FINNOVATION Fellowship Selects Nine For Social Entrepreneurship Program, Now in its Fourth Year

Via a recent e-announcment:

FINNOVATION Fellowship Selects Nine for Social Entrepreneurship Program

Diverse applicants and areas of impact ranging from environmental sustainability efforts to support and resources for the Black community attracted to the program, now in its fourth year.

FINNOVATION Institute, the newly established non-profit partner of FINNOVATION Lab, has selected nine early-stage entrepreneurs for the fourth cohort of its Fellowship Program, which aims to support and empower entrepreneurs who have bold ideas for sustainable, positive impact. The nine-month program, running September 2021 through May 2022, will push the fellows to solve social or environmental issues through innovative business models. 

Fellows will receive a $50,000 living stipend and $3,000 health care stipend and have access to dedicated workspace and an ecosystem of advisors and mentors. The group will work through a tailored curriculum designed to develop the leadership skills necessary to run a successful social enterprise. In addition to valuable resources and benefits, fellows gain support and critical feedback through working as part of a group with shared values.

“We are excited to support our fourth cohort’s efforts to develop mission-driven businesses with mindful leadership. Their personal and professional progress is important to the work we aim to accomplish through the FINNOVATION Institute,” said Connie Rutledge, CEO of FINNOVATION Institute. “Amidst all of the uncertainty in today’s world, we must remember that our communities are full of innovative ideas that need room to grow.”

The nine fellows were selected from a highly competitive pool of applicants. A group of community leaders and alumni of the Fellowship Program selected this year’s group. The FINNOVATION Fellowship continues to attract diverse applicants, reflected in the final selected fellows and the social issues their business ideas represent. Within this cohort, the majority of founders identify as women and/or people of color, continuing the program’s support for entrepreneurs with personal experience in the issues they aim to solve.

The selected fellows and their areas of impact include: 

• Fun Fun Cheng: Providing healthy and culturally nourishing food to the chronically ill in the Asian community. 
• Charie Gill-Baptist: Reducing disparities for young people aging out of foster care, providing resources for self-development, professional growth, and financial stability.
• Hannah Hendrix: Eliminating access barriers to food and the kitchen using consultation and food delivery services that center disabled people and their experiences.
• Monica Jones: Increasing awareness and understanding of maternal wellness and mortality in the Black, Indigenous, People of Color community.
• Chou Moua: Bringing cultural consciousness into healthcare and social services consulting starting with Adult Foster Care and branching into other service areas.
• Ashleyn Przedwiecki: Tackling waste and the environmental footprint of the events industry through a sustainable events academy and creative design agency.
• Ayanna Rakhu: Addressing drowning disparities among People of Color, developing a culturally relevant swim curriculum.
• Katelyn Retterath Martin: Balancing injustices in cataloging systems, creating a database that forges pathways for equity and inclusion in libraries.
• Brittany L. Wright: Reducing maternal mortality and morbidity through a holistic maternal care center.

“This is a promising group of entrepreneurs,” said Jacquie Berglund, FINNOVATION Lab and FINNEGANS Brew Co. Founder. “Starting a business, especially in the social impact space, is incredibly challenging. One of the primary prerequisites is to have passion for creating change, and that is evident within each of the selected fellows.”

This latest cohort brings the FINNOVATION Fellowship Program network to 32 entrepreneurs, expanding the social impact community and increasing positive social change for local communities. Alumni of the program have gone on to create revenue-building businesses, raise capital funding and serve as visible leaders in our entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The Fellowship Program is made possible through generous support from the Bush Foundation, known for its commitment to innovation and creative problem solving. Dedicated workspace and business resources are available to fellows in the FINNOVATION Lab space within the FINNEGANS House at 817 5th Ave South, Minneapolis 55404.

More information about the FINNOVATION Institute and the Fellowship Program is available at Finn-Lab.com.

Potential Concepts for Graco Park, New Riverfront Park Project in Northeast Minneapolis

A view of Hall's Island, Plymouth Avenue Bridge and East Bank Trail running through the future Graco Park. Image courtesy of Mississippi Watershed Management Organization.

Review and comment on three concepts created based on feedback received over the summer

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is developing a new park along the Northeast Minneapolis riverfront called Graco Park! This summer MPRB staff collected initial feedback from the community and researched opportunities and constraints at the site, which is located just north of the Plymouth Avenue Bridge with Mississippi East Bank Trail currently running through it.

Now three distinct design concepts for Graco Park, created based on the initial feedback and research, are available for public comment. Use the link below to view each concept and comment on what you like or don't like about them. 

Graco Park Concepts

Feedback will be used to generate a refined concept that will incorporate elements from all three designs. The refined concept will be shared in late fall 2021.

Each concept is unique, but all include:

• A public multiuse building
• Access to the Mississippi East Bank Trail
• Improved landscaping and greenspace
• Improved stormwater treatment
• Improved intersection safety near 8th Avenue NE and Sibley Street NE

Get Involved

The MPRB invites anyone interested in the Graco Park project to give feedback on the three park concepts. There are multiple ways to get involved:

Online Survey: Visit the project engagement page to find images and information about the project and concepts, along with prompts to share your thoughts and opinions. All submitted ideas and comments will be documented and considered as designs for the project are developed. The survey will be open until Sept. 26, 2021.

In-Person Event: Share your thoughts in person at Graco Park on Sunday, Sept. 12, 3-5 pm. Look for the MPRB tent and table!

Virtual Conversation: Join MPRB staff and community members for an online open house on Tuesday, Sept. 14, 4:30-6 pm. Use the Zoom link below to join:

Graco Park Zoom Link Meeting ID: 883 7023 0432

Phase 1 Recap

The first round of community engagement occurred June 7-July 7, 2021. During the first round of engagement, MPRB staff met with more than 100 potential park users across several engagements and collected more than 170 comments through an online survey. Engagements included: Neighborhood meetings, Pop-Ups in Graco Park, a Project Advisory Committee (PAC) meeting, a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) meeting,  a virtual Public Open House, intercept interviews in the park, and a Youth Engagement Bus Tour with 60+ youth.

Visit the project engagement page for more details on the feedback received during the first phase over the summer.

