The Origins and Growth of Skiing in the North Star State

Article by Michael Rainville, Jr.

Children taking ski lessons in 1945.

Skiing has been around for quite a while. It can be traced back to prehistoric times, in fact, as evidence of early skis has been uncovered in peat bogs in the northern countries of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia. The word "ski" itself comes from the Old Norse word skíð, which translates to "split piece of wood or firewood." After developing over the course of thousands of years, early Norwegian and Swedish immigrants to Minnesota brought skis with them, and one of the earliest documented cases of skiing in the area happened in 1853 when a Norwegian man skied from Saint Paul to Lake Superior.

During the first few decades of people skiing in Minnesota, they were mainly being used for transportation, from delivering mail to grocery shopping. It wasn’t until 1886 when skiing for sport began to grow. It was that year when the first Saint Paul Winter Carnival took place where they had many events such as toboggining, sleigh rides, ice skating, and of course, skiing. By the time the next Winter Carnival took place, the first ski club in the state was established. Named the Scandinavian Ski Club of St. Paul, they hosted the first official tournament to be held in the United States during the winter Carnival of 1887. The winner of the event finished the one-mile course in about four and a half minutes.

The next year in 1888, Martin Strand arrived in Minneapolis from Rendalen, Norway and enrolled in the University of Minnesota’s civil engineering program. After the economy collapsed in 1893, Strand began experimenting with making his own skis as the activity was, and still is, a point of Norwegian pride. Starting out of his basement, warping wood planks with a kettle, Strand quickly mastered the craft. The abundance of trees and Scandinavians in Minnesota meant that Strand was able to make a living off his new skillset, so he began selling his skis in 1896. Three years later, he had his own shop on Cedar Avenue.

Northland Ski Manufacturing Company current logoMartin Strand’s next shop was located at 2427 University Avenue, where the Tea House Chinese Restaurant now stands. Unfortunately, his entire operation burned to the ground, as was a common occurrence for many ski manufacturing buildings, so Strand moved his business to a new location two miles away at Hampden Avenue and University Avenue in Saint Paul. Six months later, this factory also burned down, so Strand sold what was left of his business to his foreman Ole Sigurd Ellevold. Strand started a new ski business in a brick building in New Richmond, Wisconsin, and Ellevold rebuilt a factory at University and Hampden. Ellevold’s new company was called The Northland Ski Manufacturing Company.

Cover of a Northland how-to-ski pamphlet from 1923.

In 1916, Christian A. Lund, a Norwegian-born Minneapolitan, bought enough stock to gain control of the company. Under Lund’s control, Northland Skis became world-renowned. Lund took it upon himself to provide skis to Team U.S.A. during the first Winter Olympics which was held in Chamonix, France in 1924. While Team U.S.A. finished fifth in the medal count standings with four, athletes from wintery nations took note of his product. In 1927, Lund opened a factory in Hastings, Minnesota where he continued manufacturing his famous skis, toboggans, and snowshoes. Lund’s hickory skis and how-to-ski pamphlets soon spread throughout North America and Europe and are credited with helping the sport rise in popularity in the mid-20th Century.

Christian A. Lund, 1923

C.A. Lund Company factory located in Hastings, MN

After years of global success, the rise of modern skis, made of wood, fiberglass, and metal, became too much for Lund’s company and the last pair of Northland Skis were sold in 1970, five years after his passing. However, the brand has been revived as of late and picked up right where they left off, making wooden skis, now in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.

With the Saint Paul Winter Carnival in full swing, the 2022 Winter Olympics starting, and hopefully no more sub-zero temperatures, now is a great time to dust off your skis and hit the slopes of the Twin Cities or glide through the cross-country trails found in our many parks.

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About Michael Rainville, Jr.

A 6th generation Minneapolitan, Michael Rainville, Jr. received his B.A. in History, Graduate Certificate in Museum Studies, and M.A. in Art History from the University of St. Thomas.

Michael is a historical interpreter at the Minnesota History Center and has been a lead guide at Mobile Entertainment LLC, giving Segway, walking, and biking tours of the Minneapolis riverfront for 9+ years.

 

He can be reached at mrainvillejr@comcast.net

February 2nd E-newsletter from Ward 3 Council Member Michael Rainville

February 2 e-newsletter from Ward 3 Council Member Michael Rainville

Message from Council Member Rainville

Neighbor,

As many of you know, I’m a lifelong resident and active member of our community. I grew up in Ward 3 and have lived in St. Anthony West my whole life. I am excited to work for all of you as your Minneapolis City Council Member. Over the next two years, I expect to have conversations with many of you about the current direction and future of our beloved city. While we have serious challenges ranging from public safety to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, I am confident our community will emerge stronger and our city will be able to rise to the occasion.

For the upcoming term I will be serving on the following council committees:

• Public Health and Safety
• Business, Inspections, Housing and Zoning
• Intergovernmental Relations

I ran on providing excellent constituent service and I remain committed to doing so during my time as your city council member. I want to introduce my two aides, Ryan SanCartier and Henry Jarvinen.

Ryan is in his fifth year at City Hall and is my Senior Policy Aide. Before joining my office, Ryan worked for Council Members Warsame, Osman and Reich. He lives in Northeast and enjoys running by the river and the diverse options for food and drink our community has to offer.

Henry comes from the campaign world. Before joining my office as my Policy Associate he worked on Senator Amy Klobuchar’s 2018 senate campaign, 2020 presidential campaign, and was campaign manager for Council Member Jamal Osman in 2021. He has lived in Minneapolis his whole life.

Friends of the Falls will negotiate the City’s acquisition of federal land near St. Anthony Falls

The City Council has approved having Friends of the Falls serve as the City’s agent in negotiations with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers over the acquisition of federal land surrounding the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock & Dam. The agreement also has the organization paying all costs associated with the transfer of land into municipal ownership, which is anticipated to happen later this year.

“This is an exciting opportunity to celebrate the spectacular environmental birthplace of Minneapolis and to also work with our Native American community,” said Council Member Michael Rainville, whose ward includes St. Anthony Falls. “We need to recognize the importance of this land to the people who’ve been here long before the city was ever founded.”

Minneapolis response to carjackings

• There has been a sharp rise in carjacking crimes across the region. Carjacking crimes are robberies with the loss of a vehicle using a threat of violence, use of force, or use of a weapon as the victim is entering or leaving the vehicle.
• The Minneapolis Police Department is apprehending suspects, investigating cases, and collaborating with the Hennepin County Attorney’s office and the courts to hold offenders accountable. The County has dedicated two prosecutors to specialize in the prosecution of these cases: one for juvenile cases and one for adult cases. The County has also designated an advocate to assist victims of carjackings.
• Review safety tips from the MPD.

