Art for the Heart - “Coordinated Message” Exhibit at The Bridgewater Lofts

Article by Mill District resident Lisa Schissel

                                   Art for the Heart                                              “Coordinated Message” Exhibit at The Bridgewater Lofts

Your taste in art is never wrong, as it is personal to you. What you like, others may not and vice versa.

When looking at a new piece of art in your home, family and friends may say “that’s interesting.” In Minnesota, there are over 750 definitions of “interesting,” so simply smile and know that regardless of what others say about your art, to you it truly is interesting.

Whether it's a memory or a feeling, a piece of art can evoke and validate powerful emotions. Art can cheer us up after a bad day, make us remember, or inspire us to do more in life. It can provide comfort that we are not the only ones feeling a certain way.

Most of all though, art is accessible and needed in everyday life. It helps those in need, gives people in the future an idea of what life was like, and is a vital form of self-expression.

Art is important because it encompasses all the domains in child development. Art lends itself to physical development and the enhancement of fine and gross motor skills. Children learn about themselves and others through art activities. It helps build self-esteem.

And finally, the mental health benefits of art are for everyone: 

• Art relieves stress.

• Art gives you joy.

• Art encourages creative thinking.

• Art boosts self-esteem, provides a sense of accomplishment.

• Art affects the brain:  increased connectivity and plasticity.

• Viewing art increases empathy, tolerance and feelings of love.

• Art has an impact on brain wave patterns and emotions, the nervous system, and can actually raise serotonin levels.

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Now a little about the artists on display at The Bridgewater Lofts through May 6. Note, you can view the art available and on display for each artist via the websites noted below. 

Kathy Mommsen

Kathy truly employs her artistic ability to “capture human gestures” in her Hours to Days, in which she used trained dancers as models for their ability to be expressive and hold demanding poses. The ceramic process she uses involves many layers. Observing the model at each layer creates images that are raw, expressive and show the most essential gestures.

Matthew Madson

Matthew’s Rhapsody in Grey oil on canvas uniquely captures his ability to find beauty in the mundane, everyday landscape that the majority of people take for granted: an empty loading dock at dusk; a van illuminated by a street light; headlights reflecting off of a stretch of wet pavement. It’s all about capturing mood and atmosphere, a quiet meditation or one fraught with mystery and intrigue.   

Kathleen Kvern

Kathleen, a self-taught artist, is inspired by the beauty of the natural world, the complexity of the inner world, and the mystery of the spiritual world. The Praise in the Future brings to life her passion of painting the repetitive process of laying down encaustic (pigments mixed with hot wax that are burned in as an inlay), fusing, and repeating over and over to build layers to create a contemplative state of mind.

Judy Fawcett

Judy turned to the arts at an early age with dance then later in life turned to the visual arts. With a concern about species survival, she was recently drawn to portraying trees in her Winter Connections, acrylics on canvas, as she learned more about their abilities to communicate and to heal one another.

Owen Brown

Owen received his artistic training at Yale and the California College of Art. Taught in the figurative tradition, he will also work rather abstractly. As Owen has said, “Painting is not the same as speech, even when depicting a scene. We leap to a story, but it is the story behind the story, behind the speech that it is subject matter.” Owen’s View of the Stone Arch Bridge acrylic on canvas captures this moment.

Anna Dvorak

Inspirations drawn from the natural world, from rock formations of major rift zones to landscapes of the western plains are captured in Anna’s Autumn Sky Grassland. 

The original inspiration of these landscapes - what is visible on the surface - suggests the energy and phenomena that occurred under the surface but has come to rest, appearing immutable and quiet. 

Candy Kuehn

Candy was born seeing out of three-dimensional space and was trained as an artist and photographer.  Portraits and landscapes are her new works where her intention is symbolic dreams living within and around our three-dimensional space and time. Her work, We Live in Love, can actually show you what she sees every day. “Just as others see darkness, I see vivid light.”

Bridgewater Lofts' Needlework Group Sew Protective Masks for Local Healthcare Workers

Article and photos submitted by Mill District residents Kathy Franzen and Ann Napp

On March 21, Ellen Schreader, a Lawyer at Carson, Clelland & Schreader, contacted Ann Napp to ask if the Bridgewater Lofts Condominium Needlework Group (215 10th Avenue S) could make cotton protective face masks for healthcare workers at two local Hospitals, Regions Hospital in St. Paul and North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale. The Needlework Group quickly responded to Elly’s request. Elly supplied fabric, elastic, patterns, and sewing directions to us.

Upon hearing about this project, Bridgewater residents outside the Needlework Group joined in, greatly contributing to our cause. The masks are made with a double layer of tight-weave cotton that opens on the sides to insert a filter. There is elastic inside to make a tight fit over the bridge of the nose and the mask goes under the chin with elastic on the sides to fit over each ear.

A total of 198 masks have been delivered to local hospital healthcare workers during the course of this effort. We are hopeful that the more protective N-95 face masks will soon become readily available to our community healthcare workers.

Tom Napp

Thirteen Bridgewater residents participated in the project. In order to maintain social distancing and stay healthy in our individual condos for the project, Ann’s husband Tom Napp prepared videos of Ann giving directions to the group for making the masks, and he delivered and picked up masks as they rotated through the stitching process.

Kathy FranzenMany Bridgewater residents responded to a request the Group placed in the Bridgewater mail room for elastic for the masks. Because so many people are sewing handmade protective face masks for our healthcare workers, there is also a national elastic shortage.   

Our Bridgewater neighbors have felt a strong sense of community by participating in this project. It has been most rewarding for us to to help healthcare workers who risk their wellbeing daily due to inadequate supplies of protective equipment during this health crisis.

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Editors Note: 

Here are two videos that demonstrate how to quickly make yourself a mask without the use of a sewing machine:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B-BaNr2nuOZ/?igshid=1c36zc842okbh

https://www.kare11.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/how-to-make-your-own-face-mask-to-combat-coronavirus-spread/507-c7d82c22-206f-4c70-8e0b-a74a69c03f94?fbclid=IwAR11zuU2XRVBBQEUvX5eHF0AbiTnWOpkzUmAr6f1oMpgz4lGIMHKNPs0zRY

March 2020 by the Numbers

Downtown real estate market update from Cynthia Froid Group:

April 3 Newsletter from Council Member Lisa Goodman

It’s hard to believe that another week has gone by as we all continue to adapt to a new way of living and working in the age of COVID-19. Below are the new updates and resources I’d like to share with you. From the bottom of my heart I hope you and your family are healthy and safe and doing your best to cope at this incredibly challenging time. Know that me and my staff, Patrick and Judy are all here for you and available should you need to reach out.

Lisa Goodman

Message from Park Board Commissioner Jono Cowgill

Thank you Lisa for graciously allowing space for me to share information regarding park safety in your newsletter to Ward 7 Constituents. This is a critical time and I appreciate the collaboration. Jono Cowgill, Commissioner; Park Board District 4 jcowgill@minneapolisparks.org or 612.283.5630

Keeping Our Parks Safe for All 

As your Park Board Commissioner and President of the Park Board, I want to take a moment to notify Ward 7 Residents of the Minneapolis Park Board efforts to keep our parks safe and open to all during Governor Walz’ Stay at Home order. During this unprecedented time, it is critical that our parks remain open for people to exercise and it is critical that people using our parks can do so safely. I’d like to offer a few updates and suggestions on how to keep our parks safe.

1.  Everyone can help. We all can work on being aware of the space around us and reminding others to have the same consideration. Six feet!

2.  Signage reminding people to social distance is going up around the park system. This signage is being placed along popular pathways and in parks.

3.  Ambassadors are being deployed at popular park destinations to remind people of social distancing guidelines. These ambassadors are working in coordination with Park Police and MPD.

4.  Certain busy parkway locations in the system, including West River Parkway, St Anthony Main, Lake Harriet Parkway, and Nokomis, have been opened for pedestrian use until April 10th. This will allow for park path users at busy locations to spread out at safer distances.

5.  Additional measures are being considered to ensure safety for those exercising. As we monitor park use during this time, park staff will be evaluating concerns around groups at playgrounds, soccer fields, beaches, basketball and bocce courts. 

If you have questions or ideas, feel free to reach out to me at jcowgill@minneapolisparks.org or by phone at 612.283.5630

Property Tax Notice of Valuation Statements have been Mailed

The City Assessor’s office has mailed out this year’s 2020 Valuation and Classification Notices and since these often generate questions and concern I want to be certain to share a couple of points and the process for filing an appeal should you want to challenge the assessor’s determination.

The biggest point I want to make about these notices is that the values are a backward look based on comparable sales from October 2018 through September 2019.

Last week the City Assessor, Patrick Todd gave a detailed presentation to the Ways and Means committee and you can watch that through this link: http://www.minneapolismn.gov/tv/citycounciltv

Many people ask me about challenging your valuation and if you would like to talk with me prior to talking with the assessor, feel free to reach out to me via email. I’m happy to share what I know and the experience I’ve gained over the years about this process.

The process to appeal is as follows:

If a property owner has questions or disagrees with the classification or valuation

• The first contact should be to the assessor listed on your statement 

If a property owner has questions about the homestead status

• Contact homestead@minneapolismn.gov or call 612-673-2483.

Appeal Application

• The appeal application will be available on our department website once the notices have been mailed.
• There are two application options
  • online application
  • paper application which can be downloaded from our website, printed and either:
    • mailed to our office (address is on the notice)
    • delivered to our drop box on the 3rd floor of the Public Service Center (Note:  This is a change due to the closure of the City of Lakes Building.  We will regularly collect the applications for processing.)