Down the Road

A third round of engagement will occur this fall with another survey and additional in-person events to share a preferred park and building design concept for feedback. The final concept will have a public hearing before being considered by MPRB Commissioners for final approval. Contract bidding is scheduled spring 2022, with construction anticipated to begin in summer 2022.

Visit the Graco Park and Lot 2 project page and enter your email address into the box under "Subscribe to Email Updates" to stay informed about this project. 

Local Leader: Tucker Blythe, Superintendent, Mississippi National River and Recreation Area

Article by Becky Fillinger

Superintendent Blythe TuckerTucker Blythe will assume the role of Superintendent of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area on September 12. We talked to him about his lifelong interest in parks and what drew him to Minnesota. 

Q:  Congratulations on your new role! Please tell us about your earliest memories and interest in pursuing a career in the parks.  

A:  As a kid, my family traveled to national and state parks and spent a lot of time outdoors and visiting historic sites. When I went to college, I knew I wanted to pursue something related to history and historic sites. I discovered historic preservation as a major and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Historic Preservation from Mary Washington College, in Fredericksburg, VA. It was really my undergraduate advisor who directed me to the National Park Service (NPS) and my first seasonal appointment. Once I was in the NPS, I knew it was work that filled my soul. I’ve been lucky to have several wonderful positions and posts in the National Park Service. 

Q: What drew you to pursue this Superintendent position? 

A: There are several reasons why I pursued this particular position. First, I love that this park is such a collaborative, relationship-based park. I felt that my experiences and skill sets could help the park grow and allow me to continue to develop as a servant leader. I grew up in Memphis, Tennessee and my formative years were connected to the Mississippi River. My wife Sandy is a Minnesota native, born in Coon Rapids, so the Mississippi River has connected us and been a theme in both our lives. We are really excited to again be close to family. Even though I’m not native to Minnesota, it’s my happy place, and I am looking forward to making it home.

Tucker with his wife Sandy at the headwaters of the Mississippi River.

Q:  You mention the GOAL Leadership Academy in your profiles. What is it? 

A:  GOAL Leadership Academy is a leadership development program for NPS employees. The program started in Grand Canyon National Park, but now it is a program for all mid-level NPS employees. I went through GOAL in 2011-12. The major emphasis in the program is growing self-awareness so that participants can be leaders wherever they happen to be situated in the organization. I know as I went through the program, I was able to see more clearly what I could contribute to the park service as a public servant.  

Q:  What innovative programs from your prior appointments will you consider for your new role? 

A:  This is a tough question for me. I don’t know that I have any set idea of something I want to bring to the park from my previous appointments. What I want is to be open to the strengths that my staff and our partners already have and figure out how to enhance their ability to use those strengths. I love collaborating and brainstorming, so who knows what kind of creative ideas and synergy we will create. I’m looking forward to that!

River Matters: Hidden Urban Waterways with Trinity Ek, U of M Student Researcher

Article by Becky Fillinger

Trinity EkThe history of local unnavigable waterways and natural wetlands, like Bassett Creek, is usually untold. We spoke to Trinity Ek, a senior at the University of Minnesota, who researches hidden urban waterways. She provides background on why it happens and how we can be more aware in our local communities – which can prevent soils unfit for building, sloped land, and landscapes prone to flooding.

Q:  In the U’s 2020 Fall Research Symposium, you presented your research on hidden urban waterways, specifically Bassett Creek. Can you please tell us how you came to learn about the local lost waterways?

A:  You’re right - I took part in the Fall 2020 Undergraduate Research Symposium as a third year undergraduate student (I am now a senior!). I came to learn about Bassett Creek through my mentor, Patrick Nunnally. We had previously worked on a project together at St. Anthony Falls on the St. Anthony Falls Heritage Trail and I expressed interest in continuing my exploration of water and waterways. He introduced me to the story of Bassett Creek and guided me through the project. 

Q:  What did you uncover in your Bassett Creek research?

A:  Bassett Creek is one example of many that illustrates the intersection of race, place, and hydrology. It illuminates how waterways have often been seen as nuisances in urban areas to build around, over or to bury. The ways we interact with the environment around us influence short-term and long-term social and physical outcomes. For example, Bassett Creek was essentially the local dump and its heavy pollution negatively impacted the health of the community around it, as well as devalued the adjacent land at that time. That devaluation led to the locating of the Sumner Field Homes, which were the first federally subsidized homes in Minnesota. They housed predominantly Asian and Black communities who went on to experience flooding and other impacts from the creek. It was later torn down and Heritage Park now stands there today.

Current day Heritage Park

Bassett Creek near the abandoned Fruen Mill, which dates back to 1894.

Q:  What can we as citizens do to help convert lost waterways to usable, beautiful community resources? Is it possible?  

A:  Well, it can be difficult to even know about lost waterways, as they may be obscured, buried, and hard to see or access. However, when we do know about them, we as citizens can voice our desires to daylight the waterways or restore the areas around them whether that be to planners or to a neighborhood association. 

Q:  Will you pursue a career in environmental architecture? Or environmental justice?

A:  I intend to integrate environmental, racial, and climate justice into my future career as an urban planner. I would like to take the learnings from my research and apply it to the practice of planning in ways that benefit historically disadvantaged and marginalized communities now and in the future. 

Q:  How may we follow or stay current in your research topic? 

A:  Follow the work of local organizations who are tackling these issues, such as MWMO and Friends of the Mississippi. To learn more about the intersection of race and hydrology, check out writers like Jason King who explores Hidden Hydrology.  

Bacon Social House Minneapolis Announces Grand Re-Opening Weekend September 10

August 28 UPDATE: The  grand re-opening weekend has been moved to the weekend of September 17.

Bacon Social House, an independently owned restaurant, is re-opening in the Thresher Square building at 700 S 3rd Street with reservations available now through Resy for the official grand re-opening weekend September 10, 2021.

This location is the company’s fourth location, which initially opened in 2019 and shut down due to COVID-19. It will be open Wednesday - Friday 11:00 am - 7:00 pm, Saturday 9:00 am - 8:00 pm, and Sunday 8:00 am - 6:00 pm serving weekend brunch, weekday lunch, dinner, and happy hour specials. The 4,200 square foot space is next door to the new Canopy by Hilton hotel, just two blocks from the U.S. Bank Stadium.

