April 22 Third Avenue Bridge Project Photos by Doug Verdier

Submitted by Doug Verdier, who continues to document the Third Avenue Bridge refurbishment project.

Among the many construction and preservation activities ongoing at the Third Avenue Bridge, is work to repair the City of Minneapolis' water main on the bridge. Because the water main is located beneath the bridge deck, it is not easily seen. However, the photos below show the water main as it appears when some of the bridge concrete elements are removed for replacement. The water main appears as a horizontal gray tube running between one of the bridge piers and an arch.

The entire project, when completed, is intended to extend the service life of the bridge for another 50 years.

4th Street Reconstruction Project Update - April 21

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.

Pavement reconstruction on 4th Street near the Hennepin Avenue intersection

Fourth street roadway reconstruction is underway

Roadway reconstruction continues on 4th St. between 2nd Ave. N and Hennepin Ave.

• Construction crews are removing pavement and reconstructing 4th St. between 2nd Ave. N and Hennepin Ave. The roadway is closed to all vehicle traffic between 1st Ave. N and Hennepin Ave. Alleyways are not accessible from 4th St. on this block.
• The roadway between 2nd Ave. N and 1st Ave. N is being reconstructed on the north half and is closed to through traffic. Local access maintained.
• 4th St. parking lot access between 2nd Ave N. and 1st Ave N. is currently closed. Access to the parking lot maintained off 1st Ave. N.
• Concrete curb and gutter construction are underway at the 1st Ave. N intersection.
• Xcel Energy will be conducting utility work on 4th St. in front of Minneapolis City Hall during the first week of May.

*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 and 1st Ave. N. 
• Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout construction. Be aware of your surroundings when walking on the sidewalk and biking in the roadway. 
• Expect additional noise, dust, and vibration as crews complete work.

Upcoming Events

4th street weekly stakeholder meeting

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

Stakeholder Meeting

Occurs every Friday from 9-9:30 a.m.

Via 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

Avian Influenza is Here, Hotline Available to Report Birds Showing Symptoms

The highly pathogenic avian influenza, which has spread through farms and in the wild across Minnesota, has now been detected in Hennepin County.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says humans are not at risk from the disease, and eggs and meat from infected birds are safe to eat. But because it is highly contagious and fatal for birds, this outbreak could affect food production and prices.

Avian influenza is contracted when a bird touches body secretions of a sick bird. It is particularly found in chickens, geese, dabbling ducks and raptors, but can also infect other species of birds.

People who own birds are encouraged to take small but crucial steps to protect them and follow backyard coop protection steps from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.

They should watch for the following symptoms: birds are unusually quiet, lying down, off their feed or water intake, have nasal discharge, have difficulty breathing, have difficulty standing, have twisted necks or appear to be continually looking up, have swelling or purple discoloration of head, eyelids, comb, wattle and hocks, egg production decreases or suddenly die.

Anyone who sees a bird – wild or domestic – that shows symptoms should contact the State’s bird flu hotline: 1-833-454-0156. Officers from Minneapolis Animal Care & Control will continue to respond to sick or injured birds when necessary to support State agencies managing this crisis.

Find more information on avian influenza on the Minnesota Department of Agriculture website.

Also follow updates on The Raptor Center's Facebook page and website.

Nonprofit Leader: Andrew Hoffman, Executive Director, Douglas Dayton YMCA

Article by Becky Fillinger 

Andrew HoffmanDid you know we have a downtown YMCA with multiple floors for fitness? Fitness programming is just the tip of the iceberg at the Douglas Dayton YMCA. We talked to Executive Director, Andrew Hoffman, about community engagement, innovation and, of course, fitness offerings at our local YMCA. 

Q:  Please tell us about the Douglas Dayton YMCA facility at 651 Nicollet Mall.

A:  The Douglas Dayton YMCA has many amenities, including a fitness center, multiple fitness studios and a four-lane swimming pool located inside of Gaviidae Common in downtown Minneapolis. We offer personal training, Pilates reformer, group exercise classes and volunteer opportunities.

Right below the fitness center is the George Wellbeing Center. At the George Wellbeing Center we strive to put whole-person, integrative lifestyle care at the frontline of health and wellbeing – and make it personalized and accessible to all.

Q:  The YMCA’s mission states “we believe that in order to strengthen communities, we must understand the current issues and foresee the future needs of the people and communities we serve. We measure success by our positive impact on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.” Please tell us how Douglas Dayton YMCA evaluates current downtown community issues and puts together programs to garner positive outcomes?

A:  The Dayton YMCA at Gaviidae is committed to downtown Minneapolis and the surrounding community. We demonstrate that each day through our work on behalf of the individuals and families who live here. This commitment calls on us to be responsive to the changing needs of our community.

For our community downtown, we have seen tremendous change since the onset of COVID. Yet, for many the Dayton YMCA at Gaviidae provides normalcy and a sense of routine during an otherwise uncertain time. We pivoted to deliver nearly 10,000 hours of fitness through 365 classes per month virtually. In addition, at the Y, we have continued to provide in person cycling, yoga and other group fitness classes while concurrently offering virtual opportunities for those who were not yet ready to take classes in person.

