolis Police Department will have a significant presence for Aquatennial events, including bike patrols, mounted patrols and K-9 units. Beyond MPD, the Minneapolis Fire Department, Office of Emergency Management, Minneapolis 911 and the Office of Violence Prevention are also safety partners for the 2022 Aquatennial.

“Our city is coming back, and the Aquatennial events are certain to showcase just that,” said Mayor Jacob Frey. “Thanks to the mpls downtown council, our City departments, and our local safety partners for their coordinated planning efforts to ensure a safe event for everyone. Now get out and celebrate our extraordinary city.” 

“We are excited to be part of a strong group of public safety partners committed to creating a safe environment for people to enjoy the Aquatennial this year. There is so much for everyone to enjoy in Minneapolis during the four-day celebration,” said Interim Minneapolis Police Chief Amelia Huffman.

“Aquatennial is the official civic celebration of our city. It draws our community together for fun, safe events in the heart of downtown and along our spectacular central riverfront,” said Steve Cramer, president & CEO, mpls downtown council. “As we invite you to this year’s festivities in coming days, we want you to know we are ready and prepared. Bring your friends and family and have a great time in Minneapolis!”

Learn more about the 2022 Minneapolis Aquatennial.

The Alice: An Immersive Cocktail Experience

Article by Becky Fillinger

Did you ever want to join Alice in Wonderland? Check out the The Alice: An Immersive Cocktail Experience at Stilheart Distillery & Cocktail Lounge in the North Loop, from July 20 to October 23. We talked to Hidden Media Network about the tea party to end all tea parties!

Q:  The Alice Cocktail Experience started out in Australia in 2020 and then came to the U.S. in cities such as Columbus, San Francisco and Denver. How has the event changed since it was first produced, if at all?   

A:  You’re right – we’re moving from city to city with this fun event. We do change the scripting here and there, but it follows a pretty consistent story. The look of the event varies from city to city depending on the venue, as we have different designers which makes The Alice unique and exciting - although they all follow the same flowery tea party vibe with neon lights and Alice stuck in the ceiling!

Q:  Was it difficult to convince the Stilheart Distillery & Cocktail Lounge to host the event?

A:  Not at all! It isn't hard to find venues, as The Alice is such a well-known event and brings a lot of people in, which can be mutually beneficial.

Q:  Tell us about the 90-minute session - How many people per session? What will we experience? 

A:  In Minneapolis there are 32 people per session and you will experience a beautiful tea/cocktail party with theatrics, a storyline which you are involved in, features of an escape room (like solving puzzles to unlock cocktail ingredients) and some cocktail making art! You’ll meet The Mad Hatter, dive through the looking glass, play croquet with flamingos and consume delicious ‘Eat Me’ cookies. It's all fun and games until someone steals the Queen of Hearts’ tarts! Buy your tickets here.

Q:  Do you have any cocktail concoctions to share ahead of time to prepare us for going Down the Rabbit Hole? 

A:  We do serve some amazing cocktails. In the past we have served the likes of Jam Tart shots, Peaches and Cream shots, and a magical passion fruit flavored cocktail. For Minneapolis, we’re tinkering with these ingredients for a bespoke cocktail:  vodka, black tea, vanilla syrup, peach schnapps and steam from a hare!

Q:  You’ve produced other events – Pitch Black Dining – in Atlanta.  Will we see more events from Hidden Media Network in Minneapolis?  

A:  We also produced Neverland Peter Pan Experience, The Wizard's Den and Potion Putt. We are hoping to bring new and exciting events to Minneapolis if this goes well!

Q:  I hope this goes very well!  How may we follow your events? 

A:  Check out @explorehidden on TikTok and @thehiddenapp on Instagram.

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Below are some of the characters you'll meet. Photo credit: Becky Fillinger

The Queen of Hearts

The Mad Hatter

The White Rabbit

The Cheshire Cat

Congratulations to Northeast Minneapolis Arts District - Named #1 in USA Today's 10Best Readers’ Choice 2022 – Best Arts District

Congratulations are in order! The Northeast Minneapolis Arts District came in #1 in the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice 2022 – Best Arts District competition. A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to pick the initial nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote.