Change to inspection procedures

• We will be conducting desktop reviews rather than onsite property inspections.

• The online application allows property owners to attach documents and photos that support their appeal. 

• They will also have the opportunity to email the appraiser additional photos or documents.

• If the property owner would prefer, the appraiser can schedule a Skype video conference.

The 2020 Local Board of Appeal and Equalization Convenes May 6, 2020

The Local Board of Appeal and Equalization process is the next option for those that do not agree with the appraiser’s review of their estimated market value.  The Local Board hears the appeal from the property owner, the assessor’s office provides the Board their appraisal review and the Board makes a decision on the estimated market value.  Because these have been in-person hearings we have already begun conversations with the City Clerk’s Office and our partners at the County and State to discuss a virtual meeting format solution.  Once we have those details confirmed we will provide you an update.  With the technology we have available and the success witnessed at the Committee and Council meetings, we are confident that we can move our Board meetings to a virtual setting.

Mapping Tax Increases Across Minneapolis

Neighborhood 2020 Public Comment Period Has Been Extended

The Neighborhood & Community Relations Department announced this week that the public comment period on the Neighborhoods 2020 program guidelines has been extended 90 days until July 15, 2020. The guidelines are now expected to go before City Council for a vote by mid-August.

Hennepin Avenue Downtown Road Construction Starting Spring Work Early

With the early spring weather and with social distancing due to COVID-19 leaving downtown quieter than usual, road and sidewalk construction on Hennepin Avenue downtown will begin next week from 7th St. to 12th St. 

Utility work including Xcel, fiber, water, and storm sewer work will continue on all areas of the project, and is nearing completion on the south end of the project from 7th to 12th streets.  The utility and development work is now ramping up on the north end of the project.

Income Tax Deadline Extensions

Both the IRS and the Minnesota Department of Revenue are extending the 2019 tax return deadline for individual income tax returns and payments until July 15, 2020, without assessing penalties or interest.

• The FEDERAL extension includes businesses and 2020 estimated tax payments
  • www.IRS.gov
• The STATE extension includes all estimated and other tax payments for tax year 2019 that would otherwise be due April 15, 2020. It does not include estimated tax payments for 2020.
• The STATE has not changed filing dates for Corporation Franchise, S Corporation, Partnership or Fiduciary taxes; however, these taxpayers may qualify for an automatic filing extension.
  • www.revenue.state.mn.us

Governor Walz Signs Executive Order for Eviction Moratorium

The moratorium suspends evictions beginning March 24th at 5pm

• Except for cases where the tenant seriously endangers the safety of other residents or for violations of Minnesota Statutes 2019, section 504B.171, subdivision 1. 

The Moratorium also requests that financial institutions place a moratorium on foreclosures and evictions related to COVID-19 impact

• “related evictions when the foreclosure or foreclosure-related eviction arises out of a substantial decrease in income or substantial out of pocket medical expenses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, or any local, state or federal governmental response to COVID-19. Financial institutions are also strongly urged not to impose late fees or other penalties for late mortgage payments related to the COVID-19 pandemic. “

The Minnesota Housing website has more details, including a Frequently Asked Questions document. 

Summary of Executive Order 20-14

Frequently Asked Questions about Executive Order 20-14

Executive Order 20-14: Renter and Homeowner Guidance

Resources for Renters

Below is the HOME Line and Legal Aid information. 

The City of Minneapolis contracts with HOME Line and Legal Aid as a resource for referral and legal services to Minneapolis renters.

HOME Line:

• Provides free and confidential legal advice to all Minneapolis renters
• Web Page: www.homelinemn.org
• Phone: 612-728-5767
• Email Form: www.homelinemn.org/e-mail-an-attorney

 Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid:

• Provides free legal services for income qualifying renters
• Web Page: www.mylegalaid.org
• Phone: 612-334-5970

Links to additional information:

• COVID-19: Renters' Rights and Court Changes During the Pandemic
  • www.lawhelpmn.org/self-help-library/fact-sheet/covid-19-renters-rights-and-court-changes-during-pandemic
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Fact Sheet
  • www.lawhelpmn.org/self-help-library/covid-19-other-planning-ahead-topics/coronavirus-covid-19

 judy.sherin@minneapolismn.gov or call at 612-673-2207

Three More Parkway Closures to Motor Vehicles Coming Soon to Allow Pedestrians More Space for Social Distancing; MPRB Addresses Questions Re: Summer Closures and Cancellations

Via an April 3 e-announcement:

Three more parkway closures to motor vehicles coming soon to allow pedestrians more space for social distancing

Cedar Lake Parkway: Northbound lane closes between Sunset Boulevard and Cedar Lake Road

Lake of the Isles Parkway: Intermittent full and partial closures to accommodate residential and transit access

West River Parkway: Northbound lane closes between 46th and 11th Avenues S

At its April 1, 2020 meeting, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board of Commissioners passed Resolution 2020-179, which expanded a series of parkway closures to motor vehicle traffic to allow more space for trail users to follow social distancing practices and limit the spread of COVID-19.

The resolution also states that all parkway closures enacted in response to Gov. Walz’s Emergency Executive Order 20-20 Directing Minnesotans to Stay at Home will remain in place until the end of the executive order, which is scheduled to conclude on Friday, April 10, 2020 at 5 pm. Parkway closures will mirror any extension of the executive order.

Parking lots adjacent to the existing and new parkway closures will also be closed in order to limit parkway closures from becoming regional destinations. Please visit parks and open spaces closest to your home.  

By 5 am on Saturday, April 4, new closures for Cedar Lake Parkway and Lake of the Isles Parkway, and an extension of a closure enacted last week on West River Parkway will join ones already in place for Lake Harriet Parkway, Lake Nokomis Parkway and Main Street SE. Maps of every closure are posted on the MPRB Road Closures page.

Once closures go into effect:  

• Parkway roads will be dedicated to two-way pedestrian traffic; cyclists should remain on bike trails.
• Walking paths will be dedicated to two-way pedestrian traffic.
• Bike paths will remain bike paths in their current direction, if applicable.

Cedar Lake Parkway

The northbound lane along the lake and adjacent parking lots will be closed to motor vehicles and open for pedestrians between Sunset Boulevard and Cedar Lake Road. The southbound land will remain open for one-way motor vehicle traffic.

Map of Cedar Lake Parkway Closure [PDF]

Lake of the Isles Parkway

Full closures to motor vehicle traffic will be in place around the lake, with intermittent single-lane lane openings to allow residential access and both driving lanes open where needed for Metro Transit bus access.

Map of Lakes of the Isles Parkway Closure [PDF]

West River Parkway

The northbound lane along the river will close to motor vehicles and open for pedestrians between 46th Avenue S and 11th Avenue S. The southbound lane will remain open to one-way motor vehicle traffic.

Map of West River Parkway Closure (46th-11th Aves. S) [PDF]

Last week West River Parkway closed to motor vehicle traffic and opened to pedestrians between Plymouth Avenue N and 11th Avenue S, with one lane open to motor vehicles near Portland Avenue to provide access to the Water Works construction site and parking serving 200 2nd St. S.

Exceptions and Conditions

• Emergency vehicles will be allowed on closed sections of parkways and streets at all times.
• Service, delivery and sanitation vehicles will be allowed on closed sections of parkways and streets as part of their regular operations. Vehicle drivers will be required to move and replace barricades.
• Access to residential buildings and residential parking facilities on closed sections of parkways and streets will be maintained.

Social Distancing

The Minnesota Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control offer the following guidelines to limit the spread of COVID-19:

• Do not use parks if you feel sick or have symptoms, including fever, body aches, coughing, nasal congestion, runny nose and sore throat.
• Cover your cough with your elbow, don’t cough into your hands.
• Wash your hands immediately before and after visiting a park or trail.
• Maintain at least six feet of distance between you and other people that are not a part of your household.

Stay Updated

Visit minneapolisparks.org/coronavirus for parkway closure updates and other MPRB FAQs, including facility closings and activity cancellations. Receive timely email updates by visiting minneapolisparks.org/subscribe, entering your email and selecting the “COVID-19” topic in the “News Updates” section.

Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board responds to questions about plans for summer closures and cancellations

Following yesterday’s sharing of summer plans, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) hopes the information below addresses the three primary questions it received today, “Why did the MPRB announce these plans so early in the season?”, “Why are pools, water parks and beaches not opening?” and “Are we not offering any summer programs?”

Why did the MPRB announce these plans so early?

The MPRB will continue to monitor the data and public health impacts being shared by the Governor and Minnesota Department of Health and adjust plans as resources allow.

“If the forecast changes and we able to provide summer services beyond what is currently planned, we will do so as resources allow,” explained Al Bangoura, Superintendent. “Right now, our planning is based on the March 25 scenario shared by Governor Walz that predicts the epidemic peak at 14 weeks, or early July. We interpret this to mean people will continue to get sick beyond that peak projection date, and public health and safety measures will be needed well into July and August.”

Bangoura also explains, “We take public service delivery, transparency and managing expectations seriously, particularly during this pandemic. As information was being shared with media and commissioners at the April 1 Board meeting, we felt obligated to share it with staff and the public.”

Unfortunately, some media coverage didn’t accurately reflect information shared. Yesterday the MPRB didn’t say all summer programs are cancelled; it said programs would be cancelled if they could not be modified or done virtually, to ensure social distancing. Staff are working hard to plan for spring and summer (see details below, in program section).