Above and below, photos of the spacious, welcoming facilities.

In response to the Minneapolis Educators strike, Beacons after school programming moved from Edison High School to the Douglas Dayton YMCA at Gaviidae. Students continued to have access to gathering spaces and open gym times with their Beacons staff members. Clubs continued to meet, including the Somali Cultural Club that utilized the Y’s Fitstudio space to lead dance rehearsals in preparation for an upcoming Somali Cultural Club Showcase performance.

We continue to lean into community. Last year, we participated in National Night Out at Commons Park and we plan on participating this year at Commons Park and Gold Medal Park. We also partnered with the mpls downtown council to host the Chameleon Program that directly benefited Latino Businesses. We continue to collaborate with the Downtown Improvement District DID) in helping to bring back the vibrancy of downtown.

Our Equity Innovation Center of Excellence continues its work to support individuals and organizations on their equity journeys. Our team provides educational and enrichment experiences virtually and in person based on the client’s preference. The YMCA Equity Innovation Center is here for everyone to intentionally engage in thought-provoking experiences and resources that will expand their knowledge and skills. Together we can create sustainable change and shift inequitable systems in our communities so that all can thrive.

Q:  How do you hope to interact with the downtown community of potential members – those who live in downtown and those who commute in for work?

A:  Most importantly, our Y is for all. The Y is a nonprofit organization that fundraises money each year to ensure all can participate in the many services the Y provides. We hope to engage the downtown community through innovative wellness offerings and volunteer opportunities, and work with corporations, educators, government and community organizations in promoting cultural competency, fostering equity, diversity & inclusion, and understanding unconscious biases.

Q:  You are an advocate for education. You put together an endowment fund in 2015 to assist the continuing education of YMCA team members. Please tell us more about the Employee Education Endowment Fund.

A:  In 2012, I made my first gift towards the YMCA of the North’s Employee Education Endowment Fund. This fund helps YMCA of the North team members in their educational endeavors. Since 2015, when we awarded our first scholarship, we have given out over $12,000.

Q:  Your LinkedIn profile mentions that your role at the Y expanded to continue the charrette process. What is that process and how does it benefit the Y?

A:  Here at the Y we continue to look for ways in innovate and be relevant. The charrette process brings together community leaders to help us solve a problem together and put together a path forward.

Q:  Does the Y offer volunteer opportunities?

A:  The Y has many ways to volunteer, whether that be serving on our Advisory Boards to working hands on with youth or adults. We also have opportunities for employees groups within a business to volunteer together.

Q:  How may we follow news and event at the Y?

A:  We encourage everyone to check out our social media channels – Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter – as well as our website with a page for Dayton Y and the news and events section.

Small Business Spotlight: Uniquely Global

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos by Daniel Collison

Uniquely Global is located in Suite 130 of Gaviidae Common 

Satiya AmporfulLooking for something different? You know the feeling – you’ve shopped the local malls but aren’t seeing anything ‘unique’? Want a custom-made garment of exquisite fabric? We have the solution for you. Uniquely Global, owned by Satiya Amporful, knows your dilemma and created a destination for fashions, cosmetics, spices, jewelry, fabrics and artwork. We stopped by her shop in Gaviidae Common to find out more about her vision, services and product lines.

Q:  Tell us more about the genesis of Uniquely Global.

A:  I started Uniquely Global with pop-up locations – offering distinctive, globally-sourced merchandise, funded with personal savings and retirement funds. As the business grew, I began to think of a more permanent location. I worked with the mpls downtown council to locate a studio space and over time I moved to my current location. Uniquely Global is a minority, woman and service-disabled veteran-owned business. I import culturally authentic products and design fashions from across the globe. Uniquely Global products are from across the globe, to date these items are from Kenya, Morocco, Ivory Coast, Guatemala, Mexico, Nepal and Ghana. As a military dependent, I was raised in Japan, Germany and Korea. I developed a world view early in my life. Many of the designs are Japanese-inspired from my childhood memories.

Q:  How has the store fared with pandemic office shutdowns?

A:  Although the business registration was in 2019, due to the pandemic being what it was, Uniquely Global only made sales during family functions or pop ups in the first two years. The online presence was also closed due to the fact that I was unable to leave Ghana on a shopping trip abroad. Fast forward to October 2021, when I applied to work with the Chameleon Shoppes and the mpls downtown council. The change in locations proved to be a smart move as sales and awareness of the store improved. With the return of fulltime employees downtown in the last few weeks, sales have increased over 40%. To continue the upward sales motion, I have goals to engage the community with DIY classes on how to create skin care items like black soap, shower gels and other shea and cocoa butter-based products, host cultural awareness discussions and collaborate with local businesses.

Satiya with Carlos Santana

The pandemic was tough on the business but I am hopeful that customers will once again want to come out and shop. Carlos Santana visited my shop recently – of all people, Mr. Santana said, "what you’re doing is good and I want to support you." It was a message that inspired me so much! Mr. Santana bought a lot of items and I am currently designing pants for him and a few dresses for his wife.