$200 Visa gift card registration now open for 5- 11-year-olds getting vaccinated

• The State’s registration form is now open for parents to claim their $200 Visa gift card for vaccinating their 5- to 11-year-old children. Minnesota families whose 5- to 11-year-olds receive both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in January and February are eligible to receive a $200 gift card.
• Registration for the $200 Visa gift card closes at 11:59 p.m. Feb. 28. Parents and guardians can register their 5- to 11-year-old after completing their two-dose series.
• Children’s vaccine incentive information is available in English, Español (Spanish), Hmoob (Hmong), Soomaali (Somali).
• $100,000 Minnesota college scholarship drawings
  • Later this spring, there will be drawings for five $100,000 Minnesota college scholarship drawings for all kids in Minnesota 5-11 years old who are fully vaccinated. All kids in Minnesota ages 5-11 years old who completed their first and second doses at any point up to the registration deadline will be eligible to enter for a chance to win a $100,000 college scholarship. Details on the drawings will be announced in the coming months.
• How to find a COVID-19 vaccine for children
  • Visit mn.gov/vaxforkids to find clinic locations near you.
  • Check with your pediatrician, family medicine clinic or local pharmacy about appointments.

• Watch for vaccination clinics being offered at schools or other community locations around Minnesota.

Order your free at-home COVID-19 test kits from the federal government

• You can now request free at-home COVID-19 test kits from the federal government at COVIDtests.gov.
  • Each home in the U.S. is eligible to order four free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests. The tests are free. Orders will usually ship in seven to 12 days.
  • The tests are rapid antigen at-home tests, not PCR tests. They can be taken anywhere. They will give results within 30 minutes; no lab drop-off is required.

• Testing is one of the critical tools to protect residents and workers, reduce pressure on hospitals, and help keep schools and businesses open.

• Read the frequently asked questions (FAQs).

City to invest in 797 affordable housing units throughout Minneapolis

• The City Council has approved $15.7 million in direct investment and $1.1 million in 10-year federal tax credits to create or preserve 797 units of decent, safe, affordable rental housing in 10 projects throughout the city. Almost 300 units will be for people with incomes at or less than 30% of area median income with 152 of those units to help people get out of homelessness.
• These City investments are part of the City’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund and Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit programs and will make use of more than $278.8 million in additional private and public resources.
• The Affordable Housing Trust Fund creates new and preserves existing affordable housing for low income renters (with incomes at or below 50% area median income, or $52,450 per year for a family of four). Almost 75% of such renters pay more than 30% of their income for housing because of the affordable housing shortage in the city. Black people, Indigenous people and people of color are disproportionately affected by housing instability.
• You can watch the news conference on the City’s YouTube channel.

This week, City Council members and the Mayor launched the #EatLocalMPLS campaign to support our local small businesses restaurants as we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. So go out and grab a meal from your favorite place!

Valentine’s Day Gift Boxes from Experience the Twin Cities

Experience the Twin Cities has introduced its 2022 locally curated Valentine’s Day gift boxes full of Minnesota-made goodies. The three gift box options include items from Northern Print Co., Abdallah Candies, North Made Co., Legacy Chocolates, and more. Experience the Twin Cities includes free local delivery via their brightly colored tour bus. The Valentine’s Day gift boxes can be purchased from the Experience the Twin Cities website with prices ranging from $40-$65.

The line-up features three gift box options:

All You Need is Chocolate

‘Sota Cozy

Hot Cocoa Bombs

Experience the Twin Cities will hand deliver gift boxes to recipients within a 20-mile radius of Minneapolis for free on February 10 and 11. Nationwide shipping is also available.

“Our long Minnesota winters make Valentine’s Day the perfect time to do something extra fun, and we love creating and delivering these sweet gift boxes to bring local businesses directly to our customers. It’s a memorable moment when our brightly colored tour bus pulls up, plus our gift recipients get a great gift with some amazing Minnesota treats and products,” said Rebecca Pfeiffer, owner and CEO of Experience the Twin Cities. “We delivered gift boxes over the holidays for people who wanted to surprise friends, family, kids, clients, and coworkers and we can’t wait to do it again for Valentine’s Day.”

Experience the Twin Cities primarily offers a variety of tours to Twin Cities restaurants, breweries, sightseeing spots, and other locations. It’s currently offering a public St. Paul Skyway Food Tour and is hosting private tours for groups of families, friends, and business associates. The company introduced its locally curated gift box concept last year during holidays to help offset the effect of the COVID-19 on its business and to continue to support other local businesses. The Valentine’s Day gift boxes are available to purchase now. Gift boxes can be customized for bulk and corporate orders for a nominal fee.

Milwaukee Avenue: A Stroll Back in Time

Article by Michael Rainville, Jr.

The Minneapolis riverfront is home to many remnants of the Flour Milling Capitol of the World. Many mills, factories, and train bridges have stuck around and are constant reminders of the city’s past, but what about the workers? Houses from the flour milling era are scattered throughout the city, and one of the most cultural and historical areas where many of these houses can be found is the Milwaukee Avenue Historic District.

Current day Milwaukee Avenue

Nestled in the western half of the Seward Neighborhood, the houses along Milwaukee Avenue have provided beautiful housing for the working-class since 1883. It was that year when real estate developer William Ragan began prepping the land between Franklin Avenue and 24th Street, and 22nd Avenue and 23rd Avenue to build the first planned workers community in Minneapolis. Trying to build as many houses as he could, Ragan turned the alley into 22½ Avenue. He managed to fit in forty-six single-family houses with each lot roughly half the size of a typical residential lot. Ragan’s inspiration for the architecture of the houses came from design book plans that were popular in the latter half of the nineteenth century. Every house is one-and-three-quarter stories, made from brick and wood and features a porch, to list a few similarities.

Early on, many of the residents of these houses were Scandinavian, and had careers as bakers, carpenters, blacksmiths, general laborers, and railroad workers. In 1906, the residents petitioned to change 22½ Avenue to Woodland Avenue, because they felt that the “half” carried a negative connotation. There’s no clear reason as to why the name Milwaukee was chosen over Woodland, but the Milwaukee Short Line Railroad was very close by and many of the residents worked for that railroad.

As the decades went by, many of the houses were in disrepair, some to a point of no return, so the City of Minneapolis began to plan the demolition and redesign of the Milwaukee Avenue area in the 1960s and 70s as a part of Urban Renewal. There were many reasons why this outraged the neighbors, such as a majority of the houses were salvageable and the history of the area would be lost. Thankfully, the neighborhood did not back down and did everything they could to keep the city from razing the houses of Milwaukee Avenue. Seward’s Project Area Committee (PAC) representatives started the process of saving the houses by asking the city to designate the houses facing Milwaukee Avenue as a historic district. The request was denied, and things were looking grim, but Charles W. Nelson of the Minnesota Historical Society noted the importance of the houses as perfect examples of working-class housing and typed up the form to submit to the National Register of Historic Places. On May 5th, 1974, the Milwaukee Avenue Historic District was officially designated as a historic place.

