Health Department to Begin Texting Program to Reach Positive Cases, Close Contacts

Via a November 13 e-announcement from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH):

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) will soon expand its toolkit for case investigation and contact tracing (CICT) by notifying people via text that the health department will be calling.

The initiative aims to more effectively reach and inform those who test positive for COVID-19 and their close contacts about what they need to do to prevent further spread, and to better protect the state’s most vulnerable populations through improved outreach and communication. The texting is expected to begin Monday, Nov. 16.

“Reaching every single person by phone who needs information is a monumental task,” said Minnesota Commissioner of Health Jan Malcolm. “Our staff and our partners in local public health and tribal health have done enormous work in this area, and will continue to do so. We ask all Minnesotans to do their part by answering the call, and we hope this text notification helps provide some notice and reassurance.”

“We have information and resources to share with Minnesotans, but we understand that many people are wary of answering a phone call from a number they don’t recognize,” said Chris Elvrum, MDH project spokesperson. “Sending the text lets people know we’re going to call and even tells them what number to expect the call from. Adding this tool boosts our chances of slowing the spread of COVID-19 by increasing the number of people who answer the call and successfully isolate themselves.”

A text message will be sent to people identified as a case or the contact of a case to let them know that a case interviewer from state, local or tribal health departments will be calling to discuss their COVID-19 test results or potential exposure.

The text message is simple:
Answer the Call: State and local public health department staff will be calling you with important information about your health. Please answer the call from xxx-xxx-xxxx. This is an automated text message, please do not reply.

The phone number in the text will vary depending on the region of the state the person is in and will help people know what number to look for so more calls get answered and interviews get completed.

Case interviewers from MDH as well as local public health and tribal health not only gather valuable information from positive cases about the outbreak, but also provide connections to resources to help all Minnesotans reduce the risk of infection.

Combatting fears about calls from scammers pretending to be public health workers is another important part of the project. Getting a text message and knowing what number to expect a call from will help, but there are a few other things to know.

Case interviewers will talk to you about: 

• Symptoms you may be experiencing. 
• People you may have been in contact with. 
• How to avoid getting other people sick.

Case interviewers will never ask for a Social Security Number, bank account information, or credit card numbers. Anyone with questions can visit the MDH website for more information on Avoiding Phone Scams.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the goals of case investigation and contact tracing have remained the same: To contact people who have or were exposed to COVID-19, help people isolate themselves to prevent spreading the virus and educate people on reducing their risk. Each case successfully isolating can prevent dozens of people from contracting the disease.

MDH has engaged with a broad array of stakeholders and public health community partners to assist with case investigation and contact tracing. Those who help guide and support this work include tribal government and tribal public health, local public health, advocacy groups, disability advocacy groups, community-based groups representing people of color and indigenous people, counties, workforce partners around the state, colleges and universities and others. 

For more information on case investigation and contact tracing, see Tracing COVID-19.

The Mill City Times Interview: Alayne Hopkins, Director of Programs & Services at The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library

Article by Becky Fillinger

Alayne HopkinsLooking for a new title to read? How about reading a book with everyone in Minnesota at the same time? Alayne Hopkins tells us about the One Book | One Minnesota program and the current selection by local author Louise Erdrich.

Q:  Please tell us about One Book / One Minnesota.

A:  One Book | One Minnesota (OBOM) is a new statewide book club that invites Minnesotans of all ages to read a common title and come together virtually to enjoy, reflect, and discuss. The program is presented by The Friends of the Saint Paul Public in our role as the Minnesota Center for the Book and we work with a statewide network of library partners, especially State Library Services.

Libraries are essential for connection, and through One Book | One Minnesota, libraries across the state – in partnership with local schools – will connect their communities through stories. The program aims to bring Minnesotans closer together during this time of distance and adversity. The first featured title, Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo, premiered in April of this year. You can find out more about previous chapters and resources at www.thefriends.org/one-book.

Q:  The upcoming selection for Fall 2020 is The Plague of Doves by Louise Erdrich. How may interested readers obtain a copy of the book?

A:  OBOM partners with E-books Minnesota to offer free e-book downloads of each featured title for eight weeks. The e-book is available to anyone in Minnesota and for the first two chapters, there were users from nearly every county in the state. For the latest title, The Plague of Doves, we are also offering free, simultaneous downloads of the audiobook. Both downloads are available through this link: https://library.biblioboard.com/module/one-book-one-minnesota/?library=e-booksmn.

Q:  Will there be an author event to go along with the statewide reading?

A:  Yes! There will be a free statewide virtual conversation with Louise Erdrich about her work and The Plague of Doves on Tuesday, December 8, at 7:00 p.m. Register here.

Q:  November is Native American Heritage Month. Louise Erdrich is a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians. Was the selection of the book aligned to celebrating Native American writers?

A:  We had originally planned to schedule The Plague of Doves and Louise Erdrich’s conversation this summer and pivoted to feature A Good Time for the Truth: Race in Minnesota, following George Floyd’s murder. As one of Minnesota’s most famous and honored writers, we’re thrilled to be featuring Louise and it’s an added benefit that the reading period coincides with Native American Heritage Month. One of the resources on the website is a suggested reading list from the MN Department of Education that features books by and about Indigenous people for young readers; there are children’s picture books, middle grade, and young adult titles.

Q:  Is Birchbark Book and Native Arts participating in the event?

A:  In addition to providing access to the e-book and audiobook for The Plague of Doves, we are also promoting purchases of the physical book and link to Birchbark Books through the website program page. We created a reading guide for the book and solicited feedback from staff at Birchbark and Louise, as well.

Birchbark Books is located at 2115 W 21st Street, Minneapolis, MN 55405 

Hennepin County & Minneapolis Regional Chamber Launch Elevate Business HC to Support Economic Growth

Via a November 12 e-announcement from Hennepin County:

Hennepin County & Minneapolis Regional Chamber Launch Elevate Business HC to Support Economic Growth

Program offers no-cost support services in three areas for businesses located in Hennepin County

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Today Hennepin County and the Minneapolis Regional Chamber announce the launch of Elevate Business HC, a public-private initiative offering pro-bono services to businesses located in Hennepin County.

“I’m excited about this opportunity to support small and medium-sized businesses in Hennepin County working in partnership with the Minneapolis Regional Chamber,” said Hennepin County Board Chair Commissioner Marion Greene, District 3. “Small businesses bring vibrancy, creativity, and life to our region. Many of our region’s small businesses are minority and immigrant-owned, serving as the backbone of our communities. We want to ensure that they are able to survive, grow, and thrive now and into the future.”

The programs included in Elevate Business HC are designed to support businesses impacted by COVID-19. They include:

• Technical Assistance: Professional service providers are available for one-on-one consultations to discuss and find solutions for issues impacting individual businesses in a variety of areas including financing, human resources, technology, and many others.
• Peer-to-Peer Roundtables: Reoccurring and facilitated small group discussions segmented by industry and areas of participant interest with a focus on sharing best practices and problem solving.
• Topic-Driven Webinars: Industry and subject matter experts will discuss issues facing employers with a focus on workforce needs in remote environments during the COVID-19 pandemic. These include areas like workforce diversification, employee mental health and wellness, insurance policy review, and many more.

“Hennepin County is making this important investment so that our local entrepreneurs and business leaders have tools and resources they need to build a stronger, more inclusive economy than it was before,” said Patricia Fitzgerald, Hennepin County Community and Economic Development Manager. “Helping businesses navigate critical issues and strengthen their organizations will result in benefits across our county and region.”

“Regions that lay a strong foundation now will be better prepared for success when the most difficult part of the pandemic is past,” said Jonathan Weinhagen, President & CEO of the Minneapolis Regional Chamber. “The Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area grew faster in the period after the Great Recession than our competitive peer regions. Let’s make sure we do the same coming out of the current economic downturn. Elevate Business HC will marshal our resources to help businesses come back strong.”