Q:  Has the online shopping option returned?

A:  Yes, you may visit our website and purchase all sorts of unique products. As I mentioned, we are also so pleased to offer customized clothing as well – just email me directly at scrsa@uniquelyglobal.net. 

Q:  How may we follow your news? I think that many of us will want to attend your classes.

A:  Please do follow my business: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and my website.

Flying to the Moon by Ric Rosow

Submitted by Ric Rosow

While photographing the moon early Easter morning I had a pleasant surprise. It was a beautiful morning, the first blue sky morning I had seen in quite a while. Out of my right eye I spotted a plane on a trajectory to fly right across the face of the moon. I had no time to adjust camera settings or recompose the scene. I shot 15 images in six seconds. I don’t know how one plans to take a photo like this. I think you just have to react when the circumstances unfold. I plan to have this image printed and displayed at the Tres Leches Art Gallery for Art-A-Whirl, May20-22.

See more of my work @ricrosowphotography.com and @treslechesartgallery.com.

Flying to the Moon

West River Parkway Closes Between 4th Ave N and Portland April 24-May 8

West River Parkway is scheduled to close between 4th Avenue N and Portland Avenue from Sunday, April 24 through Sunday, May 8 for work related to the reconstruction of the 3rd Avenue Bridge by the Minnesota Department of Transportation. The Stone Arch Bridge parking lot will remain open.

The bike and pedestrian trails will also close through that section of parkway, but will reopen on weekends. The trails will also reopen for the Minneapolis Public Schools Kids Bike event on May 4, 3-5 pm.

Please visit the Hwy 65/3rd Avenue Bridge Reconstruction website for details on this project.

4th Street Reconstruction Project Update - April 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.

Fourth Street Roadway Reconstruction is Underway

Roadway reconstruction work on 4th St. between 2nd Ave. N and Hennepin Ave. began this week.

• Construction crews have begun removing pavement and reconstructing 4th St. between 2nd Ave. N and Hennepin Ave. During reconstruction, the roadway will be closed to all vehicle traffic between 1st Ave. N and Hennepin Ave. Alleyways will not be accessible from 4th St. on this block.
• The roadway between 2nd Ave. N and 1st Ave. N will be reconstructed one half at a time, starting with the north half, and will be closed to through traffic. Local access will be maintained.
• Concrete curb and gutter construction is planned for the 1st Ave. N intersection.
• 4th St. parking lot access between 2nd Ave N. and 1st Ave N. will be closed beginning Monday, April 18. Access to the parking lot will be maintained off 1st Ave. N.
• Traffic signs are posted. Road closures and detour routes are currently in effect for the area.
• Xcel Energy will be conducting utility work on 4th St. in front of Minneapolis City Hall between May 2 and May 6.

*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 & 1st Ave. N. 
• Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout construction. Be aware of your surroundings when walking on the sidewalk and biking in the roadway. 
• Expect additional noise, dust, and vibration as crews complete work.

Upcoming Events:

4th Street Weekly Stakeholder Meeting

Weekly project newsletters and virtual stakeholder meetings have resumed. Join us at the next stakeholder meeting to get project updates, talk with project staff and get your questions/concerns answered.

Stakeholder Meeting - Friday, April 22 - 9-9:30 a.m.

Via Teams Meeting: Click here to join the meeting

Meetings will occur every Friday throughout reconstruction.  

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

Pavement removal on 4th Street near the 2nd Avenue N intersection

Road restriction at the 1st Street N intersection looking east

Kolman & Pryor Gallery is now Kolman & Reeb Gallery

Kolman & Reeb Gallery is located in Studio 395, Northrup King Building at 1500 Jackson Street NE, Minneapolis

Jodi Reeb Joins Anita Sue Kolman as Partner and Owner of the Newly Renamed Kolman & Reeb Gallery

Kolman & Reeb Gallery, (formerly Kolman & Pryor Gallery), is thrilled to announce Jodi Reeb, long-time gallery artist and gallery sales associate, has joined Anita Sue Kolman as a partner and owner, and curator of the newly renamed Kolman & Reeb Gallery. “Jodi has been an artist with the gallery for 10 years and our lead salesperson, as well as a full-time fine artist, curator, and teacher in Minneapolis for more than 25 years,” says Kolman.

Jodi Reeb“Jodi is a perfect partner as we take the gallery forward with our new Project Space Grant Program, continue our popular and critically acclaimed gallery activities and exhibitions, and develop new ways to engage and interact with the public,” Kolman adds. “If you liked us before, you’re going to like us even better now. Jodi and I are energized about the whole enterprise.”

Reeb has taught printmaking, acrylic, and encaustic painting as well as book arts. She is a CORE instructor for R&F Handmade Paints and is a GOLDEN Acrylic Paints Artist Educator. Her artwork is in many private and corporate collections including Target Corporation, United Health Care Group, Hilton Hotel in Minneapolis, and Wells Fargo Mortgage in Minneapolis. Her studio is located in the Traffic Zone Center for Visual Art, where she’s facilitated exhibitions for 15 years. She was the recipient of a Minnesota State Arts Board Artist Initiative Grant in 2018. Reeb graduated from the Minneapolis College of Art & Design (MCAD) where she taught printmaking for almost a decade.

