The Mill City Times Interview: David Geister - Historical Artist, Picture Book Illustrator, Landscape Painter

Article by Becky Fillinger

David GeisterWe have so many talented people in our midst. Meet David Geister, who is up for a Minnesota Book Award for Bee Love (Can Be Hard). He creates giant murals of historical events, portraits of leaders and is an illustrator of children’s books.

In our interview he tells us about his favorite works and gives advice to young illustrators. You can find David’s works in museums, and his books and prints are available online for purchase.  

Q:  Bee Love (Can Be Hard) is nominated for a Minnesota Book Award. This isn't your first collaboration with Justice Alan Page and his teacher daughter Kamie. How did this relationship come about?

A:  True – we have done four books together now, and I have enjoyed the experience, immensely. We have the amazing Nancy Carlson to thank for the connection – she introduced Alan and Kamie to a dear friend and colleague, Aimee Jackson, who runs Book Bridge Press, and I was her the first choice as an illustrator. I am so grateful!

Q:  You call yourself a storyteller with a paintbrush. Please tell us more about this idea.

A:  My whole life has been filled with the absolute need to read, hear and tell stories. My early drawings were, essentially, my attempt at relating what I had just experienced in life, read in a book or seen in a movie.

My job as a picture book illustrator is to enhance the story, and I try to tell it in such I way that someone unable to read the text can still grasp the idea.

Of course, as an amateur historian, and as a history painter, my pencil and paintbrush have been crucial tools in recreating the past.

Q:  You were in the Marines - thank you! What were your activities as an illustrator during your military service?

A:  Thanks – I had a fairly easy time of it, all things considered. I was in a training unit - never a combatant - and my work consisted of hand-lettering big flip charts and making illustrations for slides and publications. Believe it or not, I was often called upon to create very detailed caricatures of Generals whenever there was a change of command. Strange but true!

I learned a lot during that 4-year stretch, especially my last year, which was spent on the island of Okinawa, where our shop had three Japanese/Okinawan graphic artists. I liked working with them very much. Their drawing skills with brush and ink were inspiring.

Q:  Please tell us about some of your favorite historical art projects. Where may we view them?  

A:  The World War I America murals that I painted for an exhibit at the Minnesota Historical Society are the biggest, with over 100 historic characters. That 3-piece, 30 foot-long work is now at the Minnesota Military Museum, where you can also view my scene of “The Charge of the First Minnesota at the Battle of Gettysburg” as well as my portrait of Abraham Lincoln.

B is for Battle Cry: A Civil War Alphabet, the picture book I created with my dear wife, author and educator Patricia Bauer, is a collection of 27 paintings I did to showcase various aspects of the America Civil War. It is the one thing I have done that I am most proud of; it was created with the love of my life and is my attempt to “pay it back and pay it forward” to all the authors and illustrators who inspired my fascination with that time period.

"The Charge - The First Minnesota Regiment charges Wilcox's Alabama Brigade at the Battle of Gettysburg" oil on canvas.

"The Charge" detail showing Colonel Colvill and the First Regiment's Color Party.

Q:  What advice would you give to a child who wishes to be an illustrator?

A:  Always keep a little sketch book and a few pencils with you, wherever you go – at the table (well, maybe hidden on your lap while eating, on a car trip – even while watching a movie! Try to create something every day, whether it’s the size of a postage stamp or the size of a barn door. Observe the world around you, and share whatever you find fascinating about that world, by way of your drawings. Finally – take your work seriously, but don’t take yourself seriously – and have fun!

Q:  How may we follow your news?

A:  To see just what I have been up to – and maybe even check out a teaser video of my stop-motion animation project - visit my website, www.davidgeister.com. Cheers!

The Mill City Times Interview: Casey Lozar, Vice President, Center for Indian Country Development, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis

Article by Becky Fillinger

Casey Lozar Photo by Lucy HawthorneLike many of you, I walk and drive by the Federal Reserve Building in Minneapolis several times a week. What is happening inside this massive postmodernism structure? Among its many other functions, I was surprised to learn that the Federal Reserve’s Center for Indian Country Development is based in Minneapolis. We talked to Casey Lozar, Vice President, Center for Indian Country Development about the Center’s focus, community engagement opportunities and ways to follow their news. 

Q:  The Center for Indian Country Development is based out of the Minneapolis branch of the Federal Reserve. Does the Center act in a national capacity? 

A:  Although the Center for Indian Country Development is housed within the Community Development and Engagement Division of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, its research work and engagement are national, covering all tribal nations in the U.S. In the past the Center has addressed issues such as housing and homeownership, private sector development resources and networks, and the development of the Uniform Law Commission’s Model Tribal Secured Transaction Act (MTSTA) initiative. The Center has put out many publications and working papers on these important topics. The Center is adding to that body of work by addressing Indian Country’s data desert. By undertaking both internal and commissioned tribal economic research projects, the Center will be able to provide data and analysis to help inform policy considerations.

Q:  One of the Federal Reserve System’s dual mandates is to promote maximum employment. The Federal Reserve Bank supports a wide range of organizations to promote the economic resilience and mobility of lower-income Americans, including those in Indian Country. Can you let us know specifically how the Federal Reserve assists Native communities? 

A:  The Center brings valuable information to Native communities by undertaking a depth and breadth of applied research that helps to improve policy decision-making. The Center also facilitates representative engagement and relationship building rooted in the understanding of the unique political status and responsibilities of tribal nations. For example, the Center has undertaken an ongoing pulse survey of how tribal governments and tribal enterprises are faring in terms of revenue and employment during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Center also conducted and authored a recent analysis of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) to highlight an underutilization of the program in Indian Country. Staff also explored and proposed solutions to end delays in the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Title Status Report (TSR) timeline that hinder Native homeownership.

Q:  There was a National Tribal Listening Session on January 21st on the Community Reinvestment Act Modernization - what did the Federal Reserve learn about the biggest barriers to lending and financial services to Native communities? 

A:  What became evident in our CRA ANPR tribal listening sessions was that CRA-eligible investments and activities in Native communities are constrained under the current CRA assessment area definitions. Another prevailing two-fold issue is a needed increase in the volume of lending activity in Indian Country as well as an equitable interest rate, or cost, at which loans are made available to Indian Country borrowers. A third prominent financial inclusion issue is that there needs to be a commitment to education and relationship between lenders and Indian Country. There is a unique legal and regulatory framework within which both lenders and borrowers in Indian Country must become familiar and productive. The Board of Governors has proposed CRA modernization improvements that address each of these issues. As the Board moves through the successive stages of rulemaking, the Center will continue to lead CRA modernization outreach efforts in Indian Country.

Q:  You’re an enrolled member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes – have you seen positive impacts of the Federal Reserve’s involvement with these tribal nations? 

A:  The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) are one tribal nation which includes the Salish, Kootenai (Ksanka Band) and Pend-Oreille tribes. The Federal Reserve and CSKT have a long history of partnership. For example, the Helena Branch of the Minneapolis Fed has been honored to have two CSKT tribal members serving on the branch board of directors. CSKT’s Tribal Housing Authority has been a critical partner in developing and supporting CICD’s efforts in tribal homeownership by providing counsel, deepening our understanding and opening its network to CICD. Currently, Andrew West, president of CSKT’s own bank—Eagle Bank, serves on the Minneapolis Fed’s Community Depository Institution Advisory Council. Two years ago, CSKT helped to host a convening of Native American Financial Institutions with the Federal Reserve’s Board of Governors and other bank regulators. Our many years in partnership has resulted in a shared understanding of the importance and impact of community banking in Indian Country and community driven approach to tribal homeownership.   

Q:  What would you like for the Minneapolis community to know about the Center for Indian Country Development?   

A:  Long before there was a Federal Reserve Bank, a metropolis, or even the Center itself, the area of Minneapolis was a traditional territory of the Dakota people and a gathering place for many Indigenous nations. We want the work we do at the Center to reflect our local community while also representing our ambition of economic prosperity for all of Indian Country.

Q:  How may we follow your news? How may we be locally involved in your projects?

A:  To see our latest research and upcoming events visit our website: Center for Indian Country Development | Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis (minneapolisfed.org). We’re always looking for feedback from our community to make sure that our work provides value for Indian Country. You can follow our research, publications, and events by signing up for our newsletter at the bottom of our landing page. You can also follow the Center on Twitter @fedindiancenter.

Friends of the Falls Requests You Respond to Army Corps Recommendation for Upper Lock!

Via a February 19 e-announcment from Friends of the Falls:

Army Corps Accepts Comments on Upper Lock Disposition

The Upper Lock at Owámniyomni, St. Anthony Falls, was closed to commercial navigation in 2015. Since then, Friends of the Falls has been working to secure the site for public use. We're partnering with the Native American Community Development Institute to build relationships with the Indigenous community and shape an engagement process centered on Native voices. Kare11 recently ran a piece on our approach and progress. The Lock is still a crucial piece of infrastructure for our city and region. Over 1 million Twin Cities residents and businesses depend on the Mississippi River and on the reservoir created by the dams at St. Anthony Falls for their water supply.   Last month the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (the current owner of the Lock) formally recommended that the federal government seek a new owner for the structure. The Corps is trying to abandon the property, including the cost of maintenance and responsibility for flood management.   If the Corps were to walk away, the threat to our community's basic infrastructure would be catastrophic.    The Army Corps is accepting comments on its proposal through March 18. We have one month to urge the Army Corps to change its recommendation.  We're advocating for the Army Corps to keep the Lock structure and flood operations, but release surrounding property to the City of Minneapolis or another entity for recreational use and public river access.   There are two ways to submit a response to the Army Corps before March 18.

OPTION 1 Add your signature to our sign-on letter calling on the Army Corps to maintain their ownership and management responsibilities at the Lock.

Sign Now

OPTION 2 Download our template to draft your own letter and email it to the Army Corps at MplsLocksDisposition@usace.army.mil . In your letter: 1. Urge the Army Corps of Engineers to maintain ownership and maintenance of the Lock. 2. Support the quick transfer of "excess" land surrounding the Lock for recreational use. 3. Write openly and from the heart, reflecting your opinion of the future of the Upper Lock.

Download Template

Nature's Way Spring Exhibition Begins April 10 at Kolman & Pryor Gallery

Via a recent e-announcement from Kolman & Pryor Gallery:

Nature’s Way
Work by Kolman & Pryor Gallery Artists Inspired by Nature
April 10 – June 19, 2021
Artist Reception: Saturday, April 17, 7:00 – 9:00pm

At a time when being outside, taking long walks in local or state parks or even through one’s neighborhood, has been a balm for the soul, nature has never seemed more of a blessing. To celebrate nature’s balm and calm, and the sense of discovery and refreshment nature give us, Kolman & Pryor Gallery announces its Spring exhibition, Nature’s Way. Curated by gallery co-founder, Patrick Pryor, with works by gallery artists,  Betsy Ruth Byers, Kate Casanova, Jil Evans, Kelly Jean Ohl, Jodi Reeb, Julie Snidle, and Cameron Zebrun, the exhibition begins April 10 and runs through June 19, 2021. An artist reception will be held on April 17, from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m., during Northrup King Nights, the Northrup King Building’s quarterly open studio evening.

Nature is a theme and a passion shared by Pryor and gallery co-founder, Anita Sue Kolman. “Every few years we revisit this theme,” Pryor says, “as it brought Anita and I together. Through our shared passion for nature-inspired work, we selected the gallery artists we’ve worked with for the past 10 years. We’re thrilled to show fresh work by our artists through the lens of nature.”

Jil Evans’ new abstract works, Kolman says, “are infused with found light, whether the light has streamed in through her windows or she’s experienced light and shadow shifting while on a walk. The work is bright and light-infused.” In contrast, Kelly Jean Ohl’s sculptures, made with such natural elements as clay, water, and fire, “resemble something you might pick up on a beach, or in a forest like pinecones, seedpods, or sticks.” 

Flash 2 by Jil Evans

Gathering of Abundance by Kelly Jean Ohl

Microbiota by Kate Casanova

Becoming by Betsy Ruth Byers

The small conceptual sculptures assembled by Kate Casanova “express our connection to nature and our physical bodies, with a combination of synthetic and biological materials,” Pryor explains. Teetering between the abstract and the representational, with shapes bulging and flowing with color, the work of Betsy Ruth Byers may be “rooted in the tradition of landscape painting,” he continues, “but addresses the materiality of paint to examine how our relationship with water and ice is changing.” 