Funding for Elevate Business HC is provided by Hennepin County through the Federal CARES Act. Hennepin County businesses are encouraged to log on to www.elevatebusinesshc.com to learn more and engage.

Stronger Together: The House of Charity and St. Stephen’s Human Services to Merge

Via a November 11 e-announcement:

The House of Charity, Inc. and St. Stephen’s Human Services, Inc. Boards of Directors are announcing the merger of our two organizations, effective January 1, 2021.  

All current programming will remain in place and no staff layoffs are planned. Dr. Deborah F. Moses, the current CEO/Executive Director of House of Charity, will be the Executive Director and CEO of the combined organization. 

House of Charity and St. Stephen’s Human Services are both longtime, respected non-profit organizations. Both have long histories in Minneapolis, with House of Charity forming in 1953, and St. Stephen’s serving the community since 1972.  

The merger of St. Stephen’s Human Services and House of Charity represents an opportunity to more fully integrate our services in support of people experiencing homelessness, hunger, mental health issues, and substance use disorders. The merger aligns with the core missions of both organizations and will create a comprehensive continuum of care for those we serve, as well as a stronger voice as we advocate for equity and social justice issues at the local, state, and national level.   

House of Charity feeds hundreds of individuals and families every day and provides permanent supportive housing to about 270 people along with outpatient treatment for Substance Use Disorders and mental illness. St. Stephen’s Human Services works to end homelessness through Street Outreach, shelter, and housing programs that collectively benefit more than 4,600 individuals per year. 

Together, we will reach almost 8,000 individuals and families each year with program offerings that include Street Outreach, emergency shelter, housing programs, various food supports, and treatment for addiction and related health issues. The people we serve will benefit from the combined expertise and experience of both organizations.  

A new organization name and logo will be chosen through an inclusive re-branding process in early 2021. 

Together, we can achieve our shared goals and have a greater impact on the individuals we serve and the community as a whole. We will be stronger together. 

If you would like to learn more about House of Charity, please visit their website: www.houseofcharity.org.  

We look forward to building the next phase of our history with you. Together, we will be able to provide more comprehensive services to more people than ever before. In the meantime, all of our programs remain in place and all staff remain in their roles. Our address, phone number, and other contact information will not change. You can continue to support our street outreach, shelter, housing, and early intervention programs on the St. Stephen’s website or on our Give to the Max Day page. 

The Mill City Times Interview: Lynette Nyman, Communications and Marketing Manager for American Red Cross, Minnesota and Dakotas Region

Article by Becky Fillinger

On your walks along the river, I’ll bet you’ve passed the American Red Cross building on West River Parkway and wondered about the activities taking place within that facility. We spoke to Lynette Nyman, Communications and Marketing Manager for the American Red Cross Minnesota and Dakotas Region, to get a historical and current perspective on our neighbor, the American Red Cross, and how we can get involved.

Lynette Nyman

Q:  What areas are served by the Red Cross office on West River Parkway? 

A:  The Red Cross facility on West River Parkway serves as our regional and metro-area hub for all five lines of service that we offer: Disaster Cycle Services, Biomedical Services, Training Services, Service to the Armed Forces and International Services. Our Red Cross region is comprised of Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. This amounts to serving more than 7.5 million people across a vast geographic range.

Q:  Tell us about your initiatives - blood drives, disaster relief? Where? How? 

A:  In a nutshell, our humanitarian work includes providing relief for people affected by disasters, mostly home fires; sending emergency communications for military service members and their families; restoring communications between loved ones separated by war and conflict; teaching lifesaving skills such as CPR and first aid; and collecting and distributing lifesaving blood and platelets. People who like a 'room with a view' can take advantage of our Minneapolis Blood Donation Center, which looks west to the Mill District and  the Stone Arch Bridge.

During this fall's busy disaster season, our region supported more than 200 deployments of trained disaster workers to help people affected by wildfires, hurricanes, multi-family fires and a derecho. These were on the ground and virtual deployments. The disaster workers are 90 percent volunteers. We deeply appreciate our region’s 2,000 active volunteers. Their tireless efforts, generosity and commitment make our response possible.

Lynette and Oregon wildfire evacuee KathieSome, for example, help those who've lost everything in a home fire in Minnesota or in a hurricane in Louisiana. Others help people who need to send a verified emergency communication to a family member serving in the military when a crisis happens. Still others transport lifesaving blood to local hospitals or start the international search process for a loved one living in a refugee camp.  

Red Cross volunteers Greg and Renee GrayMany of us based in the Minneapolis office deploy into the field for disaster and relief services. I worked at the Red Cross shelter at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland in September. I’ve shared a photo of me and evacuee Kathie. We were able to celebrate good news - Kathie's home was spared, and she was able to return.

Our volunteers also travel to help with disaster relief. Our volunteers Greg and Renee Gray were in Louisiana in late August, helping people affected by Hurricane Laura. In the picture, they're sitting on the back of an emergency response vehicle that's used to distribute relief supplies like clean-up kits to people who need them.

Q:  What’s the history of the Red Cross and Minnesota?

A:  We’ve been here for a long time. For more than 100 years, the Red Cross in Minnesota has served millions of people. During the American Civil War, The First Minnesota Volunteer Regiment fought in the Battle of Antietam in 1862 – Clara Barton tended to the wounded hours after the battle. In 1898, a group calling itself the “German-American Red Cross Society of Minnesota” organized in St. Paul. The group’s goal was to gather support, such as hospital supplies, entertainment, and other relief items, that the government did not provide for sick and wounded soldiers in the Spanish-American War.

Clara Barton founded the American Red Cross in 1881

Also in 1898, the “Minnesota Red Cross Society” is established in Minneapolis. The group sought approval from the Surgeon General of the U.S. Army to send nurses to care for soldiers in the Spanish-American War. The offer is declined multiple times as the Surgeon General does not see military field hospitals appropriate places for women nurses. In October, 1918, a fire, driven by fuel and tornadic winds, becomes a firestorm, with flames four and half miles in the sky. People as far away as Iowa think the fire was close by. The flames engulf Cloquet and Moose Lake. Nearly 20,000 people lose their homes and more than 450 people die. This remains among the largest natural disasters in U.S. history. The Red Cross plays a vital role in the response and recovery. The St. Paul chapter sent 16 cars worth of furniture, clothes, and other relief supplies.

Also in 1918, the Spanish flu epidemic sweeps around the world, killing millions. In Minnesota, schools and public places close to prevent spread of the deadly disease. The Red Cross supports families through its Home Service program. Volunteers deliver cots and masks, cook for families and furnish transportation.

These historical stories are just a few of the very rich timeline we have in Minnesota and the region. Please see our website for more interesting information.

Q:  How can we stay up to date with the Red Cross?

A:  Our main news channels include our regional website, our blog, and our Facebook and Twitter feeds. You can find all of them via our home page. You can also volunteer with us and donate on Give to the Max Day, November 19 to ensure we’re here for another hundred years.

New Holiday Lights Tour from Experience the Twin Cities

Via a November 10 Press Release:

All Is Bright Open-Air Bus Holiday Lights Tour from Experience the Twin Cities

Experience the Twin Cities revealed a festive new local event for the2020 holiday season, the All Is Bright Holiday Lights Tour. The private 30-minute family-friendly tour takes place in the Experience the Twin Cities open-air bus and travels through the dazzling light displays of Inver Grove Heights with Santa at the wheel playing seasonal tunes. Patrons are encouraged to dress warmly, bring blankets, and bring warm beverages. Time slots are available from 5:30 pm to 9:15 pm Thursdays through Sundays in December. Advanced reservations are required and can be purchased on the Experience the Twin Cities website.