Milwaukee Avenue in 1974

This designation meant that none of the houses could be demolished or significantly altered without a public hearing. Seward’s PAC members, lead by Bob Roscoe, walked through the area and inspected all the structures to see which ones were able to be restored and which ones had to be replaced. The nine houses that could not be saved were then replaced by structures that aesthetically matched the original houses of Milwaukee Avenue and fit in with the area. With help from grants for homeowner restoration and low-interest mortgages, the rest of the houses were successfully restored to their former glory, and then some.

Photo by Matt Dahlman, Red Pine Photography

Nowadays, Milwaukee Avenue is a pedestrian-only, landscaped walkway that offers one of the prettiest walks in town. In 2015, the Milwaukee Avenue Homeowners Association received grant money to install a bronze plaque on Milwaukee Avenue recounting the history and importance of the area. Like many areas throughout Minneapolis, Milwaukee Avenue’s future was once very bleak, but with passion and love for the area, the residents of Seward Neighborhood saved not only a piece of their history, but Minneapolis’ history. With autumn slowly approaching, now is a great time to take a stroll back in time and indulge yourselves in the history and beauty of Milwaukee Avenue.

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About Michael Rainville, Jr.

A 6th generation Minneapolitan, Michael Rainville Jr. received his B.A. in History from the University of St. Thomas, and is currently enrolled in their M.A. in Art History and Certificate in Museum Studies programs.

Michael is also an intern at the Hennepin History Museum and a lead guide at Mobile Entertainment LLC, giving Segway tours of the Minneapolis riverfront for 7+ years. Contact: mrainvillejr@comcast.net.

Click here for an interactive map of Michael's past articles.

2022 – Year of the Tiger: How are You Celebrating?

Article by Becky Fillinger 

Chang WangLunar New Year celebrations are a 3,500-year-old tradition in China. An estimated 1.5 billion people celebrate the holiday all around the world. The first day of the 15-day celebration is today, February 1. We asked our attorney friend Chang Wang how he plans to celebrate this year. Chang Wang was appointed by Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan to the Board of Directors, the Council of Asian Pacific Minnesotans, to represent 38,000 Chinese Minnesotans - he seems like the perfect person for a recommendation or two. 

“I’ll definitely wear red today, which is traditional,” says Wang. "Red is associated with prosperity and good luck in Chinese culture.” Here’s my list of what else I’ll do during the two weeks this year:

1) Attend the Chinese New Year concert with the U of M China Center and Friends of Minnesota Orchestra on February 1.

2) Visit the Watt Munisotaram in Hampton and pray for a better world. Watt Munisotaram is the largest Buddhist temple in the United States.

3) Visit the Chinese art exhibition at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. The exhibit runs through December 2022 if anyone wishes to see it even after the holiday.

4) Make dumplings and noodles with family and friends at home; or visit one of the Asian restaurants in the Twin Cities. Both foods symbolize good fortune and long life.

5) I’ll donate to homeless shelters and humane societies in our area to help the poor and defenseless.

How will you celebrate? Let us know – comment with your plans. Gong hei fat choy!  

The Stone Arch Bridge: A Minneapolis Icon

Article by Michael Rainville, Jr.

I know, I know, I’m surprised it took me eleven months to finally write about the Stone Arch Bridge too, but alas, the time has come. This grandiose railroad bridge is one of Minneapolis’ most iconic destinations, and the second oldest continually used bridge on the entire Mississippi River. It is featured on postcards, t-shirts, hats, posters, and everything in between. Not only does the bridge provide emblematic imagery, but it is an essential component of this city’s history as it has contributed to the successful milling and railroad operations in the area as well as the revitalization of the riverfront.

The 1870s was the first of many booming decades Minneapolis has seen. Both sides of the Mississippi River were united under one city, lumber mills were hitting their stride, and flour mills were starting to turn some heads. Local business owners quickly noted that having only one way to bring goods and commerce across the river, the Hennepin Avenue Bridge, was starting to hold the city back. During this time, railroads were also becoming vital to the growth of the United States, and the majority of tracks in the Twin Cities were on the east side of the river. These local business owners came together in 1881 and decided to work with James J. Hill, a local railroad owner, to construct a bridge to cross the Mighty Mississippi that would then lead trains to a brand-new Minneapolis Union Depot.

"Mill Pond at Minneapolis" by Alexis Jean Fournier, which is a part of MIA's collection.

The bridge from 1900

Acquiring land on both sides of the river was not as easy as first thought. While building a railroad bridge received mostly positive praise, the mill owners along the river had a hard time parting with their land, which no one can blame them for. In a perfect world, the new bridge would have crossed perpendicular to the river, because it would take less time and materials to complete. However, this land issue forced the bridge to be build diagonally across the river heading upstream on the west side. James J. Hill and Co. used this to their advantage and built the Minneapolis Union Depot about a third of a mile upstream from the bridge, which allowed the trains to roll right into the depot instead of having to use a roundhouse. At the end of the day, it worked out for everyone.

The Sauk Rapids granite and Mankato limestone bridge contributed an unthinkable amount to the industrial growth of Minneapolis, and eventually the northern and western parts of the United States. Once the Stone Arch Bridge was up and running, James J. Hill rapidly continued his pursuit to expand his railroad empire. Throughout the next decades his railroad acquisitions would become the Great Northern Railway, famous for connecting Chicago to the Pacific Northwest which contributed to the speedy development of the American frontier. While Hill is almost always overshadowed by his empire builder colleagues, such as Rockefeller, Vanderbilt, and Carnegie, he is just as important, especially in the land west of the Mississippi River as his legacy has shown.

One of the more major renovations of the Stone Arch Bridge came between 1961 and 1963 when the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock and Dam was built. Everything was going according to plan up until the inaugural barge attempted to make its way into the lock. Unfortunately, it took about three hours for that to happen, because it had to maneuver around the arches. To fix this, the railroad company offered to tear down the bridge and build a new one. Even though Urban Renewal was very popular in Downtown Minneapolis, the city was not going to let this historic and iconic bridge be torn down, so there was a compromise. If the city could fix the problem without disrupting the bridge’s train traffic, the bridge could stay. What ended up happening was that a 200-foot metal truss was prefabricated up in Northeast Minneapolis. When the first train of the day crossed the bridge, two of the twenty-three arches were blown out, the truss was lowered in, secured, and about six hours later, the next train crossed the bridge with no problems. When that train approached, a few thousand people gathered on a hill on the west bank of the river to see if the new addition would hold up. I don’t know what they were hoping for, but I’ll be honest, it would be kind of cool to see a train plummet into the river. How many people would get to see they’ve seen that? It’d be like a real-life movie!

As the milling industry left Minneapolis, the amount of trains crossing the bridge quickly decreased, and in 1978, the bridge officially stopped all railroad operations. During the next decade it became apparent that the vacant bridge was a safety hazard, so in 1989 the Hennepin County commissioners, led by John Derus who also established the Merriam Street Bridge, purchased the bridge and began the process of restoring it for future use.