Other gallery artists in the exhibition include Cameron Zebrun, who infuses layers of carved wood with images of northern Minnesota woods and water; and Julie Snidle and Jodi Reeb who work with beeswax.

Ghost by Cameron Zebrun

At the Horizon by Jodi Reeb

Gold Beach by Julie Snidle 

In addition to enjoying individual artworks, visitors to the exhibition “can look forward to experiencing the ways in which these works will connect with each other,” Pryor says. Adds Kolman, “The works are in dialogue with each other, not overtly, but through a shared sensibility grounded in the artists’ gratitude and appreciation for nature.” 

For a preview of the show, or more information, please contact Anita Sue Kolman at anita@kolmanpryorgallery.com or 612-385-4239 or Patrick Pryor at patrick@kolmanpryorgallery.com or 612-280-7812. Kolman & Pryor Gallery is located in Studio 395, Northrup King Building at 1500 Jackson Street NE, Minneapolis, MN 55413.

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      Nature’s Way begins Saturday, April 10, 2021, and closes Saturday, June 19, 2021.

       Artist Reception: Saturday, April 17, 2021, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

February 19 Ward 7 Updates from Council Member Lisa Goodman

Preparedness Efforts Ahead of Derek Chauvin Trial

The trial of former Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin is set to begin on March 8^th and will likely last through much of April. This trial will focus an enormous amount of attention on our city and state. The weight and uncertainty of this trial brings stress along with it. I want you to know that many dedicated leaders in public service in the city remain committed to your safety and well-being.  

 Presently, we are working with the county, state and a multitude of other partners to keep the peace and to protect the freedom of expression as well as the safety of employees, residents, businesses and visitors. The first few weeks of the trial are expected to be focused on jury selection with opening statements scheduled for later in March. At the City’s request, Gov. Tim Walz has activated the Minnesota National Guard to provide public safety assistance to Minneapolis and Saint Paul during the upcoming trials.

In the weeks ahead, we anticipate changes that may affect how you navigate and engage with downtown and our other city neighborhoods. These changes include temporary barriers being put in place around City Hall, the New Public Service Building, the Hennepin County Government Center, the County jail as well as our police precincts. These will be in place for the duration of the trial.  At this time, we do not have plans to put enhanced barriers around other City facilities. City buildings will remain open but starting March 1 there will be restricted access to the Hennepin County Government Center.

On March 1, Sixth Street South will be closed between Third and Fourth avenues. Currently, other streets will remain open. The City will provide updates when other closures are anticipated. 

Throughout the trials, the City’s communications and engagement teams will be working with partners from multiple jurisdictions in a joint information system to keep the public informed using a coordinated communications and engagement strategy. Our goal is to create multiple channels to share timely and relevant information and to receive ongoing feedback from the community.

The City’s Office of Violence Prevention is also working with the City’s Neighborhood and Community Relations Department on a toolkit to help neighborhoods and residents be prepared. The toolkit will include safety tips and best practices, among other information.

Similarly, the City’s Community Planning and Economic Development Department is developing guidance for business and property owners to take additional preparedness and security measures, while remaining open for business. Small businesses can reach out to SmallBusiness@minneapolismn.gov with questions.

I understand communication is critically important and that my office is committed to putting out timely information as soon as we get it. It’s important to understand that as a City Council Member I am not always “in the room where it happens” when many of these important decisions are being made by all these partners, however, I am committed to getting information from our communications system quickly and getting it out to residence as best I can. I know this is going to be a very intense time please know I’m doing my best to represent you and be there for you.

Lisa

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City Hosting Online Open Houses for Hennepin South Reconstruction Project

The City of Minneapolis is holding online open houses March 2 and March 4 to share and receive input on draft concept designs for the reconstruction of Hennepin Avenue South between Douglas Avenue and West Lake Street. Attendees will have the opportunity to view a presentation, provide comments and ask questions of project staff.

The City plans to reconstruct this section of Hennepin Avenue starting in 2024. The reconstruction project provides an opportunity to redesign Hennepin Avenue to meet the needs of current and future users of the street.

Project goals include improving the sidewalk and intersections for all users, evaluating bicycle network connectivity, providing space for enhanced transit stops for future METRO E Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service, replacing aging infrastructure and maintaining and enhancing traffic flow for transit and motor vehicles.

Online open houses

• 4-5 p.m. Tuesday, March 2
• 6:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 4

Visit the project website for instructions on how to attend the online meetings. For those unable to attend, open house materials including interactive draft concept designs and a recording of the presentation will be posted to the project website to view. The draft concept designs and comment form will also be available for input through April 16, 2021.

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Updates on Transforming Community Safety – Online Meeting March 2

An online meeting on the City’s work to transform community safety has been scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 2. Check this webpage for the RSVP, which will be posted later.

The City of Minneapolis is committed to a goal of safety for everyone in Minneapolis. On June 12, 2020, the City Council passed a resolution committing to creating a transformative new model for cultivating safety in Minneapolis.

Since then, internal work groups and key stakeholders have been exploring ways to develop an integrated community safety response that works for everyone.

Three pillars of community safety

The City’s realignment to provide a holistic community safety response will take place in phases over time with much staff, partner and community participation. It focuses on three main areas:

• A public-health-oriented response for preventing violence.
• Alternatives to police response for 911 calls.
• Reforming law enforcement policies, protocols and practices.

Some of the work in progress includes:

• Minneapolis’ crime prevention specialists (CPS) now report to the Neighborhood & Community Relations Department instead of the Police Department. The change reflects the crime prevention specialists’ roles in community engagement. Nothing will change as far as work location, scope of work, job titles and programs offered to the community without further planning and engagement.
• If you have a mental health crisis in Minneapolis, you can continue to call 911 or the Cope mobile crisis team in Hennepin County: 612-596-1223 (for adults in Hennepin County) and 612-348-2233 (for children 17 and under). In 2021, two mental health teams will be available 24/7 for crisis calls. This means police may not provide the primary response for a mental health crisis call or police may still respond if the mental health teams are both on current calls.
• To report theft of property damage, you can call 311, 911 or submit an online report. As part of a pilot this year, City employees (non-sworn officers) will take theft and property damage reports from residents. 

Stay up to date

Stay updated on this work by visiting the City’s community safety webpage where you can see updated information on the three focus areas, key milestones and information presented to the community in an earlier presentation. You can also share your thoughts about what community safety looks like to you. Information will also be shared out over a variety of channels in many languages.

Staff will present regular community safety updates at City Council meetings. The first was a Health Department presentation on the first phase of engagement around public-health-oriented violence prevention. This presentation included a summary of the first phase of the online survey, stakeholder interviews and focus groups. Staff from the City Coordinator’s Office also provided an update on the alternatives to police response work rolling out this year. Watch the Jan. 21 presentation to the Public Health & Safety Committee on the City’s website.

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Minneapolis and State of Minnesota Offer New Vaccination Web Tools

The City of Minneapolis has developed a new web tool to help residents find information in multiple languages on the current status of the vaccination rollout, what to expect when getting the vaccine, and the safety of getting a vaccine.

The web tool includes:

• The up-to-date status of the phased vaccination rollout. It shows which groups of people are being vaccinated now and which groups are next.
• Detailed information about:
  • The COVID-19 vaccines available.
  • The safety of receiving the vaccine.
  • What people need to know before, during and after a vaccine appointment.
• An acknowledgement of past trauma for those who have experienced discrimination in medicine and vaccinations. This web tool is one effort in the City’s commitment to ensure equity, justice and transparency in distributing the vaccinations.
• A form for community organizations and other groups to request a Minneapolis Health Department speaker to address common vaccine questions and concerns. The form is in four languages.

People should also check back for more web functions yet to be added, which could include a mapping tool to find vaccination locations and an interactive quiz to find out if they are eligible.

Find the City’s new COVID-19 vaccine web tool on the City website.

State launches new tool to connect all Minnesotans to COVID-19 vaccines

Minnesotans who have not yet been vaccinated are encouraged to sign up for the COVID-19 Vaccine Connector, regardless of their current vaccine eligibility status. The new Minnesota COVID-19 Vaccine Connector will help all Minnesotans find out when, where and how to get their COVID-19 vaccine.

Minnesotans can sign up at mn.gov/vaccineconnector. Minnesotans unable to sign up online can call 833-431-2053 for assistance signing up over the phone. Translation is available by phone in all languages. Minnesotans can call the translation hotline at 833-431-2053 for assistance signing up over the phone. When a Minnesotan becomes eligible to receive a vaccine under State guidelines, the Vaccine Connector will alert them of their eligibility, connect them to resources to schedule an appointment, and notify them if there are vaccination opportunities in their area.

Demand for vaccine still far exceeds supply, and Minnesotans should remain patient as more vaccine arrives in the weeks and months ahead. Every Minnesotan will have an opportunity to get vaccinated; it will just take time.

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COVID-19 Situation Update as of February 17, 2021

Situational updates: Minneapolis

• As of February 17, there are 32,349 cases in Minneapolis and 382 deaths. The total number of cases and hospitalizations increased by less than 1% over the previous week. ICU admissions increased by slightly more than 1% over last week. Minneapolis-specific data are available at www.minneapolismn.gov/coronavirus/dashboard.
• Over the past week, there have been about 50 new cases per day on average. This rate has decreased significantly, however we are still seeing at least 40+ new cases per day as well as averaging three hospitalizations per day.
• The seven-day rolling average case rate for Minneapolis is 11 cases per 100,000. This rate has steadily decreased for the past four weeks and appears to be plateauing.
• COVID-19 testing in Minneapolis and across the state has decreased by over 40% since November. It’s possible we may be missing mild or asymptomatic infections.
• Please continue to wear a mask, wash your hands, maintain physical distance, get tested, and stay home if you’re sick. These actions will help contain the spread of the virus.
• Mayor Frey’s Emergency Regulation No. 12 regarding masks remains in effect. The regulation requires people to wear face masks in all indoor public places.
• On February 12, Governor Walz issued Executive Order 21-07, loosening COVID-19 restrictions for certain businesses. Minneapolis Emergency Regulation No. 2020-17, which closed bar service, remains in effect. Details for Minneapolis businesses are available on the City’s Guidance for Restaurants, Bars and Breweries and Distilleries web page.

Situational updates: Minnesota

• As of February 17, there are 475,379 cases in Minnesota out of over 7 million tests completed. There have been 6,390 deaths from COVID-19 in Minnesota. There are 98,644 cases and 1,569 deaths in Hennepin County.
• The State uses a color-coded map to track a seven-day rolling average of new cases. As of February 8, Minnesota is reporting 15 cases per 100,000.
• The State continues to work with the CDC to conduct surveillance of newly identified strains of COVID-19 in Minnesota. As of today, 18 cases of the B.1.1.7 variant (first found in the U.K.) and two cases of the P.1 variant (which first emerged in Brazil) have been detected in Minnesota.
• Today Governor Walz updated Minnesota’s Safe Learning Plan to allow more middle and high school students to return to the classroom. Beginning February 22, all middle and high school students can return to the classroom for hybrid or in-person learning. Additional details are found in the updated Safe Learning Plan and updated Minnesota Department of Health 2020-2021 Planning Guide for Schools.
• The statewide mask mandate remains in effect. People are required to wear masks in all indoor public places where people gather and some outdoor venues where physical distancing is difficult.

Health Department Incident Command updates

• The Health Department is offering multiple community testing and vaccination clinics every week. Any City employee who is interested in volunteering at these events can fill out a brief survey. Staff who volunteer will receive training and personal protective equipment, including COVID vaccination for those volunteering at multiple events.

Case investigation/Contact tracing

• We continue to conduct follow-up with individuals diagnosed with COVID-19, as well as contact tracing at workplaces and with exposed individuals. Of the cases in Minneapolis, 65% have been interviewed and 2.4% have refused. Thirty-two percent of cases have been lost to follow-up and less than 1% of new Minneapolis cases still need to be interviewed.
• Twenty percent of interviews of Minneapolis residents have been conducted in a language other than English, representing over 15 different languages.
• We have 50 active case investigators, including two non-MHD enterprise staff and 17 AmeriCorps staff. With the decrease in cases, case investigators are interviewing an average of 30 cases per shift and making an average of 80 calls per shift, plus conducting workplace and other contact follow-up.
• People now have the option of completing the case investigation interview online. Cases receive a text and are able to choose one of four languages to complete the survey in. About 5% of Minneapolis cases have chosen to complete the interview online.
• We are conducting case investigation and contact tracing for Minneapolis Public Schools staff diagnosed, exposed, or experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, and providing recommendations to MPS on next steps. We are receiving an average of three situations that require follow-up per day.