“We’re really excited to offer a fun and safe event to help celebrate the holidays and embrace our Minnesota winter. It’s been a challenging year and safety is our top priority, so utilizing our open-air bus puts a fun, hearty Minnesotan spin on an outing to help families and small groups get out of the house and feel festive together,” says Rebecca Pfeiffer, owner of Experience the Twin Cities.

Experience the Twin Cities’ open-air bus fits up to 13 people and the All Is Bright Holiday Lights Tour is open to private groups only. Reservations must be made in advance on the Experience the Twin Cities website. A festive snack pack featuring local favorite, Candyland Chicago Mix popcorn, is also available for purchase. The tour has also partnered with B-52s Burgers & Brews, Microtel Inn & Suites, and Holiday Inn Express in Inver Grove Heights to offer discounts for All Is Bright tour patrons. COVID-19 precautions will be in place.

About Experience the Twin Cities

Experience the Twin Cities has been partnering with Twin Cities businesses to craft public and private food, brewery, winery, distillery, and sightseeing experiences for Minnesotans and visitors for over nine years. The company’s popular tours, such as the St. Paul Skyway Food Tour and the Countryside Winery Tour, as well as custom tour experiences, are available to private groups during COVID-19. More info.

Small Business Spotlight: Bier + Brauer Chiropractic

Article by Becky Fillinger

Election aftermath got you all in knots? Here’s a surefire way to relax and feel better – schedule a visit with Dr. Chris Bierbrauer, Chiropractor. We talked to Dr. Bierbrauer about his practice and the ways he relaxes when not at work. 

Q:  Please tell us about Bier + Brauer Chiropractic. How long has your office been in the Mill District?

A:  I opened Bier + Brauer Chiropractic at its current location in the Bridgewater Lofts, 221 10th Avenue S., in the fall of 2008. Please note that the clinic provides heated indoor parking – free of charge. Call us at 612-332-4414 to set up an appointment.

          

Q:  What services do you offer?

A:  My practice focuses on not only the treatment of musculoskeletal dysfunctions through chiropractic manipulation of the joints, but also and initially, by identifying and treating dysfunction in the soft tissues (muscle, ligament, tendon and fascia) that move and support the joints. The soft tissues can become tight and tense as the result of trauma, repetitive stress and postural imbalances. When this occurs, joint motion and biomechanics become affected and limited resulting in harmful compensation patterns and stress to joints and adjacent soft tissues. I utilize two soft tissue techniques known as Active Release Technique and Graston Technique to gently mobilize the soft tissues with the intent of reducing restrictive adhesions that form between the muscular and fascial fibers reducing their ability to shorten and lengthen effectively. Once the soft tissues are "released" the joints tend to start moving better on their own and the chiropractic adjustments go more easily and last longer. 

Muscle Activation Technique (MAT) and Reflexive Performance Reset (RPR) are two neuromuscular techniques that I use to "activate" or "turn on" muscles that have been inhibited or are often times muscles tight because other muscles aren't working the way that they should. This is also a compensation pattern but it is brought on by "inhibition" or "weakness" of certain muscles. When a muscle is injured or inflamed it doesn't work as well. The nervous system then asks other muscles to help out but that causes more compensation and the muscles that are helping, in turn become symptomatic or painful. MAT is a specific technique involving range of motion assessment, muscle testing to find weakness and activation of the muscle. This is done by the practitioner to the patient. RPR is a technique that is taught to the patient enabling them to perform on themselves. Typically this is done before exercise or physical activity but it can be done anytime. Both neuromuscular techniques allow the muscles to contract more efficiently, thereby reducing compensation patterns that can affect the body's biomechanics.

Prior to moving to Minneapolis I had worked in fairly traditional practices. These practices were traditional in the way that treatment times were short and patient volume was high. That is a successful practice management style financially and in some cases it is necessary with the limited reimbursement from insurance plans but I knew that I couldn't keep practicing that way. When I opened Bierbrauer Chiropractic, I knew that I was going to incorporate soft tissue work along with chiropractic joint manipulation to provide a more complete treatment. I also knew that my treatment times were going to be longer than the typical five minute session that people often experience at more high volume clinics.

Along with chiropractic joint manipulation, soft tissue mobilization and muscle activation my practice also offers Active Release Technique for the reduction and management of pain, electric muscle stimulation and rehabilitative exercises. I also make nutritional recommendations when necessary and we also sell Hemp Derived CBD in the form of oil tinctures, balms and capsules that are produced locally by Cavan Creek. The hemp used by Cavan Creek is ethically sourced, organically farmed, laboratory tested for purity and is FDA compliant.

Q:  We've all been cooped up during the pandemic. Are there stretches you would recommend that we do at home to stay limber?

A:  Posture (or a lack of good posture) is a big problem in our society and one that has become even worse as more and more people have been working from home for longer hours at less than ergonomic workstations. I recommend taking micro breaks (5-10 seconds) hourly to just stand up and stretch. Our spine likes extension (straightening up and bending backwards a bit) but we are always in a position of flexion when we are sitting at computers, in cars or in front of the TV. A quick stretch in the opposite direction helps to break up the patterns prolonged sitting causes. I also love the use of foam rollers and other self-mobilization devices. The market has been flooded with self-mobilization tools from foam rollers to spheres (lacrosse balls, etc.) to massage guns. The intent for all are to release tight and restricted soft tissues and they are all beneficial in their own way.

Q:  Why did you become a chiropractor?

A:  Growing up, my family was very musical. My mother was a music teacher and my brother is a classically trained singer. When I went to college my focus was in the health sciences but I didn't have a clear major. What I did realize was that I missed singing so I joined a mixed choir and a men's choir. During rehearsals we had to stand and by mid semester I started to notice pain down my right leg. Before long I also began to notice weakness to the point where, when I was driving, it was difficult at times to lift my foot from back and forth from the accelerator and the brake. I told my mom about it and while I was home over spring break she made an appointment for me with a local chiropractor. He evaluated me and took x-rays and said, "I've got good news and bad news." The good news was that he knew what the problem was, but the bad news was that I had a fractured vertebra in my low back that couldn't be "fixed" with chiropractic. However, it was a sable fracture that probably occurred during adolescence and manipulating the adjacent joints could take the pressure off of it, which it did. He recommended that I see an orthopedic specialist and sent me on my way. The adjustment helped dramatically with my symptoms and I realized that becoming a chiropractor was what I wanted to do

Q:  What do you like to do when you're not at work?

A:  When I'm not at work, I spend all of my time with my wife, Missy, and my twin daughters Nola and Cassidy. This past summer was one of indulgence as far as our girls are concerned. We added a slightly larger above ground pool, a trampoline and we rescued two puppies (Buddy and Finny) to go along with our adult dog Gracie! We go on a lot of walks and bike rides and we spend a lot of time at our local park. This winter will hopefully involve some skiing, both downhill and cross country. Before I had children I was a runner and completed several marathons and half marathons. Now, I try to hop on my stationary bike a few times per week. I also still enjoy music but my singing generally only takes place in the car or the shower! 

Holidazzle Announces More for 2020 Virtual Experience

Via a November 10 Press Release from mpls downtown council:

The Holidazzle Show to headline schedule and feature weekly shows bringing Holidazzle to you.

Holidazzle shared today the first of its 2020 virtual experience, The Holidazzle Show.

The Holidazzle Show presented by Comcast will bring elements of Holidazzle to you and yours wherever you are, whenever you’d like. Four episodes of The Holidazzle Show presented by Comcast will be available on Holidazzle.com with new episodes airing Friday, November 27 and the three following Thursdays: December 3, December 10, and December 17.

The show will feature a visit from Santa, DIY holiday projects, entertainment, small business holiday gift ideas, local food spotlights, and more. The Holidazzle Show will complement Holidazzle’s 2020 virtual experience providing online content including interactive social media challenges, past photos and videos, live craft demonstrations, and HoliTivities featuring free activities for all ages.