Contemporary photo of the bridge. Photo credit

In 1994, the old railroad bridge was converted into a pedestrian bridge, and for twenty-four years, millions of residents and tourists have enjoyed the bridge. From artists and photographers to joggers and people enjoying a fabulously narrated Segway tour, generations have appreciated what the Stone Arch Bridge has done for our city and riverfront, and hopefully we can cherish this ambitious and monumental bridge for years to come. Thank you to Governor Dayton for ensuring it will happen, as reported in this Minnesota Daily article.

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About Michael Rainville, Jr.

A 6th generation Minneapolitan, Michael Rainville, Jr. received his B.A. in History, Graduate Certificate in Museum Studies, and M.A. in Art History from the University of St. Thomas.

Michael is a historical interpreter at the Minnesota History Center and has been a lead guide at Mobile Entertainment LLC, giving Segway, walking, and biking tours of the Minneapolis riverfront for 9+ years.

 

He can be reached at mrainvillejr@comcast.net

Local Tastemaker: Gustavo Romero

Article by Becky Fillinger

Kate and Gustavo Romero

Imagine a place where you may purchase an array of delicious, aromatic and gorgeous freshly-made tortillas – you’ve certainly arrived at Nixta! Well, you can actually purchase these treats at a number of Twin Cities retail partners (keep reading) but we went to the source to talk to the maker, Gustavo Romero.  He’s our definition of a tastemaker – passionate, innovative, keeping the product authentic and making it accessible to us all. 

Q:  Please tell us about the history of your business, Nixta - why artisanal tortillas?

A:  Necessity! COVID hit and my chef wife, Kate Romero, and I were expecting our first child, and we both found ourselves employed by an industry that was going to be hard hit. I grew up eating authentic corn tortillas and recently ran a masa program in the Bay Area at Calavera, so the seeds for the idea were always there, but the COVID shutdown allowed me the opportunity to take the plunge and see if it would work here in the Midwest. There was no other nixtamal program in the Twin Cities, and we are very committed to eating good tacos. The best way to do that is to give tacos a great foundation, and that starts with the tortilla. Fluffy, sturdy, aromatic, nutritious. We have great meat and produce here in Minnesota, so let's put that all on top of a better tortilla.

Q:  How do you procure the heirloom corn varieties? 

A:  Currently we import all our corn from Mexico since heirloom corn is not easily procured in the United States. Mexico does not allow GMOs, which protects this ancient crop. There are over 60 varieties of heirloom corn, each offers a unique flavor and handles differently. People are always interested in seeing them at our shop display. Once the market here grows, we're confident these types of corn will be more likely to be grown locally, but that's not the reality now. 

Q:  You mentioned starting your business during COVID. How has COVID impacted your business?

A:  We’re unique in that we were born during COVID, so our model from the ground up was built in this weird, unforgiving environment. We have a very small staff, rotating shifts, and pick up only - no dine in service. Our takeaway meal kits reheat at home, so they offer flexibility to our customers. We slowly added hot take out to go, and put up some ironing boards outside to enjoy on the warmer days, all the while slowly growing our retail and restaurant distribution of packaged tortillas. We love people and service, so one of the hard things for us has been worrying about staying on top of safety protocols for staff and customers, and having the best regulars, but not really knowing what they look like since they always wear masks (and we thank them for it!). Also, price increases. They are so real, for our business and our customers alike.

Q:  Are there clear-cut customer favorites in your offerings? 

A:  Yes! In addition to the tortillas, it's Barbacoa and cochinita pibil. We're lucky to partner with Peterson Farms for our fantastic meats. (For the meat adjacent, we feature vegetarian and vegan options each week, in asimilar preparation). We make sikil pak, which is a "Mexican hummus" made with pepita seeds, and that's been a hit. Pozole and moles on the colder days, enchiladas and tamales. Folks are loving our quarterly tamale stock ups! 

Q:  What’s new at Nixta for 2022?

A:  Our big goal is vacuum sealing our products, so we can increase the shelf life and our distribution range. Fresh tortillas are hyper perishable, like bread, so it would be great to impact that reality. We look forward to continuing our collaborations with our friend chefs, breweries and restaurants, and maybe the slow return of catering. 

Q:  I’m sold! How and where may we purchase your tortillas? 

A:  You can always stop by our shop at 1222 2nd Street NE on Fridays and Saturdays (and pick up some hot food on the side!).

We're also lucky to have wonderful co-op partners, and the list grows all the time. Currently, you can find us at Eastside, Seward, Lakewinds, Mississippi Markets, Lowry Hill Meats, Vivir, Golden Fig and Surdyk's. Join our weekly newsletter or follow us on Facebook and Instagram for all the latest team tortilla happenings. Stay healthy, eat well. 

Save The Date! Earth Day 2022 5K Bee Run/Walk/River Cleanup is April 23rd

The Great River Coalition invites you to support pollinator health by participating in the 7th Annual Earth Week 5K Bee Run/Walk/River Cleanup! The route originates at Boom Island Park and runs through the only National Park offering scenic views of the Mississippi River! The event will be on Earth Day, April 23, 2022. Get creative with pollinator costumes! Each paid participant receives a t-shirt, a Mill City Running discount and a chance to win big prizes.

Register online at: https://register.chronotrack.com/r/64012

Check website: www.greatrivercoalition.com/2022-beerunwalkcleanup

The Falls Initiative Community Conversations

Friends of the Falls and the Native American Community Development Institute (NACDI) are partnering with the City of Minneapolis and Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board to consider the future of the Upper Lock at Owámniyomni (meaning “turbulent waters” in the Dakota language), St. Anthony Falls. The lock closed to commercial navigation in 2015 and now presents an opportunity to not only restore public access to the river, but to create a place of healing and celebration that acknowledges the past and advances a more equitable and inclusive future.

Attend an upcoming Community Conversation to connect with Native leaders, the design team, and neighbors and discuss topics like restoration, programming, connectivity, and economic opportunity.

The first session will be held virtually on February 15 from 5-7pm. Robert Lilligren, Carrie Day Aspinwall and Karen Diver will be joined by Native Partnership Council members Jewell Arcoren, Juanita Espinosa and Wakinyan LaPointe to discuss how we can approach this project from an Indigenous perspective.

We invite all in our Minneapolis community to join the conversation and shape the future of the Falls.

About the panelists:

● Robert Lilligren is President and CEO of NACDI, an appointed member of the Metropolitan Council and Vice Chair of the Metropolitan Urban Indian Directors (MUID). He is enrolled in the White Earth Ojibwe Nation.

● Carrie Day Aspinwall, CDA Enterprises, facilitates meetings of the Native Partnership Council. Previously Carrie engaged residents, stakeholders and institutions across Minneapolis’ seventy-one neighborhoods in her role with the Neighborhood and Community Relations Department. Carrie is an enrolled citizen of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe/Minnesota Chippewa Tribe.