COVID-19 vaccination planning and distribution

• We are partnering with Hennepin Healthcare to provide vaccinations in Minneapolis. To date, we have hosted over 40 vaccination clinics and given out more than 3,500 doses.
• This week we are hosting 16 clinics focused on Phase 1A priority groups including unaffiliated healthcare partners, Minneapolis Park Police, and assisted living and congregate care facilities. We are also vaccinating educators and school workers.
• We are partnering with the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority (MPHA) to offer vaccinations for public housing residents living in 39 MPHA highrise buildings. First doses will be administered to interested residents in these buildings starting March 8.
• We are finalizing plans for vaccinating Phase 1B populations, with an emphasis on BIPOC communities who have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.
• The State continues to focus on vaccinating adults over 65, educators, and childcare workers. Updates on their vaccination efforts can be found on the State’s vaccination website.
• Vaccine demand continues to far outpace available doses. While waiting to be vaccinated, help stop the spread of the virus by continuing to wash your hands, stay 6ft apart, and wear a mask.

COVID-19 vaccination education and outreach

• On February 12, we launched a new Minneapolis COVID Vaccine webpage. This site provides the public with information about vaccine safety, a timeline for local vaccine distribution, and answers to frequently asked questions. Visitors can use the Google Translate function located on the left side of the page to view the information in multiple languages. Please help us promote this resource widely.
• Community organizations and groups interested in learning more about COVID vaccination, testing, and mitigation can schedule a virtual presentation/conversation with Health Department staff. To request a presentation, fill out a request form on the new Vaccine webpage (forms are available in English, Spanish, Somali, and Hmong).
• We are hosting vaccine briefings for Enterprise Leaders every other Monday from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. The next briefing is scheduled for Monday, February 22. Past recordings can be found on the COVID Vaccination Channel.

COVID-19 testing

• We continue to offer regular community testing events, which are free and open to everyone. In the past week, we provided 63 COVID-19 saliva tests at two community events.
• Local and state testing rates have decreased significantly in the last few months. Despite the vaccine roll-out, it is still important to get tested to help stop the spread of the virus. Please help us promote the following saliva testing events:

o Minneapolis Public Schools Davis Center, 1250 West Broadway, February 20, March 13 and 20 (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.). No pre-registration required.

o Columbia Manor, 3300 Central Ave. N.E., February 18 and 25, March 4, 11, 18, and 25 (4 p.m. to 7 p.m.). No pre-registration required.

o Phyllis Wheatley Community Center, 1301 10th Ave N., February 27 (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.). No pre-registration required.

o Minneapolis Convention Center - 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends. Visit the State’s COVID-19 testing web page to register.

o Brooklyn Park Starlight Center – 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends. Visit the State’s COVID-19 testing web page to register.

o Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport - 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week. Visit the State’s COVID-19 testing web page to register.

• The City's testing web page offers information on testing sites and guidance about what to do while you wait for COVID-19 test results. Staying away from others while you wait for your results is extremely important, especially if you have any symptoms.
• We are also offering free saliva testing kits and on-site testing for community partners, organizations, and businesses. Please use this form to submit a request for testing kits or onsite testing. Priority will be given to businesses and organizations with recent outbreaks.
• Any person in Minnesota can order a free at-home saliva test kit from the State’s COVID-19 Test at Home program. The test will be delivered to your home with rush shipping.

Businesses

• Last week, in response to Governor Walz’s Executive Order 21-07, we sent out a newsletter to licensed businesses explaining the loosening of restrictions for bars, restaurants, gyms, and other venues. In general, businesses are complying with COVID rules. Health inspectors are coordinating with Business Licensing to address any violations as they occur.
• Inspectors continue to reach out to businesses to provide guidance on COVID-19 cleaning and sanitizing practices, isolation and quarantine guidance for employees, best practices on masking and physical distancing, and other critical safety guidance.

Other community needs

• Last week, we fulfilled requests for personal protective equipment and saliva testing kits for Webber Mart and WeCare Childcare Center in North Minneapolis and Hard Times Café in the Cedar Riverside neighborhood. We have additional inventory available and welcome more requests from businesses and community groups through the COVID-19 Requests and Inquiries form.

• We are responding to many emails from residents, business owners, health care providers, educators, and community groups in our COVID19@minneapolismn.gov inbox. Recent questions have focused on vaccination plans and revised COVID regulations for businesses. Please continue using this email for any COVID-related questions.

The City specific COVID email address is: COVID19@minneapolismn.gov.

MinnPost Announces Lineup for Inaugural MinnPost Festival in April

Via a February 18 e-announcement from MinnPost:

National and local guests set for in-depth conversations on politics, media and culture

MinnPost is excited to present the inaugural MinnPost Festival, a week of engaging conversations with insightful voices from politics, media and culture, including E.J. Dionne from The Washington Post and the Brookings Institution; Errin Haines from The 19th and MSNBC; Charlie Sykes from The Bulwark; Sarah Bellamy from Penumbra Theatre; and more! The Festival is set for April 5 to 9 with all six sessions presented virtually.

The Festival program was designed to follow MinnPost’s approach to thoughtful, in-depth journalism. “Amidst the overwhelming stream of information and noise in media, MinnPost is driven to take our readers out of the maelstrom of the daily news cycle for more context and clarity around the news in Minnesota,” said Tanner Curl, MinnPost’s executive director. “During a particularly unsettled time, MinnPost Festival’s exciting lineup of national and local speakers will bring our audience a deeper understanding of the people and ideas shaping civic and cultural life in this moment.”

True to MinnPost’s commitment to making its journalism free for everyone, all-access Festival passes are available at Pay What You Can pricing, meaning attendees register at a price that works for them, including free. “We believe journalism is essential to a healthy democracy,” said Curl, “and you can’t live up to that if your reporting and programming are cloistered behind a paywall.” MinnPost is able to deliver on this commitment thanks to financial support from members, funders and sponsors. The Festival itself has opportunities for individuals and businesses to provide crucial support for MinnPost’s public-service journalism year-round.

MinnPost Festival - April 5-9, 2021 - minnpost.com/festival

America in 2021: A Conversation with Astead Herndon

Monday, April 5, 2021, 12-12:50 p.m. CT

The New York Times national politics reporter on the forces seeking to hold power and shape policy amidst demographic and cultural changes across the U.S.

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Democrats in Power: A Conversation with E.J. Dionne

Tuesday, April 6, 2021, 12-12:50 p.m. CT

The Washington Post political columnist and senior fellow at the Brookings Institution on the challenges facing the Biden administration and congressional Democrats.

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The GOP Moving Forward: A Conversation with Sarah Longwell and Charlie Sykes

Wednesday, April 7, 2021, 12-12:50 p.m. CT

Two leaders from The Bulwark on the Republican Party after the Trump presidency and the future of conservatives in electoral politics.

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Local Community Media: A Panel Discussion

Thursday, April 8, 2021, 12-12:50 p.m. CT

Local media leaders from across Minnesota discuss how they serve their communities in such a challenging time for local news organizations. Panelists: Harry Colbert, Jr., North News; Mukhtar Ibrahim, Sahan Journal; Leah Lemm, Minnesota Native News; and Jana Peterson, Pine Knot News.

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Art for Change: A Conversation with Sarah Bellamy

Thursday, April 8, 2021, 7-7:50 p.m. CT

The artistic director of Penumbra Theatre on the organization’s mission to drive social change, advance equity, and bring racial healing.

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Gender and Politics: A Conversation with Errin Haines and Emily Ramshaw

Friday, April 9, 2021, 12-12:50 p.m. CT

Two leaders and journalists from The 19th discuss women in American politics and their work at a nonprofit news start-up reporting at the intersection of gender, politics, and policy.

About MinnPost

MinnPost is a nonprofit, nonpartisan digital news enterprise that provides free in-depth journalism on the politics and culture of Minnesota. Founded in 2007, MinnPost is one of the leading local nonprofit news organizations in the nation. Its work is made possible through the generous support of members, funders and sponsors.

Episode 6 of Milling About with Brianna Rose Airs February 18

Article by Becky Fillinger

Brianna RoseThe February episode of Milling About with Brianna Rose will first air on Thursday, February 18 at 8PM on MCN6. The show replays for a month every Thursday and Friday at 8PM and Monday and Tuesday at 5PM.

The February show covers many topics that we know you’re going to like! Here is the lineup:

Ramona Kitto Stately, Project Director of We Are Still Here Minnesota. Ramona kicks off a new segment for Milling About – Contemporary Native News. She explains that while Native populations are ancient, they’re also modern. She gives us several examples of how to change the narratives around toxic, outdated stereotypes of Native Americans.

Ed Heimel, 2020 Volunteer of the Year for the Mississippi National River and Recreational Area. Ed was recognized for his volunteer activities which run the gamut – office work, field research, museum docent and travel guide! 

Lynn Gordon, Founder and President of the French Meadow Bakery and Cafe. Lynn tells us how the legendary restaurant survived the COVID-19 lockdowns and her unique approach to the menu – which means there’s something on the menu for everyone – carnivores, gluten-free and vegetarians can all find delicious choices. Lynn also describes the latest menu creations by newly installed chef Dusty Graham.

Hawona Sullivan Janzen, interdisciplinary artist, tells us about how her early work as a curator lead to her writing career and how the Mississippi River inspires much of her writing. Don’t miss her recitation of her poem Uncle Speed. 

Keith Parker, Executive Director of Great River Greening, tells us about the organization’s 26-year history of land restoration and ecosystem enhancement. 44,000 volunteers have assisted their efforts – providing a source of people-power and a base of citizens to carry their conservation messages to the greater community.   

Audrey Liquard, our Zero Waste Lifestyle expert, gives us advice in eliminating single use plastic from our lives.

Milling About with Brianna Rose is a production of Mill City Times, covering topics of interest to our readers. We focus on local entertainers, small businesses, neighborhood stories, Mississippi River connections, local food producers and history - and are open to suggestions! To suggest ideas or to be a guest on the show, please email executive producer, Becky Fillinger, at becky_fillinger@hotmail.com.

The Mill City Times Interview: Rinal Ray, Chief Executive Officer, People Serving People

Article by Becky Fillinger

Rinal Ray describes herself as a nonprofit leader, public policy professional, teacher, trainer and lawyer. I would add that she is authentic, caring and community-minded! We talked to her about why she serves and priorities for leading People Serving People.

Rinal Ray

Q:  Rinal, you've been a community leader for some time - currently Chief Executive Officer of People Serving People, and previously at the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, the Minnesota Justice Foundation, and a 2020 Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal Women in Business honoree, among others. Why do you serve?

A:  I want to use my time, skills, energy, and experience to benefit my community and to operationalize love as a public good.

Q:  I looked up the meaning of your given name, Rinal. It means determined, strong willed person. It seems that your parents were prescient - does leadership come naturally to you? 

A:  My parents were the first in their families to immigrate to the US and I was the first person born in the US across my extended family. I’m the oldest of four in an Indian American family. Growing up, most of our family stayed with us when they arrived in the US until they could get a place of their own. I often spoke with authority figures on behalf of my family - from ordering pizza over the phone to accompanying relatives to job interviews. 

As a young person, I understood the responsibility of what it meant to be a good older sibling, to host others, and to use my skills and abilities to help others further their own goals. For a long time, I did not think this was leadership – no one called me a leader. I didn’t ‘look’ like what the other leaders looked like, nor did I behave in the ways exhibited by dominant culture leaders. Nonetheless, this is what leadership means to me and how I most naturally lead.  

I suppose I am determined to lead with others and those most directly impacted by the experience of homelessness toward a future where all families have access to stable housing and the opportunities that come with that, for children and caregivers alike. 

If I am determined and strong willed, I got that from my mother – she has a will of iron! 

Q:  Immigrants do so much for Minnesota – thank you for sharing your story! Oh, I forgot that you're also on the Minnesota Board of College Possible, one of my favorite nonprofits. Your bio statement on their web page mentions that you're interested in narrative expansion. What does that mean to you? 

A:  For me this is about expanding beyond the dominant public narrative, to expand the narrative is to see the many experiences and hear stories from a different perspective. Expanding the narrative on homelessness includes and means seeing the families that experience homelessness, people who are doubled up with other households, the incredible strength and resilience of people experiencing homelessness, the role of systems and structural racism in the existence of homelessness, and that homelessness is a community and systems issue that we all have a stake in. 