“We are excited to bring the spirit of Holidazzle to you and yours this holiday season through our 2020 Holidazzle virtual experience,” said Leah Wong, vice president of external relations, mpls downtown council. “Wherever you are, you can enjoy the entertainment and activities you’ve come to expect each year at Holidazzle, and we look forward to being together again when we can safely return to an in-person celebration.”

“Holidazzle has been an important long-standing tradition in our community and we are thrilled this year’s celebration will continue in a new way,” said J.D. Keller, regional senior vice president, Comcast Twin Cities. “All of us at Comcast are proud to be the presenting sponsor of The Holidazzle Show and are excited our customers can seamlessly experience this free and festive destination on the X1 platform.”

Additional details will be announced throughout November.

Other online content and activities include: 

• HoliTivities
• Holiday cooking recipes
• Mpls Craft Market virtual shopping experience featuring local makers
• Where to enjoy winter in the Minneapolis area
• Virtual ice skating lessons
• Weekly social media challenge
• Past Holidazzle photos and videos
• And more

Visit www.holidazzle.com or follow Holidazzle on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to enjoy this year’s virtual content.

Holidazzle—which typically takes place in Loring Park—is moving online this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and continued concerns around public gatherings. In addition to Holidazzle, the Mpls WinterSkate ice rink in Loring Park will take the season off to prioritize public health.

About Holidazzle: 

The 2020 Holidazzle is managed and produced by the mpls downtown council. Holidazzle is an annual holiday tradition in mpls downtown that offers free programming and activities for all ages and ability while also highlighting local people, places, and products that make our community unique. The 2020 Holidazzle virtual experience is sponsored by Comcast, Xcel Energy, Mpls Downtown Improvement District, Fulton Beer and more.

About the mpls downtown council:

Founded in 1955, and one of the most historic central business associations in the nation, the mpls downtown council (mdc) is a membership-based entity that works to create an extraordinary downtown. The mdc’s collaborative developments of Intersections: The Downtown 2025 Plan was designed to help downtown businesses, community leaders, and citizens build on downtown assets and implement future goals. For more information, please visit www.mplsdowntown.com.

A Mandala - Life is Interconnected

Submitted by Mill District resident, Ric Rosow

Mandala has a number of meanings, some of which are spiritual and one of which is that all life is interconnected. 

Although this was created in Photoshop, it is not a photograph. The work was hand drawn using the mandala brush in Photoshop.

To create this image, I started with a blank document in Photoshop and set the color to black. I split the image into six equal blocks. Within Photoshop, I hand drew white lines on the black background. What I drew in one block, the brush automatically repeated in the five others.

From there I applied colors. I adjusted the hue, saturation and brightness of each color, and blended the color gradients into the black and white drawing. I revised the work several times. 

In addition, I printed two words (other than my signature in the lower right) in the primary block. These were replicated in the other section. The words blended into the lines and the color gradients. Perhaps you can find them. 

You can find more of my photography at www.traveltheglobephotography.com.

On Give to the Max Day, Consider Be That Neighbor

Article by Becky Fillinger

We’ve all seen better years than 2020. One local charity that has helped us to see the good in our communities and bring us together this year is Be That Neighbor. November is the month of gratitude and also the month of giving back to Minnesota nonprofits through Give to the Max Day. Consider including Be That Neighbor in your giving plans.

Give to the Max Day is Be That Neighbor’s biggest fundraising opportunity of the year. While November 19 is technically “the big day,” donations made from today through November 19 count toward the goal. This year the goal is $10,000 with 100% of the proceeds going towards community programs.

Claudia Kittock, Executive Director, explains the genesis and mindset of Be That Neighbor: “Be That Neighbor is about community and only about community. We work to offer programs that build a sense of belongingness. We boost the good that is here and make sure that everyone knows about what is working in our community. Promoting and boosting our neighbors is the best kind of work and we are honored to do that.”

Be That Neighbor’s Guarantee: Every single penny of your donation will go directly to funding programs, including Mill City Singers, No Child Left Inside, Community Conversations and Yoga in the Park. Board members fund ALL overhead and administrative costs (as well as one third of the operating budget).

Here’s how you can support Be That Neighbor: Give here. Follow the charity on Facebook. Join any of their activities – whether it’s singing with the choir, supporting local heroes and businesses, making sure that children have opportunities to experience our great outdoors, or bringing important discussions into our communities.

Support the world you want to live in.

October 2020 by the Numbers from Cynthia Froid Group

Downtown real estate market update from Cynthia Froid Group:

November 6 Ward 7 Update from Council Member Lisa Goodman

Minneapolis Sets New Voter Turnout Record

More than 237,000 ballots were cast in Minneapolis, breaking the city’s record for an election turnout. A record number of voters also cast early ballots, largely to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

While the final turnout number for the city may still change, an estimated, unofficial total of 237,689 ballots were cast in this election, including more than 170,000 absentee ballots. That means 80.6% of registered voters in Minneapolis participated in this election.

In comparison, a total of 219,832 ballots were cast in Minneapolis in the 2016 presidential election, which was the previous record. Of those, 60,538 ballots were cast early. Mail ballots postmarked on or by Nov. 3 and received through Nov. 10 will continue to increase the overall ballot totals. A court decision on Thursday gave the City direction to segregate mail ballots received after Nov. 3 but did not direct to the City to leave these ballots uncounted.

Partial, unofficial election results can be found on the Secretary of State’s website.

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Take Survey on Transforming Community Safety

Minneapolis community, please provide your input on what community safety looks like and tell us your ideas about a new model of community safety for the City. You can take the survey in English right now, and translations will follow shortly on the City website. Complete the survey by Nov. 20 for the first phase of survey results. Input provided after Nov. 20 may continue to be used for future engagement phases.

In June 2020, the City Council pledged to create a new model of community safety. As part of that, we committed to a yearlong process of community engagement. This survey is one of the first steps in that process. Through the survey, you can share your vision for a new community safety model. You can also provide ideas for how to accomplish that new model.

Results from the survey will be used to help create recommendations for elected leaders and to help guide the City’s next steps for community engagement.

This survey includes some questions similar to other recent City surveys. That includes questions about alternative responses to mental health crises and non-emergency crimes. Any input you already provided on those surveys is valued and will still be used as planned. Recommendations will also be considered as part of this broader focus on transforming community safety.

Take the survey

Take the survey and share it with your community, and check back for Spanish, Somali, Hmong and Oromo versions soon.

You can also check back to stay up to date on progress and more opportunities to provide input.

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2020 Collection of Leaves and Bundled Brush Ends Soon

Garbage day in the week of Nov. 16 is the last 2020 collection for leaves, brush and other yard trimmings. Minneapolis Solid Waste & Recycling customers can set properly prepared yard waste at their alleys or curbs next to their garbage carts by 6 a.m. on garbage day.

Yard waste must be in compostable bags – paper (Kraft) or compostable plastic – or unbagged in a reusable container 32-38 gallons in size, at least 26 inches high, with sturdy handles. Reusable containers are lifted and emptied by hand; they must be easily managed. Yard waste is not allowed in City-provided containers.

Preparing yard trimmings and leaves

• Less than 40 pounds.

Preparing brush

• Less than 40 pounds.
• Less than 3 feet long.
• Branch size less than 3 inches in diameter.
• Must be bundled with string or twine (no wire or tape).

Reusable containers

• Less than 40 pounds full.
• Between 32 and 38 gallons in size.
• At least 26 inches high.
• Must have sturdy handles.

Which bags can be used in the program?

• Compostable plastic bags labeled with the BPI logo.
• Paper (Kraft) bags.

Bags marked “biodegradable” or “degradable” do not meet the State law and are not accepted.