“I’m so excited to be collaborating with Anita as an owner and her partner in the gallery I’ve been a part of for so long,” says Reeb. “My background as a fine artist and curator, along with my extensive teaching experience, will allow Anita and I to program an array of new experiences in the gallery for our collectors and the public, while maintaining the excellence Anita has established. We look forward to welcoming everyone to the gallery.”

Major Renovation of Father Hennepin Bluff Park Begins April 18

A new performance stage and seasonal restroom building next to the Stone Arch Bridge is part of the project

Project includes new stage, seasonal restroom building and improvements to park entry, paths, lights, wayfinding, landscaping and stormwater management

A project to renovate and improve Father Hennepin Bluff Park is scheduled to begin construction on Monday, April 18.

Tree protection fencing and erosion control is scheduled to be installed starting Monday, with select tree removal beginning mid-week. Pathway removals will likely begin late next week and go into the following week. Underground utility installation is scheduled for late April.

At this point there are no plans to fully close access to the entire park during construction. Some areas are anticipated to remain open, but please stay away from areas that are fenced off or where construction is happening. Detour signs will be placed around the park to direct people around closed areas.

Project Details

This Father Hennepin Bluff Park Improvements project includes:

• A new performance stage and attached seasonal restroom facility
• New park entry plaza spaces
• Upgraded lights, path connections, wayfinding signage and trail markings
• Landscape and stormwater management improvements

The improvements are focused on the upper part of the park, not the lower paths closer to the Mississippi River. Follow this link to view the project design and some illustrations of the new stage/restroom facility: Father Hennepin Bluff Park Improvements Design

Project Page

Community Innovator: Minnesota Twins

Article by Becky Fillinger

Chris IlesThink you know what’s happening with the Minnesota Twins? Yes, there is Spring baseball, but beyond that check out the surprising innovation happening with the Twins! We talked to Chris Iles, Senior Director, Brand Experience and Innovation to learn about this initiative, which is unique for a major league baseball club.

Q:  You're overseeing the Minnesota Twins Accelerator by Techstars – the intersection of technology, sports & entertainment. Tell us more about the program and why this intersection is called the fastest evolving on the planet?

A:  The Minnesota Twins Accelerator by Techstars is a 3-year program that will see the Minnesota Twins invest in more than 30 startups operating at the intersection of tech, sports and entertainment. Each year, we select a cohort of startups, giving them access to mentorship, funding and other resources that help them drastically accelerate their rate of growth. Given the highly public nature of our business, we are uniquely positioned to place emerging innovations in front of our broad network of fans, allowing startup founders unprecedented access to a wide audience. At the same time, we’re able to deliver never before seen experiences; giving our fans access to ideas and technology that will ultimately impact the future of sports.

The 2022 cohort of the Minnesota Twins Accelerator by Techstars

AWSM Sauce founders Carl Starkey and Paul Lehman. AWSM Sauce is piloting their patented powder to pour technology in the Delta SKY360 Club at Target Field in April.

Q:  How did you become interested in innovation? Were you involved in innovation efforts at your prior places of employment, Padilla and HealthPartners?

A:  I’ve always been fascinated by those who are poking at the edges of human possibility and what’s “next.” I’ve been in the fortunate position to work with technology and technologists throughout my career in communications and marketing, and am thrilled that innovation is now a greater focus of my role with the Minnesota Twins.

EDGE Sound Research founders Valtteri Saltomaki and Ethan Castro test their ResonX Sound Lounge in advance of the 2022 season.

Q:  How is technology revolutionizing baseball? Entertainment? How will the Twins branding be expressed in the new partnerships?

A:  Technology plays a crucial role in all aspects of sports and entertainment, from human performance on the field, to all aspects of the fan journey, to the in-stadium experience, to how we consume the game/brand outside of the stadium. Tech touches everything we see whether we realize it or not. Ultimately, we want the Minnesota Twins to be seen as an innovative brand,and that doesn’t happen without actively experimenting in the tech space.

Q:  Why is this a space of interest to the Minnesota Twins?

A:  There are three reasons. 1. Brand – We believe this is an opportunity to push the Minnesota Twins brand beyond baseball. 2. Culture – We want to infuse innovation across all levels of our organization and believe there is no better way to do that than to expose our culture to the entrepreneurial spirit and innovative nature of startup founders. 3. Revenue – As teams seek to diversify revenue streams, we see early-stage investing as a long-term strategy with many ancillary benefits.

Q:  How will you inform fans – business and sports – of the program’s progress? How may we participate?

A:  People can follow our progress on any of the channels below or by visiting our program page. If you know of any great startups that could be a fit for our program, please let us know! Otherwise, we hope to see you at Target Field, where you can try out our latest innovations in person.

Q:  How may we follow your news?

A:  There are many ways: 

Twinsbaseball.com

twitter.com/Twins

Instagram.com/twins

facebook.com/Twins

youtube.com/twins

tiktok.com/@mntwins

snapchat.com/add/twins

...and come to the park!