Why aren’t beaches, pools, waterparks and the Webber natural swimming pool opening?  The level of public congregation that takes place at our aquatic facilities and the level of staff required to operate these facilities will make it impossible to open and manage these facilities safely to accommodate social distancing. UPDATE: With almost 80 outdoor aquatic amenities (62 wading pools, 12 beaches, two waterparks, one natural swimming pool), we believe the MPRB has more aquatic amenities than any other city in Minnesota and possibly the country. Maintaining and operating these facilities takes significant lead time and requires significant staff resources. At this time, our workforce has already been impacted by COVID-19. Considering concerns about being able to provide these amenities in a way that would support social distancing, the timeframe and resources required to open them and demands on our workforce, we are not opening these facilities at this time.

Do event cancellations include only MPRB programed events or permitted events too? MPRB events held in neighborhood and regional parks that are produced by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board will be cancelled through August. Staff will work to determine if an event can be moved to later in the year, but we anticipate the majority of all MPRB spring and summer MPRB produced events will be cancelled, as they are being cancelled throughout the country. UPDATE: This is for MPRB produced events such as Red White & Boom and smaller neighborhood park events; it does not include permitted events to outside organizations, such as:

• All permitted events and permitted programs as scheduled are still on, unless external organizers choose to postpone or cancel their events. For instance, the Red, White and Boom Half Marathon (which is a non-MPRB event) is still scheduled as planned.
• All weddings and wedding receptions in Park facilities are still on as planned after facilities re-open

If summer programs and team sports that do not allow social distancing are being cancelled, what is being offered? Unless a program can be done virtually or adjusted for social distancing, spring and summer programs, athletics and leagues will be cancelled. UPDATE: The MPRB is following MDH guidelines and intends to allow as many spring and summer recreational opportunities as possible, including: 

• All restaurants/concessions still intend to open per usual, including takeout options as directed via the Governor’s orders.
• Sailing School (both in-house and contracted) programming is currently under evaluation for the opportunity of safe summer operation.
• All watercraft and other rentals are slated to open as normal, with social distancing and sanitization planning.
• Sailboat buoy program is still scheduled to operate, with a delayed buoy draw process
• Canoe rack storage are still scheduled to operate this season.
• Boat launches are slated open May 1.
• Fishing, sailing, canoe docks will be installed per usual.
• Lakes are open for boating and fishing.
• Summer recreation center programming is being evaluated for safe summer operation; however, registration is currently on hold. This includes Music and Movies daily summer programs.
• Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden intends to open for the season – with social distancing measures in place for safe enjoyment of the space.

North Loop Paving and Pedestrian Improvement Project Updates

North Loop Reconstruction & Pedestrian Improvements

The North Loop Reconstruction & Pedestrian Improvements Project consists of two separate projects:

1. A full street reconstruction along 3rd St N between 10th Ave N and 5th Ave N
2. A pedestrian improvement project generally bounded by 10th Ave N on the north, 1st Ave on the south, West River Parkway on the east, and 4th St N on the west

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North Loop Reconstruction Updates

• Lighting installation is almost complete, it is anticipated that the luminaries will all be installed within the next three weeks
• Sod installation will begin in May
• Tree planting is tentatively scheduled to begin in late April

For more information on this project, visit the project website.

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North Loop Pedestrian Improvements Updates

• This project will start back up on April 6, 2020
• Initial work will begin on the south side 2nd Ave N/2nd St N
  • The work on 2nd Ave N/2nd St N is anticipated to take three weeks
  • Buses will be rerouted while this work is occurring (see Metro Transit web site for detail)
• On the week of April 13, the SW corner of 1st AveN/2nd St N will completed
• Remaining work on 8th Ave N/2nd St N and 10th Ave N/2nd St N will also be completed mid to late April

For more information on this project, visit the project website.

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Contact Information

Project Manager:

Stephanie Malmberg, stephanie.malmberg@minneapolismn.gov, 612-673-3365

Chief Field Inspector:

John Benjamin, john.benjamin@minneapolismn.gov, 651-443-1096

Take Social Distancing Measures Seriously to Keep Minneapolis Parks and Trails Open

Important notice from the Minneapolis Park and Rec Board:

Stay six feet apart, no group sports or activities, don't drive across the city or metro to visit popular parks, use parks in moderation

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is asking for the public’s help in keeping parks and trails open while protecting the health and safety of Minnesotans during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The MPRB has continued to maintain and operate more than 6,800 acres of park land while it opened sections of four parkways or park roads to pedestrians and placed hundreds of signs at popular park locations telling people to stay six feet apart to limit the spread of COVID-19.

Unfortunately, since Gov. Walz’s Stay at Home Order went into effect, MPRB staff, commissioners and park police have been flooded with reports of park users disregarding social distancing guidelines by crowding popular park locations and trails, not staying six feet apart, and participating in team sports and group activities.

“Outdoor recreation opportunities are important for people of all ages during this stressful time,” said Al Bangoura, Superintendent of the MPRB. “But we need people to take the Governor’s orders and social distancing seriously. Everyone needs to do their part to protect others and protect themselves. We are aware of park closures in other states and would hate to have it come to that in Minneapolis.”

Closure of popular, previously crowded parks has already happened in major cities like Chicago, Los Angeles and Washington D.C.

“I encourage everyone in the metro area, including Minneapolis residents, to use their local neighborhood parks that are within walking distance rather than flock to the busiest parks in our system. If park visitors need to travel by car to get to a Minneapolis park, I urge them to explore the park system beyond its most popular spots,” said Jono Cowgill, President of the MPRB. “We recognize Minneapolis parks are popular and vital to the wellbeing of our city and region, but right now we need people to understand the importance of social distancing to limit the spread of COVID-19 and keep our parks open.”

The MPRB is imploring all its park users to strictly comply with the following measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 and keep the park system open:

Stay at least six feet apart from other park users not part of your household. This means you may have to go a little slower and be mindful of others as you pass.

Do not participate in group activities where you can’t always stay six feet apart . No pickup basketball, soccer, football, volleyball or other team sports. No group activities with people from outside your household, like grilling, hammocking or sunbathing in close proximity.

Do not drive across the city or metro to visit popular park attractions. 97% of Minneapolis residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park. Use the parks and open space available in your neighborhood.

Use parks in moderation. Visit parks for a walk, bike or roll, but do not hang out at the park all day.

Social Distancing

The Minnesota Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control offer the following guidelines to limit the spread of COVID-19:

• Do not use parks if you feel sick or have symptoms, including fever, body aches, coughing, nasal congestion, runny nose and sore throat.
• Cover your cough with your elbow, don’t cough into your hands.
• Wash your hands immediately before and after visiting a park or trail.
• Maintain at least six feet of distance between you and other people that are not a part of your household.

Stay Updated

Visit minneapolisparks.org/coronavirus for parkway closure updates and other MPRB FAQs, including facility closings and activity cancellations. Receive timely email updates by visiting minneapolisparks.org/subscribe, entering your email and selecting the “COVID-19” topic in the “News Updates” section.

MDH Announces Quit Partner: New Free Quit-tobacco Programs Available Online, by Phone, and by Mail

Via an April 1 e-announcement from the Minnesota Department of Health:

The Minnesota Department of Health today is launching Quit Partner (1-800-QUIT-NOW), Minnesota’s new family of programs to help people who want to quit smoking, vaping, chewing or using other commercial tobacco products.

Quit Partner offers many free support options and resources so people can quit in a way that works best for them. Free support for Minnesota residents includes personalized coaching, email and text support, educational materials, and quit medication (nicotine patches, gum or lozenges) delivered by mail.

With Quit Partner being available online, by phone and by mail, Minnesotans looking to quit nicotine and improve their health during the COVID-19 outbreak don’t have to go it alone. According to the CDC, smoking can compromise the immune system, which makes people at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19. People can use as many of the support resources as they would like and can access them from home. Using coaching and medication together can more than double a person’s chance of successfully quitting.

“Our goal is to provide free quitting help to Minnesota residents when they want it and in the way that best meets their quitting needs. Most people who smoke want to quit, and we’re here to help,” said Minnesota Commissioner of Health Jan Malcolm.

While fewer adults are using tobacco overall, some populations have higher than average rates of tobacco use. To help address these differences and to help people most at risk of nicotine use, Quit Partner offers specialized programs for people living with mental illnesses or substance use disorders, American Indian communities (American Indian Quitline), pregnant and post-partum women, and youth ages 13-17 (My Life, My Quit).

Electronic cigarettes and vaping are introducing more and more Minnesota children to nicotine use and addiction. According to the 2019 Minnesota Student Survey, 1 in 4 Minnesota 11th graders reported using an e-cigarette in the past 30 days, which is a 54% increase from 2016. Now for the first time, through Quit Partner, Minnesota has a program specifically developed for youth.

“The new youth program is especially important, as commercial tobacco use among our high school students has increased for the first time in nearly 20 years,” Malcolm said.

Tobacco use is still the leading preventable cause of death, disease and disability in Minnesota. People can help protect their health and their lungs by quitting smoking and vaping.

QUITPLAN® Services, which was established by ClearWay Minnesota, stopped accepting new enrollees after March 31, 2020. ClearWay Minnesota was created with a portion of the Minnesota Tobacco Settlement as a life-limited organization that will end in 2021. In 2019, the state legislature funded the Minnesota Department of Health to establish new statewide commercial tobacco cessation programs to begin on April 1, 2020.