“We are THRILLED...our much-anticipated MSP location is ready to welcome guests back into the space! It has been a tough year for the restaurant industry as a whole, so this opening holds even more significance to us. We are honored to be part of the Minneapolis revitalization both downtown and in the U.S. Bank Stadium. We hope Bacon Social House will once again become a destination for both locals and visitors looking for delicious food and drinks in a place that’s all about bringing fun and good times. We are so grateful for an incredible team and community who have rallied behind us,” said owner David Dill.

Photo: Mill City TimesThe menu is bacon-forward, featuring the signature flight of 6 types of bacon: applewood, BBQ, chili lime, French toast, candied, and a bacon flavor of the month. Many popular items at the Colorado locations will be featured, including brunch favorites like bacon, shrimp & grits, and chicken & waffles with sausage gravy and applewood smoked bacon.

The menu will also feature some regional specialties like poutine with a choice of pork green chili or sausage gravy and melted cheddar, coffee from Spyhouse Coffee Roasters, spirits from Tattersall Distilling, Du Nord Craft Spirits, Prairie Organic Spirits, and RockFilter Distillery, and craft beer from Bauhaus Brew Labs, Lake Monster Brewing, Surly Brewing Co., and more.

MN Craft Brewers Guild's 20th Annual Autumn Brew Review Beer Festival Scheduled for October 16 at Boom Island

Via an August 20 e-announcement from the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild:

On October 16, 2021, craft beer fans can celebrate the season with unlimited samples of Minnesota-made beer, cider, and more at Autumn Brew Review beer festival. The festival will feature special seasonal releases and classic favorites, non-alcoholic and gluten free options, food trucks, music, games, and more!

Autumn Brew Review is hosted by the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild (MNCBG), the state’s nonprofit association for craft breweries and brewpubs. Like other MNCBG festivals, Autumn Brew Review will exclusively showcase the local talent of Minnesota’s breweries, brewpubs, and cideries. “We hear from attendees all the time that they love how they actually get to talk with the head brewers and owners of Minnesota’s breweries at our festivals. Our fests are a great way for craft beer fans to connect in a new way with some of their favorite local businesses, and discover new places they haven’t been able to try yet,” said Lauren Bennett McGinty, Executive Director of the MNCBG.

*  *  *  *  *  Autumn Brew Review Details  *  *  *  *  *

● October 16, 1:30-5:00p

● Boom Island Park, 724 Sibley Street NE

● Tickets On Sale Now

   ○ General Admission: $60

   ○ Sober/DD: $15

   ○ Early-entry available to members of the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild MNthusiast program

● 80+ MN craft breweries, brewpubs, and cideries

● Food Trucks, local shopping, games, competitions, and music hosted by The Current

*  *  *  *  *  Vaccinations Required  *  *  *  *  *

The MNCBG is taking new precautions for the upcoming festival; proof of COVID-19 vaccination will be required for all attendees, workers, and volunteers.The nonprofit will also be releasing tickets in stages, and, in the unlikely case of a full cancellation due to COVID, will offer refunds to ticket holders.

“The health and wellness of craft beer employees and customers is extremely important to the Guild, and so is continuing to host the festivals that energize and connect the craft beer community. As COVID continues to be a concern throughout the state, we felt it was our responsibility to do what we could to support community and industry safety at ABR,” says Bennett McGinty. “We know not everyone will be happy with the vaccine requirement, but our goal is to limit the potential negative impact our festival could have on community health, and allow people to be more confident in working, attending, and volunteering at ABR.”

More information

About The Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild

The Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild is a not-for-profit organization that was founded in 2000 and is made up of more than 165 Minnesota brewery members. The Guild showcases the talent of Minnesota’s craft brewers and promotes Minnesota’s brewing industry by sponsoring festivals and special events, including Winterfest, the MN Brewers Cup, All Pints North, the State Fair’s Brewed in Minnesota exhibit, and Autumn Brew Review. The Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild’s mission is to promote, protect, and grow a robust Minnesota craft brewing industry by building a healthy beer culture and community that allows for independent brewers, industry stakeholders, and craft beer fans to thrive.

Small Business Spotlight: Farmers Kitchen + Bar

Article by Becky Fillinger

Minneapolis foodies rejoice – the Farmers Kitchen + Bar officially opens on August 25! Mill City Times dropped by the August 19 preview party to talk with Executive Chef Kris Koch, President of the Minnesota Farmers Union Gary Wertish, and several farmers. Our community has a terrific new spot open for dining – and supporting local food makers – in the former Spoonriver space at 750 South 2nd Street.

Executive Chef Kris Koch

Q:  You have 15 farmers and makers producing for the restaurant – will that number change over time?

A:  Chef Koch:  It probably will change seasonally. Some farmers have a ‘high tunnel’ where they can produce greens longer into the colder weather. I have one producer that grows greens throughout the winter in insulated shipping containers. We’ll definitely have great root vegetables, eggs, beef and pork year-round and we are working with three different artisanal cheese makers. 

Q:  With all of the relationships involved, do you have a farmer relations staff person?

A:  Chef Koch: No, I do all the farmer liaison work. It’s busy, but I do enjoy working directly with the farmers. There’s a lot of coordination but the result is worth it.

Cheers! Enjoy a State Fair Maple Cream NitroQ:  How is staffing going for the restaurant? 

A:  Chef Koch: I’m super blessed and enthusiastic to have the staff we have on board now. We may need a few more, but we have hired some really great people. Pat Weber assisted me in staffing up the restaurant. We think people will want to work here.

Q:  Tell us about the breakfast items you’ll offer.

A:  Chef Koch: Right out of the gate, we’ll have lattes and muffins - breakfast pastries. Over time we’ll add items like beef hash, corn cakes and fava bean toast with poached eggs.

Q:  How long did it take to pull the restaurant together?

A:  Gary Wertish:  Brenda Langton approached us 2018 – it’s been about three years from the time of the original concept to being ready to open our doors now.

Q:  You’ve helped procure a great set of 15 farmers to start. How will you manage the growth of farmers who wish to participate?

A:  Gary Wertish:  You’re right, we’re at 15 farmers right now. Our focus will be on providing a consistent product of excellent quality. We’ll always buy local from Minnesota Farmers Union members. Growth will happen around those parameters.

Q:  Immigrants are the backbone of the farm to table movement. Will your restaurant honor their contributions?