Here are the top 10 winners for 2022:

1. Northeast Minneapolis Arts District - Minneapolis, Minnesota
2. University Circle - Cleveland, Ohio
3. Dallas Arts District - Dallas, Texas
4. Historic Third Ward - Milwaukee, Wisconsin
5. Art District on Santa Fe - Denver, Colorado
6. Wabash Arts Corridor - Chicago, Illinois
7. Station North Arts District - Baltimore, Maryland
8. Roosevelt Row Arts District - Phoenix, Arizona
9. Santa Fe Railyard Arts District - Santa Fe, New Mexico
10. Richmond Arts District - Richmond, Virginia 

July 16 at the Mill City Farmers Market

Lots of new goodies in our July 16th shopping basket from the Mill City Farmers Market, including mokum carrots, cauliflower, heirloom tomatoes, Chinese long beans, sweet peppers and a puzzle featuring graphics from art vendor Redcruiser.

Every summer I anxiously await the Chinese long beans from Bean Market - grilled or roasted, they're fantastic.

Be The Match was the July 16th Community Booth. The organization helps patients with leukemia, lymphoma and other diseases in need of marrow or blood transplant procedures.

A long line for Solomon’s Bakery forms at 8a every Saturday.

 

Weekly Events at Peavey Plaza July 17 - 23

Green Minneapolis is excited to host these events, free and open to all!

YWCA Minneapolis Yoga on the Plaza

Tuesday, July 19 from 5:30-6:30pm

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Flow into summer with FREE yoga classes at Peavey Plaza (weather permitting). Bring a water, mat and towel. Members and nonmembers are welcome to attend. Nonmembers that attend receive a FREE three-day trial fitness pass to any of our three fitness locations. Plus, join YWCA Minneapolis as a member for just $15! Registration recommended

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MNspin Musician of the Week: Craig Paquette

Thursday, July 21 from 12-1pm

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Craig Paquette is a guitarist, singer, songwriter as well as a founding and current member of the Minneapolis based band Thunderheads with whom he has performed well over 1000 shows during the past 30 + years. Craig’s second solo album “Back Together” is expected to be released in the summer of 2022. Again, recorded at Sparta sound with most of the same musicians that played on “Won’t Last Forever”, it includes songs with an eye on the past but also the times we have been living and experiencing together and alone for the past two years.

Minnesota Orchestra: Summer at Orchestra Hall

Thursday, Friday and Saturday, July 21, 22 and 23 (see calendar for daily times)

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Summer at Orchestra Hall is a new take on the Minnesota Orchestra’s traditional summer festival, celebrating the Orchestra’s home in the city and its proximity to the revitalized Peavey Plaza. The community is invited to participate in special food experiences and free entertainment by outstanding local performers at Peavey Plaza. Complete list of upcoming performances.

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Children’s Theatre Company Story Theatre 

Saturday, July 23 at 12-12:30pm & 12:30-1pm

Join Children’s Theatre Company for summertime fun at Peavey Plaza! Through imaginative play, collaborative storytelling, music, and family engagement, we’ll explore beloved children’s books together. Laugh, dance, and discover along with your family and friends.

For a complete calendar of Peavey Plaza Performing Arts Series, visit greenminneapolis.org/events.

Minnesota Business Success Story: Nautical Bowls

Article by Becky Fillinger

Nautical Bowls is a local success story. Just three years ago, the company occasionally brought their food truck to the Mill District. Founded in 2018 in Minnetonka, the company now has over 90 franchise locations and will be a new food at the State Fair this year. We talked to co-founder Rachel Amundson about the theme of the company, charity partnerships and what you can expect when you order one of their delicious bowls.

Rachel Amundson with husband Bryant and family.

Q:  What inspired the company name, Nautical Bowls?

A:  My husband Bryant and I chose the name because we are both Minnesota-grown and we love the lakes.  We wanted a fun theme to incorporate our love for the lakes, so you’ll find it throughout our décor in our store and in the names of our signature bowls. Lake life is fun and outdoorsy and adventurous – that’s us.

Q:  I remember your food truck two years ago in the Mill District. Did you use the truck to gauge interest in communities before building the store locations?