“Thanks to the Minnesota legislature’s action in 2019, residents of Minnesota will continue to have free help to quit smoking, chewing or vaping through the new Quit Partner programs,” Malcolm said.

Quit Partner is administered by the Minnesota Department of Health, with quitline programs provided by National Jewish Health, the nation’s leading respiratory hospital and largest, non-profit provider of quitline programs.

MNHS Supports Distance Learning with Free Online Access to Its Minnesota History Textbook

Students, teachers and anyone interested in history can learn about the unique stories of Minnesota with the ‘Northern Lights’ Interactive eBook 

To help Minnesotans currently engaging in distance learning during COVID-19, MNHS has made its award-winning “Northern Lights” Interactive eBook free for all. Featuring 20 chapters exploring the diverse stories of our state, the e-book will be available free of charge through the end of the school year. 

Published since 1989, the most recent edition of “Northern Lights” is available in print and e-book versions and is used by 85 percent of Minnesota 6th graders to meet state social studies requirements. Previously some districts only used the print textbook, but now all students, teachers and anyone interested in Minnesota history can explore the e-book for free. 

Available online at mnhs.org/nl or via iPad app (search “MNHS Education” in the app store), the e-book offers a variety of educational tools, including videos, audio narration, interactive maps, additional primary sources and more. After logging into the ebook (universal sign-in info is username: history, password: history), users can learn about everything from Native peoples to women’s suffrage to immigration in Minnesota. 

Teachers can also request free access to the Annotated Teacher’s Edition of the textbook, containing additional content and activity suggestions. While “Northern Lights” was written for 6th grade students and teachers, it can be used by anyone to learn more about state history. Parents will find a variety of stories, videos, activities and more to engage children of all ages at home.

MNHS staff recently rolled out these changes to educators, and teachers around the state have been very supportive of the decision: 

“The fact that we have such an amazing curriculum—and that students have access to it with their devices—has been so helpful as I try to wrap my head around possibly long-term e-learning.” –Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools teacher 

"Since our school has not transitioned to the e-book, I was struggling because some of my students have to share a book. But this has taken all of the stress away from this one issue, which helps tremendously." –Medford Public School teacher 

“MNHS has my utmost gratitude for this. I’m not sure you can understand how much easier this makes my job as one of the most rural school districts in the state.” –Cook County Schools teacher

About the Minnesota Historical Society
The Minnesota Historical Society is a nonprofit educational and cultural institution established in 1849. MNHS collects, preserves and tells the story of Minnesota’s past through museum exhibits, libraries and collections, historic sites, educational programs and publishing. Using the power of history to transform lives, MNHS preserves our past, shares our state’s stories and connects people with history. Visit us at mnhs.org.

The Minnesota Historical Society is supported in part by its Premier Partner: Explore Minnesota Tourism.

ETBP Annual Meeting scheduled for Thursday, April 16, at Noon via Zoom

Please join us for our Virtual Annual Meeting on ZOOM:

https://zoom.us/j/615302401?pwd=NmgyalVhSC9DdGVkR0wyMGpjZDR6UT09

Meeting ID: 615 302 401
Password: 011827
+13126266799 (Chicago)

When: Thursday, April 16
Time: Noon-1:00 pm

Description:

The riverfront of East Town is referred to as the Mill District. Originally a place designated exclusively for industrial purposes—it now features mixed uses and is poised to become a leading regional destination. This forum will provide an intriguing historical review and update on the many projects that are being developed in 2020.

Presenting Sponsor: Minnesota Vikings

Feature Presentation/Panelists:

• Paul Bauknight, Project Implementation Director, Minneapolis Parks Foundation
• David Stevens, Site Manager, Mill City Museum, Minnesota Historical Society
• Mark Andrew, President, Friends of the Lock and Dam

Presentation Agenda:

1. Welcome to Zoom Meeting + Orientation (Dan Collison) (2-3 Minutes)
2. Call to Order, Introductions (John Campobasso) (5 Minutes)
3. Sponsor Recognition, Announcements (Dan Collison) (5 Minutes)
4. Partnership Report (Steve Cramer, CEO, mpls downtown council-DID) (5 Minutes)
5. Year in Review (Christie Hantge) (5 Minutes)
6. Casting Vision for the Year Ahead to Next Business Forum Season (Dan Collison) (5 Minutes)
7. Recognition of Outgoing Board Members (John Campobasso) (2 Minutes)
8. Board Candidate Election (John Campobasso) (3 Minutes)
   There are five candidates running for the ETBP Board of Directors:
   • Brent Hanson – Wells Fargo
   • Mike Noble – Normandy Inn
   • Brian Maupin – Allied Parking
   • Kelly Rice – Cassia / Augustana Care
   • Charlie Boeckenheuer – Minnesota Vikings
9. Feature Presentation: (Moderated by Dan Collison) (25 Minutes)
   • Paul Bauknight, Project Implementation Director, Minneapolis Parks Foundation
   • David Stevens, Site Manager, Mill City Museum, Minnesota Historical Society
   • Mark Andrew, President, Friends of the Lock and Dam
10. Adjournment (John Campobasso) (2 Minutes)

Council Member Steve Fletcher's March 28 Newsletter

Focusing the City's COVID-19 Assistance Efforts to Fill the Gaps

This historic pandemic has taken center stage in the work of the city, and rightfully so. We have the opportunity, right now, to save thousands of lives by creating distance between each other and slowing the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

We’re all together in this, but we’re not all experiencing the same hardships. We’re all experiencing loneliness and fear that can be hard to manage. Some of us are sitting in isolation in homes for which we don’t know how we’re going to pay the rent or mortgage. Some of us are workers who have been laid off and are navigating unemployment insurance for partial relief, while some of us are freelancers whose contracts have all been cancelled and who don’t qualify for unemployment insurance, waiting to learn what if any support will be available. Some of us are struggling to shelter in place for lack of shelter. Some of us are business owners scrambling to figure out how to recover from being forced to close, and sadly, some are deciding that recovery is not within reach.

We’re all one community, and we need to do whatever we can to help each other through this. The city obviously has limited resources compared to the magnitude of people's needs in this time, and we need to be smart about how and where we step up with solutions. Luckily, Hennepin County, the State of Minnesota, and the US Congress have all taken steps to help people through this disruption.

So I have two asks for you. First, please take full advantage of the state and federal programs that are designed to help you. Second, please get in touch with me to let me know if you’re not finding the help you need. We need to know where the gaps are in the other safety nets, so we can target our local work to the people who most need it. Below, you’ll find links to information that will help you find resources and support. Stay home, stay connected, and stay positive. 

En avant,

Steve

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My Previous COVID-19 Updates:

• Tuesday, March 24
• Wednesday, March 18
• Monday, March 16
• The City's Coronavirus resource page
• COVID-19 News & Resources

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On Thursday, the Minnesota legislature passed a $200 million COVID-19 response package, and on Friday the U.S. House passed a $2.2 trillion national response package that had previously passed the Senate.

The state package includes:

• $31 million in emergency shelter and housing supports;
• $30 million in child care grants;
• $11 million in grants to tribal nations
• $9 million to food shelf programs; and a
• $200 million COVID-19 Minnesota response fund that can be used to protect Minnesotans and maintain state agencies' operations.

You can read much more detail in this document from the MN House Research Department (PDF) and in this story from Minnesota Public Radio.

The federal package includes:

• $500 billion in loans and guarantees to businesses, state and local governments, including about $1.2 billion for Minnesota’s general fund;
• $377 billion in federally guaranteed loans for companies with less than 500 employees;
• $260 billion in emergency unemployment insurance, which extends coverage to four months, raises the weekly benefit by $600 (on top of the state benefit), and covers self-employed and part-time workers
• $150 billion for health care providers, including direct grants to hospitals;
• $300 billion in direct, one-time payments to individuals capped at $1,200 per person, (less for those who earned above $75,000 in 2019) and $500 per child for some families;
• and billions for disaster relief, schools, transportation systems, veterans, food stamp beneficiaries and others.

You can find answers to many Frequently Asked Questions from the New York Times here, and from Minnesota Public Radio here.

As we learn more about the details of these aid packages, and as the state and federal governments continue to respond to this public health crisis and its effects on everyone's lives, I am looking for gaps that the City can fill.

Please contact me with your ideas and input for how the City can focus our resources on those in our community who fall through the cracks in the federal and state assistance programs. Email me at Steve.Fletcher@minneapolismn.gov or contact my office at 612-673-2203.

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The historic 10th Avenue Bridge will be closed to all traffic beginning Monday, March 30 for repairs. It is currently expected to reopen next summer (2021) by August 1.

Note: Beginning Monday, March 30, West River Parkway will also close between 13th Ave South and 22nd Ave South for up to five days due to 10th Ave Bridge construction activities. The closures will be in place between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

When this project was first announced in early 2019, Public Works staff estimated the project closure duration to be approximately 12 months.

After hiring a contractor last summer and working through a detailed analysis and scheduling with utilities, the staging requirements to build a 50-year fix made schedule changes necessary. The utility work also took more effort than originally anticipated. And, finally, there is some work that cannot be done during the winter, so the closure was moved to this spring so that we did not have two winters of full closure.

This closure will now overlap with the 3rd Avenue Bridge closure. I am disappointed that the project schedule has slipped, but I am hopeful that we can make up time in the winter if the weather cooperates, and minimize how long both bridges are closed at the same time.