A:  Gary Wertish:  There is no doubt that immigrants perform the hard manual work of farming, especially on larger farms in places like California. We have Hmong community farmers here – they’re excellent farmers. None of us would have the abundance of food on our tables without immigrants to pick the product. At the restaurant and as farmers, we’re mindful of that fact every day.

Q:  What would you like Mill City Times readers to know about your restaurant?

A:  Gary Wertish:  We want them to know that we are here to serve them. The restaurant will be the first and only restaurant wholly-owned and operated by the Minnesota Farmers Union. We want to be a good community member, serving farm fresh food, directly from farmer to your plate. Unless you are growing it yourself, you won’t find fresher food than what we serve. Please come and visit us!

We spoke to several farmers and asked about their farms and what they’ll supply to the restaurant:

Jodi Ohlsen Read of Shepherd’s Way Farms – I’ve been making sheep milk cheese since 1998 in Nerstrand. I’ve been a vendor at the Mill City Farmers Market for many years. It’s exciting to have another way to bring farmers together with consumers. Our products - Big Woods Blue and Friesago will be featured on picnic platters and salads like the Big Woods Wedge Salad.

Todd Churchill of Churchill Reserve Premium Grass Fed Beef - We produce 100% grass fed beef in Cannon Falls. Consumer preferences for food are changing - they are interested in food origins. How was it raised? How were the animals treated? We have all of that information. We are providing beef for the Field Hand burger.

Katie Bonow of the Capra Nera Creamery – We make farmstead goat cheese in small batches in Altura. We say, "From grass to goat to cheese!" I’ve been making cheese at home since I was 15. You’ll find our cheese in the Fern + Dale turkey sandwich and the Porch Platter.

Walleye Tots

Bison Wild Rice Meatballs

By the way, the food and beverages we sampled were exemplary! Bison wild rice meatballs, walleye tots, baby beet salad, Fern + Dale turkey sandwich, wild rice Waldorf salad, combine cookies and State Fair maple cream nitro! Do yourself a favor, visit the restaurant and try as many of these foods as possible. 

The food is definitely the star of the show, but also check out the framed Minnesota Farmers Union memorabilia and the wall sized mosaic made of tiny photos of Minnesota farmers.  I want to be a Singing Farmer or at least hear their performances!

Small Business Spotlight: O’Shaughnessy Distilling Company (Opening August 19!)

Article by Becky Fillinger

The Prospect Park area welcomes another wonderful small business – the O'Shaughnessy Distilling Company! We talked to Halee Peterson, Digital Marketing Manager, about what we can expect when the doors officially open on Thursday, August 19!

Q:  O’Shaughnessy Distilling’s Facebook page states the company is first and foremost the story of family. Can you tell us more about that?

A:  O'Shaughnessy Distilling was started by cousins and lifelong friends, Patrick and Michael O’Shaughnessy, with a vision to make whiskeys worthy of our rich Irish American heritage, that bring people together and create a legacy for future generations. The spirit of family and friends, and our shared experiences together, provide us with deep connection and meaning in our lives.

Q:  What spirits will the distillery produce? 

A:  Our first whiskey release is Keeper's Heart - Irish whiskeys blended with American Rye whiskey. We combine the unique qualities of Irish grain and single pot still whiskeys with American Rye whiskey for a remarkable drinking experience. Please check out more info here.

Coming Fall 2021, we will release a 10 Year Single Malt Irish Whiskey. At the distillery we also produce Tower Hill Vodka and Guard and Gate Gin – they’re only available at the distillery.

Q:  I recently ate at The Market at Malcolm Yards. The new developments in the Prospect Park area, including O'Shaughnessy Distillery, are transformative. Why did O’Shaughnessy Distillery choose this location? 

A:  We think it’s a growing central area, with a lot of industrial development. The Market at Malcolm Yards, Surly Brewing Co. and lots of new residential buildings were all a draw for us. We're excited to be a part of the Prospect Park community and watch it grow!

Q:  Please tell us more about the company's partnership with local grain farmers. 

A:  We partner with local farmers to source our grain and we mill 100% of our cereal on site.

Q:  How may we follow your news?

A:  First, come and visit us! We’d be so pleased if you would follow O’Shaughnessy Distilling on Instagram, Facebook and subscribe to our newsletter on our website (coming soon!).

Keeper's Heart Whiskey: Follow us on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter on our website.

Gamut Gallery Announces Annual Call 4 Work exhibition, C4W:2021

Via an August 16 e-announcement from Gamut Gallery:

 September 10 - October 9, 2021

C4W:2021 Elemental - a group exhibition that invites us to drop down from the chaos into the essential foundation of existence as life twists & changes around us.

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C4W:2021 Features: Aidan Dillon, Alexandra Beaumont, Alondra M. Garza, Atzín Rayas, Ayana Figueroa, Ben DiNino, Ben Hering, Benjamin Wuest, Bo Young An, Buddah Jankey, Caryn Ann Bendrick, Christopher Harrison, Christopher Palbicki, CL Martin, Corinne Teed, Daniel Allyn Lee, Derek Meier, Emily Forbes, Helene Woods, Human Shaped Animal, Ilya Natarius, Ivonne Yáñez, Jacob Docksey, Jessica Kitzman, Jes Lee, Jordan Wiebe, Jorie Kosel, Kat Moon, Katie Robinson, Kristine Fretheim, Laurie Borggreve, Liza Ferrari, Lucy Comer, Lynda Mullan, Madison Rubenstein, Maria Quinn, Margaret Vergara, Nate Woodard, Sarah M. Sosa, Tchana Pierre, & Tiffany Lange

Our annual Call-4-Work exhibition is not a show that influences what art should be. Instead, the chosen guest curator brings their unique perspective and interpretation of the submitted works ranging the full “Gamut” of visual media. When Cándida González accepted the invite to curate this year’s C4W:2021, they went in as a blank canvas and let the artwork choose them, empowering the 197 artists to lead the way through all 836 submissions.Through our guest curator’s lens and perspective, this body of work presented the theme Elemental.