Minneapolis' Version of the Bat Signal?

Thank you to Rick Kittock for sharing this photo taken outside of Target Field.

The Minneapolis Arbor Day Celebration heads to the North Loop on April 29!

Annual spring celebration shifts to the streets with a block party along Third Street North between Fifth and Sixth Avenues

The 2022 Minneapolis Arbor Day Celebration brings an entertaining evening in appreciation of trees to North Loop neighborhood on Friday, April 29, 4-8 pm! After a two-year pandemic hiatus, this year the award-winning, traveling festival shifts out of the park and into the streets with a block party planned along Third Street North between Fifth and Sixth Avenues.

Supporting street trees is the focus of this year’s Minneapolis Arbor Day Celebration. The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is responsible for all trees planted on public property in Minneapolis, which includes all trees on park land, but also approximately 200,000 trees that line 1,100 miles of city streets and parkways.

The MPRB is teaming up with partner organizations that support the city’s urban trees to educate festival-goers on how to help trees survive and thrive in urban environments. The event is being held on a stretch of Third Street North that was recently rebuilt, so people will have opportunities to help plant new trees along the freshly paved street and learn about urban tree care.

An initial rundown of activities and attractions is below. Share this event with anyone who may be interested at minneapolisparks.org/arborday.

Tree Planting

Join MPRB Arborists for tree planting excursions leaving every half hour, 5-6:30 pm.

Arbor Day Stage

4:30-6 pm: Live music from the Brass Messengers
6-6:30 pm: Announcements and remarks from local elected officials
6:30-8 pm: Live music from the Wailing Loons

Activities

- Information and activities from environmental organizations

- Tree-sized lawn games

- Ask an Arborist booth

- Food Trucks

- Beer Garden

- Arbor Day Fun Run – see MN Brewery Running Series website for details

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A few photos from a precious Arbor Day event (Theodore Wirth Park, pre-pandemic, 2019):

Photo credit: Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board

Kilimo Minnesota Launches GoFundMe to Empower MN Farmers of African Descent

Editor's Note: Thank you to the Mill City Farmers Market for sharing this information.

Kilimo Minnesota is an organic incubator farm with a mission to empower emerging farmers of African descent, socially and economically through mentorship, farmland access navigation and community building.

Founded in 2020 by farmers and Mill City Farmers Market vendors Lonah and Moses Momanyi of Dawn2Dusk Farm, the nonprofit offers a hands-on 3 to 5 year training program where farmers grow and sell organic vegetable crops, take classes, network in the local farming community, and receive one-on-one financial and business mentoring from established farmers.

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The program is growing quickly and has launched a GoFundMe campaign this spring to support basic infrastructure at its new site in Lino Lakes, Minnesota. The project includes a deer fence, irrigation and cold storage, all crucial to organic vegetable farming.

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You can support our friends at Kilimo as they invest in emerging farmers! A donation of any amount - or forwarding this information to someone else who might be interested - supports their goal of empowering more than 20 emerging farmers in 2022 and will have a lasting legacy.

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Learn more: Listen to Moses' recent MPR interview about Kilimo here.

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Moses Momanyi with wife Lonah and children Neil and Faith

Local Tastemaker: Chef Yia Vang

Article by Becky Fillinger

Chef Yia Vang Photo credit: Lauren CutshallLegends walk and cook among us. Please take time to meet Chef Yia Vang. Then, enjoy his visionary food.  The Union Hmong Kitchen is open in the North Loop at 520 N 4th Street and we all await the opening of Vinai in Northeast Minneapolis.   

Q:  There are so many reasons to offer congratulations to you. You've won so many awards for your cooking and have been the subject of many news programs and magazine articles. The most recent award – Finalist, Best Chef Midwest, James Beard Foundation - was just announced. When did you know you wanted to be a chef? Did you always want to showcase Hmong foods?   

A:  At first, being a chef wasn’t something I wanted to do. I was always embarrassed of Hmong food, but when I realized the deeper meaning behind it, that changed everything. You know, there’s a famous Mark Twain quote I like, "The two most important things in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why." And for me, the why was realizing why I wanted to cook. It made sense that this was my calling, but it took me almost 30 years to figure out.

Early days in the Ban Vinai refugee camp  

Q:  Your new restaurant Vinai, is named in honor of the Thai refugee camp, Ban Vinai, where your parents met and you were born. The restaurant's website describes the food as "drawing on the flavors of the Southeast Asian countries that the nomadic Hmong people traveled through." I applaud your efforts at recognizing the refugee past of the Hmong people. As a true food visionary, what can you tell us about the future of Hmong cuisine?  

A:  I hope that the future is that it keeps progressing forward to continue showcasing the history and the present of our people. Basically, my hope for Hmong food is that it keeps developing, but it also never loses its past. I want to see new techniques used in food – like French food today has evolved so much from French food from 500 years ago, but there are still the same basic elements. I want us, Hmong people, to be a part of the bigger culinary conversation. We’re part of the history of America.