Public Works will continue to monitor the schedule and leverage opportunity to improve on this schedule, and will be supporting people’s travel needs throughout. For the 10th Avenue project, drivers will be detoured to the I-35W bridge. Pedestrians and bicyclists will be detoured to Bridge #9.

Contractors will be replacing the bridge deck and other deteriorating concrete components. The City remains in close communication with contractors if adjustments need to be made as a result of impacts from COVID-19. Once construction work is completed, the bridge will feature two-way vehicle traffic with protected bike lanes and wider sidewalks. 

The 90-year-old bridge was last rehabilitated four decades ago and is a key connection over the Mississippi River, carrying about 10,000 vehicles and hundreds of pedestrians every day. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.

In addition to the bridge rehabilitation work, the City is also installing a new water main underneath the river. It replaces a 1949-era water main that was suspended from the bridge structure. Learn more about the 10th Avenue Bridge Rehabilitation and Water Main Project and sign up for project updates by visiting the project’s website.

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The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board will close sections of West River Parkway and Main Street Southeast during Minnesota’s stay at home order to allow more space for trail users to follow social distancing practices and limit the spread of COVID-19.

The riverfront parkway closures will begin by 5 p.m. Friday, March 27, and remain in place until 5 p.m. Friday, April 10.

• West River Parkway will close between Plymouth Avenue N and 11th Avenue S. One lane will remain open to provide access to the Stone Arch Bridge Parking Lot and parking serving 200 2nd St. S. 
• Main Street SE will fully close between Hennepin Avenue and 3rd Avenue SE. Merriam Street will also be closed. The eastbound lane of Main Street will close between 3rd and 6th Avenues SE. The southbound lane of 6th Avenue SE will also close between Main Street SE and the Stone Arch Bridge. 

Once the closures go into effect:

• Parkway roads will be dedicated to two-way pedestrian traffic.
• Walking paths will be dedicated to two-way pedestrian traffic.
• Bike paths will remain bike paths in their current direction if applicable.
• Modifications may occur during the closure.

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With the early warm spring weather and with social distancing due to COVID-19 leaving downtown quieter than usual, road and sidewalk construction on Hennepin Avenue downtown will begin next week from 7th St. to 12th St. 

Utility work including Xcel, fiber, water, and storm sewer work will be going on in all areas of the project, and is nearing completion on the south end of the project from 7th to 12th streets.  The utility and development work is now ramping up on the north end of the project.

Sign up for email updates and see the latest project updates on the project website here.

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Next week, the City Assessor’s office will start mailing this year’s property tax assessments.  These always generate some questions, and I thought especially at a moment of heightened financial anxiety for many, I wanted to remind everyone what those assessments mean.

By state law, your 2020 Property Tax Assessment is backward-looking, based on comparable property sales from October 2018 through September 2019. It is not an attempt to guess what this week’s economic volatility might mean for your property value. It’s also important to remember that your 2020 assessment does not tell you how much your property tax will go up or down. Your property tax assessment impacts the share of the city’s total property tax levy that you’ll eventually pay.

The City Assessor gave a detailed presentation on this. You can find a link to the report and watch the video of the presentation on the marked agenda for this week’s Ways and Means Committee.

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I normally hold regular open community office hours at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesdays, at a rotating neighborhood coffee shop in Ward 3 for constituents to drop by, ask questions, and raise any issues you see in the community. 

While we are keeping social distance, I will hold my community office hours by phone instead. 

Wednesday, April 1, 4:00 - 6:00 P.M.

If you have questions or a topic to discuss, email Aurin.Chowdhury@minneapolismn.gov to schedule a 15-minute phone call this Wednesday between 4-6pm.

Keep an eye on our Facebook Page for all the details on future scheduled events, or contact our office at 612-673-2203.

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The public comment period is open for the Neighborhoods 2020 draft program guidelines on neighborhood programming and funding to support the City’s 70 neighborhood organizations in 2021 and beyond. The draft program guidelines follow the vision to preserve Minneapolis’ neighborhood organizations and create equitable communities in which all people are valued, communities are engaged and leadership mirrors the diversity of the city.

The public comment period has now been extended by 90 days, to July 15. 

We had originally worked with a couple of neighborhoods to organize a Ward 3 meeting on April 1^st because the deadline for public comment was nearing, and we wanted to make sure there was an event in a convenient location.

Now that the deadline has been delayed, and all meetings are in convenient locations online, we’re encouraging everyone to join NCR’s online meeting on April 2^nd. 

We’ll assess later in the Spring whether a Ward 3 meeting makes sense closer to the new deadline.

Public Meeting on Recommended Neighborhoods 2020 Program Guidelines

Thursday, April 2 from 6:00 - 8:00 P.M.

Teleconference via Skype -- click here to join!

Neighborhood & Community Relations Department staff will post the video from this meeting online afterwards for those unable to attend. Check out the project page here.

I’m still happy to meet (virtually) with anyone who wants to discuss the Neighborhoods 2020 proposal. Contact my office to set up a time, and let’s connect. 

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Our Public Works Department recently released the draft of the City's Transportation Action Plan, and it is now open for public comment through April 22. 

You can read the plan, see maps, and comment online at http://go.minneapolismn.gov

Public Works staff are also planning online open houses to get your input on the plan and interact in real time - mark your calendar for:

• Wednesday, April 8th, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. on the City of Minneapolis Facebook Page 
• Monday, April 13th, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. online, details TBA

Follow the City of Minneapolis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to stay updated! Use #gompls to share your feedback with us. 

The Minneapolis Transportation Action Plan is a 10-year action plan to guide future planning, design, and implementation of transportation projects for all people in all the ways we move around the city. The plan will identify specific actions for the City and our partners to take to implement the transportation vision outlined in Minneapolis 2040.

If you have feedback or ideas about how you walk, bike, bus, drive, scooter, roll, ride, or otherwise get around your neighborhood, I strongly encourage you to comment on this plan in the next month!

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Good Morning Ward 3

WHEN: (Tentatively) Wednesday, May 20 from 7:30 - 9:00 a.m.

WHERE: Kramarczuk's, 215 E. Hennepin Ave.

WITH: Andrea Brennan, Director of Housing Policy & Development

Rescheduled from March:

Our City recognizes that we have an affordable housing crisis, and we are moving aggressively to adopt policies and direct City funds to address it. On March 18, I'll be joined by Andrea Brennan, Director of Housing Policy and Development in the Department of Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED), for a conversation about our City's housing policies and programs. Join us to learn more about how we're working to make affordable housing available to more Minneapolis residents.

Doug Verdier Shares March Photos of the Water Works Project

Editors Note: Mill District resident Doug Verdier continues to document the progress of the Water Works project.

Construction work at Water Works Park site continues, with intensified work on outside areas.

Workmen attaching insulation panels to pavilion exterior walls.

Forms in place for pouring of concrete below intersection of S 1st Street and 5th Avenue near future South Plaza area.

Forms laid along West River Parkway.

Another view of the forms in place along West River Parkway.

Additional view of the forms in place along West River Parkway.

View of the forms in place along West River Parkway with the Crown Roller Mill building in the background.

Workers constructing forms in the spot that will become a grassy area above former the Columbia Mill ruins.

Extended Comment Period on Neighborhoods 2020 Program Guidelines

Via a March 27 e-announcement:

Program guidelines comment period extended through July 15

Dear Neighborhoods 2020 stakeholders,

Our country, city and communities are faced with an unprecedented public health crisis. The COVID-19 outbreak has drastically disrupted systems, the capacity of organizations and everyday life. We at NCR have been working with many of you, with community partners and many City departments to get public health and safety information out to the most vulnerable in our community.

We know that many of you have been doing similar work for your neighborhoods, and we very much appreciate both your commitment to your communities and your patience while waiting for news about the status Neighborhoods 2020.

We recognize that community members and neighborhood organizations are currently focused on these pressing matters, and more time will be needed to fully engage the community about Neighborhoods 2020. The Neighborhoods 2020 steering committee balanced the importance of moving this initiative forward with the challenges for neighborhood and community-based organizations to engage residents in a meaningful way.

For these reasons, the public comment period on the Neighborhoods 2020 program guidelines has been extended 90 days until July 15, 2020. The guidelines are now expected to go before City Council for a vote by mid-August.

• How to leave a public comment

The extended 90-day comment period also allows us to more fully engage the public in our city, and we are asking all interested organizations and Minneapolis residents to use this time to create a meaningful dialogue. NCR neighborhood specialists are available to help organizations that request assistance.

During the extended public comment period, NCR will expand our outreach and hold additional virtual public meetings. More information will be available as these meetings are scheduled.

We are also still moving forward with our April 2 informational meeting, it will now be in a virtual, webinar format. Staff will present information about the guidelines and participants will be able ask questions via the chat feature.

To join this meeting:

• Ensure that your device can connect to the Skype broadcast (try the link below).
• Join the Neighborhoods 2020 informational Skype broadcast on April 2 at 6 p.m. here.
• The meeting will be recorded and available at minneapolismn.gov/neighborhoods2020 within 24 hours of the event.

The coronavirus outbreak introduces a lot of uncertainty to the process. For that reason, the Neighborhoods 2020 steering committee will continuously reevaluate the situation and may make further changes to this time frame. I thank you all in advance for your patience and understanding as we all work to support our residents and our city.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your neighborhood specialist or NCR at ncr@minneapolismn.gov.