A:  Yes, we used the food truck as a marketing tool to get around the Twin Cities before the store concept for Nautical Bowls took off. We still use it for very large or food truck specific events. We are now franchising stores – we have 91 locations - but not trucks.

The Nautical Bowls food truck was popular at the Stone Arch Bridge Festival last month.

Q:  What might we experience if we order a bowl? Can we customize our order?

A:  Yes, of course. We do love to direct people to our ten signature bowls if you’re new because we’ve crafted them to be a good combination of taste and textures. We have ten signature superfood bowls - our ingredients are gluten free, organic, dairy free, plant based and full of vitamins and nutrients. It’s fast, convenient food that is delicious and so good for you to fuel your busy life. If you want to be creative or love a particular ingredient, you can of course walk through the menu and build your own delicious creation.

Q:  You are partnering with Venture - could you tell us more about it?

A:  Venture is an awesome organization. For every bowl that is purchased at Nautical Bowls, a meal is donated to a child in Southeast Asia. We are so thankful to be part of their ‘buy a bowl – give a meal’ program. It feels like a small contribution, but we know that we are putting meals in the mouths of children who need it.

Q:  How may we follow your news?

A:  Please follow us on social media, Facebook and Instagram, and also join our loyalty program – download the app. With the app, you’ll receive our email notifications and earn free delicious bowls. Visit us at our Twin Cities locations too!

A new store is projected to open in Dinkytown this September, and a North Loop location is also being planned.

Special Guest at the Residence Inn at The Depot: Oscar Mayer Wienermobile

An Oscar Mayer Wienermobile rolled into the Cities this week, making stops in Cottage Grove, Oakdale, Maple Grove, St. Louis Park and the Hopkins Raspberry Festival's Marketplace Fair - but parking at the Residence Inn at The Depot for the evening downtime between events.

Cookout Christian and Sauerkraut Kat are the two "Hotdoggers" manning this Wienermobile, affectionately known as WEENR.

There are six Wienermobiles active today, assigned to specific regions. This one is for the central region of America.

Two staff (known as "Hotdoggers") are assigned to each Wienermobile, and they are truly immersed in their work. They attend Hotdog High to learn everything from Oscar Mayer history to how to drive the Wienermobile. 

Hotdoggers' speech is peppered with non-stop puns and they don't break character, right down to their names, which I learned first hand from Sauerkraut Kat and Cookout Christian. Per Kat, she refers to herself and Christian as “fresh meat” because they've only been on the road for one month (and have been "relishing" every second of their travels!). She immediately dubbed me "Ketchup Kim."

Kat hails from Lubbock, Texas, and graduated from the University of Texas in Austin with a Marketing Degree. Her favorite memory as a Hotdogger thus far is having a marching band surprise them by playing the Oscar Mayer jingle while they walked in a Firemen’s parade.

Christian is from the Philadelphia area and received his bachelor’s degree in marketing from Penn State. He said the best moment as a Hotdogger was getting to show his mom the Wienermobile and drive her around on his first week.

Keeping with the pun-heavy lingo, Christian and Katherine emerged from the "bun" roof.

Katherine Abraham a.k.a. Sauerkraut Kat at the helm.

Hotdoggers wear Oscar Mayer gear from head to toe - including their socks!

While Wienermobile Hotdoggers don't serve actual Oscar Mayer hotdogs, anyone who visits them will receive an iconic Weenie Whistle.

I scored some stickers and Weenie Whistles for the grandkids.  :D

There isn't a surface inside the Wienermobile that isn't decked out with wiener graphics.

Hotdoggers! Photo: Kraft Heinz Company

4th Street Reconstruction Project Update - July 15

4th Street Reconstruction Project Overview

The City of Minneapolis is reconstructing 4th St. between 2nd Ave. N and 4th Ave. S in downtown Minneapolis. The reconstruction will include wider sidewalks, improved crossings, a new bi-directional off-street bike path on the north side of the street, lighting, trees, and planting beds. Construction is underway and is expected to be complete by the end of 2022.

What's Happening Next Week? 

Roadway reconstruction continues on 4th St. between 2nd Ave. N and Hennepin Ave. Local access is maintained between 2nd Ave. N and Hennepin Ave.