It’s against the law and bad for our lakes to rake leaves into the street.

Anyone who has questions about leaf and brush pickup can call 612-673-2917 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. People can also find more information on the Solid Waste & Recycling webpages.

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Fall Street Sweeping Continues

City crews continue to sweep streets across Minneapolis before winter to keep leaves and debris out of the storm drains and ending up in our lakes and rivers as much as possible.

During the four weeks of the comprehensive fall street sweep, crews will clean about 1,000 miles of city streets. To make sure crews can do the best job possible, temporary “No Parking” signs will be posted at least 24 hours in advance so streets will be clear of cars when they’re swept. Anyone who parks on the street will need to follow posted parking rules or their cars may be ticketed and towed.

Use this link to check dates for street sweeping in your area: sweeping and leaf collection on streets.

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Free COVID-19 Tests and Flu Shots in Ward 7

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

You don’t need insurance for the test. Your flu shot is free if you don’t have insurance. If you do have insurance, bring your insurance card for the flu shot.

Free COVID-19 tests and flu shots at Hennepin United Methodist, 511 Groveland Ave. Noon-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7

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

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

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COVID-19 Situational Update as of November 6, 2020

Situational updates: Minneapolis

• There are 14,542 cases in Minneapolis and 264 deaths. The total number of cases increased by 10% over the previous week. Hospitalizations increased by 4.5% and ICU admissions increased by 3.8%.
• Over the past week, average daily case counts have increased from the mid-70s to more than 100 cases per day. We have surpassed 200 cases per day 3 times in the past week.
• We are seeing increases across age and racial/ethnic groups.
• Minneapolis-specific daily case counts and demographics are available at www.minneapolismn.gov/coronavirus/dashboard. Additionally, specific case counts by neighborhood are also available.
• 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.
• Mayor Frey’s Emergency Regulation No. 17 regarding bars and restaurants remains in effect. The regulation closes bar areas in restaurants, nightclubs, and indoor spaces of entertainment. Food and beverages can be served tableside while patrons are seated and patrons can approach the bar to order as long as they don’t congregate.

Situational updates: Minnesota

• There are 160,923 cases in Minnesota out of over 2.9 million tests completed. There have been 2,530 deaths from COVID-19 in Minnesota. There are 38,911 cases and 1,009 deaths in Hennepin County.
• The Minnesota Department of Health uses a color-coded map to track a seven-day rolling average of new cases. As of October 26, the State is reporting 39.6 cases per 100,000 and Minneapolis is at 32.1 cases per 100,000. Both the City and State rates have increased significantly over the last week. These numbers put both Minnesota and Minneapolis in the red category. The red category is characterized as a tipping point which might indicate the need for more stringent safety measures.
• Minnesota is currently in Phase III of the Stay Safe MN plan for reopening.
• Governor Walz’s 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

Case investigation/Contact tracing

• The Health Department continues to conduct follow-up on individuals diagnosed with COVID-19, as well as, contact tracing at both workplaces and with exposed individuals. Currently there are 37 active case investigators, including four non-MHD enterprise staff and 12 AmeriCorps staff.
• Of the 14,542 cases in Minneapolis, 80.7% have been interviewed, 2.4% refused, and 10.2% have been lost to follow-up. Approximately 6.6% of new cases still need to be interviewed. With increasing number of cases, the percent still needing to be interviewed has also increased significantly. Twenty-five percent of interviews of Minneapolis residents have been conducted in a language other than English.

Community COVID-19 testing and flu shots

• Community testing partner Shiloh Temple sent the following note to Commissioner Musicant thanking the City’s for its commitment to the health of North Minneapolis. “Your team was a pleasure to work with. Also your commitment to the Health of the North Minneapolis Communities is unwavering. Because of you, people of color, and all those who call Minneapolis home, can thrive and be healthy in this great City.”
• A new ad campaign launched on November 1 to promote COVID-19 community testing. The campaign includes targeted social media and community newspaper ads, new dedicated testing webpages on the City’s website, donated billboard space, radio spots, and videos. Messages will be available in multiple languages.
• We are continuing to explore options for indoor testing events during the winter months. We have purchased saliva test kits that can be used at community events or for at-home testing.
• The State health department will offer free saliva testing at the Minneapolis Convention Center starting Monday, November 9. Testing will be available seven days a week, noon to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends. Appointments can be made through the Vault Health registration site.

Upcoming COVID-19 testing events

Flu shots will be available at both events. Participants can register at the events and test results are usually available in two business days.

• Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church, 511 Groveland Ave., from 12-3 p.m. on Saturday, November 7.
• East Side Neighborhood Services, 1700 Second St. NE, from 12-3 p.m. on Saturday, November 14.

COVID-19 vaccination

• We continue to share COVID-19 vaccination information through presentations and listening sessions with community groups and neighborhood associations. A good source of reliable information about COVID-19 vaccination is the Minnesota Department of Health’s COVID-19 vaccine website.
• We are recruiting community partners to serve as COVID-19 Vaccine Community Liaisons. So far, we have seven liaisons onboard and are working to fill gaps in geographic or demographic representation. Over the next few weeks, they will conduct community outreach to share information about COVID-19 vaccination and bring back residents’ questions, concerns, and insights to help guide our planning efforts.
• We continue to meet regularly with the State and the Metro Region Healthcare Coalition to plan for vaccine distribution. Initial doses of the vaccine, expected in mid-to late-December, will be distributed to staff at hospitals and long-term care facilities. MHD is reaching out to key partners to coordinate distribution logistics for long-term care sites; the Metro Region Healthcare Coalition will ensure distribution to hospitals.

Food insecurity

• MHD is issuing $970,000 of CARES funding to 37 organizations to increase food security in response to COVID-19. Awards ranged from $2,000 to 53,500 and will pay for food, hygiene supplies and equipment used for food distribution this fall. Organizations will serve BIPOC communities and some are targeting special populations such as HIV/AIDS positive, older adults and persons experiencing homelessness. Funding has been allocated to parts of the city where food insecurity is the greatest.
• CARES funding will also be used to provide supports at Corcoran Park to the families that had been previously served at Powderhorn Park. This effort is a collaboration of MHD, NCR, MPRB and food security partners.

School Based Clinics

• The seven school based clinics (SBC) located in six Minneapolis Public high schools and one alternative school have transitioned to a hybrid model of seeing teens via telehealth and limited in person visits at the clinics. SBC staff have worked hard to ensure that clients have access to health services including mental health and prescriptions often times dropping medications off at students’ homes.
• Although visits and the resulting revenue from insurance is down, the clinics have secured some grant funding to strengthen the capacity for tele-mental health services and health education. While SBCs are successfully adapting, they are concerned about lower immunization rates and the potential for an increased number of sexually transmitted infections due to less STI testing during the pandemic.

Businesses

• Stories from the field: o A couple who own a downtown restaurant reached out to their health inspector asking about City support for their business. The business estimates their sales are at 10% of pre-COVID-19 levels. They are being allowed to pay only 25% of their rent, but the landlord expects the other 75% to be paid in the future. All staff has been laid off except for one part time employee. The Small Business Team is working with them.
• A business owner had an employee test positive. Employees got COVID-19 tests in a variety of places. The owner closed the business while waiting for COVID-19 test results to arrive. The owner was frustrated to find there was not a way to quickly test all staff and possibly prevent the business from closing.
• Environmental Health inspectors performed a bar sweep of six businesses on Friday, Oct 20, as part of a response to increased COVID-19 cases. Overall, the businesses are implementing their COVID-19 preparedness plan accordingly. During the sweep, an inspector noticed a party bus with about 40 patrons on board dancing with no room to move. A complaint was submitted to the party bus company for follow-up.
• Health inspectors completed 94 food safety routine inspections with an emphasis on COVID-19 preparedness plans and the implementation of COVID-19 protocols. Health inspectors responded to 9 food safety/sanitation/COVID-19 311 complaints. Health inspectors responded to 5 incidents of reported COVID-19 positive employees/patrons. One event was inspected over the weekend.