Regards,

David Rubedor

Director of Neighborhood and Community Relations
ADA Title II Coordinator
City of Minneapolis – Neighborhood and Community Relations
Crown Roller Mill, Room 425
105 5th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Office: 612-673-3129
David.Rubedor@minneapolismn.gov

Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Assumes Operations at The Commons on April 1

Via a March 27 e-announcement from the Minneapolis Park and Rec Board:

On April 1, 2020, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) will officially assume operations at The Commons, the 4.2-acre park in downtown Minneapolis at 4th Street South and Portland Avenue. Green Minneapolis, a non-profit conservancy, has operated The Commons through an agreement with MPRB since May 2019, and before that with the City of Minneapolis.

Park operations include ongoing maintenance such as lawn and garden care and trash removal, security, and public programming. The change in operations results from a Minnesota Court of Appeals ruling on January 20, 2020, which upheld a 2019 Hennepin County ruling that prohibits the City from operating and managing a park.

“The Commons is a vibrant community asset, and we're committed to keeping it that way,” said MPRB Superintendent Al Bangoura. “As MPRB assumes operations, our staff will provide service levels comparable to those used at Loring Park, the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden and other MPRB parks in and around downtown.”

In the time that Green Minneapolis has operated The Commons, the park welcomed more than 500,000 dedicated visitors annually and featured more than. 150 free public programs.

“The MPRB appreciates the work that Green Minneapolis has put into The Commons,” said Board President Jono Cowgill. “Going forward, the park will continue to be an attractive destination for Minneapolis residents, downtown workers and visitors. I’m confident that Superintendent Bangoura and MPRB staff will develop a balance in assuming responsibilities at The Commons that allows us to uphold the MPRB mission and maintain delivery of core services throughout the entire park system.”

Green Minneapolis will continue its management and operations at Peavey Plaza and other downtown sites, along with its stewardship of street trees downtown.

Public Impacts at The Commons as of April 1

Hours: The Commons will be open from 6 a.m. to midnight, per Ordinance PB-2-33 for MPRB parks in developed areas.

Security: The Minneapolis Park Police Department will patrol at The Commons from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. as part of its operations at all MPRB parks in the downtown area. Between 1 a.m. and 7 a.m., the Minneapolis Police Department will deploy officers as requested through 911.

Programming and activities: MPRB will share plans at a later date.

Background:

2014: The City of Minneapolis acquires land for The Commons through the Ryan Companies, which built the park as part of the U.S. Bank Stadium project for the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority.

Summer 2016: The Commons opens as a 4.2-acre park managed and operated by Green Minneapolis through an agreement with the City of Minneapolis. As a non-profit conservancy, Green Minneapolis raises funds to support the park’s annual budget.

2017: The City conveys ownership of the park’s land to the MPRB, which in turn leases it to the City.

2019: A Hennepin County ruling requires MPRB to operate the park beginning on May 1. MPRB contracts with Green Minneapolis to continue operations at The Commons. The County’s ruling is challenged at the Minnesota Court of Appeals. MPRB partners with Green Minneapolis in summer programming at The Commons.

January 2020: The Minnesota Court of Appeals upholds the ruling for MPRB to assume operations at The Commons.

April 1, 2020: Operations at The Commons transfers from Green Minneapolis to the MPRB.

Earth Day 50: A Great Wind Blowing

"A great wind is blowing, and that gives you either imagination or a headache."

Catherine the Great

By Diane Hofstede

First Earth Day: April 1970

Because there was no EPA, no Clean Air Act, no Clean Water Act. There were no legal or regulatory mechanisms to protect our environment. In spring 1970, Senator Gaylord Nelson, Senator from Wisconsin, created Earth Day as a way to force this issue onto the national agenda. An estimated 20 million people gathered!

Since its inception in 1970, Earth Day continues to grow as a worldwide phenomenon focused on promoting clean living and a healthy, sustainable habitat for people and wildlife alike. Celebrating Earth Day serves as a conscious reminder of how fragile our planet is and how important it is to protect it.

The 50th year celebration of Earth Day is on April 22, 2020

The theme for Earth Day 2020 is Climate Action.

The enormous challenge — but also the vast opportunities — of action on climate change have distinguished the issue as the most pressing topic for the 50th anniversary.

Worldwide, the issue of our changing climate and the actions that we, all of us, can take, today and on a daily basis to make a difference. If not for ourselves, but for future generations, our children and grandchildren and the children that are in our dreams.

Due to our challenging and changing environment all of the Earth Day celebrations in Minneapolis have been cancelled as organized activities, however each and every one of us can grab a bag and go to into our community, along our river’s edge and clean up our environment.  By our collective actions we can celebrate our home! We do not have option 2 for a second home!  We have Mother Earth!

Livestream Concert Series, Keep Music Live, Produced at Crooners Supper Club for At-home Audiences Begins April 3

April 2 update (via a MinnPost article):

Crooners, which until yesterday morning planned to launch a monthlong streaming concert series, “Keep Music Alive,” this Friday, has put that on hold. After Gov. Tim Walz announced his stay-at-home order, which took effect Saturday, musicians started contacting Crooners saying they wanted to postpone.

Crooners and its partners – the Twin Cities Jazz Festival, Jazz88 and Jazz Central Studios –agreed to delay the shows. Meanwhile, artists will be paid. Jazz Fest ED Steve Heckler said in a statement, “What we have decided to do is pay all of the artists who agreed to be in the series and who were announced last week, and re-book them for the series when we feel safe to do so.” Payment will be made from a start-up fund that now exceeds over $25,000.

-  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  - 

Via a March 26 Press Release:

Livestream Concert Series, Keep Music Live, produced at Crooners Supper Club for at-home audiences begins April 3. Twin Cities Jazz Fest, Jazz88 and Jazz Central Studios Partnering with Crooners to support music community sidelined by COVID-19

Crooners Supper Club - in partnership with the Twin Cities Jazz Festival, Jazz88 and Jazz Central Studios - is launching a new livestream concert series Keep Music Live, with the near-term goal of giving Twin Cities musicians impacted by COVID-19 policies an opportunity to perform and earn desperately needed income. The series launches on April 3, and, as of April 8, will offer five distinct concerts a week, livestreamed and broadcast for at-home audiences only, Wednesday to Sunday at 7pm (with some variations). SEE PRELIMINARY SCHEDULE BELOW.

A fund administered by the non-profit Twin Cities Jazz Festival will underwrite the free concerts with the help of viewers willing to contribute. Spearheaded by a group of local music supporters led by Mike and Donna Wolsted, the Keep Music Live fund is beginning with a start-up amount of $25,000, to which livestream audiences can contribute in order to make the fund self-sustaining over time.  All artists performing in the series will receive market-rate payments. Excess funds (if any) will go into a trust administered by the Twin Cities Jazz Festival for the support of local musicians in dire need of financial help.  The initiative’s overarching goal is to provide a mechanism during the current period of closures to keep audiences and artists connected, and to provide an income source to numerous top-tier Twin Cities musicians who find themselves completely sidelined by the Coronavirus pandemic.  Donations will be taken on-line at www.twincitiesjazzfestival.com in a fund earmarked for this initiative.

“We put out a call for support to our patrons to get this started, and the response has been amazing,” said Twin Cities Jazz Festival executive director Steve Heckler.  “We are mobilizing and uniting a Twin Cities music scene deeply concerned about the immediate and long-term impact on our local musicians.”

Crooners Supper Club is providing its staff and facilities at no cost to the effort and will derive no income from the livestream performances, as they will be performed without an audience. “We are asking all concert participants to follow our health protocols,” says Crooners owner Mary M. Tjosvold, who owns Mary T. Inc., a health care line of businesses. “Staff and musicians will be screened when they arrive, and we will observe social distancing on stage and off when the shows are produced.”

Jazz88 (KBEM 88.5 FM) is serving as a primary sponsor for Keep Music Live and will broadcast on the radio and livestream most of the concerts on the schedule and will archive all the concerts on the schedule. The shows will also be available for on-demand viewing on a later date, proceeds of which will be directed to the artists involved, with a smaller portion earmarked for the Keep Music Live Trust. 

The concerts will be broadcast and livestreamed at no cost to viewers, After the April 3 launch, the shows will air five nights a week starting Wednesday April 8. The musicians and shows being programmed for Keep Music Live come from Crooners expansive palette of musical styles. “The artists we are programming are among our favorites at the club,” says Crooners music director Andrew Walesch. “They perform with us regularly, are familiar with our operation, and are beloved in town. As we move forward, we are going to add a few national names who have played the club, as long as they can safely make it here. As with our regular programming, we thrive on a mix of styles, sensibilities and generations. That diversity is what we’re striving for with Keep Music Live.”

Leveraging Crooners’ quintessentially Minnesota setting, the shows will be broadcast from the Dunsmore Jazz Room stage, framed by appealing views beyond the stage of the wooded shores of Moore Lake. The 60 to 80-minute-long programs will often include interviews with artists, as well as Q&A’s with artists, bands and cultural leaders in the Twin Cities. Ian Walesch is the series producer.