• Paving of all roadways, sidewalks, and trails has been completed on the project corridor.
• Crews continue electrical work and lane striping on 4th St. between 2nd Ave. N and Hennepin Ave.
• Landscaping work continues as crews plant trees and rain garden beds.

*Please note that the construction schedules are subject to change due to weather and other unforeseen circumstances. 

What to expect during construction?

• During roadway construction, 4th St. will be closed to through traffic between 2nd Ave. N and Hennepin Ave. Local access will be maintained from 2nd Ave. N to 1st Ave. N. 
• Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout construction. Be aware of your surroundings when walking or biking near the construction zone. 
• Expect additional noise, dust, and vibration as crews complete work.

Upcoming Events

4th Street Weekly Stakeholder Meeting 

Weekly project newsletters are sent out weekly and virtual stakeholder meetings occur bi-weekly. Join us at the next stakeholder meeting to get project updates, talk with project staff and get your questions/concerns answered.

Upcoming Stakeholder Meeting:

July 29, 9-9:30 a.m.

Teams Meeting: Click here to join the meeting

Stay connected

There are multiple ways to get information including email updates and ongoing stakeholder meetings. Visit the project website for more information and to sign up for project updates: www.minneapolismn.gov/government/projects/fourth-st-n-and-s/  

Provide questions, comments or concerns on the interactive map: https://zan.mysocialpinpoint.com/4thstreetreconstruction

Email the project team: info@4thstmpls.com

Contact the project hotline: 612-412-9774

Downtown Minneapolis Street Art Festival Returns August 13-14

The festival will feature its largest lineup of artists, musicians, makers and family-friendly creative activities

The Mpls Downtown Improvement District (DID) and the Hennepin Theatre Trust (HTT) announced today the 4th annual Downtown Mpls Street Art Festival, which will take place Saturday and Sunday, August 13-14 on Nicollet and Hennepin in downtown Minneapolis.

The festival will feature its largest lineup of chalk artists and spray painting works by world-renowned artists, a Saturday evening concert by Bad Bad Hats on Nicollet, food trucks, a community mandala, interactive activities, including custom sign design, community carving and metal pouring, and screen printing, a makers market and much more.

“We wanted to make sure this year’s festival celebrated artists of all kinds for their contribution, perseverance and work in community over the past two years,” said Lisa Middag, Director of Nicollet Activation for the Mpls DID. “This year, we have more artists than ever before, further proving the resiliency of the arts community. I’m really looking forward to lining Nicollet with works from local and national renowned artists, and I’m especially excited for the downtown community to experience more street art than ever before.”

This year’s schedule includes:

Saturday, August 13

• Nicollet Chalk Art Festival | 10 am – 6 pm 
• 3D Chalk Art Installation at IDS | 10 am – 6 pm 
• Live Spray Painting on Nicollet | 10 am – 6 pm
• Street Eats (food trucks and more) on Nicollet | 10 am – 6 pm
• Nicollet Makers Market Festival Edition | 10 am – 6 pm
• Pedal to the Metal | 10 am – 6 pm
• Heart and Soul Drum and Dance Academy | 11  am & 1 pm
• La Luchadora | 11 am – 5 pm
• Mobile Sign Shop | 11:30 am – 3:30 pm
• Street Show performances | 12 & 2 pm
• Downtown Mpls Street Art Festival concert featuring headliner Bad Bad Hats with opener Kokou Kah | 3:30 – 6 pm

Sunday, August 14

• Nicollet Chalk Art Festival | 10 am – 6 pm
• 3D Chalk Art Installation at IDS Center | 10 am – 6 pm
• Live Spray Painting on Nicollet | 10 am - 6pm
• Street Eats (food trucks and more) on Nicollet | 10 am – 6 pm
• Nicollet Makers Market Festival Edition | 10 am – 6 pm
• Pedal to the Metal | 10 am – 6 pm
• Mobile Sign Shop | 11:30 am – 3:30 pm
• La Luchadora | 11 am – 5 pm
• Street Show performances on Nicollet | 11 am, 12:30, 3:30, and 4:30 pm
• zAmya Theater Project “Second Chances” encore | 2 – 3 pm

Nicollet Chalk Art Festival

The centerpiece of the Downtown Street Art Festival is a two-block-long series of chalk installations by 18 local and national artists, our largest lineup of artists ever. Watch the artists as they transform the sidewalks of Nicollet between 6th and 8th streets from 10 am – 6 pm with their unique artistic vision in vibrant tempera. While enjoying the art, make sure to channel your inner artist and contribute to our community chalk mandala.