● Karen Diver is currently serving as the Senior Advisor to the President for Native American Affairs at the University of Minnesota after previous roles at the University of Arizona and the College of St. Scholastica. Karen was also an appointee of President Obama as the Special Assistant to the President for Native American Affairs, and she served as Chairwoman of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa from 2007-2015.

● Jewell Arcoren is a ‘change agent’ and community activist. She is currently serving as Executive Director for Wicoie Nandagikendan and is committed to Dakota and Ojibwe language revitalization at the early childhood level. Jewell is an enrolled member of the Sisseton Wahpeton Nation.

● Juanita G. Corbine Espinosa is an enrolled member of the Spirit Lake Nation in North Dakota with blood lines that connect to the Ojibwe of Lac Courte Oreilles in Wisconsin and Turtle Mountain Ojibwe in North Dakota. Juanita is a dedicated community organizer, currently working at the University of Minnesota-Department of Medicine Northern Range Satellite Center. She coordinates with 10 institutions across the US focused on American Indian research.

● Wakinyan Skye LaPointe is Sicangu Lakota, an Indigenous Human Rights advocate, and Co-Convener of the Mni Ki Wakan: Indigenous Water Decade. He centers Lakota knowledge, language, and ways of life in his work across human rights, working in partnership with Indigenous Peoples and youth.

The Falls Initiative: Community Conversations:

February 15 – A Story Disrupted: Indigenous Perspectives

March 16 – Relationships with the River: Water is Life

April 12 – Restoring a Story Disrupted: What Can This Place Become?

May 21 – Building Connections

June 15 – A Powerful Place for Partnerships

Register to attend the February 15 event here:

https://avforyou.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYoceyvrD4sH9OXCDt_07Wd_mOPEUEAyaV0

And learn more about future Community Conversations at thefalls.org 

City to Invest in 797 Affordable Housing Units Throughout Minneapolis

Excerpt the January 28 City of Minneapolis e-newsletter:

The City Council has approved $15.7 million in direct investment and $1.1 million in 10-year federal tax credits to create or preserve 797 units of decent, safe, affordable rental housing in 10 projects throughout the city. Almost 300 units will be for people with incomes at or less than 30% of area median income with 152 of those units to help people get out of homelessness. These City investments are part of the City’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund and Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit programs and will make use of more than $278.8 million in additional private and public resources. The Affordable Housing Trust Fund creates new and preserves existing affordable housing for low income renters (with incomes at or below 50% area median income, or $52,450 per year for a family of four). Almost 75% of such renters pay more than 30% of their income for housing because of the affordable housing shortage in the city. Black people, Indigenous people and people of color are disproportionately affected by housing instability. Watch City leaders discuss the investments at a news conference Jan. 27.  Learn more.

Live Performances Set to Return to LUSH Lounge & Theater January 29

Drag Shows And Other Entertainment Return To The Theater Beginning January 29

After reopening on December 29, live performances are set to return to LUSH Lounge & Theater beginning Saturday, January 29, 2022. The new schedule includes A Brunch of Drag, an all ages drag brunch every Saturday and Sunday, and Mirage, a premier drag show on Saturday nights.

“We’ve been hard at work getting the Marquis Theater ready and are so excited to introduce our new cast to the Twin Cities,” said Andrew Rausch, Co-Owner of LUSH Lounge & Theater. “We had an overwhelming turnout for auditions and this new cast is sure to entertain.”

Named after legendary local drag performer Roxy Marquis, the Marquis Theater seats 100 people for each performance. A Brunch of Drag is a 90-minute interactive show for all ages happening every Saturday and Sunday. Doors open at 10:00 a.m. with brunch from Betty & Earl’s served at 10:30 a.m. and the show starting at 11:00 a.m. Additional 21+ brunch shows are scheduled to be added in February.

“It is important to us that everyone is able to experience the culture of drag,” said Jared Lawrence, Co-Owner of LUSH Lounge & Theater. “A Brunch of Drag is an all-ages, family-friendly show where all are welcome to have fun and enjoy the art of drag.”

Biscuit Breakfast Sandwich

Betty & Earl’s is also serving brunch every Saturday and Sunday in the dining area from 10am-4pm. The menu includes brunch staples including the biscuit breakfast sandwich, biscuits & gravy, breakfast burger, breakfast poutine, baked French toast, blueberry lemon biscuit shortcake, smothered breakfast burrito, and more.

Those looking for a night out with friends can reserve tickets for Mirage. An immersive show with a variety of performers, Mirage, features the in-house cast alongside premier guest entertainment from around the country. Enjoy a full show with everything from celebrity impersonations, live singers, sultry burlesque acts, and top tier drag entertainment. Doors open at 9:30 p.m. and the show begins at 10:00 p.m.

In addition to the usual drag brunch performances, special Valentine’s themed drag brunches are scheduled for February 12-13. The Marquis Theater also hosts a variety of other entertainment as well. On Fridays, from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. guests can attend RuPaul’s Drag Race viewing parties. Drag Bingo returns to the theater on Sundays from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. beginning February 6 with proceeds benefitting The Aliveness Project. A variety of exclusive shows and performances are also scheduled including Radiance, a starlit belly dancing showcase on February 12 and Mix Queen: A Relationship Mixtape features renowned drag performer Tina Burner in her new show.

To view a full calendar of entertainment and to purchase tickets, visit lushmpls.com and follow them on social media @lushmpls.

February Updates from the Northrup King Building

Via a January 25 e-newsletter:

We've got date night covered! With fun events, new and inspiring gallery exhibitions, and hundreds of artists inviting you in for a peek at some of their latest works, we're feeling the love and staying warm and toasty at the Northrup King Building! Plenty of Free Parking, Passenger Elevator, and Comfortable Spaces.

SweetArt Salon Presents: Close to Home

The Northrup King Artist Community invites you to our SweetArt Salon this February, for a group exhibition featuring works that showcase our vision of what it means to draw strength, hope and resilience from our community, close to home. Come to surround yourself with inspiration, participate by adding your own thoughts, recollections and hopes to our interactive floating hearts installation, or find your own work of art to fall in love with this February at the Northrup King Building.  Opening: Feb 3  3rd Floor Gallery | Suite #332 ‍ Gallery Hours: ‍Thursday, Feb 3 | 5-9p (During First Thursday) Saturday, Feb 5 | 12-4p (During Open Studio Saturday) Saturday, Feb 12 | 12-10p (During Northrup King Nights)

First Thursday is on Feb. 3

The First Thursday of the year is a great night to visit the artists and discuss the process and inspiration behind the incredible art, and to find and take home your one of a kind treasure. First Thursday  Thursday | Feb 3 | 5-9pm

Northrup King Nights: Valentine's Edition! is on Feb. 12

A night full of color, inspiration and beauty  - is there a better way to spend an evening with your sweetheart? Snuggle up and stroll arm in arm through our historical (and warm!) building to experience gallery openings, fun Valentine-themed studios, and our SweetArt Salon exhibition in the 3rd Floor Gallery! A visit to this Twin Cities iconic destination is always a fun adventure on a cold winter night!   Northrup King Nights  Saturday | Feb 12 | 6-10pm Photo credit © M. Bellotti Fine Art