Staff members take temperatures and maintain a healthy environment for the guests and employees.Q:  What are the 2021 priorities for People Serving People? 

A:  We need to get to the other side of the COVID-19 pandemic - keep our families and staff healthy and safe while continuing to provide shelter and support services. We also need to provide both a dignified response to the crisis of family homelessness and move upstream to prevent it.  

Q:  What leads to family homelessness?  

A:  There are many ways families enter the experience of homelessness – lack of truly affordable housing, wage stagnation, inaccessible and affordable child care and early education, inaccessible chemical and mental healthcare, gender and community-based violence. Underlying all of these issues are persistent racial disparities that point to structural racism as a cause of family homelessness.  

Q:  People Serving People's website mentions that the group is a leader in homelessness prevention. Can you tell us about the group's efforts?

A:  We work to prevent the experience of family homelessness through both program and policy. We offer early education both onsite and through our Center of Excellence as a powerful whole-family strategy that allows children to learn in a safe and nurturing environment and caregivers to pursue work or education that will pave the way to greater housing and family stability. We also have launched programs to help people stay stably housed and prevent the (re)occurrence of family homelessness, build financial power, and implement whole family system strategies. Additionally, People Serving People supports public policy that provides stability for children and families in the community and works to move upstream to prevent family homelessness through systems change, centering families, and leading with racial equity.

Young guests participate in distanced learning while at People Serving People.

Fun activities help maintain normalcy during a transitional time.

Q:  What do you want the downtown community to know about People Serving People? 

A:  People Serving People exists to see families thrive and work toward a vision of healed families and transformed communities. You are a part of our community and we welcome your engagement and support.  To give you an idea of the range of our activities, here’s what we do: 

- Emergency shelter and meals

- Early Childhood Development Program

- Center of Excellence

- K-5 Program and 6-12 Program

- Parent & Family Services

- Advocacy

- Employment Services

- Technology Resource Center

- Permanent Supportive Housing

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I’d also like for your readers and the Downtown community to know some things about our families:

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- African American and Native American families are overrepresented among families that experience homelessness.

- Parents are strong and fierce advocates for their children’s health and safety.

- Children are fun, smart, brave, and resilient.

- Families know what’s best for them and have a vision for their lives and staff, volunteers and partners support that vision.

Q:  How may the community be involved with your programs? 

A:  The best ways to get involved is to volunteer or donate.

Q:  How may we follow your news?

A:  Sign up for our E-newsletters, and follow social media: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 

Restaurant Week Winter 2021: Feb 22-28

The Winter edition of Restaurant Week returns February 22-28. 

Participating restaurants are offering special two and three course pre-fixe lunches and dinners from $10-$35 per person. View participating restaurants and menus for takeout and socially distant dining here.

February 12 Ward 7 Updates from Council Member Lisa Goodman

Ahead of Police Recruitment Push, City Prioritizes Minneapolis Residency, Social Service Experience

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, Police Chief Medaria Arradondo and Chief Human Resources Officer Patience Ferguson announced new recruitment priorities for incoming Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) recruits. Throughout every level of the hiring process, the City is assigning greater weight to applicants who have experience in social service and live in Minneapolis. 

Amid a significant opportunity to recruit new officers into the department, placing a higher value on residency and social service experience will help ensure the MPD is better embedding Minneapolis’ values throughout its recruitment and hiring practices.

The changes also include assigning greater weight to volunteer experience, educational and on-the-job experience in social service, mental health work, and substance use disorder counseling. The department will also emphasize degrees in criminal justice, social work, social sciences (psychology, sociology, criminology), counseling and other related fields. These new recruitment priorities will begin with summer class recruitment, with postings expected in mid-February.

Read more.

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Joint Operation Results in Nearly 50 Carjacking and Robbery Arrests

Officers from the Minneapolis Police Department and deputies with the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office Violent Offender Task Force teamed up recently with air support from the Minnesota State Patrol to target people responsible for ongoing violent robberies and carjackings in parts of south Minneapolis.

The three-day joint operation, which took place Jan. 26-28, resulted in 46 arrests, including 69 felony level charges. Law enforcement recovered 15 firearms and 12 stolen vehicles. Six of the vehicles were occupied at the time officers and deputies seized the vehicles.

The felony level arrests included probable cause charges of carjacking, drugs and weapons violations, auto theft and fleeing police. Last year, there were 405 carjackings in Minneapolis, a 301% increase over 2019.

Tips to reduce your risk of becoming a carjacking victim: 

• Park in well-lit areas.
• Always be hyper-aware of your surroundings.
• Equip your car with an anti-theft device.
• Lock your doors while driving.

Don’t stop for apparently stranded strangers along the road. Note their location and pull over in a safe place once you’ve passed to call for help.

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Gov. Walz Authorizes National Guard to Provide Public Safety Assistance During Trials of Former Officers Involved in George Floyd's Death

Gov. Tim Walz has issued an executive order authorizing the Minnesota National Guard to provide public safety assistance to Minneapolis and Saint Paul during the upcoming trials of the former officers involved in the death of George Floyd. Members of the National Guard will be visible and available as needed as public interest increases surrounding the trials.

Walz’s executive order is part of a monthslong public safety planning process among local law enforcement agencies and all levels of government, including City and County governments, to prepare for heightened interest in the upcoming trials of the former officers.

The governor called on the Legislature to quickly pass his SAFE Account proposal. This funding is a critical tool to help ensure there are enough sworn law enforcement officers to be able to employ the National Guard. Because the National Guard is not a law enforcement agency, they must partner with police to help prevent or respond to any unrest.

This will require significant mutual aid from adjacent cities and counties, which has a fiscal cost. The SAFE Account would ensure that cities and counties across the state that volunteer to send additional police officers are reimbursed for their efforts to help secure this extraordinary event.

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Emergency Assistance Programs from the State and County

ApplyMN is a simple, secure online application that connects you with Minnesota and Hennepin County services to help meet your and your family's basic needs. You can use ApplyMN to apply for: 

• Cash assistance.
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
• Child care assistance.
• Emergency assistance for situations such as eviction or loss from a fire. Contact the county office where you live for more information. In Hennepin County, that’s 612-596-1300.

Find more information on the Minnesota Department of Human Services website.

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Free and Affordable Food

There are many places to get local, affordable or free emergency food in Minneapolis this winter.

Emergency food

Find a map and hours of food shelves and food distribution pop-ups for emergency food in Minneapolis.

Free food boxes for all youths

All families are invited to pick up free meal boxes for their children. Food boxes contain a week’s worth of breakfasts and lunches that meet Minneapolis Public Schools’ high standards for nutrition and quality ingredients. In every box, children will find school favorites, whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables. Milk is offered on the side.

• Youths do not need to be enrolled in Minneapolis Public Schools.
• Youths, parents or siblings can pick up one box per child, per week.
• Pick up at any of the 15 school sites. No registration is required.

• All sites are open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Learn more and find a food box location.

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Minnesota Ramps Up COVID-19 Vaccinations

The State of Minnesota is developing a diverse, stable network of different ways Minnesotans can get vaccinated so everyone will have access to a vaccine, no matter where they live and no matter their personal circumstances. In Minnesota, Walmart and Thrifty White are now participating in the first phase of the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program launching across the state to help vaccinate adults 65 years of age and older.

Vaccine supply still small

The State notes that the supply of vaccine each week from the federal government is still small. While it has more vaccine available for seniors than ever, it is still a drop in the bucket. Nearly 1 million people are 65 or older in Minnesota. Until more vaccine comes, it will stay difficult to get an appointment.

The State launched a statewide vaccine finder to better connect Minnesotans 65 and older to vaccination opportunities in communities near where they live. 

Learn more about the State's vaccine distribution plan.

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Free COVID-19 Tests Detect the Virus Even as Variants

The City of Minneapolis is offering free COVID-19 saliva tests. Testing is encouraged and available to everyone, whether or not you have symptoms. It’s one of the best ways to stop the spread of COVID-19 and help prevent exposing your loved ones to the virus.

The tests detect COVID-19 whether it’s the original strain or a variant. Some of the recently found variants seem to spread more easily than the original strain – up to 70% more – and two of the three known variants have been identified in Minnesota.

The State of Minnesota especially asks these people to get tested:

• Students returning to school, youth sports or extracurricular activities. Testing doesn’t sideline your team but helps identify the virus early so it doesn’t have a chance to spread.
• College and trade school students returning to campus or classes.
• Anyone who regularly interacts with people outside of their family unit or household.
• Anyone with symptoms or who was exposed to someone who tested positive or someone they don’t live with.
• Anyone who is working at places that remain open during the pandemic such as critical infrastructure, first responders, health care, retail, schools and child care.

Free COVID-19 tests

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

Columbia Manor Golf Course, 3300 Central Ave. NE 4-7 p.m. Thursdays, Feb. 18 and 25

Minneapolis Public Schools Davis Center, 1250 West Broadway 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13 and 20

Minnesota Chippewa Tribe building, 1308 E. Franklin Ave. 3-7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16

Phyllis Wheatley Community Center, 1301 10th Ave. N. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27

You can expect to get your test results in about two business days.

More free COVID-19 saliva tests

Minneapolis Convention Center, 1301 Second Ave. S., Exhibit Room E 10 a.m.-6 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. weekends Make an appointment here. Find instructions here.

Native American Community Clinic, 1213 E. Franklin Ave. 2 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays Appointments required: Call 612-872-8086 to schedule an appointment.

Southside Community Health Services, 324 E. 35th St. 2-3 p.m. Mondays through Fridays Appointments required: Call 612-821-3548 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.

The State is also offering free at-home saliva tests. Any person in Minnesota can order a saliva test kit from the COVID-19 Test at Home program.

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.

Why get tested? Videos in Spanish, Somali and Hmong

Whether you feel sick or not, get tested. This will protect your loved ones and help us all return safely back to school, work and other activities.

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COVID-19 Situation Update as of February 10, 2021

Situational updates: Minneapolis

• As of February 10, there are 32,049 cases in Minneapolis and 382 deaths. The total number of cases increased by 1.1% over the previous week. Both hospitalizations and ICU admissions increased by less than 1%. Minneapolis-specific data are available at www.minneapolismn.gov/coronavirus/dashboard.
• Over the past week, there have been about 50 new cases per day on average. This rate has decreased significantly, however we are still seeing at least 10 new cases per day as well as averaging three hospitalizations and one death per day.
• The seven-day rolling average case rate for Minneapolis is 14.4 cases per 100,000. The rate continues to decrease, but the re-opening of bars and restaurants, the return of students to in-person learning, and the new COVID variants circulating in the community may all cause case rates to increase in the future.
• COVID-19 testing in Minneapolis and across the State has decreased by 30% from November. It’s possible we may be missing mild or asymptomatic infections.
• Please continue to wear a mask, wash your hands, maintain physical distance, get tested, and stay home if you’re sick. These actions will help contain the spread of the virus.
• Mayor Frey’s Emergency Regulation No. 12 regarding masks remains in effect. The regulation requires people to wear face masks in all indoor public places.

Situational updates: Minnesota

• As of February 10, there are 469,905 cases in Minnesota out of over 6.8 million tests completed. There have been 6,319 deaths from COVID-19 in Minnesota. There are 97,559 cases and 1,557 deaths in Hennepin County.
• The State uses a color-coded map to track a seven-day rolling average of new cases. As of January 31, Minnesota is reporting 16.6 cases per 100,000.
• The State continues to work with the CDC to conduct surveillance to determine how prevalent the newly identified strains of COVID-19 might be in Minnesota. As of today, 16 cases of the B.1.1.7 and two cases of the P.1 variant have been detected in Minnesota.
• The statewide mask mandate remains in effect. People are required to wear masks in all indoor public places where people gather and some outdoor venues where physical distancing is difficult.
• Governor Walz’s Emergency Order 21-01 is in effect. Details are available on the City’s Guidance for Restaurants, Bars and Breweries and Distilleries web page.

Health Department Incident Command updates

• The Health Department is offering multiple community testing and vaccination clinics every week. Any City employee who is interested in volunteering at these events can fill out a brief survey. Staff who volunteer will receive training and personal protective equipment, including COVID vaccination for those volunteering at multiple events.