“We are living in a portal moment in time, transporting between two worlds, strapped into a rollercoaster ride that we didn’t even know we were in line for. As everything twists and changes arounds us, we reach for the things that stay constant, the things that we know, the building blocks of life.” - Cándida González

This year’s group exhibit will feature 43 artworks that Cándida has chosen to represent one of the foundational blocks of life, from the classical elements and human connections to life and death. The roots of all existing matter – earth, air, water and fire – are essential principles of life, each possessing an energy that when summoned has the power to ground us and heal during times of turmoil. For Cándida, these selected works embody a form of elemental energy that invites us to drop down from the chaos into the essential foundation of existence as life twists & changes around us. These artworks all create roots in the state of being that we return to inorder to help us make sense of the confusion. - Join the FB Event: C4W:2021 - Elemental curated by Cándida González - Visit the exhibit online: GamutGalleryMpls.com

 *  *  *  * PUBLIC OPENING NIGHT: *  *  *  *

Friday, September 10 / 6-9pm • $7, FREE for members
Featuring 42 Artists, Icy Icy Baby Shaved Ice Truck & DJ FNK

• Pre-sales available and recommended
• Entry will be available at the door
• Masks required indoors

Returning this year, there will be two “Best in Show '' awards. One will be selected by the guest curator and the other by opening night attendees. Both winners will be awarded $100 cash and Platinum Memberships to Gamut Gallery ($400 value). You will not want to miss the opportunity to help one of these artists take the best in show.

 *  *  *  * C4W:2021 ELEMENTAL ARTIST TALK *  *  *  * 

Wednesday, September 22nd / 7pm • $5 pre-sales, $7 door, FREE for members
Featured Artists: Alondra M. Garza, Benjamin Wuest, Katie Robinson & Tchana Pierre
• Pre-sales available and recommended
• Entry will be available at the door
• Masks required indoors

C4W guest curator, Cándida González, and Gamut Gallery’s director, Cass Garner, sit down for a conversation with four C4W artists to share about their processes, ideations and perspectives on current events.

 *  *  *  *  ABOUT THE CURATOR  *  *  *  * 

Cándida González is a queer, non-binary Puerto Rican native of South Minneapolis, they studied Latin American Art and History at The Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA, and went on to get their M.Ed. at The University of Minnesota in 2003. In their 15 years of arts education work in Minneapolis they worked on building art programs that focused on equitable arts opportunities, inclusivity of underserved populations, and deeper, culturally relevant arts experiences for youth and communities of color. Through their work they have also focused on providing opportunities and development for emerging artists of color. They approach their work by centering at the intersection of art, activism, healing and personal/community empowerment. They are deeply invested in the concept of using art and community design as tools to wage love and healing. Currently Gonzalez facilitates nationwide the Making it Public workshop series for Forecast Public Art, participates in select local arts and healing initiatives and creates mixed-media jewelry under the name Las Ranas Jewelry.

 *  *  * *  GALLERY & GIFT SHOP OPEN HOURS  *  *  * * 

FREE open hours: Wednesday - Friday, 11am - 6pm; Saturday 11am - 4pm

Gamut Gallery is open without capacity restrictions for in-person viewing of the exhibition. We are available by appointment, please request an appointment 48 hours in advance.

Milling About: Elaine Evans of the University of Minnesota Bee Lab

Elaine Evans of the University of Minnesota Bee Lab joins Brianna Rose to discuss why bees are struggling, why we should care and what we can do to help them.

Martha Ripley and the Hospital Named in Her Honor

Article by Michael Rainville, Jr.

Martha George Rogers RipleyIn the land of 10,000 lakes, medical field advancements, promoting women’s rights, and helping charitable causes have been ever-present, and Martha George Rogers Ripley lived a full life that encompassed all three. From growing up on the East Coast to establishing one of the best maternity hospitals in the nation, this is a story of how one person positively impacted the lives of many.

Born in 1843 in the small town of Lowell, Vermont, Martha Rogers started her life’s journey as an elementary school teacher. Once she married William Ripley, they moved to Massachusetts where she worked in the textile milling industry. Here, she took note of the subpar working conditions for women in the mills, began a suffrage group in Middleton, MA, and eventually was elected to the executive committee of the Massachusetts Women Suffrage Association. In order to be of better assistance to the women working in the mills, she enrolled in the medical school at Boston University and received her medical doctorate in 1883. Shortly after, her husband was involved in a milling accident and could no longer work. The responsibility of supporting her family was now solely on Martha’s shoulders, so the family moved to a land of more opportunity, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Martha Ripley was one of the first women to receive their medical license in Minnesota, and she soon became a top obstetrician. That same year, 1883, she was elected president of the Minnesota Woman Suffrage Association and brought the yearly national convention of the American Woman Suffrage Association to Minneapolis just two years later. During her time as president, she worked to bring more attention to public health issues such as clean water, food availability for all, and proper city sanitation. She also unsuccessfully petitioned the state to grant women the right to vote and to raise the age of consent from ten to eighteen years old. The state would later raise the age to fourteen in 1891. Quite shocking to think this was only 130 years ago.

1909 photo of the Maternity Hospital

Martha Ripley opened her own hospital in 1886 for pregnant women and children at 316 East 15th Street, near the present-day Convention Center. They quickly outgrew their first location and moved to 2529 4th Avenue South, and even then, that location was too small. Ten years after Maternity Hospital opened their doors, they moved to five acres of land on the corner of Penn Avenue North and Western Avenue, now known as Glenwood Avenue. Martha employed an all-women staff and gave care to any woman, regardless of their marital and financial status. There was also room for unwed mothers and abandoned children to live and get back on their feet, similar to the services provided by Sharing & Caring Hands at Mary’s Place.

The new building, 1916

Nurses with babies, 1925

1925 photo of babies playing with a wheelbarrow - and a pitchfork (!?!) - at the hospital.

The first new building for the hospital on this site was the Marshall Stacy Nursery, completed in 1909. In 1910, an intensive care and isolation unit for infants was built, known as the Babies’ Bungalow. That same year, the Emily Paddock Cottage opened, a residential home for nurses. Maternity Hospital was a huge success, but it wasn’t expanding quick enough for the demand it had, so in 1911, Martha asked the State for funding in order to erect a proper hospital building. Unfortunately, Martha succumbed to a respiratory infection and heart failure in 1912. However, her new two-story hospital building was completed four years later and was renamed as the Ripley Memorial Hospital.