The Keep Music Live series helps kick off Minnesota Music Month, which is being observed by numerous organizations including The Current which was forced to postpone this year’s Minnesota Music Summit but is actively promoting local bands throughout the month.

photo credit Crooners

PRELIMINARY SCHEDULE*

WEEK 1

Fri Apr 3, at 7pm - "Sibling Revelry" with Jennifer Grimm and Reed Grimm featuring Joe Cruz

Fri Apr 3, at 8:30pm - “Friday Night Jazz” with The Sightless Quartet featuring Cody Steinmann, Graydon Peterson, Joe Strachan and Ben Ehrlich

Sat Apr 4, at 7pm - "Stream Songs" with Maud Hixson and Rick Carlson

Sun Apr 5, at 7pm - "Get Happy!" The Harold Arlen Songbook with a Wizard of Oz Sing-Along with Prudence Johnson and Dan Chouinard

WEEK 2

Wed Apr 8, at 7pm - Pat Donohue and Friends From Along the Way

Thur Apr 9, at 7pm - "Tableaux: Works of Ravel, Debussy and More Get Jazzed" with Laura Caviani, David Milne, Chris Bates and Dave Schmalenberger

Fri Apr 10, at 7pm - "Arne Sings Andy" Arne Fogel interprets the Andy Williams Songbook

Fri Apr 10, at 8:30pm – “Friday Night Jazz” with Adam Harder Nussbaum Quartet, with Adam Nussbaum, Nelson Devereaux, Ted Godbout and Ted Olsen

Sat Apr 11, at 7pm -  “Moonshadow: Michael Monroe Sings Cat Stevens”

Sun Apr 12, at 7pm - “Easter Sunday with Robert Robinson” featuring Sam Reeves  

WEEK 3

Wed Apr 15, at 7pm – “An Evening of Show Tunes” with Tyler Michaels King, Sasha Andreev, Aimee K. Bryant, Evan Tyler Wilson and Suzie Juul with Louis Berg-Arnold on piano

Thur Apr 16, at 7pm - Miss Myra and the Moonshiners

Fri Apr 17 at 7pm – “Mick Sterling Presents an Acoustic Night of Billy Joel”

Fri Apr 17, at 8:30pm – “Friday Night Jazz” with Paul Harper's Shrewd Quartet featuring Paul Harper, Kevin Daley, Charlie Riddle and Dean White

Sat Apr 18, at 7pm - "I Am Women, Hear Me Roar" with Lori Dokken, Patty Peterson, Debbie Duncan, Judi Vinar and Rachel Holder

Sun Apr 19, at 7pm - An exciting headliner to be announced soon 

WEEK 4

Wed Apr 22, at 7pm - "The Music of Patsy Cline" with Joyann Parker

Thur Apr 23, at 7pm - To be announced

Fri Apr 24, at 7pm - The Debbie Duncan Quartet
Fri Apr 24, at 8:30pm – “Friday Night Jazz” with the Steve Kenny Quartet featuring Steve Kenny, Levi Schwartzberg, Ted Olson and Miguel Hurtado

Sat Apr 25, at 7pm – “Songs of Spring” with Andrew Walesch featuring Dave Karr and Special Guests

Sun Apr 26, at 7pm -- To be announced

*Schedule is subject to change

The five-year old Crooners Supper Club is located just north of the Minneapolis border, on Central Avenue (6161 Highway 65) in Fridley. With its definitive no-side-conversations listening policy and retro supper club ambiance, Crooners programs an eclectic mix of jazz, R&B, gospel, soul, funk, folk, roots-rock and country.  In addition to its three distinct concert stages – The MainStage, The Dunsmore Jazz Room and the Lakeside Café (in warmer months) - Crooners recently added a piano lounge in its bar area, Maggie’s, with vest-pocket stage for informal late-night lounge shows. Many shows postponed since the State-mandated shut-down of public assembly businesses on March 17 have been temporarily rescheduled for May. To watch, or for more info visit www.croonersmn.com, www.facebook.com/croonersmn, or call 763-760-0062.

Riverfront Parkway and Road Closures Begin March 27 to Help Trail Users Maintain Social Distancing

Closures on West River Parkway and Main Street SE in effect March 27-April 10

Following Gov. Walz’ Emergency Executive Order 20-20 Directing Minnesotans to Stay at Home, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) President Jono Cowgill and District 1 Commissioner Chris Meyer announced today that sections of West River Parkway and Main Street SE will close to allow more space for trail users to follow social distancing practices to limit the spread of COVID-19.

The riverfront parkway closures will begin by 5 pm Friday, March 27 and remain in place until the end of the Emergency Executive Order on Friday, April 10, 2020 at 5 pm. MPRB Commissioners are working with staff to consider additional parkway closures in the Minneapolis park system during this time.

“I am thrilled we’re able to open road and parkway segments next to our busy central riverfront park, and I look forward to announcing additional parkway closures soon,” explained Jono Cowgill, President of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. “This has been a collaborative effort with the City of Minneapolis in response to the people we serve and their need for social distancing within parks and public spaces.”

Once the closures go into effect:

• Parkway roads will be dedicated to two-way pedestrian traffic.
• Walking paths will be dedicated to two-way pedestrian traffic.
• Bike paths will remain bike paths in their current direction, if applicable.

West River Parkway

West River Parkway will close between Plymouth Avenue N and 11th Avenue S. One lane will remain open to provide access to the Stone Arch Bridge Parking Lot and parking serving 200 2nd St. S. Modifications may occur during the closure.

Map of West River Parkway Closure [PDF]

Main Street SE

Main Street SE will fully close between Hennepin Avenue and 3rd Avenue SE. Merriam Street will also be closed. The eastbound lane of Main Street will close between 3rd and 6th Avenues SE. The southbound lane of 6th Avenue SE will also close between Main Street SE and the Stone Arch Bridge. Modifications may occur during the closure.

Map of Main Street SE Closure [PDF]

Exceptions and Conditions

• Emergency vehicles will be allowed on closed sections of parkways and streets at all times.
• Service, delivery and sanitation vehicles will be allowed on closed sections of parkways and streets as part of their regular operations. Vehicle drivers will be required to move and replace barricades.
• Access to residential buildings and residential parking facilities on closed sections of parkways and streets will be maintained.
• Intermittent construction vehicle access related to the Water Works project will be allowed. Water Works is under construction near Stone Arch Bridge on West River Parkway.

Social Distancing

The Minnesota Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control offer the following guidelines to limit the spread of COVID-19:

• Do not use parks if you feel sick or have symptoms, including fever, body aches, coughing, nasal congestion, runny nose and sore throat.
• Cover your cough with your elbow, don’t cough into your hands.
• Wash your hands immediately before and after visiting a park or trail.
• Maintain at least six feet of distance between you and other people that are not a part of your household.

Stay Updated

Visit minneapolisparks.org/coronavirus for parkway closure updates and other MPRB FAQs, including facility closings and activity cancellations. Receive timely email updates by visiting minneapolisparks.org/subscribe, entering your email and selecting the “COVID-19” topic in the “News Updates” section.

Northern Lights.mn Announces Spring Howl: a Virtual Art Experience

Via a March 26 e-announcment from Northern Lights.mn:

Artists Hawona Sullivan Janzen and Kathy McTavish are hard at work preparing for this year's virtual Spring Howl.

Buy your ticket today to experience for an alone / together reading and listening experience in times of sudden change.

How it works: 

• Spring Howl: a virtual art experience will be available to view and hear online from April 4 - 30th from any internet-connected device at any time of day. 
• Tickets are now on sale through April 23rd.   
• Ticket holders will receive a link to access the project within 3-5 days of ticket purchase. 
• The project includes an ever-changing and a static experience

We need a good Howl now more than ever.  Join us online in the month of April to witness this work, and discover something about yourself and our world through verse. 

Spring Howl: a virtual art experience
Available online April 4 - 30 
Last call for tickets on April 23 

FINNOVATION Lab Continues “Force For Good” Mission: Open Applications for Cohort 3 Social Impact Entrepreneurs

Via a March 25 Press Release:

FINNOVATION LAB CONTINUES “FORCE FOR GOOD” MISSION, ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THIRD COHORT OF SOCIAL IMPACT ENTREPRENEURS

Nine individuals will be supported by a $50,000 stipend, workspace, and tailored curriculum to focus on turning their bold ideas into impact businesses

FINNOVATION Lab, the champion of changemakers who believe in solving systemic social problems through the power of business, announced a third cohort of the FINNOVATION Fellowship Program, with applications being accepted April 1-May 15. The goal of the Fellowship Program is to empower social impact leaders in Minnesota and beyond. The nine-month program provides early-stage social entrepreneurs with a $50,000 living stipend, $3,000 health care stipend, dedicated workspace, tailored curriculum, and access to an ecosystem of advisors and mentors.

FINNOVATION Lab is seeking individuals with a tie to Minnesota who have bold ideas for sustainable, systems-level change. The Fellowship Program supports entrepreneurs with a passion for generating lasting social impact through innovative business models, including traditional corporations, benefit corporations, or non-profit enterprises. All areas of impact are welcomed including education, health, environment, hunger, poverty-alleviation, or any field that creates positive change across the region. Applicants should have identified and have a deep understanding of a social or environmental issue they want to solve and be committed to developing an idea for how to tackle the issue through entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurs who are already operating their businesses are not a good fit for this program.

For both its first and second cohorts, the Fellowship Program attracted a highly competitive pool of applicants. Individuals who applied for the second cohort, which wraps programming this summer, were diverse across race, gender, and education: 57% identified as people of color, 63% female or non-binary, 18% LGBTQ+, and 38% as the first in their family to attend college. Similar to the second cohort, the pool of applicants for this group will be narrowed down to nine fellows.

“With each new batch of applicants, it gets harder to select a final group of fellows,” said Connie Rutledge, CEO at FINNOVATION Lab. “We’ve seen a lot of incredible ideas to address social problems through unconventional methods, and we’re excited to have the opportunity to foster growth for the leaders behind those ideas."