Case investigation/Contact tracing

• We continue to conduct follow-up with individuals diagnosed with COVID-19, as well as contact tracing at workplaces and with exposed individuals. Of the cases in Minneapolis, 65% have been interviewed and 2.4% have refused. Thirty-two percent of cases have been lost to follow-up and less than 1% of new Minneapolis cases still need to be interviewed.
• Twenty percent of interviews of Minneapolis residents have been conducted in a language other than English, representing over 15 different languages.
• We have 50 active case investigators, including two non-MHD enterprise staff and 17 AmeriCorps staff. With the decrease in cases, case investigators are interviewing an average of 40 cases per shift and making an average of 80 calls per shift, plus conducting workplace and other contact follow-up.
• People now have the option of completing the case investigation interview online. Cases receive a text and are able to choose one of four languages to complete the survey in. About 5% of Minneapolis cases have chosen to complete the interview online.

COVID-19 vaccination

• We continue to partner with Hennepin Healthcare to vaccinate Phase 1A priority groups in Minneapolis. To date, we have hosted 32 vaccination clinics and given out approximately 2,700 vaccinations.
• This week we are hosting ten clinics for assisted living facilities, Blue & White Taxi drivers (which provide medical transportation to COVID patients), Minneapolis Park Police, school health staff, and other congregate care facilities.
• We are finalizing plans for vaccinating Phase 1B populations, with an emphasis on BIPOC communities who have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, as well as vulnerable older adults living in public housing.
• The State continues to focus on vaccinating adults over 65, educators, and childcare workers. Updates on their vaccination efforts can be found on the State’s vaccination website.
• Vaccine demand continues to far outpace available doses. While waiting to be vaccinated help stop the spread of the virus by continuing to wash your hands, stay 6ft apart, and wear a mask.
• We are offering community conversations about COVID-19 vaccinations, testing, and ways to prevent the virus. Please use this form to request a conversation.
• We are hosting vaccine briefings for Enterprise Leaders every other Monday from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. The next briefing is scheduled for Monday, February 22. Past recordings can be found on the COVID Vaccination Channel.

COVID-19 testing

• Despite the vaccine roll-out, it is still important to get tested to help stop the spread of the virus.
• We continue to offer regular community testing events, which are free and open to everyone. In the past week, we provided 132 COVID-19 saliva tests at two community events and a local business.
• Please help us promote the following saliva testing events:

o Minneapolis Public Schools Davis Center, 1250 West Broadway, February 13 and February 20 (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.). No pre-registration required.

o MN Chippewa Tribe Building, 1308 East Franklin Ave, February 16 (3 p.m. to 7 p.m.). No pre-registration required.

o Columbia Manor, 3300 Central Ave. N.E., February 11, 18, and 25 (4 p.m. to 7 p.m.). No pre-registration required.

o Phyllis Wheatley Community Center, 1301 10th Ave N., February 27 (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.). No pre-registration required.

o Minneapolis Convention Center - 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends. Visit the State’s COVID-19 testing web page to register.

o Brooklyn Park Starlight Center – 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends. Visit the State’s COVID-19 testing web page to register.

o Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport - 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week. Visit the State’s COVID-19 testing web page to register.

• We are also offering free saliva testing kits and on-site testing for community partners, organizations, and businesses. To date there have been 64 requests from businesses and community partners for 6,989 test kits. Please use this form to submit a request for testing kits or onsite testing. Priority will be given to businesses and organizations with recent outbreaks.
• Any person in Minnesota can order a free at-home saliva test kit from the State’s COVID-19 Test at Home program. The test will be delivered to your home with rush shipping.
• The City's testing web page offers information on testing sites and guidance about what to do while you wait for COVID-19 test results. Staying away from others while you wait for your results is extremely important, especially if you have any symptoms.

Support for Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS)

• About 2,600 MPS educators are preparing to welcome approximately 9,600 elementary school students back to in-person learning this month. Pre-K and Kindergarten students returned on February 8, while first and second grade students returned on February 10. Third through fifth grade students will return on February 22.
• We are conducting case investigation and contact tracing for MPS staff diagnosed, exposed, or experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, and providing recommendations to MPS on next steps. We are receiving an average of these situations that require follow-up per day.
• We have provided 1,200 saliva test kits for MPS educators as well as 700 tests for MPS students, families, and staff to help with re-opening efforts.

Businesses

• Health inspectors responded to two outbreaks in restaurants that were reported last week. One outbreak occurred among restaurant patrons while the other occurred among staff.
• Inspectors continue to reach out to businesses to provide guidance on COVID-19 cleaning and sanitizing practices, isolation and quarantine guidance for employees, best practices on masking and physical distancing, and other critical safety guidance.
• Restaurants continue to request saliva test kits for their employees, which health inspectors and other health department staff are delivering.

Other community needs

• Over the past week we have supplied personal protective equipment (PPE) upon request to Somali Community Resettlement Services, the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority, and the Twin Cities Recovery Project.
• We have a good stock of PPE on hand (masks, hand sanitizer, and gloves) and are able to fulfill additional community and business requests for supplies. These items may be requested through the COVID-19 Requests and Inquiries form.

The City specific COVID email address is: COVID19@minneapolismn.gov.

The Mill City Times Interview: Patty Wilder, Interim Executive Director, James J. Fiorentino Foundation and Museum

Article by Becky Fillinger

The North Loop will soon have another reason to pull us in – the James Fiorentino collection of cuckoo clocks! The museum will reopen this summer at 126 N 1st Street. Patty Wilder, Interim Executive Director, tells us the history of the location and what we unique treasures we’ll see at the museum.

Patty WilderQ:  Please tell us about Jim Fiorentino, the collector of the clocks.   

A:  The building was constructed in 1948, originally intended to store aluminum. Ten years later, in 1958, Jim and his brothers started a garage door company, Custom Door Sales, Inc., out of the building. Originally Jim set up a “museum” of sorts in his basement. The collection continued to grow.  Jim retired in 1990 and the garage door business was sold to a nephew at which time he moved the collection to the current location for more space to exhibit the clocks and other items.  

Jim first became interested in clocks when his father had one that needed repair and he helped to fix it. Over time, Jim collected clocks from auctions, estate sales, and other places, never leaving the Midwest. The more the clock needed work, the happier Jim was, as he loved to make them whole again. His real love was the carved wooden aspect of these clocks, so he stopped worrying about whether they all told time or not and brought them back to their original beauty.  

Jim’s parents were from Italy and Jim loved all things Italian, though he collected many German clocks, beer steins, rocks, musical instruments, and other assorted curiosities.

Q:  Growing up, we had a German cuckoo clock at home. I was spellbound by the time-keeping mechanisms of the clock and the cuckoo which sounded the hour. Will your museum tell visitors about the history of German clocks?

A:  Yes! There will be individual, self-guided, and docent-led group tours, exhibits explaining the history and context of the objects, plans to offer classes on the history of German and other clocks, and more!

Specifically, the German Black Forest cuckoo clocks demonstrate how farmers learned to carve wooden clock pieces, then cooperatively assembled and sold them to feed their families in the winter. It is a great display of skill, collaboration, and community problem-solving. Visitors can see examples of how clocks were made with different approaches over time, from featuring dead animals to live ones, the development of distinct styles, imaginative aspects of nature, and more. They can learn about the history of clock making, different types of clocks, how clocks work, and the way individual countries made clocks in particular ways. In addition, the collection extends to the historic aspects of making music with instruments and players on display, carved wood from various countries, carved rocks, and other unique items.

Q:  Why this location for the museum? 

A:  The location for the museum relates to the origins of the family business. What was once a warehouse district of Minneapolis is now an upscale area with a lot of walk-by traffic, young families with children, and people enjoying local restaurants and amenities, making this an ideal location for people to visit and enjoy.  Jim started sharing his collection, in the 1990s with the public. The collection, one of the largest in the United States, has more than 700 clocks, with about half being cuckoo clocks. In 2007, the museum was incorporated as a nonprofit organization and has been operating in that manner since then. The building has been closed over the past year due to renovations, though COVID has also affected the operation of many other museums. 

Gian Paz, Collections and Volunteer Coordinator, gives us a preview of what we'll see and hear at the museum.

Q:  When will the museum open? 

A:  Our plans are to re-open this summer. Want to help us? We will be looking for volunteers to serve as docents, exhibit specialists, cataloguing assistance, gift store and receptionist help and more too. 

Q:  Will you have space for special events?

A:  We hope to have space available for some events. We also wish to engage with local organizations of clock collectors such as the Oscar T. Lang Association and groups interested in musical items, as well as the local community.

Q:  How may we follow your news?

A:  The best way to stay updated is to watch our website, or email jjffmuseum@gmail.com with questions.

Chang Wang's Chinese New Year

The Chinese New Year, or Spring Festival, falls on February 12, 2021 this year. Chang Wang, local attorney, professor and author, explains the traditions of the holiday, how many populations celebrate it worldwide and right here in Minnesota. Gong Xi Fa Cai!

*This transcipt from the interview has been lightly edited for clarity.

Brianna Ojard:  I'm here today with Chang Wang. Chang arrived in Minneapolis in 2003 and he was the only Chinese student in his class at the University of Minnesota's Law School. He graduated in 2006 and has been practicing law and living in the Twin Cities ever since. He's the author of “New Tales of the Twin Cities: The History, Law and Culture of Minnesota, which is also the first Chinese language book about Minnesota.  He serves as a board member to the U of M’s China Center and he's an adjunct professor at the law school.  He also sits on several state boards, including the Council of Asian-Pacific Minnesotans.

Good to have you here today Wang.

Wang: Thank you, glad to be here.

Brianna: So I wanted to talk about the Chinese New Year that begins on February 12 and it's the year of the ox. What might we expect from this year according to Chinese culture?

Wang: That's a terrific question. On the Lunar calendar, which rotates in 60 years cycles based on to 12 animals, you’ve probably heard of the zodiac. And the five fundamental elements which are gold or metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. So according to these astrology the 2021 is the year of the gold ox or the metal ox starting on Thursday February the 12th. In the year of the rat, which we are completing for 2020, the driving force was yang. Yang means fast, active, and ever changing, but for the coming year, upcoming year, the year of the ox, the driving force is yin which is soft, past, passive, and moderate.

Wang: In the year of the ox we can expect some level of normalcy in life, also hope, so reason and decency will return to politics and America will be a land of possibilities, as President Biden said, again.

Brianna: I like the sound of some normalcy, that sounds very nice.

Wang: Like here. So next year, the coming year, the year of gold ox should be a terrific year.

Brianna: Wonderful. So, are there any other cultures that celebrate the Lunar New Year.

Wang: Yes, the Spring festival, or the Lunar calendar New Year, is celebrated in regions and countries that historically have been heavily influenced by traditional Chinese culture, or with a significant ethnic Chinese populations; including mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, South Korea, North Korea Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, the Philippines, as well as Chinese communities all over the world. The Spring festival is a statutory holiday in some of those regions and countries, it is most important holiday in Chinese culture.

Brianna: Okay, and Minnesota I know has a pretty large Chinese community do you do you have any numbers on how large it actually is.

Wang: Yes, we, the Chinese, I mean, so the Community is a third largest in Asian Pacific communities across the state with the last census number was 38,238 Chinese Minnesotans.

Those are citizens and green card holders, legal permanent residence.  The Chinese, first the Chinese immigrants came to the state of Minnesota in the 1870s and remained very small in size until after World War Two.  After World War Two more and more people with Chinese heritage came to the state of Minnesota and stayed here.  The University of Minnesota is one of the largest Chinese students and scholars community in the North America.  They are about 3000 students and the scholars of Chinese heritage are studying and working at the University at this moment.

Brianna: That's a large number of students studying there.

Wang: That's true.

Brianna: I have one more question for you. We're obviously still dealing with Covid, still dealing with social distancing and all the other rules to try and help stop the spread. How can we celebrate the Chinese New Year's in light of all those facts?

Wang: Again, that's a great question and I have to give you honest answer.  This year celebration will be much different from the previous years.

In the previous years during Chinese New Year holiday season Chinese families stay together and eat a very large meal. Basically that is for the new year's Eve, but to the holiday season started like a week ago, and a goes until the first a half of January on the Lunar calendar.

So for the new year's Eve, the families stick together, we will make dumplings together. Dumplings, or jiaozi in Chinese, are the most essential course of the Chinese traditional Chinese New Year's Eve feast.  Usually the all the family members sit around the dining table and then wrap dumplings together in the afternoon of New Year's Eve that basically starts this Wednesday afternoon.