The hospital operated until 1957, and during its time, it had one of the best infant mortality rates in the United States. Their maternal death rate was also something to be proud of. During the 1930s when the state of Minnesota saw 4.5 maternal deaths for every 1,000 births, the Ripley Memorial Hospital had 1.35.

Martha's plaque in the MN State Capitol rotunda.The memory of Martha Ripley and the hospital named in her honor still remains, however. In 1939, twenty-seven years after her passing, a bronze plaque depicting her was installed in the Minnesota State Capitol rotunda. The hospital campus was sold to the Children’s Hospital of Minneapolis, and its remaining funds were used to start the Ripley Memorial Foundation. The hospital was included in the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 and was redeveloped into Ripley Gardens affordable housing in 2007 by Aeon, a Twin Cities organization dedicated to making quality housing available for those who may not be able to afford it otherwise. Martha Ripley may have left us over 100 years ago, but her passion to help those who need it the most continues to live on through her foundation and the housing that now occupies the old Ripley Memorial Hospital.

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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 also a lead guide at Mobile Entertainment, LLC, giving Segway, biking, and walking tours of the riverfront for 9+ years.

He can be reached at mrainvillejr@comcast.net.

Vote for the Northrup King Building!

Congratulations to the Northrup King Building on being nominated for a Reader's Choice Award for Best Art Gallery by Minnesota Monthly.

If you love the building and the artists, cast a vote by clicking this link to go to the survey. 

NOTE: Votes must be cast by August 16.

Stone Arch Reflections by Ric Rosow

Submitted by Mill District resident Ric Rosow

I stepped outside onto our patio in the morning just as the rain ended. I saw a wonderful reflection of the arches of the Stone Arch Bridge in the calm waters of the Mississippi River. Not trusting that the calm would last long, I took my camera just as it was set up on my tripod with a telephoto lens. I thought a wide angle lens might be better, but did not want to take the time to change lenses. As it turned out the telephoto lens delivered exactly what I wanted to capture.

The calm waters reflected well. When I processed the photograph I saw that there were several people on the bridge who I had not noticed. In particular there was a man and a women in the middle of the bridge with their backs to me as they stood at the railing on the falls side of the bridge. Each had an arm around the other. I thought it would be a nice touch to keep them in the picture. But that was not what attracted me to the scene in the first place. More important than that however, is that beyond them there were too many distracting elements on the other side of the bridge. Wires, fences, a road, electric transmission towers, as well as other people on the bridge would take the viewers eye away from the arches and the reflection in the water. I decided to crop the image to just the bridge arches and their reflection. In anticipation of printing the image I placed a 1/4 inch white border around the image and a black border around that. Both will be covered up when the image is displayed in mat inside a frame.  

I hope you enjoy viewing the image. See more of my work at www.ricrosowphotography.com.

The Cowles Center and the McKnight Fellowships for Dancers Announce SOLO: Six World-Premiere Dance Films

Via an August 12 e-announcement:

Yeniel ‘Chini’ Perez Domenech

 SOLO: Six World-Premiere Dance Films, presented by The Cowles Center and the McKnight Fellowships for Dancers

September 18, 7:30p; September 19-25 on demand

The McKnight Fellowships for Dancers’ biannual showcase event, SOLO, pairs six Minnesota dancers with renowned local, national, and international choreographers. This year, the pairings result in the creation of six new dance films, interspersed with artist interviews. The films will premiere with an on-site screening in the Cowles’ Goodale Theater on September 18. A livestream of the premiere (which includes a Meet the Artist Q&A) will be available, and SOLO will be available on demand from September 19 – 25. Tickets are $20 - $25; purchase at thecowlescenter.org/solo21.  SOLO will include some captioning in Spanish and English. Masks will be required in the theater.

The six dancers are Renée Copeland, Sharon Mansur, Yeniel "Chini" Perez Domenech, Erin Thompson, Joseph "MN Joe" Tran, and Elayna Waxse. Each are recipients of a McKnight Dancer Fellowship, an annual award given to three mid-career Minnesota dancers whose work demonstrates artistic excellence. In addition to a $25,000 unrestricted cash award, fellows received additional support and the commission of a new solo from a choreographer of their choosing. The 2021 collaborations range from innovative Hip Hop to contemporary Arab imaginings, to intimate site-specific explorations and more.

Dana K. Kassel, Program Director, shares: “The McKnight Fellowship for Dancers is awarded to applaud and support exceptional Minnesota-based dancers. While we have always had a national audience, including support from nationally known dance artists who have served on our application panel, this year’s performance is special because we’re able to offer a version of SOLO that’s readily available to our audience around the globe.”

The Cowles Center for Dance & the Performing Arts, 528 Hennepin Avenue

Kolman & Pryor Gallery Announces "Absence" - A Performance Art, Painting, and Technology Installation by James Holmberg

Via an August 11 e-announcement from Kolman & Pryor Gallery:

 Absence runs September 11 though October 30, 2021

Artist Reception Saturday, September 18, 7:00pm – 9:00pm

Kolman & Pryor Gallery is thrilled to present a performance art, painting, and technology installation by its first Project Space grant recipient, James Holmberg. The Project Space initiative provides Minnesota visual artists with the funds, time, and exhibition space to create a project that significantly advances their careers. Holmberg’s project, Absence, investigates loss, memory, and transformation through a painting process of  accumulation and erasure captured with video and experienced via QR codes.

The exhibition begins Saturday, September 11, 2021. An artist reception will be held on September 18, from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m., during Northrup King Nights, the Northrup King Building’s quarterly open studio evening. The exhibition closes October 30, 2021.

“The Project Space has given us a new way to be of service to Minnesota artists,” says gallery co-founder Anita Sue Kolman, who launched the program this year with gallery co-founder Patrick Pryor. Adds Pryor, “With his grant, James has sent his artistic practice in a new direction and taken the next step in his artistic evolution.”

Holmberg is well-known as a painter. A long-time artist with Circa Gallery, he also frequently exhibits at the Minneapolis Institute of Art (MIA). “The grant has completely given me the freedom to explore some of the conceptual ideas I’ve been grappling with for a long time,” he says.

Absence includes six canvases that Holmberg painted, scraped off, washed with mineral spirits, and painted again 12 times, while he was recording the process on video. Each canvas is accompanied by a QR code, allowing viewers to use their smartphones to access a time-lapse video of the painting process. By doing so, the process retrieves the images attached to each painting that now only exist in the cloud.