Gallery Happenings

Treat Yourself Artist Reception with Anna Stark Presented by A.M.F. Gallery  ───────────── A.M.F. Gallery presents Treat Yourself, an artist reception featuring the latest oil paintings by candy artist Anna Stark. Anna Stark captures everything we loved about the 80s! From nostalgic candies to our favorite lunch boxes, Anna's paintings are as collectable as the treasures she paints.  Her paintings enchant the heart of everyone who sees them. Anna will easily delight your night, as children and adults of all ages find the sugary treats that make them smile. Join us during Northrup King Nights for an opportunity to meet and chat with Anna, and see what she has created for you. Artist Reception: Saturday | Feb 12 │ 5-9pm  Studio 152 | A.M.F. Gallery Image provided by Anna Stark

The Color Series: Part 5, Blue Artist Reception Presented by Kolman & Pryor Gallery ───────────── The color blue, many painters’ favorite for its cool and dramatic yet serene and calming tones, has always been more expensive than other colors. During the Renaissance, true blue (ultramarine) was five times more expensive than gold as its color derived from lapis lazuli. Today, according to the study, The Colors, Emotions, and the Auction Value of Paintings,  abstract paintings in which blue dominates are top sellers. Due to recent supply chain disruptions, blue paint is becoming costly as manufacturers struggle to locate the ingredients necessary to make blue paint.  All of which adds to the mystique of Kolman & Pryor Gallery‘s upcoming exhibition, The Color Series: Part 5, Blue, the fifth show in the gallery’s ongoing Color Series. The exhibition, which features work by gallery artists, Betsy Ruth Byers, Jil Evans, Kelly Jean Ohl, Jodi Reeb, Julie Snidle, and Cameron Zebrun, opens January 8, and runs through March 5, 2022. An artist reception is happening on Saturday, February 12, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. during Northrup King Nights, a Northrup King Building open studio evening.  On Display Through Mar 5 Artist Reception: Saturday | Feb 12 | 7-9pm Gallery Hours: Saturday | 12-4pm First Thursdays | 5pm - 9pm Also available by appointment Studio 395 | Kolman & Pryor Gallery Image Courtesy of Jodi Reeb

Jewelry Showcase Presented by A.M.F. Gallery ───────────── A.M.F. Gallery is featuring new work from seven local jewelers. Try on jewelry in every style at every price - each piece is a one of a kind! For a pop of color, explore our new precious and semi-precious gem work. For basics with a bit of an edge, you'll love metal, wood, encaustic, and ceramic jewelry. Find yourself or someone special the perfect new piece! Available during Open Studio Events, with featured hours during Northrup King Nights, February 12, 5-9pm Studio 152 | A.M.F. Gallery Image courtesy of Everart Designs

White Out Closing Feb 19 Presented by Gallery Equus ───────────── This exhibition celebrates the themes of lightness and joy all through the cold and white of the winter season. On Display Through Feb 19 Open Gallery Hours: Saturdays 12pm - 4pm First Thursdays 5pm - 9pm We are always available by appointment! Studio 222 | Gallery Equus Image Courtesy of Deneena Hughes

Talk to Me Online Exhibition Presented by Ingrid Restemayer ───────────── Ingrid Restemayer returns to Susan Hensel Gallery with a new fiber art series titled Talk to Me. These pieces continue the strong compositions and driving aesthetic focus of the artist’s oeuvre, developing the threads she has woven so far while introducing a new set of idioms. Using hand made paper, printmaking and embroidery, Restemayer gives us a quiet, contemplative view of the ways humanity communicates with itself. The works combine colored paper as a background to etchings of animals, with embroidery that stitches the work together and adds textural elements on its own. Talk to Me on Artsy.net Through March 15 Ingrid Restemayer can be found in Studio #401-B at the Northrup King Building. Please contact the artist directly for hours or appointments.  Image courtesy of the Susan Hensel Gallery

And Don't Forget About Open Studio Saturday!

Every Saturday! Open Studio Saturdays are our weekly retail hours and feature open studios, breathtaking galleries and fun boutiques, making them a perfect time to take a quiet afternoon stroll around our lovely building. Beat the crowds, find a treasure, and talk with the artists who work and create here every day.  Open Studio Saturdays Every Saturday | 12-4pm

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING COVID-19 Please note any interaction with the general public poses an elevated risk of being exposed to COVID-19 and we cannot guarantee that you will not be exposed while in attendance during these open studio hours. Masks are required in the Northrup King Building at all times, regardless of vaccination status, per Minneapolis Emergency Order #2022-1. Individual studios may set their own additional COVID policies. Please bring a mask with you on your visit and practice social distancing. We are still in this together. Let's protect each other.  Artists and businesses will continue to set their own hours or availability; we encourage you to contact artists ahead of time to ensure they will be open and operating during our retail hours. You can use our online Studio Directory to do so.

Small Business Spotlight: Cynthia Froid Group

Article by Becky Fillinger, photos provided

Cynthia FroidCynthia Froid has been selling downtown real estate for over 25 years. She knows a thing or two about the market! She is also deeply involved with supporting community nonprofits. We talked to her about her inspirations, giving back and predictions for 2022. 

Q:  In a 2015 Star Tribune interview, you mentioned that Blue Ocean Strategy: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make the Competition Irrelevant by W. Chan Kim and Renee Mauborgne was your business bible. I have lots of questions! Did the lessons from this book help you develop the new market spaces of the downtown condo real estate market? Do you still rely upon the teachings from the book? Do you have other business books you’d like to recommend?   

A:  This is such a great book, and one that I return to every now and again. I learned a lot of great lessons from this book about “staying in your lane”, and being focused on mastering your craft, rather than comparing your business to that of your competition. There is plenty of real estate to sell in Minneapolis. I don’t need to sell all of it. I don’t want to sell all of it. I just want to sell the best of it. And I only want to work with clients who respect the experience and network that I bring to the table. I focus on selling specific buildings in specific neighborhoods downtown, and support the businesses and non-profits that are also in those neighborhoods. It is very important to me that my clients know this. With such a laser focus on downtown specifically, I can be very deliberate in my marketing and building my market share. I am truly devoted to exclusively focusing downtown and have never been distracted by chasing down business in the suburbs.

When COVID and the social unrest brought Minneapolis to its knees in 2020, frankly most of my competition ran for greener pastures and started looking for business elsewhere. They had no choice. At that time, I actually doubled down on downtown. I had the capital reserves to crank up my marketing efforts and we put our heads down and didn’t skip a beat. It was a rough year, yes, but we all rallied and our numbers from 2021 are the proof. Our team sold more properties downtown last year than in any of the previous six years. Last year was actually our second-best year of sales, ever.