But for the past 20 years I rarely had the opportunity to make dumplings with my family. With my parents or my extended family in China. But before the Covid China Center would organize events. The Chinese communities would gather and host parties at a local Chinese restaurants, and Chinese shoppers would raid the Asian grocery stores.  On the true Chinese New Year most Chinese families would follow the protocol and to make dumplings at home with family and friends and neighbors. This year, however, we expect a very quiet spring festival.  No parties,no in person events, but a lot of Zoom and WeChat greetings, and my wife and I will definitely make a lot of dumplings for ourselves and our three Chinese Minnesotan dogs who unconditionally love dumplings and all types of Chinese food.

Brianna: I love that your dogs love the dumplings too.  Well here's hoping that next year's Chinese New Year we’ll be able to get back together and celebrate again and you'll be able to do something a little more traditional than Zoom meetings and dumplings with your dogs. Thank you so much for being here with me today.

Wang: Thank you so much. As we Chinese say, Gong Xi Fa Cai – wish you a very prosperous and Happy New Year. Thank you so much.

Bicycle Film Festival - February 26th to March 7th

Via a February 9 e-announcment:

Bicycle Film Festival February 26 - March 7

Our Streets Minneapolis is partnering with the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota to bring the Bicycle Film Festival to Minneapolis February 26th to March 7th. With your $10, $15, or $20 ticket, you'll get digital access to an international short film program and a panel discussion featuring local changemakers working to diversify the cycling community and culture.

Our local panel will include:

• Wesley Ferguson, @bikingwithwesley
• Paige Ingram, Co-Organizer, Juneteenth Revolutionary Blackout Bikeride 
• Luis Moore, President, Major Taylor Bicycling Club of Minnesota
• Dr. Ashley Zapata & Madilynn Garcia, Stamina Racing Collective

Click here to get your tickets and watch the film trailer today!

Small Business Spotlight: Some Great People

Article by Becky Fillinger

Sarah EdwardsSarah Edwards is sometimes called ‘the Kevin Bacon of Minneapolis’ – and for good reason – she is connected to everybody!  We talked to her about her creative agency, Some Great People, upcoming projects and how she lives out the company’s mission - We Do Good By Creating Thoughtful Connections. 

Q:  Please tell us how Some Great People came together.

A:  Well, I’m originally from Grand Rapids, MN. I’ve always been interested and curious in art, design, fashion, community, people. But honestly, growing up with a single mom I didn’t think it was possible for me to explore a creative career because I wanted something with stability. So I originally ended up moving to Grand Forks, ND to study Engineering and I hated it! My mom actually suggested looking into Minneapolis, and I ended up transferring here and was blown away by how much I loved it (for context, this was 15 years ago). I loved the incredible theater scene, music, design, access to the outdoors and really felt like Minneapolis was special.

I was waitressing at Gluek’s Bar and Restaurant downtown Minneapolis after graduating art school and had an idea to create a fashion show that celebrated Minneapolis. This event was called I AM Minneapolis!. Instead of featuring typical “models” on the runway, I featured cool people doing cool things. Whether it was someone in charge of a non-profit, a filmmaker, chef, tattoo artist, small business owner - I really felt these people contributed to making Minneapolis so special.

Fast forward to connecting the community and telling stories as my “side hustle” until I was approached by brands (such as Bumble) to apply my love of community and storytelling for their brands. I feel like I’m naturally good at it mostly because I’m an empathetic person and love nothing more than to listen to what someone is trying to accomplish and figure out ways to connect them. That’s why the brand Some Great People is so fitting for our agency. I was trying to think of a name for our agency and it occurred to me that the reason we have so much success is that we surround ourselves with #somegreatpeople. In 2020 we had our best year yet and saw a growth of 20%. We have new clients coming at us nationally and are growing, yet staying intentional to our mission and vision. We Do Good By Creating Thoughtful Connections. Our client list includes: Rosedale Center, Sherman Associates, Hands On Twin Cities, Canopy by Hilton Minneapolis, The Metropolitan, Umbra Minneapolis, Agra Culture, SotaRol, La Grolla, Potluck, Apple Autos and Brick x Mortar.

Q:  I love that your mom encouraged you to pursue your creative side, and it was certainly the right advice.  Your company’s growth in 2020 is very impressive – congratulations! Your agency is not only a creative marketing studio - you're also an active community member. You held an event last month based on the idea that volunteering can be an effective tool for creating an equitable community. Tell us about this event.

A:  One of our clients is Hands On Twin Cities and they are THE connectors of volunteers, nonprofits and corporate partners. They have been around for over 100 years (actually last year we produced a big celebration called #100YearsofVolunteers which was a yearlong campaign celebrating volunteerism, and we even published a coffee table book!). The event was called Volunteerism: A Bold Conversation and focused on how volunteering can be an effective tool for creating an equitable community. We also focused on the current systemic racism within the volunteer community and the panelists addressed ways we can come together and move forward. The event featured Seena Hodges, Founder & CEO of The Woke Coach, Nadege Souvenir Senior Vice President of Operations and Learning at The Saint Paul and Minnesota Foundation, Jonathan Palmer the Executive Director at the Hallie Q. Brown Community Center and Laverne McCartney Knighton who is the Area Development Director for UNCF. 

Q:  Are there any more community events on the horizon?

A:  Yes, we always have fun events in the works. (Safety is our #1 priority so we have virtual ways of attending and limited attendance with masks required). We are hosting an event in March focused on TikTok and how businesses and brands can utilize it to grow and reach their customers. We also have a lot of great partnerships with Sherman Associates and the beautiful Canopy by Hilton Hotel and Umbra Minneapolis! I'm also the Co-Founder of Fashion Week MN and we have a really great line up for Spring which can be found at www.fashionweekmn.com.

Q:  How can we follow your news and participate in your events?

A:  We are soon launching an app where you can find our events but until then you can find us here: Website, Facebook, Instagram

Ric Rosow Captures Some Hair Raising Shots of Construction Worker at the Eleven Site

Submitted by Mill District resident Ric Rosow

Taken February 1, 2021, these photos are of a construction worker on The Eleven. In photos one and two, the construction worker is standing on a tiny platform at the corner of the outside of the building. The scene gets even more tense in the third and fourth photos as the construction worker carefully moves off the platform to around the corner to re-enter the building through a window opening.

Twenty-Two Stories Up

Yes - Twenty-Two

Rounding the corner

NOW WHERE!

The Mill City Times Interview: Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light

Article by Becky Fillinger

Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light (MNIPL) organizes faith communities to make positive differences in addressing climate change. We spoke to Julia Nerbonne, Executive Director, Liz Loeb, Associate Director, Jean Hammink, Movement Builder and Wally Wadd, Community Connector, about the organization’s mission, organizing model and how to become part of their movement.

Julia NerbonneQ:  Julia, please tell us about Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light. When was it formed? What’s the mission?

Julia:  Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light was formed in 2004 and it organizes people across communities of faith, religion and spiritual practice to take meaningful action towards a more just and sustainable world. MNIPL celebrates the different traditions, histories, experiences, and identities that bring us to the work of collective liberation, and we find strength in our shared values of care for the planet and care for one another.

MNIPL believes that when people bring their full spiritual selves, identities, experiences and histories to movements for justice, we create the conditions we need for winning transformational change. We know that a small number of bad actors stand to benefit from keeping us divided, and that a small number of corporate entities are counting on a rich profit from the accelerating climate crisis and ongoing violence of systemic racism. When we take action as people of faith, spirituality, and conscience, and when we mobilize in solidarity with front line movements for justice, we build the power we need to change the calculations of those who hope to find reward in depleting our planet and in extracting resources from communities so that big wins and real change becomes possible in our lifetimes.

MNIPL grounds its work in the belief that racial justice and climate justice are intertwined. MNIPL acts boldly in the world by mobilizing communities of faith to act in solidarity with front-line movements for climate justice led by Black, Brown, Native, POC, and Indigenous people. We advocate for an ambitious policy agenda at the state and federal level so that we can stop destructive oil pipelines, build a renewable economy in which everyone prospers, support the functioning of a robust multiracial democracy, and win a bold policy agenda based in climate and racial justice.

Liz LoebQ:  Who are your partners?

Liz:  There are many! MNIPL partners with a wide range of coalition and community stakeholders as part of an interdependent local ecosystem dedicated to addressing our accelerating climate crisis and to advocate for racial, social, and economic justice for all. Core partners include Honor the Earth, The Sierra Club, MN350, Land Stewardship Project, RISE Collective, American Indian Community Housing Organization, Native Sun Community Power Development, The Just Solar Coalition, The 100% Campaign, and more. We also frequently collaborate with organizations such as Black Visions Collective, Reviving the Islamic Sisterhood, MARCH (Multifaith Anti Racism Change and Healing), The Center for Sustainable Justice, Healing Minnesota Stories, Jewish Community Action, the Minnesota Council of Churches, OutFront Minnesota, TakeAction Minnesota, Minnesota Voice, Voice for Racial Justice, Kaleo Center for Faith, Justice & Social Transformation, Churches United in Ministry, United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, Centro de Trabajadores Unidos en la Lucha – The Center of Workers United in Struggle and many others.

Q:  Liz, why is the work of MNIPL important to you? 

Liz:  I became connected to movements for social and racial justice when I came out as queer as a teenager in the 90’s. I was so lucky to witness the connection and community that was being built through movements like ACT-UP, Queer Nation, and others, and to be mentored by elders who took the time to mentor me as I fumbled my way into a life-long commitment to justice. Now, as someone in my 40’s, I am inheriting the gift of realizing how much more we all still have to learn from one another. For the past couple of years, my spouse and I have been on a journey to try to become parents. When I think about raising a child, I know in the truth of all of my molecules that I need to be part of stewarding a healthy and thriving planet for generations to come. That feeling keeps me present and alive in the work we do together, and in the knowledge that we are creating something beautiful beyond our own horizons.

Q:  Julia, tell us about the organization’s approach to effective action.

Julia:  MNIPL describes effective action as a three-legged stool, which relies equally upon 1) Practical Action; 2) Spiritual or Relational Connection; and 3) Transformational Systemic Change and Movement Building. 

MNIPL prioritizes leadership development and community self-determination in all that we do. For years, the organizing community has used the Snowflake Model to take action. This model is how social movements have increased the scope and power of their work - in a nutshell, local organizers know their area better and have better relationships in the community – we acknowledge and take advantage of that fact.

In 2017 MNIPL launched our Movement Builder Program – we brought 150 faith communities into our own snowflake model, where volunteer leaders empower others to empower others.

The core of MNIPL's work in faith community is working through Movement Builders. These are volunteers who provide encouragement and support for approximately five Community Connectors, each representing a unique faith community. Movement Builders work in either circles, which are made up of faith denominations or religions (for example: Baha'i, Presbyterian, etc.), or networks, which are determined by location (Mankato, Rochester, etc.). Movement builders work with Community Connectors in their work of developing Climate Justice Congregations.

Q:  Let’s hear more about Movement Builders. Jean, how long have you been a Movement Builder?

Jean:  I have been working with MNIPL as a Movement Builder for about a year and half. My responsibility is to encourage and support faith groups in their climate justice work. With some that means helping them figure out how to get started in engaging their congregation or faith group in climate change work. With others, who have been doing the work for a while, I try to encourage them and in a way, be a sounding board for them. I play the role of liaison between faith groups and the resources and information available through MNIPL. 

Q:  Do you work with multiple congregations?

Jean:  Yes, I’m working with five Unitarian Universalist congregations in the Twin Cities and one Buddhist meditation center. I try to stay in touch with them monthly. I’m in the process of organizing a meeting between all of the UU congregations so they can get to know each other, share information and possibly co-sponsor events and workshops together. 

Q:  What's the biggest challenge you've faced as a Movement Builder?

Jean:  Because the congregations are a range of sizes, from very large (1600 congregants) to much smaller (a couple of hundred) and are all at different levels of involvement and work around climate change and climate justice, it can sometimes be challenging to identify and respond to their needs at the right level.  Time and priority is another challenge, in that we are all volunteers, as are the people in the congregations and centers. Inspiration and motivation are a continuous issue. Tying the work to the values and beliefs of the faith groups is often what motivates the work.

Wally WaddQ:  Let’s now shift to the next prong of the organizing strategy - Community Connectors. Wally, tell us about your work.