“In my day job, I co-founded a company to develop digital spaces focused on memory preservation; how can we bridge the analogue and the digital in a dignified way?” Holmberg explains, “This project gave me the opportunity to dovetail my two interests - technology and art.” While the canvases retain the ghostly memories of previous paintings, generating a sense of loss and impermanence with each iteration, they’re also digital assets through which memories remain intact.

In part, Holmberg says, “I’m questioning the importance of an image, of a painting, at a time when we’re mostly sharing images via cell phones, which in turn brings up questions about the numbing abundance of imagery.” The work also investigates feelings of creative loss, “which is uncomfortable and challenging for me,” he adds. “The real core of the show is about absence and presence and transition, and the ability to let go.”

The exhibition also includes a pedestal on which Holmberg troweled all of the paint or “content” from the canvases. “The pedestal is a collective of all the canvases and paint that was used. It’s a sculpture.” 

“That’s the Pandora’s box that Project Space allowed me to open up,” he adds. The program awards artists $10,000 and exhibition space to show their projects. “I was able to focus on larger, more conceptual questions such as the importance of the artist’s hand and the changing value of an image.” As Kolman explains: “One reason we decided to give the grants is so the artists don’t have to worry about commercial value, but rather could explore artistically to advance the scale, scope, and aesthetic character of new work.”

For a preview of the show, please contact Anita Sue Kolman at anita@kolmanpryorgallery.com or 612-385-4239 or Patrick Pryor at patrick@kolmanpryorgallery.com or 612-280-7812.

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Kolman & Pryor Gallery is located in Studio 395, Northrup King Building at 1500 Jackson Street NE, Minneapolis. For more information, please call: 612-385-4239 or 612-280-7812, or email: anita@kolmanpryorgallery.com or patrick@kolmanpryorgallery.com or visit: kolmanpryorgallery.com.

New Superintendent of Mississippi National River and Recreation Area Announced

Via an August 10 e-announcement:

Matthew Tucker BlytheNational Park Service (NPS) Regional Director Bert Frost announced the selection of Matthew Tucker Blythe as superintendent of Mississippi National River and Recreation Area in Minnesota. Blythe is currently the Superintendent of Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site in Missouri. He assumes his new role September 12. 

“I am pleased to announce Tucker as the superintendent of Mississippi National River,” said Frost. “He has an extensive and successful background working with park gateway communities, partner organizations and tourism partners, and he is a strong leader. His collaborative style and excellent communication skills will serve the park well.” 

“I am honored to be selected as the superintendent of Mississippi National River and Recreation Area,” Blythe said. “I look forward to working closely with park staff, partners and engaging with community members to protect the incredible resources and tell the many stories the park offers. I am excited to join the team and work with the many partners who are passionate stewards of this majestic river. My family and I are looking forward to exploring the Twin Cities and getting to know the surrounding area." 

Blythe has served 24 years in the National Park Service. He has held leadership roles in several parks throughout his career including as acting deputy superintendent at Gateway Arch National Park; superintendent at Washita Battlefield National Historic Site; acting superintendent at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve; historian in the NPS Historic Architecture Division; supervisory ranger at Oklahoma City National Memorial; and chief of interpretation at Frederick Law Olmsted and John F. Kennedy National Historic Site. Outside of the NPS, he spent nine years as a business owner in Newton, Kansas. 

Blythe earned a Bachelor of Arts in Historic Preservation from Mary Washington College, Virginia, and a Master of Arts in Communication from Wichita State University, Kansas. 

He enjoys photography, architecture, reading, hiking, walking the dog, traveling and trying different foods and beers. Tucker will move to the area with his wife Sandy, whose family is from the area. They are both looking forward to exploring all that the Twin Cities area has to offer. 

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Editor's Note: Matthew is taking over for John Anfinson, who retired at the end of 2020. Those are some big shoes to fill!

Dogs Meet Art at the Guthrie Theater

Thank you to Tina Wahlstrom for submitting this photo of her pets Ruben and Sven immersing themselves in one of the interactive art pieces currently displayed on the 2nd Street South side of the Guthrie Theater. (Is that a collective "aww!" I hear?)

If you've taken fun pictures in front of the graphics currently on display at the Guthrie, please feel free to email them to kim@millcitymedia.org - we'd love to share them!

July 2021 by the Numbers from Cynthia Froid Group

Downtown real estate market update from Cynthia Froid Group:

Resources for Free COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics and Testing, City and County Rewards, Other Resources

The strongest defense against the delta variant is through vaccination. Get a free COVID-19 vaccine at a Minneapolis Health Department clinic. Walk-ins are welcome, and the vaccinations are free. You don’t need insurance, you don’t need an appointment and you don’t need an ID. Questions about the vaccines? Watch and share this video for 11 things you should know about COVID-19 vaccines.

Upcoming clinics

• 24th Street Somali Mall, 912 E. 24th St. 2-5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 7 Pfizer (12 and older)
• Lincoln International Charter School, 2520 Minnehaha Ave. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 26 Pfizer (12 and older)
• Steven’s Square Park, 1801 Stevens Ave. 4-7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 27 Pfizer (12 and older)
• Park Avenue United Methodist Church, 3400 Park Ave. 9 a.m. to noon, every Saturday Pfizer (12 and older)

Find more information, updates and new free community vaccinations on the City website.

Other ways to get a vaccine

Vaccines work. If you haven’t been vaccinated yet, get a free vaccine as soon as you can. COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations have plummeted as more Minnesotans receive their vaccine. About nine out of 10 Americans live within 5 miles of a COVID-19 vaccination site.

• Free vaccine at the barber shop. Watch and share this video about free vaccines at Wilson’s Image, 2124 ½ W. Broadway Ave. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Aug. 21.
• To find the site closest to you, visit vaccines.gov, text your ZIP code to 438829 (GETVAX); or call 1-800-232-0233.
• Find COVID-19 vaccine appointments at the CDC’s VaccineFinder. You can filter by location and search for Pfizer only for 12-17-year-olds.
• Find vaccine locations and providers near you using the State’s interactive map.
• Sign up for the Minnesota COVID-19 vaccine connector in English, Spanish, Somali or Hmong to get contacted about vaccine in your area.
• Contact your primary health care provider or a local pharmacy.