3D Chalk Installation at IDS Center

Watch world-renowned local chalk artist Shawn McCann as he creates a special 3D chalk installation in the IDS Center outdoor plaza. McCann uses advanced techniques and anamorphic perspective to produce an illusion of depth and perspective for your perfect festival Instagram moment.

Live Spray Painting on Nicollet

The excitement of live mural painting continues as our largest lineup of local and national artists showcase their unique sense of color, style and technique on Nicollet.

Interactive Arts Activities for the Whole Family

Tap into your inner street artist and contribute to the massive community chalk mandala, design and take home a custom sign with the Mobile Sign Shop, contribute to a community carving and metal pour by Pedal to the Metal, or screen print your own limited edition DMSAF poster with La Luchadora.

Street Eats on Nicollet

Enjoy street games, lunch from Street Eats vendor Bougie Waffle, or a snack from a selection of local food trucks and street vendors #OnNicollet between 6th and 8th streets.

Street Showcase on Nicollet

Enjoy live performances from our Street Show favorites on the big festival stage. Produced by the DID and curated by the Warming House, Street Show has brought more than 2,000 hours of paid street performance from local musicians, artists, dancers, painters and others to the sidewalks of downtown Minneapolis since 2018. For the season schedule, visit www.onnicollet.com/schedule.

Nicollet Makers Market Street Art Festival Edition

Catch a special weekend appearance of the Nicollet Makers Market, the weekly downtown craft and art market that features locally made and designed goods. More than 15 artists and makers will bring their unique wares to the street, including live screen printing.

Second Chances with the zAmya Theater Project

This community-based theater brings unique perspective to the street with a reboot of their successful “Second Chances” live performance on Nicollet between 6th and 7th streets that builds understanding and connection to those both with and without experience in homelessness.

Downtown Street Art Festival concert

Following a full day of street art on Saturday, August 13, headliner Bad Bad Hats and opener Kokou Kah will be taking the stage #OnNicollet between at 7th street for a free concert. Self-described as a true fusion Liberian American artist, Kokou Kah will get you ready to groove during his opening set at 3:30 pm. Following Kokou Kah’s performance, indie rock trio, and Minneapolis natives, Bad Bad Hats will be taking to the stage for a fun and upbeat-filled close out to the first day of the Downtown Street Art Festival.

Street Art Festival In-person and Virtual Tours

Staff from Hennepin Theatre Trust will be offering tours throughout the festival highlighting the many amazing downtown murals, including the new Prince mural, as well as the latest installation of the It’s the People exhibition. Throughout the festival, you will see QR codes with scannable links to the Downtown Street Art Festival online tour with more information (in both English and Spanish) on the participating visual artists and artworks. While the festival is best experienced in person, this platform provides another opportunity for people to experience the festival from their living rooms. The link to the virtual tour will be available during the festival on the festival website at mplsstreetartfest.com.

To learn more about the Downtown Minneapolis Street Art Festival, visit MplsStreetArtFest.com or follow along on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Nonprofit Leader: Pastor Kyle Hanson, CEO and Executive Director, Agate Housing and Services

Article by Becky Fillinger 

Pastor Kyle HansonAfter a nationwide search, Agate Housing and Services has selected Pastor Kyle Hanson as their new CEO and Executive Director. We talked to Kyle about his priorities, challenges, and ways we can all help him in his new role.

Q:  Congratulations on your appointment as CEO/Executive Director of Agate Housing and Services. A first question – why was the newly merged organization named Agate? 

A:  After the merger of St. Stephen’s Human Services and House of Charity in 2021, the organization partnered with Neka Creative to create a new brand, the more important part of that being a new name. A group of staff and other individuals with lived experience with homelessness and housing insecurity worked together to choose the new name. All staff submitted name suggestions and the group started with a list of hundreds of names. They finally chose Agate because the agate stone is synonymous with Minnesota, just as our organization is. Agates are created from intense pressure just as the inspiring stories and successes of our clients are created through pressure and adversity. Each one is unique and valuable.