But what am I reading now? Currently I am re-reading The New Gold Standard by Joseph A. Michelli for our team book club selection, along with Atomic Habits by James Clear. I’m also really looking forward to diving into Beyond Entrepreneurship by Jim Collins.

Cynthia at the Mill City Farmers Market with Dr. Hallberg of Mill City Physicians, Brenda Langton, MCFM Founder, and Martha Archer, MCFM Executive Director.

Q:  You give back to your community in many ways – you support the Mill City Farmers Market, People Serving People, Green Minneapolis and of course, our very own Mill City Times, to name a few. Your website shows the 20+ community organizations you assist and promote – why is it important to you to support the community in so many ways?   

A:  Giving to this community that has given me so much is a no brainer. So many of my clients are very philanthropic minded, and I learned early in my career that charitable giving is critical to the health of a community. The more the Mill City Farmers Market thrives, for example, the more people will want to be a part of it. What better way to be a part of it, than to live nearby? The more people love the neighborhoods downtown, the more they will invest in downtown. The more my career grows by selling properties downtown, the more I can give to downtown organizations who need my support. It’s a win-win for everyone. 

RBC Gateway project with the Central Library in the forefront.Q:  You’re the exclusive sales agent for the Four Seasons Private Residences in the RBC Gateway building – congratulations! Please tell us more about these condo units. When will they be ready for move-in? 

A:  This is a hugely important project for downtown, and our entire state. It is an honor to represent the Pohlad family and United Properties on this landmark endeavor. The Gateway block at Hennepin and Washington had been completely under-utilized, to the point of being an eyesore for thirty years before we started digging in June of 2019 (it was formerly the site of the historic Nicollet House Hotel until its demolition in 1991). The energy that will once again swirl around that block will be game changing for Minneapolis as RBC employees start moving in next month.

By June we will welcome our first five-star hotel in Minnesota, Four Seasons, with Chef Gavin Kaysen’s newest restaurant masterpiece on the street level. The cherry on top will be the Private Residences which we plan to start closing this fall. Minneapolis hasn’t seen anything like these residences, and we are so proud to be delivering them to some 34 lucky few buyers. The views, services and amenities will be incomparable.

Cynthia on-site at the RBC Gateway project.

The RBC Gateway project at Hennepin and Washington

Q:  What do you predict for the 2022 downtown real estate market?   

A:  I don’t have a crystal ball and have learned never to make any proclamations about what’s coming. BUT, based on our sales from last year and a robust start to Q1, I am very bullish on the downtown market. It is worth noting that the majority of buyers who are investing in Four Seasons and the Eleven already live downtown. These people will be selling their homes downtown this year in preparation for moving into their new building. This will free up a lot of nice inventory, and we should see plenty of great options for people this spring in the Mill District, North Loop, and East Town (St Anthony Main) neighborhoods.

Q:  How may we follow your news?   

A:  People love looking right in our window on 2nd Street (709 2nd Street South) to view our new and upcoming listings (bring your doggies in for a treat!), but you can also sign up for our Saturday email newsletter with all the fresh weekly updates, and of course follow us on Instagram for inspiration, professional tips, upcoming listings and local events.

Happy Monday!

Starting the week off on a positive note! Thank you to Rick Kittock for capturing this large "heart Mpls" written in a snowy parking lot.

Father Hennepin Bluff Park to Undergo Major Renovation in 2022

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

Last night Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) Commissioners approved a construction contract to renovate and improve Father Hennepin Bluff Park. The 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

Follow the link below to view the project design and some illustrations of the new stage/restroom facility:

Father Hennepin Bluff Park Improvements Design [PDF]

Timeline

Some initial work will occur in the park this winter to set the stage for full-scale construction beginning in the spring. Most of the park will be under construction starting Spring 2022, with work expected to be complete in Fall 2022.

Park Access

At this point there are no plans to fully close access to the park during construction, but please stay away from areas that are fenced off or where construction is happening. Construction updates will be sent periodically throughout the year with information on park access. Visit the Father Hennepin Bluff Park Improvements project page and sign up for email updates to stay informed.

There are two other public infrastructure projects in the area that may impact park access:

The Metropolitan Council is performing nearby sewer repair that closed Main Street SE to motorized traffic between Merriam Street and 3rd Avenue SE beginning Jan. 3, 2022 through April 2022. Please visit the Minneapolis East Interceptor Rehabilitation project page for more information.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT) is planning to begin a project to repair the Stone Arch Bridge in 2022. That project may include short-term closures of the bridge and impacts to park access through 2024. Please visit the MNDOT Stone Arch Bridge project page for more details.

Environmental Impact

Throughout the design process and during construction, the MPRB coordinates efforts to preserve as much of the existing tree canopy at the park as possible. This coordination will result in many trees being preserved, however, some tree removal is unavoidable to safely complete these park improvements. 

This project will also improve stormwater management at the park and reduce untreated runoff into the Mississippi River.

Stay Informed

Visit the Father Hennepin Bluff Improvements project page to learn more about the project and sign up for email updates to stay informed. Updates will be sent via email and posted on MPRB social media channels throughout construction.

Take a Virtual Tour of the City’s Public Service Building

Via an e-announcement from the City of Minneapolis:

You can now take a guided tour of the City of Minneapolis Public Service Building and its beautiful artworks – virtually. The Public Service Building is a welcoming, sustainable, accessible public amenity.

Close to City Hall, the office building is a central place to get services and information. It offers a higher quality of service to the public, reduces the City's real estate footprint, and provides effective space for the diverse needs of employees. The building has won an Honor Award from the AIA New York Chapter recognizing its outstanding architectural design.

Take a virtual tour or book an appointment online to get help with a permit, license or utility bill.

You can also see and learn about the artworks on this virtual map.

Minneapolis Central City Tunnel Project Update - January 18

Via a January 18 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

• Crews are working on excavating soils from the existing tunnel access shaft at the northeast corner of the Washington Ave and Hennepin Ave intersection. This is to begin tunneling the new parallel storm tunnel under Washington Avenue.
  • There may be short, periodic delays while crews move equipment and materials around.

Chicago Ave

• Crews are setting up the dewatering well and pumps on the northeast corner of the Washington Ave and Chicago Ave intersection. This work is anticipated to be completed by the end of January.
  • There will be no lane closures needed to complete this work.
  • There may be short, periodic delays while crews move equipment and materials around.

Nicollet Mall

• Crews continue setting up the dewatering well and pumps near the southeast corner of the Nicollet Mall and Washington Ave intersection. This work is anticipated to be completed by the end of January.
  • The eastern sidewalk along Nicollet Mall between Washington Ave and 3rd St N is open. Sidewalk might be temporary closed during final setup for the well.
  • Pedestrians are still able to use the sidewalk on the west side of Nicollet Mall.
  • The crosswalk at the Washington Ave intersection remains open.