Unvaccinated children at greater risk for COVID-19

Unvaccinated children are at risk for COVID-19 infection much more now because of the new variants. With children returning to school in person this fall and online learning likely not available, it’s important that all children over 12 get the COVID-19 vaccine to be safe throughout the school year.

Children would need their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine by Aug. 2 and the second dose by Aug. 23 to be fully vaccinated by the first day of school.

For information about vaccines, visit the City of Minneapolis website. To find Pfizer vaccinations (approved for ages 12 and older), contact your health care provider or find details for the Mall of America community vaccination site

Vaccination Incentives

Minnesotans can now submit their requests for the $100 vaccination rewards program at mn.gov/covid19/100.

Minnesotans 12 years of age and older who have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine since July 30 can submit a request for a $100 Visa gift card. The form will remain open for submissions for Minnesotans who get their first dose until Aug. 15.

Reward requests must be submitted to the Minnesota Department of Health by 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 15. Vaccine information will be subject to verification by the Department of Health.

This rewards program is limited to the first 24,330 eligible submissions, but the governor will work with the state Legislature on a public-private partnership to provide Minnesotans, especially those in vulnerable and underserved communities, real-time incentives to get their shot.

As fall approaches and kids go back to school, getting vaccinated can help slow the spread of the highly transmissible delta variant and keep our communities safer. This is your chance to do your part – and earn $100 for it.

Hennepin County $50 Visa gift cards

Hennepin County hopes to raise the overall vaccination rate in our county and state while closing the vaccination gap within communities and neighborhoods hardest hit by COVID-19. In doing so, we can limit where the virus – especially the variants of concern – circulates and makes people sick.

Hennepin County is offering vaccine incentives to people 12 and older who receive their first or second shot of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Instant vaccine incentives

Until Aug. 15 (or as long as supplies last), everyone 12 and older is eligible to get a $50 Visa gift card when they receive a first or a second COVID-19 vaccine dose at any Hennepin County vaccine event. (People who receive both doses will get two $50 Visa gift cards.)

Find a list of upcoming County vaccine events open to the public on the Hennepin County website.

For questions, call the COVID-19 navigator line at 612-348-8900, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. After hours, you can leave a voicemail. Help is available is English, Spanish, Somali and Hmong.

Free COVID-19 Tests

COVID-19 testing is free. Do not eat, drink or use tobacco products for 30 minutes before taking a COVID-19 saliva test.

• Native American Community Clinic, 1213 E. Franklin Ave. 2 p.m. Tuesdays Appointments required: Call 612-872-8086 to schedule an appointment.
• Southside Community Health Services, 324 E. 35th St. 3 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays Appointments required: Call 612-827-7181 to schedule an appointment. You can expect to get your test results in about two-three business days. Same day testing can be done for health care workers, first responders and essential workers.

Find a current list of free COVID-19 tests on the City website.

If you can’t attend one of these testing events, you can use this directory to find a testing location near you.

Resources

The COVID-19 test is free, and you do not need insurance for the test. If you need medical care but don’t have health insurance, the Minnesota Department of Health offers resources to find low-cost health care or health insurance.

CDC, Minnesota officials update COVID-19 recommendations

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its recommendations for COVID-19 safety including wearing a mask indoors in public if you’re in an area of substantial or high transmission. Minneapolis is in an area of substantial transmission, and masks are required indoors in City of Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, Minneapolis Public Schools, Ramsey County, and Saint Paul owned or controlled properties. Face coverings also continue to be required by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on public transportation, including school buses.

State K-12 recommendations

With students, families and K-12 educators preparing for the start of the 2021-22 school year, and given the delta variant’s alarming ability to spread more easily, Minnesota health and education officials recommend that schools follow the CDC’s new guidance for COVID-19 prevention in K-12 schools this fall. The recommendations reflect the current state of the pandemic along with the importance of in-person learning.

State health officials stress that vaccination, masking and physical distancing remain our best public health strategies for slowing the spread of COVID-19. With the uptick in COVID-19 cases driven by the delta variant, it’s more important than ever that anyone eligible for vaccination get that protection as soon as possible.

Among the specific points covered in the State guidance:

• Everyone 12 and older should get vaccinated for COVID-19 before returning to school, sports or other activities in person to protect themselves and to protect the people around them who cannot get vaccinated.
  • Becoming fully vaccinated lessens the chance of getting COVID-19 and becoming seriously ill from it. Getting vaccinated slows down transmission and helps keep everyone at school and in the community safe. Vaccines are safe and effective, and vaccinations are an important step in keeping schools and activities open for all students.
  • Children need their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine as soon as possible to be fully vaccinated early in the school year. For information about vaccines, visit the City of Minneapolis website. To find Pfizer vaccinations (approved for ages 12 and older), contact your health care provider or find details for the Mall of America community vaccination site. The City of Minneapolis is also currently offering free Pfizer vaccinations.
• State officials also recommend all students, teachers, staff and visitors in school buildings wear masks indoors regardless of vaccination status to protect those who cannot yet be vaccinated or who remain at higher risk because of immune-compromised status or other conditions.

For more information on how to get vaccinated, visit Vaccines.gov or contact your health care provider. You can use the map on State of Minnesota: Find Vaccine Locations to search for providers who are offering COVID-19 vaccine.

Mill City Commons Announces Fall 2021 Trial Membership

Via a recent e-announcement from Mill City Commons

If you're seeking fresh attitudes, meaningful connections and creative options to enhance your quality of life, Mill City Commons is for you!

Join MCC’s 3-Month Trial Membership for $100 from September-November and enjoy:

• A wide array of stimulating programs (in-person and virtual) each month making it easy to

engage with others and have fun as we learn.

• Opportunities to be a part of lively social gatherings and develop lasting networks.

• Trusted resources and one-on-one staff support ready to help you.

• Options to participate in active affinity groups.

• Valuable connections to welcoming friends who embrace the concept of a vibrant

neighborhood community.

• One-on-one technical assistance when needed.

• Weekly communications with recommendations and member news.

• So much more!

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Sign up at millcitycommons.org or email info@millcitycommons.org to learn more.

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Mill City Commons is a “village” community within the city unlike any other, bringing together neighbors 55+ who reside along or near the downtown riverfront.

Mill City Commons Village

We learn. We share. We engage. We give.