Q:  You became a naturalized US citizen late last year - congratulations! What did it mean to you to become a US citizen?

A:  It had a lot of deep meaning, especially in understanding how much my family, my parents, my grandparents, sacrificed to get us to this country. I don’t take this citizenship lightly, but I wear it as a badge of honor to represent them.

Q:  When might Vinai open its doors? I know you’re preparing the space at 1717 2nd Street NE in the Bottineau neighborhood. 

A:   We expect to open Vinai later this year, in 2022. After years of pop-ups and travels through kitchens, we are building a permanent home in Northeast Minneapolis. More details to come soon!

Q:  Please keep us posted. Will the cuisine be different from that offered at Union Hmong Kitchen? 

A:  It’ll still be Hmong food at Vinai, but with that service aspect to it. We want to dig deep into the service part, taking care of people when they come in, making sure they feel cared for. We want to offer a space for people to come together and celebrate and have good conversations over food.

Q:  The website mentions the approach will highlight the hospitality and abundance of Hmong meals - please tell us more about that concept.

A:  For us, hospitality comes from the idea that the food we do isn’t naturally served all plated up for one person; that’s a very euro-centric way of thinking about food. What we really want to do is serve food that will be in the center of the table. Then there’s the whole idea that food is made for all of us, not just an individual. I think removing the individualistic part of it, and seeing that food is made for the community, for the whole, is what we’re aiming for.

The Vinai Feast features a whole fish. Photo credit: Lauren Cutshall

Q:  What's one Hmong dish on the menu you wish more customers would order? 

A:  I’d like more people to order the whole fish - I’d love to introduce more people to the idea of eating the whole animal, the whole fish. That way of eating is not just a cool or new experience like it is for a lot of other people, rather it’s just the way we grew up, and I want to share that. 

Q:  How do you spend your downtime?

A:  You know, I always say that I’m in the restaurant industry, but I’m a huge fan of our industry too - I love going to other restaurants and visiting friend’s places and sharing a meal together.

The Union Hmong Kitchen Breakfast Sando features a Hmong sausage patty topped with a sunny-side up fried egg. Photo credit: Lauren Cutshall 

Q:  How may we follow your news? 

A:  Lots of social channels: Facebook, Instagram and our website. Check out my personal Instagram, too.

April 23: Stand With Ukraine

STAND WITH UKRAINE EVENT

SAT • APR • 23 • 3-7

Ukrainian Center • 301 NE Main St. MPLS

Featuring: The Ukrainian Village Band and Forrest Miller & the Lodge Boys

Please join us as the Ukrainian American Center of NE Minneapolis presents an afternoon of live music, local brews and traditional Ukrainian foods. All proceeds benefiting humanitarian aid for refugees of the war in Ukraine. 

Hosted by the Ukrainian American Center and Michael Rainville - Minneapolis City Council Ward 3

Sponsored by Summit Brewing, Kramarczuk’s Deli and SpeedPro Printing

“As we watch atrocities of the war in Ukraine unfold in real time, it’s heart wrenching to imagine our loved ones in those images. But for the many Ukrainian Americans that I represent in NE Minneapolis and throughout the Twin Cities, the reality is that every video or image may contain a friend or a loved one. Every call or text to a family member back home might be the last. This is why it’s so important that we Stand With Ukraine and support the millions of refugees displaced by this horrible war.”

~ Michael Rainville | MPLS City Council

Join the 2022 Minneapolis Earth Day Cleanup on April 23!

Everyone is encouraged to participate! Volunteer to help pick up trash in parks, neighborhoods, and along water bodies.

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) and City of Minneapolis encourage everyone to join the annual Minneapolis Earth Day Clean-Up event on Saturday, April 23, 9:30 am-Noon.

It’s free to participate and your help is needed to clean up our beautiful city! No registration needed, just show up at one of 35 supported park locations listed below and help pick up trash. Bags and gloves will be provided on a first come, first serve basis.

Please share the event information with anyone who may be interested: MinneapolisEarthDay.com and 2022 Minneapolis Earth Day Flyer.

Questions? Contact Tom Godfrey at tgodfrey@minneapolisparks.org or 612-230-6484.

2022 Earth Day 5K Bee Run/Walk/River Cleanup

The Great River Coalition offers an Earth Day 5K Bee Run/Walk/River Cleanup at Boom Island Park. Visit the Great River Coalition website for more information and registration.

DIY Earth Day

Prefer to go at your own pace? You can contribute to clean parks for everyone by participating in Do-It-Yourself Earth Day!

Grab a bag from home and head out to your favorite park or trail or discover a new one. Pick up litter you see, while getting fresh air and exercise, then share pictures of your trash haul on Facebook page or by using the hashtag #mplsDIYEarthDay.