Homeless encampments

• The environmental assessment of the encampment at Van White Memorial Blvd and 2nd Ave N. was completed. The assessment determined the site is not safe to be camped there. City staff visited the site last Friday to inform the residents. Some chose to leave. Due to the lawsuit, we are not demobilizing the site at this time.
• The City is working to remove a significant amount of trash from a small encampment at 27th and 3rd.
• MRBP has only a few remaining encampments.

Logistics

• MHD staff continues to respond to community requests for surgical masks, cloth masks and hand sanitizer. This past week, supplies were distributed to members of the Shared Powers Advisory Committee and senior living facilities.
• MHD’s COVID-19 email address responds to daily inquiries for guidance on COVID testing, quarantine and contact tracing, complaints about mask wearing in businesses, workplaces and public spaces and solicitations for PPE or donated supplies.
• Federal CARES funds have been used to purchase safety and hygiene supplies, equipment and testing materials to support MHD testing events through November 14.

Find COVID-19 tips for staying well and travel guidelines on the Health Department web page.

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

A Step Forward

Article by Claudia Kittock

I became a volunteer in the literacy department of YouthLink nearly six years ago and soon after met Katie Miller, a staff member. Katie was immediately memorable for her humor, her grace, and her incredible skill and empathy with the young people experiencing homelessness. I am a professional observer, and observing Katie was a joy. I knew I wanted to know her.

Katie MillerOver the years we had many conversations and her skills were obvious and remarkable. Selfishly, I was sad when she told me she was resigning to become a Community Navigator with the Minneapolis Police Department. I was also excited for what she would be able to do in this position. Since Katie has been in her new role our paths have continued to cross.  

Community Navigators, as a unit, were created with racial equity for the communities they serve. Each member represents a recognized community group (Native American, LGBTQIA+/Homelessness, LatinX, African American, SE African/Somali, and Intimate Partner/Domestic Violence) that the Minneapolis Police Department recognizes a need to better serve, communicate, and build positive relationships. 

The personnel of the unit, because of their extensive history of social service (10+ years) prior to joining the Minneapolis Police Department, offer a novel approach to victim services, community engagement, and guardianship. This unit, as a non-sworn/civilian entity, offers the communities a different, hopefully non-threatening, interaction point, as they offer assistance through the common accords of each representative group. 

Navigators also assist in recognizing how racial and/or economic inequities harm the populace, and act as connectors to resources and carriers of information both from and to community and policymakers. With the Navigators as a resource, the department increases its capacity to engage in a trauma-informed, meaningful, approachable way with communities that are hesitant to interact with police due to historical trauma, over-policing, and mistrust.

This is a wonderful step forward for our community, and one that has already shown to work. Please join us in offering this amazing group of professionals our support. They are that neighbor.

Be That Neighbor Launches New Initiative: Let's Boost Small Business!

Article by Becky Fillinger

It’s November and Be That Neighbor is launching a new initiative – Let’s Boost Small Businesses!

Before we launch our small business boost initiative, we should state the obvious - 2020 has seen hundreds of Twin Cities small businesses close permanently. These are businesses that pay local taxes and employ us and our neighbors. Why else is it important to support local small businesses? I’ll list a few, but welcome feedback and ask that you chime in with other reasons too.

Community Involvement – Who do you turn to for donations for youth sports teams, nonprofit donations, guest lecturers at events? For Be That Neighbor, we know that local small businesses are always there to support our charity events. Last year for our fundraising event, we received in-kind donations from Bacon Social House, Wasabi Fusion, Umbra, Smith and Porter, Pog Mahones, Conexion, Crooked Pint, Keefer Court, Kindee, Afro Deli, Guthrie Theater, Trader Joe’s, Mill City Times and the Mill City Museum. We could not have put on a successful fundraiser without their support.

Community Identity – Check out the North Loop or the Sheridan neighborhood as examples. It’s the small businesses that give the character and appeal to the area. One-of-a-kind and locally made products can attract customers to a community – like Steller Handcrafted Goods.

Community Congeniality – Small business owners know their customers’ names. They know the other small business owners on the block. They give referrals to other small businesses.

Community Health – Walking to local businesses can reduce automobile use and urban sprawl. They encourage walking, biking or taking local transit. From my apartment in downtown Minneapolis, I can walk to grocery stores, fitness studios, chiropractors, coffee shops, art supply shops, bakeries and many more.

Increased Tax Base – When you shop at small businesses, the tax dollars stay here. This sparks more economic development.

Local Jobs - Small businesses create jobs. Period.

Will you join us in supporting and boosting local small businesses? Share a positive comment on your interactions with the business and its products or services. Tag it so that the business sees all the positive reinforcement.

State to Open Saliva Testing Location at Minneapolis Convention Center on Monday, November 9

Via a November 5 News Release from the Minnesota Department of Health:

Site will offer free saliva tests to anyone who needs it

The State of Minnesota today announced it will open a saliva testing site on Monday at the Minneapolis Convention Center. This will be the eighth in the state, offering free saliva tests to any Minnesotan who believes they need to be tested.

“What’s happening in Minnesota right now is alarming,” said Minnesota Commissioner Jan Malcolm. “We are seeing record numbers of new cases every few days. And it’s because we’re falling behind the rapid spread of this virus. This is truly a statewide outbreak, and we encourage anyone who believes they may have been exposed to COVID-19 to visit one of these no-barrier testing sites. Testing is a key part of our strategy, and we’ve made great progress in removing obstacles to testing thanks to strong partnerships across the state. When combined with social distancing, masking, avoiding crowds and staying home when sick, testing helps us slow the spread of COVID-19 and move us closer to the day when we have safe and effective vaccines.”

Testing will be located at the Minneapolis Convention Center, at 1301 2nd Ave. South in downtown Minneapolis. Those coming for testing should enter on the west side of the building off 1st Avenue, then continue to exhibit room E. Free parking will be available and marked in nearby surface lots and parking ramps.

Due to expected demand, testing will be available seven days a week, noon to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends. The State of Minnesota and Vault Health will reevaluate hours of each site as others open and demand waxes and wanes with disease progression in Minnesota. Appointments can be made through the Vault Health registration site.

The state opened the first saliva testing site in Duluth on Sept. 23. Since then, saliva testing locations have opened in Winona, Moorhead, Brooklyn Park, Mankato, St. Cloud, and Saint Paul. State officials plan to open at least two more in the Twin Cities metro area in coming weeks. Those tests will be processed right here in Minnesota, at the new saliva lab in Oakdale. Results will be provided via email within 24-48 hours.

“The Minneapolis Convention Center offers access to thousands of people in the heart of the metro,” said Dan Huff, MDH assistant commissioner for health protection. “Our COVID-19 numbers are moving in the wrong direction, but we still have a chance to turn the tide here in Minnesota if everyone does their part; we hope this increased access to testing will help people learn if they are positive for COVID-19 and to isolate when necessary.”

Testing is free to all Minnesotans who believe they need a COVID-19 test, including those who are asymptomatic. Participants will be asked for their health insurance information so the state can bill their insurance company on their behalf. If a person is uninsured or for any reason insurance doesn’t cover some or all of the cost, the state will cover the difference so testing remains completely free to everyone.

“We’re glad to have another COVID-19 testing option in our community,” said Hennepin County Public Health Director Susan Palchick. “This new site will make it easier for people to access testing, to know if they’re positive, and to take steps to protect themselves and others."

“This is a welcome additional source of testing for those who live or work in our community,” said Gretchen Musicant, Minneapolis Health Commissioner. “Because it will be open seven days a week without barriers it is an important resource as we work to stem the rising number of COVID-19 cases.”