Wally:  Community Connectors serve as a liaison between MNIPL and their congregation or geographic location in order to support and inspire climate action in their community. As a Community Connector I receive monthly updates and action opportunities from MNIPL and communicate those opportunities to my community.

I've been a Community Connector since 2018 and am pleased to help raise awareness of MN Interfaith Power and Light. My faith community is The Grove United Methodist Church in Woodbury. We formed a committee in 2017 that we now call the Sustainability Project where we meet monthly. The committee is chaired by our lead pastor and currently has 10 additional members.

After solar panels were installed on the roof of our our church, members of the congregation were motivated to get involved. Solar panels reduced the electricity we purchase by about 20% and motivated us to do more. After an energy audit in 2018, we retrofitted all our lighting with LED bulbs. That reduced our electricity use by another 20% and reduced electricity expenses by about 25%. We have also taken responsibility for improving the church's recycling program and for caring for trees in the grove next to our church.

Our Committee decided early to get involved in education and outreach to our community. We plan two events each year and look for partner organizations to work with. Our congregation has been very receptive and the events are well attended. Since 2017 MNIPL has provided speakers and expert resources for these events focused on the climate crisis, renewable energy, household conservation, getting involved in the political process and voting. They have also helped us with public policy advocacy. Last year during the election cycle MNIPL and The League of Women Voters helped us with three events: getting involved in the political party process; a webinar on voting with Secretary of State, Steve Simon and Sam Benson from MNIPL; and a "Chalk the Vote" event.

Q: Julia, what are the priorities for 2021?

Julia:  In order to leave a verdant and peaceful planet to future generations, our agenda for 2021 includes: Supporting clean energy and clean cars legislation and policy initiatives, supporting expanded zones of free speech and protest rights, divesting from fossil fuels and investing in community-based and community-led development, continuing to build a multiracial democracy in which everyone can safely and easily cast their vote, building a just transition to a renewable economy in which everyone can prosper, stopping the Line 3 oil pipeline - and all pipelines - in service of a world where water is sacred, where Native treaty rights are protected, and where wealth is built in local communities and in working class jobs, and remediating the environmental damage done to communities of color while investing large-scale resources in those communities so that all of us can grow and thrive.

Q:  How may we follow your news?

Liz:  Subscribe to our newsletter for news and updates by signing up at: https://mnipl.nationbuilder.com/join. Check out our website and follow us on Facebook and Twitter. To connect to action opportunities, and sign up for our emails. Interested in being a Movement Builder or Community Connector? Email susan@mnipl.org for more information on these critical roles.

February 5 Ward 7 Update from Council Member Lisa Goodman

DID Launches 2021 Safety Plan

The plan provides wrap around support for downtown Minneapolis                               

The Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District today announced a new partnership with Hennepin County to add a social worker as part of the DID Livability Team’s ongoing work. The position will help more effectively address a range of mental health and chemical dependency issues throughout downtown.

This new partnership aligns with the full unveiling of the DID’s 2021 safety plan—a robust, five-tiered approach made possible by $3.5 million worth of investments from downtown property owners focusing on overall safety measures, activity, and collaboration.

The DID safety plan will bring members of the public, private, and non-profit sectors together throughout the year providing a variety of resources that, together, build a cohesively vibrant downtown experience. The plan has begun rolling out and all tactics are expected to be deployed prior to this summer.

“We strongly believe it takes full collaboration to build confidence in downtown’s safety, and that includes community outreach, law enforcement, communication with our downtown stakeholders and street level activations,” said Steve Cramer, President & CEO of the Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District. “This plan is thorough, brings a great deal of expertise together and is a unified effort in providing public safety to our downtown community.”

The plans five focus areas include:

1. Communications and collaborations
2. Security presence and response
3. Livability outreach and street engagement
4. Advocacy for a safer downtown
5. Activation, vibrancy, and crime prevention

Outreach and security presence are cornerstones of this safety plan. The security presence and response plan includes DID Ambassadors, dedicated downtown patrol, added Joint Beats presence, and more.

In addition to the new Hennepin County social worker, the plan includes street outreach engagement through the DID Livability Team, YouthLink, Youth Coordinating Board, St. Stephen’s, Office of Violence Prevention Outreach Interrupters and MAD DADS.

To further enhance communication, the plan will include the DID Safety Communications Center at the First Precinct coordinating with a network of law enforcement, outreach teams and private security. RadioLink, security meetings, downtown safety workshops and more will be part of the communications plan.

Vibrant streets make safe streets, so activations are part of the safety plan. This year’s activation plans, subject to public health guidelines throughout the year, include the Nicollet Farmers Market, Nicollet Maker Market, street show music performances, Street Eats incubator food cart program, MN Fringe Beyond the Box performances, MNSpin, and more.

For more information, visit www.MplsDID.com or follow @MplsDID on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About the Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District

The Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District (DID) is a business funded non-profit focused on creating a more vibrant downtown. DID leads and collaborates on programs that make downtown safer, cleaner, and greener. DID convenes people across sectors and jurisdictions to work on issues of mutual interest; develop innovative solutions to complex public space challenges/opportunities including strategic activation and seeks continuous improvement of ongoing programs including the ambassadors. For more information, visit www.MplsDID.com

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Hennepin County Shelter Availability

In preparation for the upcoming weather, there have been additional shelter beds added for single adults this week. Almost all emergency shelter is currently accessible 24 hours a day and all shelters have made accommodations to be CDC compliant. We encourage anyone that is currently sleeping outside to contact the Adult Shelter Connect to access shelter. We understand there is hesitation, for many reasons, but it is critical over these next few days to get out of the cold and this is the best way to do that.

To access emergency shelter, please call the Adult Shelter Connect at 612-248-2350 from 10:00AM - 5:30PM Monday-Friday, or 1:00PM - 5:30PM on weekends and holidays.  More info here.

If you work with any families that are in need of shelter there is ample capacity. Call 612-348-9410 to speak to shelter representative.

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Ward 7 Spotlight

Small, family-owned businesses are the life-blood of Minneapolis. The smaller they are, the more important their history in our community. Gittelson Jewelers has been a downtown Minneapolis business serving consumers, MN athletes and musicians for over 35 years. In fact we just celebrated our 35th anniversary this last fall during COVID-19 and the aftermath of city-wide unrest. Needless to say, the results of our generational celebration were all but forgotten in the wake of our current environment. The skwyways are empty and these businesses are all but forgotten.

Gittelson Jewelers is in the Norhtstar Center building serving generations of clients and Minneapolis’s most interesting customers for now, almost 36 years. Please remember to support the smallest of our family-onwed businesses in downtown Minneapolis, specifically the hidden “Gems" in the Minneapolis Skyways. 

Gittelson Jewelers specializes in:

• Diamond engagement rings
• Custom made engagement rings and other fine jewelry
• Jewelry & watch repair
• Diamond earrings, necklaces, bracelets and more.

We’ll clean, check and inspect your jewelry for free while in our store. 

We’ll comp your parking in the Crowne Plaza ramp if you are purchasing with us. 

If you don’t want to come in the store, we’ll do virtual consultations and even deliver it to your doorstep if you’re within the Twin Cities metro locale. 

We are the longest standing jewelry store in the Minneapolis skyway system since 1985. 

For Valentine’s Day we have numerous sale items throughout our store. 

www.gittelsonjewelers.com

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COVID-19 Situation Update as of February 3, 2021

Situational updates: Minneapolis

• As of February 3, there are 31,699 cases in Minneapolis and 377 deaths. The total number of cases increased by 1.3% over the previous week. Hospitalizations increased by 1.3% and ICU admissions increased by less than 1%.
• Over the past week, there have been about 75 new cases per day on average. Minneapolis-specific daily case counts and demographics are available at www.minneapolismn.gov/coronavirus/dashboard.
• The new case rate in Minneapolis has decreased significantly, however we are still seeing at least 10 new cases per day, as well as averaging five hospitalizations, one ICU admission, and one death per day. It is important to continue taking precautions and take advantage of the available testing.
• The seven-day rolling average rate for Minneapolis is at 16.3 cases per 100,000. The rate continues to decrease, but the impact of the re-opening of bars and restaurants, as well as the return to school and sports, remains to be seen.
• The State is releasing $6.9 million in federal vaccination funding to local public health departments. MHD will receive $368,621 to spend by June 30. In addition, the Minneapolis Police Department received federal funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance for the COVID response and MHD will allocate $268,000 of it for COVID testing, case investigation, and contract tracing.
• Mayor Frey’s Emergency Regulation No. 12 regarding masks remains in effect. The regulation requires people to wear face masks in all indoor public places.

Situational updates: Minnesota

• As of February 2, there are 463,766 cases in Minnesota out of over 6.6 million tests completed. There have been 6,234 deaths from COVID-19 in Minnesota. There are 96,262 cases and 1,539 deaths in Hennepin County.
• The State uses a color-coded map to track a seven-day rolling average of new cases. As of January 26, Minnesota is reporting 18 cases per 100,000 and Minneapolis is at 16.3 cases per 100,000.
• The State continues to work with the CDC to conduct surveillance to determine how prevalent the newly identified strains of COVID-19 might be in Minnesota. As of today, 16 cases of the B.1.1.7 and two cases of the P.1 variant have been detected in Minnesota.
• MHD encourages everyone to sign up for the State’s COVIDaware MN exposure app. The app notifies you if you may have been exposed to COVID-19 by anyone else using the app. The app complements, but does not replace, case investigation and contact tracing.
• The statewide mask mandate remains in effect. People are required to wear masks in all indoor public places where people gather and some outdoor venues where physical distancing is difficult.
• Governor Walz’s Emergency Order 21-01 is in effect. Details are available on the City’s Guidance for Restaurants, Bars and Breweries and Distilleries web page.

Have a COVID-safe Super Bowl

• Looking forward to the big game on Sunday? The safest way to cheer on your favorite team is to stay home and watch with people in your own household. Attending large gatherings increases your risk of getting and spreading COVID-19.
• If you host or attend a party, there should be no more than two households total and a maximum of 10 people indoors. While you’re around others, it’s very important to stay physically distanced, wear a mask, and wash your hands.
• The CDC offers additional recommendations for COVID-safe celebrations on their website.

Health Department Incident Command updates

• The Health Department is offering multiple community testing and vaccination clinics every week during the month of February, with many more to come in the next few months. We need City staff to volunteer at these events. Thank you to those who have already signed up to help out! Anyone who is interested can fill out a brief survey. Staff who volunteer will receive training and personal protective equipment, including COVID vaccination for those volunteering at multiple events.

Case investigation/Contact tracing

• MHD staff are conducting case and contact follow-up for Minneapolis Public School (MPS) staff diagnosed or exposed to COVID-19, and providing recommendations to MPS on next steps.
• We continue to conduct follow-up on individuals diagnosed with COVID-19, as well as contact tracing at workplaces and with exposed individuals. Of the cases in Minneapolis, 65% have been interviewed and 2.3% have refused. Thirty-three percent of cases have been lost to follow-up and less than 1% of new Minneapolis cases still need to be interviewed.
• Twenty percent of interviews of Minneapolis residents have been conducted in a language other than English, representing over 15 different languages.
• We have 50 active case investigators, including two non-MHD enterprise staff and 17 AmeriCorps staff. With the decrease in cases, case investigators are interviewing an average of 60 cases per shift and making an average of 100 calls per shift, plus conducting workplace and other contact follow-up.
• Cases now have the option of completing the interview online. Cases receive a text and are able to choose one of four languages to complete the survey in. About 5% of Minneapolis cases have chosen to complete the interview online.

COVID-19 vaccination

• We continue to partner with Hennepin Healthcare to vaccinate Phase 1A priority groups in Minneapolis. This week, we are hosting 10 clinics and expect to vaccinate Metro Transit workers, older adults in assisted living facilities, school health workers, and unaffiliated health clinic staff. To date, we have given out over 2,000 vaccines.
• Hennepin County Human Services has been and will continue to vaccinate certain groups in Minneapolis where they have existing relationships (i.e. shelters, the unsheltered homeless, and board and lodging facilities).
• The State is opening a vaccination clinic at the Minneapolis Convention Center this Thursday, Saturday (February 4 – 6), with second doses being provided in March. They are expecting to vaccinate approximately 9,000 people at this site including 4,500 educators/childcare workers and 4,500 people over age 65. Other updates about the State’s vaccination distribution plans and progress can be found on their vaccination website.
• Vaccine demand continues to far outpace available doses at this time. While waiting to be vaccinated help stop the spread of the virus by continuing to wash your hands, stay 6ft apart, and wear a mask.
• We are hosting vaccine briefings for Enterprise Leaders every other Monday from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. The next briefing is scheduled for Monday, February 8. Past recordings can be found on the COVID Vaccination Channel.