Curriculum is focused on leadership development, business planning and modeling, and systems-level analysis for social change using design thinking methodology. The Fellowship Program is often the first time participants can focus their energy on diving deeper into exploring the problem and a potential solution — learning, experimenting, and turning their idea into a reality. Alumni of the Fellowship Program have amassed some impressive achievements, including winning the Impact Venture division of the MN Cup, expanding a flagship conference, securing corporate customers, and managing an accelerator program in Greater Minnesota.

“Seeing our fellows turn their innovative ideas into fully operating and impactful businesses is truly inspirational,” said Jacquie Berglund, Founder of FINNOVATION Lab. “With each new cohort of fellows, we are more energized to continue on with our mission of being a force for good.”

Outside of the Fellowship Program, FINNOVATION Lab announced two national partnerships in October 2019 —SKU (Impact SKU) and SEED SPOT — allowing the organization to support purpose-driven businesses at various stages of growth.

The Fellowship Program, which will run mid-September 2020 through mid-June 2021 for this third cohort, is made possible through generous support from the Bush Foundation, known for its commitment to innovation and creative problem solving. Dedicated workspace and business resources are available to fellows in the FINNOVATION Lab space within the FINNEGANS House at 817 5th Ave S. Minneapolis 55404.

More details about FINNOVATION Lab and the Fellowship Program, including application information and eligibility requirements, is available at Finn-Lab.com.

About FINNOVATION Lab

FINNOVATION Lab is an inclusive workspace and community inspiring social change, growth, innovation, and experimentation. From educational programs to unique events, FINN Lab empowers social entrepreneurs to make a positive change in the world through the power of business. For more information, visit Finn-Lab.com.

The Mill City Times Interview: Captain Casidy Anderson, Community Risk Reduction Officer at Minneapolis Fire Department

Article by Becky Fillinger

Emergency response teams can’t work from home. A global pandemic doesn’t keep fires from starting and dedicated municipal workers must respond. Last week’s Central Avenue fire required Minneapolis Fire Department firefighters to work long hours to extinguish the fire. Mayor Jacob Frey calls the MFD "indispensable" in tragedies we see every week and during extraordinary circumstances, like the coronavirus outbreak.

One of the MFD’s dedicated staff is Casidy Anderson, Staff Captain and Community Risk Reduction Officer. We spoke to Captain Anderson about her role in the Minneapolis Fire Department.

Left to right - FMO (driver) Aaron Banks, Captain Sean Churchill-Weekes, Firefighter Milagros Ramos, and Captain Anderson

MCT:  What do your day to day activities consist of?

CA:  The job title “Community Risk Reduction Officer” started replacing “Fire Safety and Prevention Educator” in many fire departments about 15 years ago. The reason for this is because firefighters typically respond to more than just fires – in fact, the number of fires that we respond to has gone down significantly over the years. In addition to fires, firefighters respond to medical calls, hazardous material spills, vehicle accidents, specialized rescues, emergencies in the water (such as lakes and rivers), and much more! For that reason, the typical “fire educator” now educates the public not only on fire safety and fire prevention, but also other topics such as emergency preparedness, slip and fall prevention, evacuation planning, and sometimes basic medical-skill training such as first-aid and CPR. We teach “risk reduction” skills to reduce injury and loss from many types of accidents and disasters.

Much of my job from day to day requires interfacing with the public: classroom visits teaching kids about fire safety and fire prevention, fire station tours for groups of all ages, speaking events and businesses, tabling with information at community events, talking to tenants in multi-unit high-rises, and more.

The umbrella of the job has widened significantly over the years. Not long before I took this position, the job was strictly about teaching young children about fire safety and fire prevention. Fast forward to today - our outreach includes children, adults, businesses, faith communities and more!

With COVID-19, I am now working entirely remotely, trying to reach out to people via newsletter, email, sharing best practices from local and far away communities, dropping activity books off at places for kids and families to access, and other tasks that minimize interacting face-to-face with the public.

I’ve started the process of seeing how firefighters in the stations can read a story book to children via video – either in real time or pre-recorded. I’ll let the Mill City Times know in advance of the storybook scheduling. COVID-19 is definitely challenging us to think outside the box and be creative and innovative with our outreach!

MCT:  Regarding the COVID-19 pandemic – any advice or tips you’d like to offer readers?

CA:  We’ve all heard the basic things many times – the recommendations by the CDC are to stay home as much as possible, wash hands frequently and maintain social-distancing. The CDC and health departments are the experts on this subject, so turn to them for the best information!

I am not shifting over to COVID-19 activities exclusively. I’m still focusing on fire prevention and other risk-reduction outreach; however, I will include updated tips to stay healthy during COVID-19 as part of that outreach. I’ll be taking information from the CDC and Minnesota health departments in that messaging.

That being said, a few people had contacted me wondering what they as a community could do to help – and it’s such a catch-22 because we all want to help, and yet the directive to “stay home” makes it difficult! So, I started looking at what other communities are doing – particularly on the east and west coasts where the virus is a bigger problem. Here is one of the articles I found when researching how neighbors, friends, and families can help each other out during this time. To help vulnerable neighbors, someone suggested having a shared spreadsheet where neighbors/friends/etc. could log what some basic needs are, and then people could take on one of those items and sign up to help. For example, let’s say my elderly neighbor needs house supplies. I could list that need on the spreadsheet, and someone could adopt that need and when they are at the store, pick up a few items for that neighbor, and drop it at their front door. Maybe another neighbor has a vulnerable immune system or an underlying medical issue and cannot leave their home. It’s a start at looking out for one another.

Captain Anderson leading a fire station tour with a group of Head Start families in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood.MCT:  Do you target any special groups or demographics for risk reduction?

CA:  Yes. I am deliberate about reaching out to our immigrant population, people with disabilities, and people in transition - such as those moving from shelters to independent living. For example, imagine living in a country where you’ve never used a modern stove or oven, and moving here where everything is different, including how you cook! Unattended cooking (stepping away from the stovetop when it’s on) is the #1 cause of home fires. Teaching people how to cook safely prevents a lot of fires! Or imagine being deaf or hard-of-hearing and living in a home that does not have appropriate smoke-alarms with strobe lights or alerting devices to wake you when you’re asleep. It’s important that we reach out to people who are at higher risk for fires, and I’m thoughtful about that.

MCT:  Are there any blind spots in the city’s risk focus that warrant additional attention or modification?

CA:  That is something I try to take time to analyze year to year. In general, the top causes of fires and fire-related injury and death have remained consistent for decades (both nationally and locally): #1 cause of fires are unattended cooking – which is 100% preventable by just being more careful in the kitchen. The #1 cause of fire-related death is falling asleep with a cigarette (although in the last few years unsafe heating, such as space heaters left on too long or too close to something, have vied for that #1 spot). That being said, it’s important to look at the data from year to year to see if there are any trends happening that we should focus on to keep people safe.

MCT:  Who is accountable for results in your work?

CA:  It’s a team effort! Although we have a small team of people who are assigned to “community risk reduction” as their primary job – myself and my colleague David Carson, who was just added to this position earlier this year (prior to that it was just me) – we rely on the fire station personnel to help with community events, station tours, and even school visits. The MN State Fire Marshal Office leads the charge to connect all the fire department community risk reduction specialists in the State of Minnesota. We have regular meetings and share ideas and resources.

But people in risk-reduction collaborate across jurisdictional boundaries as well. I’m part of several teams of people whose primary job is prevention and risk reduction. We all collaborate on some level to help and support each other: Minneapolis Police, Health, Regulatory Services, Emergency Management; as well as networks of people from other cities and states.

MCT:  How do you work with neighborhood associations?

CA:  I rely a lot on partnerships with MPD Crime Prevention Specialists to connect with neighborhood associations. They send out fire-related safety information for me as needed. I’m also available to speak at neighborhood association meetings, and have been invited to do that, particularly when there is a pressing fire-related concern in the neighborhood. Minneapolis Communications handles most notices to the neighborhood associations.

MCT:  Do you hold Zoom meetings (or other free videoconferencing) with citizens?

CA:  I have not held Zoom meetings as part of this job. However, with COVID-19 I have attended more Zoom meetings in the last two weeks than I have in my entire 20-year career with MFD! I anticipate holding Zoom meetings as part of my outreach if the directive to social-distance and stay at home continues for a while.

MCT:  Is your department more concerned with risk prevention or mitigation?

CA:  MFD prioritizes both prevention and mitigation. Prevention is incredibly important, because most fires can be prevented by teaching people about the causes of fires, and safer habits that lead to less fires. Although I stated that the #1 cause of fires is unattended cooking, to be specific, the #1 cause is PEOPLE. People cooking carelessly. People leaving the candle burning when they leave the house. People discarding a cigarette, still hot, into a pile of dry brush. If we can teach people to have safer habits, we will reduce fires drastically and we have seen the number of fires drop with these efforts. But mitigation is incredibly important too! The MFD is prepared to respond to every fire, medical, and hazardous emergency that we are called to. We are the biggest fire department in the State of Minnesota, serving the largest population, and our response times are incredibly fast. We want the public to have a toolbox of prevention knowledge and empower them to be safe at home and at work, but when emergencies happen, know that MFD will be there quickly!

MCT:  Thank you Captain Anderson for your time and commitment!

CA:  Thank you for sharing our story. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

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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.