The same saliva test was also recently made available to 23 counties and the Red Lake Nation through the COVID-19 Test at Home Program The service will be available soon to all Minnesotans statewide.

The saliva test is a PCR test, just like the traditional nasal swab, with the same effectiveness rate; however, it is more comfortable to take. Those who come for a test should avoid eating, drinking, chewing, or smoking anything for at least 30 minutes before providing a sample. Once they arrive at the site, they will self-administer the test by spitting into a funnel attached to a small tube. Clinic staff will be available on-site to monitor the collection process and ensure there is enough saliva to be tested.

“Our strategy to managing the virus continues to be proactive, data-driven, and aggressive,” continued Huff. “A higher testing capacity, combined with masking, social distancing, and isolation when appropriate, is critical to that strategy. Our work to bring saliva testing to Minnesotans is an important supplement to the COVID testing options already offered across the state. Growing and diversifying our testing options is a tool to keeping Minnesotans safe.”

For more information about the saliva testing site in Minneapolis, please visit COVID-19 Saliva Community Testing Sites.

A Message from Friends of the Hennepin County Library

A message from Kristi Pearson, CEO, Friends of the Hennepin County Library

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Recently, a young girl gave a gift to the library with a handwritten message tucked in: I’m giving this donation so you can buy books for others. The note proudly declared that she was a friend of the library.

After I read her words, I sat for a quiet moment and reflected.

Especially in a year of such hardship, reading a sentiment so pure and simple from a young patron set so much into stark and dazzling clarity—what does friendship really mean, in a time when our connections to one another are being tested so fully?

My thoughts then turned to our library.

This year, when we've all been in need of support, our library has been a friend to each of us. It has listened to patrons, adjusting quickly to meet the high demand of digital materials. It has understood the need to balance safety with access, opening 30 locations for Grab and Go service. It has distributed free books to children in parks who needed ways to engage in a summer stripped of so many activities.

And of course, our library has shared. Sharing is the very foundation of the library: passing books from hand to hand, sharing knowledge, stories and resources. So today, we’re asking you to do what true friends do best and share whatever you are able.

Give to the Max is the single, largest day of giving to our library, and it’s coming up on Thursday, November 19. It’s a time when our friends from all over band together to support the library that supports us all so well in good times and bad.

Your donation now through November 19 will be counted toward our 1,000 Friend goal to unlock an additional $30,000 matching grant. That extra support is critical with increasing demands and so much uncertainty still ahead.

If you are able, here is the link to donate: https:/give.supporthclib.org/givemax2020

Thank you for ensuring that everyone has a friend in their library. Your kindness and generosity make all the difference.

In solidarity and friendship,

Kristi

Kristi Pearson
CEO, Friends of the Hennepin County Library

Minneapolis Police Precinct 1 Update

Via a November 4 e-announcement from the Minneapolis Police Precinct 1:

Important Informational Alert

-  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -

In response to the recent uptick in criminal behavior in the 1st Precinct, please take note of these safety reminders.  Please, also share this information with friends and neighbors. As always, if you see or experience ANY suspicious or questionable behavior, CALL 911.

YOUR SAFETY IS OUR #1 PRIORITY

Personal Safety

• Be aware of your surroundings. Always. Look at and take note of who is near you or your vehicle
• When driving, keep your doors and windows locked
• Take note of vehicle descriptions, license plate numbers or suspect descriptions
• Do not leave your vehicle running and DO NOT leave keys or a fob inside the car
• Maintain good social distance from strangers, this is a good rule for personal safety and personal health
• Be wary of someone asking for the time, directions, to use your phone or if you have spare change
• Do not carry your cell phone in your hand. Keep it safely in an inside pocket. Do not carry it in your back pocket
• Do not walk and text
• Avoid carrying a purse. Carry only what you need in a secure pocket. If you do carry a purse, utilize a smaller bag. Make use of a cross body strap, carry it under your coat so the purse is not displayed
• Consider a self-defense class to increase confidence when out in public
• Use a buddy system when walking, if possible
• Walk in well lit, well-traveled areas

Phones and Financial Security

• Always have your IMEI and serial number for your phone in a safe place.   Keep an electronics inventory list with serial numbers and product descriptions for computers etc.
• Consider a “track my phone” app
• Use a pass code to lock your phone when not in use
• Hide all apps for banking, credit cards and cash pay along with personal information in an “incognito” file
• Record all your credit card, driver’s license, banking, and pass code information. Keep it in a safe place. Consider emailing it to yourself. Do not store this info on your phone unless protected
• Know how to access accounts and institutions incase of loss or fraudulent activity
• Report Lost or stolen items immediately to your financial institutions

Vehicles

• NEVER leave keys or a fob in your car EVER. Do not leave it in the ignition, the glove box, center console or hidden. If it is in the car, your car can be stolen
• Look around before entering or exiting your vehicle
• Check your owner’s manual for a valet key and remove it
• Don’t leave a spare key hidden or in another vehicle
• LOCK YOUR DOORS, even when parked in an access-controlled garage
• Do not leave personal property in plain sight
• Keep doors locked when driving
• Call 911 if intimidated on the road, stay on the phone with 911, do not stop or engage. Drive to a populated, well-lit area.

Residences and Garages

• Keep ALL doors and windows locked – even inside multi-unit dwellings. Use your deadbolt
• Do not prop open any exterior doors
• Be mindful of common use outside doors (front doors, overhead garage door) DO NOT allow someone to follow you into the building
• If you live on the ground floor be vigilant about your access points
• Utilize available lighting or consider adding more
• Do not leave valuables such as bicycles unsecured. Record description and serial number
• If you need to keep your bicycle in the garage, lock it to a secure pole or bike rack bolted to the floor or wall
• Whether single family or multi-unit, ensure your security cameras are operational and are good quality. While cameras rarely prevent a crime, they are excellent in aiding an investigation and subsequent arrest
• Do not leave your garage door opener in your vehicle
• Lock your vehicle when parked inside the garage and do not leave valuable such as purses, weapons and electronics
• Maintain good key and access card/fob control
• Get to know your neighbors. Consider forming a building or block club to share information

IF YOU BECOME A VICTIM OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR - FILE A POLICE REPORT.  Call 911 to report assaults, robberies or carjackings. Call 311 or go to http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/police/index.htm to file a theft report.

FOR QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS, PLEASE CALL THE 1ST PRECINCT AT 612-673-5701 or contact Crime Prevention Specialists Renee.Allen@MinneapolisMN.gov or Carla.Nielson@MinneapolisMN.gov for further assistance and/or guidance.

Visit the Minneapolis Police Department on Facebook.

Lighting Up the River

Submitted by Mill District resident, Ric Rosow

Lighting Up the River

I took this photograph last Thursday, October 29, from the Stone Arch Bridge. The buildings to the right of the river are, from left to right: Cedar Riverside Plaza, The Eleven (under construction), the Legacy and a faint blue outline of Stonebridge. I love taking photographs of the Mississippi River and in the process capturing all the development along the river. It was a great time to photograph from that location as the sun was setting off to my right behind downtown. The reflection of the sun on the buildings along the river contributed to the color of this artistic interpretation.

Ric Rosow

River Story: A New Path Ahead

By Rick Margl, Great River Coalition

RIVER STORY: A NEW PATH AHEAD

By Rick Margl, Great River Coalition

I was beginning to get the feeling that I’d messed up. After a long day meeting with local staff in Grand Rapids, I had decided there was enough daylight left to grab a quick run. Padding along on the highway shoulder, I came upon an interesting looking dirt road, took a quick turn on a whim and headed into the woods. You know how sometimes you turn onto an interesting trail, then another trail and then another? So, on I went, always expecting a clearing or a view of the town through a break in the dense foliage. At some point I realized that it was probably time to reverse route and head back to the motel.