Community Public Information and Outreach

• As a Health Department, we’re committed to providing timely, culturally appropriate, science-based information to help people make informed decisions about COVID-19 vaccination.
• We established agreements with five community partners (Insight, Centro, Somali Center Resettlement Services, MIGIZI and SEAD-Southeast Asian Diaspora) to serve as trusted messengers. These groups will help us ensure that critical COVID-19 information is reaching BIPOC communities using the most effective messages and channels.
• We are developing, translating and disseminating community friendly materials for trusted messengers to use when educating about COVID-19.
• We are offering community conversations about COVID-19 vaccinations, testing, and ways to prevent the virus. Please use this form to request a conversation.
• A City vaccine webpage called “the hub” will be available in the next several weeks so that Minneapolis residents can find a vaccination site close to their home.
• Food, Lodging, and Pools inspectors along with NCR staff are distributing flyers to promote the COVID-19 testing events listed below.

COVID-19 Testing

In the past week, 209 COVID-19 saliva tests were provided at three community based events, a local business, and a coffee shop. Despite the vaccine roll-out, it is important to get tested. Please help us promote the following free saliva testing events:

• Minneapolis Public Schools Davis Center, 1250 West Broadway, February 4 (2 p.m. to 7 p.m.) for MPS staff and community and offered with the Power of People Leadership Institute on February 13 and February 20 (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) for all community members.
• MN Chippewa Tribe Building, 1308 East Franklin Ave, February 16 (3 p.m. to 7 p.m.).
• Columbia Manor, 3300 Central Ave. N.E. on February 4, 11, 18, and 25 (4 p.m. to 7 p.m.).
• Phyllis Wheatley Community Center, 1301 10th Ave N., February 27 (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.).
• Free saliva testing is also offered at three local sites hosted by the State health department. Visit the State’s COVID-19 testing web page to register and find more information.
• Minneapolis Convention Center - 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends.
• Brooklyn Park Starlight Center - 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends.
• Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport - 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week.
• The State is also offering free at-home saliva tests. Any person in Minnesota can order a saliva test kit from the COVID-19 Test at Home program. The test will be delivered to your home with rush shipping.
• The City's testing web page offers the latest information on testing sites and guidance about what to do while you wait for COVID-19 test results. Staying away from others while you wait for your results is extremely important, especially if you have any symptoms. The web page has short videos in multiple languages explaining how to quarantine and isolate effectively.

MHD distribution of saliva test kits:

• The Health Department is offering free saliva testing kits to community partners, organizations and businesses. After you request saliva testing kits, a staff member will contact you for more information. Virtual training on how to administer the tests is offered upon request.
• To date there have been 64 requests from businesses and community partners for 6,989 test kits.
• MHD may also offer testing to companies; testing was provided at the Broadway Equipment Company on February 2.

Responding to community needs

• We have a good stock of personal protective equipment on hand (masks, hand sanitizer, and gloves) and are able to fulfill community and business requests for supplies. These items may be requested through the COVID-19 Requests and Inquiries form.
• We are responding to 10-15 emails per day in our COVID19@minneapolismn.gov inbox. Most people are requesting information about COVID-19 vaccine distribution. Please continue using the COVID email for any questions about vaccines or other COVID-related issues.
• Last week, we distributed 7,660 hygiene items to unsheltered homeless persons through community partners. Items included wipes, toothbrushes and paste, deodorant, condoms, warm weather gear including gloves and boots, and 4,320 handwarmers.
• With CARES funding, we purchased equipment to support the weekly free food distribution at Corcoran Park (tables, chairs, tents, carts). We are working with other community food distribution sites to determine if and how we can share the equipment.

The City specific COVID email address is: COVID19@minneapolismn.gov.

MSP Film Society Announces the 40th MSPIFF Will be May 13-23, Passes Now on Sale

Via a February 2 Press Release from the MSP Film Society:

MSP Film Society is thrilled to announce the 40th Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival (MSPIFF40) will take place Thursday, May 13 through Sunday, May 23, 2021! Due to the ongoing pandemic, MSPIFF40 will be a hybrid festival, with films and panels presented primarily in thevirtual world, while plans are in motion for several outdoor screenings, as long as state and local Covid-19 orders allow. Details will be released in the coming months, once MSPIFF40 films and locations are confirmed.

MSPIFF40 Festival Passes are on sale now at mspfilm.org

All-Access Passes for MSP Film Society Members are $175 through March 20, then go up to $200. Non-Member All-Access Passes are $250 and include a 1-year MSP Film Society Core Membership.The complete lineup for MSPIFF40 will be announced Thursday, April 22, 2021.

Like most nonprofit arts organizations, MSP Film Society took a deep financial hit in 2020, due to the shutdowns put into place to help control the spread of Covid-19. Thankfully, our members and supporters adapted as swiftly as our staff, and remained engaged with our virtual programing while staying safely at home.

“We are relieved to have weathered the storms of 2020, and as we find our footing in 2021 with renewed hope, MSP Film Society turns our focus on the 40th MSP International Film Festival – yes, that’s right, forty years!” said Susan Smoluchowski, Executive Director of MSP Film Society, theparent organization of MSPIFF. “We have lots of great ideas on how to make MSPIFF40 our most fabulous festival yet, and worthy of its standing as a tried and true Minnesota cultural institution.”

MSPIFF is Minnesota’s largest film festival and, at 40 years running, one of the longest-running film festivals in the country. As in most years, MSP Film Society staff began mapping out plans for MSPIFF40 last fall, when programmers began discussing themes, anticipated films, possible tributes, and potential guests. Most years, the MSPIFF programmers attend a few key fall and winter festivals to scour the newest films to hit the fest circuit, including Toronto and Sundance – and that continued this year, albeit virtually, while concurrently screening films submitted directly to MSPIFF.

“This year we received over 800 submissions to MSPIFF, which is on par with previous years,” said MSPIFF Programming Director Jesse Bishop. “So the storytellers continue to wow us with their new work, and whether we are presenting a physical, virtual, or hybrid festival, our job essentially remains the same: to seek out a range of voices and debut the latest and greatest in international cinema to our ever-expanding MSPIFF audiences.”

The MSPIFF40 programming team is also tasked with determining each year’s Spotlight Theme, and with all the strife and division we collectively endured, it has been decided the 2021 Spotlight theme could only be: Common Ground: Presenting stories that focus attention on and explore equity and bias that manifests across the human experience, from racial and gender, to social, educational, geographic or economic.

MSP Film Society looks forward to sharing the films that fit this theme along with all we have in store for MSPIFF40, including our many MSPIFF filmmaker panels, conversations, and tributes recognizing filmmakers of note to complement another rich slate of films from around the globe, including an occasion to remember the legacy of the Film Society’s founder Al Milgrom and a VIP fundraising event celebrating MSPIFF40. Please stay tuned for upcoming announcements.

MSPIFF40 is generously supported by many sponsors including: Star Tribune, Cedarwoods Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts’ Art Works Grant, Best Buy Community Grant, McKnight Foundation,St. Paul Foundation, Minneapolis Foundation, KNOCK, Inc., Jazz 88, numerous locally owned and basedbusinesses, consulates from around the world, our Masters and Auteurs Member Circles, the 2,500+ Members and Donors of MSP Film Society…and more to come!

MSPIFF is presented by the MSP Film Society, a dynamic 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to fostering a knowledgeable and vibrant appreciation of the art of film and its power to inform and transform individuals and communities.

The Mill City Times Interview: LaToya Burrell, Author, Be Bold: How to Prepare Your Heart & Mind for Racial Reconciliation

Article by Becky Fillinger

Racial equity is a central focus for President Biden. Are you interested in taking a sincere step in curing the racial injustice in our local society? We have an expert in our community, LaToya Burrell. LaToya is the Dean of Graduate Education and Accreditation at North Central University and the author of Be Bold:  How to Prepare Your Heart & Mind for Racial Reconciliation. Her new book has the practical advice we need to move forward. 

Q:  For those who want to start courageous conversations for racial harmony, what practical steps can you recommend?

A:  This process is not a one size fits all process, but one thing consistent is the requirement that a person be intentional and willing to commit to this very personal journey. The person should be open and honest with their past and history and understand that the process is not designed to make anyone feel guilty or ashamed, but instead, designed to make us aware. The awareness leads to change and growth. The first step is to make a plan. In my book, I have specific resources and exercises that I recommend everyone explore in the self-examination process.

LaToya BurrellQ:  Tell us about the notion of growth groups. Have you seen growth groups form and sincerely address issues like racial injustice?

A:  The idea behind the growth group is that we were not designed to be alone! This process is no different. Collaboration and community is useful in this process because growth groups can hold one another accountable, share resources and stories, and provide different perspectives to enrich the discussions. I have seen growth groups be useful tools when groups are intentional, committed and sincere. Like self-examination, there is not a one size fits all rule of what growth groups can and should look like.  How often you connect and how long you connect, exactly what you discuss, and ground rules for mutual respect, are all flexible. Yes, I have enjoyed hearing growth group success stories.

Q:  Can you give us some examples of how people have started to change their perceptions by 'being bold'?

A:  Being Bold encourages people to step into the area of uncertainty or discomfort, especially if those things have been barriers in the past.  Being Bold ultimately leads to growth and liberation. During the process of being bold, you listen and learn and examine yourself and possible biases. You’re able to determine where you are versus where you want to be and make a plan. The process is life changing and enlightening for many!

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Read reviews of Be Bold on Amazon...

Brianna Rose interviews LaToya Burrell

DID Launches 2021 Safety Plan

Via a February 3 Press Release from the Mpls Downtown Improvement District

The plan provides wrap around support for downtown Minneapolis

The Mpls Downtown Improvement District (DID) today announced a new partnership with Hennepin County to add a social worker as part of the DID Livability Team’s ongoing work. The position will help more effectively address a range of mental health and chemical dependency issues throughout downtown.

This new partnership aligns with the full unveiling of the DID’s 2021 safety plan—a robust, five-tiered approach made possible by $3.5 million worth of investments from downtown property owners focusing on overall safety measures, activity, and collaboration.

The DID safety plan will bring members of the public, private, and non-profit sectors together throughout the year providing a variety of resources that, together, build a cohesively vibrant downtown experience. The plan has begun rolling out and all tactics are expected to be deployed prior to this summer.

“We strongly believe it takes full collaboration to build confidence in downtown’s safety, and that includes community outreach, law enforcement, communication with our downtown stakeholders and street level activations,” said Steve Cramer, President & CEO of the Mpls Downtown Improvement District. “This plan is thorough, brings a great deal of expertise together and is a unified effort in providing public safety to our downtown community.”

The plans five focus areas include: 

• Communications and collaborations
• Security presence and response
• Livability outreach and street engagement
• Advocacy for a safer downtown
• Activation, vibrancy, and crime prevention

Outreach and security presence are cornerstones of this safety plan. The security presence and response plan includes DID Ambassadors, dedicated downtown patrol, added Joint Beats presence, and more.

In addition to the new Hennepin County social worker, the plan includes street outreach engagement through the DID Livability Team, YouthLink, Youth Coordinating Board, St. Stephen’s, Office of Violence Prevention Outreach Interrupters and MAD DADS.

To further enhance communication, the plan will include the DID Safety Communications Center at the First Precinct coordinating with a network of law enforcement, outreach teams and private security. RadioLink, security meetings, downtown safety workshops and more will be part of the communications plan.

Vibrant streets make safe streets, so activations are part of the safety plan. This year’s activation plans, subject to public health guidelines throughout the year, include the Nicollet Farmers Market, Nicollet Maker Market, street show music performances, Street Eats incubator food cart program, MN Fringe Beyond the Box performances, MNSpin, and more.

For more information, visit www.MplsDID.com or follow @MplsDID on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About the Mpls Downtown Improvement District

The Mpls Downtown Improvement District (DID) is a business funded non-profit focused on creating a more vibrant downtown. DID leads and collaborates on programs that make downtown safer, cleaner, and greener. DID convenes people across sectors and jurisdictions to work on issues of mutual interest; develop innovative solutions to complex public space challenges/opportunities including strategic activation and seeks continuous improvement of ongoing programs including the ambassadors.