2nd Ave

• Crews are continue installing the new tunnel access shaft in the southbound lanes of 2nd Ave S, just north of the Washington Ave intersection. Crews continue drilling, excavating, and installing the shaft walls. Drilling work is anticipated to be completed by the end of January.
  • 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.

4th Ave

• The east lane of 4th Ave S between 3rd St S and Washington Ave remains closed near the Washington Ave intersection. This is needed to complete setting up the dewatering well and pumps. The dewatering well is anticipated to be completely set up and running by the end of January.
  • The sidewalk on the east side of 4th Ave S remains temporarily closed until the dewatering well is setup.
  • 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.

Portland Ave

• The west parking lane of Portland Ave remains closed between 3rd St S and Washington Ave. This is needed to complete setting up the dewatering well and pumps. The dewatering well is anticipated to be completely setup and running by the end of January.
  • During this closure, bicyclists share the open traffic lane and pedestrians should use the eastern sidewalk.

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.
  • The parking lot off Portland Ave east of the Stone Arch Bridge, near Mill Ruins Park, is temporarily closed for the winter and will reopen spring 2022. This closure is necessary to complete the 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

• Starting at 6 a.m. on Monday, January 3, 2022, the north westbound lane, bike lane, and parking lane will be closed on Washington Avenue between Portland Ave and Park Ave. These closures will remain in place through spring 2022. 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.
  • 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.

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: https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/projects/central-city-tunnel/

Email the project team: info@mplscentralcitytunnel.com

Contact the project hotline: 612-888-9418

Local Tastemaker: Zehorit Heilicher

Article by Becky Fillinger

Zehorit HeilicherContinuing our series on local tastemakers, we turn to Zehorit Heilicher. We talked to her about her childhood in Israel, what flavors she is cooking with now and where to learn to cook just like Zehorit! 

Q:  Please tell us about your childhood in Israel - how did food play into your memories?  

A:  My family immigrated to Israel from Yemen and settled in a neighborhood filled with immigrants from all over the world. The neighbors shared dishes, stories and recipes and our crowded street corner was often perfumed with T’bit from Iraq, Tagine from Morocco, Matza ball soup from Russia, S’chug from Yemen - just to name a few. Once I moved to Minnesota, I longed for the flavors that were home to me. I learned how to use spices, how to recreate Middle Eastern recipes with American ingredients and how to provide my own family with flavors that will define their childhood and culture. While doing that, friends and family members became interested in learning those recipes as well. From there, the path was short to teaching others, creating my blog and even trying out a food production line for a while.

Q:  You call your mother the "Kitchen Queen." How did she influence your love of cooking and entertaining? 

A:  My mother, who arrived in Israel as an orphan at the tender age of 5, was raised in a state-sponsored orphanage. Creating a family and caring for it was of utmost importance to her, and providing healthy and flavorful meals for us was a calling. Though we lived on my father’s sole salary as a teacher, our lives were filled with an abundance of flavors, music and laughter. My mom is a competent and intuitively gifted cook; from traditional Yemenite soup, golden and fragrant with Hawayej, to couscous from scratch, yeasted, tender chocolate cake rolls, tall and golden-brown Shabbat Kubaneh and crispy, juicy roasted chicken with pearly rice. My mouth is watering…

Orange cake

Q:  Me too! What food ingredients are you cooking with in the new year? 

A:  Winter usually invokes two flavors for me. First is citrus which I had available to me during childhood with a short trip to our garden. Citrus offers freshness and brightness as well as Vitamin C when Minnesota can be so cold and dreary. I make everything from my Mom’s fresh orange cake, lemon rosemary chicken, Meyer lemon marmalade, grapefruit-avocado salad and more. The second flavor is Yemenite Hawayej, which is a very versatile spice mix, similar to curry powder. I use it in its traditional application in Yemenite chicken soup, as well as to season roasted chicken, potatoes, stews and more. Its warm flavor profile heats the body from the inside out and provides bold flavors in the bland winter.

Q:  Please tell us about being a Tastemaker in Residence at the Spirited Table. 

A:  I have been fortunate to be part of Spirited Table since 2013 as a Tastemaker. It provides me with an additional platform to share my culture, recipes and thoughts. Cindi Sutter, the creator, creative mind and editor of the site has invested in creating a welcoming and inclusive place for writers and users. I have shared thoughts, recipes and information on Jewish and American holidays, on Israel, parenting, travel and more.

Q:  You obviously have a lot of good food and cooking information to share. Do you offer cooking classes?  

A:  Yes, I do! I teach at various Cooks of Crocus Hill locations. The next class at Cooks of Crocus Hill in Minneapolis is January 25 – Mideast Vegetarian Feast. I also offer classes at the Nordic Ware teaching kitchen in St. Louis Park and private classes in person and virtually.

Q:  How may we follow your news?  

A:  You can find recipes and upcoming classes, plus have the opportunity to communicate with me directly through my blog, MideasttoMidwest.com

New Book, Fading Ads of the Twin Cities, Available January 24th

If you enjoy viewing vintage advertising murals on old buildings, Fading Ads of the Twin Cities by Jay Grammond is the perfect book for you! This is the first published book for Mr. Grammond, a photographer and self-proclaimed history nerd. It will be available for purchase starting January 24th. This book is published by Arcadia Publishing, home to an extensive list of books on American history.

State COVID Testing Site Temporarily Moves from Convention Center to US Bank Stadium January 17-21

Via an e-announcement from the City of Minneapolis:

The State’s Minneapolis Convention Center Community Testing Site will be closed Jan. 17-21. Testing will temporarily move to U.S. Bank Stadium during that time. The U.S. Bank Stadium Community Testing Site will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Jan. 17-21 offering saliva PCR and nasal swab rapid antigen testing for both walk-ins and appointments. Appointments for this site will open on a rolling basis.

Testing will return to the Minneapolis Convention Center on Jan. 24.

People can make an appointment for a test at U.S. Bank Stadium on the Minnesota Department of Health website.

Parking and directions

• U.S. Bank Stadium is located at 401 Chicago Ave.
• Free parking will be available at the Mills Fleet Farm Parking Garage. Walk from the parking garage on Level 2 through U.S. Bank Stadium’s skyway entrance.
• From the light rail METRO station, cross on South Fourth Street and enter the Mills Fleet Farm Parking Garage at the corner of South Fourth Street and Chicago Avenue South. From the lobby of the Mills Fleet Farm Parking Garage, take the escalator to Level 2 for the skyway entry.
• The skyway entrance is accessible for all guests through the Mills Fleet Farm Parking Garage. Once inside the Mills Fleet Farm Parking Garage, take elevators to Level 2 for the skyway entry.
• If you’re using a ride-sharing app, enter the Mills Fleet Farm Parking Garage address for an accurate drop-off location.

Once inside U.S. Bank Stadium, staff and signs will direct you to the testing site.

Minnesotans can also order a test through the State’s free at-home COVID-19 testing program or visit other testing locations.