Earth Day Locations

Armatage Park	2500 West 57th Street
Bassett's Creek Park	SE corner of Penn Ave. N. and 1 1/2 Ave. N
Bde Maka Ska East	Corner of W Lake Street and E Bde Maka Ska Parkway
Beltrami Park	1111 Summer St. NE
Boom Island Park	724 Sibley St. NE
Bryant Square Park	3101 Bryant Ave S
Cedar Lake Park	Cedar Lake Parkway and 25th Street W
Creekview Park	5001 Humboldt Ave. N
East River Flats Park	351 East River Parkway
East River Parkway	East River Parkway and Franklin Avenue
Elliot Park	1000 E 14th St.
Father Hennepin Bluff Park	100 6th Ave. SE
Folwell Park	1615 N Dowling Ave
James I. Rice Park	West River Parkway and N 4th Avenue
Kenny Park/Grass Lake	1328 58th Street W
Lake Harriet Park	4135 Lake Harriet Parkway, Band Shell parking lot
Lake Nokomis	2401 East Minnehaha Parkway
Lake of the Isles East	W 27th Street and East Lake of the Isles Parkway
Longfellow Park	3435 36th Ave. S
Loring Park	1382 Willow St.
Lynnhurst Park	1345 W Minnehaha Parkway
Mill Ruins Park	102 Portland Ave. S
Minnehaha Falls	4801 S Minnehaha Drive
Mueller Park	2509 Colfax Ave. S
Pearl Park	414 Diamond Lake Road E
Powderhorn Park	3400 15th Ave. S
Sibley Park	1900 E 40th Street
Sumner Field Park	901 Aldrich Ave. N
Theodore Wirth Regional Park	The Trailhead, 1221 Theodore Wirth Parkway
Thomas Lowry Park	900 Douglas Ave. S
Triangle Park	10th Street S between 4th and 5th Avenue
West River Parkway 36th Street	West River Parkway and E 36th Street
West River Parkway 44th Street	West River Parkway and E 44th Street
Waite Park	1810 34th Ave. NE
Whittier Park	425 W 26th St.

Small Business Spotlight: EaTo

Article by Becky Fillinger 

Nancy MonroeBig changes are underway at EaTo at 305 Washington Avenue S. We talked to co-owner Nancy Monroe to get a bit of advance notice on what to expect. The changes will please everyone: new menu items, new collaborations with food makers, reconfiguration of the restaurant and (dog friendly) patio space!

Q:  You were editor of Foodservice News for 19 years - did that experience lead you to want to become a restaurant owner?

A:  It should have scared me away, because restaurants are tough businesses with lots of moving parts and details to get wrong. But they are also primarily people businesses and that's what I love, both the people who work with us and the people who come in to dine. It's also a creative business because you constantly have to come up with new ideas, new promotions and new twists on the standards.

Bar and restaurant areas

The newly situated market area allows for an expanded dining area.

Q:  Please tell us about the changes – new ideas and new twists - you and your team have made to EaTo in the past several months?

A:  The original idea for EaTo (which is a play off of East Town) was to be a fast-casual restaurant with pizza takeaway and a market with upscale imported Italian cooking staples. We found that guests didn't want to order off a QR code (they wanted service), and that we needed more dining and bar seats and less space for the market. We moved the market into the small room off the entryway and added more local merchandise, such as fresh produce and house-prepared specialties. We also partnered with local food purveyors such as Cheesecake Funk and Five Watt Coffee. We opened a separate bottle shop with Italian-inspired wines and a Wine Club on the Third Avenue side of the building. Our "meat market" has shifted to a dessert station, because we know people love to pick up something sweet to take home. We're opening for lunch service in early May, and have a private dining space that's already in demand for parties. We've also expanded our menu to add more pastas and specials like mussels in a spicy wine broth, scallops, and Veal Marsala. Our drink menu has also grown with more rail drinks, prosecco on tap, local beers, and a good selection of non-alcoholic drinks. We found that while people loved our "fancy" drinks, sometimes they just wanted a gin and tonic.

Pet friendly patio

Q:  I really love the collaborations you’ve put in place. What was the inspiration for the upgrades?

A:  The pandemic changed the restaurant business. And to thrive, not just survive, restaurants have to be more than they were before: Good places to work and good places to visit on a regular basis. We want to be the neighborhood place, where we are all things to all people - or at least as close to that ideal as we can. Since we're located in a downtown area, we want the nearby residents to be able to shop for ingredients they can take upstairs to cook, find a great bottle of wine to celebrate the upcoming weekend, and also where they can meet up with friends and just hang out while enjoying a really special meal. When the weather finally warms up, our patio is a fun gathering spot where you can watch a parade of neighbors and their dogs pass by. Even the traffic noise is reminiscent of a really epic night in NYC. 

Q:  Will we see any other changes to the bar and beverage service?

A:  We added more seats to the bar, because as our new director of operations says, the bar is the heart of the restaurant, and people love the energy of sitting at the bar. We have wine by the glass in the restaurant, but diners can also buy a bottle in the bottle shop to drink in the dining room - at retail, not restaurant, prices - and no corkage fee. We're hearing that's unusual.

You can also order coffee with our soft-serve gelato, called an Affogato, for an after-dinner dessert/drink.

Chicken parmesan

Q:  What's your favorite item on the menu?