But you know how trails and landmarks can look very different when you’re going in the other direction? My mind had been elsewhere as I ran and I was also unconcerned about losing my way, having over the years spent much time trekking in woods and along rivers. Now, victim to that self-confidence and inattention (yes, a dangerous combination), daylight was dimming around me while I investigated several likely looking but ultimately unhelpful trails. I began to contemplate the prospect of spending a night in the woods.

This memory came to me the other morning while I was out for an early ramble along the river. The woods are open now, with vistas all around which scant weeks before were unseen and unimaginable. The river, recently stippled with burnt orange, gold and scarlet leaves, now runs clear, quiet and cold between snowy banks. Shrubby alder, chokecherry, silver maple and young ironwood overhang the banks. Beneath slate gray skies, intermittent clouds of flurries drift through the bare branches like ghosts. Today, at least, I was in no danger of becoming lost.

Yet as I walked along, I contemplated how we all occasionally lose our way, not only individually but also collectively, as communities and entire societies. Obviously, we can go astray as I did on that long-ago evening, by thoughtlessly wandering about without compass, knowledge or (heaven forbid it nowadays) a cell phone. But we can also lose our way by mindlessly following well-established and once useful routes that are no longer advantageous, given the vagaries of our rapidly changing world.

In the concluding chapter of Walden, Henry Thoreau wrote, “The surface of the earth is soft and impressible by the feet of men; and so with the paths which the mind travels. How worn and dusty, then, must be the highways of the world, how deep the ruts of tradition and conformity!” For our own good, we should consider the possibility that much of our accepted wisdom is subject to a ‘shelf life’ in this evolving world. Why should it be surprising that new knowledge and facts could cause us to develop new answers and new directions that we can use to move our society towards broadly desirable goals? Recent polls report that only a small percentage of our fellow citizens are convinced that ‘the country is moving in the right direction’. No surprise there.

As I contemplated the darkening woods outside of Grand Rapids, I had a few options. Find a roost for the night, wander some more until nightfall, or acquire additional decision information. To use the trite phrase, I thought outside the box. More specifically, I gained a different perspective on the problem by climbing about thirty feet up a handy maple tree. At that height, I was sufficiently above the mass of foliage so that I could hear traffic passing on Highway 169. Armed with that new knowledge, I cut across country in that direction and emerged at the roadside before nightfall.

Sometimes you just have to set out in a direction of your own choosing, rather than blindly following the paths that tradition would dictate. What’s true for you and me is equally applicable for our society. Changing circumstances are best addressed through investigation, deliberation, decision and action. Inaction and acquiescence to the status quo might at some point bring disappointing or even tragic results.

Back when my sons were quite young and learning (sometimes grudgingly) how to be responsible for themselves, I would chide them with fatherly nuggets of wisdom when they fell short. My frequent admonition whenever they left a mess behind them was, “Don’t make it easy for the wolves to find you”. At a basic level, all of us are little entropy generators, converting order into randomness and waste as we live out our lives on this earth. As our world has become smaller and the detritus of our existence becomes increasingly apparent, those metaphorical wolves of consequence are emphatically snapping at our heels.

Strewn along the path behind us are animal and insect extinctions, rising and warming seas, increasing storm intensity, new disease vectors, crop failures and a long litany of other basic changes to the world and the environment that has sustained us until now. What to do about it? Well, that’s up to you. Perhaps make more thoughtful consumption (and disposition) decisions. With your time and other resources, support organizations that are developing solutions. Provide input to our government leaders about their plans. At a very primary level, as physicist Leo Szilard cautioned, “Do not destroy what you cannot create.”

Oh, and if you haven’t voted yet, please get it done. Speak out for the future of the Earth. Thank you.

The Great River Coalition is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that advocates for preserving, protecting and promoting the historic, commercial and environmental significance of the Mississippi River, the City of Minneapolis and its relationship to the people and their communities.

The Mill City Times Interview: Hon. Bruce Peterson, University of Minnesota Law School

Article by Becky Fillinger 

We’re bombarded daily, even hourly, with news of how polarized our society has become. With a contentious 18-month campaign and culminating election next week, people are looking for solutions to reduce stress in their lives. We reached out to an expert, Hon. Bruce Peterson of the University of Minnesota Law School, who tells us about his course on peacemaking, mindfulness and tips for healing our community.

Hon. Bruce PetersonQ:  You teach a class at the University of Minnesota Law School on Lawyers as Peacemakers. One syllabus item is a daily mindfulness practice. Do you believe that mindfulness can help ordinary citizens become better peacemakers? Or help us become better citizens? If yes, how?

A:  Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to the present moment without judgment. Developing this skill helps us become aware of our own thoughts and emotions, as well as those of other people. We become calmer, less reactive, and more thoughtful. Few things could make us better peacemakers or better citizens, especially in a country that is so over stimulated and where people are prone to instinctual reactions to whatever they hear or see.

Q:  How did you develop peacemaking as a specialty?

A:  “Specialty” perhaps overstates my expertise. I became interested in peacemaking during my 20 years as a judge watching people struggle with conflict. It became apparent to me that people have a complex human nature, with both good and bad features, and circumstances and conditions have a lot to do with which part of our nature comes out at any given time. I also saw that certain legal reforms, like problem solving courts, restorative justice, and collaborative law, simply worked better than traditional adversarial, retributive processes. So I embarked on a study of what conditions would consistently bring out the best in people.

Q:  Is there something in human evolution that leads us to want to collaborate?

A:  Absolutely! We are the only ultra-social species, able to collaborate readily in worldwide networks of unrelated individuals. This capacity originated with the communal nature of the first human hunter-gatherer bands two million years ago. Skills like reciprocity and group loyalty made it into the next generation, whereas people who tried to go it alone did not pass on their genes.

Q:  Many of us are very anxious about the election. Aside from the active step of voting, what can we do to facilitate peace for ourselves and our communities? And I also think we are a deeply polarized country which seeps into divisions in our local communities. Other than mindfulness, are there other activities we can engage in to heal our local communities?  

A:  I have several suggestions:

1. Be aware of our instinctive reactions to political issues, especially since they are so primed by the politicians, bloggers, and commentators who enhance their careers by stoking our animosity. Hearing something that supports our team or “disses” the other guys actually gives us a hit of the feel-good-hormone, dopamine. We become literally addicted to polarization. See it and resist it!

2. Since we are such a collaborative species, social interaction outweighs political ideology. We listen to and try to understand and to be truly heard by people we talk to face to face and whose good will and respect we want to elicit. So it is useful to seek opportunities to truly listen to people we disagree with and not simply jump to contradict them. The next best thing is to listen to or read opposing viewpoints and try to picture how people of good will might hold these views. A convenient place to start is with the red/blue conversations organized by Braver Angels, or take the With Malice Toward None pledge.

3. Many local activities, organizations, teams and projects cut across tribal lines and have nothing to do with political ideology. That is where most of the creative and productive activity in our country is going on at this time. The more contact we have with different kinds of people, the less their politics matters. Act locally and give politics a rest. 

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About Becky Fillinger

I’ve been a resident of the Mill District only since July 2019, but have visited the Guthrie, the Farmers Market, restaurants and friends in the area for many years prior to making the leap to Minneapolis. I’ve lived in many places (and climates) in the US and can testify that our cultural events, bicycle and hiking trails, parks and green spaces, museums, diverse neighborhoods and wonderful restaurants put Minnesota and Minneapolis high on my best places list. I’m a member of the Mill City Singers and look forward to our choir practices and performances.

One of my main interests is community - a very broad concept. For me it means bringing people together with common interests to form meaningful relationships. I look forward to reporting on businesses and individuals in our neighborhoods. Feel free to drop me an email at becky_fillinger@hotmail.com with your thoughts and ideas for stories.