Q:  You have 22 years of experience working with the unhoused, which gives you tremendous credentials in this area. You start your position on July 18 – do you have a list of holdover, immediate priorities to address?   

A:  Entering a new organization takes some time to get to know employees, culture, history and the current lay of the land. My 30-day priority is to get to know the employees and clients by holding deep listening sessions. Beyond that I will need to begin advocacy work with partners, legislators, donors and foundations. We are currently focused on the re-opening of our Food Centre, which will happen this fall.

The mission of Agate is bold: to end homelessness and relieve hunger through action and advocacy. While we have made progress on these goals, the current economy puts many families at risk. Rising food costs and increasing rents are particularly difficult for families that are already struggling. The 2022 Hennepin point in time count showed that on any given night 2,191 people were staying in shelters and transitional housing programs and 487 people were living unsheltered in Hennepin County. These numbers have declined in recent years, but so much more needs to be done to assure that every person has a stable place to call home.

The Food Centre has been closed since the January fire, but will re-open later this year.

Q:  Do you have a dream list of organizations you would like to partner with – other organizations working with food insecurity or homelessness?   

A:  In the last year, Agate has had the opportunity to partner with some really incredible organizations. After the fire at our Food Centre in January, our community really came together to ensure our neighbors were fed. Most notably, Loaves and Fishes, Catholic Charities and Avivo. We are lucky to be neighbors with so many passionate organizations and can’t wait to work together more in the future.

Agate will need to continue to expand partnerships to meet the increasing needs of our community, I will be working with advocacy groups at the city, county and state levels to increase funding for permanent supportive low-income housing, human services and food programming. Public/Private partnerships are imperative if we are going to continue to serve our neighbors in need.

Street Outreach - this team provides on-the-spot services to ensure safety and survival for people experiencing unsheltered homelessness.

Q:  Agate is facing an impending loss of federal funding from the American Rescue Plan and Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act. This funding has allowed many Minnesota organizations, including Agate, to change and improve emergency shelters across the state. It may be an obvious question, but do you see this as a major first priority to address? 

A:  Ensuring the survival of Agate shelters is absolutely a priority. We know the importance of 24-hour shelters, just in terms of the stability it provides for individuals who are working so hard to find jobs or permanent housing. As we move closer to the loss of that funding, we are working to maintain and improve our response to Minnesota’s homelessness crisis. We continue to work closely with Hennepin County and our fellow providers to ensure the continuation of the services expanded during COVID. 

Q:  Minnesota Department of Corrections Commissioner Paul Schnell is calling for more investment in housing, as a state report shows about a quarter of those released from prison enter into homelessness. The Legislature passed a law in 2021 which requires the DOC to track the information. Do you have ideas on how to work with the newly released who are facing homelessness?

A:  We already know that many individuals get declined for things like housing or employment because of their criminal history. We do our best with the programs we have, from outreach, to shelter to affordable housing, but across the state, there are gaps in those programs and there just isn’t enough. We’ll be watching what the DOC does with their new statistics and looking at the mitigation plan they are submitting to the Legislature later this year and moving forward from there. Ultimately, it takes the community to step up with available housing, resources, jobs and support for those coming out of incarceration.

Q:  How can we help you in your new role at Agate? Do you need volunteers? How may we stay current with your news?

A:  Because of the temporary closure of the Food Centre after the January fire, our volunteering opportunities are greatly reduced. However, we would love community support to get the Food Centre up and running again. We are gearing up for a fundraiser in July to rebuild that facility and restock the food shelf and would welcome any donations or help with spreading the news!

As always, financial support of our organization is key to our success. We depend on the generosity of our community to help those most vulnerable among us. We will have new volunteer opportunities in the fall as our newly renovated Food Centre reopens. Readers can get to know us better by following us on social media, and following our work.

As soon as volunteering opportunities are back, they’ll be listed on our volunteer website: agatemn.volunteerhub.com

We’d love to stay connected with you and continue to work together to help our neighbors and community. You can keep an eye on our social media pages (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram), or join our mailing list to get our monthly email newsletter.