A:  I know this sounds self-serving, but our new menu is one of the first ones I haven't gotten tired of right away. I'm usually not a huge chicken fan, but I love the chicken parmesan because of the lemony bucatini and cheesy chicken. And also, the mussels, because of the kick in the wine sauce, and the bread and ricotta. And the cheesecake (from Cheesecake Funk) is so craveable - it’s dangerous.

Q:  How may we follow your news?

A:  Please do follow us on Facebook, Instagram and our website.

Come visit us!

Save an Axle - Report Potholes to the City

If you see a pothole on a city street, please report it to 311. Visit the City's website for help determining if the pothole is on a City-maintained street. Find more information on reporting a pothole in this video.

Uh-oh... 

April 6 Minneapolis Central City Tunnel Project Update

Via an April 6 e-announcement from the City of Minneapolis:

Project Overview

The City of Minneapolis Public Works Department is constructing a new parallel storm tunnel, enlarging a portion of the existing storm tunnel, and constructing a new tunnel access in Downtown Minneapolis. This project is anticipated to be completed summer 2023.

The new tunnel is being constructed parallel to the existing tunnel located under Washington Ave S between Nicollet Mall and Chicago Ave. The existing tunnel under Chicago Ave between Washington Ave S and the Mississippi River is being expanded to handle the increased stormwater capacity. The purpose of this project is to reduce pressure in the existing tunnel, provide more room for future growth, and to reduce the need for future repairs and tunnel failures.

Project Map

Latest Project News

Hennepin Ave

• Tunneling the new parallel storm tunnel under Washington Ave continues. You will see crews continue excavating soils from the existing tunnel access shaft at the northeast corner of the Washington Ave and Hennepin Ave intersection. This is to tunnel the new parallel storm tunnel under Washington Avenue.
  • There may be short, periodic delays while crews move equipment and materials around.

 2nd Ave

• Crews continue tunneling the new parallel storm tunnel under Washington Avenue from the new tunnel access shaft in the southbound lanes of 2nd Ave S, just north of the Washington Ave intersection.
  • The sidewalks remain open on both sides of the road.
  • The crosswalk at the Washington Ave and 2nd Ave S intersection remains open.
  • 2nd Ave S remains a single lane in each direction using the northbound lanes between Washington Ave and 1st St S.
  • Access to driveways off 2nd Ave S remain open. There may be short-term access delays while crews move equipment and materials around.

 Portland Ave

• Tunneling the new parallel storm tunnel under Washington Ave continues from the existing tunnel access shaft at the northeast corner of the Washington Ave and Portland Ave intersection.
  • There may be short, periodic delays while crews move equipment and materials around.

Mississippi River Portal

• Crews continue excavating soils above the storm sewer tunnel and grouting near the existing retaining wall at the Mississippi River portal site through April 2022. Work will resume fall 2022.
  • The parking lot off Portland Ave east of the Stone Arch Bridge, near Mill Ruins Park, will reopen in early May 2022.
  • This lot is currently closed to complete work in this area safely and efficiently.
  • The parking lot near Portland Ave and W River Pkwy remains open.

What to Expect

• Expect additional noise, dust, and vibration as crews complete work.
• Schedule is tentative and subject to change due to weather and other unforeseen circumstances

Long-term closures/restrictions

• The north westbound lane, bike lane, and parking lane remains closed on Washington Ave between Portland Ave and Park Ave. These closures will remain in place until the project completed. This is necessary for the contractor to utilize the existing shaft to connect the existing tunnel to the new tunnel.
  • During this closure, pedestrians can still use the sidewalks along Washington Ave.
  • Crosswalks across Washington Ave and Portland Ave will remain open.
  • Bicyclists will share the traffic lane.
  • The existing left turn lane on Washington Ave at the Portland Ave intersection will temporarily become a left turn and through lane.

• The north sidewalk along Washington Ave remains closed between Hennepin Ave and Nicollet Mall through spring 2022. The contractor is utilizing an existing shaft in this area to connect the existing tunnel to the new tunnel.
  • During this closure, pedestrians share the bike lane on Washington Ave.
  • The crosswalks at the Washington Ave intersections of Nicollet Mall and Hennepin Ave remains open.

• The sidewalk on the east side of 4th Ave S remains closed through spring 2022. The dewatering well and pumps are installed in this area.
  • The sidewalk on the east side of 4th Ave S remains closed.
  • Pedestrians can use the sidewalk on the west side of 4th Ave S.
  • The crosswalk at the Washington Ave and 4th Ave intersection remains open.
  • Access to driveways off 4th Ave S remains open.

• The eastern sidewalk along Nicollet Mall between Washington Ave and 3rd St N is closed through spring 2022. Access is open to the Marquette Plaza building. The dewatering well and pumps are installed in this area.
  • Pedestrians are still able to use the sidewalk on the west side of Nicollet Mall.
  • The crosswalk at the Washington Ave intersection remains open.

• The west sidewalk of Portland Ave south of Washington Ave will remain restricted to pedestrians around the dewatering well and pumps until the project is completed.

Stay connected

Visit the project website for more information and to sign up for project updates: https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/projects/central-city-tunnel/

Email the project team: info@mplscentralcitytunnel.com

Contact the project hotline: 612-888-9418